the_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n till_o the_o reformation_n and_o i_o pray_v how_o come_v we_o to_o lose_v our_o succession_n then_o do_v the_o reformation_n of_o those_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n unchurch_n we_o just_o as_o much_o as_o a_o man_n cease_v to_o be_v the_o same_o man_n when_o he_o be_v cure_v of_o some_o mortal_a disease_n do_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n consist_v of_o the_o same_o person_n before_o the_o reformation_n and_o after_o a_o great_a many_o indeed_o disow_v the_o reformation_n but_o be_v not_o at_o all_o those_o person_n who_o be_v so_o active_a and_o zealous_a in_o the_o reformation_n former_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n and_o do_v they_o lose_v their_o succession_n too_o when_o they_o become_v reformer_n when_o a_o church_n consist_v of_o the_o same_o bishop_n priest_n and_o people_n which_o she_o have_v before_o though_o she_o have_v not_o all_o the_o same_o that_o she_o have_v 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can_v never_o prove_v we_o to_o be_v then_o according_a to_o their_o own_o confession_n our_o order_n must_v be_v good_a 2._o however_o be_v we_o heretic_n or_o schismatic_n or_o whatever_o they_o please_v to_o call_v we_o how_o do_v this_o destroy_v our_o order_n and_o succession_n the_o catholic_n church_n will_v not_o allow_v in_o former_a age_n that_o heresy_n or_o schism_n destroy_v the_o validity_n of_o order_n st._n i_o dispute_v against_o this_o at_o large_a in_o his_o book_n contra_fw-la luciferianos_fw-la and_o st._n austin_n allow_v the_o donatists_n bishop_n to_o have_v valid_a order_n though_o they_o be_v schismaticsk_v and_o therefore_o that_o the_o sacrament_n administer_v by_o they_o be_v valid_a and_o indeed_o if_o heresy_n will_v destroy_v order_n and_o succession_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v be_v as_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o their_o order_n and_o succession_n as_o we_o be_v which_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n have_v have_v several_a heretical_a pope_n and_o no_o body_n know_v how_o many_o bishop_n ordain_v by_o they_o 2._o as_o for_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v as_o considerable_a to_o the_o full_a as_o succession_n of_o order_n the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o only_o plain_o contain_v in_o scripture_n but_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o uninterrupted_a succession_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o in_o her_o great_a degeneracy_n do_v own_o all_o that_o we_o do_v in_o pure_a matter_n of_o faith_n when_o we_o reform_v the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o make_v a_o new_a religion_n but_o only_o separate_v the_o old_a faith_n from_o new_a and_o corrupt_a addition_n and_o therefore_o the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n with_o we_o be_v not_o that_o we_o believe_v any_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v but_o that_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o they_o will_v have_v we_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v true_o primitive_a and_o catholic_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n own_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o except_v the_o dispute_n between_o the_o latin_a and_o greek_a church_n about_o the_o filioque_fw-la or_o the_o holy_a spirit_n proceed_v from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n receive_v by_o all_o catholic_n church_n to_o this_o day_n which_o be_v as_o complete_a and_o perfect_a succession_n as_o any_o doctrine_n can_v have_v therefore_o when_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n ask_v we_o where_o be_v our_o religion_n before_o luther_n we_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v all_o the_o world_n over_o all_o catholic_n church_n believe_v what_o we_o do_v though_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o they_o do_v they_o themselves_o do_v and_o do_v to_o this_o day_n own_o our_o creed_n and_o article_n of_o faith_n except_v such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v direct_o oppose_v to_o their_o innovation_n so_o that_o we_o be_v on_o a_o sure_a foundation_n our_o faith_n have_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n but_o now_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v show_v such_o a_o succession_n for_o her_o new_a doctrine_n and_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o the_o primitive_a church_n for_o many_o age_n which_o be_v reject_v by_o many_o flourish_a church_n since_o the_o first_o appearance_n of_o they_o which_o never_o have_v a_o quiet_a possession_n in_o her_o own_o communion_n and_o be_v never_o form_v into_o article_n of_o faith_n till_o the_o pack_v conventicle_n of_o trent_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o paper_n and_o it_o pity_v i_o to_o see_v so_o many_o well-meaning_a person_n abuse_v with_o such_o transparent_a sophistry_n finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o fincham_n gardiner_z a_o continuation_n and_o vindication_n of_o the_o defence_n of_o dr._n still_a fleet_n be_v unreasonableness_n of_o separation_n in_o answer_n to_o mr._n baxter_n and_o mr._n lâ—b_n etc._n etc._n consideration_n of_o present_a use_n consider_v the_o danger_n result_v from_o the_o change_n of_o our_o church-government_n 1._o a_o persuasive_a to_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 2._o a_o resolution_n of_o some_o case_n of_o conscience_n which_o respect_n church_n communion_n 3._o the_o case_n of_o indifferent_a thing_n use_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n propose_v and_o state_v by_o consider_v these_o question_n etc._n etc._n 4._o a_o discourse_n about_o edification_n 5._o the_o resolution_n of_o this_o case_n of_o conscience_n whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n symbolise_n so_o far_o as_o it_o do_v with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v it_o unlawful_a to_o hold_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 6._o a_o letter_n to_o anonymus_fw-la in_o answer_n to_o his_o three_o letter_n to_o dr._n sherlock_n about_o church-communion_n 7._o certain_a case_n of_o conscience_n resolve_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o join_v with_o form_n of_o prayer_n in_o public_a worship_n in_o two_o part_n 8._o the_o case_n of_o mix_a communion_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o separate_v from_o a_o church_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o promiscuous_a congregation_n and_o mix_v communion_n 9_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o dissenter_n objection_n against_o the_o common_a prayer_n and_o some_o other_o part_n of_o divine_a service_n prescribe_v in_o the_o liturgy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 10._o the_o case_n of_o kneel_v at_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n state_v and_o resolve_v etc._n etc._n the_o first_o part._n 11._o certain_a case_n of_o conscience_n etc._n etc._n the_o second_o part._n 12._o a_o discourse_n of_o profit_v by_o sermon_n and_o of_o go_v to_o hear_v where_o man_n think_v they_o can_v profit_v most_o 13._o a_o serious_a exhortation_n with_o some_o important_a advice_n relate_v to_o the_o late_a case_n about_o conformity_n recommend_v to_o the_o present_a dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n 14._o a_o argument_n for_o union_n etc._n etc._n 15._o the_o case_n of_o kneel_v etc._n etc._n the_o second_o part._n 1._o a_o discourse_n about_o the_o charge_n of_o novelty_n upon_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o england_n make_v by_o the_o papist_n ask_v of_o we_o the_o question_n where_o be_v our_o religion_n before_o luther_n 2._o a_o discourse_n about_o tradition_n show_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o and_o what_o tradition_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o what_o tradition_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v 3._o the_o difference_n of_o the_o case_n between_o the_o separation_n of_o protestant_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o separation_n of_o dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n
the_o protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o answer_n to_o three_o question_n i._o how_o far_o we_o must_v depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n ii_o whether_o a_o visible_a succession_n from_o christ_n to_o this_o day_n make_v a_o church_n which_o have_v this_o succession_n a_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n and_o whether_o no_o church_n which_o have_v not_o this_o succession_n can_v teach_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n iii_o whether_o the_o church_n of_o england_n can_v make_v out_o such_o a_o visible_a succession_n london_n print_v for_o f._n gardiner_n at_o the_o white-horse_n in_o ludgate-street_n 1683._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n these_o paper_n which_o be_v here_o present_v to_o thou_o be_v write_v for_o the_o use_n of_o a_o private_a person_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o some_o friend_n be_v now_o make_v public_a we_o find_v how_o busy_a the_o romish_a emissary_n be_v to_o corrupt_v our_o people_n and_o think_v ourselves_o equal_o concern_v to_o antidote_n they_o against_o popery_n and_o fanaticism_n two_o extreme_n equal_o dangerous_a to_o the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o state_n in_o these_o kingdom_n both_o in_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n and_o both_o of_o they_o very_o great_a corruption_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o very_o dangerous_a to_o man_n soul_n some_o of_o our_o clergy_n have_v already_o be_v so_o charitable_a to_o our_o dissenter_n as_o to_o warn_v they_o of_o their_o danger_n and_o by_o the_o strength_n and_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o mistake_n and_o i_o pray_v god_n forgive_v those_o man_n and_o turn_v their_o heart_n who_o will_v not_o contribute_v so_o much_o to_o their_o own_o conviction_n and_o satisfaction_n as_o diligent_o and_o impartial_o to_o read_v and_o consider_v what_o be_v so_o charitable_o offer_v to_o they_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n may_v excuse_v man_n who_o have_v no_o opportunity_n of_o know_v better_a but_o such_o wilful_a and_o resolve_a ignorance_n which_o bar_v up_o man_n mind_n against_o all_o mean_n of_o better_a information_n will_v as_o soon_o damn_v they_o as_o sin_n against_o knowledge_n and_o now_o it_o may_v just_o be_v think_v want_n of_o charity_n to_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n shall_v we_o take_v no_o care_n at_o all_o of_o they_o nay_o want_v of_o charity_n to_o those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n and_o to_o dissenter_n themselves_o who_o be_v daily_o assault_v by_o the_o busy_a factor_n for_o rome_n for_o the_o dispute_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o against_o dissenter_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n too_o learned_a and_o too_o voluminous_a for_o the_o instruction_n of_o ordinary_a people_n and_o therefore_o some_o short_a and_o plain_a discourse_n about_o the_o principal_a matter_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n we_o can_v take_v to_o confirm_v man_n in_o their_o religion_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o the_o crafty_a insinuation_n of_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v some_o few_o attempt_n which_o have_v be_v already_o make_v of_o that_o kind_n give_v i_o some_o hope_n that_o several_a other_o tract_n will_v follow_v that_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o god_n shall_v please_v ever_o to_o permit_v such_o a_o thing_n whether_o by_o popery_n or_o fanaticism_n may_v not_o be_v charge_v upon_o our_o neglect_n to_o instruct_v people_n better_o some_o person_n it_o seem_v who_o talon_n lie_v more_o in_o censure_v what_o other_o do_v than_o in_o do_v any_o good_a themselves_o be_v please_v to_o put_v some_o sinister_a construction_n on_o this_o design_n as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o design_n any_o thing_n so_o well_o but_o man_n of_o ill_a mind_n who_o know_v not_o what_o it_o mean_v to_o do_v good_a for_o good_n sake_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o find_v some_o bad_a name_n for_o it_o some_o guess_n that_o we_o now_o write_v against_o popery_n only_o to_o play_v a_o aftergame_n and_o to_o regain_v the_o favour_n and_o good_a opinion_n of_o dissenter_n which_o we_o have_v lose_v by_o write_v against_o they_o but_o i_o know_v not_o that_o any_o man_n have_v lose_v their_o favour_n by_o it_o nor_o that_o any_o man_n value_v their_o favour_n for_o any_o other_o reason_n than_o to_o have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o do_v they_o good_a if_o so_o good_a a_o work_n as_o confute_v the_o error_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v give_v the_o dissenter_n such_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o we_o as_o to_o make_v they_o more_o impartial_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v write_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o know_v no_o reason_n any_o man_n have_v to_o be_v ashamed_a to_o own_v it_o though_o it_o be_v part_n of_o his_o design_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o not_o be_v more_o than_o i_o know_v i_o dare_v undertake_v for_o those_o person_n i_o be_o acquaint_v with_o that_o they_o neither_o value_v the_o favour_n nor_o fear_v the_o displeasure_n either_o of_o fanatic_n or_o papist_n but_o yet_o hearty_o desire_v to_o do_v good_a to_o they_o both_o but_o there_o be_v a_o more_o mischievous_a suggestion_n than_o this_o that_o the_o design_n of_o such_o paper_n be_v only_o to_o raise_v a_o new_a cry_n and_o noise_n about_o popery_n and_o to_o alarm_n the_o people_n and_o disturb_v the_o government_n with_o new_a fear_n and_o jealousy_n true_o if_o i_o think_v this_o will_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o i_o will_v burn_v my_o paper_n present_o for_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v get_v nothing_o by_o a_o tumultuary_a and_o clamorous_a zeal_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o i_o have_v much_o rather_o suffer_v under_o popery_n than_o contribute_v any_o thing_n towards_o raise_v a_o popular_a fury_n to_o keep_v it_o out_o we_o profess_v ourselves_o as_o irreconcilable_a enemy_n to_o popery_n as_o we_o be_v to_o fanaticism_n and_o desire_v that_o all_o the_o world_n may_v know_v it_o but_o we_o will_v never_o rebel_n nor_o countenance_v any_o rebellion_n against_o our_o lawful_a sovereign_n to_o keep_v out_o either_o we_o leave_v such_o principle_n and_o practice_n to_o papist_n and_o fanatic_n but_o when_o we_o find_v our_o people_n assault_v by_o the_o agent_n of_o rome_n and_o do_v not_o think_v ourselves_o secure_a from_o popish_a design_n we_o think_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o give_v they_o the_o best_a instruction_n we_o can_v to_o preserve_v they_o from_o such_o error_n as_o we_o believe_v will_v destroy_v their_o soul_n and_o can_v but_o wonder_n that_o any_o man_n who_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v to_o take_v care_n of_o soul_n as_o we_o be_v shall_v think_v this_o a_o needless_a or_o a_o scandalous_a undertake_n i_o wish_v such_o man_n will_v speak_v out_o and_o tell_v we_o plain_o what_o they_o think_v of_o popery_n themselves_o 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the_o protestant_a church_n can_v make_v out_o this_o continual_a visible_a succession_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v inform_v answer_n that_o christ_n have_v leave_v a_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o ready_o grant_v or_o else_o it_o have_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o have_v leave_v we_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o latter_a clause_n be_v very_o ambiguous_a for_o the_o meaning_n may_v either_o be_v that_o we_o may_v understand_v by_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o church_n or_o that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o must_v understand_v the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o first_o be_v a_o true_a protestant_a principle_n and_o therefore_o i_o presume_v not_o intend_v by_o this_o objector_n for_o how_o we_o shall_v know_v that_o there_o be_v any_o church_n without_o
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faith_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o these_o matter_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a advocate_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v force_v to_o take_v the_o same_o course_n in_o confute_v heresy_n as_o they_o call_v they_o that_o we_o do_v they_o allege_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n the_o authority_n of_o father_n and_o council_n to_o justify_v their_o innovation_n and_o here_o we_o willing_o join_v issue_n with_o they_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o prove_v that_o scripture_n and_o all_o true_a antiquity_n be_v on_o our_o side_n and_o this_o have_v be_v often_o and_o unanswerable_o prove_v by_o the_o learned_a patron_n of_o the_o reformation_n but_o there_o be_v some_o very_a material_a thing_n to_o be_v observe_v from_o hence_o for_o our_o present_a purpose_n for_o either_o they_o think_v this_o a_o good_a way_n to_o prove_v what_o they_o intend_v and_o to_o convince_v gainsayers_a by_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o primitive_a antiquity_n or_o they_o do_v 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not_o find_v plain_o enough_o teach_v in_o scripture_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o her_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n that_o the_o primitive_a church_n own_v the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o she_o do_v and_o she_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o just_a prejudice_n against_o any_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n if_o they_o contradict_v the_o common_a faith_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n be_v fair_o capable_a of_o different_a sense_n she_o choose_v that_o sense_n which_o be_v most_o agreeable_a with_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n but_o shall_v any_o doctrine_n be_v impose_v upon_o she_o as_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v no_o where_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n or_o which_o be_v plain_o contrary_a to_o it_o as_o the_o new_a trent_n creed_n be_v whatever_o pretence_n there_o be_v for_o the_o antiquity_n of_o such_o doctrine_n she_o utter_o reject_v they_o 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