Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	believe_v	doctrine_n	1,986	5	6.1175	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44239	The Holy fast of Lent defended against all its prophaners, or, A Discourse shewing that Lent-fast was first taught the world by the apostles, as Dr. Gunning, now Bishop of Ely learnedly proved in a sermon printed by him in the year 1662 by His Majesties special command together with a practical direction how to fast.	Gunning, Peter, 1614-1684.	1677 (1677)	Wing H2525; ESTC R40999	45,046	54

of_o it_o profess_v from_o generation_n to_o generation_n to_o have_v observe_v it_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n among_o they_o and_o wheresoever_o lent_n be_v not_o observe_v its_o non-observer_n do_v profess_v only_o from_o such_o a_o time_n to_o have_v not_o observe_v it_o and_o their_o ancestor_n before_o that_o time_n for_o divers_a generation_n ever_o since_o they_o can_v well_o tell_v when_o have_v blind_o observe_v it_o whence_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o observation_n of_o lent_n be_v the_o ancient_a christian_a practice_n and_o its_o nonobservance_n a_o novelty_n and_o indeed_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o lent_n be_v a_o novelty_n and_o not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n its_o observance_n be_v so_o burdensome_a and_o contrary_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o beside_o as_o its_o opposer_n say_v superstitious_a also_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a it_o shall_v be_v introduce_v not_o into_o one_o but_o into_o all_o the_o christian_a country_n of_o both_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n in_o a_o short_a time_n and_o with_o a_o small_a industry_n of_o its_o introducer_n and_o without_o great_a opposition_n both_o from_o good_a man_n for_o its_o superstition_n and_o from_o bad_a man_n for_o its_o troublesomeness_n to_o corrupt_a nature_n but_o no_o ecclesiastical_a history_n though_o far_o lesser_a matter_n be_v record_v make_v mention_n of_o any_o such_o opposition_n make_v against_o lent_n in_o its_o first_o bring_v in_o or_o how_o or_o by_o who_o it_o be_v bring_v in_o even_o into_o so_o much_o as_o one_o particular_a diocese_n but_o all_o record_n testify_v that_o the_o prime_a doctor_n both_o of_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n in_o the_o five_o and_o six_o century_n have_v be_v most_o religious_a observer_n and_o zealous_a defender_n of_o it_o which_o certain_o they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v have_v lend_v be_v a_o superstitious_a novelty_n and_o not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o first_o 300._o year_n and_o indeed_o whosoever_o mature_o consider_v the_o genius_n and_o temper_n of_o the_o christian_a doctor_n and_o bishop_n for_o the_o first_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n will_v find_v it_o impossible_a for_o all_o the_o power_n of_o hell_n to_o impose_v a_o novelty_n upon_o they_o for_o they_o be_v not_o like_o the_o seem_a zelots_n of_o our_o age_n pretender_n to_o new_a light_n but_o their_o profession_n be_v not_o to_o correct_v antiquity_n but_o faithful_o to_o deliver_v to_o posterity_n what_o they_o immemorial_o from_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o their_o great_a answer_n to_o introducer_n of_o new_a doctrine_n or_o practice_n be_v nihil_fw-la novandum_fw-la nisi_fw-la quod_fw-la traditum_fw-la est_fw-la we_o must_v innovate_v nothing_o but_o stick_v close_o to_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o our_o forefather_n do_v a_o montanus_n upon_o pretext_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n endeavour_v to_o impose_v upon_o christian_n the_o observation_n of_o three_o lent_n in_o the_o year_n the_o church_n of_o christ_n reply_n by_o one_o of_o her_o prime_a doctor_n s._n hierom_n we_o fast_v one_o lend_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o whole_a year_n according_a to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o montanist_n keep_v three_o lent_n in_o the_o year_n as_o if_o three_o saviour_n have_v suffer_v for_o other_o instance_n i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o the_o golden_a treatise_n of_o s._n vincentius_n lerinensis_n against_o innovation_n as_o for_o pretender_n to_o discover_v new_a truth_n by_o read_v of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v easy_o conceivable_a how_o such_o person_n may_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o subtle_a sophister_n and_o lead_v into_o superstitious_a practice_n and_o make_v to_o believe_v erroneous_a doctrine_n to_o wit_n by_o bad_a and_o new_a interpretation_n of_o good_a and_o ancient_a scripture_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n how_o shall_v a_o teacher_n of_o novelty_n deceive_v a_o country_n which_o be_v resolve_v to_o hold_v fast_o whatsoever_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n be_v teach_v they_o by_o their_o immediate_a progenitor_n who_o receive_v the_o same_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n by_o a_o uninterrupted_a delivery_n from_o father_n to_o son_n from_o the_o apostle_n let_v he_o pretend_v scripture_n and_o bring_v a_o thousand_o place_n out_o of_o the_o law_n psalm_n prophet_n and_o apostle_n what_o will_v the_o reply_n be_v the_o scripture_n you_o allege_v we_o reverence_n and_o have_v ever_o be_v teach_v to_o reverence_n they_o as_o divine_a but_o we_o have_v be_v teach_v to_o interpret_v and_o understand_v they_o in_o another_o manner_n and_o sense_n than_o you_o allege_v they_o let_v he_o pretend_v authority_n of_o doctor_n as_o learned_a as_o origen_n or_o as_o holy_a as_o cyprian_a nay_o if_o he_o will_v a_o whole_a provincial-council_n as_o numerous_a as_o that_o in_o africa_n which_o determine_v rebaptisation_a of_o person_n baptise_a by_o heretic_n they_o reply_v we_o must_v not_o innovate_v we_o must_v hold_v to_o what_o be_v teach_v we_o by_o our_o ancestor_n what_o mean_v then_o to_o make_v person_n thus_o dispose_v to_o leave_v their_o ancient_a faith_n and_o practice_n and_o admit_v of_o a_o novelty_n you_o must_v prove_v to_o they_o that_o you_o and_o they_o and_o other_o christian_n in_o several_a country_n have_v be_v teach_v so_o to_o believe_v by_o your_o immediate_a predecessor_n and_o uninterrupted_o from_o father_n to_o son_n from_o the_o apostle_n but_o than_o you_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o preacher_n of_o novelty_n contrary_a to_o the_o supposition_n apply_v what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o our_o present_a controversy_n now_o that_o the_o study_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o five_o century_n be_v not_o to_o deliver_v to_o posterity_n doctrine_n of_o her_o own_o devise_v but_o careful_o to_o keep_v what_o she_o have_v receive_v from_o her_o fore-elders_a and_o faithful_o to_o teach_v her_o child_n what_o she_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o her_o father_n be_v manifest_a out_o of_o s._n vincent_n cite_v above_o who_o live_v in_o that_o age_n and_o testify_v that_o often_o ask_v of_o very_a many_o his_o contemporary_n famous_a for_o their_o sanctity_n and_o learning_n how_o he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n from_o the_o falsity_n of_o heretical_a pravity_n he_o always_o receive_v this_o answer_n in_o a_o manner_n from_o they_o all_o that_o if_o he_o desire_v to_o remain_v sound_n in_o his_o faith_n he_o must_v fortify_v it_o first_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o then_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o be_v as_o he_o explicate_v himself_o afterward_o he_o must_v examine_v what_o have_v always_o all_o over_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o by_o all_o christian_a doctor_n or_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o be_v believe_v and_o hold_v to_o that_o against_o all_o novelty_n though_o defend_v by_o private_a doctor_n never_o so_o holy_a or_o never_o so_o learned_a or_o produce_v never_o so_o many_o scripture_n for_o themselves_o if_o interpret_v after_o a_o new_a manner_n but_o say_v the_o same_o s._n vincent_n chap._n 2._o here_o perhaps_o some_o body_n may_v ask_v see_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v perfect_a and_o be_v itself_o sufficient_a and_o more_o than_o sufficient_a for_o all_o thing_n what_o need_n be_v there_o to_o add_v to_o it_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a or_o church_n understanding_n of_o it_o because_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o depth_n be_v not_o by_o all_o take_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o sense_n for_o photinus_n expound_v it_o one_o way_n sabellius_n another_o donatus_n another_o arrius_n another_o and_o chap._n 41._o he_o tell_v we_o how_o the_o three_o general_n council_n hold_v in_o his_o day_n at_o ephesus_n proceed_v according_a to_o this_o rule_n condemn_v nestorius_n for_o the_o father_n of_o that_o christian_a synod_n in_o number_n about_o 200._o have_v consult_v the_o sentiment_n of_o their_o predecessor_n the_o eminent_a doctor_n of_o the_o oriental_a and_o western_a church_n s._n peter_n of_o alexandria_n s._n athanasius_n s._n theophilus_n s._n gregory_n nazianzen_n s._n basil_n s._n gregory_n nyssen_n s._n felix_n s._n julius_n s._n cyprian_n s._n ambrose_n concern_v their_o controversy_n in_o debate_n they_o resolve_v to_o hold_v their_o doctrine_n to_o follow_v their_o counsel_n to_o believe_v their_o testimony_n to_o obey_v their_o judgement_n quae_fw-la tandem_fw-la etc._n etc._n what_o be_v at_o length_n say_v s._n vincent_n the_o voice_n and_o vote_n of_o they_o all_o but_o that_o what_o be_v ancient_o deliver_v shall_v be_v keep_v what_o be_v of_o late_o invent_v shall_v be_v explode_v after_o which_o we_o admire_v and_o proclaim_v the_o great_a humility_n and_o sanctity_n of_o that_o council_n in_o which_o so_o many_o priest_n in_o a_o manner_n also_o the_o great_a part_n

the_o holy_a fast_a of_o lent_n defend_v against_o all_o its_o prophaner_n or_o a_o discourse_n show_v that_o lent-fast_a be_v first_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o the_o apostle_n as_o dr._n gunning_n now_o bishop_n of_o ely_n learned_o prove_v in_o a_o sermon_n print_v by_o he_o in_o the_o year_n 1662._o by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n together_o with_o a_o practical_a direction_n how_o to_o fast_a london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1677._o the_o holy_a fast_a of_o lent_n defend_v against_o its_o profaner_n to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o holy_a fast_o of_o lent_n be_v first_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n i_o know_v very_o well_o be_v as_o they_o say_v actum_fw-la agere_fw-la to_o do_v what_o have_v be_v do_v and_o that_o very_o efficacious_o fifteen_o year_n ago_o by_o dr._n gunning_n now_o bishop_n of_o ely_n in_o his_o elaborate_v and_o useful_a treatise_n on_o this_o subject_a print_v by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n in_o the_o year_n 1662._o and_o i_o persuade_v myself_o have_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o clergy_n take_v but_o a_o quarter_n of_o the_o pain_n in_o read_v and_o study_v that_o rational_a discourse_n which_o the_o learned_a author_n do_v in_o compile_v of_o it_o they_o will_v have_v be_v so_o well_o satisfy_v of_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o religious_a fast_n in_o general_a as_o also_o that_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o first_o institutor_n of_o the_o lent-fast_a in_o par-ticular_a that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v dare_v but_o to_o have_v religious_o observe_v it_o themselves_o &_o to_o have_v teach_v the_o like_a observation_n to_o their_o parishioner_n in_o their_o respective_a district_n but_o it_o be_v too_o too_o manifest_a that_o very_o little_a notice_n be_v take_v of_o that_o sacred_a penitential_a time_n either_o by_o priest_n or_o people_n i_o resolve_v to_o press_v its_o observation_n not_o only_o by_o renew_v my_o lord_n of_o ely_n argument_n but_o also_o by_o superad_v some_o particular_a reflection_n of_o my_o own_o omnipotent_a jesus_n who_o wrought_v so_o many_o miracle_n of_o love_n when_o you_o be_v upon_o earth_n cure_v the_o blind_a deaf_a and_o dumb_a now_o from_o heaven_n work_n upon_o i_o a_o miracle_n of_o justice_n and_o wither_v my_o hand_n or_o strike_v i_o blind_a if_o i_o be_v about_o to_o write_v any_o thing_n in_o favour_n of_o superstition_n or_o will-worship_n but_o if_o i_o design_v nothing_o but_o to_o persuade_v a_o practice_n which_o be_v teach_v the_o world_n either_o by_o your_o bless_a self_n or_o your_o holy_a apostle_n bless_v i_o according_a to_o your_o great_a mercy_n and_o bless_v my_o poor_a labour_n to_o all_o those_o into_o who_o hand_n they_o shall_v come_v i_o confess_v it_o be_v my_o unhappiness_n to_o be_v educate_v in_o puritanism_n or_o nonconformity_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o keep_n of_o lent_n as_o a_o fruitless_a superstition_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o almighty_a god_n i_o now_o dare_v no_o more_o eat_v flesh_n in_o lent_n than_o i_o dare_v to_o work_v upon_o a_o lord_n day_n when_o i_o be_v a_o nonconformist_a but_o how_o be_v this_o strange_a change_n wrought_v in_o i_o i_o will_v tell_v you_o read_v in_o one_o of_o bishop_n andrews_n his_o sermon_n upon_o ash-wednesday_n how_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n th●t_v before_o popery_n be_v batch_v st._n hierom_n teach_v the_o keep_n of_o lent_n be_v a_o apostolical_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n hereupon_o i_o begin_v to_o reason_n with_o myself_o if_o the_o apostle_n ordain_v the_o keep_n of_o lent_n why_o shall_v not_o i_o keep_v it_o and_o i_o confess_v set_v myself_o to_o the_o keep_n of_o it_o before_o easter_n i_o be_v so_o satisfy_v of_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o religious_a fast_n that_o one_o may_v as_o soon_o have_v persuade_v i_o that_o hony_n be_v not_o sweet_a as_o that_o fast_v be_v not_o strange_o profitable_a to_o the_o soul_n or_o that_o lent-fast_a have_v any_o thing_n of_o superstition_n in_o it_o so_o true_a do_v i_o find_v those_o word_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n john_n 7_o 17._o if_o any_o one_o will_v do_v he_o that_o be_v god_n will_v he_o shall_v know_v concern_v my_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v from_o god_n or_o i_o speak_v from_o myself_o my_o dear_a friend_n will_v you_o indeed_o glad_o be_v satisfy_v whether_o fast_v in_o lent_n be_v superstition_n or_o no_o set_a yourselves_o in_o a_o christian_a manner_n to_o fast_a that_o holy_a time_n and_o you_o shall_v know_v whether_o such_o a_o practice_n be_v from_o god_n or_o a_o human_a invention_n that_o be_v content_v yourselves_o every_o day_n in_o lent_n with_o only_o one_o temperate_a meal_n of_o less_o savoury_a and_o less_o nourish_v victual_n not_o out_o of_o any_o superstitious_a intention_n as_o if_o one_o meat_n be_v more_o unclean_a than_o another_o but_o out_o of_o a_o pious_a design_n to_o humble_v yourselves_o before_o god_n for_o your_o sin_n judge_v yourselves_o unworthy_a of_o the_o course_v fair_a and_o the_o small_a quantity_n judge_v yourselves_o that_o you_o may_v not_o be_v judge_v of_o our_o lord_n take_v the_o rod_n into_o your_o own_o hand_n and_o gentle_o chastise_v yourselves_o here_o to_o prevent_v the_o more_o severe_a animadversion_n of_o your_o lord_n hereafter_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o the_o all-merciful_a jesus_n will_v not_o permit_v the_o same_o fault_n to_o be_v punish_v twice_o if_o you_o punish_v yourselves_o for_o they_o in_o this_o world_n he_o will_v not_o punish_v you_o for_o they_o in_o the_o other_o provide_v your_o exterior_a humiliation_n be_v accompany_v with_o a_o hearty_a interior_a repentant_a sorrow_n it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a what_o difficulty_n our_o proud_a nature_n make_v to_o condemn_v itself_o though_o never_o so_o deserve_o to_o acknowledge_v for_o example_n a_o practice_n to_o be_v holy_a and_o good_a which_o for_o many_o year_n we_o have_v total_o neglect_v as_o superstitious_a and_o to_o no_o purpose_n a_o little_a experimental_a knowledge_n of_o the_o great_a spiritual_a benefit_n of_o religious_a christian_a fast_v will_v strange_o conduce_v to_o open_v our_o eye_n to_o see_v the_o force_n of_o such_o argument_n as_o prove_v lent-fast_a to_o be_v apostolical_a have_v we_o a_o little_a taste_v how_o good_a it_o be_v for_o the_o soul_n to_o afflict_v the_o body_n with_o fast_v we_o shall_v easy_o be_v persuade_v to_o see_v a_o pious_a observation_n of_o lent_n be_v well_o worthy_a the_o institution_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o well_o worthy_a our_o bless_a lord_n fast_v forty_o day_n to_o animate_v we_o thereunto_o and_o the_o truth_n be_v in_o this_o latter_a age_n among_o too_o too_o many_o christian_n little_o more_o than_o the_o name_n of_o fast_v be_v retain_v the_o thing_n itself_o according_a to_o the_o primitive_a practice_n be_v in_o a_o manner_n lose_v no_o wonder_n vast_a multitude_n shall_v easy_o be_v persuade_v to_o deem_v lend_v a_o useless_a superstitious_a ceremony_n have_v put_v away_o a_o good_a conscience_n as_o to_o a_o religious_a observation_n of_o that_o holy_a time_n no_o wonder_n if_o we_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o our_o faith_n of_o its_o apostolical_a institution_n too_o too_o many_o christian_n in_o lent_n and_o upon_o other_o fasting-day_n give_v themselves_o all_o liberty_n of_o drink_v wine_n and_o other_o strong_a liquor_n both_o at_o meal_n and_o betwixt_o meal_n and_o stuff_v themselves_o plentiful_o at_o noon_n with_o all_o sort_n of_o fish_n and_o other_o viand_n which_o their_o purse_n can_v reach_v provide_v they_o be_v not_o flesh_n and_o pamper_a nature_n again_o in_o the_o evening_n with_o a_o large_a proportion_n of_o solid_a sustenance_n and_o with_o whatsoever_o quantity_n of_o strong_a drink_n they_o please_v no_o wonder_n if_o such_o faster_n as_o these_o be_v easy_o convince_v such_o a_o lent-fast_a as_o this_o be_v never_o appoint_v by_o the_o holy_a apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n be_v this_o the_o fast_a our_o b._n saviour_n excuse_v his_o disciple_n from_o as_o above_o their_o spiritual_a strength_n till_o such_o time_n as_o they_o shall_v have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n after_o his_o departure_n be_v this_o the_o fast_a that_o have_v a_o power_n to_o cast_v out_o devil_n to_o obtain_v the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o ourselves_o or_o other_o to_o appease_v god_n allmighties_a anger_n towards_o a_o particular_a person_n city_n or_o country_n will_v nineveh_n think_v you_o have_v escape_v the_o destruction_n which_o jonas_n in_o the_o name_n of_o almighty-god_n threaten_v it_o with_o have_v its_o king_n proclaim_v and_o practise_v such_o a_o fast_a as_o this_o may_v he_o not_o rather_o just_o have_v fear_v for_o such_o a_o damnable_a hypocrisy_n of_o pretend_v to_o humble_v himself_o by_o fast_v when_o he_o do_v nothing_o less_o that_o he_o and_o his_o people_n instead_o of_o within_o forty_o

less_o myself_o that_o i_o may_v have_v the_o more_o to_o give_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o necessity_n my_o fast_a be_v a_o act_n of_o charity_n if_o i_o fast_o the_o better_a to_o dispose_v myself_o for_o prayer_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religious_a devotion_n if_o i_o fast_o judge_v myself_o not_o worthy_a of_o any_o delicacy_n nor_o of_o my_o fill_n of_o even_o the_o course_v fare_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o humility_n and_o dispose_v my_o soul_n moreover_o as_o little_a to_o affect_v fine_a clothes_n or_o stately_a dwelling_n as_o i_o do_v good_a victual_n and_o consequent_o moderate_v my_o desire_n of_o money_n and_o riches_n which_o be_v not_o desirable_a by_o corrupt_a nature_n but_o for_o these_o or_o such_o like_a use_n if_o i_o fast_o that_o i_o may_v be_v better_a able_a to_o pay_v my_o debt_n or_o provide_v my_o child_n portition_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n and_o christian_n paternal_a piety_n if_o to_o moderate_v my_o inordinate_a appetite_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o temperance_n in_o fine_a it_o be_v hard_a to_o name_v a_o virtue_n which_o fast_v do_v not_o strange_o help_v to_o procure_v maintain_v and_o increase_v and_o after_o all_o this_o can_v either_o pagan_a or_o christian_n deny_v the_o holy_a fast_a of_o lent_n to_o have_v a_o divine_a character_n stamp_v upon_o it_o and_o must_v it_o be_v still_o stigmatise_v with_o the_o ignominious_a brand_n of_o superstition_n and_o will-worship_n but_o how_o do_v i_o know_v assure_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n teach_v the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o fast_a in_o lent_n be_o i_o able_a to_o produce_v a_o grand_a jury_n of_o so_o many_o venerable_a old_a man_n who_o have_v be_v miraculous_o keep_v alive_a ever_o since_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o avouch_v as_o much_o upon_o solemn_a oath_n no_o not_o i_o how_o do_v i_o then_o know_v it_o have_v a_o angel_n appear_v to_o i_o and_o tell_v i_o as_o much_o no._n how_o then_o why_o how_o do_v the_o israelite_n who_o live_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n after_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n know_v that_o god_n almighty_n command_v their_o first_o father_n adam_n to_o keep_v it_o holy_a they_o have_v no_o book_n of_o it_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v write_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n after_o by_o moses_n i_o conceive_v they_o know_v it_o thus_o adam_n instant_o upon_o god-almighties_a command_n set_v himself_o religious_o to_o observe_v that_o day_n and_o teach_v his_o child_n to_o do_v so_o also_o his_o child_n practise_v and_o teach_v their_o child_n downward_o till_o moses_n his_o day_n nor_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o that_o first_o holy_a day_n because_o it_o be_v not_o transmit_v and_o recommend_v to_o they_o by_o a_o book_n nor_o will_v it_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a excuse_n for_o any_o one_o then_o to_o have_v pretend_v how_o can_v they_o be_v certain_a that_o some_o of_o their_o ancestor_n betwixt_o they_o and_o adam_n have_v not_o of_o their_o own_o head_n superstitious_o devise_v a_o religious_a observation_n of_o that_o day_n before_o all_o other_o unless_o they_o can_v have_v produce_v some_o positive_a evidence_n of_o such_o a_o innovation_n in_o like_a manner_n i_o say_v concern_v the_o holy_a fast_o of_o lent_n the_o holy_a apostle_n first_o teach_v the_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o several_a country_n where_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n their_o convert_v fell_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o teach_v their_o child_n in_o like_a manner_n and_o so_o one_o generation_n another_o till_o our_o present_a day_n and_o this_o all_o over_o the_o christian_a world_n now_o unless_o nonconformist_n can_v show_v when_o this_o burdensome_a precept_n of_o fasting-lent_n be_v impose_v upon_o christendom_n since_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n i_o can_v see_v how_o they_o can_v more_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o this_o obligation_n than_o can_v the_o israelite_n excuse_v themselves_o from_o the_o keep_n of_o saturday_n sabbath_n which_o be_v ordain_v two_o thousand_o year_n before_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o there_o be_v also_o as_o yet_o no_o write_v word_n of_o god_n at_o all_o for_o any_o such_o observation_n but_o what_o proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o all_o intermediate_v generation_n since_o the_o apostle_n in_o several_a christian_a country_n have_v keep_v lent_n a_o much_o strong_a than_o jacob_n can_v bring_v to_o prove_v to_o his_o child_n that_o saturday-sabbath_n have_v be_v keep_v ever_o since_o adam_n he_o can_v only_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o present_a generation_n that_o so_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o father_n and_o grandfather_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o tradition_n among_o they_o of_o a_o late_a beginning_n of_o such_o a_o observation_n write_a record_n divine_a or_o human_a he_o have_v none_o ay_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o of_o the_o present_a age_n in_o several_a christian_a country_n who_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v immemorial_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n among_o they_o religious_o observe_v lent_n will_v produce_v by_o and_o by_o record_n of_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n stand_v for_o its_o apostolical_a institution_n but_o positive_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v lend_v i_o argue_v thus_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o england_n france_n spain_n germany_n italy_n and_o all_o the_o eastern_a church_n universal_o fast_v lent_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o record_n and_o annal_n of_o our_o own_o and_o those_o other_o christian_a country_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n teach_v lend_v to_o their_o first_o convert_v both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a world_n where_o they_o preach_v for_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o so_o many_o several_a country_n king_n and_o subject_n priest_n and_o people_n can_v by_o chance_n fall_v upon_o the_o yearly_a practice_n of_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n forty_o day_n before_o easter_n therefore_o they_o must_v either_o all_o at_o first_o be_v teach_v so_o by_o their_o first_o master_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v the_o conclusion_n intend_v to_o be_v prove_v or_o some_o universal_a supreme_a authority_n ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a must_v so_o have_v command_v they_o to_o do_v or_o some_o preacher_n first_o in_o one_o country_n and_o then_o in_o another_o must_v so_o have_v persuade_v they_o to_o do_v in_o some_o age_n since_o but_o no_o annal_n of_o our_o own_o or_o other_o christian_a country_n make_v any_o mention_n of_o any_o such_o preacher_n or_o any_o such_o ordination_n make_v by_o any_o general_a council_n pope_n prince_n or_o emperor_n nor_o yet_o have_v we_o or_o other_o cbristian_a country_n want_v ecclesiastical_a historiographer_n who_o in_o their_o memorial_n have_v take_v notice_n of_o far_o lesser_a matter_n than_o such_o a_o innovation_n as_o this_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v have_v the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o world_n no_o such_o observance_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v pure_a ignorance_n in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n and_o the_o work_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n that_o make_v so_o many_o waver_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o apostolical_a institution_n of_o lent_n in_o which_o if_o they_o be_v well_o conversant_a they_o can_v not_o possible_o doubt_v of_o it_o further_o not_o only_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o but_o twelve_o hundred_o year_n ago_o lent_n be_v universal_o observe_v in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n as_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o the_o pious_a work_n of_o the_o prime_a pillar_n and_o pastor_n of_o christ_n church_n in_o the_o four_o and_o five_o century_n of_o christianity_n nor_o do_v the_o opposer_n of_o lent_n deny_v so_o much_o and_o therefore_o appeal_v to_o the_o first_o 300._o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n for_o which_o time_n and_o for_o which_o only_o they_o pretend_v the_o christian_a worship_n be_v untainted_a and_o not_o infect_v with_o the_o superstitious_a observation_n of_o lent_n and_o no_o doubt_n they_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o reason_n to_o think_v so_o charitable_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o for_o the_o first_o 300._o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n be_v all_o over_o the_o world_n seek_v after_o to_o death_n for_o their_o religion_n that_o they_o will_v have_v a_o care_n to_o keep_v that_o religion_n unspotted_a and_o teach_v the_o same_o faithful_o to_o their_o posterity_n which_o they_o be_v all_o ready_a every_o day_n to_o die_v for_o and_o many_o of_o they_o actual_o do_v die_v for_o beside_o what_o a_o reproach_n will_v it_o be_v to_o our_o b._n saviour_n that_o his_o church_n shall_v be_v universal_o overrun_v with_o superstition_n within_o 300._o year_n after_o his_o death_n and_o yet_o moses_n shall_v be_v able_a so_o to_o establish_v a_o religion_n as_o it_o