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authority_n church_n doctrine_n tradition_n 2,974 5 9.2119 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59248 Sure-footing in Christianity, or Rational discourses on the rule of faith with short animadversions on Dr. Pierce's sermon : also on some passages in Mr. Whitby and M. Stillingfleet, which concern that rule / by J.S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1665 (1665) Wing S2595; ESTC R8569 122,763 264

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matter_n to_o who_o thus_o present_a what_o deference_n the_o council_n will_v have_v give_v be_v obvious_a to_o be_v imagine_v hence_o also_o the_o protestant_n may_v see_v what_o high_a esteem_n our_o church_n give_v to_o god_n word_n true_o so_o call_v that_o be_v have_v god_n sense_n certainly-known_a to_o be_v such_o in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o outward_a letter_n as_o use_v to_o hammer_v a_o faith_n out_o of_o by_o wordish_a skill_n that_o be_v indeed_o their_o method_n of_o interpret_n it_o which_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o uncertainty_n fall_v short_a of_o engage_v the_o sacred_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n we_o fleight_v and_o scorn_v and_o most_o just_o since_o it_o be_v the_o have_n no_o better_a way_n to_o work_v on_o scripture_n which_o have_v bring_v scripture_n itself_o thus_o use_v to_o scorn_v and_o contempt_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o carriage_n of_o our_o bedlam_n of_o new_a sect_n in_o england_n i_o expect_v here_o some_o mighty_a man_n of_o talk_n but_o very_o weak_a speculator_n shall_v object_v that_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a way_n to_o bring_v all_o into_o our_o church_n hand_n but_o till_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o both_o letter_n &_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v knowable_a with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o to_o build_v on_o they_o that_o most_o firm_a assent_v call_v faith_n by_o any_o other_o way_n than_o this_o of_o tradition_n i_o can_v neither_o hinder_v my_o inference_n nor_o will_v he_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v my_o discourse_n 20._o thus_o much_o to_o show_v evident_o that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o have_v give_v in_o our_o former_a discourse_n be_v the_o very_a sense_n of_o our_o church_n at_o present_a and_o that_o her_o present_a sense_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v now_o but_o to_o show_v that_o at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o breach_n here_o in_o england_n the_o catholic_n be_v find_v adhere_v fast_o to_o this_o rule_n of_o tradition_n renounce_v by_o the_o protestant_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n for_o as_o oft_o as_o you_o hear_v they_o allege_v that_o england_n be_v former_o overgrow_v with_o popery_n that_o the_o new_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v of_o late_o discover_v itself_o that_o they_o reform_v in_o faith_n that_o the_o former_a church_n err_v and_o such_o like_a expression_n which_o natural_o must_v burst_v out_o from_o they_o so_o oft_o you_o hear_v they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o deserter_n of_o tradition_n and_o innovator_n which_o expression_n of_o they_o by_o the_o way_n easy_o manifest_a to_o the_o most_o vulgar_a understanding_n who_o ●tis_o that_o have_v renounct_v tradition_n whence_o it_o be_v also_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o rude_a capacity_n that_o tradition_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a way_n of_o bring_v down_o faith_n disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o the_o most_o vulgar_a soul_n be_v capable_a of_o know_v which_o profession_n it_o be_v to_o follow_v for_o the_o two_o former_a point_n be_v know_v they_o be_v certain_a by_o motive_n within_o their_o own_o ken_n that_o protestant_n have_v renounct_v the_o certain_a way_n to_o bring_v down_o faith_n but_o that_o we_o renounct_v tradition_n of_o old_a be_v unacknowledged_a by_o we_o disputable_a and_o only_o knowable_a by_o skill_v they_o be_v not_o master_n of_o common_a sense_n then_o teach_v they_o they_o must_v guide_v themselves_o by_o reason_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o not_o by_o reason_n of_o which_o they_o know_v nothing_o and_o that_o god_n require_v no_o more_o at_o their_o hand_n than_o they_o can_v do_v god_n goodness_n have_v provide_v for_o those_o weak_a people_n out_o of_o the_o very_a confession_n of_o tradition●s_a deserter_n certain_a mean_n to_o judge_v whether_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v catholic_n or_o protestant_n but_o to_o return_v whence_o we_o divert_v 21._o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n but_o the_o open_a profession_n of_o the_o catholic_n clergy_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o the_o breach_n manifest_v our_o claim_n and_o constant_a adherence_n to_o tradition_n who_o declaration_n find_v in_o the_o synodal_n book_n 1559._o begin_v thus_o because_o by_o relation_n of_o public_a fame_n it_o have_v late_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n that_o many_o tenet_n of_o christian_a religion_n hitherto_o receive_v and_o approu●d_v by_o the_o public_a and_o 〈◊〉_d consent_v of_o christian_a nation_n and_o bring_v down_o by_o hand_n even_o from_o the_o apostle_n to_o we_o be_v call●d_v into_o doubt_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n where_o we_o find_v they_o stick_v firm_o to_o tradition_n and_o insist_v on_o this_o principle_n they_o proceed_v to_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o they_o exhibit_v to_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o lord_n keeper_n but_o the_o state_n by_o power_n over-bearing_a the_o vote_n of_o the_o reverend_a convocation_n and_o persecute_v they_o for_o their_o constancy_n the_o breach_n ensue_v the_o catholic_n cleave_v fast_o to_o his_o old_a rule_n tradition_n the_o protestant_n choose_v a_o new_a one_o of_o scripture_n private_o interpret_v who_o vanity_n a_o little_a reason_n make_v they_o see_v but_o experience_n perfect_o find_v and_o relinquish_a the_o ancient_a rule_n so_o demonstrable_o self-evident_a secure_a and_o solid_a by_o which_o mean_n they_o become_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o only_a certain_a way_n to_o know_v christ_n sense_n that_o be_v from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n the_o gild_n of_o which_o fact_n neither_o human_a authority_n multitude_n prosperity_n continuance_n nor_o yet_o all_o their_o voluminous_a wordish_a excuse_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o efface_v animadversion_n on_o dr._n pierce_n sermon_n also_o on_o mr._n whitby_n and_o mr._n stillingfleet_n where_o they_o touch_v the_o way_n lay_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n in_o three_o appendix_n psalm_n 63._o sagittae_fw-la parvulorum_fw-la factae_fw-la sunt_fw-la plagae_fw-la eorum_fw-la anno_fw-la dom._n 1665._o transition_n to_o the_o follow_a appendix_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o discourse_n how_o dexterous_o must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o reader_n and_o confutation_n from_o m●●e_a adversary_n but_o i_o account_v those_o only_o my_o proper_a judge_n &_o competent_a adversary_n who_o lay_v their_o principle_n ere_o they_o discourse_v and_o weigh_v the_o efficaciousness_n of_o their_o testimony_n in_o the_o scale_n of_o reason_n ere_o they_o allege_v they_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n lay_v no_o principle_n of_o his_o own_o but_o suppose_v they_o and_o make_v account_n all_o man_n must_v admit_v they_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o or_o his_o party_n and_o yet_o bend_v all_o his_o endeavour_n to_o cavil_v at_o principle_n lay_v by_o other_o to_o ascertain_v and_o establish_v the_o groundwork_n of_o christianity_n if_o i_o find_v one_o ignorant_a of_o or_o resolve_v against_o the_o onely-certain_a method_n and_o rule_n of_o discourse_n which_o be_v that_o no_o position_n deserve_v assent_v unless_o the_o connexion_n of_o its_o term_n be_v evident_a which_o must_v either_o be_v when_o they_o be_v evident_o connect_v of_o themselves_o of_o which_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v all_o first_o principle_n or_o make_v evidently-connected_n by_o the_o interposition_n of_o some_o other_o which_o we_o call_v evident-by-consequence_n or_o deduction_n last_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n wed_v to_o parrat-talk_a of_o air_n and_o sound_n that_o he_o think_v it_o a_o rare_a thing_n to_o load_v margin_n with_o citation_n without_o first_o distinguish_v they_o and_o consider_v what_o strength_n each_o aught_o to_o have_v according_a to_o rational_a principle_n i_o decline_v such_o a_o empty_a soul_n for_o my_o judge_n and_o sleight_v he_o as_o my_o adversary_n and_o lest_o any_o shall_v impute_v this_o carriage_n to_o i_o
believe_v the_o forego_n especial_o in_o a_o matter_n carry_v along_o with_o it_o such_o powerful_a recommend_v and_o this_o out_o of_o its_o very_a nature_n as_o that_o the_o preserve_n and_o hold_v to_o it_o will_v bring_v they_o infinite_a good_n and_o the_o alter_v it_o infinite_a harm_n thus_o it_o go_v on_o and_o while_o it_o go_v on_o thus_o that_o be_v while_o this_o rule_n be_v follow_v it_o be_v self-evident_a no_o heresy_n can_v ever_o be_v disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o whence_o by_o the_o way_n if_o this_o be_v the_o only_a difficulty_n in_o tradition_n that_o be_v in_o case_n the_o next_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o former_a tradition_n will_v still_o be_v follow_v and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v self-evident_a no_o heretic_n can_v be_v than_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n they_o have_v such_o a_o obligation_n for_o it_o be_v questionless_a there_o be_v a_o obligation_n for_o man_n not_o to_o be_v heretic_n 23._o well_o but_o a_o acute_a wit_n or_o great_a scholar_n arise_v who_o begin_v to_o question_v this_o way_n let_v we_o see_v if_o he_o have_v a_o good_a reason_n if_o not_o he_o be_v still_o oblige_v can_v he_o bring_v a_o ample_a or_o certain_a live_a authority_n for_o the_o contrary_a where_o shall_v he_o have_v it_o for_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v against_o he_o if_o he_o be_v the_o first_o and_o so_o only_o denier_n of_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n will_v he_o bring_v demonstration_n against_o the_o point_n how_o can_v he_o against_o a_o truth_n for_o our_o case_n put_v the_o point_n true_o deliver_v and_o only_o inquire_v into_o the_o obligation_n of_o believe_a ancestor_n in_o such_o a_o delivery_n and_o he_o must_v not_o hope_v a_o seem_a demonstration_n can_v free_v he_o from_o his_o obligation_n of_o believe_a ancestor_n for_o whence_o happen_v it_o that_o it_o seem_v so_o to_o he_o when_o it_o be_v not_o such_o from_o perfection_n in_o science_n in_o that_o particular_a no_o sure_o for_o than_o he_o have_v not_o miscarry_v from_o the_o imperfectness_n of_o his_o science_n then_o he_o ought_v the_o more_o to_o have_v believe_v from_o precipitancy_n then_o he_o ought_v not_o have_v be_v passionate_a but_o perhaps_o he_o will_v build_v on_o dead_a testimony_n or_o some_o book_n grant_v to_o be_v sacred_a in_o that_o case_n i_o ask_v how_o know_v he_o with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o to_o build_v faith_n and_o his_o opposition_n to_o the_o whole_a church_n upon_o it_o which_o ought_v be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o demonstration_n that_o he_o have_v the_o right_a letter_n and_o sense_n of_o that_o book_n can_v he_o demonstrate_v the_o exact_a conformity_n of_o its_o letter_n from_o copy_n to_o copy_n and_o translation_n to_o translation_n and_o this_o up_o to_o the_o very_a original_a he_o may_v as_o well_o measure_v the_o backside_n of_o heaven_n will_v he_o recur_v to_o tradition_n help_v tradition_n can_v only_o perform_v this_o either_o by_o the_o way_n of_o diligent_a examiner_n continue_a along_o and_o secure_o testify_v which_o as_o be_v say_v be_v impossible_a to_o show_v or_o by_o continue_a sense_n in_o christian_a heart_n and_o then_o it_o be_v plain_a if_o their_o sense_n preserve_v the_o letter_n right_o significative_a he_o ought_v to_o take_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o letter_n from_o they_o too_o as_o the_o father_n use_n to_o press_v upon_o ancient_a heretic_n it_o be_v leave_v then_o that_o he_o must_v pretend_v he_o will_v demonstrate_v some_o former_a age_n have_v err_v how_o i_o wonder_v we_o have_v exclude_v he_o scripture_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o point_n and_o authority_n of_o live_a man_n it_o may_v be_v he_o will_v allege_v testimony_n of_o historian_n or_o father_n but_o first_o father_n take_v as_o such_o be_v not_o mere_o great_a scholar_n but_o eminent_a part_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la or_o witnesser_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v take_v away_o then_o the_o certainty_n of_o delivery_n or_o tradition_n there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v nor_o consequent_o of_o father_n 2_o lie_v a_o historian_n testimony_n signify_v but_o his_o own_o private_a say_n unless_o authorise_a by_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n or_o tradition_n 3_o lie_v be_v those_o testimony_n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o scripture-proof_n evident_o against_o the_o present_a church_n or_o no_o if_o not_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n to_o talk_v of_o seem_a testimony_n against_o so_o vast_a and_o evident_a a_o one_o as_o that_o of_o the_o whole_a forego_v church_n if_o evident_a it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o man_n nature_n the_o christian_a church_n shall_v recommend_v down_o for_o true_a father_n and_o creditable_a historian_n those_o author_n which_o so_o evident_o oppose_v her_o doctrine_n or_o if_o so_o great_a a_o authority_n as_o the_o church_n deliver_v they_o down_o for_o fabulous_a or_o spurious_a how_o can_v their_o authority_n ever_o come_v to_o be_v undoubtable_a or_o certain_a the_o last_o refuge_n then_o of_o a_o passion-misled_n reason_n be_v ashamed_a of_o her_o want_n of_o principle_n and_o loath_a to_o show_v her_o head_n to_o pretend_v private_a inspiration_n which_o therefore_o be_v the_o last_o non_fw-la ultra_fw-la of_o all_o heresy_n and_o the_o flower_n or_o most_o refine_a quitessence_n of_o all_o faith-reformation_n but_o miracle_n fail_v these_o poor_a creature_n to_o show_v forth_o the_o hide_a divinity_n which_o they_o pretend_v possess_v they_o they_o quick_o fade_v away_o or_o if_o they_o make_v any_o further_a progress_n it_o be_v into_o frenzy_n or_o perfect_a madness_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o our_o most_o miserably-distracted_n country_n which_o disposition_n be_v therefore_o the_o caput_fw-la mortuum_fw-la or_o terra_fw-la damnata_fw-la of_o heresy_n and_o the_o last_o and_o most_o natural_a effect_n of_o relinquish_a tradition_n 24._o by_o this_o discourse_n be_v see_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o follow_a age_n and_o every_o person_n in_o it_o unlearned_a and_o learned_a shall_v not_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o forego_n deliver_v to_o they_o christ_n doctrine_n as_o receive_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n by_o way_n of_o testify_v and_o that_o this_o universal_a obligation_n spring_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o heavenly_a doctrine_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o way_n of_o convey_v it_o downward_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o review_v mr_n stillingfleet_v word_n against_o the_o possibility_n of_o prove_v this_o by_o reason_n and_o see_v how_o lank_a they_o look_v they_o be_v these_o neither_o more_o nor_o few_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o reason_n shall_v enforce_v it_o but_o such_o as_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o have_v understand_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v be_v this_o mr_n stillingfleet_n who_o in_o the_o appendix_n to_o his_o irenicum_fw-la §_o 6._o so_o rational_o character_n those_o for_o more_o zealous_a than_o judicious_a discourser_n who_o argue_v not_o out_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o here_o in_o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o rational_a way_n of_o look_v into_o a_o point_n quite_o overleap_v all_o that_o concern_v either_o the_o nature_n or_o necessary_a circumstance_n of_o that_o thing_n and_o talk_v so_o raw_o in_o common_a that_o be_v not_o one_o word_n to_o that_o particular_a purpose_n observe_v the_o word_n oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n have_v do_v what_o mean_v the_o word_n all_o do_v he_o mean_v we_o hold_v they_o oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v his_o raw_a word_n reach_v no_o far_o what_o mean_v the_o word_n just_o do_v he_o think_v faith_n be_v plant_v in_o human_a that_o be_v rational_a nature_n will_v not_o propagate_v itself_o into_o consequent_a and_o subordinate_a tenet_n and_o practice_n all_o the_o wonder_n then_o of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o no-obligation_n lie_v in_o his_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a express_v it_o which_o include_v a_o fallacy_n of_o non-causa_a pro_fw-la causa_fw-la for_o not_o any_o thing_n convey_v down_o on_o any_o fashion_n be_v hold_v by_o we_o thus_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o act_v according_o but_o such_o a_o doctrine_n and_o so_o convey_v as_o be_v before_o declare_v have_v he_o put_v our_o position_n thus_o as_o indeed_o he_o ought_v it_o be_v the_o true_a case_n child_n or_o immediate_a posterity_n teach_v by_o father_n or_o immediate_a ancestor_n rely_v on_o the_o way_n of_o sensation_n that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v teach_v or_o deliver_v to_o be_v teach_v by_o god_n himself_o as_o most_o sacred_a necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o ●_z by_o all_o be_v the_o way_n
of_o a_o contradiction_n in_o a_o clear_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o judge_n or_o congnoscitive_a nature_n 6._o these_o principle_n lay_v we_o we_o will_v advance_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o main_a conclusion_n on_o this_o manner_n that_o since_o neither_o any_o age_n by_o our_o first_o principle_n can_v hold_v a_o new_a introduce_v point_n for_o not-new_a but_o immediate_o deliver_v nor_o yet_o any_o forego_v age_n by_o our_o second_o make_v it_o be_v receive_v as_o not-new_a by_o posterity_n it_o follow_v that_o in_o no_o age_n can_v any_o doctrine_n change_v the_o immediate_a faith_n of_o forefather_n or_o new_a at_o that_o time_n come_v in_o or_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o immediate_o deliver_v or_o not-new_a at_o that_o time_n wherefore_o since_o nothing_o can_v descend_v or_o come_v down_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o not-new_a or_o deliver_v uninterrupted_o unless_o it_o first_o come_v in_o or_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o not-new_a or_o deliver_v uninterrupted_o nor_o be_v hold_v by_o we_o as_o descend_v under_o such_o a_o notion_n unless_o it_o do_v actual_o descend_v to_o we_o under_o such_o a_o notion_n by_o the_o second_o it_o follow_v manifest_o that_o if_o we_o now_o hold_v it_o descend_v as_o such_o it_o do_v descend_v as_o such_o and_o consequent_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o deliverer_n as_o such_o and_o the_o same_o reason_n hold_v equal_o in_o each_o age_n from_o christ_n come_v down_o consequent_o from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o power_n then_o or_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v make_v our_o faith_n now_o hold_v to_o be_v so_o descend_v but_o its_o have_v be_v actual_o so_o descend_v that_o be_v only_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n indeficiency_n can_v have_v effect_v this_o present_a persuasion_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n or_o catholic_n that_o their_o faith_n descend_v uninterrupted_o from_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v then_o manifest_a by_o experience_n that_o this_o effect_n or_o present_a persuasion_n be_v for_o all_o catholics_n hold_v the_o church_n never_o fail_v in_o faith_n it_o be_v demonstrative_o evident_a that_o its_o proper_a and_o only_a cause_n have_v be_v put_v that_o be_v that_o christian_a tradition_n have_v ever_o be_v hold_v to_o by_o a_o body_n of_o man_n consist_v of_o the_o predecessor_n to_o those_o who_o we_o find_v actual_o thus_o persuade_v nine_o discourse_n open_v the_o incomparable_a strength_n of_o the_o church_n human_a authority_n and_o the_o infinite_a advantage_n accrue_v to_o it_o by_o the_o supernatual_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1._o but_o all_o this_o be_v nature_n may_v some_o say_v and_o by_o this_o method_n a_o heathen_a may_v by_o his_o natural_a wit_n become_v a_o good_a christian._n by_o which_o word_n nature_n if_o the_o object_a mean_n reason_v wrought_v upon_o by_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n special_a goodness_n to_o bring_v soul_n to_o bliss_n i_o wonder_v what_o else_o be_v supernaturality_n but_o this_o which_o he_o miscall_v nature_n and_o why_o reason_n rectify_v by_o such_o light_n and_o proposal_n as_o the_o force_n of_o nature_n can_v not_o have_v aim_v at_o much_o less_o effect_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v say_v to_o be_v affect_v supernatural_o however_o those_o very_a motive_n be_v connatural_a to_o our_o soul_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o use_v even_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o discourse_v of_o thing_n above_o our_o reason_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o expect_v no_o constant_a way_n or_o common_a path_n of_o motive_n lay_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n but_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n for_o each_o particular_a man_n unravell_n the_o order_n of_o god_n best_a providence_n and_o be_v the_o very_a notion_n of_o fanatickness_n but_o to_o meddle_v with_o this_o point_n be_v out_o of_o my_o road_n otherwise_o than_o to_o take_v my_o rise_n hence_o to_o show_v how_o far_a christian_a tradition_n be_v strengthen_v above_o the_o great_a meerly-human_a testimony_n whatever_o and_o that_o the_o church_n owe_v this_o strength_n to_o those_o motive_n superven_a to_o mere_a nature_n which_o we_o right_o call_v assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o regard_n they_o be_v build_v on_o perfection_n of_o will_n in_o the_o faithful_a or_o on_o virtue_n the_o effect_n proper_o attribute_v to_o that_o divine_a person_n 2._o ere_o we_o come_v to_o explain_v what_o advantage_n the_o church_n as_o thus_o divine_o assist_v have_v over_o herself_o as_o mere_o wrought_v upon_o by_o human_a motive_n we_o will_v compare_v first_o her_o human_a authority_n with_o some_o other_o vast_a body_n of_o testifier_n which_o may_v most_o seem_v to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o she_o and_o a_o eminent_a and_o acute_a opposer_n of_o tradition_n have_v already_o point_v we_o out_o a_o choice_n one_o namely_o that_o of_o the_o mahometan_n for_o mahomet_n existence_n which_o we_o doubt_v not_o to_o have_v the_o power_n to_o convey_v down_o the_o truth_n thereof_o with_o infallible_a certainty_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n if_o follow_v not_o do_v we_o think_v the_o most_o sceptical_a protestant_a doubt_n but_o it_o have_v have_v the_o force_n to_o make_v itself_o be_v follow_v hitherto_o however_o at_o unaware_o their_o calm_a reason_n grant_v that_o to_o a_o body_n of_o turk_n which_o their_o passion_n make_v they_o question_n and_o even_o deny_v to_o a_o church_n of_o christian_n yet_o i_o aver_v that_o the_o human_a force_n of_o tradition_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n far_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o turk_n for_o mahomet_n existence_n 3._o to_o show_v this_o in_o brief_a i_o note_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o chief_o that_o howsoever_o a_o report_n may_v spread_v universal_o from_o a_o small_a beginning_n in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o rumour_n yet_o the_o force_n of_o its_o credibility_n if_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v found_v on_o the_o quantity_n and_o quality_n of_o those_o who_o first_o see_v or_o perceive_v it_o put_v then_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o testifier_n in_o both_o case_n to_o be_v equal_a so_o to_o bring_v our_o controversy_n to_o a_o small_a compass_n and_o compare_v only_o the_o quantity_n or_o number_n of_o the_o original_a testifier_n on_o both_o side_n what_o proportion_n be_v there_o between_o that_o handful_n of_o man_n about_o mecha_n and_o some_o few_o other_o place_n where_o mahomet_n conquer_v and_o plant_v his_o doctrine_n and_o those_o vast_a multitude_n who_o all_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n and_o apostolical_a man_n convert_v by_o most_o powerful_a miracle_n in_o so_o many_o distant_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n if_o we_o lie_v they_o together_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o few_o see_v or_o feel_v that_o be_v be_v witness_n of_o mahomet_n existence_n so_o much_o as_o once_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o who_o be_v every_o day_n imbue_v with_o and_o ●_z christian_n doctrine_n a_o new_a consideration_n spring_v hence_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o time_n easy_a for_o that_o single_a company_n of_o arabian_n and_o syrian_n to_o conspire_v to_o a_o lie_n and_o so_o deliver_v down_o to_o we_o a_o false_a mahomet_n than_o it_o be_v for_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o people_n in_o so_o remote_a country_n as_o first_o suck_v in_o christianity_n to_o conspire_v in_o the_o very_a thought_n of_o have_v such_o a_o conspiracy_n and_o last_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a by_o oft_o repeat_v sensatio●s_n to_o know_v christian_a doctrine_n at_o first_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o govern_v their_o action_n by_o it_o which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o generality_n it_o give_v the_o principle_n to_o the_o daily_a practice_n of_o their_o new_a life_n as_o they_o be_v christian_n as_o it_o be_v for_o these_o other_o witness_n to_o be_v certain_a of_o mahomet_n existence_n and_o much_o easy_a in_o regard_n the_o great_a part_n by_o far_o of_o those_o who_o we_o allow_v witness_n of_o mahomet_n existence_n perhaps_o scarce_o know_v he_o by_o sight_n not_o converse_v he_o daily_o or_o very_a often_o as_o each_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n do_v with_o those_o point_n of_o faith_n they_o guide_v their_o life_n by_o 4._o the_o human_a authority_n then_o of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o as_o exceed_v she_o evidence_n of_o other_o testimony_n which_o yet_o be_v such_o that_o among_o all_o the_o most_o extravagant_a opiniastre_n none_o be_v ever_o find_v so_o frantic_a as_o to_o doubt_v they_o and_o shall_v any_o do_v so_o all_o sober_a mankind_n will_v esteem_v they_o stark_o mad_a which_o can_v not_o be_v do_v in_o reason_n unless_o they_o renounce_v perfect_a evidence_n that_o be_v unless_o those_o testimony_n be_v perfect_o evident_a this_o i_o say_v be_v so_o some_o may_v think_v it_o superfluous_a and_o a_o quirk_n of_o a_o
none_o of_o the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n all_o of_o they_o building_n on_o scripture_n letter_n be_v certain_a disc._n 2._o 3_o 4._o without_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o no_o other_o company_n have_v any_o principle_n of_o distinction_n from_o other_o that_o be_v either_o of_o constitution_n or_o self-preservation_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n all_o the_o loud_a outcry_n then_o make_v common_o against_o that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n call●d_n roman-catholick_n for_o account_v itself_o only_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o exclude_v all_o other_o be_v but_o empty_a noise_n and_o her_o claim_n rational_a and_o wellgrounded_n till_o it_o be_v show_v by_o evident_a discourse_n that_o the_o other_o pretender_n have_v some_o other_o more_o evident_a and_o certain_a rule_n to_o know_v who_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o than_o this_o of_o tradition_n now_o produce_v and_o explicate_v upon_o which_o she_o proceed_v and_o by_o which_o she_o consist_v 12._o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o scripture_n for_o since_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v disc._n 4._o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n without_o tradition_n this_o must_v first_o be_v suppose_v certain_a ere_o the_o scripture_n letter_n can_v be_v rational_o hold_v such_o and_o consequent_o aught_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v hold_v uncertain_a while_o tradition_n be_v think_v ●it_n to_o be_v argue_v against_o that_o be_v while_o its_o certainty_n be_v doubt_v of_o wherefore_o since_o none_o can_v argue_v solid_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n none_o ought_v to_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n 13._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n against_o tradition_n first_o because_o in_o reality_n tradition_n right_o understand_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n material_o with_o the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n essential_a consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o laity_n which_o be_v so_o ample_a that_o it_o include_v all_o imaginable_a authority_n which_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o a_o church_n second_o because_o in_o the_o way_n of_o generate_a faith_n tradition_n formal_o take_v be_v antecedent_n to_o disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o and_o so_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n work_v by_o formal_a and_o abstract_a notion_n its_o notion_n must_v be_v presuppose_v and_o its_o certainty_n establish_v before_o the_o notion_n and_o certainty_n of_o faith_n consequent_o of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o church_n which_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a whence_o they_o will_v argue_v very_o preposterous_o who_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o oppose_v church_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o think_v to_o establish_v the_o house_n by_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n 14._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o father_n or_o council_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o former_a corol._n 13._o in_o regard_n neither_o of_o these_o have_v any_o authority_n but_o as_o representative_n of_o the_o church_n or_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o determine_v certain_o what_o be_v a_o father_n or_o council_n disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o till_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n that_o be_v of_o faithful_a that_o be_v of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o tradition_n be_v certain_o establish_v 15._o no_o disacknowledger_n of_o tradition_n be_v in_o due_a of_o reason_n but_o in_o courtesy_n only_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o argue_v out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n father_n or_o council_n for_o since_o want_v tradition_n they_o have_v certainty_n of_o none_o of_o those_o as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o disacknowledge_v tradition_n while_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o these_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o thing_n themselves_o do_v not_o know_v to_o be_v certain_a wherefore_o it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o condescendence_n and_o courtesy_n in_o catholics_n to_o let_v they_o run_v forward_o descant_v with_o wordish_a discourse_n on_o those_o testimony_n after_o their_o raw_a manner_n since_o they_o may_v just_o take_v their_o advantage_n against_o they_o and_o show_v they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o principle_n which_o their_o own_o ground_n can_v never_o make_v good_a to_o they_o as_o be_v tertullian_n smart_n and_o solid_a way_n de_fw-fr praescr_n haeret._n c._n 15_o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21._o deny_v they_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n who_o deny_v the_o church_n which_o will_v save_v many_o a_o airy_a confuse_a discourse_n about_o word_n unapt_a to_o evidence_n any_o thing_n satisfactory_o nor_o can_v the_o right_a of_o a_o opponent_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la licence_n they_o to_o claim_v this_o favour_n from_o our_o controvertist_n in_o regard_n we_o never_o hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n hammer_v upon_o by_o criticism_n and_o such_o pretty_a knack_n of_o human_a learning_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o the_o way_n to_o establish_v it_o but_o only_o as_o interpret_v by_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o consequent_o can_v we_o hold_v it_o capable_a to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o such_o endeavour_n of_o private_a wit_n though_o then_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o consequent_o so_o far_o a_o liberty_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la against_o we_o yet_o we_o never_o allow_v their_o method_n of_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o efficacious_a either_o to_o build_v or_o evert_v faith_n but_o our_o learned_a controvertist_n ever_o hold_v direct_a contrary_n whence_o in_o case_n they_o clamour_v that_o in_o not_o follow_v their_o wild_a method_n we_o desert_n scripture_n to_o avoid_v which_o calumny_n with_o the_o vulgar_a i_o conceive_v one_o reason_n our_o controvertist_n general_o be_v so_o civil_a to_o they_o as_o to_o cope_v with_o they_o in_o their_o fleight_n way_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o calumny_n be_v to_o be_v make_v appear_v which_o be_v quick_o do_v not_o their_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o be_v satisfy_v 16._o no_o authority_n from_o any_o history_n or_o testimonial_a write_n be_v valid_a against_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n for_o since_o falsehood_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o be_v write_v or_o print_v as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_a those_o book_n can_v give_v no_o testimony_n to_o themselves_o that_o what_o they_o express_v be_v certain_o true_a and_o if_o we_o say_v they_o be_v abet_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o book_n the_o same_o question_n recurr_v concern_v they_o in_o what_o age_n soever_o they_o be_v write_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o acceptation_n of_o man_n or_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o so_o convey_v down_o from_o father_n to_o son_n that_o these_o book_n be_v true_a history_n and_o not_o fable_n which_o give_v they_o any_o authority_n but_o this_o have_v plain_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n they_o have_v therefore_o no_o authority_n but_o by_o force_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o possible_a force_n against_o tradition_n since_o if_o tradition_n or_o the_o convey_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n sense_n write_v thus_o universal_o in_o man_n heart_n can_v deceive_v we_o no_o such_o book_n can_v have_v any_o authority_n at_o all_o wherefore_o not_o the_o book_n but_o the_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o skill_n of_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n upon_o which_o qualification_n the_o truth_n of_o each_o passage_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n be_v build_v be_v to_o be_v allege_v against_o christian_a tradition_n since_o it_o be_v that_o sense_n which_o authorise_v those_o book_n and_o give_v credibility_n to_o those_o passage_n and_o so_o be_v strong_a than_o any_o dead_a testimony_n from_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o only_o some_o great_a tradition_n or_o live_a testimony_n for_o thing_n past_a can_v in_o point_n of_o authority_n be_v pretend_v a_o equal_a match_n to_o christian_a tradition_n or_o competent_a to_o be_v alledg●d_v against_o it_o 17._o no_o tradition_n be_v allege_v or_o alledgeable_a in_o reason_n against_o christian_a tradition_n that_o none_o be_v alledg●d_v be_v evident_a from_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o the_o adversary_n of_o catholic_n tradition_n never_o pretend_v the_o consent_n or_o constant_a sense_n of_o great_a multitude_n derive_v from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o live_a voice_n that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n former_a tradition_n be_v relinquish_v new_a faith_n introduce_v or_o the_o old_a faith_n change_v or_o abolish_v but_o only_o odd_a end_n or_o scrap_n of_o history_n or_o other_o dead_a testimony_n according_a as_o they_o light_v on_o some_o passage_n which_o seem_v favourable_a to_o they_o or_o may_v
which_o only_o themselves_o know_v and_o be_v conscious_a of_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n nothing_o appear_v why_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o impression_n be_v impossible_a nay_o it_o be_v grant_v possible_a it_o be_v clear_a none_o can_v argue_v against_o that_o inward_a light_n be_v existence_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o inward_a persuasion_n fanatic_n have_v in_o regard_n it_o be_v latent_fw-la and_o unknown_a it_o follow_v then_o that_o the_o way_n to_o conclude_v against_o it_o be_v to_o show_v out_o of_o evident_a principle_n the_o contrary_a to_o these_o inspiration_n to_o be_v truth_n none_o therefore_o as_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n testify_v take_v the_o way_n of_o argue_v from_o principle_n absolute_o evident_a or_o demonstrate_v but_o catholics_n or_o the_o follower_n of_o tradition_n and_o they_o effect_v this_o by_o virtue_n of_o tradition_n disc._n 5_o 6_o 8._o it_o follow_v that_o they_o and_o only_o they_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v fanatic_n and_o conclude_v their_o inward_a light_n delusive_a again_o since_o a_o fanatic_a build_v on_o conceit_a experience_n of_o divine_a inspiration_n there_o be_v no_o hope_n to_o convince_v his_o judgement_n without_o produce_v demonstration_n for_o the_o contrary_a a_o task_n only_o performable_a in_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n which_o be_v enforce_v and_o strengthen_v by_o this_o consideration_n that_o the_o basis_n of_o tradidition_n be_v natural_a knowledge_n direct_o imprint_v by_o his_o sense_n in_o which_o knowledge_n he_o be_v undeceivable_a and_o these_o sensation_n or_o knowledge_n be_v daily_o repeat_v not_o on_o one_o private_a temper_n but_o on_o innumerable_a million_o conspire_v in_o the_o same_o that_o be_v tradition_n be_v build_v on_o almost_o infinite_a daily_a and_o most_o manifest_a experience_n whereas_o the_o conceit_a effect_n of_o inspiration_n or_o his_o strong_a persuasion_n that_o god_n speak_v thus_o inward_o be_v find_v with_o consent_n of_o tenet_n in_o a_o few_o only_o and_o liable_a to_o deceit_n by_o depend_v upon_o fancy_n not_o sense_n as_o appear_v in_o disease_a or_o mad_a person_n and_o the_o fanatic_n contradict_v one_o another_o though_o both_o proceed_n on_o the_o same_o principle_n without_o tradition_n help_n then_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a if_o not_o impossible_a to_o confute_v fanatic_n as_o experience_n also_o testify_v by_o protestant_n be_v force_v to_o recur_n to_o tradidion_n in_o dispute_n with_o they_o though_o very_o easy_a with_o it_o or_o by_o mean_n of_o it_o 22._o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n without_o question_v the_o constancy_n of_o every_o species_n in_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o whole_a nature_n for_o see_v man_n nature_n be_v as_o necessary_o fit_a to_o receive_v the_o direct_a impression_n of_o object_n on_o his_o soul_n that_o be_v natural_a knowledge_n and_o as_o necessary_o determine_v to_o work_v for_o a_o motive_n or_o reason_n good_a or_o bad_a as_o fire_n be_v to_o heat_n or_o water_n to_o wet_v and_o this_o absolute_o and_o always_o abstract_v from_o disease_n incapacitate_v he_o to_o use_v his_o sense_n or_o his_o fancy_n and_o both_o these_o spring_n out_o of_o the_o very_a substance_n of_o his_o nature_n as_o rational_a or_o of_o such_o a_o species_n which_o original_a corruption_n hinder_v not_o it_o follow_v that_o he_o be_v as_o fit_v for_o those_o operation_n and_o consequent_o will_v as_o frequent_o perform_v they_o as_o fire_n burn_v water_n wet_a fruit-tree_n bear_v fruit_n or_o any_o other_o species_n in_o nature_n do_v its_o ptope_a effect_n that_o be_v general_o and_o only_o rare_o and_o contingent_o fail_v unless_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n order_n the_o whole_a course_n of_o it_o worse_o for_o man_n than_o for_o other_o thing_n which_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v and_o contrary_a to_o experience_n since_o we_o find_v a_o course_n of_o supernatural_n on_o foot_n and_o that_o they_o comfort_n and_o strengthen_v man_n true_a nature_n as_o have_v be_v former_o declare_v less_o liable_a than_o be_v the_o human_a species_n to_o contingency_n in_o those_o its_o natural_a operation_n than_o any_o other_o kind_n be_v wherefore_o see_v tradition_n certainty_n be_v ground_v upon_o direct_a natural_a knowledge_n and_o its_o indefectiveness_n on_o mankind_n incapableness_n to_o act_v without_o some_o motive_n to_o argue_v against_o it_o be_v to_o question_v these_o that_o be_v the_o constancy_n of_o the_o best_a and_o best-supported_n species_n in_o nature_n and_o a_o fortiori_fw-la the_o constancy_n of_o the_o rest_n note_v here_o that_o all_o the_o argument_n bring_v by_o witty_a reasoner_n against_o tradition_n be_v fetch_v from_o the_o contingency_n of_o some_o one_o or_o some_o few_o particular_n whence_o by_o a_o wild_a kind_n of_o rove_a way_n they_o will_v conclude_v the_o defectibleness_n of_o the_o generality_n or_o of_o the_o entire_a species_n but_o because_o it_o look_v too_o palpable_o inconsequent_a in_o logical_a form_n to_o say_v a_o few_o can_v err_v ergo_fw-la all_o therefore_o they_o use_v to_o bring_v it_o in_o with_o a_o why_o not_o so_o that_o all_o the_o arguer_n against_o tradition_n from_o natural_a reason_n oppose_v direct_o any_o constancy_n in_o the_o species_n or_o generality_n and_o so_o be_v destroyer_n of_o natural_a certainty_n and_o of_o their_o own_o argument_n to_o boot_v 23._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 for_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o scripture_n copy_n or_o letter_n be_v in_o the_o whole_a and_o every_o tittle_n uncertain_a disc._n 2_o and_o 4._o without_o tradition_n as_o also_o that_o the_o write_n of_o father_n council_n history_n and_o of_o any_o write_v or_o dead_a testimony_n whatever_o corol._n 14_o and_o 16._o be_v utter_o unauthorise_v otherwise_o than_o by_o mean_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o no_o live_a testimony_n or_o tradition_n be_v alledgable_a against_o the_o tradition_n we_o speak_v of_o or_o catholic_n tradition_n corol._n 13._o and_o 17._o nor_o any_o pretend_a instance_n of_o tradition●s_n fail_v have_v force_v but_o by_o its_o be_v faithful_o convey_v down_o by_o tradition_n and_o depend_v on_o tradition_n for_o its_o certainty_n corol._n 19_o and_o all_o argument_n from_o natural_a reason_n be_v so_o weak_a that_o they_o destroy_v all_o certainty_n in_o that_o matter_n while_o level_v against_o tradition_n corol._n 18._o &_o 22._o it_o follow_v that_o no_o argument_n from_o any_o authority_n public_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n nor_o yet_o from_o intrinsical_v medium_n fetch_v from_o second_o cause_n in_o nature_n can_v bear_v any_o show_n against_o tradition_n nor_o yet_o from_o private_a effect_n pretend_v from_o the_o first_o cause_n call_v inspiration_n or_o light_n of_o the_o private_a spirit_n corol._n 21._o for_o beside_o what_o have_v be_v conclude_v for_o this_o point_n however_o this_o preten●e_n may_v make_v the_o first_o syll●●gism_n yet_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v prove_v that_o be_v make_v appear_v outward_o that_o the_o first_o cause_n inspire_v thus_o or_o thus_o no_o extraordinary_a effect_n proper_a to_o that_o cause_n as_o miracle_n be_v producible_a their_o argue_v or_o proof_n be_v at_o a_o end_n however_o their_o inward_a adhesion_n stand_v there_o be_v then_o no_o other_o argument_n imaginable_a but_o what_o be_v fetch_v from_o authority_n live_v or_o dead_a or_o else_o from_o effect_n or_o experience_n testifiable_a by_o those_o authority_n or_o from_o proper_a effect_n or_o cause_n in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o natural_a thing_n or_o from_o extraordinary_a private_a and_o unseen_a pretend_a effect_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n and_o none_o of_o these_o bear_n any_o show_n against_o tradition_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o argue_v 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 24._o tradition_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o the_o way_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o engage_v for_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o ago_o past_a for_o see_v that_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o any_o knowledge_n into_o which_o all_o knowledge_n in_o that_o kind_n be_v resolve_v to_o establish_v their_o certainty_n and_o all_o ptetended_a authority_n for_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o ago_o past_a corol._n 16._o and_o consequent_o all_o knowledge_n cause_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o they_o be_v resolve_v final_o into_o tradition_n and_o depend_v on_o it_o for_o their_o certainty_n it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o the_o way_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o undertake_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o ago_o past_a 25._o tradition_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n before_o our_o time_n be_v self-evident_a to_o all_o those_o who_o can_v need_v
the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o all_o mankind_n who_o use_v common_a reason_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o former_a for_o first_o principle_n be_v to_o be_v self-evident_a to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v to_o use_v they_o and_o proceed_v upon_o they_o which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a vulgar_a 26._o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n be_v establish_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o faithful_a by_o which_o i_o mean_v catholic_n or_o the_o church_n essential_a be_v by_o rely_v on_o it_o infallible_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o christ_n true_a doctrine_n for_o since_o tradition_n be_v self-evident_o a_o certain_a way_n if_o follow_v disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o &_o 13._o and_o both_o best_a nature_n and_o best_a grace_n in_o this_o world_n be_v engage_v that_o it_o have_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v ever_o follow_v disc._n 6._o and_o 9_o again_o since_o the_o certainty_n of_o what_o faith_n be_v former_o teach_v must_v needs_o descend_v to_o we_o as_o matter_n of_o fact_n former_o pass_v that_o be_v who_o certainty_n depend_v on_o authority_n and_o tradition_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o way_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o engage_v for_o matter_n of_o fact_n former_o pass_v corol._n 24._o and_o self-evident_a to_o the_o proceeder_n on_o it_o corol._n 25._o that_o be_v to_o the_o body_n of_o catholic_n last_o since_o christian_a tradition_n right_o understand_v be_v nothing_o but_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n essential_a as_o deliver_v it_o be_v manifest_o and_o manifold_o evident_a that_o that_o body_n which_o rely_v on_o it_o that_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n or_o corol._n 6._o &_o 11._o the_o whole_a church_n essential_a be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o she_o be_v in_o secure_a possession_n of_o christ_n true_a doctrine_n 27._o tradition_n once_o establish_v general_a council_n and_o even_o provincial_a one_o nay_o particular_a church_n be_v infallible_a by_o proceed_v upon_o it._n for_o the_o same_o reason_n in_o regard_n that_o proceed_n on_o it_o they_o proceed_v upon_o a_o certain_a and_o self-evident_a principle_n corol._n 24._o &_o 25._o that_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o neither_o they_o can_v mistake_v nor_o it_o mislead_v they_o 28._o the_o roman_a see_v with_o its_o head_n be_v particular_o infallible_a by_o the_o same_o mean_n for_o in_o regard_n a_o more_o vigorous_a cause_n put_v at_o first_o be_v apt_a to_o produce_v a_o great_a effect_n and_o the_o coresidence_n joynt-endeavour_n preach_v miracle_n and_o last_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o two_o chief_a apostle_n work_v upon_o that_o city_n which_o command_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v more_o vigorous_a cause_n to_o imprint_v christ_n doctrine_n at_o first_o and_o recommend_v it_o to_o the_o next_o age_n than_o be_v find_v any_o where_o else_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o stream_n of_o tradition_n in_o its_o source_n and_o first_o put_v into_o motion_n be_v more_o particular_o vigorous_a here_o than_o in_o any_o other_o see_n again_o since_o uninterrupted_a publicity_n of_o profess_v faith_n make_v a_o great_a visibility_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o manifest_a advantage_n to_o tradition_n and_o no_o patriarchal_a see_v but_o the_o roman_a have_v continue_v ever_o from_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o a_o public_a profession_n of_o christ_n faith_n be_v hold_v under_o by_o barbarian_n hence_o the_o roman_a see_v and_o inclusive_o their_o pastor_n and_o most_o their_o chief_a pastor_n have_v a_o particular_a title_n to_o infallibility_n build_v on_o tradition_n above_o any_o other_o see_v or_o pastor_n whatsoever_o not_o to_o mention_v and_o dilate_v on_o the_o particular_a assistance_n to_o the_o clergy_n of_o that_o see_v and_o most_o particular_a to_o its_o bishop_n spring_v out_o of_o their_o divine_o constitute_v office_n in_o regard_n it_o be_v a_o position_n unacknowledged_a by_o adversary_n against_o who_o i_o be_o discourse_v 29._o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v of_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a rule_n to_o preserve_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n true_o significative_a of_o christ_n sense_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n preach_v at_o first_o for_o since_o ●tis_o certain_a the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n they_o write_v ●tis_o manifest_a the_o scripture●s_n letter_n be_v at_o first_o for_o what_o of_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o signify_v point_n of_o faith_n significative_a of_o faith_n or_o sense_n write_v by_o miracle_n preach_v and_o practice_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o first_o faithful_a wherefore_o since_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o be_v preach_v at_o first_o be_v preserve_v all_o along_o unalterable_o by_o tradition_n disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o and_o the_o same_o sense_n in_o man_n heart_n can_v easy_o guide_v they_o to_o correct_v the_o alteration_n of_o the_o outward_a letter_n so_o as_o to_o preserve_v it_o significative_a of_o the_o sense_n first_o deliver_v therefore_o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v of_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a rule_n to_o preserve_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n true_o significative_a of_o christ_n sense_n as_o far_o as_o scripture_n be_v coincident_a with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n preach_v at_o first_o 30._o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v of_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a rule_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n letter_n by_o so_o as_o to_o arrive_v certain_o at_o christ_n sense_n as_o far_o as_o that_o letter_n concern_v the_o body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n preach_v at_o first_o or_o point_n requisite_a to_o salvation_n for_o since_o disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o tradition_n preserve_v the_o first_o deliver_v sense_n alive_a in_o man_n heart_n send_v down_o by_o way_n of_o live_a voice_n and_o christian_a practice_n and_o these_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n evident_o a_o most_o certain_a way_n of_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o letter_n ●tis_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v still_o such_o wherefore_o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v etc._n etc._n 31._o tradition_n establish_v nothing_o can_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n as_o h●ld_v from_o the_o first_o or_o ever_o unless_o hold_v ever_o for_o since_o disc._n 5._o §_o 13._o &_o disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o &_o corol._n 24_o &_o 25._o tradition_n be_v self-evident_o a_o certain_a method_n of_o convey_v down_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o they_o be_v find_v it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n establish_v point_v not_o hold_v ever_o must_v be_v convey_v down_o such_o as_o they_o be_v find_v that_o be_v as_o not_o hold_v ever_o and_o consequent_o not_o as_o hold_v from_o the_o first_o or_o ever_o 32._o tradition_n establish_v it_o be_v impossible_a any_o error_n against_o christ●_n s_o faith_n shall_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n that_o be_v no_o error_n contradict_v faith_n can_v be_v receive_v as_o of_o faith_n for_o since_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o of_o faith_n be_v disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o to_o traditionary_a christian_n the_o same_o as_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o hold_v ever_o or_o from_o christ_n time_n and_o corol._n 31._o no_o point_n at_o all_o though_o disparate_a or_o indifferent_a not-held-eve_a can_v be_v receive_v as_o held-eve_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o much_o less_o can_v a_o erroneous_a point_n contradict_v what_o be_v hold_v ever_o be_v receive_v as_o held-eve_a 33._o notwithstanding_o tradition_n erroneous_a opinion_n and_o their_o proper_a effect_n absurd_a practice_n may_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n and_o spread_v there_o for_o a_o while_n for_o since_o notwithstanding_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n the_o church_n be_v still_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n a_o congregation_n make_v up_o of_o good_a and_o bad_a and_o the_o bad_a will_v do_v like_o themselves_o that_o be_v be_v glad_a to_o invent_v and_o propagate_v such_o principle_n as_o shall_v make_v for_o their_o own_o end_n or_o for_o vice_n that_o be_v erroneous_a one_o again_o since_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v but_o that_o multitude_n even_o of_o good_a man_n in_o the_o church_n shall_v in_o use_v their_o private_a reason_n be_v liable_a to_o error_n in_o divers_a particular_a point_n or_o case_n and_o that_o the_o remoteness_n of_o christian_a principle_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n from_o the_o principle_n of_o particular_a action_n or_o case_n be_v apt_a to_o make_v the_o opposition_n between_o they_o not_o easy_o nor_o clear_o discoverable_a at_o first_o nay_o the_o ambiguity_n in_o word_v they_o may_v make_v they_o appear_v at_o first_o sight_n fair_o reconcilable_a till_o the_o term_n be_v distinguish_v and_o clear_v from_o equivocation_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o tradition_n certainty_n hinder_v not_o but_o erroneous_a opinion_n and_o their_o proper_a effect_n absurd_a practice_n may_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n and_o spread_v there_o for_o a_o while_n 34._o
erroneous_a opinion_n can_v never_o gain_v any_o solid_a foot_n in_o the_o church_n for_o since_o disc._n 5._o §_o 15._o corol._n 11._o the_o church_n be_v a_o body_n of_o man_n rely_v on_o tradition_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o atte_a forefather_n not_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o opinator_n these_o opinion_n can_v never_o have_v any_o firmness_n in_o she_o by_o mean_n of_o authority_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n be_v erroneous_a they_o can_v never_o gain_v any_o depth_n of_o adhesion_n by_o be_v demonstrable_o true_a nor_o error_n be_v necessary_o opposite_a to_o truth_n can_v they_o even_o maintain_v their_o quiet_a posture_n by_o be_v evident_o not_o opposite_a to_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o neither_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o reason_n nor_o authority_n can_v they_o sink_v deep_a into_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a at_o least_o the_o intelligent_a party_n of_o they_o or_o gain_v any_o solid_a foot_n in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v subject_a to_o be_v contradict_v or_o have_v their_o verity_n dispute_v by_o the_o search_a and_o unsatisfy_a wit_n of_o opposer_n 35._o the_o prudence_n requisite_a in_o church-government_n be_v one_o cause_o why_o erroneous_a opinion_n be_v not_o immediate_o but_o after_o some_o long_a time_n perhaps_o to_o be_v declare_v against_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o since_o a_o church_n be_v a_o most_o vast_a and_o sacred_a commonwealth_n and_o so_o of_o the_o great_a gravity_n and_o authority_n imaginable_a she_o be_v not_o in_o prudence_n to_o engage_v it_o trivial_o in_o sleight_n occasion_n nor_o rash_o when_o the_o point_n be_v unevident_a wherefore_o see_v a_o erroneous_a opinion_n while_o hold_v but_o by_o few_o be_v of_o sleight_n concern_v and_o so_o only_o fit_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o inferior_a officer_n when_o universal_o hold_v be_v of_o great_a authority_n among_o the_o multitude_n she_o be_v in_o prudence_n to_o suspend_v till_o its_o opposition_n to_o faith_n be_v clear_v by_o the_o science_n of_o divinity_n and_o this_o satisfactory_o to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o opinatour_n lest_o either_o she_o shall_v in_o stead_n of_o tare_n pluck_v up_o wheat_n or_o use_v her_o authority_n more_o to_o destruction_n than_o edification_n by_o a_o too_o hasty_a decision_n 36._o no_o erroneous_a opinion_n in_o divinity_n if_o universal_a and_o practical_a can_v be_v very_o long_o permit_v in_o the_o church_n for_o since_o corol._n 31._o a_o mere_a opinion_n can_v never_o gain_v the_o authority_n of_o a_o traditionary_a point_n it_o be_v manifest_a it_o can_v never_o subsist_v when_o it_o be_v show_v to_o clash_v with_o any_o of_o the_o say_a point_n wherefore_o since_o it_o be_v liable_a to_o discussion_n and_o man_n be_v natural_o of_o different_a judgement_n and_o interest_n and_o the_o variety_n and_o nature_n of_o worldly_a interest_n be_v such_o that_o if_o any_o thing_n make_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o some_o it_o be_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n against_o the_o interest_n of_o another_o it_o will_v excite_v they_o to_o discussion_n and_o sift_v its_o conformity_n or_o disconformity_n to_o christian_a principle_n which_o be_v the_o way_n to_o clear_v the_o term_n and_o make_v it_o appear_v but_o especial_o see_v absurd_a or_o irrational_a practice_n be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o erroneous_a principle_n and_o that_o our_o natural_a corruption_n incline_v man_n to_o follow_v such_o practice_n till_o they_o be_v check_v by_o regard_n to_o something_o hold_v sacred_a that_o be_v by_o be_v show_v opposite_a to_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o till_o this_o opposition_n be_v show_v they_o will_v infallible_o grow_v on_o still_o more_o and_o more_o till_o they_o come_v to_o such_o a_o height_n of_o absurdity_n that_o they_o need_v now_o no_o skill_n to_o discover_v they_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o the_o most_o palpable_a and_o evident_a method_n to_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o speculation_n be_v to_o put_v it_o into_o matter_n and_o bring_v it_o into_o practice_n those_o irrational_a practice_n therefore_o must_v needs_o after_o some_o time_n discover_v themselves_o opposite_a to_o christian_a behaviour_n and_o consequent_o confess_v the_o principle_n which_o beget_v they_o opposite_a to_o christian_a faith_n which_o do_v it_o present_o lose_v its_o credit_n and_o be_v quash_v by_o the_o incomparable_o more_o powerful_a force_n and_o all_o over-bearing_a authority_n of_o tradition_n 37._o erroneous_a opinion_n and_o the_o irrational_a practice_n issue_v from_o they_o though_o suppose_v universal_a and_o of_o long_a continuance_n can_v never_o corrupt_v substantial_o the_o judgement_n or_o will_n of_o the_o faithful_a for_o since_o corol._n 31._o nothing_o not_o hold_v ever_o or_o not_o come_v from_o christ_n can_v possible_o be_v accept_v as_o hold_v ever_o or_o come_v from_o christ_n it_o be_v evident_a no_o erroneous_a opinion_n can_v come_v to_o gain_v the_o sacredness_n and_o repute_n of_o a_o traditionary_a point_n nor_o their_o proper_a practice_n the_o esteem_n of_o christian_a practice_n wherefore_o traditionary_a point_n be_v the_o principle_n which_o absolute_o possess_v the_o judgmenr_n and_o govern_v the_o life_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o christian_n it_o follow_v that_o no_o opinion_n can_v ever_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o but_o in_o a_o conceive_v subordination_n to_o traditionary_a point_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n nor_o ●_z by_o they_o but_o with_o a_o conceived_a subordination_n and_o conformity_n to_o those_o practice_n which_o spring_v from_o undoubtedly-known_a christian_a tenet_n or_o traditionary_a point_n see_v then_o what_o be_v not_o hold_v and_o ●_z but_o as_o conceive_v subordinate_a to_o other_o tenet_n and_o practice_n must_v needs_o be_v less_o hold_v than_o those_o other_o nay_o not_o hold_v at_o all_o otherwise_o than_o conditional_o or_o upon_o supposal_n of_o such_o a_o subordination_n ●tis_o clear_o consequent_a that_o tradition_n certainty_n be_v so_o powerful_a a_o antidote_n that_o bad_a opinion_n and_o practice_n can_v never_o corrupt_v substantial_o and_o absolute_o the_o judgement_n or_o will_n of_o the_o faithful_a 38._o no_o erroneous_a opinion_n or_o its_o proper_a practice_n be_v imputable_a to_o the_o church_n proper_o and_o formal_o take_v for_o since_o the_o church_n formal_o as_o such_o proceed_v on_o christian_a tradition_n no_o such_o opinion_n nor_o consequent_o practice_n be_v imputable_a to_o the_o church_n proper_o and_o formal_o take_v but_o only_o to_o some_o man_n in_o the_o church_n material_o consider_v as_o leave_v to_o the_o contingent_a force_n of_o their_o private_a discourse_n that_o be_v indeed_o to_o the_o school_n not_o the_o church_n 39_o it_o be_v exceed_o weak_a and_o senseless_a to_o think_v to_o impugn_v the_o church_n by_o object_v to_o her_o such_o opinion_n and_o practice_n for_o since_o they_o concern_v she_o not_o nor_o be_v imputable_a to_o she_o as_o church_n or_o to_o her_o member_n as_o faithful_a the_o wise_a objection_n can_v only_o signify_v thus_o much_o that_o the_o church_n have_v man_n in_o she_o who_o be_v fallible_a in_o their_o private_a discourse_n or_o school-disputes_a that_o be_v she_o have_v man_n in_o she_o who_o be_v man_n a_o heavy_a imputation_n 40._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 that_o be_v without_o which_o nothing_o be_v know_v or_o knowable_a in_o that_o science_n for_o since_o controversy_n or_o the_o science_n which_o establish_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n depend_v on_o these_o two_o proposition_n whatever_o god_n say_v be_v true_a and_o god_n say_v this_o the_o former_a of_o which_o be_v out_o of_o controversy_n as_o we_o now_o handle_v it_o with_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n and_o only_o the_o late_a be_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o debate_n see_v also_o as_o have_v be_v large_o and_o manifold_o evident_a nothing_o can_v ascertain_v we_o of_o this_o but_o tradition_n nor_o it_o unless_o its_o certainty_n be_v know_v it_o follow_v that_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 41._o christ_n promise_n to_o his_o church_n however_o comfortable_a to_o the_o faithful_a can_v bear_v no_o part_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n nor_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o a_o controversial_a divine_a for_o since_o christ_n promise_n to_o his_o church_n be_v hold_v as_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v receive_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v subsequent_a to_o that_o rule_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o it_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n nor_o first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n again_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n disc._n 1._o §_o 4_o and_o 9_o must_v be_v so_o evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n that_o no_o other_o knowledge_n must_v intervene_v between_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o understanding_n and_o it_o and_o this_o in_o the_o mean_a vulgar_a
for_o fastidiousness_n i_o offer_v my_o reason_n for_o it_o for_o to_o cavil_v at_o principle_n and_o yet_o go_v about_o to_o lay_v none_o himself_o be_v the_o method_n of_o a_o sceptic_a and_o from_o he_o indeed_o i_o must_v suffer_v it_o if_o i_o can_v forc●_n he_o to_o hold_v his_o tongue_n but_o that_o one_o who_o pretend_v himself_o a_o christian_n that_o be_v a_o holder_n of_o christ_n law_n that_o be_v if_o he_o go_v consequent_o a_o rely_a upon_o some_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n for_o hold_v that_o christ_n say_v thus_o or_o thus_o shall_v be_v permit_v to_o impugn_v principle_n bring_v to_o ascertain_v fundamental_o that_o point_n and_o yet_o himself_o lay_v none_o to_o do_v that_o effect_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o impugner_n of_o tradition_n be_v to_o let_v he_o behave_v himself_o like_o a_o renouncer_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o fight_v against_o any_o assuredness_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v to_o contradict_v himself_o and_o all_o his_o own_o position_n as_o he_o be_v christian_a which_o permission_n be_v unreasonable_a according_a to_o maxim_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o illegal_a by_o the_o rule_n of_o true_a logic_n again_o if_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o understanding_n give_v it_o manifest_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v see_v intellectual_o but_o what_o be_v either_o evident_a by_o its_o own_o light_n or_o by_o deduction_n in_o the_o manner_n declare_v it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o to_o frame_v discourse_n in_o another_o method_n than_o this_o or_o at_o least_o loose_a discourse_n that_o have_v no_o connexion_n involve_v in_o they_o enable_v they_o to_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o this_o method_n can_v be_v only_o to_o talk_v uncertainty_n that_o be_v of_o we_o know_v not_o what_o which_o be_v unworthy_a a_o man_n much_o more_o a_o scholar_n and_o last_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o reason_n that_o every_o sleight_n authority_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o that_o of_o god_n church_n it_o be_v evident_a likewise_o that_o reason_n be_v to_o weigh_v what_o be_v due_a to_o authority_n and_o that_o no_o authority_n deserve_v any_o assent_n further_o than_o reason_n give_v it_o to_o deserve_v now_o this_o be_v so_o to_o allege_v authority_n undistinguish_o whereas_o there_o be_v such_o diversity_n of_o degree_n in_o they_o that_o perhaps_o there_o be_v no_o two_n to_o be_v find_v perfect_o alike_o in_o merit_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a proceed_n hand_n over_o head_n such_o a_o careless_a say_v any_o thing_n to_o no_o imaginable_a purpose_n but_o pure_o to_o talk_v that_o no_o sober_a discourser_n can_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o spend_v time_n in_o combat_v such_o a_o airy_a adversary_n 2._o i_o make_v it_o my_o request_n to_o my_o intelligent_a reader_n for_o i_o write_v to_o none_o but_o such_o that_o he_o will_v reflect_v back_o on_o the_o method_n i_o have_v take_v in_o my_o short_a discouse_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o however_o my_o performance_n speed_v i_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o evidence_n and_o aim_v at_o least_o at_o perfect_a science_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n he_o will_v see_v i_o take_v my_o rise_n at_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n rule_n and_o faith_n this_o know_v i_o establish_v my_o first_o principle_n in_o this_o present_a matter_n to_o be_v these_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n faith_n be_v faith_n hence_o i_o proceed_v to_o discover_v diverse_a attribute_n necessary_o connext_v with_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o two_o word_n and_o if_o to_o avoid_v witty_a cavil_n i_o decline_v the_o pretence_n of_o rigorous_a definition_n of_o either_o word_n without_o press_v the_o essentialness_n of_o any_o of_o those_o attribute_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n i_o hope_v i_o shall_v merit_v both_o pardon_n and_o thanks_o from_o those_o who_o look_v for_o satisfaction_n for_o as_o long_o as_o those_o attribute_n must_v necessary_o accompany_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o do_v my_o work_n without_o engage_v into_o nice_a disquisition_n those_o attribute_n be_v show_v necessary_o connect_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o apply_v they_o to_o my_o matter_n in_o hand_n by_o mean_n of_o these_o two_o proposition_n bear_v a_o necessity_n of_o truth_n in_o their_o very_a term_n that_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o attribute_n necessary_o belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n belong_v not_o and_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o property_n belong_v only_o to_o such_o a_o rule_n do_v belong_v hence_o i_o reject_v scripture_n letter_n from_o be_v that_o rule_n and_o assert_v tradition_n to_o be_v it_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o perhaps_o for_o i_o to_o do_v if_o i_o only_o mind_v opposition_n to_o those_o who_o adhere_v to_o scripture_n letter_n for_o their_o rule_n in_o contradistinction_n and_o opposition_n to_o tradition_n be_v such_o 3._o but_o intend_v to_o avail_v myself_o and_o my_o cause_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o truth_n and_o reason_n not_o the_o weakness_n and_o passion_n of_o other_o i_o go_v forward_o have_v first_o show_v it_o clear_o self-evident_a that_o tradition_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a rule_n if_o follow_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n or_o that_o it_o be_v ever_o follow_v and_o this_o i_o attempt_v by_o those_o mean_n i_o take_v the_o allow_v definition_n of_o man_n the_o subject_a of_o the_o effect_v i_o be_v to_o show_v which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n i_o find_v the_o proper_a agent_n or_o efficient_a to_o work_v upon_o he_o as_o such_o to_o be_v motive_n or_o reason_n and_o from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o any_o such_o motive_n to_o make_v he_o prevaricate_v from_o openly-delivered_a faith_n nay_o the_o necessity_n of_o see_v he_o must_v destroy_v his_o credit_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o compass_v his_o end_n i_o endeavour_v to_o conclude_v that_o faith_n thus_o descend_v be_v never_o prevaricate_v from_o then_o take_v the_o way_n of_o 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father_n or_o forego_v church_n and_o on_o the_o church_n tradition_n as_o on_o their_o rule_n and_o the_o highway_n to_o faith_n whence_o they_o repute_v catholic_n tradition_n and_o faith_n the_o same_o thing_n we_o see_v also_o the_o amplitude_n of_o this_o rule_n recommend_v to_o we_o all_o faith_n so_o that_o nothing_o ought_v be_v add_v to_o it_o and_o how_o empty_a a_o pretence_n the_o father_n in_o this_o council_n judge_v it_o to_o disallow_v this_o rule_n under_o pretext_n of_o be_v opposite_a to_o scripture_n be_v see_v by_o these_o word_n in_o their_o first_o session_n they_o who_o contemn_v the_o teach_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o bring_v for_o their_o excuse_n and_o inculcate_v the_o word_n of_o arius_n nestorius_n eutyches_n and_o dioscorus_n say_v unless_o we_o be_v sufficient_o instruct_v out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n we_o will_v follow_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o father_n of_o the_o six_o holy_a 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live_v voice_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v not_o only_o say_v to_o be_v true_a but_o also_o firm_a that_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n be_v build_v on_o solid_a ground_n or_o found_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n order_v by_o god_n special_a providence_n to_o that_o end_n to_o show_v which_o have_v be_v the_o aim_n of_o my_o present_a endeavour_n 8._o origen_n be_v more_o express_a 1._o periarchôn_o servetur_fw-la verò_fw-la etc._n etc._n let_v the_o church_n preach_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o order_n of_o succession_n and_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n to_o this_o present_n be_v preserve_v that_o only_a truth_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v which_o differ_v in_o nothing_o from_o the_o church_n tradition_n and_o 29._o in_o matth._n we_o ought_v not_o to_o believe_v otherwise_o than_o as_o the_o church_n of_o god_n have_v deliver_v we_o by_o succession_n where_o he_o direct_o make_v tradition_n the_o rule_n to_o judge_v what_o be_v sound_a what_o not_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 9_o tertullian_n lib._n de_fw-la carne_fw-la christi_fw-la if_o thou_o be_v but_o a_o christian_a believe_v what_o be_v traditum_fw-la deliver_v and_o speak_v to_o a_o heretic_n by_o renounce_v what_o thou_o have_v believe_v thou_o prove_v that_o before_o thou_o do_v renounce_v it_o what_o thou_o believe_v be_v otherwise_o it_o be_v then_o deliver_v otherwise_o moreover_o what_o be_v deliver_v that_o be_v true_a as_o deliver_v by_o those_o to_o who_o it_o belong_v to_o deliver_v wherefore_o renounce_v what_o be_v deliver_v thou_o have_v renounce_v what_o be_v true_a so_o that_o in_o this_o father_n judgement_n a_o christian_a and_o follower_n of_o tradition_n be_v the_o same_o and_o that_o to_o renounce_v what_o come_v by_o tradition_n be_v to_o renounce_v truth_n which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o tradition_n be_v the_o test_n of_o christianity_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o he_o intimate_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o some_o to_o deliver_v to_o some_o not_o and_o if_o to_o any_o to_o who_o but_o those_o who_o lie_v claim_v and_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n and_o be_v in_o possession_n of_o it_o not_o to_o those_o who_o be_v know_v to_o have_v break_v from_o tradition_n and_o impugn_v its_o certainty_n 10._o athanasius_n in_o lib._n de_fw-fr synodis_fw-la they_o have_v declare_v themselves_o to_o be_v unbeliever_n by_o seek_v what_o they_o have_v not_o all_o therefore_o that_o be_v seeker_n of_o faith_n be_v unbeliever_n they_o only_o to_o who_o faith_n come_v down_o from_o their_o ancestor_n that_o be_v from_o christ_n by_o father_n do_v not_o seek_v and_o therefore_o they_o only_o have_v faith_n if_o thou_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o seek_v thou_o be_v before_o a_o vnbeliever_n and_o in_o his_o discourse_n against_o paulus_n samosatenus_fw-la de_fw-la incarnatione_fw-la he_o that_o search_v after_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v beyond_o his_o strength_n stand_v upon_o a_o precipice_n but_o he_o that_o stick_v to_o tradition_n stand_v out_o of_o danger_n wherefore_o we_o persuade_v you_o which_o also_o we_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o you_o retain_v the_o faith_n deliver_v traditam_fw-la fidem_fw-la and_o avoid_v profane_a word_n of_o novelty_n i_o wish_v the_o protestant_n will_v serious_o weigh_v the_o import_n of_o these_o say_n of_o this_o father_n and_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v which_o sustain_v he_o who_o be_v a_o pillar_n of_o faith_n in_o his_o day_n and_o then_o apply_v it_o see_v whether_o it_o fit_v to_o catholic_n or_o them_o they_o will_v plain_o discern_v that_o which_o they_o prize_v themselves_o most_o for_o that_o be_v for_o take_v their_o faith_n out_o of_o judgement_n by_o find_v and_o seek_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v alone_o enough_o to_o show_v they_o not_o to_o be_v true_o faithful_a that_o god_n have_v promise_v a_o perfect_o secure_a way_n to_o give_v they_o true_a faith_n that_o be_v by_o
itself_o to_o omit_v here_o that_o he_o make_v it_o the_o very_a temper_n of_o a_o christian_a mind_n not_o to_o question_v tradition_n he_o maintain_v continuance_n of_o time_n to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o weaken_v the_o certainty_n of_o traditionary_a point_n that_o it_o contribute_v to_o strengthen_v they_o more_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o church_n doctrine_n spread_v by_o time_n and_o so_o the_o sway_n of_o tradition_n descent_n be_v ample_a beside_o that_o every_o new_a degree_n of_o continuance_n establish_v its_o title_n to_o possession_n and_o make_v it_o hainouser_n to_o revolt_v from_o it_o and_o effect_n show_v our_o discourse_n true_a for_o there_o be_v more_o variety_n of_o heresy_n that_o be_v renouncer_n of_o tradition_n in_o the_o first_o 400_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n than_o we_o read_v of_o in_o any_o 400_o year_n since_o nor_o that_o we_o may_v use_v a_o familiar_a instance_n in_o human_a tradition_n do_v i_o conceive_v any_o man_n live_v more_o doubt_n now_o of_o mahomet_n or_o julius_n caesar_n existence_n than_o within_o a_o 100_o year_n after_o they_o live_v 15._o a_o few_o note_n well_o weigh_v will_v strengthen_v the_o force_n of_o these_o allegation_n which_o even_o at_o first_o sight_n seem_v to_o look_v very_o favourable_o on_o our_o cause_n i_o mind_v my_o reader_n then_o first_o that_o almost_o every_o citation_n allege_v be_v of_o council_n or_o father_n speak_v direct_o against_o heretic_n that_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o put_v they_o to_o declare_v what_o fix_v they_o catholic_n and_o what_o make_v the_o other_o heretic_n second_o that_o though_o some_o father_n and_o council_n speak_v high_o of_o scripture_n as_o that_o it_o contain_v all_o faith_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v first_o to_o be_v mark_v whether_o they_o speak_v of_o scripture_n sence_v or_o as_o yet_o to_o be_v senc●t_o and_o if_o the_o late_a by_o who_o or_o whether_o any_o father_n say_v that_o scripture_n wrought_v upon_o by_o private_a interpretation_n and_o human_a wit_n be_v apt_a to_o ascertain_v faith_n or_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o true_a point_n between_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n and_o we_o three_o they_o shall_v observe_v it_o frequent_v in_o father_n to_o force_v heretic_n to_o accept_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o those_o who_o give_v they_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o very_o frequent_a to_o sense_n that_o letter_n even_o when_o dark_a by_o tradition_n but_o never_o to_o bend_v tradition_n to_o the_o outward_a show_v the_o scripture_n letter_n seem_v to_o bear_v as_o interpret_v by_o human_a skill_n or_o to_o say_v universal_a tradition_n be_v insufficient_a or_o uncertain_a unless_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o interpret_v come_v to_o clear_a or_o assist_v it_o last_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v hold_v scripture_n thus_o interpretable_a the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o most_o heretic_n against_o who_o they_o write_v hold_v it_o they_o and_o so_o have_v they_o hold_v scripture_n thus_o interpret_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o can_v not_o have_v hold_v they_o heretic_n since_o they_o adhere_v stiff_o to_o that_o rule_n or_o root_n of_o faith_n however_o they_o may_v err_v in_o many_o particular_a tenet_n not_o to_o repeat_v how_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v urter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n letter_n this_o do_v all_o the_o testimony_n for_o scripture_n against_o tradition_n lose_v their_o edge_n that_o be_v if_o my_o discourse_n also_o hold_v the_o test_n it_o will_v appear_v by_o way_n of_o fact_n as_o it_o do_v before_o by_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v neither_o reason_n nor_o authority_n against_o tradition_n so_o that_o i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o show_v that_o our_o church_n at_o present_a ground_n her_o faith_n on_o tradition_n as_o former_o which_o do_v it_o follow_v all_o the_o substance_n of_o my_o forego_v discourse_n be_v but_o a_o explication_n of_o our_o church_n sense_n 16._o to_o know_v our_o church_n sense_n in_o this_o point_n we_o will_v not_o fetch_v our_o testimony_n from_o private_a author_n as_o be_v the_o protestant_n mode_n when_o they_o will_v affix_v any_o thing_n upon_o she_o but_o we_o will_v attend_v to_o what_o her_o own_o live_a voice_n pronounce_v in_o her_o late_a famous_a representative_a the_o council_n of_o trent_n where_o in_o every_o session_n definitive_a of_o faith_n it_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n either_o in_o most_o express_a or_o equivalent_a term_n as_o session_n 4_o the_o holy_a synod_n clear_o see_v that_o this_o truth_n and_o discipline_n christ_n doctrine_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_a book_n and_o tradition_n without_o writing_n which_o receive_v by_o the_o apostle_n from_o christ_n own_o mouth_n or_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n the_o holy_a ghost_n dictate_v as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o hand_n per_fw-la manus_fw-la traditae_fw-la have_v come_v down_o to_o we_o etc._n etc._n and_o again_o also_o the_o tradition_n both_o belong_v to_o faith_n and_o manner_n as_o dictate_v oral_o by_o christ_n or_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o conserve_v by_o continval_n succession_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n &c._n &c._n session_n 5._o the_o holy_a council_n follow_v the_o judgement_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n ibid._n §_o 4._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n where_o ever_o diffuse_v have_v always_o understand_v it_o for_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n session_n 6._o it_o profess_v to_o follow_v that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n teach_v the_o apostle_n deliver_v and_o the_o catholic_n church_n the_o holy_a ghost_n suggest_v perpetual_o or_o interrupt_o retain_v session_n 7._o the_o holy_a synod_n adhere_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o council_n and_o father_n session_n 13._o the_o sound_n and_o sincere_a doctrine_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v ever_o keep_v and_o will_v ever_o keep_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o again_o for_o so_o all_o our_o ancestor_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n most_o open_o have_v profess_v and_o yet_o again_o cap._n 3._o this_o faith_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o church_n so_o cap._n 4._o it_o be_v ever_o hold_v in_o god_n church_n more_o such_o like_a expression_n be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o session_n but_o to_o proceed_v session_n 14._o chap._n 1._o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o father_n ever_o understand_v etc._n etc._n chap._n 5._o the_o church_n of_o god_n never_o teach_v nor_o hold_v etc._n etc._n chap._n 5._o the_o universal_a church_n ever_o understand_v that_o etc._n etc._n chap._n 7._o it_o be_v ever_o hold_v in_o god_n church_n chap._n 8._o it_o be_v perpetvally_o commend_v by_o our_o father_n to_o christian_a people_n no_o catholic_n ever_o hold_v etc._n etc._n and_o in_o the_o same_o session_n concern_v extreme_a unction_n allege_v s._n james_n his_o text_n it_o add_v by_o which_o word_n as_o the_o church_n have_v learned_a by_o tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n he_o teach_v etc._n etc._n and_o can._n 3._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o understand_v from_o the_o beginning_n etc._n etc._n can._n 6._o which_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o observe_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o do_v observe_v etc._n etc._n session_n 21._o chap._n 1._o the_o council_n profess_v to_o follow_v the_o judgement_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n chap._n 2._o it_o declare_v that_o this_o power_n have_v perpetvally_o be_v in_o the_o church_n session_n 22._o that_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n may_v be_v retain_v in_o the_o church_n ibid._n cap._n 1._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o understand_v and_o teach_v chap._n 1._o according_a to_o apostolical_a tradition_n session_n 23_o holy_a write_n show_v it_o and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o teach_v it_o chap._n 2._o they_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o church_n session_n 24._o the_o holy_a father_n council_n and_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n have_v always_o teach_v and_o speak_v of_o some_o error_n it_o pronounce_v they_o different_a from_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o from_o the_o custom_n approve_v since_o the_o apostle_n time_n session_n 25._o the_o catholic_n church_n instruct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v out_o of_o sacred_a write_n and_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n traditam_fw-la deliver_v from_o the_o first_o or_o primitive_a time_n of_o christian_a religion_n etc._n etc._n more_o expression_n of_o the_o like_a strain_n be_v find_v in_o this_o session_n and_o to_o close_v up_o all_o in_o their_o acclamation_n they_o use_v this_o
form_n of_o word_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o bless_a peter_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o father_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o orthodox_n from_o which_o testimony_n note_v we_o 17._o first_o that_o the_o council_n in_o every_o session_n not_o one_o except_v where_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v handle_v constant_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n second_o it_o lay_v claim_v perpetual_o to_o vninterruptedness_n of_o this_o tradition_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o word_n ever_o always_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o beginning_n from_o the_o apostle_n have_v come_v down_o by_o hand_n to_o we_o the_o church_n have_v always_o understand_v hold_v open_o profess_v teach_v have_v ever_o keep_v and_o will_v ever_o keep_v perpetual_o commend_v by_o our_o father_n have_v learn_v by_o tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n have_v ever_o observe_v and_o such_o like_a plain_o show_v that_o this_o persuasion_n of_o our_o faith_n descent_n uninterrupted_o be_v deep_o and_o unanimous_o root_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o strengthen_v our_o doctrine_n disc._n 8._o §_o 2._o and_o 3._o 3_o it_o make_v the_o suggestion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o sanctity_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a efficacious_a to_o perpetuate_v the_o delivery_n of_o receive_a doctrine_n see_v sess._n 6._o decreto_fw-la de_fw-la justificatione_n sess._n 13._o de_fw-fr ss_z euchar._n sacramento_n and_o many_o other_o place_n the_o very_a point_n i_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v in_o my_o 9_o discourse_n 4_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o it_o mention_n the_o holy_a scripture_n also_o with_o tradition_n yet_o this_o be_v both_o very_o rare_o and_o when_o it_o do_v so_o it_o only_o express_v that_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o they_o but_o when_o it_o bring_v place_n of_o scripture_n to_o ground_n definition_n upon_o it_o perpetual_o profess_v to_o interpret_v they_o by_o tradition_n which_o be_v most_o evident_a both_o by_o its_o decree_a this_o in_o common_a sess._n 4._o that_o none_o dare_v to_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n against_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o holy_a mother_n the_o church_n have_v hold_v and_o do_v hold_v mean_v that_o sense_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o rule_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n by_o see_v corol._n 30._o as_o also_o by_o several_a instance_n sess._n 5._o §_o 4._o sess._n 14._o can._n 3._o sess._n 22._o cap._n 1._o and_o to_o omit_v other_o in_o that_o most_o remarkable_a pla●e_n sess._n 14._o in_o which_o after_o the_o text_n of_o s._n iames●lledged_v ●lledg'd_z for_o extreme_a unction_n the_o council_n subjoin_v in_o which_o word_n as_o the_o church_n have_v learn_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n be_v teach_v etc._n etc._n where_o tradition_n be_v most_o evident_o make_v the_o rule_n which_o instruct_v and_o guide_v the_o church_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o council_n no_o 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it_o be_v engage_v for_o such_o and_o such_o point_n nor_o yet_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n or_o the_o church_n as_o mr._n whitby_n p._n 96._o very_a mistake_o argue_v behold_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o private_a reason_n for_o my_o belief_n of_o her_o infallibility_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a my_o private_a reason_n be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o that_o judgement_n see_v i_o therefore_o come_v to_o have_v that_o judgement_n because_o those_o as_o object_n wrought_v upon_o my_o apprehension_n and_o imprint_v a_o conceit_n of_o they_o there_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o so_o oblige_v my_o reason_n to_o conclude_v and_o my_o judgement_n to_o hold_v they_o such_o as_o they_o be_v this_o rational_a assent_n establish_v my_o faith_n against_o the_o assauld_n of_o any_o doubt_n from_o human_a reason_n rest_v assure_v th●●_n the_o same_o god_n who_o tell_v i_o this_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o have_v write_v all_o create_a truth_n in_o the_o 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to_o salvation_n so_o that_o to_o vary_v from_o it_o or_o hold_v or_o practice_v the_o contrary_a be_v the_o way_n to_o eternal_a misery_n be_v all_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o act_v as_o their_o forefather_n do_v and_o not_o introduce_v contrary_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n to_o those_o they_o have_v receive_v have_v it_o be_v i_o say_v thus_o propose_v there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o cause_n of_o wonderment_n but_o all_o these_o that_o be_v indeed_o all_o of_o weight_n in_o the_o point_n be_v quite_o leave_v out_o such_o poor_a shift_n even_o the_o best_a wit_n must_v be_v drive_v to_o when_o they_o will_v maintain_v a_o false_a cause_n 25._o one_o word_n to_o m._n stillingfleet_n he_o have_v challenge_v we_o to_o make_v out_o this_o obligation_n to_o belief_n as_o the_o only_a thing_n we_o be_v to_o prove_v in_o the_o traditionary_a way_n he_o have_v offer_v we_o the_o choice_n of_o our_o weapon_n either_o reason_n particular_a testimony_n or_o universal_a tradition_n i_o have_v 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signify_v choice_n or_o choose_v one_o religion_n mention_v by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n cite_v above_o p._n 135._o and_o counterpose_v by_o he_o to_o tradition_n as_o also_o by_o s._n athanasius_n cite_v p._n 133._o 134._o where_o it_o be_v most_o excellent_o describe_v and_o homely_a apply_v to_o the_o protestant_n and_o such_o other_o as_o the_o reader_n may_v see_v i_o be_o a_o bad_a transcriber_n 27._o i_o have_v do_v my_o main_a task_n and_o so_o shall_v only_o touch_v at_o his_o next_o paragraph_n it_o begin_v thus_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o motion_n when_o i_o see_v man_n move_v no_o more_o it_o be_v to_o prove_v no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v vary_v from_o the_o forego_n when_o we_o can_v evident_o prove_v they_o have_v do_v it_o you_o argue_v well_o but_o two_o thing_n be_v require_v ere_o you_o can_v see_v our_o faith_n vary_v from_o the_o former_a first_o to_o see_v what_o our_o church_n hold_v now_o and_o then_o to_o 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do_v ever_o see_v the_o world_n make_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v never_o make_v and_o so_o eternal_a in_o return_n i_o must_v first_o profess_v there_o be_v not_o a_o tittle_n in_o it_o parallel_n to_o our_o medium_n and_o at_o next_o that_o i_o never_o see_v in_o my_o life_n more_o absurdity_n couch_v in_o so_o few_o word_n for_o first_o he_o shall_v have_v begin_v the_o present_a age_n have_v a_o firm_a persuasion_n it_o be_v ever_o or_o have_v allege_v some_o other_o effect_n without_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o argue_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n before_o or_o a_o cause_n 2_o lie_v he_o wrong_o suppose_v a_o belief_n in_o the_o former_a age_n of_o the_o world_n ever-existence_n say_v they_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o what_o their_o forefather_n believe_v 4_o lie_v the_o word_n nor_o they_o in_o they_o false_o suppose_v a_o continuance_n of_o belief_n upward_o of_o the_o world_n eternity_n 5_o lie_v he_o say_v not_o whether_o this_o belief_n be_v found_v 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parallel_v for_o we_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v teach_v a_o doctrine_n thus_o qualify_v first_o put_v its_o existence_n see_v and_o thence_o conclude_v the_o contrary_n can_v never_o come_v to_o be_v hold_v universal_o or_o else_o we_o take_v a_o present-belief_n of_o its_o then-existence_n as_o ever_o receive_v by_o testify_v neither_o of_o which_o have_v any_o correspondence_n with_o his_o ramble_a chimerical_a argument_n no_o two_o piece_n of_o which_o hang_v together_o with_o themselves_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o 31._o he_o say_v he_o can_v evidence_n the_o alteration_n of_o faith_n i_o wish_v he_o will_v tell_v we_o first_o what_o a_o evidence_n mean_v whether_o a_o strong_a fancy_n of_o his_o own_o or_o a_o demonstration_n only_o which_o can_v excuse_v he_o or_o not_o believe_v the_o former_a age_n attest_v his_o first_o proof_n be_v because_o the_o scripture_n suppose_v a_o degeneracy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n incomparable_o 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that_o be_v not_o coincident_a with_o some_o of_o dr._n pierce_n faulty_a one_o let_v he_o single_a it_o out_o and_o print_v it_o at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o rejoynder_n to_o this_o it_o shall_v have_v a_o fair_a answer_n from_o i_o or_o some_o other_o more_o proper_a finis_fw-la the_o head_n first_o discourse_n show_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n what_o property_n belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 1._o second_o discourse_n show_v the_o two_o first_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n utter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n p._n 12._o three_o discourse_n that_o the_o three_o next_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v utter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n p._n 22._o four_o discourse_n that_o the_o two_o last_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v clear_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n p._n 33._o five_o discourse_n show_v the_o notion_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o it._n p._n 41._o six_o discourse_n endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v à_fw-la priori_fw-la the_o indefectibleness_n of_o tradition_n p._n 57_o seven_o discourse_n a_o objection_n clear_v and_o the_o beginning_n and_o progress_n of_o a_o heresy_n connatural_o lay_v open_a p._n 65._o eight_o discourse_n endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v à_fw-la posteriori_fw-la the_o vninterruptedness_n of_o tradition_n hitherto_o p._n 75._o nine_o discourse_n open_v the_o incomparable_a strength_n of_o the_o church_n human_a authority_n and_o the_o infinite_a advantage_n accrue_v to_o it_o by_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n p._n 81._o corollary_n from_o the_o former_a discourse_n p._n 95._o consent_v of_o authority_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n p._n 126._o transition_n to_o the_o appendix_n p._n 157._o first_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o the_o groundlesness_n of_o dr._n pierce_n sermon_n p._n 167_o second_v appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n p._n 179._o three_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n stillingfleet_n p._n 201._o