one_o theodatus_fw-la artemon_n and_o beryllus_n and_o sabellius_n in_o the_o four_o century_n by_o arius_n eunomius_n and_o some_o other_o and_o in_o the_o same_o age_n the_o personality_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v deny_v by_o macedonius_n and_o some_o other_o who_o be_v there_o brand_v by_o a_o particular_a name_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oppugner_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o heterodox_n opinion_n beginning_n to_o spread_v and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o some_o other_o ill_a opinion_n arise_v too_o several_a general_n council_n be_v summon_v by_o several_a christian_a emperor_n the_o nicene_n council_n by_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o main_a work_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o opinion_n of_o arius_n the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o first_o to_o debate_v the_o opinion_n of_o macedonius_n the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o second_o to_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n summon_v by_o the_o emperor_n martian_a to_o consult_v about_o the_o opinion_n of_o eutyches_n these_o council_n consist_v of_o some_o hundred_o of_o bishop_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o their_o heart_n the_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o their_o hand_n do_v after_o a_o mature_a deliberation_n pronounce_v the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o obstinate_a defender_n of_o they_o to_o be_v heretic_n and_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o general_a council_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o person_n exemplary_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o eminent_a for_o their_o learning_n who_o resolve_v on_o nothing_o without_o mature_a advice_n and_o deliberation_n be_v of_o as_o great_a authority_n and_o afford_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o man_n can_v be_v or_o do_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n once_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v unchangeable_a for_o ever_o and_o our_o bibles_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n to_o measure_v religion_n by_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o ever_o that_o which_o be_v a_o error_n in_o those_o early_a day_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o error_n still_o and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o truth_n then_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o truth_n now_o and_o if_o we_o can_v think_v of_o any_o more_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o error_n than_o the_o deliberate_a and_o unanimous_a judgement_n of_o so_o many_o hundred_o pious_a learned_a and_o unbiased_a man_n assemble_v together_o then_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o ancient_a council_n be_v very_o considerable_a evidence_n for_o truth_n and_o against_o error_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n who_o beside_o their_o eminent_a piety_n and_o learning_n have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n age_n and_o thereby_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o inform_v themselves_o and_o we_o what_o be_v certain_o believe_v and_o do_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n sect_n ix_o 3._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n those_o especial_o that_o live_v within_o the_o first_o six_o century_n wherever_o they_o agree_v and_o be_v not_o since_o corrupt_v or_o maim_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o forgery_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v of_o singular_a use_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o that_o ignatius_n clemens_n origen_n athanasius_n cyril_n nazianzen_n basil_n chrysostom_n hierom_n austin_n and_o many_o other_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n be_v indeed_o person_n of_o great_a piety_n and_o excellent_a part_n our_o socinian_n without_o breach_n of_o modesty_n can_v deny_v and_o although_o some_o of_o these_o great_a name_n in_o some_o particular_a matter_n have_v their_o peculiar_a mistake_n and_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o man_n yet_o in_o all_o point_n where_o we_o find_v a_o unanimous_a consent_n among_o they_o we_o be_v to_o have_v so_o much_o veneration_n for_o their_o authority_n as_o not_o easy_o to_o suspect_v or_o contradict_v it_o true_a it_o be_v if_o we_o take_v these_o father_n single_o man_n by_o man_n where_o we_o find_v any_o of_o they_o alone_o in_o their_o opinion_n as_o origen_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o punishment_n of_o hell_n and_o st._n austin_n in_o reference_n to_o infant_n that_o die_v unbaptise_v we_o be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n much_o more_o oblige_v to_o accept_v their_o judgement_n than_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o single_a person_n yet_o alive_a but_o if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o father_n who_o live_v within_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n together_o and_o in_o a_o lump_n where_o we_o find_v they_o one_o in_o judgement_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a council_n than_o any_o have_v be_v since_o their_o time_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o inform_v we_o what_o be_v error_n and_o what_o be_v truth_n but_o sect_n x._o 4._o because_o learned_a man_n who_o fortune_n be_v mean_a can_v purchase_v and_o unlearned_a man_n who_o intellectual_n be_v weak_a can_v read_v and_o understand_v the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o the_o father_n we_o have_v several_a system_n of_o divinity_n confession_n of_o faith_n short_a abridgement_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v especial_o to_o unlearned_a person_n great_a help_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o and_o here_o methinks_v those_o ancient_a creed_n of_o the_o apostle_n nice_n and_o athanasius_n which_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n to_o settle_v our_o judgement_n in_o the_o main_a and_o most_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n beside_o we_o have_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a catechism_n compose_v by_o man_n that_o be_v pious_a judicious_a acquaint_v with_o scripture_n well_o verse_v in_o the_o primitive_a council_n and_o father_n these_o short_a catechism_n compile_v by_o person_n of_o singular_a endowment_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n be_v little_o less_o than_o contract_v bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o whatever_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o deliver_v enough_o in_o easy_a term_n to_o inform_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o error_n and_o confirm_v our_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n in_o short_a the_o substance_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n be_v this_o since_o we_o have_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v our_o rule_n and_o since_o this_o word_n in_o some_o material_a case_n according_a to_o the_o different_a fancy_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v different_a interpretation_n give_v concern_v its_o true_a sense_n and_o mean_v it_o be_v our_o safe_a way_n for_o our_o better_a satisfaction_n to_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o the_o most_o able_a faithful_a and_o unbiased_a judge_n and_o they_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a council_n and_o the_o primitive_a father_n who_o judgement_n be_v declare_v in_o our_o several_a creed_n in_o other_o public_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o orthodox_n catechism_n set_v forth_o or_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o since_o we_o be_v very_o well_o store_v with_o these_o excellent_a help_n i_o do_v once_o more_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n whether_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a can_v need_v any_o new_a argument_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n sect_n xi_o 7._o this_o author_n seven_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o let_v the_o press_n continue_v free_a lest_o it_o furnish_v man_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o one_o party_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o it_o must_v be_v as_o unlawful_a to_o examine_v those_o reason_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o party_n and_o party_n between_o one_o who_o be_v orthodox_n and_o one_o who_o be_v heretical_a this_o distinction_n be_v premise_v i_o shall_v resolve_v this_o hypothetical_n proposition_n into_o these_o two_o categorical_a one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n to_o examine_v those_o reason_n which_o heretic_n may_v urge_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o ill_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o furnish_v such_o christian_n with_o any_o such_o reason_n it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o there_o be_v among_o we_o vast_a number_n of_o person_n who_o be_v of_o weak_a judgement_n not_o firm_o establish_v in_o their_o faith_n not_o able_a to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n in_o a_o fallacious_a argument_n and_o therefore_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o by_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n now_o for_o such_o
world_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v the_o trial_n of_o religion_n depend_v upon_o the_o press_n in_o those_o early_a day_n when_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v no_o be_v and_o because_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n day_n we_o must_v measure_v our_o own_o religion_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n by_o which_o the_o primitive_a saint_n measure_v they_o and_o what_o be_v they_o not_o the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o man_n which_o the_o press_n have_v now_o bring_v forth_o but_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o course_n to_o which_o the_o prophet_n direct_v we_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n this_o course_n do_v the_o berean_o take_v when_o to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n even_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o and_o for_o their_o do_v so_o they_o be_v high_o commend_v and_o indeed_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o lapis_fw-la lydius_n the_o touchstone_n the_o canon_n the_o only_a authentic_a rule_n of_o manner_n faith_n and_o religious_a worship_n a_o rule_n so_o plain_a and_o easy_a in_o all_o necessary_a point_n that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o have_v no_o absolute_a need_n of_o any_o book_n but_o god_n though_o other_o good_a book_n do_v well_o towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o this_o it_o be_v the_o great_a privilege_n of_o our_o church_n that_o we_o have_v this_o rule_n of_o scripture_n in_o such_o great_a quantity_n that_o every_o man_n who_o can_v and_o will_v may_v at_o a_o easy_a rate_n have_v it_o in_o his_o custody_n and_o thereby_o examine_v his_o religion_n when_o he_o please_v nor_o can_v we_o just_o blame_v the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o print_v our_o bibles_n and_o prohibit_v to_o publish_v no_o man_n book_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v contrary_a to_o go_n indeed_o be_v the_o press_n in_o england_n restrain_v as_o it_o be_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n from_o print_v the_o bible_n in_o our_o vulgar_a tongue_n this_o author_n argument_n will_v have_v have_v much_o strength_n in_o it_o but_o since_o it_o be_v otherwise_o since_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n those_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o our_o religion_n preach_v in_o our_o public_a church_n and_o easy_o to_o be_v have_v and_o read_v as_o oft_o as_o we_o please_v in_o our_o private_a family_n this_o author_n argument_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v invalid_a and_o unconclude_a for_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o for_o which_o he_o plead_v it_o but_o to_o proceed_v sect_n iv._o ii_o the_o second_o allegation_n which_o this_o author_n urge_v as_o a_o grand_a inconvenience_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o such_o a_o restraint_n say_v he_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o best_a mean_n to_o discover_v truth_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o there_o be_v a_o very_a close_a connexion_n betwixt_o this_o argument_n and_o the_o former_a a_o connexion_n as_o between_o a_o antecedent_n and_o a_o consequent_a or_o between_o the_o premise_n and_o the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o former_a argument_n he_o mention_n the_o examination_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o this_o as_o the_o end_n and_o consequence_n of_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v any_o religion_n be_v impartial_o examine_v be_v it_o not_o to_o discover_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o same_o answer_n which_o i_o have_v give_v to_o the_o former_a argument_n may_v serve_v well_o enough_o for_o this_o for_o since_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n do_v not_o as_o i_o have_v there_o prove_v prevent_v the_o due_a examination_n of_o religion_n it_o can_v prevent_v the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n but_o that_o so_o it_o do_v our_o author_n be_v very_o positive_a yea_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o do_v so_o namely_o by_o hinder_v man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n allege_v for_o they_o but_o let_v this_o author_n tell_v we_o how_o this_o can_v be_v true_a can_v a_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n for_o time_n to_o come_v hinder_v any_o man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n and_o their_o argument_n for_o they_o be_v there_o not_o already_o great_a number_n of_o print_a book_n expose_v to_o common_a sale_n wherein_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v thorough_o discuss_v may_v not_o every_o man_n that_o will_v and_o can_v sufficient_o inform_v himself_o by_o book_n already_o extant_a what_o argument_n have_v be_v plead_v by_o all_o sect_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o respective_a profession_n and_o since_o the_o press_n have_v already_o bring_v forth_o such_o a_o numerous_a issue_n of_o this_o kind_n methinks_v every_o future_a birth_n of_o the_o same_o sort_n will_v be_v but_o a_o superfetation_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o shall_v all_o the_o press_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v to_o print_v any_o more_o new_a book_n of_o controversy_n and_o polemic_a divinity_n it_o will_v be_v no_o injury_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n nor_o to_o any_o one_o member_n of_o it_o for_o nihil_fw-la dici_fw-la potest_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la priùs_fw-la print_v indeed_o may_v be_v new_a but_o argument_n either_o for_o old_a truth_n or_o against_o old_a error_n can_v hardly_o be_v so_o but_o when_o all_o be_v do_v religious_a truth_n can_v be_v discover_v by_o humane_a argument_n any_o further_a than_o those_o argument_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n in_o mathematics_n rectum_fw-la est_fw-la index_n svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la he_o that_o will_v discover_v the_o rectitude_n or_o obliquity_n of_o a_o line_n must_v bring_v it_o to_o and_o compare_v it_o with_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o be_v already_o find_v to_o be_v exact_o straight_a so_o in_o our_o present_a case_n he_o who_o will_v discover_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v apply_v they_o to_o and_o judge_v they_o by_o that_o infallible_a rule_n which_o st._n james_n very_o deserve_o styles_n the_o 18._o word_n of_o truth_n and_o this_o rule_n in_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a that_o every_o man_n who_o have_v not_o lose_v the_o use_n of_o common_a reason_n may_v thereby_o judge_v for_o himself_o there_o be_v indeed_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v some_o thing_n 1_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o in_o what_o text_n do_v these_o difficulty_n lie_v st._n austin_n answer_v non_fw-la quoad_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la necessaria_fw-la saluti_fw-la â—_o etc._n etc._n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o difficult_a in_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n so_o think_v st._n chrysostom_n who_o thus_o demand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 244_o what_o man_n be_v there_o to_o who_o all_o the_o necessary_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o clear_a and_o manifest_v he_o say_v elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5._o the_o husbandman_n the_o servant_n the_o widow_n the_o boy_n person_n of_o very_a mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v about_o such_o point_n as_o be_v fundamental_a that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n before_o st._n chrysostom_n time_n be_v evident_a from_o that_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n â—_o universae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la &_o propheticae_fw-la &_o evangelicae_fw-la in_o aperto_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la ambiguitate_fw-la &_o similiter_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la audiri_fw-la possunt_fw-la the_o whole_a scripture_n the_o prophet_n the_o evangelist_n in_o such_o point_n as_o most_o concern_v we_o be_v so_o plain_a express_a and_o open_a that_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n may_v equal_o apprehend_v they_o now_o if_o a_o man_n may_v discover_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n by_o scripture_n rule_n if_o his_o faith_n be_v ground_v on_o they_o and_o his_o practice_n be_v suitable_a to_o they_o what_o hazard_n will_v that_o man_n run_v shall_v he_o never_o see_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o they_o nor_o weigh_v their_o argument_n against_o they_o suppose_v a_o man_n be_v well_o inform_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n do_v steadfast_o believe_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a what_o be_v this_o man_n the_o worse_o shall_v he_o never_o see_v nor_o examine_v the_o reason_n of_o pagan_n and_o sadducee_n against_o this_o great_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v
convince_v as_o well_o he_o may_v be_v by_o such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o can_v with_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n be_v otherwise_o interpete_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v true_o god_n and_o true_o man_n what_o need_v such_o a_o person_n to_o see_v the_o opinion_n and_o weigh_v the_o argument_n of_o arian_n and_o socinian_o against_o this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n to_o he_o who_o belief_n be_v already_o ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n be_v right_o understand_v the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o they_o signify_v nothing_o such_o a_o man_n do_v not_o need_v the_o confutation_n of_o heretical_a cavil_n to_o confirm_v that_o faith_n of_o he_o which_o be_v already_o bottom_v upon_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v immovable_a and_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o examination_n of_o argument_n plead_v for_o they_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o confirm_v a_o strong_a and_o well_o 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controvert_v point_n can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o there_o be_v some_o other_o of_o clear_a head_n and_o more_o improve_v understanding_n that_o can_v and_o for_o their_o sake_n this_o author_n say_v that_o the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v and_o his_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n debar_v they_o from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v their_o judgement_n this_o argument_n in_o effect_n have_v already_o be_v offer_v once_o and_o again_o and_o have_v as_o often_o be_v reply_v to_o but_o for_o the_o great_a satisfaction_n of_o my_o reader_n i_o shall_v again_o consider_v and_o enlarge_v my_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o this_o it_o be_v not_o know_v and_o intelligent_a christian_a who_o be_v well_o able_a to_o judge_v for_o himself_o can_v want_v any_o new_a allegation_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o any_o dispute_v point_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n because_o we_o have_v 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resurrection_n which_o they_o deny_v and_o when_o our_o lord_n will_v prove_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o great_a person_n than_o david_n he_o do_v it_o by_o that_o 1._o text_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n etc._n etc._n this_o course_n take_v our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o so_o do_v his_o apostle_n too_o and_o so_o must_v we_o we_o must_v take_v the_o scripture_n for_o our_o guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a and_o infallible_a rule_n and_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o measure_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o church_n do_v teach_v recommend_v or_o require_v from_o we_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o demand_v who_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n whether_o among_o different_a interpretation_n of_o holy_a writ_n this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o true_a one_o whether_o in_o controvert_v point_n such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n do_v certain_o warrant_v such_o or_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v ground_v thereon_o i_o 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