of_o demonstration_n but_o mr._n s._n very_o prudent_o foresee_v what_o it_o be_v i_o must_v be_v force_v to_o recurre_v to_o 15._o 224._o viz._n that_o be_v baffle_v with_o his_o former_a demonstration_n i_o have_v no_o other_o shift_n to_o betake_v myself_o to_o but_o to_o say_v the_o case_n be_v different_a between_o history_n and_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o to_o bring_v his_o business_n home_o he_o apply_v it_o at_o large_a to_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o that_o he_o may_v do_v in_o more_o ample_a sort_n he_o very_o fine_o descant_v on_o the_o old_a verse_n quis_fw-la quid_fw-la ubi_fw-la etc._n etc._n contain_v the_o circumstance_n of_o human_a action_n and_o from_o every_o one_o of_o they_o derive_v argument_n for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n which_o brief_o and_o in_o plain_a english_a may_v be_v sum_v up_o thus_o since_o the_o author_n of_o this_o doctrine_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n itself_o so_o excellent_a and_o deliver_v in_o so_o public_a a_o manner_n in_o the_o most_o convince_a way_n by_o miracle_n and_o good_a live_n and_o for_o so_o good_a a_o end_n as_o to_o save_v man_n soul_n and_o that_o by_o write_v it_o in_o man_n heart_n and_o testify_v to_o other_o and_o all_o this_o at_o a_o time_n when_o man_n may_v judge_v of_o the_o miracle_n and_o motive_n for_o believe_v it_o therefore_o since_o in_o all_o these_o respect_v it_o be_v imcomparable_o beyond_o the_o story_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n it_o follow_v that_o in_o a_o manner_n infinite_o great_a must_v the_o obligation_n be_v to_o believe_v christ_n doctrine_n than_o alexander_n or_o william_n the_o conqueror_n victory_n or_o any_o history_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n whatsoever_o all_o which_o i_o free_o grant_v but_o can_v yet_o see_v how_o from_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v what_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o not_o those_o argument_n i_o confess_v prove_v that_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v high_o concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n imaginable_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n and_o of_o so_o high_a concernment_n to_o the_o world_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o abstract_o from_o the_o book_n write_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n there_o be_v so_o much_o infallibility_n in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o every_o age_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v embrace_v for_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o be_v not_o and_o consequent_o whether_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v absolute_o what_o be_v deliver_v it_o by_o the_o precedent_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n mr._n s._n therefore_o put_v himself_o to_o a_o needless_a task_n of_o prove_v that_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o i_o never_o question_v but_o the_o dispute_n be_v whether_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v on_o the_o account_n of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o precedent_n for_o christ_n doctrine_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v all_o along_o how_o careful_o mr._n s._n avoid_v mention_v the_o write_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n because_o he_o know_v all_o his_o game_n about_o oral_a tradition_n will_v be_v quite_o spoil_v by_o a_o true_a state_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o be_v angry_a with_o i_o for_o ask_v he_o that_o question_n about_o the_o scripture_n which_o he_o ask_v i_o about_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v he_o never_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o scripture_n or_o be_v it_o so_o hard_a to_o find_v it_o but_o if_o he_o have_v hear_v of_o it_o i_o entreat_v he_o to_o resolve_v i_o these_o question_n 1._o whether_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v at_o such_o a_o time_n when_o the_o matâ—ers_n of_o fact_n therein_o record_v be_v capable_a of_o be_v thorough_o examine_v which_o he_o can_v deny_v upon_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o tradition_n be_v then_o infallible_a as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n the_o writer_n of_o these_o book_n can_v be_v conceive_v to_o deliver_v it_o amiss_o unless_o they_o resolve_v to_o contradict_v the_o present_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v those_o book_n can_v never_o have_v find_v any_o reception_n among_o christian_n if_o tradition_n then_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n infallible_o these_o book_n must_v convey_v it_o infallible_o because_o they_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o infallible_a tradition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o be_v write_v at_o that_o time_n when_o many_o person_n live_v have_v be_v able_a to_o disprove_v any_o thing_n contain_v therein_o repugnant_a to_o truth_n and_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n who_o name_n they_o bear_v i_o appeal_v to_o mr._n s_n own_o rule_n tradition_n for_o if_o that_o be_v infallible_a in_o any_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v in_o this_o and_o if_o one_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o concernment_n what_o security_n can_v be_v have_v that_o it_o may_v not_o do_v so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n 2._o whether_o he_o believe_v that_o those_o who_o intention_n be_v to_o write_v a_o account_n of_o the_o life_n action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n do_v leave_v any_o thing_n out_o of_o their_o book_n which_o do_v relate_v to_o they_o as_o of_o concernment_n for_o we_o to_o believe_v for_o upon_o mr._n s_n principle_n any_o one_o may_v easy_o know_v what_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v and_o especial_o such_o certain_o who_o be_v either_o present_v themselves_o at_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o hear_v they_o from_o those_o who_o be_v and_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v any_o one_o desire_n great_a than_o this_o but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o this_o testimony_n be_v not_o more_o safe_o deposit_v in_o the_o church_n to_o be_v convey_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n than_o it_o can_v be_v by_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v by_o such_o who_o be_v eye_n and_o ear-witness_n oâ—_n the_o action_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n upon_o which_o i_o advance_v some_o further_a query_n 3._o if_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o more_o certain_a way_n why_o be_v anything_o write_v at_o all_o it_o may_v be_v mr._n s._n will_v tell_v we_o for_o moral_a instruction_n and_o to_o give_v precept_n of_o good_a life_n buâ—_n then_o why_o may_v not_o these_o be_v as_o infallible_o conuâ—yed_v by_o tradition_n as_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o why_o then_o be_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o point_n of_o faith_n insert_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o which_o it_o certain_o appear_v that_o the_o intention_n of_o write_v they_o be_v to_o preserve_v they_o to_o posterity_n let_v mr._n s._n tell_v i_o whether_o it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n much_o less_o with_o the_o wisdom_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v to_o employ_v man_n to_o do_v that_o which_o may_v be_v far_o better_a do_v another_o way_n and_o when_o it_o be_v do_v can_v give_v no_o satisfaction_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n 4._o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v understand_v when_o they_o be_v speak_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o when_o they_o be_v write_v for_o mr._n s._n seem_v to_o understand_v those_o term_n of_o a_o live_a voice_n and_o dead_a letter_n in_o a_o very_a strict_a and_o rigorous_a manner_n as_o though_o the_o sense_n be_v only_o quick_a when_o speak_v and_o become_v bury_v in_o dead_a letter_n but_o mr._n s._n seem_v with_o the_o sagacious_a indian_a to_o admire_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o dead_a letter_n and_o unsenced_a character_n to_o express_v man_n meaning_n as_o well_o as_o word_n it_o can_v enter_v into_o mr._n s_n apprehension_n how_o 24._o letter_n by_o their_o various_a disposition_n can_v express_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o to_o increase_v the_o wonder_n he_o write_v about_o matteâ—_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o be_v prove_v that_o matter_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v convey_v bâ—_n writing_n so_o that_o mr._n s_n own_o writing_n be_v the_o best_a demonstration_n against_o himself_o and_o he_o confute_v his_o own_o sophistry_n with_o his_o finger_n as_o diogenes_n do_v zenoâ—_n by_o his_o motion_n for_o do_v mr._n s._n hopâ—_n to_o persuade_v man_n that_o tradition_n be_v â—_o rule_v of_o faith_n by_o
the_o latin_n it_o seem_v then_o a_o deceptiâ—_n be_v possible_a in_o the_o case_n of_o testify_v 〈◊〉_d therefore_o this_o do_v more_o than_o perâ—â—â—_n man_n to_o be_v decievable_a for_o here_o have_v be_v a_o actual_a deception_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o but_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v lose_v mankind_n in_o this_o for_o the_o possibility_n oâ—_n error_n suppose_v mankind_n to_o continue_v still_o and_o if_o we_o take_v away_o that_o we_o mâ—â—_n soon_o lose_v it_o than_o by_o the_o contrary_n but_o what_o repugnancy_n can_v we_o imagine_v to_o humane_a nature_n that_o meâ—_n suppose_v doctrine_n of_o faith_n to_o come_v down_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n shall_v yet_o mistake_v in_o judge_v what_o those_o doctrine_n be_v have_v not_o man_n eye_n and_o ear_n and_o common_a sense_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v eveâ—_n then_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v mistake_v and_o be_v it_o such_o a_o wonder_n it_o shall_v be_v in_o succeed_a age_n do_v not_o the_o nazarenes_n mistake_v in_o point_n of_o circumcision_n the_o corinthian_n as_o to_o the_o resurrection_n and_o yet_o the_o mean_a time_n agree_v iâ—_n this_o that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o come_v from_o he_o diâ—_n not_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o err_v eveâ—_n while_o they_o be_v with_o christ_n and_o certain_o have_v eye_n and_o ear_n anâ—_n 〈◊〉_d sense_n as_o other_o man_n have_v concernâ—â—â—me_v great_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n christ_n passion_n resurrection_n and_o the_o natâ—_n of_o his_o kingdom_n if_o then_o such_o who_o have_v the_o great_a opportunity_n imaginable_a and_o the_o high_a apprehension_n of_o christ_n may_v so_o easy_o mistake_v in_o point_n of_o such_o moment_n what_o ground_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o succeed_a age_n shall_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o misapprehension_n and_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o the_o want_n of_o clear_a divine_a revelation_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o mistake_n for_o these_o thing_n be_v plain_a enough_o to_o person_n not_o possess_v with_o prejudices_fw-la but_o those_o be_v so_o strong_a as_o to_o make_v they_o apprehend_v thing_n quite_o another_o way_n than_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v so_o it_o be_v then_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o succeed_a age_n for_o â—et_a parent_n teach_v what_o they_o please_v for_o matter_n of_o faith_n yet_o prejudice_n and_o â—yableness_n to_o mistake_v in_o child_n may_v easy_o make_v they_o misapprehend_v either_o the_o nature_n or_o weight_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o they_o so_o that_o set_v aside_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o record_v the_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o these_o preserve_v entire_a in_o every_o age_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o conceive_v how_o in_o a_o short_a time_n christian_n religion_n will_v have_v be_v corrupt_v as_o much_o as_o ever_o any_o be_v in_o the_o world_n for_o when_o we_o consider_v how_o much_o notwithstanding_o scripture_n the_o pride_n passion_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o deface_v christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n what_o will_v not_o these_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o it_o by_o mr._n s._n imaginâ—_n himself_o in_o repub_fw-la platonis_fw-la but_o it_o appearâ—_n he_o be_v still_o in_o faece_fw-la romuli_n he_o fancy_v there_o never_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o difference_n among_o christian_n and_o that_o all_o christian_n make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n to_o teach_v their_o posterity_n matter_n oâ—_n faith_n and_o that_o they_o mind_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o imprint_n thaâ—_n on_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o may_v have_v iâ—_n ready_a for_o their_o child_n and_o that_o alâ—_n parent_n have_v equal_a skill_n and_o sidelitâ—_n in_o deliver_v matter_n of_o religion_n tâ—_n their_o posterity_n whereas_o in_o truth_n wâ—_n find_v in_o the_o early_a age_n of_o the_o christiaâ—_n church_n several_a difference_n about_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o these_o difference_n continue_v to_o posterity_n but_o all_o party_n stilâ—_n plead_v that_o their_o doctrine_n come_v froâ—_n the_o apostle_n &_o it_o fall_v out_o unhappy_o for_o mr._n s._n that_o those_o be_v common_o most_o gross_o deceive_v who_o pretend_v the_o most_o to_o oral_a tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n still_o we_o find_v the_o grand_a debate_n be_v what_o come_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o what_o not_o whereas_o have_v tradition_n be_v so_o infallible_a a_o way_n of_o convey_v how_o can_v this_o ever_o have_v come_v into_o debate_n among_o they_o what_o do_v not_o they_o know_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o it_o seem_v they_o do_v not_o or_o their_o parent_n be_v no_o more_o agree_v than_o themselves_o for_o their_o difference_n can_v never_o be_v end_v this_o way_n afterward_o come_v in_o for_o many_o age_n such_o a_o succession_n of_o ignorance_n and_o barbarism_n that_o christian_a religion_n be_v little_o mind_v either_o by_o parent_n or_o child_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v instead_o of_o that_o some_o foppery_n and_o superstition_n be_v huge_o in_o request_n and_o the_o man_n who_o foment_v these_o thing_n be_v cry_v up_o as_o great_a saint_n and_o worker_n of_o miracle_n so_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o s._n francis_n and_o s._n dominick_n be_v as_o much_o if_o not_o more_o careful_o convey_v from_o parent_n to_o child_n in_o that_o age_n than_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o on_o this_o account_n posterity_n must_v be_v equal_o bind_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o have_v their_o person_n in_o equal_a veneration_n if_o man_n at_o last_o be_v grow_v wise_a it_o be_v because_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v mr._n s_n principle_n that_o they_o ought_v to_o receive_v what_o be_v deliver_v by_o their_o parent_n but_o they_o begin_v to_o search_v and_o inquire_v into_o the_o write_n of_o former_a age_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o present_a with_o those_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n there_o come_v a_o restauration_n of_o learning_n and_o religion_n together_o but_o though_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v plain_a and_o evident_a in_o this_o case_n yet_o m._n s._n will_v 5._o prove_v it_o impossible_a there_o shall_v any_o error_n come_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o his_o main_a argument_n be_v this_o because_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v conspire_v against_o her_o knowledge_n to_o deceive_v that_o age_n immediate_o follow_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n but_o before_o i_o come_v more_o particular_o to_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o this_o argument_n by_o manifest_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n without_o such_o a_o conspiracy_n as_o this_o be_v i_o shall_v propound_v some_o query_n to_o he_o 1._o what_o age_n of_o the_o church_n he_o will_v instance_n in_o wherein_o all_o person_n who_o be_v not_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n concern_v all_o point_n of_o faith_n i._o e._n that_o none_o among_o they_o do_v believe_v more_o thing_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n than_o other_o do_v i_o be_o sure_a he_o can_v neither_o instance_n in_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o nor_o in_o those_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o unless_o mr._n s._n the_o better_a to_o defend_v his_o hypothesis_n will_v question_v all_o write_a record_n because_o they_o consist_v of_o dead_a letter_n and_o unsence_v character_n and_o wordish_a testimony_n never_o consider_v that_o while_o he_o utter_v this_o he_o write_v himself_o unless_o he_o imagine_v there_o be_v more_o of_o life_n sense_n and_o certainty_n in_o his_o book_n than_o in_o the_o scripture_n or_o any_o other_o write_v whatsoever_o 2._o where_o there_o be_v different_a apprehension_n in_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n whether_o there_o must_v not_o be_v different_a tradition_n in_o the_o next_o for_o as_o he_o look_v on_o all_o parent_n as_o bound_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n so_o on_o child_n as_o bound_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o on_o which_o supposition_n different_a tradition_n in_o the_o succeed_a age_n must_v needs_o follow_v different_a apprehension_n in_o the_o precedent_n 3._o whether_o person_n agree_v in_o the_o substance_n of_o doctrine_n may_v not_o differ_v in_o their_o apprehension_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n all_o may_v agree_v in_o the_o article_n of_o christ_n descent_n into_o hell_n but_o yet_o may_v differ_v in_o the_o explication_n of_o it_o and_o in_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o salvation_n so_o that_o we_o must_v not_o only_o in_o tradition_n about_o matter_n of_o faith_n inquire_v
a_o reply_n to_o mr._n j._n s._n his_o 3_o d._n appendix_n contain_v some_o animadversion_n on_o the_o book_n entitle_v a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n by_o ed._n stillingfleet_n b._n d._n london_n print_v by_o r._n w._n for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north-door_n 1666._o a_o appendix_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o his_o honour_a friend_n mr._n john_n tillotson_n sir_n as_o soon_o as_o i_o understand_v your_o intention_n to_o answer_v 1._o mr._n serjeant_n i_o can_v not_o but_o rejoice_v on_o his_o behalf_n as_o well_o as_o on_o the_o truth_n and_o your_o own_o for_o i_o have_v that_o real_a kindness_n for_o he_o that_o i_o hearty_o wish_v he_o that_o reason_n and_o science_n he_o pretend_v to_o which_o i_o can_v not_o but_o despair_n of_o his_o attain_n unless_o he_o be_v undeceive_v in_o that_o monstrous_a opinion_n he_o have_v of_o himself_o and_o his_o undertake_n and_o i_o know_v no_o person_n more_o fit_a than_o you_o to_o let_v he_o understand_v the_o truth_n and_o himself_o together_o in_o which_o your_o performance_n have_v be_v so_o clear_a and_o satisfactory_a that_o i_o hope_v mr._n sergeant_n in_o stead_n of_o another_o letter_n of_o direction_n to_o his_o answerer_n will_v write_v you_o one_o of_o thanks_o for_o the_o reason_n and_o kindness_n you_o have_v show_v he_o throughout_o your_o book_n unless_o it_o fare_v with_o you_o as_o it_o have_v do_v with_o some_o other_o adversary_n of_o they_o that_o their_o civility_n have_v be_v interpret_v as_o a_o argument_n of_o their_o uncertainty_n and_o their_o own_o confidence_n cry_v up_o for_o a_o demonstration_n in_o which_o sense_n only_o i_o shall_v grant_v our_o protestant_a writer_n to_o build_v on_o uncertainty_n and_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n sergeant_n to_o be_v the_o great_a demonstrator_n of_o this_o age_n if_o their_o own_o reason_n have_v be_v as_o severe_a as_o the_o censure_n at_o rome_n against_o they_o they_o have_v save_v we_o the_o labour_n of_o any_o answer_n and_o will_v have_v find_v out_o their_o own_o sophistry_n without_o a_o confutation_n but_o the_o least_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v by_o their_o excessive_a confidence_n be_v that_o they_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o iâ—_n be_v a_o part_n of_o charity_n to_o they_o as_o well_o aâ—_n justice_n to_o the_o truth_n to_o let_v the_o world_n â—e_n that_o big_a word_n be_v quite_o another_o â—ing_n from_o science_n and_o a_o strong_a preemption_n from_o a_o regular_a demonstraâ—on_n as_o to_o which_o no_o more_o need_n to_o â—ve_v be_v say_v than_o what_o you_o have_v alâ—ady_o do_v if_o mr._n serjeant_n have_v not_o â—ought_v it_o a_o accession_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o â—s_a achievement_n to_o lead_v two_o page_n â—f_a my_o book_n in_o triumph_n after_o he_o i_o â—nfess_v i_o be_v somewhat_o surprise_v to_o see_v person_n who_o will_v be_v note_v for_o his_o â—lour_n in_o assault_a protestant_a writer_n â—eal_v so_o behind_o the_o main_a bulk_n and_o design_n â—f_o my_o book_n and_o when_o he_o have_v get_v â—o_o single_a page_n by_o themselves_o fall_v â—pon_n they_o with_o as_o much_o pomp_n and_o â—tentation_n as_o if_o he_o have_v attack_v the_o â—hole_a and_o this_o must_v be_v noise_v abroad_o a_o answer_n to_o i_o by_o the_o same_o figure_n â—at_a his_o argument_n be_v call_v demonâ—rations_n which_o be_v by_o a_o hyperbole_n unâ—_n for_o any_o but_o such_o who_o never_o flag_n beaw_v the_o sphere_n of_o science_n in_o their_o own_o â—dgements_n though_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o â—ome_o near_o it_o in_o other_o yet_o since_o â—r_o sergeant_n be_v not_o only_o please_v to_o â—ncern_v himself_o so_o far_o as_o to_o answer_v that_o â—rt_n of_o my_o book_n relate_v to_o oral_a tradition_n but_o in_o most_o express_a term_n tâ—_n challenge_v i_o to_o reply_v to_o he_o he_o maâ—_n 236._o now_o see_v assoon_o as_o i_o can_v get_v any_o liberty_n from_o great_a employment_n hoâ—_n ready_a i_o be_o to_o give_v he_o all_o reasonablâ—_n satisfaction_n and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n return_v he_o thanks_o for_o the_o weapon_n hâ—_n have_v make_v choice_n of_o viz._n that_o of_o reâ—son_n there_o be_v no_o other_o i_o desire_v tâ—_n make_v use_n of_o in_o manage_v this_o debaâ—_n between_o we_o and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v find_v much_o civility_n towards_o he_o throughoâ—_n this_o discourse_n as_o he_o exptess_n toward_o i_o in_o the_o entrance_n to_o he_o if_o that_o mâ—_n be_v account_v any_o real_a civility_n which_o intend_v mere_o out_o of_o design_n wiâ—_n the_o great_a advantage_n to_o disparage_v tâ—_n cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v and_o yet_o â—_o no_o reason_n to_o repent_v of_o if_o in_o his_o cursâ—_n view_v of_o two_o chapter_n of_o my_o book_n he_o hâ—_n as_o he_o say_v quite_o lose_v i_o he_o have_v no_o caâ—_n to_o be_v trouble_v for_o it_o if_o he_o have_v fouâ—_n 202._o far_o more_o excellent_a person_n such_o dr._n hammond_n and_o the_o dissuader_n aâ—_n dr._n pierce_v instead_o of_o i_o but_o to_o sure_o he_o intend_v not_o this_o in_o honour_n any_o of_o we_o but_o by_o way_n of_o a_o commâ—_n reproach_n to_o we_o all_o as_o though_o we_o do_v talk_v out_o of_o nature_n or_o thing_n but_o woâ—_n and_o imagination_n i_o can_v hearty_o have_v wish_v mr._n s._n will_v have_v crop_v so_o much_o of_o the_o victory_n due_a to_o another_o learning_n and_o industry_n as_o to_o have_v show_v i_o one_o proposition_n in_o those_o discourse_n which_o a_o rational_a understanding_n that_o will_v be_v true_a to_o itself_o can_v not_o settle_v or_o rely_v on_o but_o if_o such_o insinuation_n as_o these_o must_v pass_v for_o answer_n i_o must_v needs_o say_v i_o judge_v mr._n s._n equal_o happy_a in_o confute_v our_o ground_n and_o in_o demonstrate_v his_o own_o in_o both_o which_o his_o great_a strength_n lie_v in_o the_o self-evidence_n of_o his_o bare_a affirmation_n but_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v willing_a to_o resign_v the_o glory_n of_o this_o victory_n to_o the_o judicious_a author_n of_o labyrinthus_n cantuariensis_n or_o to_o some_o other_o for_o he_o and_o when_o they_o have_v once_o obtain_v it_o i_o shall_v not_o envy_v they_o the_o honour_n of_o it_o and_o i_o suppose_v those_o person_n whoever_o they_o be_v may_v be_v able_a by_o this_o time_n to_o tell_v mr._n s._n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o talk_v of_o victory_n than_o to_o get_v they_o but_o if_o they_o do_v no_o more_o in_o the_o whole_a than_o mr._n s._n have_v do_v for_o his_o share_n they_o will_v triumph_v nowhere_o but_o where_o they_o conquer_v viz._n in_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o imagination_n therefore_o leave_v they_o to_o their_o silent_a conquest_n and_o as_o yet_o unheard_a of_o victory_n we_o come_v to_o mr._n s._n who_o so_o liberal_o proclaim_v his_o own_o in_o the_o point_n of_o oral_a tradition_n which_o in_o a_o phrase_n scarce_o hear_v of_o in_o our_o language_n before_o be_v the_o post_n he_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o explicate_v further_o and_o defend_v what_o the_o explicate_a a_o post_n mean_n i_o as_o little_o understand_v as_o i_o do_v the_o force_n of_o his_o demonstration_n but_o this_o and_o many_o other_o such_o uncouth_a form_n of_o speech_n up_o and_o down_o in_o his_o book_n which_o make_v his_o style_n so_o smooth_a and_o easy_a be_v i_o suppose_v intend_v for_o embellishment_n of_o our_o tongue_n and_o as_o help_n to_o sure-speaking_a as_o his_o whole_a book_n be_v design_v for_o sure-footing_a but_o let_v he_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n 2._o and_o felicity_n of_o his_o own_o expression_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o and_o his_o first_o controversy_n with_o i_o be_v for_o oppose_v the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o doctrinal_a infallibility_n 203._o in_o pope_n and_o council_n a_o controversy_n fit_a to_o be_v debate_v among_o themselves_o than_o between_o he_o and_o i_o for_o be_v any_o thing_n more_o notorious_a than_o that_o infallibility_n be_v by_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o romanist_n attribute_v to_o the_o present_a church_n in_o teach_v and_o deliver_v matter_n of_o faith_n not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o oral_a tradition_n but_o the_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o this_o be_v make_v by_o they_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o divine_a faith_n for_o which_o mr._n s._n may_v if_o he_o please_v consult_v his_o judicious_a author_n of_o labyrinthus_n cantuariensis_n or_o any_o other_o of_o their_o present_a writer_n except_o mr._n white_a and_o himself_o he_o need_v not_o therefore_o have_v be_v to_o seek_v for_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o doctrinal_a infallibility_n as_o oppose_v to_o traditionary_a if_o he_o have_v not_o either_o be_v ignorant_a
his_o book_n or_o not_o iâ—_n not_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o write_v â—_o if_o he_o do_v than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v soâ—_n matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v intelligible_o convey_v by_o writing_n especial_o if_o mr._n s._n do_v it_o but_o by_o no_o mean_n we_o be_v tâ—_n believe_v that_o ever_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n caâ—_n do_v it_o for_o whatever_o be_v write_v by_o meâ—_n assist_v by_o that_o be_v according_a to_o he_o buâ—_n a_o heap_n of_o dead_a letter_n and_o insignificant_a character_n when_o mr._n s._n the_o mean_a while_o be_v full_a of_o sense_n and_o demonstration_n happy_a man_n that_o can_v thus_o outdo_v inanite_a wisdom_n and_o write_v far_o beyond_o either_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n but_o if_o he_o will_v condescend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o allow_v that_o to_o inspire_a person_n which_o he_o confident_o believe_v of_o himself_o viz._n that_o he_o can_v write_v a_o book_n full_a of_o sense_n and_o that_o any_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v apprehend_v the_o design_n of_o it_o our_o controversy_n be_v at_o a_o end_n for_o than_o matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v intelligible_o and_o certain_o convey_v to_o posterity_n by_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o if_o so_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o recourse_n to_o oral_a tradition_n 5._o if_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n do_v not_o certain_o and_o intelligible_o convey_v all_o matter_n of_o faith_n what_o make_v they_o be_v receive_v with_o so_o much_o veneration_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v best_a able_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n contain_v â—n_v they_o and_o the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o book_n themselves_o and_o therein_o we_o still_o find_v that_o appeal_n be_v make_v to_o they_o that_o they_o think_v themselves_o concern_v to_o vindicate_v they_o against_o all_o objection_n of_o heathen_n and_o other_o and_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v make_v into_o they_o and_o not_o tradition_n as_o i_o have_v already_o manifest_v and_o must_v not_o repeat_v 6._o whether_o it_o be_v in_o the_o least_o â—_o credible_a since_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v suppose_v to_o contain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n that_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v look_v on_o itself_o as_o oblige_v absolute_o to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o precedent_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n for_o since_o they_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o write_a book_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o shall_v believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o a_o oral_a tradition_n although_o then_o the_o apostle_n do_v deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o all_o their_o disciple_n yet_o since_o the_o record_n of_o it_o be_v embrace_v in_o the_o church_n man_n judge_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o conveniency_n or_o repugnancy_n of_o they_o to_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n by_o which_o we_o understand_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v not_o arise_v from_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o it_o but_o by_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o present_a age_n that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o contain_v in_o scripture_n it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o mr._n s._n etc._n who_o proceed_v still_o to_o manifest_v this_o obligation_n in_o posterity_n to_o believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o precedent_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o force_n of_o all_o be_v the_o same_o still_o viz._n that_o otherwise_o one_o age_n must_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o the_o inconsequence_n of_o that_o i_o have_v full_o show_v already_o unless_o he_o demonstrate_v it_o impossible_a for_o error_n to_o come_v in_o any_o other_o way_n for_o if_o we_o reduce_v the_o substance_n of_o what_o he_o say_v to_o a_o syllogistical_a form_n it_o come_v to_o this_o where_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o every_o age_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o believe_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n the_o minor_a he_o thus_o prove_v if_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o the_o precedent_n teach_v or_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o than_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o any_o age_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a and_o therefore_o the_o consequent_a now_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o force_n of_o all_o this_o lie_v not_o in_o prove_v the_o minor_a proposition_n or_o that_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o but_o the_o consequence_n viz._n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o a_o church_n but_o by_o a_o general_a mistake_n in_o one_o whole_a age_n or_o the_o general_a imposture_n of_o it_o which_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o have_v show_v he_o already_o the_o falseness_n of_o it_o from_o his_o own_o concession_n and_o i_o may_v more_o large_o show_v it_o from_o those_o doctrine_n or_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v come_v into_o their_o church_n without_o any_o such_o general_a mistake_n or_o imposture_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o papal_a infallibility_n and_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o purgatory_n the_o very_a same_o way_n that_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n will_v show_v we_o how_o these_o come_v in_o we_o will_v show_v he_o how_o many_o other_o come_v in_o as_o erroneous_a and_o scandalous_a as_o those_o be_v for_o whether_o they_o account_v these_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o it_o be_v certain_a many_o among_o they_o do_v and_o that_o the_o far_o great_a number_n who_o assert_v and_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n too_o if_o therefore_o these_o may_v come_v in_o without_o one_o age_n mistake_v or_o deceive_v the_o next_o why_o may_v not_o all_o those_o come_v in_o the_o same_o way_n which_o we_o charge_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o error_n of_o their_o church_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o corrupt_a doctrine_n come_v in_o may_v corrupt_v practice_n too_o since_o these_o as_o he_o say_v spring_v srom_o the_o other_o he_o may_v therefore_o have_v save_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o find_v out_o how_o a_o acute_a wit_n or_o great_a scholar_n will_v discover_v the_o 231._o weakness_n of_o this_o way_n for_o without_o pretend_v to_o be_v either_o of_o these_o i_o have_v find_v out_o another_o way_n of_o attaque_a it_o then_o mr._n s._n look_v for_o viz._n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o concession_n show_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o a_o church_n without_o a_o total_a deception_n or_o conspiracy_n in_o any_o one_o age_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a he_o can_v bind_v i_o to_o believe_v what_o ever_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o this_o never_o come_v into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o speculation_n or_o private_a opinion_n and_o from_o thence_o by_o degree_n have_v come_v to_o be_v account_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n therefore_o his_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v now_o quite_o alter_v and_o he_o can_v say_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v for_o that_o which_o he_o call_v the_o present_a church_n may_v have_v admit_v speculation_n and_o private_a opinion_n into_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o he_o must_v first_o prove_v such_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o his_o time_n down_o to_o our_o age_n they_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v this_o as_o to_o any_o of_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o will_v promise_v he_o to_o be_v his_o proselyte_n but_o he_o ought_v still_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a for_o one_o whole_a age_n to_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o that_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o error_n to_o come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o mr._n s._n object_n against_o those_o word_n i_o then_o use_v against_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o way_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o reason_n shall_v enforce_v it_o but_o such_o as_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n and_o whatever_o mr._n s._n say_v to_o the_o contrary_a