Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n believe_v church_n infallible_a 3,076 5 10.3460 5 true
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
A59812 A discourse concerning a judge of controversies in matters of religion being an answer to some papers asserting the necessity of such a judge : with an address to wavering protestants, shewing what little reason they have to think of any change of their religion : written for the private satisfaction of some scrupulous persons, and now published for common use : with a preface concerning the nature of certainty and infallibility. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1686 (1686) Wing S3285; ESTC R8167 73,491 104

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

be_v certain_a what_o shall_v make_v i_o uncertain_a quest._n do_v you_o not_o see_v that_o reason_n itself_o be_v uncertain_a how_o do_v man_n differ_v in_o their_o reason_n what_o contrary_a exposition_n of_o scripture_n do_v they_o give_v and_o what_o certainty_n then_o in_o this_o way_n answ._n i_o hope_v sir_n you_o will_v not_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o true_a reason_n or_o that_o true_a reason_n be_v uncertain_a or_o that_o scripture_n true_o expound_v be_v a_o uncertain_a rule_n now_o though_o other_o man_n reason_v foolish_o and_o interpret_v scripture_n perverse_o what_o be_v that_o to_o i_o if_o i_o reason_v right_a and_o expound_v scripture_n true_o as_o i_o believe_v i_o do_v and_o shall_v believe_v so_o till_o you_o can_v prove_v that_o i_o do_v my_o certainty_n i_o tell_v you_o be_v found_v upon_o certain_a evidence_n and_o you_o can_v never_o shake_v my_o certainty_n till_o you_o can_v shake_v that_o it_o will_v be_v great_a and_o contemptible_a weakness_n in_o i_o to_o distrust_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o convince_a reason_n because_o you_o tell_v i_o that_o other_o man_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n if_o you_o can_v prove_v that_o their_o reason_n be_v better_a than_o i_o i_o will_v yield_v to_o the_o best_a reason_n but_o i_o can_v renounce_v my_o reason_n while_o i_o believe_v it_o true_a nor_o suspect_v it_o while_o i_o believe_v it_o certain_a quest._n when_o two_o man_n differ_v in_o their_o opinion_n and_o oppose_v reason_n to_o reason_n must_v not_o one_o of_o they_o be_v mistake_v answ._n yes_o it_o may_v be_v both_o but_o neither_o of_o they_o think_v themselves_o mistake_v mere_o because_o they_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o for_o that_o will_v end_v the_o dispute_n if_o the_o difference_n in_o religion_n be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o religion_n for_o infallibility_n itself_o can_v not_o escape_v which_o be_v deny_v by_o more_o christian_n than_o believe_v it_o and_o therefore_o those_o who_o will_v be_v certain_a must_v look_v well_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o those_o who_o will_v prove_v my_o faith_n to_o be_v uncertain_a must_v prove_v that_o the_o reason_n on_o which_o i_o believe_v be_v either_o false_a or_o uncertain_a and_o those_o who_o be_v not_o content_v with_o this_o quarrel_n with_o the_o state_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o may_v help_v themselves_o as_o they_o can_v this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a for_o a_o preface_n to_o this_o discourse_n let_v but_o protestant_n maintain_v their_o ground_n and_o not_o be_v persuade_v that_o they_o have_v no_o certain_a foundation_n for_o their_o faith_n till_o papist_n have_v confute_v the_o particular_a reason_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o i_o dare_v undertake_v they_o will_v never_o see_v any_o reason_n to_o question_v their_o faith_n nor_o find_v any_o want_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n but_o yet_o since_o some_o man_n so_o despise_v that_o certainty_n which_o result_v from_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n in_o comparison_n with_o infallibility_n let_v we_o brief_o consider_v what_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o infallibility_n be_v and_o how_o much_o it_o excel_v a_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n 1._o first_o then_o i_o observe_v that_o infallibility_n belong_v to_o person_n not_o to_o thing_n a_o proposition_n can_v be_v fallible_a or_o infallible_a but_o true_a or_o false_a for_o fallible_a signify_v that_o which_o can_v be_v deceive_v infallible_a that_o which_o can_v be_v deceive_v and_o therefore_o can_v be_v apply_v only_o to_o intelligent_a being_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o either_o so_o that_o to_o say_v that_o any_o proposition_n be_v injallible_o true_a beside_o the_o impropriety_n of_o the_o expression_n add_v nothing_o to_o truth_n for_o that_o which_o be_v true_a be_v true_a and_o can_v neither_o be_v more_o nor_o less_o true_a second_o perfect_a infallibility_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o universal_a certainty_n of_o knowledge_n as_o for_o instance_n god_n only_o be_v infallible_a by_o nature_n but_o infallibility_n be_v a_o negative_a and_o there_o be_v no_o negative_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o will_v understand_v what_o god_n infallibility_n be_v we_o must_v reduce_v it_o to_o some_o positive_a perfection_n and_o that_o can_v be_v nothing_o else_o but_o infinite_a knowledge_n for_o this_o reason_n we_o say_v that_o god_n be_v infallible_a because_o he_o know_v all_o thing_n and_o he_o who_o know_v all_o thing_n can_v never_o mistake_v so_o that_o it_o be_v knowledge_n which_o be_v the_o perfection_n infallibility_n be_v only_o a_o mode_n of_o speech_n to_o signify_v the_o most_o perfect_a certainty_n of_o knowledge_n three_o and_o therefore_o infallibility_n be_v not_o oppose_v to_o certainty_n of_o knowledge_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o perception_n for_o infallibility_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o certainty_n and_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o result_v from_o the_o most_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o reason_n and_o nature_n of_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v in_o god_n which_o be_v only_o true_a infallibility_n there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o certainty_n and_o infallibility_n in_o god_n and_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o certainty_n of_o creature_n and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o god_n be_v this_o that_o the_o one_o be_v a_o finite_a and_o the_o other_o a_o infinite_a knowledge_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v by_o nature_n infallible_a but_o infinite_a knowledge_n but_o a_o finite_a knowledge_n which_o do_v not_o extend_v to_o every_o thing_n may_v in_o some_o thing_n be_v deceive_v but_o as_o far_o as_o it_o reach_v it_o may_v be_v certain_a and_o that_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o a_o finite_a infallibility_n a_o fallible_a creature_n do_v not_o signify_v a_o be_v which_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a but_o a_o be_v which_o have_v not_o a_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v without_o the_o sphere_n of_o its_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v as_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n because_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a as_o to_o say_v that_o we_o can_v know_v nothing_o because_o we_o do_v not_o know_v all_o thing_n four_o and_o therefore_o fallibility_n or_o infallibility_n do_v not_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n what_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o god_n but_o those_o clear_a and_o bright_a idea_n of_o truth_n in_o the_o divine_a mind_n for_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a because_o he_o be_v infallible_a but_o he_o be_v infallible_a because_o he_o be_v certain_a and_o thus_o in_o proportion_n to_o that_o distance_n which_o be_v between_o god_n and_o creature_n our_o certainty_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n and_o perception_n of_o the_o reason_n and_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o wherever_o this_o be_v how_o fallible_a soever_o the_o person_n be_v in_o other_o matter_n he_o be_v certain_a so_o far_o and_o to_o demand_v any_o far_a reason_n of_o certainty_n than_o the_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n be_v to_o demand_v some_o other_o reason_n of_o certainty_n than_o knowledge_n and_o thus_o we_o may_v doubt_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o of_o man_n if_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n to_o be_v certainty_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o beyond_o this_o five_o and_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o as_o to_o thing_n which_o be_v knowable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n our_o certainty_n result_v from_o the_o clear_a and_o distinct_a perception_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o depend_v on_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o natural_a faculty_n as_o for_o instance_n those_o impression_n which_o our_o sense_n make_v on_o we_o and_o those_o perception_n they_o awaken_v in_o our_o mind_n be_v so_o strong_a and_o forcible_a that_o they_o create_v a_o natural_a certainty_n and_o we_o can_v doubt_v whether_o what_o we_o see_v and_o feel_v and_o hear_v be_v real_a or_o not_o those_o natural_a idea_n and_o notion_n we_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n those_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_n appear_v so_o plain_a and_o self-evident_a to_o we_o that_o we_o can_v no_o more_o question_v they_o than_o our_o own_o be_v and_o seek_v for_o no_o other_o proof_n of_o they_o but_o their_o own_o natural_a evidence_n as_o that_o both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n can_v be_v true_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o no_o power_n can_v make_v that_o never_o to_o have_v be_v which_o once_o be_v that_o nothing_o that_o ever_o be_v not_o can_v be_v without_o a_o cause_n these_o proposition_n be_v so_o self-evident_a that_o the_o mind_n assent_v to_o they_o without_o demand_v any_o other_o
as_o they_o do_v and_o not_o believe_v any_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n against_o my_o own_o sense_n and_o reason_n i_o can_v compare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n unless_o i_o understand_v they_o both_o and_o i_o can_v understand_v and_o judge_v only_o with_o my_o own_o understanding_n and_o if_o i_o must_v have_v do_v thus_o though_o i_o have_v live_v in_o our_o saviour_n day_n sure_o i_o must_v do_v so_o now_o whatever_o infallible_a teacher_n there_o may_v be_v in_o the_o world_n which_o i_o think_v be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o such_o infallible_a judge_n who_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o believe_v pure_o upon_o his_o own_o authority_n but_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o this_o prove_v too_o much_o and_o undermine_v even_o the_o protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o manner_n for_o it_o seem_v though_o we_o pretend_v to_o own_o their_o infallibility_n yet_o we_o must_v examine_v their_o doctrine_n by_o the_o law_n and_o not_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v infallible_a till_o we_o have_v set_v in_o judgement_n on_o their_o doctrine_n and_o approve_v it_o as_o agreeable_a to_o a_o more_o infallible_a rule_n and_o thus_o we_o believe_v their_o infallibility_n because_o we_o like_v their_o doctrine_n not_o believe_v their_o doctrine_n because_o they_o be_v infallible_a now_o there_o be_v so_o much_o truth_n in_o this_o objection_n that_o i_o can_v believe_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v teacher_n come_v from_o god_n unless_o i_o be_v satisfy_v that_o they_o teach_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o any_o former_a revelation_n which_o god_n have_v make_v of_o his_o will_n for_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o and_o therefore_o whoever_o contradict_v what_o god_n have_v before_o teach_v can_v be_v no_o true_a prophet_n and_o therefore_o though_o miracle_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o moses_n who_o be_v the_o first_o prophet_n by_o who_o god_n make_v a_o public_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n yet_o miracle_n alone_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o any_o succeed_a prophet_n but_o their_o doctrine_n also_o must_v be_v examine_v by_o its_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n for_o though_o miracle_n give_v they_o authority_n to_o make_v new_a revelation_n yet_o not_o to_o contradict_v the_o old_a so_o that_o to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o the_o law_n so_o far_o as_o to_o see_v that_o they_o do_v not_o contradict_v it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o to_o examine_v whether_o they_o be_v true_a prophet_n or_o not_o as_o all_o man_n ought_v to_o do_v before_o they_o believe_v any_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n but_o when_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o contradict_v the_o law_n than_o that_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n wherewith_o they_o be_v endow_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v then_o in_o every_o thing_n else_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o thus_o we_o own_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o be_v infallible_a teacher_n and_o consequent_o receive_v the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n because_o they_o be_v man_n endow_v with_o supernatural_a power_n and_o do_v not_o in_o their_o preach_a contradict_v any_o former_a revelation_n of_o god_n will._n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o we_o do_v or_o need_v affirm_v to_o destroy_v the_o pretence_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n for_o if_o i_o must_v still_o judge_v for_o myself_o whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o contradict_v the_o law_n than_o i_o must_v judge_v for_o myself_o both_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n or_o else_o i_o can_v judge_v whether_o they_o agree_v or_o disagree_v and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o infallible_a judge_n to_o who_o i_o must_v submit_v my_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o this_o inquiry_n for_o that_o be_v to_o own_o their_o infallibility_n before_o i_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v infallible_a or_o not_o though_o i_o must_v believe_v whatever_o a_o infallible_a judge_n teach_v yet_o i_o must_v not_o believe_v he_o till_o i_o know_v he_o to_o be_v infallible_a and_o i_o shall_v think_v no_o pretender_n to_o infallibility_n shall_v exempt_v himself_o from_o such_o a_o trial_n as_o all_o prophet_n after_o moses_n even_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n themselves_o submit_v to_o that_o be_v to_o have_v their_o doctrine_n try_v by_o a_o stand_a revelation_n now_o suppose_v the_o pope_n or_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o set_v up_o for_o this_o infallible_a judicature_n before_o i_o can_v own_v their_o infallibility_n i_o must_v at_o least_o examine_v whether_o what_o they_o teach_v do_v not_o contradict_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o thus_o i_o may_v and_o must_v examine_v the_o gospel_n itself_o and_o if_o in_o any_o one_o thing_n they_o plain_o and_o direct_o contradict_v the_o law_n i_o have_v nothing_o more_o to_o do_v with_o their_o infallibility_n for_o no_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_a who_o mistake_v in_o any_o one_o thing_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n then_o teach_v that_o we_o may_v give_v religious_a worship_n to_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o image_n have_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n in_o my_o hand_n i_o turn_v to_o it_o and_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o understanding_n i_o find_v this_o worship_n express_o forbid_v in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n no_o say_v they_o this_o be_v your_o mistake_n we_o be_v the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o you_o must_v not_o trust_v your_o own_o understanding_n but_o take_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o it_o by_o your_o favour_n gentleman_n say_v i_o you_o be_v a_o little_a too_o hasty_a with_o your_o infallibility_n when_o i_o be_o satisfy_v you_o be_v infallible_a i_o will_v trust_v you_o but_o i_o be_o now_o inquire_v whether_o you_o be_v infallible_a or_o not_o and_o therefore_o as_o yet_o we_o be_v upon_o even_a ground_n and_o i_o must_v trust_v my_o own_o judgement_n till_o i_o find_v one_o more_o infallible_a now_o i_o say_v you_o contradict_v the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o you_o will_v prove_v that_o you_o do_v not_o contradict_v these_o commandment_n from_o your_o pretend_a infallibility_n which_o be_v the_o thing_n yet_o in_o question_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n permit_v man_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o whether_o they_o contradict_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o suffer_v they_o to_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n too_o and_o so_o must_v you_o do_v also_o unless_o you_o pretend_v a_o exemption_n from_o all_o trial_n and_o examination_n which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n never_o pretend_v to_o this_o show_v that_o even_o to_o this_o day_n no_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n can_v exempt_v man_n from_o have_v their_o doctrine_n try_v by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o gospel_n itself_o may_v still_o be_v thus_o try_v and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o infallible_a judge_n as_o have_v any_o authority_n to_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v any_o sense_n they_o put_v upon_o the_o law_n contrary_a to_o our_o own_o sense_n and_o reason_n for_o then_o such_o a_o judge_n as_o this_o can_v not_o be_v try_v by_o the_o law_n for_o if_o he_o alone_o have_v authority_n to_o interpret_v the_o law_n no_o body_n can_v try_v he_o but_o himself_o and_o this_o plain_a instance_n i_o have_v give_v of_o their_o contradict_v the_o first_o and_o second_o commandment_n utter_o overthrow_v their_o infallibility_n till_o they_o can_v prove_v not_o by_o their_o pretend_a infallibility_n but_o by_o plain_a reason_n and_o argument_n that_o they_o do_v not_o contradict_v they_o and_o we_o desire_v no_o more_o than_o to_o set_v aside_o their_o plea_n of_o infallibility_n and_o we_o will_v reason_v the_o case_n with_o they_o when_o they_o please_v and_o beside_o this_o by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n this_o argument_n reach_v much_o far_o for_o if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n must_v be_v try_v by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n because_o no_o man_n can_v have_v any_o authority_n against_o a_o stand_a revelation_n then_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n whoever_o shall_v now_o set_v up_o for_o a_o infallible_a guide_n his_o doctrine_n must_v be_v examine_v by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n which_o be_v now_o a_o infallible_a rule_n to_o we_o and_o if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n may_v be_v examine_v by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o succeed_a bishop_n must_v be_v try_v by_o
we_o shall_v have_v have_v no_o dispute_n about_o it_o at_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o they_o must_v be_v out_o in_o one_o either_o christ_n have_v appoint_v no_o such_o judge_n or_o this_o can_v prevent_v schism_n in_o the_o church_n 4._o four_o there_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o effectual_a way_n of_o cure_v church_n division_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n nay_o without_o make_v all_o man_n of_o a_o mind_n in_o every_o thing_n which_o must_v never_o be_v expect_v in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o be_v not_o to_o make_v the_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n straight_a and_o narrow_a than_o christ_n have_v make_v they_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v essential_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o worship_n for_o such_o matter_n most_o christian_n agree_v in_o and_o though_o they_o may_v have_v some_o private_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o this_o ought_v not_o to_o divide_v communion_n while_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v they_o upon_o the_o faith_n of_o other_o nor_o introduce_v any_o new_a and_o strange_a worship_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o church_n of_o england_n believe_v and_o practice_n whatever_o be_v think_v necessary_a in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o for_o some_o age_n after_o and_o there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o dispute_n about_o these_o matter_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n so_o that_o we_o can_v to_o this_o day_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n maintain_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n upon_o the_o same_o term_n that_o the_o apostolic_a church_n maintain_v communion_n with_o each_o other_o for_o we_o both_o agree_v in_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o church_n communion_n so_o that_o the_o schism_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o without_o own_v such_o a_o judge_n we_o agree_v in_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a in_o all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n require_v to_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o will_v receive_v no_o other_o church_n into_o her_o communion_n without_o own_v her_o sovereign_n and_o supreme_a authority_n nor_o without_o believe_v many_o doctrine_n manifest_o absurd_a in_o themselves_o and_o never_o teach_v in_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o without_o join_v in_o such_o a_o worship_n which_o they_o themselves_o dare_v not_o say_v be_v necessary_a for_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o for_o their_o pray_v to_o saint_n and_o worship_v image_n and_o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o which_o we_o think_v be_v sinful_a if_o these_o thing_n be_v remove_v we_o can_v glad_o communicate_v with_o they_o upon_o true_a catholic_n principle_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o judge_n but_o only_o to_o determine_v those_o controversy_n which_o she_o herself_o have_v make_v in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o primitive_a faith_n of_o christian_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v but_o commend_v her_o policy_n that_o she_o will_v allow_v no_o body_n to_o be_v judge_n of_o these_o dispute_n but_o herself_o will_v all_o man_n submit_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o will_v certain_o restore_v peace_n and_o unity_n to_o the_o church_n but_o to_o the_o great_a prejudice_n of_o truth_n and_o hazard_v of_o man_n soul_n and_o we_o must_v not_o purchase_v a_o mere_a external_a unity_n at_o this_o rate_n those_o man_n overvalue_v unity_n who_o part_n with_o truth_n for_o it_o for_o certain_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o more_o considerable_a than_o the_o purity_n of_o its_o faith_n and_o worship_n the_o paper_n these_o reason_n make_v i_o think_v a_o visible_a judge_n absolute_o necessary_a answer_n what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v i_o hope_v may_v occasion_v some_o new_a and_o different_a thought_n of_o this_o matter_n but_o since_o certainty_n be_v the_o great_a and_o prevail_a argument_n let_v we_o turn_v the_o table_n and_o see_v what_o certainty_n a_o roman_n catholic_n have_v his_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o visible_a and_o infallible_a judge_n this_o i_o confess_v bid_v very_o fair_a for_o he_o that_o follow_v a_o infallible_a guide_n can_v err_v but_o whoever_o consider_v this_o matter_n careful_o will_v find_v all_o this_o talk_n of_o infallibility_n dwindle_v into_o nothing_o for_o first_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o infallible_a judge_n before_o we_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n rely_v on_o he_o we_o must_v certain_o know_v who_o he_o be_v for_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o have_v no_o infallible_a judge_n and_o not_o to_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o and_o this_o be_v a_o difficulty_n which_o those_o person_n little_o consider_v who_o please_v themselves_o so_o much_o with_o the_o fancy_n of_o infallibility_n for_o 1._o papist_n themselves_o be_v not_o agree_v about_o this_o matter_n some_o will_v have_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a as_o peter_n successor_n and_o in_o his_o right_n other_o the_o church_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n other_o neither_o pope_n nor_o council_n distinct_o and_o separately_z consider_v but_o a_o council_n confirm_v by_o the_o pope_n other_o none_o of_o all_o this_o but_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a infallibility_n they_o all_o agree_v to_o but_o know_v not_o where_o this_o infallibility_n be_v seat_v now_o what_o shall_v a_o doubt_a protestant_n do_v who_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o any_o of_o they_o do_v he_o know_v where_o to_o find_v this_o infallibility_n may_v he_o not_o as_o easy_o choose_v his_o own_o religion_n and_o what_o church_n he_o will_v live_v in_o communion_n with_o as_o which_o of_o these_o infallible_a judge_n to_o follow_v which_o soever_o of_o these_o he_o reject_v he_o have_v a_o considerable_a party_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n on_o his_o side_n the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o he_o be_v so_o far_o satisfy_v with_o their_o reason_n against_o each_o other_o that_o he_o reject_v they_o all_o and_o he_o have_v good_a reason_n for_o it_o for_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o appoint_v a_o judge_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n certain_o he_o will_v have_v do_v this_o so_o manifest_o that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v no_o dispute_n who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o methinks_v a_o doubtful_a and_o disputable_a judge_n be_v not_o a_o very_a proper_a person_n to_o end_v all_o dispute_n 2._o nay_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o roman_a divine_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o prove_v either_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n or_o who_o this_o judge_n be_v for_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n he_o must_v be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o we_o must_v look_v for_o his_o commission_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o know_v what_o the_o gospel_n be_v or_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o from_o the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v out_o either_o the_o judge_n or_o the_o scripture_n because_o we_o have_v no_o place_n to_o begin_v at_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o judge_n we_o be_v a_o little_a too_o hasty_a because_o we_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v he_o and_o if_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v as_o bad_a because_o we_o can_v understand_v they_o before_o we_o have_v find_v the_o judge_n so_o that_o we_o must_v take_v one_o of_o they_o for_o grant_v without_o any_o proof_n and_o by_o that_o find_v out_o the_o other_o and_o that_o be_v neither_o better_o nor_o worse_o than_o to_o take_v they_o both_o for_o grant_v which_o be_v a_o admirable_a foundation_n for_o infallibility_n at_o all_o adventure_n to_o choose_v a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o then_o to_o believe_v he_o at_o all_o adventure_n so_o that_o though_o man_n who_o have_v always_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n may_v in_o time_n grow_v very_o confident_a of_o it_o and_o take_v it_o for_o a_o first_o principle_n which_o need_v no_o proof_n yet_o i_o wonder_v how_o any_o protestant_n who_o have_v be_v teach_v otherwise_o and_o if_o he_o act_v wise_o and_o like_o a_o honest_a man_n can_v believe_v it_o till_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o he_o can_v ever_o entertain_v such_o a_o thought_n for_o let_v his_o adversary_n be_v never_o so_o subtle_a if_o he_o resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o see_v prove_v he_o may_v maintain_v his_o ground_n against_o he_o as_o to_o represent_v this_o brief_o in_o a_o dialogue_n between_o a_o papist_n and_o a_o protestant_n papist_n i_o pity_v your_o condition_n sir_n to_o see_v you_o live_v at_o such_o uncertainty_n for_o your_o religion_n and_o
obstinate_o refuse_v to_o consult_v that_o live_a oracle_n and_o infallible_a judge_n who_o god_n have_v place_v in_o his_o church_n to_o decide_v all_o controversy_n in_o faith_n and_o worship_n protest_v sir_n i_o thank_v you_o for_o your_o charity_n and_o though_o i_o do_v not_o find_v myself_o so_o uncertain_a as_o i_o perceive_v you_o think_v i_o be_o yet_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a of_o such_o a_o infallible_a guide_n as_o you_o talk_v of_o if_o i_o know_v where_o to_o find_v he_o pap._n he_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o that_o be_v the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n there_o be_v st._n peter_n chair_n who_o christ_n make_v the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o his_o church_n who_o he_o command_v to_o feed_v his_o lamb_n and_o his_o sheep_n that_o rock_n on_o who_o christ_n promise_v to_o build_v his_o church_n and_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o therefore_o in_o communion_n with_o this_o church_n and_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o supreme_a pastor_n of_o it_o you_o can_v err_v prot._n but_o pray_v how_o shall_v i_o be_v sure_a of_o this_o pap._n do_v you_o ask_v that_o now_o when_o i_o have_v refer_v you_o to_o such_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o prot._n will_v you_o allow_v i_o then_o to_o interpret_v these_o text_n according_a to_o my_o own_o private_a judgement_n and_o why_o then_o may_v i_o not_o use_v my_o judgement_n in_o other_o matter_n for_o i_o think_v all_o the_o article_n of_o my_o creed_n be_v as_o plain_a in_o scripture_n as_o that_o the_o pope_n or_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o supreme_a infallible_a judge_n and_o indeed_o if_o i_o must_v stand_v to_o my_o own_o judgement_n in_o this_o matter_n i_o can_v find_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o these_o text_n you_o have_v allege_v pap._n your_o own_o judgement_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n this_o cause_v all_o the_o heresy_n in_o the_o world_n that_o man_n will_v presume_v to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o prot._n what_o course_n must_v i_o take_v then_o pap._n you_o must_v stand_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n which_o can_v err_v and_o whatever_o heretic_n say_v she_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o these_o text_n prove_v the_o church_n infallibility_n prot._n hold_v sir_n what_o be_v it_o we_o be_v to_o prove_v pap._n that_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a prot._n and_o this_o i_o must_v prove_v from_o scripture_n pap._n yes_o prot._n and_o must_v not_o rely_v on_o my_o own_o judgement_n neither_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o on_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o church_n pap._n right_n this_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n way_n prot._n that_o be_v i_o must_v take_v the_o church_n word_n that_o she_o be_v infallible_a pap._n no_o you_o must_v believe_v the_o scripture_n which_o say_v so_o prot._n but_o i_o must_v believe_v the_o scripture_n not_o because_o i_o understand_v this_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o but_o because_o the_o church_n so_o expound_v it_o pap._n right_n for_o heretic_n expound_v it_o otherwise_o prot._n and_o what_o be_v this_o then_o but_o to_o take_v the_o church_n word_n for_o her_o own_o infallibility_n what_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o take_v the_o church_n word_n at_o the_o first_o or_o second_o rebound_v to_o believe_v it_o because_o she_o say_v it_o herself_o or_o to_o believe_v it_o because_o she_o make_v the_o scripture_n say_v it_o and_o therefore_o if_o this_o be_v all_o you_o have_v to_o say_v i_o must_v even_o keep_v where_o i_o be_o and_o rather_o content_v myself_o without_o a_o infallible_a judge_n than_o please_v myself_o with_o a_o mere_a imagination_n of_o infallibility_n without_o any_o foundation_n to_o rely_v on_o three_o and_o therefore_o the_o most_o learned_a advocate_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v force_v to_o grant_v that_o we_o have_v no_o infallible_a assurance_n of_o infallibility_n for_o we_o can_v be_v infallible_o certain_a which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v the_o only_a way_n they_o pretend_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n be_v by_o mark_n and_o note_n of_o a_o church_n which_o they_o say_v indeed_o have_v a_o moral_a certainty_n though_o they_o be_v not_o infallible_a for_o according_a to_o their_o principle_n they_o must_v not_o allow_v of_o any_o infallibility_n without_o the_o sentence_n and_o definition_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n for_o than_o protestant_n may_v set_v up_o for_o infallibility_n without_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o infallible_a judge_n to_o determine_v who_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n they_o must_v content_v themselves_o in_o this_o matter_n with_o moral_a certainty_n and_o this_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o even_o level_a with_o poor_a fallible_a protestant_n they_o deal_v very_o hardly_o with_o we_o if_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o we_o may_v have_v at_o least_o as_o much_o certainty_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o as_o they_o can_v have_v of_o the_o note_n of_o the_o true_a church_n which_o must_v be_v own_v for_o the_o infallible_a judge_n and_o if_o they_o be_v modest_a and_o understand_v the_o weakness_n of_o their_o own_o cause_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o thankful_a to_o we_o if_o we_o will_v allow_v they_o as_o much_o and_o may_v not_o we_o then_o be_v as_o infallible_a as_o they_o for_o indeed_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o moral_a certainty_n shall_v grow_v up_o into_o infallibility_n as_o for_o instance_n no_o man_n can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o decision_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n than_o he_o be_v of_o his_o infallibility_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o have_v not_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o judge_n he_o can_v have_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n that_o he_o define_v infallible_o and_o thus_o the_o whole_a faith_n of_o a_o papist_n after_o all_o their_o brag_n of_o infallibility_n be_v resolve_v into_o moral_a certainty_n just_a as_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o protestant_n be_v only_o not_o with_o so_o much_o reason_n let_v we_o take_v any_o one_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n wherein_o papist_n and_o protestant_n agree_v and_o see_v how_o much_o great_a assurance_n papist_n have_v of_o it_o than_o protestant_n as_o suppose_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n a_o protestant_n believe_v this_o because_o he_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o we_o can_v have_v for_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o inspire_a man_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n in_o their_o most_o plain_a and_o obvious_a acceptation_n signify_v this_o and_o therefore_o that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o be_v infallible_a teacher_n so_o that_o the_o last_o resolution_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v into_o the_o infallibility_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n of_o which_o sense_n and_o reason_n can_v give_v we_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n a_o papist_n believe_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n because_o the_o church_n which_o be_v infallible_a teach_v so_o and_o he_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n by_o some_o note_n and_o mark_n of_o a_o church_n which_o he_o think_v moral_o certain_a and_o when_o he_o have_v find_v the_o true_a church_n conclude_v she_o to_o be_v infallible_a without_o more_o ado_n now_o if_o the_o infallibility_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v as_o good_a a_o reason_n of_o faith_n as_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n or_o pope_n of_o rome_n and_o if_o we_o have_v as_o good_a evidence_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o inspire_a man_n and_o that_o such_o word_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n as_o prove_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o they_o have_v of_o their_o mark_n and_o note_n whereby_o they_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n than_o we_o have_v to_o the_o full_a as_o much_o certainty_n and_o infallibility_n as_o they_o have_v they_o have_v but_o a_o moral_a evidence_n at_o best_a of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n and_o therefore_o be_v but_o moral_o certain_a what_o their_o church_n teach_v right_a and_o therefore_o if_o we_o have_v as_o much_o certainty_n as_o they_o have_v and_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v have_v no_o more_o our_o faith_n be_v build_v upon_o as_o sure_a a_o foundation_n as_o they_o without_o make_v a_o noise_n with_o infallibility_n which_o at_o last_o dwindle_n into_o some_o arbitrary_a note_n and_o mark_n of_o a_o church_n and_o yet_o four_o not_o to_o trouble_v ourselves_o at_o present_a with_o all_o the_o note_n and_o mark_n which_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n and_o