a_o sermon_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n unity_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n preach_v before_o the_o university_n of_o oxford_n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o appendix_n concern_v the_o apostle_n creed_n by_o tho._n smith_n b._n d._n and_o fellow_n of_o st._n mary_n magdalen_n college_n oxon_n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n m._n dc_o lxxxii_o admodum_fw-la reverendo_fw-la in_o christo_fw-la patri_fw-la ac_fw-la domino_fw-la henrico_n d._n episcopo_fw-la londinensi_fw-la sacelli_fw-la regalis_fw-la decano_fw-la regiae_n majestati_fw-la à _fw-la secretioribus_fw-la conciliis_fw-la natalium_fw-la splendore_fw-la morum_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la fide_fw-la prudentiâ_fw-la ac_fw-la invictâ_fw-la animi_fw-la fortitudine_fw-la contra_fw-la infensissimos_fw-la eccl._n ang._n host_n caeterisque_fw-la dotibus_fw-la quae_fw-la virum_fw-la apostolicum_fw-la planè_fw-la decent_a illustri_fw-la t._n s._n concionem_fw-la hanc_fw-la de_fw-la unitate_fw-la fidei_fw-la coram_fw-la academicis_fw-la oxoniensibus_fw-la in_o templo_fw-la b._n mariae_fw-la non_fw-la ita_fw-la pridem_fw-la habitam_fw-la una_fw-la cum_fw-la appendice_fw-la de_fw-la symbolo_fw-la apostolico_fw-la gratitudinis_fw-la &_o observantiae_fw-la ergo_fw-la l._n m._n d._n c._n q._n ephes._n 4._o ver._n 5._o one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n it_o be_v sad_a to_o consider_v how_o that_o christianity_n have_v suffer_v more_o by_o the_o faction_n and_o feud_n of_o christian_n themselves_o than_o by_o the_o fury_n of_o its_o profess_a adversary_n that_o schism_n have_v do_v more_o mischief_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n than_o all_o the_o persecution_n of_o the_o heathen_a roman_a emperor_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o abolish_v and_o destroy_v the_o very_a name_n of_o christian_a out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o christian_n shall_v treat_v one_o another_o with_o that_o despite_n and_o malice_n as_o if_o good_a nature_n and_o charity_n and_o a_o mutual_a forbearance_n be_v thing_n of_o mere_a indifference_n as_o it_o have_v happen_v between_o church_n of_o different_a communion_n in_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o in_o these_o northern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n since_o the_o reformation_n either_o because_o they_o will_v not_o own_o a_o usurp_v and_o pretend_v universal_a authority_n or_o else_o because_o of_o some_o little_a disagreement_n in_o opinion_n or_o the_o usage_n or_o non-usage_n of_o a_o ceremony_n which_o every_o particular_a church_n in_o dependence_n upon_o and_o in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o civil_a power_n have_v a_o right_a to_o ordain_v and_o constitute_v and_o which_o all_o its_o member_n be_v oblige_v to_o conform_v to_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o conscience_n for_o hitherto_o must_v be_v refer_v as_o to_o their_o chief_a and_o proper_a cause_n all_o those_o horrid_a tumult_n and_o separation_n of_o party_n which_o have_v so_o much_o distract_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n from_o its_o first_o beginning_n and_o infancy_n to_o this_o day_n however_o blanch_v over_o by_o some_o with_o subtlety_n and_o artifice_n of_o wit_n and_o by_o other_o with_o pretension_n of_o zeal_n to_o colour_v their_o ambition_n and_o their_o pride_n and_o to_o render_v their_o ill_a design_n the_o more_o plausible_a and_o successful_a here_o it_o be_v for_o i_o can_v be_v so_o unjust_a and_o partial_a as_o to_o charge_v the_o romanist_n only_o with_o the_o fault_n though_o they_o be_v deep_a in_o the_o gild_n and_o more_o unblamable_a than_o the_o rest_n that_o all_o take_v sanctuary_n and_o think_v to_o justify_v their_o ill_n will_v one_o to_o another_o this_o way_n that_o they_o from_o who_o they_o divide_v and_o separate_v themselves_o entertain_v different_a notion_n of_o some_o point_n of_o religion_n though_o perchance_o they_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o the_o faith_n or_o else_o use_v other_o rite_n in_o their_o religious_a worship_n which_o yet_o may_v be_v as_o decent_a and_o as_o useful_a and_o as_o significant_a as_o if_o this_o be_v to_o renounce_v christianity_n and_o to_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n how_o have_v this_o fond_a opinion_n break_v christendom_n into_o piece_n and_o shut_v unity_n and_o peace_n out_o of_o it_o private_a passion_n and_o a_o false_a zeal_n corrupt_v our_o judgement_n and_o practice_n so_o far_o that_o instead_o of_o join_v in_o the_o same_o public_a worship_n and_o service_n of_o christ_n our_o common_a saviour_n and_o live_v together_o in_o holy_a communion_n and_o love_n we_o can_v scarce_o think_v well_o one_o of_o another_o we_o be_v afraid_a of_o one_o another_o company_n in_o a_o church_n at_o least_o as_o if_o it_o be_v infectious_a we_o use_v most_o unjust_a and_o most_o unchristian_a censure_n we_o malign_v and_o hate_v one_o another_o to_o the_o death_n and_o as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v we_o send_v one_o another_o to_o hell_n by_o our_o evil_n and_o uncharitable_a surmise_n and_o by_o peremptory_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n to_o prevent_v which_o dismal_a and_o bloody_a effect_n of_o schism_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o chapter_n lay_v down_o and_o prescribe_v a_o method_n which_o will_v prove_v most_o effectual_a if_o we_o understand_v our_o duty_n and_o our_o interest_n so_o much_o and_o have_v but_o the_o honesty_n and_o the_o conscience_n to_o put_v it_o in_o practice_n and_o execution_n which_o be_v to_o walk_v worthy_a of_o the_o vocation_n wherewith_o we_o be_v call_v v_o 1._o that_o be_v to_o adorn_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n with_o a_o suitable_a conversation_n and_o as_o it_o become_v true_a follower_n of_o christ_n to_o live_v up_o to_o those_o excellent_a rule_n and_o institution_n which_o he_o have_v publish_a and_o not_o only_o to_o make_v a_o outward_a show_n and_o profession_n of_o christianity_n but_o to_o justify_v and_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o power_n of_o it_o by_o the_o example_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o severe_a virtue_n and_o especial_o in_o this_o great_a instance_n of_o it_o with_o all_o lowliness_n and_o meekness_n and_o long-suffering_a to_o forbear_v one_o another_o in_o love_n v_o 2._o that_o be_v to_o make_v some_o 21._o allowance_n for_o the_o faileurs_fw-fr and_o imperfection_n and_o infirmity_n of_o the_o understanding_n not_o to_o be_v peremptory_a and_o dogmatical_a in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o unity_n nor_o to_o be_v over-fierce_a and_o severe_a in_o condemn_v little_a mistake_n and_o misapprehension_n of_o thing_n but_o to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n v_o 3._o that_o be_v to_o maintain_v this_o spiritual_a communion_n with_o all_o peaceableness_n and_o moderation_n as_o be_v all_o member_n of_o one_o body_n the_o catholic_n church_n 13._o actuate_v by_o one_o spirit_n and_o call_v together_o in_o one_o hope_n of_o our_o call_v v_o 4._o that_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o common_a christianity_n all_o alike_o pretend_v to_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o same_o common_a salvation_n all_o disciple_n of_o the_o same_o lord_n and_o initiate_v into_o the_o same_o faith_n by_o baptism_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v no_o breach_n make_v upon_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n be_v retain_v in_o its_o full_a sense_n and_o meaning_n there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n for_o censure_n and_o dis-union_n all_o other_o difference_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v tolerate_v and_o forgive_v if_o they_o have_v no_o evil_a influence_n upon_o religion_n morality_n and_o government_n if_o there_o be_v no_o schism_n or_o sedition_n in_o practice_n or_o behaviour_n and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n be_v preserve_v entire_a and_o keep_v inviolate_a there_o be_v as_o but_o one_o lord_n so_o but_o one_o faith_n and_o one_o baptism_n from_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a these_o three_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ._n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n 2._o that_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n only_o respect_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o 3._o that_o all_o who_o be_v baptise_a and_o consequent_o be_v by_o this_o sacrament_n of_o initiation_n admit_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n and_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o this_o faith_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v only_o from_o the_o revelation_n of_o christ._n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o humane_a wit_n how_o pry_v and_o industrious_a soever_o to_o raise_v itself_o up_o to_o the_o contemplation_n and_o knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a truth_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o divine_a revelation_n and_o grace_n be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o our_o reason_n to_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o irrational_a pride_n and_o a_o
constantinople_n under_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n by_o which_o enlargement_n all_o good_a christian_a people_n be_v to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o catholic_n doctrine_n declare_v so_o to_o be_v according_a to_o scripture_n and_o universal_a tradition_n by_o these_o mighty_a argument_n they_o convince_v the_o heretic_n and_o just_o subject_v they_o to_o the_o punishment_n which_o their_o refractoriness_n and_o guilt_n deserve_v they_o settle_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o secure_v the_o faith_n from_o the_o like_a assault_n in_o aftertime_n their_o creed_n be_v the_o test_n by_o which_o they_o discern_v truth_n from_o heresy_n and_o it_o be_v receive_v and_o acknowledge_v as_o such_o 268._o by_o all_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o the_o church_n of_o greece_n the_o lesser_a asia_n syria_n and_o egypt_n and_o teach_v the_o catechumeni_fw-la as_o a_o necessary_a qualification_n of_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n that_o the_o other_o short_a form_n which_o have_v be_v in_o use_n hitherto_o the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o with_o all_o its_o necessary_a deduction_n be_v transfuse_v into_o this_o begin_v to_o be_v dis-used_n and_o in_o process_n of_o time_n whole_o omit_v and_o leave_v out_o of_o their_o liturgy_n whereas_o at_o rome_n and_o in_o the_o other_o church_n of_o the_o west_n where_o those_o controversy_n about_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o have_v exercise_v the_o wit_n and_o curiosity_n of_o the_o oriental_n who_o pry_v and_o restless_a genius_n drive_v they_o upon_o those_o subtlety_n never_o be_v admit_v or_o make_v no_o considerable_a progress_n among_o they_o they_o continue_v constant_a and_o steady_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o therefore_o stick_v to_o and_o retain_v the_o old_a form_n of_o word_n as_o they_o be_v sum_v up_o in_o the_o creed_n which_o we_o call_v the_o apostle_n with_o some_o little_a addition_n and_o need_v not_o a_o large_a explication_n 2._o it_o follow_v from_o this_o that_o est_fw-la the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n must_v necessary_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o every_o where_o according_a to_o the_o assertion_n of_o the_o text_n it_o be_v the_o common_a faith_n tit._n 1._o 4._o not_o appropriate_v to_o any_o particular_a sect_n but_o it_o lay_v in_o common_a and_o open_a to_o all_o the_o whole_a faith_n that_o be_v so_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o denominate_v they_o true_a believer_n be_v receive_v by_o all_o without_o any_o difference_n in_o the_o main_a point_n of_o it_o for_o how_o can_v it_o be_v otherwise_o while_o they_o adhere_v so_o close_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o all_o preach_v the_o same_o faith_n in_o the_o most_o distant_a part_n of_o the_o world_n between_o which_o there_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v as_o the_o time_n stand_v then_o that_o be_v before_o the_o polarity_n or_o directive_n virtue_n of_o the_o loadstone_n be_v know_v any_o communication_n or_o intercourse_n there_o be_v a_o perfect_a agreement_n and_o harmony_n of_o confession_n among_o all_o who_o have_v embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n the_o christian_n here_o in_o britain_n believe_v no_o otherwise_o than_o those_o at_o jerusalem_n and_o those_o in_o india_n who_o st._n thomas_n convert_v and_o all_o who_o live_v in_o the_o intermediate_v space_n between_o those_o two_o vast_o distant_a extreme_n which_o be_v the_o boundary_n of_o the_o then_o know_a world_n exact_o agree_v with_o both_o though_o they_o differ_v in_o language_n custom_n law_n behaviour_n and_o way_n of_o live_v and_o be_v under_o different_a government_n yet_o they_o all_o hold_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o argument_n be_v excellent_o handle_v by_o irenoeus_n in_o his_o one_a book_n 3d._n chap._n adv_o hoereses_n there_o can_v be_v a_o more_o convictive_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n which_o the_o heretic_n reject_v than_o the_o profession_n of_o they_o in_o all_o church_n of_o the_o world_n for_o how_o come_v this_o universal_a consent_n establish_v but_o from_o the_o soundness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o its_o first_o publisher_n among_o that_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n which_o prevail_v every_o where_o there_o be_v certain_a essential_a point_n of_o faith_n wherein_o they_o be_v all_o unanimous_a and_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v hold_v and_o maintain_v a_o liberty_n of_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n be_v allow_v in_o lesser_a matter_n witness_v those_o ancient_a form_n beforementioned_a long_o before_o the_o civil_a power_n take_v the_o christian_a religion_n into_o its_o protection_n which_o whosoever_o admit_v and_o process_v be_v receive_v into_o their_o communion_n so_o that_o from_o this_o unity_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v receive_v every_o where_o by_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o christian_n except_o some_o obstinate_a heretical_a dissenter_n who_o be_v a_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a party_n at_o first_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o rest_n the_o christian_a church_n be_v style_v 〈◊〉_d catholic_n or_o universal_a just_a as_o the_o great_a ocean_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o though_o it_o receive_v particular_a denomination_n from_o the_o several_a shore_n which_o it_o wash_v as_o the_o british_a cantabrian_a atlantic_a and_o the_o like_a and_o not_o from_o any_o pretend_a subjection_n to_o one_o sovereign_a pastor_n and_o the_o word_n catholic_n become_v another_o name_n for_o orthodox_n and_o the_o bishop_n afterward_o subscribe_v themselves_o bishop_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o such_o a_o place_n as_o found_v on_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n universal_o receive_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n in_o communion_n with_o all_o christian_n upon_o these_o two_o supposition_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n that_o 1._o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n of_o less_o moment_n do_v not_o interrupt_v and_o dissolve_v the_o unity_n of_o faith_n opinion_n arise_v either_o from_o want_n of_o evidence_n in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o which_o cause_v a_o fluctuation_n and_o unsettlement_n in_o the_o mind_n as_o not_o know_v where_o to_o fix_v and_o rest_v to_o which_o we_o yield_v a_o waver_a kind_n of_o assent_n more_o or_o less_o according_a to_o great_a or_o lesser_a degree_n of_o probability_n or_o else_o from_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o understanding_n which_o not_o be_v able_a to_o take_v a_o comprehensive_a view_n of_o thing_n and_o resolve_v they_o into_o their_o first_o principle_n and_o original_a cause_n or_o for_o want_v of_o a_o sure_a foundation_n whether_o of_o nature_n or_o reason_n or_o authority_n or_o revelation_n take_v up_o with_o argument_n and_o motive_n of_o assent_n which_o fall_v short_a of_o certainty_n and_o which_o can_v quiet_v the_o mind_n and_o secure_v it_o from_o all_o suspicion_n and_o fear_n of_o the_o contrary_n and_o indeed_o consider_v the_o great_a variety_n of_o man_n temper_n and_o complexion_n education_n and_o interest_n and_o the_o great_a or_o lesser_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n industry_n curiosity_n and_o the_o like_a there_o be_v a_o moral_a impossibility_n that_o opinion_n shall_v be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o where_o god_n have_v leave_v a_o liberty_n no_o power_n upon_o earth_n can_v oblige_v the_o conscience_n and_o understanding_n to_o admit_v they_o any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o opinion_n that_o be_v either_o as_o true_a in_o their_o kind_n but_o far_o from_o the_o infallibility_n of_o divine_a revelation_n or_o as_o piè_fw-la credibilia_fw-la or_o as_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o agreement_n and_o uniformity_n in_o judgement_n to_o prevent_v schism_n and_o confusion_n so_o as_o yet_o no_o one_o particular_a church_n shall_v prescribe_v to_o another_o but_o leave_v each_o to_o its_o liberty_n of_o secure_v their_o peace_n and_o quiet_a by_o what_o confession_n they_o judge_v best_a for_o that_o end_n and_o nothing_o be_v impose_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n which_o thwart_v the_o ancient_a christian_a doctrine_n and_o the_o catholic_n tradition_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o all_o truth_n be_v not_o fundamental_a and_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v with_o the_o same_o firmness_n of_o assent_n for_o several_a proposition_n may_v be_v true_a and_o useful_a and_o yet_o not_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o faith_n the_o ignorance_n or_o disbelief_n of_o which_o do_v not_o throw_v a_o man_n out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n the_o neglect_n of_o this_o distinction_n have_v be_v one_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o trouble_n and_o turmoil_n of_o christendom_n whilst_o fierce_a and_o eager_a disputant_n have_v be_v engage_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o several_a tenant_n which_o have_v no_o necessary_a dependence_n on_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o difficulty_n
apostle_n st._n paul_n say_v if_o thou_o shall_v confess_v with_o thy_o mouth_n the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o shall_v believe_v in_o thy_o heart_n that_o god_n have_v raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a thou_o shall_v be_v save_v rom._n 8._o 9_o where_o this_o article_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a suppose_v the_o rest_n and_o be_v here_o express_o mention_v as_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n mission_n and_o doctrine_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a grievous_a error_n to_o fancy_n that_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o mere_a indifference_n what_o our_o belief_n be_v in_o particular_a and_o that_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o we_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n without_o oblige_v ourselves_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o just_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o that_o proposition_n mere_o because_o that_o one_o single_a act_n of_o faith_n qualify_v the_o first_o convert_v for_o baptism_n when_o that_o only_o be_v mention_v as_o the_o foundation_n and_o basis_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o do_v necessary_o include_v all_o the_o other_o doctrinal_a point_n that_o depend_v upon_o it_o 3._o that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v our_o belief_n of_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n as_o it_o lie_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o as_o out_o of_o they_o it_o be_v brief_o sum_v up_o in_o the_o creed_n the_o explication_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v make_v of_o that_o rule_n so_o that_o as_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n after_o this_o acknowledgement_n it_o be_v unjust_a to_o demand_v a_o more_o particular_a and_o distinct_a account_n or_o catalogue_n of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n that_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n which_o be_v so_o in_o the_o first_o so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o believe_v less_o and_o to_o reject_v any_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o teach_v the_o contrary_a be_v just_o chargeable_a with_o the_o guilt_n of_o heresy_n and_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o wariness_n but_o of_o pride_n and_o obstinacy_n the_o command_n of_o god_n to_o believe_v the_o testimony_n that_o he_o have_v give_v of_o his_o son_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n and_o the_o divine_a authority_n on_o which_o they_o be_v found_v be_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o move_v we_o to_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o though_o the_o matter_n of_o they_o be_v so_o far_o above_o our_o comprehension_n they_o be_v mystery_n and_o necessary_o must_v be_v such_o and_o therefore_o be_v to_o be_v adore_v and_o submit_v to_o with_o that_o humility_n that_o befit_v creature_n conscious_a of_o their_o own_o weakness_n and_o faileurs_fw-fr and_o of_o the_o infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a majesty_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o if_o this_o trouble_v they_o they_o may_v as_o well_o murmur_v and_o quarrel_n and_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n as_o obscure_v and_o un-intelligible_a there_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v all_o who_o will_v be_v content_a with_o just_a proof_n of_o it_o though_o not_o to_o take_v away_o all_o possible_a doubt_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o must_v side_n with_o the_o follower_n of_o epicurus_n in_o their_o idle_a and_o foolish_a and_o impious_a attempt_n to_o raze_v the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o extinguish_v and_o destroy_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v not_o impose_v upon_o they_o or_o do_v violence_n to_o their_o reason_n as_o they_o object_n only_o upon_o this_o pretence_n because_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o as_o evident_a and_o clear_a to_o their_o understanding_n as_o visible_a object_n be_v to_o the_o eye_n in_o a_o clear_a and_o full_a light_n for_o than_o they_o will_v cease_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o lose_v their_o name_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o comprehension_n of_o science_n and_o indeed_o so_o long_o as_o they_o retain_v this_o unreasonable_a principle_n that_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o judge_v by_o the_o narrow_a rule_n of_o philosophy_n and_o natural_a reason_n which_o can_v be_v no_o proper_a medium_n of_o prove_v thing_n only_o knowable_a by_o revelation_n they_o may_v well_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o their_o own_o power_n to_o change_v their_o opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o bring_v their_o understanding_n to_o admit_v they_o but_o can_v they_o hope_v that_o this_o shall_v justify_v their_o pertinaciousness_n and_o excuse_v they_o at_o god_n tribunal_n be_v it_o not_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o the_o unjust_a prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o entertain_v arise_v from_o a_o perverse_a will_n and_o from_o obstinacy_n and_o pride_n and_o peevishness_n and_o not_o from_o any_o dissatisfactoriness_n at_o the_o inevidence_n and_o incertainty_n of_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n of_o their_o credibility_n it_o be_v only_a god_n who_o can_v convince_v such_o man_n by_o the_o mighty_a influence_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o remove_v these_o prejudices_fw-la which_o obstruct_v the_o reception_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o who_o mercy_n we_o leave_v they_o for_o we_o let_v we_o hold_v fast_o our_o profession_n of_o faith_n without_o waver_v for_o god_n be_v faithful_a who_o have_v call_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o truth_n if_o you_o understand_v aright_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o you_o to_o be_v debauch_v and_o pervert_v either_o by_o socinian_n or_o jesuit_n or_o sectary_n all_o their_o pretend_a demonstration_n for_o error_n and_o delusion_n be_v usual_o very_o bold_a and_o confident_a be_v mere_a sophism_n and_o argument_n of_o deceit_n trick_n and_o artifices_fw-la of_o wit_n without_o any_o foundation_n of_o true_a reason_n in_o the_o one_o or_o of_o scripture_n or_o apostolical_a tradition_n in_o the_o other_o if_o as_o i_o say_v before_o the_o primitive_a christian_n go_v to_o heaven_n you_o may_v be_v assure_v of_o the_o same_o hope_n of_o salvation_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o you_o add_v to_o a_o sound_a faith_n the_o practice_n of_o a_o virtuous_a and_o holy_a and_o true_o christian_a life_n and_o if_o you_o perform_v the_o vow_n you_o make_v at_o your_o baptism_n and_o renew_v every_o time_n you_o receive_v the_o most_o bless_a sacrament_n and_o so_o adorn_v the_o primitive_a faith_n with_o primitive_a purity_n and_o holiness_n appendix_n concern_v the_o apostle_n creed_n this_o form_n of_o faith_n be_v call_v by_o 1._o irenaeus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o invariable_a rule_n of_o faith_n receive_v and_o open_o profess_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o new_a convert_n at_o his_o baptism_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o so_o in_o several_a other_o place_n he_o refer_v not_o only_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o general_n but_o to_o a_o fix_a and_o know_v rule_n of_o it_o as_o lib._n 1._o cap._n 19_o cum_fw-la teneamus_fw-la autem_fw-la nos_fw-la regulam_fw-la veritatis_fw-la and_o lib._n 2._o cap._n 43._o nusquam_fw-la transferentes_fw-la regulam_fw-la neque_fw-la errantes_fw-la ab_fw-la artifice_n neque_fw-la abjicientes_fw-la fidem_fw-la this_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v call_v somewhere_o by_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o little_a body_n or_o system_v of_o article_n contain_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n tertullian_n do_v also_o often_o mention_v the_o regula_fw-la fidei_fw-la as_o a_o thing_n every_o where_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v as_o in_o his_o book_n against_o hermogenes_n in_o the_o beginning_n the_o prescript_n cap._n 13._o apol._n cap._n 47._o and_o in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr velandis_fw-la virginibus_fw-la in_o the_o beginning_n regula_n quidem_fw-la fidei_fw-la una_fw-la omnino_fw-la est_fw-la soia_fw-la immobilis_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d &_o irreformabilis_fw-la and_o be_v the_o same_o with_o what_o he_o call_v soon_o after_o lex_fw-la fidei_fw-la or_o the_o unalterable_a law_n of_o faith_n which_o admit_v of_o no_o change_n whereas_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n in_o matter_n of_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n and_o external_a behaviour_n to_o make_v what_o alteration_n shall_v be_v judge_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o piety_n prudence_n decency_n and_o to_o variety_n of_o circumstance_n of_o place_n and_o time_n and_o other_o accident_n hâc_fw-la lege_fw-la fidei_fw-la manente_fw-la cetera_fw-la jam_fw-la disciplinae_fw-la &_o conversationis_fw-la admittunt_fw-la novitatem_fw-la correction_n operante_fw-la scilicet_fw-la &_o persiciente_a usque_fw-la in_o finem_fw-la gratiâ_fw-la dei_fw-la thus_o in_o general_a there_o be_v a_o explicit_a rule_n of_o faith_n