peace_n if_o controversy_n be_v refer_v to_o a_o infallible_a judge_n we_o must_v therefore_o allow_v every_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o to_o be_v such_o a_o infallible_a guide_n and_o we_o must_v on_o the_o same_o ground_n allow_v every_o one_o if_o we_o must_v not_o first_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v challenge_v by_o any_o one_o and_o withal_o since_o christ_n be_v the_o best_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v fit_a for_o his_o church_n we_o must_v see_v by_o his_o law_n whether_o he_o have_v make_v it_o necessary_a for_o all_o controversy_n to_o be_v end_v by_o a_o stand_a judge_n that_o shall_v arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v it_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o say_v it_o be_v fit_a he_o shall_v have_v do_v it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o upbraid_v christ_n with_o weakness_n and_o not_o to_o end_v difference_n in_o his_o church_n 2._o suppose_v it_o necessary_a that_o controversy_n shall_v be_v end_v it_o may_v 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say_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v allege_v for_o such_o a_o infallible_a judge_n be_v the_o most_o doubtful_a and_o controvert_v of_o any_o i_o will_v fain_o understand_v by_o what_o mean_v i_o may_v come_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o place_n and_o to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o must_v i_o do_v it_o only_o by_o a_o infallible_a guide_n but_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o be_o now_o seek_v for_o and_o i_o must_v not_o suppose_v that_o which_o i_o be_o to_o prove_v if_o i_o may_v be_v certain_a without_o suppose_v such_o a_o infallible_a guide_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o very_a doubtful_a and_o controvert_v place_n than_z why_o may_v i_o not_o by_o the_o same_o way_n of_o proceed_v arrive_n at_o the_o certainty_n of_o any_o other_o less_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a place_n unless_o there_o be_v some_o private_a way_n to_o come_v at_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o place_n which_o will_v hold_v for_o none_o else_o beside_o they_o 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therefore_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n in_o this_o weighty_a controversy_n concern_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o doubtful_a place_n and_o if_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v then_o hear_v off_o as_o a_o infallible_a judge_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n they_o think_v there_o be_v none_o appoint_v because_o the_o dispute_n that_o happen_v then_o require_v as_o much_o the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o judge_n as_o any_o that_o be_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o controversy_n which_o disturb_v the_o church_n scripture_n one_o be_v concern_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o other_o concern_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o for_o there_o be_v no_o one_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o authority_n be_v not_o call_v in_o question_n by_o some_o heretic_n in_o those_o first_o age_n the_o gnostic_n by_o who_o i_o understand_v the_o follower_n of_o simon_n magus_n menander_n saturninus_n and_o basilides_n haâ—_n frame_v a_o new_a religion_n of_o their_o own_o under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_a and_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o write_n either_o of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n but_o have_v a_o book_n of_o their_o own_o which_o they_o call_v the_o gospel_n of_o perfection_n but_o as_o epiphanius_n well_o observe_v 3._o no_o man_n that_o have_v understanding_n needs_o scripture_n to_o refute_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o they_o be_v for_o right_a reason_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o discover_v the_o folly_n and_o filthiness_n of_o it_o 〈…〉_z the_o follower_n of_o cerinthus_n and_o ebion_n acknowledge_v no_o other_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n matthew_n 〈…〉_z and_o that_o not_o entire_a but_o with_o diverse_a corruption_n and_o interpolation_n according_a to_o their_o several_a fancy_n cerdon_n and_o martion_n allow_v no_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n 11._o which_o they_o alter_v according_a to_o their_o pleasure_n cut_v off_o the_o genealogy_n and_o other_o place_n and_o insert_v many_o thing_n as_o it_o serve_v most_o to_o their_o purpose_n as_o may_v be_v see_v at_o large_a in_o epiphanius_n 42._o some_o say_v the_o valentinian_o receive_v no_o other_o gospel_n but_o that_o of_o st._n john_n as_o the_o alogi_fw-la in_o epiphanius_n reject_v that_o alone_a but_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o valentinus_n do_v reject_v any_o but_o add_v more_o 11._o for_o irenaeus_n charge_v the_o valentinian_o only_a with_o add_v another_o gospel_n which_o they_o call_v the_o gospel_n of_o truth_n and_o tertullian_n express_o say_v that_o valentinus_n therein_o differ_v from_o martion_n 38._o that_o martion_n cut_v off_o what_o he_o please_v with_o his_o sword_n but_o valentinus_n corrupt_v it_o with_o his_o pen_n for_o although_o he_o allow_v all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n yet_o he_o pervert_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o follower_n of_o severus_n reject_v the_o epistle_n of_o s._n paul_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n 29._o and_o interpret_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o gospel_n after_o a_o peculiar_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o so_o that_o we_o see_v those_o who_o undertake_v to_o confute_v these_o heretic_n be_v not_o only_o to_o vindicate_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o to_o dispute_v with_o such_o who_o do_v not_o own_o the_o same_o book_n which_o they_o do_v and_o therefore_o be_v force_v to_o use_v such_o way_n of_o argue_v as_o be_v proper_a to_o they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v at_o large_a by_o the_o proceed_n of_o irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n against_o they_o but_o because_o the_o valentinian_o and_o marcionite_n do_v endeavour_v to_o suit_v their_o extravagant_a fancy_n to_o the_o scripture_n allow_v by_o they_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o inquire_v by_o what_o mean_v they_o go_v about_o to_o clear_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o their_o false_a gloss_n and_o interpretation_n irenaeus_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o book_n relate_v at_o large_a the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o valâ—ntinians_n 1._o say_v that_o by_o the_o perverse_a interpretation_n and_o corrupt_a exposition_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o draw_v away_o unstable_a mind_n from_o the_o true_a faith_n for_o they_o pretend_v to_o find_v out_o deep_o and_o more_o mysterious_a thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n than_o other_o be_v acquaint_v with_o viz._n that_o christ_n intimate_v the_o 30._o aeön_n by_o not_o appear_v till_o the_o 30._o year_n of_o his_o age._n that_o the_o parable_n of_o man_n call_v at_o the_o first_o the_o three_o the_o six_o the_o nine_o the_o eleven_o hour_n refer_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o those_o hour_n make_v up_o
of_o against_o the_o scripture_n be_v never_o so_o much_o as_o think_v of_o in_o those_o day_n or_o if_o it_o be_v be_v not_o think_v worth_a answer_v for_o they_o diâ—_n not_o in_o the_o least_o desert_n the_o proof_n of_o scripture_n because_o their_o adversary_n make_v use_v of_o it_o too_o but_o they_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o their_o adversary_n doctrine_n have_v no_o solid_a foundation_n in_o scripture_n but_o they_o have_v i.e._n that_o the_o arian_n pervert_v it_o because_o they_o do_v not_o examine_v and_o compare_v place_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v but_o run_v away_o with_o a_o few_o word_n without_o consider_v the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o they_o or_o compare_v they_o with_o place_n plain_o than_o those_o be_v which_o they_o bring_v thus_o when_o the_o arian_n object_v that_o place_n my_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o athanasius_n bid_v they_o compare_v that_o with_o other_o place_n such_o as_o my_o father_n and_o i_o be_v one_o etc._n and_o who_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equâ—â—_n with_o god_n and_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v etc._n etc._n when_o arius_n object_v to_o we_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n he_o telâ—s_v he_o he_o ought_v to_o consider_v the_o follow_a word_n and_o one_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n by_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n from_o whence_o when_o arius_n argue_v that_o christ_n be_v only_a god_n instrument_n in_o create_a thing_n athanasius_n then_o bid_v he_o compare_v this_o place_n with_o another_o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o who_o the_o whole_a body_n 16._o etc._n etc._n not_o bare_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d when_o the_o arian_n object_v christ_n saying_n all_o thing_n be_v deliver_v to_o i_o from_o my_o father_n athanasius_n oppose_v that_o place_n of_o st._n john_n to_o it_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v thus_o when_o they_o object_v several_a other_o place_n he_o constant_o have_v recourse_n to_o john_n 1._o 1_o 2_o 3._o to_o phil._n 2._o 7._o 1_o john_n 5._o 20._o and_o other_o which_o he_o think_v the_o plain_a place_n for_o christ_n eternal_a divinity_n and_o by_o these_o he_o prove_v that_o the_o other_o be_v to_o be_v interpret_v with_o a_o respect_n to_o his_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o state_n he_o be_v in_o upon_o earth_n so_o that_o the_o great_a defender_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n against_o the_o arian_n see_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o call_v in_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o infallible_a guide_n to_o give_v the_o certain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o these_o doubtful_a place_n but_o he_o think_v the_o scripture_n plain_a enough_o to_o all_o those_o who_o will_v impartial_o examine_v it_o and_o for_o other_o who_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n no_o light_n can_v be_v great_a enough_o for_o they_o indeed_o when_o the_o arian_n call_v in_o the_o help_n of_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n to_o justify_v their_o doctrine_n 549._o than_o athanasius_n think_v himself_o concerneâ—_n to_o vindicate_v they_o as_o particular_o dionysius_n of_o alexandria_n but_o as_o he_o say_v if_o they_o can_v produce_v scripture_n or_o reason_n for_o what_o they_o say_v let_v they_o do_v it_o but_o if_o not_o let_v they_o hold_v their_o peace_n thereby_o imply_v that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a considerable_a thing_n to_o be_v regard_v yet_o he_o show_v at_o large_a that_o they_o abuse_v the_o testimony_n of_o dionysius_n who_o although_o in_o his_o letter_n against_o sabellius_n he_o speak_v too_o much_o the_o other_o way_n yet_o in_o other_o of_o his_o write_n he_o sufficient_o clear_v himself_o from_o be_v a_o savourer_n of_o the_o arian_n heresy_n and_o although_o athanasius_n do_v else_o where_o say_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n then_o hold_v be_v the_o faith_n of_o their_o forefather_n sâ—rapi_fw-la and_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n yet_o he_o no_o where_o say_v that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o that_o tradition_n it_o have_v be_v impossible_a to_o have_v know_v the_o certain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n much_o less_o without_o the_o infallible_a interpretation_n of_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o present_a church_n s._n hilary_n in_o his_o dispute_n against_o the_o same_o heretic_n 1._o profess_v in_o the_o beginning_n that_o his_o intention_n be_v to_o confound_v their_o rage_n and_o ignorance_n out_o of_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o to_o that_o end_n desire_v of_o his_o reader_n that_o they_o will_v conceive_v of_o god_n not_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o their_o own_o being_n but_o according_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o what_o he_o have_v declare_v of_o himself_o for_o he_o be_v the_o best_a reader_n of_o scripture_n who_o do_v not_o bring_v his_o sense_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o take_v it_o from_o it_o and_o do_v not_o resolve_v before_o hand_n to_o find_v that_o there_o which_o he_o conclude_v must_v be_v the_o sense_n before_o he_o read_v in_o thing_n therefore_o which_o concern_v god_n we_o must_v allow_v he_o to_o know_v himself_o best_a and_o give_v due_a reverence_n to_o his_o word_n for_o he_o be_v the_o best_a witness_n to_o himself_o who_o can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o himself_o in_o which_o word_n he_o plain_o assert_n that_o the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n must_v be_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o a_o free_a and_o impartial_a mind_n be_v necessary_a to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o after_o he_o have_v say_v in_o the_o second_o book_n that_o heresy_n arise_v from_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n and_o charge_v in_o his_o four_o book_n the_o arian_n particular_o with_o it_o he_o proceed_v to_o answer_v all_o the_o place_n produce_v by_o they_o out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n by_o compare_v several_a place_n together_o and_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_n and_o by_o these_o mean_n prove_v that_o they_o mistake_v the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n so_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o nine_o book_n rehearse_v the_o common_a place_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o arian_n he_o say_v 9_o they_o repeat_v the_o word_n alone_o without_o inquire_v into_o the_o meaning_n or_o contexture_n of_o they_o whereas_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_n their_o fundamental_a mistake_n be_v the_o apply_v those_o thing_n to_o his_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o his_o humane_a which_o he_o make_v good_a by_o a_o particular_a examination_n of_o the_o several_a place_n in_o controversy_n the_o same_o course_n be_v take_v by_o epiphanius_n phaebadius_n and_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n who_o assert_v the_o eternal_a divinity_n of_o christ_n against_o the_o arian_n epiphanius_n therefore_o charge_v they_o which_o mangling_n and_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n 50._o understand_v figurative_a expression_n literal_o and_o those_o which_o be_v intend_v in_o a_o plain_a sense_n figurative_o so_o that_o it_o be_v observable_a in_o that_o great_a controversy_n which_o disturb_v the_o church_n so_o many_o year_n which_o exercise_v the_o wit_n of_o all_o man_n in_o that_o time_n to_o find_v out_o a_o way_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o it_o after_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n have_v in_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a declare_v what_o be_v the_o catholic_n faith_n yet_o still_o the_o controversy_n be_v manage_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o no_o other_o way_n make_v use_v of_o for_o find_v it_o than_o such_o as_o we_o plead_v for_o at_o this_o day_n it_o be_v a_o most_o incredible_a thing_n that_o in_o a_o time_n of_o so_o violent_a contention_n so_o horrible_a confusion_n so_o scandalous_a division_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n none_o of_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n shall_v once_o suggest_v this_o admirable_a expedient_a of_o infallibility_n but_o this_o palladium_n be_v not_o then_o fall_v down_o from_o heaven_n or_o if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v keep_v so_o secret_a that_o not_o one_o of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o that_o busy_a and_o dispute_a age_n discover_v the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o it_o unless_o it_o be_v say_v that_o of_o all_o time_n it_o be_v then_o least_o fit_a to_o talk_v of_o infallibility_n in_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o so_o frequent_o in_o council_n contradict_v each_o other_o the_o synodical_a book_n in_o the_o new_a tome_n of_o the_o council_n 84._o reckon_v up_o 31._o several_a council_n of_o bishop_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o arian_n controversy_n whereof_o near_o 20._o be_v for_o the_o arian_n and_o the_o rest_n against_o they_o if_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v in_o this_o time_n to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o
very_a next_o chapter_n urge_v this_o as_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o that_o have_v truth_n for_o our_o rule_n and_o so_o plain_a testimony_n of_o god_n man_n ought_v not_o to_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o doubtful_a question_n concern_v god_n but_o grow_v in_o the_o love_n of_o he_o who_o have_v do_v and_o do_v so_o great_a thing_n for_o we_o and_o never_o fall_v off_o from_o that_o knowledge_n which_o be_v most_o clear_o reveal_v and_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v content_a with_o what_o be_v clear_o make_v know_v in_o the_o scripture_n because_o they_o be_v perfect_a as_o come_v from_o the_o wâ—rd_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o we_o need_v 〈◊〉_d â—onder_o if_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o religion_n above_o our_o understanding_n since_o there_o be_v so_o in_o natural_a thing_n which_o be_v daily_o see_v by_o we_o as_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o bird_n water_n air_n meteor_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o we_o may_v talk_v much_o but_o only_o god_n know_v what_o the_o truth_n be_v therefore_o why_o shall_v we_o think_v much_o if_o it_o be_v so_o in_o religion_n too_o wherein_o be_v some_o thing_n we_o may_v understand_v and_o other_o we_o must_v leave_v to_o god_n and_o if_o we_o do_v so_o we_o shall_v keep_v our_o faith_n without_o danger_n and_o all_o scripture_n be_v agreeable_a to_o itself_o the_o dark_a place_n must_v be_v understand_v in_o a_o way_n most_o suitable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o plain_a 3._o the_o sense_n they_o give_v of_o scripture_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n receive_v by_o all_o true_a christian_n from_o the_o beginning_n which_o he_o call_v the_o unmoveable_a rule_n of_o faith_n receive_v in_o baptism_n 1._o and_o which_o the_o church_n disperse_v over_o the_o earth_n do_v equal_o receive_v in_o all_o place_n 2._o with_o a_o wonderful_a consent_n for_o although_o the_o place_n and_o language_n be_v never_o so_o distant_a or_o different_a from_o each_o other_o 3._o yet_o the_o faith_n be_v the_o very_a same_o as_o there_o be_v one_o sun_n which_o enlighten_v the_o whole_a world_n which_o say_v none_o do_v enlarge_v or_o diminish_v and_o after_o have_v show_v the_o great_a absurdity_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o this_o faith_n in_o his_o first_o and_o second_o book_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o three_o he_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v full_o understand_v the_o mind_n of_o christ_n 1._o that_o they_o preach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o the_o church_n receive_v and_o which_o after_o their_o preach_v it_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o heretic_n do_v go_v about_o to_o disparage_v the_o scripture_n because_o they_o be_v condemn_v by_o they_o 2._o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o allow_v they_o sufficient_a authority_n and_o charge_v they_o with_o contradiction_n and_o so_o great_a obscurity_n that_o the_o truth_n can_v not_o be_v find_v in_o they_o without_o the_o help_n of_o tradition_n which_o they_o account_v the_o key_n to_o unlock_v all_o the_o difficulty_n of_o scripture_n and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v seek_v for_o in_o write_n but_o be_v deliver_v down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n for_o which_o cause_n st._n paul_n say_v we_o speak_v wisdom_n among_o they_o that_o be_v perfect_a which_o wisdom_n they_o pretend_v to_o be_v among_o themselves_o on_o this_o account_n the_o matter_n of_o tradition_n come_v first_o into_o dispute_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o irenaeus_n appeal_v to_o the_o most_o eminent_a church_n and_o especial_o that_o of_o rome_n 3._o because_o of_o the_o great_a resort_n of_o christian_n thither_o whether_o any_o such_o tradition_n be_v ever_o receive_v among_o they_o and_o all_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n receive_v the_o same_o faith_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o know_v of_o no_o such_o tradition_n as_o the_o valentinian_o pretend_v to_o 4._o and_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o so_o many_o church_n found_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o christ_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o such_o a_o tradition_n and_o suppose_v no_o scripture_n at_o all_o have_v be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n we_o must_v then_o have_v follow_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a church_n and_o even_o the_o most_o barbarous_a nation_n that_o have_v embrace_v christianity_n without_o any_o write_n yet_o full_o agree_v with_o other_o church_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n for_o that_o be_v it_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n viz._n a_o summary_n comprehension_n of_o the_o doctrine_n receive_v among_o christian_n such_o as_o the_o creed_n be_v mention_v by_o irenaeus_n 2._o and_o afterward_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o valentinian_o in_o opposition_n to_o that_o of_o the_o sound_a christian_n praebat_fw-la from_o hence_o irenaeus_n proceed_v to_o confute_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o valentinian_o by_o scripture_n and_o reason_n in_o the_o three_o praehat_fw-la four_o and_o five_o book_n all_o which_o way_n of_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o doubtful_a place_n we_o allow_v of_o and_o approve_v and_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o appeal_v to_o they_o in_o any_o of_o the_o matter_n controvert_v between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o irenaeus_n know_v nothing_o of_o any_o infallible_a judge_n to_o determine_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n for_o if_o he_o have_v it_o will_v have_v be_v very_o strange_a he_o shall_v have_v go_v so_o much_o the_o far_a way_n about_o when_o he_o may_v so_o easy_o have_v tell_v the_o valentinian_o that_o god_n have_v entrust_v the_o guide_n of_o his_o church_n especial_o at_o rome_n with_o the_o faculty_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o that_o all_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o which_o they_o declare_v and_o no_o other_o but_o man_n must_v be_v pardon_v if_o they_o do_v not_o write_v that_o which_o never_o enter_v into_o their_o head_n after_o irenaeus_n tertullian_n set_v himself_o the_o most_o to_o dispute_v against_o those_o who_o oppose_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o method_n he_o take_v in_o his_o boh_o of_o praescription_n of_o heretic_n be_v this_o 1._o that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o certain_a unalterable_a rule_n of_o faith_n 8._o for_o he_o that_o believe_v do_v not_o only_o suppose_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o his_o faith_n but_o bound_n that_o be_v set_v to_o it_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o further_a search_n since_o the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v this_o he_o speak_v to_o take_v away_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o seeker_n of_o those_o day_n 9_o who_o be_v always_o cry_v seek_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v to_o which_o he_o reply_n that_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v not_o the_o bare_a word_n but_o the_o reason_n of_o they_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n we_o be_v to_o suppose_v this_o that_o there_o be_v one_o certain_a and_o fix_a doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n which_o all_o nation_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v and_o therefore_o to_o seek_v that_o when_o they_o have_v find_v they_o may_v believe_v it_o 10_o therefore_o all_o our_o inquiry_n be_v to_o be_v confine_v within_o that_o compass_n what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o christ_n deliver_v for_o otherwise_o there_o will_v be_v no_o end_n of_o seek_v 2._o he_o show_v what_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v by_o repeat_v the_o article_n of_o the_o ancient_a creed_n which_o he_o say_v be_v universal_o receive_v among_o true_a christian_n and_o dispute_v by_o none_o but_o heretic_n 13._o which_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v embrace_v than_o he_o say_v a_o liberty_n be_v allow_v for_o other_o inquiry_n in_o doubtful_a or_o obscure_a matter_n for_o faith_n lie_v in_o the_o rule_n 14_o but_o other_o thing_n be_v matter_n of_o skill_n and_o curiosity_n and_o it_o be_v faith_n which_o save_v man_n and_o not_o their_o skill_n in_o expound_v scripture_n and_o while_o man_n keep_v themselves_o within_o that_o rule_n they_o be_v safe_a enough_o for_o to_o know_v nothing_o beyond_o it_o be_v to_o know_v all_o 3._o but_o they_o pretend_v scripture_n for_o what_o they_o deliver_v and_o by_o that_o mean_n unsettle_v the_o mind_n of_o many_o to_o this_o he_o answer_v several_a way_n 1._o that_o such_o person_n as_o those_o be_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v admit_v to_o a_o dispute_n concern_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n because_o they_o rather_o deserve_v to_o be_v censure_v than_o dispute_v for_o bring_v such_o new_a heresy_n into_o the_o church_n 16._o but_o chief_o because_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o dispute_v with_o they_o about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n who_o receive_v what_o scripture_n they_o please_v themselves_o and_o add_v and_o take_v away_o as_o they_o
think_v fit_a 17._o and_o what_o can_v the_o most_o skilful_a man_n in_o the_o scripture_n do_v with_o such_o man_n who_o deny_v or_o affirm_v what_o they_o please_v therefore_o such_o kind_n of_o dispute_n tend_v to_o no_o good_a at_o all_o where_o either_o side_n charge_v the_o other_o with_o forge_v and_o pervert_v the_o scripture_n 18._o and_o so_o the_o controversy_n with_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v manage_v by_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o either_o none_o or_o a_o uncertain_a victory_n be_v to_o be_v obtain_v 2._o in_o this_o dispute_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n the_o true_a ancient_a faith_n be_v first_o to_o be_v inquire_v after_o for_o among_o who_o that_o be_v there_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n 19_o and_o for_o find_v out_o the_o true_a faith_n we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o christ_n send_v abroad_o his_o apostle_n to_o plant_v church_n in_o every_o city_n from_o whence_o other_o church_n do_v derive_v the_o faith_n 20._o which_o be_v call_v apostolical_a from_o their_o agreement_n in_o this_o common_a faith_n at_o first_o deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n that_o the_o way_n to_o understand_v this_o apostolical_a faith_n be_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o apostolical_a church_n 21._o for_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v not_o know_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n 22._o 23._o 24._o 25._o 26._o 27._o which_o he_o at_o large_a prove_n or_o that_o they_o do_v not_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o know_v or_o that_o the_o church_n misunderstand_v their_o doctrine_n because_o all_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v agree_v in_o one_o common_a faith_n 28._o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o so_o universal_a consent_n must_v arise_v from_o some_o common_a cause_n which_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o common_a delivery_n of_o it_o by_o all_o the_o apostle_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o heretic_n be_v novel_a and_o upstart_a 29._o and_o we_o must_v say_v all_o the_o former_a christian_n be_v baptize_v into_o a_o false_a faith_n as_o not_o know_v the_o true_a god_n or_o the_o true_a christ_n if_o martion_n and_o valentinus_n do_v deliver_v the_o true_a doctrine_n 30._o but_o that_o which_o be_v first_o be_v true_a and_o from_o god_n that_o which_o come_v after_o be_v foreign_a and_o false_a if_o martion_n and_o valentinus_n nigidius_n or_o hermogenes_n broach_v new_a opinion_n and_o set_v up_o other_o exposition_n of_o scripture_n than_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n that_o without_o any_o far_a proof_n discover_v their_o imposture_n 3._o two_o sense_n direct_o contrary_a to_o each_o other_o can_v proceed_v from_o the_o same_o apostolical_a person_n this_o tertullian_n likewise_o insist_o upon_o to_o show_v that_o although_o they_o may_v pretend_v antiquity_n and_o that_o as_o far_o as_o the_o apostolical_a time_n yet_o the_o contrariety_n of_o their_o doctrine_n to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n will_v sufficient_o manifest_v the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o for_o say_v he_o the_o apostle_n will_v never_o contradict_v each_o other_o or_o themselves_o 32._o and_o if_o the_o apostolical_a person_n have_v contradict_v they_o they_o have_v not_o be_v join_v together_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o all_o the_o apostolical_a church_n be_v but_o the_o doctrine_n broach_v by_o these_o man_n be_v in_o their_o seed_n condemn_v by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o 33._o so_o martion_n apelles_n and_o valentinus_n be_v confute_v in_o the_o sadducee_n and_o first_o corrupter_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o true_a christian_n can_v not_o be_v charge_v by_o their_o adversary_n with_o hold_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o what_o the_o church_n receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n the_o apostle_n from_o christ_n and_o christ_n from_o god_n for_o the_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n be_v so_o evident_a 36._o and_o the_o chair_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o well_o know_v 37._o that_o any_o one_o may_v satisfy_v his_o curiosity_n about_o their_o doctrine_n especial_o since_o their_o authentic_a epistle_n be_v still_o preserve_v therein_o but_o where_o a_o diversity_n of_o doctrine_n be_v find_v from_o the_o apostle_n that_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o a_o false_a sense_n that_o be_v put_v upon_o the_o scripture_n thus_o tertullian_n lay_v down_o the_o rule_n of_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o controvert_v place_n of_o scripture_n without_o the_o least_o insinuation_n of_o any_o infallibility_n place_v in_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n for_o determine_v the_o certain_a sense_n of_o they_o but_o lest_o by_o this_o way_n of_o prescribe_v against_o heretic_n he_o shall_v seem_v to_o decline_v the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n out_o of_o distrust_n of_o be_v able_a to_o manage_v it_o against_o they_o he_o tell_v we_o therefore_o elsewhere_o he_o will_v set_v aside_o the_o ground_n of_o prescription_n or_o just_a exception_n against_o their_o plead_n for_o so_o prescription_n signify_v in_o he_o as_o against_o martion_n and_o hermogenes_n and_o praxeas_n and_o refute_v their_o opinion_n upon_o other_o ground_n in_o his_o book_n against_o martion_n he_o first_o lay_v down_o martions_n rule_n as_o he_o call_v it_o i.e._n the_o sum_n of_o his_o opinion_n which_o be_v make_v the_o creator_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n two_o distinct_a god_n the_o one_o nothing_o but_o goodness_n and_o the_o other_o the_o author_n of_o evil_n which_o opinion_n he_o overthrow_v from_o principle_n of_o reason_n 2._o because_o there_o can_v be_v two_o infinite_o great_a and_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n he_o make_v two_o he_o may_v make_v many_o more_o 6._o and_o because_o god_n must_v be_v know_v by_o his_o work_n 12._o and_o he_o can_v not_o be_v god_n that_o do_v not_o create_v the_o world_n and_o so_o continue_v argue_v against_o martion_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o book_n in_o the_o second_o he_o vindicate_v god_n the_o creator_n from_o all_o the_o objection_n which_o martion_n have_v muster_v against_o his_o goodness_n in_o the_o three_o he_o prove_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o creator_n 5._o first_o by_o reason_n and_o then_o by_o scripture_n and_o lay_v down_o two_o rule_n for_o understand_v the_o prophetical_a prediction_n relate_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o express_v future_a thing_n as_o past_a and_o the_o enigmatical_a way_n of_o represent_v plain_a thing_n afterward_o he_o prove_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n 9_o that_o christ_n do_v true_o assume_v our_o nature_n and_o not_o mere_o in_o appearance_n which_o he_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n and_o from_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o make_v that_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o body_n that_o it_o be_v the_o object_n of_o three_o sense_n of_o sight_n and_o touch_v and_o hear_n which_o be_v the_o same_o way_n of_o argue_v we_o make_v use_v of_o against_o transubstantiation_n and_o if_o martion_n have_v be_v so_o subtle_a to_o have_v use_v the_o evasion_n those_o do_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n he_o may_v have_v defend_v the_o putative_a body_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n that_o they_o do_v the_o be_v of_o accident_n without_o a_o substance_n in_o the_o four_o book_n he_o assert_n against_o martion_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o gospel_n receive_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n above_o that_o which_o martion_n allow_v 4_o by_o the_o great_a antiquity_n and_o the_o universal_a reception_n of_o the_o true_a gospel_n 5._o and_o after_o refute_v the_o supposition_n of_o a_o twofold_a christ_n one_o for_o the_o jew_n and_o another_o for_o the_o gentile_n from_o the_o compare_v of_o scripture_n together_o â—â—_o which_o he_o do_v with_o great_a diligence_n and_o answer_v all_o the_o argument_n from_o thence_o bring_v by_o martion_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n in_o his_o five_o and_o last_o book_n he_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n allow_v by_o martion_n that_o he_o preach_v no_o other_o god_n than_o the_o creator_n and_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o creator_n which_o he_o do_v from_o the_o scope_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n without_o apprehend_v the_o least_o necessity_n of_o call_v in_o any_o infallible_a guide_n to_o give_v the_o certain_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o they_o against_o hermogenes_n 19_o he_o dispute_v about_o the_o eternity_n of_o matter_n the_o controversy_n between_o they_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v concern_v the_o sense_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o creation_n of_o thing_n tertullian_n prove_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v of_o nothing_o