according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o a_o legitimate_a disputation_n to_o allege_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o any_o point_n in_o debate_n any_o other_o principle_n than_o what_o they_o do_v allow_v of_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o attribute_v to_o the_o father_n nothing_o less_o than_o such_o a_o authority_n for_o in_o the_o confess_v of_o faith_n they_o declare_v 4._o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o that_o they_o hold_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o as_o for_o all_o other_o ecclesiastical_a write_n although_o they_o account_v they_o to_o be_v useful_a yet_o nevertheless_o do_v they_o not_o conceive_v that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o build_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o they_o and_o indeed_o see_v that_o they_o believe_v as_o the_o tell_v you_o immediate_o after_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a both_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n they_o have_v no_o need_n of_o any_o other_o judge_n and_o shall_v in_o vain_a have_v recourse_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n the_o authority_n whereof_o how_o great_a soever_o it_o be_v be_v still_o much_o less_o both_o in_o itself_o and_o also_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o than_o that_o of_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o next_o place_n they_o serious_o profess_v that_o their_o intent_n be_v to_o reform_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n according_a to_o this_o rule_n and_o to_o retain_v firm_o what_o article_n of_o faith_n soever_o be_v therein_o deliver_v and_o to_o reject_v constant_o all_o those_o that_o be_v not_o there_o find_v lay_v down_o how_o high_a and_o eminent_a soever_o the_o authority_n be_v that_o shall_v rescind_v the_o one_o or_o establish_v the_o other_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o men._n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a say_v they_o for_o man_n nor_o yet_o for_o the_o angel_n themselves_o either_o to_o add_v to_o or_o to_o diminish_v from_o or_o to_o alter_v it_o neither_o may_v antiquity_n nor_o custom_n nor_o multitude_n nor_o judgement_n nor_o humane_a wisdom_n nor_o definitive_a sentence_n nor_o edict_n nor_o decree_n nor_o council_n nor_o vision_n nor_o miracle_n be_v bring_v in_o opposition_n to_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a rather_o all_o other_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v examine_v regulate_v and_o reform_v by_o it_o these_o be_v their_o own_o word_n if_o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o depart_v from_o this_o their_o belief_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o key_n of_o their_o whole_a reformation_n they_o can_v receive_v the_o father_n who_o live_v in_o the_o second_o third_z and_o four_o and_o so_o in_o the_o follow_a century_n as_o judge_n nor_o yet_o absolute_o and_o simple_o as_o witness_n in_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o they_o all_o hold_v that_o that_o pure_a simple_a and_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v and_o preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n at_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o deliver_v over_o unto_o we_o by_o themselves_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v by_o little_a and_o little_o alter_v and_o corrupt_v time_n which_o change_v all_o thing_n continual_o mix_v among_o it_o some_o corruption_n or_o other_o sometime_o a_o jewish_a or_o a_o heathenish_a opinion_n and_o sometime_o again_o some_o nice_a observation_n otherwhiles_o some_o superstitious_a ceremony_n or_o other_o whilst_o one_o building_n upon_o the_o foundation_n with_o stubble_n another_o with_o hay_o a_o three_o with_o wood_n the_o body_n seem_v at_o length_n by_o little_a and_o little_a to_o have_v become_v quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o ancient_o be_v we_o have_v in_o stead_n of_o a_o palace_n of_o gold_n and_o of_o silver_n a_o house_n build_v up_o of_o plaster_n stone_n wood_n and_o mud_n and_o the_o like_a pitiful_a stuff_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v they_o as_o we_o see_v that_o brook_n of_o water_n the_o far_a distant_a they_o be_v from_o their_o spring_n the_o more_o filth_n they_o contract_v and_o the_o more_o do_v their_o water_n lose_v of_o its_o first_o purity_n and_o as_o a_o man_n the_o more_o he_o grow_v in_o year_n the_o more_o do_v that_o native_a simplicity_n which_o appear_v in_o he_o in_o his_o infancy_n decay_n his_o body_n and_o his_o mind_n be_v change_v and_o he_o be_v so_o much_o alter_v by_o little_a and_o little_a through_o study_n art_n and_o cunning_a that_o at_o length_n he_o seem_v to_o be_v clean_o another_o man_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v they_o have_v it_o â—ared_v with_o christianity_n and_o here_o they_o present_o urge_v that_o notable_a passage_n out_o of_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o great_a fall_v away_o which_o then_o in_o his_o time_n begin_v already_o to_o work_v secret_o and_o insensible_o but_o be_v not_o to_o break_v forth_o till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o as_o you_o see_v it_o be_v in_o all_o great_a thing_n whether_o in_o nature_n or_o in_o the_o affair_n and_o occurrence_n that_o happen_v to_o mankind_n which_o be_v all_o conceive_a and_o hatch_v slow_o and_o by_o degree_n and_o be_v sometime_o a_o whole_a age_n before_o they_o be_v bring_v forth_o now_o according_a to_o this_o hypothesis_n which_o as_o i_o conceive_v be_v equal_o common_a to_o we_o of_o france_n and_o all_o other_o protestant_n whatsoever_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n must_v necessary_o have_v suffer_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o second_o age_n of_o christianity_n by_o admit_v the_o mixture_n of_o some_o new_a matter_n into_o its_o belief_n and_o policy_n and_o so_o likewise_o in_o the_o three_o age_n some_o other_o corruption_n must_v necessary_o have_v get_v in_o and_o so_o in_o the_o four_o five_o and_o the_o rest_n that_o follow_v the_o christian_a religion_n continual_o lose_v something_o of_o its_o original_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n still_o contract_v all_o along_o some_o new_a impurity_n till_o at_o length_n it_o come_v to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o corruption_n in_o which_o condition_n they_o say_v they_o find_v it_o and_o have_v now_o at_o last_o by_o the_o guidance_n of_o the_o scripture_n restore_v it_o to_o the_o selfsame_a state_n wherein_o it_o be_v at_o the_o beginning_n and_o have_v as_o it_o be_v fix_v it_o again_o upon_o its_o true_a and_o proper_a hinge_v from_o whence_o partly_o by_o the_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o by_o the_o fraud_n of_o man_n during_o the_o space_n of_o so_o many_o age_n together_o it_o have_v by_o little_a and_o little_o be_v remove_v this_o therefore_o be_v their_o opinion_n they_o can_v admit_v of_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o their_o doctrine_n the_o write_n of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n who_o live_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n down_o to_o we_o without_o betray_v and_o contradict_v themselves_o for_o according_a to_o what_o they_o maintain_v touch_v the_o progress_n of_o corruption_n in_o religion_n there_o have_v be_v some_o alteration_n in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n both_o in_o the_o second_o third_z and_o all_o the_o follow_a age_n and_o then_o again_o according_a to_o what_o they_o conceive_v and_o believe_v of_o their_o own_o reformation_n their_o doctrine_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n as_o be_v take_v immediate_o out_o of_o their_o book_n if_o therefore_o they_o shall_v examine_v it_o by_o what_o the_o father_n of_o the_o second_o century_n believe_v there_o must_v necessary_o be_v something_o find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n which_o be_v not_o in_o they_o and_o the_o difference_n will_v be_v much_o great_a if_o the_o comparison_n be_v make_v betwixt_o it_o and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o three_o four_o and_o the_o follow_a age_n in_o all_o which_o according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n the_o corruption_n have_v continual_o increase_v for_o if_o their_o doctrine_n be_v in_o every_o respect_n conformable_a to_o each_o other_o and_o have_v in_o they_o neither_o more_o nor_o less_o the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o there_o must_v necessary_o then_o follow_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n namely_o that_o either_o this_o corruption_n which_o they_o presuppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o belief_n and_o polity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o that_o secret_a which_o work_v in_o s._n paul_n time_n or_o else_o that_o their_o reformation_n be_v not_o the_o pure_a and_o simple_a doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o member_n of_o which_o division_n be_v contradictory_n to_o those_o two_o position_n which_o as_o we_o have_v say_v they_o all_o of_o they_o unanimous_o maintain_v so_o that_o to_o avoid_v this_o contradiction_n it_o concern_v they_o constant_o to_o persevere_v in_o that_o which_o they_o profess_v be_v their_o belief_n in_o their_o confession_n of_o faith_n to_o wit_n that_o there_o be_v no_o ecclesiastical_a write_n whatsoever_o that_o be_v of_o so_o sufficient_a authority_n as_o
that_o a_o man_n may_v safe_o build_v upon_o they_o and_o make_v they_o the_o judge_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o they_o all_o agree_v upon_o as_o far_o as_o i_o have_v either_o read_v or_o know_v as_o any_o man_n may_v see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o calvin_n bucer_n melancthon_n luther_n beza_n and_o the_o rest_n who_o all_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o admit_v not_o of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n as_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n whereon_o to_o build_v any_o article_n of_o their_o belief_n it_o be_v true_a i_o confess_v that_o some_o of_o their_o first_o author_n as_o namely_o bucer_n peter_n martyr_n and_o j._n jewel_n bishop_n of_o salisbury_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n all_o the_o late_a writer_n also_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n but_o if_o you_o but_o mark_v it_o it_o be_v only_o by_o way_n of_o confutation_n and_o not_o of_o establish_v any_o thing_n they_o do_v it_o only_o to_o overthrow_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o not_o to_o strengthen_v their_o own_o for_o though_o they_o hold_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o so_o pure_a as_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o do_v they_o withal_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v much_o pure_a than_o that_o which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n teach_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n have_v continual_o decay_v and_o the_o impurity_n of_o it_o increase_v in_o such_o sort_n as_o that_o the_o further_o they_o be_v remove_v from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o near_o they_o approach_v as_o they_o say_v towards_o the_o aforementioned_a fall_v away_o speak_v of_o by_o s._n paul_n although_o the_o protestant_n therefore_o allow_v the_o scripture_n only_o for_o the_o true_a foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n yet_o notwithstanding_o do_v they_o account_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n to_o be_v necessary_a also_o and_o of_o good_a use_n unto_o they_o first_o of_o all_o in_o the_o prove_v this_o decay_n which_o they_o say_v have_v happen_v in_o christianity_n and_o second_o for_o the_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o opinion_n which_o their_o adversary_n now_o maintain_v be_v not_o in_o those_o day_n bring_v into_o any_o form_n but_o be_v as_o yet_o only_o in_o their_o seed_n as_o for_o example_n transubstantiation_n be_v not_o as_o yet_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n notwithstanding_o that_o long_a ago_o they_o do_v innocent_o and_o not_o foresee_v what_o the_o issue_n may_v prove_v to_o be_v believe_v some_o certain_a thing_n out_o of_o which_o be_v afterward_o lick_v over_o by_o pass_v through_o divers_a several_a language_n transubstantiation_n be_v at_o length_n make_v up_o so_o likewise_o the_o supremacy_n of_o the_o pope_n have_v at_o that_o time_n no_o place_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o man_n although_o those_o small_a thread_n and_o root-string_n from_o whence_o this_o vast_a and_o wonderful_a power_n first_o spring_v long_o since_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o other_o point_n which_o the_o protestant_n will_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n receive_v and_o that_o this_o be_v their_o resolution_n and_o sense_n appear_v evident_o by_o those_o many_o book_n which_o they_o have_v write_v upon_o this_o subject_a wherein_o they_o show_v historical_o the_o whole_a progress_n of_o this_o decay_n in_o christianity_n as_o well_o in_o its_o faith_n as_o in_o its_o polity_n and_o discipline_n and_o true_o this_o their_o design_n seem_v to_o be_v very_o sufficient_a and_o satisfactory_a for_o see_v that_o they_o propose_v nothing_o positive_o and_o as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o may_v not_o easy_o and_o plain_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n they_o have_v no_o need_n to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o other_o principle_n for_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n furthermore_o see_v that_o those_o positive_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o believe_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o of_o they_o receive_v and_o confess_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o we_o have_v say_v before_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o this_o treatise_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o trouble_v a_o man_n self_n to_o prove_v the_o same_o those_o thing_n which_o both_o party_n be_v agree_v upon_o be_v never_o to_o be_v prove_v but_o be_v always_o presuppose_v in_o all_o disputation_n yet_o notwithstanding_o if_o any_o one_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o be_v inform_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o father_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o say_a article_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n for_o they_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o also_o believe_v all_o of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o themselves_o as_o for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n a_o christ_n a_o salvation_n a_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n a_o sacrament_n of_o the_o eucharist_n and_o the_o like_a truth_n the_o great_a part_n whereof_o we_o have_v former_o set_v down_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o as_o for_o those_o other_o article_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o the_o world_n beside_o all_o these_o by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v the_o argument_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v they_o and_o to_o make_v it_o by_o this_o mean_n appear_v that_o they_o have_v not_o any_o sure_a ground_n at_o all_o and_o consequent_o neither_o may_v nor_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n and_o this_o be_v the_o use_n that_o the_o protestant_n make_v of_o the_o father_n evident_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n out_o of_o they_o that_o they_o do_v not_o hold_v the_o say_a article_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v at_o this_o day_n so_o that_o their_o allege_v of_o the_o father_n to_o this_o purpose_n only_o and_o indeed_o their_o whole_a practice_n in_o these_o dispute_n declare_v evident_o enough_o that_o they_o conceive_v not_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o be_v so_o perfect_o and_o exact_o conformable_a to_o that_o of_o antiquity_n especial_o of_o the_o four_o or_o five_o first_o age_n which_o accord_v very_o well_o with_o their_o hypothesis_n touch_v the_o corruption_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n but_o yet_o no_o man_n may_v conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v allow_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n as_o a_o sufficient_a foundation_n to_o ground_n any_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o for_o this_o be_v repugnant_a both_o to_o their_o doctrine_n and_o to_o the_o protestation_n which_o they_o upon_o all_o occasion_n make_v express_o to_o the_o contrary_n so_o that_o i_o can_v but_o extreme_o wonder_v at_o the_o proceed_v of_o some_o of_o our_o modern_a author_n who_o in_o their_o disputation_n with_o the_o protestant_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n by_o testimony_n bring_v out_o of_o the_o father_n whereas_o the_o protestant_n never_o go_v about_o to_o make_v good_a their_o own_o opinion_n but_o only_o to_o overthrow_v those_o of_o their_o adversary_n by_o urge_v the_o father_n testimony_n for_o see_v that_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n maintain_v that_o the_o church_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v possible_o err_v in_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o its_o belief_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n have_v always_o be_v the_o same_o that_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o protestant_n to_o show_v by_o compare_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n with_o that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n betwixt_o they_o neither_o do_v this_o in_o any_o wise_a bind_v they_o to_o believe_v throughout_o whatsoever_o the_o father_n believe_v it_o be_v evident_a according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n that_o there_o may_v have_v some_o error_n creep_v into_o their_o belief_n though_o certain_o not_o such_o nor_o so_o gross_a one_o as_o have_v be_v since_o entertain_v by_o the_o church_n in_o the_o age_n succeed_v we_o shall_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o protestant_n acknowledge_v not_o neither_o in_o the_o father_n nor_o in_o their_o write_n any_o so_o absolute_a authority_n as_o render_v they_o capable_a of_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o as_o our_o supreme_a judge_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o such_o from_o who_o no_o appeal_n can_v be_v make_v whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o although_o the_o father_n may_v real_o perhaps_o have_v such_o a_o authority_n yet_o notwithstanding_o can_v not_o their_o definitive_a sentence_n put_v a_o end_n to_o any_o of_o our_o controversy_n and_o therefore_o it_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o have_v
invention_n be_v ashamed_a to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o any_o long_o and_o to_o say_v truth_n that_o which_o these_o man_n answer_v by_o way_n of_o excuse_v the_o say_a pope_n be_v not_o any_o whit_n more_o probable_a namely_o that_o they_o take_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o that_o of_o sardica_n in_o which_o those_o canon_n they_o allege_v be_v real_o find_v for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o council_n for_o who_o will_v these_o man_n ever_o be_v able_a to_o persuade_v that_o two_o ecclesiastical_a assembly_n betwixt_o which_o there_o pass_v near_o twenty_o two_o whole_a year_n call_v by_o two_o several_a emperor_n and_o for_o matter_n of_o a_o far_o different_a nature_n the_o one_o of_o they_o for_o the_o explanation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o other_o for_o the_o re-establish_a of_o two_o bishop_n in_o their_o throne_n and_o in_o place_n very_o far_o distant_a from_o each_o other_o the_o one_o at_o nicaea_n in_o bythinia_n the_o other_o at_o sardica_n a_o city_n of_o illyricum_n the_o canon_n of_o which_o two_o council_n be_v very_o different_a both_o in_o substance_n number_n and_o authority_n the_o one_o of_o they_o have_v always_o be_v receive_v general_o by_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o the_o other_o have_v never_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o eastern_a church_n shall_v yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o same_o council_n how_o can_v they_o themselves_o endure_v this_o who_o be_v so_o fierce_a against_o the_o greek_n for_o have_v offer_v to_o attribute_v which_o they_o do_v notwithstanding_o with_o more_o appearance_n of_o truth_n to_o the_o six_o council_n those_o cii_o canon_n which_o be_v agree_v upon_o ten_o year_n after_o at_o constantinople_n in_o a_o assembly_n wherein_o one_o party_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o six_o council_n meet_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o give_v any_o credit_n to_o the_o ancient_a church_n see_v that_o in_o the_o greek_a collection_n of_o her_o ancient_a canon_n those_o of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n be_v quite_o leave_v out_o and_o in_o the_o latin_a collection_n of_o dionysius_n exiguus_fw-la make_v at_o rome_n eleven_o hundred_o year_n since_o they_o be_v place_v not_o with_o those_o of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a nor_o yet_o immediate_o after_o they_o as_o if_o they_o all_o make_v up_o but_o one_o body_n betwixt_o they_o 99_o but_o be_v put_v in_o a_o place_n a_o great_a way_n behind_o after_o the_o canon_n of_o all_o the_o general_a council_n that_o have_v be_v hold_v till_o that_o very_a time_n he_o live_v in_o and_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o these_o ancient_a pope_n who_o allege_v these_o canon_n if_o they_o believe_v these_o council_n to_o be_v both_o one_o do_v not_o say_v so_o the_o african_a bishop_n have_v diverse_a and_o sundry_a time_n declare_v that_o these_o canon_n which_o be_v by_o they_o allege_v be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v find_v in_o their_o copy_n certain_o therefore_o if_o those_o who_o have_v cite_v they_o have_v think_v the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o that_o of_o sardica_n to_o have_v be_v both_o but_o one_o council_n they_o will_v no_o doubt_n have_v make_v answer_n that_o 〈◊〉_d canon_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o this_o pretend_a second_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a among_o those_o which_o have_v be_v agree_v upon_o at_o sardica_n especial_o when_o they_o see_v that_o these_o careful_a father_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o the_o controversy_n betwixt_o they_o have_v resolve_v to_o send_v to_o this_o purpose_n as_o far_o as_o constantinople_n and_o alexandria_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o syllable_n tend_v this_o way_n say_v by_o they_o and_o certain_o if_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n have_v be_v in_o those_o day_n repute_v as_o a_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a it_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n that_o so_o many_o learned_a and_o religious_a prelate_n as_o there_o be_v at_o that_o time_n in_o africa_n as_o namely_o aurelius_n alypius_n and_o even_o s._n augustine_n that_o glorious_a light_n not_o of_o the_o african_a only_o but_o of_o the_o whole_a ancient_a church_n shall_v have_v be_v so_o ignorant_a in_o this_o particular_a but_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n beyond_o all_o belief_n that_o three_o pope_n and_o their_o legate_n shall_v leave_v their_o party_n in_o a_o ignorance_n so_o gross_a and_o so_o prejudicial_a to_o their_o own_o interest_n it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o have_v relieve_v they_o in_o two_o word_n we_o may_v safe_o then_o conclude_v that_o these_o pope_n zozimus_n and_o boniface_n have_v no_o other_o copy_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a than_o what_o we_o have_v and_o also_o that_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a but_o that_o they_o rather_o purposely_o allege_v some_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o sardica_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a and_o this_o they_o do_v according_a to_o that_o maxim_n which_o be_v in_o force_n with_o those_o of_o former_a time_n and_o be_v not_o utter_o lay_v aside_o even_o in_o our_o own_o namely_o that_o for_o the_o advance_n of_o a_o good_a and_o godly_a cause_n it_o be_v lawful_a sometime_o to_o use_v a_o little_a deceit_n and_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o your_o piae_fw-la fraud_n they_o therefore_o firm_o believe_v as_o they_o do_v that_o the_o supremacy_n of_o their_o see_n over_o all_o other_o church_n be_v a_o business_n of_o great_a importance_n and_o will_v be_v very_o profitable_a to_o all_o christendom_n we_o be_v not_o to_o wonder_v if_o for_o the_o establish_n this_o right_a on_o themselves_o they_o make_v use_v of_o a_o little_a legerdemain_n allege_v sardica_n for_o nice_a reckon_v with_o themselves_o that_o if_o they_o bring_v their_o design_n about_o this_o small_a fail_v of_o they_o will_v in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v abundant_o satisfy_v for_o by_o the_o benefit_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o opposition_n make_v by_o the_o african_a father_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n pope_n leo_n not_o many_o year_n after_o council_n write_v to_o the_o emperor_n theodosius_n do_v not_o forbear_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o old_a forgery_n cite_v one_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n for_o a_o legitimate_a canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o the_o emperor_n valentinian_n also_o 2._o and_o his_o empress_n galla_n placidia_n write_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o say_a pope_n leo_n to_o the_o emperor_n theodosius_n affirm_v to_o he_o for_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o both_o all_o antiquity_n and_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a also_o have_v assign_v to_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n the_o power_n of_o judge_v of_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o prelate_n of_o the_o church_n leo_n have_v before_o possess_v they_o that_o this_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n be_v one_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o nice_a and_o thus_o by_o a_o strong_a perseverance_n in_o this_o pious_a fraud_n they_o have_v at_o length_n so_o full_o persuade_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n that_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a have_v establish_v this_o supremacy_n upon_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n that_o it_o be_v now_o general_o urge_v by_o all_o of_o they_o whenever_o this_o point_n be_v controvert_v i_o must_v crave_v pardon_n of_o the_o reader_n for_o have_v so_o long_o insist_v on_o this_o particular_a and_o perhaps_o long_o somewhat_o than_o my_o design_n require_v yet_o in_o my_o judgement_n it_o may_v be_v of_o no_o small_a importance_n to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n for_o will_n the_o protestant_n here_o say_v see_v that_o two_o pope_n bishop_n and_o prince_n which_o all_o christian_n have_v approve_v have_v notwithstanding_o thus_o foist_v in_o false_a ware_n what_o ought_v we_o to_o expect_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o bishop_n and_o doctor_n since_o these_o man_n have_v do_v this_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o five_o century_n a_o age_n of_o so_o high_a repute_n for_o its_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n what_o have_v they_o not_o dare_v to_o do_v in_o the_o succeed_a age_n if_o they_o have_v not_o forbear_v so_o foul_o to_o abuse_v the_o sacred_a name_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a the_o most_o illustrious_a and_o venerable_a monument_n of_o christianity_n next_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n what_o other_o author_n can_v we_o imagine_v they_o will_v spare_v and_o if_o in_o the_o face_n of_o so_o renown_a a_o assembly_n and_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o whatever_o africa_n can_v show_v of_o eminency_n both_o for_o sanctity_n and_o learning_n and_o even_o under_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o great_a s._n augustine_n
to_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o set_v down_o here_o the_o whole_a passage_n at_o length_n reprehenditur_fw-la as_o for_o these_o kind_n of_o book_n say_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o book_n which_o we_o write_v not_o with_o authority_n of_o command_v but_o only_o out_o of_o a_o design_n of_o exercise_v ourselves_o to_o benefit_v other_o we_o be_v so_o to_o read_v they_o as_o not_o be_v bind_v necessary_o to_o believe_v they_o but_o as_o have_v a_o liberty_n leave_v we_o of_o judge_v of_o what_o we_o read_v yet_o notwithstanding_o that_o we_o may_v not_o quite_o shut_v out_o these_o book_n and_o deprive_v posterity_n of_o the_o most_o profitable_a labour_n of_o exercise_v their_o language_n and_o style_v in_o the_o handle_n and_o treat_v of_o hard_a question_n we_o make_v a_o distinction_n betwixt_o these_o book_n of_o late_a writer_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v be_v confirm_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v since_o by_o the_o bishop_n who_o succeed_v they_o and_o the_o church_n which_o have_v be_v propagate_v throughout_o the_o world_n be_v place_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o high_a throne_n there_o to_o be_v reverence_v and_o adore_v by_o every_o faithful_a and_o godly_a understanding_n and_o if_o we_o chance_v here_o to_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o trouble_v we_o and_o seem_v absurd_a we_o must_v not_o say_v that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o truth_n but_o rather_o that_o either_o our_o copy_n be_v false_a or_o the_o interpreter_n be_v mistake_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n or_o else_o that_o we_o understand_v not_o he_o aright_o and_o as_o for_o the_o write_n of_o those_o other_o author_n who_o have_v come_v after_o they_o the_o number_n whereof_o be_v almost_o infinite_a though_o come_v very_o far_o short_a of_o this_o most_o sacred_a excellency_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n a_o man_n may_v sometime_o find_v in_o they_o the_o very_a same_o truth_n though_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n and_o therefore_o if_o by_o chance_n we_o here_o meet_v with_o such_o thing_n as_o seem_v contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n by_o reason_n perhaps_o of_o our_o not_o understand_v they_o only_o we_o have_v our_o liberty_n either_o in_o read_v or_o hear_v the_o same_o to_o approve_v of_o what_o we_o like_v and_o to_o reject_v that_o which_o we_o conceive_v not_o to_o be_v so_o right_a so_o that_o except_o all_o such_o passage_n be_v make_v good_a either_o by_o some_o certain_a reason_n or_o else_o by_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o it_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o the_o thing_n assert_v either_o real_o it_o or_o else_o at_o least_o that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v he_o that_o shall_v reject_v or_o not_o assent_v to_o the_o same_o ought_v not_o in_o any_o wise_a to_o be_v reprehend_v 21._o and_o thus_o far_o have_v we_o s._n augustine_n testify_v on_o our_o side_n as_o well_o here_o as_o in_o many_o other_o place_n which_o will_v be_v too_o long_o to_o be_v insert_v here_o that_o those_o opinion_n which_o we_o find_v deliver_v by_o the_o father_n in_o their_o write_n be_v ground_v not_o upon_o their_o bare_a authority_n but_o upon_o their_o reason_n and_o that_o they_o bind_v not_o our_o belief_n otherwise_o than_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o be_v consonant_a either_o to_o the_o scripture_n or_o to_o reason_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o proceed_v from_o person_n that_o be_v not_o infallible_a but_o possible_o may_v have_v err_v so_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o course_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n observe_v in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o of_o sufficiency_n enough_o for_o the_o discovery_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n for_o we_o be_v now_o in_o doubt_n suppose_v what_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n be_v of_o such_o a_o piece_n of_o scripture_n here_o shall_v you_o present_o have_v the_o judgement_n of_o a_o father_n bring_v upon_o the_o say_a place_n quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o rule_n s_o augustine_n give_v we_o who_o will_v have_v we_o examine_v the_o father_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o father_n certain_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o this_o father_n the_o protestant_n though_o a_o passage_n as_o clear_v and_o express_v as_o any_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n shall_v be_v bring_v against_o he_o out_o of_o any_o of_o the_o father_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v if_o he_o shall_v answer_v that_o he_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n assent_v unto_o it_o unless_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v first_o prove_v unto_o he_o either_o by_o some_o certain_a reason_n or_o else_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o that_o then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o assent_v unto_o it_o so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o account_n we_o be_v to_o allege_v not_o the_o name_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o book_n to_o take_v notice_n not_o of_o the_o quality_n of_o their_o author_n but_o of_o the_o solidity_n of_o their_o proof_n to_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v they_o give_v we_o and_o not_o the_o face_n or_o hand_n of_o he_o that_o give_v it_o we_o and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o reduce_v the_o dispute_n from_o person_n to_o thing_n and_o s._n jerome_n also_o seem_v to_o commend_v unto_o we_o this_o manner_n of_o proceed_v where_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o second_o commentary_n upon_o hosea_n he_o have_v these_o word_n then_o say_v he_o that_o be_v after_o the_o author_n of_o book_n be_v once_o depart_v this_o life_n we_o judge_v of_o their_o worth_n judicabitur_fw-la and_o part_n only_o not_o consider_v at_o all_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o name_n and_o the_o reader_n have_v regard_n only_o to_o what_o he_o read_v and_o not_o to_o the_o author_n who_o it_o be_v so_o that_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o bishop_n or_o a_o layman_n a_o general_n and_o a_o lord_n or_o a_o common_a soldier_n and_o a_o servant_n whether_o he_o lie_v in_o purple_a and_o in_o silk_n or_o in_o the_o vile_a and_o course_v rag_n he_o shall_v be_v judge_v not_o according_a to_o his_o degree_n of_o honour_n but_o according_a to_o the_o merit_n and_o worth_n of_o his_o work_n now_o he_o here_o speak_v either_o of_o matter_n of_o right_n or_o of_o fact_n and_o his_o meaning_n be_v that_o either_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v this_o course_n in_o our_o judgement_n or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a affirmation_n that_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n so_o to_o do_v if_o his_o word_n be_v to_o be_v take_v in_o the_o first_o sense_n he_o then_o clear_o take_v away_o all_o authority_n from_o the_o bare_a name_n of_o writer_n and_o so_o will_v have_v we_o to_o consider_v the_o quality_n only_o and_o weight_n of_o their_o write_n that_o be_v to_o say_v their_o reason_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o argument_n they_o use_v if_o he_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o second_o sense_n he_o seem_v not_o to_o speak_v truth_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v more_o take_v with_o the_o title_n and_o name_n of_o book_n than_o with_o the_o thing_n therein_o contain_v but_o suppose_v however_o that_o this_o be_v s._n hieroms_n meaning_n we_o may_v notwithstanding_o very_o safe_o believe_v that_o he_o approve_v of_o the_o say_a course_n for_o as_o much_o as_o have_v this_o occasion_n of_o speak_v of_o it_o he_o do_v not_o at_o all_o reprehend_v it_o if_o therefore_o thou_o have_v any_o mind_n to_o stand_v to_o his_o judgement_n lay_v i_o aside_o the_o name_n of_o augustine_n and_o of_o hierome_n of_o chrysostome_n and_o of_o cyril_n and_o forget_v for_o this_o once_o the_o rochet_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o chair_n of_o the_o second_o together_o with_o the_o patriarchal_a robe_n of_o the_o two_o last_o and_o observe_v what_o they_o say_v and_o not_o what_o they_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o not_o the_o dignity_n of_o their_o person_n but_o that_o which_o make_v i_o very_o much_o wonder_n be_v that_o some_o of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o most_o conversant_a in_o antiquity_n shall_v trouble_v themselves_o in_o stuff_v up_o their_o book_n with_o declamatory_n expression_n 20._o in_o praise_n of_o the_o author_n they_o produce_v not_o forbear_v to_o recount_v to_o you_o so_o much_o as_o the_o nobleness_n of_o their_o extraction_n the_o choiceness_n of_o their_o education_n the_o gallantry_n of_o their_o part_n the_o eminency_n of_o their_o see_n and_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o state_n this_o manner_n of_o writing_n may_v perhaps_o suit_v well_o enough_o with_o
so_o charitable_a admonition_n we_o shall_v still_o believe_v all_o they_o say_v without_o examine_v any_o thing_n sonant_fw-la i_o take_v it_o for_o a_o favour_n say_v s._n ambrose_n when_o any_o one_o that_o read_v my_o write_n give_v i_o a_o account_n of_o what_o doubt_v he_o there_o meet_v withal_o first_o of_o all_o because_o i_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o those_o very_a thing_n which_o i_o know_v and_o beside_o many_o thing_n escape_v we_o and_o some_o thing_n sound_v otherwise_o to_o some_o than_o perhaps_o they_o do_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v further_o here_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o take_v notice_n how_o careful_a the_o ancient_n be_v in_o advise_v those_o who_o live_v in_o their_o own_o time_n to_o take_v a_o strict_a examination_n of_o their_o word_n as_o for_o example_n where_o origen_n advise_v veritatis_fw-la that_o his_o auditor_n shall_v prove_v whatsoever_o he_o deliver_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v attentive_a and_o receive_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o spirit_n from_o who_o proceed_v the_o discern_a of_o spirit_n that_o so_o as_o good_a banker_n they_o may_v diligent_o observe_v when_o their_o pastor_n deceive_v they_o and_o when_o he_o preach_v unto_o they_o that_o which_o be_v pious_a and_o true_a cyrill_n likewise_o in_o his_o four_o catechesis_fw-la have_v these_o word_n 〈◊〉_d believe_v i_o not_o say_v he_o in_o whatsoever_o i_o shall_v simple_o deliver_v unless_o thou_o find_v the_o thing_n which_o i_o shall_v speak_v demonstrate_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o the_o conservation_n and_o establishment_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o ground_v upon_o the_o eloquence_n of_o language_n but_o rather_o upon_o the_o proof_n that_o be_v bring_v out_o of_o the_o divine_a scripture_n if_o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o have_v those_o who_o hear_v they_o speak_v viuâ_fw-la voce_fw-la to_o believe_v they_o in_o any_o thing_n unless_o they_o have_v demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n how_o much_o less_o will_v they_o have_v we_o now_o receive_v without_o this_o demonstration_n those_o opinion_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o their_o book_n which_o be_v not_o only_o mute_a but_o corrupt_v also_o and_o alter_v so_o much_o and_o so_o many_o several_a way_n as_o we_o have_v former_o show_v certain_o when_o i_o see_v these_o holy_a man_n on_o one_o side_n cry_v out_o unto_o we_o that_o they_o be_v man_n subject_a to_o error_n and_o that_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o consider_v and_o examine_v what_o they_o deliver_v and_o not_o take_v it_o all_o for_o oracle_n and_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n set_v before_o my_o eye_n these_o worthy_a maxim_n of_o the_o age_n follow_v to_o wit_n 〈◊〉_d that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v it_o not_o only_o according_a to_o the_o sense_n but_o according_a to_o the_o bare_a word_n also_o and_o that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o hold_v all_o that_o they_o have_v write_v even_o to_o the_o least_o tittle_n this_o representation_n i_o say_v make_v i_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o history_n of_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n to_o who_o the_o lycaonian_o will_v needs_o render_v divine_a honour_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o resistance_n these_o holy_a man_n be_v able_a to_o make_v who_o can_v not_o forbear_v to_o rend_v their_o garment_n through_o the_o indignation_n they_o be_v fill_v with_o to_o see_v that_o service_n pay_v to_o themselves_o which_o be_v due_a to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n alone_o running_z in_o among_o they_o and_o cry_v out_o aloud_o sir_n why_o do_v you_o these_o thing_n we_o also_o be_v man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o you_o for_o see_v that_o there_o be_v none_o but_o god_n who_o word_n be_v certain_o and_o necessary_o true_a and_o see_v that_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o word_n whereon_o we_o ground_n and_o build_v our_o faith_n aught_o to_o be_v such_o who_o see_v not_o that_o it_o be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o invest_v man_n with_o the_o glory_n which_o be_v due_a to_o god_n alone_o and_o to_o place_v he_o in_o a_o manner_n in_o his_o seat_n if_o we_o make_v his_o word_n the_o rule_n and_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o the_o judge_n of_o our_o difference_n concern_v it_o i_o be_o therefore_o steadfast_o of_o this_o opinion_n that_o if_o these_o holy_a man_n can_v now_o behold_v from_o their_o bless_a mansion_n where_o they_o now_o live_v in_o bliss_n on_o high_a with_o their_o lord_n and_o saviour_n what_o thing_n be_v act_v here_o below_o they_o will_v be_v very_o much_o offend_v with_o this_o false_a honour_n which_o man_n confer_v upon_o they_o much_o against_o their_o will_n and_o will_v take_v it_o as_o a_o very_a great_a injury_n offer_v they_o see_v that_o they_o can_v receive_v this_o honour_n but_o to_o the_o prejudice_n and_o diminution_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o redeemer_n who_o they_o love_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o than_o themselves_o or_o if_o from_o out_o their_o sepulcher_n where_o the_o relic_n of_o their_o mortality_n be_v now_o lay_v up_o they_o can_v but_o make_v we_o hear_v their_o sacred_a voice_n they_o will_v i_o be_o very_o confident_a most_o sharp_o reprove_v we_o for_o this_o abuse_n and_o will_v cry_v out_o in_o the_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n sir_n why_o do_v you_o these_o thing_n we_o also_o be_v man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o you_o but_o yet_o what_o need_n be_v there_o either_o of_o ransack_v their_o sepulcher_n and_o disturb_v their_o sacred_a ash_n or_o of_o call_v down_o their_o spirit_n from_o heaven_n see_v that_o their_o voice_n resound_v loud_a enough_o and_o be_v hear_v so_o plain_o in_o these_o very_a book_n of_o they_o which_o we_o so_o imprudent_o place_n in_o that_o seat_n which_o be_v only_o due_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o have_v hear_v what_o the_o judgement_n be_v of_o s._n augustine_n and_o of_o s._n hierome_n the_o two_o most_o eminent_a person_n in_o the_o western_a church_n touch_v this_o particular_a let_v we_o not_o then_o be_v all_o afraid_a have_v such_o example_n to_o follow_v to_o speak_v free_o our_o opinion_n but_o now_o before_o we_o go_v any_o further_a i_o conceive_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o we_o answer_v a_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v bring_v against_o we_o which_o be_v that_o athanasius_n s._n cyrill_n and_o s._n augustine_n himself_o also_o often_o time_n cite_v the_o father_n beside_o what_o some_o have_v observe_v that_o the_o father_n seldom_o enter_v into_o these_o list_n but_o when_o they_o be_v provoke_v by_o their_o adversary_n i_o add_v further_o that_o when_o we_o maintain_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a medium_fw-la to_o prove_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n by_o we_o do_v not_o thereby_o present_o forbid_v either_o the_o read_n or_o the_o cite_n of_o they_o the_o father_n often_o quote_v the_o write_n of_o the_o learned_a heathen_n the_o oracle_n of_o the_o sibylls_n and_o passage_n out_o of_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n do_v they_o therefore_o think_v that_o theâ—e_n book_n be_v of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o ground_n a_o article_n of_o faith_n upon_o god_n forbid_v we_o shall_v entertain_v so_o ill_a a_o opinion_n of_o they_o their_o faith_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o yet_o to_o evidence_n the_o truth_n more_o full_o they_o search_v into_o humane_a record_n and_o by_o this_o inquiry_n make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o light_n of_o the_o truth_n reveal_v unto_o they_o have_v in_o some_o degree_n shoot_v its_o beam_n also_o even_o into_o the_o school_n of_o man_n how_o close_o and_o shady_a soever_o they_o have_v be_v but_o if_o they_o shall_v have_v produce_v no_o other_o but_o humane_a authority_n they_o will_v never_o have_v be_v able_a to_o have_v bring_v over_o any_o one_o person_n to_o the_o faith_n but_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v by_o divine_a revelation_n the_o matter_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o be_v very_o wise_o do_v of_o they_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o prove_v not_o the_o truth_n but_o the_o clearness_n of_o it_o by_o these_o little_a spark_n which_o shoot_v forth_o their_o light_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o men._n and_o for_o some_o the_o like_a reason_n do_v s._n augustine_n athanasius_n cyrill_n and_o many_o other_o of_o they_o make_v use_n of_o allegation_n out_o of_o the_o father_n for_o after_o that_o each_o of_o these_o have_v ground_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o divine_a revelation_n the_o necessity_n and_o efficacy_n of_o grace_n the_o consubstantiality_n of_o the_o son_n with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o nature_n in_o christ_n they_o than_o fall_v to_o produce_v of_o several_a passage_n out_o of_o those_o learned_a man_n who_o have_v live_v before_o they_o to_o let_v man_n see_v that_o this_o truth_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o
the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o that_o all_o that_o go_v before_o they_o have_v both_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v the_o same_o the_o consideration_n whereof_o be_v both_o please_a and_o useful_a unto_o they_o for_o what_o can_v more_o delight_v a_o faithful_a heart_n than_o to_o find_v that_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o eminent_a person_n in_o the_o church_n have_v long_o since_o hold_v the_o same_o opinion_n touch_v our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o grace_n that_o we_o now_o hold_v at_o this_o day_n but_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o hence_o present_o follow_v that_o though_o these_o holy_a man_n shall_v have_v meet_v with_o these_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o the_o write_n of_o their_o predecessor_n only_o without_o find_v any_o foundation_n of_o they_o in_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n they_o will_v notwithstanding_o firm_o have_v believe_v and_o embrace_v the_o same_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o bare_a authority_n of_o their_o predecessor_n s._n augustine_n profess_v plain_o that_o in_o such_o a_o case_n they_o may_v better_o have_v reject_v they_o and_o not_o be_v blame_v for_o so_o do_v neither_o than_o have_v receive_v they_o unless_o they_o will_v incur_v the_o imputation_n of_o be_v over_o credulous_a for_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o too_o much_o credulity_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n without_o reason_n and_o he_o further_o affirm_v that_o where_o man_n speak_v without_o either_o scripture_n or_o reason_n their_o bare_a authority_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v what_o they_o propose_v unto_o we_o so_o that_o it_o hence_o appear_v that_o humane_a testimony_n be_v allege_v not_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o faith_n but_o only_o to_o show_v the_o clearness_n of_o it_o after_o it_o be_v once_o well_o ground_v now_o the_o question_n at_o this_o day_n betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o concern_v the_o clearness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o article_n they_o believe_v and_o press_v upon_o the_o world_n but_o it_o yet_o lie_v upon_o they_o to_o prove_v even_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o they_o show_v i_o therefore_o will_n a_o protestant_a here_o say_v either_o out_o of_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n or_o else_o by_o some_o evident_a reason_n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o place_n as_o purgatory_n and_o that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v not_o bread_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o monarch_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a and_o then_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o try_v if_o for_o our_o great_a comfort_n we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o find_v in_o the_o author_n of_o the_o three_o or_o four_o century_n these_o truth_n embrace_v by_o the_o father_n of_o those_o time_n but_o to_o begin_v with_o these_o be_v to_o invert_v the_o natural_a order_n of_o thing_n we_o ought_v first_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v before_o we_o make_v inquiry_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v believe_v or_o not_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o find_v that_o the_o ancient_n believe_v it_o unless_o we_o find_v withal_o in_o their_o write_n some_o reason_n of_o this_o their_o belief_n and_o again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n what_o harm_n be_v it_o to_o we_o to_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o antiquity_n believe_v it_o or_o not_o so_o long_o as_o we_o know_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o whereas_o there_o be_v some_o who_o to_o establish_v the_o supreme_a authority_n of_o the_o father_n allege_v the_o counsel_n which_o sisinnius_n a_o novatian_a and_o agellius_n his_o bishop_n give_v of_o old_a to_o nectarius_n archbishop_n of_o constantinople_n and_o by_o he_o to_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n eccles_n which_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v demand_v of_o the_o arrian_n whether_o or_o not_o they_o will_v stand_v to_o what_o the_o father_n who_o die_v before_o the_o break_n forth_o of_o their_o heresy_n have_v deliver_v touch_v the_o point_n debate_v betwixt_o they_o this_o be_v hardly_o worth_a our_o consideration_n for_o this_o be_v a_o trick_n only_o devise_v by_o a_o subtle_a head_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o by_o a_o schismatic_a and_o consequent_o to_o be_v suspect_v as_o a_o captious_a proposal_n purposely_o make_v to_o entrap_v the_o adverse_a party_n rather_o than_o any_o free_a and_o ingenuous_a way_n of_o proceed_v for_o if_o this_o manner_n of_o proceed_v have_v be_v right_a and_o good_a how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o among_o so_o many_o catholic_n bishop_n as_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o all_o advise_v it_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o weapon_n wherewith_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v encounter_v how_o come_v it_o about_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v propose_v only_o by_o a_o young_a fellow_n who_o be_v a_o schismatic_a too_o and_o if_o it_o be_v approve_v of_o as_o right_o and_o good_a counsel_n why_o do_v gregory_n nazianzen_n s._n basil_n and_o so_o many_o other_o of_o the_o father_n who_o write_v in_o that_o age_n against_o the_o arrian_n deal_v with_o they_o whole_o in_o a_o manner_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n and_o certain_o those_o holy_a man_n beside_o their_o christian_a candour_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v take_v a_o very_a wise_a course_n in_o so_o do_v for_o if_o this_o controversy_n have_v be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o humane_a writer_n i_o know_v not_o how_o any_o man_n shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a that_o which_o this_o gallant_a so_o confident_o affirm_v in_o the_o place_n aforecited_a namely_o that_o none_o of_o the_o ancient_n ever_o say_v that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v any_o beginning_n of_o his_o generation_n consider_v those_o many_o strange_a passage_n that_o we_o yet_o at_o this_o day_n meet_v with_o touch_v this_o particular_a in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o first_o father_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n also_o why_o the_o arrian_n alâ—ledged_v their_o testimony_n as_o we_o see_v they_o do_v in_o the_o book_n of_o athanasius_n hilary_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n who_o write_v against_o they_o but_o what_o need_v we_o insist_v so_o long_o upon_o a_o story_n which_o be_v reject_v by_o cardinal_n 〈◊〉_d baronius_n as_o be_v a_o idle_a tale_n devise_v by_o zozomene_n who_o be_v a_o novatian_a 383._o in_o favour_n of_o those_o of_o his_o own_o sect._n the_o counsel_n of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n which_o he_o give_v we_o in_o a_o certain_a little_a discourse_n of_o he_o which_o be_v very_o high_o prise_v by_o hieron_n gennadius_n be_v account_v by_o many_o man_n much_o more_o worthy_a of_o our_o consideration_n for_o have_v first_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o any_o author_n pp_n save_v only_o of_o such_o who_o have_v holy_o wise_o and_o constant_o live_v preach_v and_o persevere_v in_o the_o catholic_n faith_n and_o communion_n obtain_v the_o favour_n at_o length_n either_o to_o die_v faithful_o in_o christ_n or_o else_o have_v the_o happiness_n of_o be_v crown_v with_o martyrdom_n for_o christ_n sake_n he_o further_o add_v that_o we_o be_v to_o receive_v as_o undoubted_o true_a certain_a and_o definitive_a whatsoever_o all_o the_o aforesaid_a author_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o have_v clear_o frequent_o and_o constant_o affirm_v with_o a_o vnanimous_a consent_n receive_v retain_v and_o deliver_v it_o over_o to_o other_o as_o it_o be_v joint_o and_o make_v up_o all_o of_o they_o but_o one_o common_a and_o vnanimous_a council_n of_o doctor_n but_o this_o passage_n of_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o advance_v the_o supreme_a authority_n which_o some_o will_v attribute_v to_o the_o father_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_n i_o meet_v with_o something_o in_o it_o that_o make_v i_o more_o doubt_n of_o their_o authority_n than_o i_o do_v before_o for_o i_o find_v by_o this_o man_n discourse_n that_o whatsoever_o his_o reason_n be_v whether_o good_a or_o bad_a he_o clear_o appear_v to_o have_v have_v a_o very_a great_a desire_n of_o bring_v all_o difference_n in_o religion_n before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o the_o father_n and_o to_o the_o same_o end_n he_o labour_v to_o prove_v with_o the_o same_o eagerness_n and_o passion_n that_o their_o judgement_n be_v infallible_a in_o these_o case_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o find_v he_o so_o perplex_v and_o trouble_v in_o bring_v out_o that_o which_o he_o will_v have_v as_o that_o it_o appear_v sufficient_o that_o he_o see_v well_o enough_o that_o what_o he_o desire_v be_v not_o so_o agreeable_a to_o truth_n for_o he_o have_v so_o qualify_v his_o proposition_n and_o bind_v it_o in_o with_o so_o many_o limitation_n as_o that_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o if_o all_o these_o condition_n which_o he_o here_o require_v be_v any_o where_o to_o be_v find_v we_o may_v
allege_v by_o s._n paul_n out_o habakkuk_n to_o the_o original_a tell_v we_o that_o s._n paul_n have_v cite_v it_o in_o these_o word_n the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o my_o faith_n whereas_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o he_o apostle_n both_o in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n as_o also_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n have_v it_o only_o thus_o the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o the_o just_a shall_v live_v by_o my_o faith_n athanasius_n in_o his_o synopsis_n or_o whoever_o else_o be_v the_o author_n of_o that_o piece_n reckon_v up_o the_o several_a book_n of_o scripture_n evident_o take_v the_o three_o book_n of_o esdras_n which_o have_v be_v always_o account_v apocryphal_a by_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o christendom_n for_o the_o first_o which_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o both_o christian_n and_o jew_n into_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v reckon_v to_o this_o number_n if_o at_o least_o so_o foolish_a a_o piece_n deserve_v to_o have_v any_o place_n among_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n that_o gross_a mistake_n which_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o a_o epistle_n of_o pope_n gregory_n ii_o who_o rail_v fierce_o against_o vzziah_n imag._n for_o break_v the_o brazen_a serpent_n call_v he_o for_o this_o act_n of_o he_o the_o brother_n of_o the_o emperor_n leo_n the_o iconoclast_n which_o as_o he_o think_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o reckon_v he_o among_o the_o most_o mischievous_a and_o wretched_a prince_n that_o ever_o have_v be_v and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o be_v the_o act_n not_o of_o vzziah_n but_o of_o the_o good_a king_n hezekiah_n and_o that_o he_o deserve_v to_o be_v rather_o commend_v for_o the_o same_o than_o blame_v as_o for_o their_o slip_n of_o memory_n he_o have_v need_n to_o have_v a_o very_a happy_a one_o himself_o that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o reckon_v they_o all_o up_o for_o example_n renascatur_fw-la s._n ambrose_n tell_v we_o somewhere_o that_o the_o eagle_n die_v be_v revive_v again_o out_o of_o her_o own_o ash_n who_o see_v not_o that_o in_o this_o place_n he_o will_v have_v say_v the_o phoenix_n but_o however_o in_o another_o place_n give_v we_o a_o account_n of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o phoenix_n etc._n as_o it_o be_v common_o deliver_v he_o say_v that_o this_o we_o have_v learn_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o a_o like_a mistake_v it_o be_v that_o he_o affirm_v that_o these_o word_n meam_fw-la for_o this_o very_a purpose_n have_v i_o raise_v thou_o up_o that_o i_o may_v show_v my_o power_n in_o thou_o be_v speak_v to_o moses_n to_o who_o notwithstanding_o the_o lord_n never_o say_v any_o such_o word_n but_o rather_o to_o pharaoh_n in_o like_a manner_n do_v he_o attribute_v to_o the_o jew_n those_o word_n in_o the_o nine_o chapter_n of_o s._n john_n which_o be_v indeed_o speak_v by_o christ_n disciple_n who_o ask_v he_o say_v 11._o master_n who_o do_v sin_n this_o man_n or_o his_o parent_n that_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a i_o impute_v that_o other_o mistake_n of_o he_o to_o the_o heat_n of_o his_o rhetoric_n where_o he_o bring_v in_o one_o of_o the_o seven_o brethren_n in_o the_o maccabee_n who_o suffer_v under_o king_n antiochus_n and_o make_v he_o in_o his_o height_n of_o gallantry_n allege_v the_o example_n of_o john_n and_o of_o james_n the_o son_n of_o thunder_n two_o of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n apostle_n who_o come_v not_o into_o the_o world_n as_o every_o one_o know_v till_o a_o long_a time_n after_o this_o it_o be_v a_o slip_n of_o memory_n also_o in_o tertullian_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o 24._o that_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n they_o have_v not_o reject_v thou_o but_o they_o have_v reject_v i_o which_o word_n be_v indeed_o speak_v to_o 8._o samuel_n and_o not_o to_o moses_n s_o hierome_n also_o be_v overtake_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n negaverit_fw-la when_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o none_o of_o the_o father_n ever_o understand_v the_o word_n know_v in_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o s._n matthew_n otherwise_o than_o of_o the_o conjugal_a act_n not_o remember_v that_o his_o own_o dear_a friend_n epiphanius_n take_v the_o word_n in_o a_o quite_o different_a sense_n and_o will_v have_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n to_o be_v that_o joseph_n before_o the_o miraculous_a birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n know_v not_o what_o glory_n and_o excellency_n be_v to_o befall_v the_o bless_a virgin_n 〈◊〉_d know_v nothing_o else_o of_o she_o before_o save_v only_o that_o she_o be_v the_o daughter_n of_o joachim_n and_o of_o annae_fw-la and_o cousin_n to_o elizabeth_n who_o be_v of_o the_o house_n of_o david_n whereas_o he_o at_o that_o time_n know_v clear_o that_o god_n have_v do_v he_o that_o honour_n of_o send_v his_o angel_n to_o he_o and_o of_o choose_v his_o espouse_v wife_n mary_n to_o be_v the_o only_a woman_n on_o earth_n on_o who_o he_o will_v confer_v that_o so_o great_a and_o wonderful_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n above_o all_o other_o but_o we_o intend_v not_o here_o to_o give_v you_o a_o inventory_n of_o all_o the_o error_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n these_o pattern_n may_v well_o enough_o serve_v to_o show_v what_o the_o whole_a piece_n be_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v here_o that_o beside_o this_o carelessness_n and_o security_n which_o be_v so_o ordinary_a with_o they_o in_o write_v thus_o confident_o whatsoever_o come_v in_o their_o mind_n or_o whatever_o other_o have_v deliver_v over_o unto_o they_o for_o sound_n and_o good_a without_o ever_o examine_v it_o thorough_o they_o have_v yet_o another_o kind_n of_o custom_n which_o seem_v not_o to_o suit_n so_o well_o with_o the_o person_n of_o judge_n as_o we_o will_v needs_o have_v they_o to_o be_v and_o this_o be_v that_o in_o their_o write_n they_o be_v sometime_o so_o jolly_a and_o sportful_a come_v over_o we_o with_o such_o rare_a allegorical_a observation_n as_o have_v scarce_o any_o more_o solidity_n or_o body_n than_o those_o castle_n of_o card_n that_o little_a child_n be_v wont_a to_o make_v 743._o these_o cardinal_n perron_n call_v des_fw-mi gayetez_n joyeuse_n cheerful_a frolicking_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o allegory_n be_v useful_a and_o many_o time_n also_o necessary_a if_o so_o be_v they_o be_v but_o sober_a clear_a and_o well-grounded_n but_o i_o speak_v not_o here_o save_v only_o of_o such_o as_o rack_v the_o text_n and_o as_o it_o be_v drag_v it_o along_o by_o the_o hair_n and_o which_o make_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n evaporate_v in_o empty_a fume_n and_o of_o these_o be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n full_a s._n hierome_n often_o complain_v of_o the_o strange_a liberty_n that_o origen_n and_o his_o disciple_n take_v herein_o certain_o he_o himself_o often_o fly_v out_o in_o this_o kind_n and_o whosoever_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o fee_v it_o may_v read_v but_o his_o 146_o epistle_n where_o he_o expound_v the_o tot_fw-la parable_n of_o the_o prodigal_a son_n or_o let_v he_o but_o turn_v to_o the_o discourse_n which_o he_o have_v make_v touch_v the_o soph._n genealogy_n of_o the_o prophet_n zephaniah_n and_o concern_v the_o city_n of_o damascus_n and_o also_o upon_o the_o history_n of_o nepot_n abishag_fw-mi the_o shunamite_n and_o also_o upon_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o man_n and_o the_o two_o prince_n speak_v of_o in_o ezech._n ezechiel_n chap._n 11._o and_o upon_o the_o destruction_n of_o tyre_n of_o ezech._n egypt_n and_o of_o eundem_fw-la assyria_n foretell_v by_o the_o same_o prophet_n as_o also_o his_o subtle_a observation_n upon_o eund_n number_n and_o upon_o king_n agg._n darius_n and_o upon_o that_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n matth._n christ_n where_o he_o bide_v we_o turn_v the_o left_a cheek_n to_o he_o that_o have_v smite_v we_o on_o the_o right_n and_o many_o other_o the_o like_a discourse_n of_o he_o s._n hilary_n be_v so_o much_o take_v with_o this_o manner_n of_o writing_n as_o that_o his_o exposition_n upon_o the_o scripture_n be_v half_o full_a of_o these_o allegory_n and_o to_o be_v sure_a to_o make_v himself_o the_o more_o work_n he_o sometime_o frame_v 136._o certain_a impossibility_n and_o absurdity_n which_o he_o will_v make_v the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o which_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o only_o that_o he_o may_v have_v some_o pretence_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o his_o allegory_n as_o for_o example_n in_o the_o 136_o psalm_n he_o will_v needs_o have_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o text_n to_o be_v utter_o inexplicable_a where_o it_o say_v that_o the_o jew_n sit_v down_o by_o the_o river_n of_o babylon_n and_o hang_v up_o their_o harp_n upon_o the_o willow_n as_o if_o in_o this_o country_n that_o
all_o this_o it_o have_v not_o only_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o have_v be_v even_o utter_o condemn_v also_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o consent_n of_o many_o father_n together_o although_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v have_v upon_o all_o the_o point_n now_o in_o debate_n will_v yet_o be_v no_o sufficient_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o but_o i_o shall_v pass_v on_o to_o the_o rest_n we_o have_v before_o hear_v how_o that_o tertullian_n st._n cyprian_n who_o be_v both_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o martyr_n firmilianus_n metropolitan_a of_o cappadocia_n dionysius_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n together_o with_o the_o synod_n of_o bishop_n both_o of_o africa_n cappadocia_n cilicia_n 759._o and_o bythinia_n hold_v all_o that_o the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n be_v invalid_a and_o null_a st._n basil_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a bishop_n of_o the_o whole_a eastern_a church_n hold_v also_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o very_a same_o opinion_n and_o that_o a_o long_a time_n too_o after_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n which_o he_o write_v to_o amphilochius_n which_o be_v also_o put_v in_o among_o the_o public_a decree_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o greek_a canonist_n and_o yet_o this_o opinion_n be_v now_o confess_v by_o all_o to_o be_v erroneous_a many_o in_o like_a manner_n of_o the_o father_n as_o namely_o 8._o tertullian_n 6._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 10._o lactantius_n and_o 1147_o africanus_n believe_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n keep_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o passeover_n but_o once_o only_o after_o his_o baptism_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o consent_n of_o they_o the_o opinion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v very_o false_a as_o 203._o petavius_n also_o testify_v and_o beside_o be_v express_o contrary_a to_o the_o text_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o opinion_n of_o passim_fw-la st._n chrysostom_n 15._o st._n hierome_n 155._o st._n basil_n and_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n hold_v at_o etc._n constantinople_n under_o the_o patriarch_n flavianus_n who_o seem_v all_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v utter_o unlawful_a for_o christian_n under_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o shall_v i_o take_v any_o notice_n in_o this_o place_n of_o that_o conceit_n of_o athanasius_n st._n basil_n and_o methodius_n as_o he_o be_v cite_v by_o 5._o john_n bishop_n of_o thessalonica_n who_o all_o believe_v that_o the_o angel_n have_v body_n to_o who_o we_o may_v also_o add_v as_o we_o have_v show_v before_o st._n hilary_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o very_o many_o more_o of_o the_o father_n who_o will_v all_o of_o they_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o angel_n to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o passion_n of_o carnal_a love_n of_o which_o number_n be_v even_o 10._o st._n augustine_n also_o whosoever_o shall_v now_o conclude_v from_o hence_o that_o this_o fancy_n of_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v of_o no_o small_a importance_n be_v a_o truth_n will_v he_o not_o be_v as_o sharp_o reprove_v for_o it_o by_o the_o romanist_n as_o by_o those_o of_o geneva_n but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v that_o beside_o st._n cyprian_n st._n augustine_n and_o pope_n innocent_n i._n who_o testimony_n we_o have_v give_v in_o 8._o before_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o doctor_n in_o a_o manner_n of_o the_o first_o age_n maintain_v that_o the_o eucharist_n be_v necessary_a for_o young_a infant_n if_o at_o least_o you_o dare_v take_v maldonat_n word_n 53._o who_o affirm_v that_o this_o opinion_n be_v in_o great_a request_n in_o the_o church_n during_o the_o first_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 747._o cassander_n also_o testify_v that_o he_o have_v often_o observe_v this_o practice_n in_o the_o ancient_n as_o indeed_o be_v also_o witness_v by_o carolus_n magnus_n and_o by_o ludovicus_n pius_n who_o live_v a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o six_o century_n both_o of_o which_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o custom_n continue_v in_o the_o west_n even_o in_o their_o time_n as_o they_o be_v cite_v by_o cardinal_n 1001._o perron_n and_o the_o trace_n of_o this_o custom_n do_v yet_o remain_v to_o this_o day_n among_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n for_o baptismus_fw-la nicolaus_n lyranus_fw-la who_o live_v somewhat_o above_o three_o hundred_o year_n since_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_n account_v the_o holy_a eucharist_n so_o necessary_a as_o that_o they_o administer_v it_o to_o little_a child_n also_o as_o well_o as_o baptism_n and_o even_o in_o our_o father_n time_n the_o patriarch_n germ._n jeremias_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a creek_n church_n say_v we_o do_v not_o only_o baptise_v little_a child_n but_o we_o also_o make_v they_o partaker_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o a_o little_a after_o we_o account_v say_v he_o both_o sacrament_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n for_o all_o person_n namely_o baptism_n and_o the_o holy_a communion_n the_o ethiopia_n abyssine_n also_o make_v their_o child_n in_o like_a manner_n communicate_v of_o the_o holy_a eucharist_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o be_v baptise_a which_o be_v most_o evident_a argument_n that_o this_o false_a opinion_n touch_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o eucharist_n have_v be_v of_o old_a maintain_v not_o by_o three_o or_o four_o of_o the_o father_n only_a but_o by_o the_o major_a part_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o of_o they_o for_o we_o do_v not_o hear_v of_o so_o much_o as_o one_o among_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o reject_v it_o in_o express_a term_n as_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v do_v in_o these_o late_a time_n to_o conclude_v the_o jesuit_n 23._o pererius_n have_v inform_v we_o and_o indeed_o the_o observation_n be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v never_o so_o little_a conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o author_n who_o live_v before_o st._n augustine_n time_n that_o all_o the_o greek_a father_n and_o a_o considerable_a part_n also_o of_o the_o latin_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o cause_n of_o predestination_n be_v the_o before_o sight_n which_o god_n have_v either_o of_o man_n good_a work_n or_o else_o of_o their_o faith_n either_o of_o which_o opinion_n he_o assure_v we_o be_v manifest_o contrary_a both_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o also_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o st._n paul_n so_o that_o i_o conceive_v we_o may_v without_o trouble_v ourselves_o any_o further_a in_o make_v this_o envious_a inquiry_n into_o the_o error_n of_o the_o father_n conclude_v from_o what_o have_v be_v already_o produce_v that_o see_v the_o father_n have_v err_v in_o so_o many_o particular_n not_o on_o single_o but_o also_o many_o of_o they_o together_o neither_o the_o private_a opinion_n of_o each_o particular_a father_n nor_o yet_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o they_o be_v a_o sufficient_a argument_n certain_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n controvert_v among_o us._n chap._n v._n reason_n v._o that_o the_o father_n have_v strong_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o have_v maintain_v different_a opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o very_a great_a importance_n bessarion_n a_o greek_a bear_v who_o be_v honour_v with_o the_o dignity_n of_o cardinal_n by_o pope_n eugenius_n iv._o as_o a_o reward_n of_o his_o earnest_a desire_n to_o and_o the_o great_a pain_n he_o take_v in_o endeavour_v a_o reconciliation_n betwixt_o the_o eastern_a and_o the_o western_a church_n in_o a_o book_n which_o he_o write_v upon_o this_o subject_a to_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n conc._n will_v have_v the_o whole_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a church_n to_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o judgement_n seat_n of_o the_o father_n and_o for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o know_v that_o unless_o the_o judge_n do_v all_o agree_n and_o be_v of_o one_o opinion_n the_o cause_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n necessary_o remain_v undecided_a he_o strong_o labour_v to_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v all_o the_o father_n consent_v not_o only_o with_o he_o but_z which_o be_v yet_o much_o hard_a to_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n also_o among_o themselves_o insomuch_o that_o he_o command_v we_o when_o ever_o there_o appear_v any_o contrariety_n in_o their_o write_n that_o we_o shall_v accuse_v our_o own_o ignorance_n rather_o than_o blame_v they_o for_o contradict_v each_o other_o we_o may_v conclude_v therefore_o from_o what_o be_v here_o lay_v down_o by_o this_o author_n who_o be_v both_o as_o acute_a and_o as_o learned_a a_o man_n as_o any_o be_v at_o this_o council_n that_o to_o render_v the_o father_n capable_a of_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o our_o controversy_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v
by_o the_o father_n how_o can_v they_o expect_v that_o their_o authority_n shall_v pass_v for_o authentic_a in_o any_o one_o let_v we_o suppose_v for_o instance_n that_o they_o hold_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o purgatory_n but_o by_o your_o favour_n will_n the_o protestant_n say_v if_o you_o have_v find_v their_o belief_n to_o be_v so_o erroneous_a touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o depart_v saint_n till_o the_o day_n of_o the_o resurrection_n why_o will_v you_o impose_v upon_o i_o a_o necessity_n of_o subscribe_v to_o what_o they_o hold_v touch_v purgatory_n the_o law_n of_o disputation_n ought_v to_o be_v equal_a and_o therefore_o if_o you_o by_o examine_v this_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n by_o reason_n and_o by_o the_o scripture_n have_v find_v it_o to_o be_v erroneous_a why_o will_v you_o not_o give_v we_o leave_v to_o try_v that_o other_o touch_v purgatory_n by_o the_o same_o touchstone_n certain_o shall_v we_o but_o speak_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v the_o plain_a mock_v of_o the_o world_n that_o can_v be_v to_o cry_v out_o as_o these_o man_n do_v continual_o the_o father_n the_o father_n and_o to_o write_v so_o many_o whole_a volume_n upon_o this_o subject_a as_o they_o have_v do_v after_o they_o have_v so_o deal_v with_o they_o as_o you_o have_v see_v and_o if_o it_o be_v here_o object_v that_o the_o protestant_n themselves_o do_v also_o reject_v many_o of_o those_o article_n which_o we_o have_v before_o set_v down_o we_o answer_v that_o this_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o the_o purpose_n forasmuch_o as_o they_o take_v the_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o father_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n neither_o do_v they_o press_v any_o man_n to_o receive_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o ancient_n unless_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o last_o you_o say_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n have_v no_o place_n nor_o be_v at_o all_o considerable_a in_o the_o point_n before_o set_v down_o because_o that_o the_o churcb_n have_v otherwise_o determine_v touch_v the_o same_o this_o be_v clear_o to_o grant_v we_o that_o which_o we_o will_v have_v namely_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n be_v not_o supreme_a and_o as_o for_o the_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v how_o far_o the_o authority_n of_o it_o extend_v in_o these_o thing_n this_o be_v a_o new_a question_n to_o be_v dispute_v of_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o meddle_v withal_o at_o this_o time_n only_o thus_o much_o i_o shall_v say_v that_o what_o authority_n soever_o you_o allow_v it_o whether_o little_a or_o much_o you_o will_v still_o find_v that_o it_o will_v very_o hardly_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n touch_v the_o decision_n of_o our_o present_a controversy_n forasmuch_o as_o you_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o use_n or_o benefit_n of_o this_o position_n till_o such_o time_n as_o you_o be_v assure_v both_o what_o and_o where_o the_o church_n be_v see_v that_o the_o protestant_n stiff_o deny_v that_o it_o be_v that_o which_o appear_v at_o this_o day_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o great_a difficulty_n of_o all_o consist_v in_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o unto_o they_o for_o if_o they_o do_v but_o once_o believe_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o will_v immediate_o join_v themselves_o with_o it_o so_o that_o there_o will_v not_o henceforth_o be_v need_n of_o any_o further_a dispute_n we_o shall_v here_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o the_o difference_n that_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o religion_n be_v no_o proper_a course_n for_o the_o decision_n of_o they_o see_v it_o be_v no_o easy_a matter_n to_o discover_v what_o their_o judgement_n have_v be_v touch_v the_o same_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o many_o difficulty_n that_o we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_n neither_o be_v it_o of_o so_o sufficient_a authority_n in_o itself_o as_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o build_v our_o belief_n upon_o it_o since_o the_o father_n themselves_o have_v be_v also_o subject_a to_o error_n neither_o last_o be_v it_o of_o any_o force_n either_o against_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o party_n see_v that_o they_o both_o regulate_v and_o examine_v the_o opinion_n ceremony_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o ancient_n the_o one_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o other_o by_o that_o of_o the_o church_n but_o here_o i_o find_v that_o upon_o this_o conclusion_n two_o question_n may_v arise_v for_o see_v that_o the_o allege_v the_o father_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o the_o decide_n of_o those_o point_n that_o be_v now_o in_o debate_n among_o we_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v in_o the_o first_o place_n what_o other_o course_n we_o ought_v to_o take_v for_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o truth_n in_o these_o controversy_n and_o then_o second_o how_o and_o in_o what_o case_n the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n may_v be_v useful_a unto_o we_o now_o although_o both_o these_o question_n be_v without_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o present_a design_n yet_o notwithstanding_o in_o regard_n they_o so_o near_o border_v upon_o it_o we_o shall_v in_o the_o last_o place_n say_v a_o word_n or_o two_o in_o answer_n of_o they_o as_o for_o the_o first_o it_o will_v be_v a_o hard_a matter_n in_o my_o judgement_n to_o find_v out_o a_o better_a way_n for_o satisfaction_n herein_o than_o that_o which_o one_o scholarius_n a_o greek_a who_o be_v very_o high_o account_v of_o by_o those_o who_o print_v the_o general_a council_n at_o rome_n have_v propose_v this_o learned_a man_n in_o a_o certain_a oration_n of_o he_o which_o he_o make_v at_o the_o council_n of_o florence_n for_o the_o facilitate_v of_o the_o union_n which_o be_v then_o treat_v of_o betwixt_o the_o latin_n and_o the_o greek_n and_o be_v afterward_o conclude_v on_o lay_v down_o for_o a_o ground_n first_o 〈◊〉_d that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o clear_o and_o in_o express_a term_n deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v a_o pretext_n and_o shift_n that_o many_o of_o the_o heretic_n make_v use_v of_o but_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v with_o equal_a honour_n whatsoever_o direct_o follow_v from_o that_o which_o be_v say_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o reject_v utter_o whatsoever_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v undoubted_o true_a he_o say_v further_a that_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o clear_o express_v itself_o we_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o our_o guide_n to_o give_v we_o light_v therein_o by_o some_o other_o passage_n where_o it_o have_v speak_v more_o plain_o and_o after_o all_o this_o he_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v use_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n full_o to_o reconcile_v those_o seem_a contradiction_n which_o we_o sometime_o there_o meet_v withal_o in_o several_a passage_n to_o that_o purpose_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o diversity_n of_o time_n custom_n sense_n and_o the_o like_a and_o go_v on_o he_o say_v 653._o that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n at_o nice_a after_o this_o manner_n conclude_v by_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o true_a belief_n touch_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o then_o apply_v all_o this_o to_o his_o present_a purpose_n he_o add_v etc._n that_o the_o scripture_n say_v clear_o and_o express_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v from_o the_o father_n and_o that_o this_o be_v agree_v upon_o by_o both_o side_n both_o by_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o latin_n but_o that_o it_o have_v not_o so_o express_o declare_v itself_o whether_o the_o holy_a ghost_n proceed_v also_o from_o the_o son_n or_o not_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n now_o in_o question_n the_o latin_n affirm_v it_o and_o the_o greek_n on_o the_o other_o side_n deny_v it_o 〈◊〉_d we_o ought_v therefore_o say_v he_o to_o prove_v this_o from_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o more_o clear_o deliver_v which_o he_o afterward_o perform_v and_o indeed_o in_o my_o judgement_n very_o learned_o and_o happy_o prove_v this_o doubtful_a point_n out_o of_o other_o passage_n that_o be_v more_o clear_n and_o this_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o this_o great_a person_n which_o will_v not_o give_v any_o offence_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o it_o come_v from_o one_o that_o be_v of_o their_o side_n neither_o do_v i_o see_v what_o can_v have_v be_v speak_v more_o rational_o and_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o course_n that_o be_v observe_v in_o all_o science_n whatsoever_o if_o thy_o adversary_n doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o thou_o propose_v thou_o be_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o such_o maxim_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o allow_v of_o
by_o he_o make_v good_a that_o which_o be_v doubtful_a by_o that_o which_o be_v certain_a and_o clear_v that_o which_o be_v obscure_a by_o that_o which_o be_v evident_a and_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n that_o i_o conceive_v we_o ought_v to_o walk_v by_o in_o the_o dispute_n that_o be_v betwixt_o we_o at_o this_o day_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v our_o common_a book_n let_v we_o therefore_o search_v into_o it_o for_o that_o upon_o which_o we_o may_v ground_v our_o own_o belief_n and_o by_o which_o we_o may_v overthrow_v the_o opinion_n of_o our_o adversary_n as_o for_o example_n it_o be_v there_o say_v clear_o and_o express_o that_o that_o which_o our_o saviour_n christ_n take_v at_o his_o last_o supper_n be_v bread_n and_o herein_o we_o all_o agree_v but_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o there_o express_v whether_o this_o bread_n be_v afterward_o change_v or_o annihilate_v or_o not_o and_o this_o be_v now_o the_o question_n in_o dispute_n among_o we_o we_o ought_v therefore_o according_a to_o the_o counsel_n of_o scholarius_n to_o prove_v this_o by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o deliver_v clear_o and_o if_o thou_o do_v this_o thou_o have_v get_v the_o victory_n if_o not_o i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o see_v why_o or_o how_o thou_o can_v oblige_v any_o one_o to_o believe_v it_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o in_o as_o express_v term_n as_o may_v be_v that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n command_v his_o apostle_n to_o take_v and_o eat_v and_o to_o drink_v that_o which_o he_o give_v they_o in_o celebrate_v the_o eucharist_n but_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o say_v that_o he_o command_v they_o to_o offer_v the_o same_o in_o sacrifice_n either_o then_o or_o afterward_o and_o this_o be_v now_o the_o question_n which_o it_o concern_v those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n if_o they_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v it_o to_o prove_v by_o some_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n in_o like_a manner_n say_v express_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o mediator_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o he_o purge_v we_o by_o his_o blood_n from_o our_o sin_n now_o in_o all_o this_o both_o side_n be_v full_o agree_v but_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o there_o express_v that_o the_o depart_v saint_n be_v mediator_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o our_o soul_n be_v in_o part_n cleanse_v from_o their_o sin_n by_o the_o fire_n of_o purgatory_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o controversy_n betwixt_o we_o the_o learned_a scholarius_n his_o opinion_n herein_o will_v now_o be_v that_o certain_o those_o who_o propose_v these_o point_n as_o article_n of_o faith_n deduce_v and_o collect_v they_o from_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v clear_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v press_v as_o truth_n and_o although_o that_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o thing_n of_o importance_n a_o man_n may_v very_o well_o be_v excuse_v for_o not_o believe_v a_o thing_n when_o there_o appear_v not_o any_o such_o reason_n as_o may_v oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v it_o yet_o notwithstanding_o if_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o article_n now_o debate_v betwixt_o we_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o go_v further_o yet_o and_o to_o prove_v positive_o the_o falseness_n of_o they_o you_o see_v this_o author_n have_v lay_v they_o down_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o proceed_v he_o account_v those_o very_a absurd_a that_o require_v at_o your_o hand_n that_o you_o shall_v show_v they_o all_o thing_n express_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o this_o aught_o principal_o to_o be_v understand_v of_o negative_a proposition_n of_o which_o no_o science_n give_v you_o any_o certain_a account_n forasmuch_o as_o to_o go_v about_o to_o number_v they_o all_o up_o will_v be_v both_o a_o infinite_a and_o also_o a_o unprofitable_a useless_a piece_n of_o work_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o deliver_v the_o positive_a truth_n for_o as_o whatsoever_o right_o follow_v thereupon_o be_v true_a in_o like_a manner_n whatsoever_o clash_v with_o or_o contradict_v the_o same_o be_v false_a will_v thou_o therefore_o demonstrate_v those_o proposition_n that_o be_v press_v upon_o thou_o to_o be_v false_a do_v but_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o thou_o find_v they_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n there_o set_v down_o receive_v they_o not_o by_o any_o mean_n as_o for_o example_n if_o a_o protestant_n not_o content_v himself_o with_o have_v answer_v all_o those_o reason_n which_o be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o purgatory_n shall_v yet_o desire_v to_o go_v further_o and_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o opinion_n be_v false_a he_o be_v in_o this_o case_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o examine_v it_o by_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v there_o clear_o and_o express_o deliver_v touch_v the_o state_n of_o the_o soul_n after_o it_o be_v depart_v this_o life_n and_o touch_v the_o cause_n and_o mean_n of_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o the_o like_a and_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o purgatory_n be_v find_v to_o contradict_v any_o thing_n there_o deliver_v then_o according_a to_o scholarius_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o any_o mean_n but_o the_o brevity_n which_o we_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o in_o this_o discourse_n permit_v we_o not_o to_o prosecute_v this_o point_n any_o further_o as_o for_o the_o second_o question_n it_o be_v no_o very_o hard_a matter_n to_o resolve_v it_o for_o although_o we_o do_v not_o indeed_o allow_v any_o supreme_a and_o infallible_a authority_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n yet_o do_v we_o not_o therefore_o present_o account_v they_o vseless_a if_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o use_n in_o religion_n save_v what_o be_v also_o infallible_a we_o shall_v have_v but_o little_a good_a of_o any_o humane_a write_n those_o who_o have_v write_v in_o our_o own_o age_n or_o a_o little_a before_o be_v of_o no_o authority_n at_o all_o either_o against_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o party_n yet_o notwithstanding_o do_v we_o both_o read_v they_o and_o also_o reap_v much_o benefit_n from_o they_o how_o much_o more_o advantage_n than_o may_v we_o make_v by_o study_v the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n who_o piety_n and_o learning_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n much_o great_a than_o that_o of_o the_o modern_n s._n augustine_n believe_v they_o not_o in_o any_o thing_n otherwise_o than_o as_o he_o find_v what_o they_o deliver_v to_o be_v ground_v upon_o reason_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o he_o have_v they_o in_o a_o very_a great_a esteem_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o s._n hierome_n who_o have_v read_v almost_o all_o of_o they_o over_o notwithstanding_o that_o he_o take_v liberty_n sometime_o to_o reprove_v they_o something_o sharp_o where_o he_o find_v they_o not_o speak_v to_o his_o mind_n though_o you_o shall_v deprive_v they_o not_o only_o of_o this_o supremacy_n which_o yet_o they_o never_o seek_v after_o but_o shall_v rob_v they_o also_o of_o their_o proper_a nome_v yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v they_o still_o be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n unto_o we_o for_o book_n do_v not_o therefore_o profit_v we_o because_o they_o be_v of_o such_o or_o such_o a_o man_n be_v write_v but_o rather_o because_o they_o instruct_v we_o in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a and_o honest_a and_o keep_v we_o out_o of_o error_n and_o make_v we_o abhor_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v vicious_a blot_v out_o if_o you_o please_v the_o name_n of_o s._n augustine_n out_o of_o the_o title_n of_o those_o excellent_a book_n of_o his_o de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la or_o those_o other_o which_o he_o write_v de_fw-fr doctrinâ_fw-la christianâ_fw-la his_o write_n will_v instruct_v you_o never_o a_o whit_n the_o less_o neither_o will_v you_o find_v any_o whit_n the_o less_o benefit_n by_o they_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o all_o the_o rest_n first_o of_o all_o therefore_o you_o shall_v find_v in_o the_o father_n very_a many_o earnest_n and_o zealous_a exhortation_n to_o holiness_n of_o life_n and_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o discipline_n of_o jesus_n christ_n second_o you_o shall_v there_o meet_v with_o very_o strong_a and_o solid_a proof_n of_o those_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o our_o religion_n touch_v which_o we_o be_v all_o agree_v and_o also_o many_o excellent_a thing_n lay_v open_a tend_v to_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o these_o mystery_n and_o also_o of_o the_o scripture_n wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v in_o this_o very_a particular_a their_o authority_n may_v be_v of_o
no_o such_o doctrine_n be_v ever_o preach_v to_o mankind_n either_o by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n or_o by_o his_o apostle_n for_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o those_o holy_a doctor_n of_o former_a age_n from_o who_o hand_n christianity_n have_v be_v derive_v down_o unto_o we_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v reveal_v and_o recommend_v by_o our_o saviour_n as_o important_a and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o the_o father_n be_v deceive_v either_o by_o some_o false_a manner_n of_o argumentation_n or_o else_o by_o some_o seem_v authority_n do_v sometime_o deliver_v such_o thing_n as_o have_v not_o be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n but_o be_v evident_o either_o false_a or_o ill_o ground_v as_o we_o have_v former_o show_v in_o those_o example_n before_o produce_v by_o we_o it_o be_v true_a moreover_o that_o among_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n in_o the_o scripture_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o father_n may_v have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o some_o of_o they_o either_o by_o reason_n that_o time_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o discover_v what_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v or_o else_o because_o that_o for_o lack_n of_o give_v good_a heed_n unto_o they_o or_o by_o their_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o some_o passion_n they_o do_v not_o then_o perceive_v what_o have_v since_o be_v find_v out_o but_o that_o they_o shall_v all_o of_o they_o have_v be_v ignorant_a of_o any_o article_n that_o be_v necessary_o requisite_a to_o salvation_n be_v altogether_o impossible_a for_o after_o this_o account_n they_o shall_v all_o have_v be_v deprive_v of_o salvation_n which_o i_o suppose_v every_o honest_a soul_n will_v tremble_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o i_o say_v then_o and_o as_o i_o conceive_v have_v sufficient_o prove_v in_o this_o treatise_n that_o a_o argument_n which_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n from_o the_o father_n have_v maintain_v the_o same_o be_v very_o weak_a and_o ill-grounded_n as_o suppose_v that_o which_o be_v clear_o false_a namely_o that_o the_o father_n maintain_v nothing_o which_o have_v not_o be_v reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n christ_n for_o this_o will_v be_v such_o a_o kind_n of_o argumentation_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v prove_v by_o the_o general_n agreement_n herein_o of_o the_o father_n that_o all_o the_o depart_v soul_n be_v shut_v up_o together_o in_o a_o certain_a place_n or_o receptacle_n till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n or_o that_o the_o encharist_n be_v necessary_o to_o be_v administer_v to_o little_a infant_n and_o the_o like_a where_o every_o one_o see_v how_o insufficient_a and_o invalid_n this_o way_n of_o argumentation_n be_v and_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n such_o be_v the_o proceed_v of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n when_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n those_o article_n which_o they_o propose_v to_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v reject_v by_o the_o protestant_n i_o say_v moreover_o that_o to_o conclude_v upon_o the_o nullity_n or_o falseness_n of_o any_o article_n that_o be_v not_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n from_o the_o general_a silence_n of_o the_o father_n touch_v the_o same_o be_v a_o very_a absurd_a way_n of_o argue_v as_o suppose_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v also_o manifest_o false_a namely_o that_o the_o father_n must_v necessary_o have_v see_v and_o clear_o know_v all_o and_o every_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v reveal_v in_o his_o word_n such_o a_o kind_n of_o argument_n will_v it_o be_v think_v among_o the_o franciscan_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v conclude_v against_o they_o from_o the_o silence_n of_o the_o father_n that_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v that_o the_o bless_a virgin_n mary_n be_v conceive_v without_o sin_n but_o yet_o i_o confess_v again_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o in_o those_o point_n that_o be_v account_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n a_o argument_n that_o shall_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o general_n silence_n of_o the_o father_n to_o prove_v the_o nullity_n or_o falseness_n of_o it_o will_v be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o indeed_o unanswerable_a as_o for_o example_n his_o manner_n of_o argumentation_n will_v be_v very_o rational_a and_o solid_a that_o shall_v conclude_v that_o those_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o be_v propose_v by_o a_o mahomet_n suppose_v or_o a_o david_n george_n or_o the_o like_a sectary_n be_v null_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o will_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n how_o much_o soever_o these_o man_n may_v seem_v to_o honour_v he_o see_v that_o none_o of_o ehe_fw-ge ancient_a christian_n speak_v so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n of_o it_o and_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a of_o all_o those_o secret_n that_o these_o wretch_n have_v preach_v to_o their_o disciple_n and_o deliver_v as_o infallible_a and_o necessary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n after_o this_o manner_n do_v irenaeus_n dispute_v against_o the_o valentinian_o and_o other_o of_o the_o gnostic_n who_o vent_v their_o own_o senseless_a dream_n and_o absurd_a issue_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n say_v that_o the_o creator_n of_o the_o world_n be_v but_o a_o angelâ—_n and_o that_o there_o be_v above_o he_o certain_a divine_a power_n which_o they_o call_v aeones_n that_o be_v to_o say_v age_n some_o of_o they_o make_v more_o of_o these_o and_o other_o few_o and_o some_o reckon_n to_o the_o number_n of_o ccclxv_o and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o other_o the_o like_a prodigy_n never_o show_v any_o ground_n for_o the_o same_o either_o in_o reason_n or_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n 4._o irenaeus_n therefore_o that_o he_o may_v make_v it_o appear_v to_o the_o world_n that_o this_o so_o strange_a doctrine_n be_v produce_v out_o of_o their_o own_o brain_n only_o go_v about_o and_o visit_v the_o arohive_n of_o all_o the_o church_n that_o have_v be_v either_o plant_v or_o water_v by_o the_o holy_a apostle_n turn_v over_o all_o their_o record_n evidence_n and_o ancient_a monument_n and_o these_o aeones_n achamot_n and_o barbele_n of_o the_o gnostic_n no_o where_o appear_v 2._o nor_o so_o much_o as_o any_o the_o least_o part_n or_o trace_v of_o they_o he_o conclude_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v never_o deliver_v over_o any_o such_o thing_n to_o their_o disciple_n neither_o by_o write_v nor_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n as_o these_o impostor_n pretend_v they_o have_v for_o certain_o if_o they_o have_v do_v so_o the_o memory_n of_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o utter_o lose_v this_o be_v also_o the_o method_n that_o tertullian_n follow_v in_o his_o disputation_n against_o these_o very_a heretic_n and_o other_o the_o like_a in_o the_o 22_o chapter_n of_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr praescriptionibus_fw-la adversus_fw-la haereticos_fw-la and_o in_o other_o place_n the_o practice_n of_o these_o great_a person_n who_o make_v use_v of_o it_o themselves_o will_v here_o serve_v to_o prove_v unto_o we_o that_o this_o course_n be_v right_o and_o good_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n in_o the_o church_n and_o serve_v as_o a_o out-work_n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o repel_v the_o presumption_n of_o those_o who_o will_v forge_v a_o new_a faith_n but_o forasmuch_o as_o those_o who_o broach_n new_a doctrine_n of_o their_o own_o head_n do_v ordinary_o slight_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o those_o very_a heretic_n do_v who_o iraeneus_n confute_v who_o impudent_o accuse_v they_o of_o not_o be_v right_o vocem_fw-la and_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o authority_n and_o speak_v in_o very_o ambiguous_a term_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o inform_v a_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n unless_o they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o tradition_n the_o truth_n have_v be_v deliver_v as_o these_o man_n pretend_v not_o in_o write_v but_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o say_v and_o for_o other_o the_o like_a be_v the_o write_n of_o the_o â—athers_n of_o very_o great_a use_n in_o these_o dispute_n and_o i_o conceive_v this_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a end_n for_o which_o the_o divine_a providence_n have_v in_o despite_n of_o so_o many_o confusion_n and_o change_n preserve_v so_o many_o of_o they_o safe_a down_o to_o our_o time_n if_o therefore_o the_o protestant_n shall_v propose_v of_o their_o own_o head_n and_o shall_v press_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n any_o positive_a article_n which_o do_v not_o at_o all_o appear_v in_o antiquity_n without_o all_o question_n this_o course_n may_v with_o very_o good_a reason_n be_v make_v use_n of_o against_o them_o but_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o in_o their_o belief_n for_o
sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n lest_o otherwise_o by_o misinterpret_v the_o same_o you_o may_v chance_v to_o fall_v into_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o two_o precipice_n if_o you_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o father_n in_o this_o case_n you_o shall_v have_v â—93_n some_o of_o they_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o union_n of_o the_o affection_n and_o of_o the_o will_n and_o passim_fw-la other_o again_o to_o the_o unity_n of_o essence_n and_o of_o nature_n so_o likewise_o this_o other_o passage_n in_o the_o same_o evangelist_n 28._o my_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o be_v very_o considerable_a also_o in_o the_o question_n touch_v the_o divinity_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v 23._o some_o among_o the_o father_n who_o understand_v the_o word_n as_o speak_v indefinite_o of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n although_o the_o rest_n of_o they_o do_v ordinary_o restrain_v they_o to_o his_o humanity_n these_o word_n also_o of_o st._n john_n 14._o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n be_v of_o no_o small_a consideration_n in_o the_o dispute_n against_o nestorius_n and_o eutyches_n now_o if_o you_o bring_v the_o business_n before_o the_o father_n you_o shall_v have_v 298._o some_o of_o they_o expound_v these_o word_n by_o compare_v they_o with_o those_o passage_n in_o st._n paul_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o 21._o christ_n be_v make_v sin_n and_o a_o 13._o curse_n for_o we_o but_o 515._o st._n cyril_n say_v that_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n how_o we_o interpret_v the_o word_n so_o it_o will_v be_v a_o endless_a task_n if_o i_o shall_v here_o go_v about_o to_o reckon_v up_o all_o the_o difference_n and_o contrariety_n of_o judgement_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o father_n those_o that_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o see_v any_o more_o of_o they_o may_v have_v recourse_n to_o some_o of_o our_o late_a commentator_n who_o usual_a course_n be_v to_o bring_v in_o all_o together_o the_o several_a interpretation_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o those_o book_n which_o they_o comment_n upon_o as_o maldonate_fw-it have_v do_v upon_o the_o gospel_n cardinal_a tolet_n upon_o st._n john_n bened._n justinianus_n upon_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o other_o where_o they_o will_v find_v that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o verse_n that_o the_o ancient_n have_v understand_v all_o of_o they_o after_o one_o and_o the_o â—ame_n manner_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o worse_o than_o this_o beside_o this_o contrariety_n and_o difference_n of_o interpretation_n you_o will_v often_o meet_v with_o very_a many_o cold_a and_o empty_a exposition_n and_o it_o be_v very_o seldom_o that_o you_o shall_v find_v there_o that_o solid_a simplicity_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o expect_v from_o all_o those_o who_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o we_o many_o time_n meet_v with_o contrariety_n of_o judgement_n as_o well_o in_o their_o exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o in_o their_o opinion_n we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v not_o of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o be_v admit_v as_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o our_o controversy_n that_o contradiction_n which_o be_v often_o find_v among_o they_o evident_o show_v that_o they_o be_v not_o infallible_a judge_n such_o as_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v for_o the_o make_v good_a of_o all_o those_o point_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n maintain_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n against_o the_o protestant_n chap._n vi_o reason_n vi_o that_o neither_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o the_o protestant_n do_v acknowledge_v the_o father_n for_o their_o judge_n in_o point_n of_o religion_n but_o do_v both_o of_o they_o reject_v such_o of_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n as_o be_v not_o for_o their_o gust_n a_o answer_n to_o two_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v make_v against_o what_o have_v be_v here_o deliver_v in_o this_o discourse_n thus_o far_o have_v we_o labour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n have_v not_o authority_n enough_o in_o themselves_o for_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o definitive_a sentence_n pass_v upon_o our_o difference_n in_o religion_n let_v we_o now_o in_o the_o last_o place_n see_v how_o much_o they_o have_v in_o respect_n of_o we_o for_o although_o a_o sentence_n of_o judgement_n shall_v be_v good_a and_o valid_a in_o itself_o as_o be_v pronounce_v by_o one_o who_o be_v a_o competent_a and_o lawful_a judge_n due_o and_o according_a to_o the_o form_n of_o law_n yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v not_o this_o serve_v to_o determine_v the_o controversy_n if_o so_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o this_o judge_n be_v deny_v by_o either_o of_o the_o party_n unless_o as_o it_o be_v in_o worldly_a affair_n the_o law_n be_v arm_v with_o such_o a_o power_n as_o be_v able_a to_o force_v those_o that_o be_v obstinate_a to_o submit_v to_o reason_n for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o question_n be_v here_o touch_v religion_n which_o be_v a_o holy_a and_o divine_a thing_n to_o the_o embrace_v whereof_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v persuade_v and_o not_o compel_v since_o force_n have_v no_o place_n here_o for_o although_o perhaps_o they_o can_v compel_v man_n outward_o to_o render_v some_o such_o respect_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v not_o this_o serve_v to_o make_v any_o impression_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o same_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o any_o one_o the_o same_o division_n will_v still_o remain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o you_o be_v first_o of_o all_o to_o pull_v up_o by_o the_o root_n if_o ever_o you_o intend_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o each_o other_o and_o to_o make_v they_o agree_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o certain_a determination_n therefore_o of_o all_o difference_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o both_o party_n be_v persuade_v that_o the_o judge_n who_o be_v to_o pronounce_v sentence_n upon_o the_o same_o have_v as_o much_o authority_n as_o it_o requisite_a for_o that_o purpose_n notwithstanding_o therefore_o that_o the_o father_n shall_v have_v clear_o and_o positive_o pronounce_v what_o they_o have_v think_v touch_v the_o point_n in_o hand_n which_o yet_o they_o have_v not_o do_v as_o we_o have_v prove_v before_o let_v we_o suppose_v further_o that_o they_o have_v be_v endue_v with_o all_o those_o quality_n which_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o render_v a_o man_n fit_a to_o be_v a_o supreme_a judge_n and_o from_o who_o there_o can_v be_v no_o appeal_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o so_o as_o we_o have_v already_o clear_o prove_v yet_o notwithstanding_o will_v all_o this_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n unless_o this_o authority_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o both_o party_n the_o old_a testament_n be_v a_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o be_v endue_v with_o so_o supreme_a a_o authority_n as_o that_o every_o part_n of_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v believe_v yet_o do_v not_o this_o work_n any_o whit_n at_o all_o with_o a_o pagan_a because_o he_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v any_o such_o excellent_a worth_n to_o be_v in_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n be_v it_o between_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o jew_n neither_o can_v it_o decide_v the_o difference_n betwixt_o the_o jew_n and_o we_o not_o because_o it_o be_v not_o of_o sufficient_a authority_n in_o itself_o but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o so_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o indeed_o he_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v laugh_v at_o whosoever_o shall_v allege_v in_o dispute_v against_o the_o pagan_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n or_o that_o of_o the_o new_a for_o the_o bring_n of_o a_o jew_n over_o to_o our_o belief_n suppose_v therefore_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n be_v clear_a upon_o our_o question_n nay_o which_o be_v more_o let_v it_o be_v grant_v moreover_o if_o you_o please_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o be_v of_o themselves_o of_o a_o full_a and_o undeniable_a authority_n i_o say_v still_o that_o they_o can_v decide_v our_o debate_n if_o so_o be_v that_o either_o of_o the_o party_n shall_v refuse_v to_o acknowledge_v this_o great_a and_o admirable_a dignity_n to_o be_v in_o they_o much_o less_o if_o both_o party_n shall_v refuse_v to_o allow_v they_o to_o have_v this_o privilege_n let_v we_o now_o therefore_o see_v in_o what_o account_n the_o several_a party_n have_v the_o father_n and_o whether_o they_o acknowledge_v they_o as_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o their_o religion_n or_o at_o least_o as_o arbitrator_n who_o definitive_a sentence_n ought_v to_o stand_v firm_a and_o inviolable_a as_o for_o our_o protestant_n of_o france_n who_o their_o adversary_n will_v fain_o persuade_v if_o they_o can_v to_o receive_v the_o father_n for_o judge_n in_o religion_n and_o to_o who_o consequent_o they_o ought_v not_o