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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n age_n church_n time_n 2,142 5 3.6322 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A27363 The Notes of the church as laid down by Cardinal Bellarmin examined and confuted : with a table of contents. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1688 (1688) Wing B1823; ESTC R32229 267,792 461

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no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o it_o will_v general_o obtain_v but_o when_o man_n inclination_n and_o circumstance_n be_v so_o various_a nothing_o be_v more_o manifest_a than_o that_o the_o receive_n or_o reject_v truth_n be_v a_o thing_n too_o uncertain_a to_o be_v make_v a_o infallible_a note_n of_o it_o when_o it_o be_v argue_v on_o behalf_n of_o christianity_n that_o so_o many_o thousand_o be_v on_o the_o sudden_a convert_v to_o the_o faith_n the_o force_n of_o such_o a_o argument_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o the_o bare_a prevalency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n but_o in_o its_o prevalency_n when_o place_v in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o it_o at_o the_o first_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v and_o when_o man_n of_o mean_a birth_n and_o education_n as_o have_v already_o be_v observe_v do_v without_o force_n or_o fraud_n on_o the_o sudden_a make_v so_o many_o proselyte_n to_o a_o religion_n which_o be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o those_o opinion_n to_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o long_o accustom_v a_o religion_n which_o be_v likely_a to_o bring_v such_o great_a inconvenience_n upon_o those_o who_o embrace_v it_o this_o indeed_o be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o can_v be_v ascribe_v to_o nothing_o but_o the_o power_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v only_o able_a to_o bring_v about_o so_o wonderful_a a_o effect_n in_o a_o word_n man_n be_v often_o guide_v by_o fancy_n prejudice_n and_o interest_n than_o by_o reason_n make_v they_o more_o capable_a of_o error_n than_o of_o truth_n and_o when_o they_o have_v once_o receive_v it_o not_o only_o unwilling_a to_o part_v with_o it_o but_o zealous_a to_o propagate_v it_o as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v the_o agreeableness_n of_o any_o doctrine_n to_o their_o wicked_a lust_n and_o affection_n be_v most_o likely_a to_o win_v upon_o they_o the_o craft_n and_o cunning_n of_o those_o who_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v may_v 〈◊〉_d easy_o mislead_v unstable_a mind_n into_o gross_a mistake_v before_o they_o be_v aware_a 〈…〉_o force_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o present_a preferment_n or_o the_o hope_n of_o it_o may_v make_v they_o profess_v what_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a and_o then_o seek_v for_o reason_n to_o defend_v it_o since_o than_o there_o be_v so_o many_o thing_n beside_o truth_n which_o may_v induce_v man_n to_o admit_v any_o doctrine_n the_o bare_a admit_v of_o it_o though_o never_o so_o universal_o can_v be_v no_o note_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o or_o of_o the_o church_n that_o teach_v it_o god_n have_v endue_v we_o with_o a_o capacity_n of_o find_v out_o truth_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o have_v make_v we_o fallible_a creature_n and_o liable_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o so_o that_o it_o stand_v we_o in_o hand_n to_o be_v aware_a how_o we_o be_v deceive_v and_o the_o more_o care_n we_o take_v in_o a_o concern_n of_o this_o nature_n the_o more_o we_o discover_v our_o own_o sincerity_n and_o zeal_n for_o truth_n but_o let_v there_o be_v never_o such_o clear_a discovery_n thereof_o it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n wilful_o to_o shut_v our_o eye_n against_o they_o nay_o when_o we_o have_v adhere_v to_o truth_n for_o some_o time_n we_o may_v be_v tempt_v either_o whole_o to_o forsake_v it_o or_o to_o intermingle_v gross_a error_n with_o it_o so_o that_o it_o be_v as_o improper_a to_o conclude_v the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o of_o the_o church_n that_o profess_v it_o as_o that_o any_o cause_n be_v just_a because_o successful_a such_o be_v god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n that_o as_o he_o do_v oftentimes_o bless_v with_o unexpected_a success_n a_o honest_a and_o just_a design_n and_o they_o who_o be_v sagacious_a in_o trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o providence_n do_v easy_o discover_v it_o so_o do_v he_o likewise_o frequent_o exert_v his_o power_n after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n for_o the_o propagation_n of_o truth_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n as_o he_o 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thess_n 2.10_o 11._o god_n send_v strong_a delusion_n that_o they_o may_v believe_v a_o lie._n since_o therefore_o such_o be_v the_o temper_n and_o constitution_n of_o mankind_n as_o to_o be_v daily_o subject_a to_o error_n and_o to_o be_v liable_a by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n to_o be_v at_o last_o harden_v in_o they_o nothing_o can_v with_o any_o certainty_n be_v determine_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o church_n from_o the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n profess_v in_o it_o 3._o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o this_o note_n for_o the_o history_n of_o all_o age_n make_v it_o evident_a what_o a_o influence_n error_n have_v often_o have_v upon_o man_n mind_n and_o that_o although_o truth_n may_v have_v happen_v sometime_o to_o have_v prevail_v yet_o that_o it_o have_v be_v as_o often_o refuse_v and_o gross_a and_o most_o impious_a opinion_n prefer_v before_o it_o how_o soon_o be_v our_o first_o parent_n when_o their_o mind_n be_v in_o their_o great_a strength_n and_o vigour_n and_o not_o as_o yet_o bias_v by_o any_o misapprehension_n of_o thing_n 6._o gen._n 3.5_o 6._o by_o the_o cunning_a artifices_fw-la of_o satan_n tempt_v to_o believe_v a_o lie_n after_o which_o first_o and_z grand_a mistake_n how_o do_v their_o whole_a stock_n degenerate_a when_o every_o imagination_n of_o man_n heart_n be_v evil_a 6._o gen._n 6.5_o 6._o it_o repent_v the_o lord_n that_o he_o have_v make_v man_n on_o the_o earth_n afterward_o god_n choose_v to_o himself_o out_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o to_o secure_v they_o against_o the_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n of_o those_o who_o dwell_v near_o they_o he_o give_v they_o particular_a statute_n which_o by_o threat_n and_o promise_n and_o mighty_a wonder_n which_o he_o wrought_v for_o they_o he_o oblige_v they_o to_o observe_v yet_o how_o soon_o do_v they_o forget_v god_n and_o turn_v after_o idol_n so_o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o ahab_n according_a to_o god_n own_o account_n there_o be_v but_o 7000_o who_o have_v not_o bow_v unto_o baal_n if_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o doctrine_n have_v be_v a_o note_n of_o the_o true_a church_n i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o the_o priest_n of_o baal_n have_v not_o as_o much_o reason_n at_o that_o time_n to_o have_v insist_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o romish_a priest_n can_v have_v now_o at_o our_o saviour_n come_v the_o pharisee_n have_v infect_v the_o whole_a nation_n with_o their_o tradition_n and_o so_o obstinate_o do_v they_o adhere_v to_o they_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o many_o miracle_n which_o our_o saviour_n have_v wrought_v for_o they_o notwithstanding_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n few_o believe_v on_o he_o according_a to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n make_v mention_v joh._n 12.38_o lord_n who_o have_v believe_v our_o report_n of_o which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o complain_v john_n 5.43_o i_o be_o come_v in_o my_o father_n name_n and_o you_o receive_v i_o not_o if_o another_o shall_v come_v in_o his_o own_o name_n he_o you_o will_v receive_v and_o in_o the_o 11_o of_o st._n matthew_n ver_fw-la 20_o etc._n etc._n he_o do_v most_o severe_o upbraid_v the_o city_n wherein_o most_o of_o his_o mighty_a work_n be_v do_v because_o they_o repent_v not_o and_o do_v open_o declare_v that_o it_o will_v be_v more_o tolerable_a for_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n than_o for_o they_o if_o any_o doctrine_n be_v likely_a to_o have_v be_v efficacious_a one_o will_v have_v think_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o teach_v by_o himself_o have_v be_v so_o and_o yet_o we_o find_v that_o no_o prophet_n be_v ever_o less_o respect_v than_o he_o be_v even_o among_o his_o own_o countryman_n the_o same_o thing_n happen_v likewise_o to_o st._n
cardinal_n clear_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o notion_n his_o reader_n may_v easy_o have_v see_v how_o far_o the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o mark_n by_o which_o to_o know_v the_o true_a church_n viz._n so_o far_o as_o to_o do_v he_o and_o his_o cause_n no_o manner_n of_o service_n for_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n it_o may_v be_v admit_v to_o be_v such_o a_o mark_n inasmuch_o as_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prophecy_n which_o concern_v christ_n show_v that_o jesus_n be_v he_o and_o that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v of_o god._n but_o then_o this_o light_n of_o prophecy_n come_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n or_o if_o you_o will_v call_v it_o so_o a_o mark_n of_o that_o doctrine_n the_o profession_n whereof_o make_v the_o church_n so_o that_o when_o we_o have_v make_v the_o best_a we_o can_v of_o this_o note_n the_o church_n be_v still_o to_o be_v know_v by_o the_o religion_n it_o profess_v though_o that_o religion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v divine_a as_o by_o other_o argument_n and_o testimony_n so_o also_o by_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n and_o yet_o even_o here_o we_o must_v be_v something_o cautious_a in_o lay_v down_o the_o fulfil_n of_o prediction_n as_o a_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n for_o there_o be_v some_o prophecy_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o in_o part_n have_v be_v and_o will_v in_o time_n be_v full_o accomplish_v by_o such_o person_n who_o doctrine_n we_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o follow_v for_o antichrist_n be_v foretell_v as_o well_o as_o christ_n and_o when_o he_o come_v and_o fulfil_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v he_o so_o long_o before_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o prediction_n be_v a_o mark_n upon_o he_o not_o that_o we_o shall_v receive_v but_o that_o we_o shall_v reject_v he_o and_o his_o doctrine_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o bare_o the_o fulfil_n of_o prophecy_n but_o of_o such_o prophecy_n only_o as_o describe_v the_o character_n of_o that_o person_n who_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o hearken_v to_o and_o to_o obey_v in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o true_a doctrine_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o be_v not_o unwilling_a to_o admit_v the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n to_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n though_o it_o be_v a_o very_a improper_a way_n of_o speak_v since_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o which_o be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n come_v to_o be_v the_o proper_a note_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o light_n of_o prophecy_n be_v leave_v to_o be_v one_o of_o those_o argument_n by_o which_o the_o doctrine_n be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v divine_a but_o this_o way_n of_o mark_v for_o the_o church_n be_v very_o uncomfortable_a to_o the_o cardinal_n friend_n because_o it_o will_v force_v they_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o church_n that_o make_v the_o religion_n but_o the_o religion_n that_o make_v the_o church_n he_o therefore_o find_v no_o advantage_n to_o his_o cause_n by_o this_o notion_n of_o prophetic_a light_n whole_o insist_o upon_o the_o former_a and_o make_v the_o gift_n of_o foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v to_o be_v one_o note_v of_o the_o church_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o show_v it_o in_o his_o own_o and_o will_v not_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v in_o any_o other_o so_o that_o these_o two_o thing_n must_v come_v under_o examination_n i._o whether_o it_o be_v a_o note_n of_o the_o church_n ii_o if_o it_o be_v whether_o he_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v that_o they_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v it_o and_o no_o other_o i._o whether_o it_o be_v a_o note_n of_o the_o true_a church_n the_o cardinal_n offer_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v by_o three_o argument_n huddle_v up_o together_o which_o be_v distinguish_v be_v these_o 1._o that_o as_o christ_n promise_v the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n so_o he_o also_o promise_v the_o gift_n of_o 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himself_o must_v be_v character_n that_o be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o now_o the_o place_n by_o he_o produce_v be_v so_o far_o from_o prove_v that_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v flourish_v in_o every_o age_n that_o there_o be_v pregnant_a intimation_n in_o it_o of_o the_o contrary_n he_o refer_v we_o to_o the_o prediction_n of_o joel_n apply_v by_o st._n peter_n to_o the_o church_n 16._o joel_n two_o 18._o act_n two_o 16._o and_o because_o he_o refer_v we_o to_o it_o thither_o we_o will_v go_v and_o not_o as_o he_o do_v take_v thing_n for_o grant_v which_o ought_v to_o be_v discourse_v but_o bring_v forth_o the_o text_n and_o see_v what_o argument_n it_o will_v afford_v the_o apostle_n as_o the_o chapter_n show_v speak_v with_o tongue_n to_o the_o amazement_n of_o all_o the_o stranger_n that_o hear_v they_o but_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n mock_v and_o say_v they_o be_v drink_v upon_o which_o peter_n light_o pass_v by_o that_o absurd_a reproach_n tell_v they_o that_o this_o be_v 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so_o that_o the_o cardinal_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v very_o much_o afraid_a to_o make_v what_o be_v promise_v in_o joel_n a_o note_n of_o the_o church_n for_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o have_v make_v it_o unavoidable_o necessary_a for_o those_o of_o his_o communion_n the_o young_a man_n and_o the_o old_a man_n etc._n etc._n to_o speak_v with_o tongue_n by_o inspiration_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o unchurch_n his_o own_o party_n and_o therefore_o i_o imagine_v his_o follower_n will_v not_o follow_v he_o in_o this_o nor_o advance_v the_o promise_n in_o joel_n into_o a_o note_n of_o the_o church_n but_o will_v rather_o say_v that_o the_o fulfil_n of_o it_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o joel_n be_v accomplish_v though_o the_o same_o extraordinary_a gift_n be_v not_o continue_v in_o every_o age_n afterward_o 2._o he_o say_v that_o none_o know_v future_a contingency_n but_o 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we_o return_v to_o our_o lord_n be_v original_a the_o evangelical_n beginning_n the_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o hence_o let_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o act_n arise_v from_o whence_o order_n and_o the_o beginning_n arise_v if_o therefore_o christ_n alone_o be_v to_o be_v hear_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o regard_v what_o another_o before_o we_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v but_o what_o christ_n who_o be_v before_o all_o first_o do_v for_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o custom_n of_o man_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n since_o god_n himself_o speak_v thus_o by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v i_o teach_v the_o commandment_n and_o doctrine_n of_o men._n which_o very_a word_n our_o lord_n again_o repeat_v in_o the_o gospel_n you_o reject_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v establish_v your_o own_o tradition_n thus_o s._n cyprian_n oxon._n cyprian_n epist_n lxiii_o ad_fw-la caecilium_fw-la fratrem_fw-la &_o lxxiu_o add_v pompeium_n ed._n oxon._n with_o who_o tertullian_n 1._o tertullian_n l._n de_fw-fr veland_n virg._n c._n 1._o who_o he_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v his_o master_n agree_v in_o many_o memorable_a say_n no_o body_n can_v prescribe_v against_o the_o truth_n neither_o space_n of_o time_n nor_o the_o patronage_n of_o person_n nor_o the_o privilege_n of_o country_n from_o which_o thing_n indeed_o custom_n have_v get_v a_o beginning_n by_o ignorance_n or_o simplicity_n and_o be_v grow_v strong_a by_o succession_n plead_v against_o truth_n but_o our_o lord_n christ_n call_v himself_o the_o truth_n not_o custom_n nor_o do_v novelty_n so_o much_o confute_v heresy_n as_o truth_n whatsoever_o be_v against_o truth_n that_o will_v be_v heresy_n even_o old_a custom_n truth_n do_v not_o stand_v xxviii_o stand_v l._n de_fw-fr anima_fw-la c._n xxviii_o in_o need_n of_o old_a custom_n to_o make_v it_o be_v believe_v nor_o do_v heresy_n fear_v the_o charge_n of_o novelty_n that_o which_o be_v plain_o false_a be_v make_v generous_a by_o antiquity_n for_o why_o shall_v i_o not_o call_v that_o false_a who_o proof_n be_v false_a why_o shall_v i_o believe_v pythagoras_n who_o tell_v lie_n that_o he_o may_v be_v believe_v i_o omit_v all_o the_o rest_n have_v say_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o if_o antiquity_n itself_o be_v to_o be_v credit_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o depend_v upon_o antiquity_n alone_o but_o seek_v for_o ancient_a truth_n which_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o second_o thing_n i_o undertake_v to_o show_v that_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n vain_o pretend_v to_o true_a antiquity_n i.e._n to_o ancient_a truth_n ii_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o place_n where_o it_o be_v seat_v for_o a_o new_a worship_n may_v come_v into_o a_o ancient_a place_n of_o worship_n as_o the_o new_a altar_n of_o ahaz_n be_v introduce_v into_o the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n where_o he_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o god_n of_o damascus_n 2_o king._n xuj_o 2_o chron._n xxviii_o 23_o nor_o do_v it_o consist_v mere_o in_o the_o antiquity_n of_o its_o founder_n for_o the_o apostle_n found_v many_o church_n which_o have_v all_o the_o same_o title_n to_o antiquity_n in_o this_o regard_n and_o yet_o continue_v not_o such_o church_n as_o they_o leave_v they_o but_o decay_a some_o of_o they_o so_o fast_o that_o what_o truth_n and_o goodness_n remain_v among_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v even_o before_o all_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a rev._n three_o 2._o but_o it_o be_v true_a antiquity_n consist_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o ancient_a truth_n entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a which_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o which_o make_v it_o at_o first_o to_o be_v a_o church_n those_o thing_n be_v true_o ancient_a which_o persist_v in_o the_o same_o state_n after_o a_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n wherein_o they_o be_v at_o their_o beginning_n for_o if_o they_o have_v suffer_v any_o change_n in_o that_o which_o belong_v to_o their_o be_v 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ancient_a creed_n unto_o which_o they_o have_v add_v as_o many_o more_o article_n as_o there_o be_v at_o the_o first_o and_o thereby_o make_v such_o a_o change_n in_o their_o church_n for_o a_o change_n be_v make_v by_o add_v as_o well_o as_o take_v away_o as_o make_v it_o not_o to_o be_v the_o same_o ancient_a church_n which_o the_o apostle_n found_v at_o the_o beginning_n this_o charge_n they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o avoid_v nor_o can_v by_o any_o other_o mean_v maintain_v that_o they_o be_v such_o a_o ancient_a church_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n settle_v but_o by_o this_o ratiocination_n as_o bellarmin_n call_v it_o that_o in_o all_o great_a change_n of_o religion_n these_o six_o thing_n may_v be_v ever_o show_v 1._o the_o author_n of_o that_o change._n 2._o the_o new_a doctrine_n that_o be_v bring_v in_o 3._o the_o time_n when_o it_o begin_v 4._o the_o place_n where_o 5._o who_o oppose_v it_o 6._o and_o who_o join_v themselves_o to_o it_o none_o of_o which_o can_v be_v show_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o therefore_o there_o have_v be_v no_o change_n at_o all_o make_v in_o it_o but_o it_o remain_v the_o same_o it_o be_v at_o first_o without_o any_o alteration_n which_o be_v a_o reason_v build_v upon_o ground_n so_o notorious_o false_a that_o it_o scarce_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o poor_a piece_n of_o sophistry_n 1._o for_o first_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o all_o history_n and_o experience_n which_o show_v we_o there_o have_v be_v great_a change_n the_o author_n and_o the_o beginning_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o can_v now_o be_v know_v though_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v there_o have_v be_v a_o alteration_n make_v for_o the_o body_n spiritual_a and_o civil_a too_o be_v like_o the_o body_n natural_a in_o which_o as_o there_o be_v some_o disease_n which_o make_v such_o a_o violent_a and_o sudden_a assault_n that_o one_o may_v say_v at_o what_o moment_n they_o begin_v so_o there_o be_v other_o which_o grow_v so_o insensible_o and_o by_o such_o slow_a degree_n that_o none_o can_v tell_v when_o the_o first_o alteration_n be_v make_v and_o by_o what_o accident_n from_o a_o good_a habit_n of_o body_n to_o a_o bad_a thus_o we_o be_v sure_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o deep_a consumption_n when_o we_o see_v he_o wear_v away_o to_o skin_n and_o bone_n though_o no_o body_n can_v tell_v the_o precise_a time_n when_o nor_o by_o what_o mean_n nor_o where_o and_o in_o what_o company_n his_o blood_n begin_v to_o be_v taint_v and_o thus_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o be_v a_o gangrene_n as_o st_n paul_n call_v heresy_n when_o we_o see_v it_o corrode_v the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n though_o it_o creep_v in_o so_o secret_o at_o the_o first_o and_o so_o indiscernable_o that_o it_o be_v not_o suspect_v nor_o can_v always_o be_v trace_v to_o its_o first_o occasion_n and_o original_a no_o the_o tare_n in_o the_o field_n which_o be_v another_o example_n whereby_o our_o lord_n himself_o illustrate_v this_o matter_n have_v take_v root_n before_o they_o be_v espy_v for_o they_o be_v sow_o in_o the_o night_n while_o man_n sleep_v and_o can_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o so_o that_o all_o that_o can_v be_v know_v be_v this_o that_o his_o enemy_n have_v do_v it_o that_o be_v the_o tare_n be_v not_o from_o our_o saviour_n nor_o be_v first_o sow_o but_o be_v of_o a_o late_a and_o quite_o different_a original_a but_o by_o what_o particular_a instrument_n the_o enemy_n sow_v they_o at_o what_o hour_n of_o the_o night_n by_o what_o hand_n and_o when_o do_v not_o appear_v for_o the_o matter_n be_v carry_v so_o secret_o and_o in_o the_o dark_a that_o the_o servant_n who_o know_v of_o the_o sow_v of_o the_o good_a seed_n in_o the_o field_n wonder_v to_o see_v the_o bad_a and_o ask_v
first_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n to_o refer_v we_o to_o the_o last_o five_o hundred_o which_o be_v to_o confess_v the_o novelty_n of_o their_o most_o belove_a doctrine_n and_o consequent_o to_o quit_v this_o note_n of_o antiquity_n as_o in_o truth_n he_o plain_o do_v in_o that_o book_n where_o be_v press_v with_o this_o argument_n that_o no_o such_o power_n be_v claim_v in_o the_o first_o time_n of_o the_o church_n he_o answer_v 69._o answer_v ib._n cap._n 3._o p._n 69._o that_o he_o have_v not_o right_a conception_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n who_o admit_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o read_v express_o write_v or_o do_v in_o the_o ancient_a church_n for_o the_o church_n of_o late_a time_n have_v power_n not_o only_o to_o explain_v and_o declare_v but_o constitute_v and_o command_v those_o thing_n which_o belong_v to_o faith_n and_o manner_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v they_o need_v not_o trouble_v themselves_o about_o antiquity_n for_o they_o can_v make_v article_n of_o faith_n now_o which_o be_v not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o beginning_n 2._o we_o have_v often_o also_o tell_v they_o by_o what_o step_n image_n creep_v into_o the_o church_n for_o they_o remain_v at_o first_o only_o in_o private_a house_n for_o ornament_n or_o for_o commemoration_n and_o not_o uncensured_a there_o be_v above_o 300_o year_n past_a before_o they_o come_v into_o any_o church_n and_o then_o not_o without_o opposition_n and_o for_o this_o end_n only_o to_o be_v of_o a_o historical_a use_n to_o remind_v people_n of_o thing_n past_a which_o improve_v in_o 300_o year_n more_o to_o a_o rhetorical_a use_n as_o we_o may_v call_v it_o to_o stir_v up_o devotion_n in_o the_o people_n for_o which_o purpose_n gregory_n the_o great_a fancy_v they_o be_v profitable_a and_o though_o he_o by_o no_o mean_n allow_v they_o to_o be_v worship_v yet_o he_o think_v the_o people_n may_v look_v upon_o they_o and_o worship_n god_n before_o they_o and_o this_o look_v upon_o they_o to_o help_v devotion_n be_v improve_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o nicene_n council_n into_o a_o downright_a worship_v of_o they_o which_o will_v not_o pass_v in_o these_o western_a part_n for_o good_a doctrine_n and_o when_o at_o last_o we_o know_v and_o have_v tell_v they_o by_o what_o step_n this_o new_a worship_n advance_v hither_o and_o grow_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o religious_a respect_n than_o that_o nicene_n council_n admit_v the_o most_o zealous_a defender_n of_o it_o can_v not_o agree_v about_o it_o nor_o do_v they_o know_v what_o to_o make_v of_o it_o to_o this_o day_n we_o can_v tell_v they_o of_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v much_o new_a for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a more_o than_o 100_o year_n since_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v decree_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god._n but_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o they_o vain_o boast_v of_o antiquity_n which_o be_v only_o ancient_a error_n and_o some_o of_o it_o not_o very_o ancient_a neither_o as_o for_o ancient_a truth_n that_o be_v on_o our_o side_n who_o they_o most_o injurious_o accuse_v of_o follow_v novelty_n iii_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n by_o law_n establish_v be_v the_o true_a primitive_a christianity_n in_o nothing_o new_a unless_o it_o be_v in_o reject_v all_o that_o novelty_n which_o have_v be_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n but_o they_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o for_o if_o they_o have_v not_o introduce_v new_a article_n we_o shall_v not_o have_v have_v occasion_n for_o such_o article_n of_o religion_n as_o condemn_v they_o which_o can_v indeed_o be_v old_a because_o the_o doctrine_n they_o condemn_v be_v new_a though_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o we_o condemn_v they_o be_v as_o old_a as_o christianity_n we_o esteem_v all_o to_o be_v new_a which_o be_v not_o from_o the_o beginning_n for_o as_o for_o our_o positive_a doctrine_n polydore_v himself_o have_v give_v a_o true_a account_n of_o it_o and_o make_v it_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o sect_n call_v evangelick_n as_o he_o speak_v increase_v so_o marvellous_o in_o a_o short_a time_n because_o they_o affirm_v that_o no_o law_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v which_o appertain_v to_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n but_o that_o which_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n have_v give_v inventoribus_fw-la give_v l._n viij_o cap._n 4._o de_fw-la rerum_fw-la inventoribus_fw-la and_o who_o dare_v say_v that_o this_o be_v a_o new_a religion_n which_o be_v as_o old_a as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n with_o who_o whosoever_o agree_v they_o be_v true_o ancient_a church_n though_o of_o no_o long_a stand_n than_o yesterday_o as_o they_o that_o disagree_v with_o they_o be_v new_a though_o they_o can_v run_v up_o their_o pedigree_n to_o the_o very_a apostle_n thus_o tertulian_n xxxii_o tertulian_n l._n the_o prescript_n c._n xxxii_o discourse_n with_o who_o word_n something_o contract_v i_o shall_v conclude_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o church_n when_o it_o be_v divers_a from_o or_o contrary_a unto_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n show_v it_o not_o to_o be_v a_o apostolic_a church_n though_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v found_v by_o a_o apostle_n so_o those_o church_n that_o can_v produce_v any_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o apostolical_a man_n for_o their_o founder_n be_v much_o late_a and_o new_o constitute_v yet_o conspire_v in_o the_o same_o faith_n be_v nevertheless_o to_o be_v account_v apostolic_a church_n because_o of_o the_o consangvinity_n of_o doctrine_n the_o end_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1687._o the_o three_o note_n of_o the_o church_n examine_v viz_o duration_n tertia_fw-la nota_fw-la est_fw-la duratio_fw-la diuturna_fw-la nec_fw-la unquam_fw-la interrupta_fw-la bellarm_n l._n four_o c._n vi_fw-la imprimatur_fw-la apr._n 30._o 1687._o gvil._n needham_n how_o far_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v behold_v to_o the_o industry_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o the_o note_n they_o give_v of_o a_o church_n be_v not_o my_o business_n at_o present_a to_o examine_v but_o those_o of_o the_o reform_a religion_n must_v acknowledge_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o they_o for_o so_o frank_o quit_v those_o character_n which_o be_v essential_a to_o every_o true_a church_n and_o for_o take_v up_o with_o such_o as_o either_o apparent_o belong_v not_o to_o their_o church_n or_o belong_v to_o other_o church_n as_o well_o as_o they_o or_o last_o such_o as_o may_v be_v find_v in_o a_o false_a church_n as_o well_o as_o a_o true_a this_o may_v easy_o be_v prove_v against_o they_o through_o the_o fifteen_o note_n which_o be_v offer_v by_o they_o to_o the_o world_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o give_v a_o instance_n of_o it_o in_o the_o note_n of_o duration_n which_o be_v make_v by_o they_o a_o necessary_a mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n in_o prosecution_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v consider_v i._n what_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o term_n duration_n ii_o how_o far_o duration_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o note_n of_o the_o true_a church_n iii_o whether_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v a_o sufficient_a title_n to_o this_o character_n character_n i._o duration_n according_a to_o bellarmin_n be_v the_o continuance_n of_o a_o church_n throughout_o all_o time_n without_o interruption_n and_o he_o add_v that_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v so_o call_v not_o only_o because_o it_o always_o have_v be_v but_o also_o because_o it_o always_o will_v be_v so_o that_o this_o duration_n do_v include_v in_o it_o these_o three_o thing_n 1._o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n from_o the_o beginning_n 2._o the_o continuance_n of_o that_o church_n to_o the_o end._n 3._o the_o continuance_n of_o that_o church_n from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n without_o interruption_n let_v we_o now_o see_v how_o he_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o case_n it_o be_v evident_a say_v he_o that_o our_o church_n have_v continue_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n hitherto_o or_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o have_v endure_v from_o christ_n to_o this_o year_n 1557._o the_o year_n when_o he_o write_v this_o but_o for_o all_o his_o beginning_n its_o evident_a there_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o what_o he_o affirm_v and_o his_o assertion_n be_v very_o insufficient_a 1._o that_o he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o his_o church_n and_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o true_a church_n but_o he_o it_o be_v evident_a our_o church_n etc._n etc._n 2._o that_o he_o have_v omit_v two_o main_a branch_n of_o his_o duration_n viz._n that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v
mere_o unity_n that_o be_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n but_o unity_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n nor_o be_v unity_n the_o mark_n of_o a_o pure_a church_n unless_o it_o be_v upon_o term_n of_o obedience_n to_o god_n of_o charity_n to_o one_o another_o of_o keep_v the_o faith_n unmix_v with_o error_n and_o innovation_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n free_a from_o material_a defect_n and_o forbid_a practice_n from_o hence_o also_o the_o folly_n of_o that_o conceit_n may_v be_v easy_o discern_v that_o in_o this_o divide_a state_n of_o christendom_n there_o must_v be_v one_o church_n which_o be_v the_o only_a church_n of_o christ_n exclusive_o to_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v not_o in_o communion_n with_o she_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o because_o there_o be_v not_o that_o unity_n among_o christian_n which_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v therefore_o there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o because_o they_o be_v not_o unite_v in_o one_o communion_n therefore_o they_o be_v not_o unite_v in_o one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n that_o fond_a principle_n now_o mention_v be_v advance_v by_o the_o romanist_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o this_o inference_n that_o because_o we_o grant_v the_o church_n to_o be_v but_o one_o and_o withal_o acknowledge_v they_o to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n therefore_o we_o be_v divide_v from_o they_o can_v be_v no_o true_a church_n ourselves_o that_o be_v to_o say_v because_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o have_v that_o one_o faith_n in_o which_o all_o that_o be_v unite_v belong_v to_o the_o church_n therefore_o we_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n ourselves_o who_o have_v the_o unity_n of_o that_o faith_n too_o and_o moreover_o the_o unity_n of_o observe_v all_o the_o institution_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o catholic_n term_n of_o communion_n etc._n etc._n which_o they_o have_v not_o if_o some_o part_n of_o the_o church_n give_v just_a cause_n of_o offence_n or_o if_o another_o take_v offence_n where_o none_o be_v give_v this_o be_v indeed_o contrary_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n but_o not_o utter_o inconsistent_a with_o their_o be_v member_n of_o it_o and_o if_o st._n paul_n be_v in_o the_o right_a when_o he_o say_v if_o the_o foot_n shall_v say_v because_o i_o be_o not_o the_o head_n i_o be_o not_o of_o the_o body_n be_v it_o therefore_o not_o of_o the_o body_n it_o will_v be_v also_o true_a that_o though_o the_o foot_n shall_v say_v to_o the_o hand_n thou_o be_v not_o of_o the_o body_n because_o thou_o be_v not_o the_o foot_n the_o hand_n will_v be_v of_o the_o body_n for_o all_o that_o as_o for_o the_o unity_n of_o communion_n which_o they_o boast_v so_o much_o of_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o unity_n of_o communion_n among_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o catholic_n unity_n of_o communion_n because_o the_o term_n of_o it_o be_v many_o of_o they_o unjust_a and_o unlawful_a whereas_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v as_o much_o unity_n of_o communion_n among_o ourselves_o as_o they_o have_v this_o also_o to_o say_v as_o we_o have_v abundant_o show_v that_o the_o term_n of_o our_o communion_n be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o just_a and_o lawful_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v a_o catholic_n unity_n if_o there_o be_v some_o protestant_n that_o will_v not_o communicate_v with_o we_o it_o be_v no_o more_o our_o fault_n than_o that_o the_o papist_n refuse_v to_o do_v so_o and_o though_o in_o point_n of_o interest_n this_o tend_v to_o weaken_v yet_o in_o controversy_n it_o can_v prejudice_v the_o common_a cause_n of_o reformation_n that_o part_n of_o the_o west_n that_o have_v leave_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n may_v labour_v under_o discord_n that_o affect_v their_o very_a communion_n while_o she_o herself_o do_v not_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o cause_n against_o she_o they_o may_v be_v all_o in_o the_o right_n where_o truth_n be_v maintain_v against_o a_o corrupt_a church_n there_o may_v yet_o be_v disobedience_n to_o authority_n overvalue_v question_n of_o no_o great_a moment_n a_o great_a stress_n lay_v upon_o opinion_n and_o practice_n than_o the_o cause_n will_v bear_v and_o this_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o break_v christian_a communion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n gross_a error_n may_v be_v maintain_v and_o with_o one_o consent_n impose_v upon_o the_o world_n by_o the_o other_o church_n and_o all_o the_o while_n the_o difference_n how_o weighty_a soever_o that_o happen_v by_o the_o bye_n may_v be_v so_o overrule_v by_o force_n and_o power_n and_o the_o sensible_a interest_n of_o this_o world_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o affect_v their_o communion_n with_o one_o another_o but_o for_o the_o reason_n already_o lay_v down_o it_o be_v a_o fond_a thing_n to_o choose_v a_o church_n by_o the_o mark_n of_o such_o unity_n in_o short_a if_o we_o will_v in_o all_o respect_n keep_v within_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n this_o must_v be_v do_v by_o profess_v true_a doctrine_n by_o lead_v good_a life_n by_o a_o charitable_a spirit_n and_o behaviour_n towards_o all_o christian_n by_o frequent_v prayer_n and_o sacrament_n and_o by_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o lawful_a guide_n in_o all_o thing_n of_o indifference_n and_o expedience_n and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o whatever_o other_o do_v we_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o though_o the_o church_n after_o all_o be_v not_o that_o one_o body_n in_o all_o respect_n which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o which_o it_o will_v be_v if_o all_o man_n do_v their_o duty_n yet_o that_o we_o ourselves_o be_v such_o member_n of_o that_o one_o body_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o as_o all_o other_o ought_v to_o be_v likewise_o now_o all_o this_o unity_n we_o may_v keep_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o we_o can_v keep_v it_o all_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o the_o term_n thereof_o now_o stand_v but_o if_o this_o unity_n be_v not_o enough_o when_o once_o the_o romanist_n can_v prove_v that_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o union_n to_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o all_o that_o she_o believe_v and_o teach_v be_v also_o necessary_a to_o our_o be_v of_o the_o church_n or_o even_o to_o our_o maintain_v that_o unity_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v among_o all_o christian_n we_o will_v also_o acknowledge_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o believe_v as_o the_o roman_a church_n believe_v but_o not_o till_o then_o the_o end_n london_n print_v by_o j._n d._n for_o richard_n chiswel_o at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1687._o the_o eight_o note_n of_o the_o church_n examine_v viz_o sanctity_n of_o doctrine_n octava_fw-la nota_fw-la est_fw-la sanctitas_fw-la doctrinae_fw-la bellar._n de_fw-fr notis_n ecclesiae_fw-la l._n four_o c._n 11._o imprimatur_fw-la june_n 4._o 1687._o hen._n maurice_n see_v the_o new_a covenant_n be_v the_o charter_n upon_o which_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v found_v and_o all_o the_o blessing_n which_o this_o covenant_n promise_n be_v appropriate_v to_o that_o sacred_a society_n to_o be_v in_o communion_n with_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o matter_n of_o vast_a importance_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v but_o that_o the_o bless_a jesus_n the_o most_o concern_v and_o careful_a friend_n of_o soul_n that_o ever_o be_v have_v be_v sufficient_o mindful_a to_o leave_v such_o plain_a and_o easy_a direction_n behind_o he_o how_o we_o may_v find_v his_o church_n and_o satisfy_v ourselves_o whether_o we_o be_v in_o fellowship_n with_o it_o or_o no_o as_o that_o neither_o the_o learned_a nor_o unlearned_a may_v be_v leave_v in_o the_o dark_a for_o resolution_n in_o such_o a_o momentous_a enquiry_n but_o how_o much_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v make_v it_o her_o business_n to_o snarl_v and_o perplex_v several_a point_n of_o religion_n which_o our_o saviour_n leave_v plain_a and_o obvious_a enough_o to_o all_o capacity_n be_v too_o notorious_a and_o in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o this_o how_o to_o discover_v and_o find_v out_o the_o true_a church_n in_o order_n to_o which_o her_o most_o learned_a doctor_n and_o particular_o cardinal_n bellarmin_n have_v give_v we_o certain_a note_n by_o which_o as_o they_o pretend_v the_o true_a church_n may_v be_v distinguish_v by_o honest_a and_o diligent_a inquiry_n from_o all_o false_a church_n whatsoever_o but_o how_o far_o these_o note_n be_v from_o perform_v what_o be_v promise_v for_o they_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v upon_o a_o very_a fair_a examination_n of_o the_o seven_o first_o of_o of_o they_o i_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o the_o eight_o viz._n sanctity_n of_o
present_a they_o be_v true_a church_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n whether_o they_o have_v at_o present_a the_o true_a note_n of_o true_a church_n but_o if_o i_o inquire_v as_o the_o cardinal_n do_v which_o of_o all_o the_o church_n now_o extant_a be_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n before_o i_o can_v be_v full_o resolve_v i_o must_v not_o only_o be_v satisfy_v which_o of_o they_o be_v a_o true_a church_n at_o present_a but_o also_o which_o of_o they_o shall_v always_o continue_v so_o because_o though_o particular_a church_n may_v cease_v to_o be_v true_a church_n yet_o the_o catholic_n church_n can_v it_o be_v found_v on_o that_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v against_o it_o and_o therefore_o before_o i_o can_v be_v secure_a of_o any_o present_a church_n that_o it_o be_v the_o true_a catholic_n i_o must_v have_v some_o certainty_n not_o only_o that_o it_o have_v not_o err_v for_o the_o time_n past_a and_o that_o it_o do_v not_o err_v at_o present_a but_o also_o that_o it_o will_v not_o err_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o see_v the_o true_a catholic_n church_n be_v always_o to_o continue_v if_o not_o to_o err_v in_o its_o profession_n be_v a_o true_a note_n of_o it_o it_o must_v always_o be_v inseparable_a to_o it_o as_o well_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v as_o for_o the_o time_n past_a and_o present_a and_o therefore_o before_o i_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o church_n now_o extant_a that_o it_o be_v the_o only_a true_a catholic_n church_n by_o this_o note_n of_o a_o unerring_a profession_n i_o ought_v to_o have_v very_o good_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v inseparable_a to_o it_o not_o only_o for_o the_o time_n past_a and_o present_a but_o also_o for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v but_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o church_n which_o do_v not_o err_v now_o and_o do_v not_o err_v heretofore_o to_o err_v hereafter_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v deny_v because_o she_o allow_v no_o church_n now_o extant_a not_o to_o err_v but_o herself_o and_o yet_o own_v that_o there_o be_v many_o church_n now_o in_o be_v which_o once_o do_v not_o err_v and_o for_o several_a age_n continue_v untainted_a with_o error_n which_o yet_o have_v err_v since_o and_o therefore_o be_v now_o no_o true_a church_n and_o therefore_o see_v that_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o be_v no_o more_o impossible_a that_o a_o church_n which_o do_v not_o err_v now_o may_v have_v err_v heretofore_o and_o may_v err_v again_o hereafter_o than_o that_o a_o church_n which_o err_v now_o may_v not_o have_v err_v heretofore_o and_o may_v not_o err_v again_o hereafter_o i_o can_v conclude_v of_o any_o church_n that_o because_o it_o do_v not_o err_v at_o present_a therefore_o it_o never_o have_v err_v nor_o ever_o will._n suppose_v then_o that_o there_o be_v only_o two_o church_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n the_o roman_a and_o greek_a and_o that_o the_o roman_a church_n at_o present_a do_v not_o err_v and_o the_o greek_a do_v i_o can_v from_o hence_o no_o more_o conclude_v that_o not_o err_v be_v inseparable_a to_o the_o roman_a church_n than_o that_o err_a be_v inseparable_a to_o the_o greek_a the_o roman_a church_n do_v not_o err_v now_o what_o then_o neither_o do_v the_o greek_a church_n err_v once_o why_o then_o may_v not_o the_o greek_a as_o well_o be_v the_o true_a church_n because_o once_o it_o do_v not_o err_v as_o the_o roman_a because_o now_o it_o do_v not_o see_v that_o not_o to_o have_v err_v heretofore_o and_o not_o to_o err_v now_o be_v only_o different_a respect_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o different_a time_n and_o that_o the_o not_o err_v at_o one_o time_n do_v no_o more_o notify_v the_o true_a church_n than_o the_o not_o err_v at_o another_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o sufficient_a to_o notify_v either_o to_o be_v the_o true_a church_n that_o this_o note_v belong_v to_o it_o at_o such_o or_o such_o a_o time_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o time_n past_a or_o the_o time_n present_a see_v one_o time_n or_o other_o it_o have_v belong_v to_o they_o both_o but_o that_o of_o the_o two_o must_v be_v the_o true_a church_n to_o which_o it_o always_o belong_v and_o from_o which_o it_o be_v never_o separate_v but_o before_o i_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a that_o it_o always_o belong_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o must_v have_v peruse_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n through_o all_o time_n pass_v to_o the_o present_a moment_n but_o alas_o those_o history_n as_o the_o learned_a of_o all_o side_n confess_v be_v some_o of_o they_o so_o short_a and_o imperfect_a other_o so_o partial_a and_o insincere_a and_o other_o so_o repugnant_a and_o contradictory_n to_o one_o another_o that_o suppose_v there_o be_v some_o church_n now_o in_o be_v that_o never_o err_v and_o that_o church_n be_v the_o roman_a it_o be_v next_o to_o impossible_a for_o i_o to_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o for_o even_o in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o only_a unerring_a church_n there_o be_v so_o many_o at_o least_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o one_o pope_n and_o general_n council_n to_o another_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o a_o strong_a opinion_n of_o her_o infallibility_n to_o pronounce_v with_o any_o degree_n of_o certainty_n that_o she_o never_o err_v and_o methinks_v it_o be_v something_o hard_o that_o i_o must_v seek_v the_o true_a church_n by_o such_o a_o note_n whereby_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o find_v it_o without_o spend_v a_o great_a part_n of_o my_o life_n in_o laborious_a researche_n of_o ecclesiastical_a history_n wherein_o after_o all_o in_o seek_v after_o a_o church_n that_o never_o err_v i_o doubt_v i_o shall_v but_o seek_v for_o a_o needle_n in_o a_o bottle_n of_o hay_n but_o suppose_v i_o be_v so_o far_o satisfy_v of_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o neither_o have_v err_v for_o the_o time_n past_a nor_o do_v err_v at_o the_o present_a before_o i_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o this_o note_n be_v inseparable_a to_o she_o i_o must_v have_v very_o good_a assurance_n that_o she_o will_v not_o err_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o by_o what_o argument_n can_v you_o assure_v i_o of_o that_o why_o have_v not_o our_o saviour_n promise_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v never_o prevail_v against_o his_o true_a church_n and_o do_v not_o this_o necessary_o imply_v that_o his_o true_a church_n shall_v never_o err_v suppose_v it_o do_v you_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o i_o be_o now_o inquire_v whether_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v the_o true_a church_n or_o no_o and_o consequent_o whether_o this_o promise_v belong_v to_o she_o or_o no_o and_o therefore_o as_o yet_o neither_o this_o nor_o any_o other_o promise_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n to_o i_o that_o this_o note_n of_o not_o err_v be_v inseparable_a to_o she_o for_o the_o future_a the_o church_n of_o 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kind_n vindicat._n of_o the_o answ_n to_o some_o late_a paper_n etc._n etc._n some_o of_o the_o new_a doctrine_n have_v be_v trace_v step_n by_o step_n and_o the_o manner_n now_o they_o come_v to_o be_v receive_v set_v down_o and_o in_o other_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v compare_v with_o herself_o and_o what_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v be_v show_v to_o be_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o what_o be_v hold_v some_o age_n ago_o now_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o thing_n that_o be_v different_a shall_v be_v the_o distinguish_a character_n of_o that_o which_o be_v always_o the_o same_o since_o than_o i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v ready_o grant_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v always_o be_v the_o true_a church_n the_o efficacy_n of_o its_o doctrine_n can_v be_v no_o note_n thereof_o since_o in_o some_o age_n those_o doctrine_n have_v prevail_v in_o it_o which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o those_o which_o have_v prevail_v in_o 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it_o be_v capable_a of_o understanding_n what_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v 4._o that_o the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n can_v be_v no_o note_n of_o a_o true_a church_n where_o art_n and_o force_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o make_v it_o prevail_v for_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n for_o cunning_a deceiver_n to_o impose_v upon_o unstable_a soul_n and_o it_o must_v be_v a_o great_a courage_n and_o constancy_n of_o mind_n which_o can_v make_v man_n for-go_a father_n and_o mother_n house_n and_o land_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o sake_n of_o truth_n now_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v take_v this_o course_n to_o propagate_v her_o doctrine_n we_o may_v be_v assure_v by_o some_o of_o she_o own_o member_n there_o be_v say_v erasmus_n 23._o erasmus_n in_o annot._n in_o mat._n 23._o those_o who_o after_o a_o new_a example_n make_v christian_n by_o force_n but_o whilst_o they_o pretend_v the_o propagation_n of_o religion_n they_o do_v in_o reality_n study_v the_o enlargement_n of_o riches_n and_o power_n not_o unlike_o these_o be_v those_o monk_n who_o inveigle_v other_o to_o take_v upon_o they_o their_o order_n and_o do_v use_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o cunning_a to_o ensnare_v such_o as_o be_v young_a and_o unskilful_a and_o who_o neither_o understand_v themselves_o nor_o the_o nature_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o stapleton_n declare_v very_o free_o 1582._o stapleton_n epist_n dedic_n de_fw-fr oper_n justific_n edit_fw-la paris_n 1582._o eo_fw-la sane_fw-la loco_fw-la haereses_fw-la sunt_fw-la etc._n etc._n heresy_n be_v come_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o their_o gordian_a knot_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dissolve_v by_o art_n and_o industry_n but_o by_o the_o sword_n of_o alexander_n and_o the_o club_n of_o hercules_n be_v more_o fit_a to_o subdue_v they_o than_o the_o harp_n of_o apollo_n i_o may_v quote_v several_a other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o the_o inquisition_n in_o those_o place_n where_o it_o be_v receive_v and_o the_o extraordinary_a method_n which_o have_v of_o late_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o a_o neighbour_a nation_n to_o gain_v proselyte_n do_v sufficient_o show_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v more_o depend_v upon_o something_o else_o than_o upon_o the_o efficacy_n of_o her_o doctrine_n for_o the_o make_n of_o convert_v which_o will_v more_o full_o appear_v if_o in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o consider_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o cardinal_n argument_n which_o be_v fetch_v first_o from_o the_o scripture_n second_o from_o what_o happen_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n three_o from_o the_o particular_a instance_n which_o he_o give_v of_o conversion_n wrought_v by_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n first_o as_o to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v quote_v ps_n 19.7_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v perfect_a convert_v the_o soul_n and_o heb._n 4.12_o for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a and_o sharp_a than_o any_o two-edged_a sword_n pierce_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o of_o the_o joint_n and_o marrow_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n it_o may_v be_v answer_v 1._o that_o the_o latter_a of_o these_o be_v by_o several_a expositor_n interpret_v of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o not_o of_o his_o doctrine_n 2._o that_o if_o they_o be_v both_o interpret_v of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o any_o doctrine_n yet_o that_o the_o efficacy_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o be_v whole_o internal_a as_o we_o before_o observe_v and_o consequent_o such_o as_o can_v be_v account_v a_o note_n of_o the_o true_a church_n for_o the_o note_n of_o a_o church_n must_v be_v what_o any_o one_o can_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o 3._o suppose_v by_o these_o word_n
follow_v of_o bonaventure_n who_o be_v never_o to_o be_v forget_v for_o his_o devotion_n to_o the_o virgin._n but_o allow_v these_o story_n to_o be_v well_o attest_v let_v we_o see_v how_o the_o cardinal_n prove_v by_o they_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n why_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o monastic_o be_v addict_v to_o the_o pope_n now_o how_o much_o benedict_n be_v addict_v to_o the_o pope_n be_v not_o worth_a enquiry_n since_o his_o prophetic_a gift_n will_v do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n no_o service_n now_o that_o she_o be_v so_o vast_o alter_v from_o what_o she_o be_v in_o pope_n gregory_n day_n who_o write_v the_o abbot_n life_n 72._o vindication_n of_o answer_n to_o some_o late_a paper_n p._n 72._o as_o have_v late_o be_v prove_v beyond_o possibility_n of_o confutation_n as_o for_o st._n bernard_n he_o be_v certain_o very_o far_o from_o be_v addict_v to_o the_o pope_n who_o beside_o his_o sharp_a reproof_n of_o eugenius_n 3._o de_fw-fr consider_n ad_fw-la eugen._n l._n 3._o tell_v he_o in_o plain_a term_n that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o lord_n of_o the_o bishop_n but_o one_o of_o they_o so_o that_o if_o his_o prophecy_n too_o must_v go_v for_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o communion_n that_o agree_v most_o with_o he_o in_o doctrine_n we_o shall_v put_v hard_a to_o get_v the_o prophet_n on_o our_o side_n by_o show_v that_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o put_v he_o into_o the_o catalogus_fw-la testium_fw-la veritatis_fw-la but_o for_o st._n francis_n we_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o let_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n take_v he_o and_o his_o prophecy_n and_o to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o it_o they_o can_v it_o be_v so_o very_a trifle_a a_o business_n that_o the_o cardinal_n be_v make_v use_n of_o such_o story_n to_o support_v so_o magnificent_a a_o pretence_n as_o that_o of_o prophetic_a light_n in_o his_o church_n plain_o show_v that_o either_o he_o be_v or_o aught_o at_o least_o to_o have_v be_v trouble_v that_o he_o have_v no_o better_o he_o shall_v have_v remember_v the_o just_a exception_n he_o bring_v against_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n and_o since_o he_o appeal_v to_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o this_o his_o note_n of_o the_o church_n he_o have_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v the_o vast_a difference_n between_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n there_o on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o not_o only_o between_o those_o oracle_n but_o these_o his_o petty_a prediction_n also_o on_o the_o other_o and_o then_o certain_o he_o will_v have_v be_v ashamed_a of_o these_o proof_n of_o a_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n among_o those_o of_o his_o own_o party_n which_o he_o bring_v when_o he_o will_v apply_v this_o note_n to_o his_o church_n i_o grant_v that_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o all_o of_o a_o size_n and_o though_o all_o the_o prophet_n speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o some_o of_o their_o prediction_n have_v incomparable_o more_o clear_a and_o unquestionable_a character_n of_o divinity_n upon_o they_o than_o other_o have_v and_o those_o be_v the_o prediction_n design_v to_o give_v testimony_n to_o our_o faith_n of_o which_o kind_n those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n make_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n for_o there_o we_o find_v that_o divers_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v foretell_v many_o age_n and_o some_o of_o they_o thousand_o of_o year_n before_o the_o event_n that_o the_o time_n when_o such_o and_o such_o thing_n shall_v happen_v be_v describe_v by_o the_o fall_n of_o empire_n not_o then_o begin_v when_o the_o prophet_n speak_v nor_o to_o begin_v for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n after_o that_o such_o circumstance_n be_v at_o so_o vast_a a_o distance_n of_o time_n foretell_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o create_a understanding_n so_o much_o as_o to_o guess_v at_o they_o so_o long_o before_o they_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o a_o word_n that_o the_o several_a thing_n which_o the_o prophet_n at_o sundry_a time_n foretell_v concern_v christ_n meet_v in_o jesus_n and_o conspire_v in_o bear_v witness_n to_o he_o the_o evidence_n of_o that_o testimony_n be_v unanswerable_a when_o all_o thing_n be_v lay_v together_o for_o this_o be_v the_o method_n our_o saviour_n take_v to_o confirm_v his_o two_o doubt_a disciple_n he_o begin_v at_o moses_n and_o alice_n the_o prophet_n 27._o luke_n xxiv_o 27._o and_o expound_v to_o they_o in_o all_z the_o scripture_n the_o thing_n concern_v himself_o not_o that_o there_o be_v no_o illustrious_a prediction_n before_o christ_n but_o such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o he_o for_o many_o there_o be_v that_o receive_v their_o accomplishment_n before_o such_o as_o that_o of_o the_o birth_n of_o josias_n by_o name_n three_o hundred_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v 1._o 1_o king_n xiii_o 2._o 2_o king_n xxiii_o 16._o isa_n xliv_o 28._o xlv_o 4._o ezra_n i._n 1._o and_o his_o burn_a upon_o the_o altar_n at_o bethel_n the_o priest_n bone_n that_o have_v offer_v incense_n there_o and_o that_o of_o restore_v the_o jew_n by_o cyrus_n the_o persian_a though_o neither_o he_o nor_o the_o persian_a empire_n be_v yet_o in_o be_v no_o nor_o the_o captivity_n begin_v from_o which_o he_o be_v to_o release_v they_o the_o fulfil_n of_o such_o prediction_n as_o these_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v christ_n till_o the_o time_n come_v when_o the_o answerableness_n of_o the_o event_n shall_v above_o all_o thing_n show_v that_o they_o also_o be_v divine_a if_o a_o man_n will_v make_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n a_o note_n of_o the_o church_n and_o then_o apply_v it_o to_o his_o own_o one_o will_v expect_v that_o he_o shall_v bring_v forth_o some_o such_o prediction_n as_o those_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v beyond_o all_o exception_n divine_a for_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o his_o purpose_n but_o instead_o of_o that_o to_o bring_v two_o or_o three_o thin_a story_n one_o of_o which_o be_v a_o prediction_n of_o a_o event_n that_o be_v to_o happen_v the_o same_o day_n be_v to_o expose_v a_o man_n cause_n to_o the_o contempt_n of_o a_o heathen_a if_o he_o be_v here_o who_o can_v out_o of_o good_a authority_n produce_v more_o notable_a prediction_n of_o soothsayer_n augur_n and_o pagan_a priest_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v it_o be_v a_o shame_n to_o see_v what_o pain_n the_o cardinal_n take_v to_o split_v st._n bernard_n prediction_n concern_v the_o nobleman_n turn_v monk_n into_o six_o several_a prophecy_n after_o honest_a gofrid_n can_v find_v but_o two_o there_o if_o this_o be_v a_o place_n to_o make_v sport_n it_o will_v be_v no_o unpleasant_a work_n to_o be_v a_o little_a severe_a in_o cast_v up_o the_o account_n again_o but_o certain_o if_o a_o heathen_a be_v to_o read_v this_o twelve_o note_n of_o the_o cardinal_n and_o there_o find_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n make_v a_o mark_n of_o the_o society_n that_o be_v unite_v by_o true_a religion_n as_o he_o will_v 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at_o all_o adventure_n foretell_v it_o without_o reason_n and_o pretend_v a_o revelation_n for_o it_o and_o yet_o micaiah_n in_o the_o case_n of_o ahab_n foretell_v such_o a_o thing_n by_o divine_a revelation_n but_o then_o they_o be_v not_o such_o prediction_n as_o these_o that_o will_v of_o themselves_o serve_v a_o man_n turn_n to_o prove_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n to_o be_v in_o his_o communion_n in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o that_o be_v unquestionable_o divine_a they_o may_v be_v bring_v into_o the_o argument_n but_o not_o alone_o because_o it_o be_v so_o very_o difficult_a to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o prediction_n that_o be_v not_o divine_a when_o they_o be_v abstract_v from_o other_o consideration_n i_o be_o also_o as_o willing_a to_o grant_v that_o since_o
novel_a name_n and_o dispute_v that_o their_o religion_n be_v the_o true_a because_o they_o be_v strengthen_v and_o defend_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o antiquity_n so_o we_o read_v in_o arnobius_n 2._o arnobius_n lib._n 2._o and_o in_o symmachus_n arcad._n symmachus_n ad_fw-la valentin_n theodos_fw-la &_o arcad._n and_o prudentius_n martyris_fw-la prudentius_n in_o ago_o romani_fw-la martyris_fw-la and_o many_o other_o who_o i_o omit_v content_v myself_o with_o st._n austin_n alone_o because_o he_o give_v a_o most_o pertinent_a answer_n to_o this_o poor_a pretence_n which_o will_v as_o well_o serve_v we_o against_o the_o papist_n as_o it_o do_v he_o against_o the_o pagan_n cxiv_o pagan_n quaest_n ex_fw-la vet._n &_o novo_fw-la testam_fw-la ent_a q._n cxiv_o who_o contend_v that_o what_o they_o hold_v be_v true_a because_o of_o its_o antiquity_n as_o if_o say_v he_o antiquity_n or_o ancient_a custom_n shall_v carry_v it_o against_o the_o truth_n thus_o murderer_n adulterer_n and_o 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to_o make_v a_o show_n not_o for_o any_o substantial_a service_n of_o which_o this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o he_o have_v no_o soon_o name_v antiqvity_n as_o the_o second_o note_n of_o the_o church_n but_o discern_v it_o will_v stand_v he_o in_o no_o stead_n he_o immediate_o set_v it_o aside_o and_o cunning_o slide_v to_o another_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o blend_v and_o confound_v it_o for_o thus_o he_o argue_v v._n l._n four_o de_fw-fr ecclesia_fw-la c._n v._n without_o doubt_n the_o true_a church_n be_v ancient_a than_o the_o false_a as_o god_n be_v before_o the_o devil_n and_o consequent_o we_o read_v the_o good_a seed_n be_v sow_o first_o before_o the_o tare_n but_o who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v wide_o different_a the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o antiquity_n and_o priority_n that_o which_o be_v ancient_a and_o that_o which_o be_v first_o whatsoever_o be_v first_o be_v undoubted_o true_a but_o whatsoever_o be_v ancient_a be_v not_o always_o so_o unless_o it_o be_v of_o such_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v also_o first_o there_o be_v a_o double_a antiquity_n therefore_o one_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o the_o other_o absolute_a and_o in_o itself_o this_o last_o sort_n of_o antiquity_n be_v the_o same_o with_o what_o be_v first_o unto_o which_o we_o be_v desirous_a to_o go_v to_o which_o we_o be_v willing_a to_o stand_v and_o by_o which_o we_o will_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o rule_n which_o tertullian_n lay_v down_o in_o several_a of_o his_o book_n thirty_o book_n l._n four_o contra_fw-la martion_n c._n 5._o adu._n praxeam_n c._n 2._o de_fw-fr prescript_n c._n thirty_o we_o will_v fain_o bring_v our_o cause_n and_o church_n to_o be_v try_v that_o be_v true_a which_o be_v first_o that_o first_o which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n that_o from_o the_o beginning_n which_o be_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n that_o from_o the_o apostle_n which_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v most_o sacred_a viz._n that_o which_o they_o read_v in_o their_o holy_a write_n this_o be_v our_o antiquity_n as_o he_o speak_v in_o his_o famous_a apology_n praestructa_fw-la divinae_fw-la literaturae_fw-la xlvii_o literaturae_fw-la apologia_fw-la c._n xlvii_o build_v before_o upon_o the_o divine_a learning_n this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o come_v from_o christ_n transmit_v to_o we_o by_o his_o companion_n to_o who_o all_o those_o who_o speak_v other_o way_n will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v of_o late_a date_n but_o to_o this_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n agree_v they_o do_v not_o like_a to_o be_v try_v only_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v the_o true_a antiquity_n that_o be_v undoubted_o first_o before_o all_o other_o tradition_n a_o very_a bad_a sign_n this_o a_o infallible_a note_n all_o be_v not_o right_a among_o they_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o abide_v by_o the_o scripture_n but_o cry_v up_o other_o tradition_n that_o be_v boast_v of_o what_o be_v late_a not_o what_o be_v first_o and_o what_o be_v after_o the_o first_o though_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n can_v certain_o be_v rely_v on_o because_o there_o be_v error_n and_o heresy_n so_o ancient_a that_o they_o spring_v up_o present_o after_o the_o first_o truth_n mere_a antiquity_n therefore_o be_v not_o a_o good_a proof_n for_o though_o the_o devil_n be_v not_o first_o yet_o he_o be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n be_v the_o old_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o ancient_a serpent_n who_o be_v a_o liar_n as_o well_o as_o a_o murderer_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o be_v so_o crafty_a as_o in_o process_n of_o time_n to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o argument_n to_o prove_v he_o be_v the_o ancient_n of_o day_n that_o be_v god._n and_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v something_o else_o whereby_o he_o may_v have_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v a_o serpent_n who_o can_v have_v contradict_v he_o or_o confute_v his_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n if_o they_o have_v be_v to_o be_v try_v by_o bare_a antiquity_n which_o be_v a_o proof_n so_o insufficient_a that_o god_n himself_o as_o you_o hear_v before_o out_o of_o st._n austin_n be_v not_o prove_v to_o be_v god_n by_o antiquity_n but_o by_o eternity_n truth_n and_o error_n be_v bear_v so_o near_o together_o that_o after_o a_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n they_o can_v not_o be_v distinguish_v mere_o by_o their_o age._n no_o soon_o be_v man_n create_v but_o this_o serpent_n by_o his_o subtlety_n beguile_v eve._n and_o immediate_o after_o our_o redemption_n he_o attempt_v again_o to_o corrupt_v man_n mind_n from_o the_o simplicity_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n 2_o cor._n xi_o 3._o 1_o thess_n iii._o 5._o and_o according_o as_o there_o be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n so_o there_o be_v together_o therewith_o a_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n rev._n three_o 9_o there_o be_v depth_n of_o satan_n also_o and_o a_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o wrought_v even_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n as_o well_o as_o a_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god._n which_o wicked_a doctrine_n run_v down_o to_o posterity_n make_v use_v at_o length_n of_o the_o plea_n of_o antiquity_n to_o give_v they_o countenance_n and_o support_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v deny_v though_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a deceit_n for_o it_o be_v refute_v by_o the_o father_n in_o such_o remarkable_a word_n as_o these_o which_o give_v a_o deadly_a blow_n to_o the_o like_a plea_n of_o the_o present_a roman_a church_n custom_n without_o truth_n be_v but_o the_o antiquity_n of_o error_n and_o there_o be_v a_o short_a way_n for_o religious_a and_o simple_a mind_n to_o find_v out_o what_o be_v truth_n for_o if_o we_o return_v to_o the_o beginning_n and_o original_a of_o divine_a tradition_n human_a error_n cease_v thither_o let_v
obtain_v of_o he_o upon_o other_o their_o term_n than_o that_o those_o who_o be_v conquer_v by_o he_o have_v leave_v their_o idol-worship_n shall_v embrace_v the_o true_a metrop_n krantzius_n praef._n ad_fw-la metrop_n sincere_a and_o eternal_a religion_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o engage_v they_o to_o continue_v firm_a to_o it_o he_o sometime_o take_v hostage_n of_o they_o and_o find_v they_o begin_v to_o apostatise_v which_o they_o as_o often_o do_v as_o they_o think_v themselves_o able_a to_o make_v head_n against_o their_o conqueror_n he_o be_v force_v to_o set_v up_o a_o kind_n of_o inquisition_n to_o keep_v they_o in_o awe_n which_o mezeray_n tell_v we_o last_v in_o westphalia_n till_o the_o 15_o century_n now_o when_o the_o sword_n of_o victorious_a prince_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o this_o case_n have_v make_v way_n for_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o be_v often_o make_v one_o of_o the_o term_n they_o who_o be_v conquer_v must_v necessary_o submit_v to_o the_o monk_n have_v very_o easy_a work_n whatever_o doctrine_n they_o have_v preach_v may_v have_v be_v efficacious_a under_o such_o circumstance_n so_o that_o when_o there_o be_v with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n a_o concurrence_n of_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o have_v so_o strong_a a_o influence_n upon_o humane_a nature_n it_o be_v hard_a nay_o impossible_a for_o we_o to_o know_v which_o of_o they_o do_v the_o work_n when_o different_a medicine_n proper_a for_o the_o same_o distemper_n be_v administer_v at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o say_v which_o of_o they_o work_v the_o cure._n there_o be_v indeed_o a_o wonderful_a efficacy_n in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n but_o we_o can_v never_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o conversion_n of_o a_o nation_n be_v effect_v by_o that_o when_o hope_n and_o fear_n and_o outward_a force_n and_o necessity_n be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o it_o all_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o detract_n from_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o conversion_n it_o make_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n that_o it_o set_v i●_n it_o a_o better_a light_n and_o make_v it_o shine_v the_o bright_a man_n be_v convert_v then_o not_o to_o a_o conquer_a but_o persecute_v church_n the_o secular_a power_n be_v against_o they_o that_o preach_v this_o holy_a doctrine_n much_o may_v be_v lose_v and_o nothing_o in_o this_o world_n get_v by_o it_o there_o be_v no_o reward_n to_o encourage_v man_n to_o receive_v it_o but_o a_o thousand_o difficulty_n and_o danger_n to_o deter_v they_o from_o it_o and_o then_o indeed_o the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v in_o its_o great_a lustre_n it_o wrought_v all_o alone_a and_o have_v nothing_o to_o put_v in_o with_o it_o for_o a_o share_n in_o the_o conquest_n it_o make_v the_o simplicity_n of_o its_o preacher_n clear_v they_o from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o fraud_n the_o little_a or_o no_o interest_n they_o have_v in_o the_o government_n make_v it_o plain_a that_o they_o can_v not_o use_v force_n and_o every_o thing_n concur_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v pure_o the_o efficacy_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o which_o they_o prevail_v but_o to_o proceed_v a_o little_a more_o particular_o to_o answer_v what_o the_o cardinal_n have_v discourse_v upon_o this_o subject_a first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v in_o the_o general_n that_o the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n can_v be_v no_o note_n of_o a_o true_a church_n second_o i_o shall_v instance_n in_o such_o particular_n as_o do_v more_o particular_o affect_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o do_v make_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o prevalency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n profess_v in_o that_o church_n be_v no_o note_n of_o its_o be_v a_o true_a church_n three_o i_o shall_v show_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o those_o argument_n with_o which_o the_o cardinal_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_n first_o that_o the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n can_v be_v no_o note_n of_o a_o true_a church_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v 1._o what_o our_o saviour_n have_v say_v in_o this_o matter_n 2._o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n 3._o matter_n of_o fact._n 1._o although_o our_o saviour_n sufficient_o understand_v how_o much_o his_o doctrine_n be_v likely_a to_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o make_v this_o to_o be_v a_o note_n of_o his_o church_n that_o he_o give_v as_o plain_a intimation_n of_o the_o prevalency_n of_o error_n and_o do_v often_o bid_v we_o take_v care_n how_o we_o be_v impose_v upon_o on_o thereby_o take_v heed_n say_v he_o that_o no_o man_n deceive_v you_o for_o many_o shall_v come_v in_o my_o name_n 5._o mat._n 24.4_o 5._o say_v i_o be_o christ_n and_o deceive_v many_o for_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n 24._o verse_n 24._o and_o shall_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n insomuch_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect._n when_o he_o foretell_v so_o general_a a_o defection_n he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v think_v the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n to_o have_v be_v the_o character_n of_o his_o true_a disciple_n he_o do_v indeed_o compare_v the_o preach_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o a_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n which_o be_v the_o least_o of_o all_o seed_n hut_n when_o it_o be_v grow_v it_o be_v the_o great_a among_o herb_n unto_o leaven_n which_o leaven_v the_o whole_a lump_n unto_o a_o net_n which_o gather_v of_o every_o kind_n all_o which_o comparison_n do_v intimate_v how_o much_o his_o church_n will_v spread_v far_o &_o near_o but_o not_o that_o such_o its_o diffusiveness_n be_v to_o be_v rely_v upon_o as_o a_o note_n whereby_o to_o find_v it_o for_o by_o that_o mark_v it_o can_v not_o then_o have_v be_v find_v when_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a flock_n beside_o that_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n he_o compare_v likewise_o the_o preach_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o a_o man_n which_o sow_v good_a seed_n in_o his_o field_n 26._o verse_n 24_o 25_o 26._o but_o while_o man_n sleep_v his_o enemy_n come_v and_o sow_v tare_n among_o the_o wheat_n and_o go_v his_o way_n but_o when_o the_o blade_n be_v spring_v up_o and_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n than_o appear_v the_o tare_n also_o in_o which_o case_n if_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n by_o the_o growth_n and_o spread_a we_o may_v conclude_v the_o tare_n to_o have_v be_v the_o best_a seed_n and_o not_o sow_o by_o a_o enemy_n he_o compare_v likewise_o the_o minister_n of_o his_o word_n to_o the_o servant_n of_o a_o certain_a king_n send_v out_o by_o he_o to_o call_v those_o that_o be_v bid_v to_o the_o wedding_n but_o to_o no_o purpose_n etc._n mat._n 22.2_o etc._n etc._n for_o they_o all_o make_v light_n of_o it_o intimate_v hereby_o how_o possible_a it_o be_v for_o those_o who_o be_v obstinate_a not_o to_o hearken_v to_o the_o most_o efficacious_a doctrine_n that_o can_v be_v preach_v the_o most_o passionate_a and_o earnest_a invitation_n which_o can_v be_v make_v they_o and_o in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o good_a seed_n some_o of_o which_o fall_v by_o the_o way-side_n some_o upon_o stony_a place_n some_o among_o thorn_n 4._o mat._n 13.3_o 4._o and_o other_o upon_o good_a ground_n he_o do_v plain_o set_v forth_o that_o let_v any_o doctrine_n be_v never_o so_o good_a the_o reception_n which_o it_o find_v in_o the_o world_n will_v be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o those_o disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o it_o happen_v to_o meet_v with_o and_o here_o also_o if_o the_o rule_n have_v be_v that_o that_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n which_o grow_v fast_o and_o out-top_n the_o other_o we_o must_v have_v give_v it_o for_o the_o thorn_n which_o grow_v up_o and_o choke_v the_o good_a seed_n which_o lead_v i_o to_o show_v 2._o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o temper_n and_o constitution_n of_o mankind_n how_o weak_a a_o proof_n of_o a_o true_a church_n the_o prevalency_n of_o any_o doctrine_n be_v which_o it_o teach_v for_o man_n mind_n be_v so_o uncertain_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o inconstancy_n of_o their_o circumstance_n which_o chief_o influence_n they_o that_o often_o truth_n be_v shut_v out_o where_o error_n find_v a_o easy_a admission_n humane_a nature_n be_v so_o weak_a a_o thing_n so_o apt_a to_o take_v impression_n first_o from_o this_o thing_n then_o from_o another_o that_o no_o great_a heed_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o its_o change_n no_o certain_a argument_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o they_o such_o indeed_o be_v the_o power_n of_o truth_n that_o be_v mankind_n free_v from_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o it_o be_v their_o mind_n no_o way_n bias_v by_o interest_n or_o passion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n full_o instruct_v concern_v it_o there_o be_v
be_v plead_v to_o establish_v they_o all_o this_o upon_o supposal_n that_o all_o these_o pretend_a miracle_n be_v actual_o true_a but_o then_o three_o there_o be_v no_o tolerable_a ground_n of_o certainty_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o most_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o the_o romanist_n do_v make_v the_o glory_n of_o their_o church_n the_o first_o instance_n of_o any_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o relic_n of_o a_o martyr_n be_v that_o story_n of_o the_o bone_n of_o babylas_n that_o martyr_n have_v be_v inter_v in_o daphne_n a_o suburb_n of_o antioch_n when_o julian_n the_o apostate_n come_v to_o consult_v apollo_n oracle_n in_o that_o place_n near_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o this_o martyr_n interment_n he_o can_v procure_v no_o answer_n upon_o this_o the_o oracle_n be_v conjure_v at_o least_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o this_o silence_n according_o it_z answer_v because_o the_o bone_n of_o babylas_n lay_v so_o near_o his_o temple_n i_o do_v not_o find_v this_o story_n call_v much_o into_o question_n by_o the_o grave_a author_n nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o much_o wonder_n that_o the_o devil_n shall_v for_o once_o give_v so_o open_a a_o deference_n to_o the_o remain_v of_o a_o holy_a man_n when_o by_o one_o such_o a_o act_n he_o have_v so_o effectual_o emprove_v his_o interest_n and_o kingdom_n to_o so_o great_a a_o advance_v of_o superstition_n afterward_o in_o all_o those_o fond_a devotion_n that_o have_v be_v since_o pay_v to_o the_o relic_n of_o pretend_a saint_n and_o all_o those_o lewd_a fable_n of_o innumerable_a miracle_n act_v at_o their_o shrine_n which_o probable_o have_v be_v coin_v upon_o this_o first_o occasion_n of_o babylas_n there_o be_v another_o story_n almost_o of_o as_o ancient_a a_o date_n and_o that_o be_v of_o st._n ambrose_n have_v by_o vision_n reveal_v to_o he_o where_o the_o bone_n of_o gervasius_n and_o protasius_n the_o martyr_n lay_v which_o he_o take_v up_o and_o after_o considerable_a miracle_n wrought_v such_o as_o cure_v a_o blind_a butcher_n etc._n etc._n he_o repose_v the_o venerable_a relic_n under_o the_o altar_n of_o a_o new_a church_n which_o he_o have_v then_o build_v and_o dedicate_v i_o be_o not_o willing_a to_o bring_v a_o question_n upon_o this_o neither_o as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o because_o i_o find_v it_o not_o reject_v by_o the_o best_a writer_n as_o well_o as_o tell_v by_o st._n ambrose_n himself_o and_o the_o reason_n of_o some_o miracle_n of_o that_o time_n may_v be_v in_o vindication_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n against_o the_o pestilence_n of_o arianism_n that_o rage_v so_o fierce_o at_o that_o time_n yet_o there_o be_v some_o circumstance_n that_o render_v it_o something_o suspicious_a as_o why_o that_o holy_a man_n shall_v think_v of_o not_o build_v or_o dedicate_a a_o new_a church_n unless_o he_o can_v be_v furnish_v with_o some_o relic_n there_o seem_v a_o good_a pretty_a tang_n of_o superstition_n in_o the_o very_a thought_n and_o then_o the_o bulk_n of_o those_o body_n when_o they_o be_v find_v they_o seem_v of_o a_o gygantick_a race_n few_o of_o which_o i_o presume_v be_v ever_o of_o a_o constitution_n for_o martyrdom_n invenimus_fw-la mirae_fw-la magnitudinis_fw-la viros_fw-la dvos_fw-la ut_fw-la prisca_fw-la aetas_fw-la ferebat_fw-la we_o find_v two_o man_n of_o wonderful_a bulk_n such_o as_o olden_a time_n be_v wont_a to_o produce_v 7._o produce_v ambr._n epist_n ad_fw-la marcel_n soror_fw-la l._n 7._o certain_o the_o age_n of_o decius_n wherein_o they_o suffer_v do_v not_o produce_v man_n of_o a_o much_o large_a size_n than_o the_o age_n of_o gratian_n and_o valentinian_n but_o still_o let_v this_o story_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v receive_v as_o true_a doubtless_o it_o have_v be_v follow_v in_o late_a age_n with_o thousand_o of_o the_o like_a kind_n that_o have_v be_v so_o prodigious_o ridiculous_a and_o improbable_a that_o several_a of_o the_o consider_a writer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v be_v ashamed_a of_o they_o have_v profess_v their_o disdain_n at_o they_o and_o leave_v their_o censure_n upon_o they_o as_o plain_o false_a and_o impossible_a petrus_n abbas_n cluniacensis_fw-la have_v the_o wit_n and_o honesty_n even_o in_o the_o xiith_o age_n to_o complain_v of_o these_o tale_n nosti_fw-la quantum_fw-la i_o pigeant_fw-la falsa_fw-la in_o ecclesiâ_fw-la dei_fw-la cantica_fw-la 89._o cantica_fw-la petr._n abbas_n cluniacens_n l._n 5._o epist_n 89._o etc._n etc._n you_o know_v how_o irksome_a these_o false_a hymn_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n must_v needs_o be_v to_o i_o and_o a_o little_a after_o in_o the_o same_o epistle_n add_v mendacia_fw-la ad_fw-la minus_fw-la 24_o canticum_fw-la id_fw-la citato_fw-la percurrens_fw-la animo_fw-la reperi_fw-la he_o find_v at_o least_o four_o and_o twenty_o lie_n in_o one_o hymn_n of_o benedict_n lindanus_n one_o of_o their_o own_o writer_n cite_v a_o bishop_n of_o lion_n say_v that_o he_o have_v correct_v the_o antiphonary_n amputatis_fw-la quae_fw-la superflua_fw-la levia_fw-la falsa_fw-la blasphema_fw-la phantastica_fw-la multa_fw-la videbantur_fw-la have_v cut_v off_o many_o thing_n which_o seem_v superfluous_a trivial_a false_a blasphemous_a and_o fantastical_a and_o then_o add_v of_o his_o own_o that_o if_o that_o bishop_n have_v live_v to_o see_v the_o missal_n in_o his_o day_n deum_fw-la immortalem_fw-la quo_fw-la ea_fw-la nomine_fw-la pingeret_fw-la good_a god_n by_o what_o name_n will_v he_o have_v describe_v they_o 3._o they_o lindan_n de_fw-fr interpretandis_fw-la scripture_n l._n 3._o c._n 3._o ludovicus_n vives_z another_z of_o their_o own_o author_n speak_v of_o their_o golden_a legend_n quam_fw-la indigna_fw-es divis_n &_o hominibus_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la historia_fw-la etc._n etc._n how_o unworthy_a either_o of_o saint_n or_o man_n be_v that_o history_n which_o i_o know_v not_o why_o they_o shall_v call_v the_o golden_a legend_n when_o it_o be_v write_v by_o a_o man_n of_o a_o iron_n forehead_n and_o leaden_a understanding_n artis_fw-la understanding_n lud._n viu._n in_o fine_a lib._n 2._o the_o corrupt_a artis_fw-la we_o be_v tell_v also_o by_o melchior_n canus_n that_o he_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o even_o their_o best_a writer_n especial_o in_o describe_v the_o miracle_n of_o the_o saint_n have_v gather_v up_o scatter_v rumour_n and_o transfer_v they_o to_o posterity_n in_o their_o write_n herein_o too_o much_o indulge_v themselves_o or_o the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o believer_n who_o they_o suppose_v not_o only_o ready_a to_o believe_v but_o also_o vehement_o desirous_a of_o such_o miracle_n 9_o miracle_n quanquam_fw-la negare_fw-la non_fw-la possumus_fw-la viros_fw-la aliquando_fw-la gravissimos_fw-la etc._n etc._n melch._n can._n loc._n theol._n l._n 11._o c._n 9_o and_o of_o the_o legend_n he_o declare_v he_o can_v not_o to_o this_o day_n meet_v with_o one_o story_n that_o he_o can_v allow_v this_o be_v the_o opinion_n and_o esteem_v the_o wise_a author_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v leave_v behind_o they_o of_o such_o story_n as_o these_o however_o father_n cressy_a in_o his_o church-history_n in_o this_o very_a age_n of_o we_o and_o in_o a_o nation_n where_o there_o seem_v no_o inclination_n to_o such_o unreasonable_a credulity_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o lick_v up_o the_o spital_n of_o the_o idle_v monk_n and_o to_o avow_v the_o absurde_a of_o all_o their_o fiction_n the_o centuriator_n have_v take_v pain_n for_o several_a century_n both_o to_o reckon_v up_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v bring_v in_o and_o also_o in_o every_o age_n to_o affix_v the_o particular_a miracle_n that_o be_v pretend_v to_o justify_v those_o doctrine_n it_o may_v create_v a_o infinite_a nausea_n in_o the_o reader_n shall_v i_o follow_v that_o method_n or_o indeed_o examine_v those_o person_n and_o their_o miracle_n who_o the_o cardinal_n have_v range_v in_o order_n from_o the_o seven_o to_o the_o sixteenth_o age._n however_o 1_o as_o to_o the_o person_n who_o he_o make_v so_o famous_a for_o miracle_n i_o shall_v examine_v one_o or_o two_o to_o give_v you_o a_o taste_n of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o 2._o as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n because_o the_o cardinal_n have_v instance_a in_o some_o particular_o in_o confirmation_n of_o christ_n bodily_a presence_n in_o the_o eucharist_n i_o shall_v examine_v one_o or_o two_o of_o they_o too_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o person_n in_o the_o twelve_o age_n exstant_fw-la age_n bellarm._n de_fw-fr not._n eccles_n l._n four_o c._n 14._o romans_z pontificibus_fw-la addictissim_fw-la be_v pluribus_fw-la miraculis_fw-la claruit_fw-la quam_fw-la ullus_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la quorum_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la scriptae_fw-la exstant_fw-la the_o cardinal_n bring_v in_o s._n bernard_n who_o as_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o monk_n and_o most_o devout_o addict_v to_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n that_o he_o be_v famous_a for_o more_o miracle_n than_o any_o of_o the_o saint_n who_o life_n be_v at_o present_a extant_a whereas_o if_o we_o