a_o modest_a plea_n for_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o press_n in_o answer_n to_o several_a reason_n late_o print_v against_o it_o humble_o submit_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o authority_n quae_fw-la est_fw-la pejor_fw-la mors_fw-la animae_fw-la quam_fw-la libertas_fw-la erroris_fw-la august_n in_o epist_n 166._o by_o francis_n gregory_n d._n d._n and_o rector_n of_o hambleden_n in_o the_o county_n of_o buck_n london_n print_v for_o r._n sare_n at_o greys-inn-gate_n in_o holborn_n m_o dc_o xc_o viii_o a_o modest_a plea_n for_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o press_n etc._n etc._n sect_n i._o good_a reader_n it_o be_v not_o long_o since_o i_o accidental_o meet_v with_o a_o print_a paper_n entitle_v a_o letter_n to_o a_o member_n of_o parliament_n show_v that_o a_o restraint_n on_o the_o press_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o nation_n this_o title_n at_o the_o first_o view_n do_v startle_v and_o make_v i_o wonder_v for_o i_o can_v not_o imagine_v how_o the_o content_n of_o this_o letter_n can_v possible_o justify_v such_o a_o inscription_n but_o whether_o this_o letter_n be_v real_o send_v or_o only_o pretend_v and_o by_o who_o i_o can_v tell_v for_o the_o writer_n of_o it_o think_v it_o a_o act_n of_o prudence_n to_o conceal_v his_o name_n as_o well_o as_o his_o opinion_n but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o heretic_n i_o mean_v a_o socinian_n it_o be_v his_o great_a misfortune_n and_o no_o small_a fault_n that_o he_o have_v give_v his_o reader_n just_a cause_n to_o think_v he_o so_o for_o 1._o this_o author_n treat_v our_o common_a people_n with_o extraordinary_a civility_n he_o plead_v for_o the_o full_a liberty_n of_o every_o man_n conscience_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o every_o man_n have_v as_o much_o right_a to_o communicate_v his_o thought_n to_o his_o neighbour_n as_o to_o think_v they_o himself_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o every_o man_n be_v to_o judge_v for_o himself_o even_o in_o the_o controvert_v point_n of_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o able_a divine_n of_o our_o church_n nor_o can_v we_o wonder_v that_o a_o socinian_n shall_v thus_o flatter_v the_o vulgar_a for_o they_o who_o design_n to_o instil_v their_o opinion_n into_o the_o head_n of_o man_n be_v concern_v in_o policy_n by_o fair_a word_n and_o courtship_n first_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o their_o heart_n 2._o this_o author_n treat_v the_o church_n of_o england_n with_o incivility_n and_o scurrilous_a language_n he_o load_v its_o governor_n with_o several_a calumny_n which_o be_v no_o way_n deserve_v he_o call_v they_o imposer_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n tyrant_n lord_n of_o the_o people_n faith_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n to_o wipe_v off_o his_o unjust_a reproach_n but_o to_o answer_v his_o groundless_a argument_n but_o however_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a that_o a_o socinian_n shall_v thus_o bespatter_v the_o clergy_n of_o our_o church_n to_o render_v we_o odious_a to_o the_o people_n because_o they_o know_v that_o our_o divine_n be_v the_o most_o able_a man_n to_o defend_v those_o great_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n which_o they_o oppose_v and_o to_o confute_v those_o detestable_a doctrine_n which_o they_o promote_v but_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o maintain_v so_o long_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v continue_v as_o well_o store_v with_o learned_a man_n as_o now_o it_o be_v but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o disparage_v and_o vilify_v our_o divine_n in_o hope_n that_o our_o people_n disesteem_v our_o person_n may_v show_v the_o less_o regard_n to_o what_o we_o plead_v in_o defence_n of_o truth_n 3._o this_o author_n show_v himself_o yet_o more_o manifest_o to_o be_v a_o socinian_n because_o according_a to_o the_o know_a practice_n of_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n he_o high_o magnify_v humane_a reason_n exalt_v it_o far_o above_o its_o proper_a sphere_n advance_v it_o to_o that_o sublime_a and_o sacred_a office_n which_o as_o now_o it_o be_v it_o can_v never_o discharge_v for_o in_o that_o preliminary_n discourse_n which_o he_o premise_v as_o a_o introduction_n to_o the_o main_a body_n and_o substance_n of_o his_o letter_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n have_v give_v man_n his_o reason_n which_o be_v his_o only_a light_n not_o only_o to_o discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o religion_n but_o to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o many_o false_a one_o he_o tell_v we_o again_o p._n 15._o that_o god_n have_v give_v man_n no_o other_o guide_n but_o their_o reason_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o happiness_n and_o yet_o again_o p_o 17._o he_o say_v that_o the_o people_n common_a notion_n be_v the_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n now_o my_o own_o reason_n such_o as_o it_o be_v tell_v i_o that_o all_o these_o assertion_n be_v as_o false_a as_o bold_a and_o dare_a for_o what_o great_a encomium_n can_v have_v be_v give_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v we_o still_o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n though_o in_o that_o state_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n may_v shine_v like_o the_o sun_n in_o its_o full_a glory_n not_o a_o cloud_n interpose_v yet_o by_o and_o since_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n be_v become_v like_o the_o moon_n lie_v under_o though_o not_o a_o total_a yet_o a_o very_a great_a eclipse_n solomon_n the_o wise_a of_o man_n have_v leave_v our_o reason_n no_o better_o title_n than_o this_o the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v not_o â—â—_o style_v a_o blaze_a torch_n but_o a_o candle_n which_o be_v but_o a_o diminutive_a light_n and_o so_o much_o the_o less_o because_o it_o be_v full_a of_o snuff_n it_o be_v cloud_v with_o mist_n and_o fog_n of_o ignorance_n and_o in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n true_a it_o be_v that_o this_o little_a light_n of_o nature_n be_v well_o attend_v to_o be_v enough_o to_o discover_v to_o we_o some_o truth_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o natural_a religion_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n exercise_v itself_o in_o contemplate_v the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n be_v enough_o to_o convince_v he_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o this_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v worship_v but_o there_o be_v some_o other_o truth_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o the_o most_o improve_a reason_n of_o man_n without_o some_o other_o help_n can_v never_o have_v discover_v in_o all_o case_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n be_v lumen_fw-la sine_fw-la quo_fw-la non_fw-la a_o light_n without_o which_o we_o can_v discern_v no_o truth_n at_o all_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o a_o light_n by_o which_o we_o can_v discern_v every_o truth_n which_o do_v concern_v we_o our_o lord_n have_v true_o say_v the_o light_n of_o the_o body_n be_v the_o eye_n and_o 2d_o yet_o this_o eye_n be_v it_o never_o so_o clear_a and_o strong_a without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o other_o light_n beside_o its_o own_o can_v see_v very_o little_a or_o nothing_o so_o here_o the_o light_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v its_o reason_n and_o yet_o this_o reason_n without_o some_o other_o assistance_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n can_v discern_v but_o very_o little_a there_o be_v among_o the_o heathen_n many_o sober_a virtuous_a and_o industrious_a moralist_n man_n of_o raise_a intellectual_n man_n of_o excellent_a part_n both_o natural_a and_o acquire_v and_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o show_v themselves_o mere_a 21._o sot_n and_o dunce_n they_o become_v as_o st._n paul_n say_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n they_o exceed_o dote_v in_o their_o notion_n concern_v the_o nature_n will_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n there_o be_v several_a religious_a and_o necessary_a truth_n whereunto_o their_o own_o reason_n though_o much_o improve_v be_v not_o only_o a_o perfect_a stranger_n but_o a_o profess_a adversary_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o creation_n stand_v oppose_v by_o that_o know_a maxim_n which_o their_o reason_n entertain_v as_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n ex_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a out_o of_o nothing_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v make_v and_o as_o for_o the_o great_a doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n man_n of_o reason_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o 24._o celsus_n speak_v in_o origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o a_o thing_n impossible_a and_o abominable_a and_o according_a to_o these_o notion_n they_o take_v st._n paul_n who_o preach_v this_o glorious_a but_o difficult_a doctrine_n to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o vain_a babbler_n but_o whence_o may_v this_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o they_o arise_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o man_n so_o acute_a and_o lucky_a in_o search_v and_o find_v out_o many_o secret_a mystery_n both_o of_o art_n and_o nature_n shall_v be_v so_o dull_a and_o
but_o to_o who_o ought_v the_o care_n of_o this_o be_v commit_v doubtless_o to_o man_n of_o integrity_n learning_n and_o judgement_n to_o man_n who_o be_v able_a at_o first_o view_n to_o distinguish_v vice_n from_o virtue_n and_o truth_n from_o error_n and_o with_o such_o man_n be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n store_v man_n of_o such_o part_n and_o piety_n that_o we_o can_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n so_o much_o as_o once_o suspect_v that_o they_o will_v to_o gratify_v any_o party_n stifle_v any_o book_n which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o mankind_n notwithstanding_o this_o our_o author_n think_v fit_a to_o tell_v his_o friend_n the_o parliament-man_n that_o of_o all_o other_o person_n the_o clergyman_n of_o our_o church_n be_v the_o most_o unfit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o press_n and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n namely_o because_o they_o will_v allow_v no_o book_n to_o be_v publish_v save_v only_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a english_a they_o will_v permit_v no_o book_n to_o be_v print_v which_o tend_v to_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o for_o that_o who_o can_v just_o blame_v they_o that_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n have_v be_v prove_v over_o and_o over_o by_o such_o scripture_n argument_n as_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n arian_n and_o socinian_o or_o any_o other_o heretic_n never_o yet_o can_v nor_o ever_o can_v overthrow_v and_o if_o any_o book_n which_o contradict_v they_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o press_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v stifle_v in_o the_o birth_n and_o if_o they_o chance_v to_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o stealth_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v immediate_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o flame_n that_o be_v the_o quick_a way_n to_o cleanse_v they_o from_o that_o dross_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o however_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v the_o further_a increase_n of_o dangerous_a book_n which_o by_o good_a word_n fair_a speech_n and_o seem_a argument_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n among_o the_o illiterate_a vulgar_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o all_o write_n offer_v to_o the_o press_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n shall_v careful_o be_v examine_v by_o conscientious_a and_o judicious_a divine_n and_o that_o no_o general_a liberty_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o man_n of_o all_o sect_n to_o write_v and_o to_o printer_n to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o please_v there_o be_v among_o we_o in_o this_o unhappy_a age_n heretic_n of_o 11._o several_a denomination_n of_o who_o st._n paul_n say_v their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v a_o very_a just_a reason_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n teach_v thing_n which_o they_o ought_v not_o now_o if_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o muzzle_n clap_v upon_o the_o heretic_n mouth_n there_o be_v far_o great_a reason_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o his_o pen_n and_o press_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o heretic_n shall_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n with_o his_o tongue_n as_o he_o may_v by_o his_o write_n word_n only_o speak_v and_o hear_v be_v transient_a but_o word_n write_v and_o print_v be_v permanent_a a_o heretical_a tongue_n can_v do_v no_o harm_n but_o by_o a_o personal_a conference_n but_o a_o heretical_a pen_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n to_o man_n at_o a_o distance_n the_o wrong_n that_o may_v be_v do_v by_o heretical_a discourse_n alone_o can_v reach_v but_o the_o present_a age_n but_o heretical_a book_n may_v injure_v and_o poison_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o after_o age_n and_o since_o there_o be_v too_o many_o such_o book_n publish_v among_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a care_n of_o our_o governor_n to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o lest_o if_o their_o number_n increase_v without_o control_n they_o may_v by_o degree_n consider_v the_o ignorance_n instability_n and_o credulity_n of_o man_n subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endanger_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n but_o sect_n iii_o 2._o this_o author_n argue_v for_o a_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n not_o only_o for_o its_o own_o great_a usefulness_n but_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o several_a grand_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v shall_v the_o press_n chance_n to_o be_v restrain_v and_o the_o first_o which_o he_o name_v be_v this_o first_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o and_o to_o take_v it_o up_o without_o any_o trial_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o argument_n may_v hold_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n where_o the_o people_n for_o want_v of_o mean_n can_v and_o for_o fear_n of_o their_o inquisitor_n dare_v not_o examine_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a religion_n but_o the_o same_o argument_n plead_v in_o and_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a ground_n and_o have_v a_o fallacy_n in_o it_o for_o here_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v here_o assign_v as_o the_o cause_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a occasion_n that_o man_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o charge_n be_v true_a and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v so_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o great_a number_n of_o man_n even_o among_o we_o do_v indeed_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n bare_o on_o trust_n protestant_n they_o be_v but_o why_o be_v they_o such_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o parent_n that_o wherein_o they_o be_v train_v up_o from_o their_o childhood_n it_o be_v the_o religion_n establish_v by_o our_o law_n general_o profess_v in_o our_o nation_n and_o preach_v in_o our_o church_n these_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o only_a motive_n upon_o which_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o man_n do_v by_o a_o blind_a and_o implicit_a faith_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o man_n who_o be_v constrain_v thus_o to_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n man_n who_o be_v never_o blessed_v with_o a_o liberal_a education_n never_o teach_v to_o read_v man_n so_o dull_a and_o stupid_a that_o they_o can_v apprehend_v much_o less_o remember_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o sure_o person_n under_o such_o ill_a circumstance_n be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o but_o must_v rely_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o teacher_n and_o upon_o their_o credit_n and_o authority_n take_v up_o some_o religion_n or_o other_o or_o else_o they_o can_v take_v up_o none_o at_o all_o and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a unhappiness_n of_o many_o thousand_o i_o fear_v even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o man_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o learning_n man_n of_o complete_a knowledge_n and_o good_a ability_n to_o judge_v betwixt_o vice_n and_o virtue_n truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o how_o frequent_o how_o earnest_o do_v we_o 1._o exhort_v such_o man_n from_o our_o pulpit_n to_o prove_v all_o thing_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n but_o alas_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o we_o lose_v our_o labour_n that_o man_n will_v not_o spare_v any_o time_n nor_o take_v any_o pain_n to_o examine_v their_o religion_n but_o rather_o take_v it_o up_o at_o a_o venture_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o now_o if_o a_o man_n take_v up_o his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n when_o he_o need_v not_o do_v so_o he_o run_v himself_o both_o into_o sin_n and_o danger_n a_o sin_n it_o certain_o be_v because_o a_o breach_n of_o those_o fore_n name_n command_v and_o a_o great_a danger_n it_o be_v because_o instead_o of_o a_o juno_n he_o may_v embrace_v a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a religion_n he_o may_v close_v with_o a_o false_a one_o but_o where_o lie_v the_o fault_n upon_o who_o or_o what_o must_v this_o sin_n be_v charge_v sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o this_o case_n a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o press_n be_v innocent_a and_o can_v be_v just_o blame_v for_o be_v not_o man_n oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o religion_n long_o before_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n be_v invent_v and_o be_v not_o the_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n a_o sin_n in_o former_a age_n when_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o press_n in_o all_o the_o
convince_v as_o well_o he_o may_v be_v by_o such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o can_v with_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n be_v otherwise_o interpete_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v true_o god_n and_o true_o man_n what_o need_v such_o a_o person_n to_o see_v the_o opinion_n and_o weigh_v the_o argument_n of_o arian_n and_o socinian_o against_o this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n to_o he_o who_o belief_n be_v already_o ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n be_v right_o understand_v the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o they_o signify_v nothing_o such_o a_o man_n do_v not_o need_v the_o confutation_n of_o heretical_a cavil_n to_o confirm_v that_o faith_n of_o he_o which_o be_v already_o bottom_v upon_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v immovable_a and_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o examination_n of_o argument_n plead_v for_o they_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o confirm_v a_o strong_a and_o well_o ground_a faith_n so_o it_o be_v dangerous_a and_o tend_v to_o impair_v and_o shake_v a_o weak_a one_o for_o well_o meaning_n christian_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v of_o too_o easy_a belief_n of_o slender_a judgement_n and_o not_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v probable_o be_v pervert_v by_o heretical_a book_n as_o be_v unable_a to_o discern_v the_o fallacy_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o to_o cite_v such_o text_n as_o may_v confute_v they_o but_o here_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v who_o must_v judge_v whether_o such_o or_o such_o a_o opinion_n be_v justify_v or_o condemn_v by_o such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n i_o answer_v where_o text_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a every_o discreet_a and_o intelligent_a person_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o but_o when_o text_n be_v somewhat_o abstruse_a and_o difficult_a when_o knotty_a question_n and_o controversy_n be_v raise_v about_o they_o than_o the_o judge_n must_v be_v no_o single_a person_n no_o nor_o any_o small_a party_n of_o man_n who_o be_v bias_v prejudice_v and_o wed_v to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o the_o judge_n must_v be_v the_o catholic_n church_n i_o mean_v its_o representative_a in_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n which_o consist_v of_o man_n not_o overawe_v by_o authority_n nor_o tempt_v by_o interest_n but_o man_n as_o religious_a as_o they_o be_v learned_a as_o well_o verse_v in_o holy_a writ_n as_o able_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n as_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n bear_v since_o those_o early_a day_n and_o this_o i_o think_v to_o be_v the_o great_a human_a authority_n to_o warrant_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o text_n and_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n ground_v on_o they_o now_o since_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v blessed_v with_o the_o free_a use_n of_o our_o bibles_n and_o favour_v with_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a expositor_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n which_o tend_v most_o to_o determine_v those_o dispute_n which_o have_v arise_v betwixt_o protestant_n and_o papist_n betwixt_o trinitarian_n and_o anti-trinitarians_a we_o can_v have_v no_o need_n of_o any_o search_n for_o truth_n to_o consult_v the_o print_a paper_n of_o this_o age_n many_o of_o which_o do_v tend_v to_o promote_v error_n much_o rather_o than_o discover_v truth_n and_o very_o when_o the_o licenser_n of_o book_n do_v reject_v and_o suppress_v heretical_a paper_n he_o do_v good_a service_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o if_o such_o paper_n chance_v to_o steal_v the_o press_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v treat_v like_o other_o thief_n who_o to_o prevent_v their_o do_v any_o future_a mischief_n be_v apprehend_v condemn_v and_o execute_v and_o so_o i_o quit_v this_o argument_n and_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o sect_n v._o 3._o this_o author_n three_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n hinder_v truth_n from_o have_v any_o great_a influence_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v owe_v chief_o to_o examination_n because_o that_o which_o do_v not_o convince_v the_o understanding_n will_v have_v but_o little_a or_o no_o effect_n upon_o the_o will._n i_o answer_v thus_o what_o this_o author_n do_v here_o assert_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o understanding_n upon_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n be_v true_a in_o general_a nor_o can_v it_o be_v just_o deny_v that_o a_o strict_a examination_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o proper_a mean_n to_o convince_v the_o understanding_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o although_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o this_o allegation_n be_v true_a in_o the_o general_a yet_o here_o it_o be_v misapply_v and_o very_o impertinent_a to_o the_o case_n now_o in_o hand_n for_o this_o argument_n as_o the_o former_a do_v do_v proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a hypothesis_n for_o it_o suppose_v that_o if_o the_o press_n shall_v chance_v to_o be_v restrain_v for_o time_n to_o come_v man_n will_v be_v deprive_v of_o all_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o due_a examination_n of_o their_o religion_n it_o be_v st._n paul_n command_n prove_v all_o thing_n it_o be_v st._n john_n command_n try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n these_o command_n must_v needs_o suppose_v that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n by_o which_o religion_n may_v be_v try_v and_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o virtue_n be_v stand_v still_o tell_v i_o then_o be_v our_o bibles_n out_o of_o print_n or_o take_v from_o we_o have_v we_o no_o catechism_n no_o system_n of_o divinity_n leave_v among_o we_o nay_o be_v there_o not_o book_n of_o controversy_n expose_v to_o sale_n in_o our_o city_n great_a town_n and_o both_o our_o university_n nay_o more_o be_v there_o not_o popish_a and_o socinian_n catechism_n to_o be_v have_v in_o england_n do_v not_o these_o book_n already_o extant_a contain_v the_o strong_a argument_n which_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o party_n be_v able_a to_o urge_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o respective_a opinion_n and_o may_v not_o man_n by_o weigh_v these_o reason_n which_o be_v already_o make_v public_a give_v a_o judgement_n which_o religion_n be_v true_a and_o which_o be_v false_a as_o well_o as_o by_o any_o new_a paper_n yet_o to_o be_v print_v but_o although_o there_o be_v a_o great_a variety_n of_o book_n which_o may_v help_v to_o guide_v we_o in_o our_o search_n after_o truth_n yet_o i_o must_v still_o mind_v my_o reader_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a adequate_a and_o authentic_a rule_n whereby_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o religion_n must_v be_v determine_v and_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o those_o conviction_n of_o man_n understanding_n which_o arise_v from_o the_o immediate_a word_n of_o god_n be_v like_a to_o have_v a_o more_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n than_o any_o other_o conviction_n arise_v from_o any_o such_o argument_n as_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o dictate_v and_o collection_n of_o humane_a reason_n which_o be_v fallible_a and_o may_v deceive_v we_o whereas_o the_o word_n of_o god_n well_o understand_v can_v do_v so_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o author_n three_o allegation_n sect_n vi_o 4._o the_o four_o be_v this_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v that_o which_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n hold_v the_o truth_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o light_v on_o any_o guilty_a and_o the_o reason_n which_o he_o give_v be_v this_o because_o that_o will_v not_o be_v accept_v if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o impartial_a examination_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o this_o without_o observe_v that_o this_o author_n have_v hitherto_o much_o harp_v upon_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o have_v hitherto_o bottom_v all_o his_o argument_n upon_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o a_o very_a slippery_a one_o too_o he_o have_v propose_v his_o allegation_n as_o distinct_a in_o their_o number_n but_o in_o their_o proof_n there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o difference_n to_o be_v find_v for_o he_o tell_v first_o that_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o second_o that_o it_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o best_a mean_n to_o discover_v truth_n three_o that_o it_o hinder_v truth_n from_o have_v any_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n four_o that_o it_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n hold_v the_o truth_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o light_v on_o any_o guilty_o these_o indeed_o be_v very_o considerable_a objection_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v they_o true_a but_o how_o do_v our_o author_n prove_v they_o so_o to_o be_v to_o prove_v they_o all_o he_o have_v yet_o make_v use_n
judicious_a divine_a of_o we_o do_v mean_a that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v rather_o encourage_v than_o forbid_v person_n so_o qualify_v to_o read_v and_o examine_v the_o book_n of_o our_o adversary_n as_o well_o as_o our_o own_o to_o i_o seem_v evident_a from_o that_o reason_n which_o he_o subjoin_v as_o the_o only_a end_n of_o a_o impartial_a examination_n namely_o this_o that_o they_o may_v see_v the_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o error_n reason_n and_o sophistry_n with_o their_o own_o eye_n this_o expression_n do_v plain_o import_v the_o person_n fit_a to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v only_o such_o as_o have_v eye_n of_o their_o own_o i._n e._n clear_a head_n enlighten_v understanding_n able_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n and_o very_o can_v the_o book_n of_o our_o socinian_n be_v confine_v within_o the_o library_n of_o learned_a and_o judicious_a man_n whether_o of_o the_o clergy_n or_o of_o the_o laity_n can_v they_o be_v sure_o keep_v from_o purblind_a eye_n and_o weak_a judgement_n that_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n which_o this_o author_n do_v so_o earnest_o contend_v for_o be_v the_o more_o allowable_a but_o since_o this_o can_v never_o be_v since_o heretical_a book_n be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v expose_v to_o common_a sale_n though_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v ill_a in_o restrain_v their_o laity_n from_o the_o use_n of_o good_a book_n yet_o the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v do_v very_o well_o in_o restrain_v the_o press_n from_o put_v ill_o one_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o unskilful_a man_n where_o they_o will_v be_v more_o dangerous_a than_o edge-tool_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o child_n who_o know_v not_o how_o to_o use_v they_o and_o so_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o objection_n sect_n fourteen_o 10._o this_o author_n begin_v his_o ten_o allegation_n thus_o i_o can_v see_v how_o they_o that_o be_v for_o tie_v man_n to_o that_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o a_o licenser_n shall_v approve_v and_o therefore_o put_v it_o in_o his_o power_n to_o hinder_v all_o other_o from_o be_v publish_v can_v with_o any_o justice_n condemn_v the_o popish_a clergy_n for_o not_o licens_v the_o bible_n itself_o for_o the_o laity_n to_o read_v i_o answer_v here_o be_v two_o supposition_n both_o which_o be_v either_o impertinent_a to_o we_o or_o false_a in_o themselves_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v not_o the_o person_n here_o charge_v the_o charge_n be_v impertinent_a but_o if_o they_o be_v it_o be_v false_a for_o 1._o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v tie_v none_o of_o her_o member_n to_o that_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o licenser_n of_o she_o shall_v approve_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o we_o have_v many_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o never_o be_v under_o the_o inspection_n of_o any_o english_a licenser_n the_o exposition_n of_o the_o father_n schoolman_n and_o many_o other_o divine_n be_v bring_v we_o from_o beyond_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o free_a choice_n and_o use_n of_o they_o be_v allow_v we_o by_o our_o church_n and_o if_o such_o book_n chance_v to_o be_v reprint_v here_o in_o england_n the_o care_n of_o the_o edition_n be_v commit_v not_o to_o the_o licenser_n of_o book_n to_o judge_n of_o their_o matter_n but_o to_o the_o composer_n and_o corrector_n of_o the_o press_n to_o see_v to_o their_o form_n character_n and_o exact_a truth_n of_o printing_n now_o if_o this_o be_v so_o as_o indeed_o it_o be_v if_o we_o be_v allow_v to_o consult_v various_a interpreter_n of_o our_o bibles_n if_o we_o may_v take_v our_o choice_n of_o such_o or_o such_o expositor_n and_o use_v what_o edition_n we_o please_v why_o shall_v this_o undeserved_a imputation_n be_v cast_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o if_o she_o tie_v all_o her_o son_n to_o such_o interpretation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o her_o own_o licenser_n shall_v authorize_v 2._o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o give_v her_o licenser_n a_o despotic_a arbitrary_a and_o absolute_a power_n to_o reject_v every_o book_n every_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o do_v not_o please_v they_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o licenser_n do_v not_o act_v by_o any_o immediate_a and_o independent_a power_n of_o their_o own_o but_o as_o delegate_n and_o substitute_n by_o a_o authority_n derive_v from_o their_o superior_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v either_o allow_v any_o book_n which_o tend_v to_o mischief_n or_o suppress_v any_o book_n which_o tend_v to_o common_a good_a they_o do_v abuse_v their_o power_n exceed_v their_o commission_n and_o must_v answer_v for_o it_o but_o be_v the_o miscarriage_n of_o some_o few_o licenser_n a_o argument_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o be_v lay_v aside_o some_o king_n have_v prove_v cruel_a tyrant_n some_o judge_n have_v be_v corrupt_v and_o must_v we_o therefore_o have_v neither_o king_n nor_o judge_n sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o this_o age_n of_o we_o we_o do_v sufficient_o need_v a_o discreet_a and_o able_a judge_n of_o book_n and_o the_o test_n and_o censure_n of_o such_o a_o judge_n no_o man_n need_v fear_v more_o than_o our_o socinian_n writer_n for_o they_o be_v no_o great_a friend_n to_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o odd_a interpreter_n of_o it_o not_o through_o ignorance_n but_o design_n i_o will_v not_o say_v through_o rancour_n and_o malice_n but_o i_o will_v say_v through_o partiality_n and_o prejudice_n for_o because_o the_o beginning_n of_o st._n john_n gospel_n and_o several_a expression_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v right_o understand_v and_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n do_v total_o overthrow_v their_o dangerous_a hypothesis_n they_o fix_v upon_o those_o text_n such_o interpretation_n as_o be_v childish_a absurd_a and_o even_o ridiculous_a such_o as_o none_o of_o the_o father_n schoolman_n or_o critic_n so_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v do_v even_o think_v of_o and_o what_o a_o ill_a cause_n do_v these_o man_n manage_v who_o endeavour_n with_o handful_n of_o dirt_n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o those_o witness_n who_o be_v permit_v to_o speak_v their_o own_o sense_n do_v so_o loud_o proclaim_v their_o unite_a testimony_n against_o they_o and_o methinks_v this_o one_o consideration_n be_v there_o no_o more_o be_v enough_o to_o justify_v our_o church_n in_o appoint_v some_o fit_a person_n to_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o book_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n offer_v to_o the_o press_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o if_o any_o licenser_n shall_v out_o of_o any_o by_o respect_n or_o for_o any_o sinister_a end_n stifle_v any_o paper_n which_o deserve_v to_o see_v the_o light_n the_o injure_a author_n may_v appeal_v from_o the_o licenser_n to_o the_o vicechancellor_n in_o either_o of_o our_o university_n or_o to_o the_o lord_n bishop_n of_o london_n or_o to_o his_o grace_n the_o lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n so_o that_o the_o fate_n of_o book_n do_v not_o ultimate_o depend_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n or_o sole_a judgement_n of_o a_o licenser_n now_o those_o two_o forename_a supposition_n upon_o which_o this_o author_n bottom_n this_o ten_o allegation_n prove_v false_a the_o superstructure_n which_o he_o build_v upon_o they_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n and_o there_o i_o leave_v it_o sect_n xv._n 11._o the_o next_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n this_o author_n thrust_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o other_o man_n and_o make_v they_o say_v what_o perhaps_o he_o himself_o do_v not_o think_v namely_o this_o it_o be_v no_o small_a presumption_n that_o the_o clergy_n themselves_o be_v conscious_a of_o the_o falseness_n of_o their_o religion_n how_o the_o clergy_n what_o the_o whole_a clergy_n be_v ten_o thousand_o of_o we_o at_o once_o presume_v to_o be_v hypocrite_n juggler_n and_o gross_a dissembler_n with_o god_n and_o man_n we_o who_o teach_v man_n that_o a_o false_a religion_n lead_v towards_o hell_n do_v we_o know_v our_o own_o to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o embrace_v it_o still_o the_o martyr_n of_o england_n in_o queen_n mary_n day_n die_v for_o the_o same_o religion_n which_o we_o now_o profess_v and_o be_v they_o also_o conscious_a that_o this_o religion_n be_v false_a and_o yet_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o shed_v their_o blood_n certain_o this_o presumption_n be_v not_o small_a but_o very_o strange_a it_o be_v a_o great_a breach_n as_o well_o of_o charity_n as_o of_o truth_n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v true_a and_o who_o dare_v suspect_v they_o we_o be_v abundant_o convince_v that_o our_o religion_n can_v be_v false_a and_o why_o then_o shall_v any_o man_n presume_v that_o we_o have_v indeed_o other_o thought_n concern_v it_o the_o reason_n here_o give_v be_v this_o because_o the_o clergy_n dare_v not_o suffer_v their_o religion_n to_o undergo_v a_o