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a_o hard_a thing_n to_o prove_v a_o negative_a it_o be_v not_o so_o here_o because_o the_o proof_n lie_v all_o on_o the_o positive_a side_n for_o those_o who_o will_v teach_v such_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n ought_v to_o prove_v they_o for_o without_o such_o a_o proof_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v on_o course_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o can_v confute_v their_o proof_n we_o need_v do_v no_o more_o and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a task_n especial_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o three_o century_n for_o since_o they_o themselves_o be_v now_o ashamed_a of_o the_o counterfeit_a dionysius_n their_o decretal_a epistle_n and_o such_o like_a spurious_a write_n the_o wise_a of_o they_o pretend_v to_o very_o few_o testimony_n from_o the_o first_o writer_n and_o those_o which_o they_o do_v allege_v be_v such_o lame_a one_o as_o need_v very_o little_a confutation_n these_o be_v the_o protestant_a ground_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v
whole_o reject_v it_o or_o set_v up_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o in_o my_o opinion_n the_o infidel_n seem_v to_o have_v the_o better_a of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a and_o immediate_a consequence_n not_o to_o believe_v what_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o but_o i_o can_v see_v no_o connexion_n in_o the_o world_n between_o the_o want_n of_o certainty_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n something_o to_o be_v sure_o must_v come_v between_o to_o unite_v they_o together_o and_o the_o least_o we_o can_v think_v of_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o make_v we_o certain_a but_o a_o infallible_a judge_n and_o therefore_o since_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n in_o religion_n without_o such_o a_o judge_n we_o must_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v one_o but_o now_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v that_o there_o want_v evidence_n to_o make_v christianity_n certain_a how_o do_v they_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a of_o it_o which_o signify_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a of_o that_o which_o be_v not_o certain_a and_o methinks_v it_o want_v a_o little_a proof_n too_o that_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n be_v the_o only_a possible_a way_n to_o make_v man_n certain_a i_o will_v advise_v all_o papist_n not_o to_o press_v this_o argument_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o religion_n too_o far_o lest_o when_o they_o come_v to_o consider_v it_o thorough_o it_o make_v they_o infidel_n but_o if_o man_n will_v be_v but_o reasonable_a what_o great_a certainty_n can_v they_o desire_v than_o we_o have_v the_o revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a write_n which_o all_o honest_a and_o diligent_a inquirer_n at_o least_o with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o guide_n may_v understand_v in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o promise_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n to_o enlighten_v our_o mind_n to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o persuade_v we_o of_o the_o reason_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o pardon_v involuntary_a mistake_v second_o the_o next_o pretence_n for_o a_o infallible_a judge_n be_v unity_n for_o we_o see_v by_o sad_a experience_n that_o while_o every_o man_n judge_n for_o himself_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v divide_v into_o sect_n and_o party_n who_o first_o differ_v in_o their_o judgement_n of_o thing_n and_o then_o separate_v from_o each_o other_o communion_n and_o thus_o it_o necessary_o must_n and_o will_v be_v till_o all_o submit_v to_o one_o sovereign_a authority_n and_o unite_v in_o one_o visible_a head_n and_o therefore_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o christ_n intend_v that_o all_o his_o disciple_n shall_v live_v in_o unity_n with_o each_o other_o which_o he_o so_o strict_o enjoin_v and_o so_o passionate_o recommend_v we_o must_v conclude_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v some_o effectual_a mean_n to_o end_v all_o controversy_n and_o to_o unite_v they_o in_o one_o communion_n which_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o infallible_a and_o govern_v head_n now_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o considenr_v 1._o that_o a_o supreme_a visible_a head_n as_o suppose_v the_o pope_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n for_o if_o all_o christian_a church_n live_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o they_o will_v be_v one_o church_n though_o they_o be_v all_o equal_a without_o own_v the_o supremacy_n of_o one_o over_o the_o rest_n and_o therefore_o that_o christ_n institute_v but_o one_o church_n and_o require_v all_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o each_o other_o do_v not_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o one_o visible_a head_n because_o they_o may_v be_v one_o without_o such_o a_o head_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v all_o the_o unity_n christ_n intend_v but_o of_o this_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o follow_a paper_n 2._o though_o christ_n have_v make_v unity_n necessary_a with_o the_o necessity_n of_o duty_n it_o do_v not_o hence_o follow_v that_o he_o have_v appoint_v infallible_a and_o necessary_a mean_n of_o unity_n i_o suppose_v all_o man_n will_v grant_v that_o christ_n have_v make_v holiness_n as_o necessary_a as_o unity_n and_o yet_o he_o have_v appoint_v no_o necessary_a and_o infallible_a mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n but_o we_o see_v the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n suffer_v as_o much_o by_o the_o wickedness_n as_o by_o the_o division_n of_o her_o member_n unity_n be_v a_o necessary_a duty_n and_o so_o be_v holiness_n but_o the_o practice_n of_o both_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o own_o choice_n and_o liberty_n and_o if_o the_o command_v and_o exhortation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o another_o world_n with_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o divine_a grace_n will_v not_o make_v man_n do_v their_o duty_n i_o know_v of_o nothing_o else_o that_o can_v and_o i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o christ_n be_v more_o concern_v for_o the_o unity_n than_o for_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o church_n 3._o for_o three_o i_o think_v it_o a_o great_a mistake_n to_o attribute_v all_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n to_o want_v of_o evidence_n and_o all_o division_n to_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o lust_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v a_o great_a hand_n in_o both_o or_o else_o both_o heresy_n and_o schism_n be_v more_o innocent_a thing_n than_o i_o take_v they_o to_o be_v all_o the_o world_n can_v preserve_v man_n who_o have_v any_o interest_n to_o serve_v by_o it_o from_o be_v heretic_n for_o interest_n will_v make_v man_n teach_v heresy_n without_o believe_v they_o or_o believe_v they_o without_o reason_n and_o interest_n and_o faction_n will_v divide_v the_o church_n where_o the_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o of_o which_o the_o donatist_n of_o old_a be_v a_o sad_a example_n and_o there_o be_v a_o present_a and_o sensible_a example_n of_o this_o which_o the_o romanist_n must_v own_v and_o yet_o if_o they_o own_v it_o it_o utter_o destroy_v all_o their_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n and_o supremacy_n as_o such_o certain_a and_o infallible_a remedy_n for_o heresy_n and_o schism_n for_o they_o must_v say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o christ_n have_v vest_v st._n peter_n and_o his_o successor_n the_o pope_n of_o rome_n with_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o church_n here_o than_o be_v their_o infallible_a cure_n of_o schism_n how_o then_o come_v all_o those_o schism_n that_o be_v in_o the_o church_n for_o there_o be_v a_o good_a number_n of_o they_o notwithstanding_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o some_o more_o for_o that_o reason_n have_v not_o christ_n appoint_v a_o head_n of_o unity_n yes_o but_o other_o bishop_n and_o church_n will_v submit_v to_o he_o how_o not_o to_o christ_n vicar_n how_o come_v this_o to_o pass_v why_o they_o dispute_v his_o authority_n and_o have_v not_o christ_n plain_o give_v he_o this_o authority_n yes_o but_o they_o will_v see_v it_o but_o be_v this_o inculpable_a ignorance_n or_o pride_n and_o faction_n if_o the_o first_o than_o they_o must_v grant_v there_o want_v certain_a evidence_n for_o this_o infallible_a head_n and_o this_o they_o must_v not_o say_v if_o the_o second_o than_o the_o vice_n of_o man_n will_v make_v the_o institution_n of_o a_o supreme_a head_n as_o ineffectual_a to_o prevent_v schism_n as_o the_o command_v of_o our_o saviour_n be_v and_o it_o argue_v a_o good_a degree_n of_o assurance_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o pretend_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a head_n and_o judge_n of_o controversy_n to_o prevent_v heresy_n and_o schism_n when_o though_o they_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v appoint_v such_o a_o head_n and_o judge_n yet_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n for_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v never_o the_o few_o heresy_n nor_o schism_n for_o it_o by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o infallible_a remedy_n against_o they_o well!_o but_o it_o will_v be_v so_o if_o all_o man_n will_v submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o infallible_a judge_n very_o right_a and_o so_o any_o other_o way_n will_v do_v in_o which_o all_o man_n will_v agree_v for_o than_o i_o guess_v they_o will_v be_v all_o of_o a_o mind_n but_o this_o give_v no_o advantage_n to_o a_o infallible_a judge_n above_o any_o other_o mean_n of_o union_n and_o therefore_o the_o necessity_n of_o unity_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n for_o if_o the_o romanist_n be_v in_o the_o right_n that_o christ_n do_v appoint_v such_o a_o judge_n and_o such_o a_o judge_n be_v such_o a_o infallible_a mean_n of_o unity_n
other_o give_v of_o a_o true_a church_n there_o be_v one_o mark_v without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o shall_v be_v certain_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o that_o be_v that_o she_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ._n for_o this_o be_v essential_a to_o the_o church_n and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o church_n without_o it_o all_o other_o mark_n may_v deceive_v we_o for_o whatever_o other_o mark_n there_o be_v if_o there_o be_v not_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n of_o christ_n there_o can_v be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n be_v break_v and_o divide_v into_o different_a and_o opposite_a communion_n whoever_o will_v find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n must_v examine_v her_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n bellarmine_n himself_o make_v the_o holiness_n of_o doctrine_n one_o essential_a mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n and_o yet_o truth_n be_v antecedent_n to_o holiness_n and_o equal_o essential_a now_o this_o be_v such_o a_o mark_n of_o a_o infallible_a church_n as_o make_v her_o infallibility_n useless_a when_o we_o have_v find_v she_o for_o we_o must_v understand_v the_o true_a religion_n before_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n and_o can_v be_v no_o more_o certain_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o we_o be_v which_o be_v the_o true_a religion_n and_o therefore_o can_v resolve_v our_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n because_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n only_o by_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v some_o other_o mean_n of_o find_v out_o the_o true_a faith_n antecedent_n to_o the_o church_n authority_n for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o mark_n to_o know_v something_o else_o by_o must_v be_v first_o know_v itself_o so_o that_o whereas_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v think_v so_o compendious_a a_o way_n to_o make_v man_n infallible_o certain_a of_o their_o religion_n and_o to_o deliver_v they_o from_o those_o uncertain_a dispute_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n we_o can_v be_v certain_a which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v on_o who_o authority_n we_o must_v rely_v till_o we_o have_v examine_v that_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n which_o divide_v the_o christian_a church_n and_o have_v satisfy_v ourselves_o on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v this_o it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o appeal_v to_o a_o judge_n unless_o we_o will_v undo_v all_o we_o have_v do_v before_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v again_o which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n and_o what_o advantage_n then_o have_v the_o papist_n above_o the_o protestant_n in_o the_o point_n of_o certainty_n when_o they_o can_v know_v which_o be_v that_o church_n which_o they_o may_v safe_o trust_v without_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o her_o religion_n and_o judge_v for_o themselves_o just_a as_o we_o do_v we_o be_v concern_v indeed_o to_o know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n not_o that_o we_o must_v receive_v our_o faith_n upon_o her_o authority_n for_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n we_o must_v know_v the_o true_a faith_n before_o we_o can_v know_v the_o true_a church_n but_o because_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n of_o christ._n five_o and_o yet_o if_o they_o can_v find_v the_o church_n without_o all_o this_o trouble_n and_o protestant_a uncertainty_n wherever_o they_o place_v their_o infallibility_n whether_o in_o the_o pope_n or_o council_n according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n they_o can_v have_v so_o much_o as_o a_o moral_a certainty_n of_o it_o as_o for_o the_o pope_n though_o for_o argument_n sake_n we_o shall_v grant_v a_o true_a pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o true_a pope_n for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n teach_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o sacrament_n that_o though_o he_o perform_v all_o the_o external_a part_n of_o it_o yet_o if_o he_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o apply_v the_o sacrament_n to_o such_o person_n it_o be_v not_o apply_v now_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n who_o can_v tell_v whether_o this_o present_a pope_n be_v ever_o baptise_a or_o ordain_v priest_n or_o bishop_n for_o if_o the_o priest_n or_o bishop_n that_o do_v this_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o do_v it_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o true_a pope_n that_o he_o be_v no_o christian._n nay_o if_o the_o priest_n and_o bishop_n which_o baptise_a and_o ordain_v he_o do_v intend_v to_o apply_v the_o sacrament_n to_o he_o yet_o if_o those_o who_o baptise_a and_o ordain_v they_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o do_v it_o than_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n nor_o bishop_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o can_v not_o confer_v order_n on_o he_o and_o so_o upward_o still_o which_o reduce_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o great_a uncertainty_n in_o the_o world_n for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o know_v any_o man_n private_a intention_n when_o neither_o word_n nor_o action_n shall_v be_v allow_v a_o sufficient_a declaration_n of_o it_o and_o beside_o this_o if_o a_o pope_n be_v simoniacal_o promote_v or_o ordain_v by_o a_o simoniacal_a pope_n here_o be_v a_o invalidity_n in_o his_o order_n and_o then_o what_o become_v of_o his_o infallibility_n nay_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o that_o long_a papal_a schism_n when_o there_o be_v three_o pope_n together_o john_n 23._o gregory_n 12._o and_o benedict_n 13._o who_o be_v all_o depose_v by_o the_o council_n of_o constance_n and_o martin_n 5._o choose_v be_v there_o never_o a_o true_a pope_n among_o all_o the_o three_o if_o there_o be_v what_o authority_n then_o have_v the_o council_n to_o depose_v they_o all_o and_o choose_v a_o four_o and_o who_o know_v to_o this_o day_n from_o whence_o the_o succeed_a pope_n have_v derive_v their_o succession_n which_o may_v very_o much_o call_v the_o popedom_n and_o infallibility_n into_o question_n and_o then_o as_o for_o council_n which_o consist_v of_o bishop_n there_o be_v the_o same_o incertainty_n about_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v true_a bishop_n or_o not_o as_o there_o be_v about_o the_o pope_n and_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v so_o many_o dispute_n what_o make_v a_o general_n council_n when_o it_o be_v regular_o call_v and_o when_o they_o act_n conciliaritèr_fw-la in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o a_o council_n ought_v to_o act_v to_o procure_v the_o infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o give_v authority_n to_o their_o decree_n that_o if_o woman_n and_o busy_a people_n can_v understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o be_v much_o less_o able_a to_o understand_v what_o council_n they_o may_v safe_o rely_v on_o but_o suppose_v we_o do_v know_v who_o this_o infallible_a judge_n be_v whether_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o this_o judge_n shall_v give_v we_o a_o infallible_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o a_o infallible_a decision_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n never_o can_v be_v persuade_v to_o do_v yet_o and_o i_o believe_v never_o will_v witness_v those_o many_o fierce_a dispute_n which_o be_v among_o man_n of_o their_o own_o communion_n and_o i_o think_v no_o man_n be_v ever_o the_o more_o infallible_a for_o a_o judge_n who_o will_v not_o exercise_v his_o infallibility_n yet_o if_o this_o judge_n shall_v infallible_o determine_v all_o the_o controversy_n in_o religion_n we_o must_v either_o hear_v it_o from_o his_o own_o mouth_n or_o receive_v it_o in_o write_v or_o take_v it_o upon_o the_o report_n of_o other_o as_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o be_v not_o one_o in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n that_o be_v present_a at_o the_o debate_n of_o any_o general_a council_n or_o hear_v they_o pronounce_v their_o decree_n and_o definition_n and_o i_o believe_v as_o few_o ever_o hear_v the_o pope_n determine_v any_o question_n ex_fw-la cathedrâ_fw-la which_o what_o it_o mean_v either_o they_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v or_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o tell_v we_o as_o for_o write_v when_o we_o see_v the_o decree_n of_o a_o council_n write_v we_o can_v have_v only_o a_o moral_a assurance_n that_o these_o be_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n and_o when_o we_o have_v they_o it_o may_v be_v they_o be_v much_o more_o obscure_a and_o subject_a to_o as_o many_o different_a interpretation_n as_o the_o scripture_n be_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o better_a assurance_n what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o council_n than_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o experience_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v in_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o the_o roman_a doctor_n differ_v as_o much_o about_o as_o protestant_n do_v about_o the_o
and_o the_o like_a have_v be_v think_v a_o just_a reason_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o deny_v communion_n to_o all_o those_o church_n which_o reject_v they_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v in_o communion_n with_o all_o those_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n till_o now_o who_o never_o own_v nor_o impose_v those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n for_o which_o we_o now_o separate_a from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o necessary_a term_n of_o communion_n which_o upon_o inquiry_n will_v be_v find_v a_o much_o more_o catholic_n communion_n then_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o we_o communicate_v with_o more_o age_n and_o with_o more_o church_n than_o they_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o now_o constitute_v in_o all_o its_o part_n and_o proportion_n be_v no_o old_a than_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o be_v some_o time_n since_o luther_n that_o we_o may_v with_o more_o reason_n ask_v they_o where_o their_o church_n be_v before_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n then_o they_o ask_v we_o where_o our_o church_n be_v before_o luther_n we_o find_v our_o church_n in_o its_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o government_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n but_o their_o church_n be_v not_o make_v all_o at_o a_o time_n but_o one_o age_n bring_v in_o one_o corruption_n another_o another_o some_o aspire_a pope_n begin_v the_o encroachment_n upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o other_o church_n and_o other_o keep_v the_o ground_n their_o predecessor_n have_v get_v and_o as_o they_o have_v opportunity_n make_v new_a conquest_n and_o thus_o by_o degree_n it_o grow_v up_o into_o a_o papal_a omnipotency_n some_o think_v monk_n start_v some_o uncouth_a opinion_n which_o be_v toss_v about_o for_o a_o while_n in_o dispute_n and_o if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o advance_v the_o power_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o of_o the_o priest_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v countenance_v at_o rome_n and_o that_o make_v honest_a man_n cautious_a of_o oppose_v and_o then_o 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catholic_n church_n and_o in_o catholic_n communion_n which_o be_v all_o that_o we_o at_o present_a be_v concern_v for_o and_o let_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v as_o much_o for_o herself_o if_o she_o can_v upon_o these_o principle_n she_o now_o reject_v we_o it_o be_v plain_a she_o must_v have_v deny_v communion_n to_o the_o apostolic_a church_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v have_v deny_v communion_n to_o she_o and_o what_o be_v become_v then_o of_o her_o catholic_n communion_n which_o shut_v out_o the_o apostle_n and_o apostolic_a church_n the_o paper_n and_o how_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n for_o that_o which_o i_o think_v make_v a_o corporation_n become_v a_o body_n of_o man_n be_v the_o obligation_n impose_v on_o those_o who_o live_v in_o that_o corporation_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o peculiar_a law_n and_o government_n there_o establish_v for_o even_o of_o those_o that_o make_v scripture_n their_o rule_n of_o all_o those_o church_n answer_n i_o suppose_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o be_v either_o false_a or_o hasty_o write_v if_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n in_o such_o a_o corporation_n as_o be_v under_o the_o same_o individual_a government_n or_o one_o govern_v head_n who_o must_v give_v law_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n this_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v prove_v christ_n at_o first_o commit_v the_o plant_n and_o govern_v his_o church_n to_o twelve_o apostle_n who_o as_o st._n cyprian_n affirm_v have_v all_o equal_a power_n and_o authority_n though_o christ_n name_v peter_n only_o in_o bestow_v the_o apostolical_a power_n not_o to_o give_v peter_n any_o superiority_n over_o the_o rest_n but_o only_o to_o signify_v that_o unity_n and_o harmony_n of_o consent_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v among_o they_o in_o exercise_v the_o apostolical_a power_n that_o they_o be_v all_o to_o act_v as_o one_o man._n the_o apostle_n leave_v their_o power_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o several_a church_n who_o have_v the_o immediate_a inspection_n and_o sovereign_a power_n over_o their_o own_o church_n as_o the_o same_o father_n frequent_o assert_n but_o yet_o be_v to_o govern_v their_o several_a church_n with_o mutual_a advice_n and_o consent_n so_o that_o the_o unity_n of_o particular_a church_n consist_v in_o their_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o their_o bishop_n and_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o all_o the_o member_n of_o it_o in_o all_o act_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n and_o those_o who_o separate_v from_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n of_o the_o church_n wherein_o they_o live_v without_o necessary_a and_o unavoidable_a reason_n be_v schismatic_n who_o cut_v themselves_o off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o christ._n the_o communion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n consist_v not_o in_o the_o subjection_n of_o one_o church_n to_o another_o but_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o in_o the_o agreement_n and_o concord_n of_o their_o bishop_n in_o own_v each_o other_o church_n and_o maintain_v communion_n with_o they_o upon_o catholic_n principle_n and_o govern_v their_o church_n as_o far_o as_o be_v expedient_a by_o common_a rule_n of_o worship_n and_o discipline_n this_o then_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n let_v we_o brief_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v that_o unite_v particular_a church_n in_o catholic_n communion_n 1._o every_o particular_a church_n which_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o catholic_n faith_n be_v so_o far_o in_o communion_n with_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n and_o thus_o we_o own_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n for_o she_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n though_o with_o a_o great_a mixture_n of_o dangerous_a error_n 2._o the_o communion_n of_o particular_a church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o use_v the_o same_o liturgy_n or_o external_a rite_n of_o worship_n if_o their_o worship_n be_v a_o true_a christian_a worship_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o general_a law_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o every_o church_n have_v authority_n within_o herself_o to_o direct_v and_o model_n she_o own_o worship_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o it_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o receive_v her_o liturgy_n and_o worship_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o may_v use_v she_o own_o without_o be_v charge_v with_o schism_n for_o do_v so_o 3._o every_o catholic_n church_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v each_o other_o member_n to_o communion_n when_o they_o come_v among_o they_o which_o make_v they_o all_o but_o one_o church_n one_o society_n &_o body_n the_o member_n of_o which_o have_v a_o mutual_a right_n and_o interest_n in_o each_o other_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o catholic_n communion_n not_o to_o adhere_v so_o stiff_o to_o the_o rite_n and_o usage_n of_o our_o own_o particular_a church_n as_o not_o to_o communicate_v with_o other_o church_n who_o use_v different_a rite_n from_o our_o own_o if_o they_o be_v innocent_a thus_o far_o all_o thing_n be_v plain_a and_o easy_a but_o the_o difficulty_n be_v how_o we_o shall_v maintain_v communion_n with_o those_o church_n which_o teach_v very_o erroneous_a doctrine_n or_o use_v very_o corrupt_a and_o suspect_a kind_n of_o worship_n and_o therefore_o four_o how_o corrupt_v soever_o any_o church_n be_v if_o she_o still_o retain_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n we_o must_v own_v she_o for_o a_o christian_a church_n though_o a_o corrupt_a one_o which_o be_v one_o degree_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o to_o own_v she_o of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o ourselves_o though_o as_o a_o sick_a or_o rot_a member_n this_o be_v the_o charge_n against_o the_o novatian_o and_o donatist_n not_o only_o that_o they_o
the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n for_o they_o be_v as_o much_o a_o stand_a revelation_n to_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n nay_o indeed_o there_o be_v more_o reason_n now_o to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o teacher_n by_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o there_o be_v under_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n to_o examine_v they_o by_o the_o old_a because_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o last_o and_o most_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n and_o we_o must_v expect_v and_o receive_v no_o more_o for_o s._n paul_n pronounce_v a_o anathema_n against_o angel_n themselves_o shall_v they_o preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n gal._n 1._o 8_o 9_o whereas_o the_o law_n itself_o give_v expectation_n of_o a_o more_o excellent_a prophet_n than_o moses_n and_o of_o a_o more_o perfect_a revelation_n and_o therefore_o as_o they_o be_v to_o receive_v no_o prophet_n who_o contradict_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n so_o we_o must_v receive_v none_o who_o preach_v any_o thing_n else_o than_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v now_o if_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v all_o that_o and_o more_o than_o that_o to_o we_o which_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n than_o we_o must_v have_v the_o same_o liberty_n of_o judge_v under_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v under_o the_o old_a for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o danger_n in_o our_o judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o man_n by_o it_o than_o there_o be_v in_o allow_v this_o liberty_n to_o the_o jew_n we_o have_v the_o same_o natural_a right_n to_o it_o which_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o right_n not_o owe_v to_o a_o positive_a institution_n but_o to_o the_o reason_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o to_o set_v aside_o this_o dispute_n about_o the_o possibility_n of_o such_o a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n this_o very_a consideration_n prove_v that_o christ_n never_o intend_v it_o viz._n that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o gospel_n in_o write_v as_o a_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o have_v appoint_v a_o order_n of_o man_n to_o study_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o to_o instruct_v other_o in_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o 1._o because_o he_o have_v give_v we_o the_o gospel_n in_o write_v which_o be_v now_o to_o we_o a_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n as_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n now_o the_o use_n of_o a_o write_a law_n be_v for_o every_o body_n to_o understand_v it_o and_o direct_v their_o faith_n and_o manner_n by_o it_o this_o be_v the_o use_n the_o jew_n be_v require_v to_o make_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o certain_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v for_o the_o same_o end_n or_o else_o i_o know_v not_o why_o it_o be_v write_v if_o then_o we_o must_v learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o practice_v this_o inevitable_o prove_v that_o our_o saviour_n intention_n be_v that_o we_o shall_v judge_v for_o ourselves_o for_o no_o man_n can_v learn_v any_o thing_n from_o a_o write_n unless_o he_o be_v allow_v to_o understand_v it_o and_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o it_o now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o plain_a proof_n that_o christ_n never_o intend_v such_o a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n who_o we_o must_v believe_v with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n if_o i_o must_v receive_v my_o faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o judge_n than_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o rule_n which_o i_o must_v and_o can_v make_v no_o use_n of_o if_o i_o must_v follow_v my_o rule_n there_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o a_o judge_n for_o i_o must_v judge_v for_o myself_o to_o resolve_v my_o faith_n into_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o rule_n and_o of_o a_o judge_n be_v as_o inconsistent_a as_o judge_v and_o not_o judge_v and_o therefore_o christ_n can_v not_o appoint_v both_o way_n because_o they_o contradict_v each_o other_o one_o require_v the_o exercise_n of_o my_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o the_o other_o forbid_v it_o and_o therefore_o since_o christ_n have_v give_v we_o a_o write_a rule_n we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v he_o have_v appoint_v no_o judge_n for_o though_o a_o law_n and_o a_o judge_n to_o execute_v that_o law_n be_v very_o consistent_a in_o civil_a government_n where_o the_o sentence_n of_o a_o judge_n do_v not_o oblige_v man_n faith_n but_o only_o authoritative_o determine_v a_o difference_n yet_o they_o be_v two_o very_a contrary_n and_o therefore_o inconsistent_a resolution_n of_o faith_n second_o as_o christ_n have_v give_v we_o a_o rule_n so_o he_o have_v appoint_v a_o order_n of_o man_n to_o study_v this_o rule_n themselves_o and_o to_o instruct_v other_o christian_n in_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o which_o be_v a_o argument_n he_o intend_v we_o shall_v understand_v it_o for_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v teach_v the_o scripture_n but_o that_o we_o may_v understand_v it_o and_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v we_o understand_v it_o but_o to_o make_v it_o our_o rule_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v and_o to_o determine_v as_o a_o judge_n be_v two_o very_a different_a thing_n the_o first_o reserve_v to_o we_o a_o liberty_n of_o judge_v the_o second_o determine_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o judge_n now_o what_o need_v of_o both_o these_o if_o christ_n have_v appoint_v a_o judge_n who_o we_o must_v in_o all_o thing_n believe_v what_o need_v of_o teacher_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n if_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o sense_n but_o what_o the_o judge_n give_v they_o what_o a_o impertinent_a trouble_n be_v it_o to_o study_v the_o scripture_n who_o can_v interpret_v they_o but_o this_o infallible_a judge_n and_o how_o then_o can_v there_o be_v so_o many_o teacher_n if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o judge_n or_o if_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v understand_v and_o may_v be_v teach_v what_o use_n be_v there_o of_o a_o judge_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o unteach_v what_o he_o have_v not_o a_o mind_n to_o and_o than_o he_o may_v make_v all_o other_o teacher_n useless_a when_o he_o please_v nay_o if_o the_o great_a apostle_n be_v no_o more_o than_o teacher_n where_o be_v the_o judge_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o only_a commission_n christ_n give_v to_o all_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o peter_n among_o the_o rest_n to_o teach_v those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v command_v they_o the_o charge_n christ_n give_v to_o peter_n be_v to_o feed_v his_o sheep_n and_o his_o lamb_n which_o be_v the_o same_o st._n paul_n lay_v on_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n take_v heed_n unto_o yourselves_o and_o to_o all_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v you_o overseer_n to_o feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n act_v 20._o 28._o that_o be_v to_o instruct_v and_o 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