not_o we_o who_o by_o force_n and_o persuasion_n and_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o artifices_fw-la endeavour_v to_o draw_v people_n from_o the_o unity_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n unto_o new_a congregation_n institution_n and_o rule_n of_o their_o own_o frame_n opposite_a to_o and_o destructive_a of_o the_o former_a like_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n of_o old_a they_o compass_v sea_n and_o land_n to_o make_v one_o proselyte_n and_o when_o he_o be_v make_v they_o make_v he_o twofold_a more_o the_o child_n of_o hell_n than_o themselves_o matth._n 23.15_o qu._n 13._o whether_o person_n so_o act_v be_v better_a than_o rebel_n and_o usurper_n or_o such_o as_o simon_n magus_n and_o those_o that_o desert_v the_o apostle_n to_o follow_v he_o and_o therefore_o to_o be_v avoid_v as_o person_n separate_v from_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n ans_fw-fr that_o they_o be_v no_o better_a than_o such_o as_o he_o have_v here_o name_v and_o describe_v we_o willing_o grant_v 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own_o destruction_n we_o therefore_o profess_v for_o the_o end_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o our_o religion_n and_o settle_v of_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n to_o submit_v our_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o free_a general_a council_n the_o animadverter_n 1._o the_o explainer_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v believe_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o infallible_a authority_n etc._n etc._n a_o very_a fair_a and_o good_a profession_n wherein_o we_o do_v hearty_o join_v with_o they_o and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a pity_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o secret_a reserve_n to_o spoil_v and_o overthrow_v it_o they_o believe_v this_o but_o be_v this_o all_o they_o believe_v do_v they_o not_o believe_v also_o that_o some_o thing_n which_o before_o the_o church_n definition_n of_o they_o may_v have_v be_v innocent_o disbelieved_a yet_o after_o they_o be_v once_o define_v and_o determine_v by_o 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author_n yet_o because_o i_o design_v brevity_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o at_o present_a with_o the_o evidence_n and_o authority_n of_o one_o of_o their_o most_o magnify_a council_n which_o they_o call_v both_o free_a and_o general_a though_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v neither_o and_o that_o be_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o sess_n 4_o 8._o apr._n de_fw-fr canon_n script_n take_v the_o book_n of_o toby_n judith_n ecclesiasticus_fw-la wisdom_n and_o maccabee_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n though_o they_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o they_o never_o be_v in_o the_o jewish_a canon_n nor_o ever_o universal_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o anathematise_v all_o those_o who_o do_v not_o upon_o this_o declaration_n believe_v they_o to_o be_v canonical_a and_o the_o same_o council_n in_o the_o same_o sess_n profess_v to_o receive_v and_o reverence_v tradition_n with_o no_o less_o pious_a affection_n than_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o not_o in_o matter_n of_o rite_n and_o history_n only_o but_o of_o faith_n and_o manner_n also_o now_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o add_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o accuse_v they_o of_o insufficiency_n and_o imperfection_n and_o if_o so_o than_o what_o do_v this_o explainer_n do_v but_o deceive_v those_o person_n of_o quality_n to_o who_o he_o present_v this_o as_o the_o sum_n of_o their_o belief_n but_o the_o explainer_n go_v on_o and_o say_v since_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unstable_a wrist_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v by_o the_o way_n only_a remark_n these_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o apostle_n indeed_o say_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a but_o not_o impossible_a to_o be_v understand_v for_o if_o man_n will_v use_v the_o mean_n if_o they_o will_v apply_v themselves_o with_o a_o humble_a and_o teachable_a temper_n of_o mind_n diligent_o to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o they_o will_v serious_o meditate_v on_o what_o they_o read_v and_o earnest_o and_o devout_o pray_v unto_o god_n for_o the_o assistance_n and_o direction_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n therein_o the_o difficulty_n may_v be_v remove_v and_o they_o may_v be_v enable_v right_o to_o understand_v those_o scripture_n at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o know_v 2._o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o to_o who_o those_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v viz._n the_o ignorant_a and_o unstable_a so_o that_o the_o difficulty_n seem_v to_o be_v not_o in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o in_o the_o incapacity_n of_o man_n for_o if_o man_n will_v be_v ignorant_a still_o and_o not_o use_v the_o mean_n to_o know_v better_a or_o if_o they_o will_v content_v themselves_o with_o some_o airy_a notion_n which_o float_n and_o fluctuate_v in_o the_o brain_n without_o ever_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o consistency_n not_o only_o some_o but_o all_o thing_n in_o scripture_n and_o even_o the_o clear_a declaration_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o they_o and_o so_o they_o will_v be_v as_o much_o at_o a_o loss_n in_o the_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o but_o how_o much_o this_o text_n be_v misunderstand_v and_o misapply_v a_o reverend_n and_o learned_a divine_a of_o our_o church_n in_o a_o treatise_n entitle_v search_v the_o scripture_n have_v plain_o demonstrate_v to_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o inference_n he_o draw_v from_o hence_o therefore_o say_v he_o we_o profess_v for_o the_o end_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o our_o religion_n and_o settle_v of_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n to_o submit_v our_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o free_a general_n council_n in_o which_o inference_n i_o can_v but_o remark_n these_o thing_n
some_o query_n to_o protestant_n answer_v and_o a_o explanation_n of_o the_o roman_a catholick_n belief_n in_o four_o great_a point_n consider_v i._o concern_v their_o church_n ii_o their_o worship_n iii_o justification_n iu._n civil_a government_n imprimatur_fw-la exit_fw-la aedib_n lambeth_n mar._n 4._o 1685._o guil._n needham_n rr_z mo_z in_o christo_n p._n ac_fw-la d._n d._n wilhelmo_n archiepisc_n cantuar._n a_o sacr._n dome_a london_n print_v by_o j._n h._n for_o luke_n meredith_n at_o the_o king_n head_n at_o the_o west_n end_v of_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxvi_o to_o the_o reader_n not_o many_o day_n since_o i_o have_v some_o paper_n put_v into_o my_o hand_n which_o so_o soon_o as_o i_o have_v a_o opportunity_n i_o open_v and_o peruse_v the_o first_o i_o find_v entitle_v some_o query_n to_o protestant_n the_o next_o query_n of_o religion_n or_o liberty_n and_o the_o last_o a_o explanation_n of_o roman_a catholick_n belief_n concern_v these_o 4_o point_n their_o church_n worship_n justification_n and_o civil_a government_n as_o it_o be_v present_v to_o some_o person_n of_o quality_n for_o their_o particular_a satisfaction_n by_o these_o paper_n i_o find_v that_o the_o roman_a emissary_n be_v very_o busy_a compass_v sea_n and_o land_n to_o gain_v proselyte_n and_o because_o they_o have_v have_v no_o good_a luck_n by_o open_a and_o fair_a deal_n they_o now_o take_v another_o course_n they_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o private_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o the_o acquaintance_n of_o unwary_a people_n which_o when_o they_o have_v once_o do_v they_o begin_v their_o work_n which_o be_v by_o puzzel_a question_n and_o false_a representation_n of_o their_o religion_n to_o unfix_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o then_o take_v occasion_n of_o their_o unsetledness_n to_o draw_v they_o over_o to_o their_o party_n now_o see_v our_o adversary_n be_v so_o diligent_a certain_o it_o behoove_v we_o to_o be_v very_o watchful_a and_o by_o all_o lawful_a way_n and_o mean_n to_o countermine_v their_o cunning_a craftiness_n and_o arm_v ourselves_o against_o their_o device_n upon_o this_o consideration_n i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v no_o disservice_n either_o to_o private_a christian_n or_o the_o church_n of_o which_o i_o be_o a_o member_n to_o take_v these_o paper_n into_o consideration_n and_o by_o shsw_n answer_n to_o the_o query_n and_o a_o brief_a animadversion_n upon_o the_o explanation_n to_o put_v weapon_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o other_o wherewith_o they_o may_v defend_v themselves_o against_o their_o assault_n this_o be_v the_o design_n of_o these_o few_o follow_a sheet_n wherein_o i_o have_v study_v nothing_o more_o than_o brevity_n and_o plainness_n to_o the_o first_o paper_n of_o query_n i_o have_v give_v very_o short_a answer_n but_o i_o hope_v both_o plain_a and_o full_a to_o the_o second_o because_o the_o query_n seem_v to_o be_v contrive_v with_o more_o art_n and_o cunning_a my_o answer_n thereunto_o be_v somewhat_o more_o large_a but_o i_o hope_v not_o too_o long_o and_o upon_o the_o explanation_n of_o their_o belief_n in_o those_o 4_o great_a point_n i_o have_v make_v such_o animadversion_n as_o i_o hope_v may_v satisfy_v any_o one_o that_o the_o explainer_n have_v not_o deal_v so_o fair_o nor_o so_o ingenuous_o with_o his_o person_n of_o quality_n as_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v whether_o what_o be_v here_o do_v will_v answer_v the_o design_n of_o do_v it_o or_o no_o i_o know_v not_o but_o hope_v by_o god_n blessing_n it_o may_v in_o confidence_n therefore_o of_o the_o divine_a blessing_n and_o assistance_n i_o now_o reader_n commit_v it_o into_o thy_o hand_n desire_v only_o this_o favour_n that_o to_o the_o read_n of_o it_o thou_o will_v bring_v a_o humble_a and_o teachable_a temper_n of_o mind_n which_o if_o thou_o do_v i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o it_o may_v be_v in_o some_o measure_n serviceable_a to_o thou_o at_o this_o time_n which_o if_o it_o be_v may_v god_n have_v the_o glory_n and_o thou_o the_o comfort_n and_o advantage_n of_o it_o this_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o hearty_a prayer_n of_o thy_o faithful_a friend_n and_o fellow_n christian_n some_o query_n to_o protestant_n answer_v qu._n 1._o whither_o divine_a revelation_n be_v not_o the_o entire_a object_n of_o faith_n which_o faith_n be_v but_o one_o &_o c_o eph._n 4.4_o ans_fw-fr divine_a revelation_n be_v both_o the_o rule_n and_o object_n of_o faith_n which_o faith_n be_v but_o one_o qu._n 2._o whether_o faith_n must_v not_o give_v a_o undoubted_a assent_n to_o all_o thing_n reveal_v jam._n 2.18_o ans_fw-fr if_o the_o revelation_n be_v divine_a there_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v qu._n 3._o whether_o these_o revelation_n do_v not_o contain_v in_o they_o many_o mystery_n transcend_v the_o natural_a reach_n of_o humane_a wit_n or_o industry_n 1_o cor._n 1.10_o matth._n 16.17_o ans_fw-fr there_o be_v many_o mystery_n in_o religion_n which_o be_v above_o the_o natural_a reach_n of_o humane_a wit_n and_o industry_n above_o reason_n but_o not_o contrary_a to_o reason_n qu._n 4._o whether_o it_o do_v not_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o provide_v man_n some_o way_n or_o mean_n whereby_o he_o may_v arrive_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o mystery_n ans_fw-fr divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v not_o be_v want_v in_o the_o provision_n of_o way_n and_o mean_n whereby_o man_n may_v arrive_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o mystery_n so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o his_o happiness_n both_o here_o and_o hereafter_o qu._n 5._o whether_o these_o mean_n must_v not_o be_v visible_a and_o apparent_a to_o all_o proportionable_a to_o the_o capacity_n of_o all_o joh._n 9.14_o mat._n 11.25_o 1_o joh._n 5.22_o ans_fw-fr the_o mean_v appoint_v by_o god_n be_v visible_a or_o invisible_a they_o be_v proportion_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o all_o but_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a they_o shall_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o qu._n 6._o whether_o these_o mystery_n be_v not_o teach_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o his_o apostle_n ans_fw-fr whatever_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o divine_a revelation_n be_v certain_o teach_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o the_o apostle_n for_o he_o make_v know_v unto_o they_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n qu._n 7._o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n teach_v these_o doctrine_n in_o almost_o all_o place_n of_o the_o world_n before_o the_o scripture_n be_v all_o of_o they_o write_v or_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v their_o writing_n or_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n ans_fw-fr the_o apostle_n be_v faithful_a steward_n and_o do_v dispense_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n faithful_o and_o sincere_o in_o all_o place_n where_o they_o come_v even_o before_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v all_o write_v or_o collect_v into_o one_o body_n qu._n 8._o when_o they_o begin_v to_o write_v the_o scripture_n do_v they_o profess_v that_o they_o write_v in_o they_o all_o and_o every_o truth_n which_o have_v be_v deliver_v unto_o they_o or_o do_v they_o only_o write_v they_o upon_o emergent_a occasion_n ans_fw-fr all_o and_o every_o truth_n necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n be_v faithful_o and_o full_o deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o that_o be_v the_o design_n of_o they_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v anxious_a or_o solicitous_a about_o any_o more_o qu._n 9_o be_v all_o divine_a truth_n necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o confound_a of_o error_n design_o and_o express_o deliver_v in_o they_o ans_fw-fr the_o scripture_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o instruct_v all_o man_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o may_v secure_v their_o salvation_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o error_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v essential_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v or_o good_a government_n of_o a_o church_n may_v there_o be_v find_v but_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v accidental_o necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o time_n and_o place_n be_v leave_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o governor_n qu._n 10._o be_v not_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o this_o write_a word_n deliver_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o the_o apostle_n successor_n ans_fw-fr the_o apostle_n do_v explain_v the_o mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n to_o all_o to_o who_o they_o preach_v and_o the_o write_a word_n be_v design_v not_o only_o for_o the_o learned_a but_o unlearned_a be_v set_v down_o in_o such_o intelligible_a word_n as_o may_v comport_v with_o the_o capacity_n of_o all_o qu._n 11._o be_v not_o those_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n oblige_v under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o deliver_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n to_o their_o successor_n and_o so_o consequent_o to_o our_o day_n or_o at_o least_o not_o contrary_a sense_n ans_fw-fr the_o successor_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o all_o age_n be_v undoubted_o oblige_v to_o deliver_v the_o true_a
sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o other_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o none_o have_v fail_v of_o their_o duty_n therein_o qu._n 12._o whether_o all_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v not_o true_a according_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n so_o deliver_v ans_fw-fr all_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v undoubted_o true_a according_a to_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o meaning_n thereof_o qu._n 13._o whether_o a_o obstinate_a contradiction_n of_o any_o one_o truth_n thus_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n though_o there_o appear_v no_o necessity_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v not_o injurious_a to_o that_o divine_a authority_n and_o veracity_n and_o which_o unrepented_a of_o shall_v bring_v damnation_n ans_fw-fr a_o obstinate_a contradiction_n of_o any_o one_o plain_a truth_n deliver_v in_o holy_a scripture_n be_v certain_o a_o very_a great_a injury_n to_o divine_a authority_n and_o veracity_n qu._n 14._o when_o difficulty_n do_v arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n or_o matter_n of_o faith_n whither_o the_o dicision_n of_o those_o controversy_n be_v carry_v and_o whether_o the_o present_a church_n of_o every_o age_n be_v not_o to_o decide_v it_o ans_fw-fr it_o be_v undoubted_o the_o practice_n and_o be_v most_o rational_a that_o the_o present_a church_n in_o every_o age_n shall_v decide_v such_o controversy_n for_o the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o they_o shall_v inquire_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n and_o no_o question_n the_o church_n have_v authority_n to_o declare_v matter_n of_o faith_n but_o not_o to_o make_v any_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n qu._n 15._o whether_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v to_o have_v a_o authoritative_a power_n in_o this_o decision_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o universal_o leave_v to_o the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n assemble_v together_o ans_fw-fr every_o particular_a person_n have_v undoubted_o a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n allow_v he_o in_o matter_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o the_o authoritative_a power_n of_o decide_v and_o determine_v be_v in_o the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n assemble_v together_o for_o that_o end_n qu._n 16._o whether_o such_o a_o force_n of_o hope_n or_o fear_n can_v possible_o happen_v at_o once_o upon_o all_o the_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n assemble_v together_o or_o after_o consent_v to_o those_o that_o be_v assemble_v as_o shall_v make_v they_o declare_v that_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n reveal_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v to_o they_o to_o have_v be_v the_o ever_o esteem_a sense_n of_o scripture_n or_o perpetual_a tradition_n which_o be_v not_o so_o ans_fw-fr whilst_o man_n be_v man_n they_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o hope_n and_o fear_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o they_o if_o therefore_o we_o consider_v the_o head_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o such_o we_o can_v allow_v they_o a_o exemption_n therefrom_o and_o consequent_o there_o may_v be_v no_o impossibility_n in_o the_o thing_n propound_v we_o grant_v that_o in_o a_o general_n council_n lawful_o assemble_v we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o hope_v for_o the_o presence_n direction_n and_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n â—…t_v how_o far_o the_o passion_n and_o humour_n of_o man_n may_v frustrate_v our_o hope_n we_o know_v not_o this_o we_o certain_o know_v that_o the_o act_n of_o one_o council_n have_v be_v make_v void_a by_o another_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o one_o of_o they_o do_v declare_v something_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n reveal_v by_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v unto_o they_o qu._n 17._o whether_o the_o decision_n of_o such_o assembly_n or_o general_a council_n be_v not_o always_o esteem_v obligatory_a in_o the_o church_n and_o whether_o particular_a person_n or_o church_n obstinate_o gainsay_v such_o decision_n receive_v by_o a_o much_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n diffuse_v be_v not_o always_o esteem_v to_o have_v incur_v those_o anathema_n pronounce_v by_o such_o council_n ans_fw-fr if_o those_o assembly_n or_o council_n be_v true_o general_a we_o do_v very_o much_o reverence_v their_o authority_n and_o think_v their_o decision_n to_o be_v obligatory_a but_o we_o do_v not_o think_v all_o to_o be_v such_o that_o be_v call_v so_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v by_o some_o sort_n of_o man_n look_v upon_o as_o a_o general_a council_n and_o all_o their_o religion_n almost_o build_v upon_o the_o authority_n thereof_o and_o yet_o the_o church_n of_o england_n never_o receive_v the_o decision_n of_o that_o council_n nor_o do_v the_o galican_n church_n for_o many_o year_n and_o yet_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o do_v for_o all_o that_o esteem_v themselves_o to_o have_v incur_v the_o anathema_n pronounce_v by_o that_o council_n qu._n 18._o whether_o the_o universal_a church_n do_v not_o in_o all_o age_n practice_n this_o way_n of_o decide_v controversy_n and_o whether_o these_o be_v not_o as_o universal_a a_o tradition_n of_o this_o as_o the_o practice_n be_v universal_a without_o interruption_n ans_fw-fr universal_a practice_n will_v amount_v to_o a_o universal_a tradition_n and_o that_o this_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a weight_n we_o deny_v not_o nor_o shall_v we_o oppose_v the_o same_o course_n now_o provide_v the_o council_n be_v free_a and_o general_a but_o the_o enquirer_n go_v on_o some_o will_v perhaps_o say_v that_o such_o council_n can_v err_v in_o fundamental_o but_o may_v in_o not_o fundamental_o i_o ask_v these_o qu._n what_o be_v fundamental_o and_o what_o not_o ans_fw-fr those_o thing_n which_o be_v essential_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o religion_n may_v proper_o be_v call_v fundamental_a but_o those_o thing_n which_o only_o respect_v order_n and_o decency_n therein_o and_o vary_v according_a to_o time_n and_o place_n and_o be_v alterable_a by_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o see_v cause_v these_o be_v not_o fundamental_a qu._n whether_o there_o be_v not_o some_o thing_n fundamental_o to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o to_o every_o particular_a ans_fw-fr there_o may_v be_v some_o thing_n fundamental_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n which_o be_v not_o so_o to_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o church_n but_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v â—…ndamental_a to_o the_o be_v of_o religion_n be_v equal_o so_o to_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o every_o member_n thereof_o qu._n whether_o a_o obstinate_a denial_n of_o what_o be_v fundamental_a or_o necessary_a to_o the_o universal_a church_n or_o grant_v as_o i_o may_v say_v upon_o what_o be_v fundamental_a by_o a_o particular_a person_n be_v not_o in_o time_n a_o fundamental_a error_n especial_o after_o a_o universal_a declaration_n of_o it_o as_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n ans_fw-fr this_o query_n as_o it_o be_v here_o word_a be_v hardly_o reconcileable_a to_o sense_n but_o i_o suppose_v his_o meaning_n be_v whether_o for_o any_o particular_a person_n obstinate_o to_o deny_v what_o be_v fundamental_a or_o necessary_a to_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o declare_v to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v not_o a_o fundamental_a error_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o every_o particular_a christian_n ought_v with_o all_o deference_n to_o submit_v his_o own_o private_a judgement_n to_o the_o public_a judgement_n of_o the_o church_n and_o though_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v so_o plain_a to_o he_o yet_o he_o ought_v rather_o to_o suspect_v his_o own_o than_o that_o of_o the_o church_n but_o if_o in_o some_o thing_n he_o can_v be_v satisfy_v and_o therein_o happen_v to_o differ_v from_o the_o church_n provide_v he_o do_v not_o thereby_o break_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n it_o will_v hardly_o amount_v to_o a_o fundamental_a error_n but_o what_o if_o it_o be_v declare_v by_o the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n will_v not_o that_o make_v it_o so_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o no_o declaration_n of_o the_o church_n how_o universal_a soever_o it_o be_v can_v make_v that_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o real_o be_v not_o so_o and_o therefore_o in_o that_o case_n we_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o their_o write_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o either_o in_o express_a word_n contain_v therein_o or_o by_o sound_a consequence_n draw_v therefrom_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o comply_v with_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o a_o fundamental_a error_n to_o differ_v therein_o qu._n whether_o the_o universal_a church_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_n council_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v just_o esteem_v the_o decider_n of_o what_o be_v fundamental_a and_o what_o
1._o this_o inference_n do_v plain_o imply_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n to_o who_o in_o all_o matter_n in_o difference_n there_o shall_v be_v a_o appeal_n and_o who_o decision_n shall_v be_v final_a now_o if_o this_o be_v real_o so_o then_o 1._o it_o be_v mighty_a strange_a that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o pretend_v faithful_o to_o deliver_v the_o whole_a mind_n and_o will_n of_o god_n to_o mankind_n shall_v never_o once_o mention_v such_o a_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n or_o 2._o if_o they_o shall_v omit_v to_o mention_v so_o necessary_a a_o thing_n in_o their_o writing_n and_o only_o deliver_v it_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n to_o their_o immediate_a successor_n it_o be_v no_o less_o strange_a that_o they_o shall_v either_o not_o know_v or_o never_o make_v use_n of_o such_o a_o expedient_a for_o the_o end_n of_o those_o controversy_n that_o arise_v in_o their_o day_n 3._o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o the_o church_n have_v be_v mighty_a careless_a of_o her_o own_o peace_n or_o that_o this_o judge_n have_v be_v very_o negligent_a in_o his_o business_n to_o suffer_v so_o great_a and_o so_o fatal_a controversy_n to_o continue_v so_o long_o in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n when_o there_o be_v so_o ready_a a_o way_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o they_o 2._o our_o explainer_n in_o this_o inference_n acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o great_a end_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o which_o such_o a_o judge_n be_v necessary_a viz._n the_o end_n of_o all_o controversy_n in_o our_o religion_n and_o settle_v of_o peace_n in_o our_o conscience_n these_o indeed_o be_v great_a thing_n and_o great_o to_o be_v desire_v but_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o expedient_a or_o if_o there_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o these_o end_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o question_n now_o that_o from_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n to_o this_o very_a day_n these_o great_a end_n have_v not_o be_v universal_o attain_v be_v very_o plain_a and_o evident_a which_o to_o i_o be_v a_o very_a great_a argument_n that_o either_o god_n never_o institute_v any_o such_o expedient_a or_o if_o he_o do_v that_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o these_o end_n which_o will_v be_v a_o mighty_a reflection_n upon_o the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n but_o because_o some_o thing_n in_o scripture_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v do_v it_o therefore_o necessary_o follow_v that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o visible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n to_o deliver_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o place_n to_o we_o without_o who_o we_o can_v never_o attain_v thereunto_o and_o from_o who_o decision_n there_o lie_v no_o appeal_n i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v the_o necessity_n of_o this_o consequence_n for_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v as_o it_o be_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o the_o scripture_n which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n reveal_v by_o he_o and_o of_o infallible_a authority_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o either_o god_n will_v not_o or_o can_v not_o explain_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n in_o word_n as_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a as_o any_o such_o judge_n will_v or_o can_v do_v or_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o necessity_n of_o any_o such_o judge_n upon_o that_o account_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o attain_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o the_o decision_n of_o such_o a_o judge_n than_o what_o way_n or_o mean_n be_v leave_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o declaration_n of_o that_o judge_n will_v there_o not_o want_v another_o judge_n to_o determine_v that_o and_o another_o to_o explain_v he_o and_o so_o in_o infinitum_fw-la but_o let_v we_o for_o once_o suppose_v though_o we_o do_v not_o grant_v it_o that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n in_o order_n to_o the_o attain_n of_o these_o great_a end_n let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v qualify_v and_o where_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o this_o judge_n must_v be_v a_o person_n or_o number_n of_o people_n who_o must_v have_v a_o superiority_n not_o only_o of_o order_n but_o influence_n over_o all_o other_o to_o who_o decision_n and_o determination_n all_o christian_a people_n ought_v to_o conform_v their_o judgement_n and_o practice_n nor_o must_v that_o influence_n be_v precarious_a but_o authoritative_a for_o nothing_o can_v warrant_v their_o imposition_n but_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o they_o be_v impose_v nor_o can_v any_o authority_n suffice_v to_o oblige_v mankind_n to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v neither_o necessary_a as_o to_o its_o matter_n nor_o evident_a as_o to_o its_o proof_n antecedent_o to_o the_o definition_n of_o such_o a_o authority_n but_o only_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v infallible_a now_o where_o shall_v we_o und_fw-ge such_o a_o one_o see_v there_o be_v so_o many_o pretender_n to_o it_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o pope_n themselves_o the_o jesuit_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o high_a papalin_n than_o his_o holiness_n will_v carry_v away_o the_o bell_n but_o if_o we_o believe_v general_a council_n and_o those_o who_o defend_v their_o supremacy_n than_o they_o will_v carry_v it_o from_o the_o pope_n and_o if_o we_o believe_v other_o of_o equal_a credit_n than_o the_o catholic_n church_n diffusive_a will_v carry_v it_o from_o both_o so_o that_o if_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v such_o a_o judge_n you_o see_v it_o be_v not_o agree_v upon_o among_o themselves_o who_o he_o be_v but_o 3._o our_o explainer_n determine_v this_o controversy_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o free_a general_n council_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o submit_v to_o and_o in_o this_o we_o hearty_o join_v with_o he_o for_o we_o profess_v to_o have_v as_o great_a a_o deference_n for_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o a_o free_a general_n council_n as_o they_o have_v or_o can_v have_v and_o to_o have_v as_o great_a a_o regard_n to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n as_o they_o nay_o it_o may_v be_v great_a than_o they_o will_v pretend_v to_o have_v for_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o decline_v it_o that_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o we_o we_o appeal_v thereunto_o and_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v conclude_v thereby_o be_v as_o well_o assure_v as_o the_o record_n of_o those_o age_n still_o remain_v can_v assure_v we_o that_o it_o be_v on_o our_o side_n but_o if_o by_o church_n here_o he_o mean_v the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n as_o it_o stand_v divide_v from_o other_o communion_n we_o deny_v that_o she_o have_v any_o more_o authority_n to_o impose_v a_o sense_n of_o scripture_n upon_o we_o than_o we_o upon_o she_o or_o any_o other_o particular_a church_n upon_o either_o of_o we_o or_o if_o by_o council_n he_o mean_v those_o western_a council_n which_o have_v be_v hold_v in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o latter_a age_n we_o can_v allow_v they_o either_o to_o be_v free_a or_o general_a and_o consequent_o can_v grant_v nor_o have_v they_o any_o reason_n to_o claim_v any_o such_o authority_n over_o we_o but_o if_o by_o council_n he_o mean_v those_o primitive_a council_n which_o indeed_o be_v the_o most_o free_a and_o general_a and_o best_a deserve_v to_o be_v style_v the_o church_n representative_a we_o have_v so_o great_a a_o veneration_n for_o their_o opinion_n and_o judgement_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o decline_v to_o submit_v the_o umpirage_n of_o our_o cause_n to_o they_o but_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n which_o at_o this_o day_n so_o arrogant_o claim_v a_o right_a and_o authority_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n and_o impose_v her_o sense_n upon_o we_o for_o unless_o she_o can_v prove_v herself_o infallible_a all_o her_o pretend_a authority_n in_o this_o case_n will_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n if_o she_o be_v indeed_o infallible_a she_o will_v do_v well_o to_o let_v the_o world_n know_v whence_o she_o have_v her_o infallibility_n she_o must_v have_v it_o either_o immediate_o from_o god_n or_o by_o delegation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n diffusive_a if_o from_o god_n let_v she_o produce_v her_o charter_n if_o from_o the_o catholic_n church_n diffusive_a than_o it_o depend_v upon_o her_o authority_n and_o by_o the_o same_o authority_n she_o may_v recall_v it_o again_o when_o she_o please_v so_o that_o upon_o this_o ground_n it_o will_v prove_v but_o a_o very_a fallible_a infallibility_n we_o know_v she_o challenge_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o those_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o scripture_n which_o promise_v they_o themselves_o do_v confess_v to_o have_v be_v make_v only_o to_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o therefore_o though_o a_o infallibility_n even_o in_o judgement_n be_v
expression_n i_o be_o afraid_a his_o holy_a father_n will_v give_v he_o but_o small_a thanks_o for_o that_o opinion_n but_o if_o by_o his_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n he_o mean_v that_o the_o pope_n be_v above_o tha_z council_n than_o what_o signify_v the_o sentence_n or_o interpretation_n of_o a_o council_n if_o not_o confirm_v by_o he_o so_o that_o till_o this_o case_n be_v right_o state_v and_o agree_v upon_o among_o they_o both_o they_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n who_o declaration_n be_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v we_o do_v high_o reverence_v the_o authority_n of_o council_n true_o general_a and_o for_o any_o thing_n in_o disserence_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n we_o dare_v appeal_v and_o stand_v to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n but_o to_o be_v hood_n wink_v and_o bind_v up_o by_o a_o implicit_a faith_n to_o receive_v and_o embrace_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o we_o by_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o pastor_n or_o supreme_a church-magistrate_n or_o by_o every_o convention_n which_o call_v itself_o a_o supreme_a council_n be_v more_o than_o we_o can_v consent_v to_o and_o more_o indeed_o than_o either_o christ_n or_o his_o aposdes_n require_v of_o their_o hearer_n when_o neither_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v by_o christ_n nor_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o he_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n can_v convince_v the_o stubborn_a and_o unbelieving_a jew_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n whither_o do_v he_o send_v they_o he_o bid_v they_o search_v the_o scripture_n joh._n 5.39_o and_o st._n paul_n high_o commend_v the_o berean_o say_v they_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o act._n 17.10,11_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n st._n paul_n do_v not_o trouble_v their_o hearer_n with_o puzzle_v question_n whether_o those_o write_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n how_o they_o be_v assure_v that_o they_o be_v so_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o they_o how_o they_o come_v to_o know_v it_o etc._n etc._n nor_o do_v they_o send_v they_o to_o the_o sanhedrim_n or_o any_o other_o council_n to_o be_v instruct_v therein_o but_o they_o send_v they_o direct_o and_o immediate_o to_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v then_o and_o aught_o to_o be_v so_o now_o that_o the_o write_n transmit_v to_o they_o and_o we_o do_v real_o and_o indeed_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o both_o our_o saviour_n and_o st._n paul_n well_o know_v that_o god_n have_v deliver_v his_o mind_n in_o word_n so_o intelligible_a that_o there_o be_v no_o fear_n of_o send_v any_o one_o thereunto_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a thing_n that_o every_o private_a christian_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o consult_v what_o sense_n and_o meaning_n be_v put_v upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o a_o general_a council_n before_o he_o receive_v and_o embrace_v they_o nor_o will_v it_o suffice_v to_o say_v that_o they_o may_v learn_v it_o from_o their_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o how_o shall_v they_o know_v that_o their_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n understand_v it_o any_o better_a than_o they_o do_v or_o if_o they_o do_v that_o they_o give_v they_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n for_o they_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n suspect_v they_o as_o they_o can_v those_o copy_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n which_o they_o have_v though_o in_o a_o language_n different_a from_o the_o original_a so_o that_o at_o this_o rate_n christian_n will_v be_v involve_v in_o such_o intricacy_n and_o meander_n that_o they_o will_v never_o know_v what_o they_o shall_v believe_v and_o what_o not_o and_o therefore_o though_o we_o have_v a_o great_a veneration_n for_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o council_n true_o general_n yet_o can_v we_o not_o consent_v that_o that_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n which_o all_o christian_n ought_v to_o follow_v qu._n 9_o if_o not_o then_o what_o other_o order_n be_v there_o leave_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o christian_n of_o succeed_a age_n to_o be_v true_o and_o undoubted_o inform_v what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v or_o wrought_v so_o many_o age_n before_o as_o bind_v law_n to_o they_o that_o shall_v come_v after_o who_o never_o hear_v they_o speak_v nor_o see_v any_o of_o their_o original_a write_n ans_fw-fr even_o the_o same_o which_o our_o bless_a saviour_n recommend_v to_o the_o jew_n and_o st._n paul_n so_o high_o commend_v in_o the_o berean_o i._n e._n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n which_o whosoever_o do_v and_o that_o with_o a_o humble_a and_o teachable_a temper_n of_o mind_n may_v therein_o easy_o discover_v such_o evident_a footstep_n of_o divinity_n as_o will_v plain_o speak_v their_o original_a and_o sufficient_o inform_v we_o whence_o they_o be_v and_o by_o what_o manner_n of_o person_n they_o be_v write_v therein_o may_v we_o find_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o salvation_n write_v in_o character_n so_o legible_a that_o he_o that_o run_v may_v read_v they_o so_o plain_a and_o easy_a that_o the_o mean_a capacity_n may_v understand_v they_o so_o that_o to_o fortify_v our_o persuasion_n that_o these_o be_v the_o law_n and_o rule_n deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n leave_v we_o this_o alone_a may_v suffice_v but_o if_o any_o private_a christian_a meet_v with_o any_o thing_n therein_o which_o require_v some_o help_n for_o satisfaction_n he_o have_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n at_o hand_n to_o apply_v himself_o unto_o who_o be_v a_o order_n of_o man_n institute_v by_o christ_n for_o that_o very_a end_n and_o purpose_n and_o in_o who_o if_o he_o have_v not_o some_o apparent_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a he_o ought_v to_o repose_v 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case_n for_o as_o in_o temporal_a matter_n if_o the_o command_v of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n do_v concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n i._n e._n thing_n which_o i_o be_o require_v to_o believe_v in_o that_o case_n his_o law_n ought_v to_o be_v so_o clear_a and_o evident_a as_o may_v convince_v my_o reason_n and_o judgement_n otherwise_o i_o be_o not_o bind_v by_o a_o blind_a resignation_n to_o surrender_v up_o my_o faith_n and_o belief_n for_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o make_v i_o think_v otherwise_o than_o i_o do_v without_o such_o convince_a reason_n as_o may_v satisfy_v i_o that_o i_o think_v amiss_o but_o if_o i_o can_v believe_v as_o he_o will_v have_v i_o to_o believe_v yet_o ought_v i_o not_o by_o public_o oppose_v his_o sentiment_n to_o raise_v a_o faction_n and_o thereby_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o that_o state_n in_o which_o i_o live_v or_o if_o the_o command_v of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n wherein_o my_o obedience_n be_v require_v in_o that_o case_n if_o i_o can_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n and_o without_o disobey_v god_n do_v it_o i_o ought_v active_o to_o obey_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n but_o if_o i_o can_v do_v it_o without_o displease_a god_n and_o wound_v my_o own_o conscience_n in_o that_o case_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o resist_v but_o passive_o to_o obey_v for_o here_o the_o apostle_n rule_n will_v hold_v good_a whether_o it_o be_v better_a to_o obey_v god_n or_o man_n judge_v you_o so_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n if_o the_o testimony_n and_o decree_n of_o the_o pastor_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n i_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deference_n due_a to_o their_o sentence_n and_o opinion_n and_o unless_o there_o be_v very_o clear_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a i_o ought_v rather_o to_o