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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
religion_n authority_n church_n scripture_n 4,231 5 6.1426 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A33817 A Collection of discourses lately written by some divines of the Church of England against the errours and corruptions of the church of Rome to which is prefix'd a catalogue of the several discourses. 1687 (1687) Wing C5141; ESTC R10140 460,949 658

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faith_n of_o christ_n they_o shall_v not_o teach_v nor_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o whereby_o the_o unskilful_a multitude_n may_v be_v infla●ed_v either_o to_o the_o study_n of_o novelty_n or_o to_o contention_n vi_o but_o though_o nothing_o may_v be_v teach_v as_o a_o piece_n of_o religion_n which_o have_v not_o the_o forename_a original_a yet_o i_o must_v add_v that_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v universal_o believe_v and_o not_o contrary_a to_o scripture_n though_o not_o write_v at_o all_o there_o nor_o to_o be_v prove_v from_o thence_o we_o do_v receive_v as_o pious_a opinion_n for_o instance_n the_o perpetual_a virginity_n of_o the_o mother_n of_o god_n our_o saviour_n which_o be_v so_o likely_a a_o thing_n and_o so_o universal_o receive_v that_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o we_o shall_v not_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o genuine_a apostolical_a tradition_n vii_o i_o have_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o to_o add_v which_o be_v that_o we_o allow_v also_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o 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authority_n and_o avoid_v all_o contention_n with_o they_o as_o most_o undecent_a in_o itself_o and_o pernicious_a to_o religion_n which_o suffer_v extreme_o when_o neither_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n nor_o ecclesiastical_a custom_n can_v end_v dispute_n about_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n read_v 1_o thess_n 5._o 12._o heb._n 13._o 17._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 16._o and_o read_v such_o place_n as_o you_o ought_v to_o do_v all_o the_o other_o scripture_n till_o your_o heart_n be_v deep_o affect_v with_o they_o for_o be_v admonish_v in_o the_o last_o place_n of_o this_o which_o be_v of_o general_a use_n and_o must_v never_o be_v forget_v because_o we_o shall_v lose_v the_o benefit_n of_o that_o celestial_a doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o strict_o observe_v it●_n that_o as_o this_o evangelical_n doctrine_n be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o so_o we_o must_v be_v deliver_v up_o to_o it_o thus_o st._n paul_n teach_v we_o to_o speak_v in_o 6._o rom._n 17._o where_o he_o thank_v god_n that_o they_o who_o former_o have_v be_v servant_n of_o sin_n do_v now_o obey_v from_o the_o heart_n that_o form_n of_o doctrine_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v so_o the_o word_n run_v in_o the_o greek_a as_o the_o margin_n of_o our_o bible_n inform_v you_o cis_fw-la bon_fw-fr paredothnie_fw-fr this_o be_v the_o tradition_n which_o we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o retain_v and_o hold_v fast_o above_o all_o other_o as_o that_o without_o which_o all_o our_o belief_n will_v be_v ineffectual_a this_o be_v the_o very_a end_n for_o which_o all_o divine_a truth_n be_v deliver_v unto_o we_o that_o we_o may_v be_v deliver_v and_o make_v a_o surrender_n of_o ourselves_o unto_o it_o observe_v the_o force_n of_o the_o apostle_n word_n which_o tell_v we_o first_o that_o there_o be_v a_o certain_a form_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o the_o apostle_n teach_v compare_v here_o to_o a_o mould_n so_o the_o word_n typos_fw-la form_n may_v be_v translate_v into_o which_o metal_n or_o suchlike_a matter_n be_v cast_v that_o it_o may_v receive_v the_o figure_n and_o shape_n of_o that_o mould_n 2._o now_o he_o compare_v the_o roman_a christian_n to_o such_o ductile_a pliable_a matter_n they_o be_v so_o deliver_v or_o cast_v into_o this_o form_n or_o mould_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o they_o be_v entire_o frame_v and_o fashion_v according_a to_o it_o and_o have_v all_o the_o lineament_n as_o i_o may_v say_v of_o it_o express_v upon_o their_o soul_n 3._o and_o have_v so_o receive_v it_o they_o be_v obedient_a to_o it_o for_o without_o this_o all_o the_o impression_n which_o by_o knowledge_n of_o faith_n be_v make_v upon_o their_o soul_n be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a draught_n of_o what_o be_v intend_v in_o the_o christian_a tradition_n 4._o and_o it_o be_v hearty_a obedience_n sincere_a compliance_n with_o the_o divine_a will_n such_o obedience_n as_o become_v those_o who_o understand_v their_o religion_n to_o be_v a_o great_a deliverance_n and_o liberty_n from_o the_o slavery_n of_o sin_n before_o speak_v of_o into_o the_o happy_a freedom_n of_o the_o service_n of_o god_n 5._o all_o which_o last_o he_o ascribe_v to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o have_v both_o deliver_v to_o they_o that_o doctrine_n and_o draw_v they_o to_o deliver_v up_o themselves_o to_o it_o make_v their_o heart_n soft_a and_o ductile_a to_o be_v cast_v into_o that_o mould_n and_o quicken_v they_o to_o christian_a obedience_n and_o give_v they_o a_o willing_a mind_n to_o obey_v cheerful_o all_o this_o be_v from_o god_n grace_n and_o not_o their_o merit_n and_o therefore_o the_o thanks_o be_v to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o he_o who_o succeed_v and_o bless_v all_o pious_a endeavour_n now_o according_a to_o this_o pattern_n let_v we_o frame_v ourselves_o who_o bless_a be_v god_n have_v a_o form_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o this_o church_n exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o lie_v open_a before_o we_o and_o we_o be_v exhort_v not_o only_o to_o look_v into_o they_o but_o we_o feel_v that_o grace_n which_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o we_o clear_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v form_v according_a to_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n therein_o deliver_v by_o the_o delivery_n of_o ourselves_o to_o it_o by_o the_o delivery_n of_o our_o mind_n that_o be_v to_o think_v of_o god_n and_o ourselves_o and_o of_o our_o duty_n in_o every_o point_n just_a as_o this_o instruct_v we_o and_o by_o the_o delivery_n of_o our_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o be_v govern_v and_o regulate_v according_a to_o its_o direction_n and_o when_o we_o have_v consent_v to_o this_o we_o find_v the_o divine_a grace_n represent_v to_o we_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o hearty_a obedience_n to_o what_o we_o know_v and_o believe_v and_o have_v embrace_v as_o the_o very_a truth_n of_o god_n to_o this_o we_o be_v continual_o draw_v
rule_n whereby_o our_o church_n be_v reform_v and_o to_o which_o we_o appeal_v there_o be_v but_o three_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o christian_n either_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n or_o the_o external_a order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o administration_n of_o religious_a office_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o life_n all_o those_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o man_n they_o be_v so_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o no_o honest_a man_n can_v mistake_v they_o i_o suppose_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o will_v not_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n to_o teach_v man_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o love_v god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n those_o which_o be_v fundamental_a to_o the_o christian_n religion_n and_o which_o every_o christian_a ought_v to_o believe_v be_v so_o plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o every_o honest_a and_o unprejudiced_a man_n may_v understand_v they_o but_o however_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o we_o govern_v ourselves_o in_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o a_o safe_a rule_n we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o what_o the_o catholic_a faith_n be_v we_o learn_v from_o those_o short_a summary_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v universal_o own_v by_o all_o catholic_a church_n for_o what_o we_o now_o call_v the_o apostle_n creed_n be_v very_o ancient_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n with_o some_o little_a variety_n indeed_o of_o word_n and_o phrase_n but_o without_o any_o difference_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o catholic_a faith_n be_v not_o only_o preserve_v in_o such_o short_a summary_n and_o creed_n which_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v by_o heretic_n as_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o but_o be_v more_o large_o explain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o though_o this_o will_v not_o enable_v we_o to_o understand_v every_o phrase_n and_o expression_n of_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v use_v other_o mean_n to_o do_v that_o as_o skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n a_o knowledge_n of_o ancient_a custom_n and_o ancient_a dispute_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n frequent_o aflude_v a_o consideration_n of_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o place_n etc._n etc._n yet_o the_o catholic_a faith_n receive_v and_o own_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v so_o far_o a_o rule_n as_o it_o direct_v we_o to_o expound_v scripture_n to_o a_o true_a catholic_a sense_n as_o st._n paul_n command_v the_o roman_n that_o those_o who_o prophesy_v shall_v prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n rom._n 12._o 6._o kat_n '_o analogian_n pisteos_fw-la according_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v that_o in_o the_o interpret_n the_o 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these_o be_v the_o christian_n of_o those_o day_n see_v with_o their_o eye_n ●_o in_o the_o daily_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n in_o those_o epistle_n which_o they_o write_v to_o their_o several_a church_n do_v not_o give_v they_o so_o punctual_a and_o particular_a a_o account_n of_o those_o matter_n which_o they_o so_o well_o know_v before_o but_o as_o occasion_n serve_v make_v only_o some_o accidental_a mention_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o in_o such_o general_a term_n as_o be_v well_o enough_o understand_v by_o they_o who_o know_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o age_n but_o it_o may_v be_v can_v mere_o by_o the_o force_n of_o the_o word_n which_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o several_a sense_n be_v so_o certain_o and_o demonstrative_o determine_v to_o any_o one_o sense_n by_o we_o who_o do_v not_o see_v what_o be_v do_v in_o those_o day_n as_o to_o avoid_v all_o possible_a cavil_n of_o contentious_a man_n this_o have_v 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acknowledge_v that_o the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o even_o from_o the_o apostle_n day_n in_o other_o way_n or_o form_n beside_o the_o scripture_n for_o instance_n in_o the_o baptismal_a vow_n in_o the_o creed_n in_o the_o prayer_n and_o hymn_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o may_v call_v tradition_n if_o we_o please_v but_o they_o bring_v down_o to_o we_o no_o new_a doctrine_n but_o only_o deliver_v in_o a_o abridgement_n the_o same_o christianity_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o scripture_n upon_o this_o there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o i_o shall_v enlarge_v but_o i_o proceed_v far_o to_o affirm_v iv_o that_o we_o reverent_o receive_v also_o the_o unanimous_a tradition_n or_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n which_o determine_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o make_v it_o more_o clear_a and_o unquestionable_a in_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n 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thence_o for_o we_o find_v in_o theodoret_n l._n 1._o c._n 6._o that_o the_o famous_a emperor_n constantine_n admonish_v those_o father_n in_o all_o their_o question_n and_o debate_n to_o consult_v only_o with_o these_o heavenly_a inspire_a write_n because_o the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a book_n and_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a prophet_n do_v evident_o instruct_v we_o what_o to_o thi●k_v in_o divine_a matter_n this_o be_v so_o clear_a a_o testimony_n that_o in_o those_o day_n they_o make_v this_o complete_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n whereby_o they_o end_v controversy_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o in_o several_a other_o synod_n we_o find_v they_o be_v wont_a to_o lay_v the_o bible_n before_o they_o and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o nicene_n creed_n but_o what_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o cardinal_n bellarmine_n have_v nothing_o to_o reply_v to_o it_o but_o this_o constantine_n be_v indeed_o a_o great_a emperor_n but_o no_o great_a doctor_n which_o be_v rather_o a_o scoff_n than_o a_o answer_n and_o cast_v a_o scorn_n not_o only_o upon_o he_o but_o upon_o the_o great_a council_n who_o as_o the_o same_o theodoret_n witness_v assent_v unto_o that_o speech_n of_o constantine_n so_o it_o there_o follow_v in_o these_o word_n that_o most_o of_o the_o synod_n be_v obedient_a to_o what_o he_o have_v discourse_v and_o embrace_v both_o mutual_a concord_n and_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o according_o st._n hilary_n a_o little_a after_o extol_v his_o son_n constantius_n for_o this_o that_o he_o adhere_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o blame_v he_o only_o for_o not_o attend_v to_o the_o true_a catholic_n sense_n of_o they_o his_o word_n be_v these_o in_o his_o little_a book_n which_o he_o deliver_v to_o constantius_n i_o true_o admire_v thou_o o_o lord_n constantius_n the_o emperor_n who_o desire_v a_o faith_n according_a to_o what_o be_v write_v they_o pretend_v to_o no_o other_o in_o those_o day_n but_o as_o he_o speak_v a_o little_a after_o look_v upon_o he_o that_o refuse_v this_o as_o antichrist_n it_o be_v only_o require_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v their_o faith_n out_o of_o god_n book_n not_o mere_o according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o they_o but_o according_a to_o their_o true_a meaning_n because_o many_o speak_v scripture_n without_o scripture_n and_o pretend_v to_o faith_n without_o faith_n as_o his_o word_n be_v and_o herein_o catholic_n and_o constant_a tradition_n be_v to_o guide_v they_o for_o whatsoever_o be_v contrary_a to_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v receive_v and_o hold_v from_o the_o beginning_n can_v not_o in_o reason_n be_v think_v to_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o scripture_n which_o be_v allege_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o church_n pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o be_v a_o witness_n of_o the_o receive_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o bottom_n upon_o which_o they_o build_v this_o faith_n thus_o i_o observe_v hegesippus_n say_v in_o euseb_n his_o history_n l._n 4._o c._n 22._o that_o when_o he_o be_v at_o rome_n he_o meet_v with_o a_o great_a many_o bishop_n and_o that_o he_o receive_v the_o very_a same_o doctrine_n from_o they_o all_o and_o then_o a_o little_a after_o tell_v we_o what_o that_o be_v and_o whence_o they_o derive_v it_o say_v that_o in_o every_o succession_n of_o bishop_n and_o i●_n every_o city_n so_o they_o hold_v as_o the_o law_n preach_v and_o as_o the_o prophet_n and_o as_o the_o lord_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o particular_a with_o a_o pregnant_a passage_n which_o i_o remember_v in_o a_o famous_a divine_a of_o our_o church_n dr._n jackson_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n chap._n 22._o who_o write_v
from_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v that_o there_o be_v so_o little_a credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o roman_a church_n only_o we_o can_v receive_v those_o doctrine_n of_o truth_n which_o that_o church_n now_o press_v upon_o our_o belief_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o tradition_n for_o instance_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o mother_n and_o mistress_n of_o all_o other_o church_n that_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o monarch_n or_o head_n of_o the_o universal_a visible_a church_n that_o all_o scripture_n must_v be_v expound_v according_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o this_o church_n that_o there_o be_v true_o and_o proper_o seven_o sacrament_n neither_o more_o nor_o less_o institute_v by_o our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v a_o proper_a and_o propiciatory_a sacrifice_n offer_v in_o the_o mass_n for_o the_o quick_a and_o dead_a the_o same_o that_o christ_n offer_v on_o the_o cross_n in_o short_a the_o half_a communion_n 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not_o stand_v to_o they_o but_o take_v fanctuary_n in_o their_o own_o authority_n say_v they_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n what_o be_v scripture_n and_o what_o tradition_n and_o what_o antiquity_n nay_o have_v a_o power_n to_o declare_v any_o new_a point_n of_o faith_n which_o the_o church_n never_o hear_v of_o before_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salmeron_n and_o other_o of_o his_o fellow_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n admit_v of_o addition_n in_o essential_a thing_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v not_o teach_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o such_o as_o be_v then_o necessary_a and_o fit_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o believer_n by_o which_o mean_v we_o can_v never_o know_v when_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v perfect_v but_o their_o church_n may_v bring_v in_o tradition_n by_o its_o sole_a authority_n without_o end_n nay_o some_o among_o they_o have_v be_v content_v to_o resolve_v all_o their_o faith_n into_o the_o sole_a authority_n of_o the_o present_a roman_a bishop_n according_a to_o that_o famous_a say_n of_o cornelius_n mussus_n promote_v by_o paul_n the_o three_o to_o a_o bishopric_n upon_o the_o fourteen_o chapter_n to_o the_o roman_n to_o confess_v the_o truth_n ingenuous_o i_o will_v give_v great_a credit_n to_o one_o pope_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o touch_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n then_o to_o a_o thousand_o hierom_n augustine_n gregory_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o richard_n scotus_n &c._n &c._n for_o i_o believe_v and_o know_v that_o the_o pope_n can_v err_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o contemptuous_a speech_n he_o will_v never_o have_v utter_v to_o the_o discredit_n of_o those_o great-man_n who_o they_o pretend_v to_o reverence_v if_o he_o have_v not_o know_v more_o certain_o that_o the_o tradition_n which_o run_v among_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v against_o they_o than_o he_o can_v know_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v infallible_a there_o be_v no_o tradition_n i_o be_o sure_a for_o that_o nor_o for_o abundance_n of_o other_o thing_n which_o rest_n mere_o upon_o their_o own_o credit_n as_o be_v fair_o acknowledge_v in_o two_o great_a article_n of_o their_o present_a creed_n by_o our_o countryman_n bishop_n fisher_n with_o who_o word_n i_o conclude_v this_o particular_a many_o perhaps_o have_v the_o less_o confidence_n in_o indulgence_n because_o their_o use_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v new_a in_o the_o church_n and_o very_o late_o find_v among_o christian_n to_o who_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v certain_o by_o who_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v first_o deliver_v for_o the_o ancient_n make_v no_o mention_n or_o very_o rare_a of_o purgatory_n and_o the_o greek_n to_o this_o very_a day_n do_v not_o believe_v it_o nor_o be_v the_o belief_n either_o of_o purgatory_n or_o of_o indulgence_n so_o necessary_a in_o the_o primitive_a church_n as_o it_o be_v new_a and_o as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v no_o care_n about_o purgatory_n no_o body_n seek_v for_o indulgence_n for_o all_o their_o esteem_n depend_v 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this_o say_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o preach_v any_o new_a god_n to_o they_o but_o affirm_v himself_o to_o be_v one_o with_o the_o father_n that_o same_o supreme_a god_n the_o lord_n jehovah_n who_o they_o be_v command_v to_o worship_n by_o their_o law_n he_o make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o object_n of_o their_o worship_n but_o only_o do_v more_o clear_o and_o distinct_o reveal_v the_o father_n to_o they_o as_o manifest_v himself_o in_o and_o by_o his_o only_o beget_v son_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v not_o offend_v against_o this_o law_n by_o seduce_v they_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o god_n beside_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n which_o if_o he_o have_v do_v their_o accusation_n have_v be_v just_a and_o all_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v can_v not_o have_v secure_v he_o from_o the_o guilt_n and_o punishment_n of_o a_o impostor_n which_o show_v we_o what_o force_n there_o be_v in_o that_o argument_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n urge_v from_o these_o miracle_n which_o have_v be_v wrought_v at_o the_o tomb_n of_o martyr_n to_o prove_v the_o religious_a invocation_n of_o they_o if_o such_o miracle_n be_v ever_o wrought_v it_o be_v in_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n for_o which_o they_o suffer_v not_o to_o betray_v man_n to_o a_o superstitious_a and_o idolatrous_a worship_n of_o they_o ten_o thousand_o miracle_n shall_v never_o convince_v i_o of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o pray_v to_o saint_n depart_v while_o i_o have_v such_o a_o plain_a and_o express_a law_n against_o believe_v all_o miracle_n upon_o any_o such_o account_n nor_o can_v it_o reasonable_o be_v say_v that_o this_o law_n be_v give_v only_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o oblidge_n none_o but_o they_o for_o we_o must_v remember_v that_o christ_n be_v original_o send_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o the_o lose_a sheep_n of_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o therefore_o by_o this_o law_n he_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o teach_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o being_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o death_n and_o they_o be_v bind_v not_o to_o own_v and_o receive_v he_o if_o he_o do_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o true_a messiah_n to_o introduce_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o be_v beside_o the_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o if_o christ_n can_v not_o teach_v any_o such_o doctrine_n i_o know_v not_o how_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n shall_v ever_o come_v to_o be_v a_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n for_o what_o christ_n himself_o can_v do_v none_o of_o his_o follower_n may_v who_o have_v no_o other_o commission_n but_o to_o teach_v those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v learn_v from_o he_o and_o he_o can_v not_o give_v commission_n to_o preach_v such_o doctrine_n as_o he_o himself_o have_v no_o authority_n to_o preach_v so_o that_o though_o this_o law_n be_v not_o original_o give_v to_o the_o gentile_n but_o only_o to_o the_o jew_n yet_o it_o equal_o oblidge_n the_o christian_a church_n whither_o jew_n or_o gentile_n because_o christ_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o of_o none_o else_o be_v as_o fundamental_a to_o christianity_n as_o it_o be_v to_o judaisme_n for_o christianity_n be_v now_o or_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o well_o as_o gentile_n and_o yet_o the_o jew_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o this_o law_n ever_o to_o own_o any_o religion_n which_o allow_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o be_v beside_o god_n and_o therefore_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n and_o none_o else_o must_v be_v fundamental_a in_o christianity_n if_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v or_o ever_o be_v bind_v to_o embrace_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n sect_n iv_o 2_o and_o therefore_o i_o observe_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v make_v no_o alteration_n at_o all_o in_o the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n christ_n urge_v that_o old_a testament_n law_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o devil_n temptation_n it_o be_v write_v thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v which_o it_o seem_v be_v as_o 10._o ●_o matth._n 10._o stand_v a_o law_n after_o the_o appearance_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v before_o he_o give_v no_o other_o direction_n to_o his_o disciple_n but_o to_o pray_v to_o their_o heavenly_a father_n and_o in_o that_o form_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o give_v they_o he_o teach_v they_o to_o address_v their_o prayer_n neither_o to_o saint_n nor_o angel_n but_o to_o god_n only_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n when_o st._n paul_n charge_v the_o heathen_n with_o idolatry_n he_o do_v it_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o they_o join_v the_o worship_n of_o creature_n with_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a god_n because_o that_o when_o they_o know_v god_n they_o glorify_v he_o not_o as_o god_n neither_o be_v thankful_a but_o become_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n and_o their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v where_o the_o apostle_n acknowledge_v that_o they_o do_v know_v god_n that_o 21._o rom._n 1._o 21._o they_o do_v own_o that_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a be_v who_o make_v the_o world_n and_o do_v suppose_v that_o they_o do_v worship_v he_o also_o for_o he_o do_v not_o charge_v they_o with_o renounce_v the_o worship_n of_o that_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o glorify_v he_o as_o god_n which_o only_o tax_v the_o manner_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o wherein_o that_o be_v faulty_a he_o declare_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n as_o that_o they_o make_v mean_a and_o vile_a representation_n of_o he_o that_o they_o 23._o vers_fw-la 23._o change_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o uncorruptible_a god_n into_o
angel_n or_o saint_n depart_v say_v god_n at_o any_o time_n sit_v thou_o on_o my_o right_a hand_n to_o make_v intercession_n for_o man_n of_o which_o of_o they_o have_v he_o at_o any_o time_n affirm_v as_o he_o have_v do_v of_o christ_n he_o be_v able_a to_o save_v they_o to_o the_o uttermost_a that_o come_v to_o god_n by_o he_o see_v he_o ever_o live_v to_o make_v intercession_n for_o man_n that_o if_o any_o man_n sin_n he_o be_v a_o advocate_n with_o the_o father_n for_o he_o or_o whatsoever_o you_o shall_v ask_v the_o father_n in_o his_o name_n it_o shall_v be_v give_v you_o certain_o they_o who_o will_v have_v angel_n and_o saint_n mediator_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n ought_v to_o produce_v a_o commission_n sign_v by_o god_n or_o his_o son_n jesus_n to_o constitute_v they_o such_o but_o this_o they_o be_v no_o more_o able_a to_o do_v than_o they_o be_v to_o make_v a_o grant_n of_o such_o power_n and_o honour_n themselves_o to_o they_o it_o be_v true_a the_o bless_a spirit_n above_o be_v say_v to_o stand_v about_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n and_o the_o holy_a angel_n to_o behold_v his_o face_n and_o as_o the_o honour_n of_o a_o prince_n be_v increase_v by_o the_o number_n of_o his_o attendant_n so_o be_v our_o lord_n exaltation_n render_v the_o more_o glorious_a by_o those_o ten_o thousand_o time_n ten_o thousand_o that_o minister_n unto_o he_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v never_o say_v they_o sit_v at_o god_n right_a hand_n or_o live_v for_o ever_o to_o make_v intercession_n for_o we_o and_o have_v no_o such_o delegation_n of_o power_n from_o god_n for_o this_o office_n the_o honour_n and_o worship_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o can_v be_v give_v to_o they_o without_o manifest_a wrong_n and_o sacrilege_n to_o christ_n who_o have_v the_o holy_a angel_n be_v god_n minister_a spirit_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o justman_n depart_v his_o glorify_a saint_n but_o god_n have_v make_v jesus_n the_o lord_n and_o christ_n and_o put_v all_o thing_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n in_o subjection_n under_o his_o foot_n of_o he_o only_o have_v he_o say_v let_v all_o the_o angel_n honour_v he_o and_o all_o the_o saint_n fall_v down_o before_o he_o and_o all_o man_n honour_v the_o son_n even_o as_o they_o honour_v the_o 23_o john_n 5._o 23_o father_n amen_n to_o conclude_v be_v we_o certain_a that_o the_o saint_n depart_v do_v now_o reign_v in_o heaven_n and_o enjoy_v the_o beatific_a vision_n and_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o invocate_v such_o as_o be_v undoubtely_a saint_n as_o the_o bless_a virgin_n and_o the_o holy_a apostle_n yet_o methinks_v a_o wary_a man_n shall_v be_v shy_a and_o not_o overforward_a to_o exhibit_v that_o honour_n to_o all_o who_o the_o pope_n have_v cannonize_v i_o can_v for_o my_o heart_n but_o think_v that_o the_o prelate_n and_o bishop_n in_o king_n henry_n the_o eighth_n time_n have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o unsaint_n thomas_n becket_n for_o be_v a_o rebel_n against_o his_o prince_n as_o pope_n alexander_n the_o three_o have_v to_o canonize_v he_o for_o be_v a_o biggot_n for_o the_o church_n what_o can_v a_o sober_a christian_a think_v of_o the_o saintship_n of_o some_o who_o never_o have_v any_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o of_o other_o who_o never_o have_v any_o goodness_n many_o of_o their_o saint_n be_v mere_a name_n without_o person_n and_o many_o mere_a person_n without_o holiness_n nay_o i_o be_o very_o confident_a that_o the_o great_a incendiary_n and_o disturber_n of_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o world_n do_v as_o well_o deserve_v it_o as_o that_o famous_a pope_n hildebrand_n or_o gregory_n the_o seven_o innumerable_a may_v be_v instanced_a in_o who_o saintship_n just_o fall_v under_o great_a suspicion_n but_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o some_o romanist_n themselves_o and_o those_o of_o no_o little_a authority_n in_o their_o church_n have_v grant_v that_o the_o pope_n canonisation_n be_v doubtful_a and_o subject_a to_o error_n if_o then_o at_o any_o 8._o billar_n de_fw-fr beat_v sanct_a l._n 1._o c._n 7._o 8._o time_n his_o infallibility_n shall_v chance_v to_o mistake_v as_o i_o be_o pretty_a sure_a he_o have_v more_o than_o once_o do_v the_o member_n of_o that_o church_n be_v in_o a_o sweet_a case_n and_o be_v not_o only_o in_o danger_n of_o invocate_a saint_n but_o devil_n also_o which_o be_v idolatry_n with_o a_o witness_n and_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n finis_fw-la a_o discourse_n against_o transubstantiation_n edinburgh_n reprint_v by_o john_n reid_n anno_fw-la dom_fw-la 1686._o a_o discourse_n against_o transubstantiation_n concern_v the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n one_o of_o the_o two_o great_a positive_a institution_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v two_o main_a point_n of_o difference_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n one_o about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n in_o which_o they_o think_v but_o be_v not_o certain_a that_o they_o have_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n on_o their_o side_n the_o other_o about_o the_o administration_n of_o this_o sacrament_n to_o the_o people_n in_o both_o kind_n in_o which_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n and_o our_o saviour_n institution_n on_o our_o side_n and_o that_o so_o plain_o that_o our_o adversary_n themselves_o do_v not_o deny_v it_o of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v now_o treat_v and_o endeavour_v to_o show_v against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o in_o this_o sacrament_n there_o be_v no_o substantial_a change_n make_v of_o the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n into_o the_o natural_a body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n that_o body_n which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o virgin_n mary_n and_o suffer_v upon_o the_o cross_n for_o so_o they_o explain_v that_o hard_a word_n transubstantiation_n before_o i_o engage_v in_o this_o argument_n i_o can_v but_o observe_v what_o a_o unreasonable_a task_n we_o be_v put_v upon_o by_o the_o bold_a confidence_n of_o our_o adversary_n to_o dispute_v a_o matter_n of_o sense_n which_o be_v one_o of_o those_o thing_n about_o which_o aristotle_n have_v long_o since_o pronounce_v there_o aught_o to_o be_v no_o dispute_n it_o may_v well_o seem_v strange_a if_o any_o man_n shall_v write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o egg_n be_v not_o a_o elephant_n and_o that_o a_o musket-bullet_n be_v not_o a_o pike_n it_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o hard_o a_o case_n to_o be_v put_v to_o maintain_v by_o a_o long_a discourse_n that_o what_o we_o see_v and_o handle_v and_o taste_v to_o be_v bread_n be_v bread_n and_o not_o the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n and_o what_o we_o see_v and_o taste_v to_o be_v wine_n be_v wine_n and_o not_o blood_n and_o if_o this_o evidence_n may_v not_o pass_v for_o sufficient_a without_o any_o far_a proof_n i_o do_v see_v why_o any_o man_n that_o have_v confidence_n enough_o to_o do_v so_o may_v not_o deny_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v what_o all_o the_o world_n see_v it_o be_v or_o affirm_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v what_o all_o the_o world_n see_v it_o be_v not_o and_o this_o without_o all_o possibility_n of_o be_v far_o confute_v so_o that_o the_o business_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v not_o a_o controversy_n of_o scripture_n against_o scripture_n or_o of_o reason_n against_o reason_n but_o of_o downright_a impudence_n against_o the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n and_o all_o the_o sense_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v a_o most_o self-evident_a falsehood_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doctrine_n or_o proposition_n in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v of_o itself_o more_o evident_o true_a than_o transubstantiation_n be_v evident_o false_a and_o yet_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a it_o will_v be_v the_o most_o ill-natured_a and_o pernicious_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n because_o it_o will_v suffer_v nothing_o else_o to_o be_v true_a it_o be_v like_o the_o roman-catholic_a church_n which_o will_v needs_o be_v the_o whole_a christian_a church_n and_o will_v allow_v no_o other_o society_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v any_o part_n of_o it_o so_o transubstantiation_n if_o it_o be_v true_a at_o all_o it_o be_v all_o truth_n for_o it_o can_v be_v true_a unless_o our_o sense_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v deceive_v about_o their_o proper_a object_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a and_o certain_a than_o nothing_o else_o can_v be_v so_o for_o if_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o what_o we_o see_v we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o there_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n so_o abandon_v and_o give_v up_o by_o god_n to_o the_o efficacy_n of_o delusion_n as_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o believe_v this_o gross_a and_o palpable_a error_n and_o to_o impose_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o christian_a world_n under_o no_o less_o
much_o to_o her_o honour_n to_o be_v singular_a where_o there_o be_v so_o much_o prudence_n and_o piety_n to_o have_v incline_v she_o to_o uniformity_n however_o this_o be_v gain_v which_o be_v my_o point_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v no●_n countenance_v in_o her_o practice_n of_o private_a and_o clancular_a confession_n by_o the_o general_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o pretend_v 3._o i_o observe_v concern_v this_o office_n of_o penitentiary_n that_o as_o it_o be_v erect_v upon_o prudential_a consideration_n so_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n abolish_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n which_o first_o institute_v it_o and_o that_o after_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n continuance_n in_o the_o time_n of_o nectarius_n as_o we_o have_v see_v and_o therein_o he_o be_v follow_v say_v sozomen_n by_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n and_o church_n in_o the_o world_n this_o therefore_o be_v far_o from_o be_v think_v either_o a_o divine_a or_o apostolical_a constitution_n petavius_n will_v here_o persuade_v we_o that_o it_o be_v only_o public_a confession_n and_o not_o private_a which_o be_v upon_o this_o occasion_n so_o general_o lay_v aside_o as_o we_o have_v see_v but_o this_o be_v do_v by_o he_o more_o out_o of_o tenderness_n of_o auricular_a confession_n then_o upon_o good_a reason_n and_o valesius_fw-la go_v beyond_o he_o and_o will_v needs_o persuade_v we_o that_o neither_o public_a nor_o private_a confession_n be_v put_v down_o in_o this_o juncture_n but_o only_o that_o the_o late_o erect_a officer_n of_o penetentiary_n be_v cashier_v but_o i_o must_v crave_v leave_n to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o either_o of_o these_o conjecture_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a plain_a evidence_n against_o they_o for_o socrates_n who_o be_v the_o first_o and_o principal_a relater_n of_o this_o whole_a story_n say_v he_o be_v personal_o acquaint_v with_o this_o presbyter_n eudaemon_n who_o give_v the_o advice_n to_o nectarius_n to_o make_v this_o change_n in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o he_o have_v the_o aforesaid_a relation_n of_o it_o from_o his_o own_o mouth_n and_o expostulate_v with_o he_o about_o it_o give_v his_o reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o suggest_v his_o suspicion_n that_o the_o state_n of_o piety_n will_v be_v much_o endamage_v by_o this_o change_n and_o in_o plain_a word_n tell_v he_o that_o he_o have_v now_o ●erest_a man_n of_o assistance_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o hinder_v the_o great_a benefit_n man_n have_v or_o may_v have_v one_o of_o another_o by_o pri●●●_n advice_n and_o correption_n now_o this_o fear_n of_o his_o have_v be_v the_o absurd_a est_fw-fr thing_n in_o the_o world_n if_o upon_o this_o counsel_n and_o advice_n of_o he_o only_o one_o certain_a man_n in_o the_o office_n of_o public_a confessioner_n have_v be_v lay_v aside_o but_o both_o the_o use_n of_o public_a and_o private_a confession_n have_v be_v keep_v up_o and_o retain_v but_o after_o all_o for_o aught_o appear_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n keep_v her_o old_a mumpsimus_n she_o tenacious_a of_o her_o own_o custom_n especial_o of_o such_o as_o may_v advance_v her_o interest_n and_o authority_n comply_v not_o with_o this_o innovation_n or_o reformation_n be_v it_o for_o better_a or_o worse_o but_o her_o priest_n go_v on_o with_o their_o confession_n and_o turn_v all_o religion_n almost_o into_o clancular_a transaction_n in_o despite_n of_o the_o example_n of_o other_o church_n it_o may_v be_v she_o meet_v with_o opposition_n sometime_o but_o she_o be_v force_v to_o disemble_v it_o till_o the_o heriock_n age_n of_o the_o schoolman_n and_o then_o those_o lusty_a champion_n with_o their_o fustian-stuff_n of_o vid●t_fw-la ur_fw-la quod_fw-la sic_fw-la &_o probatur_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la make_v good_a all_o her_o pretension_n after_o they_o in_o the_o year_n 1215_o come_v the_o four_o lateran_n council_n and_o that_o decree_v auricular_a confession_n to_o be_v make_v by_o every_o body_n once_o a_o year_n at_o the_o least_o and_o last_o of_o all_o come_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o declare_v it_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o the_o constant_a and_o universal_a custom_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o so_o we_o have_v the_o pedigree_n of_o the_o romish_a auricular_a confession_n sect._n 4._o i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o stage_n of_o my_o undertake_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o secret_a or_o auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v now_o prescribe_v and_o practise_v in_o and_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o only_o unnecessary_a and_o burdensome_a in_o itself_o but_o also_o very_o mischievous_a to_o piety_n and_o the_o great_a end_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o charge_n if_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a enough_o already_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o make_v out_o from_o the_o premise_n for_o they_o can_v deny_v that_o they_o make_v this_o kind_n of_o confession_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n at_o least_o as_o necessary_a as_o baptism_n itself_o be_v suppose_v a_o man_n have_v sin_v after_o baptism_n now_o if_o it_o be_v neither_o make_v so_o by_o divine_a institution_n nor_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o constant_a opinion_n of_o the_o church_n what_o a_o horrible_a imposition_n be_v here_o upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n when_o in_o the_o high_a and_o worst_a sense_n that_o can_v be_v they_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n and_o make_v salvation_n hard_o than_o god_n have_v make_v it_o and_o suspend_v man_n hope_n upon_o other_o term_n than_o he_o have_v do_v if_o it_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o present_a church_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o discipline_n only_o or_o of_o convenience_n and_o expediency_n we_o shall_v never_o boggle_v at_o it_o upon_o this_o account_n or_o dispute_v the_o point_n with_o they_o or_o if_o it_o be_v only_o declare_v necessary_a pro_fw-la hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la upon_o extraordinary_a emergency_n by_o the_o peculiar_a condition_n of_o the_o penitent_a his_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n the_o perplexity_n of_o his_o conscience_n his_o horrible_a guilt_n or_o extreme_a agony_n we_o will_v not_o differ_v with_o they_o upon_o that_o neither_o but_o when_o it_o be_v make_v necessary_a universal_o and_o declare_v the_o indispensable_a duty_n of_o all_o man_n whatsoever_o who_o have_v sin_v after_o baptism_n when_o god_n have_v require_v no_o such_o ●hing_n but_o declare_v himself_o satisfy_v with_o true_a contrition_n and_o hearty_a remorse_n for_o what_o be_v past_a and_o sincere_a reformation_n for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v this_o i_o say_v be_v a_o intolerable_a tyranny_n and_o usurpation_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o men._n and_o that_o be_v not_o all_o neither_o for_o beside_o its_o burdensomness_n in_o the_o general_n it_o particular_o aggravate_v and_o increase_v a_o man_n other_o burden_n for_o instead_o of_o relieve_v perplex_v conscience_n which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o principal_a use_n of_o confession_n to_o man_n this_o priestly_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o council_n entangle_v and_o afflict_v they_o more_o for_o that_o enjoin_v that_o the_o penitent_a lie_v open_a all_o his_o sin_n even_o the_o most_o secret_a although_o but_o in_o thought_n or_o desire_v only_o such_o as_o against_o the_o nine_o or_o ten_o commandment_n according_a to_o their_o division_n of_o the_o decalogue_n now_o this_o be_v many_o time_n difficult_a enough_o but_o that_o be_v not_o all_o he_o must_v also_o recount_v all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o these_o sin_n which_o may_v increase_v or_o diminish_v the_o guilt_n especial_o such_o as_o alter_v the_o species_n and_o kind_a of_o sin_n now_o what_o sad_a work_n be_v here_o for_o a_o melancholy_a man_n all_o the_o circumstance_n be_v innumerable_a and_o how_o can_v he_o tell_v which_o be_v they_o that_o change_v the_o species_n of_o the_o act_n unless_o he_o be_v as_o great_a a_o school-man_n as_o his_o confessor_n beside_o all_o his_o it_o may_v be_v he_o be_v not_o very_o skilful_a in_o the_o distinction_n between_o venial_a and_o mortal_a sin_n and_o if_o he_o omit_v one_o mortal_a sin_n he_o be_v undo_v therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o he_o by_o consequence_n to_o confess_v all_o venial_a sin_n too_o and_o then_o where_o shall_v the_o poor_a man_n begin_v or_o when_o shall_v he_o make_v a_o end_n such_o a_o carnificina_fw-la such_o a_o rack_n and_o torture_n in_o a_o word_n such_o a_o holy_a inquisition_n be_v this_o business_n of_o auricular_a confession_n become_v and_o that_o eminent_a divine_a of_o strasburgh_n of_o who_o beatus_fw-la rhenanus_fw-la speak_v seem_v very_o well_o to_o have_v understand_v both_o himself_o and_o this_o matter_n who_o pronounce_v that_o scotus_n and_o thomas_n have_v with_o their_o trick_n and_o subtlety_n so_o perplex_v this_o plain_a
that_o she_o die_v and_o be_v not_o miraculous_o assume_v the_o ascension_n of_o elias_n be_v thus_o expound_v 443._o expound_v dom._n infrâ_fw-la oct._n asc_n in_o 3._o noct._n p._n 443._o he_o be_v take_v up_o into_o the_o aerial_a not_o the_o aetherial_a heaven_n from_o whence_o he_o be_v drop_v in_o a_o obscure_a place_n on_o earth_n there_o to_o remain_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o then_o to_o expire_v with_o it_o they_o say_v 447._o say_v infra_fw-la oct._n asc_n 3_o noct._n lect._n 8._o p._n 447._o of_o job_n that_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o bird_n and_o of_o her_o path_n in_o the_o air_n he_o by_o a_o figure_n call_v christ_n a_o bird_n and_o by_o the_o motion_n of_o it_o in_o the_o air_n figure_v also_o our_o lord_n ascension_n we_o may_v perceive_v by_o these_o few_o instance_n what_o a_o entrance_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v like_a to_o be_v give_v whilst_o a_o pope_n have_v the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n in_o his_o keep_n three_o if_o man_n will_v use_v the_o church_n as_o their_o iii_o assert_v iii_o ministerial_a guide_n and_o admit_v of_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o only_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v measure_v they_o will_v agree_v in_o the_o proper_a mean_n to_o the_o bless_a end_n of_o unity_n in_o the_o faith_n this_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o st._n austin_n who_o thus_o appli_v himself_o to_o maximinus_n 3._o maximinus_n s._n aug_n count_v max._n l._n 3._o neither_o ought_v i_o at_o this_o time_n to_o allege_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a nor_o you_o that_o of_o ariminum_n for_o neither_o be_o i_o bind_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o one_o nor_o you_o to_o that_o of_o the_o other_o let_v we_o both_o dispute_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v witness_n common_a to_o both_o of_o we_o whilst_o the_o romanist_n ascribe_v the_o difference_n which_o arise_v among_o the_o reform_a to_o their_o want_n of_o a_o infallible_a guide_n and_o to_o their_o different_a interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o unskilful_o derive_v effect_n from_o cause_n which_o be_v not_o the_o natural_a parent_n of_o they_o there_o be_v say_v st._n austin_n one_o mother_n of_o all_o strife_n and_o she_o be_v pride_n neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n divide_v we_o nor_o do_v the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o judge_n unite_v they_o their_o union_n such_o as_o it_o be_v arise_v from_o the_o mighty_a force_n of_o their_o external_a polity_n and_o they_o speak_v not_o different_o because_o they_o dare_v not_o and_o the_o strength_n of_o that_o polity_n arise_v at_o first_o from_o rome_n not_o as_o the_o chair_n of_o st._n peter_n but_o as_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n our_o division_n like_o they_o arise_v as_o all_o war_n do_v be_v they_o ecclesiastical_a or_o civil_a from_o the_o unruly_a lust_n and_o passion_n of_o men._n and_o from_o these_o likewise_o arise_v general_o the_o misinterpretation_n of_o plain_a law_n and_o rule_n the_o sense_n of_o which_o must_v be_v make_v to_o chime_v according_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o prejudice_v man_n or_o else_o they_o will_v not_o give_v attention_n to_o they_o if_o the_o lust_n and_o passion_n of_o man_n be_v mortify_v all_o christian_n agree_v in_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o not_o of_o any_o live_a guide_n and_o the_o word_n of_o one_o be_v as_o intelligible_a as_o those_o of_o the_o other_o all_o may_v agree_v in_o one_o creed_n and_o put_v a_o end_n to_o those_o unnecessary_a controversy_n which_o entangle_v truth_n and_o extinguish_v charity_n finis_fw-la the_o protestant_a resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o answer_n to_o three_o question_n i._o how_o far_o we_o must_v depend_v on_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n ii_o whither_o a_o visible_a succession_n from_o christ_n to_o this_o day_n make_v a_o church_n which_o have_v this_o succession_n a_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n and_o whither_o no_o church_n which_o have_v not_o this_o succession_n can_v teach_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n iii_o whither_o the_o church_n of_o england_n can_v make_v out_o such_o a_o visible_a succession_n london_n print_v and_o edinburgh_n reprint_v by_o j._n reid_n for_o t_o brown_n g_o schaw_n a_o ogston_n and_o g_o mosman_n stationer_n in_o edinburgh_n to_o be_v sell_v at_o their_o shop_n 1686._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n these_o paper_n which_o be_v here_o present_v to_o thou_o be_v write_v for_o the_o use_n of_o a_o private_a person_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o some_o friend_n be_v now_o make_v public_a we_o find_v how_o busy_a the_o romish_a emissary_n be_v to_o corrupt_v our_o people_n and_o think_v ourselves_o equal_o concern_v to_o antiaote_v they_o against_o pop●●y_n and_o phanaticism_n two_o extreme_n equal_o dangerous_a to_o the_o government_n of_o church_n and_o state_n in_o these_o kingdom_n both_o in_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n and_o both_o of_o they_o very_o great_a corruption_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o very_o dangerous_a to_o man_n soul_n some_o of_o our_o clergy_n have_v already_o be_v so_o charitable_a to_o our_o dissenter_n as_o to_o warn_v they_o of_o their_o danger_n and_o by_o the_o strength_n and_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o mistake_n and_o i_o pray_v god_n forgive_v those_o man_n and_o turn_v their_o heart_n who_o will_v not_o contribute_v so_o much_o to_o their_o own_o conviction_n and_o satisfaction_n as_o diligent_o and_o impartial_o to_o read_v and_o consider_v what_o be_v so_o charitable_o offer_v to_o they_o ignorance_n and_o mistake_n may_v excuse_v man_n wh●_n have_v no_o opportunity_n of_o know_v better_a but_o such_o wilful_a and_o resolve_a ignorance_n which_o bar_v up_o man_n mi●ds_n against_o all_o mean_n of_o better_a information_n will_v as_o soon_o damn_v they_o as_o sin_n against_o knowledge_n and_o now_o it_o may_v just_o be_v think_v want_n of_o charity_n to_o those_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n shall_v we_o take_v no_o care_n at_o all_o of_o they_o nay_o want_v of_o charity_n to_o those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n and_o to_o dissenter_n themselves_o who_o be_v daily_o assault_v by_o the_o busy_a factor_n for_o rome_n for_o the_o dispute_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o well_o as_o against_o dissenter_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n too_o learned_a and_o too_o voluminous_a for_o the_o instruction_n of_o ordinary_a people_n and_o therefore_o some_o short_a and_o plain_a discourse_n about_o the_o principal_a matter_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o be_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n we_o can_v take_v to_o confirm_v man_n in_o their_o religion_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o the_o crafty_a insinuation_n of_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v some_o few_o attempt_n which_o have_v be_v already_o make_v of_o that_o kind_n give_v i_o some_o hope_n that_o several_a other_o tract_n will_v follow_v that_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n if_o god_n shall_v please_v ever_o to_o permit_v such_o a_o thing_n whither_o by_o popery_n or_o phanaticism_n may_v not_o be_v charge_v upon_o our_o neglect_n to_o instruct_v people_n better_o some_o person_n it_o seem_v who_o talon_n lie_v more_o in_o censure_v what_o other_o do_v then_o in_o do_v any_o good_a themselves_o be_v please_v to_o put_v some_o sinister_a construction_n on_o this_o design_n as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o design_n any_o thing_n so_o well_o but_o man_n of_o ill_a mind_n who_o know_v not_o what_o it_o mean_v to_o do_v good_a for_o good_n sake_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o find_v some_o bad_a name_n for_o it_o some_o guess_n that_o we_o now_o write_v against_o popery_n only_o to_o play_v a_o aftergame_n and_o to_o regain_v the_o favour_n and_o good_a opinion_n of_o dissenter_n which_o we_o have_v lose_v by_o write_v against_o they_o but_o i_o know_v not_o that_o any_o man_n have_v lose_v their_o favour_n by_o it_o nor_o that_o any_o man_n value_v their_o favour_n for_o any_o other_o reason_n then_o to_o have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o do_v they_o good_a if_o so_o good_a a_o work_n as_o confute_v the_o error_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v give_v the_o dissenter_n such_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o we_o as_o to_o make_v they_o more_o impartial_o consider_v what_o have_v be_v write_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o know_v ●●_o reason_n any_o man_n have_v to_o be_v ashamed_a to_o own_v it_o though_o it_o be_v part_n of_o his_o design_n but_o whither_o it_o be_v or_o not_o be_v more_o than_o i_o know_v i_o dare_v undertake_v for_o those_o person_n i_o be_o acquaint_v with_o that_o they_o neither_o value_v the_o favour_n nor_o fear_v the_o displeasure_n either_o of_o fanatic_n
the_o same_o church_n notwithstanding_o these_o dispute_n because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a dangerous_a thing_n to_o leave_v it_o but_o they_o be_v more_o beholden_a to_o the_o inquisition_n then_o to_o infallibility_n for_o this_o unity_n 2._o how_o do_v these_o division_n and_o heresy_n which_o disturb_v the_o church_n prove_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o his_o religion_n if_o we_o can_v certain_o know_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v notwithstanding_o there_o be_v many_o different_a opinion_n about_o it_o than_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n be_v no_o argument_n against_o we_o if_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n which_o other_o deny_v dispute_n or_o doubt_v of_o then_o how_o can_v any_o papist_n be_v certain_a that_o his_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n deny_v this_o and_o scorn_v their_o pretension_n to_o it_o i_o may_v indeed_o safe_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o determination_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n who_o i_o be_o infallible_o assure_v to_o be_v infallible_a how_o many_o contrary_a opinion_n soever_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o when_o infallibility_n itself_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_n and_o i_o have_v no_o infallible_a way_n to_o know_v whither_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o where_o this_o infallibility_n be_v seat_v if_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n be_v a_o argument_n against_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o i_o be_o not_o and_o can_v be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o than_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a demonstration_n against_o infallibility_n itself_o unless_o we_o will_v take_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n word_n for_o her_o own_o infallibility_n we_o can_v have_v the_o decision_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o she_o will_v allow_v no_o other_o infallible_a judge_n but_o herself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v so_o absurd_a a_o way_n that_o it_o suppose_v that_o we_o believe_v and_o that_o we_o 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allege_v some_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o make_v the_o thing_n probable_a and_o to_o incline_v man_n to_o believe_v it_o and_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a we_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n than_o we_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o true_a church_n and_o if_o a_o papist_n have_v only_o some_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o believe_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n he_o can_v have_v no_o great_a probability_n that_o it_o be_v a_o infallible_a church_n now_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n what_o a_o totter_a foundation_n some_o high_a probability_n though_o they_o amount_v to_o a_o moral_a assurance_n be_v for_o the_o belief_n of_o infallibility_n which_o be_v to_o put_v more_o in_o the_o conclusion_n then_o there_o be_v in_o the_o premise_n the_o only_a use_n i_o shall_v make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o we_o can_v at_o least_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a for_o they_o can_v be_v no_o more_o infallible_o assure_v of_o this_o than_o we_o be_v of_o our_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o argument_n prove_v that_o they_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o their_o church_n be_v infallible_a because_o this_o be_v not_o only_o doubt_v but_o absolute_o deny_v by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o be_v never_o think_v of_o by_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n of_o it_o so_o this_o argument_n prove_v too_o much_o and_o recoil_v upon_o themselves_o like_o a_o gun_n which_o be_v overcharge_v and_o if_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n they_o will_v grant_v that_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v as_o confident_o deny_v and_o dispute_v by_o other_o then_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n be_v no_o argument_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o our_o religion_n but_o only_o teach_v we_o great_a caution_n and_o diligence_n and_o honesty_n in_o our_o inquiry_n after_o truth_n 3._o these_o division_n and_o heresy_n that_o be_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v no_o better_a argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o religion_n than_o the_o diversity_n of_o religion_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v christian_n great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v jew_n or_o pagan_n or_o mahumetanes_n still_o and_o this_o be_v as_o good_a a_o argument_n to_o prove_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o religion_n as_o the_o different_a party_n and_o profession_n of_o christian_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a what_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n nor_o what_o true_a christianity_n be_v the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o design_v to_o offer_v any_o force_n or_o violence_n to_o man_n faith_n or_o understanding_n no_o more_o then_o to_o their_o will_n be_v there_o such_o a_o irresistible_a and_o compulsory_a evidence_n in_o the_o gospel_n that_o wherever_o it_o be_v preach_v it_o shall_v be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n though_o never_o so_o wicked_a and_o ill_o dispose_v to_o continue_v a_o infidel_n or_o to_o prove_v a_o heretic_n faith_n will_v be_v no_o great_a a_o virtue_n then_o force_v obedience_n and_o compliance_n be_v the_o gospel_n have_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v honest_a mind_n and_o be_v plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v honest_a and_o teachable_a and_o therefore_o have_v its_o effect_n upon_o those_o who_o be_v curable_a which_o be_v all_o that_o it_o be_v design_v for_o those_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v may_v continue_v infidel_n and_o those_o who_o will_v not_o understand_v may_v fall_v into_o error_n and_o believe_v a_o lie_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v evidence_n enough_o to_o convince_v and_o plainness_n enough_o to_o instruct_v well_o dispose_v mind_n and_o certainty_n enough_o in_o each_o to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o divine_a faith_n the_o sum_n be_v this_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o very_a good_a mean_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o only_a mean_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o very_a intelligible_a book_n in_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o never_o hear_v of_o a_o church_n shall_v have_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o a_o language_n which_o he_o understand_v by_o a_o diligent_a read_n of_o it_o he_o may_v understand_v enough_o to_o be_v save_v 2._o if_o by_o church_n be_v mean_v any_o particular_a church_n as_o suppose_v the_o roman_n catholic_n church_n or_o the_o church_n of_o the_o present_a age_n it_o be_v absolute_o false_a to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v always_o a_o sure_a and_o safe_a mean_n of_o understand_v the_o scripture_n what_o have_v be_v universal_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n or_o at_o least_o by_o all_o church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v near_a the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o may_v be_v presume_v best_a to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o those_o primitive_a apostolic_a church_n in_o matter_n of_o government_n and_o discipline_n before_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o worldly_a ambition_n and_o secular_a interest_n be_v a_o very_a safe_a rule_n for_o our_o practice_n also_o and_o this_o be_v the_o
or_o apostolical_a man_n or_o have_v lose_v the_o memory_n or_o record_n of_o its_o first_o plantation_n may_v yet_o have_v very_o certain_a mean_n of_o know_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o apostolical_a and_o primitive_a church_n and_o a_o church_n which_o have_v the_o most_o visible_a uninterrupted_a succession_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n may_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n that_o she_o may_v be_v very_o corrupt_a and_o erroneous_a herself_o if_o she_o forsake_v the_o apostolical_a tradition_n contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o expound_v by_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o church_n as_o we_o know_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v do_v which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o infallible_a church_n that_o we_o believe_v she_o to_o be_v the_o most_o corrupt_a church_n in_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o i_o think_v we_o be_v prepare_v to_o venture_v upon_o the_o last_o clause_n of_o this_o paper_n wherein_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o the_o argument_n such_o as_o it_o be_v be_v turn_v upon_o the_o poor_a protestant_a church_n but_o i_o doubt_v say_v the_o author_n of_o this_o paper_n whither_o or_o no_o the_o protestant_a church_n can_v make_v out_o this_o continual_a visible_a succession_n and_o desire_v to_o be_v inform_v the_o sting_n of_o which_o argument_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o we_o protestant_n have_v no_o certain_a way_n of_o know_v the_o true_a se●nse_n and_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n because_o we_o can_v prove_v the_o continual_a visible_a succession_n of_o our_o church_n from_o christ_n unto_o this_o day_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o go_v over_o to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o have_v this_o visible_a succession_n and_o receive_v all_o her_o dictate_v as_o infallible_a oracle_n but_o for_o answer_n to_o this_o consider_v 1._o that_o 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succession_n from_o christ_n till_o this_o day_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n here_o be_v a_o christian_a church_n plant_v in_o this_o nation_n as_o very_o good_a historian_n say_v as_o early_o as_o at_o rome_n and_o it_o have_v continue_v here_o ever_o since_o to_o this_o day_n when_o austin_n the_o monk_n come_v over_o to_o england_n he_o find_v here_o a_o company_n of_o resolute_a british_a bishop_n and_o monk_n who_o will_v not_o submit_v to_o the_o usurpation_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o english_a and_o british_a church_n under_o several_a change_n and_o alteration_n have_v continue_v to_o this_o day_n with_o a_o visible_a succession_n of_o christian_a bishop_n and_o what_o better_a succession_n can_v rome_n show_v than_o this_o i_o suppose_v no_o roman_a catholic_n will_v disow_v the_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n till_o the_o reformation_n and_o i_o pray_v how_o come_v we_o to_o lose_v our_o succession_n then_o do_v the_o reformation_n of_o those_o abuse_n and_o corruption_n which_o have_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n unchurch_n we_o just_o as_o much_o as_o a_o man_n cease_v to_o be_v the_o same_o man_n when_o he_o be_v cure_v of_o some_o mortal_a disease_n do_v not_o the_o church_n of_o england_n consist_v of_o the_o same_o person_n before_o the_o reformation_n and_o after_o a_o great_a many_o indeed_o disow_v the_o reformation_n but_o be_v not_o all_o those_o person_n who_o be_v so_o active_a and_o zealous_a in_o the_o reformation_n former_o of_o the_o roman_a communion_n and_o do_v they_o lose_v their_o succession_n too_o when_o they_o become_v reformer_n when_o a_o church_n consist_v of_o the_o same_o bishop_n priest_n and_o people_n which_o she_o have_v before_o though_o she_o have_v not_o all_o the_o same_o that_o she_o have_v when_o she_o retain_v the_o same_o ancient_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a faith_n which_o she_o do_v before_o only_o renounce_v some_o error_n and_o innovation_n which_o she_o own_v before_o how_o do_v this_o forfeit_a her_o succession_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v the_o very_a same_o church_n now_o since_o the_o reformation_n which_o she_o be_v before_o and_o therefore_o have_v the_o very_a same_o succession_n though_o not_o the_o same_o error_n to_o this_o day_n that_o ever_o she_o have_v and_o that_o i_o think_v be_v as_o good_a a_o succession_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v there_o be_v but_o two_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o case_n of_o succession_n either_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n officer_n or_o a_o succession_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o as_o for_o a_o succession_n of_o church_n officer_n we_o have_v the_o same_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v those_o english_a bishop_n who_o embrace_v the_o reformation_n receive_v their_o order_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o therefore_o they_o have_v as_o good_a order_n as_o any_o be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o these_o be_v the_o person_n who_o consecrate_a other_o bishop_n and_o so_o in_o succession_n to_o this_o day_n for_o as_o for_o the_o story_n of_o the_o nagshead_n ordination_n that_o be_v so_o transparent_a a_o forgery_n invent_v many_o year_n after_o to_o reproach_n the_o reformation_n that_o i_o presume_v no_o sober_a roman_a catholic_n will_v insist_v on_o it_o but_o we_o be_v heretic_n and_o schismatic_n and_o this_o forfeit_v our_o order_n and_o our_o succession_n together_o but_o 1._o this_o charge_n ought_v first_o to_o be_v prove_v against_o we_o that_o we_o be_v heretic_n and_o schismatic_n we_o deny_v and_o abhor_v both_o the_o name_n and_o thing_n and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n as_o we_o be_v sure_o we_o be_v not_o and_z as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v never_o prove_v we_o to_o be_v then_o according_a to_o their_o own_o confession_n our_o order_n must_v be_v good_a 2._o however_o be_v we_o heretic_n or_o schismatic_n or_o what_o ever_o they_o please_v to_o call_v we_o how_o do_v this_o destroy_v our_o order_n and_o succession_n the_o catholic_n church_n will_v not_o allow_v in_o former_a age_n that_o heresy_n or_o schism_n destroy_v the_o validity_n of_o order_n st._n i_o dispute_v against_o this_o at_o large_a in_o his_o book_n contra_fw-la luciferianos_fw-la and_o st._n austin_n allow_v the_o donatists_n bishop_n to_o have_v valid_a order_n though_o they_o be_v schismatic_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o sacrament_n administer_v by_o they_o be_v valid_a and_o indeed_o if_o heresy_n will_v destroy_v order_n and_o succession_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v be_v as_o much_o to_o seek_v for_o their_o order_n and_o succession_n as_o we_o be_v which_o by_o their_o own_o confession_n have_v have_v several_a heretical_a pope_n and_o no_o body_n know_v how_o many_o bishop_n ordain_v by_o they_o 2._o as_o for_o succession_n of_o doctrine_n which_o be_v as_o considerable_a to_o the_o full_a as_o succession_n of_o order_n the_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o only_o plain_o contain_v in_o scripture_n but_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o through_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o uninterrupted_a succession_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n herself_o in_o her_o great_a degeneracy_n do_v own_o all_o that_o we_o do_v in_o pure_a matter_n of_o faith_n when_o we_o reform_v the_o church_n we_o do_v not_o make_v a_o new_a religion_n but_o only_o separate_v the_o old_a faith_n from_o new_a and_o corrupt_a addition_n and_o therefore_o the_o quarrel_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n with_o we_o be_v not_o that_o we_o believe_v any_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v but_o that_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v all_o that_o they_o will_v have_v we_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v true_o primitive_a and_o catholic_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n own_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o
but_o have_v great_a number_n of_o disciple_n a_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n who_o follow_v their_o judgement_n some_o of_o these_o sad_o bewail_v the_o degenerate_a state_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n other_o petition_v for_o and_o advise_v not_o only_o the_o correction_n of_o the_o abuse_n of_o good_a doctrine_n and_o innocent_a institution_n but_o the_o reformation_n of_o gross_a error_n and_o scandalous_a addition_n to_o the_o christian_n faith_n and_o other_o in_o great_a authority_n promise_v a_o amendment_n and_o to_o reduce_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o christianity_n to_o its_o primitive_a sense_n &_o model_n and_o the_o famous_a council_n of_o trent_n be_v promise_v and_o begin_v to_o rectify_v error_n and_o abuse_n creep_v into_o the_o romish_a faith_n and_o government_n yet_o after_o a_o long_o sit_v it_o fatal_o conclude_v confirm_v those_o corruption_n which_o be_v hope_v after_o so_o many_o complaint_n and_o address_n with_o strong_a reason_n for_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v thorough_o redress_v and_o reform_v the_o original_a of_o their_o barbarous_a inquisition_n will_v be_v a_o stand_a record_n of_o the_o frequent_a and_o stout_a opposition_n that_o be_v make_v against_o the_o romish_a innovation_n in_o the_o christian_n faith_n and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o numerous_a albigenses_n and_o waldenses_n cry_v to_o heaven_n for_o vengeance_n against_o the_o papal_a cruelty_n we_o have_v a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n for_o this_o truth_n who_o resist_v unto_o death_n the_o new_a doctrine_n of_o rome_n the_o carriage_n of_o old_a wicliff_n and_o his_o follower_n tell_v we_o plain_o in_o story_n that_o the_o corruption_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o such_o quiet_a possession_n but_o ever_o and_o anon_o some_o or_o other_o inconsiderable_a number_n do_v endeavour_v to_o eject_v they_o out_o of_o their_o hold_n though_o they_o pay_v dear_a for_o it_o and_o so_o long_o as_o the_o treachery_n of_o their_o council_n of_o constance_n about_o the_o safe_a conduct_n grant_v to_o poor_a huss_n and_o his_o disciple_n in_o number_n above_o forty_o thousand_o remain_v upon_o record_n never_o to_o be_v forget_v or_o forgive_v so_o long_o we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n of_o strong_a resistance_n make_v to_o the_o romish_a religion_n before_o the_o time_n of_o luther_n and_o in_o most_o country_n and_o time_n where_o and_o when_o the_o romish_a corruption_n begin_v from_o small_a and_o obscure_a begining_n to_o be_v gross_a and_o plain_a some_o or_o other_o in_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n begin_v to_o renounce_v and_o protest_v against_o they_o what_o though_o some_o of_o these_o early_a reformer_n may_v hold_v some_o erroneous_a opinion_n which_o we_o ourselves_o condemn_v yet_o however_o they_o oppose_v the_o romish_a church_n in_o her_o corruption_n and_o these_o tend_v to_o a_o reformation_n which_o be_v complete_v only_o by_o degree_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n some_o stumble_v in_o such_o a_o night_n of_o ignorance_n and_o have_v not_o the_o agent_n of_o rome_n destroy_v the_o paper_n and_o record_n disguise_v their_o adversary_n and_o falsify_v their_o opinion_n to_o serve_v the_o power_n and_o interest_n of_o their_o great_a mistress_n they_o therefore_o brand_v the_o waldenses_n with_o the_o name_n of_o manichaism_n and_o that_o they_o affirm_v two_o principle_n or_o original_n of_o all_o thing_n because_o they_o assert_v that_o the_o emperor_n be_v independent_a of_o the_o pope_n and_o that_o they_o deny_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n because_o they_o can_v not_o believe_v a_o crust_n of_o bread_n to_o be_v christ_n and_o they_o have_v frame_v as_o lewd_a story_n against_o many_o excellent_a man_n of_o the_o lat●r_a age_n who_o withstand_v the_o approach_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o government_n which_o we_o certain_o know_v and_o the_o more_o ingenuous_a among_o they_o confess_v to_o be_v notorious_o false_a though_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v because_o of_o the_o severity_n and_o industry_n of_o the_o romish_a factor_n ever_o warm_a against_o those_o who_o oppose_v her_o practice_n a_o great_a number_n of_o honest_a and_o learned_a man_n as_o those_o age_n will_v afford_v be_v bury_v in_o obscurity_n and_o their_o name_n unknown_a there_o be_v a_o expurgatorian_a index_n for_o the_o merit_n of_o such_o man_n as_o well_o as_o book_n and_o edition_n yet_o we_o have_v a_o sufficient_a catalogue_n of_o they_o who_o keep_v up_o the_o title_n and_o claim_n of_o old_a christianity_n &_o will_v not_o suffer_v their_o new_a error_n to_o plead_v prescription_n 2._o by_o show_v what_o error_n and_o mistake_v be_v include_v in_o the_o question_n 1._o that_o these_o new_a error_n of_o rome_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a church_n for_o though_o we_o believe_v all_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n all_o thing_n that_o undoubted_a tradition_n or_o good_a reason_n prove_v to_o drive_v themselves_o from_o both_o or_o either_o yet_o because_o we_o do_v not_o assent_v and_o subscribe_v to_o the_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n that_o rome_n have_v invent_v for_o we_o we_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o christian_a church_n be_v mark_v for_o heretic_n which_o be_v worse_a than_o pagan_n with_o they_o and_o must_v be_v certain_o damn_v nay_o shall_v we_o embrace_v all_o the_o other_o doctrine_n of_o rome_n and_o deny_v only_o the_o pope_n authority_n and_o supremacy_n that_o epitome_n of_o their_o christianity_n it_o will_v avail_v we_o little_a we_o be_v heathen_n still_o shall_v we_o reject_v but_o one_o article_n of_o pope_n pius_n creed_n suppose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o purgatory_n or_o merit_n yet_o because_o this_o question_n infallibility_n the_o centre_n of_o all_o their_o religion_n we_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o damnation_n still_o shall_v we_o receive_v their_o doctrine_n as_o probable_a and_o in_o a_o large_a and_o more_o favourable_a meaning_n yet_o because_o we_o do_v not_o entertain_v they_o as_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n our_o case_n be_v not_o mend_v we_o shall_v mee●_n with_o fire_n here_o and_o hereafter_o for_o our_o reward_n shall_v we_o wink_v and_o swallow_v they_o all_o down_o with_o a_o good_a catholic_n stomach_n yet_o i●_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n shall_v give_v out_o a_o new_a edition_n of_o faith_n enlarge_v with_o many_o more_o monstrous_a doctrine_n and_o opinion_n yet_o if_o we_o boggle_v and_o kick_v at_o they_o all_o our_o former_a righteousness_n shall_v not_o not_o be_v remember_v we_o be_v apostate_n worse_o than_o truk_n and_o infidel_n and_o who_o can_v tell_v what_o this_o infallible_a and_o powerful_a guide_n of_o ●●●●stendom_n will_v do_v for_o when_o thing_n obscure_a or_o of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n when_o thing_n wherein_o they_o differ_v among_o themselves_o and_o only_o serve_v a_o temporal_a interest_n when_o opinion_n which_o they_o can_v dispense_v withal_o upon_o occasion_n when_o only_o the_o mode_n and_o manner_n of_o truth_n when_o contradictory_n and_o doctrine_n direct_o lead_v unto_o impiety_n and_o thing_n barbarous_a and_o blasphemous_a have_v be_v christen_v article_n of_o faith_n and_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n have_v we_o not_o just_a reason_n to_o suspect_v as_o ill_n or_o worsé_fw-fr may_v be_v do_v again_o and_o the_o intrigue_n of_o trent_n may_v be_v act_v once_o more_o and_o as_o many_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n as_o titular_a bishop_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n move_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n be_v not_o the_o first_o and_o early_a christian_n sound_v member_n of_o christ_n body_n though_o they_o never_o think_v of_o such_o wild_a opinion_n as_o these_o and_o publish_v truth_n direct_o contrary_a to_o they_o and_o can_v i_o suppose_v they_o to_o have_v know_v these_o innovation_n out_o of_o zeal_n and_o fidelity_n to_o their_o trust_n will_v have_v detest_v and_o abhor_v they_o be_v christ_n negligent_a in_o the_o discharge_n of_o his_o mighty_a office_n and_o his_o apostle_n defective_a in_o their_o duty_n and_o ministry_n not_o to_o acquaint_v the_o first_o christian_n with_o these_o great_a truth_n and_o be_v they_o reveal_v in_o the_o tridentine_a council_n only_o to_o we_o upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v these_o primitive_a disciple_n of_o christ_n think_v themselves_o secure_a of_o heaven_n by_o this_o short_a creed_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o contrary_n be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n that_o deny_v that_o jesus_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n that_o he_o be_v the_o god_n incarnate_a and_o the_o true_a messiah_n and_o be_v scandalize_v at_o his_o meanness_n and_o obscurity_n s._n paul_n tell_v the_o jailor_n that_o certain_o he_o will_v be_v save_v if_o he_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n all_o other_o fundamental_o of_o christianity_n one_o
and_o they_o far_o confess_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o antichrist_n there_o shall_v be_v neither_o pope_n monk_n nor_o mass_o if_o this_o be_v all_o that_o monster_n be_v not_o so_o terrible_a as_o he_o be_v paint_v and_o their_o annalist_n complain_v of_o such_o sad_a thing_n as_o these_o in_o the_o ten_o century_n and_o certain_o they_o have_v read_v of_o 12._o ver._n 12._o 6._o 11._o 7._o 1_o cor._n 3._o 12._o the_o woman_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o the_o witness_n slay_v and_o of_o hay_o and_o stubble_n co●ering_v the_o foundation_n which_o describe_v the_o deplorable_a condition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o foppery_n nicety_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n obscure_v the_o essential_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n shall_v a_o revolt_n happen_v which_o god_n divert_v from_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o england_n to_o romanism_n again_o may_v not_o other_o ask_v they_o the_o same_o question_n where_o be_v your_o religion_n before_o eighty_o three_o or_o eighty_o four_o before_o snch_v a_o time_n will_v they_o not_o answer_v at_o rome_n and_o in_o england_n also_o only_o keep_v under_o and_o obscure_v by_o heretic_n and_o tyrannical_a prince_n we_o be_v also_o here_o lock_v up_o in_o bibles_n own_a by_o some_o number_n desire_v by_o more_o only_o fright_v from_o a_o visible_a profession_n of_o it_o by_o the_o torment_n that_o do_v attend_v it_o and_o christianity_n though_o not_o so_o visible_a yet_o be_v pure_a when_o it_o and_o its_o professor_n dwell_v in_o rock_n and_o mountain_n and_o den●_n place_n of_o privacy_n and_o obscurity_n in_o the_o reign_v of_o nero_n and_o di●clesian_n then_o when_o some_o king_n be_v its_o nurse_n father_n and_o ●_z its_o nurse_n mother_n and_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o seven_o hill_n and_o there_o be_v a_o true_a church_n of_o god_n though_o overlay_v and_o groan_v under_o arrianism_n as_o before_o persecution_n and_o in_o cyprian_n time_n as_o we_o once_o under_o the_o popish_a yoke_n and_o etc._n cypr_fw-la epist_n p._n 59_o ox_n edit_n aspice_fw-la totum_fw-la orbem_fw-la pene_fw-la vastum_fw-la etc._n etc._n the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n like_o the_o truth_n and_o essence_n of_o other_o thing_n depend_v not_o upon_o splendid_a entertainment_n or_o judgement_n of_o other_o nor_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o visible_a number_n of_o its_o member_n but_o it_o may_v be_v a_o true_a church_n whither_o visible_a or_o hide_v which_o this_o question_n deny_v 3._o this_o question_n suppose_v that_o the_o roman_a church_n can_v err_v but_o that_o it_o remain_v pure_a and_o undefiled_a as_o it_o come_v from_o the_o hand_n of_o christ_n through_o the_o many_o century_n of_o year_n till_o it_o come_v to_o the_o time_n of_o luther_n and_o from_o thence_o shall_v so_o continue_v till_o the_o world_n end_n and_o therefore_o we_o make_v a_o false_a charge_n against_o they_o of_o corruption_n in_o their_o religion_n to_o excuse_v our_o innovation_n but_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v she_o have_v foul_o err_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o that_o more_o fatal_o and_o obstinate_o because_o she_o pretend_v she_o can_v err_v for_o upon_o what_o ground_n do_v she_o find_v her_o infallibility_n upon_o the_o scripture_n they_o be_v only_o so_o many_o dead_a letter_n till_o the_o breadth_n of_o the_o church_n do_v give_v they_o life_n and_o they_o be_v then_o to_o do_v the_o church_n a_o good_a turn_n and_o give_v her_o infallibility_n which_o be_v such_o a_o circle_n as_o make_v man_n brain_n so_o giddy_a turn_n round_o in_o it_o that_o they_o scarce_o know_v what_o he_o scripture_n and_o what_o the_o church_n do_v mean_a the_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v infallibility_n be_v such_o which_o have_v only_a reference_n to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o their_o doctrine_n or_o confession_n of_o faith_n as_o divine_a and_o infallible_a but_o not_o to_o their_o pretend_a successor_n or_o else_o they_o be_v restrain_v not_o simple_o 20_o mat._n 16._o 18._o joh._n 16._o 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notwithstanding_o as_o it_o be_v then_o acknowledge_v the_o institution_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o may_v as_o well_o christen_v the_o laic_n child_n only_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n leave_v out_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n by_o the_o way_n of_o concomitancy_n it_o be_v as_o lawful_a to_o baptise_v as_o communicate_v by_o the_o half_n for_o what_o can_v such_o a_o pretend_a power_n do_v the_o prohibit_v of_o priest_n to_o marry_n be_v not_o in_o perfection_n as_o it_o be_v now_o till_o pope_n gregory_n the_o sevenths_n time_n let_v they_o tell_v we_o where_o it_o be_v say_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n or_o any_o of_o the_o true_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o christian_n church_n that_o penance_n be_v a_o sacrament_n or_o that_o auricular_a confession_n be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n or_o that_o prayer_n ought_v to_o be_v make_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n or_o that_o good_a work_n be_v strict_o meritorious_a or_o where_o can_v 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of_o this_o nature_n be_v upon_o the_o romish_a forge_n ready_a to_o be_v put_v into_o their_o creed_n and_o where_o must_v we_o end_v not_o till_o it_o be_v believe_v that_o consecrate_a feather_n and_o holy_a water_n can_v convey_v divine_a grace_n to_o we_o and_o drive_v away_o wicked_a spirit_n and_o the_o weathercock_n of_o our_o church_n be_v think_v p●illars_n of_o it_o will_v the_o champion_n of_o rome_n speak_v out_o they_o will_v tell_v we_o as_o their_o eckius_fw-la do_v the_o duke_n of_o bavaria_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o luther_n may_v be_v overthrow_v by_o the_o father_n though_o not_o by_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n that_o we_o have_v the_o true_a antiquity_n on_o our_o side_n and_o in_o the_o beginning_n it_o be_v not_o so_o but_o we_o add_v that_o we_o have_v the_o father_n also_o on_o our_o side_n for_o otherwise_o what_o mean_v their_o expurgat_fw-la orian_n indices_fw-la of_o the_o father_n and_o other_o ancient_a writter_n but_o that_o 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saint_n mention_v by_o st._n judas_n be_v not_o entire_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o we_o must_v seek_v for_o the_o rest_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o tradition_n say_v they_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o same_o religious_a reverence_n that_o we_o do_v the_o holy_a scripture_n now_o though_o this_o be_v not_o real_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n as_o will_v appear_v before_o i_o have_v do_v but_o they_o final_o rest_v for_o their_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n somewhere_o else_o yet_o this_o be_v plausible_o pretend_v by_o they_o in_o their_o own_o justification_n that_o they_o follow_v tradition_n and_o in_o their_o accusation_n of_o we_o that_o we_o foresake_n tradition_n i_o shall_v brief_o let_v all_o our_o people_n see_v who_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o be_v deceive_v what_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v and_o say_v in_o this_o business_n of_o tradition_n about_o which_o a_o 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appear_v to_o be_v so_o in_o this_o that_o we_o be_v mistake_v that_o we_o be_v overnice_a and_o curious_a in_o refuse_v to_o worship_n saint_n and_o angel_n yet_o we_o be_v a_o much_o more_o innocent_a and_o pardonable_a mistake_n then_o that_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v guilty_a of_o if_o they_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v mistake_v we_o be_v only_o want_v in_o some_o religious_a courtship_n which_o we_o may_v innocent_o have_v give_v to_o saint_n and_o angel_n but_o which_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o give_v as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n will_v not_o say_v that_o we_o be_v by_o any_o express_a divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o sin_n against_o god_n not_o to_o do_v it_o and_o when_o this_o neglect_n be_v not_o owe_v to_o any_o design_a contempt_n and_o disregard_n of_o those_o excellent_a spirit_n but_o to_o a_o great_a reverence_n for_o god_n and_o jealousy_n for_o his_o incommunicable_a glory_n if_o it_o be_v a_o fault_n we_o need_v not_o doubt_v but_o 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appearance_n of_o reason_n can_v justify_v their_o worship_n of_o creature_n they_o will_v be_v able_a to_o excuse_v they_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o so_o great_a a_o sin_n but_o not_o to_o insist_v on_o these_o thing_n now_o i_o shall_v divide_v this_o discourse_n into_o three_o part_n 1._o i_o shall_v prove_v from_o the_o plain_a evidence_n of_o scripture_n that_o god_n alone_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v 2._o i_o shall_v examine_v what_o that_o worship_n be_v which_o be_v proper_a and_o particular_a to_o the_o supreme_a god_n 3._o i_o shall_v consider_v those_o distinction_n whereby_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n justify_v her_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o angel_n and_o image_n etc._n etc._n section_n i._o that_o god_n alone_o must_v be_v worship_v to_o make_v good_a the_o first_o point_n that_o we_o must_v worship_v 1_o sect._n 1_o no_o other_o be_v but_o only_o god_n i_o shall_v principal_o confine_v myself_o to_o scripture_n evidence_n which_o be_v the_o most_o certain_a authority_n to_o determine_v this_o matter_n for_o though_o i_o confess_v it_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o self_n evident_a and_o fundamental_a principle_n in_o natural_a religion_n that_o we_o must_v worship_v none_o but_o that_o supreme_a be_v who_o make_v and_o who_o govern_v the_o world_n yet_o i_o find_v man_n reason_n very_o different_o about_o these_o matter_n the_o heathen_a philosopher_n who_o general_o acknowledge_v one_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a deity_n do_v not_o think_v it_o incongruous_a nor_o any_o affront_n or_o dimimition_n to_o the_o supreme_a god_n to_o ascribe_v a_o inferior_a kind_n of_o divinity_n nor_o to_o pay_v a_o inferior_a degree_n of_o religious_a worship_n to_o those_o excellent_a spirit_n which_o be_v so_o much_o above_o we_o and_o have_v so_o great_a a_o share_n in_o the_o government_n of_o this_o low_a world_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v a_o affront_n to_o a_o sovereign_a monarch_n to_o honour_n and_o reverence_v his_o great_a minister_n of_o state_n or_o peculiar_a favourite_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o she_o have_v corrupt_v christianity_n with_o the_o worship_n of_o angel_n and_o saint_n depart_v so_o she_o defend_v herself_o with_o the_o same_o argument_n and_o reason_n which_o be_v long_o since_o allege_v by_o celsus_n and_o porphyry_n and_o other_o heathen_a philosopher_n in_o defence_n of_o their_o pagan_a idolatry_n and_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o these_o argument_n be_v very_o popular_a and_o have_v something_o so_o agreeable_a in_o they_o to_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o civil_a honour_n and_o respect_n which_o admit_v of_o great_a variety_n of_o degree_n that_o i_o do_v not_o wonder_v that_o such_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n both_o wise_a and_o unwise_a have_v be_v impose_v on_o by_o they_o for_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o proportionable_a reverence_n and_o respect_v due_a even_o to_o create_v excellency_n and_o every_o degree_n of_o power_n challenge_n and_o command_v a_o just_a regard_n and_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o be_v very_o thankful_a not_o only_o to_o god_n who_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n and_o the_o supreme_a giver_n of_o all_o good_a thing_n but_o to_o our_o immediate_a benefactor_n also_o and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o middle_a being_n as_o the_o heathen_n believe_v and_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n assert_n between_o we_o and_o the_o supreme_a god_n who_o take_v particular_a care_n of_o we_o and_o either_o by_o their_o power_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n or_o by_o their_o intercession_n with_o the_o supreme_a god_n can_v and_o do_v bestow_v a_o great_a many_o blessing_n on_o we_o it_o eem_v as_o natural_a and_o necessary_a to_o fear_v and_o reverence_n to_o honour_n and_o worship_n they_o and_o to_o give_v they_o thanks_o for_o their_o care_n and_o patronage_n of_o we_o as_o it_o be_v to_o court_v a_o powerful_a favourite_n who_o by_o his_o interest_n and_o authority_n can_v obtain_v any_o request_n we_o make_v to_o our_o prince_n and_o the_o first_o seem_v to_o be_v no_o great_a injury_n to_o god_n than_o the_o second_o 18._o 2._o col._n 18._o to_o a_o prince_n thus_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o show_n of_o humility_n in_o worship_v angel_n that_o man_n dare_v not_o immediate_o approach_v so_o glorious_a a_o majesty_n as_o god_n be_v but_o make_v their_o address_n to_o those_o excellent_a spirit_n which_o attend_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n and_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o his_o providence_n but_o then_o every_o one_o who_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v one_o supreme_a god_n who_o make_v all_o other_o being_n though_o never_o so_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a must_v acknowledge_v that_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o common_a to_o god_n and_o creature_n so_o there_o must_v be_v a_o particular_a worship_n due_a to_o god_n which_o no_o creature_n can_v challenge_v any_o share_n in_o it_o be_v no_o affront_n to_o a_o prince_n to_o pay_v some_o inferior_a degree_n of_o civil_a honour_n and_o respect_n to_o his_o minister_n and_o favourite_n because_o as_o the_o difference_n between_o a_o prince_n and_o his_o subject_n be_v not_o found_v in_o nature_n but_o in_o civil_a order_n so_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o civil_a respect_n proportion_v to_o the_o different_a rank_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n there_o be_v a_o degree_n of_o preeminency_n which_o be_v sacred_a and_o peculiar_a to_o the_o person_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o no_o prince_n will_v suffer_v his_o great_a favourite_n to_o usurp_v the_o prerogative_n honour_n which_o belong_v to_o the_o crown_n but_o while_o they_o be_v content_v with_o such_o respect_n as_o be_v due_a to_o their_o rank_n and_o station_n this_o be_v no_o injury_n to_o the_o prince_n for_o all_o civil_a honour_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o the_o prince_n but_o only_o a_o supereminent_a degree_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o inferior_a degree_n of_o honour_n may_v be_v give_v to_o other_o person_n but_o though_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o civil_a honour_n proper_a to_o different_a rank_n and_o degree_n of_o man_n who_o all_o partake_v in_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o be_v distinguish_v only_o by_o their_o different_a place_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n yet_o in_o this_o sense_n there_o be_v no_o different_a degree_n of_o religious_a worship_n all_o religious_a worship_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v but_o one_o and_o common_a only_o to_o three_o divine_a person_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n one_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o amen_n civil_a honour_n and_o religious_a worship_n differ_v in_o the_o whole_a kind_n and_o species_n of_o action_n and_o have_v as_o different_a object_n as_o god_n and_o creature_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o argue_v from_o those_o different_a degree_n of_o civil_a honour_n among_o man_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o inferior_a degree_n
lay_v for_o it_o in_o man_n mind_n or_o constant_a provision_n make_v for_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o it_o all_o necessary_a encouragement_n give_v to_o it_o and_o a_o suitable_a strict_a and_o regular_a practice_n of_o it_o observable_a among_o they_o and_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o insist_v on_o by_o we_o which_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n boast_v of_o as_o serve_v to_o some_o or_o all_o of_o these_o purpose_n which_o i_o shall_v represent_v as_o fair_o as_o i_o can_v that_o we_o may_v see_v what_o there_o be_v in_o that_o church_n that_o do_v answer_v such_o great_a pretence_n for_o it_o be_v observe_v that_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n oftentimes_o instead_o of_o dispute_n endeavour_v to_o work_v on_o our_o people_n and_o too_o often_o prevail_v by_o appeal_n to_o matter_n of_o practice_n visible_a to_o every_o one_o eye_n a_o argument_n to_o which_o man_n need_v not_o use_v their_o reason_n but_o their_o sense_n and_o this_o will_n say_v they_o sufficient_o convince_v any_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o our_o way_n for_o here_o be_v several_a thing_n use_v as_o instance_n and_o expression_n of_o devotion_n very_o acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o suitable_a to_o a_o good_a christian_a temper_n which_o be_v either_o not_o at_o all_o use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o at_o least_o not_o in_o that_o degree_n and_o measure_n and_o yet_o all_o those_o that_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n say_v they_o be_v use_v among_o we_o for_o we_o not_o only_o enjoin_v and_o practice_v constant_a use_n of_o prayer_n public_a and_o private_a together_o with_o read_v and_o preach_v of_o the_o word_n sacrament_n and_o whatever_o be_v use_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o we_o have_v beside_o several_a thing_n which_o be_v as_o well_o proper_a expression_n of_o devotion_n as_o help_n and_o assistance_n which_o be_v not_o use_v among_o the_o protestant_n the_o principal_a thing_n which_o they_o urge_v be_v such_o as_o these_o 1._o they_o blame_v the_o reformation_n in_o general_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o the_o want_n of_o monastery_n and_o such_o other_o religious_a house_n which_o be_v so_o numerous_a in_o the_o popish_a country_n where_o holy_a man_n and_o woman_n be_v shut_v up_o and_o have_v bid_v adieu_o to_o the_o world_n live_v as_o in_o heaven_n in_o constant_a exercise_n of_o praise_v of_o god_n night_n and_o day_n and_o of_o pray_v to_o he_o for_o the_o church_n and_o state_n and_o particular_a christian_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o and_o who_o be_v not_o only_o so_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o constancy_n of_o their_o prayer_n but_o also_o by_o their_o example_n put_v other_o in_o mind_n of_o religion_n and_o of_o do_v likewise_o and_o by_o the_o severity_n of_o their_o life_n as_o to_o diet_n garb_n and_o other_o circumstance_n live_v in_o a_o constant_a practice_n of_o that_o self-denial_n which_o be_v command_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v so_o practise_v by_o holy_a man_n almost_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o be_v as_o it_o be_v constant_a preacher_n of_o holiness_n and_o mortification_n who_o though_o they_o do_v indeed_o stay_v here_o in_o the_o world_n below_o yet_o converse_v not_o in_o it_o but_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n out_o of_o it_o and_o live_v above_o it_o 2._o they_o sometime_o also_o boast_v of_o the_o extraordinary_a charity_n and_o liberality_n to_o all_o good_a and_o holy_a use_v press_v and_o practise_v among_o they_o which_o be_v but_o spare_o use_v say_v they_o among_o the_o protestant_n especial_o their_o excessive_a expense_n and_o cost_n in_o building_n and_o endow_v monastery_n erect_v church_n chapel_n and_o cross_n their_o so_o pompous_a adorn_v the_o place_n dedicate_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n beside_o their_o charitable_a assistance_n and_o relief_n which_o they_o afford_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o live_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v but_o charity_n be_v a_o certaint_n evidence_n as_o well_o as_o a_o great_a branch_n and_o duty_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o devotion_n 3._o sometime_o they_o glory_v in_o the_o great_a number_n of_o saint_n commemorate_a in_o their_o church_n and_o die_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o and_o urge_v they_o as_o a_o forcible_a example_n to_o other_o and_o a_o mighty_a incentive_a to_o devotion_n they_o think_v also_o it_o redound_v much_o to_o the_o honour_n and_o commendation_n of_o their_o church_n to_o have_v have_v such_o glorious_a member_n of_o it_o and_o twit_v we_o as_o they_o think_v severe_o when_o they_o ask_v we_o what_o saint_n we_o have_v of_o our_o church_n and_o wonder_v especial_o that_o we_o shall_v observe_v so_o few_o festival_n and_o holiday_n whereas_o the_o very_a many_o day_n set_v apart_o in_o their_o church_n in_o memory_n of_o their_o several_a saint_n they_o think_v not_o only_o afford_v proper_a occasion_n for_o all_o act_n of_o religion_n but_o be_v a_o sign_n of_o their_o being_n less_o addict_v to_o this_o world_n when_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o their_o time_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o that_o piety_n and_o devotion_n be_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o their_o business_n and_o employment_n 4._o they_o urge_v also_o the_o multitude_n of_o picture_n and_o image_n of_o several_a famous_a man_n and_o woman_n who_o have_v in_o a_o eminent_a manner_n serve_v and_o please_v god_n and_o be_v instrumental_a in_o convert_v the_o world_n as_o very_o proper_a assistance_n of_o a_o man_n devotion_n instruct_v some_o they_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o unlearned_a and_o sensible_o affect_v and_o allure_a all_o to_o the_o imitation_n of_o the_o person_n who_o they_o represent_v 5._o sometime_o they_o commend_v their_o church_n for_o the_o fast_n and_o other_o act_n of_o severity_n and_o mortification_n use_v not_o only_o by_o the_o monk_n and_o regulars_n but_o by_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o church_n on_o set_a day_n of_o the_o week_n or_o season_n of_o the_o year_n as_o well_o as_o such_o austerity_n as_o be_v enjoin_v by_o their_o confessor_n by_o way_n of_o penance_n their_o go_v barefoot_a and_o bare_a head_a in_o procession_n their_o whip_n and_o lash_v themselves_o their_o draw_a great_a chain_n and_o weight_n after_o they_o as_o great_a and_o proper_a instance_n of_o self-denial_n and_o devotion_n 6._o they_o place_v also_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o religion_n in_o pilgrimage_n which_o the_o more_o devout_a sort_n take_v and_o spend_v their_o estate_n and_o sometime_o their_o life_n in_o to_o jerusalem_n rome_n loretto_n mount-ferrdt_a to_o st._n thomas_n at_z canterbury_z st._n winefrid_n well_o or_o some_o such_o other_o place_n where_o some_o extraordinary_a person_n have_v live_v or_o some_o strange_a relic_n be_v leave_v or_o where_o they_o reckon_v god_n have_v on_o some_o occasion_n or_o other_o wonderful_o manifest_v himself_o and_o they_o reckon_v that_o the_o very_a visit_n or_o kiss_v these_o be_v either_o a_o argument_n of_o true_o devout_a mind_n or_o that_o which_o will_v make_v they_o so_o and_o their_o manual_n or_o book_n which_o their_o priest_n give_v into_o the_o people_n hand_n do_v not_o fail_v by_o all_o the_o art_n imaginable_a to_o endeavour_v to_o screw_v up_o man_n devotion_n even_o to_o rapture_n and_o ecstasy_n in_o commendation_n of_o these_o practice_n and_o order_n even_o as_o if_o they_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o true_a religion_n and_o devotion_n without_o these_o and_o that_o where_o there_o be_v these_o thing_n practise_v it_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n that_o the_o mind_n be_v affect_v as_o it_o ought_v &_o piety_n flourish_v in_o the_o high_a degree_n and_o beside_o these_o matter_n of_o practice_n their_o be_v also_o several_a doctrine_n and_o opinion_n peculiar_a to_o themselves_o which_o they_o reckon_v do_v natural_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o true_a devotion_n as_o 7._o their_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o intercession_n of_o saint_n for_o we_o and_o the_o advantage_n of_o invocation_n or_o prayer_n to_o they_o and_o that_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n want_v one_o of_o the_o great_a encouragement_n to_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n that_o can_v be_v who_o neither_o own_a nor_o make_v use_n of_o these_o help_n and_o therefore_o that_o we_o can_v have_v such_o hope_n of_o success_n and_o blessing_n as_o they_o have_v 8._o their_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o merit_n of_o good_a work_n and_o supererogation_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n in_o their_o esteem_n for_o the_o more_o worth_a you_o suppose_v in_o any_o action_n the_o great_a encouragement_n be_v there_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o sure_o it_o must_v be_v a_o most_o irresistible_a motive_n to_o
rich_a man_n and_o lazarus_n etc._n s._n basil_n prooem_n in_o regulas_fw-la etc._n etc._n that_o every_o one_o be_v send_v ei●her_n to_o abraham_n bosom_n or_o to_o torment_n as_o soon_o as_o this_o life_n be_v end_v st._n ba●il_n declare_v this_o julianum_fw-la nazianz._n orati_fw-la 9_o ad_fw-la julianum_fw-la world_n to_o be_v the_o time_n of_o repentance_n the_o other_o of_o retribution_n this_o of_o 25._o hierom._n epist_n 25._o work_v that_o of_o receive_v a_o reward_n so_o nazianzen_n in_o his_o funeral_n oration_n plain_o deny_v ●hat_n after_o this_o life_n there_o be_v any_o purge_v to_o be_v expect_v and_o therefore_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v purge_v now_o then_o be_v send_v into_o torment_n where_o the_o time_n of_o punish_v be_v and_o not_o of_o purge_v st._n hierome_n also_o comfort_v paula_n for_o the_o death_n of_o her_o daughter_n after_o this_o manner_n let_v the_o dead_a be_v lament_v but_o let_v we_o who_o christ_n come_v forth_o to_o meet_v after_o our_o departure_n be_v the_o more_o grieve_a because_o so_o long_o as_o we_o remain_v here_o we_o be_v pilgrim_n from_o god_n i_o can_v cite_v more_o father_n to_o this_o purpose_n but_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o all_o be_v not_o of_o bellarmin_n min●_n as_o he_o pretend_v by_o his_o precarious_a assertion_n that_o antiquity_n constant_o teach_v there_o be_v a_o purgatory_n whereas_o the_o grecian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v of_o his_o faith_n that_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o at_o this_o day_n the_o old_a and_o best_a author_n that_o i_o know_v to_o be_v on_o his_o side_n be_v plato_n in_o his_o gorgias_n and_o phoedo_n tully_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o dream_n of_o scipio_n and_o virgil_n in_o his_o six_o aeneide_a tertullian_n likewise_o when_o he_o be_v a_o heretic_n seem_v to_o favour_v his_o opinion_n and_o origen_n be_v very_o much_o of_o that_o belief_n who_o acknowledge_v no_o other_o punishment_n after_o this_o 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in_o it_o let_v we_o be_v firm_o unite_v among_o ourselves_o against_o all_o innovation_n in_o religion_n as_o we_o have_v no_o other_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n than_o the_o holy_a scripture_n let_v we_o reject_v all_o notorious_a innovation_n that_o be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o for_o fundamental_o as_o we_o be_v teach_v to_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o conscience_n sake_n so_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o avoid_v the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n which_o claim_v a_o power_n of_o depose_v he_o and_o of_o knock_v those_o on_o the_o head_n who_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n what_o obligation_n then_o have_v we_o to_o the_o church_n we_o be_v of_o and_o to_o the_o religion_n we_o profess_v which_o have_v deliver_v we_o from_o the_o law_n of_o the_o roman_a religion_n that_o be_v write_v in_o blood_n that_o have_v recover_v we_o from_o the_o idolatrous_a practice_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n that_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o worship_n image_n or_o fall_v down_o to_o the_o stock_n of_o a_o tree_n that_o do_v not_o rob_v we_o of_o the_o benefit_n of_o public_a prayer_n by_o put_v they_o into_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n that_o do_v not_o enjoin_v a_o implicit_a faith_n or_o blind_a obedience_n but_o allow_v to_o every_o christian_a a_o ●_z of_o discretion_n who_o keep_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o due_a obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o his_o lawful_a superior_n that_o he_o may_v prove_v all_o thing_n hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a a_o church_n that_o have_v no_o pardon_n at_o a_o set_a price_n for_o guilty_a person_n no_o forge_a miracle_n to_o amuse_v the_o credulous_a and_o ignorant_a no_o pompous_a show_n bead_n ticket_n agnus_n dei_n rosary_n to_o please_v the_o vulgar_a or_o to_o gratify_v the_o superstitious_a if_o therefore_o we_o have_v any_o love_n of_o our_o religion_n or_o any_o concern_n for_o the_o happiness_n of_o our_o church_n and_o 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many_o of_o our_o divine_n have_v give_v they_o but_o let_v they_o bind_v their_o disputation_n on_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o a_o ordinary_a protestant_n well_o read_v in_o the_o bible_n may_v turn_v and_o wind_v their_o able_a doctor_n for_o as_o among_o papist_n their_o ignorance_n in_o the_o scripture_n chief_o uphold_v popery_n so_o among_o protestant_n the_o frequent_a and_o serious_a read_n thereof_o will_v soon_o baffle_v it_o and_o we_o need_v not_o doubt_v of_o a_o entire_a conquest_n if_o we_o add_v to_o this_o the_o amendment_n of_o our_o life_n with_o all_o speed_n leave_v through_o impenitency_n pride_n luxury_n bold_a and_o open_a atheism_n uncharitable_a jar_a and_o pelt_v at_o one_o another_o through_o stubborn_a disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n we_o run_v into_o that_o sottish_o which_o we_o seek_v so_o wary_o to_o avoid_v the_o worst_a of_o superstition_n that_o enervate_v and_o destroy_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o christianity_n finis_fw-la a_o discourse_n concern_v auricular_a confession_n as_o it_o be_v prescribe_v by_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n with_o a_o post_n script_n on_o occasion_n of_o a_o book_n late_o print_v in_o france_n call_v historia_n confessionis_fw-la auricularis_fw-la edinburgh_n reprint_v by_o john_n reid_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1686._o a_o discourse_n concern_v auricular_a confession_n the_o zealot_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v wont_a to_o glory_n of_o the_o singular_a advantage_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o church_n especial_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o great_a mean_n and_o help_v of_o spiritual_a comfort_n which_o they_o pretend_v be_v to_o be_v have_v there_o above_z and_z beyond_o what_o be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o other_o society_n of_o christian_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o it_o can_v be_v as_o substantial_o make_v out_o as_o
it_o be_v confident_o assert_v can_v not_o fail_v to_o sway_v very_o much_o with_o all_o wise_a man_n and_o will_v undoubted_o prevail_v with_o all_o devout_a person_n who_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o the_o secret_a to_o go_v over_o to_o they_o but_o if_o contrariwise_o it_o appear_v upon_o search_n that_o their_o pretension_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v false_a and_o groundless_a and_o that_o the_o method_n of_o administer_a consolation_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o that_o church_n be_v as_o well_o unsafe_a and_o deceitful_a as_o singular_a and_o unnecessary_a then_o the_o same_o prudence_n and_o sincerity_n will_v oblige_v a_o man_n to_o suspect_v that_o communion_n instead_o of_o become_v a_o proselyte_n to_o it_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o aforesaid_a boasting_n as_o the_o effect_n either_o of_o design_a imposture_n or_o at_o the_o least_o of_o ignorance_n and_o delusion_n among_o other_o thing_n that_o church_n high_o value_v itself_o upon_o the_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n as_o they_o call_v it_o and_o as_o deep_o blame_v and_o condemn_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o other_o reform_a church_n for_o their_o defect_n in_o and_o neglect_v of_o so_o important_a and_o comfortable_a a_o office_n and_o under_o that_o specious_a pretext_n her_o emissary_n who_o be_v w●nt_v according_a to_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_n silly_a woman_n etc._n etc._n insinuate_v themselves_o into_o such_o of_o the_o people_n as_o have_v more_o zeal_n than_o knowledge_n and_o now_o and_o then_o wheadle_n some_o of_o they_o over_o into_o their_o society_n to_o that_o purpose_n they_o will_v not_o only_a harangue_n they_o with_o fine_a story_n of_o the_o ease_n and_o benefit_n of_o it_o as_o of_o a_o ancient_n and_o usesull_n rite_n but_o will_v also_o preach_v to_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o as_o of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o it_o be_v as_o important_a in_o its_o kind_n as_o baptism_n or_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o that_o confession_n to_o a_o priest_n and_o his_o absolution_n thereupon_o obtain_v be_v the_o only_a mean_n appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o procure_n of_o pardon_n of_o all_o mortal_a sin_n commit_v after_o baptism_n as_o for_o original_a sin_n or_o whatsoever_o 2_o council_n trid._n sess_v 14_o c._n 2_o actual_a transgression_n may_v have_v be_v commit_v before_o baptism_n all_o those_o they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v wash_v away_o in_o that_o sacred_a laver._n and_o for_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n or_o venial_a sin_n these_o may_v be_v do_v away_o by_o several_a easy_a method_n by_o contrition_n alone_o say_v some_o nay_o by_o attrition_n alone_o say_z other_o by_o habitual_a grace_n say_v a_o specie_fw-la vid._n becan_n tract_n de_fw-fr sacramentis_fw-la in_o specie_fw-la three_o etc._n etc._n but_o for_o mortal_a sin_n commit_v after_o a_o man_n be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n for_o these_o there_o be_v no_o other_o door_n of_o mercy_n but_o the_o priest_n lip_n nor_o have_v god_n appoint_v or_o will_v admit_v of_o any_o other_o way_n of_o reconciliation_n than_o this_o of_o confession_n to_o a_o priest_n and_o his_o absolution_n this_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n therefore_o be_v call_v by_o they_o secunda_fw-la tabula_fw-la post_fw-la naufragium_fw-la the_o peculiar_a refuge_n of_o a_o lapse_v christian_a the_o only_a sanctuary_n of_o a_o guilty_a conscience_n the_o sole_a mean_n of_o restore_v such_o a_o person_n to_o peace_n of_o conscience_n the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n and_o withal_o this_o method_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v so_o sovereign_a and_o effectual_a a_o remedy_n that_o it_o cure_v toties_fw-la quoties_fw-la and_o whatever_o a_o man_n miscarriage_n have_v be_v and_o how_o often_o soever_o repeat_v if_o he_o do_v but_o as_o often_o resort_v to_o it_o he_o shall_v return_v as_o pure_a and_o clean_a as_o when_o he_o first_o come_v from_o the_o font._n this_o ready_a and_o easy_a way_n say_v they_o have_v god_n allow_v man_n of_o quit_v all_o score_n with_o himself_o in_o the_o use_n of_o which_o they_o may_v have_v perfect_a peace_n in_o their_o conscience_n and_o may_v think_v of_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n without_o horror_n have_v their_o case_n decide_v before_o hand_n by_o god_n deputy_n the_o priest_n and_o their_o pardon_n ready_a to_o produce_v and_o plead_v at_o the_o tribunal_n of_o christ_n what_o a_o mighty_a defect_n be_v it_o therefore_o in_o the_o protestant_a church_n who_o want_v this_o sacrament_n want_v the_o principal_a ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n and_o who_o will_v not_o join_v himself_o to_o the_o society_n of_o that_o church_n where_o this_o great_a case_n be_v so_o abundant_o provide_v for_o for_o if_o all_o this_o be_v true_a he_o must_v be_v extreme_o foolhardy_a and_o deserve_v to_o perish_v who_o will_v not_o be_v of_o that_o communion_n from_o whence_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v so_o very_o easy_a and_o obvious_a no_o wonder_n therefore_o i_o say_v if_o not_o only_o the_o loose_a and_o vicious_a be_v fond_a of_o this_o communion_n where_o they_o may_v sin_v and_o confess_v and_o confess_v and_o sin_v again_o without_o any_o great_a danger_n but_o it_o will_v be_v strange_a if_o the_o more_o virtuous_a and_o prudent_a also_o do_v not_o out_o of_o more_o caution_n think_v it_o become_v they_o to_o comply_v with_o his_o expedient_a for_o as_o much_o as_o there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o understand_v himself_o but_o must_v be_v conscious_a of_o have_v commit_v sin_n since_o his_o baptism_n and_o then_o for_o fear_v some_o of_o they_o shall_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o a_o mortal_a nature_n it_o will_v be_v his_o safe_a course_n to_o betake_v himself_o to_o this_o refuge_n and_o consequent_o he_o will_v easy_o be_v draw_v to_o that_o church_n where_o the_o only_a remedy_n of_o his_o disease_n be_v to_o be_v have_v but_o the_o best_a of_o it_o be_v these_o thing_n be_v soon_o say_v then_o prove_v and_o more_o easy_o 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to_o the_o public_a ministry_n thereof_o for_o resolution_n of_o conscience_n then_o to_o the_o secret_a oracle_n of_o a_o priest_n in_o a_o corner_n and_o advise_v they_o rather_o to_o observe_v what_o god_n himself_o declare_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o guilt_n of_o sin_n the_o aggravation_n or_o abatement_n of_o it_o and_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n of_o pardon_n than_o what_o a_o priest_n pronounce_v but_o however_o this_o course_n do_v not_o please_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o reason_n best_o know_v to_o themselves_o which_o if_o we_o may_v guess_v at_o the_o main_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o they_o do_v not_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o let_v man_n be_v their_o own_o carver_n but_o lead_v they_o like_o child_n by_o the_o hand_n my_o meaning_n be_v they_o keep_v people_n as_o much_o in_o ignorance_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o can_v lock_v that_o up_o from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n now_o if_o they_o may_v not_o be_v trust_v with_o those_o sacred_a record_n so_o as_o to_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o term_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o pardon_n of_o sin_n and_o salvation_n it_o be_v then_o but_o reasonable_a that_o the_o priest_n shall_v judge_v for_o they_o and_o that_o they_o await_v their_o doom_n from_o his_o mouth_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o in_o a_o protestant_a church_n where_o the_o whole_a religion_n be_v in_o the_o mother_n tongue_n the_o old_a and_o especial_o the_o new_a testament_n constant_o and_o conscientious_o expound_v and_o the_o people_n allow_v to_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o see_v whither_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o no_o i_o see_v not_o i_o say_v why_o in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o priest_n may_v not_o in_o great_a measure_n be_v excuse_v the_o trouble_n of_o attend_v secret_a confession_n without_o danger_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n but_o beside_o
here_o undertake_v to_o make_v good_a which_o be_v account_v a_o difficult_a province_n but_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v relieve_v we_o in_o that_o particular_a by_o sound_v the_o institution_n express_o upon_o that_o one_o passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n joh._n 20._o 2z_n so_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o examine_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o scripture_n to_o discover_v what_o footstep_n of_o divine_a institution_n may_v be_v find_v here_o or_o there_o for_o the_o council_n whole_o insist_o and_o rely_v upon_o that_o text_n of_o st._n john_n and_o therefore_o if_o that_o fail_v they_o the_o whole_a hypothesis_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n now_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o let_v we_o lay_v the_o word_n before_o we_o and_o they_o be_v these_o he_o breathe_v on_o they_o and_o say_v receive_v you_o the_o holy_a ghost_n whosesoever_o sin_n you_o remit_v they_o be_v remit_v unto_o they_o and_o whosesoever_o sin_n you_o retain_v they_o be_v retain_v here_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n that_o have_v eye_n in_o his_o head_n or_o ear_n to_o hear_v whither_o in_o this_o text_n there_o be_v any_o one_o word_n of_o auricular_a confession_n or_o much_o less_o of_o such_o a_o circumstantiated_a one_o as_o they_o require_v and_o this_o be_v so_o manifest_a and_o notorious_a that_o their_o own_o ancient_a canonist_n and_o several_a of_o their_o learned_a divine_n be_v ashamed_a of_o the_o pretence_n of_o divine_a institution_n found_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o passage_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o be_v content_a to_o defend_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o this_o particular_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o general_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o shall_v come_v to_o examine_v by_o and_o by_o in_o its_o due_a place_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o can_v choose_v but_o admire_v the_o mighty_a faith_n of_o a_o romanist_n who_o can_v believe_v in_o spite_n of_o his_o own_o eye_n it_o seem_v to_o we_o a_o unsuperable_a difficulty_n heretofore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o persuade_v himself_o that_o in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n bread_n be_v transubstantiate_v into_o flesh_n because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o express_a testimony_n of_o sense_n yea_o although_o for_o that_o there_o be_v the_o countenance_n of_o five_o figurative_a but_o mistake_v word_n to_o support_v the_o credulity_n but_o this_o of_o the_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n clear_o out_o do_v it_o for_o here_o a_o man_n must_v believe_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v when_o as_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o word_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n or_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n how_o many_o sacrament_n may_v not_o such_o man_n have_v if_o they_o please_v what_o voluminous_a creed_n may_v not_o they_o swallow_v and_o digest_v what_o mountain_n may_v not_o such_o a_o wonderful_a faith_n remove_v but_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o perhaps_o in_o the_o first_o place_n they_o will_v plead_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o have_v peremptory_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o purpose_n aforesaid_a indeed_o that_o council_n in_o the_o three_o canon_n of_o their_o fourteen_o session_n do_v damn_v all_o those_o who_o deny_v that_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o auricular_a confession_n be_v prescribe_v in_o that_o text_n of_o st._n john_n or_o who_o apply_v it_o to_o any_o other_o purpose_n but_o in_o so_o do_v they_o both_o usurp_v a_o prerogative_n which_o be_v never_o pretend_v to_o or_o practise_v by_o any_o council_n before_o they_o and_o withal_o they_o betray_v a_o consciousness_n that_o the_o text_n itself_o yield_v no_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o design_v to_o countenance_n by_o it_o for_o what_o council_n ever_o till_o now_o bring_v a_o text_n and_o then_o impose_v a_o interpretation_n upon_o it_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n and_o then_o back_v that_o interpretation_n with_o a_o anathema_n if_o the_o text_n be_v plain_a or_o can_v be_v make_v so_o why_o be_v not_o that_o do_v and_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o that_o can_v be_v do_v by_o other_o mean_n the_o curse_n will_v not_o do_v it_o at_o least_o to_o any_o but_o very_o obedient_a roman_a conscience_n beside_o if_o this_o course_n be_v allow_v i_o see_v not_o but_o a_o council_n may_v bring_v in_o what_o religion_n they_o please_v have_v first_o make_v a_o nose_n of_o wax_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o then_o writhe_v it_o into_o what_o shape_n they_o best_a fancy_n for_o in_o such_o a_o case_n if_o the_o word_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o favour_v i_o i_o can_v govern_v the_o sense_n and_o if_o the_o letter_n be_v silent_a or_o intractable_a i_o can_v help_v that_o with_o a_o interpretation_n and_o if_o i_o have_v authority_n or_o confidence_n enough_o to_o impose_v that_o under_o the_o peril_n of_o anathema_n i_o be_o no_o long_o a_o interpreter_n or_o a_o judge_n but_o a_o lawgiver_n and_o need_v not_o trouble_v myself_o with_o scriptum_n est_fw-la but_o may_v if_o i_o will_v speak_v plain_a say_v decretum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o the_o business_n be_v do_v but_o if_o neither_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n nor_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o council_n will_v do_v in_o this_o case_n then_o in_o the_o second_o place_n they_o think_v they_o have_v at_o least_o some_o colour_n of_o reason_n to_o relieve_v they_o and_o if_o they_o can_v find_v auricular_a confession_n in_o the_o text_n yet_o they_o will_v by_o consequence_n infer_v it_o thence_o for_o they_o say_v although_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o here_o express_o mention_v yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o text_n before_o we_o institute_v a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n and_o therefore_o auricular_a confession_n must_v necessary_o be_v imply_v because_o absolution_n can_v be_v without_o confession_n here_o the_o reader_n will_v observe_v that_o the_o point_n in_o question_n between_o we_o be_v very_o much_o alter_v for_o we_o be_v now_o fall_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o auricular_a confession_n in_o particular_a to_o that_o of_o a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n in_o general_n i._n e._n from_o direct_a proof_n to_o a_o subintelligitur_fw-la but_o we_o will_v follow_v they_o hither_o also_o and_o for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o matter_n we_o will_v brief_o consider_v these_o three_o thing_n 1._o whither_o that_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o depend_v on_o a_o inference_n and_o be_v prove_v only_o by_o a_o innuendo_fw-la 2._o whither_o it_o can_v be_v reasonable_a to_o assert_v that_o our_o saviour_n there_o institute_n a_o sacrament_n of_o penance_n where_o not_o only_o auricular_a confession_n but_o the_o whole_a matter_n of_o such_o a_o sacrament_n be_v leave_v undefined_a 3._o whither_o if_o our_o saviour_n have_v do_v that_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o have_v not_o that_o be_v have_v here_o institute_v and_o appoint_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v require_v as_o the_o material_a part_n of_o penance_n yet_o this_o can_v have_v be_v a_o sacrament_n 1._o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o we_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o consider_v the_o force_n and_o signification_n of_o this_o word_n institution_n now_o that_o in_o the_o common_a use_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o those_o which_o speak_v distinct_o and_o understand_o imply_v a_o set_n up_o de_fw-la novo_fw-la or_o the_o appoint_v that_o to_o become_v a_o duty_n which_o be_v not_o knowable_a or_o at_o least_o not_o know_v to_o be_v so_o before_o it_o become_v so_o appoint_v for_o this_o word_n institution_n be_v that_o which_o we_o use_v to_o express_v a_o positive_a command_n by_o in_o opposition_n to_o that_o which_o be_v moral_a in_o the_o strict_a sense_n and_o of_o natural_a obligation_n now_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v appoint_v very_o plain_o and_o express_o or_o else_o they_o can_v carry_v no_o obligation_n with_o they_o for_o see_v the_o whole_a reason_n of_o their_o become_a matter_n of_o law_n or_o duty_n lie_v in_o the_o will_n of_o the_o legislator_n if_o that_o be_v not_o plain_o discover_v they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v institute_v and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o obligation_n to_o observe_v they_o because_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o can_v be_v no_o transgression_n and_o a_o law_n be_v no_o law_n in_o effect_n which_o be_v not_o sufficient_o promulge_v be_v it_o not_o therefore_o a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o institution_n by_o implication_n only_o and_o yet_o at_o the_o 2._o sess_n 14._o c._n 2._o same_o