Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	great_a	see_v	3,557	5	3.4655	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59860	The protestant resolution of faith being an answer to three questions : I. How far we must depend on the authority of the church for the true sense of Scripture? II. Whether a visible succession from Christ to this day makes a church, which has this succession, an infallible interpreter of Scripture, and whether no church, which has not this succession, can teach the true sense of Scripture? III. Whether the Church of England can make out such a visible succession?	Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.	1683 (1683)	Wing S3332; ESTC R22228	24,360	46

there_o be_v in_o the_o premise_n the_o only_a use_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v at_o least_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o more_o infallible_o assure_v of_o this_o than_o we_o be_v of_o our_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o it_o be_v the_o same_o argument_n prove_v that_o they_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a because_o this_o be_v not_o only_o doubt_v but_o absolute_o deny_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o be_v never_o think_v of_o by_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o so_o that_o this_o argument_n prove_v too_o much_o and_o recoil_v upon_o themselves_o like_o a_o gun_n which_o be_v overcharge_v and_o if_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n they_o will_v grant_v that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o confident_o deny_v and_o dispute_v by_o other_o then_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o our_o religion_n but_o only_o teach_v we_o great_a caution_n and_o diligence_n and_o honesty_n in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n 3._o these_o division_n and_o heresy_n that_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o better_a argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o the_o diversity_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v christian_n great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v jew_n or_o pagan_n or_o mahumetanes_n still_o and_o this_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o the_o different_a party_n and_o profession_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n nor_o what_o true_a christianity_n be_v the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o design_v to_o offer_v any_o force_n or_o violence_n to_o man_n faith_n or_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o to_o their_o wi_n be_v there_o such_o a_o irresistible_a and_o compulsory_a evidence_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o wherever_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o ill_o dispose_v to_o continue_v a_o infidel_n or_o to_o prove_v a_o heretic_n faith_n will_v be_v no_o great_a a_o virtue_n than_o force_a obedience_n and_o compliance_n be_v the_o gospel_n have_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v honest_a mind_n and_o be_v plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v honest_a and_o teachable_a and_o therefore_o have_v its_o effect_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v curable_a which_o be_v all_o that_o it_o be_v design_v for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v may_v continue_v infidel_n and_o those_o who_o will_v not_o understand_v may_v fall_v into_o error_n and_o believe_v a_o lie_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v and_o plainness_n enough_o to_o instruct_v well_o dispose_v mind_n and_o certainty_n enough_o in_o each_o to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o very_a good_a mean_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o only_a mean_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o very_a intelligible_a book_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o a_o church_n shall_v have_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o a_o language_n which_o he_o understand_v by_o a_o diligent_a read_n of_o it_o he_o may_v understand_v enough_o to_o be_v save_v 2._o if_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v any_o particular_a church_n as_o suppose_v the_o roman_n catholic_n church_n or_o the_o church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n it_o be_v absolute_o false_a to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v always_o a_o sure_a and_o safe_a mean_n of_o understand_v the_o scripture_n what_o have_v be_v unversal_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n or_o at_o least_o by_o all_o church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v near_a the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o may_v be_v presume_v best_a to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o those_o primitive_a apostolic_a church_n in_o matter_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n before_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o worldly_a ambition_n and_o secular_a interest_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o our_o practice_n also_o and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n whereby_o our_o church_n be_v reform_v and_o to_o which_o we_o appeal_v there_o be_v but_o three_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o christian_n either_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o the_o external_a order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o administration_n of_o religious_a office_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n all_o those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o man_n they_o be_v so_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o no_o honest_a man_n can_v mistake_v they_o i_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o will_v not_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n to_o teach_v man_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n those_o which_o be_v fundamental_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o which_o every_o christian_a ought_v to_o believe_v be_v so_o plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o every_o honest_a and_o unprejudiced_a man_n may_v understand_v they_o but_o however_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o we_o govern_v ourselves_o in_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o safe_a rule_n we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o what_o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v we_o learn_v from_o those_o short_a summary_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v universal_o own_v by_o all_o catholic_n church_n for_o what_o we_o now_o call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n be_v very_o ancient_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n with_o some_o little_a variety_n indeed_o of_o word_n and_o phrase_n but_o without_o any_o difference_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v not_o only_o preserve_v in_o such_o short_a summary_n and_o creed_n which_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v by_o heretic_n as_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o but_o be_v more_o large_o explain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o though_o this_o will_v not_o enable_v we_o to_o understand_v every_o phrase_n and_o expression_n of_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v use_v other_o mean_n to_o do_v that_o as_o skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n a_o knowledge_n of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o ancient_a dispute_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n frequent_o allude_v a_o consideration_n of_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o place_n etc._n etc._n yet_o the_o catholic_n faith_n receive_v and_o own_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v so_o far_o a_o rule_n as_o it_o direct_v we_o to_o expound_v scripture_n to_o a_o true_a catholic_n sense_n as_o st._n paul_n command_v the_o roman_n that_o those_o who_o prophesy_v shall_v prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n rom._n 12._o 6._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v that_o in_o the_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n they_o shall_v expound_v they_o to_o a_o christian_a sense_n according_a to_o those_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o he_o have_v teach_v they_o and_o this_o be_v a_o safe_a rule_n for_o expound_v the_o old_a testament_n which_o contain_v the_o type_n and_o figure_n and_o prophecy_n of_o the_o gospel-state_n and_o thus_o in_o expound_v the_o new_a testament_n now_o it_o be_v commit_v to_o writing_n we_o must_v prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n or_o as_o he_o command_v timothy_n in_o his_o preach_v hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n which_o thou_o have_v hear_v from_o i_o 2_o tim._n 1._o 13._o it_o seem_v the_o apostle_n have_v give_v he_o a_o form_n of_o

france_n and_o holland_n be_v and_o have_v no_o more_o right_a to_o impose_v her_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n upon_o other_o church_n than_o they_o have_v to_o impose_v upon_o she_o if_o there_o happen_v any_o controversy_n between_o they_o it_o be_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o either_o church_n can_v decide_v it_o but_o this_o must_v be_v do_v by_o a_o appeal_n to_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o for_o when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n we_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o sovereign_n and_o absolute_a judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o those_o church_n which_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o receive_v the_o faith_n immediate_o from_o they_o and_o be_v afterward_o for_o some_o age_n govern_v by_o apostolical_a man_n or_o those_o who_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o and_o converse_v with_o they_o be_v the_o best_a witness_n what_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v and_o therefore_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o faith_n of_o these_o primitive_a church_n be_v they_o be_v the_o best_a guide_n for_o the_o expound_v scripture_n so_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n be_v only_o the_o authority_n of_o witness_n it_o can_v reach_v no_o far_o than_o those_o age_n which_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v authentic_a and_o credible_a witness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o extend_v it_o to_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n it_o be_v as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v do_v it_o with_o any_o pretence_n of_o reason_n and_o thus_o far_o the_o church_n of_o england_n own_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o command_v her_o minister_n to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n own_a and_o profess_v in_o those_o day_n but_o as_o for_o the_o late_a age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v remove_v too_o far_o from_o the_o apostle_n day_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o their_o doctrine_n they_o have_v no_o more_o authority_n in_o this_o matter_n than_o we_o have_v at_o this_o day_n nor_o have_v one_o church_n any_o more_o authority_n than_o another_o 3._o and_o therefore_o if_o by_o the_o church_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v understand_v the_o judgement_n and_o sentence_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o church_n that_o we_o must_v seek_v no_o far_o for_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o insallible_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o expound_v scripture_n this_o also_o be_v absolute_o false_a and_o absurd_a this_o be_v more_o than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n assume_v to_o themselves_o while_o they_o be_v on_o earth_n they_o be_v indeed_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n but_o yet_o they_o never_o bear_v down_o their_o hearer_n mere_o with_o their_o authority_n but_o expound_v the_o scripture_n and_o apply_v ancient_a prophecy_n to_o their_o event_n and_o take_v the_o veil_n off_o of_o moses_n face_n and_o show_v they_o the_o gospel-state_n conceal_v under_o those_o type_n and_o figure_n they_o confirm_v their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n by_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n and_o appeal_v to_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n of_o their_o hearer_n whether_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o so_o christ_n command_v the_o jew_n not_o mere_o to_o take_v his_o own_o word_n and_o to_o rely_v on_o his_o authority_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o say_v but_o to_o study_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o the_o berean_o be_v commend_v for_o this_o generous_a temper_n of_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n for_o they_o daily_o search_v the_o scripture_n to_o see_v whether_o the_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n preach_v be_v to_o be_v find_v there_o or_o not_o now_o i_o think_v no_o church_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v more_o infallible_a than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o certain_o ought_v not_o to_o assume_v more_o to_o themselves_o than_o they_o do_v and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o any_o other_o church_n will_v convince_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n convince_v their_o hearer_n that_o be_v by_o enlighten_v our_o understanding_n and_o convince_a our_o judgement_n by_o proper_a argument_n we_o will_v glad_o learn_v of_o they_o this_o course_n the_o primitive_a christian_n take_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n against_o jew_n and_o heretic_n they_o argue_v from_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o to_o prove_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v they_o appeal_v indeed_o sometime_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o as_o a_o infallible_a judge_n of_o scripture_n but_o as_o the_o best_a witness_n of_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n thus_o tertullian_n argue_v against_o heretic_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praescriptionibus_fw-la but_o when_o they_o reason_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n they_o never_o direct_v we_o to_o any_o infallible_a judge_n but_o use_v such_o argument_n as_o they_o think_v proper_a to_o convince_v gainsayers_a nay_o this_o be_v the_o way_n which_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o the_o ancient_a council_n the_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n meet_v together_o for_o common_a counsel_n and_o advice_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n and_o government_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o authority_n they_o consider_v what_o be_v most_o for_o the_o public_a benefit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o determine_v they_o by_o their_o authority_n not_o as_o infallible_a judge_n but_o as_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o dispute_v of_o faith_n they_o reason_n from_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o from_o their_o own_o authority_n and_o what_o upon_o a_o serious_a debate_n and_o inquiry_n they_o find_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o former_a age_n that_o they_o determine_v and_o decree_v to_o be_v receive_v in_o all_o church_n as_o the_o catholic_n faith_n that_o this_o be_v so_o be_v evident_a from_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o celebrate_v council_n which_o any_o man_n may_v consult_v who_o please_v now_o i_o will_v ask_v some_o few_o question_n about_o this_o matter_n 1._o whether_o these_o council_n take_v a_o sure_a and_o safe_a way_n to_o find_v out_o truth_n if_o they_o do_v not_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o they_o determine_v right_a if_o they_o do_v than_o we_o may_v use_v the_o same_o way_n which_o they_o do_v for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o good_a way_n in_o one_o age_n be_v so_o another_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n because_o we_o have_v other_o certain_a way_n of_o do_v this_o the_o same_o which_o all_o the_o ancient_a council_n observe_v 2._o i_o will_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o receive_v the_o decree_n and_o determination_n of_o these_o council_n upon_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o authority_n which_o move_v the_o father_n assemble_v in_o council_n to_o make_v these_o decree_n whether_o for_o instance_n we_o must_v not_o believe_v the_o eternal_a godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o his_o father_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o nicene_n father_n believe_v this_o and_o require_v all_o christian_n to_o believe_v it_o if_o we_o must_v than_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n not_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o general_a council_n or_o any_o infallible_a judge_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o the_o nicene_n father_n who_o be_v the_o first_o that_o meet_v in_o a_o general_n council_n can_v not_o believe_v this_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o other_o general_n council_n much_o less_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n unless_o we_o will_v say_v that_o they_o first_o decree_v this_o than_o believe_v it_o because_o they_o themselves_o decree_v it_o if_o scripture_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n antecedent_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o a_o general_n council_n or_o any_o other_o pretend_v infallible_a judge_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o our_o faith_n than_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v the_o first_o general_a council_n have_v no_o sufficient_a foundation_n for_o their_o faith_n for_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a bishop_n or_o