be_v infallible_a without_o specify_v which_o of_o these_o be_v the_o infallible_a one_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n that_o look_v so_o extravagant_a that_o real_o it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o suppose_v they_o of_o which_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v evident_o one_o that_o god_n shall_v have_v leave_v a_o infallibility_n to_o his_o church_n and_o not_o have_v declare_v with_o who_o this_o the_o great_a of_o all_o trust_n to_o which_o probable_o many_o will_v pretend_v be_v lodge_v so_o that_o this_o which_o be_v the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o the_o whole_a roman_a communion_n have_v a_o absurdity_n in_o it_o that_o can_v be_v reconcile_v to_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n many_o among_o they_o put_v it_o in_o the_o whole_a diffusive_a body_n of_o all_o christian_n to_o which_o purpose_n the_o word_n of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n be_v perpetual_o repeat_v but_o after_o all_o this_o be_v only_o to_o abuse_v people_n for_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n must_v be_v seek_v for_o here_o come_v endless_a inquiry_n and_o some_o of_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v make_v the_o history_n of_o many_o age_n and_o church_n be_v lose_v if_o this_o be_v make_v the_o standard_n as_o the_o labour_n become_v infinite_a so_o after_o all_o it_o resolve_v into_o private_a judgement_n since_o every_o man_n must_v judge_v as_o he_o see_v cause_n and_o must_v collect_v the_o sense_n of_o age_n and_o church_n from_o author_n which_o as_o they_o be_v often_o both_o dark_a and_o defective_a so_o he_o must_v understand_v they_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v by_o his_o own_o judgement_n and_o observation_n unless_o some_o infallible_a expounder_n or_o declarer_fw-la of_o their_o sense_n be_v set_v up_o and_o then_o the_o infallibility_n be_v translate_v from_o hence_o to_o the_o expounder_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o hard_a to_o trace_v a_o great_a many_o point_n of_o controversy_n through_o even_o the_o first_o and_o best_a age_n that_o the_o church_n must_v fall_v under_o great_a difficulty_n if_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v assume_v for_o maintain_v the_o infallibility_n and_o when_o all_o be_v do_v we_o see_v by_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o controversy_n that_o both_o side_n think_v they_o can_v justify_v themselves_o by_o the_o ancient_a father_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o scripture_n so_o that_o all_o these_o absurdity_n that_o be_v urge_v against_o apeal_n to_o the_o scripture_n or_o argue_v from_o they_o as_o that_o to_o which_o all_o heretic_n do_v fly_v and_o in_o which_o they_o shelter_v themselves_o will_v return_v here_o with_o the_o more_o force_n because_o these_o write_n be_v much_o more_o voluminous_a and_o be_v write_v in_o a_o much_o more_o entangle_v and_o dark_a style_n so_o that_o these_o two_o objection_n lie_v against_o this_o way_n that_o it_o be_v both_o vast_a if_o not_o impossible_a as_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o and_o next_o that_o after_o all_o the_o pain_n that_o can_v be_v take_v in_o it_o it_o be_v of_o no_o use_n for_o private_a judgement_n will_v still_o remain_v so_o that_o controversy_n can_v be_v end_v in_o this_o way_n other_o be_v for_o the_o diffusive_a church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o put_v infallibility_n there_o for_o they_o reckon_v thus_o that_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n believe_v as_o the_o former_a age_n believe_v till_o this_o be_v carry_v up_o to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o this_o be_v to_o resolve_v all_o matter_n into_o oral_a tradition_n and_o to_o suppose_v it_o infallible_a and_o indeed_o if_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v wise_a honest_a and_o cautious_a and_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v faithful_a and_o inquisitive_a we_o may_v rely_v upon_o this_o and_o so_o believe_v a_o infallibility_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o upon_o this_o supposition_n we_o shall_v have_v no_o occasion_n for_o it_o since_o if_o mankind_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o such_o a_o pitch_n of_o reformation_n there_o will_v be_v no_o controversy_n and_o so_o no_o need_n of_o a_o judge_n to_o decide_v they_o infallible_o but_o if_o we_o will_v admit_v that_o which_o we_o see_v to_o be_v true_a and_o know_v to_o have_v be_v true_a in_o all_o age_n that_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v both_o ignorant_a and_o careless_a of_o religion_n that_o they_o go_v easy_o into_o such_o opinion_n as_o be_v lay_v before_o they_o by_o man_n of_o authority_n and_o reputation_n and_o that_o they_o have_v a_o particular_a like_n to_o superstitious_a conceit_n to_o outward_a pomp_n and_o to_o such_o doctrine_n as_o make_v they_o easy_a in_o their_o ill_a practice_n then_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o age_n believe_v nothing_o but_o that_o which_o it_o learn_v from_o the_o former_a fall_v quite_o to_o the_o ground_n if_o we_o can_v also_o imagine_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v be_v always_o careful_a to_o examine_v matter_n and_o never_o apt_a to_o add_v explanation_n or_o enlargement_n even_o in_o their_o own_o favour_n or_o if_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o see_v a_o gross_a ignorance_n run_v through_o whole_a age_n if_o we_o find_v the_o clergy_n to_o have_v be_v ambitious_a and_o quarrelsome_a full_a of_o intrigue_n and_o interest_n than_o all_o this_o general_a specious_a prejudice_n in_o favour_n of_o oral_a tradition_n vanish_v to_o nothing_o all_o this_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o be_v conceive_v if_o we_o state_n aright_o the_o difference_n between_o those_o time_n and_o our_o own_o now_o printing_n have_v make_v learn_v cheap_a and_o easy_a the_o disposition_n of_o post_n the_o commerce_n of_o letter_n the_o daily_a publication_n of_o gazette_n and_o journal_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v now_o in_o agitation_n but_o when_o all_o be_v to_o be_v learn_v from_o manuscript_n knowledge_n be_v both_o dear_a and_o difficult_a and_o the_o method_n of_o communicate_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n be_v both_o slow_a and_o often_o break_v so_o that_o this_o thread_n of_o oral_a tradition_n will_v not_o prove_v a_o sure_a guide_n there_o be_v a_o humour_n in_o man_n to_o add_v to_o most_o thing_n as_o they_o pass_v through_o their_o hand_n if_o it_o be_v but_o a_o illustration_n which_o seem_v not_o only_o innocent_a but_o sometime_o necessary_a those_o enlargement_n will_v very_o natural_o be_v soon_o consider_v as_o part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o to_o these_o in_o a_o constant_a gradation_n new_a addition_n may_v still_o be_v make_v and_o inference_n from_o illustration_n will_v in_o conclusion_n become_v part_n of_o their_o doctrine_n if_o i_o do_v not_o limit_v myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o apply_v this_o both_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o redeem_v out_o of_o purgatory_n to_o those_o of_o pray_v for_o the_o dead_a or_o invocate_a saint_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o assertor_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n that_o the_o whole_a face_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n be_v change_v both_o in_o her_o worship_n and_o discipline_n though_o these_o be_v more_o sensible_a thing_n than_o point_v of_o mere_a speculation_n which_o in_o dark_a age_n can_v not_o be_v much_o mind_v whereas_o the_o other_o be_v more_o visible_a and_o make_v a_o more_o powerful_a impression_n beside_o that_o all_o those_o change_n arise_v out_o of_o some_o new_a opinion_n to_o which_o they_o relate_v and_o on_o which_o they_o be_v found_v a_o change_n then_o that_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o one_o do_v very_o natural_o carry_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o change_n be_v also_o make_v in_o the_o other_o we_o do_v all_o plain_o see_v that_o some_o tradition_n that_o come_v very_o near_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v exposition_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v change_v in_o other_o age_n the_o belief_n of_o christ_n reign_v a_o thousand_o year_n on_o earth_n be_v one_o of_o these_o for_o which_o though_o it_o be_v now_o lay_v aside_o in_o that_o church_n there_o be_v another_o face_n of_o a_o venerable_a tradition_n than_o for_o most_o of_o their_o doctrine_n we_o see_v a_o practice_n that_o be_v very_o ancient_a and_o that_o continue_v very_o long_o which_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o exposition_n of_o those_o word_n 3._o except_o you_o eat_v my_o flesh_n and_o drink_v my_o blood_n you_o have_v no_o life_n in_o you_o by_o which_o infant_n be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o eucharist_n be_v afterward_o change_v in_o that_o church_n though_o it_o be_v much_o less_o easy_a to_o think_v how_o that_o shall_v be_v do_v than_o almost_o how_o any_o other_o shall_v be_v bring_v about_o for_o those_o word_n be_v understand_v of_o a_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o the_o
world_n in_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v authorize_v to_o dissolve_v the_o obligation_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n and_o to_o confirm_v such_o part_n of_o they_o as_o be_v moral_a and_o perpetual_o bind_v which_o the_o apostle_n shall_v do_v with_o such_o visible_a character_n of_o a_o divine_a authority_n empower_v and_o conduct_v they_o in_o it_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v very_o evident_a that_o what_o they_o do_v on_o earth_n be_v ratify_v in_o heaven_n these_o word_n thus_o understand_v carry_v in_o they_o a_o plain_a sense_n which_o agree_v well_o with_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v their_o sense_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o here_o peculiar_o give_v to_o st._n peter_n as_o for_o our_o saviour_n pray_v for_o st._n peter_n that_o his_o faith_n may_v not_o fail_v and_o his_o restore_v he_o to_o his_o apostolate_a by_o a_o threefold_a charge_n 32._o feed_v my_o sheep_n or_o lamb_n it_o have_v such_o a_o visible_a relation_n to_o his_o fall_n and_o threefold_a denial_n that_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o enlarge_v on_o 15._o or_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v capable_a of_o no_o other_o signification_n and_o can_v be_v carry_v further_a and_o thus_o i_o have_v go_v through_o all_o that_o be_v bring_v from_o the_o scripture_n for_o assert_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o particular_a of_o the_o pope_n and_o have_v i_o hope_v full_o show_v that_o they_o can_v bear_v that_o sense_n but_o that_o they_o must_v genuine_o bear_v a_o plain_o different_a sense_n which_o do_v no_o way_n differ_v from_o our_o doctrine_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o clear_v all_o this_o for_o though_o as_o be_v before_o make_v out_o it_o be_v no_o proper_a way_n for_o they_o to_o resolve_v their_o faith_n by_o passage_n out_o of_o scripture_n yet_o these_o be_v very_o good_a objection_n to_o we_o who_o upon_o other_o reason_n do_v submit_v to_o their_o authority_n there_o remain_v but_o one_o thing_n now_o to_o be_v clear_v which_o be_v this_o if_o the_o church_n be_v not_o infallible_a it_o do_v not_o easy_o appear_v what_o certainty_n we_o can_v have_v concern_v the_o scripture_n since_o we_o believe_v they_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o we_o have_v no_o other_o knowledge_n concern_v they_o but_o what_o have_v be_v hand_v down_o to_o we_o by_o tradition_n if_o therefore_o this_o be_v fallible_a we_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o our_o persuasion_n even_o concern_v they_o but_o here_o a_o great_a difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o the_o carry_v down_o a_o book_n to_o we_o and_o the_o oral_a deliver_v of_o a_o doctrine_n it_o be_v almost_o as_o hard_o to_o suppose_v how_o the_o one_o can_v sail_v as_o how_o the_o other_o shall_v not_o fail_v the_o book_n be_v in_o many_o hand_n spread_v over_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o read_v in_o all_o their_o assembly_n make_v this_o to_o be_v a_o very_a different_a thing_n from_o discourse_n that_o be_v in_o the_o air_n and_o to_o which_o every_o man_n that_o report_v they_o be_v apt_a to_o give_v his_o own_o cue_n a_o great_a difference_n be_v also_o to_o be_v make_v between_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o witness_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o judge_n if_o in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n council_n have_v examine_v controvert_v write_n and_o have_v upon_o that_o past_a sentence_n this_o have_v be_v in_o deed_n a_o judge_v the_o matter_n but_o no_o such_o thing_n ever_o be_v the_o codex_fw-la of_o the_o scripture_n be_v settle_v some_o age_n before_o any_o provincial_a council_n give_v out_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n which_o they_o hold_v as_o canonical_a for_o no_o ancient_a general_n council_n ever_o do_v it_o and_o though_o the_o canonical_a epistle_n of_o which_o there_o not_o be_v such_o a_o certain_a standard_n they_o not_o be_v address_v to_o any_o particular_a body_n that_o have_v preserve_v the_o original_n be_v not_o so_o early_a nor_o so_o universal_o receive_v as_o the_o other_o be_v yet_o the_o matter_n be_v settle_v without_o any_o authoritative_a judgement_n only_o by_o examine_v original_n and_o such_o other_o method_n by_o which_o all_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n can_v only_o be_v make_v out_o but_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v so_o full_o consider_v and_o state_v in_o another_o discourse_n i_o shall_v dwell_v no_o long_o on_o it_o in_o this_o as_o for_o the_o authority_n which_o be_v bring_v from_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o tradition_n it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o though_o the_o word_n tradition_n as_o it_o be_v now_o use_v in_o book_n of_o controversy_n import_v a_o sense_n opposite_a to_o that_o which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o tradition_n be_v of_o its_o own_o signification_n a_o general_a word_n that_o import_v every_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v be_v natural_o call_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o a_o great_a many_o thing_n say_v by_o ancient_n to_o magnify_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o way_n of_o appeal_n to_o it_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o this_o matter_n beside_o when_o man_n be_v so_o near_o the_o apostolical_a age_n that_o they_o can_v name_v the_o person_n from_o who_o they_o have_v such_o or_o such_o hint_n who_o have_v receive_v they_o from_o the_o apostle_n or_o from_o apostolical_a man_n tradition_n be_v of_o another_o sort_n of_o authority_n and_o may_v have_v be_v much_o more_o safe_o appeal_v to_o than_o at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o many_o age_n therefore_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v bring_v either_o from_o irenaeus_n or_o tertullian_n that_o sound_v this_o way_n here_o be_v a_o plain_a difference_n to_o be_v observe_v between_o their_o age_n and_o we_o which_o do_v total_o diversify_v it_o but_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n how_o early_a tradition_n may_v either_o vary_v or_o misrepresent_v matter_n let_v the_o tradition_n not_o only_o in_o but_o before_o st._n irenaeus_n time_n concern_v the_o observation_n of_o easter_n be_v consider_v which_o go_v up_o as_o high_a as_o st._n polycarps_n time_n we_o find_v that_o as_o the_o several_a church_n adhere_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o apostle_n that_o found_v they_o so_o they_o have_v quite_o forget_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o seem_v these_o various_a observation_n be_v found_v since_o though_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o those_o who_o keep_v easter_n on_o the_o jewish_a day_n do_v it_o that_o by_o their_o condescendence_n to_o the_o jew_n in_o that_o matter_n they_o may_v gain_v upon_o they_o and_o soften_v their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o christianity_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o their_o successor_n think_v of_o that_o at_o all_o for_o they_o vouch_v their_o custom_n and_o resolve_v to_o adhere_v to_o it_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n mention_v on_o either_o side_n that_o give_v we_o the_o account_n of_o those_o early_a but_o different_a observation_n if_o then_o tradition_n fail_v so_o near_o its_o fountain_n we_o may_v easy_o judge_v what_o account_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o it_o at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n many_o thing_n be_v bring_v with_o great_a pomp_n out_o of_o st._n augustine_n write_n magnify_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o term_n which_o after_o all_o the_o allowance_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v for_o his_o diffuse_v and_o african_a eloquence_n can_v hardly_o be_v justify_v yet_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o write_v against_o the_o donatist_n who_o have_v break_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v the_o ordainer_n of_o cecilian_a which_o have_v be_v as_o to_o the_o point_n of_o fact_n often_o judge_v against_o they_o and_o yet_o as_o they_o have_v distract_v the_o whole_a african_a church_n so_o they_o be_v man_n of_o fierce_a and_o implacable_a temper_n that_o break_v out_o daily_o into_o act_n of_o great_a fury_n and_o violence_n and_o have_v set_v up_o a_o principle_n that_o must_v for_o ever_o break_v the_o peace_n and_o union_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v that_o the_o virtue_n of_o all_o the_o public_a act_n of_o worship_n of_o sacrament_n and_o ordinance_n depend_v upon_o the_o personal_a worth_n of_o he_o that_o officiate_v so_o that_o his_o error_n or_o vice_n do_v make_v void_a all_o that_o past_a through_o his_o hand_n now_o when_o so_o warm_a a_o man_n as_o st._n austin_n have_v so_o bad_a a_o principle_n and_o so_o ill_a a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n in_o view_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o bring_v out_o all_o that_o he_o can_v think_v on_o upon_o the_o subject_n so_o
respect_n as_o bad_a as_o ever_o this_o indeed_o be_v so_o slight_a a_o thing_n that_o a_o great_a disparagement_n can_v the_o offer_v to_o our_o religion_n nor_o can_v a_o great_a strengthen_n of_o sin_n be_v contrive_v than_o the_o give_v any_o sort_n of_o encouragement_n to_o it_o for_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a and_o the_o most_o mischievous_a of_o all_o those_o practical_a error_n which_o have_v corrupt_v religion_n these_o be_v the_o most_o important_a part_n of_o our_o whole_a commission_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o state_n they_o first_o aright_o in_o our_o own_o thought_n that_o so_o we_o ourselves_o may_v be_v full_o possess_v with_o they_o that_o they_o may_v sink_v deep_a into_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o show_v their_o efficacy_n in_o the_o reform_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o life_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o open_v they_o to_o other_o with_o more_o clearness_n and_o with_o better_a advantage_n when_o our_o heart_n be_v inflame_v with_o a_o overcome_a sense_n of_o the_o love_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n if_o the_o condition_n of_o this_o new_a covenant_n be_v deep_o impress_v on_o our_o thought_n than_o we_o shall_v publish_v they_o with_o more_o life_n and_o joy_n to_o other_o and_o we_o may_v then_o look_v for_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o blessing_n of_o the_o gospel_n on_o ourselves_o and_o on_o our_o labour_n discourse_n iii_o concern_v the_o infallibility_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n after_o we_o be_v well_o settle_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n our_o next_o enquiry_n must_v natural_o be_v into_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o be_v right_o instruct_v in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o other_o part_n of_o this_o religion_n and_o that_o chief_o in_o one_o great_a point_n whether_o we_o ought_v to_o employ_v our_o own_o faculty_n in_o search_v into_o this_o and_o particular_o into_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v or_o whether_o we_o must_v take_v it_o from_o oral_a tradition_n and_o submit_v to_o any_o man_n or_o body_n of_o man_n as_o the_o infallible_a depositary_n and_o declarer_n of_o this_o tradition_n in_o this_o single_a point_n consist_v the_o essence_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n while_o we_o affirm_v that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v complete_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o examine_v these_o with_o the_o best_a help_n and_o all_o the_o skill_n and_o application_n of_o which_o he_o be_v capable_a and_o that_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v such_o doctrine_n only_o as_o appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o may_v reject_v all_o other_o that_o be_v not_o found_v upon_o that_o authority_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n build_v be_v this_o that_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v their_o doctrine_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n to_o the_o several_a church_n as_o the_o sacred_a depositum_fw-la of_o the_o faith_n that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v occasional_o not_o with_o intent_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o standard_n of_o this_o religion_n that_o we_o have_v these_o book_n and_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v divine_a only_o from_o the_o church_n and_o upon_o her_o testimony_n that_o the_o church_n with_o the_o book_n give_v we_o likewise_o the_o sense_n and_o exposition_n of_o they_o they_o be_v dark_a in_o many_o place_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o traditional_a conveyance_n and_o the_o solemn_a decision_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v infallible_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v submit_v to_o as_o such_o otherwise_o there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o controversy_n while_o every_o man_n take_v upon_o he_o to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n which_o must_v needs_o fill_v man_n mind_n with_o curiosity_n and_o pride_n as_o well_o as_o the_o world_n with_o heresy_n and_o sect_n that_o be_v unavoidable_a unless_o there_o be_v a_o live_a speak_a judge_n this_o they_o also_o prove_v from_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n such_o as_o christ_n word_n to_o st._n peter_n upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n 3.16_o and_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o unto_o thou_o will_v i_o give_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n tell_v the_o church_n i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o even_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n the_o spirit_n shall_v lead_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n this_o be_v their_o doctrine_n and_o these_o be_v their_o chief_a argument_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v found_v there_o be_v no_o point_n in_o divinity_n that_o we_o shall_v more_o clear_o understand_v than_o this_o for_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o of_o great_a consequence_n and_o be_v that_o which_o determine_v all_o the_o rest_n if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o other_o controversy_n and_o if_o it_o be_v false_a it_o leave_v we_o at_o liberty_n to_o examine_v every_o thing_n and_o give_v we_o the_o just_a and_o high_a prejudices_fw-la possible_a against_o that_o church_n that_o pretend_v to_o it_o without_o just_a ground_n it_o be_v also_o that_o which_o of_o all_o other_o the_o missionary_n of_o that_o church_n understand_v the_o best_a and_o manage_v the_o most_o dextrous_o they_o be_v much_o practise_v to_o it_o and_o they_o begin_v and_o end_v all_o their_o practice_n with_o this_o which_o have_v fair_a appearance_n and_o will_v bear_v a_o great_a deal_n both_o of_o popular_a eloquence_n and_o plausible_a logic_n so_o if_o man_n be_v not_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n as_o well_o fortify_v and_o as_o ready_a on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o argument_n they_o will_v be_v much_o entangle_v as_o often_o as_o they_o have_v occasion_n to_o deal_v with_o any_o of_o that_o church_n there_o be_v not_o indeed_o any_o one_o point_n that_o i_o know_v of_o that_o have_v be_v open_v and_o examine_v both_o with_o that_o beauty_n and_o force_n that_o be_v in_o chillingworth_n unvaluable_a book_n upon_o this_o subject_a few_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n have_v ever_o be_v handle_v so_o near_o a_o mathematical_a evidence_n as_o he_o have_v pursue_v this_o argument_n and_o his_o book_n be_v write_v with_o such_o a_o thread_n of_o wit_n and_o reason_n that_o i_o be_o confident_a few_o can_v enter_v upon_o it_o without_o go_v through_o with_o it_o i_o shall_v now_o endeavour_v in_o as_o narrow_a a_o compass_n as_o be_v possible_a to_o set_v this_o matter_n in_o its_o true_a light_n we_o must_v then_o begin_v with_o this_o that_o the_o freedom_n of_o a_o man_n thought_n and_o understanding_n be_v the_o most_o essential_a piece_n of_o his_o liberty_n and_o that_o in_o which_o natural_o he_o can_v the_o least_o bear_v to_o be_v limit_v therefore_o any_o restraint_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o he_o in_o this_o must_v be_v well_o and_o full_o prove_v otherwise_o it_o be_v to_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n can_v never_o intend_v to_o bring_v we_o under_o the_o yoke_n in_o so_o sensible_a and_o so_o valuable_a a_o thing_n without_o give_v clear_a and_o evident_a warrant_n for_o it_o and_o as_o every_o invasion_n on_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o human_a nature_n aught_o to_o be_v well_o make_v out_o so_o every_o privilege_n which_o any_o person_n claim_v against_o the_o common_a fate_n of_o mankind_n aught_o to_o be_v also_o full_o prove_v before_o other_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o it_o we_o perceive_v in_o ourselves_o and_o we_o see_v in_o all_o other_o such_o a_o feebleness_n of_o understanding_n such_o a_o easiness_n to_o go_v too_o quick_a and_o judge_v too_o fast_o and_o such_o a_o narrow_a compass_n of_o knowledge_n that_o as_o we_o see_v all_o mankind_n be_v apt_a to_o mistake_v thing_n so_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o any_o one_o be_v exempt_v from_o this_o but_o as_o there_o be_v evident_a authority_n to_o prove_v it_o since_o then_o this_o be_v a_o privilege_n in_o those_o that_o have_v it_o as_o well_o as_o a_o imposition_n on_o those_o that_o have_v it_o not_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v offer_v at_o or_o obtrude_v on_o the_o world_n without_o a_o full_a proof_n probability_n force_a inference_n or_o even_o disputable_a proof_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o here_o since_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o if_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o put_v any_o such_o thing_n upon_o we_o he_o will_v have_v do_v it_o in_o so_o plain_a and_o uncontested_a a_o way_n that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v no_o room_n to_o have_v doubt_v of_o it_o beside_o all_o such_o thing_n as_o do_v natural_o give_v jealousy_n and_o offer_v specious_a ground_n of_o mistrust_n aught_o to_o be_v very_o clear_a since_o
be_v typical_a it_o be_v much_o more_o reasonable_a to_o have_v expect_v a_o oral_a tradition_n of_o its_o signification_n their_o prophet_n express_v themselves_o in_o a_o very_a dark_a and_o figurative_a way_n full_a of_o strange_a allusion_n and_o lofty_a phrase_n and_o since_o these_o be_v to_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o messiah_n and_o yet_o seem_v capable_a of_o very_o different_a sense_n all_o this_o require_v a_o infallible_a expounder_n they_o be_v one_o nation_n so_o that_o unity_n be_v in_o many_o respect_v most_o necessary_a to_o their_o preservation_n they_o be_v for_o many_o age_n strong_o set_v on_o idolatry_n so_o that_o a_o solemn_a public_a and_o infallible_a authority_n be_v the_o more_o necessary_a 13._o there_o be_v also_o provision_n in_o their_o law_n much_o more_o express_a than_o any_o can_v be_v pretend_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n require_v they_o when_o they_o have_v any_o controversy_n within_o their_o gate_n to_o come_v up_o to_o the_o temple_n to_o the_o priest_n that_o stand_v there_o to_o minister_v before_o the_o lord_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o judge_n and_o they_o be_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o submit_v to_o their_o determination_n this_o matter_n be_v set_v out_o in_o such_o a_o variety_n of_o large_a and_o positive_a expression_n that_o though_o perhaps_o that_o passage_n belong_v to_o their_o law_n suit_n but_o by_o the_o way_n that_o of_o tell_v the_o church_n seem_v to_o be_v limit_v to_o the_o same_o sort_n of_o matter_n yet_o if_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n or_o if_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n be_v consider_v this_o will_v go_v much_o further_o towards_o a_o absolute_a submission_n which_o seem_v to_o suppose_v a_o infallible_a authority_n than_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v allege_v for_o the_o like_a out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n not_o to_o mention_v other_o expression_n of_o ask_v the_o law_n at_o the_o priest_n mouth_n and_o that_o his_o lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n for_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n 7._o these_o thing_n i_o say_v seem_v to_o make_v out_o a_o very_a fair_a title_n to_o infallibility_n under_o the_o moysaicall_a dispensation_n and_o they_o continue_v to_o be_v not_o only_o the_o true_a but_o indeed_o the_o only_a church_n that_o god_n have_v on_o earth_n till_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v open_v they_o have_v still_o among_o they_o the_o federal_n mean_v of_o salvation_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n our_o saviour_n join_v both_o in_o temple_n and_o synagogue-worship_n which_o alone_o be_v enough_o to_o prove_v they_o to_o have_v be_v a_o true_a church_n in_o this_o we_o plain_o see_v the_o sophistry_n of_o one_o argument_n which_o perhaps_o make_v some_o impression_n on_o weak_a mind_n that_o a_o true_a church_n must_v be_v true_a in_o its_o doctrine_n it_o must_v indeed_o have_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o keep_v up_o its_o federal_n relation_n to_o god_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v their_o circumcision_n and_o sacrifice_n together_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o temple-service_n but_o yet_o that_o church_n have_v fall_v under_o two_o great_a error_n that_o have_v a_o vast_a extent_n as_o well_o as_o a_o very_a fatal_a consequence_n they_o understand_v all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n in_o a_o literal_a sense_n of_o a_o temporal_a prince_n and_o a_o glorious_a conqueror_n here_o oral_a tradition_n fail_v in_o that_o which_o of_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v the_o most_o important_a for_o they_o to_o understand_v aright_o since_o their_o mistake_n in_o this_o occasion_v their_o reject_v the_o true_a messiah_n which_o draw_v on_o their_o final_a ruin_n the_o other_o error_n be_v also_o very_o fatal_a for_o it_o bring_v they_o under_o a_o vast_a corruption_n of_o their_o moral_n they_o think_v the_o ritual_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v of_o such_o high_a value_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n that_o this_o alone_a together_o with_o many_o invent_a rite_n that_o have_v be_v hand_v down_o to_o they_o by_o tradition_n be_v of_o such_o value_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n that_o they_o do_v compensate_a for_o the_o gross_a immorality_n and_o excuse_v from_o the_o most_o important_a obligation_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n these_o thing_n have_v pass_v down_o among_o they_o by_o tradition_n from_o their_o father_n and_o have_v corrupt_v all_o their_o notion_n about_o religion_n so_o that_o here_o we_o see_v all_o the_o arguing_n from_o a_o seem_a necessity_n of_o thing_n for_o a_o infallible_a authority_n be_v only_o vain_a imagination_n which_o do_v not_o hold_v in_o instance_n in_o which_o we_o have_v all_o the_o plausible_a reason_n of_o look_v for_o they_o nor_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v any_o great_a imputation_n on_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n that_o he_o have_v not_o provide_v a_o infallible_a remedy_n against_o error_n than_o that_o he_o have_v not_o provide_v a_o infallible_a remedy_n against_o sin_n sin_n be_v that_o which_o of_o its_o own_o nature_n bear_v the_o great_a opposition_n to_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o to_o his_o dominion_n and_o that_o do_v defile_v and_o corrupt_v our_o soul_n the_o most_o we_o can_v much_o more_o easy_o apprehend_v that_o god_n can_v bear_v with_o a_o man_n that_o live_v in_o error_n than_o with_o one_o that_o live_v in_o sin_n the_o one_o can_v consist_v with_o good_a intention_n and_o a_o probity_n and_o integrity_n of_o heart_n for_o he_o who_o be_v in_o error_n may_v think_v that_o he_o be_v serve_v god_n in_o it_o and_o so_o it_o can_v dwell_v in_o the_o same_o breast_n with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o of_o our_o neigbhour_n which_o be_v drive_v out_o by_o sin_n the_o true_a design_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o give_v we_o such_o degree_n of_o light_n and_o knowledge_n as_o may_v preserve_v we_o from_o sin_n and_o purify_v our_o heart_n and_o life_n holiness_n be_v a_o much_o more_o certain_a character_n of_o a_o man_n be_v in_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n than_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n possible_a upon_o all_o these_o ground_n we_o may_v conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o god_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o more_o certain_a provision_n against_o error_n than_o he_o have_v make_v against_o sin_n now_o what_o be_v the_o provision_n against_o sin_n god_n offer_v the_o free_a pardon_n of_o all_o past_a sin_n to_o encourage_v we_o to_o forsake_v they_o he_o give_v we_o secret_a assistance_n to_o fortify_v our_o endeavour_n against_o sin_n he_o set_v before_o we_o unspeakable_o vast_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o he_o accept_v of_o a_o sincere_a though_o imperfect_a obedience_n so_o here_o a_o great_a deal_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o freedom_n of_o our_o wi_n god_n will_v not_o work_v in_o we_o as_o in_o necessary_a agent_n but_o have_v make_v we_o capable_a of_o liberty_n he_o leave_v we_o to_o the_o use_n of_o it_o and_o if_o we_o perish_v our_o perdition_n be_v of_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o will_v not_o apply_v our_o faculty_n and_o use_v our_o best_a endeavour_n to_o become_v true_o holy_a the_o blame_n must_v lie_v upon_o ourselves_o for_o god_n will_v not_o convey_v into_o we_o by_o his_o power_n such_o principle_n and_o disposition_n as_o shall_v force_v we_o to_o be_v good_a and_o unless_o we_o do_v what_o lie_v in_o we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o we_o pray_v to_o he_o for_o inward_a aid_n from_o he_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o hope_v that_o he_o will_v hear_v we_o in_o like_a manner_n he_o have_v call_v we_o to_o a_o religion_n that_o lie_v in_o a_o very_a little_a compass_n he_o have_v order_v it_o to_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o book_n write_v in_o a_o great_a simplicity_n of_o style_n he_o have_v give_v we_o understanding_n capable_a of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o great_a industry_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o it_o and_o we_o feel_v this_o difference_n in_o our_o nature_n in_o seek_v after_o truth_n from_o follow_v after_o holiness_n that_o there_o be_v no_o natural_a disposition_n in_o we_o to_o error_n or_o against_o truth_n whereas_o there_o be_v bear_v in_o we_o propensity_n that_o we_o feel_v to_o be_v deep_o root_v in_o we_o against_o holiness_n and_o in_o favour_n of_o sin_n among_o man_n some_o be_v natural_o inquisitive_a make_v and_o fit_v to_o dive_v deep_a into_o profound_a search_n these_o man_n do_v in_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o in_o all_o other_o art_n and_o science_n so_o open_a and_o clear_v the_o way_n to_o slow_a and_o lazier_n mind_n that_o they_o render_v thing_n easy_a to_o they_o and_o as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v have_v lay_v insuperable_a difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n to_o divine_a knowledge_n so_o those_o few_o that_o be_v in_o it_o have_v
church_n by_o another_o he_o design_v to_o expose_v they_o to_o scandal_n and_o scorn_n he_o forbid_v man_n and_o woman_n to_o meet_v together_o to_o worship_n god_n or_o bishop_n to_o visit_v woman_n or_o woman_n to_o come_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o their_o school_n and_o appoint_v that_o woman_n only_o shall_v instruct_v woman_n he_o also_o forbid_v their_o hold_a assembly_n within_o city_n and_o order_v they_o to_o meet_v in_o the_o open_a field_n some_o church_n be_v pull_v down_o by_o his_o order_n 8._o and_o other_o be_v shut_v up_o and_o his_o first_o success_n make_v he_o resolve_v on_o a_o general_a persecution_n for_o not_o only_a eusebius_n but_o both_o socrates_n sozeman_n 3._o and_o several_a other_o writer_n do_v all_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o general_a persecution_n begin_v but_o that_o there_o be_v visible_a step_n make_v towards_o it_o when_o all_o this_o be_v represent_v to_o constantine_n he_o be_v much_o affect_v with_o it_o and_o resolve_v to_o help_v the_o oppress_a and_o think_v it_o be_v a_o pious_a and_o holy_a action_n to_o save_v a_o mulitude_n by_o the_o destroy_n of_o one_o person_n for_o he_o see_v no_o other_o way_n be_v leave_v to_o relieve_v the_o oppress_a 〈◊〉_d and_o his_o engage_v in_o a_o war_n with_o licinius_n be_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o east_n that_o be_v licinius_n own_o subject_n ascribe_v to_o a_o immediate_a conduct_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n 8._o it_o be_v true_a eutropius_n put_v this_o upon_o constantine_n ambition_n and_o his_o aspire_a to_o be_v the_o single_a monarch_n of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v also_o insinuate_v by_o aurelius_n victor_n affectans_fw-la and_o more_o full_o set_v out_o by_o zosimus_n who_o hatred_n both_o of_o constantine_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n break_v out_o into_o so_o many_o partiality_n unbecoming_a a_o historian_n and_o engage_v he_o into_o so_o many_o story_n that_o be_v evident_o false_a that_o little_a regard_n be_v due_a to_o any_o thing_n he_o say_v i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v upon_o the_o war_n that_o follow_v only_o i_o must_v observe_v that_o though_o constantine_n as_o the_o senior_a emperor_n have_v the_o precedence_n of_o licinius_n yet_o he_o have_v no_o sort_n of_o authority_n over_o he_o so_o here_o two_o prince_n both_o equal_o sovereign_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n colleague_n and_o brothers-in-law_n for_o licinius_n have_v marry_v constantine_n sister_n be_v engage_v in_o a_o war_n the_o quarrel_n be_v not_o a_o general_a persecution_n but_o such_o step_n make_v as_o do_v plain_o discover_v there_o be_v one_o intend_v a_o peace_n soon_o after_o follow_v the_o cement_n of_o it_o be_v the_o declare_v licinius_n son_n licinian_n caesar_n who_o be_v then_o 21_o year_n of_o age_n this_o put_v he_o in_o the_o succession_n but_o a_o second_o rupture_n follow_v quick_o after_o that_o licinius_n hatred_n to_o the_o christian_n be_v rather_o increase_v than_o abate_v since_o he_o observe_v that_o they_o all_o love_v constantine_n this_o prove_v fatal_a to_o licinius_n for_o he_o be_v total_o defeat_v at_o andrianople_n the_o 3d_o of_o july_n 324._o and_o after_o some_o fruitless_a attempt_n he_o be_v force_v to_o put_v himself_o in_o constantine_n hand_n on_o the_o 18_o of_o september_n follow_v whereupon_o he_o be_v send_v to_o live_v a_o private_a man_n at_o thessalonica_n but_o constantine_n understand_v that_o he_o can_v not_o rest_v order_v he_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o year_n 325._o now_o we_o be_v in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o see_v what_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o this_o transaction_n i_o confess_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o take_v it_o single_o from_o eusebius_n for_o he_o be_v rather_o a_o perpetual_a encomiast_n of_o constantine_n than_o his_o historian_n but_o we_o have_v a_o much_o more_o certain_a and_o authentical_a authority_n for_o this_o constantine_n in_o the_o same_o year_n in_o which_o he_o have_v put_v licinius_n to_o death_n and_o have_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o lucinian_n though_o but_o a_o year_n before_o make_v caesar_n by_o his_o own_o act_n call_v the_o first_o general_n council_n to_o meet_v at_o nice_a 12._o for_o in_o his_o speech_n to_o they_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o he_o have_v give_v order_n to_o call_v they_o together_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v overcome_v the_o tyranny_n the_o council_n make_v no_o exception_n to_o constantine_n as_o a_o invader_n they_o do_v neither_o inquire_v after_o lucinian_n nor_o complain_v of_o licinius_n fate_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o constantine_n come_v in_o and_o harangn_v they_o eustathius_n of_o antioch_n do_v entertain_v he_o with_o a_o panegyric_n full_a of_o high_a commendation_n and_o another_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v by_o eusebius_n blessing_n almighty_n god_n upon_o his_o account_n which_o speech_n pronounce_v in_o full_a council_n 11._o be_v at_o least_o a_o strong_a presumption_n that_o they_o all_o approve_a of_o the_o war_n and_o rejoice_v in_o iâ—_n the_o deliverance_n this_o be_v yet_o more_o evident_a from_o the_o 11_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n in_o which_o they_o reflect_v upon_o the_o late_a tyranny_n of_o licinius_n which_o show_v that_o though_o his_o death_n and_o the_o ruin_n of_o his_o family_n must_v have_v natural_o give_v some_o compassion_n for_o one_o that_o be_v then_o scarce_o cold_a and_o that_o have_v so_o late_o be_v their_o prince_n for_o almost_o that_o whole_a council_n consist_v of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o bishop_n in_o his_o share_n of_o the_o empire_n yet_o they_o consider_v the_o danger_n they_o and_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v in_o under_o he_o and_o their_o deliverance_n by_o constantine_n as_o vast_o superior_a to_o their_o tie_n to_o he_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a joy_n over_o the_o whole_a east_n upon_o the_o success_n of_o constantine_n the_o have_v adhere_v to_o licinius_n and_o take_v part_n with_o he_o in_o the_o war_n though_o he_o be_v then_o actual_o their_o prince_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o scandal_n and_o infamy_n that_o constantine_n in_o a_o letter_n which_o he_o write_v to_o the_o nicomedian_n against_o ensebius_n their_o bishop_n 20._o reproach_n he_o with_o this_o that_o he_o have_v be_v always_o in_o licinius_n council_n and_o secret_n that_o he_o have_v all_o along_o stick_v to_o he_o and_o have_v treat_v himself_o with_o reproach_n that_o he_o have_v employ_v spy_n to_o procure_v intelligence_n to_o licinius_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v he_o all_o sort_n of_o assistance_n except_o the_o bear_n of_o arm_n for_o he_o all_o which_o constantine_n affirm_v he_o be_v ready_a to_o prove_v by_o some_o priest_n and_o deacon_n who_o have_v adhere_v to_o eusebius_n and_o who_o he_o have_v take_v prisoner_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o one_o of_o its_o best_a age_n and_o of_o the_o first_o general_n council_n be_v of_o a_o deliverance_n procure_v by_o one_o sovereign_a prince_n attacking_z dethrone_v and_o possess_v himself_o of_o the_o empire_n of_o another_o who_o have_v not_o yet_o set_v on_o foot_n a_o general_n persecution_n but_o have_v only_o violate_v the_o law_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v for_o the_o security_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v commit_v many_o act_n of_o injustice_n and_o violence_n against_o they_o and_o have_v declare_v his_o intention_n so_o visible_o that_o there_o be_v all_o possible_a reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o a_o general_n persecution_n be_v come_v on_o not_o a_o bishop_n nor_o a_o priest_n stand_v out_o against_o constantine_n not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o private_a christian_a be_v of_o licinius_n party_n all_o go_v into_o the_o revolution_n and_o rejoice_v in_o their_o deliverance_n i_o will_v not_o go_v on_o to_o shâ—w_v how_o parallel_a that_o case_n be_v to_o we_o the_o attempt_n be_v as_o needless_a as_o it_o may_v seem_v invidious_a only_o i_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o we_o can_v be_v better_o assure_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o any_o point_n than_o we_o be_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o age_n in_o this_o particular_a i_o have_v not_o say_v any_o thing_n to_o justify_v my_o put_v constantine_n prevailâ—ing_n over_o licinius_n in_o the_o year_n immediate_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a though_o baronius_n put_v it_o six_o before_o it_o but_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o he_o have_v disorder_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o constantine_n on_o design_n to_o maintain_v his_o be_v baptize_v at_o rome_n with_o other_o unjustifiable_a thing_n beside_o that_o eusebius_n chronology_n in_o this_o particular_a as_o it_o be_v of_o authority_n of_o itself_o without_o any_o other_o support_n so_o it_o be_v full_o confirm_v by_o the_o date_n of_o some_o law_n in_o the_o code_n and_o several_a
of_o their_o law_n or_o the_o conveyer_n of_o their_o tradition_n to_o they_o must_v he_o set_v up_o his_o skill_n and_o reason_n above_o they_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o if_o this_o reason_v be_v true_a it_o be_v found_v on_o maxim_n that_o be_v equal_o true_a at_o all_o time_n than_o it_o be_v as_o true_a at_o that_o time_n as_o it_o be_v now_o it_o be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o say_v that_o the_o miracle_n which_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v give_v they_o such_o power_n that_o the_o people_n be_v upon_o that_o account_n bind_v to_o believe_v they_o rather_o than_o their_o teacher_n for_o one_o part_n of_o the_o debate_n be_v both_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o the_o consequence_n that_o arise_v from_o they_o so_o the_o appeal_n according_a to_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v do_v still_o lie_v to_o their_o sanhedrim_n in_o a_o word_n in_o such_o matter_n every_o man_n must_v judge_v for_o himself_o and_o every_o man_n must_v answer_v to_o god_n for_o the_o judgement_n that_o he_o have_v make_v he_o judge_v for_o no_o body_n else_o but_o for_o himself_o he_o and_o he_o only_o can_v be_v the_o judge_n and_o if_o he_o use_v a_o due_a degree_n of_o industry_n and_o free_v himself_o from_o every_o corrupt_a bias_n from_o pride_n vainglory_n and_o affectation_n of_o singularity_n or_o the_o pursue_v any_o ill_a end_n under_o those_o appearance_n of_o search_v for_o truth_n and_o the_o adhere_n to_o it_o he_o be_v do_v the_o best_a thing_n which_o according_a to_o that_o nature_n of_o which_o god_n have_v make_v he_o he_o can_v do_v and_o so_o he_o may_v reasenable_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v succeed_v in_o it_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o pride_n in_o this_o for_o a_o man_n to_o think_v according_a to_o his_o own_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o to_o see_v with_o his_o own_o eye_n his_o humility_n ought_v to_o make_v he_o slow_a and_o cautious_a modest_a and_o fearful_a but_o no_o humility_n can_v oblige_v he_o to_o think_v otherwise_o than_o he_o feel_v he_o must_v needs_o think_v among_o the_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n heresy_n or_o sect_n be_v reckon_v as_o one_o sort_n and_o species_n now_o by_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v the_o appetite_n of_o a_o vicious_a and_o deprave_a nature_n the_o meaning_n therefore_o of_o reckon_a heresy_n among_o these_o be_v this_o 20._o that_o when_o a_o man_n out_o of_o a_o bad_a disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o on_o ill_a design_n choose_v to_o to_o be_v of_o a_o party_n he_o than_o be_v a_o heretic_n but_o he_o that_o in_o sincerity_n of_o heart_n go_v into_o persuasion_n from_o a_o overcome_a sense_n of_o their_o truth_n can_v be_v one_o because_o he_o do_v not_o choose_v his_o persuasion_n out_o of_o a_o previous_a ill_a design_n but_o be_v of_o it_o not_o out_o of_o choice_n but_o necessity_n since_o his_o understanding_n in_o which_o those_o matter_n may_v be_v various_o represent_v offer_v they_o so_o to_o he_o that_o he_o must_v believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o same_o manner_n in_o which_o he_o apprehend_v they_o if_o upon_o this_o principle_n there_o happen_v to_o be_v many_o sect_n and_o division_n in_o the_o church_n this_o be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o woe_n that_o christ_n leave_v upon_o the_o world_n by_o reason_n of_o offence_n and_o scandal_n for_o he_o forsaw_v that_o they_o must_v needs_o come_v god_n have_v make_v this_o present_a scene_n of_o life_n to_o be_v neither_o regular_a nor_o secure_a the_o strange_a folly_n and_o corruption_n of_o mankind_n must_v have_v their_o influence_n on_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o they_o have_v on_o all_o other_o thing_n god_n have_v reserve_v a_o fullness_n of_o light_n and_o of_o unerring_a knowledge_n to_o another_o state_n here_o we_o be_v in_o the_o dark_a but_o have_v light_n enough_o if_o we_o have_v honest_a mind_n to_o use_v and_o improve_v it_o aright_o to_o guide_v we_o thither_o and_o that_o be_v the_o utmost_a share_n that_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v design_v for_o we_o in_o this_o life_n we_o must_v therefore_o be_v content_v and_o make_v the_o most_o of_o it_o that_o we_o can_v i_o go_v next_o to_o show_v that_o the_o same_o difficulty_n if_o not_o great_a one_o he_o upon_o those_o who_o build_v on_o infallibility_n for_o before_o they_o can_v arrive_v at_o the_o use_n of_o it_o they_o must_v have_v well_o examine_v and_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o two_o thing_n either_o of_o which_o have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o than_o all_o those_o put_v together_o with_o which_o they_o press_v we_o first_o they_o must_v be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v a_o infallibility_n in_o the_o church_n and_o next_o they_o must_v know_v to_o which_o of_o those_o many_o church_n into_o which_o christendom_n be_v divide_v this_o infallibility_n be_v fasten_v unless_o the_o design_n be_v to_o make_v all_o man_n take_v their_o religion_n implicit_o from_o their_o forefather_n these_o thing_n must_v be_v well_o consider_v if_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o adhere_v blind_o to_o the_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v breed_v then_o jew_n heathan_n and_o mahometan_n must_v continue_v still_o where_o they_o be_v if_o this_o have_v be_v the_o maxim_n of_o all_o time_n christianity_n have_v never_o get_v into_o the_o world_n if_o then_o man_n be_v allow_v to_o examine_v thing_n they_o must_v have_v very_o good_a reason_n give_v they_o for_o it_o before_o they_o can_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o infallibility_n among_o man_n their_o own_o reason_n and_o observation_n offer_v so_o much_o against_o it_o that_o without_o very_o clear_a ground_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o receive_v it_o now_o the_o reason_n to_o persuade_v it_o must_v be_v draw_v either_o from_o scripture_n or_o from_o outward_a visible_a character_n that_o evidence_n it_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v urge_v by_o these_o man_n because_o the_o scripture_n as_o they_o teach_v have_v their_o authority_n from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n must_v be_v first_o prove_v for_o the_o church_n can_v give_v a_o authority_n to_o a_o book_n and_o then_o prove_v its_o own_o authority_n by_o that_o book_n this_o be_v plain_o to_o prove_v the_o church_n by_o her_o own_o testimony_n which_o be_v manifest_o absurd_a it_o be_v all_o one_o whether_o she_o affirm_v it_o immediate_o or_o if_o she_o affirm_v it_o by_o affirm_v a_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v contain_v here_o a_o circle_n be_v make_v to_o run_v for_o ever_o round_o in_o why_o do_v you_o believe_v the_o church_n because_o the_o scripture_n affirm_v it_o and_o why_o do_v you_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o the_o church_n affirm_v they_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o they_o may_v urge_v the_o scripture_n for_o this_o very_o pertinent_o against_o we_o who_o acknowledge_v their_o authority_n but_o i_o be_o now_o consider_v upon_o what_o ground_n a_o man_n be_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o state_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o own_o faith_n and_o resolve_v it_o into_o principle_n in_o this_o a_o order_n must_v be_v fix_v and_o in_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o every_o step_n that_o be_v make_v must_v be_v prove_v without_o any_o relation_n to_o that_o which_o be_v afterward_o to_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o that_o and_o therefore_o either_o the_o church_n or_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v first_o prove_v and_o then_o other_o thing_n must_v be_v prove_v out_o of_o that_o which_o be_v once_o fix_v and_o make_v good_a but_o in_o the_o next_o place_n if_o we_o shall_v suffer_v they_o to_o bring_v proof_n from_o scripture_n how_o shall_v it_o he_o prove_v that_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o they_o be_v that_o which_o make_v for_o infallibility_n other_o sense_n may_v be_v give_v to_o they_o which_o may_v both_o agree_v to_o the_o grammatical_a construction_n of_o the_o word_n to_o the_o contexture_n of_o the_o discourse_n and_o to_o the_o phraseology_n of_o the_o scripture_n who_o shall_v then_o decide_v this_o matter_n it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o prove_v what_o be_v their_o true_a sense_n by_o the_o exposition_n that_o any_o church_n put_v on_o those_o passage_n in_o her_o own_o favour_n that_o be_v to_o make_v she_o both_o judge_n and_o party_n in_o too_o gross_a a_o manner_n therefore_o at_o least_o thâ—se_a passage_n and_o all_o that_o relate_v to_o they_o must_v fall_v under_o the_o private_a judgement_n and_o in_o these_o instance_n every_o man_n must_v be_v suffer_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n for_o himself_o for_o he_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o any_o exposition_n of_o they_o but_o that_o which_o satisfy_v his_o own_o reason_n and_o if_o this_o step_n be_v once_o admit_v than_o it_o will_v appear_v as_o reasonable_a to_o leave_v a_o man_n all_o over_o to_o the_o use_n of_o his_o
be_v urge_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v of_o use_n to_o we_o if_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o church_n a_o live_a speak_a judge_n to_o declare_v their_o true_a sense_n now_o this_o be_v rather_o more_o necessary_a with_o relation_n to_o the_o decree_n of_o council_n which_o as_o they_o be_v write_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n so_o they_o be_v much_o more_o voluminous_a and_o more_o artificial_o contrive_v and_o couch_v need_v a_o commentary_n much_o more_o than_o a_o few_o plain_a and_o simple_a write_n which_o make_v up_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o then_o the_o council_n must_v be_v expound_v there_o must_v be_v according_a to_o their_o main_a reason_n a_o infallibility_n lodge_v somewere_v else_o to_o give_v their_o sense_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o have_v appear_v evident_o since_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n for_o both_o upon_o the_o article_n of_o divine_a grace_n and_o upon_o their_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n there_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v great_a debate_n among_o they_o concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o that_o council_n both_o party_n pretend_v that_o they_o be_v of_o their_o side_n who_o then_o shall_v decide_v these_o controversy_n and_o expound_v those_o decree_n this_o must_v not_o be_v lay_v over_o to_o the_o next_o general_n council_n for_o then_o the_o infallibility_n will_v be_v in_o a_o abeyance_n and_o lose_v during_o that_o interval_n so_o this_o inference_n lead_v i_o to_o the_o last_o hypothesis_n that_o the_o infallibility_n be_v in_o the_o pope_n and_o in_o he_o only_o and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a opinion_n that_o be_v consistent_a to_o itself_o in_o all_o its_o part_n here_o be_v a_o live_n and_o speak_v judge_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o infallible_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o have_v no_o infallibility_n at_o all_o among_o they_o and_o yet_o his_o infallibility_n as_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o which_o no_o man_n ever_o dream_v for_o the_o first_o nine_o or_o ten_o age_n so_o it_o have_v such_o violent_a presumption_n against_o it_o that_o without_o very_o express_a proof_n it_o will_v not_o be_v reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o any_o shall_v believe_v it_o the_o ignorance_n of_o most_o pope_n the_o secular_a maxim_n by_o which_o they_o be_v govern_v the_o political_a method_n in_o which_o they_o be_v elect_v the_o forgery_n chief_o of_o their_o decretal_a epistle_n by_o which_o their_o authority_n be_v principal_o assert_v and_o which_o be_v now_o as_o universal_o reject_v as_o spurious_a as_o they_o be_v once_o own_v to_o be_v genuine_a their_o aspire_n to_o the_o same_o authority_n in_o temporal_n for_o many_o age_n which_o they_o have_v gain_v in_o spiritual_n their_o have_v dissolve_v the_o whole_a authority_n of_o the_o primitive_a constitution_n and_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o that_o practice_n of_o corruption_n that_o be_v in_o all_o their_o court_n by_o which_o the_o whole_a order_n of_o the_o church_n be_v total_o reverse_v all_o these_o be_v such_o lawful_a and_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o fortify_v a_o man_n in_o opposition_n to_o any_o such_o pretension_n till_o it_o be_v very_o plain_o prove_v these_o character_n agree_v so_o very_o ill_o with_o infallibility_n that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o believe_v they_o can_v be_v together_o since_o for_o above_o 800_o year_n together_o the_o papacy_n as_o it_o be_v represent_v by_o their_o own_o writer_n be_v perhaps_o the_o worst_a succession_n of_o man_n that_o can_v be_v find_v in_o any_o history_n and_o it_o will_v seem_v strange_a if_o god_n have_v lodge_v such_o wonderful_a power_n with_o such_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o have_v take_v so_o little_a care_n of_o they_o to_o make_v they_o look_v like_o the_o proper_a subject_n of_o that_o authority_n we_o do_v plain_o see_v that_o the_o primitive_a church_n even_o when_o they_o enlarge_v their_o papal_a authority_n as_o to_o government_n do_v it_o what_o out_o of_o a_o respect_n to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o they_o believe_v found_v that_o church_n and_o suffer_v martyrdom_n in_o it_o and_o what_o or_o most_o chief_o out_o of_o their_o regard_n to_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o city_n it_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o empire_n under_o which_o they_o live_v and_o this_o appear_v by_o their_o give_v the_o same_o privilege_n to_o constantinople_n when_o it_o become_v the_o imperial_a city_n which_o be_v make_v second_o to_o the_o other_o and_o equal_a to_o it_o except_o only_o in_o order_n and_o rank_n but_o as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n though_o still_o the_o regard_n to_o st._n peter_n go_v far_o yet_o when_o liberius_n subscribe_v to_o semiarianism_n it_o be_v never_o pretend_v that_o his_o authority_n have_v in_o any_o thing_n alter_v the_o case_n which_o must_v have_v be_v urge_v if_o he_o have_v be_v believe_v infallible_a the_o case_n of_o honorius_n do_v full_o discover_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o six_o century_n concern_v their_o infallibility_n he_o be_v condemn_v as_o a_o monothelite_n by_o a_o general_n council_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o several_a pope_n who_o do_v by_o name_n condemn_v he_o now_o we_o be_v not_o a_o whit_n concern_v in_o his_o cause_n and_o condemnation_n whether_o it_o be_v just_a or_o not_o and_o whether_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o due_a examination_n or_o not_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o that_o a_o general_n council_n as_o well_o as_o several_a pope_n in_o that_o age_n have_v never_o dream_v of_o infallibility_n otherwise_o they_o can_v not_o have_v condemn_v he_o or_o believe_v he_o capable_a of_o heresy_n this_o may_v be_v bring_v down_o to_o many_o late_a instance_n in_o which_o several_a pope_n have_v be_v charge_v with_o heresy_n one_o shall_v suffice_v they_o have_v pretend_v to_o a_o authority_n from_o christ_n to_o depose_v king_n and_o to_o transfer_v their_o dominion_n to_o other_o this_o they_o have_v not_o only_o do_v by_o force_n and_o violence_n but_o by_o many_o solemn_a decision_n in_o which_o this_o authority_n have_v be_v claim_v as_o found_v on_o several_a passage_n of_o scripture_n not_o forget_v those_o in_o the_o beginning_n not_o in_o the_o beginning_n do_v god_n create_v and_o the_o great_a light_n that_o rule_v the_o day_n these_o with_o many_o more_o they_o have_v urge_v both_o from_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n this_o they_o do_v with_o the_o utmost_a pomp_n of_o solemn_a declaration_n and_o upon_o this_o head_n they_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o war_n some_o few_o writ_n against_o these_o pretension_n but_o the_o pope_n stand_v to_o they_o and_o carry_v they_o on_o in_o a_o course_n of_o five_o or_o six_o century_n with_o all_o possible_a vigour_n and_o during_o those_o age_n this_o doctrine_n grow_v to_o be_v universal_o receive_v by_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a by_o all_o the_o university_n all_o the_o divine_n canonist_n and_o casuist_n not_o one_o single_a person_n dare_v to_o oppose_v so_o strong_a a_o current_n so_o that_o cardinal_n perron_n be_v in_o the_o right_n when_o he_o affirm_v that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n universal_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o last_o six_o century_n without_o contradiction_n before_o calvin_n day_n and_o those_o few_o that_o seem_v to_o write_v against_o it_o dare_v only_o oppose_v the_o pope_n direct_a power_n in_o temporal_n as_o the_o superior_a lord_n to_o who_o king_n be_v but_o vassal_n but_o dare_v not_o contradict_v his_o authority_n over_o they_o in_o case_n of_o heresy_n this_o then_o be_v so_o public_a and_o uncontested_a a_o point_n as_o it_o shake_v the_o authority_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o show_v how_o doctrine_n even_o in_o point_n in_o which_o man_n interest_n do_v strong_o oppose_v they_o can_v get_v into_o the_o church_n though_o not_o derive_v down_o from_o the_o apostle_n so_o it_o total_o destroy_v the_o pope_n pretension_n to_o infallibility_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o all_o such_o as_o think_v this_o to_o be_v simple_o unlawful_a and_o that_o it_o subvert_v the_o order_n which_o god_n have_v settle_v in_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o fact_n in_o history_n that_o can_v be_v less_o contest_v than_o that_o the_o pope_n have_v assume_v this_o authority_n and_o that_o they_o have_v vouch_v divine_a warrant_n for_o it_o to_o this_o also_o we_o may_v well_o add_v another_o train_n of_o difficulty_n about_o the_o right_a to_o choose_v this_o pope_n in_o who_o it_o be_v vest_v what_o number_n be_v necessary_a for_o a_o canonical_a election_n and_o how_o far_o simony_n void_v it_o and_o who_o be_v the_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o simony_n or_o in_o the_o case_n of_o different_a election_n who_o shall_v judge_v which_o of_o
go_v to_o cornelius_n and_o baptise_v the_o gentile_n he_o only_o deliver_v his_o opinion_n as_o one_o person_n in_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o st._n james_n give_v the_o definitive_a sentence_n st._n paul_n never_o make_v any_o appeal_n to_o he_o in_o the_o contest_v of_o which_o he_o write_v he_o settle_v matter_n and_o make_v decision_n without_o ever_o have_v recourse_n to_o his_o authority_n he_o seem_v on_o the_o contrary_a to_o avoid_v it_o and_o when_o probable_o some_o of_o the_o judaiser_n among_o the_o galatian_n be_v appeal_n to_o he_o or_o at_o least_o to_o some_o practice_n of_o he_o st._n paul_n show_v how_o he_o have_v fail_v in_o those_o matter_n for_o though_o the_o apostle_n be_v so_o govern_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n that_o they_o can_v not_o err_v nor_o be_v mistake_v in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n yet_o as_o to_o their_o action_n they_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o will_n and_o so_o humane_a frailty_n may_v in_o some_o instance_n have_v prevail_v over_o they_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o that_o epistle_n that_o st._n paul_n own_a no_o dependence_n upon_o he_o nor_o do_v he_o submit_v in_o any_o sort_n to_o he_o as_o have_v any_o degree_n in_o his_o commission_n or_o authority_n superior_a to_o his_o own_o these_o be_v all_o such_o pregnant_a intimation_n as_o make_v it_o more_o reasonable_a to_o give_v such_o a_o sense_n to_o those_o word_n as_o will_v import_v no_o special_a authority_n give_v to_o st._n peter_n since_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o either_o st._n peter_n or_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o understand_v they_o so_o for_o since_o they_o persist_v afterward_o to_o have_v their_o dispute_n which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o great_a it_o be_v plain_a they_o do_v not_o understand_v this_o to_o be_v the_o importance_n of_o our_o saviour_n word_n and_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o no_o part_n of_o the_o scripture-history_n make_v for_o this_o but_o very_o much_o against_o it_o now_o as_o to_o the_o word_n themselves_o they_o begin_v with_o a_o allusion_n to_o his_o name_n and_o phrase_n build_v upon_o such_o allusion_n be_v seldom_o to_o be_v strict_o and_o grammatical_o understand_v 19_o by_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n many_o of_o the_o father_n have_v understand_v the_o person_n of_o christ_n other_o which_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n faith_n in_o he_o or_o the_o confession_n of_o that_o faith_n for_o strict_o speak_v the_o church_n can_v only_o be_v say_v to_o be_v found_v upon_o christ_n and_o his_o doctrine_n in_o a_o secondary_a sense_n it_o may_v indeed_o be_v say_v to_o be_v found_v on_o the_o apostle_n and_o upon_o st._n peter_n as_o the_o first_o in_o order_n as_o well_o as_o the_o forward_a among_o they_o and_o since_o the_o apostle_n be_v all_o reckon_v foundation_n though_o this_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n 20._o which_o yet_o be_v a_o sense_n in_o which_o they_o be_v not_o take_v for_o many_o age_n it_o will_v import_v nothing_o peculiar_a to_o st._n peter_n what_o follow_v of_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n be_v not_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o it_o may_v either_o be_v understand_v according_a to_o the_o greek_a phrase_n death_n which_o be_v often_o thus_o represent_v as_o the_o entrance_n to_o the_o grave_a which_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n render_v hell_n and_o then_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n be_v to_o found_v be_v never_o to_o come_v to_o a_o period_n and_o to_o die_v as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v then_o to_o do_v or_o by_o a_o phrase_n common_a among_o the_o jew_n who_o understand_v by_o gate_n the_o wisdom_n and_o strength_n of_o a_o place_n since_o their_o court_n and_o council_n be_v hold_v near_o their_o gate_n these_o word_n may_v signify_v that_o all_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n with_o all_o their_o force_n and_o spite_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v down_o or_o destroy_v this_o church_n but_o this_o do_v not_o bar_v any_o error_n or_o corruption_n from_o creep_v into_o any_o part_n of_o it_o for_o the_o word_n render_v prevail_v proper_o signify_v a_o entire_a victory_n by_o which_o it_o shall_v be_v conquer_v and_o extirpate_v as_o for_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n that_o christ_n promise_v to_o give_v to_o he_o it_o must_v again_o be_v consider_v that_o these_o word_n be_v figurative_a so_o that_o it_o be_v never_o safe_a to_o argue_v from_o they_o since_o figure_n be_v capable_a of_o large_a and_o narrow_a signification_n no_o man_n will_v carry_v they_o so_o far_o as_o to_o think_v that_o the_o power_n of_o give_v or_o deny_v eternal_a life_n be_v hereby_o put_v in_o st._n peter_n for_o that_o be_v single_o in_o the_o mediator_n hand_n this_o show_v how_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o know_v how_o much_o be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o a_o figure_n by_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n through_o the_o whole_a gospel_n with_o very_a few_o or_o no_o exception_n we_o find_v that_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v this_o appear_v evident_a from_o the_o first_o word_n with_o which_o both_o st._n john_n baptist_n and_o our_o saviour_n begin_v their_o preach_n repent_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n in_o which_o it_o be_v take_v in_o all_o those_o parable_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n compare_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o in_o those_o word_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v among_o you_o and_o it_o come_v not_o with_o observation_n or_o the_o like_a this_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o that_o which_o will_v soon_o appear_v to_o every_o one_o that_o shall_v attentive_o read_v the_o four_o gospel_n then_o by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o most_o natural_a and_o least_o force_a signification_n and_o that_o which_o agree_v best_a with_o those_o word_n of_o the_o same_o figure_n he_o that_o have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n he_o that_o open_v and_o no_o man_n shut_v and_o that_o shut_v and_o no_o man_n open_v 7._o and_o also_o with_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n by_o which_o the_o lawyer_n be_v describe_v for_o they_o have_v a_o key_n with_o write_v table_n give_v they_o as_o the_o badge_n of_o their_o profession_n 52._o which_o natural_o import_v that_o they_o be_v to_o open_v the_o door_n for_o other_o enter_v into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n with_o which_o our_o saviour_n reproach_v they_o that_o they_o enter_v not_o in_o themselves_o and_o hinder_v those_o that_o be_v enter_v from_o all_o these_o hint_n i_o say_v we_o may_v gather_v that_o according_a to_o the_o scripture-phrase_n by_o the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v mean_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v first_o to_o open_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o he_o do_v in_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o it_o to_o the_o jew_n after_o the_o wonderful_a pentecost_n and_o this_o be_v yet_o more_o eminent_o perform_v by_o he_o when_o he_o first_o open_v the_o door_n to_o the_o gentile_n to_o which_o the_o word_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n seem_v to_o have_v a_o more_o particular_a respect_n this_o dispensation_n be_v commit_v to_o he_o and_o execute_v by_o he_o and_o seem_v to_o be_v claim_v by_o he_o as_o his_o peculiar_a privilege_n in_o the_o council_n at_o jerusalem_n so_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a meaning_n of_o these_o word_n and_o be_v all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v import_v by_o they_o and_o those_o who_o carry_v they_o further_o must_v use_v several_a distinction_n lest_o they_o give_v st._n peter_n that_o which_o belong_v only_o to_o our_o saviour_n himself_o what_o follow_v concern_v the_o bind_n and_o lose_v in_o heaven_n whatsoever_o he_o shall_v bind_v or_o loose_v on_o earth_n be_v no_o special_a privilege_n of_o st._n peter_n since_o we_o find_v the_o same_o word_n say_v by_o our_o saviour_n to_o all_o his_o apostle_n so_o that_o this_o be_v give_v in_o common_a to_o all_o the_o apostle_n 18._o according_a to_o the_o sense_n now_o give_v of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n these_o word_n will_v be_v easy_o understand_v which_o be_v otherwise_o very_o dark_a but_o they_o be_v full_a of_o figure_n and_o so_o be_v not_o to_o be_v too_o far_o stretch_v by_o bind_v and_o lose_v we_o find_v the_o rabbin_n do_v common_o understand_v the_o affirm_v or_o deny_v the_o obligation_n of_o any_o precept_n that_o be_v in_o dispute_n this_o then_o be_v a_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n among_o the_o jew_n a_o genuine_a paraphrase_n of_o these_o word_n be_v that_o christ_n commit_v to_o the_o apostle_n the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o
no_o wonder_n if_o he_o raise_v the_o authority_n and_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o church_n to_o a_o vast_a height_n yet_o after_o all_o these_o be_v not_o his_o settle_a thought_n for_o he_o go_v off_o from_o they_o whensoever_o he_o have_v a_o eye_n on_o his_o dispute_n against_o the_o pelagian_n for_o the_o system_v which_o he_o have_v frame_v in_o those_o point_n can_v not_o bear_v with_o any_o other_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o of_o the_o person_n predestinate_v to_o who_o all_o the_o promise_v belong_v and_o thus_o whatever_o he_o himself_o assert_v in_o his_o zeal_n against_o the_o donatist_n come_v to_o be_v throw_v down_o when_o the_o pelagian_n be_v in_o his_o view_n so_o we_o see_v from_o hence_o how_o much_o deference_n be_v due_a to_o his_o authority_n in_o this_o point_n the_o last_o head_n relate_v to_o this_o whole_a matter_n be_v to_o explain_v in_o what_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n do_v consist_v what_o it_o be_v both_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o discipline_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o body_n of_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o study_v to_o maintain_v its_o own_o order_n and_o quiet_v and_o must_v be_v authorize_v to_o preserve_v it_o otherwise_o it_o can_v long_o continue_v to_o be_v one_o body_n this_o bind_v the_o body_n of_o christian_n yet_o much_o more_o who_o be_v strict_o charge_v to_o love_v one_o another_o to_o worship_n god_n with_o one_o heart_n and_o mouth_n to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o judgement_n to_o assemble_v themselves_o together_o and_o to_o withdraw_v from_o all_o such_o as_o cause_v division_n or_o corrupt_v the_o great_a trust_n of_o the_o faith_n commit_v to_o their_o keep_n it_o must_v be_v therefore_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o those_o that_o be_v bind_v to_o feed_v the_o flock_n to_o observe_v when_o any_o begin_v to_o broach_v new_a opinion_n that_o they_o may_v confirm_v the_o weak_a and_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o gainsayer_n which_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v during_o their_o own_o life_n so_o by_o the_o charge_n that_o they_o give_v to_o the_o church_n in_o their_o epistle_n and_o more_o full_o by_o those_o give_v to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n it_o appear_v that_o a_o main_a part_n of_o their_o care_n and_o authority_n be_v to_o be_v employ_v that_o way_n when_o therefore_o any_o new_a doctrine_n be_v start_v or_o when_o there_o arise_v dispute_n about_o any_o part_n of_o religion_n the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o consider_v whether_o or_o not_o it_o be_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o any_o great_a consequence_n in_o which_o the_o faith_n or_o life_n of_o man_n may_v be_v concern_v if_o the_o point_n be_v not_o of_o a_o great_a importance_n it_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o wisdom_n to_o connive_v at_o lesser_a matter_n and_o to_o leave_v man_n to_o a_o just_a freedom_n in_o thing_n where_o that_o freedom_n be_v not_o like_a to_o do_v hurt_v only_o even_o there_o care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v to_o keep_v man_n in_o temper_n that_o they_o become_v not_o too_o keen_a in_o the_o management_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o that_o they_o neither_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o state_n upon_o that_o account_n if_o the_o matter_n appear_v to_o be_v great_a either_o in_o themselves_o or_o in_o the_o consequence_n that_o be_v like_a to_o follow_v upon_o they_o than_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o consider_v they_o with_o a_o equal_a and_o impartial_a mind_n they_o ought_v to_o here_o party_n full_o and_o weigh_v their_o argument_n careful_o they_o ought_v to_o examine_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o best_a time_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o those_o head_n and_o final_o to_o give_v sentence_n in_o which_o two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v the_o one_o be_v that_o great_a regard_n be_v due_a to_o a_o decision_n make_v by_o a_o body_n of_o man_n who_o seem_v to_o have_v act_v without_o prejudice_n or_o interest_n for_o i_o confess_v it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o maintain_v such_o a_o respect_n for_o a_o company_n in_o which_o matter_n be_v carry_v with_o so_o much_o artifice_n and_o intrigue_n as_o even_o cardinal_n palavicini_n represent_v in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n where_o bishop_n be_v caress_v or_o threaten_v well_o pay_v or_o ill_o use_v as_o they_o give_v their_o voice_n such_o a_o proceed_n as_o this_o will_v rather_o inflame_v than_o allay_v the_o opposition_n but_o a_o fair_a and_o equitable_a a_o just_a and_o calm_a way_n of_o examine_v matter_n of_o dispute_n will_v natural_o beget_v a_o respect_n even_o in_o such_o as_o can_v yield_v a_o submission_n to_o their_o decree_n after_o all_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v bind_v to_o a_o blind_a submission_n unless_o we_o suppose_v a_o infallibility_n to_o be_v in_o the_o church_n yet_o private_a man_n owe_v to_o public_a decision_n when_o decent_o make_v a_o due_a respect_n they_o ought_v to_o distrust_v their_o own_o judgement_n and_o examine_v the_o matter_n more_o accurate_o but_o if_o they_o be_v still_o convince_v that_o the_o decision_n be_v wrong_a they_o be_v bind_v to_o persist_v in_o their_o own_o thought_n only_o they_o ought_v to_o oppose_v modest_o to_o consider_v well_o the_o importance_n of_o order_n and_o peace_n and_o whether_o their_o opinion_n even_o suppose_v it_o true_a be_v worth_a the_o noise_n that_o may_v be_v make_v about_o it_o or_o the_o disorder_n that_o may_v follow_v upon_o it_o after_o all_o if_o they_o be_v still_o convince_v that_o their_o opinion_n be_v true_a and_o that_o they_o relate_v to_o the_o indispensible_a duty_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o necessary_a article_n of_o christianity_n they_o must_v go_v on_o as_o they_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o god_n upon_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o fullness_n of_o their_o conviction_n so_o that_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o church_n may_v have_v very_o good_a effect_n even_o when_o it_o be_v not_o pretend_v that_o they_o be_v infallible_a another_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o those_o decision_n be_v that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o infallible_a yet_o they_o may_v have_v authority_n in_o this_o respect_n that_o they_o be_v the_o establish_a doctrine_n of_o such_o a_o body_n of_o christian_n who_o will_v have_v no_o other_o to_o be_v teach_v among_o they_o and_o will_v admit_v none_o to_o be_v of_o their_o body_n or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v a_o teacher_n among_o they_o who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n in_o this_o it_o be_v certain_a great_a tenderness_n and_o prudence_n be_v to_o be_v use_v and_o the_o natural_a liberty_n of_o mankind_n be_v not_o to_o be_v too_o much_o limit_v but_o yet_o as_o any_o man_n may_v fix_v and_o declare_v his_o own_o opinion_n so_o certain_o by_o a_o much_o great_a parity_n of_o reason_n any_o society_n or_o body_n of_o man_n may_v declare_v their_o opinion_n and_o so_o far_o fix_v they_o as_o to_o exclude_v all_o other_o doctrine_n and_o the_o favourer_n of_o they_o from_o be_v of_o their_o body_n or_o from_o bear_v any_o office_n in_o it_o so_o that_o though_o such_o decision_n do_v not_o enter_v into_o man_n conscience_n nor_o bind_v they_o further_o than_o as_o they_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o reason_n and_o authority_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v found_v yet_o they_o may_v have_v a_o vast_a influence_n on_o the_o order_n and_o peace_n of_o church_n and_o state_n as_o to_o ritual_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o be_v many_o little_a circumstance_n and_o decency_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n the_o order_n of_o religious_a assembly_n and_o their_o administration_n and_o that_o in_o these_o the_o pastor_n of_o a_o church_n by_o the_o natural_a right_o that_o all_o society_n have_v to_o keep_v themselves_o in_o order_n must_v have_v a_o power_n to_o determine_v all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n this_o become_v yet_o clear_a in_o the_o christian_a society_n from_o the_o rule_n that_o the_o apostle_n give_v to_o the_o church_n to_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o order_n and_o for_o the_o end_n of_o edification_n and_o peace_n there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o rule_v lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n concern_v the_o sacrament_n or_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n to_o which_o many_o circumstance_n do_v not_o belong_v now_o either_o these_o must_v be_v all_o leave_v to_o every_o man_n liberty_n which_o must_v needs_o create_v a_o jar_a disagreement_n in_o the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o body_n that_o will_v both_o breed_v confusion_n and_o look_v very_o ridiculous_a and_o absurd_a or_o there_o must_v be_v a_o authority_n in_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o meet_v together_o and_o to_o settle_v these_o by_o mutual_a consent_n
one_o another_o in_o such_o case_n the_o one_o be_v not_o to_o set_v a_o stumbling-block_n or_o a_o occasion_n to_o fall_v in_o another_o man_n way_n 13._o that_o be_v not_o to_o use_v our_o liberty_n in_o such_o instance_n or_o on_o such_o occasion_n as_o may_v draw_v other_o man_n to_o act_v in_o imitation_n of_o we_o against_o their_o own_o conscience_n this_o be_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o give_v scandal_n or_o the_o lay_v a_o trap_n in_o the_o way_n of_o another_o by_o which_o he_o may_v fall_v or_o be_v catch_v and_o this_o every_o man_n be_v to_o avoid_v when_o it_o be_v free_a for_o he_o to_o act_v or_o not_o as_o he_o please_v for_o in_o that_o case_n only_o he_o be_v under_o this_o obligation_n and_o caution_n since_o otherwise_o if_o he_o be_v determine_v by_o any_o law_n divine_a or_o humane_a he_o must_v go_v on_o and_o do_v his_o duty_n without_o consider_v what_o consequence_n may_v happen_v upon_o it_o for_o which_o he_o be_v not_o accountable_a since_o he_o be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o dispose_v of_o himself_o but_o be_v conclude_v by_o a_o high_a authority_n the_o other_o rule_n be_v that_o we_o ought_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o avoid_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v grieve_v other_o christian_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v walk_v uncharitable_o 15._o since_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v such_o regard_n even_o to_o the_o tenderness_n and_o weakness_n of_o our_o brethren_n as_o not_o to_o do_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v wound_v or_o trouble_v they_o still_o under_o the_o former_a supposition_n that_o we_o be_v full_o at_o our_o own_o liberty_n and_o under_o no_o law_n nor_o obligation_n to_o the_o contrary_n these_o be_v the_o rule_v lay_v down_o by_o st._n paul_n which_o when_o well_o consider_v and_o right_o understand_v will_v give_v a_o great_a light_n into_o this_o whole_a controversy_n by_o these_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o even_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o may_v have_v assume_v a_o high_a strain_n of_o authority_n yet_o have_v great_a regard_n to_o the_o frailty_n of_o those_o they_o govern_v and_o although_o most_o of_o these_o position_n and_o rule_n do_v suppose_v man_n to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o a_o unrestrained_a liberty_n so_o that_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o our_o case_n in_o which_o law_n and_o constitution_n have_v already_o determine_v we_o yet_o they_o ought_v still_o to_o have_v great_a weight_n with_o those_o that_o be_v not_o conclude_v by_o law_n and_o all_o such_o as_o may_v have_v the_o make_n or_o review_v of_o law_n under_o their_o care_n and_o deliberation_n but_o i_o have_v open_v this_o matter_n more_o full_o than_o be_v perhaps_o necessary_a to_o my_o present_a purpose_n which_o only_o require_v that_o i_o shall_v clear_v some_o passage_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n that_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o point_n now_o under_o examination_n though_o they_o do_v not_o at_o all_o belong_v to_o they_o since_o all_o that_o be_v in_o st._n paul_n relate_v only_o to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v entire_o leave_v to_o man_n own_o liberty_n and_o in_o which_o it_o be_v free_a to_o they_o to_o act_v which_o way_n soever_o they_o please_v which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o applicable_a to_o establish_v rule_n settle_v by_o law_n and_o recommend_v by_o ancient_a practice_n it_o be_v true_a that_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n day_n can_v make_v law_n for_o succeed_a age_n since_o the_o pastor_n of_o every_o age_n have_v the_o same_o authority_n that_o the_o pastor_n of_o any_o precedent_a age_n have_v after_o the_o time_n of_o inspiration_n whatever_o be_v do_v in_o a_o former_a age_n may_v be_v alter_v in_o a_o subsequent_a one_o and_o therefore_o all_o those_o rule_n of_o the_o subordination_n of_o church_n one_o to_o another_o be_v take_v from_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n europe_n be_v now_o total_o mould_v into_o another_o frame_n be_v now_o at_o the_o discretion_n of_o prince_n to_o cotinue_v or_o change_v they_o at_o their_o pleasure_n and_o all_o the_o ritual_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o every_o age_n to_o alter_v or_o continue_v they_o as_o they_o shall_v see_v cause_n but_o till_o they_o be_v alter_v they_o bind_v not_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o authority_n that_o former_a age_n have_v over_o the_o present_a but_o because_o the_o present_a age_n by_o not_o repeal_n former_a rule_n and_o canon_n do_v tacit_o and_o interpretative_o confirm_v and_o renew_v they_o for_o if_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o present_a age_n in_o concurrence_n with_o and_o a_o due_a subordination_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n have_v a_o authority_n to_o make_v law_n or_o canon_n in_o such_o matter_n they_o have_v likewise_o a_o power_n to_o continue_v such_o as_o be_v make_v in_o any_o former_a age_n and_o they_o be_v presume_v and_o in_o law_n take_v to_o do_v that_o till_o they_o repeal_v they_o i_o have_v now_o go_v through_o the_o general_a plea_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o our_o constitution_n from_o general_a topic_n and_o have_v i_o hope_v show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o force_n in_o any_o part_n of_o it_o i_o come_v next_o to_o consider_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v object_v more_o special_o to_o several_a particular_n in_o our_o constitution_n they_o except_z to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n because_o of_o the_o different_a rank_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o deacon_n whereas_o the_o scripture_n use_v bishop_n and_o priest_n so_o promiscuous_o that_o from_o thence_o it_o seem_v reasonable_a to_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o function_n and_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v but_o two_o rank_n bishop_n and_o diacon_n in_o the_o church_n but_o those_o who_o object_n this_o have_v real_o among_o they_o but_o one_o function_n and_o order_n since_o they_o have_v no_o diacon_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n who_o be_v a_o degree_n of_o man_n dedicate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o god_n out_o of_o which_o as_o any_o serve_v well_o in_o it_o they_o be_v advance_v to_o a_o superior_a degree_n and_o be_v ever_o esteem_v a_o sacred_a order_n of_o men._n there_o be_v none_o such_o among_o those_o who_o urge_v this_o matter_n against_o we_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o name_n do_v not_o prove_v the_o office_n the_o same_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v sometime_o deacon_n or_o minister_n and_o so_o be_v their_o companion_n in_o labour_n for_o the_o term_n diacon_n 25._o signify_v any_o one_o that_o minister_v it_o be_v not_o then_o appropriate_v to_o the_o low_a order_n no_o more_o than_o presbyter_n be_v to_o the_o second_o for_o the_o apostle_n call_v themselves_o sometime_o deacon_n so_o that_o from_o hence_o a_o argument_n may_v be_v draw_v as_o well_o to_o prove_v that_o deacon_n be_v equal_a in_o rank_a to_o the_o high_a order_n of_o bishop_n we_o plain_o see_v that_o god_n settle_v three_o order_n of_o officer_n in_o the_o jewish_a temple_n we_o see_v also_o in_o their_o synagogue_n that_o there_o be_v three_o different_a rank_n take_v probable_o from_o the_o model_n of_o the_o temple_n 3.2_o we_o see_v our_o saviour_n choose_v twelve_o apostle_n and_o afterward_o seventy_o disciple_n have_v in_o that_o no_o doubt_n a_o regard_n both_o to_o the_o number_n of_o their_o tribe_n and_o of_o their_o sanhedrin_n we_o plain_o see_v that_o during_o the_o apostle_n life_n the_o govern_n and_o order_v of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o they_o yet_o they_o constitute_v some_o in_o their_o name_n to_o govern_v a_o large_a extent_n of_o church_n and_o by_o their_o epistle_n to_o these_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o power_n of_o govern_v those_o church_n and_o of_o ordain_v new_a officer_n in_o they_o belong_v to_o they_o they_o be_v the_o person_n to_o who_o that_o trust_n be_v commit_v with_o solemn_a charge_n give_v they_o for_o it_o by_o the_o apostle_n we_o plain_o see_v two_o distinct_a order_n of_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n as_o two_o sacred_a function_n that_o be_v to_o labour_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o we_o find_v by_o the_o short_a epistle_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o revelation_n that_o there_o be_v one_o man_n who_o have_v the_o immediate_a charge_n of_o those_o church_n to_o who_o every_o thing_n relate_v to_o they_o be_v address_v as_o to_o a_o person_n that_o be_v accountable_a for_o the_o rest_n and_o that_o by_o consequence_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v a_o authority_n over_o they_o we_o see_v immediate_o after_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o all_o the_o church_n be_v cast_v into_o one_o mould_n of_o bishop_n priest_n and_o diacon_n this_o take_a place_n every_o where_o and_o that_o at_o a_o time_n when_o no_o meeting_n of_o the_o clergy_n can_v be_v hold_v to_o establish_v any_o such_o form_n and_o that_o no_o
personal_a and_o can_v be_v derive_v or_o descend_v the_o only_a holiness_n that_o he_o can_v derive_v be_v a_o right_a to_o consecrate_v the_o common_a issue_n to_o god_n which_o be_v in_o some_o sort_n a_o sanctify_a of_o one_o another_o this_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o natural_a meaning_n of_o these_o word_n and_o though_o they_o shall_v not_o seem_v to_o imâ—port_v it_o so_o necessary_o but_o that_o other_o gloss_n may_v be_v put_v upon_o they_o yet_o the_o early_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n mention_v by_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n and_o most_o copious_o by_o st._n cyprian_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o sure_a commentary_n upon_o they_o this_o be_v a_o ritual_a and_o visible_a thing_n in_o which_o we_o may_v much_o more_o safe_o have_v recourse_n to_o tradition_n than_o in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n it_o be_v here_o remember_v that_o a_o practice_n without_o warrant_n in_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o be_v so_o regard_v as_o a_o practice_n that_o seem_v to_o have_v favourable_a if_o not_o clear_a warrant_n for_o it_o in_o scripture_n this_o also_o agree_v with_o the_o natural_a order_n of_o the_o world_n child_n be_v put_v in_o the_o power_n of_o their_o parent_n by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n who_o consider_v their_o incapacity_n must_v act_v in_o their_o name_n and_o may_v both_o procure_v right_n and_o privilege_n to_o they_o and_o also_o lay_v tie_n and_o engagement_n upon_o they_o it_o be_v then_o suitable_a to_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o parent_n may_v offer_v up_o their_o child_n to_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v be_v tie_v by_o they_o to_o his_o religion_n and_o receive_v into_o the_o blessing_n and_o privilege_n of_o it_o when_o this_o whole_a matter_n be_v thus_o lay_v together_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o infant-baptism_n will_v evident_o appear_v and_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a then_o according_a to_o what_o be_v at_o first_o make_v out_o the_o church_n may_v oblige_v all_o her_o member_n to_o it_o the_o practice_n of_o have_v sponsor_n be_v but_o a_o increase_n of_o the_o security_n give_v for_o the_o person_n be_v education_n in_o christianity_n the_o care_n of_o the_o parent_n be_v suppose_v as_o already_o bind_v upon_o they_o by_o their_o natural_a relation_n to_o their_o child_n and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mean_a if_o well_o manage_v of_o knit_a neighbour_n together_o in_o new_a and_o christian_a bond_n all_o exception_n to_o such_o a_o custom_n seem_v very_o ill-grounded_a and_o their_o answer_v so_o positive_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o child_n do_v according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o act_n in_o the_o name_n of_o infant_n import_v only_o that_o as_o far_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v care_n shall_v be_v take_v that_o the_o infant_n shall_v make_v good_a those_o engagement_n in_o due_a time_n our_o affirm_v so_o positive_o that_o all_o child_n who_o be_v baptise_a and_o die_v before_o they_o grow_v to_o be_v capable_a of_o commit_v any_o actual_a sin_n be_v certain_o save_v do_v not_o only_o agree_v with_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o god_n but_o also_o with_o this_o declaration_n that_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v make_v to_o all_o christian_n and_o to_o their_o child_n 39_o the_o most_o general_a scruple_n against_o our_o form_n in_o baptism_n remain_v yet_o to_o be_v discuss_v that_o we_o have_v add_v to_o it_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o popish_a superstition_n indeed_o if_o we_o use_v it_o as_o be_v former_o observe_v as_o they_o do_v with_o a_o adjuration_n of_o the_o devil_n to_o go_v out_o and_o not_o to_o presume_v to_o violate_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n if_o we_o breathe_v cross-way_n and_o pretend_v by_o that_o to_o infuse_v divine_a virtue_n and_o blessing_n here_o be_v just_a objection_n for_o in_o so_o do_v we_o shall_v assume_v a_o power_n to_o make_v sacrament_n and_o to_o affix_v divine_a power_n to_o institution_n of_o our_o own_o therefore_o nothing_o of_o this_o be_v retain_v among_o we_o all_o the_o papistical_a and_o superstitious_a use_n of_o the_o cross_n in_o baptism_n be_v throw_v out_o but_o since_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v so_o glory_n in_o the_o cross_n that_o in_o stead_n of_o be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o reproach_n of_o it_o they_o use_v it_o upon_o most_o occasion_n our_o reformer_n design_v to_o restore_v primitive_a christianity_n thought_n that_o though_o the_o abuse_n of_o this_o to_o so_o much_o superstition_n make_v they_o supercede_v the_o frequent_a practice_n of_o it_o yet_o in_o this_o first_o initiation_n to_o christianity_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o use_v it_o once_o for_o all_o but_o with_o word_n that_o show_v they_o retain_v none_o of_o the_o superstitious_a conceit_n of_o popery_n and_o mean_v only_o thereby_o to_o own_o the_o receive_n all_o christian_n into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n and_o to_o a_o obligation_n to_o follow_v christ_n bear_v his_o cross._n and_o thus_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o practice_n be_v in_o itself_o not_o only_o innocent_a but_o decent_a and_o that_o there_o be_v very_o plausible_a reason_n to_o say_v no_o more_o for_o enjoin_v it_o so_o that_o the_o not_o use_v it_o be_v the_o disobey_v a_o just_a authority_n in_o a_o lawful_a injunction_n kneel_v in_o the_o eucharist_n seem_v not_o only_o liable_a to_o a_o imputation_n of_o idolatry_n but_o be_v also_o under_o this_o further_a prejudice_n that_o it_o be_v in_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_a ritual_n on_o the_o contrary_a we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o for_o many_o age_n they_o do_v communicate_v stand_v since_o all_o kneel_v in_o church_n on_o sunday_n or_o in_o the_o time_n between_o easter_n and_o whitsunday_n be_v esteem_v a_o crime_n in_o tertullian_n time_n and_o be_v forbidded_a by_o a_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a this_o be_v that_o of_o all_o the_o objection_n raise_v against_o we_o that_o touch_v in_o the_o tender_a part_n since_o this_o be_v the_o great_a symbol_n of_o the_o union_n of_o christian_n and_o that_o in_o which_o most_o formal_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o examine_v it_o very_o narrow_o it_o be_v then_o first_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o outward_a action_n do_v signify_v only_o that_o which_o by_o a_o general_a consent_n or_o a_o express_a declaration_n be_v agree_v on_o as_o their_o sense_n and_o importance_n kneel_v to_o king_n be_v understand_v to_o be_v only_o the_o high_a act_n of_o civil_a respect_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o no_o imputation_n of_o idolatry_n therefore_o if_o there_o be_v a_o express_a declaration_n make_v of_o the_o importance_n of_o this_o action_n that_o it_o be_v neither_o a_o adoration_n of_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n nor_o of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o suppose_v corporal_o present_a but_o only_o a_o worship_v of_o god_n in_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o great_a blessing_n there_o exibit_v to_o we_o than_o this_o posture_n can_v be_v stretch_v beyond_o this_o express_a declaration_n nor_o be_v this_o that_o kneel_v which_o be_v enjoin_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o that_o be_v only_o a_o fall_n down_o at_o the_o elevation_n in_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o miraculous_a change_n then_o make_v whereas_o we_o be_v a_o continue_a posture_n of_o prayer_n in_o which_o we_o continue_v during_o the_o whole_a office_n so_o that_o kneel_v as_o use_v by_o we_o do_v in_o many_o respect_n differ_v from_o the_o knoel_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o for_o that_o specious_a pretence_n that_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n they_o do_v not_o kneel_v at_o the_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n it_o be_v only_o a_o appearance_n of_o a_o reason_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n they_o have_v a_o notion_n of_o kneel_v as_o a_o abject_a posture_n which_o only_o become_v penitent_n or_o the_o time_n of_o fast_v they_o think_v that_o upon_o other_o occasion_n stand_v in_o prayer_n have_v a_o appearance_n of_o faith_n and_o confidence_n in_o god_n and_o agree_v with_o those_o comfortable_a assurance_n and_o that_o joy_n to_o which_o we_o be_v call_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o full_a peace_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o stand_v up_o at_o prayer_n which_o be_v most_o indispensable_o observe_v on_o sunday_n and_o the_o fifty_o day_n from_o easter_n to_o pentecost_n but_o stand_v be_v then_o their_o posture_n of_o prayer_n so_o they_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n in_o the_o posture_n appropriate_v to_o prayer_n and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v from_o those_o weary_a father_n who_o mention_n stand_v as_o the_o posture_n in_o which_o the_o eucharist_n be_v receive_v that_o they_o do_v consider_v it_o as_o a_o posture_n of_o adoration_n and_o so_o require_v all_o