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authority_n believe_v scripture_n tradition_n 2,838 5 9.5550 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62581 The rule of faith, or, An answer to the treatises of Mr. I.S. entituled Sure-footing &c. by John Tillotson ... ; to which is adjoined A reply to Mr. I.S. his 3d appendix &c. by Edw. Stillingfleet. Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. Reply to Mr. I.S. his 3d appendix. 1676 (1676) Wing T1218; ESTC R32807 182,586 472

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in_o reason_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v before_o he_o have_v forsake_v we_o i_o shall_v declare_v it_o more_o particular_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n §_o 2._o 1._o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v by_o christ_n deliver_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o first_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o afterward_o by_o they_o commit_v to_o write_v which_o write_n or_o book_n have_v be_v transmit_v from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o down_o to_o we_o so_o far_o i_o take_v to_o be_v grant_v by_o our_o present_a adversary_n that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v by_o christ_n deliver_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n be_v part_n of_o their_o own_o hypothesis_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v afterward_o by_o the_o apostle_n commit_v to_o writing_n he_o also_o grant_v corol._n 29._o 117._o it_o be_v certain_a the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n they_o write_v and_o if_o so_o it_o must_v be_v as_o certain_a 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last_o judgement_n of_o the_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n as_o cardinal_n perron_n affirm_v but_o it_o do_v not_o bring_v down_o this_o point_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o temporal_a prince_n then_o as_o mr._n s._n 76._o ask_v we_o so_o the_o jew_n do_v he_o by_o what_o virtue_n tradition_n bring_v down_o those_o other_o point_n and_o whether_o the_o same_o virtue_n be_v not_o powerful_a to_o bring_v down_o this_o as_o well_o as_o those_o then_o he_o will_v ask_v he_o far_o be_v there_o not_o a_o necessary_a connexion_n and_o relation_n between_o a_o constant_a cause_n and_o its_o formal_a effect_n so_o that_o if_o its_o formal_a effect_n be_v point_n receive_v as_o deliver_v ever_o the_o proper_a cause_n must_v be_v a_o ever-delivery_n whence_o he_o will_v argue_v from_o such_o a_o effect_n to_o its_o cause_n for_o any_o particular_a point_n and_o consequent_o for_o this_o point_n that_o be_v in_o controversy_n between_o jew_n
proof_n of_o this_o i_o appeal_v to_o that_o sess._n decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o which_o they_o declare_v that_o because_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n and_o unwritten_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o they_o do_v receive_v and_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o also_o tradition_n pari_fw-la pietatis_fw-la affectu_fw-la ac_fw-la reverentiâ_fw-la with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n which_o i_o understand_v not_o how_o those_o do_v who_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o consonant_o to_o this_o decree_n the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v that_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n make_v up_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o the_o roman_a catechism_n set_v forth_o by_o order_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n say_v praefat._n that_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o the_o faithful_a be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v distribute_v into_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n bellarmine_n 12._o speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n not_o a_o entire_a but_o partial_a one_o the_o entire_a rule_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o partial_a rule_n scripture_n and_o tradition_n according_a to_o this_o the_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v contain_v partly_o in_o scripture_n and_o partly_o in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o scripture_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o they_o as_o the_o principal_a rule_n and_o primary_n foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o tradition_n as_o only_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o some_o doctrine_n and_o rite_n not_o contain_v in_o scripture_n must_v be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o controversial_a divine_n bellarmine_n 9_o where_o he_o give_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o divine_a tradition_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o divine_a tradition_n be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n or_o rite_n as_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n but_o embrace_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n believe_v to_o have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o further_o 11._o that_o the_o apostle_n commit_v all_o to_o write_v which_o be_v common_o and_o public_o preach_v and_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o scripture_n which_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o know_v and_o believe_v explicit_o but_o then_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o common_o and_o public_o teach_v and_o these_o they_o do_v not_o commit_v to_o write_v but_o deliver_v they_o only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n to_o the_o prelate_n and_o priest_n and_o perfect_a man_n of_o the_o church_n and_o these_o be_v the_o apostolical_a tradition_n he_o speak_v of_o cardinal_n perron_n 4._o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o and_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v found_v in_o general_a on_o these_o sentence_n of_o the_o apostle_n 2.15_o hold_v the_o tradition_n etc._n etc._n again_o 2.2_o the_o thing_n which_o thou_o have_v hear_v of_o i_o among_o many_o witness_n commit_v to_o faithful_a man_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n to_o preserve_v and_o especial_o to_o declare_v these_o be_v found_v in_o this_o proposition_n viz._n 3.15_o that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o according_a to_o he_o the_o primary_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o scripture_n in_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n be_v found_v mr._n knott_n 1_o say_v express_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o h._n scripture_n to_o be_v a_o most_o perfect_a rule_n for_o as_o much_o as_o a_o write_n can_v be_v a_o rule_n we_o only_o deny_v that_o it_o exclude_v either_o divine_a tradition_n though_o it_o be_v unwritten_a or_o a_o external_a judge_n to_o keep_v to_o propose_v to_o interpret_v it_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o according_a to_o he_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n only_o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v unwritten_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o that_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v as_o mr._n s._n do_v a_o concurrent_a oral_a tradition_n of_o all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n but_o other_o doctrine_n not_o therein_o contain_v be_v plain_a from_o what_o he_o say_v elsewhere_o 179._o we_o do_v not_o distinguish_v tradition_n from_o the_o write_a word_n because_o tradition_n be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o or_o in_o any_o book_n or_o write_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o srripture_n or_o bible_n bellarmine_n 2._o also_o say_v the_o same_o and_o as_o for_o the_o interpret_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o office_n of_o a_o rule_n but_o of_o a_o judg._n 3_o there_o be_v say_v he_o a_o great_a and_o plain_a distinction_n between_o a_o judge_n and_o a_o rule_n for_o as_o in_o a_o kingdom_n the_o judge_n have_v his_o rule_n to_o follow_v which_o be_v the_o receive_v law_n and_o custom_n which_o be_v not_o fit_a or_o able_a to_o declare_v and_o be_v judge_n to_o themselves_o but_o that_o office_n must_v belong_v to_o a_o live_a judge_n so_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v and_o may_v be_v a_o rule_n but_o can_v be_v a_o judg._n here_o he_o make_v the_o scripture_n as_o much_o a_o rule_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n as_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v for_o civil_a matter_n and_o in_o his_o reply_n to_o mr._n chillingworth_n he_o have_v a_o chapter_n of_o above_o 150_o page_n the_o title_n whereof_o be_v scripture_n be_v not_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o have_v he_o with_o mr._n s._n believe_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o turk_n be_v not_o the_o only_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n mr._n cressy_n likewise_o not_o very_o consistent_o to_o himself_o lay_v down_o this_o conclusion_n 20._o the_o entire_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v contain_v not_o only_o in_o scripture_n but_o likewise_o in_o unwritten_a tradition_n §_o 2._o now_o all_o this_o be_v as_o contrary_a as_o can_v be_v to_o mr._n rushworth_n new_a rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o mr._n white_n say_v 96._o they_o speak_v ill_o who_o teach_v that_o some_o thing_n be_v know_v in_o the_o church_n from_o scripture_n some_o by_o tradition_n and_o dr._n holden_n in_o opposition_n to_o those_o who_o make_v scripture_n any_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n advance_v one_o of_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o uncharitable_a position_n that_o ever_o i_o yet_o meet_v withal_o viz._n 6._o that_o if_o one_o shall_v believe_v all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n etc._n etc._n for_o this_o reason_n because_o he_o think_v they_o be_v all_o express_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n or_o implicit_o contain_v so_o as_o they_o may_v be_v deduce_v from_o thence_o and_o will_v not_o have_v believe_v they_o have_v he_o not_o judge_v that_o they_o may_v be_v evince_v from_o scripture_n yet_o this_o man_n can_v be_v no_o true_a catholic_n because_o as_o he_o tell_v we_o afterward_o 8._o we_o must_v receive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o come_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n for_o only_o by_o this_o mean_n exclude_v the_o scripture_n christ_n have_v appoint_v reveal_v truth_n to_o be_v receive_v and_o communicate_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n cardinal_n perron_n unless_o he_o alter_v his_o mind_n be_v in_o a_o sad_a case_n who_o believe_v the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n itself_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o it_o be_v found_v in_o scripture_n §_o 3._o and_o this_o fundamental_a difference_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n between_o the_o generality_n of_o their_o divine_n and_o mr_n s's_n small_a party_n be_v full_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o traditionist_n themselves_o dr._n holden_n say_v 9_o that_o their_o divine_n who_o resolve_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n do_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o that_o shameful_a circle_n of_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o church_n and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n back_o again_o by_o the_o scripture_n because_o they_o dare_v not_o build_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o natural_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n so_o that_o dr._n holden_n way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n be_v different_a from_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o their_o divine_n which_o he_o say_v 3._o do_v not_o differ_v from_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o private_a spirit_n and_o this_o according_a to_o mr._n white_a 70._o
they_o with_o so_o much_o as_o a_o videtur_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la but_o it_o may_v be_v he_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o this_o corollary_n than_o what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o 18_o the_o viz._n that_o no_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o tradition_n if_o so_o than_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o 23_o d_o corollary_n must_v be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o argue_v at_o all_o against_o tradition_n with_o any_o solid_a show_n or_o substantial_a shadow_n of_o reason_n which_o will_v be_v a_o little_a inconvenient_a i_o will_v instance_n but_o in_o one_o more_o his_o 40_o the_o which_o be_v this_o the_o knowledge_n of_o tradition_n certainty_n be_v the_o first_o knowledge_n or_o principle_n in_o controversial_a divinity_n i._n e._n without_o which_o nothing_o be_v know_v or_o knowable_a in_o that_o science_n which_o be_v to_o infer_v that_o because_o he_o have_v with_o much_o pain_n prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o it_o be_v self_n evident_a i._n e._n need_v no_o proof_n nay_o it_o be_v to_o conclude_v the_o present_a matter_n in_o controversy_n and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o main_a debate_n of_o his_o book_n to_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o controversial_a divinity_n i._n e._n such_o a_o proposition_n as_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o grant_v before_o he_o can_v have_v any_o right_a to_o dispute_v about_o it_o this_o be_v a_o very_a prudent_a course_n to_o make_v beg_v the_o question_n the_o first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n which_o will_v it_o but_o be_v grant_v i_o be_o very_o much_o of_o his_o mind_n that_o the_o method_n he_o take_v will_v be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o make_v controversy_n a_o science_n because_o he_o that_o shall_v have_v the_o luck_n or_o boldness_n to_o beg_v first_o will_v have_v it_o in_o his_o power_n to_o make_v what_o he_o please_v certain_a §_o 2._o be_v it_o worth_a while_n i_o may_v further_o pursue_v the_o absurdity_n of_o his_o corollary_n for_o they_o be_v not_o so_o terrible_a as_o he_o make_v show_v of_o by_o his_o tell_n dr._n casaubon_n 330._o that_o sure-footing_a and_o its_o corollary_n may_v put_v he_o out_o of_o his_o wit_n which_o though_o intend_v for_o a_o affront_n to_o the_o doctor_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v mollify_v with_o a_o good_a interpretation_n for_o if_o the_o read_n of_o wild_a and_o fantastical_a stuff_n be_v apt_a to_o disorder_v a_o very_a learned_a head_n than_o so_o far_o mr._n s_n saying_n may_v have_v truth_n in_o it_o it_o remain_v only_o that_o i_o requite_v his_o 41_o corol._n not_o with_o a_o equal_a number_n but_o with_o two_o or_o three_o natural_a consectary_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o his_o book_n first_o no_o man_n can_v certain_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o any_o book_n whatsoever_o any_o far_a than_o the_o content_n of_o it_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o by_o a_o concurrent_a oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o argument_n whereby_o he_o and_o mr._n rushworth_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a without_o tradition_n to_o attain_v to_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n do_v equal_o extend_v to_o all_o other_o book_n second_o the_o memory_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v long_o ago_o may_v be_v better_o preserve_v by_o general_a rumour_n than_o by_o public_a record_n for_o this_o be_v the_o plain_a english_a of_o that_o assertion_n that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v a_o better_a and_o more_o secure_a way_n of_o conveyance_n than_o write_v three_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o papist_n be_v no_o christian_n for_o if_o as_o he_o affirm_v tradition_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o those_o who_o disow_v this_o rule_n be_v *_o ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n i._n e._n unchristian_v and_o if_o as_o i_o have_v show_v the_o generality_n of_o papist_n do_v disow_v this_o rule_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o be_v no_o christian_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n part_n iu_o testimony_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n sect_n i._o §_o 1._o thus_o far_o in_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n and_o principles_n the_o rest_n be_v notebook_n learning_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o examine_v he_o be_v not_o much_o a_o friend_n to_o and_o there_o be_v no_o kindness_n lose_v for_o it_o be_v as_o little_a a_o friend_n to_o he_o and_o his_o cause_n as_o he_o can_v be_v to_o it_o i_o shall_v first_o examine_v the_o authority_n he_o bring_v for_o tradition_n and_o then_o produce_v express_a testimony_n in_o behalf_n of_o scripture_n in_o both_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o brief_a in_o the_o one_o because_o his_o testimony_n require_v no_o long_a answer_n in_o the_o other_o because_o it_o will_v be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o trouble_v mr._n s._n with_o many_o father_n who_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o his_o book_n be_v acquaint_v with_o none_o but_o father_n white_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v much_o blame_v he_o for_o the_o course_n he_o use_v to_o take_v with_o other_o man_n testimony_n because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a way_n that_o a_o man_n in_o his_o circumstance_n can_v take_v otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v in_o itself_o more_o unreasonable_a than_o to_o pretend_v to_o answer_v testimony_n by_o rank_v they_o under_o so_o many_o faulty_a head_n and_o have_v so_o do_v magisterial_o to_o require_v his_o adversary_n to_o vindicate_v they_o by_o show_v that_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o some_o of_o those_o head_n though_o he_o have_v not_o say_v one_o word_n against_o any_o of_o they_o particular_o nay_o though_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o recite_v any_o one_o of_o they_o for_o then_o the_o trick_n will_v be_v spoil_v and_o his_o catholic_n reader_n who_o perhaps_o may_v believe_v he_o in_o the_o general_n may_v see_v reason_n not_o to_o do_v so_o if_o he_o shall_v descend_v to_o particular_n which_o as_o he_o well_o observe_v will_v make_v his_o 161._o discourse_n to_o look_v with_o a_o contingent_a face_n §_o 2._o i_o begin_v with_o his_o three_o authority_n from_o scripture_n which_o when_o i_o consider_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o he_o of_o all_o man_n shall_v find_v fault_n with_o my_o lord_n bishop_n of_o down_n dissuasive_a for_o be_v so_o 320._o thin_a and_o sleight_n in_o scripture-citation_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v how_o he_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o mr._n rushworth_n for_o transgress_v that_o prudent_a rule_n of_o he_o viz._n 14._o that_o the_o catholic_n shall_v never_o undertake_v to_o convince_v his_o adversary_n out_o of_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o substantial_a reason_n ibid._n because_o this_o be_v to_o strengthen_v his_o opponent_n in_o his_o own_o ground_n and_o principle_n viz._n that_o all_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o scripture_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o present_o after_o be_v no_o more_o fit_a to_o convince_v than_o a_o beetle_n be_v to_o cut_v withal_o meaning_n it_o perhaps_o of_o text_n so_o apply_v as_o these_o be_v which_o follow_v 35.8_o this_o shall_v be_v to_o you_o a_o direct_a way_n so_o that_o fool_n can_v err_v in_o it_o 59.21_o this_o be_v my_o covenant_n with_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n my_o spirit_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o and_o my_o word_n which_o i_o have_v put_v in_o thy_o mouth_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thy_o mouth_n and_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o thy_o seed_n and_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o thy_o seed_n seed_n from_o henceforth_o for_o ever_o 31._o i_o will_v give_v my_o law_n in_o their_o bowel_n and_o in_o their_o heart_n will_v i_o write_v it_o from_o which_o text_n if_o mr._n s._n can_v prove_v tradition_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n any_o better_a than_o the_o philosopher_n stone_n or_o the_o longitude_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o 1_o cap._n of_o genesis_n i_o be_o content_a they_o shall_v pass_v for_o valid_a testimony_n though_o i_o may_v require_v of_o he_o by_o his_o own_o law_n before_o these_o text_n can_v signify_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o purpose_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o this_o be_v the_o traditionary_a sense_n of_o these_o text_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v universal_o in_o all_o age_n receive_v by_o the_o church_n under_o that_o notion_n and_o then_o to_o show_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o of_o the_o father_n and_o of_o their_o own_o commentator_n have_v interpret_v they_o to_o another_o sense_n and_o last_o to_o show_v how_o scripture_n which_o have_v no_o certain_a sense_n but_o from_o tradition_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n whereof_o tradition_n can_v assure_v we_o unless_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o say_v how_o scripture_n can_v prove_v tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o can_v prove_v nothing_o at_o all_o unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o prove_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n this_o
be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o this_o be_v either_o general_a or_o more_o particular_a common_a notion_n and_o the_o acknowledge_v principle_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o general_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o false_a the_o particular_a principle_n of_o every_o science_n be_v the_o more_o particular_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o thing_n in_o that_o science_n be_v true_a or_o false_a so_o that_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o measure_n by_o the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n to_o which_o we_o judge_v of_o all_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n to_o which_o it_o belong_v §_o 4._o i'faith_o though_o both_o among_o sacred_a and_o profane_a writer_n it_o be_v use_v many_o time_n more_o general_o for_o a_o persuasion_n or_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o any_o thing_n wrought_v in_o we_o by_o any_o kind_n of_o argument_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v a_o term_n of_o art_n use_v by_o divine_n it_o signify_v that_o particular_a kind_n of_o assent_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o we_o by_o testimony_n or_o authority_n so_o that_o divine_a faith_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n upon_o the_o testimony_n or_o authority_n of_o god_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o a_o assent_n to_o a_o truth_n upon_o divine_a revelation_n §_o 5._o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v what_o matter_n we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o revealed_z to_o we_o by_o god_n and_o what_o not_o and_o more_o particular_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n and_o what_o not_o §_o 6._o so_o that_o this_o question_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n suppose_v a_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o that_o doctrine_n be_v intelligible_o and_o entire_o deliver_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o sufficient_a confirmation_n give_v to_o it_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n publish_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o apostle_n who_o likewise_o give_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o all_o this_o be_v necessary_o suppose_v in_o the_o question_n for_o it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o inquire_v whether_o this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n if_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v not_o first_o suppose_v when_o therefore_o we_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o mean_v of_o that_o enquiry_n be_v by_o what_o way_n and_o mean_n the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v convey_v certain_o down_o to_o we_o who_o live_v at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o many_o age_n from_o the_o time_n of_o its_o first_o delivery_n for_o this_o be_v know_v we_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v a_o measure_n by_o which_o we_o may_v judge_v what_o we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o not_o so_o that_o when_o any_o question_n arise_v about_o any_o particular_a proposition_n whether_o this_o be_v part_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n we_o may_v be_v able_a by_o this_o rule_n to_o resolve_v it_o sect_n ii_o §_o 1._o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v his_o resolution_n of_o this_o question_n faith_n by_o which_o we_o shall_v know_v what_o his_o opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o that_o be_v know_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o will_v easy_o be_v state_v his_o opinion_n in_o general_n be_v that_o oral_a or_o practical_a tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o writing_n or_o any_o other_o way_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o oral_n or_o practical_a tradition_n he_o mean_v 41._o a_o delivery_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n by_o word_n and_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o frequent_a and_o visible_a action_n conformable_a to_o those_o word_n of_o the_o sense_n and_o faith_n of_o forefather_n §_o 2._o now_o that_o i_o may_v bring_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o to_o a_o clear_a state_n i_o be_o first_o to_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a view_n of_o his_o opinion_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o so_o i_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v how_o much_o he_o attribute_n to_o oral_a tradition_n and_o what_o to_o the_o scripture_n or_o write_v tradition_n and_o then_o i_o be_o to_o lay_v down_o the_o protestant_a rule_n of_o faith_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o far_o we_o agree_v and_o how_o far_o we_o differ_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o he_o attribute_n to_o oral_a tradition_n so_o far_o as_o can_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o so_o obscure_a and_o confuse_a a_o discourse_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o five_o head_n §_o 3._o first_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o age_n which_o first_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v it_o as_o they_o receive_v it_o without_o any_o change_n or_o corruption_n to_o their_o child_n and_o they_o to_o they_o and_o so_o it_o go_v on_o sole_o by_o this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o explication_n of_o tradition_n disc._n 5_o the_o §_o 4._o second_o that_o this_o way_n alone_o be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o convey_v this_o doctrine_n down_o to_o all_o age_n certain_o and_o without_o any_o alteration_n but_o it_o be_v the_o only_a possible_a way_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v of_o convey_v down_o a_o doctrine_n secure_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a result_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o the_o true_a property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n than_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a mean_n and_o if_o those_o property_n do_v sole_o and_o essential_o appertain_v to_o it_o and_o be_v incompatible_a to_o any_o thing_n else_o as_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o other_o way_n §_o 5._o three_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a this_o mean_n shall_v fail_v or_o miss_v of_o its_o end_n that_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v once_o put_v into_o this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n it_o can_v neither_o cease_v to_o descend_v nor_o be_v at_o any_o time_n corrupt_v or_o change_v in_o its_o descent_n this_o be_v that_o which_o his_o demonstration_n pretend_v to_o prove_v §_o 6._o four_o that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n or_o the_o impossibility_n of_o its_o fail_n be_v a_o first_o and_o self_n evident_a principle_n this_o he_o frequent_o assert_n throughout_o his_o book_n §_o 7._o five_o that_o this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n have_v the_o facto_fw-la in_o all_o age_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o christian_n as_o the_o only_a way_n and_o mean_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o they_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o authority_n §_o 8._o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n he_o grant_v they_o indeed_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o contain_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n even_o the_o same_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o oral_a tradition_n so_o he_o tell_v we_o 117._o it_o be_v certain_a the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n they_o write_v but_o then_o he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v of_o any_o use_n without_o oral_a tradition_n because_o neither_o the_o letter_n nor_o sense_n of_o it_o can_v without_o that_o be_v ascertain_v so_o he_o say_v in_o his_o letter_n to_o dr._n casaubon_n 337._o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n ascertain_v their_o letter_n and_o sense_n which_o be_v do_v by_o tradition_n it_o be_v clear_a they_o be_v of_o incomparable_a value_n not_o only_o for_o the_o divine_a doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o also_o for_o many_o particular_a passage_n who_o source_n or_o first_o attestation_n not_o be_v universal_a nor_o their_o nature_n much_o practical_a may_v possible_o have_v be_v lose_v in_o their_o conveyance_n down_o by_o tradition_n where_o though_o he_o give_v the_o scripture_n very_o good_a word_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v provide_v they_o will_v be_v subordinate_a and_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o owe_v their_o sense_n and_o their_o be_v intelligible_a and_o useful_a to_o oral_a tradition_n for_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v presume_v to_o say_v that_o this_o book_n have_v any_o certain_a sense_n without_o oral_a tradition_n or_o that_o god_n
church_n and_o skip_v into_o the_o opinion_n of_o human_a sect_n 〈◊〉_d not_o of_o human_a election_n as_o mr._n s._n blind_o follow_v mr._n wh._n do_v most_o absurd_o translate_v it_o but_o he_o that_o have_v return_v from_o his_o error_n and_o hearken_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o conform_v his_o life_n to_o the_o truth_n be_v as_o it_o be_v advance_v from_o a_o man_n to_o a_o god_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n he_o go_v on_o for_o several_a page_n together_o take_v the_o scripture_n for_o a_o indemonstrable_a principle_n from_o which_o all_o divine_a doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v and_o for_o the_o criterion_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o charge_v the_o heretic_n in_o such_o word_n as_o we_o can_v find_v fit_a for_o our_o adversary_n as_o say_v he_o naughty_a boy_n shut_v out_o their_o schoolmaster_n so_o these_o drive_v the_o prophecy_n out_o of_o the_o church_n suspect_v that_o they_o will_v chide_v and_o admonish_v they_o and_o they_o patch_v together_o abundance_n of_o falsehood_n and_o fiction_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v rational_o not_o to_o admit_v the_o scripture_n again_o speak_v of_o these_o heretic_n affront_a the_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o they_o oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d divine_a tradition_n with_o human_a doctrine_n 〈◊〉_d by_o other_o tradition_n deliver_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n that_o they_o may_v establish_v a_o sect_n or_o heresy_n again_o he_o say_v they_o adulterate_a the_o truth_n and_o steal_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n but_o for_o oral_a fraud_n they_o shall_v have_v write_v punishment_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o whosoever_o desire_v to_o see_v more_o of_o it_o let_v he_o read_v on_o where_o these_o man_n to_o their_o shame_n have_v direct_v we_o and_o see_v whether_o any_o protestant_n can_v speak_v more_o full_o and_o plain_o in_o this_o controversy_n the_o whole_a trust_n of_o the_o papist_n be_v upon_o the_o equivocal_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n tradition_n which_o word_n be_v common_o use_v by_o the_o father_n to_o signify_v to_o we_o the_o scripture_n or_o divine_a tradition_n as_o clement_n here_o call_v it_o but_o the_o papist_n understand_v it_o of_o their_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o to_o this_o they_o apply_v all_o those_o passage_n in_o the_o father_n where_o tradition_n be_v honourable_o mention_v so_o mr._n s._n deal_v with_o we_o in_o the_o testimony_n i_o have_v already_o examine_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o argument_n in_o those_o few_o which_o remain_v but_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o this_o word_n which_o i_o need_v not_o show_v of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a for_o whosoever_o shall_v read_v they_o with_o this_o key_n will_v find_v that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o conclude_v what_o he_o drive_v at_o §_o 5._o as_o for_o his_o citation_n out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n by_o which_o he_o will_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o their_o present_a church_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o that_o council_n have_v declare_v otherwise_o and_o be_v otherwise_o understand_v by_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o own_o writer_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v prudent_o to_o conceal_v in_o a_o etc._n etc._n those_o choke_a word_n in_o which_o the_o council_n declare_v itself_o to_o receive_v and_o honour_v with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o after_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o shuffle_n what_o a_o pitiful_a account_n be_v it_o that_o he_o at_o last_o give_v of_o that_o council_n put_v scripture_n constant_o before_o tradition_n because_o scripture_n be_v interpret_v by_o tradition_n be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o if_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n be_v present_a and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n they_o honour_v scripture-testimony_n so_o as_o to_o put_v it_o before_o tradition_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o because_o scripture_n be_v subordinate_a to_o tradition_n and_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o therefore_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v put_v before_o it_o beside_o if_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n be_v but_o several_a way_n of_o convey_v the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a doctrine_n why_o shall_v he_o imagine_v a_o evangelist_n or_o apostle_n to_o be_v more_o present_a by_o the_o scripture_n than_o by_o oral_a tradition_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o suppose_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o uncertain_a and_o tradition_n a_o infallible_a way_n of_o convey_v this_o doctrine_n sect_n ii_o scripture_n §_o 1._o all_z that_o now_o remain_v be_v to_o confirm_v the_o precedent_a discourse_n by_o testimony_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a age_n in_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o be_v large_a be_v so_o happy_o prevent_v by_o that_o full_a account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o labyrinthus_n cantuariensis_n which_o mr._n s._n may_v if_o he_o please_v consult_v for_o his_o further_a conviction_n §_o 2_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o historical_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o commit_v the_o gospel_n to_o writing_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n viz_o 14._o that_o the_o roman_n be_v not_o content_a with_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v unless_o it_o be_v also_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o therefore_o do_v earnest_o beg_v of_o mark_n peter_n companion_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v they_o a_o monument_n in_o write_v of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o they_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n mark_n be_v gospel_n and_o when_o peter_n do_v understand_v that_o this_o work_n be_v publish_v be_v suggest_v by_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v very_o much_o please_v with_o the_o ready_a and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o those_o person_n and_o that_o by_o his_o authority_n he_o confirm_v this_o write_n to_o the_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v every_o where_o read_v in_o the_o church_n as_o for_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n he_o tell_v we_o 18._o that_o of_o all_o the_o disciple_n they_o two_o only_o have_v leave_v monument_n in_o write_v of_o who_o it_o be_v also_o report_v that_o they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o write_v be_v draw_v thereto_o by_o necessity_n matthew_n after_o he_o have_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o go_v to_o other_o nation_n write_v his_o gospel_n in_o the_o language_n of_o his_o country_n and_o thus_o by_o the_o diligence_n and_o pain_n of_o write_v do_v abundant_o supply_v the_o the_o want_n of_o his_o presence_n to_o those_o who_o he_o leave_v and_o when_o mark_n and_o luke_n have_v publish_v their_o gospel_n it_o be_v report_v that_o john_n who_o have_v always_o use_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n without_o write_v it_o be_v at_o length_n wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n do_v betake_v himself_o to_o write_v from_o this_o account_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o preservation_n and_o secure_a conveyance_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v put_v into_o write_v and_o that_o they_o judge_v this_o a_o better_a way_n to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o their_o presence_n than_o oral_a tradition_n therefore_o the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o 31._o that_o the_o disciple_n who_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o they_o travel_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o yet_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n do_v with_o great_a care_n also_o deliver_v to_o they_o the_o write_n of_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n again_o 30._o that_o ignatius_n as_o he_o travel_v towards_o rome_n where_o he_o be_v to_o suffer_v exhort_v the_o church_n of_o every_o city_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o as_o also_o by_o write_v he_o 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do_v not_o remain_v the_o write_n of_o other_o brethren_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o victor_n be_v time_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o book_n of_o all_o who_o christ_n divinity_n be_v acknowledge_v and_o afterward_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o heretic_n do_v change_v and_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o their_o opinion_n so_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o outward_a letter_n of_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v correct_v by_o tradition_n and_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n st._n hierom_n also_o tell_v we_o 19_o that_o the_o heretic_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a who_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n but_o he_o add_v that_o the_o true_a son_n of_o judah_n adhere_v to_o the_o scripture_n §_o 4._o that_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a st._n chrysostome_n 4._o all_o thing_n in_o the_o divine_a scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o 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cyprian_n seem_v to_o think_v that_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v make_v into_o scripture_n and_o not_o into_o tradition_n but_o that_o we_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o accept_v of_o this_o of_o courtesy_n from_o he_o nor_o yet_o whole_o to_o despise_v it_o i_o shall_v offer_v this_o one_o testimony_n instead_o of_o many_o out_o of_o that_o father_n who_o be_v oppose_v with_o a_o argument_n from_o tradition_n demand_n 74._o whence_o have_v you_o that_o tradition_n come_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o from_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o god_n testify_v that_o we_o be_v to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v command_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o contain_v in_o the_o epistle_n or_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n then_o let_v we_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o divine_a and_o holy_a tradition_n hilary_n constant_n commend_v constantius_n the_o emperor_n for_o regulate_v his_o faith_n only_o 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call_v the_o consent_n of_o authority_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o forego_v discourse_n if_o he_o make_v good_a these_o three_o thing_n he_o have_v acquit_v himself_o well_o in_o his_o undertake_n but_o whether_o he_o have_v make_v they_o good_a or_o not_o be_v now_o to_o be_v examine_v §_o 2._o first_o whether_o the_o essential_a property_n of_o such_o a_o way_n and_o mean_n as_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o security_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n belong_v sole_o to_o oral_a tradition_n the_o true_a way_n to_o measure_v the_o essential_a property_n of_o this_o or_o that_o mean_n be_v by_o consider_v its_o sufficiency_n for_o its_o end_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v any_o mean_v sufficient_a for_o the_o obtain_n of_o its_o end_n be_v to_o be_v repute_v and_o essential_a property_n of_o that_o mean_n and_o nothing_o else_o now_o because_o the_o end_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o be_v the_o conveyance_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o certain_a and_o secure_a that_o it_o have_v receive_v no_o change_n or_o corruption_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o mean_n to_o this_o end_n must_v have_v these_o two_o property_n 1._o it_o must_v be_v sufficient_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a 2_o lie_n it_o must_v be_v sufficient_o certain_a to_o we_o that_o be_v such_o as_o we_o may_v be_v full_o satisfy_v concern_v it_o that_o it_o have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n if_o it_o have_v these_o two_o condition_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o its_o end_n but_o if_o it_o want_v either_o of_o they_o it_o must_v necessary_o fall_v short_a of_o
syllable_n the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n will_v be_v in_o the_o very_a same_o danger_n of_o uncertainty_n and_o be_v liable_a to_o vanish_v we_o know_v not_o how_o dr._n holden_n 9_o lay_v down_o these_o two_o principle_n first_o that_o no_o truth_n can_v be_v convey_v down_o from_o man_n to_o man_n but_o by_o speech_n and_o speech_n can_v be_v but_o by_o word_n and_o all_o word_n be_v either_o equivocal_a in_o themselves_o or_o liable_a to_o be_v different_o understand_v by_o several_a person_n second_o that_o such_o be_v the_o frame_n of_o man_n mind_n that_o the_o same_o truth_n may_v be_v different_o apprehend_v and_o understand_v by_o different_a person_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a then_o traditional_a doctrine_n if_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o speech_n and_o word_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o uncertainty_n and_o ambiguity_n as_o to_o their_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o scripture_n mr._n cressy_n 6._o tell_v we_o that_o reason_n and_o experience_n show_v that_o difference_n will_v arise_v even_o about_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n and_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o present_a church_n if_o this_o be_v true_a tradition_n whole_o fall_v into_o uncertainty_n for_o if_o difference_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v interpret_v i_o suppose_v the_o write_n of_o council_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n and_o if_o the_o whole_a present_a church_n can_v declare_v her_o sense_n of_o any_o traditional_a doctrine_n otherwise_o than_o by_o a_o council_n unless_o with_o the_o jesuit_n they_o will_v epitomise_v the_o church_n into_o the_o pope_n and_o the_o decree_n of_o a_o council_n can_v be_v universal_o disperse_v or_o at_o least_o never_o use_v to_o be_v but_o by_o write_v and_o if_o difference_n will_v arise_v about_o the_o interpretation_n of_o that_o write_n as_o well_o as_o any_o other_o then_o this_o present_a infallible_a authority_n which_o mr._n cressy_n magnify_v so_o much_o for_o end_v difference_n leave_v all_o controversy_n arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n as_o indeterminable_a as_o ever_o and_o they_o must_v for_o ever_o remain_v so_o till_o general_a council_n have_v get_v the_o knack_n of_o pen_v their_o decree_n in_o word_n which_o will_v so_o infallible_o express_v their_o meaning_n to_o the_o most_o captious_a caviller_n that_o no_o difference_n can_v possible_o arise_v about_o the_o interpretation_n of_o they_o or_o else_o which_o will_v be_v more_o suitable_a to_o this_o wise_a hypothesis_n till_o general_a council_n be_v convince_v by_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n shall_v come_v to_o understand_v themselves_o so_o well_o as_o not_o to_o entrust_v their_o decree_n any_o more_o to_o the_o uncertain_a way_n of_o write_v but_o for_o the_o future_a to_o communicate_v they_o to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o infallible_a way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o to_o mention_v no_o more_o mr_n knott_n 6._o who_o agree_v with_o the_o other_o thus_o far_o that_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v only_o to_o be_v have_v from_o the_o church_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o before_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o text_n we_o must_v either_o be_v certain_a that_o this_o text_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o other_o sense_n as_o figurative_a mystical_a or_o moral_a or_o if_o it_o be_v we_o must_v have_v some_o certain_a and_o infallible_a mean_n to_o know_v in_o which_o of_o they_o it_o be_v take_v which_o can_v be_v know_v only_o by_o revelation_n if_o this_o be_v true_a then_o by_o a_o fair_a parity_n of_o reason_n before_o i_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o doctrinal_a tradition_n deliver_v down_o to_o i_o i_o must_v either_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o word_n in_o which_o this_o tradition_n be_v express_v when_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o i_o be_v capable_a of_o no_o other_o sense_n as_o figurative_a mystical_a or_o moral_a beside_o that_o in_o which_o i_o understand_v they_o or_o if_o they_o be_v as_o certain_o they_o will_v be_v capable_a of_o any_o of_o these_o other_o sense_n then_o must_v i_o have_v some_o certain_a and_o infallible_a mean_n whereby_o to_o know_v in_o which_o of_o these_o they_o be_v take_v and_o this_o can_v no_o more_o be_v know_v without_o a_o revelation_n than_o which_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o such_o a_o text_n of_o scripture_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o traditional_a doctrine_n may_v by_o different_a expression_n be_v still_o further_o and_o further_o explain_v to_o i_o till_o i_o come_v certain_o to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o this_o will_v not_o help_v the_o matter_n for_o if_o these_o kind_n of_o cavil_n be_v good_a that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o any_o word_n till_o he_o can_v by_o a_o infallible_a argument_n demonstrate_v either_o that_o they_o can_v be_v take_v or_o that_o they_o be_v not_o take_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n i_o say_v if_o this_o cavil_n will_v hold_v than_o every_o new_a expression_n whereby_o any_o one_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v any_o traditional_a doctrine_n be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n which_o those_o word_n in_o which_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v to_o i_o be_v liable_a to_o from_o all_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o traditionary_a church_n can_v be_v no_o more_o certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o traditional_a doctrine_n than_o protestant_n may_v be_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n §_o 12._o these_o be_v his_o exception_n contain_v in_o his_o second_o discourse_n and_o of_o what_o force_n they_o be_v have_v be_v examine_v but_o because_o he_o foresee_v that_o it_o may_v be_v reply_v that_o these_o defect_n may_v in_o part_n be_v provide_v against_o by_o history_n by_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n by_o testimony_n of_o council_n and_o father_n and_o by_o the_o sufficient_a clearness_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o fundamental_o he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o these_o signify_v little_a to_o this_o purpose_n first_o not_o history_n 18._o because_o few_o be_v skill_v in_o history_n and_o they_o that_o be_v not_o can_v safe_o rely_v upon_o those_o that_o be_v skilled_a unless_o they_o know_v certain_o that_o the_o historian_n who_o they_o rely_v on_o have_v secure_a ground_n and_o not_o bare_a hear-say_n for_o what_o they_o write_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o other_o either_o extant_a or_o perish_v how_o much_o credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o uncontrolled_a history_n by_o the_o learned_a and_o how_o much_o by_o the_o vulgar_a to_o man_n of_o skill_n i_o have_v already_o show_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v now_o that_o if_o this_o reason_n be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v certain_a by_o history_n of_o any_o ancient_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o namely_o that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o julius_n caesar_n and_o william_n the_o conqueror_n and_o that_o they_o invade_v and_o conquer_v england_n because_o according_a to_o he_o we_o can_v know_v certain_o that_o the_o historian_n who_o relate_v these_o thing_n and_o upon_o who_o authority_n we_o rely_v have_v secure_a ground_n and_o not_o bare_a hear-say_n for_o what_o they_o write_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o other_o either_o extant_a or_o perish_v be_v i_o be_o sure_a impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o know_v for_o who_o can_v tell_v now_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n which_o be_v perish_v so_o that_o if_o this_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v every_o historical_a relation_n credible_a to_o know_v certain_o that_o it_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o any_o of_o those_o book_n which_o we_o do_v not_o know_v what_o they_o be_v nor_o what_o be_v in_o they_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o ancient_a fact_n or_o history_n for_o who_o know_v certain_o that_o some_o book_n that_o be_v perish_v do_v not_o contradict_v whatever_o be_v write_v in_o book_n that_o be_v extant_a nay_o if_o this_o reason_a hold_n we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n convey_v by_o oral_a tradition_n for_o what_o though_o the_o priest_n tell_v i_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n deliver_v to_o he_o unless_o i_o know_v that_o all_o other_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o this_o tradition_n i_o can_v rely_v upon_o his_o testimony_n nor_o then_o neither_o in_o mr._n knott_n 33._o opinion_n because_o the_o testimony_n of_o preacher_n or_o pastor_n be_v human_a and_o fallible_a unless_o according_a to_o his_o jargon_n a_o conclusion_n deduce_v from_o premise_n one_o of_o which_o be_v only_o probable_a may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o bring_v our_o understanding_n to_o a_o infallible_a act_n of_o faith_n viz._n if_o such_o a_o conclusion_n be_v take_v specificative_a whereas_o if_o it_o be_v take_v reduplicative_a
convey_v christ_n doctrine_n from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o priori_fw-la without_o any_o corruption_n or_o change_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o this_o rule_n shall_v always_o have_v be_v keep_v to_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o self-evident_a principle_n need_v no_o other_o evidence_n than_o that_o he_o go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o i_o think_v he_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o call_v this_o a_o self-evident_a principle_n as_o to_o call_v his_o proof_n of_o it_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o in_o order_n to_o his_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la he_o lay_v 60._o these_o four_o ground_n which_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o in_o his_o own_o word_n first_o that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o unanimous_o settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a disperse_v in_o great_a multitude_n over_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n second_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v firm_o believe_v by_o all_o those_o faithful_a to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o the_o contradict_a or_o desert_v it_o to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o damnation_n so_o that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n imaginable_a be_v by_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n encourage_v they_o to_o the_o adhere_n to_o that_o doctrine_n and_o deter_v they_o from_o relinquish_a it_o and_o indeed_o infinite_o great_a than_o any_o other_o whatever_o spring_v from_o any_o temporal_a consideration_n and_o that_o this_o be_v in_o all_o age_n the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o faithful_a three_o that_o hope_n of_o good_a and_o fear_n of_o harm_n strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n four_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v feasible_a or_o within_o their_o power_n that_o what_o they_o be_v breed_v to_o be_v knowable_a by_o they_o this_o put_v it_o follow_v as_o certain_o that_o a_o great_a number_n or_o body_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n and_o after_o faithful_a in_o each_o age_n that_o be_v from_o age_n to_o age_n will_v continue_v to_o hold_v themselves_o and_o teach_v their_o child_n as_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v that_o be_v will_v follow_v and_o stick_v to_o tradition_n as_o it_o do_v that_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v produce_v its_o effect_n this_o be_v his_o demonstration_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o §_o 3._o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n and_o weakness_n of_o this_o pretend_a demonstration_n i_o shall_v assail_v it_o these_o three_o way_n by_o show_v first_o that_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v true_a they_o will_v conclude_v too_o much_o and_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v impossible_a which_o common_a experience_n evince_v and_o himself_o must_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v second_o that_o his_o main_a ground_n be_v apparent_o false_a three_o that_o his_o demonstration_n be_v confute_v by_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a instance_n to_o the_o contrary_n sect_n iii_o §_o 1._o if_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v true_a demonstration_n they_o will_v conclude_v too_o much_o and_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v impossible_a which_o common_a experience_n evince_v and_o himself_n must_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v for_o if_o these_o two_o principle_n be_v true_a that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o that_o those_o hope_n and_o fear_n strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v constant_o to_o christ_n doctrine_n then_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o none_o th●●_n entertain_v this_o doctrine_n can_v ever_o fall_v from_o it_o because_o fall_v from_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o actual_a will_n of_o adhere_v constant_o to_o it_o for_o suppose_v as_o he_o do_v certain_a and_o constant_a cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v to_o this_o doctrine_n those_o who_o entertain_v it_o must_v actual_o will_v to_o adhere_v to_o it_o because_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v produce_v its_o effect_n which_o be_v constant_a adherence_n to_o it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a these_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v impossible_a first_o that_o any_o christian_n shall_v turn_v apostate_n or_o heretic_n second_o that_o any_o christian_n shall_v live_v wicked_o both_o which_o not_o only_o frequent_v and_o undoubted_a experience_n do_v evince_n but_o himself_o must_v grant_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la to_o have_v be_v §_o 2._o first_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a that_o any_o christian_n shall_v turn_v apostate_n or_o heretic_n heresy_n according_a to_o he_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o renounce_n of_o tradition_n now_o he_o tell_v we_o 60._o that_o the_o first_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n must_v have_v be_v true_a believer_n or_o holder_n of_o it_o ere_o they_o renounce_v it_o and_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o apostate_n but_o if_o all_o christian_n or_o true_a believer_n as_o he_o call_v they_o have_v these_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v strong_o apply_v and_o hope_v and_o fear_v strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v to_o this_o doctrine_n it_o be_v necessary_a all_o christian_n shall_v adhere_v to_o it_o and_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v either_o apostate_n or_o heretic_n for_o if_o these_o cause_n be_v put_v in_o all_o the_o faithful_a actual_o cause_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o demonstration_n suppose_v and_o indefectibleness_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o necessary_a effect_n of_o these_o cause_n as_o he_o also_o say_v 75._o than_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o where_o these_o cause_n be_v put_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o defection_n for_o a_o proper_a and_o necessary_a effect_n can_v but_o be_v where_o the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o effect_n be_v put_v especial_o if_o they_o be_v put_v actual_o cause_v and_o consequent_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o single_a christian_n shall_v ever_o either_o total_o apostatise_v or_o fall_v into_o heresy_n that_o be_v renounce_v tradition_n §_o 3._o and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o genuine_a consequence_n from_o these_o principle_n though_o he_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v it_o here_o because_o he_o see_v it_o will_v ruin_v his_o demonstration_n be_v liberal_o acknowledge_v by_o he_o in_o other_o part_n of_o his_o discourse_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o 54._o that_o it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n abstract_v from_o the_o cause_n of_o madness_n and_o violent_a disease_n to_o blot_v the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o doctrine_n out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n and_o 78._o that_o since_o no_o man_n can_v hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n nor_o doubt_n of_o what_o he_o hold_v nor_o change_v and_o innovate_v without_o know_v he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a impossibility_n a_o whole_a age_n shall_v fall_v into_o a_o absurdity_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o one_o single_a man_n and_o 89._o that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o impossible_a for_o one_o single_a man_n to_o attempt_v to_o deceive_v posterity_n by_o renounce_v tradition_n which_o passage_n lay_v together_o amount_v to_o thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o tradition_n shall_v fail_v in_o any_o one_o single_a person_n and_o though_o in_o the_o passage_n last_o cite_v he_o speak_v faint_o and_o with_o a_o perhaps_o as_o if_o he_o apprehend_v some_o danger_n in_o speak_v too_o peremptory_o yet_o any_o one_o will_v easy_o see_v the_o last_o to_o be_v as_o impossible_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o himself_o elsewhere_o be_v in_o the_o full_a career_n of_o his_o bombast_n rhetoric_n deliver_v it_o roundly_o without_o fear_n or_o wit_n 54._o soon_o may_v the_o sinew_n of_o entire_a nature_n by_o overstrain_v crack_n and_o she_o lose_v all_o her_o activity_n and_o motion_n that_o be_v herself_o than_o one_o single_a part_n of_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n which_o integrate_a that_o vast_a testification_n which_o we_o call_v tradition_n can_v possible_o be_v violate_v §_o 4._o but_o it_o may_v be_v we_o deal_v too_o hardly_o with_o he_o and_o press_v his_o demonstration_n too_o far_o because_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o only_o intend_v by_o it_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n will_v always_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n but_o if_o he_o intend_v to_o prove_v no_o more_o but_o this_o he_o shall_v then_o have_v bring_v a_o demonstration_n that_o will_v have_v conclude_v no_o more_o but_o this_o conclude_v of_o all_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n a_o clear_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v no_o demonstration_n because_o it_o conclude_v that_o which_o be_v evident_o false_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o apostate_n or_o heretic_n beside_o suppose_v his_o demonstration_n to_o conclude_v only_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n will_v always_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n this_o be_v as_o plain_o confute_v by_o experience_n if_o there_o be_v any_o credit_n
that_o can_v be_v imagine_v it_o may_v then_o have_v take_v place_n for_o what_o weed_n will_v not_o have_v grow_v in_o so_o rank_a a_o soil_n do_v mr._n s._n think_v it_o impossible_a that_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o church_n then_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o scarce_o any_o one_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o teach_v it_o they_o or_o that_o it_o can_v then_o have_v be_v alter_v when_o so_o few_o understand_v and_o few_o practise_v it_o when_o ptodigious_a impiety_n and_o wickedness_n do_v overspread_v the_o church_n from_o the_o pope_n down_o to_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o laity_n can_v any_o one_o believe_v that_o man_n general_o make_v conscience_n to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v it_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n when_o all_o other_o fail_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mistake_n about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o there_o be_v so_o much_o ignorance_n unless_o he_o be_v of_o mr._n rushworth_n 7._o mind_n who_o reckon_v ignorance_n among_o the_o parent_n of_o religion_n where_o be_v then_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v be_v they_o strong_o apply_v or_o be_v they_o not_o be_v they_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n in_o christian_n to_o believe_v well_o when_o they_o live_v so_o ill_o or_o be_v christianity_n only_o fit_v to_o form_v man_n mind_n to_o a_o right_a belief_n but_o of_o no_o efficacy_n to_o govern_v their_o life_n have_v christ_n take_v care_n to_o keep_v his_o church_n from_o error_n but_o not_o from_o vice_n as_o the_o great_a cardinal_n perron_n 6._o stoop_v below_o his_o own_o wit_n and_o reason_n to_o serve_v a_o bad_a cause_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n sing_v and_o will_v sing_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n i_o be_o black_a but_o i_o be_o fair_a that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o black_a in_o manner_n but_o fair_a in_o doctrine_n as_o if_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o promise_n of_o scripture_n make_v to_o the_o church_n be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o extraordinary_a care_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o peculiar_a assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n she_o shall_v be_v wicked_a but_o orthodox_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n where_o be_v then_o the_o vigorous_a cause_n imprint_v christ_n doctrine_n and_o continue_v it_o more_o particular_o at_o rome_n than_o any_o where_o else_o and_o of_o secure_v that_o see_v and_o its_o supreme_a pastor_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n above_o any_o other_o see_v or_o pastor_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v so_o little_o verse_v in_o history_n as_o not_o to_o understand_v the_o dismal_a state_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o romish_a church_n in_o those_o time_n who_o do_v not_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o their_o servile_a clergy_n make_v of_o the_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n of_o those_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o by_o what_o art_n and_o step_n they_o raise_v themselves_o to_o that_o power_n which_o they_o hold_v in_o the_o church_n for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o when_o they_o can_v tread_v upon_o the_o neck_n of_o prince_n and_o make_v a_o great_a king_n walk_v barefoot_a and_o yield_v himself_o to_o be_v scourge_v by_o a_o company_n of_o petulant_a monk_n when_o they_o can_v send_v any_o man_n upon_o a_o errand_n to_o visit_v the_o holy_a sepulchre_n or_o the_o shrine_n of_o such_o a_o saint_n and_o command_v five_o or_o six_o king_n with_o great_a army_n upon_o a_o needless_a expedition_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n that_o so_o during_o their_o absence_n they_o may_v play_v their_o own_o game_n the_o better_a when_o they_o can_v mint_n miracle_n and_o impose_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o people_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o ancient_a book_n absurd_a and_o counterfeit_a tale_n of_o ancient_a saint_n and_o martyr_n as_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o by_o tradition_n and_o can_v bring_v that_o foppish_a book_n the_o legend_n almost_o into_o equal_a authority_n and_o veneration_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o persuade_v the_o easy_a people_n that_o st._n denys_n carry_v his_o own_o head_n in_o his_o hand_n after_o it_o be_v cut_v off_o two_o mile_n and_o kiss_v it_o when_o he_o lay_v it_o down_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o monstrous_a practice_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n in_o these_o age_n the_o strange_a feat_n they_o play_v and_o what_o absurdity_n they_o impose_v upon_o the_o superstitious_a credulity_n of_o prince_n and_o people_n may_v ready_o imagine_v not_o only_o the_o possibility_n but_o the_o easiness_n of_o innovate_a new_a doctrine_n as_o they_o please_v under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o antitiquity_n and_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n §_o 8._o and_o this_o kind_n of_o discourse_n concern_v the_o possibility_n of_o error_n come_v into_o the_o church_n be_v not_o as_o mr._n white_n ridiculous_o compare_v it_o 49._o as_o if_o a_o orator_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v people_n that_o george_n by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o long_a staff_n and_o a_o nimble_a cast_n of_o his_o body_n and_o such_o like_a advantage_n may_v leap_v over_o paul_n be_v steeple_n never_o consider_v all_o the_o while_n the_o disproportion_n of_o all_o these_o advantage_n to_o the_o height_n of_o the_o steeple_n so_o say_v he_o he_o that_o discourse_v at_o large_a how_o error_n use_v to_o slide_v into_o man_n life_n without_o compare_v the_o power_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o error_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o resist_v which_o consist_v in_o this_o principle_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o what_o descend_v by_o tradition_n etc._n etc._n say_v no_o more_o towards_o prove_v a_o error_n be_v overrun_v the_o church_n than_o the_o orator_n for_o george_n be_v leap_v over_o the_o steeple_n how_o vain_a be_v this_o when_o it_o appear_v from_o this_o instance_n that_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o century_n and_o afterward_o that_o the_o cause_n of_o error_n be_v infinite_o strong_a than_o the_o power_n of_o resistance_n the_o great_a cause_n of_o error_n be_v ignorance_n and_o vice_n where_o ignorance_n reign_v there_o be_v no_o power_n where_o vice_n no_o will_n to_o resist_v it_o and_o how_o great_a the_o ignorance_n and_o viciousness_n of_o all_o order_n of_o man_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v be_v too_o too_o apparent_a from_o the_o testimony_n i_o have_v bring_v where_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o resist_a error_n when_o for_o 150_o year_n together_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o vile_a of_o man_n bishop_n and_o priest_n overwhelm_v with_o ignorance_n abandon_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o most_o supine_o negligent_a in_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o such_o a_o degenerate_a state_n of_o a_o church_n what_o strength_n be_v there_o in_o this_o principle_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o what_o descend_v by_o tradition_n when_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o teach_v man_n what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o be_v derive_v to_o they_o by_o tradition_n be_v general_o careless_a of_o their_o duty_n and_o ignorant_a themselves_o what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v when_o they_o addict_v themselves_o whole_o to_o the_o satisfy_n of_o their_o ambition_n and_o other_o lust_n and_o carry_v on_o design_n of_o gain_n and_o get_v dominion_n over_o the_o people_n what_o can_v hinder_v man_n so_o dispose_v from_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o suit_v it_o to_o their_o own_o lust_n and_o interest_n and_o what_o shall_v hinder_v the_o people_n from_o embrace_v those_o corruption_n when_o by_o the_o negligence_n of_o their_o pastor_n to_o instruct_v they_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o also_o by_o their_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o a_o know_a tongue_n they_o be_v become_v utter_o incapable_a of_o know_v what_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o that_o in_o a_o age_n of_o such_o profound_a ignorance_n and_o vice_n and_o general_a neglect_n of_o instruction_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v impossible_a for_o error_n to_o overrun_v a_o church_n that_o the_o contrary_n be_v moral_o impossible_a and_o george_n long_a staff_n and_o advantageous_a cast_n of_o his_o body_n be_v more_o powerful_a cause_n to_o enable_v he_o to_o leap_v over_o paul_n steeple_n than_o this_o principle_n that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o what_o descend_v by_o tradition_n be_v to_o keep_v error_n out_o of_o a_o church_n in_o a_o ignorant_a and_o vicious_a age_n when_o few_o or_o none_o be_v either_o able_a or_o willing_a to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o truth_n for_o suppose_v this_o always_o to_o have_v be_v the_o principle_n of_o christian_n viz._n that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v as_o the_o
and_o christian_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v a_o temporal_a prince_n in_o case_n it_o be_v a_o point_n hold_v ever_o deliver_v but_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v it_o be_v so_o hold_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o have_v be_v hold_v so_o ever_o since_o to_o this_o day_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o transcribe_v the_o rest_n of_o this_o demonstration_n only_o desire_v he_o as_o he_o read_v it_o over_o to_o imagine_v instead_o of_o mr._n s._n a_o pharisee_fw-mi demonstrate_v against_o one_o of_o christ_n disciple_n the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o will_v find_v this_o demonstration_n and_o every_o part_n of_o it_o change_v only_o the_o name_n as_o forcible_o conclude_v christ_n not_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o it_o do_v infer_v any_o point_n of_o popery_n against_o the_o protestant_n §_o 4._o before_o i_o leave_v this_o instance_n of_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v what_o mr._n white_a etc._n have_v offer_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o it_o as_o first_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o these_o tradition_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o explication_n of_o scripture_n frame_v and_o invent_v by_o their_o own_o rabbin_n so_o we_o say_v that_o the_o popish_a tradition_n be_v innovation_n but_o then_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o that_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v they_o to_o be_v descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n because_o it_o be_v the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n that_o they_o be_v so_o descend_v in_o like_a manner_n if_o this_o demonstration_n be_v good_a the_o jew_n can_v prove_v their_o tradition_n to_o be_v descend_v from_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n second_o he_o say_v that_o the_o form_n of_o these_o tradition_n be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o the_o cant_v of_o gypsy_n or_o the_o juggle_n of_o hocuspocus_a because_o it_o consist_v in_o invent_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o mystery_n and_o number_n and_o change_n of_o letter_n this_o be_v a_o gross_a inexcusable_a mistake_n for_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v such_o a_o cabala_n call_v gematry_n as_o this_o which_o mr._n white_a describe_v yet_o that_o cabala_n which_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o instance_n and_o which_o our_o saviour_n reprove_v in_o the_o pharisee_n by_o the_o name_n of_o tradition_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o jewish_a writer_n know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o unwritten_a or_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o say_v be_v deliver_v to_o moses_n on_o mount_n sinai_n and_o by_o he_o convey_v to_o aaron_n and_o joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o successive_o deliver_v down_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o at_o last_o by_o rabbi_n jehuda_n compile_v into_o one_o volume_n which_o they_o call_v mishna_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o art_n of_o number_v combine_a or_o change_v of_o letter_n as_o mr._n white_n imagine_v but_o suppose_v it_o do_v so_o and_o be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o he_o conject_v it_o to_o be_v the_o instance_n will_v be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o conclusive_a against_o they_o if_o what_o they_o affirm_v be_v true_a that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v infallible_a and_o that_o the_o persuasion_n of_o a_o traditionary_a church_n in_o any_o age_n that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n descend_v to_o they_o from_o christ_n or_o moses_n be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o it_o do_v so_o for_o if_o this_o be_v sufficient_a evidence_n it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n what_o the_o doctrine_n be_v either_o for_o matter_n or_o form_n for_o if_o it_o be_v once_o demonstrate_v to_o have_v come_v from_o christ_n or_o moses_n it_o be_v without_o any_o far_a dispute_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o of_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o mr._n white_a quite_o alter_v the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n which_o be_v not_o whether_o the_o jewish_a cabala_n be_v absurd_a and_o 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mishnah_n and_o which_o this_o instance_n only_o intend_v for_o of_o this_o maimonides_n talmud_n say_v express_o that_o in_o every_o age_n from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rabbi_n jehudah_n who_o compile_v the_o mishna_n the_o oral_a law_n be_v public_o teach_v and_o that_o after_o rabbi_n jehudah_n have_v compile_v it_o into_o one_o volume_n the_o israelite_n do_v general_o write_v out_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v every_o where_o careful_o teach_v for_o fear_v lest_o the_o oral_a law_n shall_v by_o forgetfulness_n be_v last_o among_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o publickness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o impossibility_n of_o juggle_a and_o cozenage_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o jewish_a as_o of_o the_o romish_a tradition_n beside_o be_v wash_v of_o hand_n and_o cup_n which_o they_o also_o pretend_v to_o have_v come_v down_o to_o they_o from_o moses_n and_o to_o have_v be_v constant_o practise_v in_o every_o age_n a_o secret_a thing_n be_v it_o not_o a_o practical_a tradition_n and_o perform_v in_o a_o sensible_a matter_n if_o therefore_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o impose_v upon_o the_o next_o in_o a_o plain_a custom_n and_o if_o a_o universal_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v come_v in_o without_o such_o a_o conspiracy_n how_o can_v this_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o any_o age_n that_o wash_v of_o hand_n etc._n etc._n be_v prescribe_v by_o moses_n and_o practise_v in_o all_o age_n if_o it_o have_v not_o true_o be_v so_o §_o 5._o second_o as_o for_o instance_n among_o christian_n whereof_o many_o remain_v yet_o upon_o record_n as_o namely_o the_o various_a and_o opposite_a tradition_n about_o the_o time_n of_o easter_n and_o concern_v the_o baptism_n of_o heretic_n and_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n as_o st._n austin_n call_v it_o concern_v the_o admission_n of_o infant_n to_o the_o communion_n all_o which_o have_v be_v frequent_o urge_v in_o this_o controversy_n and_o none_o of_o they_o yet_o sufficient_o answer_v i_o shall_v to_o avoid_v tediousness_n pass_v by_o these_o insist_v only_o upon_o that_o of_o the_o chiliast_n which_o in_o justin_n martyr_n time_n be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n that_o be_v in_o mr._n s_n dialect_n of_o all_o the_o holder_n to_o tradition_n for_o if_o notwithstanding_o the_o persuasion_n of_o that_o age_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v descend_v to_o they_o from_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v not_o real_o so_o descend_v then_o the_o persuasion_n of_o christian_n in_o any_o age_n that_o a_o doctrine_n be_v bring_v down_o to_o they_o from_o the_o apostle_n be_v no_o demonstration_n that_o it_o be_v so_o §_o 6._o to_o this_o instance_n mr._n white_a answer_n etc._n by_o tell_v we_o that_o eusebius_n say_v that_o this_o tradition_n spring_v from_o papias_n a_o good_a but_o a_o credulous_a and_o simple_a man_n who_o it_o seem_v be_v mistake_v in_o say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n but_o for_o all_o this_o justin_n martyr_n say_v it_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o orthodox_n christian_n in_o his_o time_n as_o a_o doctrine_n descend_v to_o they_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o if_o justin_n say_v true_a nothing_o can_v make_v more_o against_o their_o demonstration_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n than_o the_o natural_a consequence_n from_o these_o two_o say_n of_o eusebius_n and_o justin_n which_o be_v this_o that_o the_o mistake_n of_o one_o simple_a and_o credulous_a man_n may_v in_o a_o age_n or_o two_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o universal_a entertainment_n of_o a_o doctrine_n as_o descend_v down_o to_o they_o from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n have_v not_o mr._n white_a now_o do_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n great_a service_n by_o this_o answer_n but_o it_o be_v according_a to_o his_o manner_n in_o
discourse_n in_o which_o he_o pretend_v to_o open_v the_o incomparable_a strength_n of_o the_o church_n humane_a authority_n and_o the_o advantage_n which_o accrue_v to_o it_o by_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o material_a in_o it_o which_o have_v not_o be_v answer_v already_o only_o i_o desire_v he_o to_o explain_v how_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n can_v according_a to_o his_o principle_n add_v to_o our_o assurance_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n because_o we_o can_v have_v no_o great_a certainty_n of_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n than_o we_o have_v that_o there_o be_v a_o holy_a ghost_n and_o of_o this_o we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n according_a to_o mr._n s._n but_o by_o tradition_n which_o convey_v this_o doctrine_n to_o we_o and_o if_o tradition_n of_o itself_o can_v infallible_o assure_v we_o that_o there_o be_v supernatural_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n than_o a_o man_n must_v know_v that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a antecedent_o to_o his_o knowledge_n of_o any_o supernatural_a assistance_n and_o if_o so_o what_o can_v any_o supernatural_a assistance_n add_v to_o my_o assurance_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n which_o i_o do_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a before_o i_o can_v know_v of_o any_o supernatural_a assistance_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o ludicrous_a than_o to_o build_v first_o all_o our_o certainty_n of_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o then_o afterward_o to_o make_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n to_o rely_v upon_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o if_o that_o can_v contribute_v to_o our_o assurance_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n which_o unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o suppose_v certain_a be_v itself_o whole_o uncertain_a §_o 2._o the_o conclusion_n of_o this_o nine_o discourse_n be_v somewhat_o ecstatical_a possible_o from_o a_o sudden_a disorder_n of_o his_o fancy_n upon_o the_o contemplation_n of_o his_o own_o performance_n to_o see_v what_o a_o man_n he_o have_v make_v himself_o with_o the_o help_n of_o rushworth_n dialogue_n or_o rather_o what_o his_o party_n have_v make_v he_o by_o the_o office_n they_o put_v upon_o he_o for_o it_o seem_v by_o his_o tell_n 166._o mr._n cressy_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v ordain_v to_o cajoll_v the_o fool_n leave_v he_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n and_o principle_n and_o that_o himself_o be_v choose_v out_o to_o demonstrate_v to_o the_o wise_a or_o those_o who_o judge_v of_o thing_n per_fw-la altissimas_fw-la causas_fw-la in_o the_o discharge_n of_o which_o glorious_a office_n he_o declare_v that_o he_o intend_v no_o confutation_n of_o those_o author_n which_o mr._n cressy_n and_o other_o have_v meddle_v with_o yet_o if_o any_o will_v be_v so_o charitable_a as_o to_o judge_v he_o have_v solid_o confute_v they_o because_o he_o have_v radical_o and_o fundamental_o overthrow_v all_o their_o argument_n etc._n etc._n he_o shall_v rejoice_v and_o be_v thankful_a that_o the_o 159._o intelligent_a reader_n for_o he_o write_v to_o none_o but_o such_o may_v also_o rejoice_v with_o he_o i_o shall_v recite_v the_o whole_a passage_n for_o it_o be_v thick_a of_o demostration_n and_o as_o likely_a as_o any_o in_o his_o book_n to_o have_v the_o altissimas_fw-la causas_fw-la contain_v in_o it_o §_o 3._o 93._o it_o will_v require_v a_o large_a volume_n to_o unfold_v particular_o how_o each_o virtue_n contribute_v to_o show_v the_o inerrable_a indeficiency_n of_o tradition_n and_o how_o the_o principle_n of_o almost_o each_o science_n be_v concern_v in_o demonstrate_v its_o certainty_n arithmetic_n lend_v she_o number_v and_o multiply_v faculty_n to_o scan_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o testifier_n geometry_n her_o proportion_n to_o show_v a_o kind_n of_o infinite_a strength_n of_o certitude_n in_o christian_a tradition_n above_o those_o atté_fw-fr station_n which_o breed_v certainty_n in_o humane_a affair_n logic_n her_o skill_n to_o frame_v and_o make_v we_o see_v the_o connexion_n it_n have_v with_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n nature_n her_o law_n of_o motion_n and_o action_n morality_n her_o first_o principle_n that_o nothing_o be_v do_v gratis_o by_o a_o cognoscitive_a nature_n and_o that_o the_o body_n of_o traditionary_a doctrine_n be_v most_o conformable_a to_o practical_a reason_n historical_a prudence_n clear_v the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o undiscernible_a revolt_n from_o point_n so_o descend_v and_o hold_v so_o sacred_a politic_n show_v this_o to_o be_v the_o best_a way_n imaginable_a to_o convey_v down_o such_o a_o law_n as_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n to_o be_v skilful_a in_o metaphysic_n engage_v the_o essence_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o be_v which_o fix_v every_o truth_n so_o establish_v the_o scientifical_a knowledge_n which_o spring_v from_o each_o particular_a nature_n by_o their_o first_o cause_n or_o reason_n exempt_a from_o change_n or_o motion_n divinity_n demonstrate_v it_o most_o worthy_a god_n and_o most_o conducive_a to_o bring_v mankind_n to_o bliss_n last_o controversy_n evidence_n the_o total_a uncertainty_n of_o any_o thing_n concern_v faith_n if_o this_o can_v be_v uncertain_a and_o make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o rest_n to_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o this_o first_o principle_n a_o very_a fit_a conclusion_n for_o such_o demonstration_n as_o go_v before_o it_o be_v well_o mr._n s._n write_v to_o none_o but_o intelligent_a reader_n for_o be_v it_o not_o a_o thousand_o pity_n that_o so_o manly_a and_o solid_a and_o convince_a a_o discourse_n as_o this_o shall_v be_v cast_v away_o upon_o fool_n sect_n xii_o consider_v §_o 1._o as_o for_o his_o corollary_n suppose_v they_o to_o be_v right_o deduce_v from_o his_o former_a discourse_n they_o must_v of_o necessity_n fall_v with_o they_o for_o they_o signify_v nothing_o but_o upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o his_o foregoing_a discourse_n be_v true_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v grant_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o most_o of_o they_o be_v gross_o faulty_a for_o first_o several_a of_o they_o be_v plain_o coincident_a the_o second_o viz._n none_o can_v with_o right_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o church_n but_o the_o follower_n of_o tradition_n be_v the_o very_a same_o in_o sense_n with_o the_o 11_o the_o viz_o no_o company_n of_o man_n hang_v together_o like_o a_o body_n of_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n or_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n so_o likewise_o the_o 12_o the_o and_o 14_o the_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o 15_o the_o the_o 16_o the_o and_o 17_o the_o in_o the_o 19_o the_o the_o 16_o the_o 17_o 18_o the_o and_o 19_o the_o in_o the_o 21_o sy_n and_o the_o 32_o d_o and_o 34_o the_o in_o the_o 31_o sy_n second_o divers_a of_o they_o be_v manifest_o absurd_a as_o the_o 12_o the_o 13_o the_o 14_o the_o 16_o the_o 17_o the_o 18_o the_o 19_o the_o the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n from_o scripture_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o father_n and_o council_n or_o from_o history_n and_o testimonial_a write_n or_o from_o contrary_a tradition_n or_o reason_n or_o any_o instance_n whatsoever_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v if_o this_o proposition_n be_v true_a that_o tradition_n be_v certain_a than_o it_o can_v by_o any_o kind_n of_o argument_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a but_o be_v this_o any_o peculiar_a consectary_n from_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n do_v not_o the_o same_o follow_v from_o every_o proposition_n that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a yet_o no_o man_n be_v ever_o yet_o so_o frivolous_a as_o to_o draw_v such_o a_o consequence_n from_o the_o suppose_a truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n his_o 23_o d_o also_o be_v singular_o absurd_a that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o argue_v at_o all_o against_o tradition_n right_o understand_v or_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n these_o be_v large_a word_n it_o may_v have_v content_v a_o reasonable_a man_n to_o have_v say_v that_o no_o good_a argument_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o it_o but_o he_o be_v jealous_a of_o his_o hypothesis_n and_o can_v never_o think_v it_o safe_a till_o it_o be_v shot-free_a nor_o will_v that_o content_v he_o but_o it_o must_v be_v also_o impossible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o make_v a_o show_n of_o shoot_v at_o it_o this_o be_v i_o confess_v a_o peculiar_a privilege_n of_o mr._n s_n discourse_n above_o other_o man_n if_o they_o be_v as_o he_o say_v by_o evidence_n of_o demonstration_n so_o secure_v that_o not_o only_o no_o substantial_a argument_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o but_o that_o even_o the_o most_o subtle_a schoolman_n of_o they_o all_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o come_v near_o
i_o take_v to_o be_v as_o shameful_a a_o circle_n as_o that_o wherewith_o dr._n holden_n upbraid_v the_o generality_n of_o his_o brethren_n §_o 3._o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o authority_n from_o father_n and_o council_n all_o which_o not_o one_o of_o they_o except_v he_o have_v take_v out_o of_o mr._n white_n be_v tabulae_fw-la suffragiales_n without_o the_o least_o acknowledgement_n from_o who_o he_o have_v they_o and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v evident_a that_o he_o have_v not_o consult_v the_o book_n themselves_o for_o they_o he_o have_v take_v they_o with_o all_o their_o fault_n and_o with_o the_o very_a same_o error_n of_o citation_n which_o mr._n white_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o before_o he_o so_o that_o though_o he_o be_v please_v to_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o 239._o he_o he_o be_v a_o bad_a transcriber_n yet_o i_o must_v do_v he_o that_o right_a to_o assure_v the_o reader_n that_o he_o do_v it_o very_o punctual_o and_o exact_o §_o 4._o he_o begin_v with_o council_n of_o which_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o will_v only_o mention_v three_o in_o several_a age_n the_o first_o be_v the_o first_o synod_n of_o lateran_n one_o may_v have_v expect_v after_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o he_o will_v mention_v three_o in_o several_a age_n he_o shall_v have_v produce_v they_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o have_v begin_v with_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n which_o be_v near_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o lateran_n but_o there_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o lateran_n shall_v be_v first_o produce_v viz._n because_o it_o be_v mention_v before_o the_o other_o in_o mr_n white_n be_v book_n well_o but_o what_o say_v this_o synod_n we_o all_o confess_v unanimous_o and_o consequent_o with_o one_o heart_n and_o mouth_n the_o tenet_n and_o say_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n add_v nothing_o substract_v nothing_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v we_o by_o they_o and_o we_o believe_v as_o the_o father_n have_v believe_v we_o preach_v so_o as_o they_o have_v teach_v the_o force_n of_o which_o testimony_n mr._n s._n lay_v upon_o the_o word_n deliver_v as_o if_o that_o word_n wherever_o it_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o council_n or_o father_n must_v needs_o be_v understand_v of_o oral_a delivery_n whereas_o it_o be_v a_o general_a word_n indifferent_o use_v for_o conveyance_n either_o by_o writing_n or_o word_n of_o mouth_n in_o this_o place_n it_o plain_o refer_v to_o the_o write_n of_o particular_a father_n out_o of_o who_o a_o long_a catalogue_n of_o testimony_n against_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o monothelite_n have_v be_v read_v just_a before_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o synod_n now_o what_o signify_v this_o to_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o this_o synod_n declare_v her_o faith_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o monothelite_n to_o be_v consonant_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o those_o testimony_n which_o have_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o father_n the_o next_o be_v the_o council_n of_o sardica_n out_o of_o a_o epistle_n of_o which_o council_n he_o cite_v these_o word_n we_o have_v receive_v this_o doctrine_n we_o have_v be_v teach_v so_o we_o hold_v this_o catholic_n tradition_n faith_n and_o confession_n which_o be_v general_a word_n and_o indifferent_o applicable_a to_o oral_a tradition_n or_o write_v or_o both_o but_o be_v they_o what_o they_o will_v mr._n s._n ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v ignorant_a that_o this_o council_n be_v reject_v by_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o orthodox_n father_n as_o 1_o binnius_n acknowledge_v and_o which_o be_v more_o that_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o epistle_n out_o of_o which_o part_n mr._n s._n cite_v these_o word_n which_o contain_v a_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v by_o 347._o baronius_n and_o after_o he_o by_o binnius_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v surreptitious_o add_v for_o though_o it_o be_v find_v in_o theodoret_n and_o mention_v by_o sozomen_n yet_o baronius_n think_v that_o it_o be_v the_o arian_n confession_n compose_v by_o the_o false-synod_n of_o sardica_n which_o sit_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o that_o sozomen_n light_v upon_o it_o perhaps_o mistake_v it_o for_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o orthodox_n synod_n of_o the_o same_o name_n however_o that_o be_v he_o prove_v out_o of_o athanasius_n and_o from_o the_o testimony_n both_o of_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a bishop_n that_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o add_v one_o word_n or_o tittle_n no_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o explain_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o nicene_n faith_n but_o mr._n white_n say_v nothing_o of_o this_o and_o therefore_o mr._n s._n can_v not_o who_o be_v no_o speculator_n in_o these_o matter_n but_o only_o as_o a_o testifier_n deliver_v down_o these_o authority_n to_o we_o as_o he_o receive_v they_o by_o hand_n from_o mr._n white_a and_o if_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v but_o in_o they_o they_o be_v demonstrative_a as_o for_o his_o testimony_n from_o the_o 2_o d_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o he_o call_v the_o 7_o the_o general_a council_n who_o pretend_v their_o doctrine_n of_o image-worship_n to_o have_v descend_v to_o they_o by_o a_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n and_o prove_v it_o most_o doughty_o by_o text_n of_o scripture_n ridiculous_o wrest_v by_o impertinent_a say_n out_o of_o obscure_a and_o counterfeit_a author_n and_o by_o fond_a and_o immodest_a story_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o pope_n 4._o adrian_n the_o 6_o the_o of_o apparition_n and_o woman_n dream_n etc._n etc._n for_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o council_n itself_o which_o be_v such_o a_o mess_n of_o poppery_n that_o if_o a_o general_a council_n of_o atheist_n have_v meet_v together_o with_o a_o design_n to_o abuse_v religion_n by_o talk_v ridiculous_o concern_v it_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v as_o for_o his_o testimony_n from_o this_o council_n i_o shall_v refer_v mr._n s_o to_o that_o western_a council_n under_o charles_n the_o great_a which_o a_o little_a after_o at_o francford_n condemn_v and_o also_o full_o confute_v the_o decision_n of_o this_o council_n call_v their_o pretend_a tradition_n of_o image-worship_n putidissimam_fw-la traditionem_fw-la a_o most_o stink_a tradition_n these_o be_v his_o authority_n from_o council_n where_o say_v he_o we_o see_v general_a council_n rely_v on_o the_o teach_v of_o the_o father_n or_o foregoing_a church_n and_o on_o the_o church_n tradition_n as_o their_o rule_n etc._n etc._n where_o do_v he_o see_v any_o such_o matter_n or_o where_o do_v he_o see_v general_a council_n be_v the_o council_n of_o lateran_n a_o general_n one_o or_o be_v the_o council_n of_o sardica_n if_o it_o be_v let_v he_o show_v how_o the_o 2_o d._n of_o nice_n can_v be_v the_o 7_o the_o general_n council_n mr._n white_a must_v write_v more_o explicit_o and_o say_v which_o be_v general_a council_n which_o not_o otherwise_o he_o will_v lead_v his_o friend_n into_o dangerous_a mistake_n §_o 4._o after_o ancient_a 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with_o a_o say_n of_o pope_n celestine_n to_o the_o father_n of_o the_o ephesin_n council_n now_o therefore_o we_o must_v act_v with_o a_o common_a endeavour_n to_o preserve_v thing_n believe_v and_o retain_v to_o this_o very_a time_n by_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n binnius_n other_o read_v of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quite_o spoil_v the_o force_n of_o this_o citation_n which_o mr._n s._n put_v upon_o the_o word_n succession_n but_o read_v it_o how_o he_o will_v why_o may_v not_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v say_v to_o come_v by_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n when_o it_o be_v transmit_v to_o we_o by_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o when_o by_o oral_a tradition_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o same_o celestine_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o cyril_n commend_v he_o for_o defend_v
entertain_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n his_o word_n be_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v but_o two_o way_n of_o ordinary_a knowledge_n by_o act_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o operation_n on_o our_o body_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n and_o experience_n the_o former_a of_o which_o belong_v to_o speculator_n or_o doctor_n the_o second_o to_o deliverer_n of_o what_o be_v receive_v or_o testifier_n and_o this_o distinction_n he_o frequent_o admit_v not_o only_o in_o the_o present_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o in_o any_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v hold_v in_o all_o from_o hence_o i_o propose_v several_a query_n further_o to_o mr._n s._n 1._o if_o every_o one_o in_o the_o church_n look_v on_o himself_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v whence_o come_v any_o to_o have_v particular_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o for_o either_o the_o church_n have_v deliver_v her_o sense_n in_o that_o case_n or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o tradition_n be_v no_o 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well_o as_o this_o whether_o do_v those_o man_n believe_v their_o own_o speculation_n or_o no_o if_o not_o than_o the_o father_n be_v great_a impostor_n who_o vent_v those_o speculation_n in_o the_o church_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o and_o it_o be_v plain_a mr._n s._n speak_v of_o such_o opinion_n which_o the_o asserter_n of_o do_v firm_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o they_o do_v than_o they_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o do_v not_o own_o oral_a tradition_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o as_o many_o speculator_n as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o church_n so_o many_o testifier_n we_o have_v against_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 3._o whether_o those_o person_n who_o do_v themselves_o believe_v those_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a do_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o tell_v other_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o consequent_o to_o deliver_v these_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o their_o child_n let_v mr._n s._n show_v i_o any_o inconsequence_n in_o this_o but_o that_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v upon_o his_o principle_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o receive_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o obligation_n be_v in_o all_o respect_v equal_a as_o if_o they_o have_v believe_v these_o thing_n on_o the_o account_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 4._o if_o child_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o for_o matter_n of_o faith_n then_o upon_o mr._n s_n own_o concession_n be_v not_o posterity_n bind_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o original_o come_v not_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o it_o appear_v in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o first_o rise_n be_v from_o a_o private_a opinion_n of_o some_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o believe_v these_o opinion_n themselves_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o propagate_v they_o to_o other_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o authority_n these_o opinion_n may_v by_o degree_n gain_v a_o general_a acceptance_n in_o the_o roll_a part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o who_o believe_v they_o true_a think_v they_o ought_v to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n and_o child_n they_o be_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o thus_o from_o mr._n s_n own_o principle_n thing_n that_o never_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n may_v come_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o present_a church_n thus_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n need_v no_o body_n help_v but_o mr._n s._n to_o let_v he_o understand_v how_o invocation_n of_o saint_n purgatory_n transubstantiation_n etc._n etc._n though_o never_o deliver_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n may_v yet_o now_o be_v look_v on_o as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o either_o then_o mr._n s._n must_v say_v there_o never_o be_v any_o private_a opinator_n or_o speculator_n in_o the_o church_n as_o distinct_a from_o testifier_n and_o then_o he_o unavoidable_o contradict_v himself_o or_o he_o must_v deny_v that_o posterity_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o forefather_n deliver_v they_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o destroy_v the_o force_n of_o his_o whole_a demonstration_n perhaps_o he_o will_v answer_v that_o child_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o bare_o their_o parent_n or_o any_o other_o number_n of_o person_n may_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o every_o age_n deliver_v this_o though_o the_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o case_n yet_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a because_o it_o run_v man_n upon_o inextricable_a difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o resolve_v faith_n for_o suppose_v any_o child_n teach_v by_o their_o parent_n what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v mr._n s._n must_v say_v they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v they_o present_o but_o to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o that_o age_n first_o before_o they_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o assent_v which_o be_v a_o impossible_a task_n either_o for_o child_n or_o man_n of_o age_n to_o find_v out_o in_o the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n this_o way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n do_v but_o offer_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o infidelity_n for_o we_o see_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o mr._n s._n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o church_n be_v agree_v about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o by_o his_o own_o confession_n the_o far_o great_a number_n as_o speculator_n oppose_v the_o way_n assert_v by_o he_o how_o much_o more_o difficult_a than_o must_v it_o need_v be_v to_o find_v out_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a essential_a church_n be_v in_o all_o matter_n which_o parent_n may_v teach_v their_o child_n for_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o child_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o till_o they_o know_v they_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n teach_v it_o be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o teach_v they_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v at_o all_o but_o if_o this_o distinction_n be_v admit_v as_o mr._n s._n make_v much_o use_n of_o it_o than_o it_o appear_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n at_o first_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o speculation_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o be_v deliver_v as_o point_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o mean_v those_o thing_n may_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o church_n for_o such_o which_o be_v never_o deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o yet_o no_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v show_v 7._o this_o be_v one_o way_n of_o show_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v several_z other_o i_o may_v insist_v upon_o but_o i_o shall_v mention_v only_o two_o more_o 1._o misinterpret_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n 2._o suppose_v it_o in_o the_o power_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o church_n to_o oblige_v the_o whole_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n for_o the_o first_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o no_o imaginable_a account_n can_v be_v give_v either_o of_o the_o writing_n or_o universal_a reception_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o they_o be_v not_o design_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n and_o although_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v possible_a for_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n such_o as_o the_o apostle_n creed_n give_v a_o summary_n account_v of_o to_o have_v be_v preserve_v by_o