Selected quad for the lemma: doctrine_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
doctrine_n church_n false_a teacher_n 2,669 5 9.2889 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
A49908 A treatise of the causes of incredulity wherein are examin'd the general motives and occasions which dispose unbelievers to reject the Christian religion : with two letters, containing a direct proof of the truth of Christianity / translated from the French of Monsieur Le Clerc.; De l'incredulité. English Le Clerc, Jean, 1657-1736. 1697 (1697) Wing L827; ESTC R19200 151,596 339

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

system_n of_o divinity_n which_o raise_v great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v talk_v of_o they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n of_o sagacity_n and_o penetration_n propose_v some_o doubt_n to_o divine_n nay_o according_a to_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o christian_a society_n viz._n that_o all_o other_o err_v in_o something_o it_o can_v be_v wonder_v at_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o unbeliever_n offer_v some_o objection_n to_o divine_n which_o they_o can_v resolve_v according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n or_o which_o they_o resolve_v by_o contradict_v themselves_o divine_n upbraid_v one_o another_o with_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n not_o altogether_o ignorant_a observe_v in_o the_o society_n in_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v explain_v be_v subject_a to_o great_a difficulty_n or_o be_v altogether_o false_a let_v we_o suppose_v further_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o his_o country_n be_v very_o learn_v man_n and_o understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n better_o than_o other_o a_o opinion_n common_a enough_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o never_o go_v out_o of_o their_o country_n or_o never_o read_v the_o book_n of_o other_o sect_n when_o they_o perceive_v that_o the_o divine_n who_o they_o consult_v satisfy_v they_o not_o or_o maintain_v palpable_a falsity_n they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n be_v not_o true_a and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v altogether_o false_a if_o it_o happen_v that_o a_o man_n have_v such_o thought_n never_o read_v the_o work_n of_o other_o christian_n who_o be_v free_a from_o the_o error_n he_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o more_o he_o live_v the_o more_o he_o confirm_v himself_o in_o his_o opinion_n because_o as_o soon_o as_o a_o error_n have_v be_v find_v out_o the_o long_a it_o be_v think_v of_o the_o better_a it_o be_v know_v when_o man_n know_v nothing_o better_o about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n and_o have_v not_o penetration_n and_o learning_n enough_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n of_o themselves_o they_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n because_o they_o present_o suspect_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o divinity_n which_o they_o have_v not_o examine_v be_v not_o better_o and_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n whereof_o they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o falsity_n be_v account_v as_o essential_a as_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o that_o a_o man_n take_v up_o with_o other_o business_n and_o who_o have_v no_o time_n to_o spare_v for_o such_o a_o examination_n as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o come_v to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n write_v by_o ingenious_a man_n of_o both_o side_n he_o will_v often_o perceive_v that_o both_o party_n attack_v very_o well_o and_o defend_v themselves_o ill_a that_o man_n will_v conclude_v from_o thence_o and_o often_o with_o reason_n that_o both_o party_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n the_o more_o he_o hear_v they_o one_o after_o another_o the_o more_o he_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o at_o last_o he_o will_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a because_o he_o have_v not_o part_n enough_o to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n if_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o external_a and_o internal_a motive_n which_o make_v he_o incline_v to_o unbelief_n as_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o that_o man_n will_v get_v into_o a_o scepticism_n almost_o incurable_a or_o into_o a_o formal_a unbelief_n out_o of_o which_o he_o will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o extricate_v himself_o what_o i_o have_v propose_v as_o supposition_n be_v real_o to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o people_n in_o italy_n france_n spain_n and_o germany_n for_o i_o must_v tell_v it_o and_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o conceal_v that_o i_o do_v follow_v the_o particular_a opinion_n which_o prevail_v in_o those_o place_n there_o be_v i_o say_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o case_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v they_o see_v some_o opinion_n manifest_o false_a establish_v in_o those_o vast_a country_n by_o a_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o offer_v any_o objection_n they_o be_v pitiful_o resolve_v and_o than_o if_o they_o dare_v reply_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o censure_n and_o threaten_n not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o inquisition_n and_o burn_v if_o they_o grow_v obstinate_a nevertheless_o divine_v maintain_v those_o doctrine_n though_o evident_o false_a with_o great_a heat_n they_o make_v use_v of_o all_o their_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o prove_v they_o many_o layman_n who_o want_v not_o penetration_n but_o know_v no_o better_o think_v that_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o because_o they_o distinct_o apprehend_v the_o falsity_n of_o what_o be_v say_v they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a other_o add_v to_o their_o meditation_n the_o read_n of_o some_o controversial_a book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n and_o protestant_n author_n and_o they_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a altogether_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o right_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n of_o their_o teacher_n can_v free_v they_o from_o that_o opinion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o often_o find_v some_o book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n author_n who_o attack_z well_o enough_o some_o particular_a opinion_n of_o certain_a protestant_n and_o those_o protestant_n be_v as_o unlucky_a in_o defend_v their_o own_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v successful_a in_o assault_v those_o of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n they_o also_o think_v that_o those_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o because_o their_o examination_n reach_v not_o to_o all_o the_o sect_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o confound_v they_o one_o with_o another_o and_o condemn_v they_o alike_o so_o that_o at_o last_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o beside_o other_o motive_n which_o may_v confirm_v they_o in_o those_o thought_n and_o which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v they_o see_v two_o thing_n which_o affect_v they_o so_o much_o that_o they_o retain_v their_o opinion_n for_o ever_o if_o no_o better_a book_n come_v into_o their_o hand_n or_o if_o no_o body_n free_v they_o from_o the_o doubt_n they_o be_v in_o the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o divine_n to_o maintain_v those_o doctrine_n those_o who_o assert_v they_o with_o heat_n and_o declaim_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o other_o christian_a society_n be_v prefer_v and_o get_v the_o most_o considerable_a dignity_n of_o the_o party_n they_o be_v in_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o any_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v moderate_a towards_o those_o who_o be_v call_v heretic_n or_o heterodox_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o much_o favour_v if_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v for_o ever_o from_o all_o sort_n of_o employment_n and_o ruin_v not_o himself_o in_o some_o place_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v altogether_o undo_v and_o almost_o every_o where_n if_o any_o intimate_v that_o he_o approve_v not_o all_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v in_o though_o he_o do_v it_o never_o so_o modest_o they_o show_v he_o no_o pity_n he_o must_v suffer_v whatever_o hatred_n and_o cruelty_n can_v do_v when_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n the_o second_o thing_n that_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o disposition_n be_v that_o divine_n will_v be_v judge_n and_o party_n in_o controvert_v doctrine_n against_o the_o clear_a principle_n of_o equity_n though_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o favour_v one_o of_o the_o party_n though_o their_o decision_n be_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o unsatisfactory_a they_o must_v be_v submit_v to_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o good_a and_o solid_a nay_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v the_o book_n of_o their_o adversary_n ought-not_a to_o be_v read_v or_o those_o who_o read_v they_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n of_o not_o approve_v their_o argument_n otherwise_o they_o must_v undergo_v the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o party_n unbeliever_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o several_a particular_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o by_o unjust_a and_o violent_a mean_n conclude_v that_o divine_n and_o consequent_o all_o christian_n be_v factious_a people_n and_o enemy_n to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o other_o
upon_o this_o disquisition_n can_v be_v count_v lose_v or_o vain_o spend_v see_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n be_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n must_v at_o all_o time_n necessary_o produce_v joy_n satisfaction_n and_o tranquillity_n or_o augment_v they_o if_o enjoy_v already_o the_o second_o part._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n i._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o some_o embrace_v it_o more_o from_o credulity_n than_o reason_n although_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v there_o be_v no_o unbeliever_n but_o be_v in_o some_o unblamable_a disposition_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v however_o that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v be_v accuse_v but_o which_o nevertheless_o confirm_v they_o in_o these_o disposition_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v ill_o do_v of_o they_o to_o forsake_v the_o truth_n upon_o any_o account_n whatsoever_o but_o they_o be_v not_o much_o less_o to_o be_v blame_v who_o furnish_v they_o with_o the_o occasion_n of_o do_v so_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o in_o this_o second_o part_n where_o grant_v to_o unbeliever_n that_o many_o of_o they_o who_o profess_v christianity_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n in_o several_a thing_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o attribute_v to_o the_o first_o teacher_n of_o it_o those_o fault_n which_o we_o remark_n at_o this_o day_n in_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o their_o disciple_n the_o occasion_n which_o the_o latter_a give_v unbeliever_n to_o conceive_v a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o religion_n proceed_v either_o from_o the_o person_n or_o from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o i_o shall_v forthwith_o examine_v those_o which_o the_o person_n give_v and_o afterward_o such_o as_o proceed_v from_o thing_n one_o of_o the_o most_o general_a and_o common_a scandal_n which_o occasion_n the_o obstinacy_n of_o unbeliever_n be_v that_o they_o see_v a_o world_n of_o people_n who_o be_v christian_n not_o from_o reason_n and_o understanding_n but_o from_o their_o education_n and_o out_o of_o mere_a credulity_n if_o these_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o asia_n they_o will_v without_o change_v their_o disposition_n be_v idolater_n or_o mahometan_n and_o as_o zealous_o embrace_v the_o idle_a dream_n of_o the_o brahmin_n or_o the_o error_n of_o mahomet_n as_o they_o believe_v in_o europe_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v true_a they_o receive_v fable_n that_o be_v manifest_o ridiculous_a with_o no_o less_o respect_n than_o the_o most_o certain_a history_n and_o they_o believe_v not_o less_o the_o most_o pernicious_a doctrine_n and_o the_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n than_o the_o holy_a and_o most_o useful_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n lay_v open_a by_o the_o teacher_n of_o religion_n to_o their_o understanding_n which_o determine_v these_o to_o believe_v they_o true_a or_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o with_o respect_n but_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o speak_v to_o they_o well_o or_o ill-grounded_a and_o a_o certain_a credulity_n careful_o cherish_v in_o their_o mind_n because_o of_o the_o advantage_n draw_v by_o some_o from_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n deceive_v by_o a_o faint_a resemblance_n they_o call_v their_o credulity_n by_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n and_o maintain_v that_o those_o want_v it_o who_o believe_v not_o as_o they_o do_v all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o by_o their_o preacher_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o have_v not_o such_o a_o disposition_n as_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o man_n see_v it_o promise_v salvation_n only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n if_o any_o person_n reason_n about_o religion_n and_o say_v that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v know_v nor_o prove_v without_o reason_v present_o these_o people_n who_o neither_o know_v the_o proof_n nor_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o but_o very_o confuse_o be_v sure_a to_o suspect_v he_o of_o irreligion_n especial_o if_o he_o forsake_v any_o of_o the_o common_a sentiment_n the_o falsity_n whereof_o he_o may_v have_v discover_v by_o his_o application_n and_o study_n these_o people_n so_o much_o persuade_v if_o you_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n can_v believe_v many_o time_n that_o a_o man_n who_o know_v how_o to_o reason_v well_o shall_v embrace_v it_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o they_o be_v alarm_v at_o the_o least_o examination_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o hear_v these_o discourse_n and_o behold_v this_o conduct_n so_o visible_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n laugh_v at_o this_o pretend_a faith_n and_o draw_v from_o it_o this_o unhappy_a consequence_n that_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v receive_v so_o credulous_o be_v either_o false_a or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v extreme_o suspect_v thus_o the_o heathen_n former_o hear_v the_o christian_n say_v that_o they_o need_v only_o to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v and_o not_o understand_v what_o this_o mean_v 6._o mean_v origen_n count_v cell_n l._n 1_o &_o 6._o laugh_v in_o like_a manner_n at_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o if_o none_o can_v receive_v it_o but_o credulous_a person_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o reason_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o have_v for_o a_o main_a principle_n this_o doctrine_n that_o people_n must_v embrace_v it_o without_o know_v why_o and_o that_o such_o as_o shall_v thus_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v save_v if_o they_o have_v maintain_v this_o i_o say_v the_o preacher_n of_o this_o religion_n may_v be_v just_o suspect_v of_o imposture_n and_o those_o who_o receive_v it_o without_o be_v able_a to_o render_v any_o reason_n be_v condemn_v as_o too_o credulous_a to_o speak_v in_o such_o term_n will_v confound_v religion_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o imposture_n which_o be_v only_o establish_v upon_o the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n it_o will_v likewise_o open_v a_o door_n to_o all_o the_o falsehood_n that_o can_v be_v tell_v if_o belief_n be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o receive_v one_o thing_n without_o examen_fw-la no_o more_o than_o another_o be_v this_o so_o how_o can_v the_o christian_n boast_v of_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o falsity_n of_o other_o since_o the_o belief_n of_o all_o religion_n will_v be_v build_v upon_o the_o same_o credulity_n but_o it_o be_v false_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n require_v assent_v without_o examination_n or_o that_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o blind_a faith_n it_o be_v also_o false_a that_o such_o as_o receive_v it_o upon_o those_o score_n can_v pass_v for_o christian_n who_o faith_n be_v praiseworthy_a to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n we_o need_v but_o consider_v the_o conduct_n and_o discourse_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n without_o any_o character_n to_o distinguish_v he_o from_o impostor_n who_o have_v frequent_o impose_v upon_o the_o credulous_a be_v he_o to_o be_v believe_v mere_o upon_o his_o own_o word_n or_o have_v he_o require_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o jew_n will_v have_v do_v well_o to_o reject_v he_o nay_o and_o have_v he_o in_o very_a deed_n be_v send_v of_o god_n if_o he_o do_v not_o offer_v cogent_a proof_n of_o it_o no_o body_n can_v be_v blame_v for_o not_o believe_v on_o he_o for_o then_o such_o as_o be_v the_o most_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o therefore_o the_o best_a dispose_v to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o prophet_n god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o send_v to_o they_o can_v not_o without_o hazard_n of_o deceive_v themselves_o acknowledge_v any_o man_n to_o be_v effectual_o a_o prophet_n who_o can_v give_v they_o no_o evident_a mark_n of_o his_o mission_n therefore_o jesus_n christ_n come_v arm_v with_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o he_o wrought_v so_o great_a a_o number_n if_o you_o credit_v the_o evangelist_n that_o he_o infinite_o surpass_v all_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v before_o he_o now_o this_o be_v the_o mark_n which_o moses_n teach_v the_o israelite_n shall_v discover_v the_o true_a prophet_n and_o jesus_n christ_n ground_v himself_o upon_o it_o when_o he_o require_v assent_v to_o his_o doctrine_n he_o never_o desire_v any_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o pure_o upon_o his_o word_n as_o it_o may_v be_v see_v by_o
in_o any_o thing_n differ_v from_o the_o majority_n nothing_o less_o than_o all_o this_o for_o the_o apostle_n divide_v the_o controversy_n as_o it_o be_v and_o will_v have_v both_o the_o party_n to_o have_v a_o condescension_n for_o one_o another_o they_o do_v not_o enjoin_v the_o jew_n to_o eat_v without_o scruple_n the_o flesh_n of_o those_o creature_n prohibit_v in_o their_o law_n nor_o do_v they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n subject_a the_o gentile_n to_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o only_o command_v they_o 15.29_o act_n 15.29_o to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n and_o from_o blood_n and_o from_o thing_n strangle_v because_o the_o jew_n be_v exceed_o offend_v to_o see_v those_o who_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o keep_v company_n with_o the_o apostle_n eat_v such_o thing_n whereof_o they_o think_v the_o use_v forbid_v all_o mankind_n they_o declare_v that_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o they_o to_o lay_v upon_o they_o no_o great_a burden_n than_o those_o necessary_a thing_n st._n paul_n after_o tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o no_o man_n can_v lay_v any_o other_o foundation_n than_o what_o be_v already_o lay_v which_o be_v jesus_n christ_n add_v etc._n 1_o cor._n 3.11_o etc._n etc._n that_o if_o any_o man_n build_v upon_o this_o foundation_n gold_n silver_n precious_a stone_n that_o be_v true_a doctrine_n wood_n hay_o stubble_n that_o be_v to_o say_v false_a doctrine_n though_o not_o destroy_v the_o foundation_n the_o fire_n shall_v try_v every_o man_n work_n and_o that_o if_o any_o man_n work_n abide_v he_o shall_v receive_v a_o reward_n but_o that_o if_o any_o man_n work_n shall_v be_v burn_v he_o shall_v indeed_o suffer_v loss_n but_o yet_o shall_v be_v save_v so_o as_o by_o fire_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n where_o he_o speak_v distinct_o of_o that_o controversy_n decide_v by_o the_o apostle_n etc._n rom._n 14.1_o etc._n etc._n hear_v what_o advice_n he_o give_v they_o him_n that_o be_v weak_a in_o the_o faith_n receive_v but_o not_o to_o doubtful_a disputation_n for_o one_o believe_v that_o he_o may_v eat_v all_o thing_n another_o who_o be_v weak_a eat_v herb_n let_v not_o he_o that_o eat_v despise_v he_o that_o eat_v not_o for_o god_n have_v receive_v he_o who_o be_v thou_o that_o judge_v another_o man_n servant_n to_o his_o own_o master_n he_o stand_v or_o fall_v yea_o he_o shall_v be_v hold_v up_o for_o god_n be_v able_a to_o make_v he_o stand_v that_o be_v to_o keep_v he_o from_o be_v lead_v by_o weakness_n into_o fundamental_a error_n st._n paul_n add_v several_a thing_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a which_o now_o i_o shall_v not_o relate_v but_o all_o that_o he_o say_v do_v clear_o suppose_v that_o we_o must_v bear_v with_o one_o another_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o destroy_v not_o the_o foundation_n that_o be_v which_o do_v not_o hinder_v we_o from_o put_v our_o trust_n in_o jesus_n christ_n or_o keep_v his_o commandment_n now_o if_o after_o all_o this_o other_o maxim_n be_v observe_v in_o our_o time_n they_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o the_o apostle_n nor_o consequent_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n whatever_o imputation_n they_o may_v be_v liable_a to_o who_o violate_v this_o branch_n of_o charity_n relate_v to_o the_o erroneous_a for_o they_o give_v too_o great_a occasion_n of_o reflection_n yet_o these_o disadvantageous_a character_n can_v stain_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v no_o way_n needful_a for_o i_o to_o prove_v that_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o care_n of_o the_o spiritual_a part_n be_v incomparable_o above_o that_o of_o the_o temporal_a the_o whole_a system_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n speak_v no_o other_o language_n and_o therefore_o they_o deserve_v much_o more_o esteem_n who_o endeavour_n to_o extirpate_v infidelity_n and_o vice_n than_o they_o who_o defend_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o christianity_n for_o the_o first_o be_v infinite_o more_o useful_a to_o the_o church_n than_o the_o latter_a wherefore_o if_o some_o convert_v the_o interest_n of_o religion_n to_o that_o of_o a_o party_n they_o must_v be_v blame_v and_o not_o the_o religion_n which_o whole_o condemn_v this_o practice_n chap._n iu._n that_o the_o division_n reign_v among_o christian_n shall_v not_o hinder_v any_o from_o believe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v true_a we_o learn_v from_o ecclesiastical_a history_n that_o from_o the_o very_a decease_n of_o the_o apostle_n nay_o and_o during_o their_o life_n too_o the_o christian_n begin_v to_o be_v divide_v into_o party_n but_o it_o be_v principal_o in_o the_o second_o age_n that_o a_o world_n of_o sect_n grow_v up_o which_o tear_v christianity_n into_o piece_n after_o a_o most_o scandalous_a manner_n and_o since_o that_o time_n one_o sect_n have_v constant_o succeed_v another_o so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v say_v the_o christian_a church_n be_v never_o without_o division_n what_o be_v yet_o worse_a be_v that_o most_o of_o those_o sect_n mutual_o condemn_v one_o another_o each_o of_o they_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o salvation_n for_o such_o as_o embrace_v not_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v i_o need_v not_o enter_v upon_o particular_n or_o bring_v distinct_a proof_n of_o these_o division_n and_o anathemas_n for_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n but_o too_o well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o world_n from_o hence_o unbeliever_n take_v a_o occasion_n of_o say_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v like_o all_o other_o and_o that_o if_o it_o have_v come_v from_o heaven_n as_o it_o be_v say_v to_o do_v christian_n will_v be_v better_o agree_v than_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o same_o god_n say_v they_o who_o give_v it_o to_o man_n will_v take_v care_n to_o prevent_v those_o division_n that_o extreme_o lessen_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o apple_n of_o discord_n which_o no_o soon_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n but_o it_o cause_v numberless_a division_n they_o add_v that_o this_o keep_v infidel_n and_o such_o as_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o other_o religion_n from_o embrace_v it_o for_o not_o know_v which_o of_o those_o sect_n it_o be_v that_o teach_v the_o true_a christianity_n and_o be_v not_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o examine_v they_o all_o they_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n how_o to_o determine_v the_o affair_n they_o ask_v further_o of_o such_o as_o write_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n as_o i_o do_v now_o which_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v we_o defend_v whether_o it_o be_v that_o which_o the_o roman_a church_n profess_v or_o that_o of_o any_o of_o the_o other_o sect_n that_o make_v a_o separate_a body_n there_o be_v not_o say_v they_o any_o christianity_n in_o general_n and_o therefore_o you_o must_v determine_v for_o some_o of_o the_o party_n which_o be_v it_o then_o you_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o people_n who_o conduct_n be_v not_o more_o prudent_a than_o that_o of_o the_o incredulous_a and_o who_o after_o another_o manner_n abuse_v the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n they_o say_v that_o not_o be_v capable_a to_o examine_v all_o these_o different_a sentiment_n they_o find_v no_o method_n more_o sure_a than_o implicit_o to_o embrace_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n wherein_o they_o live_v since_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o some_o party_n the_o incredulous_a reject_v all_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o christian_n as_o equal_o ungrounded_a by_o reason_n of_o their_o division_n and_o such_o as_o say_v that_o without_o any_o examination_n they_o believe_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n know_v not_o well_o themselves_o what_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v and_o be_v expose_v to_o almost_o as_o much_o danger_n of_o mistake_v as_o the_o incredulous_a for_o in_o short_a to_o reject_v all_o opinion_n and_o to_o embrace_v not_o know_v why_o the_o first_o opinion_n that_o offer_v itself_o be_v much_o the_o same_o thing_n at_o bottom_n the_o latter_a be_v not_o a_o great_a honour_n to_o christianity_n than_o the_o first_o seeing_z they_o both_o of_o they_o suppose_v it_o destitute_a of_o any_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o error_n or_o imposture_n therefore_o i_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o examine_v in_o this_o chapter_n the_o conduct_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o incredulous_a and_o to_o answer_v their_o objection_n in_o the_o same_o order_n that_o i_o allege_v they_o i_o absolute_o deny_v that_o it_o follow_v from_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o divine_o reveal_v if_o the_o christian_n can_v produce_v a_o promise_n from_o the_o founder_n of_o their_o religion_n assure_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v never_o be_v divide_v than_o the_o reason_v of_o the_o incredulous_a