Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
england_n church_n faith_n profess_v 3,565 5 8.8932 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
A59248 Sure-footing in Christianity, or Rational discourses on the rule of faith with short animadversions on Dr. Pierce's sermon : also on some passages in Mr. Whitby and M. Stillingfleet, which concern that rule / by J.S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1665 (1665) Wing S2595; ESTC R8569 122,763 264

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

of_o god_n nature_n as_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o jacob_n beman_n do_v and_o then_o secundum_fw-la hanc_fw-la partum_fw-la of_o illam_fw-la will_v do_v the_o work_n and_o give_v a_o true_a sense_n to_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n you_o shall_v do_v any_o thing_n which_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n make_v it_o seem_v possible_a rather_o than_o question_v a_o plain_a divine_a revelation_n nay_o perhaps_o you_o do_v not_o think_v you_o can_v demonstrate_v the_o contrary_a to_o the_o solution_n i_o have_v help_v you_o out_o with_o at_o least_o that_o your_o demonstration_n be_v but_o a_o seem_a one_o and_o then_o i_o challenge_v your_o candour_n to_o own_o your_o say_n and_o demand_v why_o you_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o use_v this_o shift_n and_o a_o thousand_o other_o rather_o than_o violate_v your_o avow_v rule_n of_o faith_n and_o deny_v and_o hold_v against_o the_o clear_a letter_n of_o scripture_n if_o you_o allege_v you_o have_v perfect_a science_n of_o the_o contrary_a by_o metaphysic_n then_o though_o i_o expect_v not_o this_o from_o you_o your_o science_n rule_v your_o rule_n of_o faith_n gloss_v or_o rather_o violent_o wrest_v the_o plain_a letter_n and_o so_o be_v so_o absolute_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o control_v and_o even_o baffle_v the_o other_o though_o clear_o reveal_v or_o if_o to_o be_v in_o express_a term_n in_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o be_v clear_o reveal_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o those_o word_n clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n signify_v 12._o perhaps_o you_o i_o say_v that_o notwithstanding_o your_o new_a rule_n reason_n must_v be_v your_o gvid_n still_o even_o in_o faith_n though_o not_o your_o rule_n but_o i_o ask_v if_o your_o reason_n must_v guide_v you_o sometime_o so_o as_o to_o deny_v the_o clear_a letter_n of_o scripture_n since_o a_o guide_n in_o any_o thing_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o some_o knowledge_n in_o that_o affair_n by_o what_o principle_n or_o knowledge_n reason_n be_v to_o regulate_v itself_o while_o it_o guide_v you_o in_o that_o particular_a now_o in_o question_n by_o principle_n of_o faith_n how_o can_v that_o be_v in_o your_o ground_n antecedent_o to_o the_o know_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o principle_n of_o human_a science_n then_o those_o principle_n of_o human_a science_n give_v you_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o the_o write_a word_n when_o itself_o be_v insufficient_a and_o therefore_o be_v still_o true_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o you_o be_v force_v to_o fly_v back_o for_o refuge_n to_o the_o old_a rule_n human_a reason_n which_o you_o seem_o renounce_v when_o you_o have_v find_v your_o new_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o some_o maxim_n of_o your_o reason_n be_v your_o rule_n and_o not_o scripture_n letter_n and_o this_o be_v what_o we_o reprehend_v in_o the_o socinian_n and_o you_o too_o that_o choose_v a_o wrong_a rule_n of_o faith_n so_o to_o avoid_v the_o church_n you_o both_o gloss_n it_o as_o seem_v best_a to_o your_o reason_n regulate_v herself_o by_o her_o own_o and_o those_o fallible_a maxim_n they_o by_o certain_a acute_a and_o ingenious_a sophistry_n proper_a to_o themselves_o you_o by_o the_o more_o schoolboy_n way_n of_o grammar_n and_o dictionary_n learning_n and_o so_o both_o of_o you_o make_v your_o rule_n the_o thing_n rule_v nor_o think_v to_o retort_v any_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n upon_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o this_o be_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v we_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o the_o point_n we_o be_v to_o profess_v whereas_o you_o needs_o skill_v and_o help_v of_o studious_a reason_n to_o tell_v you_o what_o it_o will_v say_v we_o be_v alive_a and_o in_o the_o breast_n and_o action_n of_o the_o faithful_a you_o be_v dead_a character_n waxen-natured_a and_o pliable_a to_o the_o dedalean_a fancy_n of_o the_o ingenious_a molder_v of_o new_a opinion_n and_o so_o alone_z can_v satisfy_v no_o man_n as_o you_o handle_v it_o 13._o no_o wonder_n now_o if_o have_v no_o certain_a a_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o herself_o your_o church_n be_v shamefast_a of_o oblige_v other_o to_o believe_v she_o man_n nature_n can_v scarce_o own_v or_o permit_v so_o irrational_a a_o tyranny_n yet_o whether_o she_o do_v or_o do_v not_o we_o must_v not_o know_v from_o your_o word_n which_o run_v so_o backward_o and_o forward_o that_o none_o can_v tell_v which_o be_v the_o true_a face_n of_o the_o janus_n first_o p._n 99_o you_o seem_v to_o deny_v it_o stout_o from_o the_o carriage_n of_o your_o convocation_n and_o bishop_n and_o from_o your_o own_o tenet_n yet_o afterward_o you_o seem_v to_o grant_v they_o do_v require_v a_o positive_a assent_n sometime_o and_o justify_v they_o as_o not_o do_v it_o upon_o pretence_n of_o any_o infallibility_n but_o because_o the_o thing_n determine_v be_v so_o evident_a in_o scripture_n that_o all_o deny_v it_o must_v be_v wilful_a a_o rare_a discourse_n and_o worthy_a a_o deep_a consideration_n pray_v who_o must_v be_v judge_v it_o be_v so_o evident_a in_o scripture_n as_o to_o render_v the_o dissenter_n guilty_a of_o flat_a wilfulness_n the_o bishop_n or_o your_o church_n nothing_o less_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n p._n 93._o you_o plain_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v judge_n of_o faith_n now_o in_o your_o sense_n to_o be_v clear_o reveal_v or_o evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o to_o be_v of_o faith_n be_v all_o one_o so_o that_o they_o must_v not_o be_v judge_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n lest_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n they_o become_v judge_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o without_o have_v power_n to_o judge_v what_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n they_o must_v have_v power_n to_o require_v assent_n to_o point_n as_o evident_a in_o scripture_n nay_o and_o punish_v the_o dissenter_n too_o for_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n for_o governor_n to_o require_v any_o thing_n of_o their_o subject_n without_o have_v reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o make_v what_o they_o require_v to_o be_v due_o obseru●d_v nay_o p._n 93._o you_o absolute_o refuse_v to_o admit_v they_o as_o guide_n of_o your_o faith_n a_o moderate_a word_n and_o less_o than_o to_o be_v a_o judge_n which_o signify_v they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o require_v our_o assent_n in_o matter_n in_o which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o guide_v we_o that_o be_v they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o require_v we_o to_o go_v wrong_n for_o any_o thing_n we_o or_o they_o know_v a_o excellent_a honour_n for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o her_o champion_n profess_v in_o print_n her_o supreme_a pastor_n have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o to_o guide_v their_o flock_n in_o their_o faith_n or_o to_o it_o when_o they_o be_v out_o of_o it_o again_o i_o will_v ask_v whether_o the_o trinity_n be_v not_o evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o the_o socinian_o wilful_a for_o deny_v it_o why_o be_v they_o then_o so_o kind_o deal_v with_o or_o what_o can_v be_v reply_v to_o a_o socinian_n answer_v when_o his_o assent_n to_o the_o trinity_n be_v require_v that_o he_o humble_o submit_v to_o scripture_n that_o he_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n he_o can_v but_o discover_v it_o not_o so_o evident_a there_o and_o thereupon_o complain_v that_o you_o obtrude_v upon_o his_o equally-learned_n party_n your_o own_o conceit_n or_o opinion_n for_o scripture-evidence_n what_o therefore_o you_o allege_v here_o as_o in_o your_o church_n behalf_n that_o she_o require_v not_o a_o positive_a assent_n upon_o pretence_n of_o any_o infallibility_n more_o condemn_v she_o see_v it_o be_v most_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a that_o one_o shall_v require_v any_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o point_n or_o proposition_n whatever_o as_o evident_a in_o scripture_n without_o infallible_a certainty_n at_o least_o imagine_a and_o pretend_a that_o it_o be_v thus_o evident_a there_o for_o shall_v it_o happen_v to_o be_v otherwise_o how_o ridiculous_a be_v his_o authority_n how_o damnable_a and_o diabolical_a his_o tyranny_n to_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o hazard_n of_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v in_o matter_n belong_v to_o his_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n profess_v himself_o ignorant_a whether_o they_o be_v false_a or_o no._n 14._o now_o our_o church_n go_v another_o way_n which_o ere_o i_o declare_v i_o will_v let_v your_o party_n see_v that_o interior_a assent_n may_v be_v require_v by_o governor_n lawful_o and_o rational_o which_o your_o principle_n can_v never_o make_v sense_n of_o suppose_v a_o thousand_o witness_n from_o several_a place_n each_o of_o they_o hold_v always_o man_n of_o good_a conscience_n shall_v swear_v in_o open_a court_n that_o they_o have_v see_v such_o and_o such_o action_n do_v by_o such_o a_o man_n or_o that_o they_o have_v see_v speak_v or_o converse_v
be_v render_v interpretable_a that_o way_n whence_o there_o be_v almost_o as_o many_o mind_n as_o man_n about_o the_o time_n when_o any_o change_n be_v make_v nay_o some_o of_o their_o best_a champion_n dr_n whitaker_n and_o mr_n powel_n profess_v the_o time_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n change_n can_v easy_o be_v tell_v and_o that_o they_o can_v tell_v by_o who_o or_o at_o what_o time_n the_o enemy_n do_v sow_v the_o papist_n doctrine_n this_o i_o say_v be_v so_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a they_o decline_v the_o pretence_n of_o any_o tradition_n against_o we_o and_o the_o very_a way_n of_o derive_v down_o oral_o and_o practical_o since_o write_v in_o man_n heart_n by_o matter_n of_o fact_n work_v on_o their_o sense_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o recur_n to_o pitiful_a shred_n and_o fragment_n o●_n word_n utter_o unauthorise_v if_o the_o tradition_n for_o that_o book_n goodness_n can_v fail_v and_o if_o catholic_n tradition_n which_o in_o its_o source_n be_v so_o large_o extend_v visible_a and_o practicable_a by_o all_o can_v falter_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o easy_o may_v the_o tradition_n for_o any_o particular_a book_n which_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o can_v be_v but_o of_o a_o very_a obscure_a original_a fail_v and_o deceive_v we_o now_o that_o no_o tradition_n be_v alledgeable_a against_o we_o by_o protestant_n appear_v hence_o that_o their_o immediate_a forefather_n little_o more_o than_o a_o 100_o year_n ago_o be_v catholic_n that_o be_v holder_n of_o their_o faith_n no_o novelty_n but_o uninterrupted_o descend_v can_v never_o conspire_v to_o deliver_v to_o they_o any_o such_o sense_n that_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v alter_v her_o faith_n since_o they_o have_v the_o contrary_a sense_n write_v in_o the_o table_n of_o their_o heart_n nor_o can_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o greek_a church_n for_o a_o tradition_n opposite_a to_o we_o for_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o they_o differ_v from_o we_o for_o they_o will_v find_v none_o such_o nor_o be_v the_o greek_a church_n progenitour_n to_o they_o here_o in_o england_n nor_o by_o consequence_n can_v they_o derive_v traditionary_o from_o they_o 18._o no_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n or_o intrinsical_v principle_n be_v producible_a against_o christian_a tradition_n for_o since_o argument_n if_o solid_a be_v take_v from_o thing_n or_o nature_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o christian_a tradition_n be_v build_v on_o the_o best_a nature_n that_o be_v man_n be_v not_o according_a to_o what_o be_v alterable_a in_o it_o but_o what_o be_v abstract_v from_o disease_n absolute_o unalterable_a that_o be_v on_o knowledge_n imprint_v by_o natural_a sensation_n and_o this_o knowledge_n strengthen_v and_o make_v most_o lively_a by_o the_o oft-repeatedness_a of_o those_o sensation_n and_o the_o import_n of_o the_o thing_n know_v also_o since_o most_o efficacious_a cause_n actual_o apply_v that_o be_v impossible_a not_o to_o do_v the_o effect_n and_o effect_n impossible_a to_o be_v without_o such_o a_o cause_n existence_n be_v engage_v for_o the_o ever-continuance_n or_o uninterruptedness_n of_o tradition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o and_o the_o force_n of_o those_o preserve_a cause_n strengthen_v by_o the_o most_o powerful_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n disc._n 9_o or_o by_o best_a grace_n superad_v to_o best_a nature_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n shall_v be_v bring_v against_o tradition_n 19_o the_o argue_v by_o way_n of_o some_o few_o instance_n as_o the_o manner_n be_v can_v have_v no_o force_n against_o tradition_n certainty_n and_o indefectiveness_n for_o see_v a_o pretend_a instance_n of_o tradition_n fail_v be_v a_o particular_a action_n presume_v to_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a and_o particular_n out_o of_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o be_v particular_n be_v surround_v by_o a_o thousand_o individuate_a circumstance_n or_o rather_o constitute_v by_o they_o that_o be_v be_v place_v in_o the_o proper_a sphere_n of_o contingency_n and_o that_o particular_a action_n be_v put_v to_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a and_o ●o_o affect_v not_o our_o sense_n by_o experience_n in_o which_o be_v found_v the_o force_n of_o instance_n in_o regard_n experimental_a knowledge_n be_v a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v know_v nor_o have_v we_o or_o can_v we_o have_v without_o tradition_n any_o certain_a knowledge_n coral_n 16._o that_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n pretend_v to_o have_v miscarry_v or_o to_o have_v be_v alter_v then_o or_o else_o the_o manner_n of_o express_v they_o be_v not_o mistake_v then_o or_o misrepresent_v to_o we_o now_o nor_o that_o interest_n for_o example_n of_o one_o party_n passion_n between_o both_o ambiguity_n of_o word_n slightness_n or_o confusedness_n of_o report_n ground_v the_o historian_n narration_n rashness_n of_o belief_n in_o he_o corruption_n of_o his_o book_n since_o they_o be_v write_v and_o innumerable_a other_o chance_n apt_a to_o occasion_n mistake_n do_v not_o intervene_v any_o of_o which_o will_v render_v the_o instance_n uncertain_a and_o the_o argument_n from_o it_o inconclusive_a again_o see_v we_o can_v have_v certainty_n of_o our_o own_o meaning_n of_o our_o word_n when_o we_o demonstrate_v and_o also_o of_o our_o consequence_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o way_n for_o a_o solid_a man_n to_o answer_v tradition_n pretend_a demonstrableness_n must_v be_v to_o show_v the_o incoherence_n of_o the_o term_n and_o not_o to_o bring_v some_o old_a story_n against_o it_o which_o be_v to_o produce_v uncertainty_n know_v to_o be_v such_o against_o pretend_a certainty_n and_o not_o yet_o know_v to_o be_v other_o than_o such_o nay_o who_o be_v evidence_n we_o can_v in_o reason_n deny_v till_o we_o can_v solve_v the_o connexion_n of_o term_n draw_v from_o intrinsical_a medium_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v 20._o the_o deny_v tradition_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o necessary_a disposition_n to_o fanatickness_n for_o since_o no_o argument_n take_v from_o any_o dead_a or_o write_a testimony_n coral_n 12._o 14._o 16._o nor_o live_v testimony_n of_o tradition_n coral_n 13._o 17._o nor_o from_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n coral_n 18._o that_o be_v from_o any_o thing_n without_o we_o which_o be_v a_o second_o cause_n be_v valid_a against_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n can_v be_v deny_v but_o by_o pretend_v some_o light_n or_o knowledge_n within_o we_o derive_v from_o the_o immediate_a influence_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n to_o which_o pretence_n help_v its_o difficulty_n to_o be_v confute_v in_o regard_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o stand_v stiff_a in_o this_o tenet_n that_o they_o see_v clear_o such_o truth_n by_o a_o inward_a light_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n to_o go_v about_o to_o confute_v their_o own_o manifest_a experience_n whereas_o be_v argument_n produc-t_a open_o they_o and_o their_o confutation_n may_v be_v publish_v together_o and_o the_o truth_n will_v lie_v expose_v to_o the_o scan_n and_o decision_n of_o the_o indifferent_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v clear_v by_o a_o few_o reply_v if_o a_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n be_v take_v wherefore_o since_o nature_n will_v easy_o teach_v the_o obstinate_a denier_n of_o any_o principle_n to_o avail_v themselves_o by_o the_o best_a plea_n they_o can_v to_o escape_v confute_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o nature_n will_v connatural_o carry_v the_o denier_n of_o tradition_n to_o fanatic_a pranciple_n and_o that_o man_n be_v so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o preserve_v from_o fanatickness_n than_o they_o follow_v tradition_n or_o the_o open_o declare_a sense_n of_o forefather_n either_o in_o our_o church_n or_o some_o other_o congregation_n again_o tradition_n be_v the_o way_n of_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o the_o open_a use_n of_o our_o sense_n the_o deny_v it_o must_v drive_v the_o denier_n to_o deny_v that_o way_n and_o to_o recur_n to_o knowledge_n have_v some_o other_o way_n not_o to_o knowledge_n acquire_v by_o human_a skill_n the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o high_a mystery_n be_v confess_o more_o than_o human_a therefore_o to_o infuse_v knowledge_n and_o this_o not_o infuse_v by_o ordinary_a way_n as_o preach_v teach_v of_o forefather_n and_o such_o like_a as_o we_o experience_v such_o knowledge_n to_o be_v infuse_v into_o we_o for_o this_o again_o fall_v into_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v only_o have_v refuge_n to_o inward_a light_n or_o knowledge_n infuse_v extraordinary_o or_o without_o connatural_a mean_n to_o make_v which_o the_o common_a road_n of_o receive_v heaven_n influence_n be_v the_o very_a definition_n of_o fanatickness_n 21._o fanatic_a principle_n can_v have_v no_o force_n against_o tradition_n though_o unconfutable_a but_o by_o it_o for_o since_o they_o pretend_v for_o their_o ground_n a_o light_n within_o imprint_v on_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o manifest_v god_n the_o author_n that_o be_v a_o effect_n
true_a sense_n of_o that_o letter_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n deliver_v see_v coral_n 29._o &_o 30_o it_o follow_v that_o scripture_n allege_v by_o the_o church_n rely_v on_o tradition_n for_o its_o rule_n engage_v certain_o and_o full_o the_o very_a authority_n of_o the_o divine_o inspire_v writer_n himself_o and_o give_v that_o testimony_n the_o whole_a effect_n upon_o our_o understanding_n which_o that_o sacred_a writer_n authority_n deserve_v to_o have_v give_v it_o no_o wonder_n then_o the_o council_n proceed_v upon_o traditionary_a interpretation_n as_o it_o constant_o declare_v itself_o to_o do_v honour_n scripture-testimony_n so_o as_o to_o put_v it_o before_o tradition_n or_o the_o delivery_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n scripture_n thus_o allege_v and_o secure_v have_v the_o same_o force_n as_o if_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n himself_o shall_v sit_v in_o the_o council_n and_o by_o way_n of_o live_a voice_n declare_v his_o own_o sense_n in_o the_o matter_n to_o who_o thus_o present_a what_o deference_n the_o council_n will_v have_v give_v be_v obvious_a to_o be_v imagine_v hence_o also_o the_o protestant_n may_v see_v what_o high_a esteem_n our_o church_n give_v to_o god_n word_n true_o so_o call_v that_o be_v have_v god_n sense_n certainly-known_a to_o be_v such_o in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o outward_a letter_n as_o use_v to_o hammer_v a_o faith_n out_o of_o by_o wordish_a skill_n that_o be_v indeed_o their_o method_n of_o interpret_n it_o which_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o uncertainty_n fall_v short_a of_o engage_v the_o sacred_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n we_o fleight_v and_o scorn_v and_o most_o just_o since_o it_o be_v the_o have_n no_o better_a way_n to_o work_v on_o scripture_n which_o have_v bring_v scripture_n itself_o thus_o use_v to_o scorn_v and_o contempt_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o carriage_n of_o our_o bedlam_n of_o new_a sect_n in_o england_n i_o expect_v here_o some_o mighty_a man_n of_o talk_n but_o very_o weak_a speculator_n shall_v object_v that_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a way_n to_o bring_v all_o into_o our_o church_n hand_n but_o till_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o both_o letter_n &_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v knowable_a with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o to_o build_v on_o they_o that_o most_o firm_a assent_v call_v faith_n by_o any_o other_o way_n than_o this_o of_o tradition_n i_o can_v neither_o hinder_v my_o inference_n nor_o will_v he_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v my_o discourse_n 20._o thus_o much_o to_o show_v evident_o that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o have_v give_v in_o our_o former_a discourse_n be_v the_o very_a sense_n of_o our_o church_n at_o present_a and_o that_o her_o present_a sense_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v now_o but_o to_o show_v that_o at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o breach_n here_o in_o england_n the_o catholic_n be_v find_v adhere_v fast_o to_o this_o rule_n of_o tradition_n renounce_v by_o the_o protestant_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n for_o as_o oft_o as_o you_o hear_v they_o allege_v that_o england_n be_v former_o overgrow_v with_o popery_n that_o the_o new_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v of_o late_o discover_v itself_o that_o they_o reform_v in_o faith_n that_o the_o former_a church_n err_v and_o such_o like_a expression_n which_o natural_o must_v burst_v out_o from_o they_o so_o oft_o you_o hear_v they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o deserter_n of_o tradition_n and_o innovator_n which_o expression_n of_o they_o by_o the_o way_n easy_o manifest_a to_o the_o most_o vulgar_a understanding_n who_o ●tis_o that_o have_v renounct_v tradition_n whence_o it_o be_v also_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o rude_a capacity_n that_o tradition_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a way_n of_o bring_v down_o faith_n disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o the_o most_o vulgar_a soul_n be_v capable_a of_o know_v which_o profession_n it_o be_v to_o follow_v for_o the_o two_o former_a point_n be_v know_v they_o be_v certain_a by_o motive_n within_o their_o own_o ken_n that_o protestant_n have_v renounct_v the_o certain_a way_n to_o bring_v down_o faith_n but_o that_o we_o renounct_v tradition_n of_o old_a be_v unacknowledged_a by_o we_o disputable_a and_o only_o knowable_a by_o skill_v they_o be_v not_o master_n of_o common_a sense_n then_o teach_v they_o they_o must_v guide_v themselves_o by_o reason_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o not_o by_o reason_n of_o which_o they_o know_v nothing_o and_o that_o god_n require_v no_o more_o at_o their_o hand_n than_o they_o can_v do_v god_n goodness_n have_v provide_v for_o those_o weak_a people_n out_o of_o the_o very_a confession_n of_o tradition●s_a deserter_n certain_a mean_n to_o judge_v whether_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v catholic_n or_o protestant_n but_o to_o return_v whence_o we_o divert_v 21._o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n but_o the_o open_a profession_n of_o the_o catholic_n clergy_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o the_o breach_n manifest_v our_o claim_n and_o constant_a adherence_n to_o tradition_n who_o declaration_n find_v in_o the_o synodal_n book_n 1559._o begin_v thus_o because_o by_o relation_n of_o public_a fame_n it_o have_v late_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n that_o many_o tenet_n of_o christian_a religion_n hitherto_o receive_v and_o approu●d_v by_o the_o public_a and_o 〈◊〉_d consent_v of_o christian_a nation_n and_o bring_v down_o by_o hand_n even_o from_o the_o apostle_n to_o we_o be_v call●d_v into_o doubt_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n where_o we_o find_v they_o stick_v firm_o to_o tradition_n and_o insist_v on_o this_o principle_n they_o proceed_v to_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o they_o exhibit_v to_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o lord_n keeper_n but_o the_o state_n by_o power_n over-bearing_a the_o vote_n of_o the_o reverend_a convocation_n and_o persecute_v they_o for_o their_o constancy_n the_o breach_n ensue_v the_o catholic_n cleave_v fast_o to_o his_o old_a rule_n tradition_n the_o protestant_n choose_v a_o new_a one_o of_o scripture_n private_o interpret_v who_o vanity_n a_o little_a reason_n make_v they_o see_v but_o experience_n perfect_o find_v and_o relinquish_a the_o ancient_a rule_n so_o demonstrable_o self-evident_a secure_a and_o solid_a by_o which_o mean_n they_o become_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o only_a certain_a way_n to_o know_v christ_n sense_n that_o be_v from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n the_o gild_n of_o which_o fact_n neither_o human_a authority_n multitude_n prosperity_n continuance_n nor_o yet_o all_o their_o voluminous_a wordish_a excuse_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o efface_v animadversion_n on_o dr._n pierce_n sermon_n also_o on_o mr._n whitby_n and_o mr._n stillingfleet_n where_o they_o touch_v the_o way_n lay_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n in_o three_o appendix_n psalm_n 63._o sagittae_fw-la parvulorum_fw-la factae_fw-la sunt_fw-la plagae_fw-la eorum_fw-la anno_fw-la dom._n 1665._o transition_n to_o the_o follow_a appendix_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o discourse_n how_o dexterous_o must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o reader_n and_o confutation_n from_o m●●e_a adversary_n but_o i_o account_v those_o only_o my_o proper_a judge_n &_o competent_a adversary_n who_o lay_v their_o principle_n ere_o they_o discourse_v and_o weigh_v the_o efficaciousness_n of_o their_o testimony_n in_o the_o scale_n of_o reason_n ere_o they_o allege_v they_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n lay_v no_o principle_n of_o his_o own_o but_o suppose_v they_o and_o make_v account_n all_o man_n must_v admit_v they_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o or_o his_o party_n and_o yet_o bend_v all_o his_o endeavour_n to_o cavil_v at_o principle_n lay_v by_o other_o to_o ascertain_v and_o establish_v the_o groundwork_n of_o christianity_n if_o i_o find_v one_o ignorant_a of_o or_o resolve_v against_o the_o onely-certain_a method_n and_o rule_n of_o discourse_n which_o be_v that_o no_o position_n deserve_v assent_v unless_o the_o connexion_n of_o its_o term_n be_v evident_a which_o must_v either_o be_v when_o they_o be_v evident_o connect_v of_o themselves_o of_o which_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v all_o first_o principle_n or_o make_v evidently-connected_n by_o the_o interposition_n of_o some_o other_o which_o we_o call_v evident-by-consequence_n or_o deduction_n last_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n wed_v to_o parrat-talk_a of_o air_n and_o sound_n that_o he_o think_v it_o a_o rare_a thing_n to_o load_v margin_n with_o citation_n without_o first_o distinguish_v they_o and_o consider_v what_o strength_n each_o aught_o to_o have_v according_a to_o rational_a principle_n i_o decline_v such_o a_o empty_a soul_n for_o my_o judge_n and_o sleight_v he_o as_o my_o adversary_n and_o lest_o any_o shall_v impute_v this_o carriage_n to_o i_o
the_o most_o vulgar_a that_o every_o man_n have_v a_o principle_n in_o he_o impel_v he_o to_o act_n which_o we_o agree_v to_o call_v a_o will._n such_o likewise_o be_v all_o proposition_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o the_o church_n use_v upon_o occasion_n of_o some_o emergent_a heresy_n to_o explain_v herself_o and_o put_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n out_o of_o danger_n of_o be_v equivocate_v example_n of_o the_o late_a sort_n be_v theological_a conclusion_n in_o which_o a_o natural_a truth_n be_v one_o of_o the_o premise_n join_v with_o the_o supernatural_a one_o to_o infer_v they_o to_o omit_v this_o as_o little_a to_o our_o purpose_n at_o present_a of_o the_o former_a sort_n the_o church_n be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v use_n upon_o occasion_n that_o be_v when_o any_o heretic_n question_n those_o and_o eâdem_fw-la operâ_fw-la the_o whole_a point_n of_o faith_n itself_o of_o which_o they_o be_v a_o part_n upon_o occasion_n i_o say_v for_o what_o concern_v its_o the_o faithful_a or_o who_o ever_o hear_v much_o noise_n of_o this_o proposition_n christ_n have_v two_o will_n thus_o single_v out_o and_o express_v apart_o till_o the_o monothelite_n grant_v he_o but_o one_o force_v the_o church_n that_o she_o may_v preserve_v the_o main_a tenet_n of_o christ_n have_v two_o nature_n or_o be_v god_n and_o man_n to_o maintain_v publish_v and_o define_v that_o other_o 6._o to_o apply_v this_o then_o since_o none_o can_v have_v obligation_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o have_v not_o obligation_n to_o think_v of_o and_o that_o in_o some_o age_n the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a have_v no_o occasion_n nor_o consequent_o obligation_n to_o mind_n reflect_v or_o think_v on_o those_o proposition_n involud_v in_o the_o main_a stock_n of_o faith_n and_o true_o part_n of_o it_o that_o be_v indeed_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la or_o obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o perhaps_o mr._n stillingfleet_n may_v ask_v how_o the_o church_n can_v have_v power_n to_o oblige_v the_o generality_n to_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o point_n i_o answer_v she_o oblige_v they_o to_o believe_v the_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n by_o virtue_n of_o tradition_n be_v a_o self-evident_a rule_n and_o these_o employ_v point_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o be_v self-evidently-connected_n with_o those_o main_a and_o perpetually-used_a point_n so_o that_o the_o vulgar_a can_v be_v rational_o and_o connatural_o make_v capable_a of_o this_o their_o obligation_n whence_o the_o government_n of_o our_o church_n be_v still_o justify_v to_o be_v sweet_a and_o according_a to_o right_a nature_n and_o yet_o forcible_a and_o efficacious_a to_o hold_v her_o subject_n in_o a_o strict_a union_n not_o to_o mention_v how_o these_o point_n also_o descend_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o tradition_n for_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o apostle_n have_v occasion_n in_o explain_v faith_n to_o speak_v of_o these_o however_o the_o no_o necessity_n bring_v they_o not_o so_o much_o into_o play_n but_o leave_v they_o unreflected_a on_o by_o the_o generality_n 7._o but_o to_o return_v to_o mr._n stillingfleet_n who_o act_v here_o like_o a_o politician_n and_o will_v conquer_v we_o by_o first_o divide_v we_o and_o make_v odious_a comparison_n between_o two_o party_n of_o divine_n but_o he_o may_v please_v to_o reflect_v how_o we_o all_o hold_v firm_o the_o same_o divinely-constituted_n church-government_n and_o the_o same_o self-evident_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o give_v our_o understanding_n the_o same_o principle_n as_o christian_n and_o so_o our_o will_n the_o same_o action_n and_o those_o be_v firm_o root_v in_o all_o our_o heart_n to_o have_v be_v recommend_v to_o we_o by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n whence_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o all_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n or_o even_o malice_n of_o hell_n to_o disunite_v we_o as_o we_o be_v faithful_a as_o private_a discourser_n our_o different_a nature_n and_o circumstance_n must_v needs_o distinguish_v we_o every_o one_o believe_v the_o same_o but_o come_v to_o explicate_v this_o belief_n they_o vary_v according_a to_o the_o several_a degree_n of_o perfection_n in_o their_o understand_a power_n and_o yet_o m._n stillingfleet_n be_v not_o aware_a how_o little_a we_o differ_v even_o as_o divine_n for_o though_o some_o speculater_n attribute_v to_o the_o church_n a_o power_n of_o define_v thing_n not_o hold_v before_o yet_o few_o will_v say_v she_o have_v new_a revelation_n or_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n &_o those_o only_a some_o lawyer_n who_o talk_v ultra_fw-la crepidam_fw-la no_o divine_n that_o i_o know_v of_o and_o none_o that_o christ_n be_v not_o a_o perfect_a lawgiver_n which_o be_v necessary_a consequent_n or_o rather_o in_o a_o manner_n identical_a to_o the_o other_o and_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o point_n those_o man_n explain_v themselves_o that_o all_o be_v deliver_v faith_n either_o explicit_o or_o implicit_o which_o i_o have_v show_v to_o bear_v a_o very_a good_a sense_n in_o my_o explication_n of_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la he_o tell_v we_o pope_n and_o council_n challenge_v a_o power_n to_o make_v thing_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o he_o speak_v only_o in_o common_a and_o prove_v it_o not_o have_v he_o bring_v instance_n it_o may_v have_v be_v better_o clear_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o have_v show_v he_o how_o take_v they_o right_n this_o be_v both_o perfect_o innocent_a and_o unavoidable_o necessary_a to_o a_o church_n what_o will_v avail_v he_o be_v if_o a_o pope_n and_o council_n shall_v define_v a_o new_a thing_n and_o declare_v they_o ground_n themselves_o on_o new_a light_n as_o do_v their_o first_o reformer_n in_o england_n but_o he_o will_v find_v no_o such_o foppery_n in_o faith-definition_n make_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o be_v the_o common_a doctrine_n maintain_v by_o which_o i_o perceive_v he_o be_v at_o a_o end_n of_o his_o argument_n against_o our_o church_n there_o be_v no_o evident_a sign_n of_o it_o than_o to_o leave_v off_o assault_v she_o confound_v she_o with_o the_o school_n or_o some_o private_a opinater_n and_o then_o carp_v at_o these_o man_n tenet_n whereas_o m._n stillingfleet_n want_v not_o wit_n to_o know_v that_o no_o sober_a catholic_n hold_v human_a deduction_n the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n schoolman_n definer_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o school_n the_o tribunal_n whence_o to_o propose_v it_o authoritative_o and_o oblige_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a much_o less_o a_o few_o divine_n which_o be_v far_o from_o reach_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o school_n yet_o how_o much_o of_o his_o book_n will_v need_v no_o answer_n be_v this_o impertinent_a topick_n lay_v aside_o but_o well_o let_v school_n and_o church_n be_v all_o one_o that_o be_v let_v every_o master_n of_o divinity_n be_v a_o bishop_n what_o mean_v he_o to_o conclude_v from_o the_o word_n common_a doctrine_n do_v he_o make_v account_v every_o school-doctrin_n must_v be_v equal_o in_o vogue_n or_o that_o a_o opinion_n be_v common_a define_v it_o faith_n and_o condemn_v the_o other_o for_o heretical_a where_o be_v his_o reason_n the_o direct_a contrary_n follow_v from_o its_o be_v common_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o faith_n which_o other_o though_o not_o so_o many_o may_v contradict_v and_o he_o be_v but_o mean_o verse_v in_o our_o school_n if_o he_o see_v not_o very_o many_o public_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o new_a revelation_n without_o dread_v excommunication_n or_o be_v hold_v heretical_a and_o seditious_a so_o they_o grant_v the_o church_n power_n as_o they_o ought_v by_o new_a proposition_n and_o new_a but_o expressive_a word_n yet_o both_o the_o same_o in_o sense_n and_o so_o not_o new_a in_o substance_n to_o meet_v with_o the_o new_a blunder_a cavil_n of_o innovator_n 8._o yet_o all_o this_o while_n m._n stillingfleet_n can_v see_v how_o to_o satisfy_v himself_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o church_n as_o to_o this_o particular_a nor_o ever_o will_v while_o he_o wilful_o look_v the_o wrong_a way_n that_o be_v towards_o some_o particular_a schoolman_n or_o divine_n not_o towards_o the_o universality_n of_o the_o faithful_a or_o church_n what_o need_v he_o counterfeit_v this_o puzzle_n do_v he_o never_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n or_o be_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o find_v it_o again_o do_v not_o he_o know_v all_o the_o catholic_n church_n allow_v more_o a_o thousand_o time_n to_o it_o than_o to_o all_o the_o schoolman_n in_o the_o world_n yes_o very_o well_o how_o come_v it_o then_o that_o he_o run_v to_o some_o schoolman_n and_o neglect_v the_o church_n speak_v in_o her_o representative_a because_o he_o may_v find_v there_o a_o clear_a solution_n of_o his_o doubt_n by_o the_o constant_a procedure_n of_o that_o most_o grave_a