Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
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A58627
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A sermon preached at White-Hall before His Late Majesty / by John Tillotson.
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Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.
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1686
(1686)
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Wing S1250A; ESTC R25649
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14,978
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33
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as_o many_o eâ—â—rors_n as_o they_o please_v to_o bring_v in_o be_v their_o doctriâ—â—_n of_o infallibility_n and_o this_o they_o be_v very_a stâ—â—_n and_o peremptory_a in_o though_o they_o be_v not_o agreeâ—_n among_o themselves_o where_o this_o infallibilityâ—_n â—_z seat_v whether_o in_o the_o pope_n alone_o or_o a_o couâ—â—cil_n alone_o or_o in_o both_o together_o or_o in_o the_o diffusiâ—â—_n body_n of_o christian_n but_o they_o be_v sure_o they_o hauâ—_n it_o though_o they_o know_v not_o where_o it_o be_v and_o be_v this_o no_o prejudice_n against_o it_o can_v anâ—_n man_n think_v that_o this_o privilege_n be_v at_o firâ—â—_n confer_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o thaâ—_n christian_n in_o all_o age_n do_v believe_v it_o and_o haâ—â—_n constant_a recourse_n to_o it_o for_o determine_a theiâ—_n difference_n and_o yet_o that_o that_o very_a church_n which_o have_v enjoy_v and_o use_v it_o so_o long_a shoulâ—_n now_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n where_o to_o find_v it_o nothing_o can_v have_v fall_v out_o more_o unlucky_o thaâ—_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o difference_n among_o they_o about_o that_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v thâ—_n only_o mean_v of_o end_v all_o difference_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n in_o scripture_n of_o this_o privilege_n confer_v upon_o the_o roman_a church_n nor_o do_v the_o aposte_n in_o all_o theiâ—_n epistle_n ever_o so_o much_o as_o give_v the_o least_o direction_n to_o christian_n to_o appeal_v to_o the_o bishop_n oâ—_n rome_n for_o a_o determination_n of_o the_o many_o difference_n which_o even_o in_o those_o time_n happen_v among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v strange_a they_o shall_v be_v so_o silent_a in_o this_o matter_n when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o it_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v plain_o appoint_v such_o a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o this_o very_a end_n to_o decide_v the_o difference_n that_o shall_v happen_v among_o christian_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o the_o ancient_a father_n in_o their_o dispute_n with_o heretic_n shall_v never_o appeal_v to_o this_o judge_n nay_o it_o be_v strange_a they_o shall_v not_o constant_o do_v it_o in_o all_o case_n it_o be_v so_o short_a and_o expedite_v a_o way_n for_o the_o end_n of_o controversy_n and_o this_o very_a consideration_n to_o a_o wise_a man_n be_v instead_o of_o a_o thousand_o argument_n to_o satisfy_v he_o that_o in_o those_o time_n no_o such_o thing_n be_v believe_v in_o the_o world_n now_o this_o doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a be_v of_o so_o much_o the_o more_o pernicious_a consequence_n to_o christianity_n because_o the_o conceit_n of_o it_o do_v confirm_v they_o that_o think_v they_o have_v it_o in_o all_o their_o other_o error_n and_o give_v they_o a_o pretence_n of_o assume_v a_o authority_n to_o themselves_o to_o impose_v their_o own_o fancy_n and_o mistake_v upon_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n 2._o their_o doctrine_n about_o repentance_n which_o consist_v in_o confess_v their_o sin_n to_o the_o priest_n which_o if_o it_o be_v but_o accompany_v with_o any_o degree_n of_o contrition_n do_v upon_o absolution_n receive_v from_o the_o priest_n put_v they_o into_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n though_o they_o have_v live_v the_o most_o lewd_a and_o debauch_a life_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_o destructive_a of_o a_o good_a life_n for_o if_o this_o be_v true_a all_o the_o hazard_n that_o the_o most_o wicked_a man_n run_v of_o his_o salvation_n be_v only_o the_o danger_n of_o so_o sudden_a a_o death_n as_o give_v he_o no_o space_n for_o confession_n and_o absolution_n a_o case_n that_o happen_v so_o rare_o that_o any_o man_n that_o be_v strong_o addict_v to_o his_o lust_n will_v be_v content_a to_o venture_v his_o salvation_n upon_o this_o hazard_n and_o all_o the_o argument_n to_o a_o good_a life_n will_v be_v very_o insignificant_a to_o a_o man_n that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v wicked_a when_o remission_n of_o sin_n may_v be_v have_v upon_o such_o cheap_a term_n 3._o the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n by_o which_o they_o mean_v a_o estate_n of_o temporary_a punishment_n after_o this_o life_n from_o which_o man_n may_v be_v release_v and_o translate_v into_o heaven_n by_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o live_n and_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v not_o know_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n nor_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o scripture_n we_o have_v the_o free_a acknowledgement_n of_o as_o learned_a and_o eminent_a man_n as_o any_o of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v a_o superstructure_n upon_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o though_o in_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o buildding_n of_o gold_n and_o silver_n upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n consider_v the_o vast_a revenue_n which_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o indulgence_n which_o depend_v upon_o it_o bring_v into_o that_o church_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n it_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v hay_n and_o stubble_n but_o how_o groundless_a soever_o it_o be_v it_o be_v too_o gainful_a a_o doctrine_n to_o be_v easy_o part_v withal_o 4._o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n a_o hard_a word_n but_o i_o will_v to_o god_n that_o be_v the_o worst_a of_o it_o the_o thing_n be_v much_o more_o difficult_a i_o have_v take_v some_o pain_n to_o consider_v other_o â—_z that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v free_o declare_v that_o i_o never_o yet_o in_o any_o of_o they_o meet_v with_o any_o article_n or_o proposition_n impose_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o man_n half_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o hard_a to_o be_v believe_v as_o this_o be_v and_o yet_o this_o in_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v esteem_v one_o of_o the_o most_o principal_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n though_o there_o be_v no_o more_o certain_a foundation_n for_o it_o in_o scripture_n than_o for_o our_o saviour_n be_v substantial_o change_v into_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v say_v of_o he_o as_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rock_n a_o vine_n a_o door_n and_o a_o hundred_o other_o thing_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o this_o doctrine_n have_v not_o only_o no_o certain_a foundation_n in_o scripture_n but_o i_o have_v a_o far_o heavy_a charge_n against_o it_o namely_o that_o it_o undermine_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n itself_o and_o sure_o nothing_o aught_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o destroy_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o belief_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o that_o this_o doctrine_n do_v so_o will_v appear_v evident_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o main_a argument_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v to_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n the_o author_n of_o this_o doctrine_n wrought_v such_o and_o such_o miracle_n and_o particular_o that_o he_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o this_o they_o prove_v because_o they_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o have_v see_v he_o and_o coâ—â—versed_v with_o he_o after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o tâ—â—_n dead_a but_o what_o if_o their_o sense_n do_v deceit_n they_o in_o this_o matter_n then_o it_o can_v be_v dâ—â—nied_v but_o that_o the_o main_a proof_n of_o christianiâ—â—_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n well!_o we_o will_v now_o suppose_v as_o tâ—â—_n church_n of_o rome_n do_v transubstantiation_n 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v one_o principal_a part_n of_o the_o christiâ—â—_n doctrine_n which_o the_o apostle_n preach_v bâ—_n if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v true_a than_o all_o man_n senâ—â—_n be_v deceive_v in_o a_o plain_a sensible_a matter_n wherâ—_n in_o it_o be_v as_o hard_a for_o they_o to_o be_v deceive_v as_o 〈◊〉_d any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n for_o two_o thing_n caâ—_n hardly_o be_v imagine_v more_o different_a than_o little_a bit_n of_o wafer_n and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o man_n so_o that_o the_o apostle_n persuade_v man_n to_o bâ—â—lieve_v this_o doctrine_n persuade_v they_o not_o 〈◊〉_d trust_v their_o sense_n and_o yet_o the_o argument_n whicâ—_n they_o use_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o this_o be_v buiâ—â—_n upon_o the_o direct_a contrary_a principle_n that_o meâ—_n sense_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v for_o if_o they_o be_v noâ—_n then_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o evidence_n the_o apostle_n offer_v for_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saâ—viour_n he_o may_v not_o be_v rise_v and_o so_o the_o faitâ—_n of_o christian_n be_v vain_a so_o that_o they_o repreâ—sent_v the_o apostle_n as_o absurd_a as_o be_v possible_a viâ—_n go_v about_o to_o persuade_v man_n out_o of_o theâ—â—_n sense_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o argument_n the_o whoâ—_n strength_n whereof_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o sense_n and_o now_o the_o matter_n be_v bring_v
my_o mother_n and_o my_o brethren_n he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o my_o father_n the_o same_o be_v my_o mother_n and_o sister_n and_o brother_n and_o when_o the_o woman_n break_v forth_o into_o that_o rapture_n concern_v the_o bless_a mother_n of_o our_o lord_n blessed_n be_v the_o wombâ—_n that_o bear_v thou_o and_o the_o pap_n that_o give_v thou_o suck_v our_o saviour_n divert_v to_o another_o thing_n yea_o rather_o bless_a be_v they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o keep_v it_o do_v either_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n in_o all_o their_o particular_a precept_n and_o direction_n concern_v prayer_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o by_o who_o we_o be_v to_o address_v ourselves_o to_o god_n give_v the_o least_o intimation_n of_o pray_v to_o the_o virgin_n mary_n or_o make_v use_n of_o her_o mediation_n and_o can_v any_o man_n believe_v that_o if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o beginning_n our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n will_v have_v be_v so_o silent_a about_o so_o considerable_a a_o part_n of_o religion_n insomuch_o that_o in_o all_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n i_o do_v not_o remember_v that_o her_o name_n be_v so_o much_o as_o once_o mention_v and_o yet_o the_o worship_n of_o she_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o have_v be_v so_o for_o several_a age_n a_o main_a part_n of_o their_o public_a worship_n yea_o and_o of_o their_o private_a devotion_n too_o in_o which_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o they_o to_o say_v ten_o ave_fw-la mary_n for_o one_o pater_fw-la noster_fw-la that_o be_v for_o one_o prayer_n they_o make_v to_o almighty_a god_n they_o make_v ten_o address_n to_o the_o bless_a virgin_n for_o that_o be_v the_o proportion_n observe_v in_o their_o rosary_n he_o that_o consider_v this_o and_o have_v never_o see_v the_o bible_n will_v have_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o there_o have_v be_v more_o say_v concern_v she_o in_o scripture_n than_o either_o concern_v god_n or_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v full_a from_o one_o end_n to_o the_o other_o of_o precept_n and_o exhortation_n to_o the_o worship_v of_o she_o and_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o show_v i_o so_o much_o as_o one_o sentence_n in_o the_o whole_a bible_n that_o sound_v that_o way_n and_o there_o be_v as_o little_a in_o the_o christian_a writer_n of_o the_o first_o three_o hundred_o year_n the_o truth_n be_v this_o practice_n begin_v to_o creep_v in_o among_o some_o superstitious_a people_n about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o four_o century_n and_o i_o remember_v particular_o that_o epiphanius_n who_o live_v about_o that_o time_n call_v it_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v give_v you_o some_o instance_n of_o several_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o christianity_n much_o more_o may_v have_v be_v say_v of_o they_o but_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v any_o man_n may_v easy_o discern_v how_o dangerous_a they_o be_v to_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o second_o place_n ii_o to_o consider_v whether_o our_o grant_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n though_o with_o great_a hazard_n to_o those_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o their_o deny_v it_o to_o we_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n and_o encouragement_n to_o any_o man_n to_o quit_v our_o church_n and_o go_v to_o they_o and_o there_o be_v the_o more_o need_n to_o consider_v this_o because_o thiâ—_n be_v the_o great_a popular_a argument_n wherewith_o thâ—_n emissary_n and_o agent_n of_o that_o church_n be_v wonâ—_n to_o assault_v our_o people_n your_o church_n say_v they_o grant_v that_o a_o papist_n may_v be_v save_v we_o deny_v that_o a_o protestant_n can_v be_v save_v therefore_o it_o be_v safe_a to_o be_v of_o our_o church_n in_o which_o salvation_n by_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o both_o side_n be_v possible_a for_o answer_v to_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v so_o intolerable_o weak_a and_o sophistica_fw-la 〈…〉_z that_o any_o considerate_a man_n ought_v to_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v catch_v by_o it_o for_o either_o it_o be_v good_a of_o itself_o and_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v a_o man_n to_o relinquish_v our_o church_n and_o to_o pass_v over_o to_o they_o without_o enter_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n on_o either_o side_n and_o without_o compare_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o both_o the_o church_n together_o or_o it_o be_v not_o if_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o persuade_v a_o man_n to_o leave_v our_o church_n without_o compare_v the_o doctrine_n on_o both_o side_n than_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o get_v by_o it_o for_o if_o upon_o examination_n and_o compare_v of_o doctrine_n the_o one_o appear_v to_o be_v true_a and_o the_o other_o false_a this_o alone_a be_v a_o sufficient_a inducement_n to_o any_o man_n to_o cleave_v to_o that_o church_n where_o the_o true_a doctrine_n be_v find_v and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o this_o argument_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o argument_n be_v good_a in_o itself_o without_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o both_o church_n this_o seem_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n for_o any_o man_n to_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v reason_n enough_o to_o a_o man_n to_o be_v of_o any_o church_n whatever_o her_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n be_v if_o she_o do_v but_o damn_v those_o that_o differ_v from_o she_o and_o if_o the_o church_n that_o differ_v from_o she_o do_v but_o allow_v a_o possibility_n of_o salvation_n in_o her_o communion_n but_o they_o who_o use_v this_o argument_n pretend_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v apply_v myself_o to_o show_v as_o brief_o and_o plain_o as_o i_o can_v the_o miserable_a weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o it_o to_o satisfy_v any_o man_n conscience_n or_o prudence_n to_o change_v his_o religion_n and_o to_o this_o end_n i_o shall_v 1._o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o this_o argument_n rely_v 2._o give_v some_o parallel_a instance_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o it_o conclude_v false_a 3._o i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o some_o gross_a absurdity_n that_o follow_v from_o it_o 4._o show_v how_o unfit_a it_o be_v to_o work_v upon_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v propound_v and_o 5._o how_o improper_a it_o be_v to_o be_v urge_v by_o those_o that_o make_v use_v of_o it_o i._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o this_o argument_n rely_v and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o whatever_o different_a party_n in_o religion_n agree_v in_o be_v safe_a to_o be_v choose_v the_o true_a consequence_n of_o which_o principle_n if_o it_o be_v drive_v to_o the_o head_n be_v to_o persuade_v man_n to_o forsake_v christianity_n and_o to_o make_v they_o take_v up_o in_o thâ—_n principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n for_o in_o these_o alâ—_n religion_n do_v agree_v for_o if_o this_o principle_n bâ—_n true_a and_o signify_v any_o thing_n it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o embrace_v any_o thing_n wherein_o the_o several_a parâ—ties_n in_o religion_n differ_v because_o that_o only_a iâ—_n safe_a and_o prudent_a to_o be_v choose_v wherein_o all_o aâ—gree_n so_o that_o this_o argument_n if_o the_o foundatiâ—on_n of_o it_o be_v good_a will_v persuade_v further_a thaâ—_n those_o who_o make_v use_v of_o it_o desire_v it_o shall_v do_v for_o it_o will_v not_o only_o make_v man_n forsake_v the_o proâ—testant_a religion_n but_o popery_n too_o and_o which_o be_v much_o more_o considerable_a christianity_n itself_o ii_o i_o will_v give_v some_o parallel_a instance_n by_o which_o it_o will_v clear_o be_v see_v that_o this_o arguâ—ment_n conclude_v false_a the_o donatist_n deny_v thâ—_n baptism_n of_o the_o catholic_n to_o be_v good_a but_o thâ—_n catholic_n acknowledge_v the_o baptism_n of_o thâ—_n donatist_n to_o be_v valid_a so_o that_o both_o side_n werâ—_n agree_v that_o the_o baptism_n of_o the_o donatists_n waâ—_n good_a therefore_o the_o safe_a way_n for_o st._n austiâ—_n and_o other_o catholic_n according_a to_o this_o arâ—gument_n be_v to_o be_v baptise_a again_o by_o thâ—_n donatist_n because_o by_o the_o acknowledgement_n oâ—_n both_o side_n baptism_n among_o they_o be_v valid_a but_o to_o come_v near_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n several_n in_o that_o church_n hold_v the_o personal_a inâ—fallibility_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o dispose_v and_o kill_v king_n for_o heresy_n to_o be_v dâ—â—â—â—de_v that_o be_v necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o that_o whoever_o do_v