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reason_n church_n faith_n infallible_a 3,610 5 9.7555 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A56384 A defence and continuation of the ecclesiastical politie by way of letter to a friend in London : together with a letter from the author of The friendly debate. Parker, Samuel, 1640-1688.; Patrick, Simon, 1626-1707. Friendly debate. 1671 (1671) Wing P457; ESTC R22456 313,100 770

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except_v this_o single_a one_o i_o will_v in_o requital_n free_o grant_v he_o all_o his_o other_o nine_o if_o that_o will_v do_v he_o any_o service_n though_o for_o what_o use_n he_o intend_v they_o in_o our_o present_a enquiry_n i_o confess_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o divine_v however_o i_o be_o not_o at_o all_o concern_v in_o they_o and_o therefore_o if_o he_o can_v make_v any_o advantage_n of_o their_o service_n much_o good_a may_v they_o do_v he_o and_o now_o have_v drive_v the_o nail_n thus_o home_o with_o hard_a notion_n out_o of_o the_o schoolman_n he_o clinch_v it_o with_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o father_n and_o if_o i_o will_v not_o be_v bear_v down_o by_o strength_n of_o reason_n no_o nor_o confidence_n he_o resolve_v to_o sweep_v i_o away_o with_o the_o torrent_n of_o authority_n but_o though_o he_o argue_v very_o ill_a yet_o he_o quote_v much_o worse_a for_o you_o know_v it_o have_v be_v a_o old_a and_o beat_a controversy_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o 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he_o profess_v himself_o the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n but_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o this_o confession_n refer_v not_o to_o his_o present_a condition_n but_o to_o the_o time_n of_o his_o be_v injurious_a a_o blasphemer_n and_o a_o persecutor_n when_o no_o man_n revile_v the_o son_n of_o god_n with_o fierce_a zeal_n and_o confidence_n or_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n with_o more_o barbarous_a outrage_n and_o inhumanity_n which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o crime_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o so_o bold_a a_o affront_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n have_v he_o not_o reason_n think_v you_o to_o mark_v himself_o for_o one_o of_o the_o great_a sinner_n that_o ever_o obtain_v pardon_n for_o as_o for_o such_o as_o have_v affront_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o christ_n against_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o own_o conscience_n they_o come_v not_o into_o this_o account_n of_o pardonable_a offender_n as_o be_v fatal_o consign_v up_o to_o a_o state_n of_o 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live_a water_n and_o hew_v out_o cistern_n break_a cistern_n that_o can_v hold_v no_o water_n and_o if_o they_o can_v vie_v lewdness_n and_o hypocrisy_n with_o that_o holy_a nation_n let_v they_o continue_v to_o foist_v into_o their_o prayer_n those_o dark_a character_n wherewith_o the_o prophet_n describe_v the_o unparalleled_a wickedness_n of_o that_o people_n nay_o far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o to_o abridge_v they_o the_o liberty_n of_o help_v out_o their_o stiff_a fancy_n by_o purloin_v lofty_a expression_n out_o of_o the_o prophetic_a write_n if_o the_o israel_n of_o god_n be_v not_o endue_v with_o more_o grace_n at_o present_a than_o it_o be_v twenty_o year_n since_o as_o i._o o._n describe_v they_o before_o the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o commons_o assemble_v in_o parliament_n april_n 19_o 1649._o pag._n 39_o we_o have_v call_v world_n christ_n and_o lust_n christ_n and_o self_n christ_n work_v indeed_o for_o they_o when_o we_o pretend_v all_o for_o christ._n now_o this_o doctrine_n be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o false_a what_o a_o bold_a and_o ungodly_a slander_n be_v this_o to_o brand_v these_o darling_n of_o providence_n these_o precious_a servant_n of_o the_o lord_n christ_n these_o patriot_n of_o their_o country_n these_o father_n of_o the_o public_a liberty_n our_o author_n may_v remember_v who_o flatter_v they_o with_o these_o special_a title_n with_o such_o a_o a_o monstrous_a and_o profligate_v hypocrisy_n if_o true_a than_o what_o anoint_v saint_n be_v those_o who_o under_o colour_n of_o set_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o rescue_v the_o people_n of_o england_n from_o the_o dismal_a oppression_n both_o of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a tyranny_n he_o may_v understand_v this_o language_n too_o have_v embroil_v the_o nation_n in_o a_o bloody_a war_n have_v sacrifice_v so_o many_o thousand_o life_n and_o have_v butcher_v
objection_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o my_o persuasion_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o close_a of_o this_o enquiry_n that_o we_o can_v give_v no_o other_o imaginable_a answer_n to_o it_o than_o that_o man_n who_o plead_v for_o indulgence_n and_o liberty_n of_o conscience_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o word_n and_o the_o light_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o therein_o have_v indeed_o no_o conscience_n at_o all_o when_o this_o answer_n be_v so_o infinite_o silly_a that_o we_o can_v scarce_o suppose_v any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n so_o extravagant_a as_o to_o pretend_v it_o and_o when_o there_o be_v other_o very_a pertinent_a reply_v so_o easy_a and_o so_o obvious_a viz._n that_o they_o may_v possible_o have_v no_o conscience_n at_o all_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v or_o at_o least_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v abuse_v with_o foolish_a or_o debauch_v with_o wicked_a principle_n and_o so_o may_v plot_v or_o practice_v sedition_n against_o the_o state_n under_o pretence_n or_o mistake_n of_o conscience_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o plead_v its_o authority_n against_o the_o command_n of_o lawful_a superior_n in_o fine_a to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o so_o brisk_o taunt_v i_o for_o thwart_v my_o own_o principle_n 135._o because_o i_o have_v censure_v the_o impertinency_n of_o a_o needless_a provision_n in_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n i_o may_v obey_v the_o law_n though_o i_o may_v be_v of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n from_o the_o lawgiver_n in_o a_o opinion_n remote_a and_o impertinent_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o nay_o i_o may_v condemn_v the_o wisdom_n of_o enact_v it_o and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n think_v myself_o to_o lie_v under_o a_o indispensable_a obligation_n to_o obey_v it_o for_o the_o formal_a reason_n of_o its_o obligatory_a power_n as_o any_o casuist_n will_v inform_v he_o be_v not_o the_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o lawgiver_n but_o the_o declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n there_o be_v abundance_n more_o of_o this_o slender_a stuff_n wherewith_o as_o himself_o brag_v he_o have_v load_v this_o principle_n though_o alas_o be_v its_o foundation_n never_o so_o weak_a and_o tremble_a it_o may_v secure_o enough_o support_v so_o light_a a_o burden_n and_o though_o it_o be_v real_o bottom_v upon_o the_o sand_n there_o be_v but_o little_a danger_n that_o such_o a_o shallow_a stream_n of_o talk_n shall_v overturn_v it_o so_o that_o though_o i_o stand_v upon_o such_o advantageous_a ground_n if_o i_o shall_v descend_v to_o a_o strict_a and_o particular_a examination_n of_o all_o the_o flaw_n and_o folly_n of_o his_o tattle_n yet_o they_o be_v so_o apparent_o false_a or_o impertinent_a or_o both_o and_o afford_v so_o little_a occasion_n for_o useful_a and_o material_a discourse_n that_o i_o have_v rather_o choose_v to_o forego_v my_o own_o advantage_n than_o spoil_v my_o book_n and_o tire_v my_o reader_n by_o insist_v too_o tedious_o upon_o such_o empty_a trifle_n and_o dream_n of_o shadow_n to_o conclude_v this_o author_n be_v so_o accustom_a to_o popular_a impertinency_n that_o he_o seem_v to_o hate_v severe_a discourse_n as_o much_o as_o carnal_a reason_n and_o both_o as_o much_o as_o idolatry_n so_o that_o he_o only_o prate_v when_o he_o shall_v argue_v and_o inveigh_v when_o he_o shall_v confute_v give_v he_o what_o advantage_n you_o will_v he_o regard_v it_o not_o but_o jog_v on_o in_o his_o road_n of_o talk_v and_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o you_o take_v the_o right_a or_o wrong_a handle_n of_o the_o question_n it_o may_v be_v either_o for_o any_o thing_n material_a that_o he_o have_v to_o except_v against_o it_o nay_o you_o may_v suffer_v he_o to_o lime-twig_n you_o with_o ink_n and_o paper_n and_o gag_n you_o with_o a_o quill_n and_o put_v what_o word_n he_o please_v into_o your_o mouth_n and_o yet_o easy_o defend_v yourself_o against_o all_o his_o faint_a assault_n and_o impertinent_a objection_n in_o so_o much_o that_o i_o dare_v undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o the_o thick_a and_o most_o defenceless_a imposture_n in_o the_o world_n against_o his_o weak_a and_o miserable_a way_n of_o confutation_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o i_o can_v produce_v as_o strong_a and_o enforce_v evidence_n for_o the_o divine_a original_a and_o authority_n of_o the_o alcoran_n as_o some_o body_n have_v for_o the_o self-evidencing_a light_n and_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n chap._n iu._n the_o content_n no_o difference_n among_o the_o ancient_n between_o moral_a virtue_n and_o evangelical_n grace_n the_o vanity_n and_o novelty_n of_o our_o late_a spiritual_a divinity_n our_o author_n fond_a tittle-tattle_n against_o my_o scheme_n of_o religion_n religion_n be_v now_o the_o same_o for_o design_n and_o substance_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n the_o gospel_n be_v chief_o design_v as_o a_o restitution_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n our_o duty_n to_o god_n best_o describe_v by_o gratitude_n repentance_n conversion_n humiliation_n self-denial_n mortification_n faith_n and_o other_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n prove_v to_o be_v moral_a virtue_n our_o author_n after_o his_o rate_n of_o cavil_v will_v have_v quarrel_v our_o saviour_n for_o his_o short_a account_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o man._n his_o intolerable_a slander_n in_o charge_v i_o of_o confine_v the_o influence_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n his_o prodigious_a impudence_n in_o ascribe_v all_o his_o own_o folly_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o extraordinary_a concurrence_n of_o the_o spirit_n prove_v itself_o by_o some_o evident_a miracle_n the_o ordinary_a work_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o if_o it_o be_v perform_v pure_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n our_o author_n himself_o be_v not_o able_a to_o assign_v any_o real_a difference_n between_o grace_n and_o virtue_n their_o mere_a distinguish_n between_o they_o be_v destructive_a of_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o real_a goodness_n a_o account_n of_o the_o mechanical_a enthusiasm_n of_o their_o spiritual_a divinity_n our_o author_n own_o account_n of_o their_o spiritual_a godliness_n be_v a_o clear_a instance_n of_o its_o folly_n moral_a virtue_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o hindrance_n that_o it_o be_v the_o best_a preparative_n to_o conversion_n it_o be_v not_o moral_a goodness_n but_o immoral_a godliness_n that_o keep_v off_o the_o pharisee_n from_o close_v with_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o argument_n from_o the_o magistrate_n power_n over_o moral_a duty_n to_o his_o power_n over_o religious_a worship_n clear_v and_o vindicate_v the_o difference_n assign_v for_o this_o purpose_n between_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o revelation_n false_a and_o impertinent_a their_o vain_a resolution_n to_o find_v out_o particular_a rule_n of_o institute_v worship_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o original_a of_o all_o their_o folly_n religious_a worship_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o earthly_a power_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n as_o moral_a virtue_n be_v a_o short_a account_n of_o some_o of_o our_o author_n faint_a essay_n §_o 1._o have_v in_o the_o former_a chapter_n give_v a_o account_n large_a enough_o of_o our_o author_n way_n of_o confutation_n by_o shuffle_a cavil_n and_o bold_a calumny_n i_o shall_v hereafter_o forbear_v to_o cloy_v the_o reader_n or_o tire_v myself_o with_o any_o far_a regard_n to_o such_o trifle_a exception_n as_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o more_o useful_a and_o edify_a discourse_n and_o shall_v only_o insist_v upon_o such_o particular_n as_o may_v be_v considerable_a enough_o to_o recompense_v the_o pain_n of_o our_o enquiry_n my_o design_n then_o in_o the_o next_o chapter_n which_o our_o wise_a objector_n except_v against_o be_v to_o draw_v a_o parallel_n between_o matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o duty_n of_o morality_n and_o to_o remonstrate_v to_o the_o world_n how_o they_o be_v equal_o subject_a to_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o for_o a_o more_o ample_a confirmation_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o give_v such_o a_o intelligible_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o religion_n as_o reduce_v all_o its_o part_n and_o branch_n either_o to_o the_o virtue_n or_o the_o instrument_n of_o moral_a goodness_n from_o whence_o i_o conclude_v as_o i_o think_v fair_o enough_o that_o see_v prince_n be_v allow_v by_o the_o avow_a principle_n of_o all_o mankind_n a_o sovereign_a power_n in_o reference_n to_o moral_a virtue_n that_o be_v the_o most_o material_a duty_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a they_o shall_v be_v allow_v at_o least_o the_o same_o authority_n over_o the_o outward_a matter_n of_o religious_a worship_n that_o be_v but_o circumstance_n of_o religion_n or_o instrument_n of_o morality_n but_o our_o author_n startle_v at_o the_o strangeness_n
for_o come_v so_o near_a home_o and_o love_v to_o keep_v aloof_o off_o from_o present_a transaction_n a_o man_n may_v talk_v confident_a conjecture_n of_o thing_n that_o happen_v so_o many_o thousand_o year_n ago_o and_o tell_v fine_a story_n of_o man_n that_o beget_v son_n and_o daughter_n before_o the_o flood_n but_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o talk_v of_o the_o history_n and_o constitution_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o present_a world_n a_o man_n may_v possible_o contradict_v know_v and_o undeniable_a experience_n and_o every_o novice_n that_o be_v never_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o present_a state_n of_o foreign_a church_n will_v be_v able_a to_o check_v and_o shame_v our_o confidence_n and_o there_o be_v two_o unhappy_a book_n of_o mr._n durel_n that_o plain_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o be_v a_o new_a race_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o sufficient_o polish_a and_o civilise_a for_o humane_a society_n and_o such_o as_o whilst_o we_o continue_v fond_a of_o our_o wild_a and_o barbarous_a principle_n must_v be_v banish_v all_o establish_v church_n and_o commonwealth_n in_o europe_n §_o 10._o in_o the_o close_a of_o this_o chapter_n i_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o use_n of_o significant_a ceremony_n that_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o external_a worship_n under_o a_o different_a name_n outward_a worship_n consist_v in_o nothing_o else_o but_o signify_v our_o inward_a thought_n and_o sentiment_n of_o religion_n either_o by_o word_n or_o action_n where_o i_o show_v that_o it_o may_v be_v indifferent_o express_v and_o perform_v by_o either_o and_o that_o gesture_n of_o reverence_n be_v of_o the_o same_o use_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o solemn_a praise_n and_o acknowledgement_n and_o that_o to_o bow_v the_o body_n at_o the_o mention_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n be_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o honour_n to_o his_o person_n as_o to_o celebrate_v his_o name_n with_o hymn_n and_o thanksgiving_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o magistrate_n prerogative_n of_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n amount_v to_o nothing_o more_o than_o a_o power_n of_o define_v the_o import_n of_o word_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o it_o be_v no_o other_o usurpation_n upon_o his_o subject_n conscience_n than_o if_o he_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o refine_v their_o language_n and_o determine_v the_o proper_a signification_n of_o all_o phrase_n employ_v in_o divine_a worship_n as_o well_o as_o in_o trade_n art_n and_o science_n and_o therefore_o i_o can_v not_o but_o profess_v my_o admiration_n at_o the_o prodigious_a confidence_n and_o impertinence_n of_o those_o man_n that_o can_v raise_v such_o hideous_a noise_n and_o outcry_n against_o the_o law_n of_o a_o settle_a church_n and_o state_n upon_o such_o slender_a ground_n and_o pretence_n but_o here_o our_o author_n quick_o requite_v i_o with_o a_o counter-wonder_n 276._o that_o i_o can_v express_v my_o dissent_n from_o other_o in_o controvert_v point_n of_o the_o mean_a and_o low_a concernment_n but_o with_o cry_v out_o prodigy_n clamour_n impertinency_n and_o the_o like_a expression_n of_o astonishment_n in_o myself_o and_o contempt_n of_o other_o i_o may_v reserve_v some_o of_o these_o great_a word_n for_o more_o important_a occasion_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v these_o be_v not_o any_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a importance_n and_o be_v our_o dispute_n mere_o concern_v in_o their_o speculation_n i_o can_v discourse_v as_o cool_o and_o careless_o about_o they_o as_o about_o a_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n or_o a_o metaphysical_a notion_n and_o shall_v not_o be_v more_o eager_o concern_v to_o resolve_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o question_n than_o i_o be_o to_o determine_v the_o principle_n of_o individuation_n but_o when_o the_o establish_v government_n of_o a_o nation_n shall_v be_v subvert_v by_o such_o nice_a and_o new-invented_n subtlety_n when_o never_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v more_o rude_o treat_v by_o she_o own_o child_n than_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o the_o puritan_n schismatic_n when_o man_n shall_v cry_v out_o antichrist_n popery_n and_o superstition_n and_o all_o for_o the_o idolatry_n of_o a_o significant_a ceremony_n and_o when_o this_o clamorous_a exception_n be_v so_o vain_a so_o groundless_a and_o impertinent_a be_v it_o not_o infinite_o prodigious_a to_o see_v man_n so_o confident_a and_o troublesome_a upon_o such_o slight_a and_o vanish_v appearance_n what_o scurrilous_a language_n do_v they_o continual_o pour_v forth_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n what_o ignominious_a title_n do_v they_o fasten_v upon_o her_o friend_n and_o follower_n and_o with_o what_o disdain_n and_o insolence_n do_v they_o spit_v at_o her_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o devotion_n into_o what_o woeful_a and_o endless_a schism_n do_v they_o drive_v their_o proselyte_n from_o her_o communion_n what_o disturbance_n do_v they_o create_v in_o the_o state_n and_o what_o rupture_n in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o do_v they_o imbroil_v and_o discompose_v the_o peaceable_a setlement_n of_o a_o flourish_a kingdom_n and_o all_o this_o mere_o out_o of_o hatred_n to_o the_o popery_n and_o paganism_n of_o a_o symbolical_a rite_n for_o ever_o since_o the_o sceptre_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o they_o style_v their_o presbyterial_a consistory_n have_v be_v wrest_v from_o they_o by_o force_n of_o argument_n and_o ever_o since_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o the_o holy_a discipline_n have_v be_v so_o shameful_o explode_v and_o that_o time_n and_o experience_n have_v put_v a_o baffle_n upon_o the_o confidence_n of_o their_o old_a plea_n and_o pretence_n all_o the_o outcry_n have_v be_v against_o the_o unwarrantableness_n of_o institute_v ceremony_n which_o after_o innumerable_a train_n of_o distinction_n and_o limitation_n about_o natural_a and_o customary_a and_o topical_a sign_n still_o spend_v itself_o against_o the_o superstition_n of_o mystical_a and_o significant_a rite_n so_o that_o the_o substance_n of_o this_o whole_a contest_v be_v now_o at_o length_n resolve_v into_o this_o single_a enquiry_n and_o upon_o this_o all_o their_o deep_o and_o more_o subtle_a man_n of_o controversy_n spend_v all_o their_o choler_n and_o metaphysic_n it_o be_v true_a they_o defend_v themselves_o with_o the_o plea_n of_o scandal_n tenderness_n of_o conscience_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o they_o use_v their_o offensive_a weapon_n they_o scarce_o annoy_v we_o with_o any_o other_o objection_n than_o what_o be_v level_v against_o the_o church_n usurpation_n in_o take_v upon_o she_o to_o appoint_v new_a ceremony_n and_o institution_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o ever_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o cry_v out_o prodigy_n clamour_n and_o impertinency_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o subject_n and_o this_o occasion_n when_o my_o thought_n be_v warm_a with_o reflect_v upon_o those_o mighty_a trouble_n and_o inconvenience_n under_o which_o these_o man_n have_v bring_v the_o best_a establish_v church_n in_o the_o world_n by_o their_o unreasonable_a folly_n and_o curiosity_n for_o tell_v i_o sir_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o shake_v the_o foundation_n and_o hazard_v the_o overthrow_n of_o a_o settle_a church_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o discompose_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o a_o settle_a state_n be_v it_o nothing_o for_o subject_n to_o withdraw_v their_o assistance_n from_o their_o prince_n and_o their_o country_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o violate_v the_o fundamental_a law_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n and_o charity_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o rend_v the_o body_n of_o a_o church_n into_o numberless_a schism_n and_o contention_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o keep_v up_o implacable_a feud_n and_o animosity_n among_o member_n of_o the_o same_o commonwealth_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o harden_v debauch_v and_o ungodly_a man_n against_o religion_n itself_o by_o give_v they_o too_o much_o reason_n to_o suspect_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v troublesome_a and_o mischievous_a to_o government_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o encourage_v the_o design_n of_o sacrilegious_a wretch_n by_o give_v they_o advantage_n under_o the_o disguise_n of_o zeal_n and_o purity_n to_o prey_v upon_o the_o church_n antichristian_a patrimony_n in_o a_o word_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o gore_v the_o bowel_n of_o a_o kingdom_n with_o everlasting_a change_n and_o reformation_n and_o all_o this_o upon_o pretence_n as_o thin_a as_o sope-bubble_n and_o as_o brittle_a as_o glassdrop_n §_o 11._o but_o let_v we_o take_v a_o brief_a survey_v of_o their_o particular_a reason_n and_o exception_n and_o then_o our_o wonder_n at_o these_o man_n confidence_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o abate_v that_o it_o will_v swell_v into_o ecstasy_n and_o downright_a astonishment_n for_o first_o say_v our_o author_n to_o say_v that_o the_o magistrate_n have_v power_n to_o institute_v visible_a sign_n of_o god_n honour_n 277._o to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o outward_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v upon_o the_o matter_n to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v power_n to_o institute_v new_a sacrament_n for_o so_o
infallibility_n of_o the_o papal_a chair_n because_o to_o appeal_v thither_o will_v quick_o reconcile_v all_o the_o squabble_n and_o contention_n of_o christendom_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v there_o any_o competent_a evidence_n that_o his_o holiness_n be_v real_o vest_v in_o any_o such_o absolute_a and_o uncontrollable_a sovereignty_n over_o christian_a prince_n but_o the_o mischief_n be_v there_o no_o where_o appear_v any_o warrant_n or_o commission_n to_o authorise_v any_o such_o mighty_a judicature_n so_o that_o by_o agree_v to_o devolve_v the_o determination_n of_o all_o our_o dispute_n upon_o their_o final_a decree_n we_o shall_v only_o bring_v ourselves_o under_o this_o desperate_a inconvenience_n to_o embrace_v and_o submit_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v or_o may_v be_v for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o see_v or_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n and_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o believe_v all_o the_o absurdity_n in_o the_o world_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o counterfeit_a infallibility_n and_o so_o be_v unavoidable_o oblige_v to_o swallow_v the_o gross_a error_n and_o imposture_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o rule_n of_o religion_n and_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a and_o necessary_a result_n of_o this_o pretence_n if_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a it_o will_v do_v wonderful_a feat_n towards_o appease_v all_o our_o quarrel_n and_o division_n but_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o will_v only_o serve_v to_o create_v and_o propagate_v they_o for_o ever_o and_o as_o long_o as_o man_n persist_v in_o its_o demand_n there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o eternal_a change_n and_o dissetlement_n and_o it_o do_v not_o only_o leave_v man_n to_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n though_o it_o be_v chief_o intend_v by_o our_o author_n for_o the_o prevention_n of_o that_o inconvenience_n but_o withal_o bring_v we_o under_o a_o unhappy_a necessity_n of_o yield_v to_o they_o as_o imposition_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o a_o divine_a authority_n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v leave_v we_o no_o such_o determination_n than_o all_o those_o that_o they_o pretend_v to_o discover_v there_o be_v mere_o creature_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n before_o which_o we_o must_v fall_v down_o and_o worship_n with_o as_o much_o devotion_n as_o before_o the_o divine_a oracle_n and_o now_o what_o else_o can_v be_v the_o issue_n of_o these_o conceit_n but_o that_o the_o establish_a law_n and_o discipline_n of_o every_o church_n must_v be_v unravel_v to_o gratify_v every_o faction_n and_o advance_v every_o fancy_n and_o therefore_o unless_o these_o man_n be_v resolve_v we_o shall_v accept_v their_o confidence_n for_o reason_n they_o shall_v first_o make_v good_a this_o principle_n by_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o scripture_n before_o they_o venture_v to_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o its_o admission_n 303._o and_o not_o tell_v we_o as_o our_o author_n have_v do_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o by_o a_o hundred_o text_n and_o yet_o never_o allege_v one_o for_o till_o he_o have_v perform_v this_o he_o only_o demonstrate_v his_o assertion_n by_o often_o repeat_v it_o but_o beggar_n be_v a_o bold_a sort_n of_o people_n and_o will_v extort_v what_o they_o can_v challenge_v by_o clamour_n and_o importunity_n and_o thus_o whereas_o i_o add_v that_o all_o the_o pious_a villainy_n that_o ever_o disturb_a the_o christian_a world_n have_v ever_o shelter_v themselves_o in_o this_o grand_a maxim_n he_o solemn_o reply_v the_o maxim_n itself_o here_o traduce_v be_v as_o true_a as_o any_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n 334._o this_o be_v downright_a hardiness_n and_o i_o confess_v resistless_a demonstration_n it_o must_v be_v a_o desperate_a wight_n that_o dare_v cope_v with_o such_o a_o giantlike_a confidence_n that_o when_o it_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v be_v able_a to_o browbeat_a argument_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v this_o young_a man_n here_o tell_v we_o story_n of_o the_o gnostic_n of_o old_a and_o the_o anabaptist_n of_o late_a how_o they_o either_o have_v or_o will_v have_v embroil_v kingdom_n in_o pursuance_n of_o this_o principle_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v a_o impregnable_a sanctuary_n of_o disturbance_n and_o sedition_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o admonish_v we_o that_o if_o this_o pretence_n be_v allow_v as_o sufficient_a to_o warrant_v remonstrance_n to_o the_o public_a law_n it_o be_v such_o a_o unhappy_a ground_n of_o quarrel_n and_o exception_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o government_n to_o provide_v against_o its_o disorder_n and_o enormity_n because_o the_o matter_n of_o its_o demand_n be_v a_o thing_n utter_o impossible_a i_o say_v pish_o to_o what_o purpose_n all_o this_o when_o i_o tell_v he_o that_o this_o maxim_n whatever_o he_o may_v pretend_v or_o prove_v be_v as_o certain_o true_a as_o any_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o thus_o do_v i_o argue_v against_o a_o woolsack_n no_o reason_v can_v make_v impression_n upon_o his_o mind_n but_o fall_v and_o perish_v unregarded_a and_o when_o you_o have_v spend_v so_o much_o ammunition_n to_o beat_v down_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v all_o defeat_v with_o this_o goodly_a answer_n it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o gospel_n when_o against_o this_o very_a answer_n lie_v the_o very_a emphasis_n of_o all_o my_o objection_n that_o they_o require_v such_o a_o impracticable_a condition_n to_o the_o setlement_n of_o the_o church_n under_o such_o a_o peremptory_a and_o indispensable_a obligation_n and_o the_o great_a their_o confidence_n the_o more_o it_o aggravate_v the_o mischief_n and_o strengthen_v the_o argument_n in_o that_o they_o make_v this_o impossible_a fancy_n as_o necessary_a to_o church-communion_n as_o the_o apostle_n creed_n so_o that_o if_o this_o pretence_n shall_v pass_v for_o a_o warrantable_a ground_n of_o separation_n schism_n will_v become_v the_o great_a duty_n and_o confusion_n the_o most_o certain_a character_n of_o a_o true_a church_n because_o it_o will_v indifferent_o rise_v up_o against_o all_o setlement_n and_o implead_v all_o form_n of_o discipline_n what_o think_v you_o will_v not_o this_o man_n resolute_a blockishness_n even_o tempt_v a_o stoic_a to_o beat_v syllogism_n into_o his_o head_n for_o you_o see_v nothing_o else_o will_v ever_o make_v he_o attend_v to_o the_o hard_a argument_n but_o as_o for_o our_o author_n own_o private_a and_o reserve_a meaning_n as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o principle_n it_o be_v plain_o this_o there_o can_v possible_o be_v any_o true_a church_n without_o the_o beauty_n and_o purity_n of_o christian_a ordinance_n this_o consist_v pure_o in_o the_o congregational_a way_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n so_o that_o wherever_o that_o be_v not_o legal_o establish_v there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a church_n for_o all_o other_o have_v deviate_v from_o the_o platform_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o right_a setlement_n and_o due_a reformation_n of_o thing_n till_o that_o be_v once_o more_o re-enthroned_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o it_o be_v this_o our_o author_n mean_v when_o he_o instruct_v we_o that_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o same_o at_o all_o time_n 336._o in_o all_o place_n and_o among_o all_o people_n in_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o order_n of_o it_o be_v fix_v and_o determine_v in_o all_o particular_n that_o belong_v unto_o it_o so_o that_o by_o his_o principle_n and_o goodwill_n no_o other_o form_n of_o worship_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o what_o himself_o apprehend_v particular_o prescribe_v to_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v excellent_a doctrine_n for_o one_o that_o be_v plead_v for_o toleration_n and_o suitable_a to_o that_o of_o i._o o._n who_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o romance_n of_o the_o distinct_a communion_n 170._o i_o shall_v take_v leave_n to_o say_v what_o be_v upon_o my_o heart_n and_o what_o the_o lord_n assist_v i_o shall_v willing_o endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a against_o all_o the_o world_n namely_o that_o that_o principle_n that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o institute_v and_o appoint_v any_o thing_n or_o ceremony_n belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n either_o as_o to_o matter_n or_o to_o manner_n beyond_o the_o orderly_a observance_n of_o such_o circumstance_n as_o necessary_o attend_v such_o ordinance_n as_o christ_n himself_o have_v institute_v which_o condition_n none_o but_o the_o independent_o observe_v lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o all_o the_o horrible_a superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o all_o the_o confusion_n blood_n persecution_n and_o war_n that_o have_v for_o so_o long_a a_o season_n spread_v themselves_o over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o that_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o revelation_n to_o make_v a_o discovery_n of_o this_o truth_n so_o that_o to_o