Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n apostle_n church_n particular_a 2,274 5 6.8998 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A77522 Letters between the Ld George Digby, and Sr Kenelm Digby kt. concerning religion. Bristol, George Digby, Earl of, 1612-1677.; Digby, Kenelm, Sir, 1603-1665. 1651 (1651) Wing B4768; Thomason E1355_2; ESTC R209464 61,686 137

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

g._n d._n my_o noble_a lord_n and_o most_o honour_a friend_n my_o unsteady_a abode_n in_o the_o town_n and_o frequent_v sudden_a excursion_n out_o of_o it_o of_o late_a have_v cast_v i_o so_o far_a behinde-hand_n with_o your_o lordship_n not_o only_o for_o what_o civility_n require_v of_o i_o but_o for_o what_o duty_n bind_v i_o unto_o as_o i_o be_v grow_v to_o a_o belief_n that_o i_o can_v make_v no_o other_o amends_o for_o my_o long_a silence_n but_o by_o come_v on_o purpose_n to_o sherburn_n to_o you_o to_o excuse_v it_o and_o therefore_o out_o of_o a_o ill_a bashfulness_n i_o forbear_v acknowledge_v my_o fault_n by_o letter_n refer_v that_o till_o i_o be_v in_o state_n to_o repair_v it_o by_o my_o own_o personal_a attendance_n but_o that_o be_v not_o likely_a to_o fall_v out_o so_o soon_o i_o be_v to_o go_v to_o morrow_n to_o my_o mother_n and_o thence_o to_o my_o own_o house_n for_o some_o week_n and_o i_o have_v late_o receive_v a_o picture_n from_o my_o lord_n russel_n with_o command_n to_o send_v it_o as_o soon_o as_o i_o can_v to_o your_o lordship_n i_o dare_v not_o make_v that_o a_o prisoner_n till_o i_o get_v liberty_n myself_o to_o wait_v upon_o you_o by_o which_o mean_v i_o be_o engage_v without_o be_v able_a to_o defer_v it_o any_o long_o to_o give_v you_o humble_a thanks_o for_o your_o letter_n of_o the_o second_o of_o november_n and_o to_o crave_v your_o pardon_n that_o i_o come_v thus_o late_o to_o do_v it_o so_o sudden_a and_o distract_v a_o hour_n as_o i_o have_v now_o to_o write_v in_o will_v deter_v i_o from_o offer_v at_o any_o return_n to_o so_o oblige_v and_o judicious_a a_o letter_n till_o i_o have_v a_o great_a freedom_n both_o of_o time_n and_o thought_n but_o i_o can_v never_o be_v take_v unprovided_a for_o the_o first_o part_n my_o sincere_a affection_n to_o your_o lordship_n and_o sense_n of_o your_o favour_n ever_o outweighing_a any_o other_o humane_a object_n that_o may_v busy_v my_o mind_n &_o for_o the_o second_o of_o answer_v your_o judicious_a objection_n i_o shall_v confide_v more_o for_o the_o solution_n of_o they_o in_o your_o own_o calm_a and_o impartial_a reflection_n upon_o they_o then_o in_o aught_o i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o reply_v therefore_o have_v i_o never_o so_o much_o time_n i_o will_v for_o this_o intent_n employ_v it_o only_o in_o reduce_v the_o matter_n into_o your_o remembrance_n and_o entreat_v you_o to_o commit_v the_o appearance_n on_o both_o side_n fair_o one_o against_o another_o into_o the_o balance_n and_o let_v your_o own_o reason_n hold_v the_o scale_n which_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v with_o excess_n of_o joy_n to_o be_v the_o strong_a and_o most_o sincere_a that_o i_o know_v in_o any_o man_n i_o shall_v begin_v the_o performance_n of_o this_o task_n with_o complain_v to_o your_o lordship_n in_o the_o father_n behalf_n and_o represent_v their_o grievance_n to_o your_o lordship_n that_o you_o be_v so_o rigorous_a to_o they_o as_o to_o exclude_v they_o from_o be_v witness_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n their_o humility_n as_o well_o of_o understanding_n as_o of_o manner_n will_v not_o let_v they_o be_v trouble_v when_o they_o be_v recuse_v as_o judge_n they_o never_o pronounce_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o their_o own_o breast_n unto_o which_o they_o will_v confine_v other_o man_n assent_n but_o when_o they_o tell_v you_o plain_o what_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o what_o they_o sinde_v believe_v and_o practise_v general_o throughout_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v they_o not_o reason_n to_o take_v it_o unkind_o to_o be_v reject_v if_o you_o will_v examine_v their_o veracity_n by_o all_o those_o circumstance_n that_o be_v usual_o consider_v in_o take_v man_n deposition_n you_o will_v find_v they_o strong_a on_o their_o side_n they_o be_v right_o honest_a man_n not_o only_o believe_v but_o know_v to_o be_v such_o by_o all_o the_o world_n they_o be_v acknowledge_v on_o all_o hand_n to_o be_v so_o judicious_a as_o will_v more_o blemish_v once_o own_o judgement_n than_o they_o but_o to_o call_v it_o in_o question_n what_o they_o write_v of_o be_v matter_n belong_v to_o their_o own_o art_n and_o trade_n in_o which_o sure_o they_o will_v have_v great_a care_n and_o attention_n not_o to_o mistake_v since_o their_o own_o and_o their_o posterity_n eternal_a salvation_n depend_v on_o it_o since_o than_o there_o be_v will_n and_o ability_n to_o inform_v we_o of_o truth_n why_o shall_v we_o suspect_v they_o what_o can_v appear_v strong_a to_o we_o in_o opposition_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v as_o witness_n to_o make_v we_o doubt_v their_o evidence_n and_o consequent_o to_o brand_v they_o with_o the_o imputation_n of_o falsehood_n and_o ignorance_n flatter_v ourselves_o that_o new_a and_o clear_a light_n shine_v to_o we_o and_o that_o we_o know_v more_o than_o they_o their_o private_a opinion_n for_o the_o establish_n of_o which_o your_o lordship_n say_v you_o discover_v too_o prone_a a_o bias_n in_o most_o of_o their_o evidence_n do_v not_o interest_n our_o belief_n in_o such_o point_n we_o be_v as_o free_a as_o they_o nor_o can_v i_o believe_v so_o ill_o of_o any_o of_o they_o as_o to_o make_v those_o to_o pass_v for_o currant_n they_o will_v stamp_v upon_o they_o the_o seal_n of_o be_v teach_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n and_o of_o tradition_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o of_o the_o general_a and_o uncontrolled_a belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n or_o if_o they_o do_v certain_o their_o numerous_a adversary_n will_v not_o have_v let_v such_o foul_a play_n escape_v their_o note_n it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v ever_o as_o your_o lordship_n observe_v earnest_a and_o severe_a against_o they_o who_o be_v such_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v mild_a against_o their_o heresy_n they_o will_v never_o have_v gain_v the_o name_n of_o father_n and_o pillar_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o have_v be_v reverence_v as_o saint_n by_o succeed_a age_n the_o faction_n and_o sectary-passion_n that_o your_o lordship_n remark_v even_o near_o the_o spring_n of_o verity_n belong_v only_o to_o their_o adversary_n their_o warmth_n be_v just_a and_o due_a zeal_n and_o for_o those_o three_o father_n of_o who_o your_o lordship_n say_v that_o we_o as_o well_o as_o you_o may_v allow_v they_o a_o expurgator_n i_o profess_v my_o slender_a read_n never_o meet_v to_o my_o best_a remembrance_n with_o any_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n in_o they_o that_o i_o do_v not_o entire_o assent_v unto_o in_o the_o next_o place_n my_o lord_n i_o must_v clear_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o infallible_a authority_n from_o whence_o the_o father_n derive_v what_o they_o be_v teach_v which_o i_o distinguish_v against_o what_o of_o themselves_o they_o teach_v of_o this_o late_a sort_n be_v the_o reflection_n that_o they_o make_v upon_o the_o scripture_n when_o in_o their_o comment_n or_o sermon_n they_o deliver_v to_o we_o what_o occur_v to_o they_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o text_n of_o it_o and_o when_o they_o be_v but_o bare_o such_o i_o conceive_v they_o be_v to_o have_v no_o more_o weight_n with_o those_o that_o have_v ability_n to_o examine_v they_o than_o the_o reason_n wherewith_o they_o be_v accompany_v do_v give_v they_o but_o the_o other_o point_n of_o doctrine_n i_o take_v to_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o preach_v through_o the_o world_n and_o then_o again_o deliver_v to_o the_o ensue_a age_n by_o they_o that_o have_v these_o point_n inculcate_v into_o their_o heart_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o this_o manner_n with_o care_n and_o every_o where_n hand_v over_o from_o age_n to_o age_n which_o upon_o particular_a occasion_n the_o father_n use_v to_o sum_n up_o and_o produce_v against_o innovator_n that_o will_v make_v breach_n upon_o the_o ancient_a and_o general_o receive_v faith_n of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n thus_o deliver_v i_o conceive_v to_o be_v derive_v from_o infallible_a authority_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o withal_o that_o it_o be_v so_o safe_o convey_v to_o we_o as_o we_o be_v as_o deep_o oblige_v to_o believe_v it_o as_o what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o and_o in_o govern_v the_o tenor_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o give_v they_o much_o the_o precedency_n because_o by_o such_o tradition_n we_o be_v full_o plain_o and_o practical_o teach_v how_o to_o understand_v it_o and_o the_o business_n and_o errand_n of_o it_o be_v to_o deliver_v it_o so_o unto_o we_o whereas_o the_o cause_n of_o write_v the_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n be_v for_o other_o particular_a end_n and_o not_o to_o give_v we_o a_o complete_a body_n of_o faith_n and_o those_o article_n of_o it_o that_o they_o do_v deliver_v we_o be_v not_o so_o plain_o express_v that_o every_o body_n can_v understand_v they_o so_o that_o if_o
design_n both_o of_o that_o and_o this_o it_o be_v to_o express_v unto_o you_o in_o the_o general_n industrious_o avoid_v particular_a question_n how_o little_a certainty_n or_o satisfaction_n i_o think_v can_v be_v find_v on_o either_o side_n that_o shall_v rely_v on_o the_o father_n testimony_n for_o a_o clear_a determination_n of_o our_o difference_n i_o confess_v i_o launch_v into_o the_o ocean_n of_o they_o with_o eager_a hope_n of_o such_o a_o discovery_n and_o from_o they_o at_o length_n can_v draw_v just_a as_o certain_a conclusion_n as_o seaman_n of_o the_o soil_n and_o dimension_n of_o old_a brasill_n the_o reason_n prevalent_a with_o i_o of_o the_o uncertainty_n or_o rather_o in_o my_o conceit_n impossibility_n of_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o father_n any_o such_o proof_n either_o way_n in_o our_o controversy_n whereon_o a_o inquire_a and_o judicious_a person_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o rely_v and_o acquiesce_v be_v so_o ample_o and_o so_o learned_o set_v down_o by_o mr._n dailby_n in_o emploide_n peer_n that_o i_o think_v little_a of_o material_a or_o weighty_a can_v be_v say_v on_o this_o subject_a that_o his_o rare_a and_o piercing_a observation_n have_v not_o anticipate_v but_o because_o you_o will_v expect_v from_o i_o somewhat_o more_o than_o a_o bare_a reverence_n take_v in_o short_a the_o chief_a inducement_n i_o will_v set_v down_o as_o brief_o and_o perspicuous_o as_o i_o can_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o the_o more_o frequent_a one_o namely_o the_o few_o writing_n extant_a of_o the_o primitive_a doctor_n of_o the_o first_o second_o and_o three_o age_n after_o christ_n the_o many_o supposititious_a child_n that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o father_n they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o over_o refer_v the_o alteration_n rasure_n and_o insertion_n which_o through_o ignorance_n fraud_n or_o maliciousness_n have_v deface_v maim_a and_o corrupt_v even_o those_o few_o monument_n that_o remain_v of_o venerable_a antiquity_n i_o say_v not_o to_o dwell_v upon_o these_o suppose_v that_o in_o your_o fair_a and_o noble_a way_n of_o ratiocination_n you_o will_v not_o draw_v argument_n from_o any_o but_o such_o as_o be_v on_o both_o side_n receive_v for_o entire_a and_o legitimate_a piece_n difference_n be_v right_o reconcileable_a only_o by_o such_o medium_n as_o both_o party_n consent_v in_o those_o which_o seem_v of_o great_a force_n with_o i_o to_o invalidate_v their_o authority_n in_o our_o question_n be_v these_o four_n first_o their_o contradiction_n to_o one_o another_o second_o their_o variance_n from_o themselves_o three_o their_o repugnance_n both_o to_o papist_n and_o protestant_n four_o and_o last_o their_o want_n of_o ability_n in_o many_o point_n of_o our_o controversy_n in_o most_o of_o will_n to_o decide_v they_o their_o thwart_n of_o one_o another_o both_o in_o their_o writing_n and_o vote_n in_o counsel_n will_v easy_o appear_v to_o any_o man_n that_o shall_v but_o with_o indifferent_a observation_n survey_v their_o work_n and_o this_o in_o matter_n of_o government_n of_o practice_n and_o of_o belief_n which_o be_v the_o three_o particular_n wherein_o you_o advise_v i_o out_o of_o the_o father_n to_o judge_v the_o conformity_n of_o your_o church_n or_o we_o to_o antiquity_n for_o their_o clashing_n in_o point_n of_o government_n to_o name_v the_o superiority_n of_o the_o sea_n of_o rome_n will_v be_v enough_o to_o call_v to_o your_o memory_n the_o epistle_n of_o juvenal_n of_o epist_n 53._o ad_fw-la anatol._n 54._o ad_fw-la martian_a 55._o ad_fw-la pul●her_fw-la 59_o ad_fw-la martian_a 61._o ad_fw-la juvenal_n leo_n contrary_a to_o the_o 28._o canon_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n who_o have_v elevate_v that_o of_o constantinople_n to_o a_o equal_a height_n with_o the_o other_o and_o likewise_o those_o epistle_n of_o gregory_n the_o great_a 32._o ad_fw-la maurit_fw-la 34._o constant_n l._n 4._o wherein_o he_o inveigh_v in_o sharp_a term_n against_o whosoever_o shall_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o title_n of_o universal_a bishop_n hardly_o reconcilable_a with_o those_o passage_n of_o the_o father_n that_o the_o roman_a doctor_n cite_v for_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n and_o least_o of_o all_o with_o the_o practice_n of_o boniface_n the_o 3d_o that_o soon_o after_o assume_v the_o appellation_n to_o name_v the_o question_n of_o appeal_n to_o rome_n will_v suffice_v to_o draw_v a_o acknowledgement_n from_o you_o of_o the_o great_a contestation_n between_o the_o african_a bishop_n and_o the_o roman_a condemn_v that_o point_n which_o be_v likewise_o opposite_o decree_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o sardis_n and_o chalcedon_n council_n sard._n can._n 3._o 2_o council_n calce_v can._n 9_o to_o name_v the_o election_n of_o bishop_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o recall_v to_o your_o thought_n the_o direct_a opposition_n in_o that_o point_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o eight_o general_n council_n in_o their_o two_o and_o twenty_o canon_n against_o what_o 166_o what_o epist_n 68_o p._n 166_o cyprian_n teach_v at_o large_a to_o be_v apostolic_a tradition_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o people_n shall_v have_v their_o vote_n also_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o bishop_n and_o last_o not_o to_o dwell_v too_o long_o upon_o the_o least_o material_a point_n you_o will_v easy_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n how_o that_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o many_o and_o particular_o by_o epiphanius_n p._n 908._o against_o arrius_n for_o a_o receive_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n touch_v the_o preeminence_n of_o a_o bishop_n above_o a_o presbyter_n be_v flat_o impugn_a by_o s._n jerom._n ep._n ad_fw-la occan._n 83._o p._n 614._o and_o other_o their_o clashing_n about_o matter_n of_o practice_n be_v altogether_o as_o obvious_a call_v but_o to_o mind_n victor_n heat_n against_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n touch_v the_o observance_n of_o easter_n day_n tatianus_n and_o tertullian_n tenant_n concern_v marriage_n against_o the_o opinion_n of_o so_o many_o father_n as_o will_v be_v endless_a to_o name_n but_o because_o the_o first_o be_v declare_v a_o heretic_n for_o hold_v all_o marriage_n pollution_n &_o the_o last_o for_o esteem_v the_o second_o unlawful_a i_o beseech_v you_o turn_v over_o s._n jerom_n epistle_n to_o furia_n to_o agerachia_n and_o weigh_v some_o passage_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o jovinian_a and_o then_o tell_v i_o not_o how_o far_o he_o be_v from_o make_v marriage_n a_o sacrament_n of_o the_o church_n but_o how_o far_o his_o word_n be_v from_o import_v the_o other_o heresy_n cast_v but_o your_o eye_n upon_o that_o passage_n of_o origen_n cont._n cell_n l._n 5._o to_o p._n 479._o where_o speak_v of_o angel_n he_o say_v that_o in_o consideration_n of_o their_o divine_a nature_n they_o be_v sometime_o in_o the_o scripture_n call_v god_n but_o not_o so_o as_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v command_v to_o adore_v they_o or_o worship_v they_o with_o divine_a honour_n although_o they_o be_v the_o conveyor_n of_o god_n gift_n unto_o we_o for_o all_o desire_n all_o prayer_n all_o deprecation_n all_o thanksgiving_n be_v to_o be_v send_v up_o to_o god_n the_o lord_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o the_o high_a priest_n who_o be_v above_o all_o angel_n who_o be_v the_o live_a word_n and_o god_n be_v please_v likewise_o to_o consider_v the_o 394._o pag._n of_o athanasius_n in_o his_o first_o oration_n against_o the_o arrian_n where_o he_o teach_v that_o god_n only_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v etc._n etc._n and_o inform_v i_o how_o i_o shall_v compromise_v the_o matter_n betwixt_o they_o and_o those_o passage_n of_o other_o father_n allege_v by_o bellarmine_n for_o the_o worship_n and_o invocation_n of_o saint_n l._n de_fw-fr beatitudine_fw-la sanctorum_fw-la c._n 13._o where_o those_o which_o he_o cite_v out_o of_o justine_n and_o augustine_n be_v not_o like_o the_o rest_n so_o impertinent_a but_o they_o may_v stand_v in_o some_o opposition_n with_o the_o two_o above_o mention_v let_v i_o but_o remember_v you_o of_o the_o opinion_n that_o heretic_n ought_v to_o be_v baptize_v so_o contradict_v by_o optatus_n by_o austin_n and_o general_o by_o all_o that_o impugn_v the_o donatist_n which_o be_v notwithstanding_o most_o peremtory_o maintain_v by_o tertullian_n cyprian_n ep._n ad_fw-la pompeium_n &_o firmilian_a so_o far_o as_o that_o cyprian_a for_o this_o cause_n break_v into_o most_o notorious_a heat_n against_o stephanus_n bishop_n of_o rome_n both_o stephanus_n and_o cyprian_n urge_v tradition_n for_o contrary_a doctrine_n and_o firmilian_a against_o all_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o general_n say_v in_o a_o epistle_n of_o he_o which_o be_v the_o seventy_o five_o among_o cyprian_n work_n that_o rome_n do_v not_o in_o all_o thing_n observe_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o vain_a boast_a of_o their_o authority_n accord_v i_o beseech_v you_o that_o passage_n of_o s._n austin_n serm._n 17._o de_fw-fr verbis_fw-la apost_n injuria_fw-la est_fw-la pro_fw-la martyr_n orare_fw-la with_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o
letter_n between_o the_o l_o d_o george_n digby_n and_o sr_n kenelm_n digby_n kt_n concern_v religion_n london_n print_v for_o humphrey_n moseley_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o prince_n arm_n in_o st_n paul_n churchyard_n 1651._o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v no_o excuse_n though_o too_o often_o it_o be_v make_v one_o to_o tell_v thou_o these_o letter_n be_v now_o make_v public_a to_o prevent_v false_a copy_n for_o real_o if_o you_o have_v not_o these_o you_o will_v be_v abuse_v with_o other_o so_o imperfect_a and_o mangle_a that_o we_o may_v just_o pronounce_v they_o to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o author_n own_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v great_a care_n to_o publish_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v genuine_a which_o here_o without_o more_o word_n thou_o will_v soon_o find_v be_v faithful_o offer_v thou_o farewell_n letter_n between_o the_o l_o d_o george_n digby_n and_o sr_n kenelm_n digby_n kt_n concern_v religion_n my_o noble_a cousin_n and_o dear_a friend_n i_o ever_o think_v myself_o a_o rich_a man_n in_o the_o many_o testimony_n of_o your_o favour_n be_v persuade_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o your_o esteem_v i_o may_v work_v more_o upon_o the_o world_n to_o my_o advantage_n than_o many_o personal_a defect_n of_o my_o own_o to_o my_o prejudice_n among_o my_o best_a title_n to_o valuation_n with_o worthy_a man_n i_o treasure_v up_o your_o last_o letter_n expect_v to_o receive_v thereby_o as_o much_o credit_n hereafter_o as_o i_o do_v now_o obligation_n when_o those_o that_o find_v it_o know_v your_o eminence_n and_o only_a my_o name_n shall_v happy_o misconceive_v my_o praise_n there_o to_o have_v be_v of_o your_o judgement_n which_o i_o must_v refer_v mere_o to_o your_o love_n and_o civility_n persist_v i_o beseech_v you_o in_o the_o former_a of_o these_o and_o restrain_v yourself_o in_o the_o excess_n of_o the_o latter_a permit_v and_o own_v i_o to_o be_v your_o friend_n without_o make_v i_o my_o own_o flatterer_n of_o which_o i_o can_v never_o come_v in_o danger_n but_o by_o your_o commendation_n i_o think_v myself_o as_o happy_a to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o your_o friend_n and_o promise_v to_o myself_o as_o much_o eternity_n by_o the_o relation_n as_o he_o who_o ingrave_v sir_n philip_n sydnie_n friendship_n on_o his_o monument_n but_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o i_o aspire_v yet_o to_o a_o far_o great_a felicity_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v worthy_a of_o so_o brave_a a_o appellation_n to_o which_o you_o can_v best_o contribute_v if_o you_o please_v to_o impart_v free_o to_o i_o your_o own_o rare_a ability_n and_o my_o weakness_n rather_o than_o to_o darken_v these_o unto_o i_o in_o exercise_v but_o the_o slight_a part_n that_o you_o excel_v in_o courtliness_n to_o take_v you_o off_o from_o this_o and_o to_o engage_v you_o in_o the_o other_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o that_o part_n of_o your_o letter_n which_o concern_v my_o study_n wherein_o as_o your_o example_n and_o advice_n have_v ever_o be_v my_o prime_a directory_n in_o the_o way_n of_o they_o so_o in_o the_o several_a judgement_n of_o what_o i_o read_v you_o must_v be_v ever_o with_o i_o of_o singular_a authority_n yet_o in_o the_o particular_a concern_v the_o father_n i_o must_v confess_v as_o i_o come_v unto_o they_o perhaps_o with_o different_a preparation_n so_o i_o have_v likewise_o peruse_v many_o of_o they_o with_o reflection_n upon_o their_o usefulness_n far_o differ_v from_o those_o you_o specify_v i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o receive_v they_o as_o judge_n that_o in_o many_o case_n i_o can_v admit_v they_o as_o witness_n authentic_a enough_o whereon_o to_o pass_v a_o verdict_n in_o religion_n i_o discover_v methinks_v too_o prone_a a_o bias_n in_o most_o of_o their_o evidence_n either_o to_o the_o establish_n of_o their_o own_o private_a opinion_n or_o to_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o adversary_n and_o this_o even_a in_o the_o most_o primitive_a of_o they_o faction_n it_o seem_v and_o a_o kind_n of_o sectary_n passion_n have_v have_v as_o strong_a though_o not_o so_o various_a a_o current_n even_o near_o to_o the_o very_a spring_n of_o verity_n as_o afterward_o in_o the_o remote_a channel_n as_o you_o can_v much_o better_a instance_n if_o you_o please_v than_o i_o out_o of_o eusebius_n epiphanius_n and_o st_n augustin_n who_o themselves_o also_o as_o they_o seem_v to_o adhere_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o as_o the_o roman_a glory_n in_o they_o may_v well_o be_v by_o both_o side_n allow_v a_o expurgator_n for_o that_o which_o you_o say_v second_o that_o you_o rely_v more_o upon_o the_o father_n for_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v teach_v then_o upon_o what_o they_o teach_v i_o profess_v i_o shall_v do_v so_o too_o can_v i_o be_v but_o half_a so_o well_o assure_v of_o the_o first_o part_n of_o your_o reason_n namely_o that_o the_o former_a be_v derive_v from_o a_o infallible_a authority_n as_o i_o be_o of_o the_o other_o that_o their_o own_o reason_n be_v liable_a to_o error_n but_o to_o tell_v you_o true_a as_o i_o can_v yet_o find_v no_o reason_n to_o make_v i_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v any_o infallible_a authority_n but_o only_o the_o scripture_n which_o i_o conceive_v be_v not_o that_o you_o mean_v so_o do_v i_o find_v as_o little_o that_o the_o father_n especial_o those_o before_o the_o first_o nicene_n council_n be_v persuade_v of_o any_o such_o and_o grant_v they_o be_v i_o can_v least_o of_o all_o discern_v which_o of_o the_o various_a doctrine_n they_o deliver_v be_v right_o deliver_v to_o they_o from_o that_o unerring_a authority_n since_o it_o be_v apparent_a methinks_v that_o they_o do_v teach_v many_o uncertainty_n and_o error_n as_o dogmatical_o and_o with_o as_o solemn_a confirmation_n as_o they_o do_v the_o most_o authentic_a truth_n hardly_o shall_v you_o find_v scripture_n allege_v more_o frank_o by_o they_o or_o the_o church_n tradition_n proclaim_v more_o loud_o in_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n then_o by_o justin_n and_o tertullian_n in_o the_o rigid_a censure_n of_o the_o use_n of_o image_n and_o in_o the_o same_o tertullian_n in_o affirm_v christ_n descent_n to_o free_v the_o patriarch_n and_o in_o these_o two_o and_z divers_z other_o the_o gross_a assertion_n of_o the_o angel_n copulation_n with_o woman_n and_o last_o then_o in_o all_o the_o millenaries_n most_o confident_a authorise_v of_o their_o judaic_a doctrine_n these_o be_v perhaps_o of_o the_o slight_a instance_n such_o as_o flow_v easy_a into_o a_o letter_n from_o a_o bad_a memory_n and_o yet_o i_o pray_v you_o resolve_v i_o which_o of_o they_o i_o shall_v let_v pass_v as_o derive_v from_o infallibility_n whether_o that_o which_o our_o church_n approve_v and_o the_o roman_a condemn_v as_o the_o first_o or_o that_o which_o the_o roman_a agree_v to_o and_o we_o disallow_v as_o the_o second_o or_o the_o second_o last_o which_o both_o side_n reject_v i_o profess_v i_o be_o as_o yet_o to_o distinguish_v which_o of_o they_o these_o father_n mean_v we_o shall_v swallow_v as_o deliver_v to_o they_o and_o which_o chew_v and_o consider_v as_o only_o deliver_v by_o they_o these_o and_o many_o more_o irreconcilable_a passage_n in_o they_o have_v render_v i_o much_o alike_o affect_v both_o to_o what_o you_o say_v they_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o to_o what_o they_o teach_v that_o be_v to_o have_v my_o reason_n as_o much_o as_o i_o can_v clear_v and_o enlighten_v by_o both_o but_o to_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v hoodwink_v and_o lead_v implicit_o by_o neither_o i_o reverence_v those_o holy_a father_n as_o divine_a establisher_n of_o faith_n in_o thing_n where_o they_o all_o concur_v and_o where_o not_o as_o happy_a aide_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o as_o it_o be_v sacred_a bellows_n of_o the_o soul_n whether_o to_o make_v it_o glow_v unto_o contrition_n and_o fervour_n of_o zeal_n or_o to_o subtilise_v and_o exalt_v it_o into_o flame_n of_o contemplation_n it_o be_v now_o high_a time_n for_o i_o to_o beg_v your_o pardon_n for_o have_v license_v myself_o so_o much_o to_o your_o trouble_n it_o be_v a_o inconvenience_n draw_v upon_o you_o by_o your_o excess_n of_o favour_n and_o obligingness_n that_o have_v encourage_v i_o free_o to_o express_v to_o yourself_o my_o ill-digested_a opinion_n wherein_o towards_o any_o other_o i_o shall_v have_v be_v restrain_v by_o shame_n and_o the_o consciousness_n of_o my_o own_o incapacity_n but_o from_o you_o i_o ever_o promise_v myself_o rectify_v where_o from_o another_o i_o may_v look_v for_o contempt_n all_o your_o just_a censure_n i_o be_o sure_a will_v be_v sweeten_v instant_o by_o this_o one_o consideration_n that_o this_o penance_n have_v be_v lay_v upon_o you_o by_o noble_a cousin_n your_o faithful_a servant_n sherburn_n novemb_n 2._o 1638._o
of_o man_n which_o i_o doubt_v much_o whether_o it_o can_v true_o be_v affirm_v of_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o world_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o can_v of_o the_o poor_a number_n of_o doctor_n and_o governor_n in_o any_o one_o age_n among_o they_o but_o to_o let_v this_o supposition_n pass_v suppose_v that_o the_o present_a church_n understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o all_z they_o of_o the_o precede_a though_o i_o do_v not_o and_o that_o all_o the_o present_a receive_v she_o receive_v as_o deliver_v to_o she_o by_o all_o those_o of_o the_o precede_a age_n let_v we_o examine_v a_o little_a that_o which_o you_o infer_v upon_o it_o to_o wit_n that_o this_o be_v so_o no_o false_a proposition_n of_o faith_n nay_o as_o you_o say_v afterward_o no_o false_a doctrine_n whatsoever_o can_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n in_o any_o age_n unless_o they_o of_o that_o age_n do_v unanimous_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v their_o child_n and_o younger_n in_o tell_v they_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o their_o father_n what_o indeed_o they_o be_v not_o that_o this_o be_v not_o impossible_a since_o only_o the_o doctor_n &_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o all_z they_o have_v be_v already_o show_v but_o be_v there_o no_o other_o way_n say_v you_o but_o this_o for_o falsehood_n to_o creep_v into_o the_o church_n true_o methinks_v on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v with_o error_n and_o necessary_a truth_n in_o the_o body_n ecclesiastic_a as_o with_o life_n and_o death_n in_o the_o body_n natural_a and_o as_o there_o be_v only_o one_o way_n for_o life_n to_o enter_v at_o but_o a_o thousand_o gate_n for_o death_n so_o for_o necessary_a truth_n there_o be_v but_o one_o ordinary_a avenne_n to_o the_o church_n namely_o by_o scripture_n read_v or_o teach_v but_o for_o error_n to_o get_v in_o at_o a_o thousand_o passage_n without_o suppose_v such_o a_o general_a conspiracy_n for_o though_o many_o time_n when_o a_o error_n have_v have_v a_o long_a current_n we_o can_v point_v direct_o at_o the_o spring_n yet_o be_v we_o never_o a_o whit_n less_o certain_a that_o it_o have_v a_o entrance_n because_o we_o know_v not_o at_o which_o door_n nilus_n have_v a_o head_n though_o geographer_n can_v say_v direct_o where_o it_o be_v and_o line_n many_o time_n that_o at_o first_o appear_v parallel_n to_o the_o eye_n by_o that_o time_n they_o have_v be_v lengthen_v a_o great_a while_n prove_v apparent_o uneven_a though_o no_o man_n can_v assign_v the_o point_n whereat_o the_o deflexion_n begin_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o chiliast_n a_o doctrine_n which_o if_o any_o other_o sure_o that_o may_v well_o be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v a_o general_o receive_v tenant_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a for_o some_o age_n since_o in_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o above_o 250._o year_n after_o christ_n there_o appear_v not_o in_o that_o point_n one_o dissent_v vote_n till_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n oppose_v it_o a_o error_n it_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o will_v not_o be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o accuse_v all_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o second_o centenary_n that_o they_o complot_v to_o deceive_v posterity_n by_o teach_v they_o a_o falsehood_n for_o apostolic_a tradition_n you_o be_v more_o favourable_a to_o they_o then_o so_o in_o the_o last_o part_n of_o the_o letter_n where_o you_o yourself_o discover_v a_o way_n how_o without_o conspiracy_n this_o error_n and_o so_o another_o may_v have_v overspread_v the_o church_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o one_o man_n deliver_v it_o for_o a_o whisper_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o true_o cousin_n what_o ever_o else_o may_v be_v say_v more_o probable_a in_o the_o particular_a i_o be_o confident_a it_o be_v most_o true_a in_o the_o general_n that_o the_o work_n be_v easy_a from_o one_o man_n of_o credit_n asseveration_n to_o possess_v vast_a multitude_n with_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o a_o falsehood_n and_o more_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n then_o in_o civil_a thing_n since_o in_o those_o this_o pium_fw-la credere_fw-la prevail_v much_o and_o most_o will_v rather_o take_v upon_o trust_n what_o many_o affirm_v and_o they_o discern_v no_o ill_a in_o then_o put_v themselves_o to_o the_o ofttimes_o endless_a trouble_n of_o examine_v credulity_n be_v so_o easy_a and_o natural_a disprove_v so_o difficult_a i_o warrant_v you_o the_o common_a faith_n of_o romulus_n ascent_n into_o heaven_n will_v have_v have_v upon_o your_o ground_n as_o rational_a assertor_n in_o the_o state_n of_o rome_n as_o any_o tradition_n by_o we_o question_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o sea_n of_o rome_n see_v in_o that_o politic_a invention_n of_o julius_n proclus_n what_o power_n the_o imagine_a piety_n of_o one_o man_n have_v to_o make_v a_o fiction_n pass_v for_o a_o epidemical_a verity_n which_o as_o tertullian_n say_v apol._n cap._n 8._o ab_fw-la uno_fw-la aliquando_fw-la principe_fw-la exorta_fw-la exinde_fw-la in_fw-la traduce_v linguarum_fw-la &_o aurium_fw-la serpat_fw-la &_o ita_fw-la modici_fw-la seminis_fw-la vitium_fw-la cetera_fw-la rumoris_fw-la obscurat_fw-la ut_fw-la nemo_fw-la recogitet_fw-la num_fw-la primum_fw-la illud_fw-la os_fw-la mendatium_fw-la seminaverit_fw-la the_o jew_n a_o much_o more_o numerous_a multitude_n heretofore_o and_o still_o i_o think_v equal_a in_o number_n to_o any_o christian_a church_n of_o one_o denomination_n be_v the_o most_o religious_a the_o most_o scrupulous_a conservator_n of_o unwritten_a truth_n in_o their_o cabala_n and_o yet_o what_o a_o error_n posfess_v the_o whole_a nation_n and_o do_v so_o long_o before_o the_o curse_n fall_v upon_o they_o concern_v their_o messiah_n who_o come_v long_o before_o christ_n and_o since_o they_o all_o expect_v and_o do_v expect_v in_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o which_o they_o do_v derive_v and_o do_v continue_v to_o posterity_n the_o hope_n by_o universal_a tradition_n or_o if_o you_o will_v say_v that_o they_o build_v the_o doctrine_n not_o upon_o tradition_n but_o scripture_n yet_o i_o be_o sure_a you_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o continue_v the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n that_o way_n by_o tradition_n which_o come_v all_o to_o one_o do_v you_o grant_v the_o possibility_n of_o a_o multitude_n conspiracy_n i_o be_o sure_a you_o will_v deny_v it_o in_o this_o which_o be_v confest_o the_o point_n upon_o which_o all_o of_o they_o agree_v that_o their_o supreme_a felicity_n depend_v it_o will_v pass_v for_o a_o very_a fallacious_a reason_n to_o drive_v up_o this_o belief_n to_o the_o patriarch_n and_o so_o conclude_v it_o infallible_a because_o the_o present_a age_n receive_v it_o for_o a_o tradition_n from_o the_o precede_a and_o that_o from_o the_o antepenultime_n and_o so_o forward_o or_o because_o the_o instant_n where_o the_o error_n be_v admit_v among_o they_o can_v digito_fw-la monstrari_fw-la &_o dicere_fw-la hic_fw-la est_fw-la for_o true_o cousin_n partly_o through_o a_o natural_a desire_n in_o all_o man_n that_o other_o shall_v think_v as_o they_o do_v or_o do_v what_o they_o think_v convenient_a from_o whence_o there_o spring_v a_o aptness_n in_o the_o teacher_n to_o apply_v to_o their_o opinion_n the_o strong_a authority_n they_o can_v devise_v whether_o they_o do_v just_o belong_v unto_o they_o or_o no_o and_o partly_o through_o a_o aptness_n of_o the_o ignorant_a which_o be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o auditor_n to_o swallow_v more_o and_o retain_v better_o the_o word_n and_o the_o outward_a literal_a part_n of_o what_o be_v teach_v they_o then_o either_o to_o examine_v or_o hold_v fast_o the_o precise_a and_o inward_a sense_n it_o may_v well_o happen_v that_o multitude_n may_v mumble_v the_o shell_n when_o a_o few_o have_v the_o kernel_n and_o look_v superficial_o only_o upon_o the_o outward_a stamp_n toss_v up_o and_o down_o for_o currant_n among_o they_o counterfeit_v ofttimes_o and_o adulterate_a coin_n the_o mistake_n be_v ordinary_a and_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o error_n easy_a for_o instance_n sake_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o pray_v for_o the_o dead_a many_o of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o believe_v that_o all_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o depart_a be_v keep_v in_o certain_a receptacle_n until_o the_o general_a resurrection_n conceive_v that_o prayer_n for_o the_o beatitude_n of_o the_o dead_a come_v all_o to_o one_o with_o pray_v for_o the_o hasten_v of_o christ_n kingdom_n may_v teach_v it_o other_o think_v it_o no_o profanation_n of_o prayer_n to_o employ_v that_o holy_a act_n even_o where_o we_o know_v it_o can_v avail_v since_o christ_n himself_o pray_v to_o have_v the_o bitter_a cup_n of_o his_o passion_n remove_v and_o all_o the_o doctor_n general_o hold_v such_o prayer_n a_o convenient_a testimony_n of_o charity_n in_o the_o live_n whether_o they_o be_v commemorative_n eucharistical_a or_o supplicatorie_a easy_o may_v the_o practice_n pass_v into_o a_o common_a doctrine_n now_o the_o word_n necessary_a be_v often_o use_v for_o