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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n believe_v church_n infallible_a 2,836 5 9.7883 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A01010 A secure and prudent choice of beliefe. Written by a student in diuinity Floyd, John, 1572-1649. 1639 (1639) STC 11115; ESTC S114863 16,290 54

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a_o secure_n and_o prudent_a choice_n of_o belief_n write_a by_o a_o student_n in_o divinity_n anno_fw-la m.dc.xxxix_o nothing_o in_o this_o world_n do_v more_o import_v a_o man_n for_o his_o good_a both_o temporal_a and_o eternal_a than_o the_o profession_n of_o a_o true_a religion_n what_o more_o confess_v among_o christian_n not_o infect_v with_o atheism_n yet_o such_o be_v our_o poor_a condition_n that_o nothing_o ordinary_o be_v less_o value_v many_o stubborn_o retain_v what_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v from_o their_o youth_n other_o embrace_v what_o be_v most_o common_a where_o they_o live_v other_o indifferent_a mere_o animal_n their_o wit_n serve_v they_o no_o further_o then_o how_o to_o have_v good_a day_n other_o loath_a to_o take_v pain_n lest_o thereby_o their_o conscience_n be_v move_v to_o cross_v their_o covetous_a appetite_n other_o with_o a_o kind_n of_o frenzy_n persuade_v themselves_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o ghost_n other_o lurk_v under_o affect_a &_o wilful_a ignorance_n persuade_v they_o be_v uncapable_a of_o their_o right_a level_n in_o these_o trouble_a water_n multitude_n final_o apprehend_v little_a difference_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n sleep_v secure_o upon_o any_o pillow_n many_o of_o these_o though_o of_o different_a belief_n flatter_v themselves_o with_o hope_n of_o salvation_n when_o they_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v secure_a thereof_o as_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o infallible_a rule_n of_o a_o secure_a choice_n i_o will_v propose_v in_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n for_o which_o purpose_n 1._o i_o suppose_v first_o that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n when_o he_o be_v to_o depart_v in_o visible_a presence_n from_o this_o world_n his_o last_o care_n be_v to_o leave_v his_o church_n provide_v with_o such_o as_o shall_v sufficient_o govern_v teach_v and_o augment_v it_o after_o he_o to_o who_o &_o their_o successor_n for_o that_o purpose_n he_o promise_v his_o especial_a assistance_n and_o protection_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o so_o i_o send_v you_o io._n 20.21_o go_v into_o the_o whole_a world_n preach_v the_o gospel_n mark_v 16._o here_o we_o see_v the_o apostle_n commission_n not_o only_o to_o go_v as_o be_v send_v but_o also_o to_o send_v other_o their_o successor_n with_o the_o like_a authority_n to_o be_v successive_o deliver_v that_o also_o he_o leave_v ample_a power_n for_o the_o perfect_a government_n of_o the_o same_o church_n beside_o these_o place_n that_o of_o s._n matth._n 28._o deserve_v special_a consideration_n all_o power_n be_v give_v i_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n go_v therefore_o teach_v all_o nation_n where_o that_o illation_n go_v therefore_o impli_v a_o most_o ample_a authority_n for_o have_v say_v all_o power_n be_v give_v i_o he_o present_o practise_v and_o give_v the_o like_a say_v go_v therefore_o moreover_o that_o we_o may_v know_v nothing_o shall_v be_v want_v to_o the_o perpetual_a government_n of_o this_o his_o church_n and_o that_o just_o it_o may_v be_v esteem_v to_o be_v direct_v not_o so_o much_o by_o humane_a wit_n or_o industry_n as_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n he_o promise_v io._n 14._o and_o i_o will_v pray_v my_o father_n and_o he_o will_v give_v you_o another_o comforter_n that_o he_o may_v abide_v with_o you_o for_o ever_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n 2._o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o these_o place_n enforce_v a_o eminent_a perpetual_a and_o infallible_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n to_o which_o such_o ample_a power_n be_v give_v &_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v promise_v to_o reside_v yet_o because_o mean_n be_v find_v to_o delude_v the_o force_n of_o they_o as_o of_o any_o other_o there_o may_v be_v i_o insist_v not_o upon_o they_o but_o for_o the_o present_a only_o make_v this_o dilemma_n either_o these_o text_n be_v clear_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o they_o lie_v or_o not_o if_o they_o be_v then_o there_o have_v ever_o be_v a_o perpetual_a absolute_a and_o infallible_a power_n of_o government_n in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n establish_v if_o not_o this_o only_a i_o will_v gather_v as_o out_o of_o other_o text_n it_o may_v be_v that_o scarce_o any_o can_v be_v produce_v so_o clear_a for_o the_o proof_n of_o any_o verity_n which_o may_v not_o malicious_o be_v wrest_v to_o a_o strange_a sense_n by_o tongue_n sound_v nothing_o more_o sacred_o than_o scripture_n thus_o all_o sectary_n though_o contrary_a among_o themselves_o avouch_v for_o their_o undoubted_a warrant_n holy_a scripture_n some_o understanding_n it_o in_o one_o sense_n other_o in_o a_o other_o when_o indeed_o the_o proof_n be_v not_o out_o of_o scripture_n but_o out_o of_o their_o own_o private_a judgement_n who_o then_o do_v not_o see_v how_o vain_o scripture_n only_o be_v pretend_v for_o warrant_n of_o their_o contrary_a invention_n and_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o convince_v the_o truth_n by_o it_o alone_o not_o for_o that_o it_o contain_v not_o all_o truth_n and_o all_o sufficient_a instruction_n for_o salvation_n but_o because_o follow_v our_o own_o private_a judgement_n we_o may_v err_v in_o the_o sense_n thereof_o since_o therefore_o no_o man_n though_o of_o never_o so_o entire_a judgement_n can_v sufficient_o show_v his_o own_o sense_n to_o be_v true_a and_o the_o contrary_a false_a as_o it_o appear_v by_o such_o monstrous_a contradiction_n upon_o the_o same_o text_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o from_o scripture_n alone_o we_o can_v promise_v ourselves_o little_a or_o no_o security_n 3._o second_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o church_n of_o christ_n extant_a that_o bear_v the_o true_a mark_n of_o his_o promise_n and_o providence_n renown_v for_o antiquity_n and_o continue_a succession_n perspicious_a for_o extent_n knit_v in_o unity_n adorn_v with_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o doctor_n throughout_o the_o world_n establish_v and_o maintain_v by_o counsel_n beautify_v &_o enrich_v with_o multitude_n of_o holy_a man_n admirable_a for_o their_o conversation_n and_o virtue_n strengthen_v with_o miracle_n final_o in_o doctrine_n and_o custom_n profess_v piety_n that_o any_o one_o behold_v it_o may_v say_v here_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o light_n this_o the_o hill_n on_o the_o top_n of_o hill_n 4._o three_o i_o suppose_v what_o truth_n itself_o marc._n 16._o denounce_v he_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v shall_v be_v damn_v whence_o under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n we_o be_v oblige_v not_o to_o disbelieve_v any_o point_n propose_v unto_o we_o in_o holy_a scripture_n for_o christ_n specify_v not_o any_o particular_a article_n or_o article_n but_o to_o all_o disbeliefe_n of_o his_o gospel_n he_o denounce_v damnation_n go_v into_o all_o the_o world_n preach_v the_o gospel_n he_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v etc._n etc._n hence_o it_o follow_v that_o among_o different_a opinion_n concern_v the_o same_o scripture_n that_o part_n be_v less_o secure_a that_o deni_v the_o article_n propose_v out_o of_o it_o since_o for_o disbeleife_n damnation_n be_v denounce_v not_o for_o belief_n 5._o four_o i_o suppose_v as_o consequent_a to_o what_o be_v say_v that_o if_o a_o article_n common_o believe_v be_v judge_v hard_o by_o any_o private_a man_n it_o be_v not_o secure_a for_o he_o to_o condemn_v it_o rely_v only_o upon_o human_a discourse_n though_o join_v with_o his_o own_o or_o some_o other_o interpretation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o all_o this_o be_v but_o in_o the_o degree_n of_o probability_n and_o not_o different_a from_o the_o mean_v the_o arian_n and_o other_o impious_a heretic_n use_v consequent_o unsufficient_a to_o disprove_v the_o contrary_n possess_v belief_n though_o it_o be_v but_o suppose_v probable_a but_o he_o must_v produce_v clear_a scripture_n without_o addition_n diminution_n supposition_n or_o interpretation_n since_o these_o be_v subject_a to_o doubt_v &_o consequent_o to_o danger_n of_o lead_v into_o disbeliefe_n who_o do_v not_o see_v how_o impossible_a this_o be_v 6._o final_o for_o the_o end_n of_o this_o prudent_a choice_n i_o suppose_v as_o sufficient_a in_o that_o religion_n which_o first_o believe_v many_o article_n deny_v afterward_o by_o other_o a_o moral_a probability_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o christ_n word_n and_o this_o no_o wise_a man_n can_v deny_v to_o a_o church_n ancient_a and_o consist_v of_o counsel_n and_o learned_a man_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n agree_v in_o one_o opinion_n without_o any_o alteration_n evident_o prove_v to_o say_v that_o any_o article_n be_v improbable_a because_o it_o be_v impossible_a be_v to_o prove_v by_o a_o ground_n not_o possible_a to_o be_v prove_v and_o to_o overthrow_v all_o faith_n as_o be_v manifest_a we_o seek_v not_o then_o what_o seem_v possible_a or_o impossible_a to_o our_o poor_a apprehension_n but_o what_o most_o probable_o christ_n deliver_v and_o he_o that_o with_o probability_n only_o deni_v what_o be_v but_o probable_o believe_v be_v not_o in_o secure_a
22._o jos_n 5.14_o and_o else_o where_o how_o the_o holy_a prophet_n adore_v god_n in_o image_n or_o in_o angel_n represent_v his_o person_n prostrate_v themselves_o before_o they_o and_o though_o their_o intention_n be_v direct_v to_o god_n yet_o their_o outward_a worship_n be_v direct_v to_o those_o sensible_a apparition_n or_o image_n represent_v god_n to_o their_o imagination_n wherein_o they_o conceive_v god_n as_o represent_v and_o these_o image_n represent_v god_n moral_o one_o object_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o honour_n of_o image_n and_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o figurative_a communion_n or_o as_o all_o civil_a nation_n do_v when_o they_o honour_v the_o chair_n of_o state_n or_o presence_n chamber_n of_o a_o king_n without_o wrong_n to_o christ_n or_o to_o the_o king_n 26._o these_o three_o argument_n do_v manifest_o show_v that_o whether_o in_o the_o commandment_n we_o read_v idol_n or_o image_n by_o it_o nothing_o can_v be_v prove_v against_o the_o declare_a manner_n of_o worship_v image_n unless_o we_o will_v prove_v a_o contradiction_n in_o holy_a scripture_n moreover_o since_o it_o be_v clear_o prove_v by_o those_o example_n and_o practice_n take_v out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o in_o such_o worship_n there_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o dishonour_n to_o god_n it_o be_v doubtless_o more_o secure_a with_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o the_o world_n to_o honour_v they_o then_o by_o the_o denial_n of_o it_o to_o condemn_v such_o manifest_a authority_n 27._o that_o in_o the_o refuse_v there_o be_v no_o security_n it_o be_v also_o manifest_a since_o the_o scripture_n bring_v be_v not_o clear_a for_o condemnation_n of_o image-worship_n therefore_o not_o sufficient_a to_o cry_v down_o a_o ancient_a practice_n prove_v by_o sound_a text_n of_o scripture_n which_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v with_o those_o word_n of_o the_o law_n unless_o where_o image_n be_v read_v we_o read_v idol_n which_o word_n signify_v a_o command_n that_o no_o creature_n shall_v be_v make_v nor_o worship_v as_o god_n this_o use_n of_o image_n declare_v be_v justify_v both_o in_o respect_n of_o make_v and_o worship_v by_o other_o text_n of_o scripture_n without_o any_o contradiction_n to_o those_o word_n of_o the_o law_n when_o the_o contrary_a without_o any_o necessity_n compel_v a_o man_n to_o deny_v clear_a reason_n and_o scripture_n 28._o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o since_o idolatry_n have_v be_v begin_v and_o maintain_v by_o image_n and_o since_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o forget_v god_n and_o apply_v themselves_o whole_o to_o corporal_a object_n the_o secure_a way_n be_v to_o abandon_v image_n at_o the_o least_o in_o church_n this_o be_v speak_v without_o reason_n or_o law_n without_o law_n for_o there_o can_v be_v none_o bring_v since_o not_o image_n but_o idol_n be_v the_o beginning_n and_o maintain_v of_o idolatry_n image_n i_o have_v prove_v warrantable_a in_o holy_a scripture_n without_o reason_n for_o whereas_o a_o idol_n represent_v nothing_o beside_o itself_o and_o so_o be_v worship_v a_o image_n represent_v a_o true_a thing_n therefore_o move_v a_o man_n to_o a_o reverence_n proportionable_a to_o the_o object_n represent_v whence_o in_o reason_n a_o idol_n occasion_v idolatry_n not_o represent_v any_o further_a object_n whither_o our_o thought_n and_o honour_n may_v be_v transfer_v when_o contrariwise_o a_o image_n of_o a_o true_a object_n necessary_o draw_v our_o mind_n and_o reverence_n to_o some_o thing_n beside_o itself_o so_o that_o ask_v any_o simple_a believer_n whether_o he_o pray_v to_o a_o image_n or_o put_v any_o confidence_n in_o it_o he_o will_v say_v no_o ask_v he_o again_o when_o he_o be_v kneel_v before_o a_o picture_n with_o his_o eye_n fix_v on_o it_o whither_o he_o direct_v his_o prayer_n he_o will_v say_v to_o christ_n or_o some_o saint_n what_o hurt_n be_v there_o in_o this_o s._n marry_o magdelen_n prostrate_a kiss_v and_o bathe_v with_o her_o tear_n the_o foot_n of_o christ_n what_o justify_v that_o act_n but_o the_o union_n which_o those_o sacred_a foot_n have_v with_o his_o divinity_n which_o notwithstanding_o she_o see_v not_o but_o apprehend_v by_o faith_n though_o between_o christ_n and_o his_o picture_n there_o be_v not_o so_o immediate_a connexion_n yet_o a_o moral_a connexion_n there_o be_v such_o as_o between_o the_o king_n and_o his_o picture_n chair_n of_o state_n ambassador_n etc._n etc._n why_o then_o may_v not_o a_o christian_a apprehend_v this_o connexion_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o image_n represent_v he_o and_o according_o exhibit_v due_a honour_n without_o danger_n of_o idolatry_n whether_o be_v holy_a scripture_n the_o only_a rule_n of_o our_o faith_n 29._o hither_o to_o i_o have_v show_v that_o suppose_v scripture_n the_o only_a rule_n belief_n be_v more_o secure_a than_o denial_n for_o both_o party_n rely_v upon_o the_o same_o scripture_n can_v never_o convince_v each_o other_o interpretation_n of_o falsity_n as_o experience_n sufficient_o show_v and_o probability_n at_o least_o must_v be_v suppose_v on_o both_o part_n in_o which_o case_n find_v no_o further_a evidence_n prudence_n compel_v i_o to_o choose_v that_o part_n which_o be_v most_o remote_a from_o danger_n of_o condemnation_n who_o will_v not_o betieve_v shall_v be_v damn_v 30._o now_o that_o there_o may_v remain_v no_o doubt_n at_o all_o of_o the_o secure_a choice_n of_o belief_n i_o will_v show_v it_o consequent_a to_o reason_n &_o holy_a scripture_n that_o we_o must_v admit_v of_o some_o other_o rule_n beside_o scripture_n if_o then_o belief_n be_v ground_v not_o only_o upon_o probable_a authority_n of_o scripture_n wherein_o it_o be_v equal_a at_o the_o least_o with_o authority_n of_o denier_n or_o disbeliever_n but_o also_o upon_o a_o other_o rule_n apparent_o know_v and_o see_v as_o it_o be_v fit_a for_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n of_o the_o security_n of_o belief_n 31._o and_o first_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a or_o either_o physical_o certain_a that_o there_o have_v ever_o be_v a_o church_n teach_v and_o practise_v those_o point_n of_o belief_n aforemention_v not_o sufficient_o disprove_v in_o point_n of_o continuance_n &_o incorruption_n in_o doctrine_n though_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n have_v breathe_v forth_o all_o malice_n against_o it_o 32._o second_o i_o suppose_v holy_a scripture_n as_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o christian_a belief_n yet_o for_o that_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o all_o be_v not_o write_v that_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n neither_o do_v it_o any_o where_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o infallible_a and_o sole_a word_n of_o god_n and_o for_o that_o it_o be_v obscure_a &_o do_v not_o clear_o explicate_v itself_o as_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o experience_n it_o can_v not_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n for_o the_o decide_n of_o contradictory_n opinion_n draw_v from_o the_o same_o though_o it_o alone_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a direction_n to_o let_v we_o know_v what_o more_o secure_o may_v be_v believe_v 33._o the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o beside_o the_o scripture_n a_o church_n also_o as_o a_o unpartial_a interpreter_n thereof_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v which_o be_v as_o much_o to_o say_v whether_o the_o common_a voice_n of_o a_o church_n interpret_n holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o more_o secure_a rule_n than_o the_o voice_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n who_o private_a interpretation_n as_o before_o i_o show_v be_v not_o certain_a proof_n out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n but_o only_a probability_n out_o of_o their_o own_o judgement_n which_o notwithstanding_o some_o will_v oblige_v all_o to_o admit_v as_o scripture_n and_o contemn_v the_o explication_n of_o a_o ancient_a church_n 34._o for_o the_o negative_a part_n i_o find_v no_o clear_a scripture_n but_o such_o text_n as_o require_v hard_a interpretation_n and_o which_o as_o much_o oppose_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o primitive_a church_n then_o admit_v as_o a_o doubtless_o rule_v as_o it_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o that_o shall_v consider_v they_o you_o shall_v not_o add_v a_o word_n deut._n 4.2_o search_v the_o scripture_n joan._n 5.39_o these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v io._n 20.31_o all_o scripture_n divine_o inspire_v be_v profitable_a be_v not_o these_o place_n of_o as_o much_o force_n against_o the_o primitive_a church_n do_v they_o &_o the_o like_a say_v that_o all_o truth_n be_v write_v or_o that_o what_o be_v write_v be_v divine_a scripture_n or_o that_o it_o need_v no_o help_n of_o interpretation_n no_o not_o of_o a_o church_n but_o of_o private_a spirit_n what_o ground_n then_o do_v there_o remain_v for_o the_o enforce_a of_o sole_a scripture_n as_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o our_o belief_n 35._o for_o the_o affirmative_a part_n we_o have_v first_o that_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n i_o believe_v the_o holy_a