Selected quad for the lemma: power_n
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A51484
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A peaceable method for the re-uniting Protestants and Catholicks in matters of faith principally in the subject of the Holy Eucharist : proceeding upon principles agreed-on and waving points in dispute : upon occasion of the late conceit concerning the perpetuity of faith touching that great mystery / written in French by Lewis Mainbourg.
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Maimbourg, Louis, 1610-1686.; T. W.
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1672
(1672)
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Wing M293; ESTC R26797
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72,644
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198
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task to oppose we know not what till we come to the Tryal or defend our selves against I cannot tell whom Lutheran Calvinist Anabaptist Independent c. till they are pleased to declare themselves and appoint us our Theme But that for which I am to commend and recommend this ensuing Discourse is that I think it equally and strongly convincing against all For if it be once made out as this Treatise endeavours to evince even by the consent of the whole Reformed Church it self that there must intervene some Supreme Authority which may exact an acquiescencie and withall are obliged to submit unto without further dispute there will quickly be discovered a ready way to put things into a better posture and particulars will find whereon to settle as in one Center that unlimitted variety of opining I beseech those who have a real kindnesse for their own Souls and any respect for those who were accounted great Persons even in their own way to reflect particularly upon what is mentioned in the second Chapter of this little Work concerning the Opinions of the Divines of all the Reformed Churches of Europe in this Point and especially upon what was delivered at the famous Synod of Dort by the Embassadour and by the Commission of the Great and VVise King King James That there was but one onely means which the Church had ever made use of to wit a National Synod which was to be Judge in the case and to decide which of the two Opinions was more conformable to the Word of God c. And conformably to this you will find how that wise King when soon after his coming into England the Puritans Dr. Reynolds Mr. Knewstabs c. began to shew themselves at a Conference in the Kings own Presence and Mr. Knewstabs in particular moving * Bakers Chronicle of the affairs of the Church in the Reign of K. James p. 445. How far an Ordinance of the Church was to bind men without impeachment of their Christian Liberty Being much moved made this short reply and told him he would not argue that Point with him but answer therein as Kings are wont to speak in Parliament Le Roy S' avistra And therefore I charge you said he never speak more to that Point how far you are bound to Obey when the Church has once ordained it By which earnest and wise Answer of his certainly he could intend nothing lesse but that the Ordinances and Decrees of the Church are so far obligatory as never to be questioned but to be religiously respected and admitted with an Ipso dixit This certainly must also be the meaning and import of those words in the twentyeth of the 39. Articles The Church hath power to Decree Rites or Ceremonies and Authority in Controversies of Faith c. For Power and Authority and Submission and Obedience are certainly correlatives If there be Power and Authority to enact Submission and Obedience are essential to performance Now by the Church here and in the foregoing Reply of King James if any thing was intended reducible to action and practice I imagine nothing can be meant but the Representative of the Church Archbishops Bishops and the Chief of the Clergy lawfully convened c. VVhich Representative as is very remarkable both in Queen Elizabeth's dayes Anno 1562. and in King James's Anno 1604 with the consent and allowance of the said King and Queen under the great Seal thought themselves so unquestionably impowered and authorised for that great VVork of framing certain Articles in order to an Uniformity of Doctrine in Religion as no man by their special and strict Command could be admitted to any part of the Ministry without consenting and subscribing thereunto VVhich was yet more strongly enforced upon all in general by those Excommunications ipso facto denounced against all dissenters in the Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical made Anno 1604. Not to mention those others who have nothing but Antichrist the Tyrannical Antichrist in their mouths when a Pope or Council is but mentioned and yet think it not unreasonable upon the Authority of a Convocation of some few Elders c. to oblige to their Tenets and Practices under pain of a stool of Repentance c. I know there are some who hold all these proceedings and practises very harsh and unreasonable whose spirits will not easily yield but will make bold to argue the case with Kings or Councils Parliaments or Prelates or any thing which agrees not with their private and particular Principles And they will tell you very colourably as they imagine that as their Soul is their own and as they must stand or fall to themselves so are they to make choice of their own faith and Religion and not to pin it upon another mans sleeve I should somthing wonder to bear an Objection of this nature from any one who pretends to Learning But because I know there are some who make plausible flourishes upon it and think by this means to cast off all Authority and become their own free choosers and Masters without controle and consequently will slight the chief grounds of this Discourse fitted principally for persons of better Principles I must needs in a word shew them that if they design any thing of reason and not all wilfulness and presumption in their proceedings they must needs find another Point to steer their course by And yet Gentlemen thus far I will keep you company that your Soul is your own under the great Giver of it and that you must stand or fall to your selves But I fear you have never been at any of the Universities or not minded the businesse your Parents intended by the charge they were at if you think this good Logick Ergo you are to choose your own Faith in that sence which is and must be intended by you if you think to evade what will here come in against you For your meaning if at all to your purpose can be no other but that because your Soul is your own and you your self and no body else are to give an account of your stewardship and your improving of it therefore you are to make up a Faith which indeed is the Ground of all subsequent action according to your own fancy and understanding And yet I cannot believe but you will acknowledge that you are to take some Guide along with you that you are to follow some Rule in this business of so important a concern You will never own I am sure of it that it shall be meer fancy that you are resolveâ— to rely upon A Guide then you must have A Rule you must follow An you sure in a business of so great importance as is the salvation of your Soul that you have a faithful Guide a direct Rule Do you follow the one close dâ— you apply the other right Here theâ— you see unexpectedly perehance thaâ— your Guide your Rule your use or application of them may be questioned Bâ— you will