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ground_n authority_n church_n infallible_a 2,192 5 10.0772 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A48243 The letter writ by the last Assembly General of the Clergy of France to the Protestants, inviting them to return to their communion together with the methods proposed by them for their conviction / translated into English, and examined by Gilbert Burnet. Burnet, Gilbert, 1643-1715.; Catholic Church. Assemblée générale du clergé de France. 1683 (1683) Wing L1759; ESTC R2185 82,200 210

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plea_n of_o those_o persecute_a man_n so_o full_o that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o conclude_v that_o the_o spirit_n that_o act_v in_o hilary_n be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o now_o inspire_v the_o reverend_a prelate_n of_o that_o church_n to_o this_o i_o may_v add_v the_o know_a history_n of_o the_o priscillianist_n that_o fall_v out_o not_o long_o after_o martini_n i_o shall_v not_o presume_v to_o make_v a_o parallel_n between_o any_o of_o the_o gallican_n church_n and_o ithacius_n who_o persecute_v they_o of_o who_o the_o historian_n give_v this_o character_n that_o he_o be_v a_o vain_a sumptuous_a sensual_a and_o impudent_a man_n and_o that_o he_o grow_v to_o that_o pitch_n in_o vice_n that_o he_o suspect_v all_o man_n that_o lead_v strict_a life_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v incline_v to_o heresy_n and_o it_o be_v also_o to_o be_v hope_v that_o none_o will_v be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o compare_v the_o priscillianist_n with_o those_o they_o now_o call_v heretic_n 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evidence_n of_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n from_o which_o they_o deduce_v they_o 5._o since_o those_o of_o that_o communion_n object_n a_o national_a synod_n to_o the_o protestant_n this_o may_v be_v turn_v back_o on_o they_o with_o great_a advantage_n in_o some_o point_n establish_v by_o council_n which_o they_o esteem_v not_o only_a general_n but_o infallible_a in_o the_o three_o council_n of_o the_o lateran_n it_o be_v decree_v that_o all_o prince_n who_o favour_a heretic_n do_v forfeit_v their_o right_n and_o a_o plenary_a indulgence_n be_v grant_v to_o all_o that_o fight_v against_o they_o in_o the_o four_o council_n at_o the_o same_o place_n it_o be_v decree_v that_o the_o pope_n may_v not_o only_o declare_v this_o forfeiture_n but_o absolve_v the_o subject_n from_o their_o oath_n of_o obedience_n and_o transfer_v their_o dominion_n upon_o other_o in_o the_o first_o council_n at_o lion_n they_o join_v with_o the_o pope_n in_o thunder_v the_o sentence_n of_o deposition_n against_o the_o emperor_n frederick_n the_o first_o which_o in_o the_o preamble_n be_v ground_v on_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n of_o which_o if_o they_o be_v the_o infallible_a expositor_n than_o this_o power_n be_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o last_o p●ace_n the_o council_n of_o constance_n decree_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o safe-conduct_a be_v not_o to_o be_v keep_v to_o a_o heretic_n that_o have_v come_v to_o the_o place_n of_o judgement_n rely_v on_o it_o even_o though_o he_o will_v not_o have_v come_v without_o it_o when_o cruelty_n rebellion_n and_o treachery_n be_v thus_o decree_v in_o court_n which_o among_o they_o be_v of_o so_o sacred_a a_o authority_n it_o be_v visible_a how_o much_o gre●ter_a advantage_n we_o have_v of_o they_o in_o this_o point_n than_o any_o they_o can_v pretend_v against_o we_o 6._o for_o the_o synod_n of_o dort_n i_o will_v not_o undertake_v the_o apology_n neither_o for_o their_o decree_n nor_o for_o their_o assertion_n and_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o say_v that_o how_o true_a soever_o many_o of_o their_o conclusion_n may_v be_v yet_o the_o define_n such_o mysterious_a matter_n as_o the_o order_n of_o the_o divine_a decree_n and_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n grace_n on_o the_o will_n of_o man_n in_o so_o positive_a a_o manner_n and_o the_o impose_v their_o assertion_n on_o all_o the_o minister_n of_o their_o communion_n be_v that_o which_o many_o as_o sincere_a protestant_n as_o any_o be_v have_v ever_o dislike_v and_o condemn_v as_o a_o weaken_v the_o union_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n and_o a_o assume_v too_o much_o of_o that_o authority_n which_o we_o condemn_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o though_o they_o suppose_v that_o they_o make_v their_o definition_n upon_o the_o ground_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o synod_n be_v mere_o declarative_a yet_o the_o question_n will_v still_o recur_v whether_o they_o understand_v the_o passage_n which_o 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be_v that_o of_o which_o s._n austin_n make_v most_o frequent_a use_n against_o the_o donatist_n and_o chief_o in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n of_o which_o the_o most_o remarkable_a passage_n relate_v to_o this_o matter_n be_v gather_v together_o by_o the_o late_a archbishop_n of_o roven_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o apology_n for_o the_o gospel_n in_o which_o he_o handle_v this_o matter_n excellent_o well_o one_o may_v add_v to_o this_o method_n the_o maxim_n of_o which_o tertullian_n make_v use_v in_o his_o treatise_n of_o prescription_n against_o the_o heretic_n and_o also_o vincentius_n lyrinensis_n in_o his_o advice_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o say_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o those_o two_o treatise_n may_v satisfy_v any_o that_o will_v read_v they_o without_o prepossession_n in_o order_n to_o their_o form_v a_o just_a judgement_n of_o the_o true_a church_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o of_o all_o those_o society_n that_o will_v usurp_v that_o name_n remark_n this_o method_n be_v so_o common_a that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n in_o any_o sort_n to_o give_v mr._n maimbourg_n the_o honour_n of_o it_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o the_o assembly_n intend_v to_o do_v he_o this_o public_a honour_n to_o balance_v his_o disgrace_n at_o rome_n but_o let_v we_o examine_v it_o 1._o this_o assert_n that_o no_o other_o church_n have_v a_o perpetual_a succession_n without_o interruption_n but_o that_o which_o derive_v it_o from_o rome_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o what_o every_o one_o know_v that_o mr._n maimbourg_n be_v certain_o inspire_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o his_o order_n when_o he_o write_v it_o do_v not_o all_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o all_o the_o church_n that_o have_v their_o ordination_n from_o they_o all_o from_o the_o northern_a empire_n of_o muscovy_n to_o the_o southern_a of_o the_o abassine_n together_o with_o all_o those_o in_o the_o east_n derive_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o a_o 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say_v to_o be_v uninterrupted_a if_o either_o heresy_n or_o schism_n can_v cut_v it_o off_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o felix_n liberius_n and_o honorius_n to_o name_v no_o more_o be_v heretic_n and_o if_o ordination_n by_o schismatic_n or_o unlawful_a usurper_n be_v to_o be_v annul_v which_o be_v judge_v in_o the_o case_n of_o photius_n and_o be_v often_o practise_v at_o rome_n than_o the_o many_o schism_n and_o unjust_a usurpation_n that_o have_v be_v in_o that_o see_v will_v make_v the_o succession_n of_o their_o order_n the_o most_o disputable_a thing_n that_o can_v be_v especial_o during_o that_o schism_n that_o last_v almost_o forty_o year_n all_o the_o church_n of_o that_o communion_n have_v derive_v their_o order_n from_o one_o or_o other_o of_o the_o pope_n and_o if_o the_o pope_n at_o avignon_n be_v the_o usurper_n then_o let_v the_o gallican_n church_n see_v how_o they_o can_v justify_v the_o series_n of_o their_o ordination_n to_o all_o which_o may_v be_v add_v the_o impossibility_n of_o prove_v a_o true_a succession_n in_o order_n if_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o sacrament_n depend_v on_o the_o intention_n of_o he_o who_o officiate_n since_o secret_a intention_n be_v only_o know_v to_o god_n 4._o the_o ground_n on_o which_o the_o donatist_n separate_v from_o the_o orthodox_n church_n be_v at_o first_o found_v on_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v of_o the_o pretend_a irregularity_n of_o those_o who_o ordain_v cecilian_n which_o they_o afterward_o defend_v upon_o this_o that_o the_o church_n can_v be_v only_o compose_v of_o good_a man_n and_o that_o the_o sacrament_n be_v of_o no_o virtue_n when_o dispense_v by_o ill_a hand_n all_o that_o s._n austin_n say_v be_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o this_o hypothesis_n against_o which_o he_o argue_v and_o it_o be_v once_o grant_v that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o corrupt_v neither_o in_o doctrine_n nor_o worship_n we_o be_v very_o ready_a
if_o their_o absolution_n be_v think_v to_o have_v any_o other_o virtue_n in_o it_o than_o a_o give_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n with_o a_o declaration_n of_o the_o term_n upon_o which_o god_n pardon_v sinner_n if_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o sacrament_n upon_o which_o so_o much_o depend_v according_a to_o their_o principle_n be_v so_o entire_o in_o the_o priest_n power_n that_o he_o can_v defeat_v it_o when_o he_o please_v with_o a_o cross_a intention_n so_o that_o all_o man_n hope_n of_o another_o state_n shall_v depend_v on_o the_o priest_n good_a disposition_n to_o they_o by_o which_o every_o man_n must_v know_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v to_o purchase_v their_o favour_n at_o any_o rate_n if_o likewise_o they_o pretend_v to_o a_o immunity_n from_o the_o secular_a judge_n and_o do_v all_o enter_v into_o oath_n which_o centre_n in_o he_o who_o they_o acknowledge_v their_o common_a head_n who_o authority_n they_o have_v advance_v above_o all_o the_o power_n on_o earth_n so_o that_o he_o can_v depose_v prince_n and_o give_v away_o his_o dominion_n to_o other_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o all_o these_o have_v such_o character_n of_o interest_n and_o ambition_n on_o they_o and_o be_v so_o little_a like_o the_o true_a spirit_n of_o christianity_n or_o indeed_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o religion_n that_o a_o man_n be_v very_o partial_a who_o do_v not_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o suspect_v such_o proceed_n and_o a_o church_n that_o hold_v such_o doctrine_n 3._o it_o be_v likewise_o reasonable_a to_o suspect_v any_o church_n that_o hold_v many_o opinion_n that_o tend_v much_o to_o a_o vast_a increase_n of_o their_o wealth_n and_o to_o bring_v the_o great_a treasure_n of_o the_o world_n into_o their_o hand_n the_o power_n of_o redeem_v soul_n out_o of_o purgatory_n have_v bring_v more_o wealth_n into_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n than_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o indies_n have_v do_v to_o the_o crown_n of_o spain_n such_o also_o be_v the_o power_n of_o pardon_v and_o of_o exchange_v penance_n for_o money_n by_o which_o the_o world_n know_v the_o price_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o rate_n at_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v compound_v for_o the_o pope_n power_n of_o grant_v indulgence_n the_o virtue_n of_o pilgrimage_n the_o communication_n of_o the_o merit_n of_o order_n to_o such_o as_o put_v on_o their_o habit_n and_o in_o a_o word_n the_o whole_a authority_n that_o the_o c●●r●_n of_o rome_n have_v assume_v in_o these_o latter_a age_n that_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o revenue_n be_v all_o such_o evident_a indication_n of_o particular_a end_n and_o private_a design_n that_o he_o must_v be_v very_o much_o wed_v to_o his_o first_o impression_n that_o do_v not_o upon_o this_o suspect_n that_o matter_n have_v not_o be_v so_o fair_o carry_v among_o they_o that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v doubt_v which_o be_v define_v by_o they_o 4._o it_o be_v a_o very_a just_a cause_n of_o suspect_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v manage_v by_o a_o company_n of_o priest_n if_o they_o have_v for_o several_a age_n carry_v on_o their_o design_n by_o the_o foul_a method_n of_o forgery_n and_o imposture_n of_o which_o they_o themselves_o be_v now_o both_o convince_v and_o ashamed_a when_o the_o pope_n authority_n be_v build_v on_o a_o pretend_a collection_n of_o the_o letter_n which_o the_o pope_n of_o the_o first_o age_n after_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v write_v and_o their_o assume_v jurisdiction_n be_v justify_v by_o those_o precedent_n which_o be_v now_o by_o themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v forgery_n when_o the_o pope_n temporal_a dominion_n be_v ground_v on_o the_o donation_n of_o constantine_n of_o charles_n the_o great_a and_o his_o son_n lewis_n the_o good_a which_o appear_v now_o to_o be_v notorious_a forgery_n when_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o saint_n of_o miracle_n vision_n and_o other_o wonderful_a thing_n be_v not_o only_o read_v and_o preach_v to_o the_o people_n but_o likewise_o be_v put_v into_o the_o collect_v and_o hymn_n use_v on_o their_o festival_n which_o wrought_v much_o on_o the_o simplicity_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o vulgar_a many_o of_o which_o be_v now_o prove_v to_o be_v such_o gross_a imposture_n that_o they_o be_v force_v to_o dash_v they_o out_o of_o their_o office_n and_o other_o against_o which_o there_o lie_v not_o such_o positive_a proof_n yet_o depend_v on_o the_o credit_n only_o of_o some_o legend_n write_v by_o some_o monk_n when_o many_o book_n pass_v over_o the_o world_n as_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n which_o be_v but_o late_o write_v and_o many_o of_o their_o genuine_a write_n be_v gross_o vitiate_v when_o all_o those_o thing_n be_v become_v so_o evident_a that_o the_o most_o learned_a writer_n among_o themselves_o particular_o in_o the_o gallican_n church_n have_v not_o only_o yield_v to_o the_o proof_n bring_v by_o protestant_a writer_n in_o many_o of_o these_o particular_n but_o have_v with_o a_o very_a commendable_a zeal_n and_o sincerity_n make_v discovery_n themselves_o in_o several_a particular_n into_o which_o the_o other_o have_v not_o such_o advantage_n to_o penetrate_v there_o be_v upon_o all_o these_o ground_n good_a cause_n give_v to_o mistrust_v they_o in_o other_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o examine_v the_o assertion_n of_o that_o church_n with_o the_o severe_a rigour_n since_o a_o imposture_n once_o discover_v aught_o to_o bring_v a_o suspicion_n on_o all_o concern_v in_o it_o even_o as_o to_o all_o other_o thing_n 5._o there_o be_v likewise_o great_a reason_n to_o suspect_v all_o that_o be_v extreme_a fierce_a and_o violent_a that_o can_v endure_v the_o least_o contradiction_n but_o endeavour_v the_o ruin_n of_o all_o that_o oppose_v they_o truth_n make_v man_n both_o confident_a of_o its_o force_n and_o merciful_a towards_o such_o as_o do_v not_o yet_o receive_v it_o whereas_o error_n be_v jealous_a and_o cruel_a if_o then_o a_o church_n have_v decree_v that_o all_o heretic_n that_o be_v such_o as_o do_v not_o submit_v to_o all_o her_o decision_n be_v to_o be_v extirpate_v if_o she_o have_v bind_v all_o her_o bishop_n by_o oath_n at_o their_o ordination_n to_o persecute_v they_o to_o the_o utmost_a of_o their_o power_n rom._n if_o prince_n that_o do_v not_o extirpate_v they_o be_v first_o to_o be_v excommunicate_v by_o their_o bishop_n and_o after_o a_o year_n contumacy_n be_v to_o be_v depose_v by_o the_o pope_n and_o their_o kingdom_n to_o be_v give_v away_o if_o all_o heretic_n upon_o obstinacy_n or_o relapse_n be_v to_o be_v burn_v and_o if_o they_o endeavour_v in_o all_o place_n as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o erect_v court_n of_o inquisition_n with_o a_o absolute_a authority_n in_o which_o churchman_n forget_v their_o character_n have_v vie_v in_o invention_n of_o torture_n and_o cruelty_n with_o the_o bloody_a tyrant_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v then_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o all_o these_o set_v together_o present_a the_o church_n that_o authorise_v and_o practise_v they_o with_o so_o dreadful_a a_o aspect_n so_o contrary_a to_o those_o bowel_n and_o tenderness_n that_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o merciful_a idea_n of_o god_n and_o the_o wonderful_a meekness_n of_o the_o author_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n that_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o under_o what_o form_n soever_o of_o religion_n such_o thing_n be_v set_v on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v so_o far_o from_o improve_n and_o exalt_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n that_o real_o it_o make_v he_o worse_o than_o he_o will_v otherwise_o be_v if_o he_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o softness_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n and_o certain_o it_o be_v better_o there_o be_v no_o reveal_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n than_o that_o mankind_n shall_v become_v worse_o more_o cruel_a and_o more_o barbarous_a by_o its_o mean_n than_o it_o will_v be_v if_o it_o be_v govern_v by_o nature_n or_o a_o little_a philosophy_n upon_o all_o these_o ground_n lay_v together_o it_o be_v no_o unreasonable_a thing_n to_o conclude_v that_o a_o church_n liable_a to_o such_o imputation_n ought_v just_o to_o be_v suspect_v and_o that_o every_o one_o in_o it_o ought_v to_o examine_v well_o on_o what_o ground_n he_o continue_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o society_n of_o man_n against_o which_o such_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la lie_v so_o fair_o without_o the_o least_o strain_v or_o aggravate_v matter_n too_o much_o i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o my_o undertake_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o that_o church_n build_v be_v certain_o weak_a if_o not_o false_a and_o 1._o they_o boast_v much_o of_o a_o constant_a succession_n as_o the_o only_a infallible_a mark_n to_o judge_v of_o a_o church_n and_o