so_o many_o eminent_a and_o wise_a man_n have_v approve_v and_o confirm_v this_o mistake_n of_o they_o not_o perceive_v it_o at_o all_o what_o can_v we_o or_o indeed_o what_o ought_v we_o to_o expect_v from_o any_o other_o hand_n who_o soever_o they_o be_v as_o touch_v the_o point_n now_o controvert_v betwixt_o we_o in_o comparison_n of_o which_o a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o say_v that_o all_o the_o difficulty_n that_o this_o matter_n now_o speak_v of_o yield_v be_v nothing_o at_o all_o wherein_o notwithstanding_o this_o whole_a council_n mistake_v itself_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v a_o m_n that_o after_o this_o their_o failing_n can_v have_v the_o courage_n to_o adventure_v upon_o so_o difficult_a and_o so_o intricate_a a_o undertake_n who_o can_v promise_v himself_o success_n there_o where_o so_o great_a a_o council_n have_v fail_v the_o very_a hope_n of_o effect_v so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n can_v hardly_o be_v excuse_v from_o the_o guilt_n of_o high_a presumption_n for_o first_o 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that_o one_o saturday_n he_o mean_v easter-eve_n he_o be_v a_o murderer_n of_o christ_n say_v s._n ignatius_n who_o will_v not_o think_v hear_v these_o so_o tragical_a expression_n of_o he_o that_o certain_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o the_o business_n he_o there_o speak_v of_o be_v only_o the_o observation_n of_o a_o certain_a part_n of_o a_o positive_a law_n and_o which_o yet_o as_o most_o be_v of_o opinion_n be_v at_o that_o time_n receive_v but_o by_o a_o part_n only_o of_o the_o church_n the_o belief_n and_o observation_n whereof_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v reckon_v among_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o be_v scarce_o place_v in_o the_o first_o degree_n of_o probability_n and_o be_v now_o at_o length_n utter_o abolish_v too_o this_o manner_n of_o discourse_v be_v very_o frequent_o use_v by_o tertullian_n s._n ambrose_n and_o especial_o by_o s._n hierome_n who_o be_v all_o so_o eager_a for_o the_o side_n which_o they_o take_v to_o that_o you_o will_v think_v in_o read_v they_o that_o all_o those_o who_o they_o commend_v be_v very_a angel_n and_o all_o those_o other_o who_o they_o speak_v against_o arrant_a devil_n that_o whatsoever_o they_o maintain_v be_v the_o very_a foundation_n and_o groundwork_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o whatsoever_o they_o refute_v be_v mere_a atheism_n and_o the_o high_a impiety_n that_o may_v be_v 1._o certain_o s._n hierome_n write_v to_o a_o certain_a roman_a matron_n name_v furia_n who_o be_v a_o widow_n and_o dissuade_v she_o from_o marry_v again_o discourse_v of_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n as_o he_o will_v have_v do_v in_o dissuade_v she_o from_o the_o commit_n of_o murder_n and_o here_o be_v we_o to_o call_v to_o mind_n again_o the_o divers_a reason_n of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o father_n and_o particular_o that_o of_o their_o rhetoric_n all_o which_o have_v place_n in_o this_o particular_a rather_o than_o in_o any_o other_o so_o that_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v but_o one_o only_a certain_a way_n leave_v we_o to_o discover_v in_o what_o degree_n they_o place_v the_o proposition_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n namely_o their_o creed_n and_o exposition_n of_o their_o faith_n whether_o they_o be_v general_n or_o particular_a one_o and_o the_o determination_n of_o their_o council_n and_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n for_o we_o may_v very_o well_o believe_v that_o they_o hold_v as_o necessary_a all_o such_o point_n as_o they_o make_v profession_n of_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n anathematise_v all_o such_o as_o shall_v deny_v the_o same_o and_o by_o this_o rule_n we_o may_v indeed_o assure_v ourselves_o that_o they_o hold_v as_o necessary_a the_o great_a part_n of_o all_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o at_o this_o day_n agree_v among_o ourselves_o and_o some_o of_o these_o we_o have_v former_o set_v down_o in_o our_o preface_n for_o they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o either_o deliver_v 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appear_v neither_o in_o the_o two_o follow_a council_n namely_o the_o second_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o condemn_v certain_a write_n of_o theodorus_n theodoretus_n and_o ibas_n as_o we_o have_v touch_v before_o nor_o yet_o in_o the_o iii_o council_n of_o constantinople_n which_o anathematise_v the_o monothelite_n and_o be_v hold_v about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n dclxxxi_o and_o yet_o have_v these_o six_o first_o council_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v the_o father_n of_o the_o vii_o establish_v and_o confirm_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v teach_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n 〈◊〉_d down_o from_o the_o primitive_a time_n whether_o by_o write_v or_o by_o unwritten_a tradition_n so_o that_o it_o will_v hence_o follow_v that_o these_o point_n which_o appear_v not_o here_o in_o the_o say_v six_o first_o council_n at_o all_o be_v not_o deliver_v from_o the_o beginning_n neither_o in_o write_v nor_o otherwise_o only_o about_o the_o eight_o century_n and_o so_o for_o a_o good_a while_n afterward_o we_o find_v mention_n of_o one_o of_o those_o point_n now_o controvert_v among_o we_o namely_o that_o touch_v image_n which_o be_v diverse_o and_o contrary_o determine_v in_o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n of_o nicaea_n and_o of_o francfort_n the_o second_o of_o these_o council_n enjoin_v the_o use_n and_o adoration_n of_o image_n whereas_o the_o first_o have_v utter_o forbid_v it_o and_o the_o last_o of_o these_o council_n take_v off_o and_o correct_v as_o it_o be_v the_o excess_n of_o the_o other_o two_n what_o can_v you_o say_v to_o this_o that_o neither_o in_o the_o write_n of_o particular_a man_n which_o yet_o be_v usual_o more_o copious_a and_o full_a than_o the_o determination_n of_o council_n be_v there_o be_v so_o much_o as_o any_o mention_n make_v of_o the_o say_a point_n epiphanius_n anacephal_a in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o treatise_n of_o heresy_n give_v we_o two_o discourse_n in_o the_o one_o whereof_o he_o set_v down_o the_o order_n custom_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o his_o time_n wherein_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v that_o there_o be_v very_o many_o thing_n which_o much_o differ_v from_o the_o custom_n that_o be_v at_o this_o day_n observe_v by_o we_o both_o of_o the_o one_o side_n and_o of_o the_o other_o in_o the_o other_o be_v contain_v a_o exposition_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n set_v down_o at_o large_a which_o he_o call_v 〈◊〉_d the_o pillar_n of_o the_o truth_n the_o hope_n and_o assurance_n of_o immortality_n and_o yet_o of_o all_o those_o controversy_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n debate_v among_o we_o you_o shall_v there_o meet_v with_o only_a one_o which_o be_v touch_v the_o local_a descent_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n into_o hell_n which_o yet_o be_v a_o article_n of_o very_a small_a importance_n as_o every_o one_o know_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o six_o council_n
we_o have_v a_o synodical_a epistle_n of_o sophronius_n ii_o patriarch_n of_o jerusalem_n wherein_o as_o the_o usual_a custom_n be_v he_o explain_v the_o faith_n in_o a_o very_a large_a and_o particular_a manner_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o you_o shall_v no_o there_o meet_v with_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v now_o controvert_v among_o we_o those_o that_o shall_v search_v more_o narrow_o into_o the_o business_n will_v be_v apt_a positive_o to_o conclude_v from_o this_o their_o silence_n that_o these_o point_n be_v not_o at_o that_o time_n any_o part_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n and_o certain_o this_o their_o way_n of_o argumentation_n seem_v not_o to_o want_v reason_n but_o as_o for_o my_o own_o particular_a it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o that_o it_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o assertion_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v if_o not_o a_o impossible_a yet_o at_o least_o a_o very_a hard_a thing_n to_o discover_v in_o what_o degree_n either_o of_o 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church_n to_o which_o alone_o these_o man_n attribute_v the_o supreme_a power_n of_o judge_v in_o controversy_n of_o religion_n for_o if_o we_o shall_v consider_v they_o several_o each_o by_o himself_o and_o as_o they_o stand_v by_o their_o own_o strength_n only_o they_o confess_v that_o they_o may_v chance_v to_o err_v so_o that_o it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v whether_o such_o or_o such_o say_n be_v true_o they_o and_o if_o so_o what_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v but_o we_o ought_v further_o also_o to_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n the_o opinion_n of_o any_o single_a person_n of_o the_o bench_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n at_o all_o as_o to_o the_o pass_v of_o judgement_n unless_o it_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n or_o at_o least_o of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o company_n and_o now_o see_v how_o we_o be_v fall_v again_o into_o new_a difficulty_n for_o whence_o and_o by_o what_o mean_n may_v we_o learn_v whether_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o the_o time_n of_o justin_n martyr_n or_o of_o s._n augustine_n or_o of_o s._n hierome_n maintain_v the_o same_o opinion_n in_o every_o particular_a that_o these_o man_n several_o do_v or_o not_o i_o confess_v that_o the_o charity_n of_o these_o man_n be_v very_o great_a and_o that_o they_o very_o hearty_o and_o constant_o embrace_v the_o body_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o particular_n that_o they_o see_v apparent_o to_o be_v such_o but_o where_o the_o church_n do_v not_o at_o all_o deliver_v itself_o and_o express_o declare_v what_o its_o sense_n be_v they_o can_v not_o possible_o how_o great_a soever_o their_o desire_n of_o so_o do_v may_v have_v be_v follow_v its_o authority_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o opinion_n wheresoever_o therefore_o they_o treat_v of_o point_n which_o be_v long_o since_o decide_v believe_v and_o receive_v express_o and_o positive_o by_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n either_o of_o their_o own_o age_n or_o of_o any_o of_o the_o precede_a age_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o do_v conform_v to_o what_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o church_n so_o that_o in_o these_o case_n their_o say_v may_v very_o well_o pass_v for_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o judgement_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o they_o can_v be_v either_o ignorant_a what_o be_v the_o public_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n or_o that_o know_v the_o same_o they_o will_v not_o follow_v it_o as_o for_o example_n when_o athanasius_n s._n ambrose_n s._n hierome_n s._n augustine_n and_o other_o discourse_n touch_v the_o son_n of_o god_n they_o speak_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n because_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n have_v then_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v upon_o this_o point_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o they_o say_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a may_v safe_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v do_v in_o all_o the_o other_o point_n which_o have_v either_o be_v positive_o determine_v in_o any_o of_o the_o general_a council_n or_o deliver_v in_o any_o of_o the_o creed_n or_o that_o any_o other_o way_n appear_v to_o have_v be_v the_o public_a belief_n of_o the_o church_n if_o the_o father_n have_v but_o contain_v themselves_o within_o these_o bound_n and_o have_v not_o take_v liberty_n to_o treat_v of_o any_o thing_n save_o what_o the_o church_n have_v clear_o deliver_v its_o judgement_n upon_o this_o rule_n may_v then_o have_v be_v receive_v as_o a_o general_n one_o and_o what_o opinion_n soever_o we_o find_v in_o they_o we_o may_v safe_o have_v conclude_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v in_o their_o time_n but_o the_o curiosity_n of_o man_n nature_n together_o with_o the_o impudence_n of_o the_o heretic_n and_o the_o tenderness_n of_o conscience_n whether_o of_o their_o own_o or_o of_o other_o and_o divers_z other_o reason_n perhaps_o have_v partly_o make_v they_o willing_o and_o partly_o force_v and_o as_o it_o be_v constrain_v they_o to_o go_v on_o further_a and_o to_o proceed_v to_o the_o search_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o several_a point_n which_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o universal_a and_o public_a consent_n of_o all_o christian_n it_o can_v not_o be_v avoid_v but_o that_o necessary_o they_o must_v in_o these_o inquiry_n make_v use_v of_o their_o own_o proper_a light_n and_o must_v deliver_v upon_o the_o same_o their_o own_o private_a opinion_n which_o the_o church_n which_o come_v after_o they_o have_v since_o either_o embrace_v or_o reject_v i_o 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this_o be_v a_o point_n say_v bellarmine_n touch_v which_o we_o find_v not_o the_o church_n to_o have_v determine_v any_o thing_n and_o how_o dangerous_a and_o almost_o heretical_a soever_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o man_n seem_v to_o he_o to_o be_v who_o hold_v that_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n may_v fall_v into_o heresy_n yet_o do_v he_o permit_v pope_n adrian_n to_o hold_v the_o same_o not_o dare_v to_o rank_v he_o among_o the_o heretic_n because_o that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o clear_o and_o definitive_o deliver_v itself_o touch_v this_o point_n the_o same_o bellarmine_n in_o another_o controversy_n of_o great_a importance_n touch_v the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n find_v himself_o hardly_o put_v to_o it_o by_o his_o adversary_n urge_v against_o he_o the_o authority_n of_o s._n hierome_n who_o cast_v
its_o opinion_n public_o touch_v the_o point_n at_o this_o day_n controvert_v it_o be_v as_o impossible_a that_o many_o together_o that_o live_v in_o the_o same_o time_n shall_v represent_v it_o unto_o we_o as_o that_o one_o single_a person_n shall_v how_o can_v they_o possible_o have_v see_v that_o which_o lie_v as_o yet_o conceal_v how_o can_v they_o possible_o measure_v their_o belief_n by_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o be_v not_o yet_o visible_a to_o the_o world_n the_o chiliast_n allege_v the_o testimony_n not_o of_o one_o not_o of_o two_o but_o of_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o the_o most_o ancient_a among_o the_o father_n who_o be_v all_o of_o their_o opinion_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v hereafter_o the_o answer_n that_o be_v ordinary_o make_v to_o the_o objection_n be_v that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o declare_v its_o sense_n touch_v this_o point_n the_o testimony_n of_o these_o man_n bind_v we_o not_o to_o believe_v the_o same_o which_o 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carthage_n be_v yet_o extant_a where_o you_o have_v 87_o bishop_n who_o with_o one_o unanimous_a consent_n establish_v the_o same_o the_o custom_n at_o rome_n in_o tertullia_n time_n be_v to_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n all_o fornicator_n and_o adulterer_n after_o some_o certain_a penance_n which_o they_o enjoin_v they_o tertullian_n who_o be_v a_o montanist_n exclaim_v fearful_o against_o this_o custom_n and_o write_v a_o book_n express_o against_o it_o which_o be_v also_o extant_a among_o his_o work_n at_o this_o day_n who_o now_o that_o shall_v read_v this_o piece_n of_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o all_o catholic_n that_o such_o sinner_n be_v not_o to_o be_v exclude_v from_o penance_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o it_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o a_o certain_a epistle_n of_o st._n cyprian_n anton._n that_o even_o some_o of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n of_o africa_n be_v of_o the_o contrary_a persuasion_n and_o the_o jesuit_n petavius_n be_v further_o of_o opinion_n that_o this_o indulgency_n be_v not_o allow_v nor_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o spain_n till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o and_o that_o the_o ancient_a rigour_n which_o exclude_v for_o ever_o such_o offender_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o practice_n among_o they_o till_o the_o time_n of_o pacianus_n bishop_n of_o barcelona_n who_o leave_v not_o any_o hope_n of_o ecclesiastical_a absolution_n either_o to_o idolater_n murderer_n or_o adulterer_n 163._o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o his_o exhortation_n to_o repentance_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 364._o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n ordain_v that_o none_o but_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n shall_v be_v read_v in_o church_n give_v we_o withal_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o say_a book_n
which_o amount_v in_o all_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o two_o only_a without_o make_v any_o mention_n at_o all_o of_o those_o other_o book_n which_o cardinal_n perron_n call_v posthumous_n namely_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n the_o maccabee_n judith_n and_o tobit_n all_o the_o canon_n of_o this_o council_n be_v afterward_o insert_v into_o the_o code_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a where_o you_o have_v this_o very_a canon_n also_o num._n 163._o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v they_o be_v receive_v as_o rule_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n who_o will_v believe_v now_o but_o that_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v at_o that_o time_n receive_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o you_o have_v the_o church_n of_o africa_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o synod_n at_o 47._o carthage_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 397._o and_o ordain_v quite_o contrary_a to_o 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employ_v in_o seek_v citation_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o principle_n that_o whatever_o the_o father_n witness_n to_o be_v tradition_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v receive_v of_o all_o for_o such_o and_o so_o rely_v on_o and_o this_o principle_n be_v here_o thorough_o examine_v you_o have_v here_o as_o sufficient_a a_o constitation_n of_o perron_n book_n against_o k._n j._n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o the_o marquis_n of_o worcester_n against_o k._n c._n and_o dr._n vane_n and_o other_o epitonizer_n of_o the_o cardinal_n as_o you_o have_v of_o mr._n cressys_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o the_o lord_n faulkland_n by_o the_o learned_a i._n p._n chr._n coll._n aug._n 1._o 1651._o t._n s._n the_o preface_n all_o the_o difference_n in_o religion_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o protestant_n lie_v in_o some_o certain_a point_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v as_o important_a and_o necessary_a article_n 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lawful_a and_o also_o very_o useful_a to_o pray_v to_o saint_n depart_v and_o to_o angel_n that_o our_o soul_n after_o death_n before_o they_o enter_v into_o heaven_n be_v to_o pass_v through_o a_o certain_a fire_n and_o there_o to_o endure_v grievous_a torment_n thus_o satisfy_v for_o their_o sin_n that_o one_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o receive_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n without_o have_v first_o confess_v himself_o in_o private_a to_o a_o priest_n that_o none_o but_o the_o priest_n himself_o that_o consecrate_v the_o eucharist_n be_v bind_v by_o right_a to_o receive_v it_o in_o both_o kind_n and_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o opinion_n which_o their_o adversary_n protest_v plain_o that_o they_o can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n believe_v and_o these_o point_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o the_o one_o party_n pretend_v that_o they_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n as_o 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all_o which_o be_v continual_o decline_v after_o they_o have_v once_o pass_v the_o point_n of_o their_o vigour_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o flower_n and_o prime_n of_o their_o strength_n and_o perfection_n now_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o any_o faithful_a christian_a will_v deny_v but_o that_o christianity_n be_v in_o its_o height_n and_o perfection_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o bless_a apostle_n and_o indeed_o it_o will_v be_v the_o great_a injury_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v they_o to_o say_v that_o any_o of_o their_o successor_n have_v either_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n or_o more_o ability_n to_o advance_v christianity_n than_o they_o have_v it_o will_v hence_o follow_v then_o that_o those_o time_n which_o be_v near_a to_o the_o apostle_n be_v necessary_o the_o pure_a and_o less_o subject_a to_o suspicion_n of_o corruption_n either_o in_o doctrine_n or_o in_o manner_n and_o christian_a discipline_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o corruption_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n they_o come_v in_o by_o little_a and_o little_a and_o by_o degree_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v here_o object_v that_o even_o the_o very_a next_o age_n immediate_o after_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o without_o its_o error_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v hegesippus_n who_o as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o eusebius_n 〈◊〉_d witness_v that_o the_o church_n continue_v a_o virgin_n till_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n time_n but_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o conspiracy_n of_o error_n begin_v to_o discover_v itself_o with_o open_a fce_n i_o shall_v not_o oppose_v any_o thing_n against_o this_o testimony_n but_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o if_o the_o enemy_n immediate_o upon_o the_o set_n of_o these_o star_n of_o the_o church_n their_o presence_n and_o light_n be_v scarce_o shut_v in_o have_v yet_o the_o boldness_n present_o to_o fall_v to_o sow_v his_o evil_a seed_n how_o much_o 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advantage_n the_o protestant_n cause_n it_o be_v a_o very_a clear_a confession_n that_o those_o opinion_n about_o which_o they_o contest_v with_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v clear_o in_o any_o of_o the_o book_n that_o be_v write_v during_o the_o three_o first_o century_n for_o if_o they_o be_v find_v clear_o in_o the_o same_o what_o policy_n be_v it_o then_o in_o they_o to_o appeal_v to_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o three_o follow_a century_n to_o which_o they_o very_o well_o know_v that_o their_o adversary_n attribute_v less_o than_o to_o the_o former_a but_o beside_o this_o tacit_a confession_n of_o they_o the_o thing_n be_v evident_a namely_o that_o there_o be_v leave_v we_o at_o this_o day_n very_o little_a of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n of_o christianity_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o our_o difference_n the_o bless_a christian_n of_o those_o time_n content_v themselves_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o with_o write_v the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n by_o the_o beam_n of_o their_o sanctity_n and_o holy_a life_n and_o by_o their_o blood_n shed_v in_o martyrdom_n without_o much_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o the_o write_n of_o book_n whether_o it_o be_v 2._o because_o as_o learned_a origen_n elegant_o give_v the_o reason_n they_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o be_v defend_v by_o the_o innocency_n of_o life_n and_o honesty_n of_o conversation_n rather_o than_o by_o sophistry_n and_o the_o artifice_n of_o word_n or_o whither_o because_o their_o continual_a suffering_n give_v they_o not_o leisure_n to_o take_v pen_n in_o hand_n and_o to_o write_v book_n or_o else_o whether_o it_o be_v for_o some_o other_o reason_n perhaps_o which_o we_o know_v not_o but_o this_o we_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v of_o that_o except_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v very_o little_o write_v by_o other_o in_o these_o primitive_a time_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o so_o much_o trouble_n to_o eusebius_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o history_n 〈◊〉_d have_v little_a or_o no_o light_n to_o guide_v he_o in_o his_o undertake_n and_o tread_v as_o himself_o say_v in_o a_o new_a path_n unbeaten_a by_o any_o that_o have_v go_v before_o he_o beside_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o few_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o those_o time_n have_v not_o come_v down_o to_o our_o hand_n but_o be_v lose_v either_o through_o the_o injury_n of_o time_n that_o consume_v all_o thing_n or_o else_o have_v be_v make_v away_o by_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n who_o have_v make_v bold_a to_o suppress_v and_o smother_v whatsoever_o they_o meet_v with_o that_o be_v not_o whole_o to_o their_o gust_n of_o this_o sort_n be_v those_o five_o book_n of_o papias_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n the_o apology_n of_o quadratus_n atheniensis_fw-la and_o that_o other_o of_o aristides_n the_o write_n of_o castor_n agrippa_n against_o the_o xxiv_o book_n of_o the_o heretic_n basilides_n the_o five_o book_n of_o hegesippus_n the_o work_n of_o melito_n bishop_n of_o sardis_n dionysius_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n the_o epistle_n of_o pinytus_n cretensis_n the_o write_n of_o philippus_n musanus_n modestus_n bardesanes_n pantaenus_n rhodon_n miltiades_n apollonius_n serapion_n bacchylus_n polycrates_n bishop_n of_o ephesus_n heraclius_n maximus_n hammonius_n tryphon_n hippolytus_n julius_n africanus_n dionysius_n alexandrinus_n and_o other_o of_o who_o we_o have_v no_o more_o leave_v save_v only_o their_o name_n and_o the_o title_n of_o their_o book_n which_o be_v preserve_v in_o eusebius_n meminit_fw-la s._n hierome_n and_o other_o all_o that_o we_o have_v leave_v we_o of_o these_o time_n which_o be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v they_o and_o that_o no_o man_n doubt_n of_o be_v some_o certain_a discourse_n of_o
but_o certain_o not_o on_o their_o side_n who_o maintain_v they_o affirmative_o but_o however_o this_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n that_o throughout_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o genuine_a write_n of_o these_o father_n you_o shall_v not_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n express_o urge_v either_o for_o or_o against_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o opinion_n i_o shall_v most_o willing_o confess_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o every_o wise_a man_n make_v up_o but_o one_o entire_a body_n the_o part_n whereof_o have_v a_o certain_a correspondence_n and_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o in_o such_o sort_n as_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v able_a by_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o deliver_v express_o to_o give_v a_o guess_n what_o his_o opinion_n be_v touch_v other_o thing_n which_o he_o declare_v himself_o not_o at_o all_o in_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a that_o he_o maintain_v any_o one_o position_n which_o shall_v manifest_o clash_v with_o his_o other_o tenet_n or_o that_o he_o reject_v any_o thing_n that_o necessary_o follow_v upon_o they_o but_o beside_o that_o this_o manner_n of_o disputation_n presuppose_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n hang_v all_o close_a together_o no_o one_o position_n contradict_v another_o but_o have_v all_o its_o part_n unite_v and_o depend_v one_o upon_o another_o which_o notwithstanding_o be_v not_o altogether_o unquestionable_a as_o we_o shall_v show_v elsewhere_o beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v it_o require_v also_o a_o sharp_a pierce_a wit_n which_o ready_o and_o clear_o apprehend_v the_o connexion_n of_o each_o several_a point_n a_o excellent_a memory_n to_o retain_v faithful_o whatever_o position_n the_o ancient_n have_v maintain_v and_o a_o solid_a judgement_n free_a from_o all_o pre-occupation_n to_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o tenet_n maintain_v at_o this_o day_n and_o what_o man_n soever_o be_v endue_v with_o all_o these_o quality_n i_o shall_v account_v he_o the_o fit_a man_n to_o make_v profitable_a use_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o likely_a of_o any_o to_o search_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o but_o the_o mischief_n of_o it_o be_v that_o man_n so_o qualify_v be_v very_o rare_a and_o hard_o to_o be_v find_v i_o shall_v add_v here_o other_o that_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v some_o certain_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n this_o whole_a method_n be_v vain_a and_o useless_a as_o be_v also_o that_o which_o make_v use_v of_o argumentation_n and_o reason_n mean_n which_o be_v insufficient_a and_o unable_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o these_o doctor_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o any_o certainty_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n wherein_o their_o opinion_n be_v we_o be_v to_o rely_v upon_o clear_a and_o express_v text_n only_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n we_o will_v not_o if_o we_o be_v wife_n believe_v that_o the_o father_n hold_v any_o of_o the_o aforenamed_a point_n unless_o we_o can_v find_v they_o in_o express_a term_n deliver_v in_o their_o write_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o very_a same_o term_n that_o we_o read_v they_o in_o the_o decree_n and_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n see_v then_o that_o according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n those_o testimony_n only_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v which_o be_v express_v and_o likewise_o that_o of_o these_o point_n now_o controvert_v there_o be_v searce_o any_o thing_n find_v express_o deliver_v by_o the_o father_n we_o may_v in_o my_o opinion_n very_o logical_o and_o reasonable_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v if_o not_o a_o impossible_a yet_o at_o least_o a_o very_a difficult_a thing_n according_a to_o these_o man_n to_o come_v to_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n touch_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o tenet_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n reject_v by_o the_o protestant_n chap._n iii_o reason_n iii_o that_o those_o write_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v not_o all_o true_o such_o but_o a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o supposition_n and_o forge_v either_o long_o since_o or_o of_o late_a time_n i_o come_v now_o to_o more_o important_a consideration_n these_o two_o former_a though_o they_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o to_o be_v despise_v or_o neglect_v be_v yet_o but_o trivial_a one_o in_o respect_n of_o those_o which_o follow_v for_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o confusion_n in_o the_o most_o part_n of_o these_o book_n whereof_o we_o speak_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a thing_n true_o to_o find_v out_o who_o be_v their_o author_n and_o what_o the_o mean_v and_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v the_o first_o difficulty_n proceed_v from_o the_o infinite_a number_n of_o forge_v book_n which_o be_v false_o attribute_v to_o the_o ancient_a father_n the_o like_a have_v happen_v also_o in_o all_o sort_n of_o learning_n and_o science_n insomuch_o that_o the_o critic_n at_o this_o day_n be_v sufficient_o trouble_v in_o discover_v both_o in_o philosophy_n and_o humanity_n which_o be_v forge_v and_o supposititious_a piece_n and_o which_o be_v true_a and_o legitimate_a but_o this_o abuse_n have_v not_o reign_v any_o where_o more_o gross_o and_o take_v to_o itself_o more_o liberty_n than_o towards_o the_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n all_o man_n complain_v on_o this_o both_o on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o on_o the_o other_o and_o labour_n all_o they_o can_v to_o deliver_v we_o from_o these_o confusion_n though_o oftentimes_o with_o little_a success_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o eagerness_n of_o their_o passion_n by_o which_o they_o be_v carry_v away_o ordinary_o judge_v of_o book_n according_a to_o their_o own_o interest_n rather_o than_o the_o truth_n and_o reject_v all_o those_o that_o any_o whit_n contradict_v they_o but_o defend_v those_o which_o speak_v of_o their_o side_n how_o good_a or_o bad_a soever_o they_o otherwise_o chance_v to_o be_v so_o that_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n they_o judge_v not_o of_o their_o own_o opinion_n by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n but_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n by_o their_o own_o opinion_n if_o they_o speak_v with_o we_o it_o be_v then_o cyprian_a and_o chrysostome_n if_o not_o it_o be_v some_o ignorant_a modern_a fellow_n or_o else_o some_o malicious_a person_n who_o will_v fain_o cover_v his_o own_o filthiness_n under_o the_o rich_a garment_n of_o these_o excellent_a person_n now_o if_o it_o be_v passion_n only_o that_o render_v the_o business_n obscure_a we_o shall_v be_v able_a easy_o to_o quit_v our_o hand_n of_o it_o by_o strip_v it_o and_o lay_v it_o open_a to_o the_o world_n and_o all_o moderate_a man_n will_v find_v enough_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o but_o the_o worst_a of_o it_o be_v that_o this_o obscurity_n oftentimes_o fall_v out_o to_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a and_o sometime_o a_o impossible_a thing_n to_o clear_v they_o whether_o it_o be_v 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the_o other_o side_n ruffinus_n have_v some_o name_n in_o the_o church_n though_o nothing_o near_o so_o great_a a_o one_o as_o cyprian_n have_v and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o the_o afore-named_n merchant_n have_v inscribe_v with_o s._n cyprian_n name_v that_o treatise_n upon_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o be_v write_v by_o ruffinus_n beside_o the_o avarice_n of_o these_o librarii_n their_o own_o ignorance_n or_o at_o least_o of_o those_o who_o they_o consult_v have_v in_o like_a manner_n produce_v no_o small_a number_n of_o these_o spurious_a piece_n for_o when_o either_o the_o likeness_n of_o the_o name_n or_o of_o the_o style_n or_o of_o the_o subject_a treat_v of_o or_o any_o other_o seem_a reason_n give_v they_o occasion_n to_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o anonymous_n book_n be_v the_o work_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o ancient_a author_n they_o present_o copy_v it_o out_o under_o the_o say_v author_n name_n and_o thus_o it_o come_v from_o thenceforth_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o world_n for_o such_o and_o by_o they_o to_o be_v deliver_v for_o such_o over_z to_z posterity_n but_o all_o the_o blame_n be_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o transcriber_n only_o in_o this_o particular_a the_o author_n themselves_o have_v contribute_v very_o much_o to_o the_o promote_a of_o this_o kind_n of_o imposture_n for_o there_o have_v be_v find_v in_o all_o age_n some_o that_o have_v be_v so_o sottish_o ambitious_a and_o so_o desirous_a at_o what_o rate_n soever_o to_o have_v their_o conception_n publish_v to_o the_o world_n as_o that_o find_v they_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o please_v and_o get_v applause_n abroad_o of_o themselves_o they_o have_v vent_v they_o under_o the_o name_n of_o some_o of_o the_o father_n choose_v rather_o to_o see_v they_o receive_v and_o honour_v under_o this_o false_a habit_n than_o disdain_v and_o slight_v under_o their_o own_o true_a one_o these_o man_n according_a as_o their_o several_a ability_n have_v be_v have_v 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entitle_v 17._o the_o act_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o of_o tecla_n and_o be_v convince_v of_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o s._n john_n he_o plain_o confess_v that_o the_o love_n that_o he_o bear_v to_o s._n paul_n be_v the_o only_a cause_n that_o move_v he_o to_o do_v it_o such_o be_v the_o boldness_n also_o of_o ruffinus_n 2._o a_o priest_n of_o aquileia_n who_o s._n hierome_n just_o reprehend_v so_o sharp_o and_o in_o so_o many_o place_n who_o to_o vindicate_v origen_n honour_n write_v a_o apology_n for_o he_o under_o the_o name_n of_o pamphilus_n a_o holy_a and_o renown_a martyr_n although_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v he_o have_v take_v it_o partly_o out_o of_o the_o first_o and_o six_o book_n that_o eusebius_n have_v write_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a and_o partly_o make_v use_n of_o his_o own_o invention_n in_o it_o some_o such_o like_a fancy_n it_o be_v that_o move_v he_o also_o to_o put_v forth_o the_o life_n of_o one_o sextus_n a_o pythagorean_n philosopher_n 4._o under_o the_o name_n of_o s._n sixtus_n the_o martyr_n to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o work_n may_v be_v receive_v the_o more_o favourable_o what_o can_v you_o say_v to_o this_o namely_o that_o in_o the_o very_a same_o age_n there_o be_v a_o personage_n of_o great_a note_n than_o the_o former_a who_o dislike_a that_o hierome_n have_v translate_v the_o old_a testament_n out_o of_o the_o hebrew_n frame_v a_o epistle_n under_o his_o name_n wherein_o he_o make_v he_o repent_v himself_o of_o have_v do_v it_o which_o epistle_n even_o in_o s._n hierome_n life-time_n though_o without_o his_o knowledge_n be_v publish_v by_o the_o say_a author_n both_o at_o rome_n and_o in_o africa_n who_o can_v believe_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o bold_a attempt_n 2._o have_v not_o s._n hierome_n himself_o relate_v the_o story_n and_o make_v complaint_n of_o the_o injury_n do_v he_o therein_o i_o must_v impute_v also_o to_o a_o fancy_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n though_o certain_o more_o innocent_a than_o the_o other_o the_o spread_a abroad_o of_o so_o many_o prediction_n of_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o sibylls_n which_o be_v do_v by_o some_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n only_o to_o prepare_v the_o pagan_n to_o relish_v this_o doctrine_n the_o better_a 7._o as_o it_o be_v object_v against_o they_o by_o celsus_n in_o origen_n but_o that_o which_o be_v of_o great_a consequence_n yet_o be_v that_o even_o the_o father_n themselves_o have_v sometime_o make_v use_n of_o this_o artifice_n to_o promote_v the_o interest_n either_o of_o their_o own_o opinion_n or_o their_o passion_n we_o have_v a_o notable_a example_n hereof_o which_o be_v object_v against_o the_o latin_n by_o the_o greek_n 457._o above_o two_o hundred_o year_n since_o of_o two_o bishop_n of_o rome_n zozimus_n and_o boniface_n who_o to_o authorise_v the_o title_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v of_o be_v universal_a bishop_n and_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o african_a forge_v about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o century_n certain_a canon_n in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o allege_v they_o for_o such_o divers_a time_n 3._o in_o the_o council_n in_o africa_n which_o notwithstanding_o after_o a_o long_a and_o diligent_a search_n can_v never_o yet_o be_v find_v in_o any_o of_o the_o authentic_a copy_n of_o the_o say_a council_n of_o nice_a although_o the_o african_a bishop_n have_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o send_v as_o far_o as_o constantinople_n alexandria_n and_o antioch_n to_o get_v the_o best_a and_o true_a copy_n that_o they_o can_v neither_o indeed_o have_v the_o canon_n and_o act_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a at_o this_o day_n though_o it_o have_v since_o that_o time_n pass_v through_o so_o many_o several_a hand_n any_o such_o thing_n in_o itâ—_n no_o not_o in_o the_o edition_n of_o those_o very_a man_n who_o be_v the_o most_o interest_v in_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o pope_n as_o that_o of_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la who_o publish_v his_o latin_a collection_n of_o they_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 525._o nor_o in_o any_o other_o either_o ancient_n or_o modern_a for_o at_o for_o that_o authentic_a copy_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o one_o friar_n john_n 20._o at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v the_o only_a copy_n that_o have_v escape_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o arrian_n and_o have_v for_o this_o cause_n be_v always_o keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n at_o rome_n with_o all_o the_o safety_n and_o care_n that_o may_v be_v out_o of_o which_o copy_n they_o have_v transcribe_v the_o say_a canon_n i_o confess_v this_o copy_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v keep_v up_o very_o close_a under_o lock_n and_o seal_n see_v that_o three_o of_o their_o pope_n namely_o zozimus_n boniface_n and_o celestine_n can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v it_o for_o the_o justification_n of_o their_o pretend_a title_n against_o the_o african_a father_n though_o in_o a_o case_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n and_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a strange_a thing_n to_o i_o that_o this_o man_n who_o come_v a_o thousand_o year_n after_o shall_v now_o at_o last_o make_v use_n of_o it_o in_o this_o cause_n whereas_o those_o very_a person_n who_o have_v it_o in_o their_o custody_n never_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v one_o syllable_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n that_o the_o seal_n of_o this_o rare_a book_n be_v never_o open_v save_v only_o in_o the_o brain_n of_o this_o doctor_n where_o only_o it_o be_v both_o frame_v and_o seal_v up_o bring_v forth_o and_o vanish_v all_o at_o the_o same_o instant_n the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o man_n that_o have_v come_v after_o he_o have_v lay_v aside_o this_o chimerical_a
invention_n be_v ashamed_a to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o any_o long_o and_o to_o say_v truth_n that_o which_o these_o man_n answer_v by_o way_n of_o excuse_v the_o say_a pope_n be_v not_o any_o whit_n more_o probable_a namely_o that_o they_o take_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o that_o of_o sardica_n in_o which_o those_o canon_n they_o allege_v be_v real_o find_v for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o council_n for_o who_o will_v these_o man_n ever_o be_v able_a to_o persuade_v that_o two_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n betwixt_o which_o there_o pass_v near_o twenty_o two_o whole_a year_n call_v by_o two_o several_a emperor_n and_o for_o matter_n of_o a_o far_o different_a nature_n the_o one_o of_o they_o for_o the_o explanation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o other_o for_o the_o re-establish_a of_o two_o bishop_n in_o their_o throne_n and_o in_o place_n very_o far_o distant_a from_o each_o other_o the_o one_o at_o nicaea_n in_o bythinia_n the_o other_o at_o sardica_n a_o city_n of_o illyricum_n the_o canon_n of_o which_o two_o council_n be_v very_o different_a both_o in_o substance_n number_n and_o authority_n the_o one_o of_o they_o have_v always_o be_v receive_v general_o by_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o the_o other_o have_v never_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o eastern_a church_n shall_v yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o council_n how_o can_v they_o themselves_o endure_v this_o who_o be_v so_o fierce_a against_o the_o greek_n for_o have_v offer_v to_o attribute_v which_o they_o do_v notwithstanding_o with_o more_o appearance_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o six_o council_n those_o cii_o canon_n which_o be_v agree_v upon_o ten_o year_n after_o at_o constantinople_n in_o a_o assembly_n wherein_o one_o party_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o six_o council_n meet_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o the_o ancient_a church_n see_v that_o in_o the_o greek_a collection_n of_o her_o ancient_a canon_n those_o 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have_v think_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o that_o of_o sardica_n to_o have_v be_v both_o but_o one_o council_n they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v make_v answer_n that_o 〈◊〉_d canon_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o pretend_a second_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a among_o those_o which_o have_v be_v agree_v upon_o at_o sardica_n especial_o when_o they_o see_v that_o these_o careful_a father_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o have_v resolve_v to_o send_v to_o this_o purpose_n as_o far_o as_o constantinople_n and_o alexandria_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o syllable_n tend_v this_o way_n say_v by_o they_o and_o certain_o if_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n have_v be_v in_o those_o day_n repute_v as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a it_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o learned_a and_o religious_a prelate_n as_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n in_o africa_n as_o namely_o aurelius_n alypius_n and_o even_o s._n augustine_n that_o glorious_a light_n not_o of_o the_o african_a only_o but_o of_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o ignorant_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n beyond_o all_o belief_n that_o three_o pope_n and_o their_o legate_n shall_v leave_v their_o party_n in_o a_o ignorance_n so_o gross_a and_o so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o interest_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o have_v relieve_v they_o in_o two_o word_n we_o may_v safe_o then_o conclude_v that_o these_o pope_n zozimus_n and_o boniface_n have_v no_o other_o copy_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a than_o what_o we_o have_v and_o also_o that_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a but_o that_o they_o rather_o purposely_o allege_v some_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o sardica_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o 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approve_v and_o make_v sacred_a in_o so_o many_o general_a council_n be_v able_a to_o escape_v these_o alteration_n for_o not_o to_o speak_v any_o thing_n of_o these_o expression_n which_o be_v of_o little_a importance_n de_fw-fr coelis_fw-la from_o heaven_n secundum_fw-la scripturas_fw-la according_a to_o the_o scripture_n deum_fw-la de_fw-la deo_fw-la god_n of_o god_n which_o cardinal_n julian_n 12._o affirm_v at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o creed_n and_o in_o some_o other_o be_v not_o it_o be_v now_o the_o space_n of_o some_o age_n past_a since_o the_o eastern_a church_n marg_n accuse_v the_o western_a of_o have_v add_v filioque_fw-la and_o the_o son_n in_o the_o article_n touch_v the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o western_a man_n as_o senseless_o charge_v back_o upon_o they_o again_o that_o they_o have_v cut_v it_o off_o which_o be_v a_o alteration_n though_o it_o seem_v but_o trivial_a in_o appearance_n that_o be_v of_o 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first_o century_n do_v the_o cardinal_n deny_v his_o sequel_n reply_v among_o other_o thing_n that_o to_o be_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o ancient_n a_o man_n ought_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v what_o they_o believe_v but_o also_o to_o believe_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n that_o they_o do_v that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o believe_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n what_o they_o believe_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o to_o believe_v as_o profitable_a to_o salvation_n what_o they_o hold_v for_o such_o and_o for_o lawful_a and_o not_o repugnant_a to_o salvation_n what_o they_o hold_v for_o lawful_a and_o not_o repugnant_a to_o salvation_n and_o thus_o he_o go_v on_o and_o give_v we_o a_o long_a and_o exact_a division_n of_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o necessity_n which_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o all_o proposition_n touch_v religion_n i_o can_v hearty_o wish_v that_o this_o occasion_n have_v carry_v on_o this_o 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special_a regard_n which_o it_o always_o have_v unto_o it_o opening_z to_z or_o shut_v the_o door_n against_o man_n first_o of_o all_o according_a to_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o believe_v or_o not_o believe_v second_o according_a to_o the_o different_a manner_n how_o they_o believe_v or_o not_o believe_v they_o for_o it_o excommunicate_v those_o who_o reject_v those_o thing_n that_o it_o hold_v as_o necessary_a and_o so_o likewise_o those_o who_o press_v as_o thing_n necessary_a such_o as_o it_o hold_v for_o thing_n probable_a only_o but_o it_o receive_v with_o all_o the_o sweetness_n that_o may_v be_v all_o those_o who_o either_o be_v ignorant_a of_o or_o doubt_v of_o or_o indeed_o deny_v those_o thing_n which_o it_o account_v though_o true_a yet_o not_o necessary_o so_o this_o appear_v clear_o 26._o out_o of_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o irenaeus_n to_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n set_v down_o by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o ecclesiastical_a history_n where_o this_o holy_a man_n 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true_a than_o do_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o former_a depend_v upon_o a_o cause_n which_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o consequent_o be_v null_a now_o these_o different_a opinion_n be_v reconcile_v by_o say_v that_o the_o church_n account_v neither_o of_o these_o belief_n as_o necessary_a to_o faith_n a_o man_n be_v not_o present_o a_o heretic_n for_o hold_v the_o false_a opinion_n of_o the_o two_o nor_o yet_o be_v he_o to_o be_v count_v orthodox_n mere_o for_o hold_v the_o true_a one_o see_v therefore_o that_o this_o particular_a concern_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o our_o salvation_n also_o which_o depend_v thereon_o it_o will_v behoove_v we_o to_o know_v certain_o in_o what_o degree_n the_o ancient_n place_v those_o article_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n so_o eager_o press_v upon_o the_o protestant_n and_o whether_o they_o hold_v they_o in_o the_o same_o or_o in_o a_o high_a or_o else_o in_o a_o low_a degree_n of_o necessity_n than_o they_o be_v now_o maintain_v 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the_o hazard_n of_o be_v anathematise_v who_o can_v assure_v we_o may_n the_o protestant_n further_o add_v that_o the_o article_n which_o we_o reject_v be_v not_o of_o this_o kind_n and_o such_o as_o that_o though_o perhaps_o they_o may_v be_v true_a it_o be_v nevertheless_o lawful_a for_o we_o not_o to_o believe_v my_o opinion_n therefore_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o man_n now_o that_o see_v not_o that_o it_o concern_v the_o doctor_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n if_o they_o mean_v to_o convince_v their_o adversary_n out_o of_o the_o father_n first_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v unto_o they_o that_o the_o ancient_n hold_v the_o say_v point_n not_o only_o as_o true_a but_o as_o necessary_a also_o and_o in_o the_o very_a same_o degree_n of_o necessity_n that_o they_o now_o hold_v they_o now_o this_o must_v needs_o prove_v a_o business_n of_o most_o extreme_a difficulty_n and_o much_o great_a here_o than_o in_o any_o of_o the_o other_o particular_n before_o propose_v and_o i_o shall_v 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understand_v both_o there_o anâ—_n 〈◊〉_d where_o of_o the_o communicate_v of_o the_o eucharist_n he_o make_v a_o long_a discourse_n to_o prove_v that_o they_o extend_v as_o well_o to_o little_a infant_n as_o to_o people_n of_o ripe_a agâ—_n c_o 〈◊〉_d there_o any_o man_n say_v he_o that_o dare_v affirm_v that_o thiâ—_n speech_n belong_v not_o to_o little_a 〈…〉_z oâ—_n that_o they_o may_v have_v life_n in_o they_o without_o participate_v of_o this_o body_n and_o of_o this_o bloâ—d_n and_o this_o be_v this_o constant_a manner_n of_o speak_v in_o eight_o or_o ten_o other_o passage_n in_o his_o ap._n work_n which_o be_v too_o long_o to_o be_v here_o insert_v pope_n innocent_a i_o his_o contemporary_a speak_v also_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n prove_v against_o the_o pelagian_n that_o baptism_n be_v necessary_a for_o infant_n to_o render_v they_o capable_a of_o eternal_a life_n for_o as_o much_o as_o without_o baptism_n they_o can_v 2._o communicate_v of_o the_o eucharist_n which_o be_v 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tobit_n the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la and_o the_o maccabee_n out_o of_o the_o canon_n contrary_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o receive_v they_o in_o rid_v his_o hand_n of_o this_o objection_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n i_o confess_v say_v he_o that_o s._n hierome_n hold_v this_o opinion_n because_o that_o no_o general_n council_n have_v as_o yet_o ordain_v any_o thing_n touch_v these_o book_n see_v therefore_o it_o be_v most_o clear_a both_o from_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o adversary_n and_o also_o by_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o the_o father_n have_v venâ—ed_v in_o their_o write_n very_o many_o of_o their_o own_o particular_a opinion_n digest_v out_o of_o their_o own_o private_a meditation_n and_o which_o they_o have_v not_o learn_v in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o church_n who_o see_v not_o that_o before_o we_o give_v any_o certain_a credit_n unto_o their_o say_n we_o ought_v first_o to_o be_v 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that_o such_o testimony_n be_v as_o obscure_a as_o the_o controvert_v opinion_n themselves_o notwithstanding_o that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v think_v too_o hasty_o and_o upon_o too_o light_a ground_n to_o reject_v this_o way_n of_o proceed_v we_o will_v pass_v by_o all_o that_o obscurity_n that_o be_v find_v touch_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o discover_v what_o the_o opinion_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o father_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o aforesaid_a point_n we_o will_v now_o in_o this_o second_o book_n consider_v whether_o or_o no_o their_o authority_n be_v such_o as_o that_o we_o ought_v or_o may_v without_o further_a examination_n believe_v on_o their_o score_n what_o we_o know_v they_o certain_o to_o have_v believe_v and_o to_o hold_v it_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n that_o they_o do_v there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o passage_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n in_o the_o one_o you_o have_v they_o 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give_v touch_v the_o faith_n hold_v by_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n i_o know_v not_o whether_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v all_o they_o bring_v for_o certain_a truth_n or_o not_o but_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o that_o though_o they_o shall_v deserve_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o for_o such_o yet_o nevertheless_o will_v they_o stand_v we_o in_o very_o little_a stead_n as_o to_o the_o business_n now_o in_o hand_n the_o reason_n which_o move_v i_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v because_o i_o observe_v that_o those_o very_a man_n who_o be_v the_o great_a admirer_n of_o the_o father_n do_v yet_o confess_v that_o although_o they_o err_v very_o little_a or_o not_o at_o all_o in_o matter_n of_o right_n yet_o nevertheless_o they_o be_v often_o out_o and_o have_v their_o fail_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n because_o that_o right_o be_v a_o universal_a thing_n which_o be_v every_o way_n uniform_a and_o all_o of_o one_o sort_n whereas_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v mix_v and_o as_o it_o be_v enchase_v with_o divers_a particular_a circumstance_n which_o may_v very_o easy_o escape_v the_o knowledge_n of_o or_o at_o least_o be_v not_o so_o right_o understand_v by_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o pierce_a wit_n now_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n in_o every_o particular_a age_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o not_o of_o right_a and_o a_o point_n of_o history_n and_o not_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o it_o follow_v hence_o that_o possible_o the_o father_n may_v have_v err_v in_o give_v we_o a_o account_n hereof_o and_o that_o therefore_o their_o testimony_n in_o such_o case_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o as_o infallible_o true_a neither_o yet_o may_v we_o be_v think_v hereby_o to_o accuse_v the_o father_n of_o falshood_n for_o how_o often_o do_v the_o honest_a person_n that_o be_v innocent_o testify_v such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v they_o have_v see_v which_o it_o afterward_o appear_v 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from_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n this_o doubt_n i_o say_v of_o his_o manifest_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o at_o that_o time_n embrace_v or_o conclude_v upon_o the_o former_a of_o these_o opinion_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n utter_o improbable_a fatentut_o that_o so_o modest_a a_o man_n as_o s._n augustine_n be_v will_v have_v cast_v off_o the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v take_v up_o a_o particular_a fancy_n of_o his_o own_o but_o the_o passion_n wherewith_o s._n hierome_n be_v at_o that_o time_n carry_v away_o against_o ruffinus_n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o his_o time_n be_v also_o of_o the_o say_a opinion_n easy_o wrought_v in_o he_o a_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a judgement_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n from_o the_o same_o root_n also_o spring_v that_o error_n of_o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n 〈◊〉_d if_o at_o least_o it_o be_v a_o error_n who_o affirm_v that_o 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in_o their_o time_n nevertheless_o that_o we_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o make_v a_o breach_n upon_o the_o honour_n and_o reputation_n of_o the_o father_n i_o say_v that_o though_o we_o shall_v grant_v that_o all_o their_o deposition_n and_o testimony_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v they_o be_v of_o little_a use_n to_o we_o as_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n for_o first_o of_o all_o there_o be_v but_o very_o few_o passage_n wherein_o they_o testify_v plain_o and_o in_o direct_a term_n what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o time_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o point_n now_o controvert_v among_o we_o this_o be_v the_o business_n of_o a_o historian_n rather_o than_o of_o a_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o office_n be_v to_o teach_v to_o prove_v and_o to_o exhort_v the_o people_n commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o to_o correct_v their_o vice_n and_o error_n tell_v they_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v or_o 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such_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n as_o these_o can_n standus_fw-la in_o very_o little_a or_o no_o stead_n see_v they_o represent_v unto_o we_o such_o opinion_n as_o be_v not_o always_o certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a and_o which_o consequent_o be_v so_o far_o from_o confirm_v and_o prove_v we_o as_o that_o they_o rather_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o be_v examine_v and_o prove_v themselves_o but_o yet_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v hold_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o particular_a church_n be_v infallible_a which_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o yet_o will_v not_o this_o make_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o against_o the_o protestant_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o clean_a contrary_a opinion_n now_o it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o proof_n ought_v to_o be_v fetch_v from_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v confess_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o your_o adversary_n who_o you_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v otherwise_o you_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o move_v he_o or_o make_v he_o quit_v his_o former_a opinion_n see_v therefore_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o farther_n touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n of_o their_o time_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n it_o remain_v that_o we_o now_o consider_v their_o other_o discourse_n wherein_o they_o have_v deliver_v themselves_o not_o as_o witness_n depose_v what_o they_o have_v see_v but_o as_o doctor_n instruct_v we_o in_o what_o they_o believe_v and_o certain_o how_o holy_a and_o able_a soever_o they_o be_v it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o be_v still_o man_n and_o consequent_o be_v subject_n to_o error_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o business_n so_o much_o transcend_v humane_a apprehension_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n only_o be_v able_a to_o direct_v their_o understanding_n and_o their_o pen_n in_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o withhold_v they_o from_o fall_v into_o any_o error_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o it_o direct_v the_o 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the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o all_o that_o go_v before_o they_o have_v both_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o the_o consideration_n whereof_o be_v both_o please_a and_o useful_a unto_o they_o for_o what_o can_v more_o delight_v a_o faithful_a heart_n than_o to_o find_v that_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o eminent_a person_n in_o the_o church_n have_v long_o since_o hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n touch_v our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o grace_n that_o we_o now_o hold_v at_o this_o day_n but_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o hence_o present_o follow_v that_o though_o these_o holy_a man_n shall_v have_v meet_v with_o these_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o predecessor_n only_o without_o find_v any_o foundation_n of_o they_o in_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n they_o will_v notwithstanding_o firm_o have_v believe_v and_o embrace_v the_o same_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o their_o predecessor_n s._n augustine_n profess_v 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be_v it_o to_o find_v that_o the_o ancient_n believe_v it_o unless_o we_o find_v withal_o in_o their_o write_n some_o reason_n of_o this_o their_o belief_n and_o again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n what_o harm_n be_v it_o to_o we_o to_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o antiquity_n believe_v it_o or_o not_o so_o long_o as_o we_o know_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o whereas_o there_o be_v some_o who_o to_o establish_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o father_n allege_v the_o counsel_n which_o sisinnius_n a_o novatian_a and_o agellius_n his_o bishop_n give_v of_o old_a to_o nectarius_n archbishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o by_o he_o to_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n eccles_n which_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v demand_v of_o the_o arrian_n whether_o or_o not_o they_o will_v stand_v to_o what_o the_o father_n who_o die_v before_o the_o break_n forth_o of_o their_o heresy_n have_v deliver_v touch_v the_o point_n debate_v betwixt_o they_o this_o be_v hardly_o worth_a our_o consideration_n 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age_n against_o the_o arrian_n deal_v with_o they_o whole_o in_o a_o manner_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o certain_o those_o holy_a man_n beside_o their_o christian_a candour_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v take_v a_o very_a wise_a course_n in_o so_o do_v for_o if_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a writer_n i_o know_v not_o how_o any_o man_n shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a that_o which_o this_o gallant_a so_o confident_o affirm_v in_o the_o place_n aforecited_a namely_o that_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n ever_o say_v that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v any_o beginning_n of_o his_o generation_n consider_v those_o many_o strange_a passage_n that_o we_o yet_o at_o this_o day_n meet_v with_o touch_v this_o particular_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o father_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n also_o why_o the_o arrian_n alâ—ledged_v their_o testimony_n as_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o the_o book_n of_o athanasius_n hilary_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n who_o write_v against_o they_o but_o what_o need_v we_o insist_v so_o long_o upon_o a_o story_n which_o be_v reject_v by_o cardinal_n 〈◊〉_d baronius_n as_o be_v a_o idle_a tale_n devise_v by_o zozomene_n who_o be_v a_o novatian_a 383._o in_o favour_n of_o those_o of_o his_o own_o sect._n the_o counsel_n of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n which_o he_o give_v we_o in_o a_o certain_a little_a discourse_n of_o he_o which_o be_v very_o high_o prise_v by_o hieron_n gennadius_n be_v account_v by_o many_o man_n much_o more_o worthy_a of_o our_o consideration_n for_o have_v first_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o any_o author_n pp_n save_v only_o of_o such_o who_o have_v holy_o wise_o and_o constant_o live_v preach_v and_o persevere_v in_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o communion_n obtain_v the_o favour_n at_o length_n either_o to_o die_v faithful_o in_o christ_n or_o else_o have_v the_o happiness_n of_o be_v crown_v with_o martyrdom_n for_o christ_n sake_n he_o further_o add_v that_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v as_o undoubted_o true_a certain_a and_o definitive_a whatsoever_o all_o the_o aforesaid_a author_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o have_v clear_o frequent_o and_o constant_o affirm_v with_o a_o vnanimous_a consent_n receive_v retain_v and_o deliver_v it_o over_o to_o other_o as_o it_o be_v joint_o and_o make_v up_o all_o of_o they_o but_o one_o common_a and_o vnanimous_a council_n of_o doctor_n but_o this_o passage_n of_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o advance_v the_o supreme_a authority_n which_o some_o will_v attribute_v to_o the_o father_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n i_o meet_v with_o something_o in_o it_o that_o make_v i_o more_o doubt_n of_o their_o authority_n than_o i_o do_v before_o for_o i_o find_v by_o this_o man_n discourse_n that_o whatsoever_o his_o reason_n be_v whether_o good_a or_o bad_a he_o clear_o appear_v to_o have_v 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this_o day_n it_o be_v believe_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o of_o all_o those_o who_o make_v profession_n of_o stand_v to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n who_o have_v reject_v it_o save_v only_o the_o latin_n 584._o who_o have_v express_o also_o establish_v the_o contrary_a at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n hold_v in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1439._o which_o be_v not_o above_o two_o hundred_o and_o twelve_o year_n ago_o do_v but_o fancy_n now_o to_o yourselves_o a_o vicentius_n lirinensis_n stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o this_o council_n and_o lay_v before_o they_o his_o own_o oracle_n before_o mention_v which_o be_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o hold_v for_o most_o certain_o and_o undoubted_o true_a whatsoever_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o the_o ancient_n unanimous_o and_o by_o a_o common_a consent_n and_o do_v but_o think_v whether_o or_o no_o he_o shall_v not_o have_v be_v hiss_v 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slip_v and_o then_o allege_v some_o of_o those_o example_n which_o we_o have_v before_o produce_v he_o conclude_v in_o these_o word_n judicio_fw-la let_v we_o therefore_o read_v the_o ancient_a father_n with_o all_o due_a reverence_n yet_o notwithstanding_o for_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v but_o man_n with_o choice_n and_o judgement_n and_o a_o little_a after_o he_o say_v that_o the_o father_n sometime_o fail_v and_o bring_v forth_o monster_n beside_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n naturae_fw-la and_o in_o the_o same_o place_n he_o say_v that_o to_o follow_v the_o ancient_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o to_o tread_v every_o where_o in_o their_o step_n as_o little_a cbildren_n use_v to_o do_v in_o play_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o disparage_v our_o own_o part_n and_o to_o confess_v ourselves_o to_o have_v neither_o judgement_n nor_o skill_n enough_o for_o the_o search_n into_o the_o trutâ—_n no_o let_v we_o follow_v they_o as_o guide_n but_o not_o as_o master_n assensum_fw-la it_o be_v very_o true_a say_v ambrose_n catharinus_n in_o like_a manner_n that_o the_o say_n and_o write_n of_o the_o father_n have_v not_o of_o themselves_o any_o so_o absolute_a authority_n as_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v to_o they_o in_o all_o thing_n the_o jesuit_n also_o themselves_o inform_v we_o sufficient_o in_o many_o place_n that_o they_o do_v not_o reckon_v themselves_o so_o tie_v to_o follow_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o father_n in_o all_o thing_n as_o people_n may_v imagine_v petavius_n in_o his_o annotation_n upon_o epiphanius_n confess_v free_o debemus_fw-la that_o the_o father_n be_v man_n that_o they_o have_v their_o fail_n and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o malicious_o to_o search_v after_o their_o error_n that_o we_o may_v lay_v they_o open_v to_o the_o world_n but_o that_o we_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o note_v they_o when_o ever_o they_o come_v in_o our_o way_n to_o the_o end_n that_o none_o be_v deceive_v by_o they_o and_o that_o we_o ought_v no_o more_o to_o maintain_v or_o defend_v their_o error_n than_o we_o ought_v to_o imitate_v their_o vice_n if_o at_o least_o they_o have_v any_o and_o again_o videbuntur_fw-la that_o many_o thing_n have_v slip_v from_o they_o which_o if_o they_o be_v examine_v according_a to_o the_o exact_a rule_n of_o truth_n can_v not_o be_v reconcile_v to_o any_o good_a sense_n and_o that_o himself_o have_v observe_v 285._o that_o they_o be_v out_o sufficient_o whensoever_o they_o speak_v of_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v not_o at_o all_o call_v in_o question_n in_o their_o time_n and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n he_o often_o reject_v both_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o exposition_n also_o and_o sometime_o very_o uncivil_o too_o as_o we_o have_v touch_v 4._o before_o speak_v of_o his_o note_n upon_o epiphanius_n and_o in_o one_o place_n the_o authority_n of_o some_o of_o the_o
what_o canon_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n those_o single_a mass_n which_o be_v now_o celebrate_v and_o say_v every_o day_n where_o none_o communicate_v but_o the_o priest_n alone_o who_o consecrate_v the_o host_n be_v institute_v or_o permit_v and_o withal_o how_o that_o respect_n which_o they_o pretend_v they_o bear_v to_o antiquity_n can_v stand_v with_o that_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o say_v sit_v whosoever_o shall_v say_v that_o those_o mass_n wherein_o the_o priest_n alone_o communicate_v sacramental_o be_v unlawful_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v abolish_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v see_v that_o these_o kind_n of_o mass_n be_v utter_o unknown_a to_o the_o ancient_a church_n as_o 33._o cassander_n prove_v at_o large_a in_o his_o consultatio_fw-la de_fw-la articulis_fw-la religionis_fw-la write_v to_o the_o emperor_n ferdinand_n but_o that_o which_o most_o of_o all_o give_v offence_n to_o those_o that_o be_v devote_v to_o aâ—â—tiqâ—ity_n be_v the_o custom_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v introduce_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o express_a decree_n and_o canon_n of_o two_o of_o their_o general_a council_n the_o one_o hold_v at_o 13._o constance_n and_o the_o other_o at_o 2._o trent_n of_o not_o allow_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o cup_n to_o any_o save_v only_o to_o the_o priest_n who_o consecrate_v the_o same_o exclude_v by_o this_o mean_n first_o of_o all_o all_o the_o laity_n and_o second_o all_o the_o priest_n also_o and_o other_o of_o the_o clergy_n who_o have_v not_o the_o consecrate_v of_o it_o whereas_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n for_o the_o space_n of_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n admit_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o holy_a and_o bless_a cup_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o consecrate_a bread_n as_o those_o of_o these_o two_o council_n themselves_o confess_v in_o the_o etc._n preface_n to_o this_o new_a constitution_n and_o this_o be_v still_o the_o practice_n also_o at_o this_o day_n among_o all_o christian_n throughout_o the_o world_n both_o russian_n wiâ—emb_v greek_n armenian_n sangue_fw-fr ethiopian_n 12._o protestant_n and_o all_o other_o in_o general_n except_o the_o latin_n only_o who_o be_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o beside_o that_o the_o ancient_n permit_v this_o communion_n under_o both_o kind_n as_o they_o use_v to_o speak_v it_o seem_v which_o be_v yet_o much_o more_o that_o unless_o it_o be_v in_o some_o extraordinary_a case_n they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o permit_v the_o communicate_v under_o one_o kind_a only_a for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v pope_n etc._n leo_n give_v this_o very_a thing_n as_o a_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v the_o manichee_n from_o the_o catholic_n when_o they_o sometime_o be_v present_a at_o our_o mystery_n say_v he_o that_o so_o they_o may_v hide_v their_o infidelity_n they_o so_o order_v the_o matter_n in_o their_o participate_v of_o these_o mystery_n as_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n into_o their_o unworthy_a mouth_n but_o will_v noâ—_n take_v into_o it_o one_o drop_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o he_o further_o add_v that_o he_o give_v his_o auditory_a this_o advertisement_n that_o thâ—y_o may_v know_v these_o man_n by_o this_o mark._n shall_v this_o pope_n now_o arise_v from_o his_o grave_n and_o come_v into_o the_o world_n again_o he_o will_v certain_o believe_v that_o all_o those_o who_o adhere_v to_o his_o see_n be_v turn_v manichee_n except_o the_o consecrate_v priest_n only_o how_o besides_o will_v you_o be_v able_a without_o this_o hypothesis_n to_o explain_v that_o decree_n of_o pope_n provenire_fw-la gelasius_n which_o say_v we_o be_v inform_v that_o there_o be_v some_o who_o have_v take_v a_o small_a portion_n of_o the_o sacred_a body_n only_o forbear_v to_o partake_v of_o the_o cup_n of_o the_o consecrate_a blood_n do_v this_o as_o we_o hear_v out_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o superstitious_a conceit_n wherewith_o they_o be_v possess_v we_o therefore_o will_v that_o they_o either_o partake_v of_o the_o whole_a sacrament_n or_o else_o that_o they_o be_v whole_o put_v back_o from_o communicate_v of_o either_o for_o asmuch_o as_o there_o can_v without_o very_o great_a sacrilege_n any_o division_n be_v make_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o mystery_n and_o in_o the_o last_o place_n what_o can_v you_o otherwise_o say_v to_o that_o story_n which_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o accuser_n of_o 〈◊〉_d ibas_n bishop_n of_o edessa_n how_o that_o have_v one_o time_n make_v but_o a_o very_a scanty_a provision_n of_o wine_n for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o altar_n which_o after_o it_o have_v be_v begin_v to_o be_v distribute_v about_o to_o the_o communicant_n begin_v quick_o to_o fail_v he_o perceive_v this_o beckon_v to_o those_o who_o deliver_v about_o the_o holy_a body_n that_o they_o shall_v come_v back_o again_o because_o there_o be_v no_o more_o leave_v of_o the_o blood_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o make_v they_o to_o give_v over_o their_o business_n because_o there_o be_v no_o more_o wine_n if_o so_o be_v it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n lawful_a to_o distribute_v the_o bread_n alone_o without_o the_o other_o kind_a of_o wine_n if_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o of_o constance_n have_v account_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n to_o have_v be_v supreme_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o abolish_v that_o which_o have_v for_o so_o long_a time_n and_o so_o constant_o be_v observe_v by_o they_o and_o how_o again_o do_v this_o other_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n suit_n with_o that_o respect_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o bear_v towards_o antiquity_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o sit_v whosoever_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n have_v not_o be_v induce_v by_o just_a cause_n and_o reason_n to_o communicate_v to_o the_o laity_n and_o even_o to_o the_o priest_n too_o who_o do_v not_o consecrated_a under_o the_o kind_a of_o bread_n only_o or_o that_o it_o have_v err_v in_o this_o point_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v for_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o very_o easy_a matter_n to_o be_v able_a to_o acquit_v the_o modern_a church_n without_o condemn_v the_o ancient_n see_v their_o practice_n have_v be_v manifest_o contradictory_n to_o each_o other_o the_o modern_a church_n forbid_v that_o which_o the_o ancient_n permit_v and_o the_o ancient_a church_n seem_v to_o have_v express_o forbid_v that_o which_o the_o modern_a command_v how_o can_v you_o say_v that_o the_o one_o have_v just_a reason_n for_o what_o it_o do_v unless_o you_o withal_o grant_v that_o the_o other_o in_o do_v the_o contrary_a have_v either_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o or_o else_o but_o very_o unjust_a one_o see_v it_o be_v most_o clear_a that_o neither_o the_o world_n nor_o the_o time_n be_v any_o whit_n change_v within_o this_o two_o hundred_o year_n from_o what_o they_o be_v before_o for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o allege_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o modern_n which_o shall_v not_o in_o like_a manner_n have_v oblige_v the_o ancient_n nor_o again_o to_o produce_v any_o reason_n for_o the_o contrary_a practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n which_o do_v not_o in_o like_a manner_n oblige_v the_o modern_n so_o that_o of_o necessity_n either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o they_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v guilty_a either_o of_o error_n or_o at_o least_o of_o negligence_n and_o of_o ignorance_n we_o may_v very_o well_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n see_v it_o believe_v itself_o to_o be_v infallible_a manifest_o in_o this_o particular_a condemn_v the_o ancient_a church_n as_o guilty_a of_o ignorance_n or_o of_o negligence_n at_o the_o least_o which_o in_o my_o judgement_n seem_v not_o so_o well_o to_o become_v those_o person_n who_o do_v nothing_o else_o but_o continual_o preach_v unto_o we_o the_o honour_n of_o antiquity_n but_o here_o now_o will_v all_o the_o true_a honourer_n of_o antiquity_n have_v as_o good_a sport_n as_o can_v be_v for_o as_o for_o those_o reason_n by_o which_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v induce_v to_o make_v the_o aforementioned_a decree_n how_o will_n they_o say_v may_v we_o be_v able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n whether_o they_o be_v just_a or_o not_o see_v that_o they_o themselves_o produce_v none_o at_o all_o whereas_o the_o reason_n which_o move_v the_o ancient_n to_o do_v as_o they_o do_v and_o which_o you_o have_v set_v down_o at_o large_a in_o a_o certain_a discourse_n print_v at_o paris_n 1019._o at_o the_o end_n of_o cassander_n work_n be_v very_o solid_a and_o clear_a and_o in_o my_o judgement_n very_o full_a both_o of_o wisdom_n and_o of_o charity_n but_o we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o enter_v any_o further_o into_o this_o contestation_n it_o
be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o do_v thus_o have_v manifest_o abolish_v a_o very_a ancient_a custom_n in_o the_o church_n beside_o these_o ceremony_n which_o be_v practise_v by_o the_o father_n in_o baptism_n and_o in_o the_o eucharist_n they_o have_v say_v by_o many_o other_o also_o which_o have_v be_v heretofore_o in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o speak_v of_o the_o fast_n upon_o saturday_n which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n contrary_a to_o the_o ancient_a practice_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n beside_o who_o all_o account_v it_o unlawful_a because_o this_o difference_n in_o practice_n be_v as_o ancient_a as_o 75._o st._n augustine_n time_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o modern_a church_n of_o rome_n i_o shall_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n also_o pass_v by_o that_o which_o etc._n firmilianâ—s_n say_v namely_o how_o that_o in_o his_o time_n that_o be_v to_o say_v about_o two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o nativity_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n those_o of_o rome_n do_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n observe_v whatsoever_o have_v be_v deliver_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o that_o they_o do_v in_o vain_a allege_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o this_o i_o shall_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o ancient_o it_o be_v a_o general_a custom_n throughout_o all_o christendom_n not_o to_o kneel_v neither_o upon_o the_o lord_n day_n nor_o upon_o any_o day_n betwixt_o easter_n day_n and_o whitsunday_n which_o custom_n have_v be_v general_o abolish_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o rome_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o whether_o you_o consider_v the_o antiquity_n or_o whether_o you_o look_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o both_o practise_v this_o themselves_o and_o also_o recommend_v it_o to_o our_o observation_n you_o will_v hardly_o find_v any_o more_o venerable_a custom_n than_o this_o for_o the_o etc._n author_n of_o the_o question_n and_o answer_n attribute_v to_o justin_n martyr_n make_v mention_n of_o this_o custom_n and_o withal_o give_v the_o reason_n and_o ground_n of_o it_o and_o beside_o prove_v by_o a_o certain_a passage_n which_o he_o produce_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n that_o it_o have_v its_o beginning_n in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n 3._o tertullian_n also_o speak_v of_o it_o and_o both_o opeâ—is_fw-la epiphanius_n and_o 2._o st._n hierome_n reckon_v it_o among_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o church_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o than_o all_o this_o the_o sacred_a general_n council_n of_o nice_a authorize_v the_o same_o by_o a_o express_a canon_n make_v to_o that_o purpose_n 〈◊〉_d for_o as_o much_o as_o there_o be_v some_o say_v these_o ccc_o xviii_o venerable_a father_n who_o kneel_v upon_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o upon_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n to_o the_o end_n that_o in_o all_o parish_n or_o as_o we_o now_o speak_v dioceses_n there_o may_v be_v the_o same_o order_n observe_v in_o all_o thing_n this_o holy_a synod_n ordain_v that_o on_o these_o day_n they_o all_o pray_v stand_v and_o this_o ancient_a constitution_n be_v revive_v again_o and_o explain_v in_o the_o 90._o council_n of_o constantinople_n in_o trullo_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o seven_o century_n where_o it_o be_v express_o forbid_v to_o kneel_v during_o the_o space_n of_o those_o twenty_o four_o hour_n that_o pass_v betwixt_o saturday_n evening_n and_o sunday_n evening_n every_o body_n know_v also_o how_o that_o they_o have_v abrogate_a the_o fast_a that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v observe_v upon_o the_o four_o day_n of_o the_o week_n that_o be_v to_o say_v on_o wednesday_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n as_o appear_v by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o 5._o ignatius_n in_o ms._n peter_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n and_o a_o martyr_n in_o 〈◊〉_d epiphanius_n 317._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n and_o other_o by_o the_o same_o liberty_n have_v those_o vigil_n be_v abolish_v which_o be_v ordinary_o keep_v by_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o both_o approve_a and_o defend_v also_o by_o etc._n st._n hierome_n against_o vigilantius_n who_o find_v fault_n with_o they_o though_o his_o opinion_n have_v now_o at_o length_n find_v more_o favour_n in_o the_o world_n than_o st._n hierome_n the_o same_o christi_fw-la father_n in_o another_o place_n deliver_v unto_o we_o for_o a_o apostolical_a tradition_n that_o custom_n which_o they_o have_v in_o his_o time_n of_o not_o suffer_v the_o people_n to_o depart_v out_o of_o the_o church_n upon_o easter_n eve_n till_o midnight_n be_v pass_v what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o this_o custom_n which_o be_v not_o only_o a_o ancient_a one_o but_o be_v derive_v also_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o if_o you_o dare_v believe_v st._n hierome_n we_o be_v inform_v from_o several_a hand_n that_o that_o command_v of_o abstain_v from_o blood_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n and_o it_o appear_v evident_a enough_o that_o iâ—_n be_v most_o religious_o keep_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n both_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o 38._o tertullian_n and_o of_o 2._o eusebius_n and_o the_o 7._o council_n of_o constantinople_n in_o trullo_n excommunicate_v all_o those_o of_o the_o laity_n and_o depose_v all_o those_o of_o the_o clergy_n that_o shall_v offend_v therein_o and_o 38._o pamelius_n in_o his_o note_n upon_o tertullia_n apologetick_n inform_v we_o that_o it_o be_v not_o long_o since_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o custom_n be_v first_o lay_v a_o side_n among_o christian_n it_o be_v not_o much_o above_o four_o hundred_o 〈◊〉_d since_o there_o be_v some_o certain_a penalty_n appoint_v for_o those_o that_o shall_v violate_v the_o same_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o for_o all_o its_o antiquity_n and_o universality_n it_o be_v at_o length_n quite_o vanish_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v in_o very_o gentle_a wise_a and_o by_o little_a and_o little_o lay_v it_o asleep_o â—no_o man_n that_o i_o know_v of_o have_v take_v the_o least_o notice_n either_o of_o the_o time_n when_o or_o the_o manner_n how_o this_o be_v do_v only_o this_o we_o all_o see_v plain_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v now_o quite_o out_o of_o use_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o that_o custom_n of_o pray_v for_o the_o saint_n depart_v which_o be_v clear_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_n etc._n we_o pray_v say_v epiphanius_n for_o the_o just_a the_o father_n the_o patriarch_n the_o prophet_n apostle_n evangelist_n martyr_n etc._n etc._n that_o we_o may_v distinguish_v the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o order_n of_o man_n by_o that_o honour_n which_o we_o pay_v unto_o he_o we_o have_v also_o some_o of_o their_o prayer_n to_o this_o purpose_n yet_o remain_v as_o namely_o in_o the_o liturgy_n of_o etc._n st._n james_n and_o in_o the_o basil_n syriack_n liturgy_n of_o st._n basil_n after_o they_o have_v mention_v the_o patriarch_n the_o prophet_n john_n baptist_n st._n stephen_n the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o saint_n they_o at_o last_o add_v we_o daily_o send_v up_o our_o prayer_n and_o supplication_n unto_o thou_o for_o they_o and_o a_o little_a after_o lord_n remember_v also_o say_v the_o priest_n all_o those_o who_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n and_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n who_o have_v make_v a_o clear_a and_o open_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n from_o the_o apostle_n peter_n and_o james_n to_o this_o day_n of_o ignatius_n dionysius_n etc._n etc._n and_o then_o he_o say_v with_o a_o loud_a voice_n remember_v also_o lord_n those_o who_o have_v persevere_v even_o to_o blood_n for_o the_o word_n of_o a_o good_a fear_n so_o likewise_o in_o the_o liturgy_n of_o etc._n st._n chrysostom_n we_o offer_v unto_o thou_o this_o reasonable_a service_n for_o all_o those_o who_o hauâ—_n depart_v in_o thy_o faith_n etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v utter_o abolish_v this_o custom_n and_o without_o all_o question_n believe_v that_o you_o can_v not_o do_v the_o saint_n a_o great_a injury_n than_o if_o you_o shall_v now_o make_v any_o such_o supplication_n for_o they_o those_o that_o be_v curious_a may_v observe_v many_o other_o the_o like_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o ancient_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o their_o custom_n and_o ceremony_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o whit_n less_o in_o their_o discipline_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o these_o difference_n and_o which_o be_v indeed_o the_o original_a of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o rest_n be_v in_o the_o election_n and_o ordination_n of_o ecclesiastical_a minister_n which_o be_v the_o true_a basis_n and_o groundwork_n of_o the_o discipline_n and_o ministry_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n they_o depend_v partly_o on_o the_o people_n and_o not_o whole_o on_o
by_o the_o father_n how_o can_v they_o expect_v that_o their_o authority_n shall_v pass_v for_o authentic_a in_o any_o one_o let_v we_o suppose_v for_o instance_n that_o they_o hold_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o purgatory_n but_o by_o your_o favour_n will_n the_o protestant_n say_v if_o you_o have_v find_v their_o belief_n to_o be_v so_o erroneous_a touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o depart_v saint_n till_o the_o day_n of_o the_o resurrection_n why_o will_v you_o impose_v upon_o i_o a_o necessity_n of_o subscribe_v to_o what_o they_o hold_v touch_v purgatory_n the_o law_n of_o disputation_n ought_v to_o be_v equal_a and_o therefore_o if_o you_o by_o examine_v this_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n by_o reason_n and_o by_o the_o scripture_n have_v find_v it_o to_o be_v erroneous_a why_o will_v you_o not_o give_v we_o leave_v to_o try_v that_o other_o touch_v purgatory_n by_o the_o same_o touchstone_n certain_o shall_v we_o but_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v the_o plain_a mock_v of_o the_o world_n that_o can_v be_v to_o cry_v out_o as_o these_o man_n do_v continual_o the_o father_n the_o father_n and_o to_o write_v so_o many_o whole_a volume_n upon_o this_o subject_a as_o they_o have_v do_v after_o they_o have_v so_o deal_v with_o they_o as_o you_o have_v see_v and_o if_o it_o be_v here_o object_v that_o the_o protestant_n themselves_o do_v also_o reject_v many_o of_o those_o article_n which_o we_o have_v before_o set_v down_o we_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o take_v the_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o father_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n neither_o do_v they_o press_v any_o man_n to_o receive_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o ancient_n unless_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o last_o you_o say_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n have_v no_o place_n nor_o be_v at_o all_o considerable_a in_o the_o point_n before_o set_v down_o because_o that_o the_o churcb_n have_v otherwise_o determine_v touch_v the_o same_o this_o be_v clear_o to_o grant_v we_o that_o which_o we_o will_v have_v namely_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o supreme_a and_o as_o for_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v how_o far_o the_o authority_n of_o it_o extend_v in_o these_o thing_n this_o be_v a_o new_a question_n to_o be_v dispute_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o meddle_v withal_o at_o this_o time_n only_o thus_o much_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o what_o authority_n soever_o you_o allow_v it_o whether_o little_a or_o much_o you_o will_v still_o find_v that_o it_o will_v very_o hardly_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n touch_v the_o decision_n of_o our_o present_a controversy_n forasmuch_o as_o you_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o use_n or_o benefit_n of_o this_o position_n till_o such_o time_n as_o you_o be_v assure_v both_o what_o and_o where_o the_o church_n be_v see_v that_o the_o protestant_n stiff_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v that_o which_o appear_v at_o this_o day_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o all_o consist_v in_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o unto_o they_o for_o if_o they_o do_v but_o once_o believe_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o will_v immediate_o join_v themselves_o with_o it_o so_o that_o there_o will_v not_o henceforth_o be_v need_n of_o any_o further_a dispute_n we_o shall_v here_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o religion_n be_v no_o proper_a course_n for_o the_o decision_n of_o they_o see_v it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o discover_v what_o their_o judgement_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o same_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o difficulty_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n neither_o be_v it_o of_o so_o sufficient_a authority_n in_o itself_o as_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o build_v our_o belief_n upon_o it_o since_o the_o father_n themselves_o have_v be_v also_o subject_a to_o error_n neither_o last_o be_v it_o of_o any_o force_n either_o against_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o party_n see_v that_o they_o both_o regulate_v and_o examine_v the_o opinion_n ceremony_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_n the_o one_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o other_o by_o that_o of_o the_o church_n but_o here_o i_o find_v that_o upon_o this_o conclusion_n two_o question_n may_v arise_v for_o see_v that_o the_o allege_v the_o father_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o the_o decide_n of_o those_o point_n that_o be_v now_o in_o debate_n among_o we_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o other_o course_n we_o ought_v to_o take_v for_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o truth_n in_o these_o controversy_n and_o then_o second_o how_o and_o in_o what_o case_n the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n may_v be_v useful_a unto_o we_o now_o although_o both_o these_o question_n be_v without_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o present_a design_n yet_o notwithstanding_o in_o regard_n they_o so_o near_o border_v upon_o it_o we_o shall_v in_o the_o last_o place_n say_v a_o word_n or_o two_o in_o answer_n of_o they_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n in_o my_o judgement_n to_o find_v out_o a_o better_a way_n for_o satisfaction_n herein_o than_o that_o which_o one_o scholarius_n a_o greek_a who_o be_v very_o high_o account_v of_o by_o those_o who_o print_v the_o general_a council_n at_o rome_n have_v propose_v this_o learned_a man_n in_o a_o certain_a oration_n of_o he_o which_o he_o make_v at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n for_o the_o facilitate_v of_o the_o union_n which_o be_v then_o treat_v of_o betwixt_o the_o latin_n and_o the_o greek_n and_o be_v afterward_o conclude_v on_o lay_v down_o for_o a_o ground_n first_o 〈◊〉_d that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o clear_o and_o in_o express_a term_n deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v a_o pretext_n and_o shift_n that_o many_o of_o the_o heretic_n make_v use_v of_o but_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v with_o equal_a honour_n whatsoever_o direct_o follow_v from_o that_o which_o be_v say_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o reject_v utter_o whatsoever_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v undoubted_o true_a he_o say_v further_a that_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o clear_o express_v itself_o we_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o our_o guide_n to_o give_v we_o light_v therein_o by_o some_o other_o passage_n where_o it_o have_v speak_v more_o plain_o and_o after_o all_o this_o he_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v use_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n full_o to_o reconcile_v those_o seem_a contradiction_n which_o we_o sometime_o there_o meet_v withal_o in_o several_a passage_n to_o that_o purpose_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o time_n custom_n sense_n and_o the_o like_a and_o go_v on_o he_o say_v 653._o that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n at_o nice_a after_o this_o manner_n conclude_v by_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o true_a belief_n touch_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o then_o apply_v all_o this_o to_o his_o present_a purpose_n he_o add_v etc._n that_o the_o scripture_n say_v clear_o and_o express_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v from_o the_o father_n and_o that_o this_o be_v agree_v upon_o by_o both_o side_n both_o by_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o latin_n but_o that_o it_o have_v not_o so_o express_o declare_v itself_o whether_o the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v also_o from_o the_o son_n or_o not_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n now_o in_o question_n the_o latin_n affirm_v it_o and_o the_o greek_n on_o the_o other_o side_n deny_v it_o 〈◊〉_d we_o ought_v therefore_o say_v he_o to_o prove_v this_o from_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o more_o clear_o deliver_v which_o he_o afterward_o perform_v and_o indeed_o in_o my_o judgement_n very_o learned_o and_o happy_o prove_v this_o doubtful_a point_n out_o of_o other_o passage_n that_o be_v more_o clear_n and_o this_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o this_o great_a person_n which_o will_v not_o give_v any_o offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o it_o come_v from_o one_o that_o be_v of_o their_o side_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v what_o can_v have_v be_v speak_v more_o rational_o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o course_n that_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o science_n whatsoever_o if_o thy_o adversary_n doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o thou_o propose_v thou_o be_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o such_o maxim_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o allow_v of_o
by_o he_o make_v good_a that_o which_o be_v doubtful_a by_o that_o which_o be_v certain_a and_o clear_v that_o which_o be_v obscure_a by_o that_o which_o be_v evident_a and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n that_o i_o conceive_v we_o ought_v to_o walk_v by_o in_o the_o dispute_n that_o be_v betwixt_o we_o at_o this_o day_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v our_o common_a book_n let_v we_o therefore_o search_v into_o it_o for_o that_o upon_o which_o we_o may_v ground_v our_o own_o belief_n and_o by_o which_o we_o may_v overthrow_v the_o opinion_n of_o our_o adversary_n as_o for_o example_n it_o be_v there_o say_v clear_o and_o express_o that_o that_o which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n take_v at_o his_o last_o supper_n be_v bread_n and_o herein_o we_o all_o agree_v but_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o there_o express_v whether_o this_o bread_n be_v afterward_o change_v or_o annihilate_v or_o not_o and_o this_o be_v now_o the_o question_n in_o dispute_n among_o we_o we_o ought_v therefore_o according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o scholarius_n to_o prove_v this_o by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o deliver_v clear_o and_o if_o thou_o do_v this_o thou_o have_v get_v the_o victory_n if_o not_o i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o see_v why_o or_o how_o thou_o can_v oblige_v any_o one_o to_o believe_v it_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o in_o as_o express_v term_n as_o may_v be_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n command_v his_o apostle_n to_o take_v and_o eat_v and_o to_o drink_v that_o which_o he_o give_v they_o in_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o say_v that_o he_o command_v they_o to_o offer_v the_o same_o in_o sacrifice_n either_o then_o or_o afterward_o and_o this_o be_v now_o the_o question_n which_o it_o concern_v those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n if_o they_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v it_o to_o prove_v by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v express_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o mediator_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o he_o purge_v we_o by_o his_o blood_n from_o our_o sin_n now_o in_o all_o this_o both_o side_n be_v full_o agree_v but_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o there_o express_v that_o the_o depart_v saint_n be_v mediator_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o our_o soul_n be_v in_o part_n cleanse_v from_o their_o sin_n by_o the_o fire_n of_o purgatory_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o the_o learned_a scholarius_n his_o opinion_n herein_o will_v now_o be_v that_o certain_o those_o who_o propose_v these_o point_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n deduce_v and_o collect_v they_o from_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v press_v as_o truth_n and_o although_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o thing_n of_o importance_n a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o be_v excuse_v for_o not_o believe_v a_o thing_n when_o there_o appear_v not_o any_o such_o reason_n as_o may_v oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v it_o yet_o notwithstanding_o if_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o article_n now_o debate_v betwixt_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o go_v further_o yet_o and_o to_o prove_v positive_o the_o falseness_n of_o they_o you_o see_v this_o author_n have_v lay_v they_o down_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o proceed_v he_o account_v those_o very_a absurd_a that_o require_v at_o your_o hand_n that_o you_o shall_v show_v they_o all_o thing_n express_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o this_o aught_o principal_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o negative_a proposition_n of_o which_o no_o science_n give_v you_o any_o certain_a account_n forasmuch_o as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o number_v they_o all_o up_o will_v be_v both_o a_o infinite_a and_o also_o a_o unprofitable_a useless_a piece_n of_o work_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o deliver_v the_o positive_a truth_n for_o as_o whatsoever_o right_o follow_v thereupon_o be_v true_a in_o like_a manner_n whatsoever_o clash_v with_o or_o contradict_v the_o same_o be_v false_a will_v thou_o therefore_o demonstrate_v those_o proposition_n that_o be_v press_v upon_o thou_o to_o be_v false_a do_v but_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o thou_o find_v they_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n there_o set_v down_o receive_v they_o not_o by_o any_o mean_n as_o for_o example_n if_o a_o protestant_n not_o content_v himself_o with_o have_v answer_v all_o those_o reason_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o purgatory_n shall_v yet_o desire_v to_o go_v further_o and_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o opinion_n be_v false_a he_o be_v in_o this_o case_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o examine_v it_o by_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n after_o it_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n and_o touch_v the_o cause_n and_o mean_n of_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o the_o like_a and_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o purgatory_n be_v find_v to_o contradict_v any_o thing_n there_o deliver_v then_o according_a to_o scholarius_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o any_o mean_n but_o the_o brevity_n which_o we_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o in_o this_o discourse_n permit_v we_o not_o to_o prosecute_v this_o point_n any_o further_o as_o for_o the_o second_o question_n it_o be_v no_o very_o hard_a matter_n to_o resolve_v it_o for_o although_o we_o do_v not_o indeed_o allow_v any_o supreme_a and_o infallible_a authority_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n yet_o do_v we_o not_o therefore_o present_o account_v they_o vseless_a if_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o use_n in_o 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