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scripture_n authority_n church_n err_v 2,923 5 9.8588 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A54944 A discourse concerning the trial of spirits wherein inquiry is made into mens pretences to inspiration for publishing doctrines, in the name of God beyond the rules of the sacred scriptures : in opposition to some principles and practices of papists and fanaticks, as they contradict the doctrines of the Church of England, defined in her Articles of Religion, established by her ecclesiastical canons, and confirmed by acts of Parliament / by Thomas Pittis ... Pittis, Thomas, 1636-1687. 1683 (1683) Wing P2313; ESTC R33964 135,179 370

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interval_n betwixt_o the_o death_n of_o the_o last_o and_o the_o election_n of_o a_o new_a let_v even_o the_o chair_n keep_v it_o for_o the_o next_o that_o shall_v possess_v it_o and_o i_o wish_v it_o will_v always_o sit_v there_o and_o never_o endeavour_v to_o trouble_v we_o if_o they_o will_v perish_v in_o their_o own_o folly_n i_o know_v no_o help_n be_v quite_o tire_v with_o expose_v their_o opinion_n upon_o the_o view_n of_o the_o whole_a we_o see_v the_o proposition_n be_v make_v good_a that_o since_o their_o own_o opinion_n be_v so_o different_a about_o the_o seat_n of_o infallibility_n neither_o they_o nor_o we_o know_v where_o to_o find_v it_o six_o if_o there_o be_v this_o infallibility_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o they_o have_v agree_v where_o to_o fix_v it_o so_o that_o they_o be_v sure_o they_o once_o know_v how_o to_o find_v it_o yet_o it_o plain_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v now_o lose_v since_o their_o whole_a church_n have_v determine_v and_o yield_v to_o many_o thing_n plain_o erroneous_a and_o quite_o opposite_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a only_a instance_n in_o three_o though_o i_o may_v produce_v a_o catalogue_n of_o more_o the_o 1._o be_v the_o take_n away_o the_o cup_n from_o the_o people_n 2._o prayer_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n 3._o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n first_o i_o instance_n in_o take_v away_o the_o cup_n in_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n from_o the_o people_n as_o a_o error_n determine_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o cup_n i_o mean_v the_o sacramental_a cup_n and_o not_o that_o of_o ablution_n by_o which_o the_o romanist_n have_v shift_v from_o the_o doubt_n of_o some_o ignorant_a objector_n now_o that_o the_o detention_n of_o the_o cup_n notwithstanding_o all_o endeavour_n of_o
the_o subversion_n of_o his_o gospel_n when_o his_o infinite_a understanding_n can_v baffle_v their_o argument_n and_o his_o visible_a miracle_n rebuke_v their_o folly_n in_o set_v up_o any_o doctrine_n for_o divine_a that_o contradict_v what_o he_o deliver_v certain_o much_o more_o now_o when_o the_o gospel_n be_v deliver_v and_o miracle_n for_o its_o confirmation_n be_v cease_v and_o man_n be_v not_o now_o to_o expect_v new_a but_o to_o believe_v the_o old_a nay_o when_o the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v often_o pervert_v to_o evil_a design_n and_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o man_n offer_v to_o god_n they_o sacrifice_n to_o the_o devil_n the_o church_n be_v now_o and_o our_o religion_n in_o it_o like_o a_o ship_n at_o sea_n toss_v in_o a_o storm_n and_o through_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n we_o be_v put_v into_o a_o creek_n to_o careen_a and_o repair_v let_v we_o examine_v therefore_o all_o the_o leaky_a part_n of_o the_o vessel_n and_o supply_v all_o the_o defect_n of_o mast_n or_o 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because_o every_o one_o shall_v bear_v his_o own_o burden_n gal._n 6.4_o 5._o but_o yet_o because_o many_o thing_n in_o religion_n be_v place_v beyond_o the_o examination_n of_o every_o man_n who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o embrace_v they_o i_o must_v here_o lay_v down_o some_o direction_n and_o rule_v to_o limit_v such_o as_o may_v be_v otherwise_o apt_a to_o be_v extravagant_a and_o extend_v this_o duty_n of_o try_v spirit_n beyond_o their_o own_o power_n and_o capacity_n and_o 1._o we_o that_o discourse_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o be_v full_o convince_v that_o it_o be_v true_a must_v take_v it_o as_o it_o be_v express_v to_o the_o world_n in_o those_o book_n of_o scripture_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v now_o these_o acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o set_v apart_o to_o be_v guide_n to_o other_o and_o therefore_o distinguish_v the_o church_n into_o pastor_n and_o people_n into_o those_o that_o be_v guide_n and_o those_o that_o be_v to_o be_v conduct_v by_o 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by_o those_o inspire_a man_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v among_o those_o that_o have_v not_o leisure_n nor_o skill_n enough_o to_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v so_o by_o any_o argument_n or_o authority_n and_o when_o these_o principle_n be_v settle_v 2._o the_o scripture_n have_v some_o point_v more_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v we_o must_v far_o make_v use_n of_o our_o guide_n and_o those_o who_o our_o saviour_n have_v appoint_v over_o we_o to_o interpret_v to_o we_o such_o point_n in_o religion_n which_o we_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o unridle_v ourselves_o and_o not_o adventure_v above_o our_o strength_n in_o judge_a thing_n which_o we_o have_v not_o learned_a this_o become_v the_o natural_a modesty_n of_o mankind_n and_o be_v more_o especial_o agreeable_a to_o that_o humility_n of_o mind_n and_o those_o docile_a disposition_n which_o become_v the_o gospel_n the_o contrary_a humour_n and_o action_n of_o man_n be_v what_o make_v so_o many_o schism_n in_o the_o church_n and_o lay_v they_o open_v to_o the_o error_n and_o imposture_n of_o those_o who_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o design_n easy_o prevail_v upon_o and_o lead_v the_o simple_a in_o plain_a thing_n such_o as_o most_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n be_v every_o man_n of_o a_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v well_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v for_o himself_o but_o if_o they_o will_v enter_v into_o controversy_n especial_o such_o as_o have_v puzzle_v the_o learned_a it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o be_v lead_v into_o mistake_n and_o their_o own_o obstinacy_n add_v to_o their_o ignorance_n make_v their_o error_n become_v a_o heresy_n or_o if_o man_n will_v proceed_v in_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o they_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o understanding_n by_o false_a measure_n and_o course_n which_o be_v irregular_a not_o rely_v at_o all_o on_o those_o help_n and_o aid_n which_o reason_n dictate_v and_o god_n have_v both_o appoint_v and_o allow_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n then_o that_o they_o impose_v upon_o 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against_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a this_o than_o must_v be_v a_o ready_a method_n to_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n and_o the_o eternal_a law_n instamp_v upon_o our_o mind_n if_o the_o mutation_n proceed_v from_o the_o roman_a chair_n nay_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n need_v not_o be_v change_v if_o the_o pope_n please_v to_o change_v their_o name_n man_n may_v borrow_v then_o and_o never_o pay_v if_o he_o please_v to_o cancel_v the_o debt_n ruine_v family_n and_o overturning_a kingdom_n will_v become_v noble_a and_o a_o glorious_a exploit_n nay_o religious_a act_n when_o he_o be_v at_o leisure_n to_o adopt_v they_o into_o the_o number_n burn_v city_n and_o murder_a prince_n shall_v be_v account_v mean_n of_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n if_o he_o please_v once_o to_o determine_v that_o we_o may_v do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o and_o blow_v up_o the_o estate_n of_o kingdom_n be_v present_o holy_a if_o he_o will_v but_o sanctify_v the_o 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will_v endeavour_v to_o mislead_v they_o for_o there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o have_v humility_n enough_o to_o use_v the_o help_n of_o the_o learned_a in_o religion_n and_o grace_n enough_o to_o implore_v the_o ordinary_a assistance_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n which_o god_n give_v to_o those_o that_o ask_v he_o but_o if_o he_o endeavour_v with_o sincerity_n to_o live_v according_a to_o what_o he_o already_o know_v and_o faithful_o and_o honest_o apply_v his_o rational_a faculty_n to_o the_o diligent_a search_n of_o divine_a truth_n he_o shall_v certain_o attain_v such_o degree_n and_o advancement_n of_o knowledge_n as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v he_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n if_o he_o do_v not_o too_o much_o strive_v to_o be_v wise_a above_o what_o be_v write_v and_o if_o after_o all_o this_o he_o chance_v to_o fall_v into_o any_o error_n through_o the_o naked_a infirmity_n of_o human_a nature_n it_o shall_v be_v such_o as_o will_v be_v consistent_a with_o the_o foundation_n nor_o will_v it_o be_v so_o severe_o lay_v to_o his_o charge_n as_o to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o condemn_v he_o hereafter_o when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o own_o power_n to_o help_v it_o the_o scripture_n certain_o be_v first_o design_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o a_o rule_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o plain_a that_o all_o who_o be_v to_o take_v their_o measure_n by_o it_o may_v be_v able_a by_o some_o mean_n or_o other_o to_o compare_v their_o belief_n and_o action_n with_o the_o rule_n and_o also_o to_o pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o the_o whole_a nay_o if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o our_o own_o rational_a power_n together_o with_o those_o assistance_n we_o be_v direct_v to_o and_o make_v use_n of_o these_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n yield_v this_o to_o be_v true_a unless_o we_o will_v be_v perverse_a and_o obstinate_a in_o every_o thing_n for_o if_o we_o think_v upon_o the_o quality_n of_o those_o person_n to_o who_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n apply_v themselves_o in_o their_o usual_a discourse_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o speak_v not_o in_o their_o sermon_n nor_o write_v their_o epistle_n only_o to_o the_o rabbin_n among_o the_o jew_n nor_o only_o to_o the_o philosopher_n among_o the_o gentile_n nor_o be_v there_o at_o the_o first_o many_o rich_a or_o noble_a call_v but_o the_o poor_a have_v the_o gospel_n preach_v to_o they_o the_o apostle_n declare_v their_o doctrine_n free_o to_o the_o multitude_n nay_o so_o do_v our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v preach_v it_o in_o such_o language_n as_o all_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o understanding_n and_o receive_v it_o if_o prejudice_n do_v not_o resist_v the_o impression_n for_o their_o design_n be_v to_o plant_n christianity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o make_v proselyte_n to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o this_o religion_n to_o 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apostle_n be_v write_v or_o else_o we_o receive_v they_o faithful_o translate_v especial_o in_o necessary_a doctrine_n and_o rule_n which_o the_o critic_n themselves_o can_v well_v torture_n because_o they_o be_v often_o than_o once_o deliver_v from_o several_a pious_a and_o learned_a man_n who_o more_o perfect_o and_o complete_o understand_v they_o why_o shall_v thing_n therefore_o that_o be_v at_o first_o plain_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o mean_a be_v so_o obscure_a to_o we_o that_o we_o must_v want_v a_o guide_n who_o be_v infallible_a to_o direct_v we_o almost_o in_o all_o our_o way_n and_o what_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o he_o split_v we_o at_o last_o against_o a_o stone_n if_o god_n have_v not_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o bridle_v mankind_n so_o as_o to_o curb_v they_o from_o become_a sinner_n but_o have_v in_o this_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o own_o
obstinacy_n still_o increase_v till_o it_o be_v the_o ruin_n of_o himself_o and_o follower_n who_o all_o perish_a in_o the_o red_a sea_n ahab_n forsake_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o worship_v baalim_fw-la and_o lead_v the_o people_n into_o idolatry_n join_v the_o service_n of_o baal_n with_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o thus_o halt_v betwixt_o two_o opinion_n till_o the_o trial_n betwixt_o their_o sacrifice_n be_v determine_v on_o elijah_n side_n who_o be_v the_o prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n whilst_o fire_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o consume_v the_o sacrifice_n upon_o god_n own_o altar_n which_o baal_n can_v not_o effect_v on_o he_o but_o then_o the_o people_n determine_v their_o choice_n and_o give_v their_o assent_n that_o the_o lord_n be_v god_n and_o present_o slay_v the_o prophet_n of_o baal_n for_o who_o before_o they_o have_v great_a esteem_n 1_o king_n 18_o the_o chap._n hence_o be_v it_o also_o that_o our_o saviour_n say_v concern_v the_o jew_n who_o by_o miracle_n evidence_v moses_n commission_n have_v just_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o if_o he_o have_v not_o supersede_v their_o religious_a custom_n which_o till_o his_o come_n be_v just_o establish_v by_o show_v his_o authority_n and_o gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a by_o great_a miracle_n than_o those_o that_o introduce_v and_o establish_v the_o law_n they_o have_v do_v well_o to_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o gospel_n as_o a_o imposture_n because_o a_o new_a doctrine_n pretend_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o evacuate_v that_o which_o have_v proof_n from_o heaven_n be_v establish_v before_o must_v be_v confirm_v with_o great_a miracle_n than_o that_o which_o it_o pretend_v to_o abolish_v therefore_o say_v our_o saviour_n if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v among_o they_o the_o work_n which_o none_o other_o man_n do_v they_o have_v not_o have_v sin_n john_n 15.24_o which_o way_n of_o trial_n will_v by_o the_o way_n hold_v good_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v plain_o manifest_a that_o all_o the_o opinion_n and_o doctrine_n of_o man_n pretend_v to_o inspiration_n if_o they_o be_v rational_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o must_v come_v with_o such_o evidence_n and_o authority_n as_o may_v surmount_v all_o difficulty_n and_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_n so_o that_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v now_o pretend_v miracle_n to_o give_v testimony_n to_o any_o opinion_n that_o contradict_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o command_v our_o assent_n and_o to_o determine_v our_o belief_n unless_o they_o be_v great_a than_o any_o which_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n which_o these_o new_a opinion_n do_v oppose_v and_o contradict_v eight_o in_o this_o trial_n of_o man_n pretend_v inspiration_n for_o the_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v we_o must_v be_v sure_a that_o the_o evidence_n they_o give_v for_o such_o inspiration_n be_v peculiar_o divine_a and_o such_o as_o can_v be_v give_v to_o man_n by_o any_o thing_n inferior_a to_o the_o power_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o the_o grave_a deportment_n of_o the_o inspire_v nor_o the_o colour_n or_o shape_n of_o their_o face_n nor_o the_o seem_a innocence_n of_o their_o own_o life_n extraordinary_a austerity_n or_o a_o less_o decent_a and_o morose_n live_a that_o retire_v they_o from_o the_o conversation_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o a_o peculiar_a habit_n nor_o any_o uncouth_a or_o sluttish_a garment_n it_o be_v neither_o feed_n upon_o locust_n and_o wild_a honey_n nor_o yet_o eat_v with_o publican_n and_o sinner_n that_o prove_v a_o prophet_n to_o be_v divine_a nor_o be_v it_o a_o full_a and_o copious_a expression_n attend_v with_o abundance_n of_o zeal_n and_o passion_n nor_o yet_o a_o slow_a and_o pump_v delivery_n as_o if_o their_o notion_n be_v too_o big_a for_o their_o word_n and_o their_o word_n too_o large_a for_o their_o mouth_n that_o will_v evidence_n they_o to_o come_v from_o god_n it_o be_v neither_o their_o natural_a part_n or_o acquire_v ornament_n the_o antiquity_n of_o error_n nor_o the_o glory_n or_o number_n of_o those_o that_o be_v proselyte_v to_o it_o it_o be_v neither_o the_o render_v error_n plausible_a by_o distinction_n nor_o gloss_v it_o over_o with_o misrepresent_v testimony_n of_o other_o or_o pretend_v some_o latent_fw-la authority_n from_o the_o most_o obscure_a place_n pf_o the_o scripture_n or_o render_v those_o obscure_a to_o countenance_v their_o dotrine_n that_o be_v plain_a and_o open_a to_o the_o contrary_a that_o must_v lead_v we_o from_o divine_a truth_n into_o diabolical_a error_n and_o make_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n to_o patronize_v a_o lie_n in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v not_o a_o argument_n from_o the_o success_n a_o opinion_n have_v in_o the_o world_n though_o providence_n thereby_o seem_v with_o some_o to_o be_v entitle_v to_o it_o nor_o any_o countenance_n from_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n nor_o the_o iterate_a affirmation_n of_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v thus_o inspire_v that_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v his_o doctrine_n true_a because_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v frequent_o be_v public_a attestation_n to_o those_o that_o be_v false_a but_o there_o must_v be_v such_o evidence_n to_o those_o proposition_n which_o be_v pretend_v to_o come_v immediate_o from_o god_n as_o that_o by_o which_o he_o have_v always_o confirm_v his_o law_n to_o the_o world_n something_o beyond_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n that_o can_v be_v parallel_v by_o man_n or_o devil_n the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n must_v be_v annex_v that_o neither_o nature_n nor_o art_n be_v able_a to_o counterfeit_v and_o this_o nine_o must_v be_v real_a miracle_n in_o which_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v include_v there_o have_v be_v many_o wonder_n effect_v in_o the_o world_n and_o more_o story_n of_o these_o than_o be_v true_a which_o the_o romanist_n glory_n as_o much_o in_o as_o if_o they_o be_v miracle_n if_o their_o art_n can_v hide_v their_o craft_n &_o subtlety_n from_o those_o that_o be_v more_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a the_o pagan_a priest_n lead_v the_o van_n assist_v by_o the_o power_n of_o subtle_a daemon_n to_o gain_v the_o people_n worship_n to_o themselves_o or_o to_o those_o image_n which_o they_o animate_v and_o move_v and_o how_o far_o the_o romanist_n have_v follow_v they_o in_o this_o cheat_n and_o imposture_n have_v be_v sometime_o too_o apparent_o discover_v and_o will_v be_v more_o will_v they_o but_o be_v as_o ingenuous_a in_o their_o confession_n as_o they_o be_v witty_a in_o their_o subtle_a though_o impious_a invention_n the_o philosophical_a knowledge_n of_o natural_a cause_n together_o with_o a_o industrious_a application_n will_v make_v some_o extraordinary_a and_o unusual_a effect_n look_v like_a miracle_n for_o the_o most_o of_o man_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o a_o inferior_a education_n ignorant_a of_o many_o effect_n of_o art_n and_o nature_n which_o man_n of_o more_o refine_a understanding_n easy_o discover_v the_o cause_n of_o be_v apt_a to_o attribute_v those_o thing_n to_o the_o immediate_a operation_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n which_o be_v result_v from_o those_o that_o be_v second_o art_n will_v do_v much_o and_o nature_n more_o and_o the_o devil_n many_o time_n make_v more_o strange_a and_o unusual_a appearance_n be_v assist_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o both_o and_o how_o many_o time_n do_v man_n admire_v the_o slight_a of_o a_o juggler_n till_o perhaps_o they_o make_v discovery_n of_o his_o craft_n and_o attribute_v that_o to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n which_o he_o ingenious_o do_v by_o slight_a of_o hand_n nay_o the_o sport_n that_o devil_n make_v in_o the_o air_n we_o often_o take_v as_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n thunder_n and_o tremble_v and_o be_v afraid_a at_o the_o storm_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v as_o much_o difference_n betwixt_o true_a miracle_n and_o very_o real_a wonder_n as_o there_o be_v betwixt_o heaven_n and_o hell_n or_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o which_o first_o make_v and_o continue_v it_o who_o can_v either_o suspend_v its_o power_n or_o alter_v its_o effect_n or_o as_o there_o be_v betwixt_o nature_n and_o art_n which_o though_o the_o latter_a imitate_v it_o can_v never_o equal_v no_o more_o than_o the_o former_a vie_n with_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n miracle_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o any_o thing_n inferior_a unto_o god_n have_v always_o be_v receive_v by_o man_n as_o sufficient_a attestation_n of_o divine_a truth_n these_o be_v those_o divine_a testimony_n by_o which_o the_o bless_a jesus_n evidence_v his_o commission_n to_o the_o world_n and_o add_v god_n authority_n to_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o his_o doctrine_n when_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n send_v his_o disciple_n to_o he_o to_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n of_o which_o he_o