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dr._n st._n will_v deserve_v wonderful_o of_o learning_n and_o the_o world_n if_o he_o will_v please_v to_o teach_v we_o this_o admirable_a new_a logic_n of_o conclude_v without_o demonstrate_v and_o demonstrate_v without_o principle_n for_o in_o the_o dull_a way_n of_o learn_v hitherto_o in_o use_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o shameful_a in_o a_o scholar_n to_o own_o he_o have_v demonstrate_v what_o he_o pretend_v shall_v be_v assent_v to_o that_o it_o be_v unpardonable_o shameful_a to_o pretend_v another_o man_n assent_n to_o that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v and_o judge_v to_o have_v demonstrate_v i_o have_v not_o time_n to_o settle_v the_o thought_n which_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n stir_v up_o when_o i_o meet_v with_o the_o preface_n to_o dr._n t_o be_v sermon_n direct_v particular_o to_o i_o and_o mean_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v guess_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o two_o or_o three_o book_n i_o must_v confess_v the_o bitter_a smartness_n i_o find_v there_o and_o the_o piquant_a upbraid_v i_o with_o desert_v the_o defence_n of_o sure-footing_a though_o all_o man_n that_o care_v to_o consider_v any_o thing_n see_v i_o have_v already_o write_v two_o book_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o stir_v i_o sufficient_o but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o all_o this_o provoke_a raillery_n will_v have_v prevail_v with_o i_o to_o answer_v particular_o if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v they_o will_v not_o have_v urge_v i_o so_o press_o if_o their_o friend_n have_v not_o indeed_o desire_v i_o shall_v write_v and_o that_o certain_o i_o shall_v not_o offend_v sober_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o by_o do_v only_o what_o themselves_o so_o press_v wary_a people_n have_v indeed_o suggest_v to_o i_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o adversary_n be_v suspicious_a and_o the_o more_o because_o of_o the_o time_n they_o have_v both_o choose_v since_o they_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v i_o and_o other_o answer_n will_v in_o likelihood_n come_v out_o about_o the_o time_n when_o the_o parliament_n be_v design_v to_o sit_v which_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o proper_a season_n to_o inflame_v the_o mind_n of_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o stir_v up_o a_o new_a persecution_n by_o make_v those_o answer_n which_o themselves_o have_v so_o provokingly_a and_o peremptory_o press_v for_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o insolency_n of_o papist_n and_o the_o growth_n of_o popery_n at_o least_o i_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a security_n for_o one_o in_o my_o circumstance_n than_o to_o mean_v upright_o and_o i_o hope_v every_o body_n will_v see_v by_o my_o long_a silence_n i_o have_v use_v all_o the_o caution_n i_o can_v not_o to_o give_v just_a cause_n of_o offence_n and_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v none_o to_o write_v when_o i_o be_o press_o and_o public_o solicit_v and_o this_o with_o no_o other_o design_n than_o to_o contribute_v if_o i_o can_v to_o the_o long_o desire_a happiness_n of_o bring_v dispute_n and_o disagreement_n in_o religion_n to_o a_o period_n if_o this_o be_v insolence_n or_o crime_n i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o honest_a man_n in_o this_o nation_n or_o world_n who_o be_v innocent_a once_o more_o than_o i_o take_v my_o pen_n in_o hand_n with_o this_o promise_n to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o stop_v again_o by_o their_o indirect_a proceed_n as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o judge_v the_o print_n of_o this_o have_v be_v already_o by_o the_o diligent_a search_v for_o it_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o arrear_n of_o i_o but_o what_o need_v any_o apologize_n at_o present_a to_o prevent_v a_o sinister_a character_n of_o my_o write_n the_o point_n in_o hand_n now_o be_v neither_o the_o defend_v any_o tenet_n of_o protestant_n or_o presbyterian_a on_o dr._n t_n side_n nor_o the_o impugn_v they_o on_o i_o the_o main_a business_n controvert_v between_o he_o and_o i_o at_o present_a be_v whether_o faith_n be_v absolutely-certain_a or_o rather_o as_o he_o call_v it_o only_a moral_o such_o in_o which_o point_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o have_v all_o unprejudiced_a conscientious_a man_n of_o both_o those_o party_n now_o name_v on_o my_o side_n and_o against_o he_o there_o be_v creep_v into_o tho_o world_n insensible_o and_o scepticism_n be_v now_o hatch_n it_o a_o sect_n more_o dangerous_a than_o any_o that_o have_v hitherto_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n in_o particular_a point_n they_o go_v as_o yet_o under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n because_o they_o profess_v many_o perhaps_o most_o point_v of_o christianity_n but_o yet_o if_o we_o may_v trust_v their_o own_o expression_n so_o as_o thence_o to_o frame_v a_o judgement_n of_o they_o have_v notwithstanding_o no_o faith_n at_o all_o or_o no_o hearty_a firm_a immovable_a assent_n to_o those_o point_n or_o any_o of_o they_o as_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o dwindle_a apprehension_n or_o at_o most_o a_o good_a lusty_a hope_n that_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n they_o be_v true_a or_o at_o least_o may_v be_v true_a now_o these_o man_n on_o the_o one_o side_n own_v no_o infallible_a or_o absolutely-certain_a authority_n so_o to_o preserve_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a or_o defend_v it_o from_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o speculation_n that_o be_v to_o protect_v it_o from_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o error_n on_o the_o other_o side_n rely_v either_o on_o some_o authority_n hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la fallible_a that_o be_v which_o they_o see_v may_v perhaps_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o all_o it_o propose_v or_o else_o on_o their_o own_o speculation_n and_o wit_n whether_o exercise_v in_o argue_v from_o thing_n or_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n letter_n and_o withal_o be_v man_n of_o some_o part_n and_o so_o see_v it_o impossible_a to_o make_v out_o that_o either_o those_o reason_n be_v conclusive_a or_o demonstrative_a or_o that_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o possible_o a_o mistake_n hence_o they_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v in_o equivalent_a term_n all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_n though_o they_o express_v it_o wary_o and_o crafty_o because_o they_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o conceit_n of_o the_o generality_n who_o use_v that_o word_n and_o the_o whole_a genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v opposite_a to_o their_o sentiment_n in_o that_o point_n nature_n therefore_o stand_v against_o they_o necessitate_v they_o contrary_a perhaps_o to_o their_o intention_n take_v they_o in_o other_o circumstance_n to_o pursue_v indirect_a way_n and_o so_o at_o unaware_o though_o certain_o not_o without_o some_o mixture_n of_o carelessness_n and_o precipitant_a passion_n to_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o faith_n the_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o work_v this_o mischief_n be_v first_o to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n
of_o and_o that_o what_o be_v according_a to_o our_o right_a nature_n or_o true_a reason_n deserve_v to_o be_v judge_v right_o or_o good_a that_o be_v think_v well_o of_o and_o withal_o that_o virtue_n be_v a_o disposition_n to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n it_o come_v to_o appear_v that_o virtue_n and_o laudable_a have_v in_o theâ—r_a notion_n something_o that_o be_v formal_o identical_a and_o that_o this_o proposition_n virtue_n be_v laudable_a be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o what_o be_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n or_o humane_a nature_n be_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n which_o see_v the_o thing_n be_v conclude_v and_o all_o further_a disquisition_n surcease_v §_o 22._o this_o be_v my_o method_n which_o i_o observe_v to_o my_o power_n whenever_o i_o profess_v to_o demonstrate_v only_o because_o we_o be_v not_o discourse_v in_o severe_a logical_a form_n i_o endeavour_v to_o engage_v at_o the_o very_a first_o identical_a proposition_n or_o the_o first_o principle_n to_o avoid_v all_o possible_a cavil_n which_o use_v to_o take_v occasion_n from_o a_o definition_n be_v too_o large_a or_o too_o narrow_a to_o confound_v and_o obscure_v the_o discourse_n which_o be_v so_o i_o challenge_v dr._n t._n before_o our_o peer_n as_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v hold_v a_o scholar_n and_o a_o honest_a man_n to_o declare_v why_o in_o his_o preface_n p._n 26._o he_o tell_v his_o reader_n without_o any_o the_o least_o proof_n that_o certain_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n be_v never_o so_o profane_v by_o any_o man_n before_o let_v he_o i_o say_v state_z the_o nature_n of_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n and_o then_o make_v out_o in_o what_o my_o way_n of_o discourse_v wrong_n either_o of_o they_o this_o do_v let_v he_o show_v what_o his_o have_v in_o it_o elevate_a it_o beyond_o mere_a superficial_a talk_n till_o he_o do_v this_o i_o accuse_v he_o of_o affect_a ignorance_n in_o himself_o and_o unjust_a calumny_n towards_o i_o and_o that_o he_o stand_v hoot_v or_o as_o himself_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o whoop_v aloof_o with_o flam_n and_o jeer_n but_o dare_v not_o for_o his_o credit_n come_v close_o to_o the_o point_n as_o judge_v it_o his_o interest_n and_o safety_n to_o avoid_v by_o all_o mean_v the_o settle_v any_o conclusive_a method_n of_o discourse_v lest_o his_o loose_a drollery_n which_o now_o be_v the_o only_a stickler_n and_o domineer_v so_o brisk_o come_v then_o to_o be_v quite_o out_o of_o countenance_n and_o hang_v its_o head_n very_o sorry_o be_v by_o that_o mean_v discover_v to_o be_v perfect_o insignificant_a and_o good_a for_o just_a nothing_o at_o all_o discourse_n iu._n how_o dr._n t._n advance_v to_o prove_v a_o deity_n by_o deny_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o all_o science_n but_o mathematics_n §_o 1._o we_o have_v see_v how_o unfortunate_a dr._n t._n have_v be_v in_o impugn_v my_o first_o principle_n and_o method_n of_o discourse_v it_o come_v next_o to_o be_v examine_v how_o successful_a he_o be_v in_o settle_v his_o own_o but_o ere_o i_o come_v close_o to_o that_o matter_n i_o must_v say_v something_o to_o his_o impertinent_a drollery_n because_o he_o think_v they_o rare_a thing_n and_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o carriage_n all_o along_o place_v most_o of_o his_o confidence_n in_o those_o trifle_n nay_o which_o in_o my_o mind_n be_v no_o very_o wise_a project_n he_o will_v have_v his_o reader_n think_v those_o feather_n weighty_a because_o they_o be_v gay_a beside_o these_o be_v my_o only_a confuter_n and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n my_o duty_n not_o to_o neglect_v they_o §_o 2._o he_o challenge_v i_o p._n 4._o to_o have_v threaten_v never_o to_o leave_v follow_v on_o my_o blow_n till_o i_o have_v either_o bring_v dr._n st._n and_o he_o to_o lay_v principle_n that_o will_v bear_v the_o test_n or_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o the_o world_n they_o have_v none_o and_o i_o conceive_v i_o perform_v this_o in_o my_o inference_n at_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o have_v do_v more_o but_o for_o certain_a reason_n which_o i_o give_v in_o my_o preface_n but_o this_o be_v no_o such_o great_a threat_n i_o know_v they_o prone_a enough_o of_o their_o own_o genius_n to_o do_v voluntary_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o now_o both_o of_o they_o have_v like_o true_a friend_n conspire_v to_o do_v i_o that_o favour_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n for_o dr._n t._n declare_v here_o to_o no_o few_o than_o all_o the_o world_n that_o he_o neither_o have_v any_o principle_n nor_o will_v have_v any_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o but_o identical_a proposition_n as_o speak_v of_o first_o principle_n i_o have_v prove_v there_o be_v not_o and_o dr._n still_o have_v lay_v such_o principle_n of_o late_a as_o will_v make_v any_o understanding_n man_n that_o read_v they_o swear_v he_o be_v as_o far_o from_o have_v any_o as_o his_o friend_n excellent_a one_o indeed_o he_o put_v at_o first_o but_o the_o mischief_n be_v they_o make_v nothing_o at_o all_o for_o his_o purpose_n some_o fumble_a proposition_n there_o be_v that_o make_v for_o his_o purpose_n but_o the_o ill_a luck_n be_v they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v the_o least_o semblance_n of_o principle_n that_o no_o wit_n of_o man_n shall_v ever_o make_v they_o look_v like_o good_a conclusion_n and_o to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o trial_n if_o out_o of_o any_o principle_n forelay_v there_o he_o can_v infer_v that_o main_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n only_a point_n viz._n that_o scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o put_v it_o in_o a_o conclusive_a syllogism_n or_o two_o i_o promise_v he_o upon_o the_o sight_n of_o it_o to_o become_v of_o his_o persuasion_n but_o my_o friend_n tell_v i_o here_o he_o perceive_v great_a mind_n be_v merciful_a and_o do_v sometime_o content_v themselves_o to_o threaten_v when_o they_o can_v destroy_v and_o in_o return_n i_o tell_v he_o i_o be_o sorry_a to_o find_v by_o these_o word_n that_o a_o certain_a person_n not_o unknown_a to_o he_o be_v far_o from_o have_v a_o great_a mind_n who_o immediate_o upon_o the_o publish_n my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o fight_v to_o destroy_v i_o without_o threaten_v §_o 3._o i_o charge_v he_o former_o and_o now_o charge_v he_o again_o to_o make_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o to_o be_v false_a also_o i_o charge_v the_o same_o position_n in_o equivalent_a term_n upon_o a_o sermon_n of_o he_o and_o that_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o still_o be_o ready_a to_o maintain_v that_o charge_n but_o first_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o on_o this_o occasion_n my_o friend_n be_v grow_v much_o out_o of_o humour_n and_o from_o the_o merry_a conceited_a vein_n of_o wit_n and_o drollery_n fall_v into_o downright_a scold_a with_o he_o know_v in_o his_o conscience_n he_o dare_v not_o cite_v etc._n etc._n notorious_a falsehood_n groundless_a calumny_n he_o dare_v not_o refer_v to_o the_o place_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o man_n it_o will_v make_v any_o other_o man_n sufficient_o ashamed_a he_o may_v blush_v to_o acknowledge_v etc._n etc._n why_o what_o be_v the_o matter_n sure_o there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o the_o business_n that_o make_v a_o man_n of_o mirth_n of_o late_a so_o pleasant_a on_o a_o sudden_a thus_o pettish_a he_o say_v i_o dare_v not_o cite_v the_o word_n of_o his_o book_n or_o sermon_n how_o i_o dare_v not_o i_o will_v not_o be_v so_o rude_a as_o to_o use_v dr._n t_n word_n here_o p._n 35._o certain_o one_o will_v think_v that_o this_o man_n have_v either_o no_o eye_n or_o no_o forehead_n but_o i_o must_v say_v that_o all_o who_o have_v eye_n may_v see_v and_o all_o who_o have_v any_o degree_n of_o sincerity_n will_v acknowledge_v that_o i_o do_v cite_v those_o word_n out_o of_o his_o book_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n p._n 171._o where_o i_o fasten_v that_o position_n on_o he_o dr._n st._n his_o abetter_n and_o their_o adherent_n and_o as_o for_o the_o word_n of_o his_o sermon_n it_o be_v no_o proper_a place_n to_o cite_v or_o confute_v they_o there_o it_o be_v enough_o there_o to_o add_v as_o i_o do_v after_o my_o charge_n these_o word_n as_o may_v perhaps_o more_o particular_o be_v show_v hereafter_o relate_v to_o a_o future_a examination_n of_o it_o intend_v in_o another_o treatise_n i_o use_v not_o to_o confute_v book_n in_o preface_n as_o be_v the_o late_a mode_n of_o answer_v witness_v dr._n pierce_n against_o mr._n cressy_n the_o dissuader_n against_o the_o discovery_n and_o dr._n t._n here_o against_o three_o of_o i_o which_o as_o his_o friend_n say_v well_o be_v like_a rat_n gnaw_v the_o corner_n of_o book_n or_o as_o dr._n t._n himself_o express_v it_o here_o manful_o
and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n you_o see_v here_o gentlemen_z how_o great_a stress_n i_o lay_v upon_o dr._n t.'s_n confession_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o consequent_o his_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o real_o if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o it_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o suffer_v a_o very_a great_a defeat_n because_o i_o so_o much_o build_v upon_o it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v utter_o overthrow_v as_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n either_o of_o be_v a_o good_a writer_n or_o a_o solid_a christian_a divine_a and_o he_o will_v owe_v the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o who_o his_o doctrine_n have_v pervert_v by_o turn_v their_o faith_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n who_o ground_n and_o consequent_o itself_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a into_o opinion_n who_o ground_n and_o by_o consequence_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v such_o and_o last_o unless_o he_o avoid_v or_o râ—â—ants_v this_o error_n object_v all_o he_o have_v write_v 〈◊〉_d convince_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o be_v againâ—â—â—ith_n and_o its_o true_a ground_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v quite_o overthrow_v in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o those_o who_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o act_n of_o right_a faith_n that_o be_v a_o asseâ—â—_n build_v on_o those_o ground_n god_n have_v leave_v in_o the_o church_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n and_o command_v they_o to_o believe_v upon_o those_o ground_n whether_o scripture_n letter_n or_o the_o church_n voice_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o a_o lie_n which_o all_o sober_a protestant_n presbyterian_o nay_o almost_o all_o sect_n except_o some_o few_o witty_a man_n incline_v much_o by_o read_v such_o author_n to_o scepticism_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o &_o perhaps_o some_o socinian_o reject_v abominate_a and_o hate_v with_o all_o their_o heart_n the_o charge_n be_v lay_v and_o the_o case_n be_v put_v now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n which_o ere_o we_o do_v i_o desire_v those_o reader_n who_o have_v dr._n t.'s_n preface_n by_o they_o to_o read_v his_o 9_o the_o page_n or_o else_o his_o whole_a page_n 118._o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n lest_o either_o of_o we_o may_v injure_v he_o by_o a_o wrong_a apprehension_n i_o discourse_v thus_o §_o 2._o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o who_o make_v the_o ground_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a make_v faith_n itself_o such_o likewise_o since_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v strong_a than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o next_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o dr._n t._n be_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v god_n sense_n or_o faith_n last_o that_o in_o the_o place_n now_o cite_v and_o relate_v by_o he_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o sense_n as_o he_o acknowledge_v here_o page_z 15._o these_o thing_n thus_o premise_v i_o put_v he_o this_o dilemma_n either_o he_o hold_v what_o he_o conceive_v to_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v his_o faith_n true_a or_o he_o do_v not_o if_o he_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a he_o must_v hold_v it_o at_o least_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o not_o actual_o such_o but_o if_o he_o say_v he_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v true_a then_o since_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o security_n he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o of_o the_o book_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o immediate_o subjoin_v these_o very_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o â—ay_v be_v otherwise_o he_o as_o evident_o say_v that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o that_o be_v his_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o it_o be_v that_o what_o be_v otherwise_o than_o true_a be_v false_a i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o dr._n t._n can_v possible_o speak_v more_o plain_o what_o i_o charge_v he_o with_o than_o he_o have_v do_v in_o those_o word_n unless_o he_o shall_v use_v the_o word_n false_a which_o too_o candid_a and_o rude_a expression_n will_v expose_v he_o open_o to_o the_o dislike_n of_o all_o sober_a mâ—n_z and_o therefore_o he_o disguise_v it_o in_o its_o more_o moderate_a equivalent_a otherwise_o i_o say_v equivalent_a and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o what_o the_o word_n otherwise_o relate_v too_o human_a language_n forbid_v that_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v otherwise_o unless_o it_o be_v otherwise_o than_o something_o i_o ask_v then_o otherwise_o than_o what_o do_v he_o mean_v when_o be_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o discourse_v what_o security_n he_o have_v of_o the_o antiquity_n writer_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a as_o word_n can_v express_v he_o must_v mean_v it_o be_v possible_a the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a as_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v possible_a this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o such_o passage_n as_o concern_v faith_n for_o to_o these_o and_o these_o only_a our_o discourse_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o title_n of_o his_o book_n determine_v it_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o none_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o his_o faith_n in_o case_n it_o be_v sole_o ground_v upon_o that_o as_o he_o profess_v see_v reader_n how_o all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o sacred_a one_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o man_n frame_v only_o for_o fine_a talk_v undertake_v to_o prove_v and_o how_o parallel_a his_o defence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n be_v to_o that_o he_o give_v we_o late_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o so_o prove_v a_o god_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a there_o may_v be_v none_o and_o now_o he_o so_o prove_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a it_o may_v be_v no_o rule_n since_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o follow_v may_v lead_v into_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v dr._n t._n need_v here_o the_o blessing_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n else_o he_o will_v not_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v scripture_n a_o rule_n and_o then_o ever_o and_o anon_o in_o equivalent_a language_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v none_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v now_o and_o then_o reflect_v upon_o such_o evident_a truth_n and_o not_o out_o of_o a_o openly-declared_a feud_n against_o those_o first_o principle_n fall_v thus_o perpetual_o into_o manifest_a contradiction_n §_o 3._o but_o how_o do_v dr._n t._n clear_a himself_o of_o this_o charge_n of_o i_o or_o how_o come_v he_o off_o from_o his_o own_o word_n first_o he_o again_o put_v down_o those_o very_a word_n which_o say_v over_o and_o over_o what_o i_o charge_v upon_o he_o and_o then_o ask_v very_o confident_o where_o he_o say_v any_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v just_a as_o wise_a a_o craft_n as_o child_n use_v when_o they_o hoodwink_v themselves_o and_o then_o tell_v the_o bystander_n they_o shall_v not_o see_v they_o next_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o he_o say_v be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a in_o judge_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o mean_v that_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v these_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o to_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n but_o yet_o etc._n etc._n be_v this_o all_o he_o say_v what_o then_o be_v become_v of_o those_o famous_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o may_v be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v only_o object_v but_o let_v we_o examine_v what_o he_o do_v acknowledge_v whether_o he_o be_v infallible_o certain_a or_o no_o it_o matter_n not_o but_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v why_o if_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a ground_n of_o faith_n some_o at_o least_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v to_o govern_v and_o instruct_v the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v thus_o certain_a of_o both_o in_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v and_o as_o we_o questionless_a be_v die_v to_o attest_v the_o point_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o be_v absolutely-certain_a truth_n again_o if_o dr._n t._n be_v not_o infallible_o certain_a
will_v with_o infallible_a certainty_n bring_v down_o the_o letter_n of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la the_o statute_n book_n and_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n the_o selfsame_a from_o year_n to_o year_n at_o least_o in_o matter_n of_o high_a consequence_n and_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o sense_n write_v traditional_o in_o some_o man_n â—_z correct_v the_o letter_n if_o printer_n or_o copier_n shall_v mistake_v if_o dr._n t._n ask_v how_o i_o prove_v it_o i_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v make_v it_o notorious_a if_o alter_v be_v cause_n great_a multitude_n be_v conversant_a in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v esteem_v of_o a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a nature_n weigh_v every_o tittle_n of_o it_o wary_o especial_o those_o passage_n that_o immediate_o touch_v some_o weighty_a point_n whence_o shall_v some_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o alter_v it_o go_v about_o such_o a_o action_n it_o can_v appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n who_o concern_v be_v high_o violate_v by_o that_o alteration_n to_o conceal_v and_o permit_v the_o letter_n to_o remain_v uncorrected_a and_o if_o it_o can_v not_o appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n to_o consent_v to_o alter_v it_o nor_o become_v a_o motive_n to_o the_o rest_n to_o attempt_v a_o see_v impossiblity_n neither_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v will_v to_o alter_v it_o much_o less_o both_o conspire_v to_o do_v it_o and_o shall_v they_o attempt_v it_o their_o will_n must_v either_o have_v no_o object_n and_o then_o it_o be_v a_o power_n to_o nothing_o that_o be_v no_o power_n or_o else_o act_v without_o a_o appear_a good_n and_o in_o both_o case_n the_o will_n will_v be_v no_o will._n this_o short_a hint_n will_v let_v the_o reader_n see_v the_o ground_n i_o go_v upon_o it_o be_v not_o now_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o pursue_v such_o argument_n close_o or_o press_v they_o home_o i_o wish_v i_o may_v see_v some_o return_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n from_o our_o two_o undemonstrate_v adversary_n who_o think_v it_o their_o best_a play_n to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n because_o they_o know_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o be_v perfect_a stranger_n to_o both_o §_o 8._o well_o but_o though_o dr._n t._n deny_v any_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n let_v we_o see_v at_o lest_o what_o other_o certainty_n he_o afford_v we_o and_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n any_o honest_a man_n may_v safe_o swear_v it_o must_v be_v if_o any_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n that_o be_v a_o very_a fair_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n the_o abhorrer_n of_o first_o principle_n always_o except_v that_o if_o any_o certainty_n be_v infallible_a and_o there_o be_v any_o other_o beside_o this_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o middle_n between_o contradictary_n so_o that_o dr._n t._n be_v put_v to_o this_o hard_a choice_n either_o to_o bring_v such_o a_o certainty_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christianity_n which_o be_v no_o certainty_n or_o else_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v perfect_a nonsense_n if_o it_o be_v name_v by_o its_o proper_a name_n lâ—t's_n see_v what_o choice_n he_o make_v we_o be_v not_o say_v he_o infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o book_n etc._n etc._n but_o yet_o observe_v now_o the_o opposite_a kind_n of_o certainty_n deliver_v here_o pag._n 9_o we_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n concern_v these_o matter_n so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o i_o marry_v this_o be_v a_o rare_a certainty_n indeed_o we_o have_v not_o infallible_a certainty_n say_v dr._n t._n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o a_o one_o as_o keep_v we_o from_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o now_o since_o a_o very_a easy_a reflection_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o have_v no_o doubt_n of_o many_o thing_n be_v true_a nay_o more_o have_v strong_a hope_n they_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o 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least_o doubt_n of_o a_o thing_n therefore_o i_o can_v not_o avow_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o must_v be_v allow_v argumentative_a to_o say_v i_o be_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o doubt_v of_o it_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a dull_a university_n that_o have_v not_o the_o wit_n to_o light_v all_o this_o while_n on_o dr._n t_n principles_n and_o way_n of_o argue_v they_o ascertain_v all_o thing_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n without_o more_o ado_n i_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n so_o as_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o by_o this_o new_a logic_n they_o be_v conclude_v certain_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a in_o opposition_n to_o which_o if_o you_o
argue_v he_o see_v i_o must_v needs_o be_v hold_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a discourser_n that_o ever_o speak_v or_o write_v to_o build_v a_o whole_a treatise_n upon_o a_o supposition_n unprove_v and_o which_o beg_v the_o whole_a question_n now_o whatever_o i_o conclude_v in_o that_o short_a discourse_n i_o deduce_v step_n by_o step_n and_o make_v the_o forego_n proposition_n draw_v still_o after_o it_o by_o undeniable_a consequence_n the_o follow_v one_o he_o conceal_v all_o mention_n of_o proof_n or_o endeavour_v of_o it_o call_v my_o conclusion_n principle_n and_o than_o who_o will_v think_v but_o that_o i_o have_v lay_v they_o to_o build_v that_o discourse_n upon_o they_o and_o desert_v my_o usual_a way_n of_o beginning_n with_o the_o know_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n as_o i_o there_o do_v with_o those_o of_o rule_n and_o faith_n and_o from_o they_o proceed_v minutely_o to_o whatever_o i_o conclude_v have_v his_o friend_n dr._n st._n take_v the_o same_o course_n his_o principle_n will_v have_v evident_o discover_v their_o own_o weakness_n of_o themselves_o and_o have_v excuse_v other_o the_o unnecessary_a trouble_n of_o answer_v they_o next_o he_o make_v i_o say_v that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o rule_n be_v evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o say_v himself_o that_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o method_n be_v the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n by_o which_o word_n a_o honest_a reader_n will_v very_o think_v i_o suppose_v it_o gratis_o to_o be_v self-evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o never_o trouble_v myself_o to_o prove_v it_o whereas_o though_o i_o indeed_o hold_v it_o be_v practical_o self-evident_a of_o which_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o give_v account_n yet_o i_o proceed_v as_o if_o i_o do_v not_o but_o prove_v §_o 8._o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n whatever_o it_o be_v must_v be_v infallible_a §_o 10._o that_o therefore_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o that_o rule_n and_o §_o 11._o that_o tradition_n be_v the_o reader_n be_v thus_o questionless_a well_o dispose_v to_o think_v it_o very_o unnecessary_a he_o shall_v consider_v as_o he_o call_v it_o or_o answer_v any_o passage_n of_o a_o thing_n make_v up_o of_o unproved_a principle_n or_o build_v on_o a_o unproved_a supposition_n he_o tell_v he_o far_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a whence_o he_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o at_o present_a and_o so_o the_o business_n be_v do_v for_o why_o shall_v he_o take_v pain_n to_o give_v answer_n to_o that_o which_o deserve_v none_o or_o if_o it_o do_v be_v answer_v this_o reason_n though_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o little_a open_a for_o in_o case_n i_o do_v bring_v any_o argument_n in_o my_o method_n to_o make_v good_a that_o tradition_n be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o after_o i_o have_v see_v and_o perhaps_o sufficient_o consider_v too_o what_o he_o reply_v to_o surefoot_v for_o any_o thing_n appear_v i_o may_v either_o have_v amend_v the_o reason_n give_v in_o surefoot_v or_o produce_v better_a in_o my_o method_n and_o so_o whatever_o he_o have_v say_v to_o surefoot_v it_o may_v have_v be_v proper_a to_o have_v consider_v and_o say_v something_o to_o the_o method_n too_o unless_o he_o can_v say_v with_o truth_n that_o he_o have_v already_o answer_v the_o veâ—y_a reason_n urge_v in_o it_o which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v he_o have_v nor_o be_o confident_a himself_n neither_o §_o 2._o but_o yet_o â—o_o instance_n in_o this_o one_o passage_n how_o rare_a a_o piece_n his_o cry'd-up_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v and_o how_o excellent_o it_o answer_v surefoot_v let_v we_o â—_o little_a reflect_v what_o this_o sufficient_a consideration_n of_o his_o â—mounts_n to_o surefooting_n be_v divide_v into_o two_o part_n the_o first_o from_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n prove_v that_o tradition_n be_v that_o rule_n and_o this_o be_v the_o business_n of_o that_o book_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o pag._n 57_o and_o particular_o of_o the_o 5_o the_o discourse_n who_o title_n be_v of_o the_o notion_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o it_o the_o 2_o d._n part_n begin_v discourse_n 6._o and_o endeavour_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n or_o that_o it_o have_v hitherto_o ever_o be_v follow_v the_o confutation_n of_o my_o first_o part_n end_v in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n pag._n 150_o the_o answer_n to_o my_o 2_o d._n begin_v pag._n 151._o or_o these_o two_o the_o former_a be_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a concern_v of_o my_o book_n for_o if_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o only_a conveyer_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n hitherto_o it_o must_v either_o be_v say_v by_o those_o against_o who_o i_o argue_v that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v hitherto_o convey_v to_o we_o at_o all_o and_o so_o that_o there_o be_v no_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n which_o they_o will_v not_o say_v or_o else_o that_o those_o who_o proceed_v upon_o tradition_n for_o their_o rule_n be_v the_o right_a christian_n whence_o the_o late_a part_n be_v only_o ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la not_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n especial_o in_o case_n i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la this_o be_v so_o let_v dr._n t_n friend_n and_o i_o when_o they_o hap_v to_o discourse_v about_o we_o please_v to_o send_v for_o his_o book_n and_o i_o and_o with_o aâ—_n equal_a partiality_n distrust_v we_o both_o rely_v upon_o sir_n tho._n moor_n pair_n of_o honest_a unbiased_a witness_n their_o own_o eye_n they_o will_v find_v that_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n undertake_v pag._n 146._o to_o answer_v my_o 5_o the_o disc._n which_o pretend_v to_o show_v that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o tradition_n and_o thence_o conclude_v tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o according_o quote_v pag_n 41._o where_o that_o discourse_n begin_v in_o surefooting_n they_o will_v see_v the_o title_n of_o his_o sect._n 6._o which_o he_o use_v to_o put_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v that_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n now_o i_o assign_v seven_o such_o property_n surefoot_a pag._n 11_o and_o 12._o he_o be_v please_v to_o make_v but_o two_o part._n 2._o sect._n 1_o sufficient_o plain_a &_o sufficient_o certain_a come_v then_o at_o the_o bottom_n of_o pag._n 148._o to_o confute_v that_o whole_a discourse_n which_o be_v the_o most_o substantial_a part_n of_o my_o book_n and_o contain_v the_o most_o press_a argument_n to_o my_o main_a purpose_n he_o complete_v his_o answer_n to_o it_o in_o one_o single_a page_n viz._n 149._o nay_o in_o one_o piece_n of_o that_o page_n this_o will_v seem_v strange_a and_o something_o difficult_a if_o any_o thing_n be_v so_o to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o singular_a method_n of_o answer_v book_n all_o say_v he_o that_o he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v in_o this_o discourse_n be_v that_o if_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v and_o keep_v to_o all_o along_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n it_o be_v all_o indeed_o i_o pretend_v and_o all_o i_o desire_v to_o prove_v for_o certain_o if_o it_o can_v preserve_v christian_a doctrine_n unchanged_a it_o have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n and_o what_o have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v i_o conceive_v a_o rule_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v follow_v or_o not_o which_o be_v a_o question_n i_o have_v not_o then_o examine_v but_o reserve_v to_o my_o follow_a discourse_n to_o this_o then_o after_o his_o sufficient_a consideration_n what_o say_v the_o dr._n all_o this_o say_v he_o be_v ready_o grant_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o except_v against_o that_o answer_n for_o all_o my_o write_n aim_v at_o be_v that_o people_n shall_v see_v the_o truâ—h_n and_o acknowledge_v it_o and_o since_o he_o ready_o grant_v all_o i_o pretend_v to_o prove_v i_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a if_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v content_v though_o if_o i_o be_v dispose_v to_o be_v cross_a this_o word_n ready_o be_v something_o liable_a to_o exception_n after_o he_o have_v employ_v a_o good_a part_n of_o his_o book_n in_o prepare_v to_o speak_v to_o the_o main_a question_n in_o divide_v and_o subdivide_v and_o play_v all_o the_o trick_n which_o may_v make_v it_o look_v like_o a_o answer_n and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o the_o question_n to_o grant_v it_o because_o he_o can_v do_v no_o other_o be_v indeed_o to_o grant_v it_o but_o not_o very_o ready_o people_n will_v not_o think_v he_o be_v very_o ready_a to_o
reason_n against_o raillery_n or_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o dr._n tillotson_n preface_n against_o j._n s._n with_o a_o far_a examination_n of_o his_o ground_n of_o religion_n the_o grave_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_a by_o apply_v the_o say_n of_o it_o to_o a_o foolish_a purpose_n dr._n tillot_n serm._n p._n 121._o anno_fw-la dom._n mdclxxii_o advertisement_n it_o be_v the_o general_a temper_n of_o mankind_n to_o call_v any_o thing_n by_o a_o odious_a name_n which_o themselves_o dislike_v and_o particular_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o time_n to_o call_v every_o thing_n popery_n which_o come_v cross_a to_o their_o interest_n i_o can_v expect_v my_o present_a adversary_n who_o zeal_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o treatise_n carry_v he_o much_o far_a than_o his_o reason_n shall_v be_v exempt_a from_o a_o fail_v so_o epidemical_a and_o withal_o so_o necessary_a for_o his_o purpose_n for_o nothing_o more_o easy_o solve_v all_o 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in_o their_o late_a book_n also_o that_o this_o treatise_n be_v near_o print_v ere_o his_o majesty_n gracious_a declaration_n be_v publish_v but_o i_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o no_o other_o justification_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o my_o cause_n which_o be_v the_o common_a concern_v of_o all_o good_a christian_n and_o can_v never_o be_v unseasonable_a to_o defend_v or_o be_v offensive_a to_o any_o who_o be_v hearty_o a_o friend_n to_o christianity_n to_o see_v it_o defend_v and_o if_o any_o clamour_n be_v raise_v against_o i_o for_o so_o do_v it_o be_v abundant_o satisfactory_a to_o i_o that_o the_o world_n beforehand_o understand_v how_o worthy_a the_o cause_n be_v for_o the_o maintain_n of_o which_o i_o suffer_v this_o reproach_n to_o the_o know_v candid_a wit_n of_o this_o nation_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v a_o ornament_n to_o the_o university_n and_o other_o learned_a society_n gentleman_n i_o know_v not_o to_o who_o all_o attempt_v to_o advance_v truth_n in_o any_o kind_n can_v 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see_v far_o into_o they_o and_o know_v better_o whether_o they_o will_v carry_v than_o those_o who_o look_v not_o so_o well_o through_o they_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o universal_a temptation_n to_o flatter_v ourselves_o with_o our_o own_o production_n i_o think_v best_a to_o omit_v i_o be_o next_o to_o declare_v what_o reception_n it_o find_v in_o the_o world_n man_n be_v subject_a to_o several_a temper_n and_o learned_a man_n not_o exempt_a from_o the_o weakness_n of_o humanity_n candour_n and_o obstinacy_n divide_v mankind_n some_o be_v fix_v to_o nothing_o but_o reason_n and_o whenever_o that_o appear_v whether_o conformable_a or_o opposite_a to_o their_o former_a persuasion_n they_o always_o follow_v it_o strive_v to_o accommodate_v their_o judgement_n to_o reason_n not_o reason_n to_o their_o judgement_n and_o resolute_a to_o be_v of_o the_o party_n of_o reason_n of_o whatever_o party_n reason_n be_v other_o be_v so_o fix_v to_o their_o persuasion_n that_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v 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earnest_o with_o i_o to_o surcease_v they_o allege_v that_o unpassionate_a examiner_n might_n easy_o discover_v by_o what_o have_v be_v do_v already_o how_o frivolous_a and_o insignificant_a the_o whole_a way_n be_v which_o my_o adversary_n take_v and_o that_o another_o and_o more_o convictive_a reply_n may_v possible_o heighten_v the_o anger_n to_o fatal_a extremity_n that_o if_o i_o be_v less_o sensible_a of_o my_o own_o safety_n i_o shall_v yet_o have_v regard_n to_o my_o friend_n and_o all_o catholic_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o a_o exception_n against_o a_o particular_a person_n may_v in_o that_o juncture_n be_v enhance_v to_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o the_o cross_v the_o humour_n or_o interest_n of_o that_o implacable_a party_n raise_v the_o storm_n of_o the_o great_a diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o give_v the_o gospel-trumpeter_n occasion_n to_o sound_v out_o aloud_o papa_n ad_fw-la portas_fw-la to_o this_o be_v join_v for_o why_o shall_v i_o be_v ashamed_a to_o acknowledge_v my_o poverty_n into_o which_o that_o persecution_n have_v drive_v i_o that_o i_o have_v write_v more_o than_o i_o be_v able_a to_o print_v in_o fine_a authority_n and_o reason_n and_o necessity_n prevail_v with_o i_o and_o i_o forbear_v to_o finish_v what_o i_o have_v begin_v and_o to_o publish_v what_o i_o have_v finish_v but_o yet_o the_o desire_n i_o have_v to_o be_v instrumental_a in_o settle_v so_o important_a a_o truth_n suggest_v to_o i_o a_o middle_a way_n which_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v incapable_a to_o be_v wrest_v into_o offence_n so_o i_o see_v plain_o will_v be_v much_o more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o learned_a more_o satisfactory_a i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o sermon_n which_o dr._n t._n call_v the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a a_o concession_n which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o the_o very_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a i_o see_v the_o same_o sense_n often_o imply_v in_o his_o rule_n 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christian_n or_o those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o common_a motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o the_o church_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n the_o assent_n call_v faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o erroneous_a and_o apply_v this_o to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o adherent_n who_o as_o i_o show_v from_o his_o own_o word_n grant_v his_o assent_n build_v on_o that_o which_o he_o esteem_v his_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o conclude_v they_o beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o evasion_n not_o to_o have_v true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v to_o follow_v on_o my_o blow_n as_o i_o have_v promise_v it_o be_v unimaginable_a how_o the_o controversy_n can_v be_v press_v more_o home_n than_o to_o conclude_v my_o adversary_n and_o his_o whole_a cause_n from_o the_o very_a a_o est_fw-la of_o faith_n the_o subject_a of_o our_o dispute_n nor_o how_o his_o whole_a book_n which_o he_o call_v the_o 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great_a reason_n that_o the_o time_n and_o pain_n spend_v in_o such_o wrangling_n may_v with_o much_o more_o advantage_n be_v employ_v in_o convince_a the_o truth_n in_o question_n last_o my_o aim_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n to_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o conclusion_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v a_o conclusive_a method_n my_o adversary_n neither_o accept_v of_o i_o nor_o propose_v any_o other_o of_o his_o own_o as_o i_o have_v desire_v and_o i_o see_v that_o by_o proceed_v with_o he_o in_o his_o talk_a fashion_n the_o point_n may_v come_v to_o be_v lose_v in_o a_o wilderness_n of_o unconnected_a word_n wherefore_o i_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o pursue_v my_o design_n more_o close_o and_o by_o the_o bare_a state_v the_o nature_n of_o christian_a faith_n to_o reduce_v all_o dispute_n to_o this_o short_a period_n either_o produce_v and_o vouch_v such_o ground_n for_o your_o faith_n as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o it_o be_v evident_a you_o have_v none_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o event_n the_o way_n i_o take_v be_v not_o ill_o choose_v dr._n t._n be_v still_o able_a to_o boast_v his_o book_n be_v not_o particular_o answer_v and_o so_o uphold_v his_o credit_n with_o those_o who_o look_v not_o deep_o into_o thing_n seem_v by_o his_o silence_n well-appayed_a and_o i_o hear_v of_o no_o more_o extraordinary_a anger_n against_o i_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_v content_v that_o superficial_a people_n shall_v judge_v as_o their_o wit_n serve_v they_o it_o be_v abundant_a satisfaction_n to_o my_o labour_n that_o intelligent_a and_o insighted_a person_n may_v perceive_v by_o they_o how_o matter_n stand_v and_o into_o how_o narrow_a a_o compass_n controversy_n be_v reduce_v and_o of_o this_o i_o have_v ample_a experience_n from_o the_o most_o judicious_a of_o our_o nation_n who_o unanimous_o assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o carry_v thing_n far_o or_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o short_a method_n since_o now_o the_o whole_a cause_n depend_v upon_o one_o single_a proposition_n by_o the_o sole_a examination_n of_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v decide_v thus_o stand_v the_o controversy_n and_o thus_o for_o some_o year_n it_o rest_v for_o the_o future_a i_o intend_v when_o it_o may_v be_v seasonable_a to_o write_v only_o such_o ground_n as_o i_o judge_v may_v be_v a_o solid_a foundation_n for_o union_n which_o as_o i_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o best_a of_o work_n so_o i_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a till_o order_v be_v first_o take_v to_o secure_v the_o absolute_a and_o immovable_a certainty_n of_o faith_n itself_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o otherwise_o to_o be_v do_v then_o by_o show_v how_o and_o which_o way_n it_o come_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o this_o calm_a i_o hear_v several_a report_n that_o the_o
the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o these_o be_v my_o word_n then_o and_o i_o be_o sorry_a he_o will_v needs_o dare_v and_o provoke_v i_o to_o make_v they_o good_a in_o which_o if_o i_o have_v justify_v myself_o too_o particular_o let_v he_o blame_v himself_o all_o this_o while_n i_o serious_o declare_v that_o i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o far_a yet_o from_o imagine_v that_o already_o hold_v one_o he_o shall_v hold_v it_o possible_a afterward_o god_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v which_o ridiculous_a folly_n constant_a to_o his_o prevaricate_a humour_n he_o put_v upon_o i_o p._n 8._o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v that_o his_o ill_a principle_n do_v equivalent_o confess_v it_o possible_a there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v a_o god_n and_o this_o i_o have_v abundant_o show_v out_o of_o his_o own_o word_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o himself_o through_o god_n goodness_n have_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v no_o speculater_n or_o scholar_n also_o have_v it_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n in_o despite_n of_o his_o weak_a speculation_n nay_o that_o in_o this_o very_a sermon_n he_o have_v one_o or_o two_o proof_n which_o have_v in_o they_o the_o force_n of_o a_o demonstration_n though_o his_o not_o understand_v and_o so_o ill-managing_a of_o they_o and_o then_o call_v they_o probability_n have_v endeavour_v all_o that_o may_v be_v to_o render_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o i_o end_v with_o some_o of_o his_o own_o word_n pref._n p._n 37._o that_o if_o dr._n t._n do_v in_o truth_n believe_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o a_o creation_n be_v as_o he_o say_v serm._n p._n 20_o so_o evident_a that_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v make_v plain_a than_o they_o be_v of_o themselves_o he_o shall_v by_o all_o mean_n have_v let_v they_o alone_o for_o 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suchlike_a who_o very_a name_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v or_o endure_v in_o a_o discourse_n aim_v to_o settle_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n let_v he_o consider_v that_o he_o must_v take_v his_o measure_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o ground_n from_o the_o object_n or_o thing_n not_o from_o our_o freedom_n from_o doubt_n and_o suchlike_a for_o these_o may_v be_v light_a and_o silly_a whereas_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v â—aid_v by_o god_n must_v necessary_o be_v wise_a and_o solid_a and_o so_o when_o look_v into_o absolutely-conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n let_v we_o then_o who_o hold_v a_o god_n leave_v creature_n to_o their_o weakness_n vindicate_v our_o maker_n from_o the_o scandalous_a imputation_n of_o govern_v mankind_n tyrannical_o by_o command_v we_o to_o assent_v thâ—t_v a_o thing_n be_v which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o see_v may_v not_o be_v so_o oblige_v we_o to_o hold_v contrary_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n which_o himself_o have_v ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o what_o be_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n possible_a not_o to_o be_v and_o to_o profess_v a_o point_n true_a nay_o die_v to_o attest_v its_o truth_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v show_v false_a to_o morrow_n nay_o which_o ourselves_o see_v may_v be_v now_o false_a he_o tell_v we_o here_o in_o common_a p._n 90_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o true_o that_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v our_o selus_fw-la we_o be_v encounter_v with_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o a_o deity_n why_o do_v he_o then_o come_v to_o make_v out_o that_o point_n say_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v clear_a demonstration_n and_o that_o only_a mathematical_a matter_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o why_o pursue_v he_o not_o such_o proof_n as_o these_o and_o make_v they_o out_o and_o stand_v by_o they_o and_o reduce_v they_o to_o first_o principle_n and_o so_o oblige_v humane_a nature_n to_o assent_v to_o they_o under_o evident_a forfeiture_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o even_a manhood_n be_v he_o afraid_a clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n will_v not_o necessary_o conclude_v why_o do_v he_o put_v supposition_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o then_o argue_v thus_o blind_o that_o since_o suppose_v it_o be_v it_o will_v give_v no_o more_o light_n of_o itself_o than_o it_o do_v therefore_o it_o be_v be_v there_o any_o necessity_n for_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a perplex_v and_o inconclusive_a method_n when_o we_o may_v vouch_v we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n last_o why_o do_v he_o distrust_v the_o object_n strength_n and_o explain_v our_o assurance_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o faith_n by_o moral_a certainty_n or_o such_o as_o will_v satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n probability_n amass_v together_o not_o doubt_v and_o other_o suchlike_a feeble_a diminutive_a expression_n be_v not_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o be_v demonstration_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la in_o point_n of_o certainty_n incomparable_o beyond_o such_o quiver_a ground_n and_o such_o dwindle_a adhesion_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v take_v these_o thing_n into_o his_o better_a thought_n and_o at_o least_o by_o amend_v his_o expression_n and_o reason_n hereafter_o make_v some_o tolerable_a satisfaction_n for_o this_o intolerable_a injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o god_n church_n discourse_n vi._n that_o dr._n t._n make_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a of_o infallibility_n demonstration_n and_o moral_a certainty_n §_o 1._o thus_o much_o to_o justify_v my_o first_o charge_n that_o dr._n t._n make_v that_o fundamental_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o consequent_o all_o religion_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a my_o second_o charge_n be_v that_o he_o particular_o make_v all_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o it_o be_v find_v faith_n vindicated_n p._n 171._o where_o i_o put_v down_o his_o own_o word_n which_o concern_v that_o purpose_n though_o he_o who_o presume_v on_o the_o partiality_n of_o his_o friend_n take_v the_o liberty_n to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o even_o eyesight_n may_v confute_v assure_v his_o reader_n pag._n 5._o that_o i_o dare_v not_o cite_v they_o i_o lay_v my_o charge_n in_o this_o tenor_n it_o be_v necessary_o consequent_a from_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n that_o if_o i_o have_v discourse_v right_a in_o this_o small_a treatise_n of_o i_o and_o have_v prove_v that_o faith_n and_o consequent_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o mr._n t.'s_n confession_n p._n 118._o to_o which_o mr._n st.'s_n doctrine_n be_v consonant_a that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v to_o be_v false_a that_o any_o book_n be_v so_o ancient_a as_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v or_o that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o name_n it_o bear_v or_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o be_v a_o clear_a conviction_n that_o neither_o be_v the_o book-rule_n he_o maintain_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 3._o nor_o have_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n true_a faith_n §_o 4._o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n own_v take_v away_o private_a spirit_n but_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only-true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 6._o and_o so_o the_o main_a of_o sure-footing_a stand_v yet_o firm_a and_o last_o it_o be_v evince_v that_o his_o own_o book_n which_o oppose_v it_o oppose_v the_o only-true_a because_o the_o only_a impossible-to-be-false_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v convince_v in_o that_o supposition_n to_o go_v about_o to_o undermine_v all_o christian_a faith_n whence_o the_o title_n of_o his_o probable-natured_a book_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v manifest_v to_o be_v a_o improper_a nickname_n
object_n it_o be_v possible_a or_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o god_n power_n to_o make_v all_o mankind_n err_v yet_o take_v in_o his_o other_o attribute_n which_o determine_v his_o omnipoence_n to_o do_v only_o what_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a and_o according_a to_o truth_n it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v either_o will_n or_o do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o can_v be_v effective_o do_v at_o all_o §_o 18._o he_o object_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n challenge_v infallibility_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o that_o of_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o answer_v the_o church_n have_v her_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v to_o her_o hand_n by_o jesus_n châ—ist_v who_o found_v and_o constitute_v she_o and_o find_v it_o not_o out_o by_o speculative_a reason_n whence_o it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a concern_v of_o a_o church_n to_o discourse_v very_o particular_o about_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o of_o speculative_a divine_n who_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o there_o find_v the_o reason_n of_o those_o truth_n god_n have_v bare_o tell_v we_o next_o it_o be_v only_o of_o faith_n that_o christ_n have_v promise_v to_o assist_v his_o church_n but_o whether_o supernatural_o only_a or_o also_o by_o natural_a mean_n be_v no_o where_o define_v my_o tenet_n be_v that_o he_o assist_v his_o church_n both_o way_n as_o i_o at_o large_a defend_v in_o surefoot_v and_o that_o the_o best_a strength_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n be_v both_o of_o they_o exert_v to_o their_o utmost_a to_o ascertain_v the_o infallible_a authority_n on_o who_o testimony_n we_o receive_v our_o faith_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n exceed_o comfort_n faith_n in_o those_o who_o be_v true_a believer_n already_o and_o the_o natural_a assistance_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v the_o due_a satisfaction_n of_o reason_n inform_v the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o yet_o discern_v no_o supernaturality_n at_o all_o 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of_o this_o point_n when_o i_o come_v to_o defend_v my_o method_n §_o 19_o hitherto_o then_o dr._n t._n have_v give_v we_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n either_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n oâ—_n of_o christian_n faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o miscall_v certainty_n as_o mean_n uncertainty_n whence_o his_o pretend_a certainty_n of_o its_o sense_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o vindicate_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o himself_z not_o to_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a by_o ascertain_v at_o least_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o suppose_v the_o letter_n be_v right_a he_o tell_v we_o pag._n 20._o that_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o book_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a any_o thing_n shall_v be_v deliver_v in_o such_o clear_a and_o certain_a word_n as_o be_v absolute_o incapable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n and_o what_o be_v the_o natural_a sequel_n of_o this_o apply_v to_o scripture_n but_o that_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a faith_n build_v on_o thaâ—_n sense_n or_o rather_o which_o be_v that_o sense_n shall_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o the_o letter_n can_v never_o be_v a_o competent_a rule_n of_o faith_n whereas_o in_o this_o way_n of_o convey_v iâ—_n down_o by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v â—y_a catechise_n public_a preach_a private_a discourse_v &_o consonant_a live_n it_o be_v make_v so_o manifest_a to_o the_o generality_n what_o be_v hold_v in_o each_o year_n immemediate_o before_o that_o no_o prejudice_n can_v make_v they_o all_o so_o mad_a as_o either_o to_o mistake_v or_o misrepresent_v it_o as_o it_o be_v for_o example_n in_o england_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_n to_o err_v or_o impose_v this_o this_o year_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o england_n that_o last_o year_n they_o hold_v and_o practise_a prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a or_o assist_v at_o the_o christian_a sacrifice_n by_o which_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o see_v whether_o of_o we_o two_o make_v better_a provision_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n he_o proceed_v yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o may_v be_v so_o plain_a as_o that_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o reasonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v they_o let_v he_o apply_v this_o to_o scripture_n &_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o all_o man_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o prejudice_v who_o take_v not_o scripture_n in_o my_o sense_n if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n let_v he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o other_o maxim_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o judge_v who_o be_v such_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o rersonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o can_v assign_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o those_o man_n faultiness_n but_o their_o disagree_v with_o he_o in_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n i_o doubt_v his_o reader_n will_v scarce_o believe_v he_o that_o all_o socinian_o and_o other_o sect_n who_o differ_v from_o he_o in_o main_a point_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v if_o a_o indifferent_a man_n stand_v by_o while_n d._n t._n and_o a_o socinian_n dispute_v and_o hear_v one_o of_o they_o cite_v place_n after_o place_n compare_v one_o place_n to_o another_o and_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n he_o can_v to_o make_v out_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o other_o use_v the_o selfsame_a method_n and_o yet_o nothing_o conclude_v decisive_o as_o it_o never_o be_v in_o this_o way_n of_o manage_v dispute_n i_o fear_v he_o will_v be_v little_a the_o near_a satisfaction_n and_o embrace_v dr._n t_n tenet_n upon_o his_o say_n that_o his_o adversary_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v he_o parallel_v the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n sense_n to_o that_o of_o euclid_n definition_n and_o axiom_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o which_o man_n be_v universal_o agree_v and_o think_v themselves_o undoubted_o certain_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o word_n in_o which_o they_o be_v express_v may_v possible_o bear_v another_o sense_n he_o trifle_n let_v he_o show_v i_o the_o generality_n of_o scripturist_n as_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o geometrician_n do_v in_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n or_o let_v he_o leave_v of_o bring_v such_o disagree_a parallel_n import_v that_o there_o be_v not_o man_n of_o all_o side_n and_o sect_n as_o willing_a to_o see_v truth_n in_o thing_n belong_v to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n as_o to_o see_v the_o truth_n in_o mathematics_n how_o many_o interpretation_n be_v there_o of_o this_n be_v my_o body_n and_o of_o those_o many_o text_n which_o signify_v christ_n to_o be_v true_a god_n both_o of_o main_n concern_v the_o understanding_n they_o wrong_n be_v on_o one_o side_n idolatry_n on_o the_o other_o blasphemy_n yet_o we_o have_v eminent_a learned_a man_n acute_a wit_n excellent_a linguist_n good_a logician_n and_o historian_n and_o last_o very_o great_a scripturist_n who_o compare_v also_o place_n to_o place_n yet_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o nothing_o be_v decide_v final_o still_o they_o debate_v write_v quote_v interpret_v and_o will_v do_v while_o this_o method_n be_v take_v to_o the_o world_n end_n do_v dr._n t._n find_v such_o a_o disagreement_n among_o man_n learned_a in_o the_o mathematics_n in_o the_o understanding_n the_o axiom_n and_o definition_n of_o euclid_n add_v that_o those_o man_n in_o other_o matter_n be_v not_o passionate_a or_o prejudice_v but_o be_v hold_v prudent_a and_o sober_a by_o great_a portion_n of_o mankind_n nor_o do_v they_o lose_v their_o repute_n among_o indifferent_a judge_n as_o renounce_v their_o manhood_n or_o perfect_o desert_v reason_n that_o be_v they_o be_v not_o hold_v madman_n for_o not_o adhere_v to_o such_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o those_o place_n which_o argue_v
evident_o that_o they_o renounce_v not_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o manage_v be_v not_o apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o at_o all_o and_o so_o no_o rule_n yet_o he_o give_v we_o one_o great_a reason_n as_o he_o call_v it_o why_o man_n do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o because_o their_o interest_n and_o lust_n and_o passion_n be_v more_o concern_v so_o that_o according_a to_o dr._n t._n a_o man_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o his_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v look_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n alone_o and_o discern_v who_o be_v passionate_a prejudice_v interest_v and_o lustful_a again_o this_o reason_n be_v find_v on_o either_o side_n to_o a_o great_a degree_n for_o be_v not_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n so_o evident_a that_o absurd_a man_n will_v incur_v the_o shame_n of_o mankind_n to_o deny_v they_o there_o want_v no_o temptation_n of_o interest_n and_o passion_n to_o make_v author_n go_v about_o to_o control_v and_o contradict_v the_o write_n of_o other_o to_o gain_v themselves_o applause_n and_o credit_n but_o if_o this_o be_v one_o great_a reason_n of_o disagreement_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o be_v the_o other_o great_a reason_n but_o of_o these_o we_o hear_v nothing_o and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n why_o for_o since_o his_o one_o great_a reason_n be_v the_o ill-disposedness_a of_o the_o person_n the_o other_o great_a reason_n must_v be_v the_o defectiveness_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v the_o inability_n of_o scripture_n letter_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o inevidence_n to_o private_a understanding_n to_o make_v they_o agree_v in_o one_o sense_n of_o it_o which_o manifest_o make_v it_o unfit_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 20._o to_o conclude_v the_o sum_n of_o dr._n t_n vindication_n of_o himself_o from_o make_v according_a to_o his_o ground_n faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a amount_v to_o this_o he_o produce_v word_n to_o disprove_v it_o which_o manifold_o confess_v it_o he_o endeavour_v all_o along_o to_o show_v that_o infallible_a certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o either_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o be_v he_o grant_v that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v deceive_v though_o all_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v to_o secure_v they_o in_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o deny_v that_o absolute_o speak_v faith_n be_v certainlytrue_a again_o loath_a to_o speak_v out_o to_o that_o point_n candid_o he_o shuffle_n about_o and_o put_v upon_o his_o adversary_n divers_a odd_a and_o ridiculous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n omit_v the_o right_a one_o which_o be_v give_v to_o his_o hand_n last_o be_v to_o give_v account_n what_o kind_n of_o certainty_n he_o allow_v to_o faith_n he_o give_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o it_o as_o signify_v nothing_o and_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o uncertainty_n imaginable_a take_v his_o measure_n of_o certainty_n which_o ought_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o object_n or_o proof_n from_o the_o subject_n persuasion_n or_o adhesion_n to_o it_o which_o common_a experience_n testify_v may_v indifferent_o be_v find_v in_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o common_a sense_n confute_v nature_n tell_v every_o man_n that_o my_o assent_n be_v not_o therefore_o certain_a because_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v it_o see_v not_o the_o least_o cause_n of_o doubt_n be_o full_o persuade_v and_o very_o think_v so_o but_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v see_v indeed_o to_o be_v so_o or_o because_o the_o proof_n be_v conclusive_a either_o then_o let_v he_o bring_v such_o proof_n and_o own_o and_o show_v they_o to_o be_v such_o or_o he_o leave_v his_o cause_n in_o the_o lurch_n and_o his_o credit_n which_o he_o be_v here_o defend_v unclear_v by_o yield_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v absolute_o false_a that_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v actual_o such_o discourse_n vii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n reply_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 1._o dr_n t._n have_v no_o fellow_n nor_o his_o way_n of_o confute_v any_o parallel_n not_o to_o provoke_v the_o peevishness_n of_o malice_n too_o far_o and_o yet_o follow_v home_o my_o blow_n more_o full_o and_o yet_o withal_o to_o uphold_v the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n ground_v on_o the_o just_a conceit_n of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n i_o write_v a_o a_o book_n call_v faith_n vindicated_n in_o behalf_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o common_a show_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o security_n from_o error_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n provide_v it_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o motive_n god_n have_v leave_v to_o settle_v his_o church_n and_o by_o it_o mankind_n in_o faith_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n it_o pretend_v demonstration_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o have_v not_o one_o drollish_a or_o unsober_a expression_n in_o it_o take_v a_o map_n of_o it_o in_o a_o few_o word_n i_o conceive_v myself_o debtor_n both_o sapientibus_fw-la and_o insipientibus_fw-la and_o hence_o the_o concern_v be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n among_o the_o rest_n to_o speculative_a divine_n i_o resolve_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o argument_n suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o the_o more_o intelligent_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o eviction_n to_o the_o middle_a or_o prudential_n sort_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o fifth·_n and_o to_o they_o of_o the_o low_a capacity_n in_o the_o last_o every_o one_o be_v enable_v by_o tradition_n or_o education_n to_o comprehend_v what_o the_o common_a language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n teach_v they_o as_o to_z speechee_n and_o carriage_n appertain_v to_o faith_n i_o begin_v after_o i_o have_v put_v two_o postulatum_fw-la grant_v by_o all_o christian_n with_o logical_a argument_n which_o i_o pursue_v at_o large_a because_o as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a trick_n in_o sophister_n and_o half_a logician_n to_o abuse_v that_o excellent_a art_n to_o elude_v the_o clear_a evidendence_n so_o it_o become_v a_o more_o necessary_a duty_n in_o i_o to_o prevent_v by_o the_o close_a proof_n fetch_v it_o from_o almost_o all_o head_n imaginable_a that_o belong_v to_o that_o skill_n any_o misusage_n of_o its_o maxim_n to_o patronize_v falsehood_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o very_o speculative_a and_o according_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n what_o my_o reader_n be_v to_o expect_v in_o discourse_n of_o that_o kind_n nor_o will_v any_o man_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n wonder_n that_o i_o shall_v use_v logical_a expression_n when_o i_o make_v logical_a discourse_n or_o term_n of_o art_n when_o i_o speak_v to_o scholar_n these_o thing_n reflect_v on_o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o a_o dextrous_a way_n our_o learned_a confuter_n take_v to_o answer_v that_o whole_a book_n for_o he_o manifest_v here_o a_o intention_n to_o give_v it_o no_o other_o and_o to_o overthrow_v so_o many_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o his_o first_o way_n of_o confute_v be_v to_o pick_v out_o a_o leaf_n or_o two_o of_o the_o most_o speculative_a part_n of_o that_o treatise_n only_o intend_v for_o scholar_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o be_v only_a sermon-pitch_n to_o who_o because_o such_o discourse_n be_v unsuitable_a and_o withal_o too_o hard_o for_o he_o to_o answer_v hence_o he_o very_o politic_o both_o gratify_v the_o fancy_n of_o those_o reader_n and_o avoid_v himself_o the_o difficult_a task_n of_o answer_v the_o press_a reason_n in_o it_o by_o play_v the_o wit_n when_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o act_v the_o scholar_n and_o make_v use_n of_o his_o constant_a friend_n at_o a_o dead_a lift_n drollery_n in_o stead_n of_o rely_v on_o the_o patronage_n of_o reason_n which_o as_o he_o experience_n so_o often_o betray_v and_o expose_v hss_a weakness_n he_o run_v on_o therefore_o a_o whole_a leaf_n or_o two_o in_o this_o jovial_a career_n ere_o he_o can_v recover_v himself_o till_o even_o his_o own_o friend_n who_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o the_o necessity_n admire_v at_o his_o endless_a raillery_n and_o true_a to_o his_o method_n neglect_v whole_o the_o sense_n and_o except_v mighty_o against_o five_o or_o six_o hard_a word_n namely_o potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n determinative_a supervene_v and_o subsume_v which_o it_o seem_v puzzle_v he_o exceed_o for_o he_o profess_v to_o think_v they_o mystical_a he_o call_v the_o discourse_n jargon_fw-la foolish_a and_o nonsense_n which_o two_o last_o word_n he_o be_v ever_o most_o free_a of_o when_o his_o reason_n be_v most_o at_o a_o loss_n he_o liken_n it_o to_o the_o coptick_n and_o slavonian_a language_n talk_v of_o astrology_n palmistry_n chemistry_n and_o what_o not_o and_o with_o such_o kind_n of_o stuff_n confute_v it_o
most_o unmerciful_o even_o to_o utter_v desolation_n §_o 3._o in_o return_n to_o which_o kind_n of_o carriage_n though_o it_o deserve_v only_a contempt_n let_v we_o hear_v first_o how_o dr._n t._n answer_v himself_o who_o serm_n pag._n 120.121_o very_o zealous_o reprehend_v and_o preach_v against_o this_o absurd_a fault_n in_o himself_o in_o these_o word_n let_v none_o say_v he_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o religion_n or_o those_o reason_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o profess_v it_o be_v absolutely-true_a because_o some_o be_v so_o bold_a to_o despise_v and_o deride_v for_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o any_o person_n or_o thing_n to_o be_v laugh_v at_o but_o to_o deserve_v to_o be_v so_o the_o most_o grave_a and_o serious_a matter_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v nothing_n be_v so_o excellent_a but_o a_o man_n may_v fasten_v upon_o it_o something_o or_o other_o belong_v to_o it_o whereby_o to_o traduce_v it_o a_o sharp_a wit_n may_v find_v something_o in_o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o to_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o injudicious_a people_n the_o grave_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_a by_o apply_v the_o say_n of_o it_o to_o a_o foolish_a purpose_n for_o a_o jâ—st_a may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o any_o thing_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o less_o reverence_n for_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n or_o those_o reason_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o hold_v and_o profess_v faith_n absolutely-true_a because_o idle_a and_o profane_a wit_n nonplus_v controvertist_n can_v break_v jest_n upon_o they_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a dr._n t._n know_v that_o by_o long_a and_o very_a useful_a experience_n as_o to_o take_v particular_a phrase_n and_o expression_n out_o of_o the_o best_a book_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o abuse_v they_o by_o force_v a_o odd_a and_o ridiculous_a sense_n upon_o they_o but_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v think_v a_o good_a book_n foolish_a for_o this_o reason_n but_o the_o man_n that_o abuse_v it_o nor_o will_v he_o esteem_v that_o to_o which_o every_o thing_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v a_o just_a exception_n against_o any_o thing_n at_o this_o rate_n ase_a must_v despise_v all_z thing_n but_o sure_o the_o better_a and_o short_a way_n be_v to_o condemn_v those_o who_o will_v bring_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v worthy_a into_o contempt_n also_o in_o his_o forego_n sermon_n pag._n 86_o 87._o he_o give_v good_a doctrine_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o never_o intend_v to_o follow_v it_o himself_o these_o thing_n whether_o faith_n be_v absolute_o true_a or_o no_o be_v of_o infinite_a consequence_n to_o we_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o a_o matter_n to_o be_v slight_o and_o superficial_o think_v upon_o much_o less_o as_o the_o way_n of_o atheistical_a men_n be_v to_o be_v play_v and_o jest_v withal_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v turn_v religion_n or_o a_o discourse_n aim_v to_o show_v it_o absolute_o certain_a into_o raillery_n and_o think_v to_o confute_n it_o by_o two_o or_o three_o bold_a jest_n this_o man_n do_v not_o render_v it_o but_o himself_o ridiculous_a again_o though_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o proof_n of_o faith_n absolute_a certainty_n be_v never_o so_o clear_a and_o evident_a yet_o they_o may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_n by_o vain_a and_o frothy_a man_n as_o the_o grave_a and_o wise_a personage_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v abuse_v by_o be_v put_v into_o a_o fool_n coat_n and_o the_o most_o noble_a and_o excellent_a poem_n may_v be_v debase_v and_o make_v vile_a by_o be_v turn_v into_o burles_n qve_fw-la thus_o dr_n t._n by_o preach_v what_o he_o never_o intend_v to_o practice_n have_v most_o ample_o lay_v open_a his_o own_o folly_n and_o hit_v himself_o still_o while_o he_o aim_v at_o the_o atheist_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o their_o cause_n as_o far_o as_o i_o impugn_v he_o here_o be_v not_o very_o wide_a of_o one_o another_o since_o nothing_o approach_v near_a to_o the_o deny_v all_o religion_n than_o to_o hold_v it_o all_o uncertain_a at_o least_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o in_o what_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n here_o against_o my_o reason_n for_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n differ_v from_o that_o of_o atheist_n against_o a_o deity_n and_o all_o religion_n the_o point_n to_o be_v consider_v by_o both_o of_o they_o be_v of_o a_o solid_a and_o concern_v nature_n and_o both_o handle_v they_o drollish_o and_o make_v raillery_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o reason_n nor_o will_v it_o avail_v he_o to_o reply_v that_o my_o proof_n be_v not_o solid_a and_o so_o oughr_fw-mi to_o be_v confute_v with_o mockery_n for_o he_o ought_v first_o show_v by_o reason_n that_o they_o thus_o high_o misdeserve_v and_o then_o employ_v his_o talon_n of_o irony_n upon_o they_o afterward_o and_o not_o make_v mere_a irony_n supply_v the_o place_n of_o reason_n beside_o himself_o acknowledge_v pag_n 87._o that_o if_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a yet_o this_o concern_v we_o so_o near_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v serious_a in_o the_o examination_n of_o they_o and_o certain_o no_o judicious_a or_o good_a man_n will_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o high_o and_o near_o concern_v all_o good_a christian_n to_o know_v whether_o their_o faith_n the_o substance_n of_o all_o their_o hope_n particular_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n the_o point_n i_o mention_v be_v absolute_o certain_a or_o not_o i_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o choice_n of_o dr._n t_n friend_n whether_o they_o will_v rather_o approve_v his_o doctrine_n in_o his_o sermon_n or_o his_o unconsonant_a practice_n in_o this_o preface_n if_o the_o former_a they_o must_v condemn_v he_o out_o of_o his_o own_o mouth_n to_o be_v foolish_a ridiculous_a and_o a_o imitator_n of_o atheist_n and_o his_o way_n of_o write_v insignificant_a but_o if_o they_o like_o the_o late_a than_o they_o must_v conclude_v his_o sermon_n as_o equal_o blame-worthy_a for_o oppose_v so_o laudable_a a_o practice_n unfortunate_a man_n who_o very_o grave_o take_v text_n against_o scoffer_n and_o make_v sermon_n upon_o they_o and_o then_o behave_v himself_o all_o over_o so_o scurrilous_o and_o drollish_o in_o his_o whole_a preface_n to_o they_o as_o level_v those_o very_a sermon_n as_o direct_o against_o himself_o as_o can_v possible_o be_v contrive_v or_o imagine_v which_o be_v in_o effect_n by_o his_o carriage_n to_o tell_v the_o atheist_n that_o that_o scoff_v and_o drollish_a way_n of_o answer_v and_o manage_v discourse_n about_o religion_n which_o be_v so_o horrid_a sin_n in_o they_o because_o they_o be_v of_o the_o ungodly_a and_o wicked_a be_v notwithstanding_o none_o at_o all_o but_o a_o very_a great_a virtue_n in_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o godly_a and_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n meritorious_a so_o it_o be_v practise_v against_o those_o man_n of_o sin_n the_o most_o abominable_a papist_n §_o 4._o beside_o as_o dr._n t._n well_o observe_v when_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o sober_a humour_n every_o thing_n even_o the_o best_a be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v and_o make_v ridiculous_a by_o drollish_a jest_n and_o consequent_o this_o method_n be_v so_o exact_o obseruss_v when_o he_o be_v to_o confute_v i_o will_v as_o he_o very_o well_o express_v it_o in_o his_o pref._n pag._n 26_o equal_o serve_v to_o prove_v or_o confute_v any_o thing_n to_o show_v the_o all-powerful_a strength_n and_o virtue_n of_o it_o let_v we_o imagine_v that_o euclid_n have_v be_v a_o catholic_n dr._n t._n may_v have_v preach_v â—_o sermon_n or_o two_o full_a of_o zeal_n against_o witchcraft_n and_o have_v produce_v some_o fair_a probability_n to_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o mathematician_n be_v all_o mere_a friar_n bacon_n and_o absolute_a conjurer_n because_o they_o use_v to_o draw_v circle_n and_o uncouth_a figure_n which_o look_v like_o magic_n to_o second_v which_o dr._n st'_v book_n concern_v image_n will_v mutatis_fw-la mutandiâ—_n light_v very_o pat_o and_o home_n and_o then_o when_o he_o have_v do_v write_v a_o preface_n to_o those_o sermon_n against_o the_o prince_n of_o conjurer_n or_o the_o belzebub_n of_o those_o incarnate_a devil_n euclid_n and_o confute_v he_o on_o this_o manner_n first_o he_o may_v pick_v out_o some_o demonstration_n of_o his_o in_o which_o be_v five_o or_o six_o word_n hard_a than_o ordinary_a at_o least_o too_o hard_a for_o the_o vulgar_a though_o clear_a enough_o to_o the_o learned_a man_n in_o that_o art_n as_o isosceles_a parallelograms_n parallelepipe_n cylinder_n diameter_n eicosaedron_n and_o such_o like_a and_o when_o he_o have_v transcribe_v they_o into_o a_o ridiculous_a preface_n which_o he_o be_v sure_o no_o good_a mathematician_n will_v ever_o care_v to_o read_v but_o vulgar_a soul_n will_v much_o admire_v and_o out_o of_o their_o hatred_n to_o these_o popish_a
conjurer_n cry_v up_o he_o may_v proceed_v to_o confute_v he_o on_o this_o manner_n i_o have_v here_o reader_n present_v thou_o with_o a_o discourse_n which_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v euclid_n be_v mathematical_o demonstrable_a a_o rare_a sight_n indeed_o certain_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n be_v never_o so_o profane_v by_o any_o man_n before_o may_v not_o any_o one_o write_v a_o book_n of_o such_o jargon_n and_o call_v it_o demonstration_n if_o he_o intend_v this_o stuff_n for_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o people_n as_o it_o seem_v by_o his_o write_n it_o in_o greek_a the_o vulgar_a tongue_n he_o do_v he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v write_v it_o in_o the_o coptick_n or_o sclavonian_n language_n yet_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o this_o be_v very_o suitable_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o their_o science_n as_o well_o as_o their_o service_n be_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n certain_o his_o talon_n do_v not_o lie_v for_o science_n learned_a man_n be_v less_o apt_a to_o admire_v nonsense_n than_o the_o common_a people_n neither_o harphius_n nor_o rusbrochius_n dr._n faustus_n friar_n bungy_n nor_o the_o profound_a mother_n juliana_n or_o mother_n shipton_n ever_o speak_v any_o thing_n charm_n more_o senseless_a and_o obscure_a he_o have_v a_o style_n peculiar_o fit_v for_o mystic_n magic_a for_o even_o in_o this_o parcel_n of_o stuff_n there_o be_v five_o or_o six_o word_n such_o as_o isosceles_a patallelograms_n parallâ—lepiped_v diameter_n cylinder_n eicasoedron_n which_o if_o they_o be_v but_o well_o mingle_v and_o discreet_o order_v will_v half_o set_v up_o a_o man_n in_o that_o way_n and_o â—nable_v he_o to_o write_v as_o mystical_a magical_a a_o discourse_n as_o any_o man_n or_o the_o devil_n himself_o will_v wish_v thus_o reader_n thou_o see_v how_o true_a be_v that_o dr._n t_n method_n of_o talk_v be_v none_o since_o i_o dare_v undertake_v take_v that_o let_v he_o and_o his_o fellow-conspirator_n in_o malice_n against_o catholic_n but_o resolve_n to_o preach_v and_o write_v as_o earnest_o that_o mathematician_n be_v conjurer_n as_o they_o do_v that_o catholic_n be_v idolater_n which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v the_o far_o easy_a to_o prove_v and_o the_o method_n he_o observe_v in_o this_o preface_n of_o he_o will_v equal_o serve_v to_o confute_v euclid_n as_o it_o do_v i_o and_o the_o like_a force_n it_o will_v have_v against_o any_o logical_a metaphysical_a natural_a medicinal_a rhetorical_a poetical_a or_o even_o grammatical_a discourse_n each_o have_v their_o term_n of_o art_n proper_a to_o themselves_o which_o look_v odd_a and_o uncouth_a to_o the_o vulgar_a and_o so_o be_v equal_o liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v and_o render_v ridiculous_a to_o man_n who_o practice_n be_v to_o read_v sermon_n §_o 5._o but_o can_v dr._n t._n serious_o think_v these_o word_n to_o be_v indeed_o so_o hard_o as_o he_o pretend_v the_o word_n potential_a be_v familiar_a to_o we_o both_o when_o we_o be_v in_o our_o accidence_n and_o talk_v of_o the_o potential_a mood_n also_o actual_a and_o determine_v be_v very_o obvious_a i_o suppose_v then_o it_o be_v their_o end_n in_o those_o common_a termination_n thy_fw-mi tion_n and_o tive_a which_o make_v potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n and_o determinative_a so_o insuperable_o hard_a as_o for_o supervene_v and_o subsume_v it_o may_v just_o be_v wonder_v whether_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o know_v what_o be_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o verb_n venio_fw-la and_o sumo_fw-la or_o the_o preposition_n super_fw-la and_o sub._n but_o he_o mean_v they_o be_v not_o trim_a and_o elegant_a enough_o alas_o good_a gentleman_n i_o doubt_v there_o be_v some_o who_o complain_v of_o the_o tenderness_n of_o their_o ear_n when_o the_o true_a reason_n be_v the_o softness_n of_o their_o head_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o §_o 6._o let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o examine_v the_o true_a force_n of_o one_o of_o these_o 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whereas_o my_o ultimate_a intent_n in_o
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to_o answer_v those_o exception_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o no_o such_o answer_n have_v be_v give_v this_o i_o must_v confess_v fall_v much_o short_a of_o either_o nibble_a or_o gnaw_v and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o constant_a carriage_n of_o he_o discover_v too_o open_o a_o perfect_a disregard_n of_o truth_n abate_v in_o i_o much_o of_o that_o respect_n which_o otherwise_o his_o good_a endowment_n will_v natural_o give_v i_o §_o 4._o his_o second_o remembrance_n of_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o for_o though_o he_o say_v here_o p._n 32._o he_o must_v not_o forget_v it_o yet_o he_o haâ—_n be_v perfect_o unmindful_a of_o it_o hitherto_o be_v that_o i_o say_v my_o testimony_n be_v not_o intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n whereas_o my_o book_n be_v write_v
against_o they_o and_o i_o declare_v the_o design_n of_o my_o testimony_n to_o be_v to_o second_v by_o authority_n what_o i_o have_v before_o establish_v by_o reason_n all_o this_o be_v well_o be_v there_o not_o i_o fear_v two_o mistake_n in_o it_o one_o that_o i_o write_v that_o book_n against_o protestant_n particular_o whereas_o it_o equal_o oppugn_v all_o that_o hold_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n to_o have_v teach_v true_a doctrine_n bâ—t_v deny_v the_o church_n live_v voice_n and_o practice_n to_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o convey_v it_o down_o hitherto_o of_o what_o denomination_n soever_o they_o be_v his_o second_o mistake_n be_v his_o not_o consider_v that_o the_o whole_a substance_n of_o a_o book_n may_v be_v write_v against_o such_o or_o such_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o the_o whole_a way_n of_o manage_v it_o not_o be_v against_o or_o different_a from_o they_o but_o from_o some_o particular_a divine_n who_o as_o i_o conceive_v will_v better_o relish_v my_o reason_n if_o 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upon_o the_o prefacer_n by_o leave_v out_o the_o word_n some_o understand_v etc._n etc._n and_o so_o far_o be_v evident_a see_v the_o word_n of_o the_o preface_n some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n etc._n etc._n see_v dr._n t._n rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 132_o last_o mr._n wh._n do_v most_o express_o contradict_v this_o principle_n of_o m._n s_n in_o these_o follow_a passage_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o mr._n rushworth_n he_o say_v that_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherwise_o aught_o absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o those_o author_n be_v mistake_v who_o undervalue_v it_o now_o though_o one_o who_o cite_v