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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n authority_n bishop_n church_n 2,934 5 4.3576 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59248 Sure-footing in Christianity, or Rational discourses on the rule of faith with short animadversions on Dr. Pierce's sermon : also on some passages in Mr. Whitby and M. Stillingfleet, which concern that rule / by J.S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1665 (1665) Wing S2595; ESTC R8569 122,763 264

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believe_v ancestor_n that_o they_o who_o do_v not_o so_o stand_v upon_o a_o precipice_n seeking_z what_o be_v beyond_o their_o power_n that_o be_v to_o hammer_v a_o certain_a faith_n out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n by_o their_o private_a wit._n which_o reflect_v on_o a_o little_a reason_n enlighten_v by_o so_o plain_a and_o manifold_a experience_n will_v easy_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v the_o shallowness_n of_o their_o ground_n unable_a to_o satisfy_v rational_a nature_n which_o make_v so_o many_o of_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o seek_v for_o faith_n and_o so_o leave_v they_o and_o the_o solid_a secureness_n connaturalness_n and_o satisfactoriness_n of_o we_o which_o make_v few_o or_o none_o leave_v we_o and_o those_o who_o do_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o discover_v the_o motive_n of_o their_o revolt_n 11._o yet_o one_o more_o from_o this_o illustrious_a father_n as_o one_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o famous_a contrast_n with_o the_o impious_a arian_n it_o concern_v to_o be_v 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to_o a_o lesser_a one_o in_o the_o margin_n and_o that_o to_o luke_n 19_o 22._o and_o david_n cut_v of_o goliah_n head_n with_o his_o own_o sword_n a_o story_n know_v undoubted_o by_o all_o that_o be_v like_a to_o read_v his_o sermon_n shall_v be_v secure_v from_o be_v think_v a_o piece_n of_o a_o romance_n or_o knight-errantry_a by_o a_o punctual_a citation_n in_o the_o open_a margin_n 1_o sam._n 17._o 51._o and_o to_o omit_v diverse_a of_o the_o like_a pleasant_a strain_n lest_o any_o unbeliever_n shall_v be_v so_o impious_a as_o to_o doubt_v that_o his_o theopneust_n aholiab_n be_v a_o embroiderer_n you_o shall_v see_v it_o as_o plain_a as_o the_o nose_n on_o a_o man_n face_n in_o a_o express_a text_n exod._n 35._o 30._o 34._o 11._o but_o why_o insist_v i_o thus_o on_o so_o poor_a a_o foolery_n in_o a_o book_n i_o design_v for_o solid_a or_o what_o advantage_n can_v i_o gain_v to_o my_o cause_n by_o so_o sleight_v a_o animadversion_n i'answer_v ●tis_o my_o temper_n when_o i_o see_v a_o odd_a action_n do_v without_o reason_n to_o trace_v it_o to_o its_o original_a and_o to_o search_v after_o its_o proper_a cause_n and_o upon_o consideration_n i_o find_v none_o so_o proper_a for_o this_o effect_n as_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o humour_n of_o quote_v in_o d._n pierce_n and_o other_o of_o his_o brethren_n so_o strong_o possess_v they_o and_o even_o naturalize_v into_o they_o that_o so_o they_o be_v quote_v they_o matter_n not_o much_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o purpose_n or_o not_o this_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o whole_a bead-roll_n of_o his_o citation_n the_o useful_a part_n as_o he_o say_v of_o his_o whole_a performance_n and_o that_o not_o one_o of_o those_o which_o he_o call_v evidence_n be_v conclusive_a that_o be_v worth_a a_o straw_n or_o to_o purpose_n but_o because_o every_o one_o will_v not_o be_v capable_a to_o see_v it_o in_o those_o citation_n he_o bring_v for_o proof_n i_o let_v they_o see_v it_o in_o those_o his_o late_a quotation_n of_o scripture_n in_o which_o he_o so_o pitiful_o betray_v his_o silly_a and_o vain_a humour_n of_o quote_v to_o no_o imaginable_a end_n but_o to_o satisfy_v his_o customary_a habit_n or_o fancy_n and_o as_o in_o his_o citation_n so_o in_o these_o imagine_v the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o his_o cause_n in_o stead_n of_o show_v it_o that_o i_o conceive_v no_o universitie-wit_n but_o will_v see_v in_o this_o carriage_n of_o he_o that_o dr._n pierce_n head_n be_v not_o too_o scientifical_a nor_o himself_o a_o fit_a man_n to_o to_o demonstrate_v against_o the_o papist_n second_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n 1._o i_o beg_v pardon_n of_o my_o reader_n for_o my_o late_a merriment_n and_o child_n play_n with_o airy_a bubble_n and_o feather_n both_o d._n pierce_n manner_n of_o writing_n and_o his_o carriage_n towards_o catholic_n merit_v this_o kind_n of_o return_n i_o hope_v the_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n i_o have_v design_v to_o answer_v will_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o solid_o and_o that_o they_o may_v do_v so_o i_o will_v pick_v out_o those_o which_o aim_v at_o some_o point_n of_o concernment_n i_o have_v a_o particular_a respect_n for_o the_o person_n and_o be_o sorry_a his_o grow_a hopefulness_n receive_v a_o foil_n by_o his_o book_n against_o mr._n s._n c._n and_o this_o though_o a_o threefold_a disadvantage_n the_o badness_n of_o his_o cause_n the_o patronage_n of_o dr._n pierce_n malice_n and_o his_o impar_fw-la congressus_fw-la with_o so_o learned_a a_o antagonist_n 2._o my_o design_n lead_v i_o to_o take_v notice_n especial_o of_o that_o passage_n p._n 93._o sect._n 4._o where_o he_o begin_v a_o discourse_n about_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o reason_n and_o explicate_v rather_o than_o prove_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o what_o be_v his_o rule_n and_o guide_n to_o faith_n which_o because_o it_o look_v plausible_o yet_o be_v prudent_o neglect_v by_o mr._n s_o c._n who_o hear_v of_o more_o eminent_a antagonist_n write_v against_o he_o judge_v it_o wise_a to_o reserve_v himself_o to_o answer_v the_o protestanr_n second_v and_o best_a thought_n in_o they_o in_o case_n they_o be_v find_v to_o deserve_v it_o and_o because_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o challenge_n be_v make_v to_o all_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o world_n and_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o light_a cross_n to_o the_o ground_n i_o have_v lay_v i_o take_v leave_v to_o consider_v and_o examine_v it_o my_o way_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o especial_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o discourse_n be_v right_o make_v but_o in_o other_o place_n he_o confound_v guide_n with_o rule_n power_n with_o motive_n and_o by_o strain_v a_o word_n in_o mr._n s._n c._n beyond_o its_o necessary_a signification_n impose_v on_o we_o a_o false_a tenet_n which_o he_o main_o build_v upon_o so_o that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o begin_v my_o answer_n by_o put_v down_o our_o true_a one_o which_o give_v faith_n and_o reason_n both_o their_o due_n this_o do_v his_o superstructute_n on_o that_o supposition_n will_v fall_v of_o themselves_o 3._o our_o tenet_n then_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o with_o belief_n that_o belief_n rely_v on_o authority_n and_o divine_a faith_n or_o belief_n on_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o its_o motive_n and_o on_o the_o church_n as_o on_o the_o applier_n of_o the_o other_o to_o my_o understanding_n at_o next_o i_o hold_v that_o no_o authority_n deserve_v assent_n further_o than_o true_a reason_n give_v it_o to_o deserve_v and_o hence_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v essential_a truth_n deserve_v in_o true_a reason_n if_o possible_a infinite_o intense_a assent_n or_o adhesion_n to_o its_o say_n from_o i_o and_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v find_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o be_v certain_a it_o apply_v with_o certainty_n that_o be_v close_o the_o divine_a authority_n to_o my_o understanding_n and_o so_o oblige_v it_o absolute_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n god_n have_v tell_v and_o to_o submit_v whatever_o reason_n i_o may_v have_v against_o the_o object_n reveal_v to_o this_o all-overpowering_a authority_n of_o essential_a truth_n this_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n whence_o my_o particular_a reason_n be_v take_v nay_o far_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o i_o adhere_v more_o hearty_o and_o firm_o to_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n than_o to_o any_o conclusion_n of_o any_o science_n whatever_o because_o a_o more_o efficacious_a cause_n equal_o close_o apply_v be_v apt_a to_o produce_v a_o great_a effect_n and_o no_o cause_n be_v or_o can_v be_v in_o 〈◊〉_d reason_n comparable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a veracity_n in_o the_o point_n of_o cause_v assent_n which_o be_v close_o apply_v by_o i_o to_o the_o church_n assurance_n hence_o my_o faith_n be_v ever_o most_o rational_a because_o ●is_n 〈◊〉_d rational_a to_o believe_v a_o point_n for_o which_o the_o divine_a veracity_n be_v engage_v and_o high_o rational_a to_o believe_v the_o church_n assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v engage_v for_o such_o and_o such_o point_n nor_o yet_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n or_o the_o church_n as_o mr._n whitby_n p._n 96._o very_a mistake_o argue_v behold_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o private_a reason_n for_o my_o belief_n of_o her_o infallibility_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a my_o private_a reason_n be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o that_o judgement_n see_v i_o therefore_o come_v to_o have_v that_o judgement_n because_o those_o as_o object_n wrought_v upon_o my_o apprehension_n and_o imprint_v a_o conceit_n of_o they_o there_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o so_o oblige_v my_o reason_n to_o conclude_v and_o my_o judgement_n to_o hold_v they_o such_o as_o they_o be_v this_o rational_a assent_n establish_v my_o faith_n against_o the_o assauld_n of_o any_o doubt_n from_o human_a reason_n rest_v assure_v th●●_n the_o same_o god_n who_o tell_v i_o this_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o have_v write_v all_o create_a truth_n in_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v make_v whence_o no_o create_a ●ruth_n can_v thwart_v my_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v contradict_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a hence_o if_o i_o have_v true_a science_n i_o be_o certain_a to_o find_v no_o part_n of_o it_o opposite_a to_o my_o faith_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a conformable_a to_o it_o as_o be_v a_o child_n of_o the_o same_o parent_n essential_a truth_n if_o i_o have_v not_o true_a science_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v so_o nothing_o therefore_o but_o my_o own_o overween_a can_v make_v i_o miscarry_v 4._o reason_n have_v thus_o play_v her_o part_n in_o bring_v i_o to_o faith_n desert_n i_o not_o yet_o while_o i_o act_n in_o it_o nor_o i_o she_o my_o act_n of_o belief_n be_v still_o rational_a because_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v at_o first_o
supernatural_a thing_n again_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o hold_v by_o those_o christian_n that_o none_o can_v come_v to_o heaven_n without_o know_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o some_o very_a great_a good_a reserve_v for_o the_o next_o life_n nor_o yet_o without_o love_v it_o for_o none_o be_v think_v to_o go_v to_o heaven_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o which_o love_n beside_o the_o knowledge_n that_o heaven_n be_v can_v be_v have_v without_o know_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v a_o good_a incomparable_o great_a than_o any_o in_o this_o life_n nor_o can_v these_o knowledge_n be_v have_v by_o mankind_n but_o by_o believe_v hence_o belief_n of_o supernatural_a thing_n or_o faith_n be_v conceive_v necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n nor_o be_v this_o find_v only_o in_o the_o judgement_n the_o learneder_n faithful_n make_v concern_v it_o by_o their_o discourse_n but_o in_o the_o very_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n faith_n as_o it_o import_v knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a thing_n it_o be_v then_o grant_v by_o all_o and_o in_o itself_o most_o rational_a that_o some_o at_o least_o of_o the_o vulgar_a be_v to_o be_v save_v that_o be_v be_v to_o have_v faith_n or_o knowledge_n of_o god_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o certain_a mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n must_v be_v appliable_a to_o they_o 9_o moreover_o since_o the_o rude_a or_o unskilfull_a people_n be_v the_o less_o capable_a they_o be_v of_o science_n and_o none_o doubt_v but_o some_o among_o even_o the_o rude_a may_v come_v to_o be_v save_v since_o we_o experience_v they_o have_v oftentimes_o well-meaning_a virtuous_a and_o devout_a heart_n the_o rule_n or_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n must_v also_o be_v appliable_a to_o these_o that_o be_v must_v be_v such_o as_o even_o the_o rude_a may_v be_v capable_a to_o know_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n 10._o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o must_v be_v knowable_a as_o to_o it_o be_v existence_n by_o natural_a impression_n upon_o man_n sense_n affect_v their_o soul_n according_a to_o the_o common_a light_n of_o understanding_n for_o see_v the_o rude_a be_v very_o shallow_a reflecter_n and_o discourser_n and_o suppose_v to_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o any_o kind_n of_o skill_n get_v by_o speculation_n or_o study_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n existence_n must_v not_o need_v any_o skill_n or_o science_n acquire_v by_o study_n intervening_a between_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o it●_n otherwise_o it_o can_v not_o be_v knowable_a by_o they_o 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o they_o a_o rule_n by_o parag_n 4_o 11._o again_o see_v those_o who_o be_v very_o rude_a be_v yet_o capable_a of_o be_v put_v into_o doubt_n concern_v their_o faith_n either_o by_o sophistry_n or_o fai●_n language_n and_o at_o length_n desert_v it_o and_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a there_o shall_v be_v no_o mean_n lest_o by_o god_n sufficient_a to_o settle_v they_o nor_o can_v any_o mean_n be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o best_a if_o not_o only_o mean_v to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o faith_n be_v dissatisfactory_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v show_v worthy_a to_o be_v rely_v on_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o i●_n either_o by_o its_o own_o light_n evident_o secure_a and_o worthy_a to_o be_v hold_v a_o rule_n and_o this_o even_a to_o the_o rude_a who_o can_v doubt_v or_o else_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o they_o to_o be_v such_o by_o intelligent_a person_n who_o be_v verse_v in_o such_o reflection_n and_o this_o out_o of_o principle_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o as_o be_v prove_v parage_v the_o 5_o that_o be_v require_v only_o common_a and_o obvious_a reason_n not_o scientifical_a speculation_n to_o instill_v they_o otherwise_o those_o rude_a person_n will_v be_v leave_v unfurnish_v of_o due_a mean_n to_o be_v steadfast_a in_o their_o faith_n 12._o also_o since_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n bear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o a_o virtue_n and_o so_o no_o act_n of_o it_o irrational_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o its_o act_n rational_a and_o the_o submission_n of_o onr_a understanding_n exercisd_v in_o it_o rationabile_fw-la obsequium_fw-la it_o be_v evince_v that_o the_o satisfactorine_n of_o its_o rule_n ought_v not_o only_o to_o be_v evident_a or_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o rude_a doubter_n as_o we_o now_o prove_v but_o also_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o qualify_v that_o the_o faithful_a who_o yet_o have_v no_o doubt_n shall_v do_v rational_o even_o while_o they_o simple_o or_o unreflect_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o that_o it_o shall_v supply_v to_o their_o common_a and_o uncultivated_a reason_n by_o a_o natural_a way_n what_o it_o want_v of_o reflection_n i_o mean_v so_o that_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n may_v tell_v they_o upon_o solid_a and_o true_a principle_n teach_v they_o by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v or_o follow_v thongh_v they_o dive_v not_o into_o the_o ground_n or_o particular_a reason_n of_o their_o tenet_n or_o action_n nor_o can_v give_v account_n of_o they_o 13._o and_o since_o our_o saviour_n intend_v those_o out_o of_o the_o church_n shall_v embrace_v faith_n and_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v convert_v be_v heterodox_n that_o be_v hold_v contradictory_o to_o the_o church_n in_o what_o they_o dissent_v from_o she_o so_o that_o if_o they_o change_v they_o must_v now_o hold_v be_v indeed_o of_o be_v not_o or_o be_v not_o instead_o of_o be_v there_o be_v no_o middle_a to_o hold_v to_o in_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o differ_v from_o she_o and_o no_o change_n ought_v to_o be_v in_o reason_n or_o in_o a_o rational_a nature_n of_o which_o nature_n those_o heterodox_n be_v without_o true_a reason_n to_o change_v and_o the_o change_n in_o our_o case_n be_v to_o be_v make_v not_o to_o a_o mere_a suspension_n which_o be_v believe_v nothing_o nor_o to_o a_o middle_n between_o be_v and_o be_v not_o but_o to_o a_o contrary_a or_o rather_o contradictory_n assent_n and_o no_o assent_n can_v be●_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o assent_n nor_o be_v any_o sufficient_a in_o reason_n to_o put_v that_o effect_n or_o cause_n assent_n in_o a_o thing_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n as_o be_v the_o rule●_n of_o faith_n but_o evidence_n for_o while_o it_o be_v but_o probable_a that_o be_v while_o the_o understanding_n must_v a●_n yet_o say_v i_o know_v not_o it_o be_v so_o it_o can_v say_v i_o know_v i●_n be_v so_o which_o be_v no_o more_o but_o to_o say_v understand_o or_o to_o assent_n that_o it_o be_v so_o now_o the_o cause_n of_o our_o actual_a assent_v to_o the_o church_n faith_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o follow_v out_o of_o the_o notion_n of_o rational_a include_v in_o the_o word_n faith_n as_o apply_v to_o convettible_a person_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v beyond_o all_o peradventure_o how_o high_a and_o presume_v soever_o they_o be_v that_o be_v absolute_o evident_a to_o we_o and_o consequent_o certain_a 14._o moreover_o there_o be_v many_o eminent_a wit_n in_o the_o chutch_n verse_v in_o true_a logic_n &_o enure_v to_o science_n and_o true_a logic_n and_o the_o course_n of_o science_n necessary_o tell_v they_o that_o nothing_o can_v in_o perfect_a reason_n be_v hold_v by_o one_o who_o penetrate_v difficulty_n but_o either_o self-evident_a principle_n or_o conclusion_n necessary_o deduce_v by_o intrinsical_v medium_n from_o those_o principle_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v necessary_o deduce_v without_o immediate_a connexion_n or_o identification_n of_o the_o term_n with_o the_o medium_fw-la which_o infer_v the_o identity_n between_o themselves_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o that_o what_o be_v not_o see_v to_o be_v thus_o connect_v be_v unknown_a and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v may_v be_v false_a and_o to_o see_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v false_a must_v needs_o breed_v some_o fear_n of_o be_v so_o or_o doubt_v if_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o that_o thing_n and_o none_o can_v rational_o assent_v or_o fix_v their_o judgement_n where_o there_o be_v leave_v some_o doubt_n or_o waver_v of_o judgement_n and_o the_o judgement_n or_o assent_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v rotional_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o immediate_a producer_n and_o cause_n of_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o must_v not_o only_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o rude_a sort_n but_o also_o contain_v in_o itself_o seed_n of_o perfect_a evidence_n to_o satisfy_v those_o learned_a person_n who_o shall_v more_o narrow_o examine_v it_o otherwise_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a portion_n and_o
as_o it_o be_v the_o flower_n of_o mankind_n which_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n can_v hold_v nothing_o or_o have_v no_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o church_n must_v only_o be_v make_v up_o of_o ignorant_a and_o undiscerning_a person_n which_o will_v make_v her_o little_a better_o than_o a_o congregation_n of_o fanatic_n 15._o especial_o the_o church_n have_v many_o adversary_n skill_v in_o natural_a science_n who_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o oppose_v she_o all_o they_o can_v and_o conquer_v she_o too_o can_v they_o take_v any_o just_a advantage_n against_o she_o and_o no_o great_a advantage_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v gain_v or_o more_o deadly_a wound_n to_o be_v give_v she_o than_o to_o prove_v her_o faith_n uncertain_a which_o be_v do_v by_o show_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o concern_v our_o knowledge_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o at_o once_o enervate_v her_o government_n vilify_v her_o sacrament_n weaken_v all_o the_o motive_n to_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n which_o she_o propose_v and_o by_o consequence_n quite_o enfeeble_v the_o vigour_n of_o christian_a life_n or_o rather_o this_o make_v manifest_a by_o reason_n of_o temptation_n to_o the_o love_n of_o creature_n perpetual_o and_o on_o all_o side_n besiege_v we_o endanger_v to_o extinguish_v it_o utter_o and_o last_o make_v christian_n the_o most_o ridiculous_a people_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o high_a mystery_n above_o their_o reason_n upon_o uncertain_a ground_n it_o be_v manifest_a therefore_o that_o the_o only_a safeguard_n and_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o church_n and_o christian_a religion_n be_v place_v in_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v make_v therefore_o and_o ordain_v to_o ascertain_v faith_n that_o it_o it_o have_v in_o it_o what_o be_v fit_a for_o this_o end_n that_o be_v it_o be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n absolute_o certain_a that_o be_v absolute_a certainty_n be_v find_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v signify_v or_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n thorough_o understand_v 16._o and_o last_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n main_o conduce_v to_o bliss_n as_o be_v see_v §_o 8._o and_o its_o influence_n towards_o bliss_n which_o we_o call_v its_o merit_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o make_v we_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o divine_a veracity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n adhere_v unwaver_o to_o such_o truth_n as_o raise_v we_o to_o heaven_n so_o that_o the_o divine_a authority_n apply_v be_v the_o principal_a cause_n or_o motive_n of_o this_o submission_n assent_n or_o adhesion_n and_o every_o cause_n produce_v its_o effect_n better_o and_o strongly_a by_o how_o much_o the_o near_o and_o close_o it_o be_v apply_v and_o all_o the_o application_n of_o it_o to_o we_o consist_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o derive_v down_o to_o we_o those_o doctrine_n christ_n teach_v and_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o christ_n say_v they_o and_o the_o application_n of_o a_o thing_n close_o to_o a_o judge_a power_n be_v perform_v by_o certify_v it_o which_o make_v it_o sink_v into_o it_o &_o become_v a_o intimate_a act_n of_o that_o power_n whereas_o uncertainty_n can_v only_o admit_v it_o to_o swim_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o soul_n much_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o bare_a proposal_n or_o simple_a apprehension_n or_o at_o best_a as_o a_o probability_n not_o have_v weight_n enough_o of_o motive_n to_o settle_v deep_a into_o its_o solid_a substance_n which_o be_v cognoscitive_a and_o so_o become_v there_o a_o fix_a judgement_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o merit_n be_v incomparable_o advantage_v by_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o very_o feeble_a and_o inefficacious_a without_o it_o this_o rule_n then_o must_v be_v 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most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n §_o 15._o build_v upon_o unmoveable_a ground_n that_o be_v certain_a in_o itself_o §_o 6._o 15_o 16._o and_o absolute_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o §_o 5_o 11_o 13_o 14._o second_o discourse_n show_v the_o two_o first_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n utter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n 1._o have_v attain_v so_o clear_a a_o description_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o acquaintance_n with_o it_o by_o particular_a mark_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n conceive_v good_a hope_n of_o know_v it_o when_o we_o meet_v it_o especial_o not_o have_v a_o great_a crowd_n from_o which_o we_o be_v to_o single_a it_o out_o the_o pretender_n to_o that_o title_n be_v very_o few_o and_o indeed_o but_o two_o be_v own_v namely_o tradition_n and_o scripture_n though_o if_o we_o look_v narrow_o into_o it_o the_o private_a spirit_n private_a reason_n testimony_n of_o father_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o be_v hold_v the_o ascertainer_n of_o scripture_n 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such_o character_n in_o a_o book_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v to_o they_o assure_o god_n mind_n or_o ascertain_v they_o of_o their_o faith_n for_o abstract_v from_o the_o sense_n or_o actual_a signification_n of_o those_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o imaginable_a leave_v but_o those_o character_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v it_o this_o understand_v let_v we_o apply_v now_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o scripture_n letter_n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o they_o will_v fit_v 3._o and_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o occurr_n be_v its_o existence_n or_o a_o est_fw-la that_o be_v whether_o those_o book_n pretend_v to_o be_v god_n word_n be_v indeed_o scripture_n that_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v of_o which_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a the_o very_o rude_a sort_n can_v be_v certain_a by_o self-evidence_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v easy_o evidenceable_a to_o those_o doubter_n that_o be_v the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o the_o vulgar_a by_o any_o skill_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o nor_o even_o to_o more_o curious_a and_o speculative_a scarcher_n but_o by_o so_o deep_a a_o inspection_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o shall_v discover_v such_o secret_n that_o philosophy_n and_o human_a industry_n can_v never_o have_v arrive_v to_o beside_o all_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n must_v be_v solve_v ere_o they_o can_v out_o of_o the_o bare_a nature_n of_o the_o letter_n conclude_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v and_o so_o worthy_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o solve_v which_o literal_o plain_o and_o satisfactory_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o many_o particular_n which_o make_v they_o clear_a to_o those_o of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o the_o matter_n know_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v
of_o a_o contradiction_n in_o a_o clear_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o judge_n or_o congnoscitive_a nature_n 6._o these_o principle_n lay_v we_o we_o will_v advance_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o main_a conclusion_n on_o this_o manner_n that_o since_o neither_o any_o age_n by_o our_o first_o principle_n can_v hold_v a_o new_a introduce_v point_n for_o not-new_a but_o immediate_o deliver_v nor_o yet_o any_o forego_v age_n by_o our_o second_o make_v it_o be_v receive_v as_o not-new_a by_o posterity_n it_o follow_v that_o in_o no_o age_n can_v any_o doctrine_n change_v the_o immediate_a faith_n of_o forefather_n or_o new_a at_o that_o time_n come_v in_o or_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o immediate_o deliver_v or_o not-new_a at_o that_o time_n wherefore_o since_o nothing_o can_v descend_v or_o come_v down_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o not-new_a or_o deliver_v uninterrupted_o unless_o it_o first_o come_v in_o or_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o not-new_a or_o deliver_v uninterrupted_o nor_o be_v hold_v by_o we_o as_o descend_v under_o such_o a_o notion_n unless_o it_o do_v actual_o descend_v to_o we_o under_o such_o a_o notion_n by_o the_o second_o it_o follow_v manifest_o that_o if_o we_o now_o hold_v it_o descend_v as_o such_o it_o do_v descend_v as_o such_o and_o consequent_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o deliverer_n as_o such_o and_o the_o same_o reason_n hold_v equal_o in_o each_o age_n from_o christ_n come_v down_o consequent_o from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o power_n then_o or_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v make_v our_o faith_n now_o hold_v to_o be_v so_o descend_v but_o its_o have_v be_v actual_o so_o descend_v that_o be_v only_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n indeficiency_n can_v have_v effect_v this_o present_a persuasion_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n or_o catholic_n that_o their_o faith_n descend_v uninterrupted_o from_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v then_o manifest_a by_o experience_n that_o this_o effect_n or_o present_a persuasion_n be_v for_o all_o catholics_n hold_v the_o church_n never_o fail_v in_o faith_n it_o be_v demonstrative_o evident_a that_o its_o proper_a and_o only_a cause_n have_v be_v put_v that_o be_v that_o christian_a tradition_n have_v ever_o be_v hold_v to_o by_o a_o body_n of_o man_n consist_v of_o the_o predecessor_n to_o those_o who_o we_o find_v actual_o thus_o persuade_v nine_o discourse_n open_v the_o incomparable_a strength_n of_o the_o church_n human_a authority_n and_o the_o infinite_a advantage_n accrue_v to_o it_o by_o the_o supernatual_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n 1._o but_o all_o this_o be_v nature_n may_v some_o say_v and_o by_o this_o method_n a_o heathen_a may_v by_o his_o natural_a wit_n become_v a_o good_a christian._n by_o which_o word_n nature_n if_o the_o object_a mean_n reason_v wrought_v upon_o by_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n special_a goodness_n to_o bring_v soul_n to_o bliss_n i_o wonder_v what_o else_o be_v 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strengthen_v above_o the_o great_a meerly-human_a testimony_n whatever_o and_o that_o the_o church_n owe_v this_o strength_n to_o those_o motive_n superven_a to_o mere_a nature_n which_o we_o right_o call_v assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o regard_n they_o be_v build_v on_o perfection_n of_o will_n in_o the_o faithful_a or_o on_o virtue_n the_o effect_n proper_o attribute_v to_o that_o divine_a person_n 2._o ere_o we_o come_v to_o explain_v what_o advantage_n the_o church_n as_o thus_o divine_o assist_v have_v over_o herself_o as_o mere_o wrought_v upon_o by_o human_a motive_n we_o will_v compare_v first_o her_o human_a authority_n with_o some_o other_o vast_a body_n of_o testifier_n which_o may_v most_o seem_v to_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o she_o and_o a_o eminent_a and_o acute_a opposer_n of_o tradition_n have_v already_o point_v we_o out_o a_o choice_n one_o namely_o that_o of_o the_o mahometan_n for_o mahomet_n existence_n which_o we_o doubt_v not_o to_o have_v the_o power_n to_o convey_v down_o the_o truth_n thereof_o with_o infallible_a certainty_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n if_o follow_v not_o do_v we_o think_v the_o most_o sceptical_a protestant_a doubt_n but_o it_o have_v have_v the_o force_n to_o make_v itself_o be_v follow_v hitherto_o however_o at_o unaware_o their_o calm_a reason_n grant_v that_o to_o a_o body_n of_o turk_n which_o their_o passion_n make_v they_o question_n and_o even_o deny_v to_o a_o church_n of_o christian_n yet_o i_o aver_v that_o the_o human_a force_n of_o tradition_n in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n far_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o turk_n for_o mahomet_n existence_n 3._o to_o show_v this_o in_o brief_a i_o note_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o chief_o that_o howsoever_o a_o report_n may_v spread_v universal_o from_o a_o small_a beginning_n in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o rumour_n yet_o the_o force_n of_o its_o credibility_n if_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v found_v on_o the_o quantity_n and_o quality_n of_o those_o who_o first_o see_v or_o perceive_v it_o put_v then_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o testifier_n in_o both_o case_n to_o be_v equal_a so_o to_o bring_v our_o controversy_n to_o a_o small_a compass_n and_o compare_v only_o the_o quantity_n or_o number_n of_o the_o original_a testifier_n on_o both_o side_n what_o proportion_n be_v there_o between_o that_o handful_n of_o man_n about_o mecha_n and_o some_o few_o other_o place_n where_o mahomet_n conquer_v and_o plant_v his_o doctrine_n and_o those_o vast_a multitude_n who_o all_o the_o apostle_n disciple_n and_o apostolical_a man_n convert_v by_o most_o powerful_a miracle_n in_o so_o many_o distant_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n if_o we_o lie_v they_o together_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o few_o see_v or_o feel_v that_o be_v be_v witness_n of_o mahomet_n existence_n so_o much_o as_o once_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o who_o be_v every_o day_n imbue_v with_o 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to_o demonstration_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n not_o to_o note_v the_o unconsonancy_n of_o this_o carriage_n i_o shall_v yield_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o demonstration_n but_o only_a probability_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o he_o and_o to_o make_v this_o serious_a protestation_n for_o myself_o that_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o very_o dishonest_a do_v i_o assert_v and_o press_v on_o other_o any_o argument_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n which_o i_o judge_v not_o evident_a that_o be_v demonstrative_a this_o i_o hope_v will_v secure_v the_o honesty_n of_o my_o intention_n however_o my_o weakness_n may_v permit_v i_o to_o fail_v in_o my_o performance_n after_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o forestall_v my_o reason_n for_o the_o point_n in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a that_o man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o 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