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book_n faith_n rule_n tradition_n 1,634 5 9.8444 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59241 Reason against raillery, or, A full answer to Dr. Tillotson's preface against J.S. with a further examination of his grounds of religion. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1672 (1672) Wing S2587; ESTC R10318 153,451 304

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the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o these_o be_v my_o word_n then_o and_o i_o be_o sorry_a he_o will_v needs_o dare_v and_o provoke_v i_o to_o make_v they_o good_a in_o which_o if_o i_o have_v justify_v myself_o too_o particular_o let_v he_o blame_v himself_o all_o this_o while_n i_o serious_o declare_v that_o i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o far_a yet_o from_o imagine_v that_o already_o hold_v one_o he_o shall_v hold_v it_o possible_a afterward_o god_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v which_o ridiculous_a folly_n constant_a to_o his_o prevaricate_a humour_n he_o put_v upon_o i_o p._n 8._o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v that_o his_o ill_a principle_n do_v equivalent_o confess_v it_o possible_a there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v a_o god_n and_o this_o i_o have_v abundant_o show_v out_o of_o his_o own_o word_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o himself_o through_o god_n 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argue_v he_o see_v i_o must_v needs_o be_v hold_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a discourser_n that_o ever_o speak_v or_o write_v to_o build_v a_o whole_a treatise_n upon_o a_o supposition_n unprove_v and_o which_o beg_v the_o whole_a question_n now_o whatever_o i_o conclude_v in_o that_o short_a discourse_n i_o deduce_v step_n by_o step_n and_o make_v the_o forego_n proposition_n draw_v still_o after_o it_o by_o undeniable_a consequence_n the_o follow_v one_o he_o conceal_v all_o mention_n of_o proof_n or_o endeavour_v of_o it_o call_v my_o conclusion_n principle_n and_o than_o who_o will_v think_v but_o that_o i_o have_v lay_v they_o to_o build_v that_o discourse_n upon_o they_o and_o desert_v my_o usual_a way_n of_o beginning_n with_o the_o know_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n as_o i_o there_o do_v with_o those_o of_o rule_n and_o faith_n and_o from_o they_o proceed_v minutely_o to_o whatever_o i_o conclude_v have_v his_o friend_n dr._n st._n take_v the_o same_o course_n his_o principle_n will_v have_v evident_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n of_o themselves_o and_o have_v excuse_v other_o the_o unnecessary_a trouble_n of_o answer_v they_o next_o he_o make_v i_o say_v that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o rule_n be_v evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o say_v himself_o that_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o method_n be_v the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n by_o which_o word_n a_o honest_a reader_n will_v very_o think_v i_o suppose_v it_o gratis_o to_o be_v self-evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o never_o trouble_v myself_o to_o prove_v it_o whereas_o though_o i_o indeed_o hold_v it_o be_v practical_o self-evident_a of_o which_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o give_v account_n yet_o i_o proceed_v as_o if_o i_o do_v not_o but_o prove_v §_o 8._o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n whatever_o it_o be_v must_v be_v infallible_a §_o 10._o that_o therefore_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o that_o rule_n and_o §_o 11._o that_o tradition_n be_v the_o reader_n be_v thus_o questionless_a well_o dispose_v to_o think_v it_o very_o unnecessary_a he_o shall_v consider_v as_o he_o call_v it_o or_o answer_v any_o passage_n of_o a_o thing_n make_v up_o of_o unproved_a principle_n or_o build_v on_o a_o unproved_a supposition_n he_o tell_v he_o far_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a whence_o he_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o at_o present_a and_o so_o the_o business_n be_v do_v for_o why_o shall_v he_o take_v pain_n to_o give_v answer_n to_o that_o which_o deserve_v none_o or_o if_o it_o do_v be_v answer_v this_o reason_n though_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o little_a open_a for_o in_o case_n i_o do_v bring_v any_o argument_n in_o my_o method_n to_o make_v good_a that_o tradition_n be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o after_o i_o have_v see_v and_o perhaps_o sufficient_o consider_v too_o what_o he_o reply_v to_o surefoot_v for_o any_o thing_n appear_v i_o may_v either_o have_v amend_v the_o reason_n give_v in_o surefoot_v or_o produce_v better_a in_o my_o method_n and_o so_o whatever_o he_o have_v say_v to_o surefoot_v it_o may_v have_v be_v proper_a to_o have_v consider_v and_o say_v something_o to_o the_o method_n too_o unless_o he_o can_v say_v with_o truth_n that_o he_o have_v already_o answer_v the_o ve●y_a reason_n urge_v in_o it_o which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v he_o have_v nor_o be_o confident_a himself_n neither_o §_o 2._o but_o yet_o ●o_o instance_n in_o this_o one_o passage_n how_o rare_a a_o piece_n his_o cry'd-up_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v and_o how_o excellent_o it_o answer_v surefoot_v let_v we_o ●_o little_a reflect_v what_o this_o sufficient_a consideration_n of_o his_o ●mounts_n to_o surefooting_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n the_o first_o from_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n prove_v that_o tradition_n be_v that_o rule_n and_o this_o be_v the_o business_n of_o that_o book_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o pag._n 57_o and_o particular_o of_o the_o 5_o the_o discourse_n who_o title_n be_v of_o the_o notion_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o it_o the_o 2_o d._n part_n begin_v discourse_n 6._o and_o endeavour_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n or_o that_o it_o have_v hitherto_o ever_o be_v follow_v the_o confutation_n of_o my_o first_o part_n end_v in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n pag._n 150_o the_o answer_n to_o my_o 2_o d._n begin_v pag._n 151._o or_o these_o two_o the_o former_a be_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a concern_v of_o my_o book_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o only_a conveyer_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n hitherto_o it_o must_v either_o be_v say_v by_o those_o against_o who_o i_o argue_v that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v hitherto_o convey_v to_o we_o at_o all_o and_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n which_o they_o will_v not_o say_v or_o else_o that_o those_o who_o proceed_v upon_o tradition_n for_o their_o rule_n be_v the_o right_a christian_n whence_o the_o late_a part_n be_v only_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la not_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n especial_o in_o case_n i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la this_o be_v so_o let_v dr._n t_n friend_n and_o i_o when_o they_o hap_v to_o discourse_v about_o we_o please_v to_o send_v for_o his_o book_n and_o i_o and_o with_o a●_n equal_a partiality_n distrust_v we_o both_o rely_v upon_o sir_n tho._n moor_n pair_n of_o honest_a unbiased_a witness_n their_o own_o eye_n they_o will_v find_v that_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n undertake_v pag._n 146._o to_o answer_v my_o 5_o the_o disc._n which_o pretend_v to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o tradition_n and_o thence_o conclude_v tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o according_o quote_v pag_n 41._o where_o that_o discourse_n begin_v in_o surefooting_n they_o will_v see_v the_o title_n of_o his_o sect._n 6._o which_o he_o use_v to_o put_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v that_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n now_o i_o assign_v seven_o such_o property_n surefoot_a pag._n 11_o and_o 12._o he_o be_v please_v to_o make_v but_o two_o part._n 2._o sect._n 1_o sufficient_o plain_a &_o sufficient_o certain_a come_v then_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o pag._n 148._o to_o confute_v that_o whole_a discourse_n which_o be_v the_o most_o substantial_a part_n of_o my_o book_n and_o contain_v the_o most_o press_a argument_n to_o my_o main_a purpose_n he_o complete_v his_o answer_n to_o it_o in_o one_o single_a page_n viz._n 149._o nay_o in_o one_o piece_n of_o that_o page_n this_o will_v seem_v strange_a and_o something_o difficult_a if_o any_o thing_n be_v so_o to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o singular_a method_n of_o answer_v book_n all_o say_v he_o that_o he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v in_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o if_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v and_o keep_v to_o all_o along_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n it_o be_v all_o indeed_o i_o pretend_v and_o all_o i_o desire_v to_o prove_v for_o certain_o if_o it_o can_v preserve_v christian_a doctrine_n unchanged_a it_o have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n and_o what_o have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v i_o conceive_v a_o rule_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v follow_v or_o not_o which_o be_v a_o question_n i_o have_v not_o then_o examine_v but_o reserve_v to_o my_o follow_a discourse_n to_o this_o then_o after_o his_o sufficient_a consideration_n what_o say_v the_o dr._n all_o this_o say_v he_o be_v ready_o grant_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o except_v against_o that_o answer_n for_o all_o my_o write_n 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earnest_o with_o i_o to_o surcease_v they_o allege_v that_o unpassionate_a examiner_n might_n easy_o discover_v by_o what_o have_v be_v do_v already_o how_o frivolous_a and_o insignificant_a the_o whole_a way_n be_v which_o my_o adversary_n take_v and_o that_o another_o and_o more_o convictive_a reply_n may_v possible_o heighten_v the_o anger_n to_o fatal_a extremity_n that_o if_o i_o be_v less_o sensible_a of_o my_o own_o safety_n i_o shall_v yet_o have_v regard_n to_o my_o friend_n and_o all_o catholic_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o a_o exception_n against_o a_o particular_a person_n may_v in_o that_o juncture_n be_v enhance_v to_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o the_o cross_v the_o humour_n or_o interest_n of_o that_o implacable_a party_n raise_v the_o storm_n of_o the_o great_a diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o give_v the_o gospel-trumpeter_n occasion_n to_o sound_v out_o aloud_o papa_n ad_fw-la portas_fw-la to_o this_o be_v join_v for_o why_o shall_v i_o be_v 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and_o so_o we_o may_v call_v they_o moral_a christian_n which_o epithet_n be_v opposite_a to_o absolute_a signify_v they_o be_v not_o absolute_o christian_n and_o since_o nothing_o be_v indeed_o that_o which_o it_o be_v not_o absolute_o it_o be_v true_a sense_n be_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o no_o christian_n yet_o since_o they_o like_v the_o word_n moral_a so_o extreme_o well_o when_o they_o be_v to_o express_v the_o certainty_n due_a to_o faith_n it_o be_v but_o fit_v they_o shall_v wear_v it_o when_o we_o express_v they_o as_o faithful_a though_o then_o the_o hopeful_a seem_v very_o well_o to_o represent_v their_o humour_n yet_o it_o be_v but_o fit_v they_o shall_v have_v the_o privilege_n of_o name_v themselves_o and_o moral_a christian_n let_v they_o be_v against_o these_o moral_a christian_n and_o they_o only_o i_o discourse_v in_o this_o present_a treatise_n but_o what_o have_v i_o to_o do_v with_o the_o person_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o god_n goodness_n the_o method_n of_o 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whether_o those_o way_n be_v sophism_n in_o reason_v or_o else_o scurrility_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o reason_n the_o main_a engine_n employ_v in_o this_o preface_n i_o shall_v then_o take_v a_o little_a of_o that_o much_o liberty_n he_o use_v to_o give_v they_o the_o entertainment_n and_o return_v due_a in_o justice_n to_o their_o demerit_n yet_o that_o i_o may_v avoid_v all_o just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o use_v his_o own_o word_n omit_v still_o the_o rude_a hope_v he_o will_v have_v less_o reason_n to_o be_v angry_a at_o his_o own_o echo_n since_o if_o he_o have_v not_o originize_v it_o it_o have_v not_o reflect_v and_o if_o he_o assume_v to_o himself_o the_o freedom_n to_o abound_v so_o with_o irony_n and_o whole_o neglect_v speak_v to_o my_o reason_n of_o which_o whatever_o they_o be_v none_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o i_o use_v to_o have_v good_a store_n in_o my_o write_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o be_v indecent_a if_o 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scholarship_n in_o it_o but_o a_o respect_n due_a to_o you_o our_o learned_a judge_n to_o who_o i_o appeal_v index_n assent_n dissent_n and_o suspense_n pag._n 81_o 82_o etc._n etc._n catholic_n divine_v vindicate_v p._n 18_o 179._o certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n and_o sense_n deny_v by_o dr._n t._n p._n 120_o 121_o 151._o assert_v by_o j._n s._n p._n 121_o 122._o definition_n of_o general_a council_n why_o necessary_a p._n 181_o 182._o demonstration_n p._n 41_o 42_o 43_o 119_o 120_o 174._o find_v in_o ethic_n and_o physics_n p._n 57_o to_o 63._o first_o principles_n identical_a proposition_n p._n 7._o to_o 41._o dr._n t_o be_v firm_a principle_n show_v weak_a p._n 71_o 72_o etc._n etc._n freedom_n from_o doubt_n not_o sufficient_a for_o faith_n p._n 84._o to_o 94._o p._n 124._o to_o 128._o infallibility_n assert_v p._n 64._o to_o 67.112_o to_o 116._o requisite_a to_o assent_v and_o faith_n p._n 68_o 69._o in_o what_o sense_n it_o admit_v of_o degree_n p._n 138._o to_o ●_o 141._o unlearned_a believer_n how_o infallible_a p._n 134_o 135_o 136_o 181._o moral_a certainty_n p._n 141._o to_o 147._o objection_n from_o catholic_n divine_v refute_v p._n 175._o to_o 179._o practical_a self-evidence_n p._n 4_o 5_o 6_o 116_o 117._o prudential_n ground_n incompetent_a for_o faith_n p._n 142_o to_o 146._o scripture_n letter_n no_o rule_n pref._n p._n 5_o 6_o 7.199_o 200._o tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 32_o 33_o 183._o grant_v to_o be_v such_o by_o dr._n t._n p._n 192._o to_o p._n 200._o hold_v by_o other_o catholic_n divine_v in_o j._n s._n his_o sense_n p._n 212._o to_o 216._o explain_v p._n 202._o to_o 212._o it_o be_v certainty_n how_o a_o first_o principle_n and_o self-evident_a p._n 3_o 4._o a_o full_a answer_n to_o dr._n t_n preface_n with_o a_o examination_n of_o his_o ground_n of_o religion_n discourse_n i._n clear_v the_o way_n to_o the_o follow_v one_o by_o manifest_v his_o two_o fundamental_a exception_n to_o be_v perfect_o injust_a and_o voluntary_o insincere_a §_o 1._o his_o preface_n begin_v p._n 3_o with_o two_o charge_n viz._n that_o i_o still_o persist_v to_o maintain_v after_o so_o fair_a a_o admonition_n that_o first_o and_o self_n evident_a principle_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v to_o which_o he_o add_v a_o three_o that_o i_o make_v identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v first_o principle_n in_o the_o matter_n under_o dispute_n he_o argue_v too_o against_o the_o two_o former_a imaginary_a assertion_n of_o i_o which_o in_o this_o preface_n be_v a_o rare_a thing_n thus_o p._n 37._o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o to_o make_v first_o principle_n more_o evident_a because_o there_o be_v nothing_o before_o they_o to_o demonstrate_v they_o by_o and_o i_o acknowledge_v the_o reason_n give_v to_o be_v as_o victorious_a as_o any_o passage_n in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n where_o he_o have_v multitude_n of_o such_o wrong-aimed_a argument_n intend_v i_o conceive_v to_o show_v how_o far_o his_o reason_n can_v carry_v when_o it_o shoot_v at_o rover_n for_o it_o be_v level_v at_o no_o mark_n but_o observe_v i_o beseech_v you_o gentlemen_z how_o i_o be_o deal_v with_o and_o let_v these_o two_o lead_v case_n discover_v his_o way_n of_o confute_v obtain_v a_o just_a suspense_n of_o your_o judgement_n concern_v all_o his_o other_o performance_n till_o you_o see_v they_o examine_v §_o 2._o in_o sure_a footing_n p._n 114._o 2d_o edit_n which_o i_o st●ll_v quote_v i_o deduce_v two_o proposition_n the_o former_a that_o tradition_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o way_n of_o authority_n as_o it_o engage_v for_o matter_n of_o fact_n long_o ago_o past_a or_o as_o in_o other_o place_n i_o therefore_o name_v it_o first_o authority_n because_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o authentication_n of_o book_n and_o monument_n all_o depend_v upon_o tradition_n the_o other_o be_v
whatever_o be_v good_a in_o those_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v refund_v into_o god_n the_o author_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n as_o its_o original_a cause_n what_o defective_a into_o the_o limitedness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o creature_n §_o 5._o this_o tenet_n of_o infallibility_n which_o unprejudiced_a nature_n teach_v even_o the_o rude_a in_o thing_n subject_a to_o sense_n and_o common_a reason_n and_o learned_a man_n in_o thing_n provable_a by_o exact_a art_n the_o adversary_n of_o true_a certainty_n our_o sceptic_n in_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o render_v ridiculous_a and_o cast_v a_o mist_n about_o it_o by_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a pretence_n that_o ever_o be_v invent_v which_o be_v to_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_a in_o one_o thing_n but_o he_o must_v be_v so_o in_o all_o as_o if_o i_o can_v not_o infallible_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o my_o chamber_n or_o practise_v open_o among_o those_o i_o converse_v with_o but_o i_o must_v be_v likewise_o infallible_a in_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o moon_n and_o dr._n t._n be_v one_o of_o these_o for_o contradiction_n be_v as_o natural_a to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v to_o a_o fish_n to_o swim_v who_o tell_v we_o here_o pag._n 19_o that_o omniscience_n within_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n be_v a_o infinite_a within_o a_o finite_a sphere_n as_o if_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o to_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v to_o know_v infinite_a or_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n or_o so_o hard_a to_o comprehend_v that_o one_o may_v know_v all_o the_o money_n in_o one_o purse_n without_o know_v all_o the_o money_n that_o be_v extant_a or_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o room_n without_o know_v all_o mankind_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v show_v we_o why_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o particular_a matter_n must_v needs_o argue_v a_o infinite_a knowledge_n or_o why_o the_o know_v all_o thing_n in_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n which_o last_o word_n when_o he_o come_v to_o answer_v that_o be_v break_v his_o jest_n our_o prevaricator_n prudent_o omit_v may_v not_o consist_v with_o a_o ignorance_n of_o many_o thing_n out_o of_o that_o sphere_n must_v the_o word_n all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n need_v signify_v infinite_a or_o do_v the_o common_a reason_n ever_o thus_o go_v wrack_n i_o suppose_v my_o friend_n resolute_a hazard_n against_o identical_a proposition_n make_v he_o fall_v into_o this_o more_o than_o childish_a mistake_n for_o this_o plain_a truth_n what_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o have_v preserve_v he_o from_o this_o nonsense_n but_o he_o take_v this_o for_o his_o ground_n to_o proceed_v upon_o that_o all_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o 〈◊〉_d all_o in_o every_o matter_n or_o which_o be_v more_o be_v infinite_a and_o so_o still_o he_o continue_v most_o learned_o to_o lay_v contradiction_n for_o his_o first_o principle_n because_o their_o interest_n and_o his_o be_v inseparable_o link●_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n identical_a proposition_n this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v a_o very_a smart_n and_o ingenious_a kind_n of_o reason_v and_o proper_a to_o dr._n t._n unless_o perhaps_o his_o swear_a brother_n at_o hate_v first_a principle_n and_o papist_n put_v in_o for_o a_o share_n it_o appear_v by_o a_o certain_a paper_n call_v dr._n stillingfleet_n against_o dr._n stillingfleet_n he_o be_v a_o strong_a pretender_n and_o will_v cry_v half_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o examine_v his_o answer_n §_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a indeed_o to_o truth_n that_o every_o one_o shall_v demonstrate_v a_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v ●_o contradiction_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v know_v also_o through_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o those_o who_o can_v demonstrate_v but_o yet_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v demonstrable_a else_o it_o be_v not_o knowable_a or_o ascertainable_a for_o demonstrable_a be_v a_o plain_a honest_a word_n what_o game_n soever_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n make_v at_o it_o and_o import_v no_o more_o abstract_n from_o subtle_a quirk_n but_o only_o capable_a to_o be_v know_v or_o intellectual_o see_v by_o way_n of_o proof_n whence_o a_o learned_a man_n who_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o strength_n of_o severe_a reason_n ought_v either_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o or_o he_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o d●●y_n once_o more_o i_o desire_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v i_o right_n and_o to_o reflect_v that_o when_o i_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v demonstrable_a or_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v i_o do_v not_o take_v the_o word_n demonstration_n with_o all_o those_o many_o subtlety_n and_o perquisit_n the_o school_n require_v i_o as_o little_a love_n nicety_n as_o any_o man_n live_v and_o can_v as_o easy_o dispense_v with_o they_o so_o the_o solid_a part_n be_v well_o provide_v for_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n establish_v which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v i_o make_v account_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o these_o case_n in_o which_o assent_n &_o die_v to_o attest_v thing_n to_o be_v truth_n be_v require_v i_o only_o mean_v then_o by_o demonstration_n such_o a_o proof_n as_o be_v take_v not_o from_o any_o exrinsecal_n consideration_n as_o be_v authority_n which_o ground_n belief_n but_o from_o the_o intrinsical_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o subject_n in_o dispute_n and_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o necessary_o conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v which_o can_v be_v possible_o do_v without_o engage_v final_o some_o identical_a proposition_n or_o that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v on_o which_o all_o be_v build_v now_o this_o be_v evident_o so_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o let_v dr._n t._n show_v the_o contrary_a i_o will_v ask_v our_o verbal_a divine_a why_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o be_v prove_v by_o necessary_a conclude_a argument_n both_o the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o will_v have_v man_n assent_v most_o firm_o to_o faith_n build_v according_a to_o he_o sole_o upon_o their_o certainty_n be_v it_o not_o his_o intent_n in_o his_o discourse_n to_o conclude_v what_o he_o speak_v of_o how_o can_v he_o do_v this_o unless_o he_o show_v the_o conclusion_n necessary_o follow_v again_o do_v he_o not_o intend_v to_o conclude_v it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o this_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o must_v do_v so_o or_o else_o he_o can_v never_o pretend_v that_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v truth_n and_o if_o he_o prove_v it_o tru●_n must_v he_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v its_o contradictory_n false_a and_o be_v any_o thing_n false_a but_o what_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o or_o be_v not_o so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n can_v never_o conclude_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a unless_o he_o bring_v a_o proof_n necessary_o engage_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v unless_o according_a to_o my_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n he_o both_o demonstrate_v and_o also_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o to_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n both_o these_o satisfactory_a certainty_n my_o ground_n attribute_v to_o scripture_n letter_n and_o sense_n see_v sur●f_n pag._n 116_o 117_o in_o point_n appertain_v to_o faith_n and_o he_o here_o deny_v both_o pag._n 10._o whence_o be_v see_v which_o of_o we_o two_o have_v more_o real_a honour_n and_o respect_n for_o scripture_n he_o who_o make_v neither_o its_o letter_n or_o sense_n to_o have_v any_o ground_n able_a to_o ascertain_v they_o that_o be_v as_o to_o our_o purpose_n make_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o or_o i_o who_o grant_v and_o prove_v both_o §_o 7._o i_o suppose_v dr._n t_n will_n say_v again_o as_o he_o do_v in_o that_o point_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v a_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v true_a to_o his_o firm_a principle_n and_o make_v all_o faith_n alike_o uncertain_a i_o answer_v the_o more_o blame_n will_v fall_v to_o their_o share_n who_o take_v away_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o way_n of_o authority_n or_o first_o authority_n namely_o tradition_n which_o and_o only_o which_o can_v authenticate_v book_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o high_a concern_v practical_o carry_v down_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o so_o easy_o preserve_v the_o book_n significative_a of_o the_o same_o sense_n no●_n doubt_v i_o but_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o the_o practice_n of_o england_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o thing_n join_v with_o the_o necessary_a evidence_n of_o any_o alteration_n in_o a_o matter_n daily_o so_o nice_o canvas_v and_o continual_o use_v can_v and_o
the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o if_o the_o simple_a can_v not_o nay_o be_v not_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o other_o to_o believe_v upon_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a motive_n which_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v her_o faith_n upon_o or_o as_o if_o the_o most_o simple_a that_o be_v can_v not_o rational_o believe_v the_o church_n and_o so_o become_v infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n by_o adhere_v to_o she_o though_o their_o weak_a understanding_n do_v not_o penetrate_v or_o comprehend_v how_o the_o church_n or_o themselves_o come_v to_o be_v so_o nay_o perhaps_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o what_o the_o word_n infallible_a mean_n till_o some_o discourse_n awaken_v the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o in_o they_o §_o 10._o have_v thus_o act_v the_o disputant_n exit_fw-la theologus_fw-la intrat_fw-la scu●ra_fw-la and_o pag._n 13.14_o play_v the_o old_a trick_n of_o legerdemain_n over_o again_o that_o be_v leave_v out_o half_a a_o argument_n of_o i_o and_o play●_n upon_o the_o other_o half_a with_o all_o the_o disingenuous_a craft_n a_o wit_n bend_v that_o way_n can_v invent_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 89._o and_o 90._o i_o discourse_v thus_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n will_v seem_v to_o a_o heathen_a impossible_a to_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o motive_n must_v at_o least_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o dr._n t._n confess_v both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o object_n proportion_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v that_o be_v to_o make_v it_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o he_o it_o will_v be_v against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v have_v view_v my_o discourse_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o peruse_v the_o answer_n here_o give_v by_o my_o confuter_n he_o name_v the_o word_n argument_n say_v two_o pretty_a word_n upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v pleasant_a and_o surprise_v leaf_n out_o better_a half_n of_o it_o conceal_v perfect_o all_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o conclude_v strong_o against_o his_o own_o insufficient_a ground_n catch_n at_o a_o word_n and_o will_v make_v my_o discouse_n and_o argument_n aim_v to_o prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o motive_n be_v only_a seem_o such_o whereas_o every_o page_n in_o that_o book_n and_o its_o whole_a design_n show_v i_o mean_v and_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v actual_o real_o and_o indeed_o such_o have_v i_o a_o mind_n to_o evade_v such_o petty_a cavil_n i_o can_v allege_v that_o both_o may_v seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a yet_o one_o more_o seem_v so_o than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v advancing_z to_o confute_v he_o i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o contend_v that_o against_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a nothing_o but_o motive_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v hold_v convictive_a but_o he_o have_v no_o motive_n even_o seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o confess_o possible_a to_o be_v such_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o imaginable_a show_n of_o convictiveness_n i_o grant_v then_o it_o be_v asleep_o draw_v match_n as_o he_o call_v it_o between_o equally-seeming_a impossibility_n and_o because_o it_o be_v so_o therefore_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o object_n be_v by_o much_o a_o overmatch_n to_o what_o be_v less_o than_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a in_o the_o motive_n or_o ground_n but_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n his_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_o possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v false_a and_o so_o be_v less_o than_o seem_o even_o to_o himself_o 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evident_o that_o they_o renounce_v not_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o manage_v be_v not_o apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o at_o all_o and_o so_o no_o rule_n yet_o he_o give_v we_o one_o great_a reason_n as_o he_o call_v it_o why_o man_n do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o because_o their_o interest_n and_o lust_n and_o passion_n be_v more_o concern_v so_o that_o according_a to_o dr._n t._n a_o man_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o his_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v look_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n alone_o and_o discern_v who_o be_v passionate_a prejudice_v interest_v and_o lustful_a again_o this_o reason_n be_v find_v on_o either_o side_n to_o a_o great_a degree_n for_o be_v not_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n so_o evident_a that_o absurd_a man_n will_v 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t_n vindication_n of_o himself_o from_o make_v according_a to_o his_o ground_n faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a amount_v to_o this_o he_o produce_v word_n to_o disprove_v it_o which_o manifold_o confess_v it_o he_o endeavour_v all_o along_o to_o show_v that_o infallible_a certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o either_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o be_v he_o grant_v that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v deceive_v though_o all_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v to_o secure_v they_o in_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o deny_v that_o absolute_o speak_v faith_n be_v certainlytrue_a again_o loath_a to_o speak_v out_o to_o that_o point_n candid_o he_o shuffle_n about_o and_o put_v upon_o his_o adversary_n divers_a odd_a and_o ridiculous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n omit_v the_o right_a one_o which_o be_v give_v to_o his_o hand_n last_o be_v to_o give_v account_n what_o kind_n of_o certainty_n he_o allow_v to_o faith_n he_o give_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o it_o as_o signify_v nothing_o and_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o uncertainty_n imaginable_a take_v his_o measure_n of_o certainty_n which_o ought_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o object_n or_o proof_n from_o the_o subject_n persuasion_n or_o adhesion_n to_o it_o which_o common_a experience_n testify_v may_v indifferent_o be_v find_v in_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o common_a sense_n confute_v nature_n tell_v every_o man_n that_o my_o assent_n be_v not_o therefore_o certain_a because_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v it_o see_v not_o the_o least_o cause_n of_o doubt_n be_o full_o persuade_v and_o very_o think_v so_o but_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v see_v indeed_o to_o be_v so_o or_o because_o the_o proof_n be_v conclusive_a either_o then_o let_v he_o bring_v such_o proof_n and_o own_o and_o show_v they_o to_o be_v such_o or_o he_o leave_v his_o cause_n in_o the_o lurch_n and_o his_o credit_n which_o he_o be_v here_o defend_v unclear_v by_o yield_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v absolute_o false_a that_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v actual_o such_o discourse_n vii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n reply_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 1._o dr_n t._n have_v no_o fellow_n nor_o his_o way_n of_o confute_v any_o parallel_n not_o to_o provoke_v the_o peevishness_n of_o malice_n too_o far_o and_o yet_o follow_v home_o my_o blow_n more_o full_o and_o yet_o withal_o to_o uphold_v the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n ground_v on_o the_o just_a conceit_n of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n i_o write_v a_o a_o book_n call_v faith_n vindicated_n in_o behalf_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o common_a show_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o security_n from_o error_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n provide_v it_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o motive_n god_n have_v leave_v to_o settle_v his_o church_n and_o by_o it_o mankind_n in_o faith_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n it_o pretend_v demonstration_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o have_v not_o one_o drollish_a or_o unsober_a expression_n in_o it_o take_v a_o map_n of_o it_o in_o a_o few_o word_n i_o conceive_v myself_o debtor_n both_o sapientibus_fw-la and_o insipientibus_fw-la and_o hence_o the_o concern_v be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n among_o the_o rest_n to_o speculative_a divine_n i_o resolve_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o argument_n suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o the_o more_o intelligent_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o eviction_n to_o the_o middle_a or_o prudential_n sort_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o fifth·_n and_o to_o they_o of_o the_o low_a capacity_n in_o the_o last_o every_o one_o be_v enable_v by_o tradition_n or_o education_n to_o comprehend_v what_o the_o common_a language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n teach_v they_o as_o to_z speechee_n and_o carriage_n appertain_v to_o faith_n i_o begin_v after_o i_o have_v put_v two_o postulatum_fw-la grant_v by_o all_o christian_n with_o logical_a argument_n which_o i_o pursue_v at_o large_a because_o as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a trick_n in_o sophister_n and_o half_a logician_n to_o abuse_v that_o excellent_a art_n to_o elude_v the_o clear_a evidendence_n so_o it_o become_v a_o more_o necessary_a duty_n in_o i_o to_o prevent_v by_o the_o close_a proof_n fetch_v it_o from_o almost_o all_o head_n imaginable_a that_o belong_v to_o that_o skill_n any_o misusage_n of_o its_o maxim_n to_o patronize_v falsehood_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o very_o speculative_a and_o according_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n what_o my_o reader_n be_v to_o expect_v in_o discourse_n of_o that_o kind_n nor_o will_v any_o man_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n wonder_n that_o i_o shall_v use_v logical_a expression_n when_o i_o make_v logical_a discourse_n or_o term_n of_o art_n when_o i_o speak_v to_o scholar_n these_o thing_n reflect_v on_o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o a_o dextrous_a way_n our_o learned_a confuter_n take_v to_o answer_v that_o whole_a book_n for_o he_o manifest_v here_o a_o intention_n to_o give_v it_o no_o other_o and_o to_o overthrow_v so_o many_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o his_o first_o way_n of_o confute_v be_v to_o pick_v out_o a_o leaf_n or_o two_o of_o the_o most_o speculative_a part_n of_o that_o treatise_n only_o intend_v for_o scholar_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o be_v only_a sermon-pitch_n to_o who_o because_o such_o discourse_n be_v unsuitable_a and_o withal_o too_o hard_o for_o he_o to_o answer_v hence_o he_o very_o politic_o both_o gratify_v the_o fancy_n of_o those_o reader_n and_o avoid_v himself_o the_o difficult_a task_n of_o answer_v the_o press_a reason_n in_o it_o by_o play_v the_o wit_n when_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o act_v the_o scholar_n and_o make_v use_n of_o his_o constant_a friend_n at_o a_o dead_a lift_n drollery_n in_o stead_n of_o rely_v on_o the_o patronage_n of_o reason_n which_o as_o he_o experience_n so_o often_o betray_v and_o expose_v hss_a weakness_n he_o run_v on_o therefore_o a_o whole_a leaf_n or_o two_o in_o this_o jovial_a career_n ere_o he_o can_v recover_v himself_o till_o even_o his_o own_o friend_n who_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o the_o necessity_n admire_v at_o his_o endless_a raillery_n and_o true_a to_o his_o method_n neglect_v whole_o the_o sense_n and_o except_v mighty_o against_o five_o or_o six_o hard_a word_n namely_o potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n determinative_a supervene_v and_o subsume_v which_o it_o seem_v puzzle_v he_o exceed_o for_o he_o profess_v to_o think_v they_o mystical_a he_o call_v the_o discourse_n jargon_fw-la foolish_a and_o nonsense_n which_o two_o last_o word_n he_o be_v ever_o most_o free_a of_o when_o his_o reason_n be_v most_o at_o a_o loss_n he_o liken_n it_o to_o the_o coptick_n and_o slavonian_a language_n talk_v of_o astrology_n palmistry_n chemistry_n and_o what_o not_o and_o with_o such_o kind_n of_o stuff_n confute_v it_o
most_o unmerciful_o even_o to_o utter_v desolation_n §_o 3._o in_o return_n to_o which_o kind_n of_o carriage_n though_o it_o deserve_v only_a contempt_n let_v we_o hear_v first_o how_o dr._n t._n answer_v himself_o who_o serm_n pag._n 120.121_o very_o zealous_o reprehend_v and_o preach_v against_o this_o absurd_a fault_n in_o himself_o in_o these_o word_n let_v none_o say_v he_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o religion_n or_o those_o reason_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o profess_v it_o be_v absolutely-true_a because_o some_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o despise_v and_o deride_v for_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o any_o person_n or_o thing_n to_o be_v laugh_v at_o but_o to_o deserve_v to_o be_v so_o the_o most_o grave_a and_o serious_a matter_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v nothing_n be_v so_o excellent_a but_o a_o man_n may_v fasten_v upon_o it_o something_o or_o other_o belong_v to_o it_o whereby_o to_o traduce_v it_o a_o sharp_a wit_n may_v find_v something_o in_o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o to_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o injudicious_a people_n the_o grave_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_a by_o apply_v the_o say_n of_o it_o to_o a_o foolish_a purpose_n for_o a_o j●st_a may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o any_o thing_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o less_o reverence_n for_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n or_o those_o reason_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o hold_v and_o profess_v faith_n absolutely-true_a because_o idle_a and_o profane_a wit_n nonplus_v controvertist_n can_v break_v jest_n upon_o they_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a dr._n t._n know_v that_o by_o long_a and_o very_a useful_a experience_n as_o to_o take_v particular_a phrase_n and_o expression_n out_o of_o the_o best_a book_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o abuse_v they_o by_o force_v a_o odd_a and_o ridiculous_a sense_n upon_o they_o but_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v think_v a_o good_a book_n foolish_a for_o this_o reason_n but_o the_o man_n that_o abuse_v it_o nor_o will_v he_o esteem_v that_o to_o which_o every_o thing_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v a_o just_a exception_n against_o any_o thing_n at_o this_o rate_n ase_a must_v despise_v all_z thing_n but_o sure_o the_o better_a and_o short_a way_n be_v to_o condemn_v those_o who_o will_v bring_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v worthy_a into_o contempt_n also_o in_o his_o forego_n sermon_n pag._n 86_o 87._o he_o give_v good_a doctrine_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o never_o intend_v to_o follow_v it_o himself_o these_o thing_n whether_o faith_n be_v absolute_o true_a or_o no_o be_v of_o infinite_a consequence_n to_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o matter_n to_o be_v slight_o and_o superficial_o think_v upon_o much_o less_o as_o the_o way_n of_o atheistical_a men_n be_v to_o be_v play_v and_o jest_v withal_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v turn_v religion_n or_o a_o discourse_n aim_v to_o show_v it_o absolute_o certain_a into_o raillery_n and_o think_v to_o confute_n it_o by_o two_o or_o three_o bold_a jest_n this_o man_n do_v not_o render_v it_o but_o himself_o ridiculous_a again_o though_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o proof_n of_o faith_n absolute_a certainty_n be_v never_o so_o clear_a and_o evident_a yet_o they_o may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_n by_o vain_a and_o frothy_a man_n as_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a personage_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v abuse_v by_o be_v put_v into_o a_o fool_n coat_n and_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o excellent_a poem_n may_v be_v debase_v and_o make_v vile_a by_o be_v turn_v into_o burles_n qve_fw-la thus_o dr_n t._n by_o preach_v what_o he_o never_o intend_v to_o practice_n have_v most_o ample_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o folly_n and_o hit_v himself_o still_o while_o he_o aim_v at_o the_o atheist_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o their_o cause_n as_o far_o as_o i_o impugn_v he_o here_o be_v not_o very_o wide_a of_o one_o another_o since_o nothing_o approach_v near_a to_o the_o deny_v all_o religion_n than_o to_o hold_v it_o all_o uncertain_a at_o least_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o in_o what_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n here_o against_o my_o reason_n for_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n differ_v from_o that_o of_o atheist_n against_o a_o deity_n and_o all_o religion_n the_o point_n to_o be_v consider_v by_o both_o of_o they_o be_v of_o a_o solid_a and_o concern_v nature_n and_o both_o handle_v they_o drollish_o and_o make_v raillery_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o reason_n nor_o will_v it_o avail_v he_o to_o reply_v that_o my_o proof_n be_v not_o solid_a and_o so_o oughr_fw-mi to_o be_v confute_v with_o mockery_n for_o he_o ought_v first_o show_v by_o reason_n that_o they_o thus_o high_o misdeserve_v and_o then_o employ_v his_o talon_n of_o irony_n upon_o they_o afterward_o and_o not_o make_v mere_a irony_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o reason_n beside_o himself_o acknowledge_v pag_n 87._o that_o if_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a yet_o this_o concern_v we_o so_o near_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v serious_a in_o the_o examination_n of_o they_o and_o certain_o no_o judicious_a or_o good_a man_n will_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o high_o and_o near_o concern_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o know_v whether_o their_o faith_n the_o substance_n of_o all_o their_o hope_n particular_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n the_o point_n i_o mention_v be_v absolute_o certain_a or_o not_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o dr._n t_n friend_n whether_o they_o will_v rather_o approve_v his_o doctrine_n in_o his_o sermon_n or_o his_o unconsonant_a practice_n in_o this_o preface_n if_o the_o former_a they_o must_v condemn_v he_o out_o of_o his_o own_o mouth_n to_o be_v foolish_a ridiculous_a and_o a_o imitator_n of_o atheist_n and_o his_o way_n of_o write_v insignificant_a but_o if_o they_o like_o the_o late_a than_o they_o must_v conclude_v his_o sermon_n as_o equal_o blame-worthy_a for_o oppose_v so_o laudable_a a_o practice_n unfortunate_a man_n who_o very_o grave_o take_v text_n against_o scoffer_n and_o make_v sermon_n upon_o they_o and_o then_o behave_v himself_o all_o over_o so_o scurrilous_o and_o drollish_o in_o his_o whole_a preface_n to_o they_o as_o level_v those_o very_a sermon_n as_o direct_o against_o himself_o as_o can_v possible_o be_v contrive_v or_o imagine_v which_o be_v in_o effect_n by_o his_o carriage_n to_o tell_v the_o atheist_n that_o that_o scoff_v and_o drollish_a way_n of_o answer_v and_o manage_v discourse_n about_o religion_n which_o be_v so_o horrid_a sin_n in_o they_o because_o they_o be_v of_o the_o ungodly_a and_o wicked_a be_v notwithstanding_o none_o at_o all_o but_o a_o very_a great_a virtue_n in_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o godly_a and_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n meritorious_a so_o it_o be_v practise_v against_o those_o man_n of_o sin_n the_o most_o abominable_a papist_n §_o 4._o beside_o as_o dr._n t._n well_o observe_v when_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o sober_a humour_n every_o thing_n even_o the_o best_a be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v and_o make_v ridiculous_a by_o drollish_a jest_n and_o consequent_o this_o method_n be_v so_o exact_o obseruss_v when_o he_o be_v to_o confute_v i_o will_v as_o he_o very_o well_o express_v it_o in_o his_o pref._n pag._n 26_o equal_o serve_v to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o thing_n to_o show_v the_o all-powerful_a strength_n and_o virtue_n of_o it_o let_v we_o imagine_v that_o euclid_n have_v be_v a_o catholic_n dr._n t._n may_v have_v preach_v ●_o sermon_n or_o two_o full_a of_o zeal_n against_o witchcraft_n and_o have_v produce_v some_o fair_a probability_n to_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o mathematician_n be_v all_o mere_a friar_n bacon_n and_o absolute_a conjurer_n because_o they_o use_v to_o draw_v circle_n and_o uncouth_a figure_n which_o look_v like_o magic_n to_o second_v which_o dr._n st'_v book_n concern_v image_n will_v mutatis_fw-la mutandi●_n light_v very_o pat_o and_o home_n and_o then_o when_o he_o have_v do_v write_v a_o preface_n to_o those_o sermon_n against_o the_o prince_n of_o conjurer_n or_o the_o belzebub_n of_o those_o incarnate_a devil_n euclid_n and_o confute_v he_o on_o this_o manner_n first_o he_o may_v pick_v out_o some_o demonstration_n of_o his_o in_o which_o be_v five_o or_o six_o word_n hard_a than_o ordinary_a at_o least_o too_o hard_a for_o the_o vulgar_a though_o clear_a enough_o to_o the_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o art_n as_o isosceles_a parallelograms_n parallelepipe_n cylinder_n diameter_n eicosaedron_n and_o such_o like_a and_o when_o he_o have_v transcribe_v they_o into_o a_o ridiculous_a preface_n which_o he_o be_v sure_o no_o good_a mathematician_n will_v ever_o care_v to_o read_v but_o vulgar_a soul_n will_v much_o admire_v and_o out_o of_o their_o hatred_n to_o these_o popish_a
the_o former_a proof_n as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 24._o be_v to_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a that_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a that_o be_v such_o point_n as_o express_v only_o the_o a_o est_fw-fr of_o a_o thing_n and_o so_o have_v for_o their_o predicate_a existent_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o that_o argument_n and_o my_o conclusion_n of_o the_o 2_o d._n proof_n be_v this_o as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 25._o it_o be_v impossible_a therefore_o that_o what_o be_v thus_o affirm_v to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v in_o such_o word_n as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n shall_v in_o any_o regard_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o predicate_a pertinent_a lie_v exclude_v here_o all_o possibility_n of_o diverse_a respect_n be_v this_o bare_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o rather_o that_o no_o different_a regard_n or_o respect_n can_v in_o such_o faith-proposition_n as_o these_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o elude_v or_o diminish_v the_o grant_v their_o entire_a truth_n the_o proposition_n a_o ethiopian_a be_v black_a be_v but_o in_o part_n true_a because_o it_o can_v bear_v diverse_a respect_n or_o regard_v to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o viz._n according_a to_o his_o tooth_n and_o his_o skin_n but_o in_o those_o proposition_n which_o have_v existent_a for_o their_o predicate_v no_o imaginable_a regard_n can_v be_v find_v appliable_a to_o it_o so_o to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o the_o next_o falsification_n of_o my_o intention_n be_v to_o pretend_v that_o i_o argue_v bare_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o subject_a copula_fw-la and_o predicate_v whereas_o by_o my_o whole_a discourse_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o i_o argue_v precise_o from_o their_o be_v such_o subject_n and_o predicate_v that_o be_v such_o as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n diminish_v the_o integrity_n of_o their_o truth_n in_o a_o word_n the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o truth_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith-proposition_n and_o i_o be_v there_o treat_v it_o logical_o i_o will_v glad_o then_o have_v any_o sober_a and_o intelligent_a man_n inform_v i_o why_o it_o be_v not_o as_o proper_a and_o pertinent_a for_o i_o to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o proposition_n in_o which_o only_a truth_n be_v find_v and_o particular_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o proposition_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v such_o subject_n &_o such_o predicate_v in_o they_o as_o it_o be_v for_o a_o mathematician_n write_v a_o discourse_n of_o trigonometry_n to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o angle_n or_o a_o triangular_a figure_n or_o why_o in_o so_o do_v i_o can_v just_o be_v think_v to_o have_v deflect_v from_o the_o rule_n or_o method_n of_o exact_a art_n §_o 8._o in_o a_o word_n have_v i_o in_o a_o christian_a english_a sermon_n stand_v very_o grave_o repeat_v sixteen_o verse_n out_o of_o a_o heathenish_a latin_a poet_n or_o have_v i_o after_o i_o have_v so_o often_o mock_v at_o other_o for_o bombast_n rhetoric_n and_o so_o indirect_o extol_v myself_o for_o my_o smooth_a style_n talk_v of_o person_n of_o a_o profligate_n temper_v as_o do_v dr._n t._n here_o pag._n 33._o and_o pag._n 163._o some_o idle_a wit_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v may_v perhaps_o have_v take_v just_a occasion_n to_o sport_n himself_o with_o my_o imperfection_n but_o to_o mock_v at_o a_o writer_n for_o use_v the_o term_n proper_a to_o the_o be_v he_o be_v discourse_v in_o seem_v to_o argue_v a_o very_o profligate_v temper_n of_o levity_n at_o least_o that_o i_o may_v say_v no_o worse_o §_o 9_o thus_o much_o for_o his_o first_o answer_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n consist_v whole_o of_o drollery_n neglect_v and_o other_o worse_a fault_n his_o second_o be_v that_o the_o main_a of_o that_o book_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o oppose_v no_o body_n that_o ●e_n know_v of_o in_o this_o matter_n i_o answer_v whoever_o please_v to_o run_v over_o the_o several_a head_n from_o which_o i_o argue_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n hint_v brief_o in_o the_o margin_n will_v see_v that_o that_o which_o he_o pretend_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o only_a point_n be_v but_o once_o design_o make_v use_v of_o and_o very_o rare_o touch_v at_o in_o other_o place_n and_o that_o there_o be_v near_o forty_o proof_n of_o another_o nature_n though_o sometime_o all_o truth_n be_v connect_v they_o happen_v to_o be_v partly_o coincident_a into_o the_o same_o sometime_o also_o i_o suppose_v it_o but_o it_o bear_v no_o show_n of_o reason_n that_o most_o of_o my_o book_n be_v spend_v in_o prove_v it_o but_o be_v it_o so_o clear_a that_o i_o oppose_v no_o body_n he_o know_v of_o in_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a do_v not_o he_o know_v one_o dr._n t._n that_o same_o person_n i_o suppose_v will_v tell_v we_o sober_o that_o he_o can_v prove_v his_o faith_n true_a rely_v on_o what_o he_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o yet_o speak_v of_o the_o certainty_n he_o have_v of_o both_o these_o he_o tell_v we_o express_o rale_n of_o faith_n pag._n 118._o all_o this_o may_v possible_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v that_o possible_o he_o have_v neither_o right_a letter_n nor_o right_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v his_o faith_n and_o true_a be_v notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o same_o man_n be_v to_o vindicate_v himself_o in_o this_o pref._n pag._n 10._o explain_v his_o meaning_n to_o be_v that_o he_o can_v not_o demonstrate_v those_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n now_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n involve_v a_o contradiction_n he_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o contrary_a to_o be_v false_a nothing_o be_v false_a which_o clash_v not_o by_o consequence_n at_o least_o with_o some_o first_o principle_n or_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n and_o as_o long_o as_o he_o can_v prove_v it_o false_a it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v and_o if_o the_o contrary_a to_o faith_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a faith_n itself_o must_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o though_o his_o discourse_n make_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o he_o as_o a_o christian_a force_v he_o 〈◊〉_d affirm_v that_o it_o be_v notwithstanding_o true_a so_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o christianity_n join_v with_o the_o badness_n of_o his_o ground_n oblige_v he_o to_o grant_v equivalent_o though_o he_o be_v wary_a than_o to_o do_v it_o direct_o that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 10._o now_o because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o very_a grain_n of_o rational_a nature_n to_o admire_v of_o such_o a_o palpable_a contradiction_n if_o the_o word_n truth_n be_v right_o and_o proper_o understand_v hence_o i_o be_o certain_a he_o and_o such_o as_o he_o be_v provide_v with_o a_o distinction_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o only_o hold_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v moral_o true_a that_o be_v some_o great_a likelihood_n or_o as_o true_a as_o many_o thing_n be_v of_o which_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o moral_o certain_a and_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o yet_o oftentimes_o upon_o clear_a information_n have_v find_v ourselves_o deceive_v in_o our_o opinion_n of_o they_o and_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sentiment_n in_o this_o matter_n appear_v far_a beside_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v from_o his_o own_v such_o a_o moral_a certainty_n only_o for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n as_o free_v one_o from_o doubt_n from_o his_o feeble_a and_o dwindling_n expression_n of_o his_o certainty_n of_o a_o godhead_n and_o last_o from_o his_o blame_v i_o pag._n 29._o for_o r●sting_v content_v with_o no_o less_o certain_a ground_n than_o such_o as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o how_o one_o who_o rely_v on_o his_o speculative_a proof_n for_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n can_v have_v no_o claim_n to_o practical_a self-evidence_n can_v be_v think_v to_o hold_v faith_n absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o disclaim_v himself_o and_o blame_v in_o other_o the_o pretend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o absolute_o conclude_v or_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o how_o a_o man_n can_v with_o honesty_n affirm_v a_o thing_n be_v absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o deny_v he_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o it_o i_o must_v confess_v