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to_o be_v assent_v to_o as_o the_o authority_n shall_v require_v §_o 2._o he_o note_v that_o when_o we_o make_v scripture_n our_o rule_n we_o must_v understand_v not_o scripture_n sense_v but_o to_o be_v sense_v that_o be_v their_o character_n in_o a_o book_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v i_o answer_v we_o assert_v the_o write_a word_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o the_o word_n therein_o contain_v do_v manifest_v their_o own_o sense_n be_v in_o themselves_o in_o all_o thing_n fit_a and_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v sufficient_o intelligible_a by_o man_n who_o god_n have_v endue_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n that_o be_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n do_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n declare_v god_n meaning_n in_o what_o he_o reveal_v which_o be_v the_o
what_o this_o author_n call_v his_o deep_a consideration_n as_o it_o have_v no_o rational_a foundation_n so_o it_o have_v not_o the_o advantage_n to_o be_v one_o of_o his_o own_o church_n tradition_n and_o show_v there_o may_v be_v something_o deliver_v for_o truth_n which_o be_v not_o so_o receive_v and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v almost_o all_o his_o argument_n against_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 3._o he_o further_o add_v that_o the_o material_a cause_n to_o conserve_v these_o character_n be_v liable_a to_o innumerable_a contingency_n but_o man_n mind_n by_o its_o immateriality_n be_v in_o part_n free_v from_o physical_a mutability_n and_o here_o we_o may_v with_o reason_n hope_v for_o a_o unalterableness_n and_o a_o unerrableness_n if_o there_o be_v a_o due_a proposal_n which_o must_v necessary_o effect_v the_o sense_n these_o word_n be_v more_o monstrous_a than_o rational_a it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o in_o plain_a english_a to_o tell_v his_o reader_n that_o have_v a_o immaterial_a soul_n he_o can_v never_o forget_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o either_o see_v or_o hear_v distinct_o and_o that_o when_o he_o have_v read_v a_o book_n observe_o all_o the_o word_n and_o letter_n may_v be_v more_o exact_o know_v from_o he_o by_o the_o impression_n upon_o his_o mind_n than_o by_o view_v the_o print_a or_o write_a copy_n itself_o and_o yet_o all_o this_o will_v not_o serve_v his_o turn_n unless_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o these_o immaterial_a soul_n must_v always_o continue_v in_o the_o world_n or_o that_o what_o be_v by_o they_o receive_v must_v thence_o necessary_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n be_v continue_v on_o other_o who_o see_v not_o that_o this_o be_v as_o much_o against_o common_a sense_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v that_o because_o man_n have_v a_o immaterial_a soul_n he_o may_v fly_v up_o to_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o fix_v star_n at_o his_o pleasure_n be_v man_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o angel_n without_o his_o gross_a body_n its_o beyond_o the_o skill_n of_o this_o author_n to_o prove_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v forget_v or_o blot_v out_o of_o his_o mind_n that_o be_v once_o know_v especial_o consider_v that_o he_o be_v a_o sinner_n and_o even_o the_o writer_n of_o his_o own_o church_n do_v conceive_v that_o sin_v angel_n lose_v much_o knowledge_n by_o their_o sin_n but_o man_n be_v a_o creature_n of_o another_o mould_n and_o letter_n and_o word_n and_o thing_n be_v preserve_v in_o his_o memory_n by_o material_a impression_n and_o every_o man_n know_v they_o may_v be_v forgive_v yea_o this_o author_n in_o this_o book_n oft_o forget_v and_o contradict_v himself_o do_v not_o all_o mankind_n appear_v sufficient_o convince_v that_o word_n or_o character_n be_v more_o sure_o preserve_v in_o paper_n or_o write_v than_o in_o man_n memory_n in_o that_o what_o they_o will_v have_v faithful_o keep_v they_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o enter_v it_o upon_o record_n have_v the_o jew_n be_v of_o this_o author_n opinion_n they_o will_v not_o have_v desire_v ezra_n to_o have_v read_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n out_o of_o a_o book_n neh._n 8.1_o but_o to_o have_v speak_v it_o out_o of_o the_o impression_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n yet_o he_o will_v have_v be_v a_o more_o safe_a deliverer_n of_o moses_n than_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v show_v for_o other_o scripture_n yea_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o self-evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n agree_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n to_o acknowledge_v write_v upon_o some_o material_a subject_n a_o more_o sure_a way_n of_o preservation_n of_o thing_n than_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o they_o write_v the_o act_n of_o their_o council_n and_o statute_n of_o their_o society_n and_o yet_o these_o thing_n be_v as_o much_o or_o more_o speak_v of_o among_o they_o as_o the_o scripture_n be_v and_o so_o more_o like_a to_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o immaterial_a mind_n yea_o they_o write_v or_o print_v their_o creed_n prayer_n lesson_n and_o their_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o have_v they_o read_v in_o their_o church_n when_o by_o this_o author_n argument_n the_o best_a way_n to_o have_v these_o thing_n preserve_v entire_a be_v to_o have_v they_o utter_v from_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o priest_n and_o other_o in_o the_o church_n and_o not_o to_o mind_v the_o write_n or_o print_v at_o all_o as_o not_o be_v in_o itself_o certain_a the_o roman_a church_n know_v that_o man_n mind_n be_v slippery_a and_o apt_a to_o forget_v something_o in_o their_o liturgy_n if_o it_o be_v not_o write_v and_o that_o other_o will_v take_v the_o boldness_n to_o alter_v it_o and_o vary_v from_o it_o if_o they_o have_v no_o write_a rule_n and_o shall_v writing_n be_v the_o best_a preservative_n for_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o not_o for_o the_o word_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o truth_n therein_o contain_v i_o remember_v salmeron_n though_o a_o jesuit_n have_v among_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o prolegemena_fw-la one_o which_o be_v proleg_n 25._o why_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v and_o he_o declare_v as_o every_o one_o who_o design_n to_o speak_v truth_n will_v do_v that_o it_o be_v that_o thence_o man_n may_v most_o sure_o know_v truth_n whereas_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n be_v very_o slippery_a and_o uncertain_a and_o s._n austin_n assign_v a_o like_a cause_n of_o the_o original_a of_o letter_n de_fw-fr doctr._fw-la christiana_n lib._n 2._o c._n 4._o nor_o can_v i_o imagine_v for_o what_o end_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n print_v copy_n of_o the_o bible_n if_o they_o do_v not_o think_v that_o by_o those_o print_a copy_n the_o scripture_n may_v be_v know_v and_o preserve_v and_o as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a absurdity_n without_o any_o colour_n of_o solid_a reason_n to_o contradict_v the_o experience_n of_o all_o civilise_a nation_n he_o at_o once_o oppose_v even_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n himself_o also_o who_o command_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n to_o write_v he_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o law_n in_o a_o book_n and_o read_v therein_o all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n that_o he_o may_v learn_v to_o fear_v the_o lord_n his_o god_n deut._n 17.19_o 20._o yea_o he_o command_v moses_n to_o write_v for_o a_o memorial_n in_o a_o book_n exod._n 17.14_o yea_o isaiah_n be_v command_v isai_n 30.8_o write_v it_o before_o they_o in_o a_o table_n and_o note_v it_o in_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o and_o though_o god_n himself_o declare_v this_o the_o way_n of_o keep_v the_o memorial_n of_o thing_n this_o author_n reject_v this_o way_n and_o close_v with_o the_o uncertain_a way_n of_o man_n frail_a memory_n §_o 4._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o as_o there_o be_v some_o simple_a vulgar_a action_n unmistakeable_a yet_o there_o be_v compound_v action_n as_o the_o transcribe_v of_o a_o whole_a book_n consist_v of_o miriads_o of_o word_n single_a letter_n and_o stopp_n and_o the_o several_a action_n over_o each_o of_o these_o be_v so_o short_a and_o cursory_a that_o humane_a diligence_n can_v attend_v to_o every_o of_o they_o yet_o he_o grant_v that_o this_o may_v be_v do_v with_o care_n enough_o if_o there_o be_v diligent_a examiner_n this_o objection_n speak_v against_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o every_o one_o who_o can_v write_v for_o it_o tell_v he_o that_o no_o man_n can_v possible_o keep_v to_o the_o sense_n or_o word_n he_o intend_v in_o write_v a_o letter_n or_o such_o like_a though_o he_o have_v a_o copy_n before_o he_o for_o he_o who_o can_v write_v a_o page_n with_o due_a care_n may_v by_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o same_o diligence_n write_v a_o sheet_n and_o if_o he_o want_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o concern_v his_o writing_n he_o may_v with_o the_o same_o care_n write_v a_o book_n what_o extraordinary_a art_n have_v this_o discourser_n that_o he_o can_v write_v his_o book_n intelligible_o and_o the_o printer_n print_v it_o so_o can_v none_o do_v the_o like_a he_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v by_o common_a diligence_n and_o all_o man_n who_o understand_v writing_n acknowledge_v that_o deed_n and_o all_o record_n may_v be_v exemplify_v and_o faithful_o transcribe_v if_o there_o be_v have_v due_a care_n about_o it_o that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o care_n about_o scripture_n i_o shall_v show_v in_o answer_n to_o his_o next_o paragraph_n and_o i_o suppose_v he_o be_v not_o so_o self-conceited_a as_o to_o think_v that_o other_o man_n may_v not_o use_v as_o much_o care_n in_o write_v letter_n or_o word_n as_o himself_o do_v or_o can_v but_o if_o this_o little_a argument_n of_o many_o little_a action_n not_o be_v capable_a of_o due_a attention_n be_v considerable_a it_o will_v concern_v this_o author_n to_o find_v a_o way_n how_o the_o papist_n may_v
it_o occasion_n incoherency_n and_o confusion_n in_o this_o his_o discourse_n a_o three_o miscarriage_n hence_o arise_v be_v that_o he_o build_v part_n of_o his_o discourse_n upon_o a_o supposition_n which_o be_v certain_o false_a to_o wit_n that_o all_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v in_o the_o vulgar_a or_o in_o any_o other_o be_v immediate_o produce_v by_o the_o application_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o disc_n 1._o §_o 8_o 9_o whence_o §_o 14._o he_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o immediate_a producer_n and_o cause_n of_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n both_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o rude_a sort_n and_o to_o the_o learned_a now_o though_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o sure_a way_n to_o beget_v faith_n or_o to_o try_v any_o point_n of_o faith_n yet_o be_v not_o all_o faith_n in_o all_o person_n immediate_o produce_v by_o it_o but_o many_o time_n by_o other_o mean_n thus_o the_o discourse_n of_o origen_n tertullian_n and_o cyprian_a and_o their_o write_n have_v doubtless_o persuade_v and_o prevail_v with_o many_o to_o receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n by_o they_o and_o believe_v many_o thing_n declare_v in_o it_o yet_o neither_o their_o word_n nor_o writing_n be_v any_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o both_o in_o some_o thing_n appear_v erroneous_a the_o goth_n be_v bring_v in_o to_o christianity_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o arian_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v believe_v many_o christian_a truth_n and_o of_o late_a year_n many_o pagan_n have_v believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n some_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o protestant_n and_o other_o by_o the_o papist_n yet_o can_v all_o these_o way_n of_o delivery_n be_v call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n nor_o indeed_o any_o of_o they_o yea_o it_o be_v sensible_o evident_a that_o many_o christian_a truth_n be_v receive_v and_o believe_v both_o among_o protestant_n and_o papist_n by_o the_o vulgar_a either_o from_o the_o teach_n of_o a_o parent_n or_o from_o a_o private_a doctor_n or_o teacher_n which_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o some_o error_n and_o so_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o they_o may_v misguide_v and_o yet_o in_o many_o thing_n of_o reveal_v truth_n this_o be_v the_o common_a case_n of_o the_o vulgar_a before_o they_o come_v to_o understand_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o which_o they_o own_v as_o such_o even_o before_o the_o protestant_n come_v to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o what_o be_v in_o it_o contain_v and_o before_o the_o papist_n understand_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o how_o he_o may_v know_v what_o be_v as_o such_o deliver_v since_o all_o that_o be_v teach_v or_o write_v by_o some_o particular_a person_n can_v be_v as_o such_o receive_v i_o come_v now_o to_o examine_v the_o particular_a property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n above_o recite_v the_o first_o property_n be_v that_o it_o must_v be_v self_n evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n to_o all_o his_o ground_n for_o this_o be_v that_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a who_o be_v capable_a of_o faith_n be_v uncapable_a of_o any_o skill_n by_o speculation_n §_o 3_o 4_o 9_o 10._o but_o first_o this_o prove_v not_o that_o it_o must_v be_v self-evident_a by_o which_o he_o mean_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n that_o that_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n appear_v evident_o to_o be_v such_o bare_o by_o consider_v this_o rule_n in_o itself_o without_o any_o other_o help_v and_o advantage_n since_o without_o this_o way_n of_o self-evidence_n it_o may_v be_v sufficient_o evidenceable_a to_o all_o capacity_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o the_o vulgar_a be_v capable_a of_o know_v it_o the_o statute_n of_o england_n be_v a_o rule_n for_o the_o decision_n of_o case_n in_o the_o law_n concern_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v so_o can_v appear_v satisfactory_o in_o all_o these_o law_n by_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o they_o but_o their_o be_v sufficient_o and_o general_o attest_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v enact_v by_o the_o legislative_a power_n and_o unrepealed_a evidence_v they_o to_o be_v such_o the_o vulgar_a know_v that_o the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n of_o a_o man_n be_v as_o a_o rule_n to_o show_v who_o have_v title_n to_o the_o good_n of_o the_o decease_a and_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v which_o be_v the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n of_o a_o person_n otherwise_o than_o from_o the_o bare_a read_n of_o it_o to_o wit_n by_o the_o full_a witness_n and_o evident_a testimony_n of_o credible_a person_n concern_v it_o the_o ordinary_a jew_n be_v capable_a of_o know_v the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n to_o be_v give_v they_o from_o god_n to_o guide_v they_o otherwise_o than_o by_o the_o read_n of_o they_o to_o wit_n by_o delivery_n of_o they_o as_o such_o by_o the_o constant_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o jew_n in_o that_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n whence_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v self-evident_a that_o the_o vulgar_a be_v capable_a of_o 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to_o settle_v and_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n i_o assert_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v evidenceable_a unto_o all_o or_o may_v be_v make_v evident_a unto_o all_o who_o have_v capacity_n of_o reason_n both_o that_o it_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n if_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v that_o evidence_n which_o be_v sufficient_a the_o second_o property_n that_o it_o be_v evidenceable_a as_o to_o its_o roll_a power_n to_o enquirer_n even_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a i_o allow_v suppose_v they_o willing_a to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o good_a evidence_n the_o three_o property_n i_o admit_v that_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o settle_v and_o justify_v undoubting_a person_n that_o be_v that_o they_o who_o rely_v on_o it_o without_o doubt_v may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o they_o act_n rational_o the_o four_o property_n be_v that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o rational_a doubter_n have_v he_o appear_v only_o to_o mean_v by_o sceptical_a the_o most_o curious_o inquisitive_a i_o will_v ready_o have_v grant_v this_o property_n but_o it_o be_v suspicious_a that_o he_o include_v such_o sceptic_n as_o design_n to_o reject_v evidence_n because_o when_o he_o apply_v this_o rule_n disc_n 3._o §_o 3._o he_o speak_v of_o his_o sceptic_a as_o one_o who_o will_v find_v somewhat_o to_o reply_v rational_o or_o at_o least_o will_v maintain_v his_o suspense_n with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o if_o he_o indeed_o include_v person_n who_o set_v themselves_o to_o reject_v evidence_n i_o answer_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n need_v not_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v they_o nor_o can_v it_o since_o they_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o satisfaction_n and_o such_o be_v many_o of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n of_o the_o heretic_n among_o christian_n and_o probable_o of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n all_o he_o say_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o property_n be_v that_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v intend_v by_o christ_n to_o be_v bring_v in_o to_o embrace_v the_o faith_n and_o person_n of_o high_a reason_n and_o enquiry_n in_o the_o church_n may_v be_v satisfy_v concern_v the_o faith_n §_o 13_o 14._o this_o be_v true_a of_o they_o who_o will_v embrace_v light_a and_o evidence_n where_o they_o find_v it_o but_o not_o of_o they_o who_o reject_v it_o and_z protestant_n will_v affirm_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n take_v in_o the_o testimonial_a evidence_n which_o be_v give_v concern_v that_o rule_n be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v all_o dissenter_n or_o doubter_n who_o be_v ready_a and_o willing_a to_o receive_v rational_a satisfaction_n the_o five_o property_n be_v that_o it_o must_v be_v able_a to_o convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n this_o he_o suppose_v prove_v from_o §_o 15._o
always_o preserve_v from_o alteration_n and_o change_n yea_o even_o at_o rome_n notwithstanding_o this_o way_n of_o delivery_n wherein_o the_o follow_a generation_n have_v receive_v their_o language_n from_o their_o father_n yet_o if_o they_o who_o converse_v there_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v now_o alive_a they_o will_v discern_v such_o alteration_n of_o speech_n and_o even_o in_o speak_v man_n name_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v their_o present_a language_n and_o if_o they_o can_v show_v no_o great_a security_n for_o the_o delivery_n of_o their_o doctrine_n than_o of_o their_o language_n that_o also_o may_v be_v as_o much_o change_v notwithstanding_o their_o help_n of_o tradition_n and_o it_o may_v be_v further_o observe_v that_o those_o language_n which_o in_o this_o way_n of_o traditional_a learning_n be_v gross_o corrupt_v and_o even_o lose_v such_o as_o hebrew_n greek_a and_o latin_a yet_o in_o book_n and_o write_n they_o be_v faithful_o preserve_v which_o show_v write_n more_o sure_a keeper_n or_o preserver_n of_o word_n and_o civil_a thing_n than_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o show_v that_o in_o write_n and_o civil_a behaviour_n there_o be_v as_o great_a variation_n in_o some_o few_o succession_n of_o generation_n for_o this_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o observe_a man_n §_o 3_o 4._o he_o apply_v this_o to_o christianity_n and_o say_v so_o child_n get_v by_o degree_n notion_n of_o god_n christ_n saviour_n hell_n virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o be_v show_v how_o to_o say_v grace_n and_o prayer_n afterward_o they_o become_v acquaint_v with_o the_o ten_o commandment_n creed_n sacrament_n form_n of_o prayer_n and_o other_o practice_n of_o christianity_n the_o action_n and_o carriage_n of_o the_o elder_a guide_v the_o young_a to_o frame_v their_o life_n to_o several_a virtue_n by_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o word_n as_o faith_n hope_n charity_n prayer_n &c_n &c_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o child_n do_v indeed_o by_o degree_n learn_v the_o notion_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n but_o this_o tradition_n alone_o be_v not_o that_o which_o guide_v they_o here_o but_o also_o the_o scripture_n and_o ancient_a writer_n be_v of_o great_a use_n as_o they_o enable_v the_o teacher_n of_o the_o forego_n generation_n to_o guide_v they_o more_o faithful_o indeed_o in_o the_o way_n of_o this_o tradition_n alone_o some_o general_a signification_n of_o word_n which_o concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n may_v probable_o be_v deliver_v as_o that_o god_n signify_v he_o who_o we_o be_v to_o worship_n reverence_n serve_v and_o obey_v and_o such_o like_a but_o more_o particular_a notion_n of_o these_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o they_o may_v be_v sometime_o preserve_v aright_o so_o where_o be_v no_o other_o way_n of_o preservation_n than_o this_o tradition_n they_o may_v be_v very_o corrupt_o and_o dangerous_o deliver_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o noah_n know_v the_o true_a god_n and_o teach_v his_o child_n concern_v he_o and_o in_o his_o day_n and_o since_o their_o posterity_n increase_v to_o great_a multitude_n and_o yet_o have_v only_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n they_o be_v so_o far_o corrupt_v in_o their_o knowledge_n of_o god_n that_o they_o own_v creature_n yea_o the_o low_a of_o creature_n for_o god_n and_o thereby_o lose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o yet_o even_o the_o gentile_n who_o worship_v other_o thing_n instead_o of_o god_n pretend_v that_o this_o they_o receive_v by_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n and_o this_o be_v their_o great_a argument_n why_o they_o shall_v not_o receive_v christianity_n because_o their_o ancestor_n have_v deliver_v to_o they_o that_o way_n of_o worship_n they_o then_o use_v in_o heathenism_n clemens_n alexand._n in_o his_o admonition_n to_o the_o gentile_n bring_v they_o in_o speak_v thus_o we_o must_v not_o reject_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o from_o our_o father_n and_o almost_o all_o the_o father_n who_o write_v against_o gentilism_n industrious_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o this_o their_o plea._n the_o say_n of_o prayer_n and_o grace_n aright_o depend_v much_o upon_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o duty_n and_o promise_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v any_o corruption_n in_o the_o delivery_n of_o those_o thing_n it_o be_v like_a to_o be_v also_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o these_o action_n of_o prayer_n and_o say_v grace_n in_o which_o case_n will_v the_o carriage_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o elder_n christian_n be_v corrupt_v but_o he_o say_v they_o learn_v the_o creed_n ten_o commandment_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n the_o creed_n be_v indeed_o a_o good_a preservative_n of_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o our_o belief_n have_v it_o not_o be_v for_o this_o form_n and_o some_o other_o like_o it_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n which_o because_o write_v and_o in_o stint_a word_n be_v more_o of_o kin_n to_o the_o way_n of_o scripture_n delivery_n than_o to_o other_o delivery_n by_o oral_a tradition_n it_o be_v like_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n may_v have_v be_v reject_v or_o lose_v among_o they_o who_o only_o hold_v unto_o the_o way_n of_o that_o tradition_n the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v likewise_o a_o sure_a preservative_n of_o that_o which_o god_n require_v in_o they_o from_o man_n but_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n neither_o the_o creed_n nor_o the_o ten_o commandment_n concern_v the_o controversy_n of_o tradition_n as_o it_o be_v disow_v by_o protestant_n otherwise_o than_o to_o observe_v the_o way_n whereby_o the_o certainty_n of_o they_o be_v convey_v unto_o we_o and_o thus_o we_o do_v assert_v that_o we_o be_v more_o certain_a of_o the_o creed_n by_o its_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v and_o comprise_v in_o a_o fix_a form_n of_o word_n and_o be_v every_o way_n agreeable_a to_o scripture_n than_o any_o can_v be_v by_o way_n of_o delivery_n from_o father_n to_o son_n only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n in_o all_o succession_n of_o generation_n and_o the_o same_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n by_o their_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n record_n and_o be_v likewise_o deliver_v in_o writing_n which_o be_v the_o way_n which_o even_o papist_n make_v use_n of_o as_o well_o as_o other_o what_o he_o add_v of_o sacrament_n and_o form_n of_o prayer_n these_o be_v like_a to_o guide_v man_n aright_o where_o the_o notion_n of_o religion_n concern_v they_o be_v preserve_v entire_a but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o corruption_n in_o religion_n these_o thing_n as_o soon_o as_o other_o may_v be_v deprave_v as_o indeed_o they_o be_v in_o the_o romish_a church_n where_o though_o the_o creed_n and_o the_o commandment_n do_v deliver_v much_o truth_n yet_o be_v they_o somewhat_o pervert_v by_o traditional_a exposition_n nor_o can_v they_o secure_v from_o the_o delivery_n of_o many_o other_o corruption_n in_o §_o 5._o he_o desire_v we_o to_o consider_v how_o the_o primitive_a faithful_n be_v enure_v to_o christianity_n ere_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v write_v or_o communicate_v we_o know_v this_o than_o be_v by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o apostle_n among_o they_o who_o have_v the_o inspiration_n of_o god_n to_o guide_v they_o and_o be_v unerrable_a deliverer_n and_o yet_o even_o they_o in_o this_o preach_v make_v very_o great_a use_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o prevail_v with_o man_n to_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n but_o i_o shall_v further_o mind_v he_o that_o the_o christian_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o primitive_a state_n of_o that_o church_n before_o they_o have_v any_o write_a scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n think_v it_o requisite_a for_o the_o inure_a themselves_o to_o christianity_n to_o obtain_v some_o write_n apostolical_a concern_v who_o eusebius_n write_v thus_o at_o rome_n the_o light_n of_o religion_n do_v so_o shine_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o these_o hearer_n of_o peter_n that_o they_o think_v it_o not_o sufficient_a to_o content_v themselves_o with_o once_o hear_v he_o nor_o with_o the_o unwritten_a doctrine_n of_o the_o divine_a preach_n but_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o persuasion_n they_o do_v earnest_o desire_n mark_v who_o follow_v peter_n that_o by_o writing_n he_o will_v leave_v they_o a_o memorial_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v then_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o word_n nor_o do_v they_o desist_v until_o he_o do_v perform_v it_o and_o this_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o writing_n that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o gospel_n according_a to_o mark._n he_o likewise_o relate_v that_o when_o the_o apostle_n know_v what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n he_o be_v please_v with_o the_o forwardness_n of_o the_o man_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n confirm_v the_o write_n that_o it_o may_v be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n
that_o they_o who_o do_v see_v the_o law_n give_v on_o mount_n sinai_n yet_o know_v not_o the_o first_o or_o second_o commandment_n yea_o after_o many_o severe_a judgement_n to_o show_v how_o necessary_a the_o observation_n of_o god_n commandment_n be_v yet_o when_o they_o serve_v peor_n in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o other_o god_n frequent_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o of_o many_o of_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n can_v this_o be_v for_o want_n of_o knowledge_n when_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v among_o they_o which_o will_v teach_v they_o otherwise_o yet_o if_o this_o author_n shall_v think_v it_o be_v of_o great_a ignorance_n this_o will_n as_o much_o destroy_v his_o way_n of_o tradition_n since_o it_o will_v then_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v not_o sufficient_a delivery_n of_o truth_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n to_o make_v it_o knowable_a and_o yet_o many_o of_o these_o defection_n be_v very_o general_a in_o all_o the_o people_n and_o priest_n and_o their_o serve_a baalim_fw-la which_o their_o father_n teach_v they_o be_v of_o long_a continuance_n §_o 10._o he_o assert_n by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o a_o objection_n that_o man_n can_v be_v as_o much_o justify_v for_o believe_a scripture_n because_o set_v aside_o tradition_n help_v this_o only_a depend_v on_o skill_n judgement_n and_o fancy_n and_o not_o on_o certain_a sense_n either_o for_o the_o meaning_n or_o letter_n of_o scripture_n touch_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n we_o set_v not_o aside_o the_o help_n of_o tradition_n but_o have_v a_o very_a sure_a way_n of_o traditional_a record_n to_o rely_v on_o and_o i_o have_v in_o former_a discourse_n show_v that_o we_o have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o scripture_n both_o as_o to_o letter_n and_o sense_n yea_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v more_o easy_o discover_v in_o many_o concern_v truth_n than_o the_o sense_n of_o tradition_n can_v be_v because_o though_o the_o word_n be_v suppose_v equal_o intelligible_a whether_o write_v or_o speak_v it_o be_v more_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n find_v in_o scripture_n be_v such_o as_o contain_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n than_o that_o such_o and_o such_o word_n do_v contain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o many_o concern_v point_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n deliver_v by_o several_a in_o the_o church_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o by_o the_o papist_n themselves_o own_v for_o church_n tradition_n so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v hard_a if_o not_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o the_o vulgar_a to_o understand_v what_o word_n in_o many_o point_v he_o may_v doubt_v of_o do_v true_o express_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o he_o can_v hear_v it_o plain_o express_v in_o some_o approve_a and_o receive_v write_n such_o as_o either_o scripture_n canon_n of_o catholic_n council_n or_o liturgy_n or_o the_o like_a the_o former_a as_o this_o author_n too_o much_o reject_v so_o all_o or_o almost_o all_o his_o argument_n will_v as_o much_o plead_v against_o the_o other_o which_o the_o vulgar_a be_v not_o capable_a of_o search_v yet_o that_o we_o may_v compare_v the_o evidence_n to_o the_o common_a apprehension_n of_o man_n give_v by_o scripture_n or_o by_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n let_v we_o follow_v he_o in_o observe_v which_o evidence_n a_o jury_n will_v soon_o close_v with_o the_o case_n be_v by_o he_o in_o this_o §_o very_o unfaithful_o propound_v whether_o they_o will_v condemn_v a_o man_n upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o six_o witness_n upon_o sight_n or_o upon_o the_o judgement_n or_o opinion_n of_o a_o thousand_o man_n for_o as_o we_o have_v show_v it_o be_v not_o only_a skill_n and_o opinion_n that_o protestant_n do_v ground_n upon_o but_o delivery_n of_o record_n and_o therefore_o the_o case_n in_o truth_n shall_v be_v thus_o propound_v whether_o if_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v inquire_v of_o they_o will_v be_v the_o more_o sway_v by_o the_o appearance_n of_o several_a person_n who_o assert_v that_o they_o have_v hear_v many_o say_v that_o they_o hear_v many_o other_o say_v that_o they_o receive_v from_o other_o and_o they_o from_o other_o by_o hearsay_n at_o the_o forty_o or_o fifty_o hand_n or_o by_o other_o who_o shall_v produce_v plain_a record_n and_o those_o preserve_v safe_a in_o several_a court_n which_o all_o agree_v in_o testify_v it_o be_v otherwise_o or_o if_o the_o question_n be_v about_o any_o legacy_n if_o the_o one_o party_n bring_v such_o hearsay_n abovemention_v and_o the_o other_o bring_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o will_v preserve_v in_o the_o court_n and_o evidence_n that_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n it_o be_v enrol_v in_o several_a other_o court_n be_v it_o not_o plain_a the_o latter_a will_v appear_v the_o better_a evidence_n to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n but_o in_o this_o §_o 10._o he_o further_o add_v the_o vulgar_a have_v reason_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o king_n james_n or_o queen_n elizabeth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v no_o otherwise_o ascertain_v but_o by_o tradition_n but_o if_o you_o pump_v their_o common_a reason_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o statute_n book_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o at_o a_o loss_n concern_v king_n james_n or_o queen_n elizabeth_z they_o may_v indeed_o own_v they_o by_o the_o common_a receive_v tradition_n because_o they_o know_v this_o be_v actual_o deliver_v by_o those_o who_o know_v it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o a_o mistake_n nor_o can_v any_o interest_n be_v suppose_v to_o devise_v this_o nor_o can_v man_n conception_n of_o this_o vary_v from_o what_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v deliver_v but_o in_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n can_v man_n have_v security_n in_o the_o delivery_n of_o many_o truth_n by_o oral_a tradition_n as_o be_v observe_v in_o answer_n to_o §_o 7._o but_o to_o put_v the_o case_n more_o like_o this_o of_o discover_v which_o be_v more_o justifiable_a of_o believe_a scripture_n or_o tradition_n i_o demand_v whether_o as_o to_o all_o considerable_a action_n achievement_n or_o constitution_n under_o these_o prince_n it_o be_v more_o rational_a to_o rely_v on_o what_o appear_v in_o common_a fame_n conclude_v that_o nothing_o be_v considerable_a which_o be_v not_o there_o preserve_v or_o to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o some_o good_a historian_n especial_o if_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a we_o can_v find_v such_o as_o have_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o all_o such_o thing_n and_o have_v a_o faithful_a design_n to_o commit_v the_o truth_n and_o nothing_o else_o to_o write_v concern_v all_o these_o thing_n this_o security_n we_o have_v concern_v the_o scripture_n since_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n do_v full_o know_v all_o point_n of_o faith_n deliver_v to_o the_o world_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o do_v declare_v they_o in_o their_o write_n with_o like_a faithfulness_n concern_v the_o vulgar_n knowledge_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o statute_n book_n 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