may_v be_v from_o god_n and_o if_o so_o what_o a_o sin_n will_v it_o be_v to_o slight_v they_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o such_o and_o such_o pretender_n may_v be_v from_o the_o devil_n and_o if_o so_o what_o a_o danger_n must_v it_o be_v to_o entertain_v they_o wherefore_o that_o both_o extreme_n may_v be_v avoid_v that_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o error_n that_o you_o may_v know_v the_o devil_n emissary_n from_o christ_n apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v theophylact_v prove_v examine_v pass_v a_o mature_a and_o deliberate_a judgement_n and_o that_o be_v one_o great_a part_n of_o that_o advice_n which_o saint_n paul_n give_v we_o in_o the_o text_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d prove_v all_o thing_n whatever_o doctrine_n be_v broach_v among_o you_o though_o it_o bring_v along_o with_o it_o the_o fair_a pretence_n imaginable_a yet_o because_o it_o may_v possible_o prove_v too_o 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plain_a where_o we_o have_v a_o intelligible_a and_o easy_a rule_n we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o take_v up_o our_o religion_n upon_o other_o man_n credit_n in_o those_o matter_n wherein_o our_o own_o reason_n can_v best_o secure_v we_o it_o be_v our_o saviour_n command_n matt._n 11.15_o he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v so_o say_v we_o he_o that_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o see_v let_v he_o see_v methinks_v where_o the_o object_n be_v clear_a and_o visible_a especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o great_a concern_v too_o it_o be_v high_a imprudence_n to_o rely_v upon_o another_o man_n sight_n since_o god_n have_v give_v we_o eye_n of_o our_o own_o that_o may_v see_v as_o well_o and_o be_v trust_v better_a and_o certain_o it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o great_a folly_n to_o depend_v bare_o upon_o other_o man_n judgement_n for_o those_o grand_a concern_v of_o eternity_n about_o which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o rational_a soul_n and_o all_o other_o mean_n that_o be_v sufficient_a and_o requisite_a to_o inform_v ourselves_o but_o if_o perhaps_o through_o sin_n and_o vice_n we_o have_v debauch_v our_o own_o reason_n if_o we_o have_v extinguish_v that_o light_n which_o our_o great_a creator_n set_v up_o within_o we_o and_o by_o so_o do_v have_v disable_v ourselves_o to_o obey_v the_o command_n in_o my_o text_n we_o have_v then_o just_a occasion_n to_o condemn_v ourselves_o but_o none_o to_o blame_v that_o god_n who_o do_v as_o well_o give_v we_o a_o eye_n as_o bid_v we_o see_v and_o doubtless_o since_o god_n have_v give_v to_o every_o man_n a_o understand_a faculty_n and_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n to_o be_v employ_v for_o his_o own_o advantage_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o very_o high_a tyranny_n to_o interdict_v any_o person_n the_o improvement_n and_o exercise_n of_o that_o reason_n but_o especial_o about_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o that_o immortal_a soul_n wherein_o that_o reason_n of_o he_o have_v its_o proper_a seat_n and_o only_a residence_n and_o since_o this_o personal_a and_o private_a examination_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v that_o which_o our_o god_n command_v and_o our_o reason_n do_v enable_v we_o to_o methinks_v no_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n shall_v ever_o dislike_v or_o quarrel_n at_o it_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o a_o true_a church_n shall_v disallow_v what_o god_n require_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o a_o true_a mother_n shall_v rob_v her_o child_n of_o that_o without_o which_o they_o can_v neither_o be_v christian_n nor_o men._n no_o it_o be_v for_o the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n to_o close_v up_o her_o bastard_n eye_n lest_o perhaps_o they_o shall_v discover_v the_o nakedness_n of_o their_o mother_n it_o be_v for_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o deny_v her_o proselyte_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o exercise_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n lest_o perhaps_o they_o shall_v detect_v the_o weakness_n and_o want_n of_o she_o but_o as_o for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o sure_o be_v she_o that_o her_o religion_n be_v right_a that_o she_o do_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o encourage_v her_o son_n to_o bring_v it_o to_o the_o test_n such_o be_v her_o doctrine_n and_o such_o be_v her_o usage_n that_o she_o do_v rather_o provoke_v then_o decline_v the_o strict_a trial_n the_o truth_n which_o she_o teach_v be_v so_o divine_a the_o custom_n which_o she_o retain_v be_v so_o apostolical_a that_o like_o so_o many_o true_a and_o orient_a pearl_n the_o more_o they_o be_v examine_v search_v and_o try_v the_o bright_a do_v they_o shine_v and_o if_o so_o if_o to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v a_o act_n of_o obedience_n to_o god_n if_o it_o be_v the_o way_n to_o bring_v honour_n to_o our_o church_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o ourselves_o what_o shall_v hinder_v we_o except_o it_o be_v that_o gross_a and_o foul_a ignorance_n of_o we_o which_o will_v indeed_o destroy_v our_o ability_n but_o never_o take_v off_o our_o obligation_n but_o 2._o from_o this_o great_a command_n in_o the_o text_n prove_v all_o thing_n it_o may_v be_v yet_o demand_v thus_o must_v we_o then_o turn_v sceptic_n in_o religion_n must_v we_o always_o hang_v in_o doubt_n and_o never_o fix_v must_v we_o for_o ever_o be_v examine_v and_o so_o come_v to_o no_o settle_a resolution_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o inference_n can_v never_o be_v gather_v from_o that_o which_o god_n require_v in_o the_o text_n our_o prove_v all_o thing_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o introduce_v scepticism_n and_o uncertainty_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n that_o it_o be_v the_o sure_a way_n in_o the_o world_n to_o expel_v banish_v and_o root_v they_o out_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o shake_v our_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o most_o likely_a mean_n to_o
settle_v and_o confirm_v it_o for_o when_o once_o a_o man_n have_v due_o measure_v the_o ground_n principle_n and_o practice_n of_o his_o religion_n by_o that_o rule_n which_o can_v fail_v he_o and_o there_o find_v it_o straight_o and_o right_a all_o his_o jealousy_n and_o doubt_n be_v over_o what_o doctrine_n soever_o he_o find_v warrant_v by_o the_o write_a word_n that_o he_o may_v most_o safe_o embrace_v and_o for_o ever_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v from_o god_n it_o be_v in_o this_o case_n as_o it_o be_v with_o he_o that_o suspect_v some_o piece_n of_o money_n that_o be_v offer_v he_o as_o current_a coin_n if_o he_o bring_v it_o to_o the_o touchstone_n scales_z or_o standard_n and_o there_o find_v it_o right_a metal_n and_o full_a weight_n he_o receive_v it_o without_o far_a scruple_n and_o lay_v it_o up_o as_o a_o part_n of_o his_o treasure_n so_o here_o suppose_v some_o novice_n in_o christianity_n such_o as_o these_o in_o the_o text_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o well_o ground_v in_o his_o religion_n be_v not_o sufficient_o assure_v whether_o such_o and_o such_o a_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n that_o be_v commend_v to_o he_o or_o require_v from_o he_o be_v right_a or_o wrong_n if_o he_o bring_v it_o to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o great_a and_o only_a standard_n in_o this_o case_n and_o there_o find_v a_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o it_o from_o some_o prophet_n evangelist_n or_o apostle_n with_o what_o confidence_n may_v he_o then_o receive_v it_o and_o for_o ever_o most_o just_o count_v it_o one_o part_n of_o his_o faith_n well_o such_o ignorant_a novice_n in_o christianity_n we_o all_o be_v or_o have_v be_v and_o upon_o that_o score_n if_o we_o have_v not_o already_o examine_v the_o principle_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o be_v oblige_v now_o to_o do_v it_o see_v why_o in_o some_o particular_n 1._o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o nature_n and_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n by_o all_o that_o respect_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o the_o great_a frequent_a and_o peremptory_a command_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o which_o the_o text_n require_v in_o term_n as_o express_v as_o can_v be_v prove_v all_o thing_n what_o all_o thing_n do_v he_o mean_a matter_n of_o religion_n sure_a doctrinas_fw-la revelationes_fw-la etc._n etc._n so_o estius_n whatever_o doctrine_n be_v recommend_v to_o you_o as_o revelation_n give_v from_o god_n discernite_fw-la dijudicate_v examine_v search_n and_o judge_v they_o so_o much_o do_v saint_n john_n require_v too_o when_o he_o thus_o command_v we_o 1_o john_n 4.1_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o thus_o saint_n paul_n 2_o cor._n 13.5_o examine_v yourselves_o whether_o you_o be_v in_o the_o faith_n nay_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o do_v in_o effect_n enjoin_v the_o same_o thing_n too_o when_o he_o give_v we_o this_o command_n matt._n 7.15_o beware_v of_o false_a prophet_n god_n almighty_a by_o these_o command_v have_v reveal_v his_o pleasure_n that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v we_o take_v up_o such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n at_o a_o venture_n lest_o perhaps_o they_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v none_o of_o he_o nor_o will_v he_o have_v we_o unadvised_o close_a with_o such_o and_o such_o religious_a practice_n lest_o peradventure_o they_o shall_v prove_v such_o as_o have_v no_o warrant_n that_o god_n who_o high_o deserve_v and_o most_o just_o expect_v whatever_a service_n man_n can_v do_v he_o will_v be_v worship_v in_o his_o own_o way_n and_o which_o that_o be_v and_o where_o it_o lie_v he_o bid_v we_o go_v to_o his_o own_o book_n and_o learn_v and_o methinks_v have_v we_o no_o other_o motive_n in_o the_o world_n to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n save_v only_o this_o yet_o this_o shall_v be_v enough_o it_o be_v one_o of_o those_o duty_n which_o man_n owe_v his_o maker_n the_o strict_a examination_n of_o our_o religion_n the_o command_n of_o god_n have_v make_v a_o considerable_a part_n thereof_o so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o take_v up_o any_o religion_n upon_o trust_n but_o we_o must_v by_o so_o do_v disobey_v our_o god_n and_o thereby_o show_v that_o in_o truth_n we_o have_v none_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o we_o have_v a_o certain_a rule_n and_o standard_n to_o measure_v all_o religion_n by_o it_o be_v the_o signal_n mercy_n of_o heaven_n and_o to_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o that_o standard_n it_o be_v the_o great_a command_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a obligation_n of_o man_n too_o 2._o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o examine_v our_o religion_n by_o all_o that_o respect_n which_o we_o owe_v our_o neighbour_n our_o friend_n our_o child_n that_o we_o be_v concern_v not_o only_o to_o profess_v a_o religion_n but_o promote_v it_o too_o no_o man_n i_o think_v that_o have_v one_o jot_n thereof_o will_v ever_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 brother_n the_o principle_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o we_o own_v ourselves_o it_o be_v that_o which_o the_o scripture_n require_v over_o and_o over_o thus_o saint_n paul_n 1_o thess_n 5.11_o edify_v one_o another_o and_o so_o again_o col._n 3.16_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 we_o be_v deep_o concern_v to_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 in_o stead_n of_o flower_n that_o we_o sow_v not_o tare_n in_o stead_n of_o wheat_n for_o to_o promote_v a_o religion_n that_o possible_o may_v 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_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_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 thus_o christ_n tell_v nicodemus_n john_n 3.11_o we_o speak_v that_o we_o know_v and_o thus_o saint_n john_n tell_v the_o world_n 1_o john_n 3.19_o we_o know_v that_o we_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n certain_o whosoever_o undertake_v or_o be_v oblige_v to_o instruct_v another_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v need_v very_o well_o be_v inform_v himself_o it_o be_v with_o we_o in_o our_o present_a case_n as_o with_o the_o physician_n in_o he_o who_o doubtless_o stand_v bind_v by_o whatsoever_o be_v dear_a unto_o he_o to_o prescribe_v no_o remedy_n but_o such_o as_o he_o thorough_o understand_v that_o mountebank_n deserve_v a_o check_n rather_o than_o a_o fee_n who_o dare_v administer_v he_o know_v not_o what_o and_o by_o so_o do_v be_v more_o like_a to_o kill_v then_o cure_n the_o case_n be_v we_o we_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o prescribe_v our_o child_n the_o rule_n of_o life_n we_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o train_v up_o our_o little_a one_o in_o the_o fear_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n we_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o direct_v our_o brother_n in_o his_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o if_o our_o direction_n shall_v chance_v to_o prove_v wrong_a what_o then_o suppose_v we_o instill_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n error_n and_o heresy_n in_o stead_n of_o truth_n what_o will_v the_o issue_n be_v shall_v some_o careless_a father_n strew_v ratsbane_n in_o stead_n of_o sugar_n and_o thereby_o poison_v some_o dear_a child_n of_o he_o who_o probable_o he_o design_v to_o feed_v will_v not_o all_o the_o world_n condemn_v he_o well_o this_o and_o worse_o than_o this_o do_v that_o man_n do_v who_o through_o a_o careless_a credulity_n and_o want_n of_o a_o strict_a enquiry_n do_v scatter_v abroad_o wherever_o he_o come_v those_o unsound_a opinion_n and_o unknown_a error_n which_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o soul_n who_o probable_o he_o design_n to_o save_v 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 must_v have_v eye_n in_o his_o own_o head_n that_o undertake_v it_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v we_o matt._n 15.14_o if_o the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a there_o be_v danger_n in_o it_o it_o be_v like_a enough_o they_o may_v both_o fall_v and_o perish_v in_o the_o ditch_n and_o if_o so_o since_o we_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o direct_v and_o guide_v one_o another_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n since_o we_o be_v all_o oblige_a to_o promote_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n let_v we_o most_o strict_o inquire_v into_o those_o matter_n of_o
the_o trial_n of_o religion_n with_o caution_n to_o the_o member_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n against_o defection_n to_o the_o roman_z by_o fran._n gregory_n d._n d._n rectour_n of_o hambleton_n in_o the_o county_n of_o buck_n and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n be_v chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a london_n print_v by_o e._n flesher_n for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n anno_fw-la 1674._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n walter_n lord_n bishop_n of_o worcester_n and_o dean_n of_o his_o majesty_n be_v chappel_n etc._n etc._n my_o lord_n it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o every_o man_n that_o have_v the_o least_o acquaintance_n with_o our_o late_a and_o modern_a historian_n or_o divine_n that_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o faith_n have_v be_v very_o industrious_a and_o active_a ever_o since_o the_o happy_a reformation_n of_o our_o religion_n to_o reduce_v the_o superstition_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n once_o more_o into_o we_o that_o such_o 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doctrine_n and_o true_a betwixt_o tare_n and_o wheat_n betwixt_o the_o devil_n counterfeit_a and_o god_n real_a pearl_n in_o this_o conjuncture_n of_o time_n when_o heretic_n pretend_v to_o be_v evangelist_n when_o wild_a enthusiast_n act_v by_o the_o devil_n pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v of_o god_n when_o at_o the_o same_o season_n and_o in_o the_o selfsame_a place_n divine_a truth_n be_v preach_v by_o some_o and_o devilish_a error_n broach_v by_o other_o the_o servants_z of_o god_n and_o apostle_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o care_n of_o his_o soul_n can_v not_o but_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o do_v whatever_o in_o they_o lay_v that_o their_o late_a convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n may_v not_o either_o unwory_o admit_v what_o be_v indeed_o a_o error_n nor_o yet_o unadvised_o reject_v what_o be_v indeed_o a_o truth_n to_o prevent_v this_o double_a hazzard_n saint_n john_n 1_o john_n 4.1_o do_v thus_o command_v they_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n there_o be_v it_o seem_v even_o thus_o early_o in_o the_o church_n a_o great_a variety_n of_o spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v theophylact_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v oecumenius_n prophet_n true_a and_o prophet_n false_a and_o yet_o even_o these_o impostor_n too_o pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n well_o what_o must_v the_o christian_n do_v in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o must_v they_o receive_v all_o doctrine_n because_o some_o be_v certain_o true_a or_o must_v they_o reject_v all_o because_o some_o be_v certain_o false_a no_o such_o matter_n the_o apostle_n give_v they_o and_o we_o another_o rule_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o that_o be_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d try_v the_o spirit_n be_v not_o rash_a in_o receive_v be_v not_o rash_a in_o reject_v neither_o perhaps_o the_o doctrine_n that_o be_v deliver_v by_o such_o and_o such_o
satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o man_n can_v be_v or_o do_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n once_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v unchangeable_a for_o ever_o and_o our_o bibles_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n to_o measure_v religion_n by_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o ever_o that_o which_o be_v a_o error_n in_o those_o time_n must_v needs_o be_v error_n still_o and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o truth_n in_o those_o day_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o truth_n still_o and_o if_o we_o can_v think_v of_o any_o more_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o error_n than_o the_o deliberate_a and_o unanimous_a judgement_n of_o so_o many_o hundred_o pious_a learned_a and_o unbiased_a man_n assemble_v together_o then_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o ancient_a council_n be_v very_o considerable_a evidence_n for_o truth_n and_o against_o error_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o consist_v of_o 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 too_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 church_n 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 augustine_n and_o some_o other_o be_v indeed_o person_n of_o great_a devotion_n and_o excellent_a part_n can_v be_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_v 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 saint_n augustine_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 then_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o person_n yet_o alive_a who_o perhaps_o may_v be_v as_o pious_a and_o learned_a as_o some_o of_o they_o but_o if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o father_n that_o live_v within_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n together_o and_o in_o the_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 one_o age_n can_v probable_o afford_v a_o council_n certain_o of_o more_o value_n and_o far_o great_a credit_n than_o that_o conventicle_n of_o trent_n wherein_o there_o sit_v sometime_o at_o least_o little_o more_o than_o 40_o bishop_n and_o some_o of_o those_o but_o mere_o titular_a and_o suborn_v too_o and_o upon_o this_o score_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n must_v needs_o excuse_v we_o that_o we_o do_v rather_o adhere_v to_o the_o unite_a judgement_n of_o so_o many_o ancient_a father_n then_o to_o those_o late_a decree_n and_o canon_n of_o trent_n which_o contradict_v they_o it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o our_o adversary_n of_o rome_n that_o in_o the_o great_a controversy_n betwixt_o we_o and_o they_o we_o appeal_v to_o the_o most_o ancient_a council_n and_o father_n who_o we_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o impartial_a and_o able_a judge_n the_o whole_a matter_n in_o question_n we_o offer_v to_o their_o decision_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o stand_v or_o fall_v as_o they_o determine_v but_o alas_o there_o be_v no_o tribunal_n like_o saint_n peter_n chair_n one_o pope_n be_v of_o more_o value_n with_o they_o then_o ten_o saint_n augustine_n nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o blame_v they_o for_o where_o the_o cause_n be_v notorious_o bad_a it_o be_v strange_a imprudence_n to_o refer_v it_o to_o any_o other_o vmpire_n and_o arbitratour_n save_v only_o such_o who_o be_v prepossess_v with_o the_o strong_a prejudice_n and_o oblige_v by_o the_o great_a interest_n to_o defend_v and_o own_v it_o and_o thus_o stand_v the_o case_n with_o the_o roman_a church_n but_o as_o for_o we_o where_o matter_n be_v doubtful_a and_o scripture_n be_v not_o clear_a we_o dare_v not_o run_v to_o uncertain_a tradition_n and_o the_o pretend_a infallibility_n of_o pope_n but_o rather_o to_o ancient_a council_n and_o father_n from_o who_o we_o do_v rational_o expect_v more_o satisfactory_a resolution_n and_o far_o better_a comment_n but_o 4._o there_o be_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 that_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 whatever_o contradict_v any_o one_o article_n deliver_v and_o contain_v therein_o may_v be_v just_o suspect_v of_o heresy_n error_n and_o innovation_n and_o as_o for_o other_o doctrine_n practice_n and_o matter_n of_o discipline_n we_o may_v have_v recourse_n and_o that_o with_o good_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o know_a article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o book_n of_o homily_n and_o that_o excellent_a liturgy_n of_o we_o which_o that_o of_o saint_n chrysostom_n or_o basil_n do_v not_o transcend_v and_o perhaps_o not_o match_v beside_o these_o there_o be_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a catechism_n compose_v by_o man_n that_o be_v pious_a learned_a and_o judicious_a acquaint_v with_o scripture_n well_o verse_v in_o the_o primitive_a council_n and_o father_n these_o short_a catechism_n compile_v by_o person_n of_o singular_a endowment_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n be_v little_o less_o than_o so_o many_o contract_a bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o whatever_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o deliver_v enough_o in_o plain_a and_o easy_a term_n to_o inform_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o error_n and_o confirm_v our_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n so_o then_o the_o sum_z of_o all_o be_v this_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n by_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n but_o because_o this_o word_n in_o some_o material_a case_n according_a to_o the_o different_a fancy_n or_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v different_a interpretation_n give_v concern_v its_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n it_o be_v our_o only_a way_n for_o our_o 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 the_o primitive_a father_n 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 use_v i._o consider_v how_o much_o to_o blame_v those_o person_n be_v who_o without_o any_o examination_n whatsoever_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n bare_o upon_o trust_n we_o be_v thus_o command_v in_o the_o text_n prove_v all_o thing_n but_o alas_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o we_o will_v prove_v nothing_o and_o although_o perhaps_o we_o pretend_v to_o abhor_v the_o religion_n of_o rome_n yet_o so_o far_o do_v we_o act_v like_o papist_n that_o a_o implicit_a faith_n serve_v our_o turn_n it_o be_v the_o great_a imprudence_n and_o crime_n of_o many_o person_n who_o be_v so_o supine_n and_o careless_a that_o they_o will_v not_o examine_v their_o religion_n but_o withal_o it_o be_v the_o sad_a calamity_n of_o some_o other_o who_o be_v so_o sottish_a and_o ignorant_a that_o indeed_o they_o can_v that_o we_o be_v require_v to_o prove_v our_o faith_n and_o of_o what_o concern_v it_o be_v so_o to_o do_v we_o have_v already_o see_v and_o that_o all_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n must_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o in_o doubtful_a case_n to_o be_v expound_v by_o ancient_a council_n and_o father_n have_v be_v already_o show_v yea_o but_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o the_o man_n that_o be_v utter_o unlearned_a and_o ignorant_a can_v that_o man_n prove_v his_o religion_n by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n who_o know_v it_o not_o can_v that_o man_n help_v himself_o in_o