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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
A58804 The Christian life. Vol. 5 and last wherein is shew'd : I. The worth and excellency of the soul, II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour, III. The authority of the Holy Scripture, IV. A dissuasive from apostacy / by John Scott ... Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing S2059; ESTC R3097 251,737 514

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viz._n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o scripture_n even_o for_o those_o article_n without_o believe_v of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n for_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v be_v it_o clear_a and_o plain_a from_o scripture_n that_o the_o present_a catholic_n church_n of_o every_o age_n have_v authority_n to_o define_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o in_o all_o its_o definition_n it_o be_v infallible_a and_o that_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n be_v this_o catholic_n church_n if_o so_o how_o come_v those_o text_n upon_o which_o those_o article_n be_v found_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o quite_o different_a sense_n not_o only_o by_o we_o but_o by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n as_o have_v be_v abundant_o prove_v by_o protestant_a writer_n suppose_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o blind_v by_o our_o partiality_n to_o our_o own_o tenet_n as_o to_o 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and_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v from_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o reject_v i_o know_v it_o be_v pretend_v by_o those_o who_o urge_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o submit_v our_o reason_n to_o the_o church_n that_o they_o allow_v man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o discover_v which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v and_o that_o all_o they_o contend_v for_o be_v only_o this_o that_o when_o once_o man_n have_v find_v the_o true_a church_n they_o ought_v to_o inquire_v no_o far_o but_o immediate_o to_o deliver_v up_o their_o reason_n and_o understanding_n to_o it_o and_o believe_v every_o thing_n it_o believe_v without_o any_o far_a examination_n so_o that_o before_o man_n come_v into_o their_o church_n it_o seem_v they_o be_v allow_v to_o see_v for_o themselves_o but_o after_o they_o be_v in_o they_o must_v wink_v and_o follow_v their_o guide_n and_o depute_v they_o to_o see_v and_o understand_v for_o they_o which_o to_o such_o man_n as_o be_v 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to_o believe_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a and_o of_o which_o they_o can_v have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n either_o the_o necessary_n to_o salvation_n must_v be_v plain_o and_o clear_o express_v in_o scripture_n or_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o and_o to_o say_v god_n will_v damn_v we_o for_o not_o believe_v those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v be_v to_o charge_v he_o with_o the_o most_o outrageous_a oppression_n and_o injustice_n but_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o though_o god_n have_v not_o clear_o reveal_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n yet_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o for_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o infallible_a church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n in_o all_o 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the_o reason_n of_o our_o belief_n that_o she_o be_v infallible_a that_o be_v we_o must_v believe_v her_o infallible_a because_o we_o believe_v her_o infallible_a see_v then_o we_o can_v believe_v it_o on_o her_o own_o authority_n if_o we_o believe_v it_o at_o all_o it_o must_v be_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n four_o before_o we_o can_v rely_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n authority_n to_o define_v to_o we_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n we_o must_v believe_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v this_o infallible_a church_n but_o see_v this_o be_v no_o self-evident_a principle_n we_o must_v have_v some_o other_o evidence_n beside_o herself_o to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o what_o else_o can_v that_o be_v but_o scripture_n we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o by_o some_o of_o her_o great_a divine_n that_o there_o be_v certain_a mark_n and_o note_n of_o a_o true_a church_n peculiar_a to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v 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oral_a tradition_n how_o can_v i_o know_v what_o that_o be_v who_o never_o hear_v she_o speak_v either_o in_o its_o diffuse_a body_n or_o in_o a_o general_n council_n or_o in_o any_o other_o representative_a unless_o it_o be_v that_o of_o my_o own_o parish-priest_n perhaps_o who_o for_o all_o i_o know_v may_v be_v ignorant_a or_o heretical_a and_o so_o either_o not_o understand_v himself_o the_o church_n oral_a tradition_n or_o wilful_o pervert_v it_o to_o a_o contrary_n mean_v and_o if_o the_o church_n deliver_v her_o sense_n to_o i_o by_o write_v as_o she_o have_v do_v in_o the_o write_a decree_n of_o her_o general_a council_n must_v i_o read_v over_o all_o her_o decree_n how_o shall_v i_o do_v that_o who_o understand_v not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v or_o suppose_v they_o be_v translate_v how_o shall_v i_o know_v that_o they_o be_v faithful_o render_v any_o more_o than_o i_o do_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o but_o suppose_v i_o be_v 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plain_o and_o where_o it_o be_v obscure_a she_o have_v leave_v it_o as_o obscure_a as_o ever_o so_o that_o after_o all_o the_o noise_n that_o be_v make_v of_o infallibility_n her_o doctor_n be_v fain_o to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o same_o method_n of_o understanding_n scripture_n that_o be_v to_o consult_v the_o sense_n of_o antiquity_n and_o compare_v text_n with_o text_n and_o the_o like_a that_o we_o fallible_a protestant_n do_v and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v mistake_v as_o we_o nay_o they_o themselves_o confess_v that_o even_o general_a council_n themselves_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o their_o application_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v that_o they_o may_v misapply_v they_o to_o wrong_v purpose_n which_o they_o can_v do_v without_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o of_o which_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o notorious_a instance_n in_o the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o to_o prove_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o christian_n to_o worship_v image_n urge_v god_n take_v clay_n and_o make_v man_n after_o his_o own_o image_n and_o likewise_o that_o of_o isaiah_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o sign_n and_o testimony_n to_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n and_o also_o those_o passage_n of_o david_n confession_n and_o beauty_n be_v before_o he_o lord_n i_o have_v love_v the_o beauty_n of_o thy_o house_n o_o lord_n my_o face_n have_v seek_v for_o thou_o o_o lord_n i_o will_v seek_v after_o thy_o countenance_n o_o lord_n the_o light_n of_o thy_o countenance_n be_v seal_v over_o we_o and_o from_o that_o passage_n as_o we_o have_v see_v so_o have_v we_o hear_v they_o argue_v that_o there_o must_v be_v image_n to_o look_v on_o and_o because_o it_o be_v say_v god_n be_v marvellous_a in_o his_o saint_n they_o conclude_v that_o the_o church_n must_v be_v deck_v with_o picture_n and_o from_o no_o man_n light_v a_o candle_n and_o put_v it_o under_o a_o bushel_n they_o wise_o infer_v that_o image_n must_v be_v set_v upon_o the_o altar_n all_o which_o be_v as_o remote_a from_o their_o sense_n as_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n what_o great_a certainty_n have_v they_o with_o their_o infallibility_n than_o we_o without_o it_o we_o can_v know_v as_o well_o the_o sense_n of_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n as_o of_o plain_a text_n of_o council_n or_o creed_n or_o catechism_n and_o we_o can_v as_o easy_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o one_o as_o of_o the_o other_o and_o as_o for_o those_o that_o be_v not_o plain_a even_o general_a council_n you_o see_v for_o all_o their_o infallibility_n may_v be_v mistake_v about_o they_o as_o well_o as_o we_o so_o that_o when_o all_o come_v to_o all_o by_o forsake_v the_o infallible_a authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o rely_v upon_o the_o infallible_a authority_n of_o that_o church_n we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o arrive_v at_o a_o great_a certainty_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o be_v involve_v in_o great_a uncertainty_n than_o ever_o but_o then_o 4._o and_o last_o in_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n we_o be_v leave_v to_o no_o other_o uncertainty_n than_o just_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v our_o faith_n virtuous_a and_o rewardable_a whereas_o by_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n suppose_v it_o be_v as_o sure_a a_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v pretend_v our_o faith_n will_v have_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o virtue_n in_o it_o it_o be_v pretend_v though_o false_o you_o see_v that_o that_o church_n authority_n be_v so_o sure_a a_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o while_o a_o man_n depend_v upon_o it_o he_o can_v be_v mistake_v in_o any_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o in_o reality_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o while_o a_o man_n believe_v as_o that_o church_n believe_v which_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n he_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o it_o be_v equal_o true_a that_o while_o a_o man_n believe_v as_o the_o scripture_n teach_v which_o infallible_o teach_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n he_o infallible_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o be_v both_o be_v equal_o false_a for_o no_o man_n can_v infallible_o believe_v either_o the_o church_n or_o scripture_n because_o infallibility_n exceed_v the_o capacity_n of_o humane_a nature_n no_o man_n can_v so_o believe_v either_o but_o that_o he_o may_v be_v mistake_v and_o if_o he_o may_v be_v mistake_v its_o possible_a he_o may_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n whether_o he_o ground_n his_o faith_n upon_o the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n but_o because_o this_o church_n pretend_v so_o to_o secure_v my_o faith_n while_o i_o
their_o delicious_a stream_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o own_o over●lowing_a gall._n so_o that_o after_o we_o have_v final_o reject_v our_o saviour_n we_o be_v neither_o capable_a of_o be_v indemnify_v from_o hell_n nor_o of_o enjoy_v heaven_n and_o have_v cast_v ourselves_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o mercy_n into_o a_o state_n wherein_o we_o can_v neither_o begin_v to_o be_v happy_a nor_o cease_v to_o be_v miserable_a our_o case_n be_v desperate_a and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n but_o our_o soul_n must_v be_v lose_v and_o undo_v for_o ever_o 3_o our_o forsake_v of_o christ_n infer_v the_o everlasting_a loss_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v a_o open_a violation_n of_o the_o fix_a and_o state_v condition_n of_o mercy_n the_o fix_a and_o immovable_a condition_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v constant_o adhere_v to_o our_o saviour_n by_o a_o true_a faith_n and_o a_o sincere_a obedience_n and_o that_o whenever_o we_o fall_v off_o from_o he_o either_o into_o infidelity_n or_o heresy_n or_o disobedience_n we_o shall_v remember_v from_o whence_o we_o be_v fall_v and_o return_v again_o to_o he_o by_o a_o deep_a and_o serious_a repentance_n and_o indeed_o this_o condition_n be_v so_o low_a and_o condescend_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o wise_a god_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n to_o propose_v his_o mercy_n to_o we_o at_o a_o low_a or_o easy_a rate_n and_o if_o god_n shall_v have_v ask_v our_o consent_n upon_o what_o condition_n he_o shall_v propose_v to_o we_o the_o mercy_n of_o his_o gospel_n this_o will_v have_v be_v the_o utmost_a favour_n that_o we_o can_v in_o modesty_n have_v crave_v of_o he_o that_o he_o will_v be_v so_o gracious_a as_o to_o accept_v our_o unfeigned_a faith_n and_o sincere_a obedience_n and_o that_o whenever_o we_o fall_v off_o either_o from_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o he_o will_v admit_v we_o to_o repentance_n and_o receive_v we_o again_o upon_o our_o return_n and_o amendment_n and_o shall_v he_o have_v propose_v his_o mercy_n to_o we_o upon_o any_o low_a term_n he_o must_v of_o necessity_n have_v let_v go_v the_o reins_o of_o his_o government_n and_o give_v we_o a_o free_a toleration_n for_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n have_v the_o condition_n of_o his_o mercy_n be_v but_o one_o step_n low_o than_o repentance_n it_o have_v total_o dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o his_o law_n and_o reduce_v the_o humane_a world_n into_o a_o perfect_a anarchy_n for_o shall_v he_o have_v prostitute_v his_o mercy_n to_o impenitent_a sinner_n he_o must_v have_v make_v it_o a_o refuge_n for_o obstinate_a rebel_n to_o fly_v to_o and_o shelter_v themselves_o from_o the_o reach_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o how_o inconsistent_a will_v this_o have_v be_v with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o his_o government_n this_o therefore_o be_v the_o low_a condition_n upon_o which_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a god_n can_v propose_v his_o mercy_n to_o we_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o hope_v that_o after_o we_o have_v reject_v this_o and_o be_v final_o fall_v off_o from_o it_o he_o will_v make_v any_o new_a proposal_n to_o we_o for_o he_o have_v yield_v as_o much_o already_o to_o the_o weakness_n and_o inconstancy_n of_o our_o nature_n as_o he_o can_v possible_o do_v with_o safety_n to_o his_o government_n and_o if_o this_o will_v not_o suffice_v we_o may_v depend_v upon_o it_o that_o he_o will_v rather_o consent_v to_o sacrifice_v our_o soul_n to_o his_o righteous_a vengeance_n than_o his_o own_o authority_n to_o our_o obstinate_a wi_n so_o that_o when_o once_o we_o have_v final_o reject_v our_o saviour_n and_o shake_v hand_n for_o ever_o with_o faith_n and_o obedience_n and_o repentance_n too_o we_o be_v quite_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o wise_a mercy_n and_o then_o how_o deplorable_a must_v our_o condition_n be_v when_o thing_n be_v reduce_v to_o this_o desperate_a issue_n that_o god_n must_v either_o consent_n to_o be_v foolish_o merciful_a to_o we_o or_o to_o abandon_v our_o soul_n to_o everlasting_a perdition_n 4_o and_o last_o our_o forsake_v of_o christ_n infer_v the_o everlasting_a loss_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v a_o utter_a rejection_n of_o our_o last_o remedy_n for_o the_o last_o remedy_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o mankind_n to_o heal_v the_o malignity_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o recover_v they_o from_o eternal_a misery_n be_v the_o meritorious_a death_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o his_o bless_a son_n who_o voluntary_o undertake_v to_o be_v the_o attorney-general_n and_o common_a representative_a of_o sinful_a man_n suffer_v death_n in_o our_o stead_n as_o a_o vicarious_a mulct_n and_o punishment_n for_o our_o sin_n upon_o which_o the_o most_o merciful_a father_n have_v grant_v to_o all_o believe_v and_o true_o penitent_a sinner_n a_o general_a indemnity_n from_o eternal_a punishment_n to_o which_o they_o be_v bind_v over_o by_o their_o sin_n and_o rebellion_n by_o virtue_n of_o which_o grant_v as_o soon_o as_o we_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o do_v thereupon_o sincere_o repent_v of_o our_o sin_n we_o be_v total_o absolve_v from_o those_o everlasting_a punishment_n whereunto_o they_o have_v expose_v and_o oblige_v we_o and_o this_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o last_o remedy_n which_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o our_o gild_n and_o the_o grant_v of_o pardon_n which_o god_n have_v make_v in_o consideration_n of_o it_o be_v confine_v to_o believe_v and_o penitent_a sinner_n it_o hence_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o who_o final_o persist_v in_o unbelief_n or_o impenitency_n do_v thereby_o for_o ever_o cut_v themselves_o off_o from_o all_o interest_n in_o that_o sacrifice_n and_o from_o all_o title_n to_o that_o pardon_n that_o be_v grant_v upon_o it_o and_o consequent_o leave_v themselves_o for_o ever_o destitute_a of_o all_o hope_n of_o pardon_n and_o indemnity_n for_o the_o future_a so_o that_o by_o renounce_v christ_n we_o do_v renounce_v his_o sacrifice_n which_o be_v the_o last_o and_o only_a remedy_n we_o have_v to_o depend_v upon_o hence_o heb._n 10._o 26._o we_o be_v tell_v that_o if_o we_o sin_v wilful_o after_o we_o have_v receive_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n that_o be_v if_o after_o we_o have_v be_v baptize_v and_o initiate_v into_o christianity_n we_o relapse_n into_o infidelity_n or_o wilful_a disobedience_n we_o do_v thereby_o forfeit_v our_o interest_n in_o christ_n sacrifice_n and_o when_o we_o have_v once_o reject_v our_o interest_n in_o that_o there_o remain_v no_o other_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n i.e._n no_o other_o sacrifice_n upon_o which_o god_n will_v pardon_v and_o indemnify_v we_o so_o that_o now_o all_o that_o remain_v to_o we_o be_v that_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o next_o verse_n viz._n a_o certain_a fearful_a look_v for_o of_o judgement_n and_o fiery_a indignation_n which_o shall_v devour_v the_o adversary_n for_o when_o we_o have_v final_o baffle_v our_o last_o and_o utmost_a remedy_n the_o condition_n of_o our_o soul_n must_v needs_o be_v desperate_a and_o incurable_a when_o by_o our_o obstinate_a unbelief_n or_o final_a impenitence_n we_o have_v out-sinned_n the_o virtue_n of_o our_o saviour_n sacrifice_n we_o be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n and_o compass_n of_o god_n pardon_n and_o so_o consequent_o be_v sink_v beyond_o all_o hope_n of_o recovery_n into_o endless_a and_o irreversible_a damnation_n for_o now_o that_o precious_a blood_n which_o if_o we_o have_v believe_v and_o repent_v will_v have_v speak_v better_a thing_n for_o we_o than_o the_o blood_n of_o abel_n will_v rise_v in_o judgement_n against_o we_o and_o like_o the_o blood_n of_o those_o soul_n that_o be_v under_o the_o altar_n will_v charge_v and_o impeach_v and_o be_v continual_o imprecate_v the_o vengeance_n of_o heaven_n upon_o we_o and_o when_o that_o which_o be_v prepare_v for_o the_o last_o and_o utmost_a remedy_n of_o our_o soul_n shall_v be_v convert_v into_o their_o bane_n and_o that_o which_o be_v intend_v for_o their_o advocate_n shall_v become_v their_o accuser_n when_o that_o vocal_a blood_n and_o those_o speak_a wound_n which_o plead_v for_o shall_v plead_v against_o and_o cry_v out_o instant_o for_o judgement_n upon_o they_o what_o can_v they_o henceforth_o expect_v but_o everlasting_a ruin_n and_o destruction_n what_o then_o remain_v that_o since_o our_o forsake_v of_o christ_n will_v so_o infallible_o infer_v the_o ruin_n of_o our_o soul_n we_o all_o return_n to_o and_o cleave_v fast_o to_o our_o saviour_n in_o our_o belief_n and_o obedience_n that_o we_o who_o be_v fall_v off_o from_o he_o into_o a_o course_n of_o wilful_a sin_n and_o disobedience_n immediate_o return_v again_o by_o a_o deep_a and_o serious_a repentance_n for_o the_o way_n in_o which_o we_o be_v walk_v lead_v direct_o to_o destruction_n every_o step_v of_o it_o be_v a_o descent_n into_o hell_n and_o next_o to_o the_o