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church_n council_n general_n infallibility_n 4,531 5 11.6807 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A92744 The Christian life wheren is shew'd, I. The worth and excellency of the soul. II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour III. The authority of the Holy Scripture. IV. A dissuasive from apostacy. Vol. V. and last. By John Scott, D.D. late rector of St. Giles's in the Fields.; Christian life. Vol. 5 Scott, John, 1639-1695.; White, Robert, 1645-1703, engraver.; Zouch, Humphrey. 1700 (1700) Wing S2060; ESTC R230772 251,294 440

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of_o faith_n which_o in_o reality_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o while_o a_o man_n believe_v as_o that_o church_n believe_v which_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n he_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o it_o be_v equal_o true_a that_o while_o a_o man_n believe_v as_o the_o scripture_n teach_v which_o infallible_o teach_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n he_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o be_v both_o be_v equal_o false_a for_o no_o man_n can_v infallible_o believe_v either_o the_o church_n or_o scripture_n because_o infallibility_n exceed_v the_o capacity_n of_o humane_a nature_n no_o man_n can_v so_o believe_v either_o but_o that_o he_o may_v be_v mistake_v and_o if_o he_o may_v be_v mistake_v its_o possible_a he_o may_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n whether_o he_o ground_n his_o faith_n upon_o the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n but_o because_o this_o church_n pretend_v so_o to_o secure_v my_o faith_n while_o i_o depend_v upon_o her_o authority_n as_o that_o i_o can_v be_v mistake_v for_o this_o very_a reason_n i_o can_v depend_v upon_o it_o because_o i_o be_o sure_a of_o this_o that_o god_n never_o design_v for_o i_o any_o such_o mean_n of_o believe_v as_o shall_v render_v my_o faith_n infallible_a for_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v he_o require_v i_o to_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n and_o care_n to_o secure_v my_o faith_n from_o error_n if_o he_o have_v furnish_v i_o with_o any_o certain_a mean_n of_o be_v infallible_a it_o will_v be_v but_o apply_v that_o mean_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o my_o danger_n will_v be_v immediate_o over_o and_o then_o i_o need_v trouble_v my_o head_n no_o further_o be_v now_o so_o secure_v as_o that_o i_o can_v be_v mistake_v after_o which_o it_o will_v be_v very_o impertinent_a methinks_v for_o god_n to_o trouble_v i_o with_o those_o unecessary_a injunction_n of_o try_v all_o thing_n and_o hold_v fast_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a of_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n and_o take_v heed_n whilst_o i_o stand_v lest_o i_o fall_v what_o need_v a_o man_n be_v at_o the_o expense_n of_o all_o this_o labour_n and_o caution_n who_o faith_n be_v already_o secure_v see_v therefore_o god_n require_v these_o thing_n at_o our_o hand_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a case_n that_o he_o never_o intend_v we_o any_o method_n how_o to_o be_v infallbile_a in_o believe_v and_o therefore_o since_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n authority_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v such_o a_o method_n for_o that_o reason_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v reject_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o god_n intend_v that_o our_o faith_n shall_v be_v a_o grace_n and_o a_o virtue_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o act_n of_o our_o will_n as_o well_o as_o of_o our_o understanding_n which_o suppose_v the_o evidence_n of_o it_o to_o be_v irresistible_a for_o what_o virtue_n be_v it_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o sun_n shine_v when_o it_o glare_v full_a in_o our_o eye_n since_o therefore_o our_o faith_n must_v be_v a_o free_a and_o voluntary_a assent_n upon_o such_o motive_n as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o honest_a mind_n but_o not_o to_o compel_v either_o a_o obstinate_a infidel_n or_o self-deceived_n hypocrite_n god_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a so_o to_o secure_v our_o faith_n as_o to_o leave_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o err_v damnable_o and_o indeed_o if_o he_o have_v it_o will_v have_v be_v no_o virtue_n in_o we_o to_o believe_v saving_o for_o what_o virtue_n be_v it_o for_o a_o man_n to_o do_v that_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o not_o to_o do_v it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o we_o can_v err_v damnable_o in_o our_o faith_n without_o some_o damnable_a fault_n in_o our_o will_n but_o if_o we_o eithre_o refuse_v to_o inquire_v into_o this_o revelation_n for_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v or_o will_v only_o inquire_v into_o it_o with_o a_o mind_n that_o be_v bias_v with_o wicked_a and_o sinful_a prejudices_fw-la or_o will_v not_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o it_o upon_o the_o clear_a conviction_n there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o we_o may_v be_v ignorant_a and_o we_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o fit_a that_o we_o shall_v and_o if_o notwithstanding_o these_o fault_n we_o can_v not_o err_v for_o god_n sake_n what_o virtue_n will_v it_o be_v to_o be_v orthodox_n but_o if_o with_o honest_a humble_a and_o teachable_a mind_n we_o will_v diligent_o inquire_v into_o divine_a revelation_n we_o shall_v there_o find_v all_o the_o necessary_n to_o salvation_n so_o clear_o and_o plain_o propose_v to_o we_o that_o it_o will_v be_v moral_o impossible_a for_o we_o either_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o or_o deceive_v about_o they_o so_o that_o by_o rely_v on_o scripture_n you_o see_v we_o be_v expose_v to_o no_o other_o uncertainty_n than_o just_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v our_o faith_n a_o virtue_n and_o god_n do_v as_o much_o require_v that_o our_o faith_n shall_v be_v virtuous_a as_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v orthodox_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o act_n of_o a_o honest_a humble_a diligent_a and_o teachable_a mind_n as_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v extend_v to_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n now_o our_o faith_n may_v be_v orthodox_n without_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n but_o it_o can_v be_v virtuous_a and_o rewardable_a with_o it_o to_o what_o purpose_n then_o do_v the_o romanist_n talk_v of_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n in_o believe_v be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v more_o certainty_n than_o god_n ever_o intend_v to_o give_v he_o have_v give_v as_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o honest_a mind_n and_o no_o more_o and_o whether_o knave_n and_o hypocrite_n believe_v right_a or_o wrong_n be_v of_o no_o great_a concernment_n if_o therefore_o 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remwardable_a by_o what_o have_v be_v say_v therefore_o i_o think_v it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o scripture_n we_o be_v to_o rely_v and_o not_o upon_o the_o church_n especial_o upon_o the_o roman_a church_n for_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o since_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v these_o thing_n upon_o pain_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v plain_a and_o clear_a and_o scripture_n otherwise_o we_o can_v not_o be_v just_o so_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o great_a rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o that_o as_o such_o it_o be_v both_o full_a and_o clear_a as_o contain_v in_o it_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o propose_v they_o so_o plain_o and_o clear_o as_o that_o upon_o a_o honest_a and_o diligent_a enquiry_n all_o man_n may_v find_v and_o discover_v they_o a_o 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extinguish_v christianity_n they_o examine_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n but_o also_o the_o people_n of_o all_o degree_n and_o both_o sex_n many_o of_o who_o as_o well_o woman_n as_o man_n own_a that_o they_o have_v bibles_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o die_v than_o to_o deliver_v they_o up_o and_o many_o other_o who_o to_o avoid_v death_n deliver_v up_o their_o bibles_n and_o be_v therefore_o brand_v with_o the_o ignominious_a name_n of_o traditor_n for_o which_o they_o be_v exclude_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v not_o be_v readmit_v without_o a_o long_a and_o severe_a penance_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o people_n can_v have_v be_v traditor_n if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o bibles_n to_o deliver_v up_o and_o therefore_o be_v so_o be_v a_o undeniable_a argument_n that_o the_o people_n be_v then_o allow_v the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o priest_n and_o by_o the_o way_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o any_o community_n 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this_o time_n very_o few_o except_o the_o clergy_n understand_v and_o when_o for_o some_o time_n it_o have_v lie_v hide_v from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n they_o proceed_v at_o last_o whole_o to_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o the_o laity_n so_o that_o about_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o age_n which_o all_o argee_n be_v overcast_v with_o gross_a darkness_n and_o ignorance_n the_o scripture_n be_v shut_v up_o like_o the_o sybilline_a oracle_n in_o the_o capitol_n and_o none_o but_o the_o priest_n be_v allow_v to_o read_v and_o consult_v they_o and_o though_o upon_o the_o commencement_n of_o the_o reformation_n the_o bible_n be_v for_o some_o time_n set_v forth_o again_o in_o sundry_a vulgar_a language_n among_o the_o people_n yet_o do_v the_o guide_n of_o that_o church_n soon_o find_v it_o necessary_a for_o defence_n of_o their_o own_o vnscriptural_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n to_o remit_v it_o to_o its_o old_a confinement_n for_o first_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o the_o four_o rule_n of_o their_o index_n expurgatorius_fw-la forbid_v the_o laity_n to_o read_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o have_v the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n though_o translate_v by_o those_o of_o their_o own_o church_n without_o a_o licenee_n in_o write_v from_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n or_o the_o inquisitor_n and_o this_o upon_o pain_n of_o not_o receive_v absolution_n of_o their_o sin_n unless_o they_o deliver_v up_o those_o their_o bibles_n to_o their_o ordinary_n to_o which_o rule_n pope_n clement_n the_o eight_o afterward_o add_v observation_n that_o hitherto_o by_o the_o command_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o holy_a roman_a and_o universal_a inquisition_n the_o faculty_n of_o grant_v such_o licence_n for_o read_v or_o keep_v bibles_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n or_o any_o summary_n or_o historical_a compendium_n of_o the_o say_v bibles_n be_v take_v away_o which_o be_v to_o be_v inviolable_o observe_v and_o in_o the_o index_n of_o prohibit_v book_n publish_v by_o pope_n alexander_n the_o seven_o not_o only_o those_o bibles_n that_o be_v translate_v and_o print_v by_o heretic_n but_o also_o all_o bibles_n in_o any_o vulgar_a tongue_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v and_o though_o where_o the_o reformation_n have_v prevail_v they_o be_v force_v against_o their_o own_o law_n more_o free_o to_o indulge_v the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o their_o people_n yet_o in_o those_o country_n where_o they_o be_v sole_a master_n this_o privilege_n be_v very_o rare_o grant_v and_o now_o be_v thus_o necessitate_v to_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o scripture_n lest_o they_o shall_v thereby_o discover_v their_o error_n and_o corruption_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o invent_v some_o plansible_a pretence_n to_o justify_v a_o practice_n so_o contrary_a both_o to_o scripture_n and_o primitive_a antiquity_n and_o so_o enormous_o derogatory_n to_o the_o common_a right_n of_o christian_n and_o when_o it_o must_v be_v 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ought_v to_o have_v do_v to_o prevent_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o that_o this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v debar_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o own_o vulgar_a language_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o write_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n as_o much_o open_a a_o door_n to_o heresy_n as_o the_o translate_n they_o afterward_o see_v it_o be_v neither_o their_o be_v write_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n nor_o their_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n but_o their_o be_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n that_o be_v here_o pretend_a to_o set_v open_a this_o dangerous_a door_n to_o heresy_n 2._o this_o objection_n strike_v with_o equal_a force_n against_o god_n writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o their_o read_n and_o consult_v it_o for_o that_o god_n write_v these_o scripture_n
of_o other_o principle_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o as_o those_o see_v there_o be_v no_o common_a principle_n of_o chrstian_a religion_n but_o what_o be_v at_o least_o as_o plain_o reeal_v in_o scripture_n as_o these_o but_o this_o will_v spoil_v all_o for_o if_o man_n may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n upon_o scripture_n authority_n what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o man_n rely_v upon_o the_o church_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o this_o principle_n that_o man_n can_v arrive_v at_o no_o infallible_a certainty_n in_o religion_n by_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n or_o indeed_o any_o other_o authority_n but_o the_o church_n but_o if_o i_o can_v be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o those_o two_o principle_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n and_o infallible_a by_o those_o authority_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o urge_v to_o prove_v they_o how_o can_v i_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o 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honest_a humble_a and_o teachable_a mind_n and_o if_o we_o do_v not_o we_o may_v err_v not_o only_o dangerous_o but_o damnable_o and_o it_o be_v but_o fit_a and_o just_a we_o shall_v but_o if_o we_o diligent_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o faithful_o rely_v upon_o its_o authority_n without_o do_v of_o which_o we_o search_v it_o in_o vain_a if_o we_o sincere_o attend_v to_o the_o public_a ministry_n with_o mind_n prepare_v to_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o though_o we_o may_v possible_o err_v in_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n yet_o as_o to_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o eternal_a salvaion_n our_o faith_n shall_v be_v inviolable_o secure_v and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o any_o honest_a man_n needs_o or_o as_o any_o honest_a church_n can_v promise_v 2._o from_o hence_o also_o i_o infer_v that_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o religion_n god_n do_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n for_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v he_o put_v we_o upon_o search_v the_o scripture_n but_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v inform_v ourselves_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o he_o have_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o practice_v but_o if_o it_o be_v his_o mind_n that_o we_o shall_v whole_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o church_n or_o of_o our_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o submit_v our_o faith_n to_o their_o dictate_v without_o any_o examination_n what_o a_o needless_a and_o impertinent_a employment_n will_v this_o be_v for_o we_o to_o search_v and_o consult_v the_o scripture_n consult_v they_o for_o what_o if_o we_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v their_o guidance_n and_o direction_n and_o to_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o manner_n from_o they_o and_o if_o for_o this_o end_n god_n have_v oblige_v we_o to_o consult_v they_o as_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o can_v be_v for_o no_o other_o end_n than_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o employ_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n to_o consider_v what_o they_o say_v and_o inquire_v what_o they_o mean_v otherwise_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o consult_v they_o to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a therefore_o that_o god_n will_v have_v we_o use_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o discern_v what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o not_o in_o religion_n and_o not_o lazy_o rely_v upon_o other_o to_o see_v and_o discern_v and_o believe_v for_o we_o as_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v have_v we_o search_v and_o consult_v the_o scripture_n and_o that_o i_o think_v be_v evident_a enough_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o any_o one_o that_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o admit_v of_o a_o conviction_n and_o indeed_o see_v our_o reason_n be_v the_o noble_a faculty_n we_o have_v it_o will_v be_v very_o strange_a if_o god_n shall_v not_o allow_v it_o to_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o high_a and_o most_o important_a affair_n wherein_o he_o have_v engage_v we_o and_o see_v it_o be_v our_o reason_n 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and_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o its_o communion_n from_o my_o infancy_n will_v they_o allow_v i_o when_o i_o come_v to_o the_o full_a use_n of_o my_o reason_n fair_o to_o question_v whether_o they_o be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n or_o no_o and_o to_o hear_v the_o reason_n and_o examine_v the_o scripture_n and_o consult_v the_o doctor_n on_o both_o side_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n this_o i_o be_o forbid_v under_o the_o penalty_n of_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o priestly_a absolution_n so_o that_o in_o short_a they_o will_v allow_v i_o to_o make_v use_n of_o my_o reason_n if_o i_o have_v be_v breed_v a_o heretic_n in_o order_n to_o my_o reconciliation_n to_o their_o church_n but_o if_o i_o have_v never_o be_v a_o heretic_n i_o must_v never_o use_v my_o reason_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o my_o church_n or_o religion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o may_v use_v my_o reason_n when_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remedy_n and_o i_o must_v continue_v a_o heretic_n if_o 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by_o the_o church_n he_o mean_v the_o clergy_n assemble_v in_o that_o council_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o man_n doctrine_n the_o faith_n of_o the_o people_n be_v a_o mere_a beast_n of_o burden_n that_o right_a or_o wrong_n must_v bear_v all_o the_o load_n that_o the_o priest_n shall_v agree_v to_o lay_v upon_o it_o and_o though_o it_o shall_v feel_v itself_o oppress_v by_o they_o with_o never_o such_o gross_a contradiction_n or_o absurdity_n it_o must_v think_v no_o far_o of_o it_o but_o tame_o trudg_n on_o without_o start_v or_o boggle_n at_o this_o rate_n what_o trick_n may_v not_o the_o priest_n play_v with_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o people_n let_v they_o invent_v what_o doctrine_n they_o please_v to_o serve_v the_o interest_n of_o their_o own_o ambition_n and_o covetousness_n the_o people_n must_v believe_v they_o without_o ask_v why_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v ask_v why_o they_o must_v expect_v no_o other_o answer_n but_o this_o because_o we_o have_v think_v to_o define_v and_o declare_v they_o for_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n allowable_a that_o the_o people_n shall_v exercise_v any_o private_a judgement_n of_o their_o own_o about_o matter_n of_o faith_n no_o i_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o where_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o their_o faith_n be_v false_a and_o erroneous_a because_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o but_o one_o time_n or_o other_o the_o people_n will_v discover_v the_o fraud_n and_o imposture_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o this_o will_v spoil_v all_o but_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v true_a in_o all_o probability_n the_o far_o the_o people_n inquire_v into_o they_o the_o better_a they_o will_v be_v satisfy_v about_o they_o and_o if_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o private_a judgement_n they_o shall_v in_o some_o particular_n err_v that_o be_v far_o more_o tolerable_a than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v utter_o deprive_v of_o the_o mean_n of_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v they_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o when_o god_n have_v give_v the_o people_n reasonable_a faculty_n on_o purpose_n that_o by_o they_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v what_o be_v true_a from_o what_o be_v false_a for_o any_o party_n of_o man_n to_o forbid_v they_o the_o use_v of_o these_o faculty_n in_o distinguish_v what_o be_v true_a from_o what_o be_v false_a in_o religion_n in_o which_o above_o all_o thing_n they_o be_v most_o high_o concern_v it_o be_v a_o most_o injurious_a usurpation_n upon_o the_o common_a right_n of_o humane_a nature_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v our_o best_a faculty_n be_v render_v useless_a to_o we_o in_o our_o great_a concern_v and_o whereas_o god_n give_v it_o to_o we_o on_o purpose_n to_o guide_v and_o direct_v we_o we_o be_v utter_o deprive_v of_o its_o guidance_n where_o we_o have_v most_o need_v of_o it_o and_o where_o it_o will_v prove_v most_o fàtal_a to_o we_o if_o we_o shall_v happen_v to_o err_v and_o go_v astray_o a_o dissuasive_a from_z apostasy_n 1_o timothy_n i._n 19_o hold_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o some_o have_v put_v away_o concern_v faith_n have_v make_v shipwreck_n these_o word_n be_v a_o part_n of_o st._n paul_n charge_n to_o his_o son_n timothy_n wherein_o he_o pathetical_o exhort_v he_o as_o a_o valiant_a bishop_n to_o take_v all_o possible_a care_n to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n in_o his_o diocese_n of_o ephesus_n which_o at_o that_o time_n abound_v with_o false_a teacher_n who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o sow_v the_o tare_n of_o heresy_n and_o false_a doctrine_n in_o that_o large_a and_o fruitful_a field_n the_o cultivation_n whereof_o st._n paul_n have_v commit_v to_o his_o charge_n and_o that_o he_o may_v discharge_v this_o office_n the_o more_o effectual_o the_o apostle_n warn_v he_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o take_v care_n of_o himself_o that_o he_o do_v not_o suffer_v his_o own_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o be_v deprave_v and_o corrupt_v by_o those_o lewd_a and_o irreligious_a principle_n which_o those_o antichristian_a seminary_n be_v then_o scatter_v among_o his_o people_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v a_o example_n to_o his_o flock_n as_o well_o as_o a_o teacher_n of_o pure_a and_o undefiled_a religion_n and_o this_o v._o 18._o he_o press_v upon_o he_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o what_o have_v be_v foretell_v of_o he_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n before_o ever_o he_o enter_v upon_o his_o ministry_n viz._n that_o he_o shall_v war_v a_o good_a warfare_n that_o be_v prove_v a_o constant_a and_o courageous_a champion_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o prophecy_n he_o exhort_v he_o to_o use_v his_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o verify_v both_o in_o his_o profession_n and_o practice_n by_o hold_v or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v or_o keep_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o late_a viz._n a_o good_a conscience_n some_o have_v put_v away_o concern_v the_o former_a viz._n faith_n have_v make_v shipwreck_n before_o we_o proceed_v to_o the_o design_n of_o these_o word_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a brief_o to_o explain_v some_o term_n in_o they_o as_o 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o faith_n 2._o what_o by_o a_o good_a conscience_n 3._o what_o by_o put_v away_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o 4._o what_o by_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o the_o faith_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o first_o what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o keep_v the_o faith_n i_o answer_v by_o this_o phrase_n faith_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v the_o christian_a creed_n or_o summary_n of_o those_o necessary_a and_o essential_a doctrine_n whereof_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v compose_v for_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v little_a else_o profess_v and_o teach_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o only_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o christianity_n together_o with_o the_o near_a and_o most_o immediate_a inference_n from_o they_o so_o that_o few_o then_o misbelieved_n but_o such_o as_o misbelieved_n in_o fundamental_o and_o every_o error_n in_o doctrine_n be_v general_o a_o heresy_n the_o christian_a faith_n in_o those_o day_n lay_v within_o a_o narrow_a compass_n and_o so_o it_o continue_v till_o the_o wantonness_n and_o curiosity_n of_o succeed_a age_n start_v disputable_a opinion_n and_o as_o they_o prevail_v adopt_v they_o into_o the_o family_n of_o faith_n insomuch_o that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n sundry_a opinion_n be_v receive_v that_o be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o apostolical_a age_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v receive_v they_o be_v present_o declare_v necessary_a article_n and_o as_o for_o the_o contradictory_n opinion_n though_o christianity_n be_v little_a or_o nothing_o concern_v whether_o they_o