but_o of_o one_o medium_n and_o that_o a_o false_a one_o too_o for_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o groundless_a supposition_n that_o man_n will_v want_v due_a mean_n for_o the_o examination_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v the_o press_n any_o whit_n restrain_v i_o say_v any_o whit_n for_o we_o do_v not_o plead_v for_o a_o total_a restraint_n but_o for_o a_o just_a and_o due_a regulation_n and_o be_v the_o press_n so_o regulate_v yet_o will_v it_o not_o be_v attend_v with_o any_o of_o these_o ill_a consequence_n with_o which_o this_o author_n be_v please_v to_o charge_v it_o for_o since_o man_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o their_o religion_n if_o they_o do_v it_o not_o their_o fin_n and_o folly_n must_v be_v impute_v not_o to_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n but_o to_o their_o own_o ignorance_n or_o negligence_n for_o as_o some_o can_v so_o other_o will_v not_o but_o our_o author_n go_v on_o and_o so_o must_v we_o sect_n vii_o 5._o this_o author_n five_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n take_v up_o more_o than_o three_o page_n but_o the_o full_a substance_n of_o it_o be_v this_o it_o prevent_v act_n of_o charity_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n it_o invade_v the_o natural_a right_n of_o mankind_n and_o destroy_v the_o common_a tie_v of_o humanity_n so_o he_o this_o be_v dogmatical_o and_o magisterial_o deliver_v and_o since_o it_o be_v such_o â—_o grievous_a charge_n it_o have_v need_n be_v very_o well_o prove_v and_o how_o do_v our_o author_n make_v it_o out_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o man_n be_v oblige_v especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o communicate_v to_o one_o another_o what_o they_o think_v be_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o reason_n by_o which_o they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v it_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o that_o we_o be_v indeed_o concern_v not_o only_o to_o profess_v a_o religion_n but_o promote_v it_o too_o i_o think_v that_o he_o who_o have_v one_o jot_n thereof_o will_v never_o deny_v we_o be_v bind_v by_o several_a obligation_n to_o instruct_v and_o teach_v our_o neighbour_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o we_o own_v ourselves_o st._n paul_n 11._o command_v it_o edify_v one_o another_o and_o so_o again_o teach_v and_o admonish_v one_o another_o we_o be_v engage_v by_o the_o frequent_a command_n of_o god_n and_o that_o eternal_a law_n of_o charity_n in_o our_o capacity_n and_o as_o occasion_n be_v offer_v to_o propagate_v our_o religion_n to_o plant_v it_o where_o it_o be_v not_o and_o to_o water_v it_o where_o it_o be_v but_o then_o methinks_v before_o we_o do_v this_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o think_v as_o this_o author_n say_v but_o secure_v ourselves_o and_o other_o too_o that_o the_o religion_n which_o we_o advance_v in_o the_o world_n be_v indeed_o the_o religion_n of_o god_n we_o must_v be_v sure_a that_o we_o plant_v not_o weed_n instead_o of_o flower_n that_o we_o sow_v not_o tare_n instead_o of_o wheat_n for_o to_o promote_v a_o religion_n which_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v a_o desperate_a venture_n indeed_o and_o he_o that_o do_v it_o hazard_n the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o men._n i_o find_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v no_o doctrine_n but_o what_o they_o be_v sure_a of_o we_o speak_v that_o we_o 9_o know_v say_v our_o lord_n and_o thus_o st._n john_n we_o know_v that_o we_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n certain_o whosoever_o undertake_v and_o be_v oblige_v to_o instruct_v another_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v need_n be_v very_o well_o inform_v himself_o for_o if_o our_o direction_n shall_v chance_v to_o prove_v wrong_a what_o excuse_v can_v we_o make_v suppose_v we_o instil_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n error_n and_o heresy_n instead_o of_o truth_n what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o ruin_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n though_o we_o may_v think_v to_o save_v they_o it_o be_v true_a our_o good_a intention_n and_o ignorance_n may_v excuse_v such_o a_o ill_a act_n à _fw-la tanto_fw-la but_o though_o such_o a_o mistake_n may_v somewhat_o extenuate_v the_o fault_n yet_o can_v it_o no_o way_n lessen_v the_o fatal_a consequence_n that_o do_v attend_v it_o suppose_v a_o physician_n who_o real_o intend_v to_o cure_v his_o patient_n by_o a_o mistake_n of_o his_o remedy_n shall_v chance_v to_o kill_v he_o the_o poor_a patient_n who_o die_v only_o by_o a_o mistake_n suffer_v as_o great_a a_o injury_n as_o if_o his_o physician_n have_v poison_v he_o know_o and_o with_o design_n it_o be_v indeed_o a_o act_n of_o charity_n to_o instruct_v the_o ignorant_a and_o lead_v the_o blind_a but_o withal_o the_o man_n who_o undertake_v it_o must_v have_v eye_n in_o his_o own_o head_n lest_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a they_o both_o fall_n into_o and_o perish_v in_o the_o ditch_n certain_a it_o be_v we_o be_v much_o engage_v very_o strict_o to_o sift_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o we_o be_v to_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n and_o teach_v our_o neighbour_n lest_o otherwise_o through_o our_o own_o mistake_n and_o his_o confidence_n we_o become_v guilty_a of_o cruel_a charity_n and_o prove_v instrumental_a to_o damn_v that_o person_n who_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v to_o save_v and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n for_o private_a person_n to_o promote_v any_o false_a religion_n though_o they_o themselves_o be_v mistake_v do_v think_v it_o true_a so_o to_o permit_v other_o man_n to_o publish_v heretical_a doctrine_n can_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o those_o person_n who_o have_v authority_n and_o shall_v have_v zeal_n to_o prevent_v it_o to_o restrain_v this_o unchristian_a liberty_n of_o the_o tongue_n pen_n and_o press_v be_v not_o as_o this_o author_n do_v bold_o assert_v to_o invade_v the_o natural_a right_n of_o mankind_n nor_o to_o destroy_v the_o common_a tie_v of_o humanity_n for_o if_o it_o be_v a_o man_n natural_a right_a to_o persuade_v his_o neighbour_n either_o by_o his_o tongue_n or_o his_o pen_n to_o entertain_v a_o opinion_n real_o heretical_a whether_o he_o think_v it_o so_o or_o not_o it_o be_v also_o his_o natural_a right_n to_o draw_v he_o into_o sin_n for_o if_o he_o prevail_v that_o will_v be_v finis_fw-la operis_fw-la though_o not_o operantis_fw-la it_o will_v be_v the_o issue_n of_o the_o act_n though_o it_o be_v not_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o agent_n we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o st._n paul_n very_o well_o understand_v what_o natural_a right_a every_o man_n have_v to_o use_v his_o tongue_n and_o in_o what_o case_n he_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o and_o thereby_o to_o communicate_v his_o thought_n to_o his_o neighbour_n but_o suppose_v a_o man_n thought_n be_v wild_a and_o his_o opinion_n heretical_a must_v he_o be_v leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o impart_v such_o thought_n and_o vent_v such_o opinion_n even_o as_o he_o please_v see_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v concern_v heretic_n their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v i._n e._n they_o must_v 11._o not_o be_v permit_v by_o personal_a conference_n to_o communicate_v their_o ill_a opinion_n to_o inform_v or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o to_o corrupt_v the_o judgement_n of_o other_o man_n so_o think_v st._n paul_n now_o he_o who_o plead_v for_o a_o universal_a liberty_n as_o the_o natural_a right_n of_o all_o mankind_n to_o communicate_v to_o other_o man_n whatever_o they_o think_v to_o be_v a_o truth_n whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o not_o must_v censure_n st._n paul_n as_o a_o man_n either_o ignorant_a or_o else_o a_o invader_n of_o man_n natural_a right_a since_o he_o so_o positive_o declare_v that_o some_o man_n mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o the_o same_o apostle_n give_v bishop_n titus_n 10._o this_o direction_n a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o heretic_n after_o the_o first_o and_o second_o admonition_n reject_v i._n e._n excommunicate_v he_o cast_v he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o certain_o if_o the_o person_n of_o a_o obstinate_a heretic_n must_v be_v reject_v his_o book_n may_v not_o be_v admit_v 17._o for_o as_o to_o his_o person_n his_o breath_n be_v infectious_a his_o word_n eat_v like_o a_o canker_n and_o as_o to_o his_o write_n there_o be_v in_o his_o ink_n more_o poison_n than_o one_o now_o since_o there_o be_v so_o many_o heretical_a pen_n at_o work_n among_o we_o there_o be_v great_a need_n now_o if_o ever_o that_o some_o spiritual_a argus_n shall_v attend_v and_o watch_v the_o press_n lest_o more_o venomous_a doctrine_n shall_v steal_v from_o thence_o to_o infect_v and_o kill_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o author_n five_o allegation_n sect_n viii_o 6._o this_o author_n six_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n
unhappy_a as_o not_o to_o apprehend_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n doubtless_o the_o reason_n must_v needs_o be_v this_o their_o own_o understanding_n though_o exercise_v to_o their_o utmost_a ability_n can_v not_o inform_v they_o better_o for_o want_n of_o some_o other_o and_o clear_a light_n and_o what_o be_v their_o case_n will_v have_v be_v we_o have_v not_o god_n enlighten_v and_o bless_v the_o christian_a church_n with_o divine_a revelation_n but_o withal_o this_o great_a blessing_n of_o divine_a revelation_n do_v not_o exclude_v but_o require_v the_o very_a utmost_a exercise_n of_o human_a reason_n for_o we_o must_v employ_v not_o only_o our_o eye_n or_o tongue_n but_o our_o understanding_n in_o read_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v our_o great_a endeavour_n by_o the_o use_n of_o all_o proper_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a mean_v of_o what_o we_o read_v and_o when_o upon_o good_a ground_n we_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n be_v this_o or_o that_o though_o the_o matter_n therein_o deliver_v be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o reason_n yet_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v it_o as_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n because_o that_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v so_o reveal_v it_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v all_o which_o humane_a reason_n have_v to_o do_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o oblige_v we_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o we_o know_v and_o believe_v 12._o to_o conclude_v this_o subject_a our_o lord_n say_v of_o himself_o i_o be_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n the_o same_o thing_n he_o say_v to_o his_o apostle_n too_o you_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n so_o they_o be_v not_o only_o by_o their_o 14._o holy_a example_n but_o by_o their_o holy_a doctrine_n too_o why_o else_o do_v the_o apostle_n mention_v the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o light_n of_o reason_n be_v but_o as_o the_o light_n of_o a_o glow_n worm_n the_o light_n of_o the_o law_n be_v but_o as_o the_o light_n of_o a_o star_n but_o the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v as_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n a_o very_a glorious_a light_n indeed_o now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a if_o christ_n himself_o if_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n if_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o many_o light_n differ_v in_o number_n have_v not_o this_o author_n strange_o forget_v himself_o and_o his_o bible_n when_o he_o tell_v the_o world_n in_o his_o print_a paper_n that_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n be_v the_o light_n nay_o the_o only_a light_n which_o god_n have_v give_v he_o to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a religion_n from_o the_o false_a one_o and_o again_o that_o god_n have_v give_v to_o man_n no_o other_o guide_n but_o their_o reason_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o happiness_n and_o yet_o a_o three_o time_n that_o the_o people_n common_a notion_n be_v the_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n if_o these_o three_o proposition_n be_v true_a or_o any_o one_o of_o they_o i_o do_v confess_v that_o the_o small_a light_n of_o my_o own_o reason_n have_v not_o yet_o enable_v i_o to_o discern_v any_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o clear_a truth_n and_o the_o gross_a error_n and_o very_o the_o expose_v such_o notorious_a falsehood_n to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o press_n be_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n why_o its_o liberty_n shall_v be_v restrain_v but_o to_o go_v on_o sect_n ii_o the_o main_a argument_n which_o this_o author_n plead_v for_o a_o universal_a freedom_n of_o the_o press_n be_v draw_v from_o these_o two_o topic_n first_o from_o the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o printing_n which_o have_v be_v so_o very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n second_o from_o several_a great_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v be_v the_o press_n once_o more_o restrain_v and_o limit_v i._o this_o author_n plead_v the_o great_a usefulness_n of_o printing_n as_o a_o argument_n that_o the_o press_n shall_v be_v unlimited_a to_o which_o i_o answer_v two_o way_n 1._o by_o way_n of_o concession_n we_o do_v easy_o grant_v that_o the_o invention_n of_o printing_n have_v prove_v very_o beneficial_a to_o the_o christian_a church_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v diffuse_v the_o knowledge_n of_o useful_a art_n and_o science_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o humane_a learning_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v furnish_v our_o library_n with_o vast_a number_n of_o excellent_a book_n it_o be_v this_o which_o have_v furnish_v our_o church_n and_o our_o family_n with_o great_a store_n of_o bibles_n and_o we_o easy_o grant_v what_o this_o author_n assert_n that_o to_o this_o art_n of_o print_v we_o owe_v under_o god_n the_o happy_a and_o quick_a progress_n of_o the_o reformation_n but_o 2._o by_o way_n of_o denial_n we_o can_v grant_v that_o the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o press_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o its_o liberty_n shall_v be_v unlimited_a for_o notwithstanding_o these_o great_a advantage_n which_o both_o religion_n and_o learning_n have_v reap_v from_o this_o curious_a art_n of_o printing_n may_v not_o it_o as_o well_o as_o many_o other_o thing_n very_o useful_a in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v so_o abuse_v and_o pervert_v as_o to_o become_v instrumental_a to_o the_o great_a detriment_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v a_o old_a rule_n corruptio_fw-la optimi_fw-la pessima_fw-la the_o better_a thing_n be_v when_o well_o use_v the_o worse_o they_o grow_v when_o corrupt_v the_o sword_n be_v a_o excellent_a instrument_n when_o it_o defend_v the_o guiltless_a but_o it_o prove_v a_o unhappy_a tool_n when_o it_o murder_v the_o innocent_a physic_n due_o administer_v by_o a_o learned_a physician_n may_v preserve_v a_o life_n but_o be_v misapply_v by_o a_o ignorant_a mountebank_n it_o tend_v to_o destroy_v it_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n have_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o good_a and_o we_o be_v to_o bless_v god_n for_o it_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o it_o have_v do_v and_o still_o may_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n and_o we_o be_v to_o lament_v it_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v religion_n and_o virtue_n it_o be_v well_o employ_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v encourage_v but_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v vice_n and_o irreligion_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v discountenance_v and_o restrain_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o press_n have_v be_v use_v to_o publish_v a_o great_a number_n of_o such_o paper_n as_o tend_v to_o debauch_v the_o life_n and_o corrupt_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n such_o be_v our_o obscene_a poem_n our_o profane_a and_o wanton_a stage-plays_a where_o vice_n be_v not_o only_o represent_v but_o so_o promote_v that_o we_o may_v just_o fear_v that_o as_o all_o their_o spectator_n lose_v their_o time_n so_o many_o of_o they_o may_v lose_v their_o innocence_n too_o for_o since_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v so_o prone_a to_o evil_n and_o become_v so_o like_a to_o tinder_n apt_a to_o take_v fire_n from_o every_o little_a spark_n it_o be_v hard_a to_o see_v those_o vice_n which_o be_v please_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n represent_v upon_o a_o public_a stage_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v infect_v by_o they_o and_o as_o these_o be_v very_o like_a to_o debauch_v their_o spectator_n moral_n so_o be_v there_o many_o other_o print_v paper_n as_o like_a to_o corrupt_v their_o reader_n be_v judgement_n such_o be_v those_o many_o volume_n print_v in_o defence_n of_o popery_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o such_o be_v those_o book_n print_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o arianism_n socinianism_n and_o other_o heresy_n just_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v report_v that_o our_o modern_a socinian_n have_v already_o pervert_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o man_n not_o only_o by_o their_o personal_a insinuation_n but_o by_o their_o print_a paper_n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o may_v yet_o make_v many_o more_o proselyte_n to_o their_o dangerous_a opinion_n if_o the_o press_n be_v still_o permit_v to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v for_o their_o book_n contain_v argument_n so_o plausible_a so_o seem_o strong_a that_o they_o may_v pass_v for_o clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n among_o the_o unlearned_a multitude_n who_o be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o discover_v the_o fallacy_n that_o lie_v in_o they_o now_o since_o the_o press_n may_v as_o well_o do_v harm_n as_o good_a it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o regulate_v to_o promote_v that_o good_a and_o prevent_v that_o harm_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o no_o new_a book_n shall_v be_v publish_v till_o they_o have_v be_v first_o supervise_v and_o allow_v
be_v this_o there_o be_v no_o medium_n between_o man_n judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o give_v up_o their_o judgement_n to_o other_o we_o grant_v it_o but_o what_o then_o his_o inference_n be_v this_o if_o the_o first_o be_v their_o duty_n the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v but_o why_o not_o his_o reason_n be_v again_o the_o same_o because_o it_o debar_v man_n from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o inform_v their_o judgement_n that_o be_v his_o argument_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n betwixt_o such_o as_o can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o such_o as_o can_v where_o the_o scripture_n be_v express_v the_o word_n plain_a and_o the_o sense_n easy_a every_o man_n who_o have_v a_o competent_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o can_v read_v his_o bible_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o but_o when_o several_a interpretation_n be_v give_v of_o any_o text_n when_o doubt_n be_v raise_v when_o argument_n be_v 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resurrection_n which_o they_o deny_v and_o when_o our_o lord_n will_v prove_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o great_a person_n than_o david_n he_o do_v it_o by_o that_o 1._o text_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n etc._n etc._n this_o course_n take_v our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o so_o do_v his_o apostle_n too_o and_o so_o must_v we_o we_o must_v take_v the_o scripture_n for_o our_o guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a and_o infallible_a rule_n and_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o measure_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o church_n do_v teach_v recommend_v or_o require_v from_o we_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o demand_v who_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n whether_o among_o different_a interpretation_n of_o holy_a writ_n this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o true_a one_o whether_o in_o controvert_v point_n such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n do_v certain_o warrant_v such_o or_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v ground_v thereon_o i_o answer_v again_o 2._o we_o have_v the_o unite_a judgement_n and_o decree_n of_o several_a council_n those_o i_o mean_v that_o be_v convene_v in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n before_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o rome_n have_v creep_v in_o by_o degree_n through_o carelessness_n vice_n and_o ignorance_n and_o overspread_v the_o church_n the_o grand_a controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n among_o we_o concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n the_o personality_n and_o deity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o christ_n in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o that_o notion_n be_v true_o god_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v a_o person_n and_o a_o divine_a person_n we_o affirm_v but_o our_o socinian_n who_o be_v the_o spawn_n of_o old_a arius_n make_v bold_a to_o deny_v to_o justify_v our_o doctrine_n we_o cite_v such_o and_o such_o text_n and_o to_o establish_v their_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v they_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o for_o the_o scripture_n which_o we_o produce_v to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n because_o humane_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v it_o they_o do_v either_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o such_o text_n or_o else_o they_o wrest_v they_o to_o such_o a_o intolerable_a sense_n as_o every_o sober_a man_n reason_n may_v just_o abhor_v now_o the_o question_n be_v who_o must_v judge_v betwixt_o we_o and_o they_o who_o must_v determine_v whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v on_o their_o side_n or_o we_o i_o answer_v that_o heterodox_n opinion_n now_o much_o contend_v for_o which_o we_o call_v socinian_n do_v appear_v under_o some_o other_o name_n very_o early_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n be_v deny_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o particular_o by_o ebion_n in_o the_o three_o century_n by_o
one_o theodatus_fw-la artemon_n and_o beryllus_n and_o sabellius_n in_o the_o four_o century_n by_o arius_n eunomius_n and_o some_o other_o and_o in_o the_o same_o age_n the_o personality_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v deny_v by_o macedonius_n and_o some_o other_o who_o be_v there_o brand_v by_o a_o particular_a name_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oppugner_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o heterodox_n opinion_n beginning_n to_o spread_v and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o some_o other_o ill_a opinion_n arise_v too_o several_a general_n council_n be_v summon_v by_o several_a christian_a emperor_n the_o nicene_n council_n by_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o main_a work_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o opinion_n of_o arius_n the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o first_o to_o debate_v the_o opinion_n of_o macedonius_n the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o second_o to_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n summon_v by_o the_o emperor_n martian_a to_o consult_v about_o the_o opinion_n of_o eutyches_n these_o council_n consist_v of_o some_o hundred_o of_o bishop_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o their_o heart_n the_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o their_o hand_n do_v after_o a_o mature_a deliberation_n pronounce_v the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o obstinate_a defender_n of_o they_o to_o be_v heretic_n and_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o general_a council_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o person_n exemplary_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o eminent_a for_o their_o learning_n who_o resolve_v on_o nothing_o without_o mature_a advice_n and_o deliberation_n be_v of_o as_o great_a authority_n and_o afford_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o 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such_o person_n who_o beside_o their_o eminent_a piety_n and_o learning_n have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n age_n and_o thereby_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o inform_v themselves_o and_o we_o what_o be_v certain_o believe_v and_o do_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n sect_n ix_o 3._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n those_o especial_o that_o live_v within_o the_o first_o six_o century_n wherever_o they_o agree_v and_o be_v not_o since_o corrupt_v or_o maim_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o forgery_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v of_o singular_a use_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o that_o ignatius_n clemens_n origen_n athanasius_n cyril_n nazianzen_n basil_n chrysostom_n hierom_n austin_n and_o many_o other_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n be_v indeed_o person_n of_o great_a piety_n and_o excellent_a part_n our_o socinian_n without_o breach_n of_o modesty_n can_v deny_v and_o although_o some_o of_o these_o great_a name_n in_o some_o particular_a matter_n have_v their_o peculiar_a mistake_n and_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o man_n yet_o in_o all_o point_n where_o we_o find_v a_o unanimous_a consent_n among_o they_o we_o be_v to_o have_v so_o much_o veneration_n for_o their_o authority_n as_o not_o easy_o to_o suspect_v or_o contradict_v it_o true_a it_o be_v if_o we_o take_v these_o father_n single_o man_n by_o man_n where_o we_o find_v any_o of_o they_o alone_o in_o their_o opinion_n as_o origen_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o punishment_n of_o hell_n and_o st._n austin_n in_o reference_n to_o infant_n that_o die_v unbaptise_v we_o be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n much_o more_o oblige_v to_o accept_v their_o judgement_n than_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o single_a person_n yet_o alive_a but_o if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o father_n who_o live_v within_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n together_o and_o in_o a_o lump_n where_o we_o find_v they_o one_o in_o judgement_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a council_n than_o any_o have_v be_v since_o their_o time_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o inform_v we_o what_o be_v error_n and_o what_o be_v truth_n but_o sect_n x._o 4._o because_o learned_a man_n who_o fortune_n be_v mean_a can_v purchase_v and_o unlearned_a man_n who_o intellectual_n be_v weak_a can_v read_v and_o understand_v the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o the_o father_n we_o have_v several_a system_n of_o divinity_n confession_n of_o faith_n short_a abridgement_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v especial_o to_o unlearned_a person_n great_a help_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o and_o here_o methinks_v those_o ancient_a creed_n of_o the_o apostle_n nice_n and_o athanasius_n which_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n to_o settle_v our_o judgement_n in_o the_o main_a and_o most_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n beside_o we_o have_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a catechism_n 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better_a satisfaction_n to_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o the_o most_o able_a faithful_a and_o unbiased_a judge_n and_o they_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a council_n and_o the_o primitive_a father_n who_o judgement_n be_v declare_v in_o our_o several_a creed_n in_o other_o public_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o orthodox_n catechism_n set_v forth_o or_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o since_o we_o be_v very_o well_o store_v with_o these_o excellent_a help_n i_o do_v once_o more_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n whether_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a can_v need_v any_o new_a argument_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n sect_n xi_o 7._o this_o author_n seven_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o let_v the_o press_n continue_v free_a lest_o it_o furnish_v man_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o one_o party_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o it_o must_v be_v as_o unlawful_a to_o examine_v those_o reason_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o party_n and_o party_n between_o one_o who_o be_v orthodox_n and_o one_o who_o be_v heretical_a this_o distinction_n be_v premise_v i_o shall_v resolve_v this_o hypothetical_n proposition_n into_o these_o two_o categorical_a one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n to_o examine_v those_o reason_n which_o heretic_n may_v urge_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o ill_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o furnish_v such_o christian_n with_o any_o such_o reason_n it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o there_o be_v among_o we_o vast_a number_n of_o person_n who_o be_v of_o weak_a judgement_n not_o firm_o establish_v in_o their_o faith_n not_o able_a to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n in_o a_o fallacious_a argument_n and_o therefore_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o by_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n now_o for_o such_o