Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	church_n	scripture_n	tradition_n	3,753	5	9.2711	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41780	Hear the church, or, An appeal to the mother of us all to all the baptized believers in England, exhorting them to stedfastness in the truth, according to the scriptures : together with some farther considerations of seven queries, sent to the baptized believers in Lincolnshire, concerning the judge of contriversies in matters of religion : in three parts / by Thomas Grantham.	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1687 (1687)	Wing G1536; ESTC R5931	41,980	66

question_n be_v about_o christ_n and_o his_o church_n there_o must_v we_o find_v they_o both_o or_o no_o where_o if_o any_o man_n like_v not_o this_o doctrine_n let_v he_o show_v i_o if_o he_o can_v these_o lovely_a object_n without_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o scripture_n some_o i_o have_v know_v to_o attempt_v this_o but_o with_o lamentable_a success_n be_v soon_o drive_v to_o a_o shameful_a silence_n and_o indeed_o the_o whole_a world_n must_v depart_v into_o utter_a silence_n as_o touch_v this_o great_a mystery_n christ_n and_o his_o church_n unless_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n through_o faith_n make_v we_o wise_a in_o these_o great_a concernment_n of_o salvation_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 14._o let_v man_n allege_v all_o the_o author_n in_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o tradition_n that_o ever_o be_v if_o the_o holy_a scripture_n must_v not_o be_v their_o own_o evidence_n and_o so_o capable_a to_o command_v our_o belief_n of_o they_o then_o for_o the_o same_o or_o rather_o more_o forcible_a reason_n than_o any_o man_n can_v bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n all_o author_n and_o all_o tradition_n shall_v be_v dumb_a and_o useless_a as_o to_o the_o production_n of_o the_o least_o iota_fw-la of_o divine_a faith_n so_o that_o the_o papist_n at_o the_o long-run_a mun_o if_o they_o know_v how_o show_n we_o their_o church_n without_o scripture_n or_o any_o author_n and_o without_o tradition_n also_o as_o i_o have_v former_o write_v unto_o you_o be_v provoke_v thereunto_o by_o seven_o query_n send_v by_o a_o learned_a papist_n who_o in_o his_o last_o to_o i_o do_v undertake_v to_o deliver_v himself_o from_o this_o difficulty_n after_o this_o manner_n we_o may_v say_v he_o prove_v the_o church_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o church_n and_o this_o by_o a_o regressus_fw-la demonstrativus_fw-la without_o a_o vicious_a circle_n because_o we_o suppose_v they_o both_o sufficient_o prove_v and_o prudent_o accept_v for_o such_o by_o all_o the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n as_o miracle_n holiness_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o christ_n prove_v himself_o and_o his_o new_a gospel_n but_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o have_v more_o than_o sufficient_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o scripture_n itself_o can_v bear_v witness_n for_o it_o but_o that_o this_o must_v be_v have_v from_o a_o live_a judge_n viz._n the_o church_n the_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o god_n word_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v brief_o that_o be_v a_o vicious_a circle_n out_o of_o which_o no_o man_n can_v lawful_o deliver_v himself_o but_o must_v run_v in_o a_o round_a without_o end_n and_o true_o such_o be_v this_o circular_a argumentation_n of_o my_o adversary_n he_o will_v prove_v his_o church_n by_o the_o scripture_n 2._o he_o will_v prove_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a by_o his_o church_n and_o he_o will_v prove_v his_o church_n true_a by_o the_o scripture_n before_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v true_a and_o he_o will_v prove_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v true_a after_o it_o have_v prove_v his_o church_n true_a this_o meander_n be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v avoid_v that_o i_o can_v see_v but_o by_o suffer_v either_o the_o scripture_n or_o the_o church_n to_o be_v its_o own_o evidence_n for_o his_o demonstrative_a regress_n make_v his_o case_n worse_o for_o by_o it_o they_o be_v both_o sufficient_o prove_v before_o either_o of_o they_o be_v prove_v and_o both_o prudent_o accept_v before_o either_o of_o they_o be_v accept_v and_o which_o be_v most_o strange_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n these_o thing_n be_v all_o do_v before_o the_o scripture_n have_v any_o sense_n know_v for_o of_o this_o he_o be_v the_o most_o of_o all_o confident_a that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v have_v from_o a_o live_a judge_n viz._n the_o church_n the_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o god_n word_n so_o that_o this_o be_v the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n the_o scripture_n without_o sense_n must_v prove_v the_o roman_a church_n and_o the_o roman_a church_n must_v then_o give_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o scripture_n which_o have_v no_o sense_n before_o when_o it_o prove_v she_o to_o be_v the_o church_n here_o be_v indeed_o a_o regressus_fw-la but_o no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o demonstrativus_fw-la methinks_v wise_a man_n shall_v consider_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n in_o a_o great_a if_o not_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o itself_o also_o in_o many_o place_n for_o example_n it_o tell_v we_o in_o one_o place_n that_o the_o heaven_n must_v receive_v christ_n from_o the_o time_n of_o his_o ascension_n till_o the_o time_n of_o refresh_a shall_v come_v from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n act._n 3._o 21._o and_o hence_o we_o hold_v that_o no_o christian_n must_v say_v that_o the_o real_a body_n of_o of_o christ_n which_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n be_v upon_o the_o earth_n till_o he_o shall_v be_v send_v the_o second_o time_n for_o god_n shall_v send_v jesus_n say_v st._n peter_n because_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o in_o another_o place_n that_o if_o jesus_n be_v on_o earth_n he_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o priest_n heb._n 8._o 4._o it_o be_v therefore_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_o can_v be_v that_o the_o papist_n make_v void_a the_o priesthood_n of_o christ_n and_o contradict_v st._n peter_n himself_o when_o they_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o the_o real_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n be_v now_o real_o carnal_o corporal_o present_a upon_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v upon_o their_o altar_n and_o in_o the_o hand_n and_o mouth_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o people_n as_o often_o as_o they_o celebrate_v mass_n and_o consequent_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v receive_v into_o heaven_n till_o the_o time_n of_o his_o second_o come_v that_o he_o be_v according_a to_o their_o own_o opinion_n receive_v bodily_a upon_o earth_n ten_o thousand_o time_n and_o in_o ten_o thousand_o place_n to_o his_o be_v once_o receive_v bodily_a into_o heaven_n sure_o their_o opinion_n be_v direct_o against_o the_o scripture_n as_o sure_a as_o their_o transubstantiation_n be_v direct_o against_o the_o best_a sense_n and_o the_o best_a reason_n with_o which_o almighty_a god_n have_v endow_v the_o best_a of_o man_n as_o have_v be_v clear_o evidence_v by_o many_o learned_a discourse_n among_o which_o i_o will_v commend_v to_o your_o perusal_n one_o late_o publish_v under_o the_o title_n of_o a_o discourse_n against_o transubstantiation_n print_v this_o year_n and_o sell_v by_o mr._n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n price_n six_o penny_n my_o learned_a adversary_n and_o indeed_o the_o papist_n general_o do_v urge_v we_o vehement_o after_o this_o manner_n admit_v that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o follow_v the_o rule_n of_o god_n reveal_v word_n in_o all_o her_o definition_n yet_o they_o hold_v it_o extreme_o irrational_a that_o all_o that_o can_v read_v it_o shall_v be_v his_o own_o interpreter_n of_o it_o for_o so_o say_v they_o he_o will_v be_v his_o own_o judge_n and_o as_o in_o a_o nation_n where_o no_o judge_n of_o the_o law_n be_v appoint_v there_o can_v be_v no_o justice_n but_o every_o man_n will_v be_v his_o own_o judge_n so_o likewise_o unless_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a judge_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o wit_n the_o church_n from_o who_o no_o appeal_n may_v be_v allow_v there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o controversy_n etc._n etc._n this_o objection_n be_v considerable_a to_o which_o i_o say_v 1._o what_o my_o adversary_n mean_v by_o god_n reveal_v word_n i_o do_v not_o very_o well_o understand_v but_o i_o doubt_v he_o extend_v that_o term_n far_o than_o the_o holy_a scripture_n else_o i_o be_o sure_a enough_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n to_o follow_v in_o very_a many_o of_o her_o observation_n but_o to_o let_v this_o pass_v at_o present_a i_o answer_v to_o the_o objection_n thus_o 2._o it_o seem_v to_o be_v build_v upon_o many_o dangerous_a supposition_n such_o as_o these_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o rest_v upon_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o priest_n for_o we_o must_v hear_v the_o church_n out_o of_o his_o mouth_n for_o the_o state_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o on_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n in_o a_o civil_a court_n for_o a_o matter_n of_o debt_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o bind_v to_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o eternal_a life_n than_o to_o search_v the_o statute-book_n for_o our_o temporal_a life_n nay_o here_o i_o do_v they_o no_o wrong_n for_o they_o will_v permit_v we_o to_o read_v the_o statute-book_n but_o they_o forbid_v we_o to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o suppose_v

itself_o these_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n now_o reveal_v they_o but_o bring_v to_o remembrance_n what_o the_o scripture_n have_v say_v concern_v they_o and_o partly_o by_o what_o before_o that_o time_n have_v be_v show_v unto_o st._n peter_n by_o a_o certain_a vision_n of_o god_n accept_v the_o gentile_n though_o not_o cleanse_v according_a to_o legal_a purification_n and_o therefore_o till_o the_o holy_a ghost_n reverse_v those_o decree_n they_o be_v to_o oblige_v all_o church_n to_o keep_v they_o inviolable_a and_o in_o this_o point_n as_o indeed_o in_o all_o the_o rest_n the_o baptise_a church_n in_o this_o age_n do_v stand_v a_o witness_n against_o the_o disorder_n and_o disobedience_n of_o most_o of_o the_o christian_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n who_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o abstain_v from_o blood_n etc._n etc._n though_o they_o know_v the_o true_a church_n do_v religious_o observe_v these_o decree_n for_o several_a hundred_o of_o year_n after_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o the_o custom_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o abstain_v from_o all_o blood_n and_o thing_n strangle_v so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o they_o when_o they_o feed_v at_o their_o table_n to_o meddle_v with_o the_o blood_n of_o any_o beast_n it_o be_v further_a safe_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o decree_n of_o general_a council_n be_v so_o far_o oblige_v only_o as_o the_o thing_n decree_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a and_o not_o because_o they_o be_v decree_v in_o council_n only_o for_o here_o st._n peter_n prove_v that_o church_n be_v free_a from_o the_o obligation_n of_o legal_a ceremony_n because_o they_o wear_v a_o burden_n too_o heavy_a to_o be_v bear_v 2._o because_o god_n have_v accept_v they_o already_o without_o they_o and_o james_n the_o angel_n of_o this_o church_n prove_n or_o confirm_v the_o same_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o these_o argument_n and_o probation_n satisfy_v the_o assembly_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o thing_n prohibit_v by_o these_o decree_n be_v always_o forbid_v even_o to_o noah_n and_o his_o perpetual_a generation_n gen._n 9_o 12_o etc._n etc._n nor_o do_v this_o assembly_n excommunicate_a or_o anathematise_v all_o that_o shall_v doubt_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o determination_n but_o very_o sweet_o tell_v the_o brethren_n they_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o comply_v with_o their_o advice_n for_o they_o know_v that_o every_o church_n have_v power_n to_o punish_v offender_n and_o to_o they_o they_o seem_v to_o leave_v that_o care_n and_o not_o to_o take_v the_o power_n of_o any_o church_n out_o of_o their_o hand_n as_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o be_v of_o the_o case_n of_o infant_n or_o whether_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o baptism_n in_o the_o mother-church_n in_o all_o that_o be_v say_v of_o the_o plantation_n and_o growth_n of_o this_o famous_a church_n or_o in_o that_o excellent_a epistle_n which_o be_v a_o long_a time_n after_o write_v to_o they_o there_o be_v not_o one_o word_n to_o be_v find_v of_o any_o one_o infant_n be_v bring_v to_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o we_o hold_v to_o the_o negative_a of_o this_o question_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o here_o infant-circumcision_n be_v absolute_o exclude_v yet_o be_v there_o no_o argument_n urge_v for_o it_o from_o their_o baptism_n which_o have_v be_v very_o considerable_a have_v there_o be_v any_o such_o usage_n in_o this_o or_o the_o gentile_a church_n and_o because_o it_o be_v grant_v now_o by_o many_o and_o these_o the_o most_o learned_a too_o among_o who_o the_o papist_n that_o there_o be_v no_o scripture_n for_o infant-baptism_n etc._n etc._n but_o that_o it_o stand_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n all_o that_o we_o shall_v say_v to_o that_o plea_n in_o this_o place_n be_v to_o desire_v any_o man_n to_o show_v who_o deliver_v this_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n and_o by_o what_o authority_n whether_o divine_a or_o human_a for_o see_v tradition_n signify_v a_o thing_n deliver_v it_o be_v fit_a the_o person_n or_o person_n deliver_v such_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v know_v to_o be_v person_n lawful_o impower_v to_o deliver_v such_o a_o tradition_n before_o we_o can_v with_o safety_n receive_v it_o tradition_n but_o how_o then_o shall_v infant_n be_v save_v if_o baptism_n belong_v not_o to_o they_o i_o answer_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o st._n peter_n verse_n 11._o by_o the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n they_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o sure_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o ask_v how_o can_v infant_n be_v save_v without_o faith_n and_o repentance_n see_v it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v and_o except_o you_o repent_v you_o shall_v all_o perish_v etc._n etc._n and_o what_o answer_n can_v any_o wise_a man_n make_v save_v this_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n suffice_v they_o have_v christ_n express_a word_n for_o it_o that_o to_o they_o belong_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o this_o he_o speak_v to_o unbaptised_a infant_n too_o which_o be_v therefore_o so_o satisfactory_a that_o we_o need_v no_o other_o evidence_n if_o any_o man_n say_v the_o word_n which_o st._n peter_n speak_v in_o council_n act_v 15._o 11._o be_v not_o mean_v of_o infant_n and_o therefore_o not_o pertinent_a to_o my_o purpose_n i_o shall_v only_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o those_o word_n be_v speak_v in_o opposition_n to_o this_o position_n that_o without_o circumcision_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n the_o gentile_n can_v not_o be_v save_v now_o we_o know_v it_o be_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n to_o circumcise_v infant_n and_o therefore_o doubtless_o these_o false_a teacher_n do_v question_v the_o salvation_n of_o infant_n die_v without_o circumcision_n therefore_o these_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n which_o teach_v that_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n shall_v be_v save_v have_v their_o clear_a extent_n to_o infant_n as_o well_o as_o to_o any_o other_o person_n whatsoever_o i_o shall_v here_o only_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o what_o we_o have_v far_o write_v in_o a_o treatise_n upon_o this_o subject_a entitle_v the_o controversy_n about_o infant-church-member-ship_n and_o baptism_n epitomise_v of_o the_o reverence_n due_a to_o saint_n angel_n and_o to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n in_o particular_a according_a to_o the_o usage_n of_o this_o mother-church_n it_o be_v in_o this_o church_n where_o the_o holy_a virgin_n mother_n of_o our_o lord_n have_v her_o conversation_n and_o society_n be_v with_o that_o select_a company_n consist_v of_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o name_n act_n 1._o 15._o among_o who_o this_o most_o bless_a woman_n be_v express_o name_v and_o by_o who_o presence_n this_o mother-church_n be_v honour_v above_o all_o other_o and_o here_o be_v the_o last_o mention_n that_o be_v make_v of_o she_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o honourable_a mention_n of_o she_o by_o name_n and_o as_o the_o mother_n of_o our_o lord_n which_o doubtless_o call_v for_o great_a reverence_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o god_n people_n be_v all_o the_o honour_n that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v here_o confer_v upon_o she_o this_o church_n make_v no_o prayer_n to_o she_o nor_o to_o christ_n in_o her_o name_n nor_o teach_v the_o succeed_a church_n to_o do_v so_o yet_o sure_o she_o be_v the_o great_a saint_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o if_o we_o have_v no_o ground_n from_o any_o direction_n nor_o precedent_n in_o the_o scripture_n to_o perform_v such_o devotion_n to_o she_o we_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n or_o pretence_n of_o truth_n do_v it_o to_o any_o other_o creatrue_a saint_n or_o angel_n whatsoever_o and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o though_o this_o church_n have_v occasion_n to_o make_v express_a mention_n of_o david_n in_o their_o prayer_n act_n 4._o 25._o yet_o do_v they_o not_o use_v his_o intercession_n at_o all_o but_o this_o honour_n they_o give_v to_o jesus_n christ_n that_o through_o his_o name_n such_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v as_o may_v confirm_v the_o truth_n against_o all_o opposer_n nor_o do_v the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v any_o notice_n of_o the_o worship_v of_o angel_n saint_n nor_o the_o holy_a virgin_n in_o particular_a in_o that_o sacred_a epistle_n which_o be_v send_v to_o this_o church_n after_o the_o death_n of_o bless_a mary_n the_o mother_n of_o jesus_n so_o that_o this_o mother-church_n seem_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o such_o devotion_n and_o much_o more_o may_v we_o assure_v ourselves_o they_o pay_v no_o such_o devotion_n to_o the_o image_n of_o these_o or_o of_o any_o of_o they_o if_o any_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a we_o answer_v they_o in_o the_o word_n of_o jerom_n non_fw-la credimus_fw-la quia_fw-la non_fw-la legimus_fw-la and_o with_o apollinarius_n we_o dare_v add_v nothing_o to_o

who_o be_v his_o church_n we_o shall_v never_o find_v she_o nor_o do_v he_o reveal_v this_o but_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n there_o must_v we_o find_v the_o church_n of_o god_n or_o no_o where_o for_o none_o but_o enthusiast_n pretend_v to_o any_o other_o revelation_n in_o this_o case_n and_o to_o speak_v feee_o i_o doubt_v the_o papist_n be_v more_o than_o a_o little_a enthusiastical_a for_o rather_o than_o let_v god_n word_n decide_v this_o question_n about_o the_o church_n they_o will_v fly_v to_o miracle_n as_o if_o a_o false_a prophet_n may_v not_o show_v a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n yea_o and_o that_o sign_n and_o wonder_v come_v to_o pass_v too_o and_o yet_o the_o thing_n he_o bring_v it_o to_o prove_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o lie_n see_v deut._n 15._o sure_o he_o that_o shall_v pretend_v to_o work_v a_o miracle_n or_o wonder_n in_o these_o day_n to_o prove_v such_o or_o such_o a_o people_n to_o be_v the_o church_n i_o shall_v the_o more_o suspect_a both_o he_o and_o his_o church_n because_o we_o have_v a_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n confirm_v by_o miracle_n already_o which_o word_n do_v as_o full_o set_v forth_o the_o church_n as_o it_o set_v forth_o any_o thing_n insomuch_o as_o man_n may_v as_o well_o call_v for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o this_o god_n be_v true_a as_o to_o call_v for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o true_a church_n indeed_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v once_o find_v than_o all_o wise_a and_o modest_a man_n will_v ready_o lend_v a_o ear_n to_o she_o in_o all_o thing_n and_o especial_o when_o she_o undertake_v to_o expound_v the_o dark_a or_o mysterious_a point_n of_o our_o religion_n or_o offer_v her_o judgement_n in_o thing_n doubtful_a for_o as_o for_o the_o common_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o that_o be_v a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n and_o no_o way_n bias_v by_o interest_n may_v perhaps_o know_v these_o thing_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n or_o at_o least_o such_o as_o call_v themselves_o churchman_n but_o to_o be_v bind_v to_o adhere_v to_o any_o church_n in_o these_o day_n as_o to_o a_o people_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v mistake_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o religion_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o attribute_n too_o high_a for_o any_o society_n of_o sinful_a man_n and_o there_o be_v none_o that_o live_v and_o sin_v not_o for_o see_v god_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o any_o such_o thing_n that_o the_o church_n can_v err_v or_o be_v mistake_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v speak_v and_o if_o it_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o the_o almighty_a to_o say_v he_o can_v lie_v it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n that_o she_o can_v lie_v lest_o he_o reprove_v we_o and_o we_o be_v find_v liar_n rom._n 3._o 4._o let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n for_o thus_o it_o be_v write_v and_o again_o hos_fw-la 11._o 12._o ephraim_n compass_v i_o about_o with_o lie_n and_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n with_o deceit_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o ten_o tribe_n and_o though_o judah_n be_v justify_v as_o to_o these_o impiety_n yet_o chap._n 12._o 2._o god_n tell_v they_o he_o have_v a_o controversy_n with_o they_o also_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o famous_a church_n have_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o other_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o err_v as_o they_o no_o church_n be_v herein_o privilege_v above_o another_o for_o any_o thing_n that_o god_n have_v say_v in_o his_o word_n but_o he_o every_o where_o exhort_v his_o people_n to_o beware_v of_o sin_n error_n and_o apostasy_n and_o command_v every_o one_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v to_o the_o church_n but_o he_o do_v not_o say_v to_o any_o of_o they_o that_o they_o can_v err_v therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o hear_v such_o a_o story_n of_o any_o church_n mat._n 16._o 18._o be_v a_o gracious_a promise_n indeed_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o found_v upon_o himself_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o st._n peter_n but_o this_o promise_n belong_v to_o all_o true_a church_n equal_o yet_o no_o man_n ever_o dare_v affirm_v from_o hence_o that_o no_o true_a church_n can_v possible_o err_v and_o st._n peter_n who_o understand_v this_o promise_n never_o tell_v any_o church_n of_o his_o plant_v that_o they_o can_v not_o err_v but_o rather_o tell_v they_o they_o may_v err_v so_o as_o to_o fall_v from_o their_o steadfastness_n and_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a indeed_o if_o any_o church_n can_v be_v assign_v here_o on_o earth_n that_o can_v err_v or_o be_v deceive_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o find_v the_o truth_n have_v once_o find_v the_o church_n for_o we_o shall_v have_v no_o need_n to_o know_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o that_o church_n speak_v and_o to_o receive_v her_o determination_n as_o god_n oracle_n but_o then_o i_o consider_v again_o that_o we_o shall_v perhaps_o have_v great_a inconvenience_n also_o for_o if_o all_o the_o decree_v make_v by_o general_a council_n be_v oblige_v to_o we_o and_o be_v bind_v up_o together_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o read_v they_o nor_o i_o doubt_v to_o understand_v they_o it_o will_v then_o be_v our_o best_a at_o the_o long-run_a to_o take_v sanctuary_n at_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o our_o guide_n and_o superior_a to_o the_o church_n but_o i_o consider_v far_o that_o no_o man_n make_v any_o particular_a church_n this_o guide_n but_o do_v refer_v we_o to_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n sure_o either_o this_o be_v to_o make_v as_o many_o universal_a church_n at_o least_o as_o there_o have_v be_v age_n since_o christ_n be_v upon_o the_o earth_n or_o if_o all_o make_v but_o one_o universal_a church_n the_o direction_n give_v to_o follow_v her_o sentence_n be_v scarce_o practicable_a for_o how_o long_o will_v it_o be_v before_o a_o man_n can_v be_v assure_v what_o be_v hold_v and_o what_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n indeed_o there_o be_v man_n bear_v of_o great_a confidence_n who_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n have_v always_o hold_v such_o doctrine_n and_o such_o traditior_n as_o be_v unwritten_a etc._n etc._n now_o it_o high_o concern_v all_o christian_n as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o make_v sure_a work_n with_o such_o bold_a talker_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o affirm_v especial_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o be_v that_o they_o appear_v by_o some_o divine_a record_n to_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o the_o first_o church_n by_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o divine_a institutes_n and_o if_o they_o fail_v here_o it_o will_v be_v ill_o venture_v to_o follow_v they_o in_o their_o after-enquiry_n and_o there_o be_v the_o high_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o stand_v as_o strong_o as_o possible_a for_o the_o first_o age_n for_o such_o pure_a and_o undoubted_a antiquity_n be_v necessary_a in_o our_o case_n from_o the_o tenor_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n argumentation_n against_o the_o jew_n in_o opposition_n to_o a_o tradition_n or_o moysaicall_a precept_n in_o the_o case_n of_o divorce_n mat._n 19_o 8._o from_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o see_v the_o apostle_n do_v faithful_o deliver_v the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n to_o the_o first_o church_n condemn_v all_o that_o shall_v teach_v otherwise_o than_o they_o have_v teach_v the_o the_o doctrine_n of_o godliness_n or_o that_o shall_v not_o consent_v to_o wholesome_a word_n even_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a to_o bring_v all_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o the_o test_n of_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o primitive_a antiquity_n for_o that_o church_n which_o have_v that_o argument_n fair_o on_o her_o side_n can_v fail_v of_o all_o other_o argument_n which_o can_v be_v any_o way_n necessary_a for_o her_o justification_n for_o indeed_o this_o first_o argument_n do_v infer_v all_o the_o rest_n and_o they_o that_o have_v not_o this_o have_v none_o of_o the_o other_o which_o thing_n be_v well_o consider_v look_v back_o upon_o your_o principle_n o_o you_o baptise_a christian_n and_o upon_o what_o have_v be_v say_v for_o they_o even_o by_o your_o adversary_n and_o take_v comfort_n for_o whoever_o boast_v of_o the_o best_a antiquity_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o you_o only_o have_v it_o for_o what_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a record_n doubtless_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o if_o so_o let_v the_o