Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	faith_n	salvation_n	2,257	5	6.5868	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66982	The fall of Babylon, or, Seasonable reflections on the novelties of Rome with the rise, growth, and final overthrow of Antichrist now at hand, occasioned by the preface to a treatise called Nubes testium, or, A collection of primitive fathers giving testimony to the faith once delivered to the saints, being (as the author stileth it) a full discovery of the sentiments of the ancient fathers in the chief points of controversy at present under debate : written upon the first coming forth of the said treatise (but not permitted to be then made publick) for the benefit of all who abominate the corruptions of the great whore and would not be partakers of her sins of plagues / by B.W.	Woodroffe, Benjamin, 1638-1711.	1690 (1690)	Wing W3467; ESTC R27594	163,329	256

old and clouted Shooes of old Garments and dry and mouldy Bread Joshua 9. 4 5. whereby 't is easie to make out the Allusion those for whom he writes are so much concern'd to hide all their Cheats will be but a poor proof of their coming from a far Country let me so express the remote and distant Ages of the Church unless they bring with them what the Gibeonites did not Truth and Sincerity For is there not some Standard by which Antiquity it self must be tryed For however error can never be quid primum yet it may be quid antiquum we know it is as ancient as the Fall of Man Nay more than that as the Fall of Lucifer So that the pretence of Antiquity alone were all granted which is brought for such would not be sufficient to establish matters in Debate unless what is urged as antiquum or what is ancient be proved likewise to be primum or first i. e. to be the same with that Truth which obtain'd before the Ancients either glossed on or witnessed to it which whither it be or no will appear by that time we shall have reflected on the Preface To begin therefore where the Author doth viz. That Novelty in Faith is so great a scandal to any that lay claim to the Truth of Christianity that wheresoever it is effectually proved there all pretences immediately fall to the ground and there can be no Truth in that Society beside the noise of it and the Name I am very ready to grant and shall only consider that we may come plainly to the matter in Debate these two things 1. What Novelty in Faith is 2. Whether the Collection of the Primitive Fathers giving Testimony to the Faith once delivered to the Saints as 't is here pretended will justifie those the Author pleads for from Novelty CHAP. I. What Novelty in Faith is 1. NOvelty in Faith is whatsoever is brought in how early soever it be contrary to the Rule of Faith as once delivered to the Saints i. e. to the Holy Church as then Establisht in its Purity and Perfection by Christ and his Apostles For that is what must be understood by that Phrase as 't is found Jude v. 3. it being the greatest absurdity to imagine that the Apostle should speak as he there doth of his giving all diligence to write unto them that were Sanctified of the common Salvation or exhort them earnestly to contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints if the necessary Principles of that Salvation had not been already made common sufficiently given forth and publisht or the Faith it self not fully delivered for which they were so earnestly to contend I am sure St. Paul thought so when he exhorted Timothy 2 Tim. 1. 13. to hold fast the form of sound words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the model or delineation the short prescript and certain Rule of wholsome Doctrine he had heard of him and more at large in the third Chapter of the same Epistle v. 14 15 16 17. required him to continue in the things which he had learned and been assured of knowing of whom he had learned them and that from a Child be had known the holy Scriptures which were able to make him wise to Salvation through Faith which is in Jesus Christ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnisht unto all good Works And St. Peter prefers its Evidence before any Collection of Testimonies whatsoever for he prefers the Evidence of the written Word before a voice from Heaven 2 Pet. 1. 19. For we have a more sure Word of Prophesie whereunto you do well that you take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your hearts knowing this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation for the Prophesie came not at any time by the Will of Man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost To these we may add St. John speaking of it As what they i. e. the Christians had heard from the beginning 1 Joh. 2. 24. What was the word of life 1 Joh. 1. 1. what was theTruth 1 Joh. 1. 8. But we have a better Witness than all these even our Lord himself promising his Apostles before he left them that the Spirit of Truth should guide them into all Truth John 16. 13. i. e. as himself enlarges it chap. 14. 26. should teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance whatsoever he had said unto them And as it is in that forecited Joh. 16. 13. should shew them things to come which what was it but to assure them that whatsoever was needful to be known either of the Precepts or Mysteries of the Gospel whatsoever for the comfort of the Church was needful to be foretold should be th●rowly reveal'd to them Nothing that was matter either of Faith or Practice should be left to uncertainties the Spirit which was to come down in so miraculous a manner as he did on the Apostles on the day of Pentecost would declare to them the wholewill of God would not leave them as Orphans without sufficient instructions in the Gospel they were to Preach without comfort and assistance in those things they were to suffer as Martyrs for it And was not this effectually wrought by him For 1. What are the Gospels but the things that Christ did and taught brought to their Remembrance 2. What the Epistles written by St. Paul and others of the Apostles but the teaching them all things fully informing them and by them the Church in all matters of Faith and good Life which were less clearly laid down in the Gospels 3. What the Revelation of St. John with those other Predictions scattered abroad in the Writings of the other Apostles but the shewing them things to come And if so If there were so full a discovery of Truth made to the Apostles that all that our Lord promised herein was actually made good to them whilst in their Ministry here on Earth and by them to the Church which is and can be built only upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner Stone Ephes 2. 20. If not only St. Peter 2 Epist 3. 2. makes this the whole of the Christian to be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets and of the Commandment of them the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour But St. Jude himself from whom the Author takes the Argument of his Collection as 't is to give Testimony to the Faith once delivered to the Saints v. 17. gives this as his weighty Caution that they should remember the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ 't will leave it beyond all doubt

what 't is we are to understand by Novelty in Faith viz. Whatsoever hath at any time since the Delivery of the Gospel and Sealing the Canon of Scripture for 't is that as hath been shew'd which must contain the Faith once delivered to the Saints been broacht contrary to the sound Doctrine therein contain'd For 't is not a Day or a Year or an Age or indeed ever so many Ages make the difference that 's as much a Novelty in Faith which any way tended to the corrupting of it in the Apostles days as what hath ever since tended to the same be it 15 Ages after or in any Age whatever the World hath to continue The Mystery of Inquity which did then already work when St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians 2 Epist 2. 7. was a Novelty in Faith as well as when in all the degrees of it it should be finisht in the time of Anti-christ And it is but the same Novelty continued and improved by the Devil and his Instruments that hath in every Age set up it self against God v. 4. i. e. How different soever the ways have been which it hath wrought How various soever and multiform the Errors which have been levelled against Truth all are but the several Heads of the same Hydra the same Monster multiplying and increasing against all the Endeavours of those who have at any time set themselves to resist the Innovation i. e. To contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints Which being observed with respect to the stating what Novelty in Faith is 't is to be enquired in the second place 2. Whether the Collection of the Primitive Fathers giving Testimony to the Faith once delivered to the Saints as 't is here pretended will justifie that Society the Author pleads for from Novelty Now this will farther branch it self into a twofold Enquiry viz. 1. How far the Authority of the Fathers simply consider'd ought to obtain in Matters of Faith And 2. How far allowing the utmost that can be to their Authority 't will be for their Service whom they are here brought to countenance CHAP. II. How far the Authority of the Fathers simply consider'd ought to obtain in Matters of Faith 1. AS to the Authority of the Fathers simply considered there 's nothing more certain than that that can obtain no farther than what they speak is agreeable to the Faith they are brought to attest For 't is not to make Faith or to add to the Articles of it that they are produc'd 't is only to witness to what was once delivered and if they Speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. And if so 't will be of little moment on whose side they speak I say not this to discredit those great names which have so long been renown'd in the World let them have all that is due to men of that Exemplary Piety and Abilities they were of but let them have no more No more then themselves ever pretended to or what in the reason of the thing can belong to them As for the purpose Can we imagine that they ever pretended or that in Reason their attesting ought should alter the nature of what they are brought to attest In the particular matter in debate will their asserting it make that to be Truth which before was Error Will their asserting that the Invocation of Saints in Heaven is profitable and convenient That there 's a respect and Veneration due to their Relicts Will their asserting that praying for the Souls departed is advantageous to them and was the practice of the Primitive Church Will their asserting that in the blessed Sacrament is contain'd the true real substantial Body of Christ the substance of the Bread and Wine being converted into the true substance of Christ's Body and Blood make all these things to be sound and Orthodox if in the mean time from the Letter of Scripture and the Analogy of Faith therein contain'd it shall be made to appear that most of these things are highly Superstitious if not Idolatrous Or to join Issue on so much of the other heads as can concern the points of Controversie at present under Debate if at all it doth concern them Will their asserting that Christ built his Church upon Peter c. If that were to the ends they pretend advance Him or his Successors to any higher Title or Dignity than Christ himself gave him in his Gospel Will their asserting that Traditions are to be received c. though all brought under that head no way reaches the present Controversie about Traditions Will their asserting lastly that the making the sign of the Cross the keeping Images of Christ and his Saints was the practice of the Primitive Church be a Reason either why Traditions should be of equal Authority with the Scripture or the sign of the Cross or Images should have Divine Honour paid to them For otherwise they come not up to what is at present under Debate Though had they said all this for I am contented he make the best of his Argument what is this or whatever else they would have the Fathers speak for them if at the same time they speak against themselves i. e. against what they have deliver'd directly contrary to it in any other of their writings And what is much more against Christ i. e. either against the direct Rule of Scripture or the purity of that Religion themselves so Zealously professed This as to the first viz. How far the Authority of the Fathers simply consider'd ought to obtain in matters of Faith and that can be no farther than they speak agreeably to that Faith they are brought to attest neither they nor any men as St. Paul gives the Rule 1 Cor. 11. 1. being to be any farther followed than they are the Followers of Christ The Author indeed suggests other Topicks from whence their Authority may be lessen'd Pref. p. 3. in these words 'T is true it cannot be denied but many things in the Ancient Fathers are Obscure their Names have been prefixt to Books of which they were never the Authors Additions have been made to some of their Writings besides the divers mistakes of Transcribers in the Publishing their Works To which I might add which alone is more than all this that Horrible abuse of the Indices Expurgatorii by which so many Additions Defalcations and alterations of all sorts have been made in them But this he hopes to blow away at a Breath by telling us that all this and more the greater their shame who have contributed to it and whither they in whose Defence he writes have not let Sixtus Quintus and Clemens Octavus their Editions of the Bible bear witness may be with Truth affirm'd of the sacred Volume of the Bible whose Authority notwithstanding stands firm and unshaken and in spite of all such like Objections is the pure Fountain of Life But the Comparison will very

of Ministers with the people subject in place and time in the Truth by the Ministry i. e. in the Truth mention'd above leading establishing and preserving in a faithful and frequent assembling together tending to Faith and good life according to the Customs and Obedience and diligent continuing in the practice and usage of the Lord over his Flock The duty of good Pastors The things which the Ministers are obliged to for the service of the people are these The Word of the Gospel the Sacraments join'd to the Word which certifie what hath been the intention and understanding and confirm the faithful in hope in Christ and the Ministerial Communion in all things according to Essential Truth And if there be any other Ministerial things they may all be referred to these above but of these particular Truths some are essentially necessary to the Salvation of men others conditionally are contain'd in the 12 Articles of Faith and in many of the discourses of the Apostles For Antichrist hath already reign'd in the Church in time past by the Divine permission A summary of the Errors and Impurities of Antichrist 1. Idolatries and superstitions of several sorts The Errors and Impurities of Antichrist forbidden by the Lord are these viz. Divers and innumerable Idolatries against the Commandment of God and Christ Worship given to the Creature and not to the Creator visible and invisible corporal or spiritual intelligible or sensible natural or fram'd by any Art under the Name of Christ or Saints of both Sexes and Relicks and Authorities which Creature is Worship'd by Faith Hope Works Prayers Pilgrimages Alms Offerings costly Sacrifices Which Creature they Worship Adore Honour in many manners by Hymns Speeches Solemnizings and Celebrations of Mass of Vespers bowing to the same Creatures by Hours Vigils Feasts by Acquisition of Grace which is essentially in one only God and meritoriously in Jesus Christ and is acquired by Faith alone and the holy Spirit The first cause of such superstitions For there is no other cause of Idolatry but a false Opinion of Grace of Truth of Authority of Invocation of Intercession which this Antichrist hath taken away from God to attribute it to Ceremonies and the Works of his Hands and to Saints and Purgatory And this Iniquity of Antichrist is directly against the first Article of Faith and against the first Commandment of the Law The second cause In like manner an Inordinate love of the World which is in Antichrist and that is it from whence sprung all the evils and sins that are in the Church in those who are the Guides to govern her and her Officers who sin without any restraint these are against the Truth of the Faith and against the knowledge of God the Father as St. John Witnesses He that sins neither knows nor hath seen God for if any one love the World the love of the Father is not in him The second Iniquity of Antichrist is trusting in the Creatures The second Iniquity of Antichrist lies in the hope which he gives of Pardon of Grace of Righteousness of Truth and of Life Eternal as being what are not in Christ nor in God by Christ but in men living or dead in Authorities in Ecclesiastical Ceremonies in Benedictions in Sacrifices in Prayers and in the other things above mention'd and not in true Faith which produces repentance by Charity and makes men to depart from evil and brings them to do good So that Antichrist teaches not firmly to trust on such things as Regeneration Spiritual Confirmation or Communion Remission of Sins and everlasting Sanctification but to trust in the Sacraments or in his base Simony by which the people is deluded so that selling all things he hath invented many Ordinances old and new to get Money suffering if any one hath done this or that hereby to obtain Grace and Life And this double Iniquity is properly called in the Scriptures Adultery or Whoredom and therefore those Ministers who lead the brutal People in these Errors are called the Whore in the Revelation And this Iniquity is against the second Article and also against the second and third Commandment of the Law The third Iniquity of Antichrist is the Establishing the merit of Works The third Iniquity of Antichrist lies in this That he hath invented besides what hath been already said false Religions and Rules and Monasteries giving hopes of obtaining Grace by building of certain Churches As also in this viz. If any one often and devoutly hears Mass if he hath partaken of the Sacraments if he hath been at Confession things that rarely shew men to be contrite or if they have satisfied by Fastings and emptying the Purse or if they have been or are Members of the Romish Church Or whether they have not devoted themselves already or vowed to be of any Order either to take the Cap or Monks Hood which they affirm against all Truth that they are obliged to And this Iniquity of Antichrist is directly against the 8th Article of the Creed I believe in the Holy Ghost The fourth Iniquity of Antichrist is covering all with specious titles The fourth Iniquity of Antichrist lies in this That as he is the fourth Beast before described by Daniel and the Apocalyptick Whore he covers himself nevertheless with the Authority Power Dignity of Ministers Officers and Scriptures and equals and compares himself to the true and holy Mother Church wherein Salvation Ministerially is and no where else wherein is Truth of Life and of Doctrine and of the Sacraments For if he should not cover both himself and his wicked Ministers these being known to be open sinners he would be abandon'd by all For Emperors and Kings and Princes looking upon him to be the true and holy Mother Church have loved and endowed him contrary to the Commandment of God And this Iniquity of Ministers and those subject to him who are thus upheld in error and sin is directly against the 9th Article I believe the Holy Church This as to what respects the first part Of Unction and the Superstitious Shaving of Priests and Monks Secondly for as much as they who partake only of the outward Ceremonies ordain'd by humane Inventions believe and hope to partake of the Truth of the Pastoral Offices and Cures provided that they be shorn like Lambs and Anointed and blessed by touching the Book and Calice with the hand they profess to be ordain'd as Priests ought In like manner as is above said the people who are under them communicating by the words signs and outward Exercises and their diverse Actions think they partake of the Truth drawn out from them And this is against another part of the 9th Article I believe the Communion of Saints Wherefore it 's necessary to depart from the wicked Communion of Monks by whom Carnal men are drawn in they through their Avarice making them trust in such vain things so that though they be Luxurious or Covetous yet if they do but give to them