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faith_n they_o reduce_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o as_o it_o lie_v scatter_v in_o several_a part_n of_o scripture_n into_o a_o form_n of_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a word_n and_o enlarge_v themselves_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v see_v anon_o 26._o it_o be_v the_o very_a same_o faith_n which_o the_o apostle_n preach_v and_o which_o the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o to_o we_o all_o the_o anathema_n be_v found_v upon_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n gal._n 1._o 8_o 9_o though_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n unto_o you_o than_o what_o we_o have_v preach_v unto_o you_o let_v he_o be_v accurse_v if_o any_o man_n preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n unto_o you_o than_o that_o you_o have_v receive_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v and_o if_o there_o can_v be_v another_o gospel_n there_o can_v be_v another_o faith_n the_o gospel_n be_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n by_o christ_n and_o that_o revelation_n full_a and_o make_v but_o once_o in_o
the_o day_n of_o his_o flesh_n whatever_o therefore_o the_o church_n believe_v or_o propose_v to_o be_v believe_v must_v necessary_o be_v found_v upon_o such_o a_o revelation_n and_o consequent_o that_o doctrine_n if_o it_o be_v of_o faith_n must_v original_o derive_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o he_o and_o they_o from_o he_o have_v deliver_v and_o consequent_o one_o and_o the_o same_o yesterday_o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o that_o be_v in_o all_o age_n now_o into_o the_o unity_n of_o this_o faith_n and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v i_o shall_v inquire_v in_o the_o next_o place_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o second_o proposition_n that_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n only_o respect_v the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o i_o will_v premise_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o form_n of_o word_n contain_v a_o brief_a summary_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v presuppose_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o most_o probable_o may_v be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o st._n paul_n advise_v timothy_n to_o hold_v fast_o 2_o epist._n 1._o 13._o and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o good_a depositum_fw-la or_o doctrine_n commit_v to_o his_o trust_n which_o undoubted_o refer_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o fundamental_o of_o christianity_n pure_o and_o abstract_o consider_v as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o he_o be_v precise_o to_o adhere_v against_o all_o the_o noise_n and_o clamour_n of_o vain_a and_o idly-curious_a talker_n and_o the_o contradiction_n of_o the_o gnostic_n the_o heretic_n of_o that_o age_n who_o not_o content_a with_o the_o express_a and_o plain_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n pretend_v to_o high_a and_o great_a degree_n and_o measure_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o 1_o tim._n 6._o 20._o o_o timothy_n keep_v that_o which_o be_v commit_v to_o thy_o trust_n avoid_v profane_a and_o vain_a babble_n and_o opposition_n of_o science_n false_o so_o call_v it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n if_o there_o be_v no_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o countenance_n and_o make_v out_o the_o supposition_n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o new_a convert_v put_v the_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n together_o into_o certain_a head_n of_o discourse_n and_o that_o to_o these_o they_o shall_v refer_v as_o to_o a_o rule_n gal._n 6._o 16._o phil._n 3._o 16._o as_o to_o a_o form_n of_o doctrine_n rom._n 6._o 17._o as_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n heb._n 5._o 12._o as_o to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n heb._n 6._o 1._o and_o as_o to_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n judas_n v._n 3._o all_o which_o several_a circumlocution_n be_v expressive_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o suppose_v those_o doctrine_n whatsoever_o they_o be_v universal_o teach_v and_o as_o universal_o acknowledge_v and_o receive_v but_o appendix_n whether_o this_o form_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o undoubted_o in_o the_o main_n be_v very_o ancient_a and_o most_o probable_o as_o ancient_a as_o their_o time_n the_o church_n in_o succeed_a age_n indeed_o to_o serve_v and_o maintain_v the_o interest_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n against_o the_o innovation_n and_o assault_n of_o heresy_n add_v several_a clause_n and_o expression_n to_o it_o be_v not_o here_o to_o be_v dispute_v at_o large_a but_o however_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o long_o before_o the_o time_n of_o the_o council_n at_o nice_a there_o be_v a_o confession_n of_o faith_n in_o use_n among_o christian_n as_o the_o standard_n of_o catholic_n verity_n as_o be_v demonstrable_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o irenoeus_n tertullian_n and_o other_o which_o creed_n rufinus_n though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o variation_n of_o expression_n in_o it_o that_o be_v excludi_fw-la may_v be_v more_o contract_v or_o enlarge_v at_o different_a time_n yet_o agree_v in_o the_o main_a as_o to_o the_o sense_n and_o word_v too_o of_o most_o of_o the_o article_n be_v of_o general_a usage_n and_o of_o great_a authority_n derive_v neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o from_o the_o canon_n or_o decree_n of_o any_o council_n it_o may_v more_o than_o probable_o be_v suppose_v from_o the_o spread_a and_o universal_a reception_n of_o it_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n and_o west_n and_o from_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o its_o first_o establishment_n that_o it_o be_v deliver_v down_o from_o the_o very_a first_o age_n as_o have_v the_o apostle_n for_o its_o author_n against_o this_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o if_o such_o a_o creed_n have_v be_v extant_a at_o that_o time_n the_o same_o respect_n and_o reverence_n will_v have_v be_v give_v to_o it_o as_o to_o their_o other_o write_n and_o consequent_o that_o there_o will_v have_v be_v no_o addition_n nor_o alteration_n of_o it_o much_o less_o any_o new_a form_n as_o the_o nicene_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v frame_v and_o introduce_v as_o if_o the_o other_o have_v be_v defective_a it_o may_v be_v full_o and_o satisfactory_o reply_v that_o whosoever_o consider_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o southern_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n 4._o that_o be_v in_o egypt_n and_o libya_n and_o thebais_n under_o constantine_n how_o it_o be_v rend_v and_o tear_v and_o the_o dissolution_n of_o its_o very_a be_v threaten_v by_o the_o new_a and_o blasphemous_a opinion_n of_o arius_n and_o his_o numerous_a follower_n he_o will_v quick_o find_v that_o the_o father_n who_o be_v convene_v at_o nice_a to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o those_o commotion_n and_o allay_v the_o fury_n of_o the_o tempest_n which_o begin_v to_o shake_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o government_n as_o well_o as_o of_o religion_n lay_v under_o a_o necessity_n of_o fence_v about_o the_o hitherto_o uncontradict_v and_o establish_v doctrine_n of_o christianity_n with_o a_o large_a and_o more_o explicit_a form_n of_o word_n retain_v for_o the_o most_o part_n though_o with_o some_o little_a interpolation_n refer_v to_o the_o arian_n controversy_n which_o they_o hope_v to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o way_n the_o old_a form_n which_o eusebius_n bishop_n of_o coesarea_n in_o palestine_n present_v the_o emperor_n and_o that_o council_n as_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o the_o bishop_n his_o predecessor_n and_o which_o himself_o and_o the_o catechumeni_fw-la be_v first_o teach_v and_o profess_v at_o their_o baptism_n and_o by_o these_o mean_n 〈◊〉_d add_v a_o commentary_n and_o explication_n of_o what_o be_v more_o close_o couch_v in_o the_o apostolical_a form_n which_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o alter_v but_o to_o draw_v forth_o in_o its_o full_a meaning_n and_o consequence_n for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o the_o arian_n to_o say_v which_o be_v the_o plea_n of_o the_o socinian_o at_o this_o day_n that_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o subscribe_v to_o it_o unless_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o will_v admit_v the_o full_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n with_o the_o several_a proposition_n that_o be_v necessary_o include_v in_o they_o as_o they_o be_v and_o have_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n from_o the_o first_o time_n of_o christianity_n for_o if_o they_o pretend_v to_o say_v they_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n in_o a_o private_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o his_o godhead_n that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v not_o for_o all_o this_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v god_n beget_v of_o his_o father_n before_o all_o world_n but_o fancy_n there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o he_o be_v not_o and_o so_o make_v he_o a_o creature_n though_o the_o most_o glorious_a and_o perfect_a of_o all_o the_o creation_n and_o so_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o destroy_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v build_v upon_o this_o foundation_n to_o make_v a_o mock-profession_n of_o faith_n to_o retain_v the_o apostle_n word_n only_o and_o deny_v in_o the_o mean_a while_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v intend_v to_o establish_v and_o so_o afterward_o when_o the_o heresy_n of_o macedonius_n break_v out_o threaten_v new_a trouble_n and_o distract_n the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n with_o their_o blasphemous_a novelty_n annexit_fw-la the_o article_n concern_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v enlarge_v by_o the_o assessor_n of_o the_o first_o general_n council_n hold_v at_o
in_o the_o right_n if_o a_o good_a life_n for_o that_o be_v a_o fundamental_a and_o most_o necessary_a point_n of_o christianity_n and_o without_o which_o all_o our_o belief_n be_v it_o never_o so_o orthodox_n will_v signify_v nothing_o add_v to_o a_o entire_a and_o find_v faith_n carry_v they_o to_o heaven_n we_o may_v be_v secure_a it_o be_v enough_o for_o we_o to_o follow_v they_o and_o tread_v in_o their_o step_n we_o retain_v the_o same_o faith_n the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n conform_v itself_o to_o their_o practice_n and_o example_n our_o church_n have_v be_v the_o great_a eyesore_a of_o rome_n ever_o since_o and_o especial_o of_o late_a when_o they_o have_v such_o mighty_a hope_n of_o prevail_a to_o which_o the_o froward_a and_o perverse_a humour_n of_o the_o nonconformist_n and_o chief_o the_o presbyterian_a faction_n the_o original_a and_o source_n of_o all_o our_o church-division_n have_v give_v so_o great_a advantage_n so_o that_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a king_n james_n of_o bless_a memory_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o prophet_n in_o this_o too_o that_o if_o ever_o the_o pope_n be_v bring_v into_o england_n it_o will_v be_v upon_o the_o back_n of_o a_o puritan_n as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o remarkable_a say_n no_o bishop_n no_o king_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v most_o sad_o justify_v and_o make_v out_o in_o the_o late_a most_o bloody_a and_o unnatural_a war_n and_o by_o the_o most_o horrid_a murder_n of_o the_o best_a of_o prince_n charles_n the_o martyr_n who_o righteous_a soul_n must_v needs_o be_v trouble_v if_o any_o thing_n of_o pity_n which_o be_v a_o troublesome_a passion_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o reach_v the_o bless_a at_o our_o present_a distraction_n and_o the_o dismal_a consequence_n of_o they_o they_o envy_v her_o beauty_n and_o order_n the_o discreet_a piety_n of_o her_o service_n and_o the_o regularity_n and_o exactness_n of_o her_o discipline_n and_o the_o apostolicalness_n of_o her_o government_n and_o the_o flourish_a of_o her_o university_n this_o make_v they_o rage_n and_o swell_v and_o for_o want_v of_o better_a proof_n and_o argument_n accuse_v and_o arraign_v as_o guilty_a of_o heresy_n and_o schism_n and_o innovation_n the_o pure_a and_o most_o apostolical_a church_n of_o the_o world_n but_o wise_a and_o considerate_a man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fright_v out_o of_o their_o sense_n and_o out_o of_o their_o religion_n with_o hard_a and_o big_a word_n and_o with_o reproachful_a language_n the_o dissolute_a and_o debauch_a may_v easy_o be_v reconcile_v as_o the_o new_a word_n be_v to_o a_o religion_n that_o be_v so_o favourable_a to_o they_o and_o give_v they_o hope_n of_o go_v to_o heaven_n after_o a_o careless_a and_o wretched_a life_n if_o upon_o a_o sick_a bed_n they_o begin_v to_o be_v afraid_a and_o profess_v a_o little_a sorrow_n and_o can_v but_o send_v for_o a_o priest_n and_o be_v absolve_v and_o the_o ignorant_a and_o weak_a may_v be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o little_a trick_n and_o piece_n of_o sophistry_n and_o cheat_v and_o trapan_v out_o of_o a_o church_n the_o doctrine_n of_o which_o they_o do_v not_o thorough_o understand_v for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o one_o who_o understand_v aright_o the_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o the_o reformation_n upon_o which_o this_o national_a church_n proceed_v ever_o to_o renounce_v her_o communion_n unless_o he_o first_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o his_o honesty_n as_o well_o as_o of_o his_o conscience_n and_o be_v sway_v whole_o by_o worldly_a respect_n and_o interest_n but_o we_o need_v value_v their_o censure_n the_o less_o not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v unjust_a and_o uncharitable_a but_o because_o they_o involve_v the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o the_o same_o guilt_n with_o we_o and_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n this_o day_n in_o the_o world_n that_o will_v not_o own_o that_o grand_a fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o roman_a faith_n the_o pope_n jurisdiction_n and_o be_v content_a to_o receive_v their_o christianity_n from_o rome_n and_o acknowledge_v all_o her_o determination_n to_o be_v true_o and_o real_o as_o they_o in_o the_o ordinary_a court-stile_n call_v they_o apostolical_a let_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n justify_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n by_o the_o strictness_n and_o exemplariness_n of_o our_o life_n as_o well_o as_o by_o argument_n and_o discourse_n of_o reason_n let_v we_o reform_v ourselves_o not_o only_o from_o the_o error_n and_o superstition_n but_o from_o the_o vice_n that_o be_v too_o common_o practise_v in_o catholic_n country_n as_o they_o call_v they_o though_o thanks_o be_v to_o the_o great_a industry_n and_o kindness_n and_o charity_n of_o their_o missionary_n of_o late_a they_o will_v be_v content_a i_o will_v not_o say_v though_o perhaps_o i_o may_v just_o enough_o make_v it_o their_o business_n that_o atheism_n and_o profaneness_n and_o debauchery_n shall_v overspread_v the_o land_n rather_o than_o that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v be_v any_o more_o in_o remembrance_n in_o time_n of_o such_o defection_n to_o socinianism_n and_o popery_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o to_o fanaticism_n on_o the_o other_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n to_o ourselves_o that_o we_o be_v no_o way_n bias_v or_o wrought_v upon_o to_o desert_n the_o purity_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o it_o be_v teach_v in_o this_o church_n in_o any_o one_o point_n of_o it_o and_o withal_o let_v we_o serious_o consider_v and_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o believe_v it_o with_o our_o heart_n unless_o we_o make_v open_a and_o public_a profession_n of_o it_o with_o our_o mouth_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o three_o proposition_n that_o all_o who_o be_v baptise_a and_o consequent_o be_v by_o this_o sacrament_n of_o initiation_n admit_v and_o receive_v into_o the_o communion_n and_o society_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o this_o faith_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n it_o be_v the_o undoubted_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n that_o the_o candidate_n of_o baptism_n shall_v make_v profession_n of_o that_o faith_n into_o which_o they_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a some_o previous_a time_n be_v allow_v for_o their_o instruction_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o as_o mention_v rufinus_n a_o presbyter_n of_o aquileia_n who_o live_v almost_o 1300_o year_n since_o in_o his_o exposition_n upon_o the_o creed_n assure_v we_o for_o his_o own_o time_n and_o say_v it_o be_v then_o a_o ancient_a custom_n and_o so_o may_v be_v just_o refer_v to_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v indeed_o that_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n give_v we_o this_o account_n only_o in_o general_n that_o the_o new_a convert_v be_v require_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o prison-keeper_n convert_v by_o the_o preach_a of_o st._n paul_n act_v 16._o 31._o and_o that_o after_o st._n philip_n have_v convince_v the_o eunuch_n by_o preach_v to_o he_o jesus_n and_o explain_v the_o prophecy_n which_o foretold_v he_o so_o as_o that_o he_o desire_v to_o become_v a_o proselyte_n of_o christ_n as_o he_o have_v hitherto_o be_v of_o moses_n a_o devotion_n to_o who_o law_n have_v bring_v he_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o have_v also_o far_o acquaint_v he_o that_o if_o his_o request_n to_o be_v baptise_a be_v more_o than_o a_o compliment_n or_o curiosity_n if_o it_o be_v real_a and_o sincere_a if_o his_o faith_n proceed_v from_o a_o through_o conviction_n of_o mind_n he_o be_v qualify_v for_o baptism_n and_o not_o otherwise_o if_o thou_o believe_v with_o all_o thy_o heart_n thou_o may_v the_o eunuch_n make_v no_o other_o confession_n but_o this_o i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n act_v 8._o 37._o large_a but_o than_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o this_o one_o proposition_n the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o creed_n be_v virtual_o contain_v and_o that_o it_o draw_v necessary_o all_o the_o other_o along_o with_o it_o and_o that_o this_o general_a belief_n be_v deduce_v into_o its_o several_n afterward_o and_o that_o for_o a_o more_o explicit_a and_o particular_a enumeration_n of_o the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o be_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o apostolical_a write_n in_o which_o they_o confirm_v the_o new_a christian_n in_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v to_o believe_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o which_o it_o may_v appear_v that_o 1._o divine_a faith_n in_o general_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a and_o that_o without_o it_o we_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o make_v know_v can_v pretend_v either_o to_o christianity_n or_o to_o any_o hope_n of_o salvation_n for_o as_o the_o