the_o small_a strength_n they_o have_v when_o they_o do_v their_o utmost_a be_v not_o earnest_o and_o hearty_o engage_v neither_o in_o the_o patronage_n of_o our_o cause_n or_o in_o prove_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o only_o incline_v favourable_o towards_o we_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o beside_o those_o who_o be_v of_o moderate_a temper_n use_v to_o be_v favourable_a to_o every_o body_n and_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n such_o sweet_a soft-natured_a melt_a pliable_a tender-hearted_a compassionate_a and_o indulgent_a thing_n as_o these_o same_o probability_n they_o be_v ever_o at_o hand_n to_o lend_v their_o weak_a help_n to_o any_o body_n that_o want_v a_o good_a argument_n and_o will_v fit_v any_o cause_n in_o the_o world_n good_a or_o bad_a yet_o for_o all_o their_o kind_n and_o gentle_a behaviour_n in_o oblige_v none_o to_o assent_v to_o they_o or_o say_v as_o they_o do_v as_o your_o rude_a demonstration_n use_v i_o have_v notwithstanding_o a_o kind_n of_o prejudice_n against_o they_o which_o be_v that_o they_o be_v false_a heart_a and_o use_v to_o play_v jack-a-both-side_n most_o egregious_o for_o scarce_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o tenet_n in_o the_o world_n so_o absurd_a but_o when_o not_o one_o good_a reason_n dare_v appear_v for_o it_o this_o tattle_a gossip_n dame_n probability_n will_v for_o all_o that_o undertake_v it_o and_o let_v she_o have_v but_o her_o neat_a chambermaid_n rhetoric_n to_o trick_n she_o up_o with_o lace_n spangle_n curl_n patch_n and_o other_o such_o pretty_a bauble_n she_o will_v dare_v to_o encounter_v with_o any_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n or_o maintain_v the_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n imaginable_a as_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n well_o know_v else_o they_o will_v be_v out_o of_o heart_n ever_o to_o write_v more_o and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n i_o conceive_v why_o p._n 22._o he_o call_v they_o fair_a say_v if_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n and_o no_o less_o than_o thrice_o in_o the_o same_o page_n he_o make_v mention_n of_o fair_a proof_n he_o say_v not_o good_a proof_n or_o conclusive_a that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n no_o take_v heed_n of_o that_o this_o will_v quite_o take_v the_o business_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o probability_n which_o a_o rhetorical_a divine_a ought_v not_o to_o do_v for_o nothing_o suit_v with_o rhetoric_n humour_n so_o well_o as_o probability_n do_v and_o demonstration_n care_v not_o one_o straw_n for_o she_o but_o he_o give_v they_o their_o just_a due_n and_o call_v they_o only_o fair_a proof_n and_o fair_a probability_n that_o be_v pretty_a plausible_a and_o take_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o of_o themselves_o what_o be_v there_o which_o a_o little_a daub_v with_o rhetorical_a varnish_n will_v not_o make_v fair_a but_o the_o upshot_n oâ—_n sum_n total_a of_o his_o proof_n be_v the_o best_a sport_n if_o it_o be_v not_o most_o pernicious_a it_o be_v this_o 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probable_a proof_n be_v that_o which_o only_o conclude_v the_o thing_n probable_a and_o consequent_o many_o probable_a one_o be_v terminate_v in_o render_v it_o more_o probable_a how_o i_o say_v many_o proof_n only_o probable_a can_v conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o be_v to_o be_v certain_o or_o convince_v the_o understanding_n that_o it_o be_v unless_o they_o happen_v to_o engage_v some_o nature_n or_o other_o and_o consequent_o some_o identical_a proposition_n which_o dr._n t._n neither_o pretend_v nor_o go_v about_o to_o show_v but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n declare_v himself_o a_o utter_a enemy_n to_o such_o principle_n and_o consequent_o to_o such_o a_o way_n of_o discourse_n §_o 12._o in_o a_o word_n dr._n t_n positive_a proof_n of_o a_o godhead_n be_v reducible_a to_o these_o two_o head_n humane_a testimony_n and_o probability_n of_o reason_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n serm._n p._n 22_o 23._o and_o testimony_n which_o p._n 22._o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o principal_a argument_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o divide_v into_o universal_a tradition_n and_o write_a history_n now_o write_a history_n be_v not_o therefore_o true_a because_o it_o be_v write_v but_o depend_v upon_o live_v authority_n or_o tradition_n to_o authenticate_v it_o and_o how_o ridiculous_a he_o will_v make_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n even_o that_o which_o be_v confess_o ground_v on_o the_o sensation_n of_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v vast_o above_o this_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v see_v in_o hâ—s_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o here_o again_o he_o tell_v we_o pref._n p._n 16._o all_o humane_a testimony_n be_v fallible_a and_o so_o all_o build_v on_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o plain_a reason_n because_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a wherefore_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n it_o be_v conclude_v there_o may_v possible_o be_v no_o god_n for_o any_o thing_n humane_a testimony_n say_v to_o the_o point_n and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a word_n that_o probability_n of_o reason_n though_o never_o such_o fair_a one_o conclude_v as_o little_a last_o he_o tell_v we_o serm._n p_o 22._o that_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n this_o argument_n have_v all_o the_o strength_n it_o can_v have_v and_o thus_o dr._n t._n instead_o of_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o very_o learned_o that_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o neither_o reason_n nor_o authority_n can_v evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 13._o i_o omit_v his_o abuse_v the_o word_n testimony_n which_o be_v build_v on_o sensation_n in_o allege_v it_o to_o prove_v a_o creation_n which_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o mankind_n nor_o consequent_o can_v the_o persuasion_n of_o future_a deliverer_n and_o writer_n have_v for_o its_o source_n attestation_n or_o testimony_n i_o omit_v also_o his_o neglect_v to_o make_v use_n of_o testimony_n to_o prove_v miracle_n god_n proper_a effect_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o sense_n and_o which_o both_o christian_n jew_n and_o heathen_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o time_n both_o unanimous_o have_v and_o the_o first_o seer_n can_v proper_o attest_v i_o suppose_v his_o confidence_n in_o his_o rhetoric_n make_v he_o choose_v the_o worse_a argument_n to_o show_v how_o pretty_o he_o can_v make_v they_o look_v or_o perhaps_o the_o genius_n of_o thing_n lie_v so_o that_o the_o slight_a argument_n most_o need_v and_o so_o best_a suit_n with_o rhetorical_a discourser_n §_o 14._o by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v gentleman_n there_o will_v appear_v just_a reason_n for_o that_o moderate_a and_o civil_a hint_n i_o give_v dr._n t._n in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o ground_n in_o these_o word_n in_o which_o sermon_n under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a and_o a_o great_a many_o seem_a show_n and_o i_o hearty_o think_v very_o real_a intention_n of_o impugn_a atheism_n by_o a_o ill-principled_n and_o in_o that_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o unnecessary_a confession_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n nay_o even_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n religion_n receive_v a_o deep_a wound_n and_o atheism_n a_o especial_a advantage_n as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v more_o particular_o show_v hereafter_o after_o which_o i_o give_v his_o sermon_n all_o its_o due_a commendation_n and_o then_o subjoin_v only_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v right_a principle_n to_o ground_n his_o discourse_n without_o which_o he_o can_v never_o make_v a_o controvertist_n but_o must_v needs_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o undertake_v to_o meddle_v with_o
will_v with_o infallible_a certainty_n bring_v down_o the_o letter_n of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la the_o statute_n book_n and_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n the_o selfsame_a from_o year_n to_o year_n at_o least_o in_o matter_n of_o high_a consequence_n and_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o sense_n write_v traditional_o in_o some_o man_n â—_z correct_v the_o letter_n if_o printer_n or_o copier_n shall_v mistake_v if_o dr._n t._n ask_v how_o i_o prove_v it_o i_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v make_v it_o notorious_a if_o alter_v be_v cause_n great_a multitude_n be_v conversant_a in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v esteem_v of_o a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a nature_n weigh_v every_o tittle_n of_o it_o wary_o especial_o those_o passage_n that_o immediate_o touch_v some_o weighty_a point_n whence_o shall_v some_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o alter_v it_o go_v about_o such_o a_o action_n it_o can_v appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n who_o concern_v be_v high_o 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who_o think_v it_o their_o best_a play_n to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n because_o they_o know_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o be_v perfect_a stranger_n to_o both_o §_o 8._o well_o but_o though_o dr._n t._n deny_v any_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n let_v we_o see_v at_o lest_o what_o other_o certainty_n he_o afford_v we_o and_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n any_o honest_a man_n may_v safe_o swear_v it_o must_v be_v if_o any_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n that_o be_v a_o very_a fair_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n the_o abhorrer_n of_o first_o principle_n always_o except_v that_o if_o any_o certainty_n be_v infallible_a and_o there_o be_v any_o other_o beside_o this_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o middle_n between_o contradictary_n so_o that_o dr._n t._n be_v put_v to_o this_o hard_a choice_n either_o to_o bring_v such_o a_o certainty_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christianity_n which_o be_v no_o certainty_n or_o else_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v perfect_a nonsense_n if_o it_o be_v name_v by_o its_o proper_a name_n lâ—t's_n see_v what_o choice_n he_o make_v we_o be_v not_o say_v he_o infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o book_n etc._n etc._n but_o yet_o observe_v now_o the_o opposite_a kind_n of_o certainty_n deliver_v here_o pag._n 9_o we_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n concern_v these_o matter_n so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o i_o marry_v this_o be_v a_o rare_a certainty_n indeed_o we_o have_v not_o infallible_a certainty_n say_v dr._n t._n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o a_o one_o as_o keep_v we_o from_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o now_o since_o a_o very_a easy_a reflection_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o have_v no_o doubt_n of_o many_o thing_n be_v true_a nay_o more_o have_v strong_a hope_n they_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o hold_v they_o notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v a_o strange_a argument_n to_o prove_v he_o avow_v not_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n to_o allege_v that_o he_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v only_o such_o a_o assurance_n as_o not_o at_o all_o to_o doubt_v it_o for_o not_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o not_o at_o all_o hope_n it_o be_v true_a see_v he_o who_o suspend_v indifferent_o from_o both_o side_n and_o incline_v to_o neither_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n a_o thing_n or_o fear_v it_o be_v false_a have_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n to_o ground_n the_o least_o degree_n of_o any_o such_o fear_n more_o than_o he_o have_v to_o ground_v any_o hope_n of_o its_o truth_n again_o those_o speculator_n who_o attend_v not_o to_o principle_n be_v oftentimes_o in_o a_o perplex_a case_n and_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n hold_v a_o thing_n absolute_o true_a while_o they_o attend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o connatural_o breed_v that_o persuasion_n which_o thing_n notwithstanding_o come_v to_o make_v it_o out_o as_o scholar_n and_o unable_a to_o perform_v it_o hereupon_o consider_v as_o speculator_n they_o must_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v dr._n t_n condition_n regard_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o common_a conceit_n of_o christianity_n he_o can_v but_o see_v he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v be_v a_o christian_n profess_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o doubles_o he_o will_v avow_v it_o such_o as_o long_o as_o he_o speak_v nature_n and_o avoid_v reflect_v on_o his_o speculative_a thought_n but_o come_v once_o to_o consider_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o stand_v under_o such_o proof_n as_o his_o unskilful_a art_n afford_v he_o and_o conscious_a to_o himself_o as_o he_o needs_o must_v who_o sleight_n first_o principle_n and_o all_o method_n to_o knowledge_n that_o he_o have_v never_o a_o argument_n that_o be_v absolute_o or_o true_o conclusive_a he_o be_v force_v again_o take_v in_o these_o unlucky_a circumstance_n to_o avow_v faith_n ground_n and_o consequent_o its_o self_n to_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o false_a be_v willing_a to_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o say_v they_o can_v bear_v absolutely-conclusive_a proof_n rather_o than_o on_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o his_o own_o skill_n and_o to_o represent_v they_o as_o unworthy_a to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o stable_a ground_n rather_o than_o he_o will_v lose_v a_o tittle_n of_o the_o fame_n of_o be_v a_o able_a divine_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o the_o christian_a in_o dr._n t._n may_v overcome_v the_o speculator_n at_o least_o balance_v he_o in_o a_o equal_a suspense_n or_o beget_v in_o he_o a_o pretty_a good_a conceit_n of_o faith_n impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a but_o then_o when_o he_o once_o reflect_v that_o this_o can_v be_v maintain_v without_o admit_v infallibility_n which_o be_v the_o word_n the_o abominable_a papist_n use_v nor_o make_v out_o without_o use_v first_a principle_n or_o identical_a proposition_n which_o that_o malignant_a man_n i._n s._n pretend_v to_o build_v on_o immediate_o the_o bias_n prevail_v and_o the_o idea_n of_o popery_n once_o stir_v up_o which_o haunt_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n fancy_n day_n and_o night_n in_o a_o thousand_o hideous_a shape_n â—_o he_o run_v in_o a_o fright_n so_o far_o from_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith_n that_o he_o come_v to_o a_o very_a easy_a possibility_n of_o its_o be_v all_o a_o plain_a imposture_n or_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o absolute_o know_v since_o ground_n prevail_v only_o to_o make_v he_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o can_v raise_v it_o no_o high_o moreover_o if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n i_o declare_v myself_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o 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reason_n against_o raillery_n or_o a_o full_a answer_n to_o dr._n tillotson_n preface_n against_o j._n s._n with_o a_o far_a examination_n of_o his_o ground_n of_o religion_n the_o grave_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_a by_o apply_v the_o say_n of_o it_o to_o a_o foolish_a purpose_n dr._n tillot_n serm._n p._n 121._o anno_fw-la dom._n mdclxxii_o advertisement_n it_o be_v the_o general_a temper_n of_o mankind_n to_o call_v any_o thing_n by_o a_o odious_a name_n which_o themselves_o dislike_v and_o particular_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o time_n to_o call_v every_o thing_n popery_n which_o come_v cross_a to_o their_o interest_n i_o can_v expect_v my_o present_a adversary_n who_o zeal_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o treatise_n carry_v he_o much_o far_a than_o his_o reason_n shall_v be_v exempt_a from_o a_o fail_v so_o epidemical_a and_o withal_o so_o necessary_a for_o his_o purpose_n for_o nothing_o more_o easy_o solve_v all_o 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two_o doctor_n wonder_v at_o my_o silence_n which_o they_o interpret_v weakness_n and_o despair_v of_o a_o unmaintainable_a cause_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o pretend_v want_n of_o mean_n for_o my_o disability_n some_o of_o their_o friend_n offer_v to_o get_v any_o thing_n print_v which_o shall_v concern_v either_o of_o they_o but_o i_o be_v not_o stir_v till_o a_o gentleman_n of_o quality_n and_o worth_n who_o for_o his_o friendship_n as_o i_o conceive_v to_o dr._n t._n believe_v his_o book_n true_o unanswerable_a offer_v a_o friend_n of_o i_o to_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o get_v licence_n for_o i_o to_o print_v a_o answer_n if_o i_o will_v or_o can_v make_v any_o so_o fair_a a_o invitation_n move_v i_o to_o accept_v of_o it_o and_o i_o solicit_v with_o as_o much_o earnestness_n as_o i_o can_v the_o performance_n but_o the_o gentleman_n it_o seem_v mistake_v the_o doctor_n humour_n as_o much_o as_o his_o book_n for_o his_o credit_n prevail_v not_o all_o seem_v bush_v and_o quiet_a 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dr._n st._n will_v deserve_v wonderful_o of_o learning_n and_o the_o world_n if_o he_o will_v please_v to_o teach_v we_o this_o admirable_a new_a logic_n of_o conclude_v without_o demonstrate_v and_o demonstrate_v without_o principle_n for_o in_o the_o dull_a way_n of_o learn_v hitherto_o in_o use_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o shameful_a in_o a_o scholar_n to_o own_o he_o have_v demonstrate_v what_o he_o pretend_v shall_v be_v assent_v to_o that_o it_o be_v unpardonable_o shameful_a to_o pretend_v another_o man_n assent_n to_o that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v and_o judge_v to_o have_v demonstrate_v i_o have_v not_o time_n to_o settle_v the_o thought_n which_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n stir_v up_o when_o i_o meet_v with_o the_o preface_n to_o dr._n t_o be_v sermon_n direct_v particular_o to_o i_o and_o mean_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v guess_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o two_o or_o three_o book_n i_o must_v confess_v the_o bitter_a smartness_n i_o find_v there_o and_o the_o piquant_a upbraid_v i_o with_o desert_v the_o defence_n of_o sure-footing_a though_o all_o man_n that_o care_v to_o consider_v any_o thing_n see_v i_o have_v already_o write_v two_o book_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o stir_v i_o sufficient_o but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o all_o this_o provoke_a raillery_n will_v have_v prevail_v with_o i_o to_o answer_v particular_o if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v they_o will_v not_o have_v urge_v i_o so_o press_o if_o their_o friend_n have_v not_o indeed_o desire_v i_o shall_v write_v and_o that_o certain_o i_o shall_v not_o offend_v sober_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o by_o do_v only_o what_o themselves_o so_o press_v wary_a people_n have_v indeed_o suggest_v to_o i_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o adversary_n be_v suspicious_a and_o the_o more_o because_o of_o the_o time_n they_o have_v both_o choose_v since_o they_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v i_o and_o other_o answer_n will_v in_o likelihood_n come_v out_o about_o the_o time_n when_o the_o parliament_n be_v design_v to_o sit_v which_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o proper_a season_n to_o inflame_v the_o mind_n of_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o stir_v up_o a_o new_a persecution_n by_o make_v those_o answer_n which_o themselves_o have_v so_o provokingly_a and_o peremptory_o press_v for_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o insolency_n of_o papist_n and_o the_o growth_n of_o popery_n at_o least_o i_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a security_n for_o one_o in_o my_o circumstance_n than_o to_o mean_v upright_o and_o i_o hope_v every_o body_n will_v see_v by_o my_o long_a silence_n i_o have_v use_v all_o the_o caution_n i_o can_v not_o to_o give_v just_a cause_n of_o offence_n and_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v none_o to_o write_v when_o i_o be_o press_o and_o public_o solicit_v and_o this_o with_o no_o other_o design_n than_o to_o contribute_v if_o i_o can_v to_o the_o long_o desire_a happiness_n of_o bring_v dispute_n and_o disagreement_n in_o religion_n to_o a_o period_n if_o this_o be_v insolence_n or_o crime_n i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o honest_a man_n in_o this_o nation_n or_o world_n who_o be_v innocent_a once_o more_o than_o i_o take_v my_o pen_n in_o hand_n with_o this_o promise_n to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o stop_v again_o by_o their_o indirect_a proceed_n as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o judge_v the_o print_n of_o this_o have_v be_v already_o by_o the_o diligent_a search_v for_o it_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o arrear_n of_o i_o but_o what_o need_v any_o apologize_n at_o present_a to_o prevent_v a_o sinister_a character_n of_o my_o write_n the_o point_n in_o hand_n now_o be_v neither_o the_o defend_v any_o tenet_n of_o protestant_n or_o presbyterian_a on_o dr._n t_n side_n nor_o the_o impugn_v they_o on_o i_o the_o main_a business_n controvert_v between_o he_o and_o i_o at_o present_a be_v whether_o faith_n be_v absolutely-certain_a or_o rather_o as_o he_o call_v it_o only_a moral_o such_o in_o which_o point_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o have_v all_o unprejudiced_a conscientious_a man_n of_o both_o those_o party_n now_o name_v on_o my_o side_n and_o against_o he_o there_o be_v creep_v into_o tho_o world_n insensible_o and_o scepticism_n be_v now_o hatch_n it_o a_o sect_n more_o dangerous_a than_o any_o that_o have_v hitherto_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n in_o particular_a point_n they_o go_v as_o yet_o under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n because_o they_o profess_v many_o perhaps_o most_o point_v of_o christianity_n but_o yet_o if_o we_o may_v trust_v their_o own_o expression_n so_o as_o thence_o to_o frame_v a_o judgement_n of_o they_o have_v notwithstanding_o no_o faith_n at_o all_o or_o no_o hearty_a firm_a immovable_a assent_n to_o those_o point_n or_o any_o of_o they_o as_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o dwindle_a apprehension_n or_o at_o most_o a_o good_a lusty_a hope_n that_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n they_o be_v true_a or_o at_o least_o may_v be_v true_a now_o these_o man_n on_o the_o one_o side_n own_v no_o infallible_a or_o absolutely-certain_a authority_n so_o to_o preserve_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a or_o defend_v it_o from_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o speculation_n that_o be_v to_o protect_v it_o from_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o error_n on_o the_o other_o side_n rely_v either_o on_o some_o authority_n hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la fallible_a that_o be_v which_o they_o see_v may_v perhaps_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o all_o it_o propose_v or_o else_o on_o their_o own_o speculation_n and_o wit_n whether_o exercise_v in_o argue_v from_o thing_n or_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n letter_n and_o withal_o be_v man_n of_o some_o part_n and_o so_o see_v it_o impossible_a to_o make_v out_o that_o either_o those_o reason_n be_v conclusive_a or_o demonstrative_a or_o that_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o possible_o a_o mistake_n hence_o they_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v in_o equivalent_a term_n all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_n though_o they_o express_v it_o wary_o and_o crafty_o because_o they_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o conceit_n of_o the_o generality_n who_o use_v that_o word_n and_o the_o whole_a genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v opposite_a to_o their_o sentiment_n in_o that_o point_n nature_n therefore_o stand_v against_o they_o necessitate_v they_o contrary_a perhaps_o to_o their_o intention_n take_v they_o in_o other_o circumstance_n to_o pursue_v indirect_a way_n and_o so_o at_o unaware_o though_o certain_o not_o without_o some_o mixture_n of_o carelessness_n and_o precipitant_a passion_n to_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o faith_n the_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o work_v this_o mischief_n be_v first_o to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n
to_o viz._n to_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o other_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o certain_a truth_n nay_o lay_v down_o their_o lâ—ves_n upon_o occasion_n to_o attest_v they_o be_v such_o and_o what_o be_v it_o to_o assent_v it_o be_v to_o say_v interior_o or_o judge_v very_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o and_o can_v a_o motive_n or_o reason_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a ever_o induce_v in_o true_a reason_n such_o a_o obligation_n or_o work_v rational_o such_o a_o effect_n how_o shall_v it_o be_v since_o in_o that_o case_n a_o man_n must_v on_o the_o one_o side_n judge_v the_o thing_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o he_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o it_o as_o a_o truth_n and_o yet_o must_v at_o the_o same_o tâ—me_n necessary_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o he_o see_v the_o motive_n he_o have_v offer_v he_o raise_v it_o no_o high_o that_o be_v he_o must_v hold_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n which_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a now_o true_a evidence_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o oblige_v to_o assent_v and_o if_o dr._n t._n produce_v such_o proof_n as_o make_v the_o point_n true_o evident_a a_o atheist_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o obstinate_a if_o he_o do_v not_o assent_v to_o it_o but_o if_o by_o those_o word_n atheism_n be_v unreasonable_a because_o it_o require_v more_o evidence_n than_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o thing_n afford_v no_o true_a evidence_n at_o all_o and_o judge_n atheist_n unreasonable_a for_o not_o assent_v without_o true_a evidence_n because_o the_o thing_n afford_v none_o he_o in_o effect_n tell_v they_o they_o must_v forfeit_v their_o manhood_n ere_o they_o can_v be_v christian_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v more_o reflect_v on_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n or_o be_v more_o unworthy_a a_o christian_a divine_a to_o propose_v let_v we_o â—ee_n how_o far_o dr._n t._n be_v unblamable_a in_o this_o particular_a he_o discourse_v thus_o and_o since_o he_o so_o earnest_o press_v it_o we_o will_v take_v his_o word_n in_o order_n §_o 8._o aristotle_n say_v he_o have_v long_o since_o observe_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o expect_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o proof_n for_o every_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v for_o same_o thing_n aristotle_n say_v very_o well_o for_o speak_v of_o proof_n in_o common_a and_o at_o large_a those_o we_o have_v for_o success_n in_o our_o exterior_a action_n on_o the_o hope_n of_o which_o we_o proceed_v to_o act_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_v but_o probable_a but_o this_o reach_v not_o our_o present_a business_n about_o a_o deity_n in_o order_n to_o which_o this_o preamble_n be_v frame_v where_o exterior_a act_n will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n but_o a_o interior_a act_n of_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o sovereign_n be_v be_v necessary_o require_v the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o aristotle_n do_v or_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n say_v that_o a_o rational_a creature_n that_o be_v a_o creature_n who_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o deduce_v conclusion_n by_o discourse_n from_o premise_n or_o build_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o those_o upon_o the_o certain_a truth_n of_o these_o can_v be_v oblige_v in_o true_a reason_n or_o act_v according_a to_o right_a nature_n to_o assent_v judge_n or_o conclude_v a_o thing_n true_a without_o such_o motive_n or_o proof_n which_o do_v conclude_v it_o true_a or_o that_o what_o conclude_v a_o thing_n true_a do_v not_o also_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v grant_v then_o that_o in_o our_o exterior_a operation_n exercise_v upon_o particular_n where_o contingency_n rule_v we_o must_v rest_v content_v with_o probability_n of_o the_o event_n and_o proceed_v to_o act_v upon_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o act_v oblige_v we_o for_o shall_v all_o the_o world_n surcease_v from_o action_n till_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o good_a success_n of_o it_o all_o commerce_n and_o negotiation_n must_v be_v leave_v off_o nay_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o live_v must_v be_v lay_v aside_o but_o then_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o assent_v or_o judge_v absolute_o that_o the_o thing_n will_v succeed_v well_o because_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a ground_n or_o conclusive_a reason_n for_o it_o but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v best_a to_o act_v though_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n of_o the_o success_n for_o which_o assent_n also_o we_o have_v absolute_a evidence_n from_o the_o necessity_n of_o act_v now_o speak_v of_o whereas_o on_o the_o other_o side_n where_o the_o whole_a business_n of_o our_o christian_a life_n which_o as_o such_o be_v spiritual_a be_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n or_o approach_v to_o he_o by_o ascend_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n that_o be_v from_o faith_n to_o hope_n from_o hope_n to_o charity_n the_o top_n of_o all_o perfection_n the_o whole_a interior_a fabric_n be_v build_v on_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n which_o ground_n our_o profession_n wherefore_o if_o the_o foundation_n for_o this_o assent_n be_v not_o well_o lay_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o religion_n be_v ruinous_a now_o nature_n have_v frame_v thing_n so_o and_o the_o maxim_n of_o our_o understanding_n give_v it_o that_o those_o who_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n that_o be_v the_o strong_a and_o wise_a soul_n be_v unapt_a to_o assent_v but_o upon_o evidence_n whereas_o the_o weak_a sort_n as_o experience_n teach_v we_o be_v apt_a to_o assent_v upon_o any_o silly_a probability_n hence_o unless_o such_o man_n see_v proof_n absolute_o conclude_v those_o point_n true_a they_o be_v unapt_a to_o be_v draw_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o and_o embrace_v they_o as_o certain_a truth_n especial_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o to_o assent_v as_o there_o be_v to_o act_v outward_o in_o regard_n nature_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o faculty_n of_o suspending_a which_o nothing_o can_v subdue_v rational_o in_o such_o man_n at_o least_o but_o true_a evidence_n have_v from_o the_o object_n work_v this_o clear_a sight_n in_o they_o either_o by_o itself_o or_o else_o by_o effect_n or_o cause_n necessary_o connect_v with_o it._n other_o evidence_n i_o know_v none_o it_o may_v be_v dr._n t._n do_v let_v we_o see_v §_o 8._o mathematical_a thing_n say_v he_o be_v of_o a_o abstract_a nature_n be_v only_o capable_a of_o clear_a demonstration_n but_o conclusion_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o a_o sufficient_a induction_n of_o experiment_n thing_n of_o a_o moral_a nature_n by_o moral_a argument_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o credible_a testimony_n and_o though_o none_o of_o these_o be_v strict_a demonstration_n yet_o have_v we_o a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o best_a argument_n that_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v this_o discourse_n deserve_v deep_a consideration_n and_o first_o it_o will_v be_v askâ—_n why_o metaphysic_n be_v omit_v here_o which_o of_o all_o other_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v mention_v and_o that_o in_o the_o first_o place_n since_o its_o proper_a subject_n be_v those_o notion_n which_o concern_v be_v and_o to_o give_v be_v or_o create_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o he_o who_o be_v essential_a be_v whence_o it_o seem_v the_o proper_a science_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v a_o deity_n in_o case_n metaphysical_a thing_n be_v demonstrable_a and_o that_o they_o be_v such_o dr._n t._n himself_o can_v deny_v for_o if_o as_o he_o say_v here_o thing_n be_v therefore_o demonstrable_a because_o they_o be_v of_o a_o abstract_a nature_n the_o object_n of_o metaphysic_n which_o be_v be_v be_v far_o more_o abstract_v from_o matter_n and_o so_o from_o motion_n and_o its_o necessary_a concomitant_a uncertainty_n or_o contingency_n than_o be_v quantity_n the_o subject_n of_o mathematics_n for_o this_o primary_n affection_n of_o body_n be_v the_o ground_n and_o proper_a cause_n of_o of_o all_o variation_n and_o unsteadiness_n since_o all_o natural_a motion_n or_o mutation_n arise_v from_o divisibility_n yet_o because_o all_o science_n be_v take_v from_o the_o thing_n as_o stand_v under_o our_o notion_n or_o conception_n and_o not_o according_a as_o they_o exist_v in_o themselves_o where_o thousand_o of_o considerability_n be_v confuse_o jumble_v into_o one_o common_a stock_n of_o existence_n or_o one_o thing_n also_o because_o we_o can_v abstract_n by_o our_o consideration_n the_o notion_n or_o nature_n of_o quantity_n nay_o consider_v the_o same_o quantity_n mere_o as_o affect_v body_n as_o it_o be_v steady_o or_o extend_v it_o without_o consider_v the_o same_o quantity_n as_o the_o proper_a cause_n or_o source_n of_o motion_n hence_o the_o mathematics_n have_v title_n to_o be_v true_o and_o