Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	acknowledge_v	church_n	word_n	2,764	5	4.2075	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26615	Protestancy to be embrac'd, or, A new and infallible method to reduce Romanists from popery to Protestancy a treatise of great use to all His Majesties subjects, and necessary to prevent error and popery / by David Abercromby, D., lately converted, after he had profess'd near nineteen years Jesuitism and popery.	Abercromby, David, d. 1701 or 2.	1682 (1682)	Wing A86; ESTC R6382	30,832	174

form of Prayer appointed to be said after every Council they pray that God would spare their ignorance and pardon their errors and if they curse and anathematize such as reject their decisions this argues not they arrogate to themselves any infallibility in deciding for the same is the practice of Provincial and Particular Councils who neither pretend to be nor are look'd upon by the Romanists as infallible Judges 9. This undeniable truth is of greater moment than perhaps it appears to be of at first For if the General Councils be not infallible when they decide in matters of Faith none of their decisions can be holden by Romanists as divine and reveal'd truths unless they be evidently conformable to God's written Word Wherefore receive they not the definitions of a private man as reveal'd Oracles the reason is because they know he is fallible and lyable to error Now the same being the condition and fate of General Councils they must of necessity confess they impose no obligation upon us to believe their decisions as Articles of Divine Faith Who then rejects as Protestants do Transubstantiation Invocation of Saints Image-worship Power of Popes to depose Princes Prayer for the dead and all other points we yield not to the Romanists deny's only what is asserted by errable Councils and consequently no Articles of Divine Faith we are therefore notoriously calumniated when on this account we are called by Papists obstinate in error and Hereticks 10. But how sayes the Romanist shall we resolve our doubts in matters of Faith if we acknowledge not the definitions of General Councils as divine and infallible Oracles You was told before by S. Austin how to behave in this case I repeat his words set matter with matter sayes he cause with cause reason with reason try the matter by the authority of Divine Scriptures never yet corrupted in material points nor ever shall by Gods especial and necessary Providence over his Church if then you read his Infallible Word with true humility and a sincere desire of your own spiritual profit he will open your understanding resolve your scruples give repose to your conscience and as great insight in his Word as he knows to be convenient for your spiritual interest 11. This method is better and securer than that of the Romanists what-ever is decided by a lawful general Council is to them an Article of Faith a reveal'd truth a divine Oracle but such Councils they hold none to be unless the Members thereof have been really baptiz'd which they can never be certain of because this depends on the uncertain intentions of those who Baptiz'd them For they generally teach besides the pronunciation of the words I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father c. The Ministers intention to confer the Sacrament is absolutely necessary so if it be wanting as easily it may the Child is not Baptiz'd On the same account they are not certain if their Popes be Priests because perhaps the Bishop who ordain'd them had no such intention when he pronounced the set form of ordination Of this I shall say a word again in another place 12. But if the general Councils be not infallible what mean the Scriptures by asserting The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church the Church is the pillar and ground of truth To this I answer There is nothing here as is evident relating to that ptetended infallible decisive faculty of General Councils The first Proposition signifieth only the true Church shall have an existency and being to the end of the World maugre the opposition of Tyrants Persecutors and all her Enemies though it may fall out she be not always visible in any Assembly or Congregation As it happen'd to the Primitive Church at Jerusalem when all her Members were scattered abroad throughout the Regions of Judaea and Samaria as it happen'd when Christ was smitten and all the rest were hid as it happen'd in Elias his time who thought he was left alone not knowing where th' other seaven thousand true Worshippers of God were as it happen'd during the Persecution of the Roman Emperors and lately before the General Reformation of the Christian World yet the Gates of Hell prevail'd not against the Church because she was ever existent though not visible as now to the World Her Meetings and Assemblys being of necessity in that juncture of affairs very secret and unknown to her Enemies She is said to be the pillar and ground of truth by reason of Gods especial Providence over her Children never suffering them all to fail and err but still stirring up some or several in opposition to Superstition Idolatry and Errors ARTICLE II. PRINCIPLE II. That Protestants may be saved more easily and with greater security than Romanists I Hope the foregoing Discourse will be an occasion of moderation to the most severe Romanists who reflecting impartially on their former mistakes rash Judgments and preoccupated opinions will convert their former zeal or rather fury against Protestants into Brotherly Love and Charity I say more if they will be at the pains to consider a moment or two and seriously the Contents of this second Article they shall I doubt not let go the uncertain take what is surest and embrace Protestancy as the easiest and safest way to our Eternal Happiness since by the grace of God it wants these lets and impediments to be met with in the Profession of Popery To run over some of them with order and method we shall take notice 1. Of their Faith and Doctrine 2. Of their Divine Worship and Ecclesiastical Discipline SECT I. Their Faith and Doctrine 1. THeir Faith is so blind that I have heard many of them say if a General Council had defin'd white to be black they would believe it whereby you see they are disposed to admit of any error if it be authoriz'd by a General Council though the infallibility thereof be no point of their Faith as I have proved evidently in the foregoing Article 2. They believe Baptism absolutely necessary to Salvation and none a true and real one if the Minister when he pronounceth the words intends not to Baptize which no doubt happens frequently since his intention may be easily diverted to his other designs and affairs Let all the World judge if people thus principled can enjoy a true repose of mind or peace of Conscience the only foretast we have in this life of that to come For how can they know assuredly whether the Minister or Priest really intended to Baptize them or not and so they may doubt if they be Christians for such they grant none is to be accounted without true Baptism and of this they can have no certainty because they are still uncertain of the Ministers intention judg'd by them so necessary to the validity of this Sacrament that if he intended only the meer pronounciation of the words I Baptize thee in the name of the Father c. The Baptism could be