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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n church_n council_n tradition_n 2,406 5 9.2525 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A30350 Four discourses delivered to the clergy of the Diocess of Sarum ... by the Right Reverend Father in God, Gilbert, Lord Bishop of Sarum. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715. 1694 (1694) Wing B5793; ESTC R202023 160,531 125

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consent_n of_o the_o metropolitan_a yet_o whatever_o may_v be_v do_v in_o subaltern_a body_n where_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v amiss_o may_v be_v rectify_v by_o appeal_n the_o supreme_a and_o last_o resort_v must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o full_a freedom_n in_o which_o christ_n have_v constitute_v his_o church_n it_o must_v be_v further_o consider_v that_o infallibility_n be_v not_o like_o ordinary_a jurisdiction_n or_o legislation_n which_o may_v be_v mould_v according_a to_o the_o convenience_n of_o society_n it_o be_v a_o privilege_n which_o if_o the_o church_n have_v it_o at_o all_o she_o have_v it_o by_o a_o immediate_a grant_n from_o heaven_n and_o so_o she_o must_v enjoy_v and_o apply_v it_o according_a to_o the_o ten_o or_o of_o that_o grant_v and_o she_o can_v expect_v to_o have_v it_o continue_v to_o she_o but_o as_o she_o observe_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o grant_n indeed_o if_o it_o be_v give_v she_o at_o large_a to_o be_v model_v and_o lodge_v as_o she_o please_v there_o may_v be_v a_o power_n in_o she_o to_o limit_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o such_o form_n as_o shall_v be_v least_o liable_a to_o exception_n or_o abuse_v but_o either_o it_o be_v grant_v to_o a_o single_a person_n or_o to_o the_o body_n in_o general_a if_o it_o be_v grant_v to_o a_o single_a person_n than_o he_o and_o he_o only_o have_v it_o he_o may_v indeed_o if_o he_o please_v in_o order_n to_o his_o being_n better_o inform_v or_o obey_v call_v a_o general_n council_n but_o their_o proceed_n be_v only_o preparatory_a to_o his_o use_v the_o infallibility_n which_o be_v single_o in_o himself_o nor_o can_v the_o divine_a grant_n be_v limit_v as_o to_o the_o exercise_n or_o use_v of_o it_o all_o such_o rule_n must_v still_o be_v at_o the_o pope_n discretion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o the_o grant_n be_v give_v to_o the_o community_n of_o the_o pastor_n than_o the_o infallibility_n must_v be_v in_o they_o and_o can_v be_v limit_v or_o suppose_v to_o stay_v for_o the_o consent_n of_o any_o one_o bishop_n for_o whatsoever_o regard_n may_v he_o have_v to_o any_o one_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o see_n or_o his_o other_o circumstance_n yet_o still_o this_o must_v be_v but_o a_o point_n or_o form_n of_o human_a prudence_n for_o the_o infallibility_n must_v be_v where_o christ_n have_v place_v it_o and_o can_v be_v transfer_v from_o thence_o or_o be_v put_v any_o where_o else_o so_o unless_o it_o be_v say_v that_o christ_n have_v put_v this_o infallibility_n between_o pope_n and_o council_n in_o so_o express_v a_o manner_n as_o all_o constitution_n do_v which_o be_v under_o a_o mix_a legislation_n which_o be_v not_o pretend_v then_o it_o must_v be_v lodge_v either_o in_o a_o general_n council_n or_o in_o the_o pope_n and_o can_v be_v in_o both_o this_o then_o be_v to_o be_v examine_v in_o the_o next_o place_n i_o begin_v therefore_o to_o examine_v the_o plea_n for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o council_n it_o be_v at_o first_o no_o small_a prejudice_n against_o this_o opinion_n that_o the_o church_n be_v constitute_v and_o have_v continue_v 300._o year_n before_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v the_o shadow_n of_o a_o general_n council_n be_v call_v so_o if_o a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o church_n here_o we_o see_v she_o subsist_v in_o her_o hard_a time_n in_o which_o she_o be_v the_o most_o distress_v both_o by_o heresy_n and_o persecution_n without_o one_o we_o also_o see_v that_o she_o have_v be_v these_o last_o 130._o year_n without_o one_o though_o there_o be_v warm_a dispute_n among_o they_o both_o in_o speculative_a and_o practical_a doctrine_n both_o side_n reproach_v one_o another_o with_o heresy_n and_o as_o there_o be_v little_a prospect_n of_o a_o council_n neither_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n nor_o the_o court_n of_o other_o prince_n who_o have_v among_o they_o take_v away_o all_o the_o primitive_a and_o canonical_a right_n of_o the_o church_n which_o a_o honest_a council_n must_v desire_v to_o regain_v be_v concern_v ever_o to_o have_v one_o so_o if_o a_o council_n be_v necessary_a it_o be_v not_o very_o easy_a to_o see_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v bring_v together_o during_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n it_o be_v in_o the_o emperor_n power_n to_o have_v bring_v the_o bishop_n together_o at_o his_o pleasure_n but_o now_o this_o depend_v upon_o the_o pope_n who_o summon_v they_o have_v obtain_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o christendom_n which_o be_v subdivide_v into_o many_o different_a sovereignty_n this_o matter_n depend_v then_o so_o entire_o upon_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o look_v for_o one_o from_o they_o for_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v the_o infallibility_n in_o themselves_o shall_v very_o much_o derogate_v from_o that_o if_o they_o summon_v a_o council_n for_o a_o decision_n in_o doctrinal_a matter_n they_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o judge_v these_o at_o rome_n and_o as_o for_o matter_n of_o discipline_n except_o we_o can_v imagine_v that_o they_o will_v be_v content_a to_o part_v with_o that_o authority_n which_o they_o have_v assume_v over_o all_o see_v and_o church_n and_o over_o all_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o church_n we_o can_v see_v reason_n to_o fancy_v that_o they_o will_v ever_o call_v one_o if_o they_o shall_v the_o consent_n of_o all_o sovereign_n must_v likewise_o be_v obtain_v for_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n to_o keep_v subject_n within_o the_o prince_n dominion_n they_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o send_v their_o bishop_n and_o divine_n to_o a_o council_n unless_o they_o please_v this_o be_v a_o power_n which_o seem_v to_o belong_v to_o they_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o claim_v it_o and_o very_o probable_o will_v put_v it_o in_o execution_n if_o that_o matter_n come_v to_o be_v contest_v so_o here_o be_v very_o great_a contingency_n to_o be_v conquer_v before_o a_o general_n council_n can_v be_v bring_v together_o now_o it_o be_v not_o very_o likely_a that_o christ_n shall_v have_v leave_v so_o great_a and_o so_o necessary_a a_o power_n to_o his_o church_n by_o which_o all_o controversy_n must_v be_v judge_v which_o yet_o must_v be_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o so_o many_o accident_n before_o it_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o work_v and_o that_o the_o bringue_v together_o of_o those_o council_n shall_v depend_v so_o entire_o upon_o they_o against_o who_o pretension_n or_o usurpation_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o necessary_a but_o to_o go_v more_o close_o to_o this_o opinion_n if_o the_o infallibility_n lie_v in_o a_o general_n council_n it_o be_v first_o necessary_a that_o we_o know_v who_o be_v the_o member_n that_o must_v constitute_v this_o council_n whether_o the_o laity_n have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v in_o it_o and_o to_o judge_n or_o not_o we_o find_v the_o brethren_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n join_v with_o the_o apostle_n in_o that_o first_o council_n to_o which_o all_o subsequent_a council_n pretend_v they_o have_v succeed_v and_o who_o style_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o 30._o be_v one_o of_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o authority_n why_o then_o be_v the_o brethren_n or_o the_o whole_a church_n that_o be_v lay_v christian_n who_o even_o the_o apostle_n though_o inspire_a take_v to_o consult_v and_o judge_v with_o they_o why_o i_o say_v be_v they_o now_o exclude_v it_o be_v also_o probable_a that_o by_o elder_n or_o presbyter_n be_v to_o be_v mean_v those_o to_o who_o that_o name_n be_v afterward_o appropriate_v why_o then_o be_v they_o shut_v out_o in_o a_o word_n if_o by_o a_o divine_a grant_v infallibility_n belong_v to_o a_o general_n council_n we_o have_v a_o just_a right_o to_o ask_v for_o a_o definition_n of_o the_o council_n by_o the_o same_o authority_n otherwise_o we_o may_v ascribe_v infallibility_n to_o those_o to_o who_o god_n never_o mean_v to_o give_v it_o must_v this_o council_n consist_v of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o though_o this_o be_v both_o unreasonable_a and_o scarce_o possible_a yet_o if_o the_o infallibility_n be_v give_v in_o common_a to_o the_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n than_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o shut_v out_o any_o from_o it_o if_o because_o of_o their_o distance_n their_o age_n or_o their_o poverty_n they_o can_v come_v to_o it_o and_o if_o though_o a_o general_a summons_n be_v pretend_v to_o give_v all_o man_n a_o right_a to_o come_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o only_o a_o few_o of_o those_o who_o have_v live_v at_o a_o distance_n have_v come_v even_o in_o the_o best_a age_n those_o few_o will_v either_o be_v man_n of_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o wealth_n of_o heat_n or_o of_o health_n and_o will_v be_v probable_o man_n pick_v out_o
four_o discourse_n deliver_v to_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o sarum_n concern_v i._o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ii_o the_o divinity_n and_o death_n of_o christ._n iii_o the_o infallibility_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n iv._o the_o obligation_n to_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n gilbert_n lord_n bishop_n of_o sarum_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdcxciv_o imprimatur_fw-la jo._n cant_n jan._n 22._o 1693_o 4._o to_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o diocese_n of_o sarum_n my_o reverend_n and_o dear_a brethren_n these_o discourse_n be_v at_o first_o prepare_v for_o you_o and_o be_v deliver_v to_o you_o among_o a_o great_a many_o more_o on_o other_o subject_n on_o several_a occasion_n they_o be_v so_o well_o receive_v by_o you_o that_o many_o of_o you_o desire_v that_o you_o may_v have_v they_o copy_v out_o for_o a_o more_o last_a use_n this_o have_v set_v i_o on_o publish_v these_o that_o follow_v they_o relate_v to_o four_o different_a sort_n of_o man_n with_o who_o you_o may_v be_v engage_v the_o first_o be_v against_o atheist_n and_o libertine_n who_o grow_v to_o be_v so_o bold_a and_o insolent_a that_o it_o be_v of_o the_o last_o importance_n that_o you_o shall_v be_v well_o furnish_v with_o answer_n to_o those_o objection_n with_o which_o they_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n this_o be_v the_o pest_n of_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o the_o most_o dangerous_a as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o contagious_a of_o all_o other_o it_o strike_v at_o all_o and_o corrupt_v the_o whole_a man_n as_o well_o as_o it_o dissolve_v all_o the_o bound_n of_o nature_n and_o society_n this_o promise_v such_o a_o indemnity_n and_o give_v so_o entire_a a_o liberty_n that_o deprave_a inclination_n and_o affection_n will_v be_v always_o of_o its_o side_n and_o it_o have_v some_o specious_a thing_n to_o 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the_o impiety_n and_o vice_n of_o all_o sort_n that_o be_v among_o we_o and_o not_o wonder_v rather_o that_o we_o have_v not_o be_v make_v a_o scene_n of_o earthquake_n and_o ruin_n as_o sicily_n malta_n and_o jamaica_n have_v of_o late_o be_v it_o be_v to_o these_o sin_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o turn_v the_o mind_n of_o our_o people_n when_o they_o be_v at_o any_o time_n deject_v with_o ill_a success_n we_o ought_v to_o call_v upon_o they_o to_o repent_v of_o and_o to_o reform_v their_o way_n and_o when_o that_o be_v do_v or_o even_o set_v about_o we_o may_v then_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v change_v his_o method_n towards_o we_o and_o continue_v his_o gospel_n among_o we_o together_o with_o the_o blessing_n of_o a_o just_a and_o wise_a government_n and_o of_o peace_n and_o plenty_n these_o be_v subject_n on_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o dwell_v much_o and_o preach_v often_o but_o that_o i_o may_v not_o dismiss_v this_o matter_n without_o any_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o a_o 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become_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o king_n of_o babylon_n by_o the_o entire_a conquest_n which_o nabuchadnezzar_n make_v of_o that_o nation_n that_o after_o the_o end_n of_o 70_o year_n they_o continue_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o cyrus_n who_o though_o he_o send_v they_o back_o to_o rebuild_v their_o temple_n and_o though_o his_o successor_n suffer_v they_o both_o to_o finish_v that_o and_o to_o rebuild_v and_o enclose_v jerusalem_n yet_o they_o continue_v still_o to_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o king_n of_o persia_n this_o be_v transfer_v to_o alexander_n the_o great_a when_o he_o conquer_v that_o empire_n and_o final_o they_o fall_v to_o the_o share_n of_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n and_o be_v their_o subject_n above_o 140_o year_n they_o prove_v hard_a master_n to_o they_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n rob_v the_o temple_n in_o the_o 143_o year_n of_o the_o seleucida_n a_o great_a massacre_n follow_v 25._o but_o these_o be_v particular_a act_n of_o tyranny_n and_o so_o though_o there_o be_v great_a mourning_n upon_o this_o yet_o it_o be_v submit_v to_o for_o certain_o the_o peace_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n require_v that_o special_a act_n of_o malversation_n and_o even_o of_o trranny_n shall_v be_v bear_v rather_o than_o that_o we_o shall_v shake_v a_o establish_a constitution_n but_o in_o the_o year_n 145._o he_o go_v on_o to_o a_o total_a subversion_n of_o their_o religion_n by_o a_o edict_n which_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v forsake_v their_o law_n 57_o and_o become_v one_o people_n with_o he_o in_o pursuance_n os_fw-la which_o the_o altar_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v defile_v idolatrous_a altar_n be_v set_v up_o in_o all_o their_o city_n and_o every_o man_n be_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n that_o still_o adhered_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n here_o then_o be_v subject_n bring_v under_o a_o general_a sentence_n of_o death_n unless_o they_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o law_n of_o god_n special_a oppression_n and_o violent_a act_n of_o cruelty_n be_v submit_v to_o but_o when_o they_o see_v themselves_o involve_v all_o in_o the_o same_o common_a fate_n they_o defend_v themselves_o mattathias_n not_o only_o refuse_v to_o join_v in_o the_o idolatry_n that_o they_o have_v set_v up_o but_o kill_v both_o he_o that_o go_v to_o offer_v the_o sacrifice_n and_o likewise_o the_o king_n commissioner_n upon_o which_o the_o historian_n add_v this_o reflection_n thus_o deal_v he_o zealous_o for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n like_a pianehas_n he_o a_o nimate_v his_o child_n to_o follow_v his_o example_n 26._o and_o to_o trust_v in_o god_n but_o he_o vouch_v no_o immediate_a warrant_n that_o he_o have_v from_o god_n he_o charge_v his_o child_n to_o be_v zealous_a for_o the_o law_n and_o to_o give_v their_o life_n for_o the_o covenant_n of_o their_o father_n to_o be_v valiant_a and_o to_o show_v themselves_o man_n in_o behalf_n of_o it_o 68_o for_o by_o it_o you_o shall_v obtain_v glory_n and_o he_o order_v they_o to_o take_v unto_o 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sacrament_n to_o salvation_n and_o all_o parent_n have_v natural_o a_o very_a tender_a concern_v for_o their_o child_n nothing_o but_o a_o absolute_a authority_n against_o which_o no_o man_n dare_v so_o much_o as_o whisper_v can_v have_v bring_v the_o world_n to_o have_v part_v with_o this_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o carry_v this_o to_o many_o other_o instance_n and_o to_o show_v that_o not_o only_o ritual_a tradition_n but_o doctrinal_a one_o such_o as_o be_v find_v on_o explanation_n of_o passage_n of_o scripture_n have_v vary_v it_o be_v perhaps_o too_o invidious_a to_o send_v man_n to_o petavius_n to_o find_v in_o he_o how_o much_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o several_a age_n have_v vary_v in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n it_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o origen_n lay_v down_o a_o scheme_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o man_n will_n and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n that_o come_v to_o be_v so_o universal_o receive_v by_o the_o greek_a 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go_v to_o cornelius_n and_o baptise_v the_o gentile_n he_o only_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n as_o one_o person_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o st._n james_n give_v the_o definitive_a sentence_n st._n paul_n never_o make_v any_o appeal_n to_o he_o in_o the_o contest_v of_o which_o he_o write_v he_o settle_v matter_n and_o make_v decision_n without_o ever_o have_v recourse_n to_o his_o authority_n he_o seem_v on_o the_o contrary_a to_o avoid_v it_o and_o when_o probable_o some_o of_o the_o judaiser_n among_o the_o galatian_n be_v appeal_n to_o he_o or_o at_o least_o to_o some_o practice_n of_o he_o st._n paul_n show_v how_o he_o have_v fail_v in_o those_o matter_n for_o though_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o govern_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n that_o they_o can_v not_o err_v nor_o be_v mistake_v in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n yet_o as_o to_o their_o action_n they_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o will_n and_o so_o humane_a frailty_n may_v in_o some_o 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church_n but_o this_o do_v not_o bar_v any_o error_n or_o corruption_n from_o creep_v into_o any_o part_n of_o it_o for_o the_o word_n render_v prevail_v proper_o signify_v a_o entire_a victory_n by_o which_o it_o shall_v be_v conquer_v and_o extirpate_v as_o for_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o christ_n promise_v to_o give_v to_o he_o it_o must_v again_o be_v consider_v that_o these_o word_n be_v figurative_a so_o that_o it_o be_v never_o safe_a to_o argue_v from_o they_o since_o figure_n be_v capable_a of_o large_a and_o narrow_a signification_n no_o man_n will_v carry_v they_o so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o power_n of_o give_v or_o deny_v eternal_a life_n be_v hereby_o put_v in_o st._n peter_n for_o that_o be_v single_o in_o the_o mediator_n hand_n this_o show_v how_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o know_v how_o much_o be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o a_o figure_n by_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n through_o the_o whole_a gospel_n with_o very_a few_o or_o no_o exception_n we_o find_v that_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v this_o appear_v evident_a from_o the_o first_o word_n with_o which_o both_o st._n john_n baptist_n and_o our_o saviour_n begin_v their_o preach_n repent_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n in_o which_o it_o be_v take_v in_o all_o those_o parable_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n compare_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o in_o those_o word_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v among_o you_o and_o it_o come_v not_o with_o observation_n or_o the_o like_a this_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o that_o which_o will_v soon_o appear_v to_o every_o one_o that_o shall_v attentive_o read_v the_o four_o gospel_n then_o by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o most_o natural_a and_o least_o force_a signification_n and_o that_o which_o agree_v best_a with_o those_o word_n of_o the_o same_o figure_n he_o that_o have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n he_o that_o open_v and_o no_o man_n shut_v and_o that_o shut_v and_o no_o man_n open_v 7._o and_o also_o with_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n by_o which_o the_o lawyer_n be_v describe_v for_o they_o have_v a_o key_n with_o write_v table_n give_v they_o as_o the_o badge_n of_o their_o profession_n 52._o which_o natural_o import_v that_o they_o be_v to_o open_v the_o door_n for_o other_o enter_v into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n with_o which_o our_o saviour_n reproach_v they_o that_o they_o enter_v not_o in_o themselves_o and_o hinder_v those_o that_o be_v enter_v from_o all_o these_o hint_n i_o say_v we_o may_v gather_v that_o according_a to_o the_o scripture-phrase_n by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v mean_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v first_o to_o open_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o it_o to_o the_o jew_n after_o the_o wonderful_a pentecost_n 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world_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v authorize_v to_o dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n and_o to_o confirm_v such_o part_n of_o they_o as_o be_v moral_a and_o perpetual_o bind_v which_o the_o apostle_n shall_v do_v with_o such_o visible_a character_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n empower_v and_o conduct_v they_o in_o it_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v very_o evident_a that_o what_o they_o do_v on_o earth_n be_v ratify_v in_o heaven_n these_o word_n thus_o understand_v carry_v in_o they_o a_o plain_a sense_n which_o agree_v well_o with_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v their_o sense_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o peculiar_o give_v to_o st._n peter_n as_o for_o our_o saviour_n pray_v for_o st._n peter_n that_o his_o faith_n may_v not_o fail_v and_o his_o restore_v he_o to_o his_o apostolate_a by_o a_o threefold_a charge_n 32._o feed_v my_o sheep_n or_o lamb_n it_o have_v such_o a_o visible_a relation_n to_o his_o fall_n and_o threefold_a denial_n that_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o enlarge_v on_o 15._o or_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o no_o other_o signification_n and_o can_v be_v carry_v further_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v go_v through_o all_o that_o be_v bring_v from_o the_o scripture_n for_o assert_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o particular_a of_o the_o pope_n and_o have_v i_o hope_v full_o show_v that_o they_o can_v bear_v that_o sense_n but_o that_o they_o must_v genuine_o bear_v a_o plain_o different_a sense_n which_o do_v no_o way_n differ_v from_o our_o doctrine_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o clear_v all_o this_o for_o though_o as_o be_v before_o make_v out_o it_o be_v no_o proper_a way_n for_o they_o to_o resolve_v their_o faith_n by_o passage_n out_o of_o scripture_n yet_o these_o be_v very_o good_a objection_n to_o we_o who_o upon_o other_o reason_n do_v submit_v to_o their_o authority_n there_o remain_v but_o 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to_o keep_v man_n in_o temper_n that_o they_o become_v not_o too_o keen_a in_o the_o management_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o that_o they_o neither_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o state_n upon_o that_o account_n if_o the_o matter_n appear_v to_o be_v great_a either_o in_o themselves_o or_o in_o the_o consequence_n that_o be_v like_a to_o follow_v upon_o they_o than_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o consider_v they_o with_o a_o equal_a and_o impartial_a mind_n they_o ought_v to_o here_o party_n full_o and_o weigh_v their_o argument_n careful_o they_o ought_v to_o examine_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o best_a time_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o those_o head_n and_o final_o to_o give_v sentence_n in_o which_o two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o one_o be_v that_o great_a regard_n be_v due_a to_o a_o decision_n make_v by_o a_o body_n of_o man_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v act_v without_o prejudice_n or_o interest_n for_o i_o 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order_n and_o the_o decency_n of_o unity_n and_o obedience_n be_v certain_o of_o much_o more_o value_n than_o any_o special_a unfitness_n that_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o any_o particular_a instance_n so_o that_o one_o of_o these_o two_o must_v be_v admit_v either_o that_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v no_o sort_n of_o authority_n even_o in_o the_o small_a circumstance_n but_o be_v limit_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o can_v only_o execute_v they_o strict_o and_o not_o go_v beyond_o they_o in_o a_o title_n or_o this_o authority_n must_v go_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v lawful_a on_o that_o i_o will_v dwell_v no_o long_o here_o the_o full_a discussion_n of_o this_o matter_n belong_v to_o another_o discourse_n it_o be_v a_o natural_a consequence_n of_o the_o authority_n give_v to_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o have_v declare_v and_o fix_v their_o doctrine_n and_o have_v settle_v rule_n for_o their_o ritual_n may_v excommunicate_v such_o as_o either_o do_v not_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n which_o be_v a_o main_a part_n of_o their_o doctrine_n or_o do_v not_o obey_v the_o constitution_n of_o their_o society_n excommunication_n in_o the_o strictness_n of_o thing_n be_v only_o the_o church_n refuse_v to_o receive_v a_o person_n into_o her_o communion_n now_o as_o every_o private_a man_n be_v the_o master_n of_o his_o own_o action_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o every_o body_n of_o man_n must_v also_o be_v the_o master_n of_o they_o and_o thus_o though_o excommunication_n in_o some_o respect_n be_v declaratory_a it_o be_v a_o solemn_a denunciation_n of_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n against_o person_n who_o live_v in_o a_o open_a violation_n of_o some_o one_o or_o more_o of_o its_o law_n so_o it_o be_v also_o a_o authoritative_a act_n by_o which_o a_o church_n refuse_v to_o communicate_v with_o such_o a_o person_n in_o 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fear_n and_o policy_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n which_o oblige_v the_o church_n to_o study_v to_o preserve_v that_o order_n and_o protection_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a blessing_n of_o the_o society_n and_o a_o main_a instrument_n of_o do_v much_o good_a great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o a_o authority_n that_o act_n with_o a_o visible_a design_n to_o destroy_v religion_n and_o another_o that_o intend_v to_o protect_v it_o but_o that_o err_v in_o its_o conduct_n and_o do_v often_o restrain_v the_o rule_n of_o order_n and_o impose_v hard_a and_o uneasy_a thing_n certain_o in_o the_o latter_a much_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v with_o that_o may_v be_v otherwise_o uneasy_a because_o the_o main_n be_v still_o safe_a and_o private_a slip_n when_o endure_v and_o submit_v to_o can_v never_o be_v compare_v to_o those_o public_a disorder_n that_o a_o rigid_a maintain_n of_o that_o which_o be_v perhaps_o in_o itself_o good_a must_v occasion_n but_o when_o the_o design_n be_v plain_a and_o that_o the_o conduct_v of_o the_o civil_a power_n go_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o any_o main_a article_n of_o it_o than_o the_o body_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o state_n ought_v to_o fortify_v themselves_o by_o maintain_v their_o order_n and_o their_o other_o rule_n in_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o preservation_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o the_o church_n have_v any_o authority_n to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o state_n but_o mere_o in_o those_o thing_n in_o which_o the_o religion_n that_o she_o profess_v be_v plain_a and_o positive_a so_o that_o the_o question_n come_v to_o be_v real_o this_o whether_o be_v it_o better_a to_o obey_v god_n than_o man_n there_o the_o rule_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o decision_n be_v soon_o make_v so_o when_o the_o church_n act_v mere_o in_o obedience_n to_o rule_n and_o law_n lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n such_o as_o in_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n in_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n and_o maintain_v the_o settle_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n she_o be_v upon_o a_o sure_a bottom_n and_o must_v cast_v herself_o upon_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n whatever_o may_v happen_v and_o still_o obey_v god_n but_o in_o all_o thing_n that_o have_v arisen_a out_o of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o canon_n in_o every_o thing_n where_o she_o have_v not_o a_o law_n of_o god_n to_o support_v she_o i_o do_v not_o see_v any_o power_n she_o have_v to_o act_v in_o opposition_n to_o law_n and_o to_o the_o supreme_a civil_a authority_n in_o this_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v no_o small_a argument_n who_o be_v sanhedrin_n that_o be_v a_o civil_a court_n and_o the_o head_n of_o their_o state_n do_v give_v rule_n and_o order_n which_o their_o priest_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v when_o not_o contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o be_v sure_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o it_o be_v never_o censure_v nor_o reprove_v by_o he_o nor_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o argument_n be_v also_o strong_a that_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o time_n that_o she_o first_o have_v the_o protection_n of_o the_o civil_a authority_n till_o the_o time_n of_o the_o papal_a domination_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o emperor_n all_o along_o make_v law_n concern_v all_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o church_n we_o find_v they_o receive_v appeal_n in_o all_o church_n matter_n which_o they_o appoint_v such_o bishop_n as_o happen_v to_o be_v about_o their_o court_n to_o examine_v this_o be_v like_o our_o court_n of_o delegate_n for_o the_o bishop_n who_o judge_v those_o matter_n do_v not_o act_v according_a to_o canon_n or_o by_o the_o ecclesiastical_a
next_o to_o examine_v the_o pretence_n for_o disjoint_v this_o union_n among_o ourselves_o and_o see_v whether_o the_o main_a body_n among_o we_o i_o mean_v our_o church_n have_v impose_v unlawful_a term_n of_o communion_n on_o her_o member_n for_o if_o that_o be_v true_a we_o by_o so_o do_v have_v break_v this_o union_n or_o whether_o any_o who_o have_v separate_v from_o we_o have_v not_o do_v it_o upon_o less_o bind_a consideration_n for_o than_o they_o have_v break_v the_o union_n this_o i_o will_v manage_v with_o all_o possible_a fairness_n and_o without_o the_o least_o reflection_n on_o person_n and_o party_n i_o will_v state_n their_o ground_n and_o put_v their_o argument_n with_o the_o utmost_a force_n that_o i_o can_v apprehend_v belong_v to_o they_o and_o when_o i_o have_v weigh_v they_o i_o will_v leave_v the_o whole_a matter_n to_o a_o impartial_a consideration_n the_o first_o point_n in_o which_o every_o man_n must_v fix_v his_o thought_n be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o free_a to_o he_o to_o choose_v to_o which_o body_n he_o will_v join_v himself_o as_o it_o be_v free_a to_o he_o to_o choose_v in_o which_o parish_n he_o will_v settle_v himself_o for_o since_o all_o parish_n make_v but_o one_o communion_n and_o church_n the_o one_o can_v be_v compare_v to_o the_o other_o and_o if_o all_o that_o be_v say_v before_o be_v true_a then_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o any_o man_n to_o break_v the_o union_n of_o the_o body_n unless_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o can_v be_v maintain_v but_o upon_o unlawful_a term_n therefore_o except_o a_o man_n be_v under_o this_o persuasion_n he_o sin_n if_o he_o depart_v from_o the_o union_n of_o the_o body_n but_o since_o conscience_n be_v a_o word_n that_o may_v be_v use_v in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n its_o true_a notion_n ought_v to_o be_v well_o settle_v which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o natural_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n in_o all_o language_n a_o inward_a persuasion_n found_v upon_o some_o reason_n apprehend_v to_o be_v true_a concern_v the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o a_o thing_n by_o this_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o a_o bare_a aversion_n or_o dislike_n to_o a_o thing_n without_o any_o reason_n on_o which_o that_o dislike_n be_v ground_v can_v be_v call_v conscience_n since_o thing_n with_o which_o we_o be_v not_o acquaint_v or_o that_o be_v uncouth_a to_o we_o which_o we_o have_v often_o hear_v speak_v against_o be_v dislike_v by_o we_o through_o a_o habit_n or_o prejudice_n conceive_v against_o they_o but_o unless_o this_o be_v found_v upon_o some_o reason_n that_o appear_v to_o we_o true_a draw_v either_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n or_o from_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v not_o conscience_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o every_o man_n under_o these_o conviction_n must_v be_v able_a to_o maintain_v those_o his_o reason_n to_o other_o to_o be_v just_a and_o good_a for_o then_o a_o better_a arguer_n who_o can_v silence_v he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o alter_v his_o conscience_n but_o though_o he_o can_v answer_v objection_n yet_o as_o long_o as_o his_o persuasion_n appear_v to_o be_v well_o ground_v to_o himself_o such_o a_o man_n be_v still_o under_o the_o bond_n of_o his_o conscience_n i_o be_o not_o now_o to_o examine_v how_o far_o a_o err_a conscience_n oblige_v or_o at_o least_o excuse_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o have_v state_v in_o general_a the_o true_a notion_n of_o conscience_n by_o which_o every_o man_n that_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o deceive_v himself_o may_v certain_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v real_o under_o the_o persuasion_n of_o conscience_n or_o if_o he_o be_v only_o guide_v by_o humour_n conceit_n or_o the_o power_n of_o education_n and_o prejudice_n the_o main_a foundation_n out_o of_o which_o most_o of_o the_o objection_n against_o some_o of_o the_o term_n of_o our_o communion_n be_v raise_v be_v this_o that_o the_o church_n be_v only_o empower_v to_o execute_v those_o rule_n and_o order_n that_o be_v set_v christian_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o pretend_v to_o add_v to_o these_o be_v to_o accuse_v the_o scripture_n as_o defective_a that_o all_o addition_n to_o those_o rule_n set_v we_o in_o scripture_n be_v superstitious_a usage_n that_o they_o impose_v a_o yoke_n upon_o we_o and_o so_o deprive_v we_o of_o our_o christian_a liberty_n that_o if_o some_o rite_n may_v be_v add_v other_o upon_o the_o like_a reason_n may_v be_v also_o add_v to_o these_o and_o so_o on_o without_o bound_n as_o in_o fact_n it_o appear_v that_o when_o the_o church_n go_v once_o off_o from_o the_o first_o simplicity_n in_o which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o new_a rite_n be_v invent_v to_o beautify_v the_o worship_n these_o addition_n do_v at_o last_o swell_v up_o to_o that_o intolerable_a height_n in_o which_o they_o be_v now_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o religious_a matter_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o according_a to_o st._n paul_n rule_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v lawful_a it_o must_v also_o be_v expedient_a but_o for_o that_o pretend_a expediency_n which_o be_v allege_v for_o some_o rite_n that_o they_o be_v expressive_a and_o significant_a it_o be_v rather_o a_o argument_n against_o they_o for_o a_o significant_a ceremony_n be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o sacrament_n the_o common_a definition_n of_o which_o 10.23_o that_o it_o be_v a_o visible_a sign_n of_o a_o invisible_a grace_n agree_v to_o it_o and_o certain_o the_o appoint_v sacrament_n be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v belong_v only_o to_o jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v its_o head_n and_o founder_n but_o all_o this_o be_v in_o appearance_n the_o strong_a if_o rite_n so_o enjoin_v have_v be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n and_o be_v part_n of_o a_o idolatrous_a worship_n to_o retain_v these_o be_v to_o conform_v ourselves_o to_o it_o though_o the_o scripture_n command_v we_o to_o come_v out_o from_o among_o all_o such_o and_o not_o to_o be_v conformable_a to_o they_o hezeki●_n break_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n though_o a_o memorial_n of_o a_o signal_n miracle_n 18.4_o in_o which_o it_o have_v be_v in_o some_o sort_n a_o instrument_n yet_o when_o even_o that_o be_v abuse_v to_o idolatry_n a_o good_a king_n break_v it_o to_o piece_n this_o will_v hold_v strong_a against_o thing_n that_o be_v but_o of_o human_a institution_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v away_o how_o innocent_a soever_o they_o may_v be_v in_o themselves_o after_o they_o be_v gross_o abuse_v to_o keep_v up_o the_o use_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o scandalize_v and_o offend_v the_o weak_a christian_n though_o st._n paul_n lay_v great_a weight_n upon_o this_o and_o charge_v all_o christian_n not_o to_o lay_v a_o stumbling-block_n in_o one_o another_o way_n ●_o he_o call_v the_o do_v otherwise_o the_o destroy_v a_o weak_a brother_n and_o in_o conclusion_n since_o st._n paul_n say_v whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n these_o rite_n therefore_o not_o be_v warrant_v from_o scripture_n 23._o can_v be_v of_o faith_n the_o object_n of_o which_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n they_o must_v therefore_o be_v sinful_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v set_v down_o all_o the_o branch_n of_o the_o plea_n against_o ceremony_n with_o as_o much_o advantage_n as_o i_o can_v imagine_v belong_v to_o they_o i_o go_v therefore_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o take_v it_o to_o piece_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o of_o every_o part_n of_o this_o reason_v that_o as_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v want_v not_o fair_a and_o specious_a colour_n the_o main_a stress_n lie_v upon_o this_o whether_o the_o church_n in_o her_o ritual_n be_v so_o limit_v to_o the_o scripture_n that_o she_o have_v no_o power_n to_o add_v any_o thing_n to_o what_o be_v prescribe_v in_o they_o great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n rule_v of_o life_n foederal_n act_v together_o with_o the_o other_o act_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v part_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n or_o condition_n of_o it_o and_o some_o ritual_a appointment_n such_o as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o those_o institute_v act_n the_o form_n for_o the_o solemn_a act_n of_o worship_n together_o with_o some_o other_o institution_n which_o be_v help_n to_o devotion_n and_o do_v fix_v or_o raise_v the_o attention_n for_o the_o former_a sort_n it_o be_v confess_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v deliver_v this_o religion_n to_o the_o world_n it_o must_v continue_v in_o the_o same_o state_n in_o which_o they_o settle_v it_o without_o addition_n or_o variation_n but_o since_o all_o institute_v action_n must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o person_n place_n time_n word_n and_o posture_n these_o must_v be_v all_o manage_v with_o such_o
personal_a and_o can_v be_v derive_v or_o descend_v the_o only_a holiness_n that_o he_o can_v derive_v be_v a_o right_a to_o consecrate_v the_o common_a issue_n to_o god_n which_o be_v in_o some_o sort_n a_o sanctify_a of_o one_o another_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o natural_a meaning_n of_o these_o word_n and_o though_o they_o shall_v not_o seem_v to_o im●port_v it_o so_o necessary_o but_o that_o other_o gloss_n may_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o yet_o the_o early_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n mention_v by_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n and_o most_o copious_o by_o st._n cyprian_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o sure_a commentary_n upon_o they_o this_o be_v a_o ritual_a and_o visible_a thing_n in_o which_o we_o may_v much_o more_o safe_o have_v recourse_n to_o tradition_n than_o in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n it_o be_v here_o remember_v that_o a_o practice_n without_o warrant_n in_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o regard_v as_o a_o practice_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v favourable_a if_o not_o clear_a warrant_n for_o it_o in_o scripture_n this_o also_o agree_v with_o the_o natural_a order_n of_o the_o world_n child_n be_v put_v in_o the_o power_n of_o their_o parent_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n who_o consider_v their_o incapacity_n must_v act_v in_o their_o name_n and_o may_v both_o procure_v right_n and_o privilege_n to_o they_o and_o also_o lay_v tie_n and_o engagement_n upon_o they_o it_o be_v then_o suitable_a to_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o parent_n may_v offer_v up_o their_o child_n to_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v be_v tie_v by_o they_o to_o his_o religion_n and_o receive_v into_o the_o blessing_n and_o privilege_n of_o it_o when_o this_o whole_a matter_n be_v thus_o lay_v together_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o infant-baptism_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a then_o according_a to_o what_o be_v at_o first_o make_v out_o the_o church_n may_v oblige_v all_o her_o member_n to_o it_o the_o practice_n of_o have_v sponsor_n be_v but_o a_o increase_n of_o the_o security_n give_v for_o the_o person_n be_v education_n in_o christianity_n the_o care_n of_o the_o parent_n be_v suppose_v as_o already_o bind_v upon_o they_o by_o their_o natural_a relation_n to_o their_o child_n and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mean_a if_o well_o manage_v of_o knit_a neighbour_n together_o in_o new_a and_o christian_a bond_n all_o exception_n to_o such_o a_o custom_n seem_v very_o ill-grounded_a and_o their_o answer_v so_o positive_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o child_n do_v according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o act_n in_o the_o name_n of_o infant_n import_v only_o that_o as_o far_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v care_n shall_v be_v take_v that_o the_o infant_n shall_v make_v good_a those_o engagement_n in_o due_a time_n our_o affirm_v so_o positive_o that_o all_o child_n who_o be_v baptise_a and_o die_v before_o they_o grow_v to_o be_v capable_a of_o commit_v any_o actual_a sin_n be_v certain_o save_v do_v not_o only_o agree_v with_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o god_n but_o also_o with_o this_o declaration_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v make_v to_o all_o christian_n and_o to_o their_o child_n 39_o the_o most_o general_a scruple_n against_o our_o form_n in_o baptism_n remain_v yet_o to_o be_v discuss_v that_o we_o have_v add_v to_o it_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o popish_a superstition_n indeed_o if_o we_o use_v it_o as_o be_v former_o observe_v as_o they_o do_v with_o a_o adjuration_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o go_v out_o and_o not_o to_o presume_v to_o violate_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n if_o we_o breathe_v cross-way_n and_o pretend_v by_o that_o to_o infuse_v divine_a virtue_n and_o blessing_n here_o be_v just_a objection_n for_o in_o so_o do_v we_o shall_v assume_v a_o power_n to_o make_v sacrament_n and_o to_o affix_v divine_a power_n to_o institution_n of_o our_o own_o therefore_o nothing_o of_o this_o be_v retain_v among_o we_o all_o the_o papistical_a and_o superstitious_a use_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n be_v throw_v out_o but_o since_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v so_o glory_n in_o the_o cross_n that_o in_o stead_n of_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o reproach_n of_o it_o they_o use_v it_o upon_o most_o occasion_n our_o reformer_n design_v to_o restore_v primitive_a christianity_n thought_n that_o though_o the_o abuse_n of_o this_o to_o so_o much_o superstition_n make_v they_o supercede_v the_o frequent_a practice_n of_o it_o yet_o in_o this_o first_o initiation_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o use_v it_o once_o for_o all_o but_o with_o word_n that_o show_v they_o retain_v none_o of_o the_o superstitious_a conceit_n of_o popery_n and_o mean_v only_o thereby_o to_o own_o the_o receive_n all_o christian_n into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o to_o a_o obligation_n to_o follow_v christ_n bear_v his_o cross._n and_o thus_o it_o 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