and_o the_o various_a apprehension_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o man_n not_o like_a ever_o to_o be_v full_o and_o satisfactory_o decide_v and_o which_o indeed_o be_v but_o nicety_n and_o trifle_a subtlety_n in_o comparison_n while_o they_o put_v a_o great_a value_n upon_o they_o than_o the_o nature_n and_o matter_n of_o they_o will_v bear_v and_o whilst_o they_o sacrifice_v unity_n and_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o grand_a and_o real_a concern_v of_o religion_n to_o passion_n and_o humour_n 3._o much_o less_o be_v doubtful_a consequence_n and_o philosophical_a opinion_n to_o be_v admit_v and_o reckon_v in_o the_o number_n of_o fundamental_o at_o first_o certain_o and_o for_o several_a age_n together_o there_o be_v no_o great_a subtlety_n require_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o good_a christian._n the_o institution_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o laborious_a and_o perplex_v nothing_o be_v require_v but_o a_o firm_a assent_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o a_o few_o proposition_n 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assistance_n till_o the_o substance_n of_o christianity_n be_v even_o lose_v in_o the_o quarrel_n and_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o it_o undermine_v and_o faith_n swallow_v up_o in_o wantonness_n of_o wit_n and_o peace_n shut_v out_o of_o the_o world_n by_o faction_n and_o schism_n the_o result_n be_v that_o they_o be_v the_o worse_a christian_n more_o talkative_a and_o curious_a perhaps_o but_o less_o strict_a and_o religious_a and_o charitable_a nay_o less_o know_v than_o they_o be_v before_o they_o let_v loose_v the_o reins_o to_o their_o fancy_n and_o leap_v over_o those_o boundary_n which_o god_n and_o the_o church_n have_v set_v 4._o whatsoever_o be_v not_o fundamental_a in_o the_o apostle_n time_n can_v be_v so_o now_o if_o it_o be_v a_o true_a way_n of_o define_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o as_o such_o impose_v by_o they_o upon_o their_o proselyte_n without_o the_o embrace_v of_o which_o they_o can_v not_o 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friend_n and_o have_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o our_o saviour_n if_o they_o have_v not_o determine_v the_o manner_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o sacrament_n and_o bring_v in_o a_o new_a doctrine_n which_o contradict_v the_o whole_a circle_n of_o science_n and_o the_o sense_n and_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o tie_v all_o other_o to_o believe_v a_o unnatural_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o institution_n make_o the_o difference_n irreconcilable_a by_o their_o trent_n canon_n and_o shut_v out_o all_o possible_a hope_n of_o peace_n till_o god_n shall_v open_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o christian_a prince_n of_o that_o communion_n to_o see_v the_o fallacy_n and_o cheat_n of_o the_o court_n and_o the_o error_n and_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o call_v a_o free_a and_o true_o general_n council_n to_o debate_v the_o difference_n which_o be_v now_o on_o foot_n to_o the_o great_a scandal_n of_o christianity_n upon_o the_o principle_n of_o scripture_n primitive_a antiquity_n and_o genuine_a apostolical_a tradition_n and_o which_o consideration_n of_o worldly_a interest_n and_o grandeur_n keep_v up_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n leave_v to_o restore_v unity_n to_o the_o divide_a catholic_n church_n it_o be_v the_o glory_n as_o well_o as_o happiness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o the_o rite_n she_o use_v in_o her_o religious_a worship_n be_v decent_a and_o solemn_a and_o every_o way_n serve_v the_o purpose_n of_o religion_n that_o her_o government_n be_v apostolical_a that_o her_o establish_a liturgy_n be_v according_a to_o the_o primitive_a standard_n and_o which_o no_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n can_v just_o be_v offend_v at_o unless_o perchance_o he_o think_v this_o a_o just_a reason_n because_o it_o be_v a_o set_a form_n that_o she_o hold_v nothing_o as_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o faith_n but_o what_o be_v hold_v so_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o she_o reject_v no_o tradition_n that_o can_v prove_v itself_o to_o be_v apostolical_a that_o she_o receive_v the_o article_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n hold_v ancient_o for_o such_o in_o their_o receive_a sense_n and_o as_o they_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o three_o creed_n and_o admit_v all_o who_o receive_v they_o into_o her_o communion_n that_o her_o determination_n of_o opinion_n in_o her_o article_n be_v modest_a and_o far_o from_o the_o high-flown_a pretence_n of_o infallibility_n and_o design_v as_o a_o instrument_n of_o union_n that_o she_o be_v willing_a to_o communicate_v with_o christian_n of_o what_o denomination_n soever_o where_o the_o term_n of_o the_o communion_n be_v lawful_a so_o as_o it_o may_v be_v do_v without_o sin_n without_o prejudice_n to_o truth_n and_o the_o fundamental_o of_o church_n government_n confirm_v by_o universal_a practice_n and_o canon_n of_o council_n and_o without_o violate_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o well_o as_o her_o own_o in_o particular_a let_v the_o romanist_n single_a out_o any_o one_o of_o her_o profess_a tenant_n which_o she_o hold_v as_o essential_a to_o faith_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o first_o antiquity_n they_o can_v deny_v that_o she_o hold_v nothing_o amiss_o herein_o only_o they_o pretend_v that_o she_o do_v not_o hold_n enough_o that_o be_v that_o we_o reject_v transubstantiation_n and_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n worship_v of_o image_n that_o we_o do_v not_o admit_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v the_o visible_a head_n and_o monarch_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o he_o and_o the_o like_a all_o which_o be_v mere_a fancy_n and_o usurpation_n but_o if_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v
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 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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
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 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