Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
diversity_n great_a religion_n world_n 277 4 5.1446 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33817 A Collection of discourses lately written by some divines of the Church of England against the errours and corruptions of the church of Rome to which is prefix'd a catalogue of the several discourses. 1687 (1687) Wing C5141; ESTC R10140 460,949 658

There are 2 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

the_o same_o church_n notwithstanding_o these_o dispute_n because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a dangerous_a thing_n to_o leave_v it_o but_o they_o be_v more_o beholden_a to_o the_o inquisition_n then_o to_o infallibility_n for_o this_o unity_n 2._o how_o do_v these_o division_n and_o heresy_n which_o disturb_v the_o church_n prove_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o his_o religion_n if_o we_o can_v certain_o know_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v notwithstanding_o there_o be_v many_o different_a opinion_n about_o it_o than_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n be_v no_o argument_n against_o we_o if_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n which_o other_o deny_v dispute_n or_o doubt_v of_o then_o how_o can_v any_o papist_n be_v certain_a that_o his_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n deny_v this_o and_o scorn_v their_o pretension_n to_o it_o i_o may_v indeed_o safe_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o determination_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n who_o i_o be_o infallible_o assure_v to_o be_v infallible_a how_o many_o contrary_a opinion_n soever_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o infallibility_n itself_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_n and_o i_o have_v no_o infallible_a way_n to_o know_v whither_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o where_o this_o infallibility_n be_v seat_v if_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o i_o be_o not_o and_o can_v be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o than_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a demonstration_n against_o infallibility_n itself_o unless_o we_o will_v take_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n word_n for_o her_o own_o infallibility_n we_o can_v have_v the_o decision_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o she_o will_v allow_v no_o other_o infallible_a judge_n but_o herself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v so_o absurd_a a_o way_n that_o it_o suppose_v that_o we_o believe_v and_o that_o we_o disbelieve_v the_o same_o thing_n at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o unless_o we_o beforehand_o believe_v the_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a her_o say_n so_o be_v no_o infallible_a proof_n that_o she_o be_v infallible_a and_o yet_o the_o very_a demand_n of_o a_o proof_n suppose_v that_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o it_o that_o we_o doubt_v of_o it_o or_o disbelieve_v it_o when_o we_o ask_v the_o church_n whither_o she_o be_v infallible_a it_o suppose_v that_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o it_o otherwise_o we_o shall_v need_v no_o proof_n and_o when_o we_o believe_v the_o church_n to_o be_v infallible_a because_o she_o say_v so_o it_o suppose_v that_o we_o do_v beforehand_o believe_v that_o she_o be_v infallible_a otherwise_o her_o say_n so_o be_v no_o proof_n the_o great_a champion_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n never_o pretend_v that_o they_o can_v produce_v any_o infallible_a proof_n which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n cardinal_n bellarmine_n attempt_v no_o more_o then_o to_o allege_v some_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o make_v the_o thing_n probable_a and_o to_o incline_v man_n to_o believe_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n than_o we_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o if_o a_o papist_n have_v only_o some_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o believe_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n he_o can_v have_v no_o great_a probability_n that_o it_o be_v a_o infallible_a church_n now_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n what_o a_o totter_a foundation_n some_o high_a probability_n though_o they_o amount_v to_o a_o moral_a assurance_n be_v for_o the_o belief_n of_o infallibility_n which_o be_v to_o put_v more_o in_o the_o conclusion_n then_o there_o be_v in_o the_o premise_n the_o only_a use_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v at_o least_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o more_o infallible_o assure_v of_o this_o than_o we_o be_v of_o our_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o argument_n prove_v that_o they_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a because_o this_o be_v not_o only_o doubt_v but_o absolute_o deny_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o be_v never_o think_v of_o by_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o so_o this_o argument_n prove_v too_o much_o and_o recoil_v upon_o themselves_o like_o a_o gun_n which_o be_v overcharge_v and_o if_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n they_o will_v grant_v that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o confident_o deny_v and_o dispute_v by_o other_o then_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o our_o religion_n but_o only_o teach_v we_o great_a caution_n and_o diligence_n and_o honesty_n in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n 3._o these_o division_n and_o heresy_n that_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o better_a argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o the_o diversity_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v christian_n great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v jew_n or_o pagan_n or_o mahumetanes_n still_o and_o this_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o the_o different_a party_n and_o profession_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n nor_o what_o true_a christianity_n be_v the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o design_v to_o offer_v any_o force_n or_o violence_n to_o man_n faith_n or_o understanding_n no_o more_o then_o to_o their_o will_n be_v there_o such_o a_o irresistible_a and_o compulsory_a evidence_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o wherever_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o ill_o dispose_v to_o continue_v a_o infidel_n or_o to_o prove_v a_o heretic_n faith_n will_v be_v no_o great_a a_o virtue_n then_o force_v obedience_n and_o compliance_n be_v the_o gospel_n have_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v honest_a mind_n and_o be_v plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v honest_a and_o teachable_a and_o therefore_o have_v its_o effect_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v curable_a which_o be_v all_o that_o it_o be_v design_v for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v may_v continue_v infidel_n and_o those_o who_o will_v not_o understand_v may_v fall_v into_o error_n and_o believe_v a_o lie_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v and_o plainness_n enough_o to_o instruct_v well_o dispose_v mind_n and_o certainty_n enough_o in_o each_o to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o very_a good_a mean_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o only_a mean_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o very_a intelligible_a book_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o never_o hear_v of_o a_o church_n shall_v have_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o a_o language_n which_o he_o understand_v by_o a_o diligent_a read_n of_o it_o he_o may_v understand_v enough_o to_o be_v save_v 2._o if_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v any_o particular_a church_n as_o suppose_v the_o roman_n catholic_n church_n or_o the_o church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n it_o be_v absolute_o false_a to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v always_o a_o sure_a and_o safe_a mean_n of_o understand_v the_o scripture_n what_o have_v be_v universal_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n or_o at_o least_o by_o all_o church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v near_a the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o may_v be_v presume_v best_a to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o those_o primitive_a apostolic_a church_n in_o matter_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n before_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o worldly_a ambition_n and_o secular_a interest_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o our_o practice_n also_o and_o this_o be_v the_o
from_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v that_o there_o be_v so_o little_a credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o roman_a church_n only_o we_o can_v receive_v those_o doctrine_n of_o truth_n which_o that_o church_n now_o press_v upon_o our_o belief_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o tradition_n for_o instance_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o other_o church_n that_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o monarch_n or_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a visible_a church_n that_o all_o scripture_n must_v be_v expound_v according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o church_n that_o there_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o seven_o sacrament_n neither_o more_o nor_o less_o institute_v by_o our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v a_o proper_a and_o propiciatory_a sacrifice_n offer_v in_o the_o mass_n for_o the_o quick_a and_o dead_a the_o same_o that_o christ_n offer_v on_o the_o cross_n in_o short_a the_o half_a communion_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o article_n of_o their_o new_a faith_n in_o the_o creed_n publish_v by_o pope_n pius_n iu._n which_o be_v tradition_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n alone_o not_o of_o the_o universal_a and_o rely_v sole_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o therefore_o we_o refuse_v they_o and_o in_o our_o dispute_n about_o tradition_n we_o mean_v these_o thing_n which_o we_o reject_v because_o they_o have_v no_o foundation_n either_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o in_o universal_a tradition_n but_o depend_v as_o i_o say_v upon_o the_o sole_a authority_n of_o that_o church_n which_o witness_n in_o its_o own_o behalf_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v pretend_v to_o make_v the_o better_a show_n all_o resolve_n at_o last_o into_o that_o as_o i_o intimate_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n scripture_n and_o tradition_n can_v do_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o they_o without_o their_o church_n definition_n though_o their_o whole_a infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n seem_v to_o be_v make_v up_o of_o those_o three_o yet_o in_o truth_n the_o last_o of_o these_o alone_a the_o church_n definition_n be_v the_o whole_a rule_n and_o the_o very_a bottom_n upon_o which_o their_o faith_n stand_v for_o what_o be_v tradition_n be_v no_o more_o apparent_a than_o what_o be_v scripture_n according_a to_o their_o principle_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n which_o pretend_v a_o unlimited_a power_n to_o supply_v the_o defect_n even_o of_o tradition_n itself_o in_o short_a as_o tradition_n among_o they_o be_v take_v in_o to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o scripture_n so_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n be_v take_v in_o to_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o tradition_n but_o this_o authority_n undermine_v they_o both_o because_o neither_o scripture_n nor_o tradition_n signify_v any_o thing_n without_o their_o church_n authority_n which_o therefore_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o be_v they_o believe_v themselves_o to_o which_o absurdity_n they_o be_v drive_v because_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a by_o we_o that_o there_o have_v be_v great_a diversity_n of_o tradition_n and_o many_o change_n and_o alteration_n make_v even_o in_o thing_n call_v apostolical_a etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o other_o way_n but_o to_o fly_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o present_a church_n to_o determine_v what_o be_v tradition_n apostolical_a and_o what_o be_v not_o by_o which_o judgement_n all_o mankind_n must_v be_v govern_v that_o be_v we_o must_v believe_v they_o and_o they_o believe_v themselves_o which_o they_o will_v have_v do_v well_o to_o have_v say_v in_o one_o word_n without_o put_v we_o to_o the_o trouble_n of_o seek_v for_o tradition_n in_o book_n and_o in_o other_o church_n but_o they_o will_v willing_o colour_v their_o pretence_n by_o as_o many_o fair_a word_n as_o possible_a and_o so_o make_v mention_n of_o scripture_n tradition_n antiquity_n which_o when_o we_o have_v examine_v they_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o they_o but_o take_v fanctuary_n in_o their_o own_o authority_n say_v they_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n what_o be_v scripture_n and_o what_o tradition_n and_o what_o antiquity_n nay_o have_v a_o power_n to_o declare_v any_o new_a point_n of_o faith_n which_o the_o church_n never_o hear_v of_o before_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salmeron_n and_o other_o of_o his_o fellow_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n admit_v of_o addition_n in_o essential_a thing_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o such_o as_o be_v then_o necessary_a and_o fit_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o believer_n by_o which_o mean_v we_o can_v never_o know_v when_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v perfect_v but_o their_o church_n may_v bring_v in_o tradition_n by_o its_o sole_a authority_n without_o end_n nay_o some_o among_o they_o have_v be_v content_v to_o resolve_v all_o their_o faith_n into_o the_o sole_a authority_n of_o the_o present_a roman_a bishop_n according_a to_o that_o famous_a say_n of_o cornelius_n mussus_n promote_v by_o paul_n the_o three_o to_o a_o bishopric_n upon_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n to_o confess_v the_o truth_n ingenuous_o i_o will_v give_v great_a credit_n to_o one_o pope_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o touch_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n then_o to_o a_o thousand_o hierom_n augustine_n gregory_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o richard_n scotus_n &c._n &c._n for_o i_o believe_v and_o know_v that_o the_o pope_n can_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o contemptuous_a speech_n he_o will_v never_o have_v utter_v to_o the_o discredit_n of_o those_o great-man_n who_o they_o pretend_v to_o reverence_v if_o he_o have_v not_o know_v more_o certain_o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o run_v among_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v against_o they_o than_o he_o can_v know_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a there_o be_v no_o tradition_n i_o be_o sure_a for_o that_o nor_o for_o abundance_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o rest_n mere_o upon_o their_o own_o credit_n as_o be_v fair_o acknowledge_v in_o two_o great_a article_n of_o their_o present_a creed_n by_o our_o countryman_n bishop_n fisher_n with_o who_o word_n i_o conclude_v this_o particular_a many_o perhaps_o have_v the_o less_o confidence_n in_o indulgence_n because_o their_o use_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v new_a in_o the_o church_n and_o very_o late_o find_v among_o christian_n to_o who_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v certain_o by_o who_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v first_o deliver_v for_o the_o ancient_n make_v no_o mention_n or_o very_o rare_a of_o purgatory_n and_o the_o greek_n to_o this_o very_a day_n do_v not_o believe_v it_o nor_o be_v the_o belief_n either_o of_o purgatory_n or_o of_o indulgence_n so_o necessary_a in_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o it_o be_v new_a and_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v no_o care_n about_o purgatory_n no_o body_n seek_v for_o indulgence_n for_o all_o their_o esteem_n depend_v upon_o that_o if_o you_o take_v away_o purgatory_n to_o what_o purpose_n be_v indulgence_n since_o therefore_o purgatory_n be_v so_o late_o know_v and_o receive_v in_o the_o catholic_n church_n who_o can_v wonder_v that_o there_o be_v no_o use_n of_o indulgence_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o our_o religion_n which_o be_v a_o full_a confession_n what_o kind_n of_o tradition_n that_o church_n commend_v unto_o we_o thing_n late_o invent_v their_o own_o private_a opinion_n of_o which_o the_o ancient_a christian_n know_v nothing_o in_o one_o word_n their_o tradition_n be_v no_o tradition_n in_o that_o sense_n wherein_o the_o church_n always_o understand_v it_o iu._n and_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o they_o must_v be_v apply_v to_o other_o particular_a church_n though_o some_o have_v be_v more_o sincere_a than_o they_o none_o of_o they_o have_v any_o authority_n to_o commend_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n unto_o posterity_n which_o have_v not_o be_v commend_v to_o they_o by_o all_o forego_n age_n derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n for_o vincentius_n his_o rule_n be_v to_o guide_v we_o all_o in_o this_o that_o be_v catholic_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v receive_v which_o have_v be_v hold_v by_o all_o and_o in_o all_o church_n and_o at_o all_o time_n v._o which_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o another_o thing_n to_o be_v brief_o touch_v that_o the_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n contain_v in_o the_o confession_n or_o register_n of_o particular_a church_n in_o these_o day_n wherein_o we_o live_v be_v not_o receive_v by_o we_o nor_o allow_v to_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n which_o such_o tradition_n have_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o nicene_n council_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o heresy_n the_o joint_a consent_n i_o mean_v of_o so_o many_o bishop_n as_o be_v there_o assemble_v and_o the_o unanimous_a confession_n of_o so_o many_o several_a church_n of_o several_a province_n as_o be_v there_o deliver_v have_v not_o