the_o word_n be_v agree_v upon_o yet_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o be_v dispute_v of_o and_o therefore_o see_v it_o be_v the_o meaning_n that_o we_o be_v to_o govern_v our_o action_n by_o and_o that_o word_n without_o meaning_n be_v of_o no_o weight_n â—â—t_v be_v evident_a that_o tradition_n be_v a_o rule_n and_o that_o scripture_n be_v none_o but_o why_o do_v i_o trouble_v your_o lordship_n with_o such_o scrupulous_a balance_n of_o these_o rule_v one_o against_o the_o other_o since_o by_o my_o discourse_n in_o exclude_v â—â—ll_v former_a pretend_a rule_n it_o apâ—â—eareth_v evident_o that_o if_o tradition_n â—â—e_n not_o the_o light_n which_o god_n have_v hang_v out_o to_o his_o church_n whereby_o to_o know_v true_a doctrine_n from_o false_a when_o he_o send_v his_o apostle_n to_o preach_v and_o promise_v he_o will_v be_v with_o they_o that_o be_v with_o their_o preach_n or_o with_o their_o successor_n in_o preach_v until_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n we_o may_v true_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o light_n or_o certainty_n to_o guide_v his_o church_n by_o which_o be_v as_o much_o to_o say_v as_o that_o when_o he_o have_v build_v the_o world_n for_o man_n and_o have_v fit_v they_o with_o all_o thing_n requisite_a for_o their_o natural_a and_o civil_a life_n in_o this_o world_n he_o fail_v and_o mistake_v in_o the_o main_a and_o chief_a end_n for_o which_o he_o have_v contrive_v all_o the_o rest_n the_o xviii_o chapter_n against_o the_o opinion_n of_o some_o divine_v that_o place_n tradition_n in_o the_o consent_n of_o father_n that_o have_v write_v in_o their_o several_a age_n and_o against_o some_o other_o opinion_n of_o particular_a divine_v as_o also_o against_o naturalist_n and_o socinian_o i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o among_o we_o there_o be_v some_o divine_v who_o as_o they_o acknowledge_v tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o without_o do_v so_o they_o can_v not_o be_v style_v catholic_n so_o they_o place_v tradition_n in_o the_o consent_n or_o father_n through_o all_o age_n but_o i_o conceive_v i_o shall_v not_o wrong_v they_o if_o i_o say_v that_o in_o do_v thus_o they_o consider_v only_o themselves_o and_o not_o the_o church_n which_o be_v compose_v of_o all_o sort_n and_o of_o all_o degree_n of_o person_n simple_a and_o wise_a learned_a and_o unlearned_a for_o no_o man_n be_v so_o weak_a as_o not_o to_o see_v that_o it_o be_v a_o wild_a arrant_a to_o send_v the_o commonalty_n of_o christian_n to_o the_o multitude_n of_o father_n for_o their_o faith_n then_o to_o remit_v they_o to_o the_o scripture_n it_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v somewhat_o within_o the_o people_n ken_n all_o sort_n of_o person_n be_v capable_a of_o discern_v whither_o or_o no_o they_o be_v in_o the_o public_a communion_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v they_o have_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n by_o a_o continue_a sequel_n of_o teacher_n succeed_v one_o a_o other_o but_o for_o study_v of_o father_n or_o scripture_n the_o universality_n of_o mankind_n want_v for_o the_o most_o part_n capacity_n talent_n and_o leisure_n and_o no_o small_a difficulty_n will_v be_v add_v to_o this_o task_n by_o our_o adversary_n endeavour_v all_o they_o can_v to_o cast_v a_o mist_n before_o man_n eye_n and_o to_o obscure_v what_o of_o itself_o be_v moâ—â—_n clear_a i_o take_v therefore_o the_o conseâ—â—_z of_o father_n to_o be_v a_o confirmation_n anâ—â—_n a_o testimony_n to_o learned_a man_n of_o thâ—â—_z tradition_n that_o be_v deliver_v by_o hand_n but_o not_o to_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o tradition_n which_o of_o its_o nature_n may_v have_v be_v if_o so_o god_n have_v please_v and_o will_v have_v maintain_v its_o unshaken_a and_o invincible_a force_n though_o there_o have_v be_v neither_o writing_n of_o father_n nor_o scripture_n other_o seem_v to_o think_v that_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v know_v by_o tradition_n or_o as_o they_o call_v it_o by_o the_o unwritten_a word_n to_o wit_n those_o whereof_o they_o find_v not_o sufficient_a proof_n in_o scripture_n but_o that_o for_o the_o main_a one_o we_o be_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o scripture_n now_o for_o these_o i_o admire_v at_o the_o looseness_n of_o their_o discourse_n when_o they_o allow_v tradition_n to_o give_v assurance_n of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v the_o outmost_a and_o which_o can_v not_o be_v know_v without_o the_o former_a and_o yet_o will_v not_o have_v the_o former_a to_o be_v know_v by_o the_o same_o tradition_n and_o therefore_o i_o imagine_v it_o be_v but_o a_o mistake_n in_o their_o deliver_v themselves_o and_o that_o their_o meaning_n be_v that_o all_o point_n be_v know_v by_o traditionâ—â—_n but_o some_o not_o only_o by_o tradition_n but_o by_o scripture_n too_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o all_o they_o who_o refer_v unto_o tradition_n the_o know_v that_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o this_o book_n be_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n must_v needs_o relate_v all_o certainty_n of_o faith_n to_o tradition_n even_o of_o what_o they_o think_v they_o demonstrate_v out_o of_o scripture_n other_o divine_v there_o be_v who_o add_v to_o tradition_n some_o power_n of_o reveal_v new_a verity_n to_o the_o church_n but_o even_o they_o themselves_o do_v confess_v that_o the_o know_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o power_n must_v rely_v final_o upon_o tradition_n and_o then_o see_v it_o be_v a_o point_n not_o full_o resolve_v of_o among_o ourselves_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o press_v it_o upon_o those_o who_o have_v yet_o reluctance_n in_o digest_v so_o much_o as_o be_v resolve_v of_o and_o be_v evident_o true_a the_o reason_n why_o i_o have_v mention_v these_o opinion_n of_o some_o particular_a divine_v be_v because_o i_o desire_v that_o your_o lordship_n shall_v see_v that_o the_o way_n wherein_o we_o walk_v be_v not_o only_o a_o plain_a and_o a_o smooth_a one_o but_o a_o easy_a one_o to_o be_v find_v out_o which_o it_o will_v not_o appear_v unto_o you_o to_o be_v if_o you_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o what_o these_o man_n will_v impose_v by_o my_o exception_n against_o which_o as_o well_o as_o out_o of_o what_o i_o have_v former_o establish_v i_o conceive_v i_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o all_o catholic_n do_v take_v traâ—â—ition_n for_o the_o last_o rule_n into_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o particular_a article_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v resolve_v now_o be_v my_o task_n perform_v and_o tradition_n set_v in_o the_o throne_n of_o command_a christian_a belief_n do_v not_o the_o naturalist_n and_o the_o socinian_n with_o jointe_n force_n endeavour_v to_o possess_v reason_n of_o that_o chair_n allege_v how_o reason_n be_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n the_o sole_a power_n in_o he_o that_o can_v give_v consent_n to_o any_o thing_n propose_v unto_o he_o and_o therefore_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o i_o have_v say_v must_v be_v queen_n and_o commanderess_n both_o of_o his_o belief_n and_o of_o his_o action_n but_o when_o they_o object_v this_o to_o i_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v how_o i_o have_v be_v all_o this_o while_n labour_v to_o do_v in_o effect_n that_o which_o they_o require_v for_o what_o have_v all_o my_o discourse_n level_v at_o but_o to_o show_v that_o reason_n oblige_v we_o to_o ground_v our_o belief_n upon_o tradition_n so_o that_o i_o profess_v tradition_n have_v no_o force_n to_o command_v belief_n unless_o reason_n tell_v we_o so_o much_o and_o as_o it_o be_v deliver_v we_o up_o to_o tradition_n reason_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o believe_v a_o know_a teacher_n or_o director_n in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o one_o self_n be_v ignorant_a she_o tell_v we_o that_o she_o herself_o have_v not_o principle_n and_o mean_n without_o believe_v some_o teacher_n to_o give_v we_o certain_a information_n of_o the_o state_n of_o our_o soul_n in_o the_o next_o world_n and_o of_o the_o way_n in_o this_o whereby_o beatitude_n be_v to_o be_v obtain_v she_o tell_v we_o that_o tradition_n have_v derive_v this_o knowledge_n from_o a_o master_n who_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o it_o and_o that_o she_o contain_v within_o herself_o a_o strength_n of_o infallibility_n to_o reach_v we_o without_o mistake_n what_o she_o learn_v of_o he_o and_o so_o reason_n conclude_v that_o we_o must_v barken_v to_o tradition_n and_o follow_v that_o rule_n else_o she_o renounce_v we_o and_o protest_v we_o go_v against_o her_o sentiment_n that_o be_v we_o do_v unreasonable_o will_v not_o this_o satisfy_v any_o man_n that_o profess_v to_o follow_v the_o conduct_n of_o reason_n yet_o i_o will_v say_v more_o let_v either_o naturalist_n or_o socinian_n produce_v true_a reason_n that_o be_v demonstration_n against_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v attest_v by_o tradition_n and_o i_o will_v grant_v he_o we_o ought_v to_o leave_v tradition_n and_o
have_v it_o nor_o can_v he_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o have_v it_o unless_o he_o have_v some_o infallible_a mean_n whereby_o to_o discern_v it_o from_o false_a and_o pretend_a doctrine_n this_o infallible_a mean_n can_v be_v none_o other_o but_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o authority_n and_o conveyance_n by_o which_o this_o doctrine_n come_v to_o he_o if_o christ_n who_o he_o believe_v to_o be_v god_n do_v speak_v himself_o immediate_o to_o he_o he_o will_v require_v no_o more_o but_o see_v he_o be_v depart_v many_o age_n since_o from_o converse_v with_o mankind_n we_o must_v inquire_v what_o infallible_a conveyance_n of_o his_o doctrine_n to_o we_o we_o may_v rely_v upon_o it_o be_v clear_a there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o perform_v that_o work_n the_o one_o by_o write_v the_o other_o by_o be_v hand_v down_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n by_o the_o mouth_n of_o they_o who_o first_o and_o immediate_o receive_v it_o from_o christ_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o those_o that_o they_o converse_v with_o who_o again_o preach_v it_o all_o over_o the_o world_n and_o they_o who_o learn_v it_o of_o they_o teach_v it_o at_o their_o turn_n to_o those_o who_o succeed_v they_o and_o so_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n and_o from_o age_n to_o age_n be_v come_v down_o to_o our_o present_a age_n the_o universality_n which_o even_o in_o the_o very_a beginning_n and_o while_o the_o doctrine_n be_v fresh_a in_o their_o memory_n that_o have_v it_o from_o its_o source_n require_v a_o great_a time_n to_o the_o forget_v and_o extetminate_v of_o it_o every_o wheâ—â—e_n it_o may_v be_v conceive_v to_o have_v â—â—in_n conserve_v pure_a and_o entire_a all_o this_o while_n in_o some_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n three_o way_n there_o be_v none_o unless_o peradventure_o we_o make_v a_o subdivision_n of_o writing_n distinguiâ—â—ing_v betveene_n such_o as_o come_v from_o â—â—he_a pen_n of_o those_o teacher_n who_o â—â—eceived_v what_o they_o write_v immediaâ—â—ly_o from_o christ_n and_o who_o word_n 〈◊〉_d authentical_a and_o lawâ—â—_z and_o such_o other_o writing_n as_o be_v compose_v by_o author_n in_o succeed_a ageâ—â—_z do_v inform_v we_o what_o the_o church_n have_v hold_v in_o all_o time_n this_o sort_n of_o writer_n may_v seem_v to_o partake_v of_o both_o way_n of_o the_o first_o as_o be_v writer_n and_o of_o the_o second_o as_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n a_o part_n of_o the_o hand_n through_o which_o christe_n doctrine_n have_v be_v convey_v unto_o we_o these_o two_o way_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v be_v share_v between_o the_o french_a caluiniste_n among_o we_o call_v puritan_n or_o presbyterian_n and_o the_o english_a protestant_n or_o common_a prayer_n man_n but_o in_o reality_n they_o have_v they_o not_o for_o the_o puritan_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v high_o and_o peremptory_o pronounce_v that_o nothing_o but_o scripture_n must_v be_v judge_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n pure_a and_o alone_a must_v govern_v he_o present_o make_v you_o a_o catalogue_n of_o article_n which_o you_o must_v hold_v if_o you_o will_v not_o be_v excommunicate_v and_o cost_v out_o of_o his_o church_n and_o however_o he_o may_v pretend_v that_o he_o deâ—â—iveth_v these_o article_n out_o of_o scripture_n yet_o the_o word_n of_o they_o not_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n he_o can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o be_v his_o own_o collection_n and_o interpretation_n so_o that_o if_o he_o miss_v in_o interpret_n god_n write_v word_n the_o sense_n aswell_o as_o the_o word_n will_v be_v his_o and_o not_o the_o scripture_n now_o the_o protestant_a see_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o proceed_n that_o a_o particular_a man_n or_o company_n shall_v oblige_v all_o man_n to_o receive_v his_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n think_v to_o take_v a_o more_o plausible_a course_n by_o pretend_v to_o explicate_v scripture_n by_o the_o father_n especial_o by_o the_o fatheâ—â—s_fw-la of_o the_o primitive_a age_n but_o this_o seem_v to_o i_o more_o irrational_a than_o the_o puritan_fw-gr proceed_n for_o first_o he_o go_v against_o his_o own_o principle_n by_o appeal_n to_o the_o father_n after_o have_v prâ—â—tested_v against_o all_o human_a authority_n 〈◊〉_d fallible_a second_o he_o make_v himself_o judge_v which_o of_o the_o father_n â—â—re_z to_o be_v receive_v and_o when_o and_o â—â—hat_o of_o they_o to_o be_v reject_v and_o how_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o so_o draw_v the_o question_n from_o the_o sole_a book_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o infinite_a volume_n of_o father_n and_o last_o that_o he_o may_v serve_v himself_o of_o the_o father_n manner_n of_o expression_n joint_o with_o his_o own_o conceit_n and_o opinion_n so_o to_o bolster_v out_o his_o fancy_n with_o the_o semblance_n of_o their_o authority_n he_o confound_v his_o own_o language_n with_o their_o manner_n of_o speak_v and_o neither_o understand_v himself_o nor_o much_o less_o can_v make_v a_o other_o man_n understand_v what_o he_o say_v like_o those_o commentor_n of_o aristotle_n and_o s._n thomas_n who_o not_o be_v bold_a enough_o to_o deny_v their_o authority_n which_o have_v take_v so_o deep_a root_n in_o all_o the_o school_n of_o christendom_n do_v render_v their_o doctrine_n and_o themselves_o unintelligible_a by_o their_o wrest_a and_o confuse_a interpretation_n yet_o i_o deny_v not_o but_o that_o a_o right_a protestant_a be_v in_o many_o point_n near_a truth_n than_o the_o presbyterianâ—â—_n for_o his_o read_n of_o the_o father_n and_o his_o allow_v they_o some_o kind_n of_o estimation_n can_v not_o choose_v but_o work_v some_o good_a effect_n in_o his_o mind_n but_o that_o which_o i_o complain_v of_o he_o for_o be_v that_o the_o rule_n he_o pretend_v as_o he_o use_v it_o be_v more_o intricate_a than_o the_o presbyterian_n and_o his_o discourse_n be_v more_o ambigous_a and_o confuse_a by_o his_o counterfeit_n to_o hold_v with_o the_o father_n when_o in_o truth_n he_o renounce_v they_o the_o xv_o chapter_n a_o further_a consideration_n of_o the_o insufficiency_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o late_a protestant_n proceed_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n true_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o so_o evident_a that_o neither_o of_o these_o have_v any_o rule_n of_o christianity_n as_o i_o have_v oftentimes_o wonder_v when_o i_o have_v hear_v some_o man_n in_o other_o thing_n appear_v to_o be_v prudent_a say_v in_o earnest_n that_o they_o believe_v they_o have_v one_o and_o grow_v warm_a in_o their_o maintain_v so_o much_o for_o there_o be_v but_o two_o channel_n whereby_o christ_n doctrine_n can_v descend_v to_o we_o write_v and_o deliver_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n how_o can_v they_o pretend_v to_o christianity_n who_o accept_v of_o neither_o of_o these_o as_o for_o tradition_n by_o hand_n they_o clear_o defy_v it_o and_o as_o for_o scripture_n if_o they_o take_v that_o for_o their_o rule_n why_o do_v they_o bind_v man_n to_o opinion_n that_o can_v not_o be_v decide_v out_o of_o scripture_n but_o remain_v still_o disputable_a after_o all_o be_v say_v that_o can_v be_v urge_v from_o thence_o well_o may_v they_o in_o pursuance_n of_o their_o own_o rule_n quarrel_n at_o such_o as_o shall_v deny_v any_o point_n that_o be_v clear_a and_o evident_a in_o scripture_n but_o to_o anathematise_v and_o punish_v when_o they_o have_v the_o power_n those_o that_o produce_v out_o of_o scripture_n as_o fair_a proof_n for_o their_o opinion_n as_o any_o thing_n they_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v against_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o a_o great_a injustice_n certain_o nothing_o can_v be_v more-evident_a then_o that_o in_o all_o the_o point_n which_o have_v be_v dispute_v out_o of_o scripture_n alone_o between_o catholic_n and_o they_o now_o almost_o a_o 100_o year_n the_o text_n produce_v by_o they_o have_v not_o at_o all_o incline_v the_o balance_n on_o their_o side_n but_o rather_o if_o i_o may'be_v allow_v to_o give_v my_o verdict_n in_o a_o case_n where_o i_o be_o inâ—â—ereâ—â—ed_v it_o have_v weigh_v notable_o on_o our_o side_n and_o therefore_o let_v they_o pretend_v what_o they_o will_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o scripture_n be_v not_o their_o rule_n as_o for_o the_o protestant_n pretend_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o father_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n the_o case_n be_v yet_o more_o clear_a if_o more_o may_v be_v for_o they_o stick_v not_o to_o say_v upon_o every_o occasion_n that_o the_o father_n err_v and_o that_o they_o may_v err_v both_o in_o common_a and_o in_o particular_a so_o that_o they_o be_v but_o like_o a_o cobweb_n lawn_n line_v of_o no_o substance_n or_o solidity_n to_o the_o nettelike_a cloak_n wherewith_o the_o presbyterian_n do_v endeavour_v to_o hide_v their_o foul_a play_n when_o they_o recede_v from_o the_o rule_n which_o themselves_o propose_v and_o be_v look_v through_o at_o the_o first_o cast_v of_o one_o eye_n upon_o it_o and_o in_o this_o
regard_n both_o their_o case_n be_v the_o very_a same_o and_o to_o speak_v plain_o the_o rule_n common_a to_o both_o these_o and_o to_o all_o other_o who_o propose_v scripture_n for_o their_o rule_n do_v afterwards_o prefix_v particular_a opinion_n to_o their_o church_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o other_o than_o a_o heady_a pride_n and_o wilfulness_n to_o bind_v all_o other_o man_n to_o their_o not_o knowledge_n but_o guess_v now_o if_o such_o guess_v can_v be_v judge_v a_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o themselves_o and_o other_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o those_o thing_n without_o the_o do_v whereof_o mankind_n must_v be_v eternal_o miserable_a these_o man_n may_v pretend_v to_o christianity_n but_o for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v entertain_v but_o a_o very_a mean_v estime_fw-fr of_o it_o i_o know_v â—â—everall_a of_o they_o be_v hold_v for_o learned_a man_n and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o by_o many_o other_o beside_o how_o just_o they_o deserve_v that_o title_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v what_o true_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n in_o any_o science_n be_v i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o assurance_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o that_o science_n such_o mathematician_n have_v in_o their_o profession_n such_o the_o master_n of_o all_o the_o art_n that_o belong_v to_o man_n life_n such_o philosopher_n have_v or_o shall_v pretend_v to_o have_v though_o some_o unworthy_a the_o name_n of_o philosopher_n do_v content_a themselves_o with_o probable_a opinion_n and_o much_o more_o divine_v aught_o to_o have_v such_o assurance_n of_o what_o concern_v their_o profession_n see_v that_o any_o mistake_n therein_o expose_v man_n to_o eternal_a ruin_n and_o misery_n now_o the_o learning_n of_o these_o man_n that_o will_v pass_v for_o so_o great_a divine_v wherein_o do_v it_o consist_v they_o pretend_v to_o no_o other_o then_o to_o know_v that_o have_v be_v say_v by_o other_o which_o other_o be_v god_n and_o man_n to_o wit_n what_o have_v be_v say_v by_o god_n in_o scripture_n and_o by_o man_n in_o their_o book_n if_o they_o right_o understand_v all_o this_o they_o may_v with_o reason_n haâ—â—e_n a_o good_a conceit_n of_o themselves_o but_o let_v we_o examine_v how_o they_o behave_v themselves_o in_o their_o proceed_n with_o both_o these_o as_o for_o scripture_n i_o have_v already_o touch_v how_o their_o penetrate_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o they_o be_v but_o a_o mere_a guess_v yet_o be_v it_o something_o if_o they_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o guess_v fair_o i_o will_v allow_v they_o so_o much_o if_o they_o can_v show_v how_o any_o of_o their_o divine_v in_o any_o one_o question_n have_v faithful_o parallel_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n use_v to_o be_v bring_v on_o each_o side_n and_o have_v fair_o compare_v and_o weigh_v they_o in_o the_o balance_n one_o against_o the_o other_o and_o have_v give_v each_o of_o they_o their_o full_a weight_n and_o then_o have_v pronounce_v a_o orderly_a sentence_n in_o this_o sort_n that_o by_o reason_n of_o plurality_n of_o place_n propriety_n of_o word_n efficacity_n of_o text_n and_o the_o like_a the_o advantage_n fall_v to_o this_o side_n rather_o than_o to_o that_o if_o they_o shall_v pretend_v they_o be_v able_a to_o do_v this_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o never_o have_v as_o yet_o perform_v i_o will_v entreat_v they_o to_o show_v i_o a_o learned_a logic_n of_o word_n out_o of_o which_o they_o have_v extract_v the_o rule_n whereby_o the_o sense_n of_o word_n may_v be_v ponder_v and_o whereby_o one_o may_v be_v certain_a when_o their_o sense_n be_v demonstrative_o know_v and_o when_o but_o probable_o and_o by_o what_o weight_n one_o probability_n appear_v great_a than_o a_o other_o and_o after_o all_o this_o pain_n i_o will_v tell_v they_o and_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v it_o that_o as_o long_o as_o both_o sense_n be_v probable_a the_o less_o probable_a may_v peradventure_o be_v the_o true_a one_o and_o so_o all_o their_o labour_n be_v lose_v but_o let_v we_o examine_v if_o their_o learning_n be_v any_o great_a in_o human_a writer_n the_o depth_n of_o it_o be_v to_o boggle_v at_o any_o dark_a place_n of_o history_n or_o of_o father_n and_o by_o it_o persuade_v such_o man_n as_o be_v not_o conversant_a in_o antiquity_n to_o frame_v a_o judgement_n coutrary_a to_o the_o public_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o those_o age_n as_o for_o example_n what_o can_v be_v more_o public_a and_o notorious_a than_o the_o succession_n and_o authority_n of_o bishop_n then_o the_o being_n of_o monk_n and_o nun_n then_o the_o principality_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n then_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o mass_n sacrament_n and_o ceremony_n then_o the_o custom_n of_o pray_v for_o the_o dead_a then_o the_o use_n of_o cross_n and_o of_o picture_n and_o even_o for_o all_o these_o they_o make_v it_o their_o labour_n and_o for_o which_o they_o pretend_v the_o title_n of_o subtle_a and_o deep_a scholar_n to_o persuade_v you_o out_o of_o some_o not_o full_o declare_v sentence_n of_o a_o father_n speak_v upon_o the_o by_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o these_o in_o antiquity_n yet_o have_v our_o contryman_n more_o sincerity_n than_o this_o who_o in_o his_o translation_n of_o s._n augustine_n confession_n profess_v plain_o that_o he_o have_v leave_v out_o many_o thing_n because_o s._n augustine_n have_v err_v in_o they_o so_o the_o centurist_n and_o luther_n and_o caluin_n and_o all_o novelist_n while_o there_o remain_v any_o ingenuity_n among_o they_o confess_v that_o the_o opinion_n which_o they_o reject_v be_v ancient_a error_n of_o the_o father_n but_o now_o all_o their_o learning_n consist_v in_o belie_v of_o antiquity_n and_o in_o pin_v a_o false_a mask_n upon_o the_o venerable_a face_n of_o it_o how_o then_o can_v man_n deserve_v the_o name_n of_o learned_a who_o take_v not_o the_o course_n to_o know_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o nevertheless_o they_o must_v pass_v for_o great_a divine_v when_o peradventure_o they_o be_v all_o together_o ignorant_a what_o divinity_n be_v divinity_n signify_v a_o science_n that_o follow_v out_o of_o faith_n or_o out_o of_o the_o discipline_n of_o salvation_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o euclides_n element_n do_v follow_v out_o of_o the_o definitious_a and_o axiom_n which_o he_o have_v prefix_v as_o ground_n for_o his_o book_n and_o that_o he_o have_v suppose_v before_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n faith_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o divinity_n but_o in_o sâ—â—eed_n of_o do_v so_o these_o man_n who_o term_v themselves_o divine_v do_v spend_v all_o their_o pain_n and_o employ_v all_o their_o scholarship_n in_o oppose_v the_o receive_a tenet_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o they_o be_v such_o eminent_a divine_v as_o he_o will_v be_v a_o geometrician_n who_o in_o steed_n of_o study_v thorough_o euclides_n element_n shall_v never_o go_v beyond_o the_o first_o leaf_n but_o shall_v busy_v himself_o many_o year_n and_o write_v great_a volume_n to_o prove_v that_o his_o definition_n be_v ill_o contrive_v and_o that_o this_o axiom_n be_v false_a and_o yet_o must_v such_o silly_a aequivocation_n so_o puss_n they_o up_o and_o persuade_v their_o follower_n they_o be_v so_o great_a clerk_n that_o all_o antiquity_n all_o the_o latter_a and_o present_a age_n and_o common_a sense_n itself_o must_v be_v desert_v to_o adhere_v to_o these_o learned_a master_n whereas_o those_o who_o be_v true_o divine_v be_v beyond_o common_a christian_n and_o do_v begin_v their_o science_n and_o employment_n at_o the_o height_n of_o those_o notion_n which_o belong_v to_o common_a christian_n while_o these_o who_o the_o protesâ—â—ants_n term_v divine_v do_v never_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o the_o simple_a christian_n be_v imbue_v with_o by_o rely_v upon_o tradition_n and_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o since_o it_o seem_v that_o god_n himself_o have_v take_v it_o to_o his_o task_n to_o ruin_v they_o wheresoever_o they_o appear_v to_o have_v power_n the_o xvi_o chapter_n the_o socinian_o and_o the_o independent_n exclude_v from_o have_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n these_o two_o be_v reject_v from_o hold_v the_o rule_n of_o scripture_n whatsoever_o they_o may_v pretend_v there_o remain_v yet_o two_o other_o family_n who_o lay_v claim_v to_o that_o rule_n namely_o the_o independent_n and_o the_o socinian_o their_o difference_n i_o take_v to_o be_v this_o that_o the_o independent_a acknowledge_v the_o book_n we_o call_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v true_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o according_o make_v it_o his_o precise_a study_n to_o know_v what_o be_v say_v in_o this_o book_n all_o that_o no_o lest_o find_v there_o he_o hold_v for_o most_o certain_a and_o holy_a he_o bind_v other_o no_o further_a then_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o letter_n
how_o during_o all_o this_o tract_n of_o time_n there_o have_v still_o be_v great_a dispute_v out_o of_o scripture_n against_o sundry_a most_o important_a proposition_n diverse_a of_o they_o direct_o impugn_v our_o saviour_n himâ—â—elfe_n and_o his_o dignity_n and_o godhead_n for_o the_o settle_v whereof_o in_o man_n belief_n it_o appear_v that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v and_o yet_o peradventure_o never_o a_o one_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o convince_v and_o beat_v down_o by_o scripture_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_v then_o by_o tradition_n and_o by_o the_o title_n of_o possession_n of_o the_o contrary_a doctrine_n and_o shall_v not_o the_o consideration_n of_o this_o success_n after_o so_o many_o attempt_n make_v we_o very_o doubtful_a and_o afraid_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v convince_v out_o of_o â—â—ole_a scripture_n i_o have_v hear_v some_o â—â—ho_o have_v employ_v their_o study_n to_o be_v exact_a in_o the_o controversy_n about_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n challenge_v other_o that_o have_v pretend_v to_o have_v great_a skill_n and_o insight_n in_o scripture_n to_o convince_v out_o of_o it_o alone_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n a_o point_n wherein_o all_o christian_n agree_v and_o tâ—â—ey_n can_v never_o receive_v satisfaction_n in_o it_o the_o ecclesiastical_a story_n inform_v we_o how_o the_o arian_n defend_v their_o deny_n of_o our_o saviour_n dâ—â—uinity_n by_o pregnant_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o can_v not_o be_v convince_v otherwise_o then_o by_o tradition_n and_o how_o it_o fare_v in_o like_o manner_n with_o sundry_a other_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o word_n so_o subject_a to_o diverse_a sense_n and_o understanding_n the_o length_n of_o the_o bible_n whereby_o all_o sort_n of_o metaphor_n and_o improper_a manner_n of_o speak_v do_v occur_v in_o it_o and_o thâ—â—_z reiterate_n of_o the_o same_o speech_n diverse_o in_o diverse_a occasion_n do_v render_v it_o main_o suspicious_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v a_o demonstration_n for_o proof_n and_o explication_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o any_o passage_n in_o it_o which_o great_a wit_n have_v engage_v themselves_o in_o explicate_n a_o contrary_a way_n and_o therefore_o before_o a_o man_n can_v rational_o rely_v upon_o scripture_n for_o a_o sufficient_a rule_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o beatitude_n he_o must_v be_v satisfy_v and_o convince_v that_o there_o be_v a_o mean_n whereby_o he_o may_v certain_o know_v what_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o how_o he_o may_v compass_v this_o mean_n for_o otherwise_o all_o that_o he_o draw_v our_o of_o scripture_n be_v uncertain_a and_o no_o less_o uncertain_a it_o be_v whither_o what_o he_o have_v draw_v be_v enough_o or_o whither_o more_o be_v not_o necessary_a and_o in_o a_o word_n he_o remain_v on_o all_o hand_n in_o perpetual_a incâ—â—titude_n the_o xvii_o chapter_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o convey_v christ_n doctrine_n to_o succeed_a age_n of_o the_o two_o way_n of_o convey_v christ_n doctrine_n to_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v by_o writing_n and_o that_o â—â—e_n have_v be_v hitherto_o reflect_v upon_o there_o remain_v only_o the_o latter_a which_o be_v by_o hand_v it_o from_o one_o to_o a_o other_o to_o be_v consider_v a_o doctrine_n so_o convey_v imply_v thereby_o that_o it_o have_v be_v in_o all_o age_n that_o be_v to_o say_v in_o the_o universality_n of_o time_n belong_v only_o to_o catholic_n to_o lay_v claim_n unto_o it_o and_o only_o they_o who_o do_v so_o may_v proper_o be_v style_v catholic_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v object_v that_o the_o greek_n may_v pretend_v it_o in_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o they_o differ_v in_o from_o those_o that_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a see_n well_o may_v they_o in_o matter_n of_o custom_n but_o these_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o they_o may_v have_v be_v different_a in_o several_a place_n even_o at_o the_o very_a origine_fw-la of_o they_o without_o any_o inconueniency_n at_o all_o and_o consequent_o in_o different_a place_n there_o may_v have_v continue_v different_a practice_n ever_o since_o the_o apostle_n time_n but_o let_v we_o examine_v more_o particular_o what_o advantage_n or_o prerogative_n this_o way_n of_o transmit_v christe_n doctrine_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n until_o our_o day_n have_v over_o the_o retrieve_v it_o in_o scripture_n first_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o have_v the_o prerogative_n of_o possession_n all_o adversary_n have_v find_v the_o catholic_a church_n out_o of_o which_o they_o break_v in_o a_o quiet_a credulity_n that_o her_o doctrine_n be_v so_o descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n next_o it_o have_v the_o prerogative_n of_o all_o the_o approbation_n and_o commendation_n that_o our_o father_n can_v give_v it_o by_o themselves_o by_o their_o law_n by_o their_o reward_n and_o punishement_n and_o by_o whatsoever_o else_o they_o can_v invent_v for_o the_o continuation_n of_o it_o it_o have_v a_o high_a strain_n of_o testification_n above_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o our_o title_n to_o land_n inheritance_n legacy_n bargain_n and_o all_o other_o moral_a transaction_n and_o concernment_n whatsoever_o it_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o all_o our_o adversary_n to_o have_v continue_v for_o a_o thousand_o year_n even_o in_o those_o point_n wherein_o they_o dissent_v from_o we_o but_o in_o all_o other_o wherein_o they_o agree_v with_o we_o they_o allow_v our_o continuance_n from_o the_o very_a origine_fw-la of_o christianity_n so_o as_o it_o can_v not_o be_v doubt_v even_o by_o our_o adversary_n confession_n but_o that_o this_o way_n be_v capable_a of_o bring_v down_o truth_n unto_o we_o uncorrupted_a but_o above_o all_o it_o have_v the_o evidence_n or_o its_o fidelity_n in_o convey_v to_o posterity_n the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n by_o the_o connexion_n of_o one_o age_n to_o a_o other_o out_o of_o this_o maxim_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a all_o father_n through_o out_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v conspirâ—â—_z to_o deceive_v their_o child_n in_o so_o important_a a_o affair_n for_o this_o maxim_n do_v so_o connect_v the_o knowledge_n of_o every_o century_n to_o what_o be_v know_v in_o the_o century_n immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o error_n to_o creep_v in_o between_o they_o and_o the_o maxim_n it_o self_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o any_o that_o belong_v to_o mathematics_n and_o so_o much_o more_o clear_a than_o any_o of_o those_o as_o perpetual_a daily_a practice_n beat_v we_o into_o the_o knowledge_n and_o continual_a view_n of_o it_o for_o as_o no_o man_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o the_o brain_n of_o that_o person_n be_v craze_a who_o converse_v with_o merchant_n upon_o the_o exchange_n in_o london_n and_o hear_v they_o speak_v daily_o of_o paris_n and_o of_o money_n they_o remit_v hither_o and_o of_o letter_n they_o receive_v from_o thence_o shall_v nevertheless_o think_v confident_o there_o be_v no_o such_o town_n as_o paris_n because_o he_o be_v never_o there_o himself_o so_o much_o more_o â—â—ould_v he_o be_v hold_v for_o a_o mad_a man_n that_o live_v in_o england_n and_o converse_v with_o all_o force_n of_o people_n read_v their_o book_n of_o all_o kind_n hear_v their_o sermon_n consider_v their_o law_n and_o the_o change_n of_o some_o particular_a one_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o innumerable_a other_o particular_n which_o speak_v manifest_o how_o catholic_a religion_n have_v course_n in_o england_n before_o henry_n the_o viii_o change_v it_o shall_v nevertheless_o deny_v it_o because_o he_o live_v not_o in_o the_o time_n when_o that_o religion_n be_v public_o profess_v for_o in_o this_o case_n the_o number_n of_o witness_n be_v far_o great_a than_o in_o the_o other_o now_o when_o a_o motive_n of_o human_a prudence_n be_v so_o prevalent_a a_o one_o as_o to_o brand_v he_o with_o want_n of_o common_a sense_n who_o shall_v not_o assent_v to_o what_o it_o induce_v it_o be_v a_o manifest_a sign_n of_o a_o conquer_a and_o axiomaticall_a evidence_n in_o the_o proposition_n that_o he_o shall_v so_o deny_v and_o consequent_o by_o this_o discourse_n apply_v it_o to_o every_o age_n since_o christ_n plant_v of_o his_o church_n the_o descent_n of_o christian_a or_o catholic_a religion_n from_o christ_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o any_o geometrical_a demonstration_n whatsoever_o one_o great_a prerogative_n more_o i_o must_v not_o omit_v that_o tradition_n have_v above_o scripture_n which_o be_v that_o scripture_n be_v deliver_v in_o precise_a and_o determinate_a word_n who_o sense_n be_v not_o understand_v but_o tradition_n be_v deliver_v in_o almost_o as_o many_o several_a expression_n as_o there_o be_v several_a person_n that_o deliver_v it_o so_o that_o in_o tradition_n the_o sense_n be_v constant_a though_o the_o word_n be_v uncertain_a whereas_o in_o a_o truth_n deliver_v by_o write_v though_o