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by_o miracle_n and_o good_a live_n and_o for_o so_o good_a a_o end_n as_o to_o save_v man_n soul_n and_o that_o by_o write_v it_o in_o man_n heart_n and_o testify_v to_o other_o and_o all_o this_o at_o a_o time_n when_o man_n may_v judge_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o motive_n for_o believe_v it_o therefore_o since_o in_o all_o these_o respect_v it_o be_v incomparable_o beyond_o the_o story_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n it_o follow_v that_o in_o a_o manner_n infinite_o great_a must_v the_o obligation_n be_v to_o believe_v christ_n doctrine_n than_o alexander_n or_o william_n the_o conqueror_n victory_n or_o any_o history_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n whatsoever_o all_o which_o i_o free_o grant_v but_o can_v yet_o see_v how_o from_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n what_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o not_o those_o argument_n i_o confess_v prove_v that_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v high_o concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n and_o of_o so_o high_a concernment_n to_o the_o world_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o abstract_o from_o the_o book_n write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v so_o much_o infallibility_n in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o every_o age_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v embrace_v for_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o be_v not_o and_o consequent_o whether_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v absolute_o what_o be_v deliver_v it_o by_o the_o precedent_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n mr._n s._n therefore_o put_v himself_o to_o a_o needless_a task_n of_o prove_v that_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o i_o never_o question_v but_o the_o dispute_n be_v whether_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v on_o the_o account_n of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o precedent_n for_o christ_n doctrine_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v all_o along_o how_o careful_o mr._n s._n avoid_v mention_v the_o write_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n because_o he_o know_v all_o his_o game_n about_o oral_a tradition_n will_v be_v quite_o spoil_v by_o a_o true_a state_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o be_v angry_a with_o i_o for_o ask_v he_o that_o question_n about_o the_o scripture_n which_o he_o ask_v i_o about_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v 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
febr._n 27._o 1666._o tractatus_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la the_o rule_n of_o faith_n a_o doctissimo_fw-la viro_fw-la johanne_n tillotson_n scriptus_fw-la imprimatur_fw-la una_fw-la cum_fw-la appendice_fw-la humfr._fw-la london_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o treatise_n of_o mr._n i._n s._n entitle_v sure-footing_a etc._n etc._n by_o john_n tillotson_n d.d._n preacher_n to_o the_o honourable_a society_n of_o lincolns-inn_n to_o which_o be_v adjoin_v a_o reply_n to_o mr._n i.s._n his_o 3_o d_o appendix_n etc._n etc._n by_o edw._n stillingfleet_n d._n d._n one_o of_o his_o majesty_n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a the_o second_o edition_n london_n print_v by_o h.c._n for_o o._n gellibrand_n at_o the_o golden-ball_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1676._o to_o my_o honour_a and_o learned_a friend_n mr._n edward_n stillingfleet_n sir_n i_o have_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n read_v over_o your_o book_n which_o i_o find_v in_o every_o part_n answerable_a to_o its_o title_n viz._n a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n and_o now_o i_o thank_v you_o for_o it_o not_o only_o as_o a_o private_a favour_n but_o a_o public_a benefit_n no_o soon_o have_v i_o peruse_v it_o but_o i_o meet_v with_o a_o discourse_n entitle_v sure-footing_a in_o christianity_n and_o although_o i_o have_v no_o small_a prejudice_n against_o book_n with_o conceit_a title_n yet_o i_o be_v tempt_v to_o look_v into_o this_o because_o it_o pretend_v to_o contain_v animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o your_o book_n which_o i_o have_v so_o late_o read_v over_o upon_o perusal_n of_o which_o animadversion_n i_o find_v that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o have_v attaque_v and_o in_o his_o own_o opinion_n confute_v a_o page_n or_o two_o in_o your_o book_n this_o draw_v i_o on_o to_o take_v a_o view_n of_o his_o main_a discourse_n which_o because_o they_o be_v in_o great_a vogue_n among_o some_o of_o his_o own_o party_n 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liberty_n in_o manage_v my_o answer_n which_o he_o have_v assume_v to_o himself_o in_o prescribe_v law_n to_o i_o about_o it_o therefore_o without_o take_v any_o further_a notice_n of_o his_o letter_n i_o address_v myself_o to_o his_o book_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n part_n i._o the_o explication_n and_o state_n of_o the_o question_n sect_n i._o §_o 1._o the_o question_n he_o propound_v to_o himself_o to_o debate_v be_v question_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o order_n to_o the_o resolution_n whereof_o he_o endeavour_v first_o to_o fix_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o these_o two_o term_n rule_n and_o faith_n which_o way_n of_o proceed_v i_o can_v but_o allow_v to_o be_v very_o proper_a and_o reasonable_a but_o i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n think_v his_o explication_n of_o those_o term_n to_o be_v sufficient_a he_o tell_v we_o that_o a_o rule_n be_v that_o which_o be_v able_a to_o regulate_v or_o guide_v he_o that_o use_v it_o in_o which_o description_n as_o in_o many_o other_o 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be_v these_o viz._n a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n faith_n be_v faith_n this_o be_v the_o right_n self-evident_a method_n he_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o and_o his_o principle_n agree_v admirable_o well_o with_o his_o definition_n if_o he_o have_v but_o proceed_v in_o the_o same_o method_n and_o add_v that_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v oral_a tradition_n and_o that_o to_o say_v oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o whole_a business_n have_v be_v conclude_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n and_o i_o think_v no_o body_n will_v have_v go_v about_o to_o confute_v he_o §_o 3._o reject_v then_o his_o way_n of_o definition_n as_o inept_v and_o frivolous_a and_o no_o way_n tend_v to_o give_v a_o man_n a_o clear_a notion_n of_o thing_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v a_o little_o better_a if_o i_o can_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o term_n a_o rule_n when_o we_o speak_v of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o metaphorical_a word_n which_o in_o its_o first_o and_o proper_a sense_n be_v apply_v to_o material_a and_o sensible_a thing_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v of_o the_o straightness_n and_o crookedness_n of_o thing_n and_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v transfer_v by_o analogy_n to_o thing_n moral_a or_o intellectual_a a_o moral_a rule_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v good_a or_o evil_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o rule_n be_v that_o which_o be_v common_o call_v a_o law_n and_o the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n of_o our_o action_n to_o this_o rule_n be_v suitable_o to_o the_o metaphor_n call_v rectitude_n or_o obliquity_n a_o intellectual_a rule_n
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 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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 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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 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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 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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 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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
enough_o for_o the_o perpetuate_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 2._o second_o nor_o do_v we_o say_v that_o that_o certainty_n and_o assurance_n which_o we_o have_v that_o these_o book_n be_v the_o same_o that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v a_o truth_n capable_a of_o evidence_n sufficient_a and_o as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v have_v for_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n mr._n s._n may_v if_o he_o please_v say_v that_o tradition_n certainty_n be_v a_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n but_o then_o he_o that_o say_v this_o shall_v take_v heed_n how_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o aristole_n be_v so_o wise_a as_o never_o to_o demonstrate_v first_o principles_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o very_a good_a reason_n because_o they_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v and_o most_o prudent_a man_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o a_o self-evident_a principle_n of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v not_o be_v demonstrate_v because_o it_o need_v not_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v a_o man_n write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o which_o every_o man_n must_v assent_v to_o without_o any_o proof_n so_o soon_o as_o it_o be_v propound_v to_o he_o i_o have_v always_o take_v a_o self-evident_a principle_n to_o be_v such_o a_o proposition_n as_o have_v in_o itself_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n and_o not_o need_v to_o be_v make_v evident_a by_o any_o thing_n else_o if_o i_o be_v herein_o mistake_v i_o desire_v mr._n s._n to_o inform_v i_o better_o §_o 3._o so_o that_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o be_v whether_o oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o write_v and_o book_n be_v the_o only_a way_n and_o mean_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n can_v with_o certainty_n and_o security_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o who_o live_v at_o this_o distance_n from_o the_o age_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n this_o he_o affirm_v and_o the_o protestant_n deny_v not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v the_o sole_a mean_n but_o that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o certain_a conveyance_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o withal_o affirm_v that_o this_o doctrine_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o proper_a measure_n and_o standard_n of_o our_o religion_n but_o then_o they_o do_v not_o exclude_v oral_a tradition_n from_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o convey_v to_o we_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o these_o book_n nor_o do_v they_o exclude_v the_o authentic_a record_n of_o former_a age_n nor_o the_o constant_a teach_n and_o practice_n of_o this_o doctrine_n from_o be_v subordinate_a mean_n and_o help_v of_o convey_v it_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o nay_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o exclude_v these_o concurrent_a mean_n that_o they_o suppose_v they_o always_o to_o have_v be_v use_v and_o to_o have_v be_v of_o great_a advantage_n for_o the_o propagate_a and_o explain_v of_o this_o doctrine_n so_o far_o as_o they_o have_v be_v true_o subordinate_a to_o and_o regulate_v by_o these_o sacred_a oracle_n the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o they_o say_v do_v true_o and_o full_o contain_v that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n deliver_v to_o his_o apostle_n and_o they_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n to_o illustrate_v this_o by_o a_o instance_n suppose_v there_o be_v a_o controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n how_o man_n may_v come_v to_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a art_n of_o logic_n which_o aristotle_n teach_v his_o scholar_n and_o some_o shall_v be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o only_a way_n to_o know_v this_o will_v be_v by_o oral_a tradition_n from_o his_o scholar_n which_o we_o may_v easy_o understand_v by_o consult_v those_o of_o the_o present_a age_n who_o learn_v it_o from_o those_o who_o receive_v it_o from_o they_o who_o at_o last_o have_v it_o from_o aristotle_n himself_n but_o other_o shall_v think_v it_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o study_v his_o organon_n a_o book_n acknowledge_v by_o all_o his_o scholar_n to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o himself_o and_o to_o contain_v that_o doctrine_n which_o he_o teach_v they_o they_o who_o take_v this_o latter_a course_n suppose_v the_o authority_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o convey_n to_o they_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o book_n and_o do_v suppose_v this_o doctrine_n to_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o practise_v in_o all_o age_n and_o a_o great_a many_o book_n to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o way_n of_o comment_n and_o explication_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o these_o have_v be_v good_a help_n of_o promote_a the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o they_o may_v well_o enough_o suppose_v all_o this_o and_o yet_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o true_a measure_n and_o standard_n of_o aristotle_n doctrine_n be_v his_o own_o book_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o fond_a thing_n in_o any_o man_n by_o force_v a_o interpretation_n upon_o his_o book_n either_o contrary_a to_o or_o very_o foreign_a and_o remote_a from_o the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o his_o word_n to_o go_v about_o to_o reconcile_v this_o book_n with_o that_o method_n of_o dispute_v which_o be_v use_v by_o the_o profess_a aristotelian_o of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o withal_o that_o scholastic_a jargon_n which_o mr._n s._n learn_v at_o lisbon_n and_o have_v make_v he_o so_o great_a a_o man_n in_o the_o science_n of_o controversy_n as_o to_o enable_v he_o to_o demonstrate_v first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n a_o trick_n not_o to_o be_v learn_v out_o of_o aristotle_n organon_n the_o application_n be_v so_o easy_a that_o i_o need_v not_o make_v it_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n part_n ii_o concern_v the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o whether_o they_o agree_v sole_o to_o oral_a tradition_n sect_n i._o §_o 1._o have_v thus_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o to_o its_o clear_a and_o true_a state_n that_o so_o we_o may_v not_o quarrel_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o dispute_v about_o we_o know_v not_o what_o i_o come_v now_o to_o grapple_v more_o close_o with_o his_o book_n and_o the_o main_a foundation_n of_o his_o discourse_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n first_o that_o the_o essential_a property_n of_o such_o a_o way_n and_o mean_n as_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o security_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n belong_v sole_o to_o oral_a tradition_n this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v in_o his_o five_o first_o discourse_n second_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n shall_v fail_v and_o this_o he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v in_o his_o four_o last_o discourse_n three_o that_o oral_a tradition_n have_v be_v generallly_n repute_v by_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n the_o sole_a way_n and_o mean_n of_o convey_v down_o to_o they_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ._n and_o this_o he_o attempt_v to_o show_v in_o his_o last_o chapter_n which_o he_o call_v the_o consent_n of_o authority_n to_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o forego_v discourse_n if_o he_o make_v good_a these_o three_o thing_n he_o have_v acquit_v himself_o well_o in_o his_o undertake_n but_o whether_o he_o have_v make_v they_o good_a or_o not_o be_v now_o to_o be_v examine_v §_o 2._o first_o whether_o the_o essential_a property_n of_o such_o a_o way_n and_o mean_n as_o can_v with_o certainty_n and_o security_n convey_v down_o to_o we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n belong_v sole_o to_o oral_a tradition_n the_o true_a way_n to_o measure_v the_o essential_a property_n of_o this_o or_o that_o mean_n be_v by_o consider_v its_o sufficiency_n for_o its_o end_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v any_o mean_v sufficient_a for_o the_o obtain_n of_o its_o end_n be_v to_o be_v repute_v and_o essential_a property_n of_o that_o mean_n and_o nothing_o else_o now_o because_o the_o end_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o be_v the_o conveyance_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o they_o may_v be_v sufficient_o certain_a and_o secure_a that_o it_o have_v receive_v no_o change_n or_o corruption_n from_o what_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o mean_n to_o this_o end_n must_v have_v these_o two_o property_n 1._o it_o must_v be_v sufficient_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a 2_o lie_n it_o must_v be_v sufficient_o certain_a to_o we_o that_o be_v such_o as_o we_o may_v be_v full_o satisfy_v concern_v it_o that_o it_o have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o alteration_n if_o it_o have_v these_o two_o condition_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o its_o end_n but_o if_o it_o want_v either_o of_o they_o it_o must_v necessary_o fall_v short_a of_o
all_o with_o a_o great_a secret_n of_o the_o protestant_a doctrine_n which_o it_o seem_v he_o have_v hitherto_o be_v ignorant_a of_o for_o i_o be_o still_o more_o confirm_v in_o my_o opinion_n that_o he_o forsake_v our_o religion_n before_o he_o understand_v it_o that_o when_o they_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o they_o they_o mean_v by_o the_o scripture_n book_n write_v in_o such_o word_n as_o do_v sufficient_o express_v the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n §_o 5._o and_o to_o satisfy_v he_o that_o we_o be_v not_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a in_o suppose_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v such_o a_o book_n i_o will_v beg_v the_o favour_n of_o he_o to_o grant_v i_o these_o four_o thing_n or_o show_v reason_n to_o the_o contrary_n first_o that_o whatever_o can_v be_v speak_v in_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a word_n and_o such_o as_o have_v a_o certain_a sense_n may_v be_v write_v in_o the_o same_o word_n second_o that_o the_o same_o word_n be_v as_o intelligible_a when_o they_o be_v write_v as_o when_o they_o be_v speak_v three_o that_o god_n if_o he_o please_v can_v indite_v a_o book_n in_o as_o plain_a word_n as_o any_o of_o his_o creature_n four_o that_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o god_n affect_v obscurity_n and_o envy_v that_o man_n shall_v understand_v he_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o know_v and_o which_o must_v have_v be_v write_v to_o no_o purpose_n if_o we_o can_v understand_v they_o st._n luke_n 4._o tell_v theophilus_n that_o he_o write_v the_o history_n of_o christ_n to_o he_o on_o purpose_n to_o give_v he_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v but_o how_o a_o book_n which_o have_v no_o certain_a sense_n shall_v give_v a_o man_n certain_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n be_v beyond_o my_o capacity_n st._n john_n 20.31_o say_v that_o he_o purposely_o commit_v several_a of_o christ_n miracle_n to_o write_v that_o man_n may_v believe_v on_o he_o but_o now_o have_v mr._n s._n be_v at_o his_o elbow_n he_o will_v have_v advise_v he_o to_o spare_v his_o labour_n and_o will_v have_v give_v he_o this_o good_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o when_o he_o have_v write_v his_o book_n no_o body_n will_v be_v able_a to_o find_v the_o certain_a sense_n of_o it_o without_o oral_a tradition_n and_o that_o alone_o will_v secure_o and_o intelligible_o convey_v both_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o if_o these_o four_o thing_n be_v but_o grant_v i_o see_v not_o why_o when_o we_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o mean_n of_o convey_v to_o we_o christ_n doctrine_n we_o may_v not_o be_v allow_v to_o understand_v by_o the_o scripture_n a_o book_n which_o do_v in_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a word_n express_v to_o we_o this_o doctrine_n sect_n iii_o 6_o 1._o and_o now_o examine_v although_o this_o may_v have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o his_o exception_n against_o the_o scripture_n as_o be_v incapable_a of_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n because_o all_o of_o they_o suppose_v that_o which_o be_v apparent_o false_a and_o absurd_a as_o grant_v by_o protestant_n viz._n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v only_o a_o heap_n of_o dead_a letter_n and_o insignificant_a character_n without_o any_o sense_n under_o they_o and_o that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v that_o only_a which_o give_v they_o life_n and_o sense_n yet_o because_o several_a of_o his_o exception_n pretend_v to_o show_v that_o the_o true_a property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o at_o all_o appertain_v to_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o i_o shall_v give_v particular_a answer_n to_o they_o and_o as_o i_o go_v along_o show_v that_o tradition_n be_v liable_a to_o all_o or_o most_o of_o those_o exception_n and_o to_o far_o great_a than_o those_o §_o 2._o whereas_o he_o say_v 13._o it_o can_v be_v evident_a to_o protestant_n from_o their_o principle_n that_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v original_o write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v i_o will_v show_v he_o that_o it_o may_v and_o then_o answer_v the_o reason_n of_o this_o exception_n it_o be_v evident_a from_o a_o universal_a constant_a and_o uncontrolled_a tradition_n among_o christian_n not_o only_o oral_a but_o write_v and_o from_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o great_a adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o these_o book_n be_v original_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n and_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o protestant_a principle_n but_o the_o principle_n of_o all_o mankind_n that_o a_o undoubted_a tradition_n be_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o author_n of_o a_o book_n and_o all_o the_o extrinsical_a argument_n that_o can_v ordinary_o be_v have_v of_o a_o book_n write_v long_o ago_o next_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o 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capable_a of_o convince_a demonstration_n again_o do_v but_o consider_v say_v he_o 6._o how_o unequal_a and_o unjust_a a_o condition_n it_o be_v that_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o present_a church_n shall_v not_o be_v hear_v unless_o she_o can_v confute_v all_o the_o peradventure_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v and_o solve_v all_o the_o argument_n which_o the_o infinite_a variety_n of_o time_n place_n and_o occasion_n may_v have_v give_v way_n unto_o and_o than_o you_o will_v see_v how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n he_o be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o such_o as_o man_n nature_n scarce_o afford_v and_o be_v it_o not_o equal_o unjust_a in_o mr._n s._n not_o to_o let_v scripture_n claim_n be_v hear_v unless_o we_o can_v confute_v every_o peradventure_o and_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v see_v then_o how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n mr._n s._n be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o 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give_v so_o much_o offence_n to_o several_a of_o his_o own_o church_n wherein_o he_o acknowledge_v the_o unfortunateness_n to_o he_o of_o the_o word_n infallibility_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o can_v find_v no_o such_o word_n in_o any_o council_n that_o no_o necessity_n appear_v to_o he_o that_o either_o he_o or_o any_o other_o protestant_n shall_v ever_o have_v hear_v that_o word_n name_v and_o much_o less_o press_v with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o of_o late_o it_o have_v general_o be_v in_o disputation_n and_o book_n of_o controversy_n and_o that_o mr._n chillingworth_n combat_v this_o word_n with_o too_o to_o great_a success_n insomuch_o that_o if_o this_o word_n be_v once_o forget_v or_o but_o lay_v by_o mr._n chillingworth_n argument_n will_v lose_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o strength_n and_o that_o if_o this_o word_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o school_n where_o it_o be_v breed_v there_o will_v be_v still_o no_o inconvenience_n and_o that_o since_o by_o manifest_a experience_n the_o english_a protestant_o think_v themselves_o so_o secure_a when_o they_o have_v leave_v to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o that_o word_n and_o in_o very_a deed_n have_v so_o much_o to_o say_v for_o themselves_o when_o they_o be_v press_v unnecessary_o with_o it_o since_o likewise_o it_o be_v a_o word_n capable_a of_o so_o high_a a_o sense_n that_o we_o can_v devise_v one_o more_o full_a and_o proper_a to_o attribute_v to_o god_n himself_o etc._n etc._n since_o all_o this_o be_v so_o he_o think_v he_o can_v be_v blame_v if_o such_o reason_n move_v he_o to_o wish_v that_o the_o protestant_n may_v never_o be_v invite_v to_o combat_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n under_o that_o notion_n a_o very_a ingenuous_a acknowledgement_n and_o as_o cross_v to_o mr._n s_n principle_n as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v but_o the_o word_n infallibility_n be_v not_o so_o unfortunate_a to_o mr._n cressy_n as_o be_v his_o untoward_a explication_n of_o the_o forecited_n passage_n in_o his_o appendix_n which_o he_o afterward_o publish_v chief_o by_o way_n of_o vindication_n of_o himself_o against_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o the_o preface_n to_o my_o lord_n falkland_n discourse_n of_o infallibility_n there_o he_o 3_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o infallibility_n and_o that_o we_o may_v know_v what_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n he_o think_v necessary_a to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o church_n this_o follow_a passage_n will_v inform_v we_o methinks_a say_v he_o if_o god_n have_v furnish_v his_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n with_o evidence_n equal_a to_o this_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v shine_v to_o morrow_n or_o that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o spring_n and_o harvest_n next_o year_n we_o be_v infinite_o oblige_v to_o bless_v his_o providence_n and_o just_o condemn_v if_o we_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o least_o of_o such_o truth_n as_o show_v less_o affection_n to_o save_v our_o soul_n than_o the_o dull_a ploughman_n to_o sow_v their_o corn_n who_o certain_o have_v far_o less_o evidence_n for_o their_o harvest_n than_o catholic_n for_o their_o faith_n and_o yet_o they_o insist_v not_o peevish_o upon_o every_o capricious_a objection_n nor_o exact_v a_o infallible_a security_n of_o a_o plentiful_a reap_v next_o summer_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o difficulty_n and_o contingency_n proceed_v cheerful_o in_o their_o painful_a husbandry_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o discourse_n whatever_o degree_n of_o assurance_n the_o church_n have_v or_o can_v give_v to_o those_o who_o rely_v upon_o she_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o no_o further_a degree_n be_v necessary_a than_o what_o the_o husbandman_n when_o he_o sow_v have_v of_o a_o plentiful_a harvest_n and_o that_o man_n be_v just_o condemn_v if_o they_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o least_o truth_n upon_o such_o security_n which_o yet_o by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n be_v liable_a to_o contingency_n nay_o further_o that_o man_n be_v
the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_n can_v yield_v and_o not_o as_o those_o physician_n who_o when_o they_o have_v promise_v no_o less_o than_o immortality_n can_v at_o last_o only_o reach_v to_o some_o conservation_n of_o health_n or_o youth_n in_o some_o small_a degree_n so_o i_o can_v wish_v the_o author_n to_o well_o assure_v himself_o first_o that_o there_o be_v possible_a a_o infallibility_n before_o he_o be_v too_o earnest_a to_o be_v content_v with_o nothing_o less_o for_o what_o if_o humane_a nature_n shall_v not_o be_v capable_a of_o so_o great_a a_o good_a will_v he_o therefore_o think_v it_o fit_v to_o live_v without_o any_o religion_n because_o he_o can_v not_o get_v such_o a_o one_o as_o himself_o desire_v though_o with_o more_o than_o a_o man_n wish_n be_v it_o not_o rational_a to_o see_v whether_o among_o religion_n some_o one_o have_v not_o such_o notable_a advantage_n over_o the_o rest_n as_o in_o reason_n it_o may_v seem_v humane_a nature_n may_v be_v content_v withal_o let_v he_o cast_v his_o account_n with_o the_o dear_a thing_n he_o have_v his_o own_o or_o friend_n life_n his_o estate_n his_o hope_n of_o posterity_n and_o see_v upon_o what_o term_n of_o advantage_n he_o be_v ready_a to_o venture_v all_o these_o and_o then_o return_v to_o religion_n and_o see_v whether_o if_o he_o do_v not_o venture_v his_o soul_n upon_o the_o like_a it_o be_v true_o reason_n or_o some_o other_o not_o confess_v motive_n which_o withdraw_v he_o for_o my_o own_o part_n as_o i_o doubt_v not_o of_o a_o infallibility_n so_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o set_v that_o aside_o there_o be_v those_o excellency_n find_v on_o the_o catholic_n party_n which_o may_v force_v a_o man_n to_o prefer_v it_o and_o to_o venture_v all_o he_o have_v upon_o it_o before_o all_o other_o religion_n and_o sect_n in_o the_o world_n why_o then_o may_v not_o one_o who_o after_o long_o search_v find_v no_o infallibility_n rest_v himself_o on_o the_o like_a suppose_v man_n nature_n afford_v no_o better_a be_v not_o these_o fair_a concession_n which_o the_o evidence_n and_o force_n of_o truth_n have_v extort_a from_o these_o author_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v that_o that_o which_o mr._n s._n call_v 5._o a_o civil_a piece_n of_o atheistry_n be_v advance_v in_o most_o express_a word_n by_o his_o best_a friend_n and_o therefore_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v as_o he_o threaten_v i_o be_v smart_n with_o they_o in_o opposition_n to_o so_o damnable_a and_o fundamental_a a_o error_n and_o whenever_o he_o attempt_v this_o i_o will_v entreat_v he_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o have_v these_o two_o thing_n to_o prove_v first_o that_o no_o evidence_n but_o demonstration_n can_v give_v a_o man_n sufficient_a assurance_n of_o any_o thing_n second_o that_o a_o bare_a possibility_n that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v a_o rational_a cause_n of_o doubt_v and_o a_o wise_a ground_n of_o suspense_n which_o when_o he_o have_v prove_v i_o shall_v not_o grudge_v he_o his_o infallibility_n sect_n v._o certain_a §_o 1._o the_o last_o part_n of_o this_o three_o discourse_n endeavour_n to_o show_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o convictive_a of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n as_o for_o the_o obstinate_a he_o know_v my_o mind_n already_o let_v we_o see_v why_o the_o most_o acute_a adversary_n may_v not_o be_v convince_v by_o scripture_n because_o as_o he_o object_n 28._o first_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o this_o book_n be_v god_n word_n because_o of_o the_o many_o strange_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n in_o the_o open_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v as_o that_o god_n have_v hand_n and_o foot_n etc._n etc._n and_o because_o of_o the_o contradiction_n in_o it_o to_o which_o i_o have_v already_o return_v a_o answer_n second_o because_o as_o he_o say_v 31._o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n in_o any_o particular_a text_n that_o it_o be_v not_o foist_v in_o or_o some_o way_n alter_v in_o its_o significativeness_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o negative_a proposition_n that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o insert_v if_o affirmative_a not_o leave_v out_o and_o if_o we_o pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o this_o he_o demand_v 31._o our_o demonstration_n for_o it_o but_o how_o unreasonable_a this_o demand_n be_v i_o hope_v i_o have_v sufficient_o show_v and_o to_o show_v it_o yet_o further_o i_o ask_v he_o how_o their_o church_n know_v that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o leave_v out_o of_o any_o text_n in_o which_o it_o be_v now_o find_v in_o their_o copy_n i_o know_v he_o have_v a_o ready_a answer_n viz._n by_o oral_a tradition_n but_o this_o according_a to_o he_o 116._o only_a reach_n to_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 concern_v the_o rest_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v impossible_a according_a to_o his_o own_o principle_n that_o they_o shall_v have_v any_o security_n that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o undue_o insert_v or_o leave_v out_o by_o the_o transcriber_n nay_o as_o to_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o fall_n in_o with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n i_o demand_v his_o demonstration_n that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o undue_o insert_v or_o leave_v out_o not_o only_o in_o those_o text_n but_o also_o in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o doctrine_n coincident_a with_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n if_o he_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a any_o age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o leave_v out_o or_o insert_v the_o particle_n not_o in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n so_o say_v i_o it_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v conspire_v to_o leave_v it_o out_o of_o the_o write_a text_n but_o then_o i_o differ_v from_o he_o thus_o far_o that_o i_o do_v not_o think_v this_o natural_o impossible_a so_o as_o that_o it_o can_v rigorous_o be_v demonstrate_v but_o only_o moral_o impossible_a so_o that_o no_o body_n have_v any_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o which_o to_o a_o prudent_a man_n be_v as_o good_a as_o a_o demonstration_n pyrrho_n himself_o never_o advance_v any_o principle_n of_o scepticism_n beyond_o this_o viz._n that_o man_n ought_v to_o question_v the_o credit_n of_o all_o book_n concern_v which_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v as_o to_o every_o sentence_n in_o they_o that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o insert_v if_o it_o be_v affirmative_a or_o leave_v out_o if_o it_o be_v negative_a if_o so_o much_o be_v require_v to_o free_v a_o man_n from_o reasonable_a doubt_v concern_v a_o book_n how_o happy_a be_v they_o that_o have_v attain_v to_o infallibility_n what_o he_o say_v concern_v the_o variae_fw-la lectiones_fw-la 32._o of_o scripture_n have_v already_o have_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n §_o 2._o in_o his_o four_o discourse_n he_o endeavour_v to_o show_v 33._o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o certain_a in_o itself_o and_o consequent_o not_o ascertain_v to_o we_o first_o not_o certain_a material_o consider_v 34._o as_o consist_v of_o such_o and_o such_o character_n because_o book_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v burn_v tear_v blot_v wear_v out_o we_o grant_v it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o any_o or_o all_o the_o book_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v burn_v but_o then_o we_o say_v likewise_o that_o a_o book_n so_o universal_o disperse_v may_v easy_o be_v preserve_v though_o we_o have_v no_o assurance_n that_o god_n will_v preserve_v it_o in_o case_n all_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o careless_a as_o to_o endeavour_v or_o suffer_v the_o abolition_n of_o it_o but_o it_o seem_v the_o scripture_n can_v be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o external_a accident_n and_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o 34._o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o remote_a and_o impertinent_a exception_n yet_o to_o one_o who_o consider_v the_o wise_a disposition_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o will_v deserve_v a_o deep_a consideration_n because_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o end_n of_o god_n make_v nature_n the_o mean_n to_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o settle_v strong_a and_o unalterable_a than_o any_o other_o piece_n of_o nature_n whatever_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o wise_a reason_n this_o exception_n still_o seem_v to_o i_o both_o remote_a and_o impertinent_a for_o if_o this_o which_o he_o call_v a_o reason_n be_v a_o truth_n it_o will_v from_o thence_o necessary_o follow_v not_o only_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v convey_v by_o such_o a_o mean_n as_o be_v more_o unalterable_a than_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n but_o also_o by_o a_o clear_a parity_n of_o reason_n that_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o our_o salvation_n do_v operate_v towards_o the_o accomplish_n of_o their_o end_n with_o great_a certainty_n than_o the_o fire_n burn_v or_o the_o sun_n shine_v which_o they_o can_v never_o do_v unless_o they_o operate_v
more_o necessary_o than_o any_o natural_a cause_n now_o how_o they_o can_v do_v so_o upon_o voluntary_a agent_n i_o desire_v mr._n s._n to_o inform_v i_o §_o 3._o he_o proceed_v by_o a_o long_a harangue_n to_o show_v 34._o that_o not_o only_o these_o material_a character_n in_o themselves_o be_v corruptible_a but_o in_o complexion_n with_o the_o cause_n actual_o lay_v in_o the_o world_n to_o preserve_v they_o entire_a because_o either_o those_o cause_n be_v material_a and_o then_o they_o be_v also_o liable_a to_o continual_a alteration_n or_o spiritual_a that_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o from_o these_o we_o may_v with_o good_a reason_n hope_n for_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o constancy_n than_o from_o any_o other_o piece_n of_o nature_n which_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o very_a strange_a paradox_n that_o the_o action_n of_o voluntary_a agent_n have_v a_o great_a certainty_n and_o constancy_n in_o they_o than_o those_o of_o natural_a agent_n of_o which_o the_o fall_n of_o angel_n and_o man_n compare_v with_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n in_o their_o first_o state_n be_v a_o very_a good_a evidence_n §_o 4._o but_o he_o add_v a_o caution_n 35._o that_o they_o be_v perfect_o unalterable_a from_o their_o nature_n and_o unerrable_a if_o due_a circumstance_n be_v observe_v that_o be_v if_o due_a proposal_n be_v make_v to_o beget_v certain_a knowledge_n and_o due_a care_n use_v to_o attend_v to_o such_o proposal_n but_o who_o can_v warrant_v that_o due_a proposal_n will_v always_o be_v make_v to_o man_n and_o due_a care_n use_v by_o they_o if_o these_o be_v uncertain_a where_o be_v the_o constancy_n and_o unerrableness_n he_o talk_v so_o much_o of_o so_o that_o notwithstanding_o the_o constancy_n of_o this_o spiritual_a cause_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n of_o preserve_v scripture_n entire_a yet_o in_o order_n to_o this_o as_o he_o tell_v 36._o we_o so_o many_o action_n be_v to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v compound_v and_o make_v up_o of_o a_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o several_a particularity_n to_o be_v observe_v every_o of_o which_o may_v be_v mistake_v apart_o each_o be_v a_o distinct_a little_a action_n in_o its_o single_a self_n such_o as_o be_v the_o transcribe_v of_o a_o whole_a book_n consist_v of_o such_o myriad_n of_o word_n single_a letter_n and_o tittle_n or_o stop_n and_o the_o several_a action_n of_o write_v over_o each_o of_o these_o so_o short_a and_o cursory_a that_o it_o prevent_v diligence_n and_o exceed_v humane_a care_n to_o keep_v awake_a and_o apply_v distinct_a attention_n to_o every_o of_o these_o distinct_a action_n mr._n rushworth_n 7._o much_o outdo_v mr._n s._n in_o these_o minute_n cavil_v for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o suppose_v a_o original_a copy_n of_o christ_n word_n write_v by_o one_o of_o the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o same_o language_n let_v he_o have_v set_v down_o every_o word_n and_o syllable_n yet_o man_n conversant_a in_o note_v the_o change_n of_o meaning_n in_o word_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o divers_a accent_n in_o the_o pronunciation_n of_o they_o the_o turn_n of_o the_o speaker_n head_n or_o body_n this_o way_n or_o that_o way_n etc._n etc._n may_v so_o change_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o they_o will_v seem_v quite_o different_a in_o write_v from_o what_o they_o be_v in_o speak_v i_o hope_v that_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n have_v be_v careful_a to_o preserve_v all_o these_o circumstance_n and_o have_v deliver_v down_o christ_n doctrine_n with_o all_o the_o right_a traditionary_a accent_n nod_n and_o gesture_n necessary_a for_o the_o understanding_n of_o it_o otherwise_o the_o omission_n of_o these_o may_v have_v so_o alter_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v now_o quite_o different_a from_o what_o it_o be_v at_o first_o but_o to_o answer_v mr._n s._n we_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v assure_v that_o it_o be_v natural_o impossible_a that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v have_v be_v corrupt_v or_o change_v but_o only_o 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that_o after_o all_o the_o raillery_n and_o rudeness_n he_o have_v use_v against_o it_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o conjecture_v both_o from_o his_o principle_n and_o his_o uncivil_a expression_n concern_v they_o what_o his_o esteem_n be_v of_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n probably_n it_o be_v requisite_a in_o prudence_n to_o cast_v in_o a_o few_o good_a word_n concern_v the_o scripture_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o more_o tender_a and_o squeamish_a novice_n of_o their_o religion_n or_o as_o mr._n rushworth_n nephew_n 14._o say_v frank_o and_o open_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o indifferent_a man_n that_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o verbal_a and_o apparent_a respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n who_o it_o seem_v be_v not_o yet_o attain_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o catholic_n piety_n and_o fortitude_n as_o to_o endure_v patient_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v revile_v or_o slight_v beside_o that_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o who_o they_o hope_v hereafter_o to_o convert_v 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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
sense_n and_o explication_n thereof_o to_o have_v descend_v to_o they_o by_o oral_a tradition_n for_o just_a as_o the_o traditionary_a christian_n do_v now_o so_o josephus_n tell_v 12._o we_o the_o traditionary_a jew_n of_o old_a the_o pharisee_n do_v pretend_v by_o their_o oral_a tradition_n to_o interpret_v the_o law_n more_o accurate_o and_o exact_o than_o any_o other_o sect._n in_o like_a manner_n he_o 2._o tell_v we_o that_o all_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o prayer_n and_o divine_a worship_n be_v regulate_v and_o administer_v according_a to_o their_o interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n and_o they_o both_o agree_v in_o this_o to_o make_v void_a the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o their_o tradition_n which_o the_o pharisee_n do_v no_o otherwise_o than_o mr._n s._n do_v by_o equal_v oral_a tradition_n to_o scripture_n nay_o prefer_n it_o above_o scripture_n in_o make_v it_o the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n according_a to_o it_o hence_o be_v those_o common_a say_n in_o the_o talmud_n and_o other_o jewish_a book_n do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o write_a law_n be_v the_o foundation_n but_o that_o the_o law_n oral_o deliver_v be_v the_o right_a foundation_n which_o be_v to_o say_v with_o mr._n s._n that_o not_o the_o scripture_n but_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n again_o there_o be_v more_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o scribe_n viz._n the_o testifier_n of_o tradition_n than_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o write_v law_n again_o the_o oral_a law_n excel_v the_o write_a as_o much_o as_o the_o soul_n do_v the_o body_n which_o accord_v very_o well_o with_o what_o mr._n s._n frequent_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n without_o tradition_n be_v but_o a_o dead_a letter_n destitute_a of_o life_n and_o sense_n hence_o also_o it_o be_v that_o they_o require_v the_o people_n as_o the_o traditionary_a church_n do_v now_o to_o yield_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o tradition_n even_o in_o the_o most_o absurd_a thing_n as_o appear_v by_o that_o common_a say_n among_o they_o if_o the_o scribe_n say_v that_o the_o right_a hand_n be_v the_o left_a and_o the_o leave_v the_o right_n that_o bread_n be_v flesh_n and_o wine_n be_v blood_n harken_v to_o they_o that_o be_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o whatsoever_o they_o deliver_v as_o tradition_n though_o never_o so_o contrary_a to_o reason_n or_o sense_n and_o last_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v many_o of_o they_o practical_a such_o be_v all_o those_o which_o concern_v external_a rite_n and_o observance_n as_o wash_v of_o hand_n and_o cup_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o these_o pharisaical_a tradition_n have_v also_o that_o unspeakable_a advantage_n which_o mr._n s._n say_v render_v their_o tradition_n unmistakeable_a that_o they_o be_v daily_o practise_v and_o come_v down_o clad_v in_o such_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o stupid_a man_n live_v can_v not_o possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o therefore_o according_a to_o mr._n s_n principle_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o age_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v persuade_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v command_v by_o moses_n and_o ever_o since_o observe_v if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n deny_v these_o custom_n to_o have_v be_v of_o any_o such_o authority_n as_o they_o pretend_v §_o 2._o but_o i_o need_v not_o to_o have_v take_v all_o this_o pain_n to_o show_v the_o agreement_n which_o be_v between_o the_o traditionary_a jew_n and_o papist_n their_o own_o writer_n so_o liberal_o acknowledge_v it_o mr._n white_a 6._o indeed_o say_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o deliver_v to_o they_o oral_o but_o by_o write_v than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o inconsistent_a with_o his_o hypothesis_n for_o if_o the_o jewish_a faith_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o not_o oral_o but_o by_o write_v then_o either_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n or_o else_o a_o write_n may_v be_v such_o a_o rule_n but_o other_o of_o their_o champion_n make_v great_a use_n of_o the_o parallel_n between_o the_o traditionary_a jew_n and_o the_o romish_a church_n to_o confirm_v from_o thence_o their_o own_o traditionary_a doctrine_n cardinal_n perron_n have_v a_o full_a passage_n to_o this_o purpose_n as_o this_o say_v he_o 4._o be_v to_o preserve_v a_o sound_n and_o entire_a respect_n to_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o ancient_a mosaic_a scripture_n to_o believe_v and_o observe_v not_o only_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v therein_o actual_o contain_v but_o also_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v therein_o contain_v mediate_o and_o relative_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o paradise_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v not_o contain_v therein_o but_o mediate_o and_o by_o the_o authority_n which_o it_o give_v to_o the_o deposition_n of_o the_o patriarchal_a and_o mosaic_a tradition_n preserve_v by_o heart_n and_o in_o the_o oral_a doctrine_n of_o the_o synagogue_n so_o this_o be_v to_o preserve_v a_o sound_n and_o entire_a respect_n to_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o apostolical_a scripture_n to_o believe_v and_o observe_v all_o the_o thing_n which_o it_o contain_v not_o only_o immediate_o and_o by_o itself_o but_o mediate_o and_o by_o reference_n to_o the_o apostolical_a tradition_n to_o which_o in_o gross_a and_o general_o it_o give_v the_o authority_n of_o apostolical_a doctrine_n and_o to_o the_o church_n the_o authority_n of_o guardian_n and_o depositary_a to_o preserve_v and_o attest_v they_o voysin_n in_o his_o observation_n upon_o raymundus_n martin_n 145._o tell_v we_o that_o as_o in_o the_o old_a law_n the_o great_a consistory_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o true_a tradition_n so_o say_v he_o the_o see_v of_o rome_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o our_o tradition_n and_o as_o the_o continual_a succession_n of_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o father_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o great_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o tradition_n so_o say_v he_o with_o we_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o catholic_n doctrine_n be_v confirm_v by_o a_o continual_a succession_n of_o pope_n §_o 3._o from_o all_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o pharisee_n among_o the_o jew_n make_v the_o same_o pretence_n to_o oral_a tradition_n which_o the_o papist_n do_v at_o this_o day_n according_a to_o mr._n s._n and_o if_o so_o then_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n a_fw-fr posteriori_fw-la be_v every_o whit_n as_o strong_a for_o the_o jew_n against_o our_o saviour_n as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o papist_n against_o the_o protestant_n for_o we_o find_v that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n it_o be_v then_o the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o the_o traditionary_a jew_n that_o their_o faith_n and_o their_o rite_n and_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o interpretation_n of_o their_o write_a law_n be_v descend_v from_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n to_o they_o uninterrupted_o which_o we_o find_v be_v most_o firm_o root_v in_o their_o heart_n but_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o constant_a tradition_n among_o they_o that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v a_o great_a temporal_a prince_n and_o though_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v he_o may_v well_o enough_o have_v be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o low_a and_o suffer_a condition_n of_o our_o saviour_n yet_o they_o do_v infallible_o know_v that_o their_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v another_o kind_n of_o person_n from_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n from_o the_o interpretation_n of_o those_o prophecy_n oral_o bring_v down_o to_o they_o from_o the_o patriarchal_a and_o mosaic_a tradition_n preserve_v by_o heart_n and_o in_o the_o oral_a doctrine_n of_o the_o synagogue_n and_o from_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o their_o church_n essential_a that_o be_v the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o then_o traditionary_a jew_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n do_v indeed_o bring_v down_o several_a doctrine_n not_o contain_v in_o scripture_n of_o paradise_n of_o hell_n of_o the_o last_o judgement_n of_o the_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n as_o cardinal_n perron_n affirm_v but_o it_o do_v not_o bring_v down_o this_o point_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v a_o temporal_a prince_n then_o as_o mr._n s._n 76._o ask_v we_o so_o the_o jew_n do_v he_o by_o what_o virtue_n tradition_n bring_v down_o those_o other_o point_n and_o whether_o the_o same_o virtue_n be_v not_o powerful_a to_o bring_v down_o this_o as_o well_o as_o those_o then_o he_o will_v ask_v he_o far_o be_v there_o not_o a_o necessary_a connexion_n and_o relation_n between_o a_o constant_a cause_n and_o its_o formal_a effect_n so_o that_o if_o its_o formal_a effect_n be_v point_n receive_v as_o deliver_v ever_o the_o proper_a cause_n must_v be_v a_o ever-delivery_n whence_o he_o will_v argue_v from_o such_o a_o effect_n to_o its_o cause_n for_o any_o particular_a point_n and_o consequent_o for_o this_o point_n that_o be_v in_o controversy_n between_o jew_n
the_o faith_n by_o scripture_n this_o say_v he_o be_v a_o great_a triumph_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o demonstrate_v our_o opinion_n so_o strong_o and_o to_o overthrow_v the_o contrary_a by_o testimony_n from_o scripture_n and_o neither_o in_o this_o epistle_n nor_o the_o other_o do_v he_o make_v any_o mention_n of_o oral_a tradition_n next_o he_o cite_v that_o know_a place_n in_o irenaeus_n but_o what_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o leave_v we_o the_o scripture_n ought_v we_o not_o to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o tradition_n &_o c._n this_o make_v clear_o against_o he_o for_o it_o imply_v that_o now_o the_o apostle_n have_v leave_v we_o the_o scripture_n we_o ought_v to_o follow_v they_o the_o other_o passage_n he_o cite_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o be_v a_o clear_a eviction_n that_o he_o do_v not_o consult_v the_o book_n for_o he_o put_v two_o saying_n together_o which_o he_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o mr._n white_a immediate_o one_o after_o the_o other_o and_o because_o mr._n white_n have_v cite_v lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o for_o the_o first_o say_n and_o bring_v in_o the_o other_o immediate_o upon_o it_o with_o a_o et_fw-la rursus_fw-la again_o etc._n etc._n therefore_o mr._n s._n who_o be_v of_o a_o right_n traditionary_a temper_n which_o be_v to_o take_v thing_n easy_o upon_o trust_v himself_o and_o require_v demonstration_n from_o other_o conclude_v that_o these_o say_n be_v in_o the_o same_o place_n though_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v in_o several_a book_n as_o for_o the_o testimony_n itself_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o to_o mr._n s_n purpose_n beside_o the_o word_n tradition_n which_o irenaeus_n do_v often_o apply_v to_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o oral_a tradition_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o place_n to_o determine_v it_o to_o oral_a tradition_n his_o testimony_n out_o of_o origen_n will_v do_v he_o less_o stead_n for_o every_o one_o that_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o write_n of_o that_o father_n know_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n tradition_n preserve_v by_o order_n of_o succession_n viz._n the_o mystical_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o say_v be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o they_o down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n if_o this_o be_v the_o tradition_n mr._n s._n contend_v for_o origen_n be_v at_o his_o service_n if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o assure_v he_o he_o be_v not_o for_o his_o turn_n next_o come_v tertullian_n concern_v who_o as_o also_o origen_n the_o papist_n upon_o occasion_n think_v it_o enough_o to_o reply_v in_o st._n hierom_n word_n helvid_n as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v of_o he_o but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o he_o be_v these_o be_v his_o word_n if_o thou_o be_v but_o a_o christian_a believe_v what_o be_v traditum_fw-la deliver_v and_o here_o be_v nothing_o again_o but_o the_o word_n deliver_v which_o as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v indifferent_a to_o write_a or_o oral_a tradition_n if_o the_o circumstance_n do_v not_o determine_v it_o to_o one_o as_o here_o they_o do_v very_o unlucky_o for_o mr._n s._n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o he_o dispute_v here_o against_o martion_n who_o deny_v the_o flesh_n of_o christ_n and_o who_o to_o maintain_v that_o deny_v his_o nativity_n and_o etc._n expunge_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o say_v tertullian_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v thou_o do_v this_o if_o thou_o be_v a_o prophet_n foretell_v something_o if_o a_o apostle_n preach_v public_o if_o apostolical_a be_v of_o the_o apostle_n mind_n if_o no_o more_o but_o a_o christian_a believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v and_o where_o deliver_v but_o in_o those_o instrument_n or_o book_n of_o the_o gospel_n out_o of_o which_o as_o tertullian_n immediate_o before_o tell_v we_o martion_n have_v make_v bold_a to_o expunge_v this_o story_n as_o for_o his_o testimony_n out_o of_o athanasius_n the_o two_o first_o of_o they_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o faith_n come_v down_o from_o our_o ancestor_n or_o be_v by_o they_o deliver_v to_o we_o which_o no_o body_n deny_v nor_o be_v there_o a_o word_n in_o either_o of_o they_o concern_v oral_a in_o opposition_n to_o write_a tradition_n the_o three_o testimony_n be_v out_o of_o a_o epistle_n to_o epictetus_n to_o who_o athanasius_n writing_n concern_v those_o who_o hold_v christ_n body_n to_o be_v consubstantial_a with_o his_o divinity_n tell_v he_o this_o be_v so_o gross_a a_o conceit_n that_o it_o need_v no_o solicitous_a confutation_n but_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o say_v in_o general_a the_o orthodox_n church_n be_v not_o of_o that_o mind_n our_o father_n do_v not_o think_v so_o from_o whence_o mr._n s._n infer_v that_o tradition_n be_v hold_v by_o he_o a_o sole_a sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o only_a answer_n to_o be_v give_v why_o we_o reject_v point_n from_o faith_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o he_o have_v consult_v the_o book_n he_o will_v not_o have_v infer_v that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a answer_n to_o be_v give_v etc._n etc._n for_o it_o immediate_o follow_v but_o lest_o from_o our_o be_v whole_o silent_a these_o inventor_n of_o evil_a thing_n shall_v take_v occasion_n to_o be_v more_o impudent_a it_o will_v be_v good_a to_o recite_v a_o few_o passage_n out_o of_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n and_o from_o thence_o he_o confute_v they_o at_o large_a it_o be_v so_o gross_a a_o error_n that_o he_o think_v it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a without_o bring_v particular_a argument_n out_o of_o scripture_n against_o it_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n but_o yet_o lest_o they_o shall_v if_o he_o have_v say_v no_o more_o have_v take_v boldness_n from_o thence_o and_o think_v that_o nothing_o more_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o therefore_o he_o confute_v it_o from_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o what_o in_o his_o opinion_n be_v the_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n mr._n s._n may_v have_v see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o epistle_n from_o these_o word_n that_o faith_n which_o be_v profess_v by_o the_o father_n in_o that_o council_n viz._n the_o nicene_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o i_o sufficient_a etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o scripture_n be_v to_o he_o the_o rule_n and_o standard_n whereby_o to_o judge_v even_o the_o creed_n of_o general_a council_n mr._n s._n say_v he_o will_v be_v short_a in_o the_o rest_n and_o so_o will_v i._o for_o what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v to_o testimony_n bring_v at_o a_o venture_n when_o he_o that_o bring_v they_o have_v he_o read_v the_o book_n themselves_o can_v not_o have_v have_v the_o face_n to_o have_v bring_v they_o such_o be_v this_o out_o of_o 7._o clem._n alezand_n as_o if_o one_o of_o a_o man_n become_v a_o beast_n like_o those_o infect_v with_o circe_n poison_n so_o he_o have_v forfeit_v his_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o faithful_a to_o our_o lord_n who_o spurn_v against_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n and_o leap_v into_o opinion_n of_o human_a election_n mr._n s._n know_v who_o way_n of_o quote_v this_o be_v to_o pick_v a_o bit_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o text_n that_o sound_v something_o towards_o his_o purpose_n and_o leave_v out_o the_o rest_n which_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a to_o be_v mean_v just_a contrary_n yet_o i_o can_v charge_v this_o whole_o upon_o mr._n s._n who_o implicit_a faith_n be_v it_o not_o for_o his_o culpable_a ignorance_n may_v excuse_v he_o but_o for_o his_o seducer_n mr._n white_a how_o he_o can_v acquit_v himself_o of_o so_o foul_a a_o imputation_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o ingenuous_a papist_n to_o judge_n when_o i_o have_v naked_o set_v the_o whole_a passage_n before_o he_o clemens_n speak_v of_o heretic_n who_o relinquish_v the_o scripture_n or_o abuse_v it_o by_o wrest_v it_o to_o their_o lust_n say_v man_n who_o deal_v in_o matter_n of_o high_a importance_n must_v needs_o commit_v great_a error_n if_o they_o do_v not_o take_v and_o hold_v the_o rule_n of_o truth_n from_o truth_n itself_o for_o such_o man_n have_v once_o deviate_v from_o the_o right_a way_n do_v likewise_o err_v in_o most_o particular_n probable_o because_o they_o have_v not_o the_o faculty_n of_o distinguish_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n perfect_o exercise_v to_o choose_v what_o ought_v to_o be_v choose_v for_o if_o they_o have_v this_o they_o will_v be_v rule_v by_o the_o divine_a scriptures_fw-fr therefore_o as_o if_o any_o of_o mankind_n shall_v become_v a_o beast_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o those_o who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d bewitch_v by_o circe_n even_o so_o he_o have_v lose_v his_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o abide_v faithful_a to_o the_o lord_n who_o have_v spurn_v against_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o
do_v not_o remain_v the_o write_n of_o other_o brethren_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o victor_n be_v time_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o book_n of_o all_o who_o christ_n divinity_n be_v acknowledge_v and_o afterward_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o heretic_n do_v change_v and_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o their_o opinion_n so_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o outward_a letter_n of_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v correct_v by_o tradition_n and_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n st._n hierom_n also_o tell_v we_o 19_o that_o the_o heretic_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a who_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n but_o he_o add_v that_o the_o true_a son_n of_o judah_n adhere_v to_o the_o scripture_n §_o 4._o that_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a st._n chrysostome_n 4._o all_o thing_n in_o the_o divine_a scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o straight_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v necessary_a be_v manifest_a st._n austin_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o profoundness_n of_o scripture_n add_v 3._o not_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o hard_a to_o be_v come_v at_o but_o say_v he_o when_o one_o have_v there_o attain_v faith_n without_o which_o there_o be_v no_o pious_a and_o right_a live_n there_o be_v beside_o many_o dark_a and_o mysterious_a thing_n etc._n etc._n again_o ibid._n the_o manner_n of_o speech_n in_o scripture_n how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o all_o though_o few_o can_v penetrate_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o those_o thing_n which_o it_o plain_o contain_v it_o speak_v without_o disguise_n like_o a_o familiar_a friend_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a how_o will_v mr._n s._n reconcile_v this_o with_o his_o grand_a exception_n against_o scripture_n and_o what_o these_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v plain_o contain_v in_o scripture_n the_o same_o father_n tell_v 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sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o passage_n then_o we_o may_v reasonable_o rest_v satisfy_v in_o evidence_n for_o these_o matter_n short_a of_o demonstration_n for_o be_v ever_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o word_n so_o plain_a as_o that_o there_o do_v not_o remain_v this_o ground_n of_o suspense_n that_o those_o word_n may_v be_v capable_a of_o another_o sense_n mr._n rushworth_n 7._o say_v that_o disputative_a scholar_n do_v find_v mean_n daily_o to_o explicate_v the_o plain_a word_n of_o a_o author_n to_o a_o quitc_n different_a sense_n and_o that_o the_o world_n may_v be_v furnish_v with_o a_o advantageous_a instance_n of_o the_o possibility_n of_o this_o raynaudus_n libris_fw-la a_o writer_n of_o their_o own_o have_v make_v a_o wanton_a experiment_n upon_o the_o apostle_n creed_n and_o by_o a_o sinister_a but_o possible_a interpretation_n have_v make_v every_o article_n of_o it_o heresy_n and_o blasphemy_n on_o purpose_n to_o show_v that_o the_o plain_a word_n be_v not_o free_a from_o 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one_o i._o b._n be_v so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v learn_v all_o the_o public_a patron_n that_o ever_o this_o hypothesis_n of_o oral_a tradition_n have_v have_v in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o mr._n white_n as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o dialogue_n which_o pass_v under_o rushworth_n name_n the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v yet_o less_o now_o if_o i_o can_v show_v that_o this_o principle_n esteem_v by_o mr._n s._n so_o fundamental_a to_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v plain_o contradict_v by_o the_o principal_a assertor_n of_o oral_a tradstion_n i_o shall_v hereby_o gain_v one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n either_o that_o these_o great_a patron_n of_o oral_a tradition_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a foundation_n of_o their_o own_o hythesis_n or_o that_o this_o principle_n be_v not_o necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o it_o not_o that_o i_o will_v be_v so_o understand_v as_o if_o i_o do_v deny_v that_o these_o very_a person_n do_v sometime_o speak_v 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