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cause_n good_a life_n see_v 2,826 5 3.2572 3 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62581 The rule of faith, or, An answer to the treatises of Mr. I.S. entituled Sure-footing &c. by John Tillotson ... ; to which is adjoined A reply to Mr. I.S. his 3d appendix &c. by Edw. Stillingfleet. Tillotson, John, 1630-1694.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. Reply to Mr. I.S. his 3d appendix. 1676 (1676) Wing T1218; ESTC R32807 182,586 472

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of_o harms-way_n than_o to_o venture_v the_o infallibility_n of_o plain_a oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o doctrine_n he_o maintain_v against_o a_o practical_a tradition_n which_o they_o have_v at_o rome_n of_o kill_a heretic_n methinks_v mr._n s._n may_v have_v spare_v his_o brag_n that_o he_o have_v evince_v from_o clear_a reason_n 54._o that_o it_o be_v far_o more_o impossible_a to_o make_v a_o man_n not_o to_o be_v than_o not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v rivet_v into_o his_o soul_n by_o so_o oft_o repeat_v sensation_n as_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n and_o that_o it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n abstract_v from_o the_o case_n of_o madness_n and_o violent_a disease_n to_o blot_v knowledge_n thus_o fix_v out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n insomuch_o that_o soon_o may_v all_o mankind_n perish_v than_o the_o regulative_a virtue_n of_o tradition_n miscarry_v nay_o soon_o may_v the_o sinew_n of_o entire_a nature_n by_o overstrain_v crack_n and_o she_o lose_v all_o her_o activity_n and_o motion_n that_o be_v herself_o than_o one_o single_a part_n of_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n which_o integrate_a the_o vast_a testification_n which_o we_o call_v tradition_n can_v possible_o be_v violate_v when_o after_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o 116._o that_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n be_v blessed_v with_o more_o vigorous_a cause_n to_o imprint_v christ_n doctrine_n at_o first_o and_o recommend_v it_o to_o the_o next_o age_n than_o be_v find_v any_o where_o else_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o stream_n of_o tradition_n in_o its_o source_n and_o first_o put_v into_o motion_n be_v more_o particular_o vigorous_a there_o than_o in_o any_o other_o see_v and_o that_o the_o chief_a pastor_n of_o that_o see_v have_v a_o particular_a title_n to_o infallibility_n build_v upon_o tradition_n above_o any_o other_o pastor_n whatsoever_o not_o to_o dilate_v on_o the_o particular_a assistance_n to_o that_o bishop_n spring_v out_o of_o his_o divine_o constitute_v office_n when_o i_o say_v after_o all_o this_o quaint_a reason_n and_o rumble_a rhetoric_n about_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n and_o the_o particular_a infallibility_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n build_v on_o tradition_n we_o can_v but_o remember_v that_o this_o great_a oracle_n of_o oral_a tradition_n the_o pope_n and_o this_o great_a master_n of_o it_o mr._n white_a who_o be_v so_o peculiar_o skilled_a in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v so_o manifest_o declare_v themselves_o to_o differ_v in_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o that_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o congregation_n general_a at_o rome_n have_v condemn_v all_o his_o book_n for_o this_o reason_n because_o 9_o they_o contain_v several_a proposition_n manifest_o heretical_a be_v a_o sign_n that_o these_o two_o great_a wit_n do_v not_o very_o well_o hit_v it_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o either_o that_o they_o do_v not_o both_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o one_o of_o they_o do_v not_o right_o understand_v it_o or_o not_o follow_v it_o and_o now_o why_o may_v not_o that_o which_o mr._n s._n unjust_o say_v concern_v the_o use_n of_o scripture_n be_v upon_o this_o account_n just_o apply_v to_o the_o business_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 39_o if_o we_o see_v two_o such_o eminent_a wit_n among_o the_o papist_n the_o pope_n and_o mr._n white_a make_v use_n of_o the_o selfsame_a and_o as_o they_o conceive_v the_o best_a advantage_n their_o rule_n of_o faith_n give_v they_o and_o avail_v themselves_o the_o best_a they_o can_v by_o acquire_v skill_n yet_o differ_v about_o matter_n of_o faith_n what_o certainty_n can_v we_o undertake_o promise_v to_o weak_a head_n that_o be_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o papist_n in_o who_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n do_v profess_o cherish_v ignorance_n for_o the_o increase_n of_o their_o devotion_n §_o 6._o four_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n that_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o without_o any_o material_a corruption_n or_o alteration_n and_o he_o that_o deny_v this_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o book_n because_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a whether_o they_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o they_o be_v at_o first_o or_o else_o give_v some_o probable_a reason_n why_o these_o shall_v be_v more_o liable_a to_o corruption_n than_o other_o but_o any_o man_n that_o consider_v thing_n will_v easy_o find_v that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o improbable_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v have_v be_v either_o wilful_o or_o involuntary_o corrupt_v in_o any_o thing_n material_a to_o faith_n or_o a_o good_a life_n than_o any_o other_o book_n in_o the_o world_n whether_o we_o consider_v the_o peculiar_a providence_n of_o god_n engage_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o they_o or_o the_o peculiar_a circumstance_n of_o these_o book_n if_o they_o be_v wrirten_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v and_o be_v of_o use_n to_o christian_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v at_o least_o in_o word_n on_o all_o hand_n nothing_o be_v more_o credible_a than_o that_o the_o same_o divine_a providence_n which_o take_v care_n for_o the_o publish_n of_o they_o will_v likewise_o be_v concern_v to_o preserve_v they_o entire_a and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o peculiar_a circumstance_n of_o these_o book_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o moral_o impossible_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v material_o corrupt_v because_o be_v of_o universal_a and_o mighty_a concernment_n and_o at_o first_o diffuse_v into_o many_o hand_n and_o soon_o after_o translate_v into_o most_o language_n and_o most_o passage_n in_o they_o cite_v in_o book_n now_o extant_a and_o all_o these_o now_o agree_v in_o all_o matter_n of_o importance_n we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n as_o can_v be_v have_v concern_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o they_o have_v not_o suffer_v any_o material_a alteration_n and_o far_o great_a than_o any_o man_n can_v have_v concern_v the_o incorruption_n of_o their_o oral_a tradition_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v the_o thing_n which_o he_o call_v demonstration_n §_o 7._o five_o that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la the_o scripture_n have_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o christian_n in_o former_a age_n to_o be_v the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v with_o great_a certainty_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o one_o good_a evidence_n of_o this_o be_v that_o the_o primitive_a adversary_n of_o christian_a religion_n do_v always_o look_v upon_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o standard_n and_o measure_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o in_o all_o their_o writing_n against_o christianity_n take_v that_o for_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o book_n there_o have_v not_o as_o yet_o any_o philosopher_n rise_v up_o who_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o world_n that_o a_o doctrine_n can_v not_o with_o sufficient_a certainty_n and_o clearness_n be_v convey_v by_o write_v from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o but_o how_o absurd_a have_v this_o method_n of_o confute_v christian_a religion_n be_v if_o it_o have_v be_v then_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o christian_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n how_o easy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o the_o father_n who_o apologize_v for_o and_o defend_v christian_a religion_n to_o have_v tell_v they_o they_o take_v a_o wrong_a measure_n of_o their_o doctrine_n for_o it_o be_v not_o the_o principle_n of_o christian_n that_o their_o faith_n be_v convey_v to_o they_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o fond_a undertake_n to_o attaque_fw-la their_o religion_n that_o way_n but_o if_o they_o will_v effectual_o argue_v against_o it_o they_o ought_v to_o inquire_v what_o that_o doctrine_n be_v which_o be_v oral_o deliver_v from_o father_n to_o son_n without_o which_o the_o scripture_n can_v signify_v no_o more_o to_o they_o than_o a_o unknown_a cipher_n without_o a_o key_n be_v of_o themselves_o without_o the_o light_n of_o oral_a tradition_n only_o a_o heap_n of_o unintelligible_a word_n unsense_v cha_fw-mi racter_n and_o ink_n various_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n in_o they_o to_o think_v they_o can_v understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n like_o their_o own_o philosophy_n by_o read_v of_o those_o book_n or_o confute_v it_o by_o confute_v they_o thus_o the_o father_n may_v have_v defend_v their_o religion_n nay_o they_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o have_v take_v this_o course_n and_o to_o have_v appeal_v from_o those_o dead_a senseless_a book_n to_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a but_o do_v mr._n s._n find_v any_o thing_n to_o this_o purpose_n in_o the_o apology_n of_o the_o father_n if_o he_o have_v discover_v any_o such_o matter_n he_o may_v do_v well_o to_o acquaint_v the_o world_n
convey_v christ_n doctrine_n from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o priori_fw-la without_o any_o corruption_n or_o change_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o that_o this_o rule_n shall_v always_o have_v be_v keep_v to_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o self-evident_a principle_n need_v no_o other_o evidence_n than_o that_o he_o go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o i_o think_v he_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o call_v this_o a_o self-evident_a principle_n as_o to_o call_v his_o proof_n of_o it_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o in_o order_n to_o his_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la he_o lay_v 60._o these_o four_o ground_n which_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o in_o his_o own_o word_n first_o that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o unanimous_o settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a disperse_v in_o great_a multitude_n over_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n second_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v firm_o believe_v by_o all_o those_o faithful_a to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o the_o contradict_a or_o desert_v it_o to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o damnation_n so_o that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n imaginable_a be_v by_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n encourage_v they_o to_o the_o adhere_n to_o that_o doctrine_n and_o deter_v they_o from_o relinquish_a it_o and_o indeed_o infinite_o great_a than_o any_o other_o whatever_o spring_v from_o any_o temporal_a consideration_n and_o that_o this_o be_v in_o all_o age_n the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o faithful_a three_o that_o hope_n of_o good_a and_o fear_n of_o harm_n strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n four_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v feasible_a or_o within_o their_o power_n that_o what_o they_o be_v breed_v to_o be_v knowable_a by_o they_o this_o put_v it_o follow_v as_o certain_o that_o a_o great_a number_n or_o body_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n and_o after_o faithful_a in_o each_o age_n that_o be_v from_o age_n to_o age_n will_v continue_v to_o hold_v themselves_o and_o teach_v their_o child_n as_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v that_o be_v will_v follow_v and_o stick_v to_o tradition_n as_o it_o do_v that_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v produce_v its_o effect_n this_o be_v his_o demonstration_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o §_o 3._o to_o show_v the_o vanity_n and_o weakness_n of_o this_o pretend_a demonstration_n i_o shall_v assail_v it_o these_o three_o way_n by_o show_v first_o that_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v true_a they_o will_v conclude_v too_o much_o and_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v impossible_a which_o common_a experience_n evince_v and_o himself_o must_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v second_o that_o his_o main_a ground_n be_v apparent_o false_a three_o that_o his_o demonstration_n be_v confute_v by_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a instance_n to_o the_o contrary_n sect_n iii_o §_o 1._o if_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o be_v true_a demonstration_n they_o will_v conclude_v too_o much_o and_o prove_v that_o to_o be_v impossible_a which_o common_a experience_n evince_v and_o himself_n must_v grant_v to_o have_v be_v for_o if_o these_o two_o principle_n be_v true_a that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o that_o those_o hope_n and_o fear_n strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v constant_o to_o christ_n doctrine_n then_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o none_o th●●_n entertain_v this_o doctrine_n can_v ever_o fall_v from_o it_o because_o fall_v from_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o actual_a will_n of_o adhere_v constant_o to_o it_o for_o suppose_v as_o he_o do_v certain_a and_o constant_a cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v to_o this_o doctrine_n those_o who_o entertain_v it_o must_v actual_o will_v to_o adhere_v to_o it_o because_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v produce_v its_o effect_n which_o be_v constant_a adherence_n to_o it_o and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a these_o two_o thing_n will_v be_v impossible_a first_o that_o any_o christian_n shall_v turn_v apostate_n or_o heretic_n second_o that_o any_o christian_n shall_v live_v wicked_o both_o which_o not_o only_o frequent_v and_o undoubted_a experience_n do_v evince_n but_o himself_o must_v grant_v de_fw-fr facto_fw-la to_o have_v be_v §_o 2._o first_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a that_o any_o christian_n shall_v turn_v apostate_n or_o heretic_n heresy_n according_a to_o he_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o renounce_n of_o tradition_n now_o he_o tell_v we_o 60._o that_o the_o first_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n must_v have_v be_v true_a believer_n or_o holder_n of_o it_o ere_o they_o renounce_v it_o and_o i_o suppose_v there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n for_o apostate_n but_o if_o all_o christian_n or_o true_a believer_n as_o he_o call_v they_o have_v these_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v strong_o apply_v and_o hope_v and_o fear_v strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v to_o this_o doctrine_n it_o be_v necessary_a all_o christian_n shall_v adhere_v to_o it_o and_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v either_o apostate_n or_o heretic_n for_o if_o these_o cause_n be_v put_v in_o all_o the_o faithful_a actual_o cause_v as_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o demonstration_n suppose_v and_o indefectibleness_n be_v the_o proper_a and_o necessary_a effect_n of_o these_o cause_n as_o he_o also_o say_v 75._o than_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o where_o these_o cause_n be_v put_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o defection_n for_o a_o proper_a and_o necessary_a effect_n can_v but_o be_v where_o the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o effect_n be_v put_v especial_o if_o they_o be_v put_v actual_o cause_v and_o consequent_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o single_a christian_n shall_v ever_o either_o total_o apostatise_v or_o fall_v into_o heresy_n that_o be_v renounce_v tradition_n §_o 3._o and_o that_o this_o be_v a_o genuine_a consequence_n from_o these_o principle_n though_o he_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v it_o here_o because_o he_o see_v it_o will_v ruin_v his_o demonstration_n be_v liberal_o acknowledge_v by_o he_o in_o other_o part_n of_o his_o discourse_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o 54._o that_o it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n abstract_v from_o the_o cause_n of_o madness_n and_o violent_a disease_n to_o blot_v the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o doctrine_n out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n and_o 78._o that_o since_o no_o man_n can_v hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n nor_o doubt_n of_o what_o he_o hold_v nor_o change_v and_o innovate_v without_o know_v he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a impossibility_n a_o whole_a age_n shall_v fall_v into_o a_o absurdity_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o one_o single_a man_n and_o 89._o that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o impossible_a for_o one_o single_a man_n to_o attempt_v to_o deceive_v posterity_n by_o renounce_v tradition_n which_o passage_n lay_v together_o amount_v to_o thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o tradition_n shall_v fail_v in_o any_o one_o single_a person_n and_o though_o in_o the_o passage_n last_o cite_v he_o speak_v faint_o and_o with_o a_o perhaps_o as_o if_o he_o apprehend_v some_o danger_n in_o speak_v too_o peremptory_o yet_o any_o one_o will_v easy_o see_v the_o last_o to_o be_v as_o impossible_a as_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o himself_o elsewhere_o be_v in_o the_o full_a career_n of_o his_o bombast_n rhetoric_n deliver_v it_o roundly_o without_o fear_n or_o wit_n 54._o soon_o may_v the_o sinew_n of_o entire_a nature_n by_o overstrain_v crack_n and_o she_o lose_v all_o her_o activity_n and_o motion_n that_o be_v herself_o than_o one_o single_a part_n of_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n which_o integrate_a that_o vast_a testification_n which_o we_o call_v tradition_n can_v possible_o be_v violate_v §_o 4._o but_o it_o may_v be_v we_o deal_v too_o hardly_o with_o he_o and_o press_v his_o demonstration_n too_o far_o because_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o only_o intend_v by_o it_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n will_v always_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n but_o if_o he_o intend_v to_o prove_v no_o more_o but_o this_o he_o shall_v then_o have_v bring_v a_o demonstration_n that_o will_v have_v conclude_v no_o more_o but_o this_o conclude_v of_o all_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n a_o clear_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v no_o demonstration_n because_o it_o conclude_v that_o which_o be_v evident_o false_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o apostate_n or_o heretic_n beside_o suppose_v his_o demonstration_n to_o conclude_v only_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n will_v always_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n this_o be_v as_o plain_o confute_v by_o experience_n if_o there_o be_v any_o credit_n
this_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o altogether_o without_o some_o show_n of_o reason_n mr._n s._n may_v do_v well_o to_o take_v the_o matter_n into_o his_o deep_a consideration_n he_o have_v in_o his_o time_n improve_v as_o weak_a probability_n as_o these_o into_o lusty_a demonstration_n and_o if_o he_o can_v but_o demonstrate_v this_o it_o will_v very_o much_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o this_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n otherwise_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v this_o instance_n will_v hold_v good_a against_o he_o and_o whatever_o he_o can_v say_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o tradition_n fail_v in_o the_o latin_a church_n may_v all_o be_v say_v of_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o he_o will_v but_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n to_o they_o both_o that_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v which_o this_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o be_v apply_v as_o strong_o to_o the_o greek_n as_o the_o latin_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o tradition_n have_v plain_o fail_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n let_v he_o now_o assign_v the_o age_n wherein_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n of_o man_n conspire_v to_o leave_v out_o the_o article_n of_o the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o show_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o whole_a age_n can_v conspire_v together_o to_o damn_v their_o posterity_n or_o how_o the_o faith_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n may_v be_v alter_v without_o any_o such_o conspiracy_n and_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o satisfy_v he_o how_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n may_v be_v corrupt_v and_o alter_v and_o to_o tell_v he_o punctual_o in_o what_o age_n it_o be_v do_v and_o until_o he_o do_v this_o i_o will_v entreat_v he_o to_o trouble_v we_o no_o more_o with_o those_o cant_a question_n wherein_o yet_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o demonstration_n lie_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a a_o whole_a age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o change_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o in_o what_o age_n be_v this_o do_v for_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o demand_v of_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o overthrow_v of_o his_o demonstration_n to_o assign_v the_o particular_a age_n wherein_o the_o latin_a church_n conspire_v to_o change_v the_o ancient_a doctrine_n with_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o require_v of_o he_o in_o order_n to_o the_o maintain_n of_o his_o demonstration_n to_o name_v the_o particular_a age_n wherein_o the_o greek_a church_n conspire_v to_o alter_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v undoubted_o in_o the_o first_o age_n true_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o also_o to_o show_v from_o the_o rational_a force_n and_o strength_n of_o tradition_n how_o it_o be_v more_o impossible_a for_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o have_v fail_v in_o transmit_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o we_o or_o to_o have_v conspire_v to_o the_o alter_n of_o it_o than_o for_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o be_v the_o vast_a body_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o mr._n s._n or_o mr._n white_n show_v this_o they_o do_v something_o otherwise_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o that_o unless_o they_o can_v manage_v these_o pretty_a thing_n they_o call_v demonstration_n better_o they_o must_v short_o either_o quit_v their_o reason_n or_o their_o religion_n or_o else_o return_v to_o the_o honest_a old_a mumpsimus_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n from_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o to_o make_v the_o business_n short_a and_o stop_v all_o gap_n with_o one_o bush_n come_v over_o to_o the_o jesuit_n and_o acknowledge_v the_o pope_n infallibility_n both_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o fact_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o may_v reconcile_v themselves_o to_o he_o and_o prevent_v that_o direful_a stroke_n which_o threaten_v they_o from_o rome_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o cut_v they_o off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o traditionary_a church_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o his_o first_o demonstration_n and_o i_o take_v it_o for_o a_o good_a sign_n that_o the_o popish_a cause_n be_v at_o a_o very_a low_a ebb_n when_o such_o stuff_n as_o this_o must_v be_v call_v demonstration_n sect_n vi_o posteriori_fw-la §_o 1._o i_o come_v now_o to_o his_o demonstration_n a_o posteriori_fw-la which_o although_o it_o fall_v of_o itself_o if_o the_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la fail_v yet_o because_o it_o have_v some_o peculiar_a absurdity_n of_o its_o own_o i_o shall_v consider_v it_o by_o itself_o as_o well_o as_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o other_o §_o 2._o before_o he_o come_v to_o lay_v it_o down_o with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o according_a to_o his_o usual_a fashion_n he_o premise_v something_o as_o yield_v by_o protestant_n which_o in_o his_o sense_n no_o protestant_n ever_o grant_v just_o so_o he_o deal_v with_o we_o before_o concern_v the_o scripture_n say_v that_o by_o they_o the_o protestant_n must_v mean_v unsense_v letter_n and_o character_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o it_o be_v 76._o that_o this_o demonstration_n a_o posteriori_fw-la seem_v a_o needless_a endeavour_n against_o the_o protestant_n who_o yield_v that_o those_o point_n in_o which_o we_o agree_v as_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n come_v down_o by_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n and_o this_o he_o say_v no_o protestant_n ever_o deny_v and_o then_o he_o ask_v whether_o the_o same_o virtue_n of_o tradition_n will_v not_o have_v be_v as_o powerful_a to_o bring_v down_o other_o point_n in_o which_o we_o do_v not_o agree_v have_v any_o such_o be_v now_o if_o he_o speak_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o own_o purpose_n he_o must_v suppose_v protestant_n to_o yield_v that_o all_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o be_v agree_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o sole_o by_o oral_a tradition_n without_o write_v but_o this_o all_o protestant_n deny_v so_o that_o that_o only_o which_o will_v avail_v his_o cause_n against_o we_o be_v to_o show_v that_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o differ_v have_v not_o only_o come_v down_o to_o we_o by_o oral_a teach_v but_o that_o they_o be_v likewise_o contain_v in_o scripture_n without_o which_o we_o say_v we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a certainty_n and_o assurance_n at_o this_o distance_n that_o they_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o either_o total_o innovate_v or_o else_o corrupt_v in_o the_o conveyance_n from_o what_o they_o be_v at_o first_o and_o if_o he_o can_v show_v this_o concern_v any_o point_n in_o difference_n i_o promise_v to_o yield_v it_o to_o he_o §_o 3._o i_o come_v now_o to_o his_o demonstration_n which_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o in_o his_o own_o word_n with_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o rely_v 78._o the_o effect_n than_o we_o will_v pitch_v upon_o and_o avow_v to_o be_v the_o proper_a one_o of_o such_o a_o cause_n be_v the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n or_o catholic_n that_o their_o faith_n have_v descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n uninterrupted_o which_o we_o find_v most_o firm_o root_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o this_o persuasion_n we_o affirm_v to_o be_v impossible_a without_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n ever_o indeficiency_n to_o beget_v it_o to_o prove_v this_o i_o lay_v this_o first_o principle_n that_o age_n which_o hold_v her_o faith_n thus_o deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n neither_o can_v itself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o nor_o know_v or_o doubt_n that_o any_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v change_v or_o innovate_v therein_o the_o second_o principle_n shall_v be_v this_o no_o age_n can_v innovate_v any_o thing_n and_o withal_o deliver_v that_o very_a thing_n to_o posterity_n as_o receive_v from_o christ_n by_o continual_a succession_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v this_o that_o because_o a_o present_a multitude_n of_o christian_n viz._n the_o roman_a church_n be_v persuade_v that_o christ_n doctrine_n have_v descend_v to_o they_o sole_o by_o a_o uninterrupted_a oral_a tradition_n therefore_o this_o persuasion_n be_v a_o effect_n which_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o any_o other_o cause_n but_o the_o indeficiency_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o if_o neither_o the_o present_a age_n nor_o any_o age_n before_o can_v make_v any_o change_n or_o innovation_n than_o the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o present_a age_n be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v always_o the_o same_o and_o consequent_o that_o tradition_n can_v fail_v §_o 4._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a these_o four_o thing_n first_o that_o these_o principle_n whole_o rely_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la second_o that_o these_o principle_n be_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v by_o he_o three_o that_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v
that_o can_v be_v imagine_v it_o may_v then_o have_v take_v place_n for_o what_o weed_n will_v not_o have_v grow_v in_o so_o rank_a a_o soil_n do_v mr._n s._n think_v it_o impossible_a that_o those_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o church_n then_o shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o scarce_o any_o one_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o teach_v it_o they_o or_o that_o it_o can_v then_o have_v be_v alter_v when_o so_o few_o understand_v and_o few_o practise_v it_o when_o ptodigious_a impiety_n and_o wickedness_n do_v overspread_v the_o church_n from_o the_o pope_n down_o to_o the_o mean_a of_o the_o laity_n can_v any_o one_o believe_v that_o man_n general_o make_v conscience_n to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v it_o impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n when_o all_o other_o fail_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mistake_n about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n when_o there_o be_v so_o much_o ignorance_n unless_o he_o be_v of_o mr._n rushworth_n 7._o mind_n who_o reckon_v ignorance_n among_o the_o parent_n of_o religion_n where_o be_v then_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v be_v they_o strong_o apply_v or_o be_v they_o not_o be_v they_o cause_n of_o actual_a will_n in_o christian_n to_o believe_v well_o when_o they_o live_v so_o ill_o or_o be_v christianity_n only_o fit_v to_o form_v man_n mind_n to_o a_o right_a belief_n but_o of_o no_o efficacy_n to_o govern_v their_o life_n have_v christ_n take_v care_n to_o keep_v his_o church_n from_o error_n but_o not_o from_o vice_n as_o the_o great_a cardinal_n perron_n 6._o stoop_v below_o his_o own_o wit_n and_o reason_n to_o serve_v a_o bad_a cause_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o church_n sing_v and_o will_v sing_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n i_o be_o black_a but_o i_o be_o fair_a that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o be_o black_a in_o manner_n but_o fair_a in_o doctrine_n as_o if_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o promise_n of_o scripture_n make_v to_o the_o church_n be_v this_o that_o by_o the_o extraordinary_a care_n of_o god_n providence_n and_o peculiar_a assistance_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n she_o shall_v be_v wicked_a but_o orthodox_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n where_o be_v then_o the_o vigorous_a cause_n imprint_v christ_n doctrine_n and_o continue_v it_o more_o particular_o at_o rome_n than_o any_o where_o else_o and_o of_o secure_v that_o see_v and_o its_o supreme_a pastor_n in_o the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n above_o any_o other_o see_v or_o pastor_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v so_o little_o verse_v in_o history_n as_o not_o to_o understand_v the_o dismal_a state_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o romish_a church_n in_o those_o time_n who_o do_v not_o know_v what_o advantage_n the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o their_o servile_a clergy_n make_v of_o the_o ignorance_n and_o superstition_n of_o those_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o by_o what_o art_n and_o step_n they_o raise_v themselves_o to_o that_o power_n which_o they_o hold_v in_o the_o church_n for_o a_o long_a while_n after_o when_o they_o can_v tread_v upon_o the_o neck_n of_o prince_n and_o make_v a_o great_a king_n walk_v barefoot_a and_o yield_v himself_o to_o be_v scourge_v by_o a_o company_n of_o petulant_a monk_n when_o they_o can_v send_v any_o man_n upon_o a_o errand_n to_o visit_v the_o holy_a sepulchre_n or_o the_o shrine_n of_o such_o a_o saint_n and_o command_v five_o or_o six_o king_n with_o great_a army_n upon_o a_o needless_a expedition_n into_o the_o holy_a land_n that_o so_o during_o their_o absence_n they_o may_v play_v their_o own_o game_n the_o better_a when_o they_o can_v mint_n miracle_n and_o impose_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o people_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o any_o ancient_a book_n absurd_a and_o counterfeit_a tale_n of_o ancient_a saint_n and_o martyr_n as_o deliver_v down_o to_o they_o by_o tradition_n and_o can_v bring_v that_o foppish_a book_n the_o legend_n almost_o into_o equal_a authority_n and_o veneration_n with_o the_o bible_n and_o persuade_v the_o easy_a people_n that_o st._n denys_n carry_v his_o own_o head_n in_o his_o hand_n after_o it_o be_v cut_v off_o two_o mile_n and_o kiss_v it_o when_o he_o lay_v it_o down_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o monstrous_a practice_n of_o the_o roman_a bishop_n and_o clergy_n in_o these_o age_n the_o strange_a feat_n they_o play_v and_o what_o absurdity_n they_o impose_v upon_o the_o superstitious_a credulity_n of_o prince_n and_o people_n may_v ready_o imagine_v not_o only_o the_o possibility_n but_o the_o easiness_n of_o innovate_a new_a doctrine_n as_o they_o please_v under_o the_o specious_a pretence_n of_o antitiquity_n and_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n §_o 8._o and_o this_o kind_n of_o discourse_n concern_v the_o possibility_n of_o error_n come_v into_o the_o church_n be_v not_o as_o mr._n white_n ridiculous_o compare_v it_o 49._o as_o if_o a_o orator_n shall_v go_v about_o to_o persuade_v people_n that_o george_n by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o long_a staff_n and_o a_o nimble_a cast_n of_o his_o body_n and_o such_o like_a advantage_n may_v leap_v over_o paul_n be_v steeple_n never_o consider_v all_o the_o while_n the_o disproportion_n of_o all_o these_o advantage_n to_o the_o height_n of_o the_o steeple_n so_o say_v he_o he_o that_o discourse_v at_o large_a how_o error_n use_v to_o slide_v into_o man_n life_n without_o compare_v the_o power_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o error_n to_o the_o strength_n of_o resist_v which_o consist_v in_o this_o principle_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o what_o descend_v by_o tradition_n etc._n etc._n say_v no_o more_o towards_o prove_v a_o error_n be_v overrun_v the_o church_n than_o the_o orator_n for_o george_n be_v leap_v over_o the_o steeple_n how_o vain_a be_v this_o when_o it_o appear_v from_o this_o instance_n that_o i_o have_v give_v of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n in_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o century_n and_o afterward_o that_o the_o cause_n of_o error_n be_v infinite_o strong_a than_o the_o power_n of_o resistance_n the_o great_a cause_n of_o error_n be_v ignorance_n and_o vice_n where_o ignorance_n reign_v there_o be_v no_o power_n where_o vice_n no_o will_n to_o resist_v it_o and_o how_o great_a the_o ignorance_n and_o viciousness_n of_o all_o order_n of_o man_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v be_v too_o too_o apparent_a from_o the_o testimony_n i_o have_v bring_v where_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o resist_a error_n when_o for_o 150_o year_n together_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o vile_a of_o man_n bishop_n and_o priest_n overwhelm_v with_o ignorance_n abandon_v to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o most_o supine_o negligent_a in_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o such_o a_o degenerate_a state_n of_o a_o church_n what_o strength_n be_v there_o in_o this_o principle_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v but_o what_o descend_v 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he_o do_v not_o mean_a that_o these_o controvertist_n be_v to_o blame_v in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o settle_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o point_n by_o hundred_o of_o different_a expression_n explicate_v the_o same_o meaning_n but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o keep_v to_o the_o word_n wherein_o the_o church_n have_v in_o council_n or_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v any_o other_o way_n declare_v her_o sense_n of_o those_o point_n again_o 2._o he_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n refer_v to_o the_o doctrine_n settle_v by_o oral_a instruction_n to_o show_v the_o uniformity_n of_o it_o everywhere_o call_v it_o a_o form_n of_o wholesome_a word_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v either_o that_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o well_o to_o call_v the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n as_o mr._n cressy_n say_v he_o do_v a_o form_n of_o word_n or_o else_o which_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o mr._n white_n be_v mistake_v in_o say_v that_o a_o tradition_n be_v a_o sense_n not_o deliver_v in_o set-word_n 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liberty_n from_o great_a employment_n how_o ready_a i_o be_o to_o give_v he_o all_o reasonable_a satisfaction_n and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o return_v he_o thanks_o for_o the_o weapon_n he_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o viz._n that_o of_o reason_n there_o be_v no_o other_o i_o desire_v to_o make_v use_n of_o in_o manage_v this_o debate_n between_o we_o and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v find_v as_o much_o civility_n towards_o he_o throughout_o this_o discourse_n as_o he_o express_v towards_o i_o in_o the_o entrance_n to_o he_o if_o that_o may_v be_v account_v any_o real_a civility_n which_o be_v intend_v mere_o out_o of_o design_n with_o the_o great_a advantage_n to_o disparage_v the_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v and_o yet_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o repent_v of_o if_o in_o his_o cursory_a view_n of_o two_o chapter_n of_o my_o book_n he_o have_v as_o he_o say_v quite_o lose_v i_o 202._o he_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o be_v trouble_v for_o it_o if_o he_o have_v find_v far_o more_o 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be_v to_o show_v 17._o that_o this_o way_n be_v repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o experience_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v apparent_o alter_v from_o what_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o former_a age_n to_o which_o purpose_n my_o word_n be_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o prove_v impossibility_n of_o motion_n when_o i_o see_v man_n move_v no_o more_o be_v it_o to_o prove_v that_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v vary_v from_o the_o precede_a when_o we_o can_v evident_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v do_v it_o and_o therefore_o this_o argument_n be_v intend_v only_o to_o catch_v easy_a mind_n that_o care_v not_o for_o a_o search_n into_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o have_v rather_o sit_v down_o with_o a_o superficial_a subtlety_n than_o spend_v time_n in_o further_a inquiry_n but_o two_o thing_n m._n s._n tell_v i_o be_v require_v ere_o i_o can_v see_v that_o their_o faith_n vary_v from_o the_o former_a 238._o first_o to_o 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