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reason_n article_n faith_n scripture_n 2,586 5 6.0347 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A95414 The scriptures sufficiency to determine all matters of faith, made good against the Papist: or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by the Holy Scriptures. By that great and famous light of Gods Church, William Twisse D.D. and prolocutor of the late assembly of divines. Twisse, William, 1578?-1646. 1656 (1656) Wing T3424; Thomason E1698_2; ESTC R209446 47,921 167

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now_o if_o i_o believe_v and_o determine_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a this_o be_v my_o opinion_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o therefore_o the_o truth_n see_v truth_n and_o opinion_n have_v nothing_o in_o they_o alike_o a_o steadfast_a persuasion_n change_v not_o the_o essence_n of_o the_o thing_n whereof_o a_o man_n be_v persuade_v for_o than_o may_v melancholic_a person_n who_o opinion_n be_v unmovable_a work_v miracle_n and_o make_v all_o their_o conceit_n essential_a the_o nature_n of_o true_a knowledge_n be_v this_o to_o be_v demonstrable_a not_o to_o i_o or_o some_o man_n but_o to_o all_o and_o to_o win_v a_o consent_n from_o any_o man_n as_o two_o and_o three_o make_v five_o a_o thing_n controvert_v and_o which_o some_o understand_v one_o way_n some_o another_o can_v never_o make_v i_o certain_a and_o free_a from_o doubt_n whether_o i_o have_v the_o truth_n or_o no_o and_o he_o that_o know_v no_o other_o than_o what_o he_o determine_v may_v be_v excuse_v of_o malice_n and_o 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have_v determine_v that_o for_o tolerable_a and_o indifferent_a which_o before_o they_o think_v damnable_a but_o howsoever_o there_o be_v so_o many_o of_o they_o that_o a_o man_n may_v deserve_o call_v in_o question_n the_o precise_a necessity_n of_o they_o and_o this_o seem_v the_o best_a solution_n to_o disentangle_v and_o appease_v perplex_v doubtful_a and_o err_a conscience_n but_o can_v so_o many_o thousand_o divine_n of_o former_a age_n be_v ignorant_a of_o this_o have_v there_o not_o so_o many_o war_n be_v undertake_v for_o this_o cause_n can_v those_o learned_a man_n suffer_v so_o many_o thousand_o of_o man_n to_o run_v headlong_o both_o by_o do_v and_o suffer_v into_o the_o hazard_n of_o body_n and_o soul_n for_o religion_n sake_n and_o so_o many_o unspeable_a mischief_n to_o arise_v whenas_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v save_v without_o the_o controversy_n of_o religion_n but_o if_o this_o be_v the_o command_n of_o god_n under_o pain_n of_o temporal_a and_o everlasting_a punishment_n to_o fight_v for_o those_o controversy_n how_o can_v we_o excuse_v those_o shuffle_a agreement_n of_o faith_n religion_n and_o god_n worship_n a_o servant_n may_v not_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o lord_n due_a let_v this_o thing_n be_v consider_v see_v it_o be_v so_o intricate_a and_o lead_v i_o and_o many_o other_o into_o disquiet_n of_o mind_n for_o which_o perplexity_n of_o conscience_n none_o will_v deny_v that_o a_o remedy_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v at_o the_o hand_n of_o those_o that_o have_v christian_a fellow-feeling_n and_o may_v be_v find_v if_o all_o the_o divine_n of_o those_o side_n that_o have_v left_a popery_n will_v vouchsafe_v to_o afford_v i_o a_o wise_a mild_a and_o solid_a answer_n in_o writing_n not_o savour_v of_o partiality_n prejudice_n or_o passion_n the_o doubt_v conscience_n resolve_v in_o answer_n to_o a_o pretend_v perplex_v question_n consideration_n it_o be_v a_o old_a say_n that_o vniversus_fw-la mundus_fw-la exercet_fw-la histrioniam_fw-la but_o i_o think_v never_o more_o verify_v in_o any_o age_n than_o in_o this_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o devil_n play_v his_o part_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o a_o dragon_n with_o seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n rev._n 12.3_o 7_o 9_o but_o after_o the_o war_n in_o heaven_n between_o michael_n and_o his_o angel_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o the_o dragon_n and_o his_o angel_n on_o the_o other_o the_o dragon_n be_v cast_v out_o into_o the_o earth_n and_o his_o angel_n be_v cast_v out_o with_o he_o but_o he_o continue_v to_o play_v the_o part_n of_o a_o old_a serpent_n still_o which_o deceive_v the_o whole_a world_n epiphan_n leo_fw-la serm._n 6._o de_fw-fr epiphan_n adversarius_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o apertis_fw-la inefficax_n persecutionibus_fw-la tecta_fw-la nocendi_fw-la arte_fw-la desaevit_fw-la and_o no_o marvel_n if_o intelligent_a spirit_n be_v very_o subdolous_a and_o full_a of_o craft_n 5._o bernard_n in_o quadrag_n serm._n 5._o eum_n nimis_fw-la astutum_fw-la fecit_fw-la tam_fw-la natura_fw-la subtilis_fw-la quam_fw-la long_fw-mi exercitatio_fw-la malitiae_fw-la ejus_fw-la and_o afterward_o he_o find_v as_o powerful_a mean_n to_o do_v mischief_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n gladio_fw-la oris_fw-la by_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o mouth_n as_o former_o he_o have_v do_v over_o gladii_fw-la by_o the_o mouth_n or_o edge_n of_o the_o sword_n even_o by_o another_o beast_n who_o have_v two_o horn_n like_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 13.11_o 13._o but_o speak_v like_o the_o dragon_n and_o this_o beast_n first_o be_v operative_a by_o deceit_n for_o he_o do_v great_a wonder_n so_o that_o he_o make_v fire_n to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n on_o the_o earth_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n and_o deceive_v they_o that_o dwell_v on_o earth_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o his_o miracle_n this_o be_v that_o man_n of_o sin_n st._n paul_n speak_v of_o who_o come_v be_v in_o the_o effectual_a power_n
the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n shall_v be_v the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n still_o and_o no_o spouse_n of_o christ_n and_o antichrist_n a_o false_a prophet_n still_o and_o no_o true_a prophet_n for_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o a_o papist_n make_v he_o a_o papist_n whether_o he_o write_v controversy_n or_o no_o the_o small_a part_n of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o task_n so_o the_o protestant_n profession_n and_o protestation_n against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v he_o a_o protestant_n though_o he_o never_o set_v pen_n to_o paper_n to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o give_v to_o the_o saint_n though_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n i_o confess_v but_o no_o common_a duty_n belong_v unto_o all_o but_o peculiar_o appertain_v to_o the_o man_n of_o god_n able_a not_o only_o to_o exhort_v with_o wholesome_a doctrine_n but_o also_o to_o convince_v they_o that_o say_v against_o it_o for_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o their_o profession_n of_o 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move_v right_a as_o if_o a_o physician_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n shall_v move_v he_o to_o heal_v a_o man_n before_o he_o be_v wound_v rather_o he_o shall_v take_v care_n to_o preserve_v a_o man_n health_n that_o he_o may_v not_o fall_v into_o sickness_n and_o so_o god_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v sufficient_o provide_v for_o the_o health_n of_o his_o church_n through_o the_o integrity_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o his_o word_n and_o that_o in_o a_o manner_n sufficient_o intelligible_a and_o plain_a to_o they_o that_o come_v with_o honest_a heart_n and_o studious_a desire_n to_o seek_v after_o truth_n and_o to_o embrace_v it_o but_o s._n paul_n tell_v we_o of_o opposition_n to_o the_o truth_n make_v by_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n plain_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o they_o come_v with_o corrupt_a mind_n to_o the_o read_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o pervert_v it_o as_o peter_n speak_v and_o thereby_o pervert_v themselves_o first_o and_o afterward_o they_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wrest_a thing_n to_o the_o corrupt_a of_o other_o and_o hinder_v they_o from_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o faith_n tit._n 1.13_o s._n peter_n exhort_v we_o to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n 2_o pet._n 3.18_o and_o s._n paul_n will_v not_o have_v we_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o grow_v forward_o unto_o perfection_n there_o be_v a_o plerophory_n and_o fullness_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o shall_v strive_v unto_o and_o of_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o of_o holiness_n for_o this_o life_n be_v our_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o still_o we_o must_v draw_v near_a thitherwards_o by_o know_v all_o that_o we_o can_v know_v by_o the_o word_n deut._n 29.29_o it_o be_v reveal_v to_o that_o purpose_n and_o it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a to_o every_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3._o last_o add_v unto_o virtue_n knowledge_n say_v peter_n 2_o pet._n 1.5_o and_o paul_n pray_v on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o colossian_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fulfil_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n will_v in_o all_o wisdom_n and_o spiritual_a understanding_n col._n 19_o that_o they_o may_v walk_v worthy_a of_o the_o lord_n unto_o all_o please_a fruitful_a in_o every_o good_a work_n and_o increase_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n v._o 10._o why_o then_o shall_v we_o take_v offence_n at_o the_o multiply_a of_o article_n in_o all_o profession_n man_n that_o delight_v in_o knowledge_n be_v never_o satisfy_v nothing_o be_v more_o congruous_a to_o our_o intelligent_a nature_n than_o light_n of_o knowledge_n while_o we_o live_v here_o on_o earth_n we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o ripeness_n of_o age_n in_o christ_n therefore_o we_o must_v be_v grow_v still_o and_o edify_v ourselves_o and_o one_o another_o in_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v edify_v till_o we_o come_v to_o fullness_n of_o age_n and_o as_o we_o must_v 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reader_n and_o convictive_a of_o the_o adversary_n farewell_n from_o your_o much_o devote_a j.h.b.n._n higham_n april_n 29._o 1652._o a_o perplex_v question_n or_o a_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n of_o a_o certain_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n our_o religion_n be_v our_o faith_n faith_n either_o save_v or_o condemn_v just_o ought_v we_o therefore_o to_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v and_o prove_v our_o faith_n but_o now_o there_o arise_v a_o great_a doubt_n to_o i_o and_o other_o of_o the_o simple_a sort_n of_o christian_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o so_o consequent_o to_o rely_v on_o and_o trust_v to_o this_o faith_n as_o to_o a_o unshaken_a foundation_n the_o reason_n of_o our_o doubt_n be_v this_o both_o papist_n and_o calvinist_n hold_v contrary_a opinion_n do_v maintain_v and_o prove_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o the_o lutheran_n hold_v serious_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o lutheran_n religion_n be_v condemn_v and_o they_o confirm_v which_o thing_n no_o man_n will_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o there_o be_v two_o physician_n of_o equal_a learning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o intent_n in_o cure_v the_o sick_a that_o be_v alike_o desirous_a to_o cure_v the_o disease_n and_o if_o these_o physician_n shall_v out_o of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o book_n gather_v the_o one_o that_o a_o fever_n be_v cure_v with_o wine_n and_o the_o other_o that_o wine_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o poison_v to_o they_o that_o have_v the_o fever_n how_o i_o pray_v shall_v we_o know_v which_o of_o these_o two_o to_o take_v part_n withal_o a_o man_n can_v gather_v nothing_o but_o that_o the_o remedy_n for_o that_o disease_n be_v obscure_o express_v in_o that_o book_n some_o may_v object_v the_o sect_n do_v not_o follow_v the_o 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mercy_n at_o god_n hand_n be_v all_o one_o rom._n 11.30_o now_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o faith_n may_v be_v have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n soever_o what_o sober_a christian_a can_v make_v doubt_n but_o that_o if_o question_v be_v make_v about_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o may_v have_v it_o it_o may_v be_v have_v by_o holy_a scripture_n as_o well_o as_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n yea_o and_o far_o better_a consider_v that_o faith_n be_v in_o the_o proper_a notion_n thereof_o the_o assent_n to_o somewhat_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o speaker_n and_o if_o the_o speaker_n be_v but_o a_o man_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o faith_n human_a if_o the_o speaker_n be_v god_n that_o and_o that_o alone_o make_v it_o to_o be_v faith_n divine_a now_o we_o all_o confess_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o if_o by_o any_o word_n faith_n may_v be_v have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n soever_o sure_o it_o may_v be_v have_v 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the_o true_a meaning_n 2._o observe_v the_o absurd_a and_o malicious_a carriage_n of_o this_o author_n 1._o in_o shape_a different_a religion_n according_a to_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n whereas_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o force_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v only_o a_o particular_a namely_o that_o they_o differ_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o difference_n i_o have_v show_v may_v be_v find_v and_o ever_o have_v be_v find_v more_o or_o less_o even_o among_o they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n as_o among_o none_o have_v be_v more_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n find_v than_o among_o the_o ancient_n yet_o what_o christian_n be_v find_v to_o be_v so_o impudent_a and_o immodest_a as_o to_o lay_v to_o their_o charge_n that_o they_o differ_v in_o religion_n and_o look_v how_o many_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v find_v among_o they_o so_o many_o different_a
religion_n there_o be_v among_o they_o he_o may_v as_o well_o profess_v that_o the_o papist_n among_o themselves_o the_o lutheran_n among_o themselves_o and_o the_o calvinist_n among_o themselves_o be_v of_o different_a religion_n 3._o we_o acknowledge_v different_a opinion_n between_o lutheran_n and_o calvinian_o so_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v different_a opinion_n among_o the_o lutheran_n themselves_z and_o the_o calvinian_o themselves_o but_o we_o utter_o deny_v there_o be_v different_a religion_n the_o lutheran_n we_o hold_v to_o be_v true_a church_n agree_v with_o we_o in_o the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o likewise_o in_o be_v free_a from_o idolatry_n for_o albeit_o they_o have_v image_n in_o their_o church_n which_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o very_a dangerous_a thing_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o worship_v they_o and_o although_o they_o hold_v real_a presence_n in_o the_o sacrament_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o adore_v it_o so_o that_o albeit_o we_o think_v some_o of_o their_o opinion_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o they_o think_v the_o like_a of_o some_o of_o we_o yet_o neither_o we_o say_v of_o their_o religion_n nor_o they_o of_o we_o i_o trow_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n much_o less_o that_o it_o be_v condemn_v in_o scripture_n but_o come_v we_o to_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o this_o author_n discourse_n which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o from_o thence_o to_o infer_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o it_o to_o this_o we_o answer_v 1._o by_o deny_v the_o consequence_n which_o be_v this_o divine_v differ_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o i_o prove_v the_o absurdity_n and_o untruth_n and_o weakness_n of_o it_o 1._o it_o be_v weak_a for_o at_o the_o uttermost_a it_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v obscure_v but_o in_o some_o place_n for_o this_o difference_n of_o interpretation_n be_v but_o of_o some_o place_n as_o i_o have_v show_v and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o proposition_n i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v no_o great_a than_o the_o force_n of_o a_o particular_a 2._o it_o be_v absurd_a for_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o may_v prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a thus_o that_o scripture_n be_v clear_a in_o the_o interpretation_n wherein_o man_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o different_a religion_n do_v agree_v but_o man_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o religion_n do_v agree_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o divine_a scripture_n therefore_o the_o divine_a scripture_n be_v clear_a and_o indeed_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o we_o agree_v in_o the_o interpretation_n not_o of_o some_o only_a but_o of_o many_o place_n of_o holy_a scripture_n now_o what_o absurd_a a_o course_n be_v it_o for_o a_o disputant_n so_o to_o dispute_v as_o that_o his_o argument_n may_v be_v retort_v with_o as_o good_a force_n against_o he_o yea_o and_o much_o more_o for_o 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fault_n of_o the_o interpreter_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o most_o alien_a course_n to_o compare_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o word_n of_o man_n together_o for_o man_n may_v contradict_v himself_o god_n can_v man_n may_v forget_v one_o time_n what_o he_o deliver_v at_o another_o god_n can_v 3._o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o thing_n of_o man_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n so_o that_o whereas_o natural_a reason_n and_o natural_a instruction_n may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o enable_v a_o man_n to_o understand_v the_o write_n of_o another_o man_n yet_o only_o supernatural_a illumination_n be_v sufficient_a to_o enable_v a_o man_n to_o discern_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n yet_o i_o confess_v on_o this_o particular_a some_o judicious_a reader_n may_v think_v to_o find_v a_o flaw_n yet_o i_o presume_v that_o upon_o serious_a consideration_n that_o attempt_n will_v prove_v but_o vain_a and_o none_o but_o a_o socinian_n will_v oppose_v in_o this_o who_o deny_v all_o fides_fw-la infusa_fw-la and_o acknowledge_v none_o but_o acquisita_fw-la faith_n natural_a and_o shrewd_a suspicion_n that_o way_n be_v betray_v by_o mr._n chillingsworth_n as_o if_o he_o acknowledge_v no_o faith_n but_o faith_n natural_a 2._o but_o be_v it_o grant_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a 1._o consider_v the_o force_n of_o this_o proposition_n it_o be_v but_o a_o indefinite_a and_o the_o matter_n be_v apparent_o contingent_a for_o undoubted_o it_o be_v at_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n to_o speak_v after_o what_o manner_n he_o think_v good_a hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o force_n hereof_o be_v but_o the_o force_n of_o a_o particular_a proposition_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n in_o some_o place_n be_v obscure_a or_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o indeed_o gregory_n of_o old_a have_v profess_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v like_a unto_o a_o ford_n wherein_o a_o lamb_n may_v wade_v and_o a_o elephant_n may_v swim_v and_o before_o he_o s._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o contain_v both_o milk_n for_o babe_n and_o strong_a meat_n for_o man_n there_o be_v enough_o and_o that_o plain_a enough_o to_o satisfy_v the_o hungry_a and_o there_o be_v also_o enough_o and_o that_o obscure_a enough_o to_o prevent_v non-sealing_a especial_o in_o the_o prophecy_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v the_o first_o promise_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n be_v this_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n here_o be_v a_o double_a mystery_n in_o general_a notion_n carry_v the_o one_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n person_n express_v by_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n but_o imply_v to_o be_v somewhat_o more_o yea_o much_o more_o even_o such_o a_o one_o as_o shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n the_o other_o the_o mystery_n of_o his_o office_n carry_v only_o in_o this_o general_a notion_n of_o break_v the_o serpent_n head_n in_o this_o time_n of_o grace_n we_o know_v this_o to_o have_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v by_o his_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n and_o his_o rise_n again_o for_o our_o justification_n have_v this_o be_v know_v to_o satan_n as_o now_o it_o be_v to_o we_o be_v it_o credible_a that_o he_o will_v have_v persuade_v judas_n as_o he_o do_v to_o contract_v with_o the_o high_a priest_n to_o betray_v he_o into_o their_o hand_n that_o be_v judas_n like_v after_o he_o have_v betray_v his_o master_n to_o go_v forth_o and_o hang_v himself_o for_o we_o know_v that_o upon_o the_o cross_n he_o spoil_v principality_n and_o power_n and_o make_v a_o show_n of_o they_o open_o and_o triumph_v over_o they_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n undoubt_o be_v a_o day_n of_o extreme_a confusion_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o all_o his_o angel_n of_o darkness_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v they_o know_v this_o mystery_n of_o his_o person_n they_o will_v not_o have_v crucify_v the_o
the_o socinian_o of_o these_o day_n who_o opinion_n be_v cry_v down_o at_o paris_n and_o open_o proclaim_v heretical_a by_o the_o sound_n of_o a_o trumpet_n 3._o or_o shall_v the_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o congruity_n of_o it_o to_o natural_a reason_n as_o the_o socinian_o make_v it_o this_o be_v most_o shameful_a and_o unreasonable_a consider_v 1._o that_o our_o natural_a reason_n be_v much_o corrupt_a by_o the_o sin_n of_o adam_n the_o thing_n of_o god_n seem_v foolishness_n to_o the_o natural_a man_n 1_o cor._n 2.14_o natural_o we_o be_v all_o darkness_n 2._o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n do_v we_o think_v that_o adam_n by_o natural_a reason_n be_v able_a to_o find_v out_o or_o justify_v the_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o deity_n we_o say_v god_n may_v be_v know_v by_o light_n of_o nature_n quod_fw-la attinet_fw-la ad_fw-la vnitatem_fw-la naturae_fw-la but_o not_o know_v quod_fw-la attinet_fw-la at_o trinitatem_fw-la personarum_fw-la god_n have_v set_v the_o world_n in_o man_n heart_n say_v solomon_n yet_o can_v he_o not_o find_v out_o the_o work_n that_o he_o have_v wrought_v from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n eccl._n 3._o and_o if_o he_o can_v find_v out_o the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v he_o able_a to_o find_v out_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n himself_o we_o know_v he_o be_v say_v to_o dwell_v in_o a_o dark_a cloud_n disc_n obj._n some_o may_v object_v the_o sect_n do_v not_o follow_v the_o scripture_n only_o but_o they_o add_v the_o papist_n their_o tradition_n the_o calvinist_n their_o reason_n the_o anabaptist_n their_o dream_n i_o answer_v they_o do_v so_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o clear_o teach_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o in_o the_o controversy_n between_o they_o and_o lutheran_n they_o proceed_v not_o so_o but_o by_o scripture_n they_o fight_v against_o lutheran_n tenant_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o scripture_n and_o endeavour_v by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o sight_n for_o and_o defend_v their_o own_o which_o the_o lutheran_n by_o scripture_n do_v condemn_v nay_o more_o there_o be_v some_o viz._n the_o anabaptist_n that_o urge_v the_o scripture_n in_o the_o very_a letter_n more_o than_o the_o rest_n the_o calvinist_n use_v their_o reason_n and_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n draw_v argument_n which_o thing_n the_o lutheran_n also_o do_v never_o suffer_v any_o of_o they_o to_o reason_n against_o the_o scripture_n consid_fw-la this_o author_n will_v have_v the_o make_n of_o his_o own_o bed_n and_o shape_n his_o reader_n at_o the_o first_o encounter_n to_o yield_v acknowledge_v the_o uncontradictable_a nature_n of_o his_o former_a one_o only_a argument_n which_o yet_o i_o have_v show_v to_o be_v both_o very_a weak_a very_o ridiculous_a and_o very_o untrue_a but_o we_o keep_v our_o ground_n profess_v to_o the_o world_n that_o the_o scripture_n alone_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o no_o word_n of_o man_n papist_n add_v tradition_n which_o yet_o they_o account_v the_o word_n of_o god_n unwritten_a we_o abhor_v to_o make_v any_o thing_n the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v false_o say_v that_o calvinist_n add_v their_o reason_n they_o rather_o suppose_v reason_n than_o add_v it_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v give_v to_o none_o but_o reasonable_a creature_n neither_o do_v we_o make_v this_o reason_n of_o we_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n add_v to_o god_n word_n but_o it_o be_v that_o light_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o wherewith_o to_o search_v into_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n and_o by_o studious_a inquisition_n and_o observation_n to_o discover_v it_o and_o make_v it_o know_v to_o other_o and_o by_o good_a reason_n out_o of_o the_o text_n to_o convict_v other_o of_o the_o truth_n and_o do_v this_o author_n reason_n go_v to_o bed_n and_o sleep_v when_o he_o come_v to_o read_v and_o studious_o to_o consider_v the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o it_o do_v he_o will_v prove_v no_o better_o than_o a_o drowsy_a student_n and_o i_o know_v no_o reason_n but_o such_o a_o one_o may_v be_v in_o love_n with_o dream_n as_o well_o as_o anabaptist_n 1._o in_o his_o answer_n he_o carry_v himself_o most_o absurd_o and_o ridiculous_o for_o 1._o most_o insipid_o he_o suppose_v that_o the_o controversy_n among_o protestant_a divine_n be_v about_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v clear_o teach_v in_o scripture_n as_o if_o they_o agree_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o clear_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n and_o differ_v only_o about_o thing_n which_o be_v clear_o deliver_v there_o 2._o he_o suppose_v that_o calvinist_n do_v not_o use_v reason_n in_o the_o controversy_n between_o they_o and_o the_o lutheran_n but_o only_o in_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v most_o untrue_a and_o absurd_a withal_o for_o controversy_n can_v possible_o be_v manage_v without_o reason_n both_o as_o touch_v the_o proof_n of_o their_o own_o tenet_n and_o touch_v the_o disproof_n of_o the_o tenet_n oposite_a and_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o guise_n of_o the_o lutheran_n also_o it_o be_v false_a which_o he_o say_v of_o anabaptist_n that_o they_o urge_v the_o very_a letter_n of_o scripture_n more_o than_o the_o rest_n for_o both_o calvinist_n and_o lutheran_n insist_v whole_o upon_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o more_o than_o the_o anabaptist_n in_o case_n they_o as_o former_o by_o this_o author_n say_v do_v depend_v in_o dream_n for_o so_o do_v not_o protestant_n but_o on_o scripture_n only_o and_o that_o according_a unto_o sense_n literal_a not_o at_o all_o according_a to_o sense_n mystical_a save_v only_o in_o case_n the_o sense_n mystical_a be_v expound_v by_o some_o apostle_n and_o thereby_o make_v literal_a 2._o but_o herein_o this_o author_n ignorance_n discover_v its_o self_n that_o he_o confound_v sense_n literal_a with_o the_o proper_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n we_o acknowledge_v sense_n literal_a to_o comprehend_v sense_n metaphorical_a as_o well_o as_o proper_a and_o to_o stand_v in_o contradiction_n only_o to_o sense_n mystical_a but_o in_o case_n we_o take_v that_o in_o a_o metaphorical_a sense_n which_o our_o adversary_n in_o any_o point_n take_v in_o a_o sense_n proper_a if_o we_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o sense_n wherein_o we_o take_v it_o and_o disprove_v they_o by_o convince_a argument_n we_o will_v allow_v the_o liberty_n to_o reject_v our_o tenet_n and_o follow_v their_o own_o for_o we_o desire_v to_o make_v our_o faith_n evident_a to_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o opposite_n and_o if_o they_o can_v make_v their_o tenet_n in_o like_a manner_n evident_a to_o we_o we_o will_v renounce_v our_o own_o and_o embrace_v they_o 3._o and_o this_o author_n speak_v at_o random_n and_o he_o know_v not_o what_o when_o he_o will_v have_v his_o reader_n believe_v the_o calvinist_n permit_v any_o to_o reason_n against_o the_o scripture_n for_o by_o reason_n to_o clear_v the_o meaning_n 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they_o may_v proceed_v one_o step_n further_o and_o say_v i_o myself_o alone_a think_v this_o to_o be_v true_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v true_a but_o the_o spirit_n of_o illumination_n be_v give_v only_o to_o satisfy_v they_o that_o have_v it_o not_o to_o boast_v of_o it_o but_o to_o comfort_v themselves_o with_o it_o rather_o much_o less_o to_o obtrude_v it_o upon_o other_o only_o light_a natural_a be_v communicable_a unto_o other_o by_o rational_a discourse_n light_v spiritual_a be_v not_o i_o can_v more_o communicate_v that_o to_o another_o than_o my_o see_v or_o hear_v or_o smell_v or_o taste_v disc_n last_o if_o we_o build_v our_o religion_n only_o upon_o the_o scripture_n the_o learned_a shall_v have_v a_o great_a prerogative_n above_o the_o unlearned_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n and_o shall_v be_v more_o engage_v in_o thankfulness_n unto_o god_n than_o they_o and_o so_o religion_n shall_v favour_v and_o cleave_v to_o good_a wit_n also_o many_o have_v their_o sense_n exercise_v in_o the_o scripture_n or_o be_v more_o inventive_a than_o other_o therefore_o if_o a_o man_n can_v by_o dispute_v and_o reason_v consute_n some_o thesis_n and_o as_o it_o be_v take_v away_o a_o man_n opinion_n from_o he_o and_o become_v conqueror_n he_o shall_v also_o take_v away_o his_o religion_n and_o the_o other_o shall_v be_v constrain_v either_o to_o take_v up_o his_o conqueror_n religion_n or_o against_o his_o conscience_n to_o keep_v his_o own_o nor_o will_v that_o answer_n serve_v the_o turn_n our_o divine_n and_o pastor_n can_v answer_v you_o though_o i_o can_v for_o than_o shall_v i_o believe_v with_o another_o man_n faith_n but_o say_v must_v be_v i_o not_o another_o man_n else_o shall_v salvation_n also_o be_v another_o man_n if_o religion_n be_v the_o service_n of_o god_n certain_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v understand_v that_o service_n which_o i_o must_v perform_v to_o my_o lord_n see_v god_n will_v not_o reckon_v another_o 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a_o calvinist_n doctor_n one_o doctor_n bergius_n a_o preacher_n at_o breme_n affirm_v in_o his_o late_a publish_a sermon_n that_o controversy_n be_v not_o mere_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o clear_a about_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o contrariety_n between_o the_o religious_a themselves_o at_o which_o also_o the_o leipsich_n collation_n between_o the_o lutheran_n and_o the_o calvinist_n seem_v to_o aim_v consid_fw-la in_o all_o profession_n whether_o liberal_a or_o mechanical_a the_o learned_a have_v a_o prerogative_n above_o the_o unlearned_a and_o what_o inconvenience_n be_v there_o if_o it_o be_v so_o in_o christian_a religion_n also_o do_v not_o s._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o unlearned_a pervert_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3._o yet_o this_o prerogative_n be_v in_o learning_n only_o not_o in_o holiness_n the_o unlearned_a may_v be_v as_o holy_a as_o the_o learned_a and_o have_v as_o great_a a_o interest_n both_o in_o sanctify_a grace_n and_o in_o save_v glory_n what_o say_v austin_n of_o himself_o and_o such_o like_a scholar_n in_o comparison_n of_o his_o mother_n monica_n and_o such_o like_a holy_a though_o simple_a woman_n mulierculae_fw-la istae_fw-la lacrimis_fw-la suis_fw-la caelum_fw-la nobis_fw-la praeripiunt_fw-la when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o we_o can_v with_o all_o our_o learning_n these_o woman_n with_o their_o tear_n will_v get_v heaven_n before_o we_o and_o as_o for_o holiness_n so_o for_o faith_n a_o unlearned_a man_n may_v have_v faith_n as_o well_o as_o the_o learned_a nay_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v call_v fides_fw-la infusa_fw-la may_v be_v find_v in_o a_o man_n unlearned_a when_o the_o faith_n of_o he_o that_o be_v learn_v be_v find_v to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o fides_fw-la acquisita_fw-la a_o faith_n natural_a and_o they_o that_o have_v true_a faith_n by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v not_o want_v gracious_a wit_n howsoever_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v by_o faith_n natural_a be_v accompany_v with_o better_a natural_a wit_n yet_o a_o idle_a wit_n be_v it_o never_o so_o good_a will_v hardly_o prove_v learn_v and_o be_v it_o never_o so_o learned_a if_o it_o be_v without_o grace_n such_o a_o man_n religion_n will_v prove_v but_o vain_a and_o though_o he_o be_v able_a to_o worst_a another_o in_o disputation_n yet_o shall_v he_o never_o pull_v true_a religion_n in_o any_o child_n of_o god_n be_v he_o never_o so_o weak_a and_o unlearned_a out_o of_o socket_n because_o our_o faith_n and_o religion_n consist_v not_o in_o wisdom_n of_o word_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o s._n paul_n speak_v say_v my_o word_n and_o my_o preach_n stand_v not_o in_o the_o entice_a speech_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o in_o plain_a evidence_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o power_n that_o your_o faith_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n 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without_o fly_v to_o any_o such_o skulk_a hole_n as_o to_o say_v our_o divine_n and_o pastor_n can_v answer_v you_o though_o i_o can_v but_o i_o wonder_v much_o that_o any_o sober_a christian_a upon_o any_o pretence_n shall_v dispute_v against_o the_o build_n of_o our_o religion_n only_o upon_o scripture_n unless_o with_o papist_n he_o will_v bring_v in_o tradition_n or_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n or_o on_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o pope_n for_o if_o we_o fly_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o must_v rest_v either_o upon_o the_o word_n of_o man_n or_o upon_o natural_a reason_n a_o christian_a i_o conceive_v shall_v think_v the_o scripture_n sufficient_a to_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n direct_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o search_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o discern_a of_o he_o and_o if_o controversy_n be_v leave_v to_o learned_a man_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n why_o our_o religion_n shall_v but_o only_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o controversial_o maintain_v it_o by_o variety_n of_o argument_n and_o deduction_n out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o solve_v contrary_a argument_n bring_v against_o it_o in_o any_o particular_a point_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o sure_o shall_v belong_v to_o he_o that_o sit_v at_o gamaliels_n foot_n as_o well_o as_o to_o gamaliel_n himself_o nor_o only_o to_o such_o as_o sit_v at_o his_o foot_n but_o to_o such_o also_o as_o follow_v the_o plow-tail_n yea_o and_o to_o the_o weak_a sex_n of_o woman_n and_o to_o child_n too_o for_o even_o to_o such_o belong_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o be_v there_o no_o book_n at_o all_o write_v or_o sermon_n preach_v in_o any_o point_n of_o controversy_n or_o difference_n between_o we_o yet_o papist_n shall_v be_v papist_n still_o and_o not_o protestant_n and_o protestant_n shall_v be_v protestant_n still_o and_o not_o papist_n and_o