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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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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
general_n in_o which_o i_o intend_v to_o show_v that_o they_o have_v depart_v from_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n much_o more_o evident_o than_o they_o can_v pretend_v that_o we_o have_v do_v and_o this_o be_v concern_v the_o pope_n power_n o●_n depose_v king_n which_o they_o who_o live_v under_o so_o mighty_a a_o monarch_n have_v very_o prudent_o renounce_v but_o whether_o they_o have_v not_o more_o plain_o contradict_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n than_o the_o reformer_n do_v shall_v appear_v by_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o two_o ground_n that_o seem_v undeniable_a in_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o one_o be_v that_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o age_n or_o age_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o be_v universal_a and_o undisputed_a be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o other_o age_n whatsoever_o for_o the_o promise_v make_v to_o the_o church_n last_o continual_o and_o have_v the_o same_o force_n at_o all_o time_n and_o therefore_o a_o tradition_n for_o these_o last_o six_o hundred_o year_n be_v of_o as_o strong_a a_o authority_n as_o be_v that_o of_o the_o first_o six_o age_n the_o second_o be_v that_o a_o tradition_n concern_v the_o measure_n of_o man_n obedience_n and_o action_n be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n with_o a_o tradition_n concern_v the_o measure_n of_o their_o belief_n the_o one_o sort_n be_v practical_a and_o the_o other_o be_v speculative_a point_n and_o as_o more_o be_v concern_v in_o a_o practical_a truth_n than_o in_o a_o speculative_a point_n so_o it_o have_v great_a effect_n and_o more_o influence_n on_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a that_o these_o be_v certain_o hand_v down_o as_o the_o other_o and_o by_o consequence_n a_o tradition_n concern_v any_o rule_n of_o life_n be_v as_o much_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o that_o concern_v any_o point_n of_o belief_n for_o the_o creed_n and_o the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v the_o two_o ingredient_n of_o the_o positive_a part_n of_o our_o baptismal_a vow_n it_o be_v as_o necessary_a that_o we_o be_v certain_o direct_v in_o the_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o preference_n to_o be_v admit_v here_o certain_o it_o must_v be_v for_o that_o which_o be_v more_o practical_a and_o of_o great_a extent_n upon_o these_o two_o ground_n i_o subsume_v that_o all_o the_o character_n of_o oral_a tradition_n by_o which_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o find_v it_o out_o in_o any_o one_o particular_a agree_v to_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o pope_n power_n of_o depose_v prince_n that_o be_v either_o heretic_n or_o favourer_n of_o they_o the_o way_n sof_o search_v for_o tradition_n be_v these_o four_o first_o what_o the_o writer_n and_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v deliver_v down_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o the_o second_o be_v what_o the_o pope_n have_v teach_v and_o pronounce_v ex_fw-la cathedrâ_fw-la which_o to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o communion_n be_v decisive_n their_o authority_n be_v hold_v infallible_a and_o to_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v at_o least_o a_o great_a indication_n of_o the_o tradition_n of_o such_o a_o age._n the_o three_o be_v what_o such_o council_n as_o be_v esteem_v and_o receive_v as_o ecumenical_a council_n have_v decree_v as_o general_n rule_v the_o four_o be_v the_o late_a famous_a method_n of_o prescription_n when_o from_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o any_o one_o age_n we_o run_v a_o back-scent_n up_o to_o the_o apostle_n upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n chief_o in_o a_o visible_a and_o sensible_a thing_n can_v not_o be_v change_v these_o be_v all_o the_o way_n imaginable_a to_o find_v out_o the_o tradition_n of_o past_a age_n and_o they_o do_v all_o agree_v to_o this_o doctrine_n all_o the_o writer_n for_o five_o or_o six_o age_n both_o commentator_n on_o scripture_n the_o schoolman_n the_o casuist_n and_o canonist_n agree_v in_o it_o so_o that_o cardinal_n perron_n have_v reason_n to_o challenge_v those_o of_o the_o contrary_a persuasion_n to_o show_v any_o one_o writer_n before_o calvin_n time_n that_o have_v be_v of_o another_o mind_n we_o do_v not_o cite_v this_o as_o a_o proof_n because_o cardinal_n perron_n say_v so_o but_o because_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o can_v be_v disprove_v and_o in_o the_o contest_v that_o fell_a in_o between_o the_o pope_n and_o those_o prince_n against_o who_o they_o thunder_v no_o civilian_n nor_o canonist_n ever_o deny_v the_o pope_n power_n of_o depose_v in_o the_o case_n of_o heresy_n it_o be_v true_a when_o the_o pope_n pretend_a to_o a_o temporal_a dominion_n and_o that_o all_o prince_n be_v their_o vassal_n some_o be_v find_v to_o write_v against_o that_o other_o prince_n contend_v about_o the_o particular_n lay_v to_o their_o charge_n and_o deny_v that_o they_o be_v either_o heretic_n or_o favourer_n of_o heretic_n but_o none_o ever_o dispute_v this_o position_n in_o general_n that_o in_o a_o manifest_a case_n of_o heresy_n the_o pope_n may_v not_o depose_v prince_n and_o it_o be_v too_o well_o know_v what_o both_o the_o sorbonne_n determine_v in_o the_o case_n of_o henry_n the_o three_o and_o likewise_o how_o the_o body_n of_o the_o clergy_n adhere_v to_o cardinal_n perron_n in_o the_o opposition_n he_o make_v to_o the_o condemnation_n of_o that_o opinion_n the_o next_o mark_n of_o tradition_n be_v the_o pope_n pronounce_v a_o opinion_n ex_fw-la cathedrâ_fw-la that_o be_v in_o a_o solemn_a judiciary_n way_n sound_v it_o on_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n if_o pope_n have_v only_o brutal_o make_v war_n upon_o some_o prince_n and_o violent_o thrust_v they_o out_o of_o their_o dominion_n this_o indeed_o be_v no_o mark_n by_o which_o we_o can_v judge_v of_o a_o tradition_n but_o when_o we_o find_v gregory_n the_o seven_o 21●_n and_o many_o pope_n since_o his_o time_n 1._o find_v this_o authority_n on_o passage_n of_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o the_o key_n be_v give_v to_o s._n peter_n jeremiah_n the_o prophet_n be_v set_v over_o kingdom_n to_o root_v out_o to_o pluck_v up_o and_o destroy_v and_o that_o all_o power_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v give_v to_o chr●st_v and_o his_o bid_n his_o disciple_n to_o buy_v a_o sword_n we_o must_v look_v on_o this_o as_o the_o declare_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o it_o must_v either_o be_v confess_v that_o they_o be_v not_o faithful_a conveyor_n of_o it_o or_o that_o this_o be_v true_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o have_v be_v do_v so_o often_o these_o last_o six_o hundred_o year_n that_o it_o be_v a_o needless_a impose_v on_o the_o reader_n patience_n to_o go_v about_o the_o prove_v it_o the_o three_o indication_n of_o tradition_n be_v the_o declaration_n make_v by_o synod_n but_o chief_o by_o general_a council_n i_o need_v not_o here_o mention_v the_o many_o roman_a synod_n that_o have_v concur_v with_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o deposition_n which_o they_o thunder_v out_o against_o king_n or_o emperor_n since_o we_o have_v great_a authority_n confirm_v it_o 28._o the_o three_o council_n of_o lateran_n declare_v that_o all_o prince_n that_o favour_a heresy_n fall_v from_o their_o dominion_n and_o they_o grant_v a_o plenary_a indulgence_n to_o all_o that_o fight_v against_o they_o 3._o the_o four_o council_n of_o the_o lateran_n vest_v the_o pope_n with_o the_o power_n of_o give_v away_o their_o dominion_n if_o they_o continue_v for_o a_o year_n obstinate_a in_o that_o their_o merciful_a disposition_n of_o not_o extirpate_v heretic_n the_o first_o council_n of_o lion_n concur_v with_o the_o pope_n in_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o emperor_n frederick_n the_o second_o which_o be_v ground_v in_o the_o preamble_n on_o the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v give_v to_o s._n peter_n after_o these_o come_v the_o council_n of_o constance_n 19_o and_o they_o reckon_v themselves_o superior_a to_o the_o pope_n look_v on_o this_o as_o a_o power_n inherent_a in_o the_o church_n and_o so_o assume_v it_o to_o themselves_o and_o therefore_o put_v this_o sanction_n in_o many_o of_o their_o decree_n particular_o in_o that_o for_o maintain_v the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o passport_n they_o grant_v which_o have_v be_v often_o add_v in_o the_o bull_n that_o confirm_v the_o foundation_n of_o monastery_n that_o if_o any_o whether_o he_o be_v emperor_n king_n or_o of_o what_o dignity_n soever_o he_o may_v be_v oppose_v their_o order_n he_o shall_v thereby_o forfeit_v his_o dignity_n the_o council_n of_o sienna_n confirm_v all_o decree_n against_o heretic_n and_o the_o favourer_n of_o they_o that_o have_v be_v make_v in_o any_o former_a council_n and_o by_o consequence_n those_o of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o council_n in_o the_o lateran_n the_o council_n of_o basil_n put_v