imprimatur_fw-la libre_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n etc._n etc._n febr._n 2_o 1687._o guil._n needham_n r._n r._n in_o christo_n p._n ac_fw-la d.d._n wilhelmo_n archiepisc._n cant._n à _fw-la sacr._n dome_a a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n be_v some_o plain_a direction_n to_o unlearned_a protestant_n how_o to_o dispute_v with_o romish_a priest_n the_o first_o part_n by_o will._n sherlock_n d.d._n master_n of_o the_o temple_n london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n m_o dc_o lxxxviii_o a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n the_o introduction_n while_o so_o many_o learned_a pen_n be_v employ_v to_o such_o excellent_a purpose_n in_o answer_v the_o write_n and_o confute_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o a_o very_a useful_a work_n to_o give_v some_o plain_a direction_n to_o those_o who_o be_v unlearned_a 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in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o therefore_o can_v prove_v nothing_o till_o that_o be_v first_o prove_v by_o something_o else_o 1._o to_o begin_v then_o with_o reason_n now_o we_o do_v allow_v of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o our_o adversary_n pretend_v to_o use_v it_o when_o they_o think_v it_o will_v serve_v their_o turn_n and_o rail_v at_o it_o and_o despise_v it_o when_o it_o be_v against_o they_o not_o that_o we_o make_v natural_a reason_n the_o rule_n or_o the_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o may_v be_v prove_v by_o natural_a reason_n be_v to_o reject_v revelation_n or_o to_o destroy_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o for_o what_o use_n be_v there_o of_o a_o revelation_n or_o at_o lest_o what_o necessity_n of_o it_o if_o nothing_o must_v be_v reveal_v but_o what_o may_v have_v be_v know_v by_o natural_a reason_n without_o revelation_n or_o at_o lest_o what_o natural_a reason_n can_v full_o comprehend_v when_o it_o be_v reveal_v but_o though_o we_o believe_v such_o thing_n when_o they_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n which_o natural_a reason_n can_v never_o have_v teach_v we_o and_o which_o natural_a reason_n do_v not_o see_v the_o depth_n and_o mystery_n of_o and_o therefore_o do_v not_o stint_v our_o faith_n and_o confine_v it_o within_o the_o narrow_a bound_n of_o natural_a reason_n yet_o we_o use_v our_o reason_n to_o distinguish_v a_o true_a from_o a_o counterfeit_a revelation_n and_o we_o use_v reason_n to_o understand_v a_o revelation_n and_o we_o reason_n and_o argue_v from_o reveal_v principle_n as_o we_o do_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n as_o from_o that_o natural_a principle_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n we_o may_v conclude_v without_o a_o revelation_n that_o we_o must_v worship_v but_o one_o god_n so_o from_o that_o reveal_v doctrine_n of_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n we_o may_v as_o safe_o conclude_v that_o we_o must_v make_v our_o application_n and_o offer_v up_o our_o prayer_n and_o petition_n to_o god_n only_o by_o this_o one_o mediator_n and_o so_o in_o other_o case_n now_o to_o direct_v protestant_n how_o to_o secure_v themselves_o from_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o the_o fallacious_a reason_v of_o roman_a priest_n i_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a fault_n in_o their_o way_n of_o reason_v and_o when_o these_o be_v once_o know_v it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o man_n of_o ordinary_a understanding_n to_o detect_v their_o sophistry_n 1._o as_o first_o we_o must_v allow_v of_o no_o reason_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o plain_a and_o express_a scripture_n this_o all_o man_n must_v grant_v who_o allow_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v superior_a to_o natural_a reason_n for_o though_o scripture_n can_v contradict_v plain_a and_o necessary_a and_o eternal_a reason_n i._n e._n what_o the_o universal_a reason_n of_o mankind_n teach_v for_o a_o necessary_a and_o eternal_a truth_n yet_o 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the_o second_o commandment_n thou_o shall_v not_o make_v to_o thyself_o any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o or_o in_o the_o earth_n beneath_o or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n thou_o shall_v not_o bow_v down_o to_o they_o nor_o worship_v they_o which_o be_v so_o express_v a_o law_n against_o image-worship_n that_o no_o reason_n must_v be_v admit_v for_o it_o no_o man_n need_v to_o trouble_v himself_o to_o answer_v the_o reason_n urge_v for_o such_o practice_n for_o no_o reason_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v nor_o any_o dispute_v admit_v against_o such_o express_a law_n this_o i_o suppose_v all_o man_n will_v grant_v but_o then_o the_o difficulty_n be_v what_o be_v a_o express_a law_n for_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n be_v the_o law_n and_o if_o there_o may_v be_v such_o a_o sense_n put_v on_o the_o word_n as_o will_v reconcile_v these_o reason_n with_o the_o law_n we_o must_v not_o say_v then_o that_o such_o reason_n be_v against_o the_o law_n when_o though_o they_o may_v be_v against_o the_o law_n in_o some_o sense_n yet_o they_o be_v consistent_a with_o other_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n and_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a that_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o law_n which_o have_v the_o best_a reason_n on_o its_o side_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v there_o be_v some_o truth_n in_o this_o when_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n be_v capable_a of_o different_a sense_n and_o reason_n be_v for_o one_o sense_n and_o the_o other_o sense_n against_o reason_n there_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o a_o plain_a and_o necessary_a reason_n shall_v expound_v the_o law_n but_o when_o the_o law_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o such_o different_a sense_n or_o there_o be_v no_o such_o reason_n as_o make_v one_o sense_n absurd_a and_o the_o other_o necessary_a the_o law_n must_v be_v expound_v according_a to_o the_o most_o plain_a and_o obvious_a signification_n of_o the_o word_n though_o it_o shall_v condemn_v that_o which_o we_o think_v there_o may_v be_v some_o reason_n for_o or_o at_o lest_o no_o reason_n against_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o expound_v away_o all_o the_o law_n of_o god._n to_o be_v sure_a all_o man_n must_v grant_v that_o such_o reason_n as_o destroy_v the_o law_n or_o put_v a_o absurd_a or_o impossible_a sense_n on_o it_o be_v against_o the_o law_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v reject_v how_o plausible_a soever_o they_o appear_v as_o for_o instance_n some_o there_o be_v who_o to_o excuse_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n from_o idolatry_n in_o worship_v saint_n and_o angel_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n positive_o affirm_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n who_o worship_n one_o supreme_a god_n as_o a_o late_a author_n express_o teach_v as_o for_o the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n 133._o unless_o they_o worship_v they_o as_o the_o supreme_a god_n the_o charge_n of_o idolatry_n be_v a_o idle_a word_n and_o the_o adoration_n itself_o which_o 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well_o express_v by_o the_o septuagint_n by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d beside_o i_o which_o suppose_v that_o they_o worship_v he_o too_o and_o our_o saviour_n expound_v this_o law_n by_o 10._o thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v so_o that_o this_o reason_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o idolatry_n where_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n be_v worship_v as_o the_o supreme_a god_n contradict_v the_o very_a letter_n of_o this_o law._n how_o then_o do_v this_o author_n get_v rid_v of_o the_o first_o commandment_n true_o by_o lay_v it_o all_o aside_o for_o he_o give_v this_o as_o the_o whole_a sense_n of_o the_o first_o commandment_n that_o god_n enjoin_v the_o worship_n of_o himself_o 80._o who_o by_o his_o almighty_a power_n have_v deliver_v they_o from_o their_o egyptian_a
obscure_a unintelligible_a and_o useless_a more_o severe_a and_o intolerable_a than_o the_o jewish_a yoke_n itself_o which_o st._n peter_n tell_v the_o jew_n neither_o they_o nor_o their_o father_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o be_v indeed_o almost_o all_o outside_o and_o pageantry_n as_o unlike_o the_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel-worship_n as_o show_v and_o ceremony_n can_v make_v it_o it_o be_v true_a external_a and_o visible_a worship_n must_v consist_v of_o external_a action_n and_o must_v be_v perform_v with_o such_o grave_n and_o decent_a circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n and_o posture_n and_o habit_n as_o become_v the_o solemnity_n of_o religious_a worship_n this_o reason_n and_o nature_n teach_v and_o this_o the_o church_n of_o england_n prudent_o observe_v who_o ceremony_n be_v not_o religious_a rite_n but_o decent_a circumstance_n of_o worship_n few_o in_o number_n as_o the_o necessary_a circumstance_n of_o action_n be_v but_o few_o and_o grave_a and_o solemn_a in_o their_o use_n but_o this_o be_v not_o to_o place_v religion_n in_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v external_a but_o only_o to_o pay_v a_o external_a homage_n and_o worship_n to_o god_n which_o differ_v as_o worship_v god_n in_o a_o decent_a habit_n differ_v from_o the_o religion_n of_o consecrate_a habit_n and_o vestment_n or_o as_o pray_v to_o god_n with_o a_o audible_a voice_n differ_v from_o place_v religion_n in_o word_n and_o sound_n which_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v or_o as_o kneel_v at_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n differ_v from_o a_o bodily_a worship_n of_o the_o host_n in_o bow_v the_o knee_n but_o though_o the_o bare_a number_n of_o external_a ceremony_n which_o be_v always_o the_o seat_n of_o superstition_n be_v a_o great_a corruption_n of_o the_o christian_a worship_n yet_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v the_o least_o fault_n of_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v a_o little_a their_o nature_n for_o 1._o most_o of_o their_o external_a rite_n be_v profess_o intend_v as_o expiation_n and_o satisfaction_n for_o their_o sin_n this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o notwithstanding_o the_o satisfaction_n make_v by_o christ_n every_o sinner_n must_v satisfy_v for_o his_o own_o sin_n or_o have_v the_o satisfaction_n of_o other_o man_n apply_v to_o he_o out_o of_o the_o treasury_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o pope_n indulgence_n this_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o external_a penance_n in_o whip_n fast_n pilgrimage_n and_o other_o superstitious_a severity_n their_o back_n or_o their_o foot_n or_o their_o belly_n must_v pay_v for_o their_o sin_n unless_o they_o can_v redeem_v they_o out_o of_o their_o pocket_n too_o now_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o these_o be_v such_o external_a superstition_n as_o can_v have_v no_o place_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o allow_v of_o no_o other_o expiation_n or_o satisfaction_n for_o sin_n but_o the_o blood_n of_o christ._n 2_o lie_v those_o distinction_n between_o meat_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n call_v fast_v for_o a_o canonical_a fast_o be_v not_o to_o abstain_v from_o food_n but_o only_o from_o such_o meat_n as_o be_v forbid_v on_o fast_v day_n can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o christian_a worship_n because_o the_o gospel_n allow_v of_o no_o distinction_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a thing_n and_o therefore_o of_o no_o distinction_n of_o meat_n neither_o for_o meat_n commend_v we_o not_o to_o god_n 1_o cor._n 8._o 8._o the_o church_n of_o rome_n indeed_o do_v not_o make_v such_o a_o distinction_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a beast_n as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n do_v and_o therefore_o be_v the_o more_o absurd_a in_o forbid_v the_o eat_n of_o flesh_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o come_v of_o flesh_n as_o egg_n or_o milk_n or_o cheese_n or_o butter_n on_o their_o fast_a day_n which_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o new_a kind_n of_o jewish_a yoke_n upon_o we_o when_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v cease_v for_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o act_n of_o religion_n mere_o to_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n if_o flesh_n have_v no_o legal_a uncleanness_n and_o if_o it_o have_v we_o must_v all_o turn_v carthusian_n and_o never_o eat_v flesh_n for_o how_o shall_v it_o be_v clean_o one_o day_n and_o unclean_a another_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o understand_v i_o be_o sure_a st._n paul_n make_v this_o part_n of_o the_o character_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o latter_a day_n that_o they_o shall_v command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n which_o god_n have_v create_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o thanksgiving_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v and_o know_v the_o truth_n for_o every_o creature_n of_o god_n be_v good_a and_o nothing_o to_o be_v refuse_v if_o it_o be_v receive_v with_o thanksgiving_n 5._o for_o it_o be_v sanctify_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prayer_n and_o let_v no_o man_n judge_v you_o in_o meat_n or_o drink_n wherefore_o if_o you_o be_v dead_a with_o christ_n from_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n why_o as_o though_o live_v in_o the_o world_n be_v you_o subject_a to_o ordinance_n touch_v not_o taste_v not_o handle_v not_o 22._o which_o all_o be_v to_o perish_v with_o the_o use_n after_o the_o commandment_n and_o doctrine_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o though_o they_o do_v not_o own_o the_o legal_a distinction_n between_o clean_a and_o unclean_a thing_n their_o consecration_n will_v persuade_v one_o that_o there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o a_o mere_a legal_a uncleanness_n in_o all_o creature_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v all_o possess_v by_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n for_o when_o they_o consecrate_v salt_n and_o water_n to_o make_v their_o holy-water_n they_o first_o exorcise_v both_o the_o salt_n and_o water_n to_o cast_v the_o devil_n out_o of_o they_o and_o if_o such_o innocent_a creature_n be_v possess_v i_o doubt_v none_o can_v escape_v which_o have_v make_v i_o sometime_o wonder_n that_o they_o dare_v eat_v any_o thing_n before_o it_o be_v first_o exorcise_v for_o fear_v the_o devil_n shall_v take_v possession_n of_o they_o with_o their_o meat_n it_o be_v certain_a if_o the_o christian_a religion_n take_v away_o all_o such_o distinction_n between_o meat_n and_o drink_n the_o mere_a abstain_v from_o flesh_n can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o christian_a worship_n much_o less_o so_o satisfactory_a and_o meritorious_a as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v when_o such_o abstinence_n be_v appoint_v as_o a_o satisfactory_a penance_n 3_o dly_z as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o holy_a place_n altar_n vestment_n utensil_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v infinite_o outdo_v the_o jewish_a law_n instead_o of_o one_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n they_o have_v thousand_o to_o the_o full_a as_o holy_a and_o sacred_a as_o that_o as_o may_v appear_v from_o their_o rite_n of_o consecration_n though_o herein_o i_o confess_v they_o differ_v that_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v only_a god_n house_n and_o that_o alone_o make_v it_o a_o holy_a place_n because_o god_n be_v there_o peculiar_o present_a but_o the_o popish_a church_n derive_v their_o sanctity_n not_o so_o much_o from_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n for_o then_o they_o will_v be_v all_o equal_o holy_a as_o from_o some_o great_a and_o eminent_a saint_n who_o be_v peculiar_o worship_v there_o it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o opinion_n man_n have_v of_o the_o holiness_n of_o any_o place_n to_o go_v in_o pilgrimage_n to_o it_o not_o mere_o in_o curiosity_n but_o devotion_n as_o if_o either_o go_v so_o far_o to_o see_v the_o place_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o act_n of_o religion_n or_o their_o prayer_n will_v be_v better_o hear_v there_o than_o if_o they_o pray_v at_o home_n thus_o they_o travel_v to_o jerusalem_n to_o visit_v the_o holy_a land_n and_o the_o sepulchre_n and_o this_o may_v be_v think_v in_o honour_n of_o our_o saviour_n who_o live_v and_o die_v and_o be_v bury_v there_o but_o otherwise_o i_o know_v not_o any_o church_n or_o chappel_n which_o the_o most_o devout_a pilgrim_n think_v worth_a visit_v mere_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o god_n or_o christ_n the_o several_a church_n or_o chapel_n of_o the_o virgin_n especial_o those_o which_o be_v the_o most_o fame_a for_o miracle_n or_o the_o church_n where_o the_o relic_n of_o some_o great_a and_o adore_a saint_n be_v lodge_v have_v their_o frequent_a visit_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o virgin_n or_o of_o the_o saint_n but_o without_o some_o saint_n church_n lose_v their_o sacredness_n and_o veneration_n which_o i_o suppose_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o always_o take_v care_n of_o some_o relic_n to_o give_v a_o sacredness_n to_o they_o without_o which_o no_o church_n can_v be_v consecrate_a that_o be_v its_o dedication_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n can_v make_v it_o holy_a unless_o some_o saint_n take_v