Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	ancient_a	church_n	doctrine_n	1,896	5	6.2759	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59812	A discourse concerning a judge of controversies in matters of religion being an answer to some papers asserting the necessity of such a judge : with an address to wavering protestants, shewing what little reason they have to think of any change of their religion : written for the private satisfaction of some scrupulous persons, and now published for common use : with a preface concerning the nature of certainty and infallibility.	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1686 (1686)	Wing S3285; ESTC R8167	73,491	104

judge_n between_o they_o and_o by_o his_o providence_n prevent_v or_o overrule_v all_o those_o disorder_n which_o may_v happen_v either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n in_o this_o world_n and_o reward_n or_o punish_v both_o governor_n and_o subject_n according_a to_o their_o desert_n in_o the_o next_o and_o this_o supresede_v all_o far_a dispute_n about_o some_o hard_a case_n or_o the_o sincerity_n or_o insincerity_n of_o governor_n or_o subject_n for_o every_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n judge_v for_o himself_o and_o god_n will_v govern_v and_o judge_v we_o all_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o if_o we_o have_v not_o the_o free_a exercise_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o government_n of_o ourselves_o the_o paper_n but_o i_o know'tis_o urge_v the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v guide_v by_o antiquity_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n but_o every_o one_o know_v that_o there_o be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o that_o too_o even_o for_o scholar_n at_o least_o i_o be_o tell_v so_o for_o no_o church_n admit_v of_o all_o that_o be_v ancient_a for_o several_a heresy_n be_v so_o and_o since_o we_o say_v number_n make_v nothing_o for_o truth_n and_o that_o all_o man_n may_v err_v and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a mark_n by_o visible_a succession_n to_o find_v out_o which_o be_v true_a believer_n in_o this_o confusion_n the_o church_n of_o england_n must_v be_v very_o fortunate_a not_o to_o retain_v too_o much_o as_o the_o arian_n and_o macedonian_n etc._n etc._n say_v we_o do_v or_o too_o little_a as_o the_o romanist_n say_v answer_n the_o church_n of_o england_n indeed_o have_v regard_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n not_o that_o she_o fetch_v all_o her_o exposition_n from_o ancient_a writer_n but_o that_o she_o take_v care_v not_o to_o expound_v scripture_n in_o contradiction_n to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n contain_v in_o the_o ancient_a creed_n and_o it_o require_v no_o great_a skill_n in_o antiquity_n to_o know_v what_o this_o faith_n be_v which_o we_o repeat_v every_o day_n in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o we_o expound_v scripture_n right_a when_o the_o sense_n we_o give_v of_o it_o be_v what_o the_o word_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o text_n import_n and_o agree_v with_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n have_v we_o no_o ancient_a record_n we_o can_v find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n where_o the_o tradition_n be_v plain_a and_o clear_a and_o therefore_o easy_a to_o be_v know_v be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o those_o interpretation_n we_o give_v of_o scripture_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o ancient_a belief_n and_o confute_v all_o the_o evasion_n and_o criticism_n of_o heretic_n for_o when_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n may_v with_o some_o art_n be_v expound_v to_o different_a sense_n either_o to_o justify_v some_o new_a or_o ancient_a heresy_n or_o the_o catholic_n faith_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o uniform_a belief_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n who_o be_v the_o best_a judge_n what_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v and_o though_o there_o be_v indeed_o very_o ancient_a heresy_n yet_o nothing_o be_v plain_a in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n than_o the_o distinction_n between_o those_o ancient_a heresy_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o therefore_o scholar_n can_v easy_o mistake_v they_o and_o as_o for_o those_o who_o be_v unlearned_a that_o short_a and_o ancient_a summary_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n contain_v in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o expound_v by_o the_o nicene_n father_n in_o their_o creed_n which_o be_v in_o every_o body_n hand_n and_o part_n of_o our_o daily_a or_o weekly_a service_n be_v security_n enough_o against_o all_o fundamental_a mistake_v the_o christian_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v a_o very_a plain_a and_o easy_a resolution_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o for_o the_o positive_a article_n of_o faith_n we_o have_v the_o ancient_a creed_n which_o have_v be_v receive_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o which_o the_o most_o perverse_a heretic_n can_v deny_v to_o have_v be_v the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v these_o mere_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n but_o because_o we_o find_v all_o these_o doctrine_n plain_o teach_v in_o scripture_n and_o for_o this_o the_o mean_a christian_n need_v not_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o guide_n but_o have_v liberty_n to_o examine_v their_o exposition_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o which_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o convince_a in_o the_o great_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o a_o honest_a man_n who_o meet_v with_o a_o skilful_a guide_n may_v satisfy_v himself_o about_o it_o and_o see_v with_o his_o own_o eye_n now_o what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v in_o this_o case_n than_o the_o harmony_n and_o consent_n of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n which_o confirm_v and_o justify_v each_o other_o the_o apostle_n no_o doubt_n preach_v and_o write_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o be_v a_o uncorrupt_a tradition_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o that_o be_v a_o true_a exposition_n of_o scripture_n which_o agree_v with_o the_o ancient_a formulary_n of_o faith_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o by_o a_o unquestionable_a tradition_n from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o for_o negative_a article_n about_o which_o be_v our_o only_a controversy_n with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n since_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v we_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o reject_v all_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v not_o plain_o and_o express_o teach_v in_o scripture_n and_o this_o the_o mean_a christian_n with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o guide_n may_v understand_v for_o as_o in_o reason_n it_o must_v be_v when_o man_n will_v prove_v that_o to_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o the_o scripture_n proof_n which_o be_v urge_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a doctor_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n for_o their_o peculiar_a doctrine_n which_o we_o reject_v be_v so_o apparent_o unconcluding_a that_o it_o require_v very_o little_a skill_n to_o confute_v they_o and_o though_o this_o be_v reason_n enough_o of_o itself_o to_o reject_v any_o doctrine_n which_o arrogate_v the_o authority_n and_o necessity_n of_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o teach_v it_o yet_o in_o most_o case_n we_o can_v show_v and_o that_o to_o the_o conviction_n of_o the_o mean_a understanding_n which_o be_v honest_a and_o unprejudiced_a that_o such_o doctrine_n be_v either_o in_o express_a word_n or_o by_o plain_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n reject_v and_o condemn_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v somewhat_o more_o than_o not_o to_o be_v teach_v there_o because_o it_o be_v certain_a no_o church_n can_v have_v authority_n to_o teach_v what_o the_o scripture_n condemn_v and_o then_o as_o for_o authority_n we_o appeal_v to_o the_o best_a authority_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o three_o first_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o most_o credible_a witness_n which_o be_v all_o the_o authority_n they_o can_v have_v of_o the_o apostolic_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n and_o can_v plain_o prove_v from_o those_o venerable_a record_n that_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v either_o never_o teach_v or_o actual_o condemn_v by_o those_o primitive_a father_n and_o though_o in_o other_o case_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n to_o prove_v a_o negative_a it_o be_v not_o so_o here_o because_o the_o proof_n lie_v all_o on_o the_o positive_a side_n for_o those_o who_o will_v teach_v such_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n ought_v to_o prove_v they_o for_o without_o such_o a_o proof_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reject_v on_o course_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o can_v confute_v their_o proof_n we_o need_v do_v no_o more_o and_o this_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a task_n especial_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o three_o century_n for_o since_o they_o themselves_o be_v now_o ashamed_a of_o the_o counterfeit_a dionysius_n their_o decretal_a epistle_n and_o such_o like_a spurious_a write_n the_o wise_a of_o they_o pretend_v to_o very_o few_o testimony_n from_o the_o first_o writer_n and_o those_o which_o they_o do_v allege_v be_v such_o lame_a one_o as_o need_v very_o little_a confutation_n these_o be_v the_o protestant_a ground_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v

against_o her_o infallibility_n however_o this_o show_n that_o the_o most_o infallible_a teacher_n can_v destroy_v our_o natural_a liberty_n of_o judge_v for_o we_o must_v judge_v of_o his_o doctrine_n by_o sense_n and_o reason_n and_o see_v that_o it_o contradict_v neither_o which_o be_v the_o only_a natural_a principle_n of_o knowledge_n we_o have_v which_o be_v therefore_o to_o exercise_v all_o the_o reason_n and_o judgement_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o and_o three_o though_o we_o must_v receive_v all_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revealer_n yet_o we_o must_v own_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n to_o understand_v the_o revelation_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v otherwise_o for_o whoever_o it_o be_v that_o speak_v to_o we_o whether_o god_n by_o a_o immediate_a voice_n from_o heaven_n or_o a_o prophet_n inspire_v by_o god_n we_o have_v no_o way_n to_o understand_v what_o be_v say_v but_o by_o our_o own_o natural_a faculty_n and_o therefore_o must_v judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o what_o be_v say_v just_a as_o we_o do_v at_o other_o time_n when_o any_o man_n speak_v to_o we_o and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o present_a to_o hear_v the_o prophet_n speak_v but_o have_v his_o revelation_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o writing_n we_o must_v take_v the_o same_o course_n to_o understand_v such_o a_o divine_a book_n as_o we_o do_v any_o other_o human_a write_n if_o there_o be_v any_o difficulty_n in_o it_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o some_o body_n to_o help_v we_o to_o understand_v it_o but_o still_o we_o must_v understand_v for_o ourselves_o for_o no_o body_n else_o can_v understand_v for_o we_o and_o if_o we_o must_v understand_v we_o must_v judge_v for_o ourselves_o too_o this_o be_v all_o that_o we_o demand_v or_o desire_n a_o liberty_n to_o understand_v and_o judge_v what_o god_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v and_o do_v and_o this_o the_o most_o infallible_a teacher_n can_v deprive_v we_o of_o no_o more_o than_o he_o can_v oblige_v we_o to_o see_v and_o hear_v with_o other_o man_n eye_n and_o ear_n when_o god_n have_v give_v we_o eye_n and_o ear_n of_o our_o own_o and_o four_o where_o there_o be_v a_o stand_a revelation_n we_o must_v then_o judge_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o all_o succeed_a prophet_n how_o infallible_a soever_o they_o be_v by_o its_o conformity_n to_o the_o precede_a revelation_n we_o must_v never_o suppose_v that_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o and_o therefore_o though_o he_o may_v improve_v a_o former_a revelation_n by_o new_a and_o more_o perfect_a discovery_n yet_o he_o can_v never_o contradict_v it_o and_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o no_o true_a prophet_n can_v contradict_v a_o true_a revelation_n but_o though_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n may_v give_v authority_n to_o a_o new_a prophet_n to_o expound_v a_o former_a revelation_n and_o to_o improve_v it_o yet_o we_o must_v be_v well_o satisfy_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o new_a prophet_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o old_a revelation_n which_o make_v we_o judge_n of_o the_o sense_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o the_o new_a revelation_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o can_v understand_v their_o agreement_n unless_o we_o can_v judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o both_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n when_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v the_o stand_a revelation_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o the_o jewish_a nation_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o try_v all_o prophet_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o isaiah_n 8._o 20._o and_o therefore_o though_o christ_n wrought_v more_o and_o great_a miracle_n than_o ever_o moses_n do_v this_o alone_o have_v not_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v he_o have_v not_o his_o person_n answer_v the_o type_n and_o prediction_n of_o the_o law_n and_o his_o doctrine_n be_v not_o the_o destruction_n but_o the_o improvement_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a dispensation_n to_o this_o trial_n he_o submit_v himself_o and_o his_o doctrine_n appeal_v to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n require_v they_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o they_o be_v they_o which_o testify_v of_o i_o john_n 5._o 39_o and_o after_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a which_o one_o will_v have_v think_v have_v be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o to_o have_v confirm_v his_o divine_a authority_n yet_o he_o prove_v from_o scripture_n that_o thus_o christ_n ought_v to_o suffer_v and_o to_o enter_v into_o his_o glory_n and_o beginning_n at_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n he_o expound_v unto_o they_o the_o two_o disciple_n go_v to_o emaus_n the_o thing_n concern_v himself_o luke_n 24._o 26_o 27._o and_o this_o course_n the_o apostle_n take_v in_o their_o sermon_n st._n peter_n do_v not_o only_o testify_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o a_o eye-witness_n that_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a but_o prove_v that_o david_n himself_o have_v prophesy_v of_o this_o act_v 2._o 22_o etc._n etc._n thus_o st._n paul_n dispute_v with_o the_o jew_n at_o rome_n to_o who_o he_o expound_v and_o testify_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n persuade_v they_o concern_v jesus_n both_o out_o of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o out_o of_o the_o prophet_n from_o morning_n till_o evening_n act_v 28._o 23._o thus_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v one_o entire_a dispute_n about_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o justification_n by_o faith_n in_o christ_n from_o the_o type_n and_o prediction_n of_o the_o law_n itself_o so_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v certain_o as_o infallible_a teacher_n as_o everwere_v in_o the_o world_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o bear_v man_n down_o mere_o by_o their_o infallible_a authority_n but_o appeal_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o every_o man_n own_o judgement_n of_o they_o and_o god_n have_v order_v it_o so_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o for_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o stand_a revelation_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o all_o new_a prophet_n whatever_o they_o be_v but_o if_o they_o must_v have_v rely_v on_o the_o bare_a word_n of_o such_o prophet_n who_o they_o be_v to_o try_v by_o this_o revelation_n for_o the_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o it_o this_o have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o take_v their_o own_o word_n without_o any_o trial_n now_o if_o christ_n himself_o never_o pretend_v to_o any_o such_o authority_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v believe_v he_o upon_o his_o own_o word_n without_o examine_v his_o doctrine_n by_o the_o scripture_n or_o exercise_v their_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n can_v we_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v give_v any_o such_o authority_n to_o st._n peter_n nay_o when_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o st._n peter_n never_o have_v any_o such_o authority_n and_o never_o can_v exercise_v it_o how_o can_v st._n peter_n successor_n have_v that_o in_o his_o right_n which_o he_o never_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v himself_o for_o though_o he_o be_v a_o infallible_a teacher_n yet_o every_o man_n have_v a_o liberty_n to_o examine_v what_o he_o teach_v and_o to_o judge_v of_o it_o by_o its_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o you_o i_o say_v can_v not_o christ_n appoint_v a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o his_o church_n to_o decide_v all_o dispute_n and_o to_o prevent_v heresy_n and_o schism_n that_o christ_n have_v not_o do_v this_o i_o shall_v take_v for_o grant_v till_o i_o see_v some_o better_a proof_n of_o it_o than_o i_o have_v yet_o meet_v with_o and_o i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o think_v such_o a_o judge_n can_v not_o be_v appoint_v who_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o rely_v on_o with_o a_o implicit_a faith_n without_o examination_n or_o any_o use_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n and_o that_o be_v because_o it_o be_v impracticable_a to_o appoint_v a_o judge_n upon_o who_o bare_a authority_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n itself_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o assume_v to_o themselves_o to_o be_v such_o judge_n in_o their_o day_n for_o there_o lay_v a_o appeal_n from_o they_o to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o you_o have_v already_o hear_v and_o so_o there_o do_v to_o this_o day_n and_o if_o i_o must_v not_o take_v any_o man_n word_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o must_v not_o take_v his_o word_n neither_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o doctrine_n in_o christianity_n if_o i_o may_v to_o this_o day_n examine_v the_o gospel_n by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n as_o the_o jew_n do_v in_o our_o saviour_n day_n than_o i_o must_v judge_v for_o myself_o too_o