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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
church_n believe_v faith_n infallibility_n 5,890 5 11.4885 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59241 Reason against raillery, or, A full answer to Dr. Tillotson's preface against J.S. with a further examination of his grounds of religion. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1672 (1672) Wing S2587; ESTC R10318 153,451 304

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the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o if_o the_o simple_a can_v not_o nay_o be_v not_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o other_o to_o believe_v upon_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a motive_n which_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v her_o faith_n upon_o or_o as_o if_o the_o most_o simple_a that_o be_v can_v not_o rational_o believe_v the_o church_n and_o so_o become_v infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n by_o adhere_v to_o she_o though_o their_o weak_a understanding_n do_v not_o penetrate_v or_o comprehend_v how_o the_o church_n or_o themselves_o come_v to_o be_v so_o nay_o perhaps_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o what_o the_o word_n infallible_a mean_n till_o some_o discourse_n awaken_v the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o in_o they_o §_o 10._o have_v thus_o act_v the_o disputant_n exit_fw-la theologus_fw-la intrat_fw-la scu●ra_fw-la and_o pag._n 13.14_o play_v the_o old_a trick_n of_o legerdemain_n over_o again_o that_o be_v leave_v out_o half_a a_o argument_n of_o i_o and_o play●_n upon_o the_o other_o half_a with_o all_o the_o disingenuous_a craft_n a_o wit_n bend_v that_o way_n can_v invent_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 89._o and_o 90._o i_o discourse_v thus_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n will_v seem_v to_o a_o heathen_a impossible_a to_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o motive_n must_v at_o least_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o dr._n t._n confess_v both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o object_n proportion_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v that_o be_v to_o make_v it_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o he_o it_o will_v be_v against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v have_v view_v 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which_o if_o he_o show_v i_o in_o any_o thing_n hold_v of_o faith_n by_o catholic_n in_o that_o point_n i_o will_v become_v dr._n t_n convert_v and_o obedient_a auditor_n but_o alas_o how_o will_v he_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o contradiction_n since_o those_o faulty_a proposition_n be_v as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2.3_o therefore_o such_o because_o they_o be_v opposite_a to_o identical_a one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v see_v then_o dr._n t._n have_v long_o since_o renounce_v all_o those_o from_o be_v first_o principles_n for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v discern_v he_o must_v either_o hold_v there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o or_o else_o which_o come_v to_o the_o same_o hold_v that_o contradiction_n be_v truth_n §_o 11._o but_o he_o go_v forward_o amain_o in_o confute_v a_o point_n which_o no_o man_n live_v ever_o maintain_v viz._n that_o every_o single_a christian_a must_v be_v infallible_a that_o be_v as_o dr._n t._n will_v needs_o take_v 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his_o understanding_n perfect_o discern_v and_o penetrate_v the_o conclusive_a nature_n of_o his_o ground_n but_o though_o the_o strength_n of_o those_o ground_n themselves_o or_o of_o the_o cause_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o plant_v and_o continue_v right_a faith_n in_o the_o church_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o what_o he_o have_v thus_o more_a by_o the_o peculiar_a disposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a providence_n than_o any_o reach_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n or_o judgement_n fortunate_o embrace_v be_v preserve_v impossible_a to_o false_a and_o consequent_o his_o assent_n to_o it_o impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n because_o the_o church_n authority_n upon_o which_o he_o receive_v it_o be_v infallible_a and_o sure_o it_o be_v but_o fit_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v upon_o that_o rule_n god_n have_v leave_v and_o command_v we_o to_o follow_v shall_v be_v thus_o secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n for_o otherwise_o since_o a_o power_n be_v relative_a to_o its_o proper_a act_n what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a may_v actual_o be_v so_o and_o so_o we_o may_v come_v to_o be_v lead_v actual_o into_o error_n by_o obey_v god_n command_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v th●s_n if_o dr._n t._n therefore_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o receive_v their_o faith_n upon_o and_o by_o do_v so_o have_v command_v they_o to_o believe_v it_o he_o must_v either_o say_v that_o its_o sense_n and_o letter_n take_v they_o as_o he_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o beside_o the_o many_o absurdity_n already_o mention_v grant_v that_o our_o alwise_a and_o good_a god_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n into_o actual_a error_n nay_o command_v they_o to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o a_o lie_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v
object_n it_o be_v possible_a or_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o god_n power_n to_o make_v all_o mankind_n err_v yet_o take_v in_o his_o other_o attribute_n which_o determine_v his_o omnipoence_n to_o do_v only_o what_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a and_o according_a to_o truth_n it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v either_o will_n or_o do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o can_v be_v effective_o do_v at_o all_o §_o 18._o he_o object_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n challenge_v infallibility_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o that_o of_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o answer_v the_o church_n have_v her_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v to_o her_o hand_n by_o jesus_n ch●ist_v who_o found_v and_o constitute_v she_o and_o find_v it_o not_o out_o by_o speculative_a reason_n whence_o it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a concern_v of_o a_o church_n to_o discourse_v very_o particular_o about_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o of_o speculative_a divine_n who_o look_v into_o the_o 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of_o this_o point_n when_o i_o come_v to_o defend_v my_o method_n §_o 19_o hitherto_o then_o dr._n t._n have_v give_v we_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n either_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n o●_n of_o christian_n faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o miscall_v certainty_n as_o mean_n uncertainty_n whence_o his_o pretend_a certainty_n of_o its_o sense_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o vindicate_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o himself_z not_o to_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a by_o ascertain_v at_o least_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o suppose_v the_o letter_n be_v right_a he_o tell_v we_o pag._n 20._o that_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o book_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a any_o thing_n shall_v be_v deliver_v in_o such_o clear_a and_o certain_a word_n as_o be_v absolute_o incapable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n and_o what_o be_v the_o natural_a sequel_n of_o this_o apply_v to_o scripture_n but_o that_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a faith_n build_v on_o tha●_n sense_n or_o rather_o which_o be_v that_o sense_n shall_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o the_o letter_n can_v never_o be_v a_o competent_a rule_n of_o faith_n whereas_o in_o this_o way_n of_o convey_v i●_n down_o by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v ●y_a catechise_n public_a preach_a private_a discourse_v &_o consonant_a live_n it_o be_v make_v so_o manifest_a to_o the_o generality_n what_o be_v hold_v in_o each_o year_n immemediate_o before_o that_o no_o prejudice_n can_v make_v they_o all_o so_o mad_a as_o either_o to_o mistake_v or_o misrepresent_v it_o as_o it_o be_v for_o example_n in_o england_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_n to_o err_v or_o impose_v this_o this_o year_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o england_n that_o last_o year_n they_o hold_v and_o practise_a prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a or_o assist_v at_o the_o christian_a 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both_o pass_v my_o imagination_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a every_o man_n living_n who_o consider_v well_o what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a then_o from_o dr._n t_n whole_a carriage_n in_o this_o business_n that_o unless_o perhaps_o the_o natural_a force_n of_o tradition_n work_v a_o practical-self_n evidence_n in_o he_o of_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o who_o hold_v to_o tradition_n and_o he_o agree_v which_o he_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o dr._n t._n do_v not_o hold_v his_o faith_n absolute_o but_o moral_o true_a which_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n as_o be_v show_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o will_v be_v see_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o ●itting_v and_o necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v clear_v the_o word_n truth_n from_o a_o ridiculous_a equivocation_n or_o impertinent_a distinction_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o such_o sceptical_a pretender_n to_o christianity_n and_o manifest_a that_o the_o word_n truth_n in_o those_o proposition_n which_o 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that_o because_o we_o be_v inure_v by_o custom_n to_o make_v definition_n or_o explication_n of_o what_o we_o be_v discourse_v about_o and_o here_o the_o subject_a not_o need_v nor_o bear_v it_o we_o can_v make_v none_o of_o be_v which_o be_v the_o principal_a object_n in_o that_o science_n hence_o be_v put_v out_o of_o our_o road_n we_o be_v at_o a_o puzzle_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v lose_v our_o way_n through_o too_o much_o light_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o his_o confutation_n of_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 12._o his_o next_o answer_n be_v that_o in_o assert_v infallibility_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n i_o have_v the_o generality_n of_o my_o own_o church_n my_o profess_a adversary_n that_o be_v dr._n t._n will_v say_v any_o thing_n let_v he_o show_v i_o i_o will_v not_o say_v the_o generality_n or_o any_o great_a number_n but_o even_o any_o one_o particular_a catholic_n profess_v either_o that_o he_o rely_v not_o on_o the_o 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that_o i_o never_o say_v or_o think_v it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o tradition_n have_v always_o be_v follow_v but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v of_o own_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d evident_o infallible_a rule_n abstract_v from_o be_v follow_v his_o answer_n to_o my_o method_n be_v this_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o point_n before_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o speak_v to_o it_o now_o for_o why_o shall_v people_n expect_v more_o from_o i_o here_o than_o elsewhere_o or_o rather_o i_o have_v grant_v the_o point_n already_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o say_v more_o to_o it_o and_o i_o for_o my_o part_n think_v he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a &_o because_o it_o seem_v a_o little_a unreasonable_a to_o require_v the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v twice_o i_o think_v it_o best_o to_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o sufficient-consideration_n and_o go_v on_o to_o the_o next_o only_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v how_o empty_a a_o brag_n it_o be_v in_o the_o drs._n how_o partial_a in_o their_o friend_n to_o magnify_v this_o piece_n as_o unanswerable_a yet_o in_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v such_o for_o a_o ready_a grant_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a truth_n can_v never_o be_v answer_v or_o refute_v §_o 7._o his_o next_o pretence_n be_v that_o my_o method_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n to_o which_o though_o enough_o have_v be_v say_v already_o yet_o because_o the_o clear_n this_o will_n at_o once_o give_v account_n of_o what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o affirm_v faith_n must_v be_v know_v antecedent_o to_o church_n which_o bear_v a_o show_n as_o if_o i_o hold_v we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n for_o our_o faith_n i_o shall_v be_v something_o large_a in_o declare_v this_o point_n to_o perform_v which_o more_o satisfactory_o i_o note_v 1._o that_o those_o who_o be_v actual_o from_o their_o childhood_n in_o the_o church_n have_v faith_n instill_a into_o they_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o those_o who_o be_v educate_v in_o another_o profession_n and_o after_o come_v to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n the_o form●●_n be_v imbue_v after_o a_o natural_a way_n with_o the_o church_n doctrine_n and_o be_v educate_v in_o a_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o church_n itself_o whereas_o the_o late_a be_v to_o acquire_v faith_n by_o consider_v and_o look_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o be_v educate_v rather_o in_o a_o hatred_n against_o the_o true_a church_n than_o in_o any_o good_a opinion_n of_o she_o the_o former_a therefore_o have_v the_o full_a weight_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n both_o as_o to_o natural_n and_o supernatural_n actual_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o work_v its_o effect_n upon_o they_o practical_a self-evidence_n both_o of_o the_o credit_n due_a to_o so_o grave_a learned_a ample_n and_o sacred_a a_o authority_n as_o also_o of_o the_o holiness_n the_o morality_n or_o agreeableness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n to_o right_a reason_n which_o they_o 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perplex_v and_o settle_v they_o in_o a_o firm_a belief_n 2._o my_o discourse_n in_o that_o treatise_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o title_n be_v intend_v for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o their_o natural_a reason_n by_o propose_v something_o which_o be_v a_o object_n proper_a and_o proportion_v to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v lead_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n step_v by_o step_n to_o the_o church_n though_o all_o the_o while_o they_o walk_v upon_o their_o own_o leg_n and_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o be_v proceed_v upon_o plain_a maxim_n of_o humane_a reason_n every_o step_n they_o take_v 3._o though_o i_o use_v the_o abstract_a word_n tradition_n yet_o i_o conceive_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v imagine_v i_o mean_v by_o it_o some_o idea_n platonica_fw-la or_o separate_v formalility_n hover_v in_o the_o air_n without_o any_o subject_a but_o that_o the_o thing_n i_o indeed_o mean_v to_o signify_v by_o it_o be_v the_o church_n as_o deliver_v or_o as_o testify_v and_o take_v it_o as_o apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o capable_a to_o discern_v any_o supernaturality_n in_o the_o church_n the_o natural_a or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o church_n testify_v she_o receive_v this_o faith_n uninterrupted_o from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o tradition_n differ_v from_o church_n as_o a_o man_n consider_v precise_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v differ_v from_o himself_o consider_v and_o express_v as_o such_o a_o person_n which_o know_v by_o speech_n and_o carriage_n or_o by_o himself_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v other_o consideration_n also_o belong_v to_o he_o which_o before_o lay_v hide_v and_o be_v involve_v or_o as_o the_o school_n express_v it_o confound_v in_o the_o subject_a or_o suppositum_fw-la become_v know_v likewise_o so_o the_o church_n humane_a testimony_n or_o tradition_n which_o as_o be_v show_v sure_a f._n p._n 81_o 82_o 83._o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o powerful_o support_v even_o natural_o of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o proportion_a object_n to_o their_o reason_n who_o yet_o believe_v not_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v know_v thence_o that_o the_o body_n who_o proceed_v on_o that_o ground_n possess_v the_o first-delivered_a that_o be_v right_a faith_n and_o so_o be_v the_o true_a church_n immediate_o all_o those_o prerogative_n and_o supernatural_a endowment_n apprehend_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n to_o spring_v out_o of_o it_o or_o attend_v on_o it_o be_v know_v to_o appertain_v and_o to_o have_v ever_o appertain_v to_o the_o true_a church_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n goodness_n or_o sanctity_n the_o proper_a gift_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n with_o all_o the_o mean_n to_o it_o which_o with_o a_o incomparable_a efficacy_n strengthen_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o to_o the_o delivery_n of_o right_a faith_n whence_o she_o be_v just_o hold_v and_o believe_v by_o the_o new-converted_n faithful_a to_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n which_o till_o some_o motive_n mere_o humane_a have_v first_o introduce_v it_o into_o their_o understanding_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o can_v not_o possible_o apprehend_v §_o 8._o in_o this_o way_n then_o of_o discourse_v the_o church_n be_v still_o the_o only_a ascertainer_n of_o faith_n either_o take_v in_o her_o whole_a latitude_n as_o in_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a or_o consider_v in_o part_n only_o that_o be_v as_o deliver_v by_o way_n of_o natural_o testify_v which_o i_o here_o call_v tradition_n in_o order_n to_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n whence_o appear_v the_o perfect_a groundlesness_n of_o dr._n t_n objection_n and_o how_o he_o whole_o misunderstand_v my_o doctrine_n in_o this_o point_n when_o he_o say_v the_o discourse_n in_o my_o method_n do_v unchristian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n for_o first_o he_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v to_o those_o actual_o in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o find_v which_o be_v the_o church_n next_o since_o all_o believer_n actual_o in_o the_o church_n even_o to_o a_o man_n rely_v on_o the_o church_n both_o natural_o and_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o i_o be_o diseourse_v only_o about_o the_o natural_a mean_n for_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o his_o discourse_n amount_v to_o this_o that_o because_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o come_v to_o faith_n rely_v only_o on_o the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o who_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n both_o humane_o
side_n he_o who_o discourse_v ill_a violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o run_v into_o contradiction_n absurdity_n and_o what_o mean_v violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o speak_v contradiction_n but_o the_o make_v the_o thing_n not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o so_o falsify_v by_o his_o discourse_n that_o principle_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a in_o this_o circumstance_n to_o the_o contradiction_n he_o sustain_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v for_o example_n dr._n t._n put_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o unless_o he_o will_v be_v strange_o uncharitable_a must_v grant_v convince_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o that_o many_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o judge_v not_o right_a concern_v what_o be_v true_a faith_n what_o not_o which_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o make_v a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o that_o affair_n for_o he_o put_v it_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n ex_fw-la supposit●one_fw-la and_o yet_o put_v it_o to_o be_v no_o rule_n because_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o power_n be_v mislead_v which_o argue_v there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n no_o fault_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o regulative_a virtue_n in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n §_o 11._o hence_o be_v easy_o understand_v what_o use_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n viz._n not_o to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o such_o a_o affair_n one_o of_o the_o premise_n in_o a_o syllogism_n much_o less_o to_o make_v that_o one_o single_a identical_a proposition_n both_o the_o premise_n or_o two_o proposition_n as_o our_o shallow_a logician_n in_o his_o wild_a rant_v of_o drollery_n will_v persuade_v the_o reader_n but_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n have_v a_o far_o more_o sovereign_a influence_n over_o the_o discourse_n than_o any_o of_o those_o particular_a proposition_n decisive_o as_o it_o be_v abet_v or_o dis-approving_a the_o whole_a it_o be_v therefore_o to_o stand_v fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o discourser_n and_o be_v heedful_o attend_v to_o so_o to_o give_v a_o steadiness_n to_o all_o his_o ratiocination_n it_o be_v its_o office_n to_o be_v the_o test_n or_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n or_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v right_a what_o crooked_a oblique_a or_o deviate_a from_o true_a nature_n if_o in_o dispute_n one_o hold_v firm_o to_o that_o it_o authenticate_v his_o discourse_n to_o be_v the_o solid_a gold_n of_o truth_n if_o any_o plausible_a talk_v make_v a_o mock-show_a of_o connexion_n or_o truth_n it_o discover_v the_o cheat_n show_v by_o its_o own_o most_o evident_a connexion_n the_o unconnectedness_n or_o looseness_n of_o the_o other_o empty_a babble_n and_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mere_a dross_n of_o falsehood_n how_o fair_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o eye_n at_o first_o and_o how_o pretty_o soever_o it_o be_v superficial_o gild_v with_o sophisticate_a rhetoric_n or_o other_o artificial_a trick_n of_o counterfeit_a truth_n it_o be_v like_o a_o immovable_a basis_n that_o sustain_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o truth_n though_o itself_o rise_v not_o above_o its_o own_o firm_a level_n or_o like_o a_o rock_n which_o by_o its_o rigid_a hardness_n dash_v asunder_o into_o contradiction_n and_o folly_n the_o ill-coherent_a and_o weak_a production_n of_o witty_a ignorance_n no_o wonder_n then_o dr._n t._n abuse_v so_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o good_a for_o nothing_o for_o he_o perceive_v they_o dispose_v to_o abuse_v he_o by_o show_v all_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o well-clad_a nonsense_n and_o though_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n or_o his_o cause_n not_o bear_v it_o he_o can_v work_v with_o they_o yet_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v they_o will_v make_v work_n with_o he_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o instance_n §_o 12._o i'faith_o meaning_n by_o it_o a_o believe_v upon_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o his_o truth_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o preface_n to_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o elsewhere_o be_v a_o assent_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o be_v find_v in_o its_o definition_n as_o its_o difference_n essential_o distinguish_v it_o from_o opinion_n which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o be_v prove_v by_o more_o than_o forty_o demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o least_o reply_v to_o wherefore_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n it_o engage_v that_o first_o verity_n on_o which_o the_o definition_n itself_o be_v ground_v that_o be_v if_o faith_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n be_v not_o faith_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n who_o for_o all_o his_o shuffle_n make_v faith_n thus_o understand_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o clash_v with_o that_o self-evident_a identical_a proposition_n by_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v not_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o pretend_a demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n or_o any_o of_o they_o stand_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n dr._n st._n if_o they_o true_o say_v what_o they_o think_v be_v as_o certain_o conclude_v to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a as_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 13._o also_o tradition_n be_v a_o delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sense_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o child_n or_o to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v by_o catechise_v preach_a converse_v practise_v and_o all_o the_o way_n th●t_o can_v be_v possible_o find_v in_o education_n it_o follow_v that_o if_o mankind_n can_v express_v what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o thought_n to_o other_o at_o long_o run_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v so_o as_o to_o make_v generality_n at_o least_o the_o wise_a understand_v they_o we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n since_o to_o do_v this_o require_v little_o more_o than_o eye_n ear_n power_n of_o speak_v and_o common_a sense_n wherefore_o let_v this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v and_o it_o will_v convey_v the_o first-taught_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o belong_v intrinsical_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o but_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n it_o will_v infallible_o derive_v down_o the_o first_o that_o be_v right_o fa●th_v since_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v by_o its_o have_v such_o a_o nature_n in_o it_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v indeed_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o he_o who_o deny_v that_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n §_o 14_o my_o last_o instance_n show_v withal_o more_o ample_o the_o use_n of_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o ground_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o discourse_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o be_v thus_o make_v use_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v the_o identity_n or_o as_o we_o may_v say_v the_o sameness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o it_o connect_v and_o it_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v these_o two_o term_n identify_v in_o the_o concsusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n be_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v this_o be_v prove_v a_o three_o term_n be_v seek_v for_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o two_o other_o and_o thence_o '_o t●s_v evince_v that_o those_o two_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o why_o because_o otherwise_o that_o three_o term_n will_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o be_v what_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o two_o other_o and_o yet_o those_o two_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o one_o another_o but_o it_o will_v have_v division_n in_o its_o very_a nature_n or_o not_o be_v its_o self_n be_v in_o that_o case_n distract_v into_o more_o essential_a nature_n that_o be_v be_v chimerical_a and_o consequent_o two_o thing_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o of_o those_o term_n according_a to_o the_o other_o the_o
will_v believe_v he_o that_o my_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a &_o unchristian_a all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o my_o ground_n and_o nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o to_o prove_v it_o in_o his_o way_n it_o be_v but_o mistake_v again_o the_o notion_n of_o school-divines_a for_o the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o school_n for_o church_n as_o he_o do_v late_o and_o the_o deed_n be_v do_v immediate_o without_o any_o more_o trouble_n he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n in_o his_o first_o principle_n and_o his_o method_n that_o i_o ever_o meet_v with_o the_o part_n of_o the_o former_a need_v not_o hang_v together_o at_o all_o but_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v incoherent_a and_o the_o late_a be_v a_o build_n upon_o false_a pretence_n and_o wrong_a supposition_n and_o then_o what_o may_v not_o he_o prove_v or_o what_o conquest_n can_v he_o obtain_v by_o such_o powerful_a stratagem_n he_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v not_o make_v oral_a tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o she_o faith_n possible_o i_o be_o not_o so_o lucky_a as_o to_o light_v on_o this_o large_a proof_n of_o he_o all_o i_o can_v find_v with_o a_o ordinary_a search_n be_v four_o or_o five_o line_n rule_v of_o faith_n pag._n 280._o where_o after_o a_o commonly-objected_n &_o often-answered_a citation_n from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n declare_v that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n &_o unwritten_a tradition_n &_o therefore_o that_o they_o receive_v &_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n &_o also_o tradition_n with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n he_o add_v which_o i_o understand_v not_o how_o those_o do_v who_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n now_o i_o have_v put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o suref_a pag._n 346._o and_o proceed_v to_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o pag._n 150._o particular_o pag._n 147.149_o upon_o this_o reason_n because_o take_v the_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o tradition_n as_o the_o council_n express_v itself_o to_o do_v and_o forbid_v any_o man_n to_o interpret_v it_o otherwise_o it_o have_v the_o full_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o equal_o to_o be_v reverence_v whereas_o take_v it_o interpret_v by_o private_a head_n which_o only_o will_v serve_v dr_n t_n turn_n it_o be_v nothing_o less_o as_o not_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n at_o all_o but_o now_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n there_o be_v more_o require_v as_o dr._n t._n himself_o grant_v and_o contend_v it_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o every_o sensible_a may_v understand_v it_o as_o to_z matter_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o build_v on_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n authority_n and_o judgement_n i_o deny_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o say_v it_o be_v no_o rule_n i_o omit_v the_o repeat_n very_o many_o argument_n from_o the_o council_n for_o that_o point_n deduce_v from_o pag._n 141._o to_o pag._n 146._o never_o touch_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o that_o mock-answ_a of_o he_o §_o 16._o but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o mistake_v i_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o declare_v who_o i_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o least_o from_o the_o way_n to_o it_o who_o not_o and_o upon_o what_o ground_n speak_v of_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o to_o do_v throughout_o this_o whole_a treatise_n i_o make_v account_v that_o perfect_a charity_n or_o love_n of_o god_n above_o and_o in_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o bliss_n or_o vnitive_a of_o a_o soul_n to_o god_n also_o that_o this_o virtue_n can_v with_o a_o due_a heartiness_n be_v connatural_o or_o rational_o wrought_v in_o soul_n if_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o of_o christian_a faith_n be_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o ly._n hence_o i_o be_o oblige_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o hold_v that_o those_o who_o judge_v there_o be_v no_o absolueely-conclusive_a reason_n for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n nor_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v as_o such_o out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o salvation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o who_o hold_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v infallible_a and_o by_o consequence_n their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o all_o catholic_n do_v though_o as_o divine_n they_o fail_v in_o make_v out_o how_o and_o by_o what_o particular_a mean_n it_o come_v to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o through_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o firm_a and_o steady_a adhesion_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v because_o they_o be_v truth_n apt_a to_o beget_v solid_a and_o wellgrounded_n that_o be_v indeed_o true_a virtue_n such_o as_o be_v a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a and_o all-oure-powering_a charity_n hence_o they_o possess_v the_o connatural_a mean_n or_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o esteem_v dr._n it_o be_v way_n of_o discourse_v concern_v a_o deity_n and_o faith_n in_o his_o sermon_n most_o pestilent_a and_o mischievous_a to_o soul_n as_o be_v apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o incline_v they_o if_o they_o have_v wit_n to_o discern_v its_o shallowness_n first_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n and_o at_o next_o to_o carelessness_n irreligion_n and_o atheism_n though_o true_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o his_o intention_n to_o do_v so_o but_o that_o his_o shortness_n in_o understanding_n the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o christianity_n make_v he_o conceit_n he_o do_v excellent_o even_o to_o admiration_n all_o the_o while_o he_o commit_v such_o well-meaning_a folly_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v upon_o second_o thought_n think_v fit_a to_o patronize_v principle_n so_o destructive_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n find_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o protestant_n i_o ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o who_o all_o with_o one_o mouth_n will_v own_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a christian_a faith_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o abhor_v the_o contrary_a position_n as_o wicked_a and_o damnable_a how_o dr._n t._n may_v have_v season_v some_o of_o his_o own_o auditor_n by_o preach_v controversy_n to_o they_o which_o he_o extreme_o affect_v i_o can_v tell_v it_o be_v according_a as_o they_o incline_v to_o believe_v he_o more_o than_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o sentiment_n he_o oppose_v in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n discourse_n viii_o with_o what_o be_v dr._n t._n answer_v my_o method_n a_o present_v make_v to_o his_o credulous_a friend_n show_v how_o solid_o he_o confute_v sure-footing_a by_o ready_o grant_v the_o main_a of_o the_o book_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o tradition_n that_o j._n s._n be_v not_o singular_a in_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n §_o 1._o he_o make_v a_o pass_n or_o two_o at_o my_o method_n and_o that_o i_o conceive_v must_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o hear_v be_v threaten_v will_v appear_v very_o short_o but_o this_o pleasant_a preface_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o appear_v and_o all_o that_o appear_v like_o answer_n in_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v make_v it_o believe_v he_o ought_v not_o answer_v at_o all_o and_o this_o he_o do_v very_o neat_o and_o like_o a_o master_n for_o let_v no_o man_n think_v i_o have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o dr._n t._n but_o every_o one_o be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o thing_n some_o be_v good_a at_o prove_v some_o at_o disprove_v some_o at_o shift_v of_o the_o question_n without_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v every_o one_o in_o his_o way_n and_o in_o his_o way_n i_o know_v no_o man_n live_v a_o great_a master_n nor_o so_o great_a as_o the_o dr._n two_o thing_n he_o do_v and_o both_o of_o they_o strange_a one_o first_o he_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n be_v found_v on_o the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o ora●_n tradition_n next_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o surefoot_v the_o first_o of_o they_o will_v make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v i_o there_o suppose_v oral_a tradition_n self-evident_o infallible_a and_o then_o run_v on_o all_o the_o way_n upon_o that_o supposition_n which_o if_o it_o obtain_v belief_n as_o from_o his_o credit_n he_o hope_v it_o may_v since_o every_o scholar_n know_v all_o discourse_n must_v be_v found_v either_o on_o first_o principle_n or_o at_o least_o on_o such_o as_o be_v grant_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o