with_o it_o and_o make_v they_o wise_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o shall_v inform_v he_o what_o i_o have_v find_v that_o the_o father_n never_o except_v against_o that_o method_n but_o appeal_v frequent_o from_o the_o slanderous_a report_n and_o misrepresentation_n which_o be_v make_v of_o their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o true_a standard_n of_o it_o §_o 8._o another_o evidence_n that_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v own_v the_o scripture_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n be_v that_o the_o father_n in_o their_o homily_n do_v use_v constant_o to_o declare_v to_o the_o people_n what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o they_o be_v to_o practice_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v most_o absurd_a and_o senseless_a have_v they_o believe_v not_o the_o scripture_n but_o something_o else_o to_o have_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n for_o what_o can_v tend_v more_o to_o the_o seduce_a of_o the_o people_n from_o mr._n s_n suppose_a rule_n of_o faith_n oral_a tradition_n than_o to_o make_v a_o daily_a practice_n of_o declare_v and_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n from_o the_o scripture_n have_v the_o ancient_a father_n be_v right_o for_o mr._n s_n way_n they_o will_v not_o have_v build_v their_o doctrine_n upon_o scripture_n perhaps_o not_o have_v mention_v it_o for_o fear_v of_o give_v the_o people_n a_o occasion_n to_o grow_v familiar_a with_o so_o dangerous_a a_o book_n but_o rather_o as_o their_o more_o prudent_a posterity_n have_v do_v will_v have_v lock_v it_o up_o from_o the_o people_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n and_o have_v set_v open_a the_o store_v of_o good_a wholesome_a tradition_n and_o instead_o of_o tell_v they_o as_o they_o do_v most_o frequent_o thus_o say_v the_o scripture_n will_v only_o have_v tell_v they_o this_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o essential_a church_n thus_o it_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o by_o hand_n to_o we_o from_o our_o forefather_n §_o 9_o i_o may_v add_v for_o a_o three_o evidence_n the_o great_a malice_n of_o the_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n of_o christianity_n against_o this_o book_n and_o their_o cruel_a endeavour_n to_o extort_v it_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n and_o destroy_v it_o out_o of_o the_o world_n that_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o may_v extirpate_v christianity_n for_o it_o seem_v they_o think_v that_o the_o abolish_n of_o this_o book_n will_v have_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o that_o religion_n but_o according_a to_o mr._n s_n opinion_n their_o malice_n want_v wit_n for_o have_v all_o the_o bibles_n in_o the_o world_n be_v burn_v christian_a religion_n will_v nevertheless_o have_v be_v entire_o preserve_v and_o safe_o transmit_v down_o to_o we_o by_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n with_o the_o good_a help_n of_o of_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n nay_o their_o church_n will_v have_v be_v a_o great_a gainer_n by_o it_o for_o this_o occasion_n and_o parent_n of_o all_o heresy_n the_o scripture_n be_v once_o out_o of_o the_o way_n she_o may_v have_v have_v all_o in_o she_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o lead_v the_o people_n in_o the_o safe_a path_n of_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o of_o science_n may_v have_v make_v they_o wise_a enough_o to_o obey_v well_o but_o suppose_v the_o persecutor_n of_o christianity_n mistake_v themselves_o in_o their_o design_n how_o come_v the_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n to_o be_v so_o tenacious_a of_o this_o book_n that_o rather_o than_o deliver_v it_o they_o will_v yield_v up_o themselves_o to_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o why_o do_v they_o look_v upon_o those_o who_o out_o of_o fear_n deliver_v up_o their_o book_n as_o apostate_n and_o renouncer_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o have_v not_o think_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o great_a instrument_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o salvation_n and_o if_o it_o have_v real_o be_v of_o no_o great_a consideration_n than_o mr._n wh._n and_o mr._n s._n will_v make_v it_o why_o shall_v they_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o part_v with_o a_o few_o unsense_v character_n waxen_a nature_a word_n fit_a to_o be_v play_v upon_o diverse_o by_o quirk_n of_o wit_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v but_o to_o clear_v little_a or_o nothing_o why_o shall_v they_o value_v their_o life_n at_o so_o cheap_a a_o rate_n as_o to_o throw_v they_o away_o for_o a_o few_o insignificant_a scrawl_n and_o to_o shed_v their_o blood_n for_o a_o little_a ink_n various_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n do_v they_o not_o know_v that_o the_o safety_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o this_o book_n do_v no_o christian_n then_o understand_v that_o which_o according_a to_o mr._n s._n no_o christian_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o viz._n that_o not_o the_o scripture_n but_o unmistakeable_a indefectible_a oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n why_o do_v they_o not_o consider_v that_o though_o this_o letter_n rule_n of_o heretic_n have_v be_v consume_v to_o ash_n yet_o their_o faith_n will_v have_v lie_v safe_a and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o its_o *_o spiritual_a cause_n man_n mind_n the_o noble_a piece_n in_o nature_n some_o of_o they_o indeed_o do_v deliver_v up_o their_o book_n and_o be_v call_v traditores_fw-la and_o i_o have_v some_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a traditionary_a christian_n of_o that_o time_n and_o that_o the_o rest_n be_v confessor_n and_o martyr_n for_o the_o letter_n rule_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o evidence_n enough_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o christian_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o shall_v when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v his_o testimony_n for_o tradition_n with_o the_o good_a leave_n of_o his_o distinction_n between_o speculator_n and_o testifier_n prove_v by_o most_o express_a testimony_n that_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o father_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o then_o if_o his_o demonstration_n of_o the_o infalliblity_n of_o tradition_n will_v enforce_v that_o as_o testifier_n they_o must_v nesds_o have_v speak_v otherwise_o who_o can_v help_v it_o sect_n iv._o §_o 1._o have_v thus_o lay_v down_o the_o protestant_a rule_n of_o faith_n tradition_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o all_o that_o now_o remain_v for_o i_o to_o do_v towards_o the_o clear_a and_o full_o state_v of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n brief_o and_o with_o due_a limitation_n 1._o how_o much_o the_o protestant_n do_v allow_v to_o oral_a tradition_n second_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o mr._n saint_n think_v fit_a to_o attribute_v to_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o we_o see_v no_o cause_n to_o attribute_v to_o we_o and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v any_o one_o may_v easy_o discern_v how_o far_o we_o differ_v §_o 2._o 1._o how_o much_o protestant_n do_v allow_v to_o oral_a tradition_n first_o we_o grant_v that_o oral_a tradition_n in_o some_o circumstance_n may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a way_n of_o convey_v a_o doctrine_n but_o withal_o we_o deny_v that_o such_o circumstance_n be_v now_o in_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o credenda_fw-la or_o article_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o agenda_fw-la or_o precept_n of_o it_o be_v but_o few_o and_o such_o as_o have_v the_o evidence_n of_o natural_a light_n when_o the_o world_n be_v contract_v into_o a_o few_o family_n in_o comparison_n and_o the_o age_n of_o man_n ordinary_o extend_v to_o six_o or_o seven_o hundred_o year_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o such_o circumstance_n may_v have_v be_v propagate_v by_o oral_a tradition_n without_o any_o great_a change_n or_o alteration_n adam_n live_v till_o methuselah_n be_v above_o two_o hundred_o year_n old_a methuselah_n live_v till_o sem_fw-mi be_v near_o a_o hundred_o and_o sem_fw-mi outlive_v abraham_n so_o that_o this_o tradition_n need_v not_o pass_v through_o more_o than_o two_o hand_n betwixt_o adam_n and_o abraham_n but_o though_o this_o way_n be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v preserve_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n if_o man_n have_v not_o be_v want_v themselves_o yet_o we_o find_v it_o do_v not_o prove_v effectual_a for_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n after_o the_o flood_n if_o not_o before_o when_o the_o world_n begin_v to_o multiply_v and_o the_o age_n of_o man_n be_v shorten_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n be_v general_o lose_v in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o far_o as_o appear_v by_o scripture-history_n the_o only_a record_n we_o have_v of_o those_o time_n when_o god_n call_v out_o abraham_n from_o ur_fw-la of_o the_o chaldee_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v lapse_v into_o polytheisme_n and_o idolatry_n therefore_o for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o religion_n
know_v that_o these_o be_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n yet_o these_o book_n be_v the_o next_o and_o immediate_a mean_n whereby_o we_o come_v to_o know_v what_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n and_o consequent_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v §_o 8._o nor_o do_v this_o concession_n make_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n as_o if_o because_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o oral_a tradition_n can_v with_o sufficient_a certainty_n transmit_v a_o book_n to_o after_o age_n we_o must_v therefore_o grant_v that_o it_o can_v with_o as_o much_o certainty_n convey_v a_o doctrine_n consist_v of_o several_a article_n of_o faith_n nay_o very_o many_o as_o mr._n white_n acknowledge_v 9_o and_o many_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o life_n so_o because_o oral_a tradition_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v magna_fw-la charta_fw-la and_o that_o the_o statute-book_n in_o which_o be_v contain_v those_o law_n which_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n to_o be_v skilful_a in_o therefore_o by_o like_a parity_n of_o reason_n it_o must_v follow_v that_o tradition_n itself_o be_v better_o than_o a_o book_n even_o the_o best_a way_n imaginable_a to_o convey_v down_o such_o law_n to_o we_o mr._n s._n say_v 93._o express_o it_o be_v but_o how_o true_o i_o appeal_v to_o experience_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o lawgiver_n who_o seem_v to_o think_v otherwise_o tradition_n be_v already_o define_v to_o we_o a_o delivery_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n of_o the_o sense_n and_o faith_n of_o forefather_n i_o e._n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o message_n of_o christ._n now_o suppose_v any_o oral_a message_n consist_v of_o a_o hundred_o particularity_n be_v to_o be_v deliver_v to_o a_o hundred_o several_a person_n of_o different_a degree_n of_o understanding_n and_o memory_n by_o they_o to_o be_v convey_v to_o a_o hundred_o more_o who_o be_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o other_o and_o so_o onward_o to_o a_o hundred_o descent_n be_v it_o probable_a this_o message_n with_o all_o the_o particularity_n of_o it_o will_v be_v as_o true_o convey_v through_o so_o many_o mouth_n as_o if_o it_o be_v write_v down_o in_o so_o many_o letter_n concern_v which_o every_o bearer_n shall_v need_v to_o say_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o he_o as_o a_o letter_n write_v by_o he_o who_o name_n be_v subscribe_v to_o it_o i_o think_v it_o not_o probable_a though_o the_o man_n life_n be_v concern_v every_o one_o for_o the_o faithful_a delivery_n of_o his_o errand_n or_o letter_n for_o the_o letter_n be_v a_o message_n which_o no_o man_n can_v mistake_v in_o unless_o he_o will_v but_o the_o errand_n so_o difficult_a and_o perplex_v with_o its_o multitude_n of_o particular_n that_o it_o be_v a_o equal_a wager_n against_o every_o one_o of_o the_o messenger_n that_o he_o either_o forget_v or_o mistake_v something_o in_o it_o it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o the_o first_o hundred_o do_v not_o all_o agree_v in_o it_o it_o be_v a_o million_o to_o one_o that_o the_o next_o succession_n do_v not_o all_o deliver_v it_o true_o for_o if_o any_o one_o of_o the_o first_o hundred_o mistake_v or_o forget_v any_o thing_n it_o be_v then_o impossible_a that_o he_o that_o receive_v it_o from_o he_o shall_v deliver_v it_o right_o and_o so_o the_o far_o it_o go_v the_o great_a change_n it_o be_v liable_a to_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o i_o do_v not_o say_v but_o it_o may_v be_v demonstrate_v in_o mr._n s_n way_n to_o have_v more_o of_o certainty_n in_o it_o than_o the_o original_a letter_n §_o 9_o three_o we_o allow_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v preach_v to_o the_o people_n by_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o teach_v by_o christian_a parent_n to_o their_o child_n but_o with_o great_a difference_n by_o some_o more_o plain_o and_o true_o and_o perfect_o by_o other_o with_o less_o care_n and_o exactness_n according_a to_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o ability_n and_o integrity_n in_o pastor_n or_o parent_n and_o likewise_o with_o very_o different_a success_n according_a to_o the_o different_a capacity_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o learner_n we_o allow_v likewise_o that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o constant_a course_n of_o visible_a action_n conformable_a in_o some_o measure_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n but_o then_o we_o say_v that_o those_o outward_a act_n and_o circumstance_n of_o religion_n may_v have_v undergo_v great_a variation_n and_o receive_v great_a change_n by_o addition_n to_o they_o and_o defalcation_n from_o they_o in_o several_a age_n that_o this_o not_o only_o be_v possible_a but_o have_v actual_o happen_v i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v his_o demonstration_n now_o that_o several_a of_o the_o the_o main_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n contain_v in_o the_o scriptute_fw-la and_o action_n therein_o command_v have_v be_v teach_v and_o practise_v by_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n as_o the_o article_n sum_v up_o in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n the_o use_n of_o the_o two_o sacrament_n be_v a_o good_a evidence_n so_o far_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o then_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o we_o come_v to_o know_v that_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v teach_v and_o such_o external_a action_n practise_v in_o all_o age_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v there_o be_v a_o present_a multitude_n of_o christian_n that_o profess_v to_o have_v receive_v such_o doctrine_n as_o ever_o believe_v and_o practise_v and_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v so_o the_o inconsequence_n of_o which_o argument_n i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a occasion_n to_o show_v afterward_o but_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v this_o to_o any_o man_n satisfaction_n must_v make_v it_o evident_a from_o the_o best_a monument_n and_o record_n of_o several_a age_n that_o be_v from_o the_o most_o authentic_a book_n of_o those_o time_n that_o such_o doctrine_n have_v in_o all_o those_o age_n be_v constant_o and_o universal_o teach_v and_o practise_v but_o then_o if_o from_o those_o record_n of_o former_a time_n it_o appear_v that_o other_o doctrine_n not_o contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o teach_v and_o practise_v universal_o in_o all_o age_n but_o have_v creep_v in_o by_o degree_n some_o in_o one_o age_n and_o some_o in_o another_o according_a as_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n in_o the_o people_n ambition_n and_o interest_n in_o the_o chief_a pastor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v minister_v occasion_n and_o opportunity_n and_o that_o the_o innovator_n of_o these_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n have_v all_o along_o pretend_v to_o confirm_v they_o out_o of_o scripture_n as_o the_o acknowledge_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o have_v likewise_o acknowledge_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n to_o have_v descend_v without_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n all_o which_o will_v sufficient_o appear_v in_o the_o process_n of_o my_o discourse_n then_o can_v the_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n concern_v any_o doctrine_n as_o ever_o believe_v and_o practise_v which_o have_v no_o real_a foundation_n in_o scripture_n be_v any_o argument_n against_o these_o book_n as_o if_o they_o do_v not_o full_o and_o clear_o contain_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o to_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v interpret_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v no_o more_o reasonable_a than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o interpret_v the_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o it_o which_o every_o one_o that_o compare_v thing_n fair_o together_o must_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v full_a of_o deviation_n from_o the_o ancient_a law_n sect_n v._o they_o §_o 1._o 2_o dly_a how_o much_o more_o he_o attribute_n to_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n than_o we_o think_v fit_a to_o attribute_v to_o we_o 1._o we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o this_o rule_n shall_v fail_v that_o be_v either_o that_o these_o book_n shall_v cease_v to_o descend_v or_o shall_v be_v corrupt_v this_o we_o do_v not_o attribute_v to_o they_o because_o there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v we_o believe_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n will_v take_v care_n of_o they_o and_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v either_o lose_v or_o material_o corrupt_v yet_o we_o think_v it_o very_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o book_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v burn_v or_o otherwise_o destroy_v all_o that_o we_o affirm_v concern_v our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o it_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o to_o convey_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o all_o successive_a age_n and_o we_o think_v he_o very_o unreasonable_a that_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v do_v more_o than_o what_o be_v abundant_o
and_o if_o so_o notwithstanding_o whatever_o mr._n s._n can_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o age_n may_v have_v believe_v otherwise_o than_o the_o immediate_o precede_v do_v for_o let_v we_o but_o suppose_v that_o all_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v betimes_o record_v in_o the_o church_n in_o book_n universal_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v it_o not_o possible_a that_o age_n which_o first_o embrace_v these_o book_n may_v deliver_v they_o to_o posterity_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o so_o down_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o do_v it_o not_o hence_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o a_o mere_a oral_a tradition_n let_v mr._n s._n then_o either_o show_v it_o impossible_a that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v write_v or_o that_o be_v write_v they_o shall_v be_v universal_o receive_v or_o that_o be_v universal_o receive_v in_o one_o age_n they_o shall_v not_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o next_o or_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o next_o those_o book_n shall_v not_o be_v look_v on_o as_o contain_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o they_o or_o though_o they_o be_v so_o yet_o that_o still_o oral_a tradition_n be_v whole_o rely_v on_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o then_o i_o shall_v free_o grant_v that_o mr._n s._n have_v attempt_v something_o towards_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o new_a hypothesis_n but_o as_o thing_n now_o stand_v it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v self-evident_a that_o the_o church_n have_v always_o go_v upon_o this_o principle_n that_o we_o find_v it_o look_v on_o as_o a_o great_a novelty_n among_o they_o in_o their_o own_o church_n and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o rare_a thing_n for_o a_o new_a invention_n to_o have_v be_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n which_o if_o it_o have_v be_v the_o strength_n of_o it_o be_v thereby_o take_v away_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o the_o church_n do_v proceed_v upon_o this_o principle_n 4_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v embrace_v but_o what_o be_v derive_v by_o tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n how_o do_v it_o thence_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n but_o what_o be_v real_o so_o derive_v from_o they_o do_v we_o not_o see_v in_o the_o world_n at_o this_o day_n that_o among_o those_o who_o own_o this_o principle_n contradictory_n proposition_n be_v believe_v and_o both_o side_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v on_o this_o account_n because_o their_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o the_o greek_a church_n profess_v to_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o as_o the_o latin_a if_o that_o tradition_n fail_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n which_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o latin_a either_o mr._n s._n must_v instance_n on_o his_o own_o principle_n in_o that_o age_n which_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o or_o he_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o while_o man_n own_o tradition_n they_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o forego_n age_n teach_v they_o and_o consequent_o those_o thing_n may_v be_v admit_v as_o doctrine_n come_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v not_o so_o and_o some_o which_o do_v may_n be_v lose_v and_o yet_o the_o pretence_n of_o tradition_n remain_v still_o what_o self-evidence_n then_o can_v there_o be_v in_o this_o principle_n when_o two_o part_n of_o the_o church_n may_v both_o own_v it_o and_o yet_o believe_v contradiction_n on_o the_o account_n of_o it_o it_o be_v then_o worth_a our_o inquire_n what_o self-evidence_n this_o be_v which_o mr._n s._n speak_v so_o much_o of_o which_o be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o but_o that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v eye_n ear_n 205._o and_o other_o sense_n also_o common_a reason_n and_o as_o much_o memory_n as_o to_o remember_v their_o own_o name_n and_o frequent_o inculcate_v action_n which_o be_v so_o very_o reasonable_a a_o postulatum_fw-la that_o i_o suppose_v none_o who_o enjoy_v any_o of_o these_o will_v deny_v it_o let_v we_o therefore_o see_v how_o he_o proceed_v upon_o it_o if_o you_o disprove_v this_o i_o doubt_v we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n the_o subject_n we_o speak_v of_o and_o till_o you_o disprove_v it_o neither_o i_o nor_o any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n can_v doubt_v that_o this_o rule_n depend_v on_o testify_v that_o be_v sense_n or_o experience_n can_v possible_o permit_v man_n to_o be_v deceivable_a big_a word_n indeed_o but_o such_o as_o evidence_n that_o all_o man_n who_o be_v in_o their_o wit_n do_v not_o constant_o use_v they_o for_o i_o pray_v sir_n what_o do_v mr_n s._n think_v of_o the_o greek_a church_n have_v not_o those_o in_o it_o eye_n ear_n and_o other_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o latin_a do_v not_o they_o pretend_v and_o appeal_v to_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o their_o forefather_n as_o well_o as_o the_o latin_n it_o seem_v then_o a_o deception_n be_v possible_a in_o the_o case_n of_o testify_v and_o therefore_o this_o do_v more_o than_o permit_v man_n to_o be_v deceivable_a for_o here_o have_v be_v a_o actual_a deception_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o but_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v lose_v mankind_n in_o this_o for_o the_o possibility_n of_o error_n suppose_v mankind_n to_o continue_v still_o and_o if_o we_o take_v away_o that_o we_o may_v soon_o lose_v it_o than_o by_o the_o contrary_n but_o what_o repugnancy_n can_v we_o imagine_v to_o humane_a nature_n that_o man_n suppose_v doctrine_n of_o faith_n to_o come_v down_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n shall_v yet_o mistake_v in_o judge_v what_o those_o doctrine_n be_v have_v not_o man_n eye_n and_o ear_n and_o common_a sense_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v even_o then_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v mistake_v and_o be_v it_o such_o a_o wonder_n it_o shall_v be_v in_o succeed_a age_n do_v not_o the_o nazarenes_n mistake_v in_o point_n of_o circumcision_n the_o corinthian_n as_o to_o the_o resurrection_n and_o yet_o the_o mean_a time_n agree_v in_o this_o that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o come_v from_o he_o do_v not_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o err_v even_o while_o they_o be_v with_o christ_n and_o certain_o have_v eye_n and_o ear_n and_o common_a sense_n as_o other_o man_n have_v concern_v some_o great_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n viz._n christ_n passion_n resurrection_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o kingdom_n if_o then_o such_o who_o have_v the_o great_a opportunity_n imaginable_a and_o the_o high_a apprehension_n of_o christ_n may_v so_o easy_o mistake_v in_o point_n of_o such_o moment_n what_o ground_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o succeed_a age_n shall_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o misapprehension_n and_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o the_o want_n of_o clear_a divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o mistake_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v plain_a enough_o to_o person_n not_o possess_v with_o prejudices_fw-la but_o those_o be_v so_o strong_a as_o to_o make_v they_o apprehend_v thing_n quite_o another_o way_n than_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v so_o it_o be_v then_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o succeed_a age_n for_o let_v parent_n teach_v what_o they_o please_v for_o matter_n of_o faith_n yet_o prejudice_n and_o liableness_n to_o mistake_v in_o child_n may_v easy_o make_v they_o misapprehend_v either_o the_o nature_n or_o weight_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o they_o so_o that_o set_v aside_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o record_v the_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o these_o preserve_v entire_a in_o every_o age_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o conceive_v how_o in_o a_o short_a time_n christian_n religion_n will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o any_o be_v in_o the_o world_n for_o when_o we_o consider_v how_o much_o notwithstanding_o scripture_n the_o pride_n passion_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o deface_v christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n what_o will_v not_o these_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_n of_o it_o by_o mr._n s._n imagine_v himself_o in_o repub_fw-la platonis_fw-la but_o it_o appear_v he_o be_v still_o in_o faece_fw-la romuli_n he_o fancy_v there_o never_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o difference_n among_o christian_n and_o that_o all_o christian_n make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n to_o teach_v their_o posterity_n matter_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o they_o mind_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o imprint_n that_o on_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o may_v have_v it_o ready_a for_o their_o child_n and_o that_o all_o parent_n have_v equal_a skill_n and_o fidelity_n in_o deliver_v matter_n of_o
he_o never_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o scripture_n or_o be_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o find_v it_o but_o if_o he_o have_v hear_v of_o it_o i_o entreat_v he_o to_o resolve_v i_o these_o question_n 1._o whether_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n therein_o record_v be_v capable_a of_o be_v thorough_o examine_v which_o he_o can_v deny_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o tradition_n be_v then_o infallible_a as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n can_v be_v conceive_v to_o deliver_v it_o amiss_o unless_o they_o resolve_v to_o contradict_v the_o present_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v those_o book_n can_v never_o have_v find_v any_o reception_n among_o christian_n if_o tradition_n then_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n infalilble_o these_o book_n must_v convey_v it_o infallible_o because_o they_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o infallible_a tradition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v write_v at_o the_o time_n when_o many_o person_n live_v have_v be_v able_a to_o disprove_v any_o thing_n contain_v therein_o repugnant_a to_o truth_n and_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v i_o appeal_v to_o mr_n s_n own_o rule_n tradition_n for_o if_o that_o be_v infallible_a in_o any_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v in_o this_o and_o if_o one_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o concernment_n what_o security_n can_v be_v have_v that_o it_o may_v not_o do_v so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n 2._o whether_o he_o believe_v that_o those_o who_o intention_n be_v to_o write_v a_o account_n of_o the_o life_n action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v leave_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o their_o book_n which_o do_v relate_v to_o they_o as_o of_o concernment_n for_o we_o to_o believe_v for_o upon_o mr._n s_n principle_n any_o one_o may_v easy_o know_v what_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v and_o especial_o such_o certain_o who_o be_v either_o present_v themselves_o at_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o hear_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v and_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v any_o one_o desire_n great_a than_o this_o but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o this_o testimony_n be_v not_o more_o safe_o deposit_v in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v convey_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n than_o it_o can_v be_v by_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v by_o such_o who_o be_v eye_n and_o ear_n witness_n of_o the_o action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n upon_o which_o i_o advance_v some_o further_a query_n 3._o if_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o more_o certain_a way_n why_o be_v any_o thing_n write_v at_o all_o it_o may_v be_v mr._n s._n will_v tell_v we_o for_o moral_a instruction_n and_o to_o give_v precept_n of_o good_a life_n but_o then_o why_o may_v not_o these_o be_v as_o infallible_o convey_v by_o tradition_n as_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o why_o then_o be_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o point_n of_o faith_n insert_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o which_o it_o certain_o appear_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o write_v they_o be_v to_o preserve_v they_o to_o posterity_n let_v mr._n s._n tell_v i_o whether_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n much_o less_o with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v to_o employ_v man_n to_o do_v that_o which_o may_v be_v far_o better_a do_v another_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v do_v can_v give_v no_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 4._o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v understand_v when_o they_o be_v speak_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o they_o be_v write_v for_o mr._n s._n seem_v to_o understand_v those_o term_n of_o a_o live_a voice_n and_o dead_a letter_n in_o a_o very_a strict_a and_o rigorous_a manner_n as_o though_o the_o sense_n be_v only_o quick_a when_o speak_v and_o become_v bury_v in_o dead_a letter_n but_o mr._n s._n seem_v with_o the_o sagacious_a indian_a to_o admire_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o dead_a letter_n and_o unsenced_a character_n to_o express_v man_n meaning_n as_o well_o as_o word_n i_o can_v enter_v into_o mr._n s_n apprehension_n how_o 24_o letter_n by_o their_o various_a disposition_n can_v express_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o to_o increase_v the_o wonder_n he_o write_v about_o matter_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o be_v prove_v that_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v convey_v by_o write_v so_o that_o mr._n s_n own_o writing_n be_v the_o best_a demonstration_n against_o himself_o and_o he_o confute_v his_o own_o sophistry_n with_o his_o finger_n as_o diogenes_n do_v zeno_n by_o his_o motion_n for_o do_v mr._n s._n hope_v to_o persuade_v man_n that_o tradition_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o his_o book_n or_o not_o if_o not_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o write_v if_o he_o do_v than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v some_o matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v intelligible_o convey_v by_o writing_n especial_o if_o mr._n s._n do_v it_o but_o by_o no_o mean_n we_o be_v to_o believe_v that_o ever_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v do_v it_o for_o whatever_o be_v write_v by_o man_n assist_v by_o that_o be_v according_a to_o he_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o dead_a letter_n and_o insignificant_a character_n when_o mr._n s._n the_o mean_a while_o be_v full_a of_o sense_n and_o demonstration_n happy_a man_n that_o can_v thus_o outdo_v infinite_a wisdom_n and_o write_v far_o beyond_o either_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n but_o if_o he_o will_v condescend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o allow_v that_o to_o inspire_a person_n which_o he_o confident_o believe_v of_o himself_o viz._n that_o he_o can_v write_v a_o book_n full_a of_o sense_n and_o that_o any_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v apprehend_v the_o design_n of_o it_o our_o controversy_n be_v at_o a_o end_n for_o then_o matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v intelligible_o and_o certain_o convey_v to_o posterity_n by_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o if_o so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o recourse_n to_o oral_a tradition_n 5._o if_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o certain_o &_o intelligible_o convey_v all_o matter_n of_o faith_n what_o make_v they_o be_v receive_v with_o so_o much_o veneration_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v best_a able_a to_o judge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o therein_o we_o still_o find_v that_o appeal_v be_v make_v to_o they_o that_o they_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o vindicate_v they_o against_o all_o objection_n of_o heathen_n and_o other_o and_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v make_v into_o they_o and_o not_o tradition_n as_o i_o have_v already_o manifest_v and_o must_v not_o repeat_v 6._o whether_o it_o be_v in_o the_o least_o credible_a 9_o since_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v suppose_v to_o contain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n that_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v look_v on_o itself_o as_o oblige_v absolute_o to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o precedent_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o oral-tradition_n for_o since_o they_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o write_a book_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n although_o then_o the_o apostle_n do_v deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o all_o their_o disciple_n yet_o since_o the_o record_n of_o it_o be_v embrace_v in_o the_o church_n man_n judge_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o conveniency_n or_o repugnancy_n of_o they_o to_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n by_o which_o we_o understand_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o it_o but_o by_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o present_a age_n that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o contain_v in_o scripture_n it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o mr._n s._n who_o proceed_v still_o to_o manifest_v this_o obligation_n in_o posterity_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n etc._n by_o the_o precedent_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o force_n of_o all_o be_v the_o same_o still_o viz._n that_o otherwise_o one_o age_n must_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o the_o inconsequence_n of_o that_o i_o have_v full_o show_v already_o unless_o he_o demonstrate_v it_o impossible_a for_o error_n to_o come_v in_o any_o other_o way_n for_o if_o we_o reduce_v the_o substance_n of_o
can_v write_v plain_o and_o intelligible_o and_o that_o this_o book_n which_o he_o have_v indict_v be_v so_o write_v and_o do_v not_o depend_v upon_o tradition_n for_o its_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n then_o the_o most_o scurrilous_a language_n be_v not_o bad_a enough_o for_o the_o scripture_n then_o what_o be_v those_o sacred_a write_n 319._o but_o ink_n various_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n 68_o unsense_v character_n waxen_a nature_a word_n not_o yet_o sense_v nor_o have_v any_o certain_a interpreter_n but_o fit_a to_o be_v play_v upon_o diverse_o by_o quirk_n of_o wit_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v but_o to_o clear_v little_a or_o nothing_o these_o with_o many_o other_o disgraceful_a term_n he_o very_o liberal_o bestow_v upon_o divine_a oracle_n the_o consideration_n whereof_o do_v it_o not_o minister_v too_o much_o horror_n will_v afford_v some_o comfort_n for_o by_o this_o kind_n of_o rude_a usage_n so_o familiar_a with_o he_o towards_o his_o adversary_n one_o may_v reasonable_o conjecture_v that_o he_o do_v not_o reckon_v the_o scripture_n among_o his_o friend_n §_o 9_o and_o whereas_o he_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v preserve_v many_o particular_a passage_n which_o because_o their_o source_n or_o first_o attestation_n be_v not_o universal_a nor_o their_o nature_n much_o practical_a may_v possible_o bave_v be_v lose_v in_o their_o conveyance_n down_o by_o tradition_n this_o be_v impossible_a according_a to_o his_o hypothesis_n for_o if_o neither_o the_o scripture_n letter_n nor_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n can_v have_v be_v secure_v without_o oral_a tradition_n that_o be_v if_o we_o can_v not_o have_v know_v that_o those_o passage_n which_o contain_v the_o main_a point_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n either_o have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v or_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v but_o from_o the_o consonancy_n and_o agreement_n of_o those_o passage_n with_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v oral_o preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n how_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a either_o of_o the_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o other_o particular_a passage_n which_o must_v necessary_o want_v this_o confirmation_n from_o oral_a tradition_n because_o their_o first_o attestation_n be_v not_o universal_a nor_o their_o nature_n much_o practical_a nay_o his_o discourse_n plain_o imply_v that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o security_n at_o all_o either_o of_o the_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o any_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o those_o which_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o these_o word_n 116._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 because_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n by_o tradition_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 this_o i_o perceive_v plain_o be_v the_o thing_n they_o will_v be_v at_o they_o will_v correct_v the_o outward_a letter_n of_o scripture_n by_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o then_o instead_o of_o leave_v out_o the_o second_o commandment_n they_o will_v change_v it_o into_o a_o precept_n of_o give_v due_a worship_n to_o image_n according_a to_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o a_o thousand_o other_o alteration_n they_o must_v make_v in_o the_o bible_n to_o make_v it_o true_o significative_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o church_n but_o sure_o the_o outward_a letter_n of_o other_o passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o intend_v to_o signify_v point_n of_o faith_n be_v equal_o liable_a to_o alteration_n and_o yet_o the_o church_n be_v not_o by_o tradition_n provide_v of_o any_o way_n to_o correct_v these_o alteration_n when_o they_o happen_v because_o tradition_n do_v as_o this_o corollary_n imply_v only_o furnish_v the_o church_n with_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o preserve_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n so_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 §_o 10._o again_o he_o tell_v we_o 117._o tradition_n establish_v the_o church_n be_v provide_v of_o a_o certain_a &_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 the_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 so_o that_o whatever_o he_o may_v attribute_v to_o scripture_n for_o fashion_n sake_n and_o to_o avoid_v calumny_n with_o the_o vulgar_a as_o he_o say_v very_o ingenuous_o in_o his_o explication_n of_o the_o 15_o the_o corollary_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o according_a to_o his_o own_o hypothesis_n he_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o perfect_o useless_a and_o pernicious_a that_o it_o be_v altogether_o useless_a according_a to_o his_o hypothesis_n be_v plain_a for_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v secure_o convey_v to_o we_o without_o it_o and_o it_o can_v give_v no_o kind_n of_o confirmation_n to_o it_o because_o it_o receive_v all_o at_o its_o confirmation_n from_o it_o only_o the_o church_n be_v ever_o and_o anon_o put_v to_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o trouble_n to_o correct_v the_o alteration_n of_o the_o outward_a letter_n by_o tradition_n and_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o as_o for_o all_o other_o part_n of_o scriptue_n which_o be_v not_o coincident_a with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n we_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n either_o that_o the_o outward_a letter_n be_v true_a nor_o if_o we_o can_v can_v we_o possible_o arrive_v at_o any_o certain_a sense_n of_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v intolerable_o pernicious_a according_a to_o his_o hypothesis_n be_v plain_a because_o *_o every_o silly_a and_o upstart_a heresy_n father_n itself_o upon_o it_o and_o when_o man_n leave_v tradition_n as_o he_o suppose_v all_o heretic_n do_v the_o scripture_n be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a engine_n that_o can_v have_v be_v invent_v be_v to_o such_o person_n only_o *_o waxen_a nature_a word_n not_o sense_v nor_o have_v any_o certain_a interpreter_n but_o fit_a to_o be_v play_v upon_o diverse_o by_o quirk_n of_o wit_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v but_o to_o clear_v little_a or_o nothing_o and_o indeed_o if_o his_o hypothesis_n be_v true_a the_o scripture_n may_v well_o deserve_v all_o the_o contemptuous_a language_n which_o he_o use_v against_o they_o and_o 165._o mr._n white_n be_v comparison_n of_o they_o with_o lilly_n almanac_n will_v not_o only_o be_v pardonable_a but_o proper_a and_o unless_o he_o add_v it_o out_o of_o prudence_n and_o for_o the_o people_n sake_n who_o he_o may_v think_v too_o superstitious_o conceit_v of_o those_o book_n he_o may_v have_v spare_v that_o cold_a excuse_n which_o he_o make_v for_o use_v this_o similitude_n that_o it_o be_v agreeable_a rather_o to_o the_o impertinency_n of_o the_o objection_n than_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o subject_a certain_a it_o be_v if_o these_o man_n be_v true_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n that_o notwithstanding_o the_o high_a reverence_n and_o esteem_v pretend_v to_o be_v bear_v by_o they_o and_o their_o church_n to_o the_o scripture_n they_o must_v hearty_o despise_v they_o and_o wish_v they_o out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o even_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o great_a oversight_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n to_o trouble_v his_o church_n with_o a_o book_n which_o if_o their_o discourse_n be_v of_o any_o consequence_n can_v stand_v catholic_n in_o no_o stead_n at_o all_o and_o be_v so_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a a_o weapon_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o heretic_n sect_n iii_o §_o 1._o have_v thus_o take_v a_o view_n of_o his_o opinion_n faith_n and_o consider_v how_o much_o he_o attribute_n to_o oral_a tradition_n and_o how_o little_a to_o the_o scripture_n before_o i_o assail_v this_o hypothesis_n i_o shall_v lay_v down_o the_o protestant_a rule_n of_o faith_n not_o that_o so_o much_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o answer_n of_o his_o book_n but_o that_o he_o may_v have_v no_o colour_n of_o objection_n that_o i_o proceed_v altogether_o in_o the_o destructive_a way_n and_o overthrow_v his_o principle_n as_o he_o call_v it_o without_o substitute_v another_o in_o its_o room_n the_o opinion_n then_o of_o the_o protestant_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v this_o in_o general_a that_o those_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n have_v be_v bring_v down_o to_o we_o and_o that_o he_o may_v now_o clear_o understand_v this_o together_o with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o which_o
of_o harms-way_n than_o to_o venture_v the_o infallibility_n of_o plain_a oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o doctrine_n he_o maintain_v against_o a_o practical_a tradition_n which_o they_o have_v at_o rome_n of_o kill_a heretic_n methinks_v mr._n s._n may_v have_v spare_v his_o brag_n that_o he_o have_v evince_v from_o clear_a reason_n 54._o that_o it_o be_v far_o more_o impossible_a to_o make_v a_o man_n not_o to_o be_v than_o not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v rivet_v into_o his_o soul_n by_o so_o oft_o repeat_v sensation_n as_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n and_o that_o it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n abstract_v from_o the_o case_n of_o madness_n and_o violent_a disease_n to_o blot_v knowledge_n thus_o fix_v out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n insomuch_o that_o soon_o may_v all_o mankind_n perish_v than_o the_o regulative_a virtue_n of_o tradition_n miscarry_v nay_o soon_o may_v the_o sinew_n of_o entire_a nature_n by_o overstrain_v crack_n and_o she_o lose_v all_o her_o activity_n and_o motion_n that_o be_v herself_o than_o one_o single_a part_n of_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n which_o integrate_a the_o vast_a testification_n which_o we_o call_v tradition_n can_v possible_o be_v violate_v when_o after_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o 116._o that_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n be_v blessed_v with_o 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 and_o consequent_o 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 there_o than_o in_o any_o other_o see_v and_o that_o the_o chief_a pastor_n of_o that_o see_v have_v a_o particular_a title_n to_o infallibility_n build_v upon_o tradition_n above_o any_o other_o pastor_n whatsoever_o not_o to_o dilate_v on_o the_o particular_a assistance_n to_o that_o bishop_n spring_v out_o of_o his_o divine_o constitute_v office_n when_o i_o say_v after_o all_o this_o quaint_a reason_n and_o rumble_a rhetoric_n about_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o the_o particular_a infallibility_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n build_v on_o tradition_n we_o can_v but_o remember_v that_o this_o great_a oracle_n of_o oral_a tradition_n the_o pope_n and_o this_o great_a master_n of_o it_o mr._n white_a who_o be_v so_o peculiar_o skilled_a in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v so_o manifest_o declare_v themselves_o to_o differ_v in_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o that_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o congregation_n general_a at_o rome_n have_v condemn_v all_o his_o book_n for_o this_o reason_n because_o 9_o they_o contain_v several_a proposition_n manifest_o heretical_a be_v a_o sign_n that_o these_o two_o great_a wit_n do_v not_o very_o well_o hit_v it_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o either_o that_o they_o do_v not_o both_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o one_o of_o they_o do_v not_o right_o understand_v it_o or_o not_o follow_v it_o and_o now_o why_o may_v not_o that_o which_o mr._n s._n unjust_o say_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o scripture_n be_v upon_o this_o account_n just_o apply_v to_o the_o business_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 39_o if_o we_o see_v two_o such_o eminent_a wit_n among_o the_o papist_n the_o pope_n and_o mr._n white_a make_v use_n of_o the_o selfsame_a and_o as_o they_o conceive_v the_o best_a advantage_n their_o rule_n of_o faith_n give_v they_o and_o avail_v themselves_o the_o best_a they_o can_v by_o acquire_v skill_n yet_o differ_v about_o matter_n of_o faith_n what_o certainty_n can_v we_o undertake_o promise_v to_o weak_a head_n that_o be_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o papist_n in_o who_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v profess_o cherish_v ignorance_n for_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o devotion_n §_o 6._o four_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n that_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o without_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n and_o he_o that_o deny_v this_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o book_n because_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a whether_o they_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v at_o first_o or_o else_o give_v some_o probable_a reason_n why_o these_o shall_v be_v more_o liable_a to_o corruption_n than_o other_o but_o any_o man_n that_o consider_v thing_n will_v easy_o find_v that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o improbable_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v either_o wilful_o or_o involuntary_o corrupt_v in_o any_o thing_n material_a to_o faith_n or_o a_o good_a life_n than_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n whether_o we_o consider_v the_o peculiar_a providence_n of_o god_n engage_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o they_o or_o the_o peculiar_a circumstance_n of_o these_o book_n if_o they_o be_v wrirten_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v and_o be_v of_o use_n to_o christian_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v at_o least_o in_o word_n on_o all_o hand_n nothing_o be_v more_o credible_a than_o that_o the_o same_o divine_a providence_n which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o publish_n of_o they_o will_v likewise_o be_v concern_v to_o preserve_v they_o entire_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o peculiar_a circumstance_n of_o these_o book_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o moral_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v material_o corrupt_v because_o be_v of_o universal_a and_o mighty_a concernment_n and_o at_o first_o diffuse_v into_o many_o hand_n and_o soon_o after_o translate_v into_o most_o language_n and_o most_o passage_n in_o they_o cite_v in_o book_n now_o extant_a and_o all_o these_o now_o agree_v in_o all_o matter_n of_o importance_n we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n as_o can_v be_v have_v concern_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v not_o suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n and_o far_o great_a than_o any_o man_n can_v have_v concern_v the_o incorruption_n of_o their_o oral_a tradition_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o call_v demonstration_n §_o 7._o five_o that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o scripture_n have_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o christian_n in_o former_a age_n to_o be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v with_o great_a certainty_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o one_o good_a evidence_n of_o this_o be_v that_o the_o primitive_a adversary_n of_o christian_a religion_n do_v always_o look_v upon_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o standard_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o in_o all_o their_o writing_n against_o christianity_n take_v that_o for_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n there_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o any_o philosopher_n rise_v up_o who_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o world_n that_o a_o doctrine_n can_v not_o with_o sufficient_a certainty_n and_o clearness_n be_v convey_v by_o write_v from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o but_o how_o absurd_a have_v this_o method_n of_o confute_v christian_a religion_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v then_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o christian_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o the_o father_n who_o apologize_v for_o and_o defend_v christian_a religion_n to_o have_v tell_v they_o they_o take_v a_o wrong_a measure_n of_o their_o doctrine_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o principle_n of_o christian_n that_o their_o faith_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o fond_a undertake_n to_o attaque_fw-la their_o religion_n that_o way_n but_o if_o they_o will_v effectual_o argue_v against_o it_o they_o ought_v to_o inquire_v what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o be_v oral_o deliver_v from_o father_n to_o son_n without_o which_o the_o scripture_n can_v signify_v no_o more_o to_o they_o than_o a_o unknown_a cipher_n without_o a_o key_n be_v of_o themselves_o without_o the_o light_n of_o oral_a tradition_n only_o a_o heap_n of_o unintelligible_a word_n unsense_v cha_fw-mi racter_n and_o ink_n various_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n in_o they_o to_o think_v they_o can_v understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n like_o their_o own_o philosophy_n by_o read_v of_o those_o book_n or_o confute_v it_o by_o confute_v they_o thus_o the_o father_n may_v have_v defend_v their_o religion_n nay_o they_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o have_v take_v this_o course_n and_o to_o have_v appeal_v from_o those_o dead_a senseless_a book_n to_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a but_o do_v mr._n s._n find_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o the_o apology_n of_o the_o father_n if_o he_o have_v discover_v any_o such_o matter_n he_o may_v do_v well_o to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n
afterward_o when_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n be_v multiply_v into_o a_o great_a nation_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o entrust_v the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n any_o long_o to_o the_o fallible_a and_o uncertain_a way_n of_o tradition_n but_o commit_v it_o to_o writing_n now_o that_o god_n pitch_v upon_o this_o way_n after_o the_o world_n have_v sad_o experience_v the_o unsuccesfulness_n of_o the_o other_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a good_a evidence_n that_o this_o be_v the_o better_a and_o more_o secure_a way_n it_o be_v the_o usual_a method_n of_o the_o divine_a dispensation_n not_o to_o go_v backward_o but_o to_o move_v towards_o perfection_n and_o to_o proceed_v from_o that_o which_o be_v less_o perfect_a to_o that_o which_o be_v more_o and_o the_o apostle_n 8.7_o reason_v concern_v the_o two_o covenant_n be_v very_o applicable_a to_o these_o two_o method_n of_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n if_o the_o first_o have_v be_v faultless_a then_o shall_v no_o place_n have_v be_v seek_v for_o a_o second_o §_o 3._o so_o likewise_o when_o christ_n reveal_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o life-time_n commit_v to_o writing_n because_o it_o be_v entertain_v but_o by_o a_o few_o who_o be_v his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n and_o who_o so_o long_o as_o he_o continue_v with_o they_o have_v a_o live_a oracle_n to_o teach_v they_o after_o his_o death_n the_o apostle_n who_o be_v to_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v assist_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n so_o as_o they_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n and_o mistake_n in_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o but_o when_o this_o extraordinary_a assistance_n fail_v there_o be_v need_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o convey_v it_o to_o posterity_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v a_o fix_a and_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o end_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n take_v care_n to_o have_v it_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o that_o mr._n saint_n may_v see_v this_o be_v not_o a_o conjecture_n of_o protestant_n but_o the_o sense_n of_o former_a time_n i_o shall_v refer_v he_o to_o st._n chrysostom_n homil._n 1._o in_o matth._n who_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n leave_v nothing_o in_o write_v to_o his_o apostle_n but_o in_o stead_n thereof_o do_v promise_n to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o grace_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n say_v john_n 14._o he_o shall_v bring_v all_o thing_n to_o your_o remembrance_n etc._n etc._n but_o because_o in_o progress_n of_o time_n there_o be_v many_o grievous_a miscarriage_n both_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n and_o also_o of_o life_n and_o manner_n therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o write_v so_o long_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n live_v who_o be_v thus_o infallible_o assist_v the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n be_v secure_a but_o no_o long_o nor_o even_o then_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o from_o that_o extraordinary_a and_o supernatural_a assistance_n which_o accompany_v the_o deliverer_n §_o 4._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o good_a way_n of_o argument_n against_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n by_o writing_n which_o he_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o 40._o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n go_v not_o with_o book_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o preach_v and_o deliver_v christ_n doctrine_n but_o word_n in_o their_o mouth_n and_o that_o primitive_a antiquity_n learn_v their_o faith_n by_o another_o method_n a_o long_a time_n before_o many_o of_o those_o book_n be_v universal_o spread_v among_o the_o vulgar_a for_o what_o if_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o write_v this_o doctrine_n whilst_o those_o live_a oracle_n the_o apostle_n be_v present_a with_o the_o church_n do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o it_o afterward_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a and_o that_o extraordinary_a and_o supernatural_a assistance_n be_v cease_v if_o the_o preacher_n now_o adays_o can_v give_v we_o any_o such_o assurance_n and_o confirm_v all_o they_o preach_v by_o such_o frequent_a and_o public_a and_o unquestionable_a miracle_n as_o the_o apostle_n do_v then_o we_o need_v not_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v by_o any_o other_o rule_n but_o aught_o to_o regulate_v our_o belief_n by_o what_o they_o deliver_v to_o we_o but_o see_v this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n that_o aught_o in_o all_o reason_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o have_v bring_v down_o to_o we_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n with_o the_o great_a certainty_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v prove_v the_o scripture_n to_o have_v do_v §_o 5._o so_o that_o in_o those_o circumstance_n i_o have_v mention_v we_o allow_v oral_a tradition_n to_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a way_n of_o convey_v a_o doctrine_n but_o now_o consider_v the_o great_a increase_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o shortness_n of_o man_n life_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o long_a tract_n of_o time_n from_o the_o apostle_n age_n down_o to_o we_o and_o the_o innumerable_a accident_n whereby_o in_o the_o space_n of_o 1500_o year_n oral_a tradition_n may_v receive_v insensible_a alteration_n so_o as_o at_o last_o to_o become_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o what_o it_o be_v at_o first_o by_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n in_o which_o passage_n all_o the_o mistake_n and_o corruption_n which_o in_o the_o several_a age_n through_o which_o it_o be_v transmit_v do_v happen_v either_o through_o ignorance_n or_o forgetfulness_n or_o out_o of_o interest_n and_o design_n be_v necessary_o derive_v into_o the_o last_o so_o that_o the_o further_a it_o go_v the_o more_o alteration_n it_o be_v liable_a to_z because_o as_o it_o pass_v along_o more_o error_n and_o corruption_n be_v infuse_v into_o it_o i_o say_v consider_v all_o this_o we_o deny_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n can_v with_o any_o probable_a security_n and_o certainty_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o do_v reasonable_o believe_v that_o god_n foreseeing_a this_o do_v in_o his_o wisdom_n so_o order_v thing_n that_o those_o person_n who_o be_v assist_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n in_o the_o delivery_n of_o this_o doctrine_n shall_v before_o they_o leave_v the_o world_n commit_v it_o to_o writing_n which_o be_v according_o do_v and_o by_o this_o instrument_n the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o §_o 6._o second_o we_o allow_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v a_o considerable_a assurance_n to_o we_o that_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o now_o have_v be_v the_o very_a book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n but_o withal_o we_o deny_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v therefore_o to_o be_v account_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o general_a assurance_n that_o we_o have_v concern_v book_n write_v long_o ago_o that_o they_o be_v so_o ancient_a and_o be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v be_v a_o constant_a and_o uncontrolled_a tradition_n of_o this_o transmit_v from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o partly_o oral_o and_o partly_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o book_n thus_o much_o be_v common_a to_o scripture_n with_o other_o book_n but_o then_o the_o scripture_n have_v this_o peculiar_a advantage_n above_o other_o book_n that_o be_v of_o a_o great_a and_o more_o universal_a concernment_n they_o have_v be_v more_o common_a and_o in_o every_o body_n hand_n more_o read_v and_o study_v than_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n whatsoever_o and_o consequent_o they_o have_v a_o more_o universal_a and_o better_a ground_a attestation_n moreover_o they_o have_v not_o only_o be_v own_v universal_o in_o all_o age_n by_o christian_n except_o three_o or_o four_o book_n of_o they_o which_o for_o some_o time_n be_v question_v by_o some_o church_n but_o have_v since_o be_v general_o receive_v but_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n never_o question_v the_o antiquity_n of_o they_o but_o have_v always_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o they_o be_v the_o very_a book_n which_o the_o apostle_n write_v and_o this_o be_v as_o great_a a_o assurance_n as_o we_o can_v have_v concern_v any_o ancient_a book_n without_o a_o particular_a and_o immediate_a revelation_n §_o 7._o and_o this_o concession_n do_v not_o as_o m._n s_o suppose_v make_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v final_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o question_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v what_o be_v the_o next_o and_o immediate_a mean_n whereby_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o so_o that_o although_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o come_v to_o
but_o by_o so_o deep_a a_o inspection_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o shall_v discover_v such_o secret_n that_o philosophy_n and_o human_a industry_n can_v never_o have_v arrive_v to_o as_o if_o we_o can_v not_o be_v assure_v that_o any_o thing_n be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v unless_o it_o be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o human_a understanding_n and_o as_o if_o no_o man_n can_v know_v that_o this_o be_v our_o saviour_n doctrine_n whatever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o you_o that_o do_v you_o likewise_o unto_o they_o because_o every_o one_o can_v understand_v it_o but_o if_o there_o be_v more_o mystery_n in_o the_o scripture_n than_o there_o be_v i_o hope_v a_o man_n may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v without_o a_o clear_a comprehension_n of_o all_o those_o mystery_n the_o evidence_n of_o the_o inspiration_n of_o any_o person_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o plaineness_n or_o sublimity_n of_o the_o thing_n reveal_v to_o he_o but_o upon_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o argument_n which_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o the_o person_n be_v so_o inspire_v and_o the_o argument_n that_o be_v most_o fit_a to_o satisfy_v we_o of_o that_o be_v if_o he_o work_v miracle_n now_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v why_o a_o learned_a man_n can_v be_v assure_v of_o a_o miracle_n that_o be_v a_o plain_a sensible_a matter_n of_o fact_n do_v long_o ago_o but_o by_o so_o deep_a a_o inspection_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o shall_v discover_v such_o secret_n that_o philosophy_n and_o human_a industry_n can_v never_o have_v arrive_v to_o §_o 4._o three_o because_o 14._o all_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o scripture_n must_v be_v solve_v before_o we_o can_v out_o of_o the_o bare_a letter_n conclude_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v to_o solve_v which_o literal_o plain_o and_o satisfactory_o he_o tell_v we_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o many_o particular_n which_o make_v they_o clear_a to_o those_o of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o the_o matter_n know_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o difficult_a task_n in_o the_o world_n as_o if_o we_o can_v not_o believe_v a_o book_n to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v because_o there_o seem_v now_o to_o be_v some_o contradiction_n in_o it_o which_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v can_v easy_o have_v be_v solve_v by_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o it_o be_v write_v or_o as_o if_o oral_a tradition_n can_v help_v a_o man_n to_o solve_v these_o contradiction_n when_o the_o memory_n of_o particular_n necessary_a for_o the_o clear_a solution_n of_o they_o be_v as_o himself_o confess_v wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n if_o mr._n s._n can_v in_o order_n to_o the_o solution_n of_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o scripture_n demonstrate_v that_o oral_a tradition_n have_v to_o this_o day_n preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o those_o particular_n necessary_a for_o that_o purpose_n the_o memory_n of_o which_o must_v needs_o be_v long_o since_o wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n than_o i_o will_v ready_o yield_v that_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v in_o this_o particular_a the_o advantage_n of_o we_o but_o if_o he_o can_v do_v this_o why_o do_v he_o make_v that_o a_o argument_n against_o our_o rule_n which_o be_v as_o strong_a against_o his_o own_o this_o be_v just_a like_o capt._n everard_n friend_n way_n of_o argue_v against_o the_o protestant_n that_o they_o can_v rely_v upon_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v full_a of_o plain_a contradiction_n impossible_a to_o be_v reconcile_v and_o therefore_o they_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n and_o for_o a_o instance_n of_o such_o a_o contradiction_n he_o pitch_v upon_o the_o three_o fourteen_o generation_n mention_v in_o the_o first_o of_o st._n matthew_n because_o the_o three_o series_n of_o generation_n if_o they_o be_v count_v will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v but_o thirteen_o not_o to_o mention_v now_o how_o this_o difficulty_n have_v be_v sufficient_o satisfy_v both_o by_o protestant_a and_o popish_a commentator_n without_o any_o recourse_n to_o oral_a tradition_n that_o which_o i_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o make_v this_o a_o exception_n against_o the_o protestant_n when_o it_o come_v with_o every_o whit_n as_o much_o force_n upon_o themselves_o suppose_v this_o contradiction_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o solution_n by_o protestant_n as_o he_o affirm_v and_o i_o shall_v submit_v to_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n can_v he_o assure_v i_o that_o infallibility_n can_v make_v thirteen_o fourteen_o if_o it_o can_v how_o be_o i_o near_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o point_n by_o acknowledge_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n the_o case_n be_v the_o very_a same_o as_o to_o mr_n s_n exception_n if_o i_o own_v oral_a tradition_n i_o shall_v be_v never_o the_o near_o solve_v the_o seem_a contradiction_n of_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o i_o can_v not_o in_o reason_n conclude_v it_o to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v so_o that_o in_o truth_n these_o exception_n if_o they_o be_v true_a will_v not_o strike_v at_o protestancy_n but_o at_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v the_o general_a unhappiness_n of_o most_o of_o the_o popish_a argument_n than_o which_o there_o be_v no_o great_a evidence_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o the_o true_a mother_n because_o she_o have_v rather_o christianity_n shall_v be_v destroy_v than_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o any_o other_o church_n have_v a_o claim_n to_o it_o it_o be_v a_o work_n very_o proper_a for_o the_o heretic_n martion_n to_o assault_v religion_n this_o way_n who_o as_o tertullian_n martion_n tell_v we_o write_v a_o whole_a book_n which_o he_o call_v antithesis_n wherein_o he_o reckon_v up_o all_o the_o contradiction_n as_o he_o think_v between_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n but_o methinks_v it_o be_v very_o improper_a for_o the_o papist_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n to_o strain_v their_o wit_n to_o discover_v as_o many_o contradiction_n as_o they_o can_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o reconcile_a they_o the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o which_o be_v the_o expose_v of_o this_o sacred_a instrument_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o even_o christianity_n itself_o to_o the_o scorn_n of_o atheist_n therefore_o to_o be_v very_o plain_a with_o mr._n s._n and_o captain_n everard_n i_o be_o hearty_o sorry_a to_o see_v that_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a fruit_n of_o their_o conversion_n be_v to_o abuse_v the_o bible_n §_o 5._o second_o he_o say_v 14._o that_o protestant_n can_v know_v how_o many_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v and_o which_o of_o the_o many_o controvert_v one_o may_v be_v secure_o put_v in_o that_o catalogue_n which_o not_o this_o he_o prove_v by_o say_v it_o be_v most_o palpable_a that_o few_o or_o at_o least_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a can_v never_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n this_o again_o be_v a_o good_a answer_n to_o say_v it_o be_v not_o most_o palpable_a but_o i_o shall_v deal_v more_o liberal_o and_o tell_v he_o that_o we_o know_v that_o just_a so_o many_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v as_o uncontroverted_a book_n concern_v which_o it_o can_v be_v show_v there_o be_v ever_o any_o controversy_n and_o so_o many_o as_o controvert_v concern_v which_o it_o appear_v that_o question_n have_v be_v make_v and_o if_o those_o which_o have_v be_v controvert_v have_v be_v since_o receive_v by_o those_o church_n which_o once_o doubt_v of_o they_o there_o be_v now_o no_o further_o doubt_v concern_v they_o because_o the_o controversy_n about_o they_o be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o now_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o great_a certainty_n oral_a tradition_n can_v give_v we_o of_o the_o true_a catalogue_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n for_o it_o must_v either_o acknowledge_v some_o book_n have_v be_v controvert_v or_o not_o if_o not_o why_o do_v he_o make_v a_o supposition_n of_o controvert_v book_n if_o oral_a tradition_n acknowledge_v some_o to_o have_v be_v controvert_v than_o it_o can_v assure_v we_o that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v controvert_v nor_o consequent_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o never_o have_v be_v controvert_v but_o only_o as_o such_o concern_v which_o those_o church_n who_o do_v once_o raise_v a_o controversy_n about_o they_o have_v be_v since_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v canonical_a the_o traditionary_a church_n now_o receive_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n as_o canonical_a i_o ask_v do_v they_o receive_v it_o as_o ever_o deliver_v for_o such_o that_o they_o must_v
if_o they_o receive_v it_o from_o oral_a tradition_n which_o convey_v thing_n to_o they_o under_o this_o notion_n as_o ever_o deliver_v and_o yet_o st._n hierom_n speak_v not_o as_o a_o speculator_n but_o a_o testifier_n say_v express_o of_o it_o 8._o that_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n do_v not_o receive_v it_o among_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n what_o say_v mr._n s._n to_o this_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o this_o testimony_n that_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o st._n hierom_n time_n do_v not_o acknowledge_v this_o epistle_n for_o canonical_a and_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a that_o the_o present_a roman_a church_n do_v receive_v it_o for_o canonical_a where_o be_v then_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n how_o do_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o present_a church_n assure_v we_o that_o what_o book_n be_v now_o receive_v by_o she_o be_v ever_o receive_v by_o she_o and_o if_o it_o can_v do_v this_o but_o the_o matter_n must_v come_v to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o best_a record_n of_o former_a age_n which_o the_o protestant_n be_v willing_a to_o have_v their_o catalogue_n try_v by_o than_o it_o seem_v the_o protestant_n have_v a_o better_a way_n to_o know_v what_o book_n be_v canonical_a than_o be_v the_o infallible_a way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v better_a no_o matter_n though_o it_o be_v not_o call_v infallible_a §_o 6._o three_o he_o say_v 15._o the_o protestant_n can_v know_v that_o the_o very_a original_a or_o a_o perfect_o true_a copy_n of_o these_o book_n have_v be_v preserve_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v know_v either_o of_o these_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o they_o know_v that_o those_o copy_n which_o rhey_n have_v be_v not_o material_o corrupt_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o practice_n and_o that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n of_o this_o i_o have_v already_o show_v and_o how_o do_v he_o prove_v the_o contrary_a by_o his_o usual_a argument_n with_o say_v it_o be_v manifest_o impossible_a but_o how_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n know_v that_o they_o have_v perfect_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o original_a language_n they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o know_v this_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o that_o church_n acknowledge_v the_o various_a readins_n as_o well_o as_o we_o and_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o know_v otherwise_o than_o by_o probable_a conjecture_n as_o we_o also_o may_v do_v which_o of_o those_o readins_n be_v the_o true_a one_o and_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v more_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v this_o than_o for_o they_o if_o they_o think_v it_o reasonable_a to_o content_v themselves_o with_o know_v that_o no_o material_a corruption_n have_v creep_v into_o those_o book_n so_o may_v we_o and_o that_o there_o have_v not_o we_o know_v by_o better_a argument_n than_o oral_a tradition_n even_o by_o the_o assurance_n we_o have_v of_o god_n vigilant_a providence_n and_o from_o a_o moral_a impossibility_n in_o the_o thing_n that_o a_o book_n so_o universal_o disperse_v and_o translate_v into_o so_o many_o language_n and_o constant_o read_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n shall_v have_v be_v material_o corrupt_v so_o as_o that_o all_o those_o copy_n and_o translation_n shall_v have_v agree_v in_o those_o corruption_n and_o this_o reason_n st._n austin_n 48._o give_v of_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o scripture_n entire_a rather_o than_o any_o other_o book_n if_o mr._n s._n like_v it_o not_o he_o may_v call_v st._n austin_n to_o account_v for_o it_o §_o 7._o four_o he_o say_v 15._o the_o protestant_n at_o least_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a can_v have_v no_o assurance_n that_o those_o book_n be_v right_o translate_v because_o they_o can_v be_v assure_v either_o of_o the_o ability_n or_o integrity_n of_o translator_n five_o nor_o can_v they_o say_v 17._o he_o be_v assure_v that_o the_o transcriber_n and_o printer_n and_o corrector_n of_o the_o press_n have_v careful_o and_o faithful_o do_v their_o part_n in_o transcribe_v and_o print_v the_o several_a copy_n and_o translation_n of_o scripture_n aright_o because_o they_o only_o can_v have_v evidence_n of_o the_o right_a letter_n of_o scripture_n who_o stand_v at_o their_o elbow_n attentive_o watch_v they_o shall_v not_o err_v in_o make_v it_o perfect_o like_o a_o former_a copy_n and_o even_o then_o why_o may_v they_o not_o mistrust_v their_o own_o eye_n and_o aptness_n to_o oversee_v i_o put_v these_o two_o exception_n together_o because_o the_o same_o answer_n will_v serve_v they_o both_o the_o ground_n of_o these_o exception_n if_o they_o have_v any_o be_v these_o that_o no_o man_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v either_o for_o his_o skill_n or_o honesty_n and_o that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a for_o man_n to_o trust_v their_o own_o eye_n unless_o both_o these_o be_v true_a these_o exception_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o if_o we_o can_v be_v assure_v that_o other_o man_n have_v sufficient_a skill_n in_o any_o thing_n which_o we_o ourselves_o do_v not_o sufficient_o understand_v we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o those_o who_o translate_v the_o bible_n have_v skill_n in_o the_o original_a language_n because_o very_o credible_a person_n tell_v we_o so_o and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v their_o testimony_n in_o this_o particular_a more_o than_o in_o any_o other_o matter_n so_o that_o if_o we_o can_v have_v sufficient_a assurance_n of_o man_n integrity_n in_o any_o thing_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o skill_n of_o translator_n or_o transcriber_n or_o printer_n and_o if_o we_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n of_o man_n integrity_n in_o any_o thing_n than_o no_o man_n can_v be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o henry_n the_o eight_o and_o yet_o i_o hope_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v no_o doubt_n of_o it_o nor_o can_v any_o man_n be_v assure_v there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n who_o have_v not_o see_v it_o nay_o if_o he_o have_v 16._o why_o may_v he_o not_o mistrust_v his_o own_o eye_n and_o which_o be_v the_o sad_a inconvenience_n of_o all_o if_o no_o body_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v nor_o man_n own_a eye_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n sure_a not_o their_o ear_n what_o become_v of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n which_o necessary_o suppose_v a_o competent_a understanding_n a_o faithful_a memory_n a_o honest_a mind_n in_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o deliver_v christ_n doctrine_n down_o to_o we_o and_o by_o what_o mean_v soever_o a_o man_n can_v be_v assure_v of_o these_o by_o the_o same_o he_o may_v much_o more_o easy_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o ability_n and_o integrity_n of_o translator_n transcriber_n and_o printer_n but_o above_o all_o it_o suppose_v that_o man_n ear_n and_o eye_n can_v deceive_v they_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o see_v practise_v be_v it_o not_o very_o pretty_a to_o see_v what_o pitiful_a shift_n man_n that_o serve_v a_o hypothesis_n be_v put_v to_o when_o to_o maintain_v infallibility_n they_o be_v force_v to_o run_v to_o the_o extremity_n of_o scepticism_n and_o to_o defend_v the_o certainty_n of_o oral_a tradition_n which_o depend_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o man_n sense_n and_o a_o assurance_n of_o the_o ability_n and_o integrity_n of_o those_o who_o be_v dead_a 1500_o year_n before_o we_o be_v bear_v be_v glad_a to_o take_v refuge_n in_o principle_n quite_o contrary_a such_o as_o these_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n but_o that_o whole_a profession_n of_o man_n 16._o may_v hap_v to_o be_v knave_n that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a evidence_n that_o any_o man_n make_v his_o copy_n perfect_o like_o the_o former_a unless_o 16._o we_o stand_v at_o his_o elbow_n attentive_o watch_v he_o nay_o and_o if_o we_o do_v so_o we_o have_v still_o reason_n to_o distrust_v our_o sense_n in_o short_a all_o human_a faith_n suppose_v honesty_n among_o man_n and_o that_o for_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o plain_a object_n of_o sense_n the_o general_a and_o uncontrolled_a testimony_n of_o mankind_n be_v to_o be_v credit_v and_o for_o matter_n of_o peculiar_a skill_n and_o knowledge_n that_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v account_v skilful_a in_o that_o kind_n be_v to_o be_v rely_v upon_o for_o as_o aristotle_n well_o observe_v there_o be_v no_o great_a sign_n of_o a_o undisciplined_a wit_n or_o to_o use_v one_o of_o mr._n s_n fine_a phrase_n preface_n of_o a_o man_n not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o path_n of_o science_n than_o to_o expect_v great_a evidence_n for_o thing_n than_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o every_o man_n have_v reason_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o sufficient_a evidence_n when_o he_o have_v as_o much_o evidence_n for_o it_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o thing_n will_v bear_v and_o
as_o the_o capacity_n he_o be_v in_o will_v permit_v he_o to_o have_v and_o as_o mr._n white_n say_v well_o 33._o satisfaction_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o capacity_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o a_o child_n to_o believe_v his_o parent_n for_o a_o clown_n to_o believe_v his_o preacher_n and_o this_o be_v universal_o true_a in_o all_o case_n where_o we_o have_v not_o better_o or_o equal_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_n but_o such_o be_v the_o unhappiness_n of_o the_o popish_a doctrine_n that_o if_o people_n be_v permit_v the_o free_a use_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v easy_o discern_v they_o to_o have_v no_o probable_a foundation_n in_o it_o and_o some_o of_o they_o to_o be_v plain_o contrary_a to_o it_o so_o that_o it_o can_v be_v safe_a for_o their_o preacher_n to_o tell_v the_o people_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n lest_o they_o shall_v find_v cause_n not_o to_o believe_v they_o when_o they_o teach_v doctrine_n so_o plain_o contrary_a to_o that_o rule_n §_o 8._o last_o he_o say_v 17._o the_o protestant_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n do_v he_o mean_v of_o plain_a text_n or_o obscure_a one_o of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o plain_a text_n i_o hope_v every_o one_o may_v be_v certain_a and_o for_o obscure_a one_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a every_o one_o shall_v but_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o plain_a text_n in_o the_o scripture_n then_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o must_v be_v till_o mr._n s._n can_v show_v a_o better_a either_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o write_v plain_o or_o because_o god_n can_v write_v so_o plain_o as_o man_n or_o because_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o think_v that_o he_o will_v not_o write_v thing_n necessary_a for_o every_o one_o to_o believe_v so_o as_o man_n may_v clear_o understand_v he_o but_o he_o tell_v we_o 17._o the_o numerous_a comment_n upon_o scripture_n be_v a_o evidence_n that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o i_o hope_v not_o for_o if_o those_o numerous_a commentator_n do_v general_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o plain_a text_n as_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o do_v then_o this_o argument_n signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o such_o text_n and_o as_o for_o those_o which_o be_v obscure_a let_v commentator_n differ_v about_o they_o as_o much_o as_o they_o please_v so_o long_o as_o all_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o matter_n of_o practice_n be_v deliver_v in_o plain_a text_n he_o add_v 17._o there_o be_v infinite_a dispute_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n even_o in_o most_o concern_v point_n as_o in_o that_o of_o christ_n divinity_n but_o be_v not_o commentator_n both_o protestant_n and_o popish_a general_o agree_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o that_o point_n and_o what_o if_o some_o out_o of_o prejudice_n do_v mistake_v or_o out_o of_o perverseness_n do_v wrest_v the_o plain_a text_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n to_o another_o sense_n be_v this_o any_o argument_n that_o those_o text_n be_v not_o sufficient_o plain_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v speak_v or_o write_v in_o word_n so_o clear_a from_o ambiguity_n which_o a_o perverse_a or_o prejudice_v mind_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o vex_v and_o force_v to_o another_o meaning_n god_n do_v not_o write_v the_o scripture_n for_o the_o froward_a and_o the_o captious_a but_o for_o those_o who_o will_v read_v they_o with_o a_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n if_o mr._n s._n have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n he_o can_v not_o but_o have_v take_v notice_n with_o what_o confidence_n they_o attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n out_o of_o scripture_n as_o if_o that_o do_v afford_v convince_a argument_n for_o this_o purpose_n st._n chrysostom_n consubstant_a profess_v to_o demonstrate_v out_o of_o scripture_n that_o the_o son_n be_v of_o the_o same_o substance_n with_o the_o father_n and_o rely_v upon_o scripture_n alone_o for_o this_o without_o mention_v any_o other_o kind_n of_o argument_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v st._n chrysostom_n be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o insufficiency_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o heretic_n in_o this_o point_n and_o that_o he_o be_v either_o ignorant_a of_o the_o infallible_a way_n of_o demonstrate_v this_o point_n from_o oral_a tradition_n or_o have_v no_o great_a opinion_n of_o it_o the_o same_o father_n elsewhere_o phoca_fw-mi argue_v against_o heretic_n about_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n say_v that_o they_o pervert_v the_o scripture_n to_o strengthen_v their_o heresy_n from_o thence_o but_o then_o he_o do_v not_o with_o mr._n s._n blame_v the_o scripture_n and_o say_v that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v not_o there_o deliver_v with_o sufficient_a clearness_n but_o contrariwise_o he_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a enough_o but_o the_o corrupt_a mind_n of_o heretic_n will_v not_o see_v what_o be_v there_o contain_v have_v st._n chrysostom_n be_v a_o true_a son_n of_o the_o traditionary_a church_n he_o will_v have_v lie_v hold_v of_o this_o occasion_n to_o vilify_v the_o scripture_n and_o to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o regulate_v our_o faith_n not_o by_o such_o uncertain_a record_n but_o by_o the_o infallible_a report_n of_o oral_a tradition_n §_o 9_o but_o because_o mr._n s._n lay_v great_a weight_n in_o several_a part_n of_o his_o book_n upon_o this_o exception_n against_o scripture_n viz._n that_o protestant_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o therefore_o i_o shall_v not_o content_v myself_o only_o to_o have_v show_v that_o we_o may_v be_v sufficient_o certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n so_o far_o as_o to_o understand_v all_o necessary_a matter_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o that_o more_o than_o this_o be_v not_o necessary_a but_o shall_v likewise_o return_v this_o exception_n upon_o he_o by_o inquire_v into_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o how_o the_o traditionary_a church_n can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n than_o the_o protestant_n 2._o how_o they_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o tradition_n than_o protestant_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n 1._o how_o the_o traditionary_a church_n can_v be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n than_o protestant_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v a_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o deliver_v down_o from_o father_n to_o son_n but_o this_o only_o reach_v to_o those_o text_n which_o be_v coincident_a with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o for_o all_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n they_o be_v as_o useless_a to_o papist_n as_o they_o suppose_v they_o be_v to_o we_o because_o want_v the_o help_n of_o oral_a tradition_n they_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o one_o tittle_n of_o they_o and_o as_o for_o those_o text_n the_o sense_n whereof_o be_v convey_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n this_o sense_n be_v i_o hope_v deliver_v in_o some_o word_n or_o other_o and_o have_v all_o preacher_n and_o father_n and_o mother_n and_o nurse_n the_o faculty_n of_o deliver_v this_o sense_n in_o word_n so_o plain_a as_o can_v possible_o be_v mistake_v or_o wrest_v to_o another_o sense_n i_o be_o sorry_a that_o when_o every_o one_o have_v this_o faculty_n of_o speak_v their_o thought_n plain_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v be_v represent_v as_o not_o able_a to_o convey_v his_o mind_n to_o man_n in_o intelligible_a word_n and_o do_v not_o his_o own_o objection_n rebound_v upon_o himself_o if_o the_o church_n have_v a_o certain_a sense_n of_o scripture_n oral_o deliver_v whence_o be_v the_o numerous_a comment_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o it_o and_o of_o late_a writer_n in_o their_o church_n and_o the_o infinite_a dispute_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o the_o most_o concern_v point_n viz._n the_o efficacy_n of_o god_n grace_n the_o supremacy_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o infallibility_n of_o a_o pope_n and_o council_n by_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n what_o a_o stir_n be_v make_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o dabo_fw-la tibi_fw-la clave_n tu_fw-la es_fw-la petrus_n &_o super_fw-la hanc_fw-la petram_fw-la etc._n etc._n pasce_fw-la oves_fw-la do_v not_o they_o differ_v about_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o text_n among_o themselves_o as_o much_o as_o they_o do_v from_o the_o father_n and_o from_o the_o protestant_n some_o understanding_n they_o of_o st_n peter_n supremacy_n only_o other_o of_o his_o infallibility_n other_o of_o his_o infallibility_n only_o in_o and_o with_o a_o general_a council_n which_o yet_o other_o do_v not_o allow_v to_o pope_n or_o council_n from_o any_o immediate_a assistance_n but_o only_o from_o the_o
not_o reasonable_a but_o peevish_a in_o exact_v infallible_a security_n and_o insist_v upon_o every_o capricious_a objection_n such_o as_o be_v mr._n s_n may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o now_o as_o to_o this_o degree_n of_o assurance_n or_o as_o he_o call_v it_o infallibility_n i_o can_v but_o grant_v what_o he_o say_v of_o it_o to_o be_v most_o true_a viz._n that_o in_o a_o severe_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n it_o be_v not_o rigorous_o infallible_a that_o be_v as_o he_o explain_v it_o it_o be_v not_o absolute_o impossible_a nor_o do_v it_o imply_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n that_o the_o thing_n whereof_o we_o be_v so_o assure_v may_v be_v otherwise_o but_o then_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o according_a to_o any_o true_a acception_n of_o this_o word_n such_o a_o degree_n of_o assurance_n as_o he_o speak_v of_o can_v be_v call_v infallibility_n and_o withal_o i_o affirm_v that_o none_o of_o those_o several_a degree_n of_o infallibility_n which_o he_o mention_n except_v that_o only_a which_o import_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n can_v with_o any_o tolerable_a propriety_n of_o speech_n or_o regard_n to_o the_o true_a meaning_n and_o use_n of_o the_o word_n have_v the_o name_n of_o infallibility_n give_v to_o they_o for_o infallibility_n can_v signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o utter_a impossibility_n that_o one_o shall_v be_v deceive_v in_o that_o matter_n as_o to_o which_o he_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o to_o say_v such_o a_o thing_n be_v impossible_a be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o it_o imply_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n so_o that_o whosoever_o assert_n degree_n of_o infallibility_n be_v oblige_v to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o absolute_a impossibility_n and_o of_o perfect_a contradiction_n and_o he_o have_v need_n of_o a_o very_a sharp_a and_o pierce_a wit_n that_o be_v to_o find_v out_o degree_n where_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o indeed_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o object_n of_o knowledge_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o infallibility_n may_v be_v extend_v to_o more_o object_n or_o few_o but_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o degree_n of_o assurance_n of_o which_o mr._n cressy_n speak_v it_o be_v altogether_o unimaginable_a how_o any_o one_o can_v be_v more_o or_o less_o out_o of_o all_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o he_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a for_o no_o one_o can_v be_v more_o remove_v from_o the_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v than_o he_o that_o be_v out_o of_o all_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v and_o whosoever_o be_v less_o than_o this_o be_v not_o infallible_a because_o he_o only_o be_v so_o who_o be_v out_o of_o all_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o those_o matter_n wherein_o he_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v infallible_a so_o that_o mr._n cressy_n low_a degree_n of_o infallibility_n be_v no_o degree_n of_o that_o assurance_n which_o may_v proper_o be_v call_v infallible_a for_o that_o can_v have_v no_o degree_n but_o of_o that_o assurance_n which_o be_v less_o than_o infallible_a and_o he_o need_v not_o have_v raise_v all_o this_o dust_n about_o the_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n have_v it_o not_o be_v that_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o such_o a_o cloud_n he_o may_v make_v the_o more_o convenient_a escape_n out_o of_o that_o straight_o he_o be_v in_o between_o the_o clamour_n of_o his_o own_o church_n and_o the_o advantage_n which_o his_o adversary_n make_v of_o his_o free_a and_o open_a discourse_n against_o infallibility_n for_o any_o one_o that_o careful_o read_v his_o book_n will_v find_v that_o he_o understand_v nothing_o by_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n but_o a_o authority_n of_o oblige_v all_o christian_n to_o submit_v to_o her_o decision_n which_o be_v no_o more_o but_o what_o every_o supreme_a civil_a judge_n have_v in_o civil_a matter_n viz._n a_o power_n to_o determine_v those_o controversy_n that_o lie_v before_o he_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v or_o will_v and_o when_o that_o be_v do_v every_o one_o be_v bind_v to_o submit_v to_o such_o determination_n but_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o no_o man_n ever_o dream_v a_o supreme_a civil_a judge_n to_o be_v infallible_a more_o than_o another_o man_n i_o do_v not_o now_o dispute_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n but_o if_o she_o have_v no_o other_o infallibility_n but_o what_o a_o full_a authority_n of_o decision_n do_v suppose_v i_o be_o sure_a she_o have_v none_o at_o all_o before_o i_o leave_v mr._n cressy_n i_o can_v but_o take_v notice_n how_o unfortunate_a and_o disingenuous_a he_o be_v in_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n of_o his_o own_o viz._n against_o this_o word_n of_o infallibility_n mr._n chillingworth_n be_v book_n especial_o combat_n and_o this_o with_o too_o too_o great_a success_n which_o in_o his_o appendix_n 6._o he_o interpret_v thus_o success_n i_o mean_v not_o against_o the_o church_n but_o against_o his_o own_o soul_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o his_o fellow-english_a protestant_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o one_o that_o have_v wish_v well_o to_o caesar_n shall_v have_v say_v that_o pompey_n have_v fight_v against_o he_o with_o too_o too_o great_a success_n and_o be_v afterward_o challenge_v by_o caesar_n party_n as_o have_v say_v that_o pompey_n have_v conquer_a caesar_n he_o shall_v explain_v himself_o thus_o success_n i_o mean_v not_o against_o caesar_n but_o against_o his_o own_o life_n and_o the_o life_n of_o his_o follower_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v fine_a than_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v that_o by_o pompey_n success_n in_o fight_v against_o caesar_n he_o mean_v that_o caesar_n have_v beat_v pompey_n which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o if_o one_o shall_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o interpret_v white_a by_o black_a §_o 6._o last_o mr._n white_n do_v most_o express_o contradict_v this_o principle_n of_o mr._n s_n in_o these_o follow_a passage_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o mr._n rushworth_n he_o say_v that_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherwise_o ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o that_o those_o author_n be_v mistake_v who_o undervalue_v it_o so_o that_o it_o seem_v mr._n s._n be_v mistake_v in_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v any_o possibility_n that_o it_o may_v be_v otherwise_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o my_o lord_n falkland_n he_o say_v 15._o that_o in_o moral_a matter_n and_o such_o as_o be_v subject_a to_o humane_a action_n we_o must_v expect_v such_o assurance_n as_o humane_a action_n bear_v if_o for_o the_o government_n of_o your_o spiritual_a life_n you_o have_v as_o much_o as_o for_o the_o management_n of_o your_o natural_a and_o civil_a life_n what_o can_v you_o expect_v more_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n of_o man_n beyond_o exception_n will_v cast_v a_o man_n out_o of_o not_o only_o his_o land_n but_o life_n and_o all_o he_o that_o among_o merchant_n will_v not_o adventure_v where_o there_o be_v a_o hundred_o to_o one_o of_o gain_v will_v be_v account_v a_o silly_a factor_n and_o among_o soldier_n he_o that_o will_v fear_v danger_n where_o but_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o be_v slay_v shall_v not_o escape_v the_o stain_n of_o cowardice_n what_o then_o shall_v we_o expect_v in_o religion_n but_o to_o see_v a_o main_a advantage_n on_o the_o one_o side_n which_o we_o may_v rest_v ourselves_o on_o and_o for_o the_o rest_n remember_v we_o be_v man_n subject_a to_o chance_v and_o mutability_n and_o thank_v god_n he_o have_v give_v we_o that_o assurance_n in_o a_o supernatural_a way_n which_o we_o be_v content_v withal_o in_o our_o civil_a venture_n and_o possession_n which_o nevertheless_o god_n know_v we_o often_o love_v better_o and_o will_v hazard_v less_o than_o the_o unknown_a good_a of_o the_o life_n to_o come_v again_o 30._o if_o god_n almighty_a have_v in_o all_o sort_n and_o manner_n provide_v his_o church_n that_o she_o may_v enlighten_v every_o man_n in_o his_o way_n that_o go_v the_o way_n of_o a_o man_n then_o let_v every_o man_n consider_v which_o be_v the_o sit_v way_n for_o himself_o and_o what_o in_o other_o matter_n of_o that_o way_n he_o account_v evidence_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o interest_n in_o his_o soul_n to_o make_v he_o loath_a to_o believe_v what_o in_o another_o matter_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n he_o do_v not_o stick_v at_o or_o heavy_a to_o practice_v what_o he_o see_v clear_o enough_o i_o fear_v not_o his_o choice_n once_o more_o direct_v a_o man_n in_o his_o search_n after_o rational_a satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n he_o have_v this_o passage_n 46._o beside_o this_o he_o must_v have_v this_o care_n that_o he_o seek_v what_o
to_o be_v give_v to_o history_n st._n hierom_n tell_v we_o 352._o that_o liberius_n bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o all_o his_o particular_a title_n to_o infallibility_n build_v upon_o tradition_n as_o mr._n s._n speak_v coral_n 28._o turn_v arian_n and_o that_o 363._o arianism_n be_v establish_v by_o the_o synod_n of_o ariminum_n which_o be_v a_o council_n more_o general_a than_o that_o of_o trent_n and_o that_o 364._o almost_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n under_o the_o name_n of_o peace_n and_o of_o the_o emperor_n be_v pollute_v by_o communion_n with_o the_o arian_n again_o that_o lucifer_n under_o the_o emperor_n constantius_n eusebius_n and_o hippatius_n be_v consul_n infidelity_n be_v subscribe_v under_o the_o name_n of_o unity_n and_o faith_n and_o ibid._n that_o the_o whole_a world_n groan_v and_o wonder_v to_o see_v itself_o turn_v arian_n and_o he_o ibid._n use_v this_o as_o a_o argument_n to_o the_o luciferian_o to_o receive_v into_o the_o church_n those_o who_o have_v be_v defile_v with_o the_o heresy_n of_o arius_n because_o the_o number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v keep_v themselves_o orthodox_n be_v so_o exceed_o small_a for_o say_v he_o the_o synod_n of_o nice_a which_o consist_v of_o above_o three_o hundred_o bishop_n receive_v eight_o arian_n bishop_n who_o they_o may_v have_v cast_v out_o without_o any_o great_a loss_n to_o the_o church_n i_o wonder_v then_o how_o some_o and_o those_o the_o follower_n of_o the_o nicene_n faith_n can_v think_v that_o three_o confessor_n viz._n athanasius_n hilarius_n eusebius_n ought_v not_o to_o do_v that_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n for_o the_o good_a and_o safety_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o so_o many_o and_o such_o excellent_a person_n do_v voluntary_o it_o seem_v arianism_n have_v prevail_v very_o far_o when_o st._n hierom_n can_v not_o name_v above_o three_o eminent_a person_n in_o the_o church_n who_o have_v preserve_v themselves_o untainted_a with_o it_o again_o 3._o arius_n in_o alexandria_n be_v at_o first_o but_o one_o spark_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o present_o extinguish_v it_o break_v out_o into_o a_o flame_n which_o devour_v the_o whole_a world_n gregory_n nazianzen_n 21._o likewise_o tell_v we_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o the_o arian_n heresy_n seize_v upon_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o show_v that_o he_o know_v nothing_o of_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n of_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n he_o ask_v 25._o where_o be_v those_o that_o define_v the_o church_n by_o multitude_n and_o despise_v the_o little_a flock_n &_o c_o and_o this_o heresy_n be_v of_o a_o long_a continuance_n for_o from_o its_o first_o rise_v which_o happen_v in_o the_o 20_o the_o year_n of_o constantine_n it_o continue_v as_o joh._n abbas_n maurit_fw-la have_v calculate_v it_o 266_o year_n and_o the_o pelagian_a heresy_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v bradwardine_n one_o of_o the_o great_a champion_n of_o the_o church_n against_o it_o do_v in_o a_o manner_n prevail_v as_o much_o as_o arianism_n as_o the_o say_a author_n complain_v in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o book_n dei_fw-la that_o almost_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v run_v after_o pelagius_n into_o error_n will_n mr._n s._n now_o say_v that_o in_o the_o height_n of_o these_o heresy_n the_o generality_n of_o christian_n do_v firm_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n if_o he_o say_v they_o do_v let_v he_o answer_v the_o express_a testimony_n produce_v to_o the_o contrary_a but_o if_o they_o do_v not_o than_o his_o demonstration_n also_o fail_v as_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n and_o if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n may_v fall_v off_o from_o tradition_n what_o demonstration_n can_v make_v it_o impossible_a for_o the_o lesser_a to_o do_v so_o who_o will_v say_v it_o be_v in_o reason_n impossible_a that_o a_o thousand_o person_n shall_v relinquish_v tradition_n though_o nine_o hundred_o of_o they_o have_v already_o do_v it_o and_o though_o the_o remainder_n be_v no_o otherwise_o secure_v from_o do_v so_o than_o those_o be_v who_o have_v actual_o relinquish_v it_o now_o be_v not_o this_o a_o clear_a evidence_n that_o this_o which_o he_o call_v a_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la be_v no_o such_o thing_n because_o every_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la must_v be_v from_o cause_n which_o be_v necessary_a whereas_o his_o demonstration_n be_v from_o voluntary_a cause_n so_o that_o unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o voluntary_a cause_n be_v necessary_a he_o shall_v never_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o generality_n of_o any_o company_n of_o man_n to_o err_v who_o have_v every_o one_o of_o they_o freewill_n and_o be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o liable_a to_o passion_n and_o mistake_n §_o 5._o from_o all_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o his_o whole_a discourse_n about_o the_o original_a and_o progress_n of_o heresy_n and_o the_o multitude_n of_o heretic_n in_o several_a age_n be_v as_o clear_v a_o confutation_n of_o his_o own_o demonstration_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o he_o offer_v in_o that_o discourse_n to_o prevent_v this_o objection_n which_o he_o foresee_v it_o liable_a to_o be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o say_v he_o 65._o to_o be_v expect_v but_o that_o some_o contingency_n shall_v have_v place_n where_o a_o whole_a species_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o it_o suffice_v that_o the_o cause_n to_o preserve_v faith_n indeficient_o entire_a be_v as_o efficacious_a as_o those_o which_o be_v lay_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o mankind_n the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n not_o be_v to_o continue_v long_o than_o mankind_n its_o only_a subject_n do_v and_o they_o will_v easy_o appear_v as_o efficacious_a as_o the_o other_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o strength_n of_o those_o cause_n before_o explicate_v and_o reflect_v that_o they_o be_v effective_o powerful_a to_o make_v multitude_n daily_o debar_v themselves_o of_o those_o pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o mankind_n propagation_n and_o if_o we_o look_v into_o history_n for_o experience_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o propagate_a of_o christianity_n we_o shall_v find_v more_o particular_n fail_v in_o propagate_a their_o kind_n than_o their_o faith_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v expect_v there_o shall_v be_v no_o contingency_n in_o any_o particular_n where_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v put_v in_o all_o because_o as_o he_o say_v true_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v can_v but_o produce_v its_o effect_n suppose_v then_o constant_a cause_n lay_v in_o all_o mankind_n of_o a_o actual_a will_n to_o speak_v truth_n to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o knowledge_n be_v it_o not_o reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o such_o contingency_n to_o the_o world_n end_n as_o that_o any_o man_n shall_v tell_v a_o lie_n nay_o it_o be_v madness_n for_o any_o man_n to_o think_v any_o such_o contingency_n shall_v be_v suppose_v cause_n actual_o cause_v man_n always_o to_o speak_v truth_n second_o it_o be_v far_o from_o truth_n that_o the_o cause_n to_o preserve_v faith_n indeficient_o entire_a be_v as_o efficacious_a as_o those_o which_o be_v lay_v for_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o whereas_o he_o will_v prove_v the_o strength_n of_o these_o cause_n which_o be_v lay_v to_o preserve_v faith_n because_o they_o be_v effective_o powerful_a to_o make_v multitude_n daily_o debar_v themselves_o of_o those_o pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o mankind_n propagation_n i_o hope_v no_o body_n that_o have_v read_v the_o innumerable_a complaint_n which_o occur_v in_o their_o own_o historian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o credible_a of_o their_o own_o writer_n of_o more_o than_o one_o age_n concern_v the_o general_a viciousness_n and_o debauchery_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o monk_n will_v he_o overforward_a to_o believe_v that_o all_o those_o who_o debar_v themselves_o of_o lawful_a marriage_n do_v abstain_v from_o those_o unlawful_a pleasure_n §_o 6._o but_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o impudent_a than_o what_o he_o add_v that_o if_o we_o look_v into_o history_n for_o experience_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n we_o shall_v find_v far_o more_o particular_n fail_v in_o propagate_a their_o kind_n than_o their_o faith_n do_v any_o history_n confirm_v it_o to_o have_v be_v the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n do_v in_o any_o age_n give_v over_o propagate_a their_o kind_n but_o history_n do_v confirm_v that_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n do_v fall_v off_o to_o arianism_n and_o pelagianism_n and_o consequent_o as_o he_o suppose_v do_v desert_n and_o renounce_v tradition_n do_v ever_o whole_a nation_n and_o vast_a territory_n of_o the_o world_n
live_v better_a than_o the_o people_n for_o the_o bishop_n be_v grow_v negligent_a of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o place_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n man_n run_v themselves_o headlong_o into_o all_o vice_n and_o all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v its_o way_n and_o far_o to_o show_v the_o great_a neglect_n of_o priest_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o work_n of_o teach_v and_o instruction_n which_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o preserve_n of_o tradition_n inviolable_a i_o will_v add_v the_o testimony_n of_o one_o sacerdot_n who_o live_v in_o those_o time_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o in_o those_o day_n the_o priest_n and_o bishop_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v the_o pillar_n of_o the_o church_n be_v so_o negligent_a that_o they_o do_v not_o mind_v the_o divine_a scripture_n nor_o take_v any_o care_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v scholar_n that_o may_v succeed_v they_o as_o we_o read_v holy_a man_n have_v use_v to_o do_v who_o leave_v many_o scholar_n perfect_o instruct_v to_o be_v their_o successor_n if_o they_o have_v only_o neglect_v the_o scripture_n all_o may_v have_v be_v well_o enough_o but_o it_o seem_v they_o take_v no_o care_n to_o instruct_v people_n in_o the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n nor_o to_o furnish_v the_o church_n with_o a_o new_a generation_n of_o able_a teacher_n who_o may_v deliver_v down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n the_o sense_n and_o faith_n of_o forefather_n this_o last_o testimony_n the_o late_a learned_a lord_n primate_n of_o jerland_n bishop_n usher_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr christian._n eccles._n success_n etc._n etc._n 3_o where_o several_a of_o the_o testimony_n i_o have_v produce_v with_o many_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n may_v be_v see_v cite_v out_o of_o a_o m._n s._n in_o bennet_n college_n library_n in_o cambridg_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o which_o m._n s._n there_o need_v be_v no_o dispute_n between_o mr._n s._n and_o i_o because_o the_o whole_a force_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o testimony_n be_v sufficient_o contain_v in_o those_o citation_n which_o i_o have_v bring_v out_o of_o public_a and_o unquestionable_a book_n §_o 4._o all_o these_o testimony_n which_o i_o have_v produce_v be_v in_o general_a and_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o confirm_v by_o two_o of_o the_o great_a prop_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n bellarmine_n and_o baronius_n bellarmine_n 12._o say_v of_o this_o ten_o age_n that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o either_o more_o unlearned_a or_o more_o unhappy_a baronius_n 900._o speak_v more_o particular_o what_o be_v then_o the_o face_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n how_o deform_v when_o whore_n no_o less_o powerful_a than_o vile_a bear_v the_o chief_a sway_n at_o rome_n and_o at_o their_o pleasure_n change_v see_v appoint_a bishop_n and_o which_o it_o be_v horrible_a to_o mention_v do_v thrust_v into_o st._n peter_n see_v their_o own_o gallant_n false-popes_n who_o will_v not_o have_v be_v mention_v in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o roman_a pope_n but_o only_o for_o the_o more_o distinct_a record_v of_o so_o long_a a_o succession_n of_o time_n and_o a_o little_a after_o christ_n be_v then_o it_o seem_v in_o a_o very_a deep_a sleep_n and_o which_o be_v worse_a when_o the_o lord_n be_v thus_o asleep_a there_o be_v no_o disciple_n to_o awaken_v he_o be_v themselves_o all_o fast_o asleep_a what_o kind_n of_o cardinal_n presbyter_n and_o deacon_n can_v we_o think_v be_v choose_v by_o these_o monster_n when_o nothing_o be_v so_o natural_a as_o for_o every_o one_o to_o propagate_v his_o own_o likeness_n it_o be_v very_o much_o that_o these_o lewd_a woman_n and_o their_o favourite-popes_n cardinal_n and_o bishop_n who_o then_o sway_v the_o church_n shall_v when_o they_o be_v so_o careless_a of_o their_o own_o soul_n be_v so_o tender_a of_o the_o salvation_n of_o posterity_n and_o when_o they_o administer_v all_o other_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n so_o extravagant_o shall_v be_v so_o careful_a of_o the_o main_a chance_n as_o to_o transmit_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a to_o succeed_a age_n yet_o mr._n s._n have_v demonstrate_v this_o a_o posteriori_fw-la which_o seem_v so_o very_o strange_a to_o a_o man_n that_o consider_v thing_n a_o priori_fw-la §_o 5._o but_o it_o may_v be_v this_o dismal_a state_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n last_v but_o a_o little_a while_n and_o she_o do_v in_o the_o same_o age_n before_o tradition_n can_v be_v interrupt_v recover_v herself_o out_o of_o this_o degenerate_a condition_n i_o will_v therefore_o inquire_v a_o little_a into_o the_o state_n of_o succeed_a time_n and_o i_o find_v in_o the_o thirteen_o century_n st._n bernard_n 1_o complain_v that_o the_o degeneracy_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v in_o his_o day_n great_a than_o ever_o we_o can_v say_v he_o now_o say_v as_o be_v the_o people_n so_o be_v the_o priest_n for_o the_o people_n be_v not_o so_o bad_a as_o their_o priest_n in_o the_o fifteen_o century_n nic._n de_fw-fr clemangiis_fw-la who_o live_v in_o that_o time_n write_v a_o book_n upon_o this_o argument_n of_o the_o corrupt_a state_n of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o we_o may_v make_v some_o judgement_n whether_o in_o that_o age_n it_o be_v as_o mr._n s._n say_v impossible_a but_o that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n shall_v be_v entire_o preserve_v and_o faithful_o and_o diligent_o teach_v he_o say_v 3._o there_o be_v a_o universal_a degeneracy_n in_o the_o church_n from_o the_o very_a head_n of_o it_o to_o its_o low_a member_n in_o the_o same_o chapter_n he_o complain_v who_o be_v there_o that_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o people_n who_o show_v they_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n either_o by_o word_n or_o action_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v a_o great_a failure_n both_o of_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n again_o 5._o speak_v of_o the_o pope_n take_v to_o himself_o the_o collation_n of_o all_o vacant_a bishopric_n and_o dignity_n he_o say_v one_o may_v think_v the_o pope_n do_v this_o that_o the_o church_n may_v be_v provide_v of_o worthy_a governor_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o their_o life_n do_v not_o the_o thing_n itself_o declare_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o ignorant_a and_o useless_a person_n provide_v they_o have_v money_n be_v by_o simony_n advance_v to_o the_o high_a degree_n in_o the_o church_n and_o 6._o speak_v what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o candidate_n there_o be_v usual_o at_o rome_n from_o all_o part_n wait_v for_o benefice_n and_o dignity_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o many_o of_o these_o do_v not_o come_v from_o their_o study_n or_o from_o school_n of_o learning_n to_o govern_v parish_n but_o from_o the_o blow_n and_o from_o the_o mean_a profession_n and_o that_o they_o understand_v latin_a and_o arabic_a much_o at_o the_o same_o rate_n and_o many_o of_o they_o can_v not_o read_v at_o all_o but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v he_o their_o manner_n be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v some_o excuse_n for_o their_o ignorance_n no_o though_o their_o learning_n be_v but_o little_a their_o virtue_n be_v less_o for_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o idleness_n they_o follow_v nothing_o but_o debauchery_n and_o sport_n etc._n etc._n hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o in_o all_o place_n there_o be_v so_o many_o wicked_a and_o wretched_a and_o ignorant_a priest_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o priest_n be_v so_o contemn_v by_o the_o common_a people_n former_o the_o priesthood_n be_v high_o honour_v by_o the_o people_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o venerable_a than_o that_o order_n of_o man_n but_o now_o nothing_o be_v more_o vile_a and_o despicable_a 9_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o there_o be_v now_o more_o thief_n and_o robber_n than_o true_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n 11._o why_o shall_v any_o man_n now_o flatter_v himself_o with_o hope_n of_o preferment_n because_o of_o his_o virtue_n or_o learning_n man_n do_v not_o now_o as_o former_o rise_v in_o the_o church_n by_o such_o art_n 13_o which_o of_o those_o that_o be_v now_o adays_o advance_v to_o the_o pontifical_a dignity_n have_v so_o much_o as_o perfunctory_o read_v or_o hear_v or_o learn_v the_o scripture_n yea_o or_o ever_o touch_v any_o more_o than_o the_o cover_n of_o the_o bible_n again_o 14_o speak_v of_o the_o prodigious_a covetousness_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o gross_a neglect_n of_o their_o flock_n they_o will_v say_v he_o much_o more_o content_o bear_v the_o loss_n of_o ten_o thousand_o soul_n than_o of_o ten_o or_o twelve_o shilling_n but_o why_o do_v i_o say_v more_o content_o when_o without_o the_o least_o trouble_n or_o disturbance_n to_o themselves_o they_o can_v bear_v the_o loss_n of_o soul_n a_o thing_n so_o far_o from_o their_o care_n that_o it_o never_o enter_v into_o their_o thought_n have_v the_o heretic_n of_o those_o day_n but_o have_v wit_n enough_o and_o a_o little_a money_n they_o may_v it_o seem_v for_o a_o
be_v the_o very_a way_n of_o the_o calvinist_n and_o of_o the_o absurde_a sect_n nay_o mr._n white_n say_v far_a ibid._n that_o he_o will_v be_v content_a to_o suffer_v all_o the_o punishment_n that_o be_v due_a to_o calumniator_n if_o the_o roman_a divine_n he_o there_o speak_v of_o do_v not_o hold_v the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o calvinist_n and_o all_o the_o absurde_a sect_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v that_o the_o calvinist_n etc._n etc._n do_v not_o in_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n differ_v from_o the_o papist_n but_o only_o from_o mr._n white_n mr._n s._n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o divine_n he_o there_o speak_v of_o be_v the_o censor_n of_o doctrine_n at_o rome_n according_a to_o who_o advice_n his_o infallible_a holiness_n and_o the_o cardinal_n of_o the_o inquisition_n do_v usual_a proceed_v in_o censure_v of_o doctrine_n concern_v these_o divine_n he_o go_v on_o to_o expostulate_v in_o this_o manner_n 73._o shall_v we_o endure_v these_o man_n to_o sit_v as_o censor_n and_o judge_n of_o faith_n who_o agree_v with_o heretic_n in_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n which_o distinguish_v catholic_n from_o heretic_n again_o 144._o these_o be_v thy_o god_n o_o rome_n upon_o these_o thou_o depende_v while_o prate_a ignorance_n triumph_v in_o the_o roman_a college_n and_o he_o say_v the_o same_o likewise_o of_o the_o generality_n of_o their_o school-divines_a who_o he_o call_v sceptic_n because_o they_o do_v not_o own_o his_o demonstrative_a way_n insomuch_o that_o he_o tell_v we_o 64._o that_o few_o sound_a part_n be_v leave_v uninfected_a with_o this_o plague_n of_o scepticism_n 149._o that_o this_o be_v a_o universal_a gangrene_n 68_o that_o there_o be_v but_o few_o that_o go_v the_o way_n of_o demonstration_n and_o these_o be_v either_o weary_v out_o or_o else_o live_v retire_o or_o despair_v of_o any_o remedy_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o indeed_o all_o along_o that_o book_n he_o bemoan_v himself_o and_o his_o traditionary_a brethren_n as_o a_o desolate_a and_o forlorn_a party_n who_o have_v truth_n on_o their_o side_n but_o want_v company_n and_o encouragement_n so_o he_o tell_v we_o 101._o that_o the_o true_a scientifical_a divine_n dare_v not_o profess_v their_o knowledge_n lest_o they_o shall_v be_v expose_v by_o the_o sophister_n of_o their_o church_n to_o the_o derision_n and_o scorn_n either_o of_o their_o judge_n or_o of_o the_o people_n §_o 4._o so_o that_o upon_o examination_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o appear_v that_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n that_o it_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o their_o present_a church_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n for_o there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n unless_o mr._n s._n mean_v by_o their_o church_n a_o few_o private_a person_n who_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o those_o who_o have_v the_o chief_a power_n in_o their_o church_n as_o heretical_a as_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conjecture_v by_o the_o proceed_n at_o rome_n against_o mr._n white_n many_o of_o who_o book_n be_v there_o condemn_v 9_o as_o contain_v thing_n manifest_o heretical_a erroneous_a in_o the_o faith_n rash_a scandalous_a seditious_a and_o false_a respective_o etc._n etc._n and_o all_o this_o do_v notwithstanding_o that_o the_o chief_a subject_n of_o those_o book_n be_v the_o explication_n and_o defence_n of_o this_o most_o catholic_n principle_n that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o sum_n up_o then_o the_o whole_a business_n if_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v own_v for_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o the_o traditionist_n say_v but_o what_o be_v the_o general_a persuasion_n of_o those_o who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o roman_n catholic_n church_n then_o much_o less_o can_v this_o principle_n that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a doctrine_n be_v receive_v as_o descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n since_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o general_a persuasion_n of_o that_o church_n at_o the_o present_a that_o it_o have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v general_o disow_v but_o mr._n white_n have_v a_o salvo_fw-la for_o this_o for_o although_o he_o grant_v 38._o that_o very_o many_o of_o their_o schoolman_n maintain_v that_o tradition_n be_v necessary_a only_o for_o some_o point_n not_o clear_o express_v in_o scripture_n whence_o he_o say_v it_o seem_v to_o follow_v that_o they_o build_v not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o their_o faith_n upon_o tradition_n yet_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o rely_v on_o tradition_n and_o say_v or_o think_v we_o dâ—_n so_o suppose_v there_o be_v yet_o i_o hope_v that_o man_n saying_n that_o they_o do_v not_o rely_v on_o tradition_n as_o their_o only_a rule_n be_v a_o better_a evidence_n that_o they_o do_v not_o than_o any_o man_n surmise_n to_o the_o contrary_n be_v that_o they_o do_v though_o they_o think_v and_o say_v they_o do_v not_o which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v that_o they_o do_v though_o we_o have_v as_o much_o assurance_n as_o we_o can_v have_v that_o they_o do_v not_o beside_o how_o be_v this_o rule_n self-evident_a to_o all_o even_o to_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a as_o to_o its_o roll_a power_n as_o mr._n s._n affirm_v it_o be_v when_o the_o great_a part_n even_o of_o the_o learned_a among_o they_o think_v and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o only_a rule_n but_o mr._n white_a endeavour_n to_o illustrate_v this_o dark_a point_n by_o a_fw-fr 39_o similitude_n which_o be_v to_o this_o sense_n as_o the_o sceptic_n who_o deny_v this_o principle_n that_o contradiction_n can_v be_v true_a at_o once_o yet_o in_o their_o life_n and_o civil_a action_n proceed_v as_o if_o they_o own_v it_o so_o the_o schoolman_n though_o they_o deny_v tradition_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n yet_o by_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o church_n which_o own_v this_o principle_n they_o do_v also_o in_o practice_n own_v it_o though_o they_o say_v they_o do_v not_o so_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o learned_a papist_n be_v just_a such_o catholic_n as_o the_o sceptic_n be_v dogmatist_n that_o be_v a_o company_n of_o absurd_a people_n that_o confute_v their_o principle_n by_o their_o practice_n according_a to_o this_o reason_n i_o perceive_v the_o protestant_n will_v prove_v as_o good_a catholic_n as_o any_o for_o they_o do_v only_o think_v and_o say_v that_o tradition_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o that_o they_o practical_o rely_v upon_o it_o mr._n s._n have_v pass_v his_o word_n for_o they_o for_o he_o assure_v we_o 31._o and_o we_o may_v rely_v upon_o a_o man_n that_o write_v nothing_o but_o demonstration_n that_o if_o we_o look_v narrow_o into_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o heart_n we_o shall_v discover_v the_o natural_a method_n of_o tradition_n to_o have_v unaware_o settle_v our_o judgement_n concern_v faith_n however_o when_o our_o other_o concern_v awake_a design_n in_o we_o we_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o seem_v perhaps_o to_o our_o unreflect_a self_n to_o embrace_v and_o hold_v to_o the_o mere_a guidance_n of_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o in_o reality_n we_o be_v as_o good_a catholic_n and_o as_o true_a holder_n to_o tradition_n as_o any_o papist_n of_o they_o all_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o in_o our_o settle_a judgement_n however_o we_o have_v take_v up_o a_o humour_n to_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o may_v seem_v perhaps_o to_o our_o unreflect_a self_n to_o be_v protestant_n §_o 5._o thus_o much_o may_v suffice_v to_o have_v speak_v to_o his_o two_o great_a argument_n or_o 173._o as_o he_o good_a man_n unfortunate_o call_v they_o demonstration_n which_o yet_o to_o say_v truth_n be_v not_o proper_o he_o but_o the_o author_n of_o rushworth_n dialogue_n the_o main_a foundation_n of_o which_o book_n be_v the_o substance_n of_o these_o demonstration_n only_o before_o i_o take_v leave_n of_o they_o i_o can_v but_o reflect_v upon_o a_o passage_n of_o mr._n s_o s_o 163._o wherein_o he_o tell_v his_o reader_n that_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o bend_v their_o brain_n to_o study_v his_o book_n with_o that_o severity_n as_o they_o will_v do_v a_o euclid_n meaning_n perhaps_o one_o of_o mr._n white_n be_v euclid_n for_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o his_o way_n of_o demonstration_n that_o ever_o he_o deal_v with_o any_o other_o as_o for_o the_o true_a euclid_n i_o suppose_v any_o one_o that_o have_v taste_v his_o write_n will_v at_o the_o read_n of_o mr._n s_n unbend_v his_o brain_n without_o bid_v and_o smile_v to_o see_v himself_o so_o demure_o discharge_v from_o a_o study_n so_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a sect_n xi_o etc._n §_o 1._o i_o shall_v now_o take_v into_o consideration_n his_o nine_o
say_v 3._o neither_o ought_v i_o now_o to_o allege_v the_o nicene_n council_n nor_o thou_o that_o of_o arminium_n for_o neither_o be_o i_o bind_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o one_o nor_o thou_o of_o the_o other_o let_v we_o both_o contest_v with_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v wtiness_n common_a to_o we_o both_o and_o also_o against_o the_o donatist_n in_o these_o word_n 16._o let_v they_o if_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v their_o church_n not_o by_o the_o talk_n and_o rumour_n or_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o african_n not_o by_o the_o council_n of_o their_o own_o bishop_n not_o by_o the_o book_n of_o their_o disputer_n not_o by_o deceitful_a miracle_n &c_n &c_n but_o by_o the_o prescript_n of_o the_o law_n prophet_n etc._n etc._n i._n e._n by_o all_o the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a book_n hierom_n say_v 1._o of_o those_o thing_n which_o without_o the_o authority_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n man_n invent_v of_o their_o own_o head_n as_o from_o apostolical_a tradition_n they_o be_v smite_v with_o the_o sword_n of_o god_n theophilus_n alexandr_n who_o hierom_n have_v translate_v call_v scripture_n more_o than_o once_o 3._o the_o rule_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o it_o the_o firm_a foundation_n of_o doctrine_n and_o again_o say_v 2._o it_o come_v from_o a_o demonical_a spirit_n that_o man_n follow_v the_o sophism_n of_o humane_a mind_n and_o think_v any_o thing_n divine_a that_o want_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n theodoret_n 5._o charge_v all_o heresy_n upon_o the_o not_o follow_v of_o scripture_n which_o he_o call_v the_o inflexible_a rule_n of_o truth_n again_o we_o have_v have_v learn_v the_o rule_n of_o opinion_n from_o the_o divine_a scripture_n after_o the_o father_n i_o shall_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o two_o eminent_a person_n of_o latter_a time_n gerson_n and_o lyra._n gerson_n in_o his_o 2._o book_n of_o the_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n have_v this_o remarkable_a passage_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o doctrine_n that_o which_o be_v first_o and_o principal_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v whether_o a_o doctrine_n be_v conformable_a to_o the_o h._n scripture_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v because_o the_o scripture_n be_v deliver_v to_o we_o as_o a_o sufficient_a and_o infallible_a rule_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o whole_a ecclesiastical_a body_n and_o its_o member_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o art_n such_o a_o rule_n or_o exemplar_n that_o any_o other_o doctrine_n which_o be_v not_o conformable_a to_o it_o be_v to_o be_v renounce_v as_o heretical_a or_o to_o be_v account_v suspicious_a or_o not_o at_o all_o appertain_v to_o religion_n again_o falsis_fw-la it_o be_v evident_a how_o pernicious_a the_o rejection_n of_o the_o h._n scripture_n be_v and_o how_o certain_a a_o preparatory_a for_o the_o reception_n of_o antichrist_n once_o more_o etc._n what_o mischief_n what_o danger_n what_o confusion_n have_v happen_v through_o contempt_n of_o the_o h._n scripture_n which_o sure_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n else_o christ_n must_v have_v be_v a_o imperfect_a lawgiver_n let_v we_o ask_v experience_n etc._n etc._n lyra_n etc._n also_o write_v thus_o etc._n as_o in_o philosophy_n truth_n be_v discover_v by_o reduce_v thing_n to_o their_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n so_o in_o the_o write_n deliver_v by_o the_o h._n doctor_n truth_n be_v discover_v as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o reduce_v they_o to_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n sir_n you_o know_v how_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o swell_v up_o a_o large_a volume_n with_o testimony_n to_o this_o purpose_n especial_o if_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o course_n that_o mr._n wh._n do_v to_o hale_v in_o quotation_n though_o never_o so_o impertinent_a or_o use_v the_o wretched_a importunity_n which_o mr._n s._n do_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o be_v pertinent_a but_o these_o testimony_n which_o i_o have_v naked_o set_v down_o leave_v they_o to_o speak_v for_o themselves_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v a_o unpassionate_a reader_n such_o a_o one_o as_o dare_v trust_v himself_o with_o the_o use_n of_o his_o own_o eye_n and_o reason_n as_o for_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n which_o choose_v to_o follow_v noise_n rather_o than_o light_v we_o must_v be_v content_a to_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o blind_a conduct_n of_o those_o guide_n who_o have_v no_o better_a mean_n to_o keep_v their_o follower_n to_o they_o go_v hallow_n in_o the_o dark_a and_o fill_v their_o ear_n with_o the_o insignificant_a sound_n of_o infallibility_n indefectibility_n self-evidence_n and_o demonstration_n concern_v the_o appendix_n wherein_o you_o be_v particular_o challenge_v i_o hope_v for_o a_o account_n very_o short_o and_o so_o take_v leave_v sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n john_n tillotson_n lincolns-inn_n febr._n 20._o 1665._o finis_fw-la a_o reply_n to_o m_n r._n j._n s._n his_o 3_o d_o appendix_n contain_v some_o animadversion_n on_o the_o book_n entitle_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n by_o ed._n stillingfleet_n b._n d._n london_n print_v by_o h.c._n for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n 1675._o a_o appendix_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o his_o honour_a friend_n mr._n john_n tillotson_n sir_n as_o soon_o as_o i_o understand_v your_o intention_n to_o answer_v mr._n serjeant_n â—_o i_o can_v not_o but_o rejoice_v on_o his_o behalf_n as_o well_o as_o on_o the_o truth_n and_o your_o own_o for_o i_o have_v that_o real_a kindness_n for_o he_o that_o i_o hearty_o wish_v he_o that_o reason_n and_o science_n he_o pretend_v to_o which_o i_o can_v not_o but_o despair_n of_o his_o attain_n unless_o he_o be_v undeceive_v in_o that_o monstrous_a opinion_n he_o have_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o undertake_n and_o i_o know_v no_o person_n more_o fit_a than_o you_o to_o let_v he_o understand_v the_o truth_n and_o himself_o together_o in_o which_o your_o performance_n have_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o satisfactory_a that_o i_o hope_v mr._n sergeant_n in_o stead_n of_o another_o letter_n of_o direction_n to_o his_o answerer_n will_v write_v you_o one_o of_o thanks_o for_o the_o reason_n and_o kindness_n you_o have_v show_v he_o throughout_o your_o book_n unless_o it_o fare_v with_o you_o as_o it_o have_v do_v with_o some_o other_o adversary_n of_o they_o that_o their_o civility_n have_v be_v interpret_v as_o a_o argument_n of_o their_o uncertainty_n and_o their_o own_o confidence_n cry_v up_o for_o a_o demonstration_n in_o which_o sense_n only_o i_o shall_v grant_v our_o protestant_a writer_n to_o build_v on_o uncertainty_n and_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n sergeant_n to_o be_v the_o great_a demonstrator_n of_o this_o age_n if_o their_o own_o reason_n have_v be_v as_o severe_a as_o the_o censure_n at_o rome_n against_o they_o they_o have_v save_v we_o the_o labour_n of_o any_o answer_n and_o will_v have_v find_v out_o their_o own_o sophistry_n without_o a_o confutation_n but_o the_o least_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v by_o their_o excessive_a confidence_n be_v that_o they_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o charity_n to_o they_o as_o well_o as_o justice_n to_o the_o truth_n to_o let_v the_o world_n see_v that_o big_a word_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o science_n and_o a_o strong_a presumption_n from_o a_o regular_a demonstration_n as_o to_o which_o no_o more_o need_n to_o have_v be_v say_v than_o what_o you_o have_v already_o do_v if_o mr._n serjeant_n have_v not_o think_v it_o a_o accession_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o achievement_n to_o lead_v two_o page_n of_o my_o book_n in_o triumph_n after_o he_o i_o confess_v i_o be_v somewhat_o surprise_v to_o see_v a_o person_n who_o will_v be_v note_v for_o his_o valour_n in_o assault_a protestant_a writer_n steal_v so_o behind_o the_o main_a bulk_n and_o design_n of_o my_o book_n and_o when_o he_o have_v get_v two_o single_a page_n by_o themselves_o fall_v upon_o they_o with_o as_o much_o pomp_n and_o ostentation_n as_o if_o he_o have_v attack_v the_o whole_a and_o this_o must_v be_v noise_v abroad_o as_o a_o answer_n to_o i_o by_o the_o same_o figure_n that_o his_o argument_n be_v call_v demonstration_n which_o be_v by_o a_o hyperbole_n unfit_a for_o any_o but_o such_o who_o never_o flag_n below_o the_o sphere_n of_o science_n in_o their_o own_o judgement_n though_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o come_v near_o it_o in_o other_o yet_o since_o mr._n serjeant_n be_v not_o only_o please_v to_o concern_v himself_o so_o far_o as_o to_o answer_v that_o part_n of_o my_o book_n relate_v to_o oral_a tradition_n but_o in_o most_o express_a term_n to_o challenge_v i_o to_o reply_v to_o he_o 236._o he_o may_v now_o see_v assoon_o as_o i_o can_v get_v any_o
entertain_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n his_o word_n be_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v but_o two_o way_n of_o ordinary_a knowledge_n by_o act_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o operation_n on_o our_o body_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n and_o experience_n the_o former_a of_o which_o belong_v to_o speculator_n or_o doctor_n the_o second_o to_o deliverer_n of_o what_o be_v receive_v or_o testifier_n and_o this_o distinction_n he_o frequent_o admit_v not_o only_o in_o the_o present_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o in_o any_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v hold_v in_o all_o from_o hence_o i_o propose_v several_a query_n further_o to_o mr._n s._n 1._o if_o every_o one_o in_o the_o church_n look_v on_o himself_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v whence_o come_v any_o to_o have_v particular_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o for_o either_o the_o church_n have_v deliver_v her_o sense_n in_o that_o case_n or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o tradition_n be_v no_o certain_a conveyer_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n if_o she_o have_v than_o those_o who_o vent_v private_a speculation_n be_v heretic_n in_o so_o do_v because_o they_o oppose_v that_o doctrine_n which_o the_o church_n receive_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o mr._n s._n reply_n that_o private_a speculation_n be_v in_o such_o case_n where_o there_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o faith_n at_o all_o he_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o help_v himself_o by_o that_o distinction_n in_o the_o case_n of_o his_o own_o church_n for_o i_o demand_v whether_o be_v it_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v oral_a tradition_n infallible_a if_o not_o how_o can_v man_n ground_v their_o faith_n upon_o it_o if_o it_o be_v then_o either_o some_o be_v mere_a speculator_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o all_o who_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o pope_n infallibility_n be_v heretic_n for_o so_o do_v 2._o if_o there_o be_v speculator_n in_o former_a age_n as_o well_o as_o this_o whether_o do_v those_o man_n believe_v their_o own_o speculation_n or_o no_o if_o not_o than_o the_o father_n be_v great_a impostor_n who_o vent_v those_o speculation_n in_o the_o church_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o and_o it_o be_v plain_a mr._n s._n speak_v of_o such_o opinion_n which_o the_o asserter_n of_o do_v firm_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o they_o do_v than_o they_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o do_v not_o own_o oral_a tradition_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o as_o many_o speculator_n as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o church_n so_o many_o testifier_n we_o have_v against_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 3._o whether_o those_o person_n who_o do_v themselves_o believe_v those_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a do_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o tell_v other_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o consequent_o to_o deliver_v these_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o their_o child_n let_v mr._n s._n show_v i_o any_o inconsequence_n in_o this_o but_o that_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v upon_o his_o principle_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o receive_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o obligation_n be_v in_o all_o respect_v equal_a as_o if_o they_o have_v believe_v these_o thing_n on_o the_o account_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 4._o if_o child_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o for_o matter_n of_o faith_n then_o upon_o mr._n s_n own_o concession_n be_v not_o posterity_n bind_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o original_o come_v not_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o it_o appear_v in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o first_o rise_n be_v from_o a_o private_a opinion_n of_o some_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o believe_v these_o opinion_n themselves_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o propagate_v they_o to_o other_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o learning_n and_o authority_n these_o opinion_n may_v by_o degree_n gain_v a_o general_a acceptance_n in_o the_o roll_a part_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o who_o believe_v they_o true_a think_v they_o ought_v to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n and_o child_n they_o be_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o thus_o from_o mr._n s_n own_o principle_n thing_n that_o never_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n may_v come_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o present_a church_n thus_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n need_v no_o body_n help_v but_o mr._n s._n to_o let_v he_o understand_v how_o invocation_n of_o saint_n purgatory_n transubstantiation_n etc._n etc._n though_o never_o deliver_v either_o by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n may_v yet_o now_o be_v look_v on_o as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o either_o then_o mr._n s._n must_v say_v there_o never_o be_v any_o private_a opinator_n or_o speculator_n in_o the_o church_n as_o distinct_a from_o testifier_n and_o then_o he_o unavoidable_o contradict_v himself_o or_o he_o must_v deny_v that_o posterity_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o forefather_n deliver_v they_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o destroy_v the_o force_n of_o his_o whole_a demonstration_n perhaps_o he_o will_v answer_v that_o child_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o bare_o their_o parent_n or_o any_o other_o number_n of_o person_n may_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o every_o age_n deliver_v this_o though_o the_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o case_n yet_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a because_o it_o run_v man_n upon_o inextricable_a difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o resolve_v faith_n for_o suppose_v any_o child_n teach_v by_o their_o parent_n what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v mr._n s._n must_v say_v they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v they_o present_o but_o to_o inquire_v whether_o they_o agree_v with_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o that_o age_n first_o before_o they_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o assent_v which_o be_v a_o impossible_a task_n either_o for_o child_n or_o man_n of_o age_n to_o find_v out_o in_o the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n this_o way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n do_v but_o offer_v a_o fair_a pretence_n for_o infidelity_n for_o we_o see_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o mr._n s._n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o their_o church_n be_v agree_v about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o by_o his_o own_o confession_n the_o far_o great_a number_n as_o speculator_n oppose_v the_o way_n assert_v by_o he_o how_o much_o more_o difficult_a than_o must_v it_o need_v be_v to_o find_v out_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a essential_a church_n be_v in_o all_o matter_n which_o parent_n may_v teach_v their_o child_n for_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o child_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o till_o they_o know_v they_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n teach_v it_o be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o teach_v they_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v at_o all_o but_o if_o this_o distinction_n be_v admit_v as_o mr._n s._n make_v much_o use_n of_o it_o than_o it_o appear_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n at_o first_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o speculation_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o be_v deliver_v as_o point_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o mean_v those_o thing_n may_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o church_n for_o such_o which_o be_v never_o deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o yet_o no_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o which_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v show_v 7._o this_o be_v one_o way_n of_o show_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o beside_o this_o there_o be_v several_z other_o i_o may_v insist_v upon_o but_o i_o shall_v mention_v only_o two_o more_o 1._o misinterpret_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n 2._o suppose_v it_o in_o the_o power_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o church_n to_o oblige_v the_o whole_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n for_o the_o first_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o no_o imaginable_a account_n can_v be_v give_v either_o of_o the_o writing_n or_o universal_a reception_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n if_o they_o be_v not_o design_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n and_o although_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v possible_a for_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n such_o as_o the_o apostle_n creed_n give_v a_o summary_n account_v of_o to_o have_v be_v preserve_v by_o
the_o help_n of_o tradition_n yet_o unless_o we_o be_v extreme_o ungratful_a we_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n have_v infinite_o better_o provide_v for_o we_o in_o not_o leave_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n to_o the_o mere_a breath_n of_o the_o people_n or_o the_o care_n of_o mother_n instruct_v their_o child_n but_o have_v give_v we_o the_o certain_a record_n of_o all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o motive_n of_o faith_n preserve_v inviolable_o from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o when_o the_o church_n see_v with_o what_o care_n god_n have_v provide_v for_o the_o mean_n of_o faith_n oral_a tradition_n be_v little_o mind_v thence_o the_o memory_n of_o those_o other_o thing_n not_o record_v in_o scripture_n be_v whole_o lose_v all_o the_o care_n be_v employ_v in_o search_v preserve_a and_o deliver_v these_o sacred_a book_n to_o posterity_n to_o these_o the_o primitive_a church_n still_o appeal_v these_o they_o plead_v for_o against_o all_o adversary_n defend_v their_o authority_n explain_v their_o sense_n vindicate_v they_o from_o all_o corruption_n tradition_n they_o rely_v not_o on_o any_o further_a than_o as_o a_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o record_n or_o to_o clear_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o from_o the_o perverse_a interpretation_n of_o those_o heretic_n who_o pretend_v another_o kind_n of_o tradition_n than_o what_o be_v in_o scripture_n and_o when_o these_o be_v silence_v all_o the_o dispute_n that_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n be_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o these_o book_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o proceed_n in_o the_o case_n of_o arius_n and_o pelagius_n wherein_o tradition_n be_v only_o use_v as_o a_o mean_n to_o clear_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o not_o at_o all_o as_o that_o which_o the_o faith_n of_o all_o be_v to_o be_v resolve_v into_o but_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v plead_v from_o tradition_n for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n in_o scripture_n it_o be_v reject_v with_o the_o same_o ease_n it_o be_v offer_v and_o such_o person_n be_v plain_o tell_v this_o be_v not_o the_o church_n way_n if_o they_o have_v plain_a scripture_n with_o the_o concurrent_a sense_n of_o antiquity_n they_o may_v produce_v it_o and_o rely_v upon_o it_o so_o that_o the_o whole_a use_n of_o tradition_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n beside_o attest_v the_o book_n be_v to_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o impose_v sense_n on_o scripture_n against_o the_o universal_a sense_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o as_o long_o as_o man_n be_v man_n it_o be_v not_o avoidable_o but_o they_o must_v fall_v into_o different_a apprehension_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n according_a to_o their_o different_a judgement_n prejudices_fw-la learning_n and_o education_n and_o since_o they_o have_v all_o this_o apprehension_n that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v all_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n thence_o as_o man_n judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o they_o differ_v in_o their_o apprehension_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o thence_o error_n and_o mistake_n may_v easy_o come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o nay_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o rely_v on_o tradition_n without_o scripture_n this_o may_v easy_o be_v do_v for_o by_o that_o mean_v they_o make_v a_o new_a rule_n of_o faith_n not_o know_v to_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o consequent_o that_o very_a assertion_n be_v a_o error_n in_o which_o the_o former_a age_n do_v not_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o and_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v possible_a m._n s_n demonstration_n fail_v he_o for_o hereby_o a_o reasonable_a account_n be_v give_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o a_o church_n without_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o again_o let_v i_o inquire_v of_o mr._n s._n whether_o man_n may_v not_o believe_v it_o in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o roll_a part_n of_o the_o church_n to_o oblige_v the_o whole_a to_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o definition_n of_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a be_v it_o not_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v the_o pope_n and_o council_n infallible_a in_o their_o decree_n and_o i_o hope_v the_o jesuit_n as_o little_a as_o mr._n s._n love_v they_o or_o they_o him_z may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o more_o than_o the_o bare_a possibility_n of_o this_o if_o they_o may_v believe_v this_o do_v it_o not_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o faith_n suppose_v then_o that_o transubstantiation_n supremacy_n invocation_n of_o saint_n be_v but_o private_a opinion_n before_o but_o be_v now_o define_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n these_o man_n can_v but_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o every_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v it_o now_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o this_o opinion_n shall_v be_v believe_v or_o entertain_v in_o the_o church_n if_o not_o why_o may_v not_o this_o opinion_n be_v general_o receive_v if_o it_o be_v so_o do_v it_o not_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n must_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o church_n definition_n and_o thus_o private_a opinion_n may_v be_v believe_v as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o corrupt_a practice_n be_v establish_v as_o laudable_a piece_n of_o devotion_n and_o yet_o no_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o thus_o i_o hope_v mr._n s._n may_v see_v how_o far_o it_o be_v from_o be_v a_o self-evident_a principle_n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o the_o church_n unless_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o be_v so_o wild_a a_o apprehension_n that_o i_o believe_v the_o jesuit_n can_v entertain_v themselves_o without_o smile_n to_o see_v their_o domestic_a adversary_n expose_v themselves_o to_o contempt_n with_o so_o much_o confidence_n thus_o i_o come_v to_o the_o reason_n i_o give_v 8._o why_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n my_o word_n be_v for_o i_o see_v the_o roman_a church_n assert_n that_o thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o at_o least_o pope_n and_o council_n challenge_v this_o and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a doctrine_n maintain_v there_o and_o other_o be_v look_v on_o as_o no_o member_n of_o their_o church_n who_o assert_v the_o contrary_a but_o as_o person_n at_o least_o meritorious_o if_o not_o actual_o excommunicate_v where_o then_o shall_v i_o satisfy_v myself_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o your_o church_n be_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a must_v i_o believe_v a_o very_a few_o person_n who_o the_o rest_n disow_v as_o heretical_a and_o seditious_a or_o aught_o i_o not_o rather_o to_o take_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o approve_a person_n of_o that_o church_n and_o these_o disown_n any_o such_o doctrine_n but_o assert_v that_o the_o church_n may_v determine_v thing_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la which_o be_v not_o before_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o mr._n s._n beg_v leave_v to_o distinguish_v the_o word_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la 205._o which_o may_v either_o mean_a christian_a faith_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o he_o grant_v it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v they_o can_v be_v in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o or_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la may_v mean_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o this_o latter_a sense_n none_o i_o think_v say_v he_o deny_v thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n none_o hold_v it_o upon_o which_o very_o triumphant_o he_o conclude_v what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o your_o difficulty_n i_o believe_v you_o be_v in_o some_o wonderment_n and_o think_v i_o elude_v it_o rather_o than_o answer_v it_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o unperplex_v you_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o a_o fault_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o admire_v thing_n which_o man_n understand_v not_o on_o which_o account_n i_o can_v free_v myself_o from_o some_o temptation_n to_o that_o he_o call_v wonderment_n but_o i_o be_o present_o cure_v of_o it_o when_o i_o endeavour_v to_o reduce_v his_o distinction_n to_o reason_n for_o instead_o of_o explain_v his_o term_n he_o shall_v have_v show_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n which_o notwithstanding_o his_o endeavour_n to_o unperplex_v i_o be_v a_o thing_n as_o yet_o i_o apprehend_v not_o because_o i_o understand_v no_o obligation_n
make_v capable_a of_o this_o their_o obligation_n but_o we_o be_v not_o now_o inquire_v what_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v the_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n be_v nor_o whether_o tradition_n be_v a_o self-evident_a rule_n but_o how_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o believe_v something_o self-evident_o connect_v with_o the_o former_a point_n be_v beyond_o my_o capacity_n to_o understand_v and_o they_o must_v be_v vulgar_a understanding_n indeed_o that_o can_v rational_o and_o connatural_o be_v make_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o obligation_n for_o if_o it_o be_v self-evident_o connect_v with_o the_o main_a point_n no_o one_o can_v believe_v the_o one_o without_o believe_v the_o other_o for_o nothing_o be_v self-evident_a but_o what_o a_o man_n assent_v to_o at_o the_o first_o apprehension_n of_o it_o and_o if_o he_o do_v so_o how_o come_v there_o a_o new_a obligation_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o believe_v that_o any_o thing_n consist_v of_o part_n and_o not_o believe_v that_o that_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o any_o of_o those_o part_n for_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n self-evident_o connect_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o these_o be_v self-evident_a riddle_n as_o the_o former_a be_v unintelligible_a demonstration_n and_o yet_o though_o these_o be_v rare_a theory_n the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o the_o case_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n exceed_v all_o the_o rest_n whence_o say_v he_o the_o government_n of_o our_o church_n be_v still_o justify_v to_o be_v sweet_a and_o according_a to_o right_a nature_n and_o yet_o forcible_a and_o efficacious_a although_o i_o admire_v many_o thing_n in_o mr._n s_n book_n yet_o i_o can_v say_v i_o do_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o this_o passage_n that_o because_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v no_o imply_v point_n but_o such_o as_o be_v self-evident_o connect_v with_o the_o main_a one_o therefore_o the_o government_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v sweet_a and_o according_a to_o right_a nature_n etc._n etc._n alas_o then_o how_o much_o have_v we_o be_v mistake_v all_o this_o while_n that_o have_v charge_v she_o with_o impose_v hard_a and_o unsufferable_a condition_n of_o communion_n with_o she_o no_o she_o be_v so_o gentle_a and_o sweet_a that_o she_o require_v nothing_o but_o the_o main_a point_n on_o the_o account_n of_o a_o self-evident_a rule_n and_o imply_v point_n by_o reason_n of_o self-evident_a connexion_n with_o the_o former_a i_o see_v mr._n s._n if_o he_o will_v make_v good_a his_o word_n be_v the_o only_a person_n who_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o reconcile_v i_o with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o never_o desire_v any_o better_a term_n of_o communion_n with_o a_o church_n than_o to_o have_v no_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n require_v from_o i_o to_o assent_v to_o but_o what_o be_v build_v on_o a_o self-evident_a rule_n nor_o any_o imply_v point_n but_o such_o as_o be_v self-evident_o connect_v with_o the_o former_a and_o no_o work_n can_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o convince_v i_o upon_o these_o ground_n for_o all_o endeavour_n of_o proof_n be_v take_v away_o by_o the_o thing_n be_v say_v to_o be_v self-evident_a for_o the_o very_a offer_n of_o proof_n that_o they_o be_v so_o self-evident_o prove_v they_o be_v not_o so_o for_o what_o ever_o be_v prove_v by_o something_o beside_o itself_o can_v never_o be_v say_v without_o a_o contradiction_n to_o be_v self-evident_a but_o not_o to_o tie_v up_o mr._n s._n from_o his_o excellent_a faculty_n of_o prove_v if_o mr._n s._n will_v prove_v to_o i_o that_o any_o of_o the_o point_n in_o difference_n between_o we_o as_o transubstantiation_n purgatory_n supremacy_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n etc._n etc._n have_v any_o self-evident_a connexion_n with_o any_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n i_o solemn_o promise_v he_o to_o retract_v all_o i_o have_v write_v against_o that_o church_n so_o far_o shall_v i_o be_v from_o need_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o believe_v they_o but_o if_o these_o be_v so_o remote_a from_o self-evidence_n that_o they_o be_v plain_o repugnant_a to_o sense_n and_o reason_n witness_n that_o self-evident_a doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n what_o then_o must_v we_o think_v of_o mr._n s._n sure_o the_o least_o be_v that_o since_o his_o be_v a_o roman_n catholic_n his_o mind_n be_v strange_o enlighten_v so_o far_o that_o those_o thing_n be_v self-evident_a to_o he_o which_o be_v contradiction_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n but_o withal_o m._n s._n acquaint_v we_o with_o another_o mystery_n which_o be_v how_o these_o point_n descend_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o tradition_n and_o yet_o confess_v they_o be_v never_o think_v of_o or_o reflect_v on_o by_o the_o generality_n till_o the_o church_n take_v occasion_n to_o explain_v they_o such_o a_o silent_a tradition_n do_v very_o suitable_o follow_v the_o former_a self-evident_a connexion_n for_o he_o that_o can_v believe_v transubstantiation_n ro_o be_v self-evident_a no_o wonder_n if_o he_o believe_v that_o to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o a_o constant_a tradition_n which_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o these_o now_o mr._n s._n be_v please_v to_o return_v to_o i_o and_o draw_v up_o a_o fresh_a charge_n against_o i_o which_o be_v that_o i_o act_n like_o a_o politician_n and_o will_v conquer_v they_o by_o first_o divide_v they_o and_o make_v odious_a comparison_n between_o two_o party_n of_o divine_n but_o to_o show_v we_o how_o little_o they_o differ_v he_o distinguish_v they_o as_o faithful_a and_o as_o private_a discourser_n in_o the_o former_a notion_n he_o say_v they_o all_o hold_v the_o same_o divine_o constitute_v church-government_n and_o the_o same_o self-evident_a rule_n of_o faith_n but_o as_o private_a discourser_n he_o acknowledge_v they_o differ_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o their_o belief_n i_o meddle_v not_o here_o with_o the_o government_n of_o their_o church_n which_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o prove_v to_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v divine_o constitute_v but_o with_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n be_v that_o self-evident_a rule_n which_o that_o church_n proceed_v on_o yes_o say_v mt._n s._n they_o be_v all_o as_o faithful_a agree_v in_o it_o but_o as_o discourse_n they_o differ_v about_o it_o which_o in_o short_a be_v that_o all_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v not_o of_o his_o opinion_n know_v not_o what_o they_o say_v and_o that_o they_o oppose_v that_o which_o they_o do_v real_o believe_v which_o in_o plain_a english_a be_v that_o they_o be_v egregious_a dissembler_n and_o prevaricator_n in_o religion_n that_o they_o do_v intolerable_o flatter_v the_o pope_n and_o present_a church_n with_o loud_a declamation_n for_o their_o infallibility_n but_o they_o do_v real_o believe_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o resolve_v all_o into_o oral_a tradition_n but_o be_v not_o this_o a_o excellent_a agreement_n among_o they_o when_o mr._n white_a and_o his_o party_n not_o only_o disow_v the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n and_o council_n but_o dispute_v against_o it_o as_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a to_o christian_a faith_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o romanist_n say_v there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n of_o faith_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o infallible_a divine_a testimony_n in_o the_o present_a church_n and_o this_o lodge_v in_o pope_n and_o council_n that_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o overthrow_v this_o be_v dangerous_a seditious_a heretical_a person_n according_o their_o book_n be_v censure_v at_o rome_n their_o opinion_n dispute_v against_o and_o their_o person_n condemn_v and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o these_o stick_v together_o like_o two_o smooth_a marble_n as_o faithful_a though_o they_o be_v knock_v one_o against_o another_o as_o discourser_n and_o that_o they_o perfect_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o self-evident_a rule_n of_o faith_n when_o all_o their_o quarrel_n and_o contention_n be_v about_o it_o and_o those_o manage_v with_o so_o great_a heat_n that_o heresy_n be_v charge_v of_o one_o side_n and_o arch-heresie_n and_o undermine_a religion_n on_o the_o other_o do_v he_o think_v we_o never_o hear_v of_o mr._n white_n be_v sonus_n succinae_fw-la nor_o of_o that_o chapter_n in_o it_o where_o he_o say_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o pope_n and_o council_n infallibility_n tend_v to_o overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n 158._o and_o that_o the_o propagate_a such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v a_o great_a crime_n than_o burn_a temple_n ravish_v the_o sacred_a virgin_n on_o the_o altar_n trample_v on_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o send_v the_o turk_n or_o antichrist_n into_o christian_a country_n or_o do_v he_o think_v we_o can_v believe_v that_o the_o pope_n and_o cardinal_n the_o jesuit_n
take_v notice_n of_o what_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o let_v he_o see_v i_o be_o not_o at_o all_o concern_v about_o it_o i_o begin_v to_o understand_v he_o so_o well_o by_o this_o appendix_n that_o i_o can_v give_v myself_o a_o reasonable_a account_n why_o he_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o meddle_v with_o any_o other_o part_n of_o my_o book_n but_o if_o mr._n s._n be_v resolve_v not_o to_o answer_v any_o of_o the_o testimony_n i_o there_o produce_v 244._o unless_o i_o single_v they_o out_o and_o print_v they_o at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o answer_n i._n e._n remove_v they_o from_o that_o evidence_n which_o attend_v they_o in_o the_o series_n of_o the_o discourse_n i_o can_v only_o say_v he_o be_v the_o most_o imperious_a answerer_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o who_o be_v resolve_v never_o to_o deal_v with_o a_o adversary_n but_o on_o his_o own_o unreasonable_a term_n thus_o hearty_o wish_v mr._n s_n science_n as_o great_a as_o his_o opinion_n of_o it_o and_o a_o good_a effect_n of_o our_o endeavour_n to_o promote_v the_o one_o by_o remove_v the_o other_o i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n edward_z stillingfleet_n london_n june_n 28._o 1665._o finis_fw-la postscript_n sir_n since_o the_o dispatch_n of_o the_o former_a paper_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o another_o treatise_n wherein_o i_o find_v myself_o concern_v write_v by_o the_o author_n of_o fiat_n lux_fw-la the_o title_n whereof_o be_v diaphanta_n i_o be_o afraid_a the_o title_n affright_v you_o for_o i_o assure_v you_o it_o be_v the_o most_o formidable_a thing_n in_o his_o whole_a book_n but_o the_o man_n be_v a_o very_a modest_a man_n and_o huge_o different_a from_o mr._n s_n humour_n for_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o offer_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o all_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o the_o title_n of_o his_o book_n be_v to_o excuse_n catholic_n religion_n against_o the_o opposition_n of_o several_a adversary_n what_o fault_n i_o pray_v have_v the_o catholic_n religion_n commit_v that_o it_o must_v now_o come_v to_o be_v excuse_v instead_o of_o be_v defend_v but_o when_o i_o look_v into_o that_o part_n which_o concern_v myself_o i_o present_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o excuse_v catholic_n religion_n but_o themselves_o for_o not_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v it_o for_o he_o very_o ingenious_o tell_v we_o that_o faith_n be_v firm_a and_o constant_a 210._o though_o all_o his_o talk_n for_o it_o be_v miserable_o weak_a i._n e._n he_o be_v sure_a they_o have_v a_o excellent_a religion_n though_o he_o know_v not_o what_o to_o say_v for_o it_o and_o their_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a good_a faith_n but_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v understand_v by_o they_o for_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o as_o often_o as_o they_o dispute_v they_o be_v beyond_o the_o business_n 209._o so_o may_v any_o one_o believe_v who_o read_v their_o late_a book_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v of_o dispute_v any_o long_o with_o adversary_n about_o their_o faith_n only_o they_o must_v believe_v it_o stout_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o offer_v to_o defend_v it_o nay_o it_o do_v their_o faith_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n for_o say_v he_o in_o read_v controversy_n we_o see_v not_o so_o much_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o faith_n as_o the_o wit_n of_o he_o who_o oppose_v or_o defend_v it_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o gather_v what_o unspeakable_a mischief_n they_o do_v their_o cause_n by_o write_v for_o it_o by_o which_o expression_n we_o may_v guess_v at_o what_o a_o low_a ebb_n the_o defence_n of_o their_o faith_n be_v among_o they_o for_o the_o way_n now_o take_v to_o defend_v it_o be_v by_o disow_v the_o defender_n of_o it_o and_o by_o say_v that_o they_o only_o vent_v their_o own_o opinion_n and_o though_o we_o confute_v they_o never_o so_o much_o yet_o their_o faith_n hold_v good_a still_o be_v ever_o a_o good_a cause_n drive_v to_o such_o miserable_a shift_n as_o these_o be_v especial_o among_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o wit_n and_o learning_n one_o he_o say_v t._n c._n vent_v a_o private_a opinion_n of_o his_o own_o and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o pin_n matter_n whether_o it_o stand_v or_o fall_v another_o he_o say_v the_o same_o of_o i._n s._n a_o three_o of_o j.u.c._n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o their_o religion_n be_v very_o firm_a and_o sure_a and_o they_o be_v all_o at_o perfect_a agreement_n about_o it_o be_v this_o the_o victory_n over_o i_o mr._n s._n mention_n to_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o thing_n i_o see_v that_o by_o the_o same_o figure_n m._n s._n call_v his_o way_n of_o argue_v demonstration_n run_v out_o of_o the_o field_n shall_v be_v account_v conquer_a for_o i_o never_o see_v any_o person_n do_v it_o more_o open_o than_o this_o author_n do_v for_o he_o plain_o confess_v that_o his_o catholic_n gentleman_n go_v quite_o beside_o his_o business_n that_o he_o build_v upon_o indefensible_a principle_n that_o his_o theological_a ratiocination_n be_v indeed_o pretty_a but_o too_o weak_a to_o hold_v and_o be_v not_o we_o huge_o too_o blame_v if_o we_o do_v not_o cry_v up_o such_o mighty_a conqueror_n as_o these_o be_v true_o sir_n i_o expect_v the_o very_a same_o answer_n shall_v be_v return_v to_o your_o book_n that_o mr._n s_n argument_n be_v a_o pretty_a theological_a ratiocination_n and_o that_o your_o answer_n be_v not_o unwitty_a but_o though_o that_o way_n will_v not_o hold_v another_o will_n thus_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v off_o infallibility_n they_o run_v to_o tradition_n and_o when_o they_o be_v again_o beat_v off_o tradition_n than_o back_o again_o to_o infallibility_n so_o that_o the_o short_a of_o all_o their_o answer_n be_v though_o such_o a_o one_o can_v defend_v our_o faith_n yet_o i_o can_v though_o i_o can_v yet_o the_o faith_n be_v firm_a and_o constant_a still_o i_o wonder_v what_o their_o superior_n think_v of_o this_o way_n of_o proceed_v among_o they_o we_o shall_v imagine_v if_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a as_o they_o say_v themselves_o they_o have_v much_o better_o keep_v they_o from_o appear_v abroad_o and_o expose_v their_o cause_n so_o ridiculous_o to_o contempt_n but_o it_o may_v be_v they_o think_v their_o faith_n be_v the_o better_a as_o well_o as_o their_o devotion_n for_o their_o ignorance_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o mighty_a disparagement_n to_o their_o cause_n for_o such_o silly_a people_n to_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v it_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o to_o admire_v it_o themselves_o and_o to_o say_v as_o their_o common_a people_n use_v to_o do_v though_o they_o can_v defend_v it_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o that_o can_v and_o although_o it_o may_v be_v no_o particulat_v person_n can_v do_v it_o yet_o their_o cause_n be_v able_a to_o defend_v itself_o but_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v see_v by_o such_o kind_n of_o answer_n the_o intention_n of_o they_o be_v to_o entreat_v we_o not_o to_o triumph_v over_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o present_a writer_n but_o to_o wait_v till_o the_o cause_n itself_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v and_o when_o it_o do_v so_o they_o may_v expect_v a_o further_a answer_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o cruelty_n for_o we_o to_o hasten_v their_o ruin_n who_o fall_v so_o fast_o before_o we_o by_o each_o other_o pen_n finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o at_o the_o white_a heart_n in_o westminster-hall_n a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n be_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o lord-archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n relation_n of_o a_o conference_n &c._n &c._n from_o the_o pretend_a answer_n of_o t.c._n folio_n sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a occasion_n with_o a_o discourse_n annex_v concern_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o the_o suffering_n of_o christ_n wherein_o crellius_n answer_n to_o grotius_n be_v consider_v fol._n irenicum_fw-la a_o weapon-salve_n for_o the_o church_n wound_n in_o quarto_fw-la origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la or_o a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o matter_n therein_o contain_v quarto_fw-la a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o idolatry_n practise_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o hazard_n of_o salvation_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o it_o in_o answer_n to_o some_o paper_n of_o a_o revolt_a protestant_n wherein_o a_o particular_a account_n be_v give_v of_o the_o fanaticism_n and_o division_n of_o that_o church_n octavo_fw-la a_o answer_n to_o several_a late_a treatise_n occasion_v by_o a_o book_n entitle_v a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o idolatry_n practise_v in_o