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scripture_n catholic_n church_n infallible_a 2,526 5 9.7325 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A34972 I. Question: Why are you a Catholic? The answer follows. II. Question: But why are you a Protestant? An answer attempted (in vain) / written by the Reverend Father S.C. Monk of the Holy Order of St. Benedict ... Cressy, Serenus, 1605-1674.; Cressy, Serenus, 1605-1674. Why are you a Catholic? 1686 (1686) Wing C6900; ESTC R1035 63,222 76

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a_o protestant_n §._o 2._o prot._n perhaps_o we_o do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o article_n cath._n it_o may_v well_o be_v so_o therefore_o for_o a_o trial_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o propose_v a_o few_o question_n to_o you_o prot._n ask_v what_o you_o please_v cath._n first_o then_o when_o you_o say_v you_o believe_v the_o holy_a catholic_a church_n do_v you_o not_o believe_v this_o church_n to_o be_v one_o body_n as_o st._n paul_n express_o teach_v say_v there_o be_v one_o body_n one_o spirit_n as_o there_o be_v one_o hope_n of_o our_o call_n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o god_n and_o father_n of_o all_o etc._n etc._n ephes._n 4._o 4._o 5._o 6._o and_o as_o we_o profess_v in_o the_o follow_a creed_n of_o the_o church_n prot._n yes_o i_o believe_v the_o true_a catholic_a church_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v one_o body_n §._o 3._o and_o do_v you_o not_o further_o believe_v that_o this_o church_n of_o christ_n shall_v continue_v one_o body_n till_o the_o 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motive_n the_o roman_a church_n may_v have_v to_o
to_o scripture_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o take_v into_o consideration_n that_o the_o same_o roman_a church_n at_o the_o same_o time_n both_o propose_v the_o belief_n of_o those_o doctrine_n to_o your_o first_o reformer_n and_o also_o give_v they_o the_o scripture_n testify_v that_o they_o be_v the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n therefore_o certain_o it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v evident_a to_o she_o that_o her_o doctrine_n do_v evident_o contradict_v divine_a revelation_n now_o you_o will_v not_o sure_o deny_v but_o that_o in_o the_o catholic_a church_n there_o be_v man_n as_o learned_a and_o those_o in_o a_o far_o great_a number_n than_o among_o protestant_n man_n i_o say_v who_o also_o make_v the_o scripture_n their_o principal_a study_n and_o have_v publish_v almost_o innumerable_a commentary_n on_o they_o again_o man_n of_o who_o a_o great_a number_n live_v sequester_v from_o the_o world_n in_o a_o assiduous_a practice_n of_o spiritual_a prayer_n and_o therefore_o not_o likely_a to_o have_v their_o judgement_n pervert_v by_o worldly_a interest_n yet_o not_o any_o one_o of_o these_o do_v see_v or_o but_o suspect_n that_o the_o faith_n they_o profess_v be_v contradict_v by_o god_n word_n on_o the_o contrary_a they_o invincible_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o church_n have_v be_v as_o the_o only_a depository_n of_o scripture_n so_o likewise_o of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o how_o come_v then_o that_o to_o be_v evident_a to_o you_o which_o be_v invisible_a to_o they_o which_o way_n go_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n from_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o inhabit_v a_o debauch_a incestuous_a friar_n or_o a_o stigmatise_v pichard_n upon_o who_o credit_n doubtless_o you_o have_v take_v up_o your_o evidence_n if_o they_o can_v have_v show_v you_o in_o scripture_n such_o passage_n as_o these_o the_o pope_n be_v not_o the_o supreme_a bishop_n and_o visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n bread_n by_o sanctification_n do_v not_o become_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o priest_n purgatory_n be_v a_o mere_a humane_a invention_n it_o be_v a_o injury_n to_o christ_n to_o desire_v saint_n but_o none_o to_o desire_v sinner_n to_o pray_v for_o we_o etc._n etc._n such_o say_n indeed_o as_o these_o may_v have_v justify_v your_o charge_n against_o the_o church_n that_o she_o contradict_v scripture_n but_o where_o be_v such_o say_n to_o be_v find_v except_o it_o be_v in_o the_o heretical_a write_n of_o your_o reformer_n on_o the_o contrary_a some_o point_n contradictory_n to_o those_o be_v find_v literal_o contain_v in_o scripture_n and_o to_o elude_v they_o you_o be_v foce_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o figurative_a sense_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o by_o the_o same_o authority_n by_o which_o we_o receive_v the_o scripture_n itself_o yea_o by_o the_o holy_a father_n justify_v as_o consonant_n to_o scripture_n and_o however_o i_o suppose_v you_o will_v not_o say_v that_o silence_n be_v equivolent_a to_o express_v contradiction_n the_o utmost_a that_o you_o can_v say_v be_v that_o perhaps_o you_o can_v produce_v now_o and_o then_o some_o scatter_a text_n of_o scripture_n from_o which_o you_o can_v make_v a_o show_n of_o argue_v against_o some_o tenet_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n but_o what_o will_v that_o avail_v you_o since_o probability_n as_o have_v be_v say_v will_v not_o excuse_v you_o for_o omit_v a_o necessary_a duty_n of_o obedience_n and_o incur_v the_o horrible_a guilt_n of_o schism_n where_o now_o do_v you_o see_v a_o evidence_n that_o the_o church_n contradict_v scripture_n prot._n i_o shall_v be_v better_o enable_v to_o give_v a_o resolution_n in_o this_o point_n when_o according_a to_o your_o promise_n you_o shall_v have_v give_v i_o a_o account_n of_o the_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o your_o church_n in_o the_o point_v controvert_v between_o we_o §._o 60._o cath._n that_o promise_n i_o will_v now_o with_o god_n assistance_n discharge_v through_o all_o the_o point_n mention_v by_o you_o in_o the_o beginning_n and_o first_o as_o touch_v the_o two_o first_o point_n viz._n 1._o the_o church_n authority_n 2._o the_o pope_n universal_a jurisdiction_n etc._n etc._n enough_o have_v be_v say_v in_o our_o former_a discourse_n yet_o for_o your_o further_a satisfaction_n i_o will_v enlarge_v myself_o a_o little_a more_o take_v therefore_o into_o your_o consideration_n that_o it_o be_v a_o fundamental_a truth_n agree_v on_o by_o all_o catholic_n that_o the_o only_a object_n of_o catholic_a faith_n be_v such_o divine_a truth_n as_o be_v reveal_v in_o god_n word_n and_o also_o propose_v to_o all_o by_o the_o catholic_a church_n to_o be_v believe_v by_o divine_a faith_n now_o this_o general_a ground_n be_v presuppose_v in_o case_n any_o controversy_n shall_v arise_v touch_v the_o sense_n of_o any_o divine_a truth_n reveal_v it_o be_v unquestionable_o necessary_a that_o some_o mean_n shall_v be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o determine_v such_o controversy_n and_o to_o prevent_v a_o dissipation_n of_o his_o church_n by_o heresy_n and_o schism_n and_o what_o other_o mean_a can_v be_v imagine_v efficacious_a hereto_o than_o what_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o practise_v even_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o this_o declare_v by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o no_o man_n trust_v to_o his_o own_o prudence_n or_o skill_n shall_v presume_v to_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o manner_n pertain_v to_o 4._o edification_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n wrest_v it_o to_o his_o own_o sense_n against_o that_o sense_n which_o our_o holy_a mother_n the_o church_n do_v or_o have_v hold_v to_o who_o it_o belong_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n or_o also_o against_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o father_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o roman_a catholic_a church_n teach_v concern_v her_o authority_n of_o interpret_n controvert_v text_n of_o scripture_n no_o more_o than_o this_o be_v any_o catholic_a oblige_v to_o believe_v now_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o your_o conscience_n whether_o you_o can_v think_v it_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o you_o to_o break_v from_o her_o communion_n upon_o this_o quarrel_n because_o she_o judge_v more_o fit_a that_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o teacher_n and_o governor_n appoint_v by_o god_n in_o she_o shall_v prevail_v against_o your_o single_a judgement_n or_o that_o of_o a_o few_o apostat-minister_n especial_o consider_v the_o promise_n make_v by_o our_o lord_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o lawful_a successor_n that_o his_o spirit_n shall_v remain_v with_o they_o and_o direct_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o as_o that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n that_o be_v say_v the_o father_n 18._o heresy_n shall_v never_o prevail_v against_o they_o prot._n i_o see_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o contradict_v this_o §._o 61._o cath._n let_v we_o next_o proceed_v to_o what_o the_o church_n have_v determine_v touch_v the_o privilege_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o prime_a pastor_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n thus_o than_o we_o read_v in_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n collect_v by_o the_o 4._o pope_n himself_o out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n i_o acknowledge_v the_o holy_a catholic_a and_o apostolic_a roman_a church_n to_o be_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o church_n and_o i_o promise_v true_a obedience_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n successor_n of_o st._n peter_n prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o vicar_n of_o jesus_n christ._n here_o the_o see_v apostolic_a being_n acknowledge_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o church_n and_o the_o pope_n vicar_n of_o christ_n his_o universal_a jurisdiction_n be_v therein_o acknowledge_v which_o jurisdiction_n or_o authority_n we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v to_o be_v arbitrary_a and_o unlimited_a but_o as_o we_o read_v in_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n consent_v to_o by_o f●r_n the_o emperor_n patriarch_n and_o other_o bishop_n of_o greece_n to_o be_v exercise_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n after_o the_o manner_n as_o be_v also_o contain_v in_o the_o gest_n of_o ecumenical_a council_n and_o sacred_a canon_n and_o such_o a_o primacy_n invest_v with_o authority_n as_o this_o the_o general_n council_n of_o chalcedon_n admit_v by_o protestant_n do_v acknowledge_v in_o he_o which_o be_v also_o attest_v by_o tradition_n and_o practice_n from_o the_o beginning_n §._o 62._o now_o the_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o stand_a authority_n in_o god_n church_n be_v thus_o ground_v the_o absolute_o supreme_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n against_o which_o can_v lie_v no_o appeal_n be_v confess_o reside_a in_o a_o lawful_a general_n council_n by_o which_o all_o debate_n whatsoever_o may_v be_v determine_v all_o necessary_a law_n enact_v etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o infinite_a difficulty_n especial_o since_o the_o division_n of_o
fruition_n of_o glory_n promise_v they_o so_o that_o all_o thing_n remain_v in_o suspense_n until_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o judgement_n now_o this_o so_o tedious_a suspension_n and_o anxious_a expectation_n of_o a_o object_n vehement_o desire_v must_v needs_o be_v more_o grievous_a than_o a_o short_a suffering_n in_o purgatory_n where_o probable_o such_o a_o delay_a expectation_n make_v the_o principal_a torment_n and_o where_o perhaps_o the_o suffering_n of_o many_o less_o imperfect_a soul_n may_v be_v less_o torment_a than_o some_o pain_n suffer_v in_o this_o life_n yet_o because_o calvin_n will_v not_o call_v this_o his_o fancy_a place_n purgatory_n he_o be_v orthodox_n and_o the_o church_n only_o erroneous_a he_o be_v orthodox_n teach_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o the_o church_n and_o yet_o man_n can_v have_v the_o conscience_n to_o forsake_v the_o church_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v her_o doctrine_n abroad_o in_o a_o shismatioal_n congregation_n prot._n such_o partiality_n true_o i_o can_v approve_v cath._n these_o be_v the_o catholic_a doctrine_n mention_v by_o you_o as_o evident_o contradict_v scripture_n and_o invent_v to_o promote_v ambition_n and_o avarice_n in_o the_o catholic_a clergy_n and_o beside_o these_o other_o point_n of_o controversy_n there_o be_v which_o though_o not_o charge_v with_o such_o a_o imputation_n yet_o be_v esteem_v by_o you_o of_o moment_n sufficient_a to_o drive_v you_o out_o of_o god_n church_n do_v you_o think_v good_a that_o we_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o these_o also_o prot._n yes_o 14._o of_o celibacy_n of_o priest_n §._o 104._o cath._n the_o first_o than_o that_o i_o will_v mention_v shall_v be_v the_o church_n ordinance_n touch_v celibacy_n of_o priest_n it_o be_v confess_v by_o we_o that_o this_o be_v only_o a_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n it_o be_v also_o confess_v by_o the_o most_o eminent_a among_o you_o that_o if_o your_o clergy_n will_v submit_v to_o such_o a_o constitution_n ecclesiastical_a affair_n will_v be_v better_o order_v if_o they_o say_v that_o all_o man_n have_v not_o the_o gift_n of_o continence_n they_o may_v be_v tell_v that_o in_o case_n any_o one_o of_o they_o want_v this_o gift_n why_o do_v he_o intrude_v himself_o into_o the_o office_n of_o a_o spiritual_a pastor_n who_o compel_v he_o thereto_o yet_o withal_o the_o same_o person_n in_o his_o young_a day_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o continence_n whilst_o he_o enjoin_v a_o subsistence_n by_o a_o fellowship_n in_o the_o university_n do_v then_o his_o approach_v to_o the_o altar_n expel_v that_o gift_n or_o do_v ordination_n make_v a_o wife_n necessary_a in_o these_o latter_a day_n only_o whereas_o never_o any_o former_a christian_a church_n not_o in_o greece_n itself_o will_v permit_v any_o person_n after_o make_v a_o priest_n to_o marry_v even_o those_o very_a council_n forbid_v this_o which_o permit_v marry_v man_n to_o receive_v priesthood_n if_o therefore_o there_o be_v among_o they_o a_o want_n of_o this_o gift_n of_o continence_n it_o be_v their_o own_o fault_n general_o speak_v they_o want_v it_o because_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o enjoy_v it_o and_o will_v not_o make_v use_n of_o prayer_n reading_n abstinence_n solitude_n and_o other_o mean_v proper_a to_o continue_v it_o and_o will_v you_o sir_n leave_v god_n church_n because_o those_o who_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o take_v care_n of_o your_o soul_n have_v not_o neither_o desire_n to_o have_v wife_n prot._n go_v on_o to_o the_o next_o point_n 15._o of_o abstinence_n from_o flesh_n enjoin_v in_o fast_v §._o 105._o cath._n as_o not_o in_o the_o former_a constitution_n so_o neither_o in_o this_o by_o which_o the_o church_n command_v abstinence_n from_o flesh_n on_o day_n of_o fast_v can_v you_o have_v any_o pretention_n to_o impute_v to_o our_o church_n as_o we_o may_v to_o you_o that_o she_o favour_v carnal_a affection_n in_o the_o former_a her_o clergy_n impose_v on_o themselves_o alone_o the_o burden_n of_o renounce_v all_o even_o otherwise_o lawful_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o flesh_n and_o for_o this_o you_o who_o be_v nothing_o concern_v will_v be_v angry_a and_o forsake_v a_o church_n because_o mortification_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o pastor_n in_o it_o in_o this_o latter_a ordinance_n she_o indeed_o i_o mean_v her_o clergy_n restrain_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o appetite_n of_o the_o laity_n but_o they_o do_v not_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n favour_n themselves_o if_o it_o be_v not_o good_a for_o our_o soul_n to_o abate_v the_o intemperance_n of_o our_o body_n ecclesiastic_o will_v not_o afflict_v themselves_o by_o practise_v it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v good_a laic_n be_v too_o blame_v to_o find_v fault_n with_o it_o §._o 106._o however_o i_o can_v judge_v you_o so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o join_v with_o your_o hotheaded_a controvertist_n and_o preacher_n who_o for_o these_o two_o ordinance_n sake_n impute_v to_o our_o church_n the_o teach_n of_o the_o doctrine_n 1._o of_o devil_n in_o forbid_v to_o marry_v and_o command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n since_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o these_o heretic_n of_o who_o saint_n paul_n prophesy_v and_o which_o appear_v short_o after_o in_o the_o church_n uttter_o condemn_v marriage_n in_o all_o as_o a_o abomination_n in_o itself_o and_o teach_v that_o all_o creature_n have_v life_n be_v compose_v of_o particle_n of_o the_o evil_a deity_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v have_v in_o execration_n now_o sir_n can_v you_o observe_v any_o affinity_n between_o these_o doctrine_n and_o those_o of_o the_o catholic_a church_n teach_v that_o marriage_n be_v honourable_a in_o all_o who_o be_v call_v to_o it_o but_o yet_o that_o virginity_n especial_o in_o person_n consecrate_v to_o god_n be_v better_a and_o again_o that_o all_o god_n creature_n be_v good_a and_o to_o be_v receive_v with_o thanksgiving_n but_o yet_o on_o some_o few_o day_n when_o we_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o our_o soul_n to_o subdue_v our_o carnal_a lust_n ferment_v in_o our_o body_n it_o be_v expedient_a to_o abstain_v from_o some_o more_o nourish_a meat_n though_o otherwise_o in_o themselves_o lawful_a and_o good_a prot._n i_o be_o sufficient_o persuade_v saint_n paul_n never_o intend_v you_o in_o that_o prophecy_n and_o now_o sir_n it_o will_v not_o be_v necessary_a you_o shall_v trouble_v yourself_o about_o any_o other_o point_v debate_v among_o we_o none_o of_o which_o as_o neither_o indeed_o the_o two_o last_o be_v of_o such_o moment_n as_o to_o oblige_v any_o one_o to_o break_v from_o any_o church_n communion_n at_o all_o since_o all_o the_o doubt_n concern_v they_o consist_v in_o this_o whether_o a_o single_a christian_a may_v safe_o judge_v himself_o wise_a and_o holy_a than_o the_o church_n cath._n god_n almighty_n establish_v in_o your_o heart_n a_o love_n of_o his_o truth_n and_o peace_n and_o now_o for_o a_o farewell_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o add_v a_o few_o consideration_n touch_v the_o general_a argument_n of_o both_o our_o discourse_n prot._n i_o give_v it_o willing_o §._o 107._o cath._n then_o sir_n you_o may_v remember_v how_o at_o our_o last_o meeting_n i_o tell_v you_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a artifice_n of_o your_o controvertist_n when_o they_o be_v charge_v with_o schism_n to_o delay_v the_o examination_n of_o that_o most_o important_a point_n till_o the_o greek_a calends_o that_o be_v till_o all_o other_o particular_a controversy_n be_v debate_v to_o their_o satisfaction_n which_o will_v never_o be_v but_o now_o i_o must_v alter_v the_o expression_n and_o tell_v you_o it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o a_o voluntary_a artifice_n as_o pure_a necessity_n that_o put_v they_o and_o you_o upon_o that_o unreasonable_a method_n §._o 108._o when_o a_o catholic_a be_v examine_v why_o he_o be_v so_o a_o answer_n be_v ready_o suggest_v to_o he_o that_o it_o concern_v the_o safety_n of_o his_o soul_n to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o that_o church_n which_o from_o his_o creed_n he_o learn_v to_o be_v holy_a and_o catholic_n and_o that_o the_o roman_a be_v such_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n by_o which_o the_o only_a true_a church_n be_v characterise_v in_o scripture_n he_o answer_v direct_o to_o the_o question_n without_o compare_v particular_a tenant_n of_o his_o church_n with_o those_o of_o other_o divide_a congregation_n which_o require_v much_o study_n and_o learning_n beyond_o the_o ability_n of_o ordinary_a catholic_n whereas_o the_o most_o simple_a be_v unquestionable_o persuade_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n and_o that_o keep_v they_o safe_a in_o it_o against_o all_o the_o captious_a objection_n of_o sectary_n endeavour_v to_o shake_v their_o faith_n in_o particular_a doctrine_n the_o justify_n of_o which_o they_o leave_v to_o their_o teacher_n and_o governor_n §._o 109._o but_o a_o protestant_n be_v examine_v why_o for_o example_n he_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n it_o never_o enter_v into_o his_o
wilful_o misinterpret_v scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n especial_o in_o point_n fundamental_a which_o be_v so_o clear_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v be_v mistake_v in_o they_o cath._n well_o sir_n i_o have_v at_o present_a do_v ask_v question_n and_o now_o better_a enable_v by_o what_o you_o have_v say_v will_v endeavour_v to_o give_v you_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o question_v you_o propose_v in_o the_o begin_n viz._n why_o be_v you_o a_o catholic_n §._o 11._o first_o then_o sir_n i_o be_o a_o catholic_n because_o i_o believe_v that_o christ_n the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v infinite_o both_o good_a wise_a and_o omnipotent_a his_o goodness_n incline_v he_o to_o come_v down_o into_o this_o world_n to_o save_v mankind_n by_o establish_v a_o church_n upon_o earth_n which_o shall_v remain_v till_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o which_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n shall_v be_v so_o teach_v as_o not_o only_o the_o wise_a and_o learned_a but_o the_o poor_a simple_a and_o ignorant_a also_o shall_v by_o faith_n and_o obedience_n be_v make_v partaker_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n now_o his_o goodness_n have_v design_v this_o his_o wisdom_n enable_v he_o to_o appoint_v way_n and_o mean_v proper_a to_o effect_v that_o his_o bless_a design_n and_o omnipotence_n to_o make_v those_o mean_v successful_a §_o 12._o the_o general_a efficacious_a mean_n to_o accomplish_v this_o be_v first_o the_o reveal_n his_o whole_a will_n to_o his_o church_n which_o we_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v sufficient_o do_v in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o to_o all_o point_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n though_o in_o all_o those_o point_v not_o so_o clear_o to_o every_o one_o that_o without_o a_o teacher_n their_o sense_n may_v not_o be_v mistake_v neither_o do_v scripture_n make_v a_o express_a discernment_n of_o what_o point_n be_v necessary_a and_o second_o the_o assist_v of_o this_o his_o church_n with_o fidelity_n and_o a_o constant_a performance_n of_o her_o duty_n in_o declare_v all_o necessary_a divine_a truth_n manifest_v to_o she_o to_o her_o subject_n with_o a_o command_n that_o all_o christian_n shall_v obey_v and_o submit_v to_o what_o she_o shall_v teach_v or_o enjoin_v they_o god_n have_v thus_o reveal_v his_o whole_a will_n to_o his_o one_o catholic_n church_n it_o necessary_o and_o evident_o follow_v 1._o that_o ignorance_n or_o error_n in_o any_o point_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v damnable_a 2._o that_o a_o separation_n from_o this_o one_o church_n be_v damnable_a also_o upon_o what_o pretence_n soever_o the_o separation_n be_v make_v §._o 13._o now_o to_o avoid_v eternal_a misery_n thus_o threaten_v by_o error_n or_o schism_n only_o one_o of_o these_o two_o way_n be_v possible_a 1._o by_o one_o own_o light_n to_o penetrate_v into_o all_o mystery_n so_o as_o to_o be_v most_o firm_o assure_v of_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o all_o necessary_a verity_n reveal_v by_o god_n in_o holy_a scripture_n 2._o or_o out_o of_o a_o distrust_n of_o our_o own_o ability_n to_o submit_v our_o reason_n and_o internal_a assent_n to_o authority_n the_o former_a of_o these_o way_n all_o sect_n divide_v from_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o among_o themselves_o do_v uniform_o take_v be_v force_v hereto_o by_o deny_v any_o visible_a society_n of_o man_n to_o have_v any_o authority_n oblige_v the_o conscience_n of_o their_o subject_n and_o by_o consequence_n they_o have_v all_o if_o any_o a_o equal_a title_n that_o be_v indeed_o equal_o none_o at_o all_o to_o challenge_v belief_n one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o neither_o can_v they_o rational_o without_o desert_v their_o common_a ground_n condemn_v or_o excommunicate_a one_o another_o the_o latter_a way_n we_o catholic_n only_o take_v and_o as_o we_o think_v prudent_o and_o sure_o §._o 14._o for_o sir_n i_o beseech_v you_o to_o consider_v what_o a_o busy_a laborious_a task_n you_o have_v undertake_v by_o be_v a_o protestant_n of_o what_o sect_n among_o they_o soever_o you_o be_v before_o you_o can_v promise_v to_o yourself_o any_o rest_n of_o mind_n in_o the_o peculiar_a fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o your_o sect_n your_o conscience_n must_v satisfy_v you_o that_o you_o have_v not_o embrace_v a_o religion_n by_o hazard_n but_o after_o a_o diligent_a sincere_a and_o effectual_a examination_n of_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o argument_n not_o only_o of_o catholic_n submit_v to_o authority_n but_o also_o of_o other_o sectary_n who_o proceed_v your_o way_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n by_o a_o private_a light_n do_v condemn_v your_o doctrine_n or_o who_o doctrine_n you_o condemn_v to_o be_v able_a to_o do_v all_o this_o how_o many_o volume_n of_o controversy_n be_v you_o oblige_v to_o read_v and_o examine_v beside_o this_o it_o will_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a that_o you_o be_v perfect_o study_v in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n with_o the_o best_a commentary_n on_o they_o both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a since_o you_o ground_n your_o religion_n upon_o a_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o perhaps_o not_o any_o of_o they_o will_v allow_v and_o then_o in_o equity_n you_o be_v to_o examine_v their_o reason_n for_o it_o now_o what_o one_o man_n age_n will_v suffice_v for_o all_o this_o business_n though_o but_o in_o one_o or_o two_o point_n controvert_v and_o though_o the_o party_n be_v learn_v and_o have_v never_o so_o much_o leisure_n what_o then_o shall_v ignorant_a person_n do_v who_o yet_o make_v up_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n what_o shall_v tradesman_n and_o day-labourer_n do_v who_o can_v scarce_o allow_v from_o their_o necessary_a vocation_n any_o time_n at_o all_o daily_a even_o to_o say_v their_o prayer_n yet_o it_o concern_v all_o these_o upon_o the_o venture_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n not_o to_o forsake_v or_o embrace_v a_o religion_n without_o a_o sufficient_a examination_n make_v by_o 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your_o assertion_n i_o desire_v you_o to_o reflect_v on_o the_o prodigious_a multiplicity_n of_o sect_n swarm_v in_o this_o age_n all_o which_o ground_n their_o belief_n upon_o pretend_a clear_a text_n of_o scripture_n alone_o you_o will_v then_o scarce_o find_v one_o article_n of_o christian_a faith_n exempt_v from_o their_o dispute_n there_o be_v not_o want_v who_o deny_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o divinity_n and_o incarnation_n of_o our_o lord_n the_o divine_a personality_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n some_o absolute_o deny_v freewill_n whilst_o other_o exalt_v the_o power_n of_o it_o so_o high_a as_o to_o affirm_v divine_a grace_n unnecessary_a to_o its_o best_a operation_n some_o affirm_v our_o nature_n to_o be_v so_o incurable_o pollute_v by_o original_a sin_n as_o that_o all_o the_o best_a action_n of_o the_o regenerate_v be_v mortal_a sin_n other_o will_v acknowledge_v no_o original_a sin_n at_o all_o some_o affirm_v baptism_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 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scripture_n than_o they_o of_o a_o