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the_o method_n they_o take_v how_o most_o easy_o that_o they_o have_v never_o a_o principle_n or_o self_n evident_a ground_n to_o begin_v with_o that_o till_o they_o settle_v such_o a_o first_o principle_n all_o their_o discourse_n be_v frivolous_a that_o their_o reject_v the_o church_n live_v voice_n or_o tradition_n bring_v all_o into_o doubt_n both_o saying_n of_o father_n and_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o not_o to_o allow_v they_o the_o favour_n of_o dispute_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la from_o scripture_n or_o father_n by_o grant_v they_o any_o thing_n certain_a but_o put_v they_o to_o prove_v all_o for_o since_o they_o be_v to_o object_n and_o bring_v evident_a reason_n for_o change_v it_o lie_v on_o they_o to_o make_v their_o reason_n evident_a nor_o have_v any_o disputant_n right_a to_o have_v any_o thing_n allow_v he_o certain_a who_o renounce_v that_o principle_n which_o if_o renounctâ—_n all_o be_v uncertain_a and_o last_o that_o he_o who_o deny_v the_o first_o 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the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n c._n 31._o i_o will_v give_v my_o law_n in_o their_o bowel_n and_o iâ—_n their_o heart_n will_v i_o write_v it_o and_o still_o more_o that_o of_o st._n paul_n contradistinguish_v the_o law_n of_o grace_n from_o moses_n his_o law_n by_o this_o that_o the_o late_a be_v write_v in_o table_n of_o stone_n the_o former_a in_o the_o fleshy_a table_n of_o man_n heart_n both_o as_o express_v as_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o send_v we_o for_o our_o faith_n to_o live_a sense_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a not_o to_o mere_a dead_a letter_n in_o a_o book_n that_o be_v recommend_v to_o we_o tradition_n which_o be_v the_o perfect_a and_o natural_a way_n imaginable_a to_o write_v they_o there_o as_o have_v be_v show_v note_v the_o word_n heart_n which_o in_o the_o metaphorical_a expression_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o action_n not_o of_o meeâ—_n speculative_a knowledge_n as_o be_v the_o word_n brain_n which_o intimate_v the_o practical_a nature_n of_o tradition_n 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establish_v as_o sacred_a in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o apostle_n where_o first_o he_o ascend_v and_o confound_v novelty_n or_o heresy_n by_o show_v that_o the_o priority_n of_o what_o they_o leave_v argue_v it_o to_o have_v be_v ever_o or_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o true_a and_o then_o prove_v and_o manifest_o too_o that_o that_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v find_v establish_v that_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o all_o his_o former_a doctrine_n run_v as_o sacred_a in_o the_o church_n at_o present_a which_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o he_o be_v yet_o more_o express_a in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o the_o same_o heretic_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v a_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o what_o be_v at_o this_o present_a day_n profess_v for_o such_o in_o their_o church_n so_o that_o he_o send_v we_o not_o to_o volume_n of_o history_n and_o other_o writer_n which_o if_o tradition_n can'fail_v be_v of_o no_o authority_n to_o find_v what_o be_v the_o ancient_a or_o primitive_a tradition_n or_o what_o the_o apostle_n teach_v or_o deliver_v but_o only_o to_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o present_a church_n which_o have_v be_v but_o a_o weak_a procedure_n in_o case_n their_o hold_v now_o a_o thing_n deliver_v be_v not_o argumentative_a that_o it_o be_v deliver_v ever_o which_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o my_o proof_n a_o posteriori_fw-la for_o the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n and_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v imagine_v that_o this_o argument_n lose_v its_o force_n by_o tract_n of_o time_n or_o the_o long-continuance_n of_o the_o church_n peter_n chrysologus_fw-la in_o his_o 85._o sermon_n secure_v we_o from_o that_o danger_n a_o christian_a mind_n know_v not_o how_o to_o bring_v into_o dispute_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o tradition_n of_o the_o father_n and_o even_o ipsis_fw-la temporibus_fw-la by_o time_n
her_o certainty_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o the_o science_n of_o controversy_n 6._o this_o tenor_n of_o my_o discourse_n brief_o reflect_v on_o i_o beg_v of_o my_o intelligent_a reader_n to_o regard_v it_o once_o more_o in_o the_o bulk_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o i_o begin_v with_o self-evident_a principle_n that_o my_o principle_n be_v antecedent_n to_o authority_n and_o so_o be_v competent_a mean_n to_o judge_v authority_n by_o that_o i_o studious_o avoid_v wordish_a ambiguity_n which_o rhetorical_a discourser_n lie_v open_a to_o hold_v rigorous_o to_o the_o notion_n or_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n that_o i_o lay_v but_o the_o meaning_n of_o two_o familiar_a word_n rule_n and_o faith_n for_o the_o basis_n of_o all_o my_o discourse_n that_o i_o endeavour_v to_o pursue_v my_o principle_n by_o very_o obvious_a and_o immediate_a connexion_n that_o all_o the_o way_n i_o attend_v heedful_o to_o and_o build_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o in_o short_a 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principle_n which_o be_v to_o induce_v faith_n and_o so_o make_v no_o provision_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n against_o heathen_n and_o atheist_n the_o nature_n of_o thing_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o proceed_v upon_o that_o they_o not_o so_o much_o as_o mind_n or_o think_v of_o they_o nor_o i_o doubt_v fancy_n or_o value_v that_o method_n when_o set_v before_o their_o eye_n principle_n to_o weigh_v each_o testimony_n by_o they_o lay_v none_o and_o so_o quote_v at_o random_n certainty_n they_o seek_v not_o nor_o care_n for_o for_o they_o quote_v the_o father_n and_o scripture_n as_o by_o themselves_o interpret_v and_o yet_o neither_o hold_v the_o testimony_n of_o father_n infallible_a nor_o yet_o themselves_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n yet_o plain_a reason_n tell_v we_o that_o unless_o the_o father_n or_o themselves_o be_v infallible_a hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o this_o say_n or_o interpretation_n they_o be_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la fallible_a that_o be_v all_o build_v on_o that_o testimony_n or_o interpretation_n be_v contingent_a and_o uncertain_a yet_o of_o such_o citation_n no_o better_o authorise_a clâ—d_v perhaps_o in_o some_o fine_a word_n the_o book_n of_o their_o best_a champion_n be_v make_v up_o so_o that_o they_o be_v convince_v not_o to_o study_v thing_n but_o word_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v scholar_n or_o knower_n but_o empty_a talker_n and_o so_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o endeavour_n can_v never_o be_v satisfaction_n to_o a_o intelligent_a soul_n but_o only_o tickle_v the_o ear_n or_o please_v the_o fancy_n 9_o as_o i_o have_v show_v this_o ungrounded_a proceed_n of_o the_o protestant_n by_o principle_n so_o i_o intend_v to_o do_v the_o same_o by_o instance_n but_o ere_o i_o go_v about_o this_o undertake_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o meet_v with_o a_o objection_n obvious_a to_o many_o reader_n it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v strange_a all_o catholic_n do_v not_o take_v this_o way_n it_o be_v so_o conclusive_a as_o well_o as_o i._o 10._o i_o answer_v that_o all_o truth_n be_v connect_v it_o be_v evident_a each_o truth_n even_o for_o be_v such_o be_v maintainable_a several_a way_n especial_o supreme_a â—nd_n very_o concern_v one_o among_o which_o way_n some_o be_v suitable_a to_o some_o capacity_n other_o to_o other_o wherefore_o catholic_n controvertist_n esteem_v themselves_o debtor_n both_o sapientibus_fw-la or_o to_o those_o who_o judge_v of_o thing_n per_fw-la altissimas_fw-la causas_fw-la and_o insipientibus_fw-la or_o those_o who_o do_v not_o so_o nor_o fly_v high_o than_o a_o prudential_a pitch_n and_o the_o late_a of_o these_o be_v the_o generality_n hereupon_o the_o charity_n and_o prudence_n of_o those_o learned_a opposer_n of_o dr._n pierce_n and_o very_o many_o other_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o address_v to_o these_o by_o answer_v his_o testimony_n particular_o leave_v i_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n and_o principle_n though_o in_o danger_n to_o receive_v much_o disadvantage_n by_o my_o imperfect_a delivery_n and_o secure_a under_o the_o managery_n of_o their_o able_a head_n and_o pen_n i_o declare_v therefore_o that_o i_o intend_v no_o confutation_n of_o any_o of_o those_o author_n nor_o to_o share_v in_o the_o victory_n of_o those_o excellent_a champion_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v perhaps_o needless_a to_o the_o generality_n however_o very_o satisfactory_a to_o examine_v wit_n to_o confute_v that_o in_o common_a which_o be_v already_o confute_v by_o retail_n i_o write_v more_o against_o their_o way_n than_o their_o book_n yet_o if_o any_o will_v be_v so_o charitable_a as_o to_o judge_v my_o short_a hint_n to_o bear_v the_o force_n of_o a_o solid_a confutation_n because_o they_o radical_o and_o fundamental_o overthrow_v all_o their_o argument_n and_o very_a method_n of_o argue_v if_o it_o be_v truth_n be_v advantage_n i_o shall_v give_v god_n thanks_o for_o it_o and_o be_v glad_a of_o it_o but_o the_o main_n be_v it_o import_v not_o in_o maintain_v truth_n what_o other_o do_v or_o do_v not_o but_o if_o it_o be_v show_v that_o catholic_n principle_n i_o mean_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n or_o tradition_n our_o rule_n of_o faith_n can_v bear_v such_o a_o rigorous_a test_n of_o reason_n and_o appear_v more_o lustrous_a and_o bright_a by_o so_o severe_a a_o trial_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o revolter_n from_o she_o be_v so_o little_a solid_a so_o volatile_a and_o mere_o make_v up_o of_o fancy_n that_o they_o evaporate_v into_o air_n and_o even_o shrink_v into_o nothing_o when_o set_v in_o the_o midday_a beam_n of_o truth_n the_o rule_n of_o evidence_n i_o desire_v no_o high_o a_o honour_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n nor_o deep_a discredit_n to_o her_o adversary_n first_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o the_o groundlesness_n of_o dr_n pierce_n sermon_n 1._o look_v about_o for_o instance_n of_o protestant_n book_n most_o proper_a to_o be_v confute_v by_o my_o former_a doctrine_n my_o thought_n pitch_v natural_o on_o mr_n whitby_n where_o he_o go_v about_o to_o settle_v rational_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o on_o mr_n stillingfleet_n where_o he_o oppose_v the_o way_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n but_o it_o seem_v convenient_a to_o take_v to_o task_n also_o some_o adversary_n who_o insist_v on_o testimony_n and_o bring_v he_o to_o ground_n because_o in_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n which_o bring_v testimony_n to_o ground_n to_o confute_v one_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n to_o confute_v all_o dr_n hamond_n seem_v proper_a but_o his_o book_n be_v now_o out_o of_o vogue_n if_o it_o be_v ever_o in_o it_o for_o i_o never_o hear_v pass_v two_o or_o three_o person_n speak_v of_o it_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o best_a protestant_a wit_n of_o our_o nation_n never_o value_v he_o as_o a_o smart_n and_o efficacious_a writer_n beside_o the_o note_n i_o have_v late_o give_v upon_o the_o
to_o a_o lesser_a one_o in_o the_o margin_n and_o that_o to_o luke_n 19_o 22._o and_o david_n cut_v of_o goliah_n head_n with_o his_o own_o sword_n a_o story_n know_v undoubted_o by_o all_o that_o be_v like_a to_o read_v his_o sermon_n shall_v be_v secure_v from_o be_v think_v a_o piece_n of_o a_o romance_n or_o knight-errantry_a by_o a_o punctual_a citation_n in_o the_o open_a margin_n 1_o sam._n 17._o 51._o and_o to_o omit_v diverse_a of_o the_o like_a pleasant_a strain_n lest_o any_o unbeliever_n shall_v be_v so_o impious_a as_o to_o doubt_v that_o his_o theopneust_n aholiab_n be_v a_o embroiderer_n you_o shall_v see_v it_o as_o plain_a as_o the_o nose_n on_o a_o man_n face_n in_o a_o express_a text_n exod._n 35._o 30._o 34._o 11._o but_o why_o insist_v i_o thus_o on_o so_o poor_a a_o foolery_n in_o a_o book_n i_o design_v for_o solid_a or_o what_o advantage_n can_v i_o gain_v to_o my_o cause_n by_o so_o sleight_v a_o animadversion_n i'answer_v â—tis_o my_o temper_n when_o i_o see_v a_o odd_a action_n do_v without_o reason_n to_o trace_v it_o to_o its_o original_a and_o to_o search_v after_o its_o proper_a cause_n and_o upon_o consideration_n i_o find_v none_o so_o proper_a for_o this_o effect_n as_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o humour_n of_o quote_v in_o d._n pierce_n and_o other_o of_o his_o brethren_n so_o strong_o possess_v they_o and_o even_o naturalize_v into_o they_o that_o so_o they_o be_v quote_v they_o matter_n not_o much_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o purpose_n or_o not_o this_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o whole_a bead-roll_n of_o his_o citation_n the_o useful_a part_n as_o he_o say_v of_o his_o whole_a performance_n and_o that_o not_o one_o of_o those_o which_o he_o call_v evidence_n be_v conclusive_a that_o be_v worth_a a_o straw_n or_o to_o purpose_n but_o because_o every_o one_o will_v not_o be_v capable_a to_o see_v it_o in_o those_o citation_n he_o bring_v for_o proof_n i_o let_v they_o see_v it_o in_o those_o his_o late_a quotation_n of_o scripture_n in_o which_o he_o so_o pitiful_o betray_v his_o silly_a and_o vain_a humour_n of_o quote_v to_o no_o imaginable_a end_n but_o to_o satisfy_v his_o customary_a habit_n or_o fancy_n and_o as_o in_o his_o citation_n so_o in_o these_o imagine_v the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o his_o cause_n in_o stead_n of_o show_v it_o that_o i_o conceive_v no_o universitie-wit_n but_o will_v see_v in_o this_o carriage_n of_o he_o that_o dr._n pierce_n head_n be_v not_o too_o scientifical_a nor_o himself_o a_o fit_a man_n to_o to_o demonstrate_v against_o the_o papist_n second_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n 1._o i_o beg_v pardon_n of_o my_o reader_n for_o my_o late_a merriment_n and_o child_n play_n with_o airy_a bubble_n and_o feather_n both_o d._n pierce_n manner_n of_o writing_n and_o his_o carriage_n towards_o catholic_n merit_v this_o kind_n of_o return_n i_o hope_v the_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n i_o have_v design_v to_o answer_v will_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o solid_o and_o that_o they_o may_v do_v so_o i_o will_v pick_v out_o those_o which_o aim_v at_o some_o point_n of_o concernment_n i_o have_v a_o particular_a respect_n for_o the_o person_n and_o be_o sorry_a his_o grow_a hopefulness_n receive_v a_o foil_n by_o his_o book_n against_o mr._n s._n c._n and_o this_o though_o a_o threefold_a disadvantage_n the_o badness_n of_o his_o cause_n the_o patronage_n of_o dr._n pierce_n malice_n and_o his_o impar_fw-la congressus_fw-la with_o so_o learned_a a_o antagonist_n 2._o my_o design_n lead_v i_o to_o take_v notice_n especial_o of_o that_o passage_n p._n 93._o sect._n 4._o where_o he_o begin_v a_o discourse_n about_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o reason_n and_o explicate_v rather_o than_o prove_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o what_o be_v his_o rule_n and_o guide_n to_o faith_n which_o because_o it_o look_v plausible_o yet_o be_v prudent_o neglect_v by_o mr._n s_o c._n who_o hear_v of_o more_o eminent_a antagonist_n write_v against_o he_o judge_v it_o wise_a to_o reserve_v himself_o to_o answer_v the_o protestanr_n second_v and_o best_a thought_n in_o they_o in_o case_n they_o be_v find_v to_o deserve_v it_o and_o because_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o challenge_n be_v make_v to_o all_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o world_n and_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o light_a cross_n to_o the_o ground_n i_o have_v lay_v i_o take_v leave_v to_o consider_v and_o examine_v it_o my_o way_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o especial_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o discourse_n be_v right_o make_v but_o in_o other_o place_n he_o confound_v guide_n with_o rule_n power_n with_o motive_n and_o by_o strain_v a_o word_n in_o mr._n s._n c._n beyond_o its_o necessary_a signification_n impose_v on_o we_o a_o false_a tenet_n which_o he_o main_o build_v upon_o so_o that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o begin_v my_o answer_n by_o put_v down_o our_o true_a one_o which_o give_v faith_n and_o reason_n both_o their_o due_n this_o do_v his_o superstructute_n on_o that_o supposition_n will_v fall_v of_o themselves_o 3._o our_o tenet_n then_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o with_o belief_n that_o belief_n rely_v on_o authority_n and_o divine_a faith_n or_o belief_n on_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o its_o motive_n and_o on_o the_o church_n as_o on_o the_o applier_n of_o the_o other_o to_o my_o understanding_n at_o next_o i_o hold_v that_o no_o authority_n deserve_v assent_n further_o than_o true_a reason_n give_v it_o to_o deserve_v and_o hence_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v essential_a truth_n deserve_v in_o true_a reason_n if_o possible_a infinite_o intense_a assent_n or_o adhesion_n to_o its_o say_n from_o i_o and_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v find_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o be_v certain_a it_o apply_v with_o certainty_n that_o be_v close_o the_o divine_a authority_n to_o my_o understanding_n and_o so_o oblige_v it_o absolute_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n god_n have_v tell_v and_o to_o submit_v whatever_o reason_n i_o may_v have_v against_o the_o object_n reveal_v to_o this_o all-overpowering_a authority_n of_o essential_a truth_n this_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n whence_o my_o particular_a reason_n be_v take_v nay_o far_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o i_o adhere_v more_o hearty_o and_o firm_o to_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n than_o to_o any_o conclusion_n of_o any_o science_n whatever_o because_o a_o more_o efficacious_a cause_n equal_o close_o apply_v be_v apt_a to_o produce_v a_o great_a effect_n and_o no_o cause_n be_v or_o can_v be_v in_o 〈◊〉_d reason_n comparable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a veracity_n in_o the_o point_n of_o cause_v assent_n which_o be_v close_o apply_v by_o i_o to_o the_o church_n assurance_n hence_o my_o faith_n be_v ever_o most_o rational_a because_o â—is_n 〈◊〉_d rational_a to_o believe_v a_o point_n for_o which_o the_o divine_a veracity_n be_v engage_v and_o high_o rational_a to_o believe_v the_o church_n assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v engage_v for_o such_o and_o such_o point_n nor_o yet_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n or_o the_o church_n as_o mr._n whitby_n p._n 96._o very_a mistake_o argue_v behold_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o private_a reason_n for_o my_o belief_n of_o her_o infallibility_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a my_o private_a reason_n be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o that_o judgement_n see_v i_o therefore_o come_v to_o have_v that_o judgement_n because_o those_o as_o object_n wrought_v upon_o my_o apprehension_n and_o imprint_v a_o conceit_n of_o they_o there_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o so_o oblige_v my_o reason_n to_o conclude_v and_o my_o judgement_n to_o hold_v they_o such_o as_o they_o be_v this_o rational_a assent_n establish_v my_o faith_n against_o the_o assauld_n of_o any_o doubt_n from_o human_a reason_n rest_v assure_v thâ—â—_n the_o same_o god_n who_o tell_v i_o this_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o have_v write_v all_o create_a truth_n in_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v make_v whence_o no_o create_a â—ruth_n can_v thwart_v my_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v contradict_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a hence_o if_o i_o have_v true_a science_n i_o be_o certain_a to_o find_v no_o part_n of_o it_o opposite_a to_o my_o faith_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a conformable_a to_o it_o as_o be_v a_o child_n of_o the_o same_o parent_n essential_a truth_n if_o i_o have_v not_o true_a science_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v so_o nothing_o therefore_o but_o my_o own_o overween_a can_v make_v i_o miscarry_v 4._o reason_n have_v thus_o play_v her_o part_n in_o bring_v i_o to_o faith_n desert_n i_o not_o yet_o while_o i_o act_n in_o it_o nor_o i_o she_o my_o act_n of_o belief_n be_v still_o rational_a because_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v at_o first_o
to_o demonstration_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n not_o to_o note_v the_o unconsonancy_n of_o this_o carriage_n i_o shall_v yield_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o demonstration_n but_o only_a probability_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o he_o and_o to_o make_v this_o serious_a protestation_n for_o myself_o that_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o very_o dishonest_a do_v i_o assert_v and_o press_v on_o other_o any_o argument_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n which_o i_o judge_v not_o evident_a that_o be_v demonstrative_a this_o i_o hope_v will_v secure_v the_o honesty_n of_o my_o intention_n however_o my_o weakness_n may_v permit_v i_o to_o fail_v in_o my_o performance_n after_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o forestall_v my_o reason_n for_o the_o point_n in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a that_o man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v which_o word_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o review_v and_o note_n for_o thence_o my_o discourse_n take_v its_o rise_n 13._o what_o be_v it_o then_o that_o we_o affirm_v the_o late_a age_n oblige_v to_o hold_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n hold_v and_o act_v wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o build_v their_o house_n no_o for_o both_o those_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v of_o trivial_a concern_v and_o the_o fashion_n of_o both_o depend_v on_o fancy_n which_o be_v too_o sleight_v a_o principle_n to_o oblige_v to_o a_o constancy_n what_o be_v it_o then_o to_o manage_v their_o estate_n thus_o or_o thus_o no_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n or_o convenience_n of_o the_o different_a way_n be_v perhaps_o hold_v not_o very_o material_a and_o the_o judge_v which_o be_v best_a depend_v upon_o prudential_n principles_n which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n variable_a and_o accommodable_a to_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o not_o oblige_v they_o to_o think_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v let_v we_o proceed_v be_v it_o some_o piece_n of_o skill_n or_o a_o speculative_a opinion_n depend_v on_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o the_o ancestor_n knowledge_n no_o for_o experience_n teach_v that_o man_n differ_v in_o such_o judgement_n and_o be_v errable_a it_o can_v never_o oblige_v posterity_n to_o believe_v unalterable_o as_o they_o do_v be_v it_o then_o some_o historical_a passage_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o great_a note_n and_o as_o such_o apt_a to_o strike_v their_o fancy_n strong_o yet_o still_o such_o as_o the_o succeed_a age_n be_v not_o high_o concern_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o for_o example_n that_o of_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n to_o the_o asian_a and_o grecian_a offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age_n after_o no_o yet_o experience_n tell_v we_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o be_v fresh_a and_o lively_a even_o among_o we_o who_o be_v not_o the_o immediate_a descendants_n of_o those_o where_o he_o conquer_v though_o some_o thousand_o of_o year_n since_o 14._o before_o we_o go_v any_o further_a let_v we_o examine_v how_o this_o history_n come_v to_o obtain_v so_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a a_o belief_n from_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o this_o very_a day_n and_o first_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a speculater_n that_o can_v think_v the_o universal_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v cause_v by_o book_n curtius_n his_o history_n for_o example_n for_o since_o all_o mankind_n know_v natural_o that_o falsehood_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v character_v in_o letter_n as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_o the_o continue_a belief_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o sense_n in_o man_n heart_n of_o its_o truth_n that_o be_v human_a tradition_n which_o give_v that_o book_n all_o its_o authority_n and_o secure_v its_o strange_a content_n from_o be_v hold_v romanical_a which_o the_o very_a being-writ_a can_v never_o have_v do_v let_v we_o see_v next_o whence_o this_o human_a tradition_n have_v its_o force_n to_o continue_v hitherto_o so_o settle_v and_o unalterable_a a_o persuasion_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n and_o look_v into_o the_o thing_n for_o proper_a cause_n that_o be_v the_o best_a demonstrative_a medium_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o object_n itself_o be_v very_o universal_a strange_a notorious_a and_o hold_v of_o concern_v to_o the_o then_o liver_n which_o make_v their_o heart_n and_o fancy_n full_a of_o it_o and_o so_o oblige_v they_o to_o burst_v out_o into_o expression_n of_o it_o and_o relate_v it_o to_o their_o offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age._n i_o but_o what_o oblige_v the_o offspring_n to_o believe_v their_o forefather_n tell_v it_o and_o to_o act_v or_o talk_v of_o it_o again_o to_o their_o child_n as_o the_o father_n do_v without_o which_o obligation_n it_o can_v not_o have_v descend_v to_o we_o regard_v once_o more_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v discover_v that_o it_o be_v imprint_v into_o the_o offspring_n by_o the_o forefather_n testify_v what_o their_o sense_n have_v tell_v they_o which_o put_v common_a sense_n inform_v they_o the_o thing_n be_v infallibly-true_a and_o as_o certain_a as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v it_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n for_o no_o reach_n of_o reason_n but_o only_a extravagance_n of_o madness_n can_v have_v furnish_v they_o with_o any_o imaginable_a motive_n why_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v they_o or_o be_v decievable_a in_o their_o sensation_n by_o this_o mean_v the_o conceit_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o main_a for_o circumstantial_a consideration_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a to_o all_o at_o first_o and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v universal_o deliver_v as_o ascertain_v by_o sense_n be_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o firmness_n and_o certainty_n rivet_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o next_o age_n and_o so_o there_o be_v necessary_o in_o the_o rational_a part_n of_o the_o world_n some_o curious_a person_n who_o nature_n herself_o can_v not_o but_o incline_v to_o a_o inquisitiveness_n of_o what_o be_v do_v former_o and_o other_o too_o natural_o incline_v to_o tell_v it_o child_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o and_o delight_v with_o hear_v such_o strange-true_a story_n it_o go_v down_o continue_v by_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n to_o our_o very_a day_n 15._o but_o we_o have_v over-shot_a our_o mark_n the_o question_n be_v of_o the_o obligation_n not_o to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o forefather_n from_o age_n to_o age._n and_o it_o be_v already_o evident_a that_o the_o second_o age_n after_o alexander_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o first_o because_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n what_o be_v do_v but_o how_o can_v those_o in_o the_o three_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o second_o who_o see_v it_o not_o to_o answer_v this_o we_o must_v ask_v whether_o the_o three_o age_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o the_o second_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o first_o age_n tell_v they_o and_o the_o notoriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v no_o speculation_n but_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n secure_v that_o or_o conspire_v to_o bely_v the_o second_o age_n authority_n and_o common_a reason_n satisfy_v they_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o honesty_n of_o the_o person_n their_o consent_n and_o the_o disinteressedness_n of_o the_o position_n that_o they_o can_v not_o thus_o conspire_v even_o the_o rude_a have_v a_o demonstration_n the_o second_o age_n true_o testify_v what_o the_o first_o say_v and_o so_o those_o of_o the_o three_o age_n have_v the_o first_o age_n authority_n certain_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o by_o mean_n of_o its_o authority_n its_o sensation_n too_o and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n spring_v from_o that_o experimential_a perception_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o the_o three_o age_n as_o it_o do_v upon_o the_o second_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n upon_o the_o the_o four_o five_o and_o five_o hundred_o while_o it_o be_v know_v to_o have_v come_v down_o by_o the_o way_n of_o testification_n and_o this_o be_v know_v by_o its_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n as_o testify_v for_o if_o the_o second_o age_n can_v not_o tell_v the_o three_o it_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o first_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v so_o testify_v the_o same_o reason_n i_o have_v assign_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o that_o will_v hold_v for_o each_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v it_o will_v follow_v no_o age_n can_v say_v a_o former_a age_n testifyd_v so_o unless_o they_o do_v so_o whence_o nothing_o can_v come_v in_o as_o testify_v by_o a_o former_a age_n unless_o thus_o testifyd_v if_o therefore_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n receive_v a_o thing_n as_o testify_v suppose_v the_o notoreity_n of_o it_o secure_v the_o thing_n