Synthesized answer
The author provides evidence in several ways. He critiques the reliability of ancient writers, stating that their testimonies can be insufficient because they sometimes contradict themselves and others [1]. He also points out that opinions taken solely on the credit of antiquity are not the genuine judgments of those who cite them, but rather words passed down without critical examination [1]. Furthermore, he suggests that citing ancient texts can be done with a fraudulent design to support corrupt doctrines [1]. He also finds it an argument of "Indigestion" when unchewed sentences from Greek and Latin are repeated [1].
The author also uses biblical accounts as evidence. He cites King Solomon depriving Abiathar the High Priest and placing Zadok in his room, to argue that kings can similarly ordain and deprive Bishops for the well-governing of their subjects [2]. He also references the testimony of two Popes, Innocent and Leo, as an argument, though he dismisses it by noting that their testimonies should not be considered good as they bear witness of themselves due to their natural love of power [2]. Additionally, he mentions the counsel of St. John to "examine Spirits" [3] and…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
ose old Writers, that contradicteth not sometimes both himself, and others; which makes their Testimonies insufficient. Fourthly, such Opinions as are taken onely upon Credit of Antiquity, are not intrinsically the Judgment of those that cite them, but Words that passe (like gaping) from mouth to mouth. Fiftly, it is many times with a fraudulent Designe that men stick their corrupt Doctrine with the Cloves of other mens Wit. Sixtly, I find not that the Ancients they cite, took it for an Ornament, to doe the like with those that wrote before them. Seventhly, it is an argument of…
King Solomon (1 Kings 2.26.) deprived Abiathar the High Priest of his office, and placed Zadok (verse 35.) in his room. Kings therefore may in the like manner Ordaine, and Deprive Bishops, as they shall thinke fit, for the well governing of their Subjects. His sixth argument is this, If Bishops have their Jurisdiction De Jure Divino (that is, immediately from God,) they that maintaine it, should bring some Word of God to prove it: But they can bring none. The argument is good; I have therefore nothing to say against it. But it is an argument no lesse good, to prove the Pope himself to…
ruth of what they beleeved, hath no other force with them that (according to the Counsell of St. John 1 Epist. chap. 4. verse 1.) examine Spirits, than in all things that concern the power of the Romane Church, (the abuse whereof either they suspected not, or had benefit by it,) to discredit their testimony, in respect of too rash beleef of reports; which the most sincere men, without great knowledge of naturall causes, (such as the Fathers were) are commonly the most subject to: For naturally, the best men are the least suspicious of fraudulent purposes. Gregory the Pope, and S.…
lesser Penalty were made known before, neither by Writing, nor by Example, for the reason immediatly before alledged. False Principles Of Right And Wrong Causes Of Crime From defect in Reasoning, (that is to say, from Errour,) men are prone to violate the Lawes, three wayes.
r, and joyn together against a common Enemy. Provinciall Lawes Are Not Made By Custome, But By The Soveraign Power 5. If the Soveraign of one Common-wealth, subdue a people that have lived under other written Lawes, and afterwards govern them by the same Lawes, by which they were governed before; yet those Lawes are the Civill Lawes of the Victor, and not of the Vanquished Common-wealth, For the Legislator is he, not by whose authority the Lawes were first made, but by whose authority they now continue to be Lawes. And therefore where there be divers Provinces, within the Dominion of…