Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n authority_n scripture_n tradition_n 2,708 5 9.1860 5 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
A35787 A treatise concerning the right use of the Fathers, in the decision of the controversies that are this day in religion written in French by John Daille ...; Traité de l'employ des saints Pères pour le jugement des différences qui sont aujourd'hui en la religion. English Daillé, Jean, 1594-1670. 1675 (1675) Wing D119; ESTC R1519 305,534 382

There are 7 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

castro_n and_o 4._o melchior_n canus_n two_o spanish_a doctor_n for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n save_o that_o which_o be_v true_a it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o we_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o believe_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n till_o such_o time_n as_o they_o appear_v to_o we_o to_o have_v be_v certain_o true_a now_o we_o can_v be_v certain_o assure_v of_o this_o by_o their_o single_a authority_n see_v that_o they_o be_v but_o man_n who_o be_v not_o always_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n from_o above_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o we_o make_v use_v of_o some_o other_o guide_n in_o this_o our_o inquiry_n namely_o either_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o of_o reason_n or_o of_o tradition_n or_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o present_a church_n or_o of_o some_o other_o such_o mean_n as_o they_o themselves_o have_v make_v use_n of_o so_o that_o it_o hence_o follow_v that_o their_o bare_a assertion_n be_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o we_o to_o build_v any_o of_o our_o opinion_n upon_o they_o only_o serve_v to_o incline_v we_o before_o hand_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o same_o the_o great_a opinion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o they_o cause_v we_o to_o conclude_v that_o they_o will_v never_o have_v embrace_v such_o a_o opinion_n except_o it_o have_v be_v true_a which_o manner_n of_o argumentation_n how_o ever_o be_v at_o the_o best_a but_o probable_a so_o long_o as_o the_o person_n we_o have_v here_o to_o do_v withal_o be_v only_a man_n and_o no_o more_o and_o in_o this_o particular_a case_n where_o the_o question_n be_v touch_v point_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v allow_v of_o since_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v ground_v not_o upon_o probability_n but_o upon_o necessary_a truth_n the_o father_n be_v like_a to_o other_o great_a master_n in_o this_o point_n and_o their_o opinion_n be_v more_o or_o less_o valid_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n whereon_o they_o be_v ground_v only_o they_o have_v this_o advantage_n that_o their_o very_a name_n beget_v in_o we_o a_o readiness_n and_o inclination_n to_o receive_v whatsoever_o come_v from_o they_o while_o we_o think_v it_o very_o improbable_a that_o so_o excellent_a man_n as_o they_o be_v shall_v ever_o believe_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v false_a thus_o in_o humane_a science_n the_o say_n of_o a_o aristotle_n be_v of_o a_o far_o different_a value_n from_o that_o of_o any_o other_o philosopher_n of_o less_o account_n because_o that_o all_o man_n be_v beforehand_o possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n that_o this_o great_a philosopher_n will_v not_o maintain_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o consonant_a to_o reason_n but_o this_o be_v prejudice_n only_o for_o if_o upon_o better_a examination_n it_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v otherwise_o his_o bare_a authority_n will_v then_o no_o long_o prevail_v with_o we_o what_o himself_o have_v sometime_o gallant_o say_v will_v then_o here_o take_v place_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sacred_a thing_n always_o to_o prefer_v the_o truth_n 〈◊〉_d before_o friendship_n let_v the_o father_n therefore_o if_o you_o please_v be_v the_o aristotle_n in_o christian_n philosophy_n and_o let_v we_o have_v a_o reverent_a esteem_n of_o they_o and_o their_o write_n as_o they_o deserve_v and_o not_o be_v too_o rash_a in_o conclude_v that_o person_n of_o so_o eminent_a both_o learning_n and_o sanctity_n shall_v maintain_v any_o erroneous_a or_o vain_a opinion_n especial_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v we_o bind_v withal_o to_o remember_v that_o they_o be_v but_o man_n and_o that_o their_o memory_n understanding_n or_o judgement_n may_v sometime_o fail_v they_o and_o therefore_o consequent_o that_o we_o be_v to_o examine_v their_o write_n by_o those_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o draw_v their_o conclusion_n and_o not_o to_o sit_v down_o upon_o their_o bare_a assertion_n till_o such_o time_n as_o we_o have_v discover_v they_o to_o be_v true_a if_o i_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o any_o other_o person_n than_o of_o the_o father_n i_o shall_v not_o add_v any_o thing_n more_o to_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v it_o have_v be_v already_o in_o my_o judgement_n clear_o enough_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o themselves_o of_o authority_n enough_o to_o oblige_v we_o necessary_o to_o follow_v their_o opinion_n but_o see_v the_o question_n here_o be_v touch_v these_o great_a name_n which_o be_v so_o high_o honour_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n that_o no_o man_n may_v accuse_v we_o of_o endeavour_v to_o rob_v they_o of_o any_o of_o the_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a unto_o they_o i_o hold_v it_o necessary_a to_o examine_v this_o business_n a_o little_a more_o exact_o and_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o thing_n itself_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o more_o authority_n neither_o in_o themselves_o nor_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o than_o have_v be_v already_o by_o we_o attribute_v unto_o they_o chap._n ii_o reason_n 2._o that_o the_o father_n themselves_o testify_v against_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v absolute_o and_o upon_o their_o own_o bare_a word_n in_o what_o they_o deliver_v in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v none_o so_o fit_a to_o inform_v we_o what_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n be_v as_o the_o ancient_n themselves_o who_o in_o all_o reason_n must_v needs_o know_v this_o better_a than_o we_o let_v we_o therefore_o now_o hear_v what_o they_o testify_v in_o this_o particular_a and_o if_o we_o do_v indeed_o hold_v they_o in_o so_o high_a esteem_n as_o we_o make_v profession_n of_o let_v we_o allow_v of_o their_o judgement_n in_o this_o particular_a attribute_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o unto_o the_o ancient_n than_o they_o themselves_o require_v at_o our_o hand_n st._n augustine_n who_o be_v the_o principal_a light_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n be_v enter_v into_o a_o contestation_n with_o st._n hierome_n touch_v the_o interpretation_n beforementioned_a of_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o saint_n paul_n to_o the_o galatian_n and_o find_v himself_o hardly_o press_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o six_o or_o seven_o greek_a writer_n which_o be_v urge_v against_o he_o by_o the_o other_o to_o rid_v his_o hand_n of_o they_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o make_v open_a profession_n in_o what_o account_n he_o hold_v that_o sort_n of_o writer_n est_fw-la i_o confess_v say_v he_o to_o thy_o charity_n that_o i_o only_o owe_v to_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v now_o call_v canonical_a that_o reverence_n and_o honour_n as_o to_o believe_v steadfast_o that_o none_o of_o their_o author_n ever_o commit_v any_o error_n in_o write_v the_o same_o and_o if_o by_o chance_n i_o there_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n which_o seem_v to_o contradict_v the_o truth_n i_o present_o think_v that_o certain_o either_o my_o copy_n be_v imperfect_a and_o not_o so_o correct_a as_o it_o shall_v be_v or_o else_o that_o the_o interpreter_n do_v not_o so_o well_o understand_v the_o word_n of_o the_o original_a or_o last_o that_o i_o myself_o have_v not_o so_o right_o understand_v he_o but_o as_o for_o all_o other_o writer_n how_o eminent_a soever_o they_o be_v either_o for_o sanctity_n or_o learning_n i_o read_v they_o so_o as_o not_o present_o to_o conclude_v whatsoever_o i_o there_o find_v to_o be_v true_a because_o they_o have_v say_v it_o but_o rather_o because_o they_o convince_v i_o either_o out_o of_o the_o say_v canonical_a book_n of_o scripture_n or_o else_o by_o some_o probable_a reason_n that_o what_o they_o say_v be_v true_a neither_o do_v i_o think_v brother_n that_o thou_o thyself_o art_n of_o any_o other_o opinion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o thou_o expect_v that_o we_o shall_v read_v thy_o book_n as_o we_o do_v those_o of_o the_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o who_o write_n as_o be_v exempt_a from_o all_o error_n we_o may_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a doubt_n and_o have_v afterward_o oppose_v some_o other_o the_o like_a authority_n against_o those_o allege_a by_o st._n hierome_n he_o add_v that_o he_o have_v do_v so_o dubitem_fw-la notwithstanding_o that_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n he_o account_v the_o canonical_a scripture_n only_o to_o be_v the_o book_n to_o which_o as_o he_o say_v before_o he_o owe_v that_o ingenuous_a duty_n as_o to_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o never_o err_v or_o deceive_v the_o reader_n in_o any_o thing_n this_o holy_a man_n account_v this_o advice_n to_o be_v of_o so_o great_a importance_n as_o that_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o repeat_v it_o again_o in_o another_o place_n and_o i_o must_v entreat_v my_o reader_n
no_o such_o doctrine_n be_v ever_o preach_v to_o mankind_n either_o by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n or_o by_o his_o apostle_n for_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o those_o holy_a doctor_n of_o former_a age_n from_o who_o hand_n christianity_n have_v be_v derive_v down_o unto_o we_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v reveal_v and_o recommend_v by_o our_o saviour_n as_o important_a and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o the_o father_n be_v deceive_v either_o by_o some_o false_a manner_n of_o argumentation_n or_o else_o by_o some_o seem_v authority_n do_v sometime_o deliver_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v not_o be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n but_o be_v evident_o either_o false_a or_o ill_o ground_v as_o we_o have_v former_o show_v in_o those_o example_n before_o produce_v by_o we_o it_o be_v true_a moreover_o that_o among_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n in_o the_o scripture_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o father_n may_v have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o some_o of_o they_o either_o by_o reason_n that_o time_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o discover_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v or_o else_o because_o that_o for_o lack_n of_o give_v good_a heed_n unto_o they_o or_o by_o their_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o some_o passion_n they_o do_v not_o then_o perceive_v what_o have_v since_o be_v find_v out_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v all_o of_o they_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o article_n that_o be_v necessary_o requisite_a to_o salvation_n be_v altogether_o impossible_a for_o after_o this_o account_n they_o shall_v all_o have_v be_v deprive_v of_o salvation_n which_o i_o suppose_v every_o honest_a soul_n will_v tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o i_o say_v then_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v have_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o this_o treatise_n that_o a_o argument_n which_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n from_o the_o father_n have_v maintain_v the_o same_o be_v very_o weak_a and_o ill-grounded_n as_o suppose_v that_o which_o be_v clear_o false_a namely_o that_o the_o father_n maintain_v nothing_o which_o have_v not_o be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n for_o this_o will_v be_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o argumentation_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v prove_v by_o the_o general_n agreement_n herein_o of_o the_o father_n that_o all_o the_o depart_v soul_n be_v shut_v up_o together_o in_o a_o certain_a place_n or_o receptacle_n till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n or_o that_o the_o encharist_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v administer_v to_o little_a infant_n and_o the_o like_a where_o every_o one_o see_v how_o insufficient_a and_o invalid_n this_o way_n of_o argumentation_n be_v and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n such_o be_v the_o proceed_v of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n those_o article_n which_o they_o propose_v to_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o protestant_n i_o say_v moreover_o that_o to_o conclude_v upon_o the_o nullity_n or_o falseness_n of_o any_o article_n that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n from_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o the_o father_n touch_v the_o same_o be_v a_o very_a absurd_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o suppose_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v also_o manifest_o false_a namely_o that_o the_o father_n must_v necessary_o have_v see_v and_o clear_o know_v all_o and_o every_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n such_o a_o kind_n of_o argument_n will_v it_o be_v think_v among_o the_o franciscan_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v conclude_v against_o they_o from_o the_o silence_n of_o the_o father_n that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n mary_n be_v conceive_v without_o sin_n but_o yet_o i_o confess_v again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o in_o those_o point_n that_o be_v account_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n a_o argument_n that_o shall_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o general_n silence_n of_o the_o father_n to_o prove_v the_o nullity_n or_o falseness_n of_o it_o will_v be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o indeed_o unanswerable_a as_o for_o example_n his_o manner_n of_o argumentation_n will_v be_v very_o rational_a and_o solid_a that_o shall_v conclude_v that_o those_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o be_v propose_v by_o a_o mahomet_n suppose_v or_o a_o david_n george_n or_o the_o like_a sectary_n be_v null_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n how_o much_o soever_o these_o man_n may_v seem_v to_o honour_v he_o see_v that_o none_o of_o ehe_fw-ge ancient_a christian_n speak_v so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n of_o it_o and_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a of_o all_o those_o secret_n that_o these_o wretch_n have_v preach_v to_o their_o disciple_n and_o deliver_v as_o infallible_a and_o necessary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n after_o this_o manner_n do_v irenaeus_n dispute_v against_o the_o valentinian_o and_o other_o of_o the_o gnostic_n who_o vent_v their_o own_o senseless_a dream_n and_o absurd_a issue_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n say_v that_o the_o creator_n of_o the_o world_n be_v but_o a_o angel●_n and_o that_o there_o be_v above_o he_o certain_a divine_a power_n which_o they_o call_v aeones_n that_o be_v to_o say_v age_n some_o of_o they_o make_v more_o of_o these_o and_o other_o few_o and_o some_o reckon_n to_o the_o number_n of_o ccclxv_o and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o other_o the_o like_a prodigy_n never_o show_v any_o ground_n for_o the_o same_o either_o in_o reason_n or_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n 4._o irenaeus_n therefore_o that_o he_o may_v make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o this_o so_o strange_a doctrine_n be_v produce_v out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n only_o go_v about_o and_o visit_v the_o arohive_n of_o all_o the_o church_n that_o have_v be_v either_o plant_v or_o water_v by_o the_o holy_a apostle_n turn_v over_o all_o their_o record_n evidence_n and_o ancient_a monument_n and_o these_o aeones_n achamot_n and_o barbele_n of_o the_o gnostic_n no_o where_o appear_v 2._o nor_o so_o much_o as_o any_o the_o least_o part_n or_o trace_v of_o they_o he_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v never_o deliver_v over_o any_o such_o thing_n to_o their_o disciple_n neither_o by_o write_v nor_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n as_o these_o impostor_n pretend_v they_o have_v for_o certain_o if_o they_o have_v do_v so_o the_o memory_n of_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o utter_o lose_v this_o be_v also_o the_o method_n that_o tertullian_n follow_v in_o his_o disputation_n against_o these_o very_a heretic_n and_o other_o the_o like_a in_o the_o 22_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praescriptionibus_fw-la adversus_fw-la haereticos_fw-la and_o in_o other_o place_n the_o practice_n of_o these_o great_a person_n who_o make_v use_v of_o it_o themselves_o will_v here_o serve_v to_o prove_v unto_o we_o that_o this_o course_n be_v right_o and_o good_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n in_o the_o church_n and_o serve_v as_o a_o out-work_n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o repel_v the_o presumption_n of_o those_o who_o will_v forge_v a_o new_a faith_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o those_o who_o broach_n new_a doctrine_n of_o their_o own_o head_n do_v ordinary_o slight_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o those_o very_a heretic_n do_v who_o iraeneus_n confute_v who_o impudent_o accuse_v they_o of_o not_o be_v right_o vocem_fw-la and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o authority_n and_o speak_v in_o very_o ambiguous_a term_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o inform_v a_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n unless_o they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o tradition_n the_o truth_n have_v be_v deliver_v as_o these_o man_n pretend_v not_o in_o write_v but_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o say_v and_o for_o other_o the_o like_a be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o ●athers_n of_o very_o great_a use_n in_o these_o dispute_n and_o i_o conceive_v this_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a end_n for_o which_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v in_o despite_n of_o so_o many_o confusion_n and_o change_n preserve_v so_o many_o of_o they_o safe_a down_o to_o our_o time_n if_o therefore_o the_o protestant_n shall_v propose_v of_o their_o own_o head_n and_o shall_v press_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n any_o positive_a article_n which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v in_o antiquity_n without_o all_o question_n this_o course_n may_v with_o very_o good_a reason_n be_v make_v use_n of_o against_o them_o but_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o in_o their_o belief_n for_o
all_o this_o it_o have_v not_o only_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o have_v be_v even_o utter_o condemn_v also_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o many_o father_n together_o although_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v have_v upon_o all_o the_o point_n now_o in_o debate_n will_v yet_o be_v no_o sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o but_o i_o shall_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o rest_n we_o have_v before_o hear_v how_o that_o tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n who_o be_v both_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o martyr_n firmilianus_n metropolitan_a of_o cappadocia_n dionysius_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n together_o with_o the_o synod_n of_o bishop_n both_o of_o africa_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n 759._o and_o bythinia_n hold_v all_o that_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n be_v invalid_a and_o null_a st._n basil_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a church_n hold_v also_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o very_a same_o opinion_n and_o that_o a_o long_a time_n too_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o amphilochius_n which_o be_v also_o put_v in_o among_o the_o public_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o greek_a canonist_n and_o yet_o this_o opinion_n be_v now_o confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v erroneous_a many_o in_o like_a manner_n of_o the_o father_n as_o namely_o 8._o tertullian_n 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 10._o lactantius_n and_o 1147_o africanus_n believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n keep_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n but_o once_o only_o after_o his_o baptism_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o consent_n of_o they_o the_o opinion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v very_o false_a as_o 203._o petavius_n also_o testify_v and_o beside_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o text_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o passim_fw-la st._n chrysostom_n 15._o st._n hierome_n 155._o st._n basil_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o etc._n constantinople_n under_o the_o patriarch_n flavianus_n who_o seem_v all_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v utter_o unlawful_a for_o christian_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o shall_v i_o take_v any_o notice_n in_o this_o place_n of_o that_o conceit_n of_o athanasius_n st._n basil_n and_o methodius_n as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o 5._o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n who_o all_o believe_v that_o the_o angel_n have_v body_n to_o who_o we_o may_v also_o add_v as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o st._n hilary_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o very_o many_o more_o of_o the_o father_n who_o will_v all_o of_o they_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o angel_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o passion_n of_o carnal_a love_n of_o which_o number_n be_v even_o 10._o st._n augustine_n also_o whosoever_o shall_v now_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o this_o fancy_n of_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v of_o no_o small_a importance_n be_v a_o truth_n will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o sharp_o reprove_v for_o it_o by_o the_o romanist_n as_o by_o those_o of_o geneva_n but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o beside_o st._n cyprian_n st._n augustine_n and_o pope_n innocent_n i._n who_o testimony_n we_o have_v give_v in_o 8._o before_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o doctor_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o age_n maintain_v that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v necessary_a for_o young_a infant_n if_o at_o least_o you_o dare_v take_v maldonat_n word_n 53._o who_o affirm_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v in_o great_a request_n in_o the_o church_n during_o the_o first_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 747._o cassander_n also_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v often_o observe_v this_o practice_n in_o the_o ancient_n as_o indeed_o be_v also_o witness_v by_o carolus_n magnus_n and_o by_o ludovicus_n pius_n who_o live_v a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o six_o century_n both_o of_o which_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o custom_n continue_v in_o the_o west_n even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o they_o be_v cite_v by_o cardinal_n 1001._o perron_n and_o the_o trace_n of_o this_o custom_n do_v yet_o remain_v to_o this_o day_n among_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n for_o baptismus_fw-la nicolaus_n lyranus_fw-la who_o live_v somewhat_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n since_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_n account_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n so_o necessary_a as_o that_o they_o administer_v it_o to_o little_a child_n also_o as_o well_o as_o baptism_n and_o even_o in_o our_o father_n time_n the_o patriarch_n germ._n jeremias_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a creek_n church_n say_v we_o do_v not_o only_o baptise_v little_a child_n but_o we_o also_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o a_o little_a after_o we_o account_v say_v he_o both_o sacrament_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n for_o all_o person_n namely_o baptism_n and_o the_o holy_a communion_n the_o ethiopia_n abyssine_n also_o make_v their_o child_n in_o like_a manner_n communicate_v of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o be_v baptise_a which_o be_v most_o evident_a argument_n that_o this_o false_a opinion_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o eucharist_n have_v be_v of_o old_a maintain_v not_o by_o three_o or_o four_o of_o the_o father_n only_a but_o by_o the_o major_a part_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o of_o they_o for_o we_o do_v not_o hear_v of_o so_o much_o as_o one_o among_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o reject_v it_o in_o express_a term_n as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v do_v in_o these_o late_a time_n to_o conclude_v the_o jesuit_n 23._o pererius_n have_v inform_v we_o and_o indeed_o the_o observation_n be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v never_o so_o little_a conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o author_n who_o live_v before_o st._n augustine_n time_n that_o all_o the_o greek_a father_n and_o a_o considerable_a part_n also_o of_o the_o latin_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o predestination_n be_v the_o before_o sight_n which_o god_n have_v either_o of_o man_n good_a work_n or_o else_o of_o their_o faith_n either_o of_o which_o opinion_n he_o assure_v we_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a both_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o also_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o i_o conceive_v we_o may_v without_o trouble_v ourselves_o any_o further_a in_o make_v this_o envious_a inquiry_n into_o the_o error_n of_o the_o father_n conclude_v from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o produce_v that_o see_v the_o father_n have_v err_v in_o so_o many_o particular_n not_o on_o single_o but_o also_o many_o of_o they_o together_o neither_o the_o private_a opinion_n of_o each_o particular_a father_n nor_o yet_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n certain_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n controvert_v among_o us._n chap._n v._n reason_n v._o that_o the_o father_n have_v strong_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o have_v maintain_v different_a opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o very_a great_a importance_n bessarion_n a_o greek_a bear_v who_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o dignity_n of_o cardinal_n by_o pope_n eugenius_n iv._o as_o a_o reward_n of_o his_o earnest_a desire_n to_o and_o the_o great_a pain_n he_o take_v in_o endeavour_v a_o reconciliation_n betwixt_o the_o eastern_a and_o the_o western_a church_n in_o a_o book_n which_o he_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a to_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n conc._n will_v have_v the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n to_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o the_o father_n and_o for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o know_v that_o unless_o the_o judge_n do_v all_o agree_n and_o be_v of_o one_o opinion_n the_o cause_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n necessary_o remain_v undecided_a he_o strong_o labour_v to_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v all_o the_o father_n consent_v not_o only_o with_o he_o but_z which_o be_v yet_o much_o hard_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n also_o among_o themselves_o insomuch_o that_o he_o command_v we_o when_o ever_o there_o appear_v any_o contrariety_n in_o their_o write_n that_o we_o shall_v accuse_v our_o own_o ignorance_n rather_o than_o blame_v they_o for_o contradict_v each_o other_o we_o may_v conclude_v therefore_o from_o what_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o by_o this_o author_n who_o be_v both_o as_o acute_a and_o as_o learned_a a_o man_n as_o any_o be_v at_o this_o council_n that_o to_o render_v the_o father_n capable_a of_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o our_o controversy_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v
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 more_o have_v he_o opportunity_n to_o do_v this_o in_o those_o age_n which_o be_v further_o remove_v from_o their_o time_n when_o as_o the_o sanctity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o these_o great_a teacher_n of_o the_o world_n have_v now_o by_o little_a and_o little_o vanish_v out_o of_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n humane_a invention_n and_o new_a fancy_n begin_v to_o take_v place_n so_o that_o we_o may_v however_o conclude_v that_o suppose_v that_o christianity_n even_o in_o the_o first_o age_n have_v not_o be_v altogether_o exempt_a from_o alteration_n in_o doctrine_n yet_o be_v they_o much_o more_o free_a from_o it_o than_o the_o succeed_a age_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v and_o be_v therefore_o consequent_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o they_o in_o all_o respect_n it_o be_v here_o something_o like_o what_o the_o poet_n have_v fancy_v of_o the_o four_o age_n of_o the_o world_n where_o the_o succeed_a age_n always_o come_v short_a of_o the_o former_a casaub_v for_o as_o for_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o man_n who_o think_v the_o best_a way_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n will_v be_v to_o search_v the_o write_n of_o those_o of_o the_o father_n chief_o who_o live_v betwixt_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a till_o pope_n leo_n or_o till_o pope_n gregory_n time_n that_o be_v to_o say_v from_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o century_n till_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o seven_o i_o take_v this_o as_o a_o confession_n only_o of_o the_o small_a number_n of_o book_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o of_o those_o age_n before_o constantine_n and_o not_o that_o these_o man_n allow_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o three_o late_a age_n aught_o to_o be_v prefer_v to_o that_o of_o the_o three_o former_a if_o we_o have_v but_o as_o much_o light_n and_o as_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o one_o as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o other_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o they_o will_v prefer_v the_o former_a but_o if_o they_o mean_v otherwise_o and_o be_v indeed_o of_o a_o persuasion_n that_o the_o church_n be_v real_o more_o pure_a after_o constantine_n time_n than_o before_o they_o must_v excuse_v i_o if_o i_o think_v that_o they_o by_o this_o mean_n confess_v the_o distrust_n they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o cause_n see_v they_o endeavour_v to_o get_v off_o as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v from_o the_o light_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n retreat_v back_o to_o those_o age_n wherein_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a there_o be_v both_o less_o perfection_n and_o light_n than_o before_o run_v clean_o contrary_a to_o that_o excellent_a rule_n which_o s._n 195._o cyprian_n have_v give_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o fountain_n whenever_o the_o channel_n and_o stream_n of_o doctrine_n and_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n be_v find_v to_o be_v any_o whit_n corrupt_v but_o however_o let_v their_o meaning_n be_v what_o it_o will_v their_o word_n in_o my_o judgement_n do_v not_o a_o little_a 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
according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o a_o legitimate_a disputation_n to_o allege_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o any_o point_n in_o debate_n any_o other_o principle_n than_o what_o they_o do_v allow_v of_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o attribute_v to_o the_o father_n nothing_o less_o than_o such_o a_o authority_n for_o in_o the_o confess_v of_o faith_n they_o declare_v 4._o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o that_o they_o hold_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o as_o for_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a write_n although_o they_o account_v they_o to_o be_v useful_a yet_o nevertheless_o do_v they_o not_o conceive_v that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o build_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o they_o and_o indeed_o see_v that_o they_o believe_v as_o the_o tell_v you_o immediate_o after_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a both_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n they_o have_v no_o need_n of_o any_o other_o judge_n and_o shall_v in_o vain_a have_v recourse_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n the_o authority_n whereof_o how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v be_v still_o much_o less_o both_o in_o itself_o and_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o than_o that_o of_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o next_o place_n they_o serious_o profess_v that_o their_o intent_n be_v to_o reform_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n according_a to_o this_o rule_n and_o to_o retain_v firm_o what_o article_n of_o faith_n soever_o be_v therein_o deliver_v and_o to_o reject_v constant_o all_o those_o that_o be_v not_o there_o find_v lay_v down_o how_o high_a and_o eminent_a soever_o the_o authority_n be_v that_o shall_v rescind_v the_o one_o or_o establish_v the_o other_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o men._n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a say_v they_o for_o man_n nor_o yet_o for_o the_o angel_n themselves_o either_o to_o add_v to_o or_o to_o diminish_v from_o or_o to_o alter_v it_o neither_o may_v antiquity_n nor_o custom_n nor_o multitude_n nor_o judgement_n nor_o humane_a wisdom_n nor_o definitive_a sentence_n nor_o edict_n nor_o decree_n nor_o council_n nor_o vision_n nor_o miracle_n be_v bring_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a rather_o all_o other_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v examine_v regulate_v and_o reform_v by_o it_o these_o be_v their_o own_o word_n if_o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o depart_v from_o this_o their_o belief_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o key_n of_o their_o whole_a reformation_n they_o can_v receive_v the_o father_n who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o third_z and_o four_o and_o so_o in_o the_o follow_a century_n as_o judge_n nor_o yet_o absolute_o and_o simple_o as_o witness_n in_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o they_o all_o hold_v that_o that_o pure_a simple_a and_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v and_o preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o deliver_v over_o unto_o we_o by_o themselves_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v by_o little_a and_o little_o alter_v and_o corrupt_v time_n which_o change_v all_o thing_n continual_o mix_v among_o it_o some_o corruption_n or_o other_o sometime_o a_o jewish_a or_o a_o heathenish_a opinion_n and_o sometime_o again_o some_o nice_a observation_n otherwhiles_o some_o superstitious_a ceremony_n or_o other_o whilst_o one_o building_n upon_o the_o foundation_n with_o stubble_n another_o with_o hay_o a_o three_o with_o wood_n the_o body_n seem_v at_o length_n by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o have_v become_v quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o ancient_o be_v we_o have_v in_o stead_n of_o a_o palace_n of_o gold_n and_o of_o silver_n a_o house_n build_v up_o of_o plaster_n stone_n wood_n and_o mud_n and_o the_o like_a pitiful_a stuff_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v they_o as_o we_o see_v that_o brook_n of_o water_n the_o far_a distant_a they_o be_v from_o their_o spring_n the_o more_o filth_n they_o contract_v and_o the_o more_o do_v their_o water_n lose_v of_o its_o first_o purity_n and_o as_o a_o man_n the_o more_o he_o grow_v in_o year_n the_o more_o do_v that_o native_a simplicity_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o in_o his_o infancy_n decay_n his_o body_n and_o his_o mind_n be_v change_v and_o he_o be_v so_o much_o alter_v by_o little_a and_o little_a through_o study_n art_n and_o cunning_a that_o at_o length_n he_o seem_v to_o be_v clean_o another_o man_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v they_o have_v it_o ●ared_v with_o christianity_n and_o here_o they_o present_o urge_v that_o notable_a passage_n out_o of_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o great_a fall_v away_o which_o then_o in_o his_o time_n begin_v already_o to_o work_v secret_o and_o insensible_o but_o be_v not_o to_o break_v forth_o till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o as_o you_o see_v it_o be_v in_o all_o great_a thing_n whether_o in_o nature_n or_o in_o the_o affair_n and_o occurrence_n that_o happen_v to_o mankind_n which_o be_v all_o conceive_a and_o hatch_v slow_o and_o by_o degree_n and_o be_v sometime_o a_o whole_a age_n before_o they_o be_v bring_v forth_o now_o according_a to_o this_o hypothesis_n which_o as_o i_o conceive_v be_v equal_o common_a to_o we_o of_o france_n and_o all_o other_o protestant_n whatsoever_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n must_v necessary_o have_v suffer_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o second_o age_n of_o christianity_n by_o admit_v the_o mixture_n of_o some_o new_a matter_n into_o its_o belief_n and_o policy_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o three_o age_n some_o other_o corruption_n must_v necessary_o have_v get_v in_o and_o so_o in_o the_o four_o five_o and_o the_o rest_n that_o follow_v the_o christian_a religion_n continual_o lose_v something_o of_o its_o original_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n still_o contract_v all_o along_o some_o new_a impurity_n till_o at_o length_n it_o come_v to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o corruption_n in_o which_o condition_n they_o say_v they_o find_v it_o and_o have_v now_o at_o last_o by_o the_o guidance_n of_o the_o scripture_n restore_v it_o to_o the_o selfsame_a state_n wherein_o it_o be_v at_o the_o beginning_n and_o have_v as_o it_o be_v fix_v it_o again_o upon_o its_o true_a and_o proper_a hinge_v from_o whence_o partly_o by_o the_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o fraud_n of_o man_n during_o the_o space_n of_o so_o many_o age_n together_o it_o have_v by_o little_a and_o little_o be_v remove_v this_o therefore_o be_v their_o opinion_n they_o can_v admit_v of_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o their_o doctrine_n the_o write_n of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n who_o live_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n down_o to_o we_o without_o betray_v and_o contradict_v themselves_o for_o according_a to_o what_o they_o maintain_v touch_v the_o progress_n of_o corruption_n in_o religion_n there_o have_v be_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n both_o in_o the_o second_o third_z and_o all_o the_o follow_a age_n and_o then_o again_o according_a to_o what_o they_o conceive_v and_o believe_v of_o their_o own_o reformation_n their_o doctrine_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o be_v take_v immediate_o out_o of_o their_o book_n if_o therefore_o they_o shall_v examine_v it_o by_o what_o the_o father_n of_o the_o second_o century_n believe_v there_o must_v necessary_o be_v something_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v not_o in_o they_o and_o the_o difference_n will_v be_v much_o great_a if_o the_o comparison_n be_v make_v betwixt_o it_o and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o three_o four_o and_o the_o follow_a age_n in_o all_o which_o according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n the_o corruption_n have_v continual_o increase_v for_o if_o their_o doctrine_n be_v in_o every_o respect_n conformable_a to_o each_o other_o and_o have_v in_o they_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o there_o must_v necessary_o then_o follow_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n namely_o that_o either_o this_o corruption_n which_o they_o presuppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o belief_n and_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o that_o secret_a which_o work_v in_o s._n paul_n time_n or_o else_o that_o their_o reformation_n be_v not_o the_o pure_a and_o simple_a doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o member_n of_o which_o division_n be_v contradictory_n to_o those_o two_o position_n which_o as_o we_o have_v say_v they_o all_o of_o they_o unanimous_o maintain_v so_o that_o to_o avoid_v this_o contradiction_n it_o concern_v they_o constant_o to_o persevere_v in_o that_o which_o they_o profess_v be_v their_o belief_n in_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a write_n whatsoever_o that_o be_v of_o so_o sufficient_a authority_n as_o
that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o build_v upon_o they_o and_o make_v they_o the_o judge_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o they_o all_o agree_v upon_o as_o far_o as_o i_o have_v either_o read_v or_o know_v as_o any_o man_n may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o calvin_n bucer_n melancthon_n luther_n beza_n and_o the_o rest_n who_o all_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o admit_v not_o of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n whereon_o to_o build_v any_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n it_o be_v true_a i_o confess_v that_o some_o of_o their_o first_o author_n as_o namely_o bucer_n peter_n martyr_n and_o j._n jewel_n bishop_n of_o salisbury_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n all_o the_o late_a writer_n also_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n but_o if_o you_o but_o mark_v it_o it_o be_v only_o by_o way_n of_o confutation_n and_o not_o of_o establish_v any_o thing_n they_o do_v it_o only_o to_o overthrow_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o not_o to_o strengthen_v their_o own_o for_o though_o they_o hold_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o so_o pure_a as_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o do_v they_o withal_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v much_o pure_a than_o that_o which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n teach_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n have_v continual_o decay_v and_o the_o impurity_n of_o it_o increase_v in_o such_o sort_n as_o that_o the_o further_o they_o be_v remove_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o near_o they_o approach_v as_o they_o say_v towards_o the_o aforementioned_a fall_v away_o speak_v of_o by_o s._n paul_n although_o the_o protestant_n therefore_o allow_v the_o scripture_n only_o for_o the_o true_a foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n yet_o notwithstanding_o do_v they_o account_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n to_o be_v necessary_a also_o and_o of_o good_a use_n unto_o they_o first_o of_o all_o in_o the_o prove_v this_o decay_n which_o they_o say_v have_v happen_v in_o christianity_n and_o second_o for_o the_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o opinion_n which_o their_o adversary_n now_o maintain_v be_v not_o in_o those_o day_n bring_v into_o any_o form_n but_o be_v as_o yet_o only_o in_o their_o seed_n as_o for_o example_n transubstantiation_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n notwithstanding_o that_o long_a ago_o they_o do_v innocent_o and_o not_o foresee_v what_o the_o issue_n may_v prove_v to_o be_v believe_v some_o certain_a thing_n out_o of_o which_o be_v afterward_o lick_v over_o by_o pass_v through_o divers_a several_a language_n transubstantiation_n be_v at_o length_n make_v up_o so_o likewise_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n have_v at_o that_o time_n no_o place_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o man_n although_o those_o small_a thread_n and_o root-string_n from_o whence_o this_o vast_a and_o wonderful_a power_n first_o spring_v long_o since_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o other_o point_n which_o the_o protestant_n will_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n receive_v and_o that_o this_o be_v their_o resolution_n and_o sense_n appear_v evident_o by_o those_o many_o book_n which_o they_o have_v write_v upon_o this_o subject_a wherein_o they_o show_v historical_o the_o whole_a progress_n of_o this_o decay_n in_o christianity_n as_o well_o in_o its_o faith_n as_o in_o its_o polity_n and_o discipline_n and_o true_o this_o their_o design_n seem_v to_o be_v very_o sufficient_a and_o satisfactory_a for_o see_v that_o they_o propose_v nothing_o positive_o and_o as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o may_v not_o easy_o and_o plain_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n they_o have_v no_o need_n to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o principle_n for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n furthermore_o see_v that_o those_o positive_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o believe_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o of_o they_o receive_v and_o confess_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o we_o have_v say_v before_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o treatise_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o trouble_v a_o man_n self_n to_o prove_v the_o same_o those_o thing_n which_o both_o party_n be_v agree_v upon_o be_v never_o to_o be_v prove_v but_o be_v always_o presuppose_v in_o all_o disputation_n yet_o notwithstanding_o if_o any_o one_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o father_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o say_a article_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o they_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o also_o believe_v all_o of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o themselves_o as_o for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n a_o christ_n a_o salvation_n a_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n a_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n and_o the_o like_a truth_n the_o great_a part_n whereof_o we_o have_v former_o set_v down_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o as_o for_o those_o other_o article_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o the_o world_n beside_o all_o these_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v the_o argument_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v they_o and_o to_o make_v it_o by_o this_o mean_n appear_v that_o they_o have_v not_o any_o sure_a ground_n at_o all_o and_o consequent_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n and_o this_o be_v the_o use_n that_o the_o protestant_n make_v of_o the_o father_n evident_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n out_o of_o they_o that_o they_o do_v not_o hold_v the_o say_a article_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v at_o this_o day_n so_o that_o their_o allege_v of_o the_o father_n to_o this_o purpose_n only_o and_o indeed_o their_o whole_a practice_n in_o these_o dispute_n declare_v evident_o enough_o that_o they_o conceive_v not_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v so_o perfect_o and_o exact_o conformable_a to_o that_o of_o antiquity_n especial_o of_o the_o four_o or_o five_o first_o age_n which_o accord_v very_o well_o with_o their_o hypothesis_n touch_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n but_o yet_o no_o man_n may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v allow_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n as_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n to_o ground_n any_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o for_o this_o be_v repugnant_a both_o to_o their_o doctrine_n and_o to_o the_o protestation_n which_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n make_v express_o to_o the_o contrary_n so_o that_o i_o can_v but_o extreme_o wonder_v at_o the_o proceed_v of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a author_n who_o in_o their_o disputation_n with_o the_o protestant_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n by_o testimony_n bring_v out_o of_o the_o father_n whereas_o the_o protestant_n never_o go_v about_o to_o make_v good_a their_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o overthrow_v those_o of_o their_o adversary_n by_o urge_v the_o father_n testimony_n for_o see_v that_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v that_o the_o church_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v possible_o err_v in_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o its_o belief_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n have_v always_o be_v the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o protestant_n to_o show_v by_o compare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n with_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o neither_o do_v this_o in_o any_o wise_a bind_v they_o to_o believe_v throughout_o whatsoever_o the_o father_n believe_v it_o be_v evident_a according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o may_v have_v some_o error_n creep_v into_o their_o belief_n though_o certain_o not_o such_o nor_o so_o gross_a one_o as_o have_v be_v since_o entertain_v by_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v we_o shall_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o protestant_n acknowledge_v not_o neither_o in_o the_o father_n nor_o in_o their_o write_n any_o so_o absolute_a authority_n as_o render_v they_o capable_a of_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o as_o our_o supreme_a judge_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o such_o from_o who_o no_o appeal_n can_v be_v make_v whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o although_o the_o father_n may_v real_o perhaps_o have_v such_o a_o authority_n yet_o notwithstanding_o can_v not_o their_o definitive_a sentence_n put_v a_o end_n to_o any_o of_o our_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o have_v
perhaps_o they_o have_v spend_v four_o or_o five_o month_n in_o the_o read_n of_o they_o over_o but_o above_o all_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o come_v to_o this_o business_n void_a of_o all_o passion_n and_o prejudication_n which_o be_v indeed_o the_o great_a and_o the_o most_o general_a cause_n of_o that_o obscurity_n which_o be_v find_v in_o these_o write_n of_o the_o father_n whilst_o every_o one_o endeavour_n to_o make_v they_o speak_v to_o his_o sense_n whereas_o in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o point_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v now_o controvert_v among_o we_o these_o ancient_a author_n real_o believe_v much_o less_o than_o the_o one_o party_n do_v and_o some_o little_a matter_n more_o than_o the_o other_o do_v and_o there_o be_v but_o a_o very_a few_o point_n of_o all_o this_o number_n wherein_o they_o be_v full_o and_o absolute_o of_o the_o same_o judgement_n that_o either_o of_o the_o two_o party_n be_v neither_o be_v it_o sufficient_a in_o this_o business_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o such_o testimony_n as_o either_o positive_o affirm_v or_o deny_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o look_v after_o because_o that_o how_o clear_a soever_o they_o perhaps_o may_v be_v it_o will_v go_v very_o hard_o but_o a_o quick_a wit_n will_v find_v something_o to_o darken_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o as_o you_o may_v observe_v in_o all_o book_n of_o controversy_n where_o you_o shall_v have_v they_o so_o baffle_v and_o make_v nothing_o of_o such_o testimony_n as_o be_v bring_v against_o they_o out_o of_o the_o ancient_n as_o that_o you_o will_v hardly_o know_v what_o to_o hold_v to_o but_o you_o must_v also_o observe_v what_o the_o necessary_a consequence_n be_v of_o each_o particular_a article_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conclude_v upon_o any_o one_o point_n that_o be_v of_o any_o importance_n but_o that_o there_o will_v present_o follow_v upon_o it_o divers_a consequence_n as_o well_o within_o as_o without_o the_o church_n as_o for_o example_n you_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o the_o consequence_n be_v of_o the_o transubstantiation_n of_o the_o eucharist_n as_o it_o be_v now_o hold_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o purgatory_n and_o of_o the_o monarchical_a authority_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o when_o you_o have_v observe_v they_o well_o you_o be_v then_o to_o mark_v in_o read_v the_o book_n of_o the_o ancient_n whether_o they_o appear_v there_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part._n for_o if_o you_o find_v they_o not_o there_o at_o all_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a argument_n that_o the_o doctrine_n from_o whence_o they_o proceed_v and_o upon_o which_o they_o follow_v be_v new_a and_o unsound_a but_o i_o shall_v not_o proceed_v any_o further_a in_o this_o discourse_n since_o divers_a have_v already_o treat_v hereof_o at_o large_a it_o be_v in_o my_o judgement_n no_o hard_a matter_n to_o collect_v from_o what_o we_o have_v here_o deliver_v how_o we_o ought_v to_o read_v the_o father_n finis_fw-la euseb_n hist_o eccles_n lib._n 3._o cap._n 29._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cassand_n consult_v ferdinan_n p_o 894._o perron_n epist_n to_o casaub_v cypr._n ep_n 74._o p._n 195._o orig_n praef_n operis_fw-la contra_fw-la cell_n p._n 1_o 2._o euseb_n hist_o eccles_n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hieron_n l._n the_o scriptor_n etc._n etc._n euseb_n in_o hist_o passim_fw-la tertul._n aliquorum_fw-la meminit_fw-la gontery_n veron_n and_o other_o hegesippus_n apud_fw-la euseb_n l._n 4._o c._n 22._o council_n 7._o act._n 5._o tom._n 3_o p._n 552._o hier._n l_o de_fw-fr scrip_n eccles_n tom._n 1._o p._n 346_o b._n &_o 350._o c._n council_n 7._o act_n 6._o council_n 5._o collatine_n 6._o marian._n ep_n ad_fw-la mon._n alex._n ad_fw-la calcem_fw-la council_n ●halc_n t._n 2._o p._n 450._o e._n leont_n lib._n extat_fw-la bibl._n ss_z pp_n t_o 4_o part_n 2._o greg._n thaumat_n open_fw-mi par._n ann_n 1622._o pag._n 97._o ubi_fw-la vide_fw-la voss_n bibl._n ss_z pp_n t._n 1._o gr._n lat._n council_n 6._o act._n 3._o &_o act._n 14._o t._n 3._o council_n council_n 6._o act._n 3._o &_o act._n 14._o t._n 3._o council_n council_n 7._o act._n 6._o refut_n iconoclast_n tom._n 5._o council_n florent_fw-la sess_z 20._o t._n 4._o hier._n ep._n 28._o ad_fw-la lucin._n tom._n 1._o hier._n apol._n 2._o contr_n ruff._n auctor_fw-la operis_fw-la de_fw-fr operibus_fw-la card._n christi_fw-la inter_fw-la cyprian_n op_n p._n 444._o 444._o erasmus_n in_o edit_fw-la cypr._n suâ_fw-la sixtus_n senens_fw-la biblioth_n lib._n 4._o bellar._n de_fw-fr euchar_n l_o 2._o cap._n 9_o de_fw-fr amiss_a great_a l._n 6._o c._n 2._o p●ssevin_n in_o apparat._v scult_a medulla_n patr._n andr._n rivet_n l._n 2._o c._n 15._o crit._n sacr._n aubert_n de_fw-fr euchar_n l._n 2._o c._n 8._o hier._n the_o script_n eccl._n tom._n 1._o p._n 350._o exit_fw-la tertul._n li._n de_fw-la baptismo_fw-la cap._n 17._o hier._n l._n 2._o apol._n contr_n ruffin_n tom._n 2._o p._n 334._o &_o ep._n 69._o t._n 2._o &_o apol._n contr_n ruff._n ad_fw-la pammach_n et_fw-fr marc._n tom._n 2._o hier._n in_o jerem._n come_v 4._o tom_n 4._o hier._n l._n 2._o apol._n contra_fw-la ruffin_n tom._n 2._o orig_n contra_fw-la cell_n lib._n 7._o council_n flor._n sess_z 2._o p_o 457._o council_n afric_n 6._o cap._n 3._o council_n flor._n sess_z 20._o codex_fw-la can._n ec._n vn_fw-fr diony_n exig_n p._n 99_o leo_n in_o ep_n ad_fw-la theodos_fw-la imp._n tom._n 2._o council_n valentin_n in_o ep_n ad_fw-la theod._n tom._n 2._o council_n galla_n placid_n in_o ep_n ad_fw-la theodos_fw-la tom._n 2._o council_n 5_o act._n 5._o tom._n 2._o council_n council_n 7._o act._n 4._o tom._n 3._o council_n nannius_n in_o edit_n open_fw-mi athan._n bellar_n de_fw-fr imag_n l._n 2_o c._n 10._o &_o lib._n de_fw-fr script_n eccles_n in_o athan_n possevin_n in_o appar_n in_o athan._n d._n 96._o c._n constantino_n nostro_fw-la 14._o augusti_fw-la steuchius_n de_fw-fr dona._n constant._n baron_n in_o annal_n melchior_n canus_n locor_fw-la theolog_fw-la l._n 11._o p._n 511._o hen._n kaltheis_n ap_fw-mi magdeb._n cent_n 2._o nic._n cusan_n conc._n cath._n l._n 2._o c._n 34._o jo._n de_fw-fr turrecr_n de_fw-fr eccl._n lib._n 2._o c._n 101._o jo._n driedo_n the_o dogm_n &_o scrip_n eccl._n l._n 1._o c._n 2._o cl._n espen_v de_fw-fr contin_n l._n 1._o c_o 2._o g._n cassand_n defence_n lib._n de_fw-fr officio_fw-la pii_fw-la viri_fw-la p._n 843._o sim._n vig._n ex_fw-la respon_n syn._n basil_n etc._n etc._n en_fw-fr la_fw-fr lettre_fw-fr contr_n durand_n baron_fw-fr annal._n t._n 2._o a_o 102._o &_o a_o 865._o erasm_n praefat_fw-la in_o hieron_n baron_fw-fr annal._n tom._n 1._o a_o 51._o bellar._n de_fw-fr lib._n arbit_fw-la t._n 5._o c._n 25._o nos_fw-la fatemur_fw-la librum_fw-la esse_fw-la corruptum_fw-la etc._n etc._n sed_fw-la tamen_fw-la vel_fw-la esse_fw-la clementis_fw-la romani_fw-la vel_fw-la alterius_fw-la aequè_fw-la docti_fw-la ac_fw-la antiqui_fw-la hier._n ep_n 84._o ad_fw-la magn._n tom._n 2._o 2._o clem._n alex._n strom._n l._n 2._o 2._o id._n strom._n l._n 1._o &_o l._n 2._o &_o alibi_fw-la passim_fw-la hier._n ep_n 84._o ad_fw-la magn._n tom._n 2._o id._n in_o catal._n tom._n 1._o baron_fw-fr annal._n tom._n 1._o a_o 66._o hier._n ep_n 28._o ad_fw-la lucin._n tom._n 1._o hier._n ep_n 4._o ad_fw-la rustic_n tom._n 1._o daemonum_n contra_fw-la se_fw-la pugnantium_fw-la p●rtenta_fw-la co●fingunt_fw-la co●fingunt_fw-la ruffin_n in_o expos_n symbol_n &_o light_v de_fw-fr adult_n script_n origen_n origen_n hier._n ep_n 65._o tom._n 2._o &_o apol._n 2._o contr_n ruff._n ruff._n cyril_n ep_n ad_fw-la ich._n antioch_n in_o act._n conc._n eph._n eph._n in_o praefat._n in_o tom._n 1._o council_n gen._n epiphanius_n in_o anchor_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hier._n ep_n 5._o ad_fw-la flor._n &_o ep_n 41._o ad_fw-la ruffin_n ruffin_n aug._n ep_n ad_fw-la hier._n quae_fw-la est_fw-la inter_fw-la ep_n hier._n 93._o &_o iterum_fw-la ep_n 97._o 97._o gennald_n in_o catal._n inter_fw-la open_fw-mi hier._n hier._n hier._n ep_n 62._o ad_fw-la theoph._n alex_n &_o lib._n 2._o apol._n contra_fw-la ruffin_n hier._n ep_n 75._o id._n praefat_fw-la in_o lib._n euseb_n de_fw-fr loc_fw-fr hebr._n tom._n 4._o open_a amb._n p._n 211._o lib._n 2._o de_fw-fr abra._n in_o marg_n annot_n annot_n lud._n vives_n in_o lib._n 21._o de_fw-la civ_o dei_fw-la c._n 24._o in_o antiquis_fw-la libris_fw-la brug_n &_o colon._n non_fw-fr le_fw-fr guntur_fw-la isti_fw-la decem_fw-la aut_fw-la duodecim_fw-la qui_fw-la sequuntur_fw-la versus_fw-la versus_fw-la holstein_n open_fw-mi limb_n praef_n tom_fw-mi open_fw-mi athan._n neque_fw-la solius_fw-la athanasti_fw-la ea_fw-la fortuna_fw-la ut_fw-la ineptissimorum_fw-la interpolatorum_fw-la manus_fw-la subiret_fw-la cum_fw-la chrysostomi_n procli_n aliorumque_fw-la homilias_fw-la similibus_fw-la sequiorum_fw-la saeculorum_fw-la ineptiis_fw-la faedatas_fw-la in_fw-la iisdem_fw-la regiis_fw-la codicibus_fw-la invenerim_fw-la andr._n masius_n praef._n in_o litur_fw-la syr._n cassand_n in_o liturg_n cap._n 2._o euseb_n in_o chro._n edit●num_fw-la 2148._o &_o 2158._o vide_fw-la scalig._n in_o loc_n p._n 198_o