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this_o a_o excellent_a agreement_n among_o they_o when_o mr._n white_a and_o his_o party_n not_o only_o disow_v the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n and_o council_n but_o dispute_v against_o it_o as_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a to_o christian_a faith_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o romanist_n say_v there_o can_v be_v no_o certainty_n of_o faith_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o infallible_a divine_a testimony_n in_o the_o present_a church_n and_o this_o lodge_v in_o pope_n and_o council_n that_o those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o overthrow_v this_o be_v dangerous_a seditious_a heretical_a person_n according_o their_o book_n be_v censure_v at_o rome_n their_o opinion_n dispute_v against_o and_o their_o person_n condemn_v and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o these_o stick_v together_o like_o two_o smooth_a marble_n as_o faithful_a though_o they_o be_v knock_v one_o against_o another_o as_o discourser_n and_o 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know_v that_o these_o be_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n yet_o these_o book_n be_v the_o next_o and_o immediate_a mean_n whereby_o we_o come_v to_o know_v what_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n and_o consequent_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v §_o 8._o nor_o do_v this_o concession_n make_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n as_o if_o because_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o oral_a tradition_n can_v with_o sufficient_a certainty_n transmit_v a_o book_n to_o after_o age_n we_o must_v therefore_o grant_v that_o it_o can_v with_o as_o much_o certainty_n convey_v a_o doctrine_n consist_v of_o several_a article_n of_o faith_n nay_o very_o many_o as_o mr._n white_n acknowledge_v 9_o and_o many_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o life_n so_o because_o oral_a tradition_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o that_o this_o be_v magna_fw-la charta_fw-la and_o that_o the_o statute-book_n in_o which_o be_v contain_v those_o law_n which_o it_o concern_v every_o man_n to_o be_v 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up_o in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n the_o use_n of_o the_o two_o sacrament_n be_v a_o good_a evidence_n so_o far_o that_o the_o scripture_n contain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o then_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o we_o come_v to_o know_v that_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v teach_v and_o such_o external_a action_n practise_v in_o all_o age_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v there_o be_v a_o present_a multitude_n of_o christian_n that_o profess_v to_o have_v receive_v such_o doctrine_n as_o ever_o believe_v and_o practise_v and_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v so_o the_o inconsequence_n of_o which_o argument_n i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a occasion_n to_o show_v afterward_o but_o he_o that_o will_v prove_v this_o to_o any_o man_n satisfaction_n must_v make_v it_o evident_a from_o the_o best_a monument_n and_o record_n of_o several_a age_n that_o be_v from_o the_o most_o authentic_a book_n of_o those_o time_n that_o such_o doctrine_n 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discourse_n then_o can_v the_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n concern_v any_o doctrine_n as_o ever_o believe_v and_o practise_v which_o have_v no_o real_a foundation_n in_o scripture_n be_v any_o argument_n against_o these_o book_n as_o if_o they_o do_v not_o full_o and_o clear_o contain_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o to_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v interpret_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v no_o more_o reasonable_a than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o interpret_v the_o ancient_a book_n of_o the_o law_n by_o the_o present_a practice_n of_o it_o which_o every_o one_o that_o compare_v thing_n fair_o together_o must_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v full_a of_o deviation_n from_o the_o ancient_a law_n sect_n v._o they_o §_o 1._o 2_o dly_a how_o much_o more_o he_o attribute_n to_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n than_o we_o think_v fit_a to_o attribute_v to_o we_o 1._o we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a in_o the_o nature_n 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as_o it_o be_v a_o conclusion_n it_o can_v only_o beget_v a_o probable_a assent_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o consider_v bare_o as_o a_o conclusion_n and_o so_o far_o as_o in_o reason_n it_o can_v deserve_v assent_n it_o be_v only_o probable_a but_o consider_v as_o it_o serve_v a_o hypothesis_n and_o be_v convenient_a to_o be_v believe_v with_o reason_n or_o without_o so_o it_o be_v infallible_a but_o to_o carry_v the_o supposition_n further_o put_v the_o case_n that_o the_o whole_a present_a age_n assemble_v in_o a_o general_a council_n shall_v declare_v that_o such_o a_o point_n be_v deliver_v to_o they_o yet_o according_a to_o mr._n s._n we_o can_v safe_o rely_v upon_o this_o unless_o we_o know_v certain_o that_o those_o who_o they_o rely_v on_o have_v secure_a ground_n and_o not_o bare_a hear-say_n for_o what_o they_o deliver_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o contradict_v within_o the_o space_n of_o 1500_o year_n by_o any_o of_o those_o that_o be_v dead_a which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o now_o to_o know_v but_o to_o show_v how_o inconsistent_a he_o be_v with_o himself_o in_o these_o matter_n i_o will_v present_v the_o reader_n with_o a_o passage_n or_o two_o in_o another_o part_n of_o his_o book_n where_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o man_n may_v safe_o rely_v on_o a_o general_a and_o uncontrolled_a tradition_n he_o tell_v we_o 49._o that_o the_o common_a course_n of_o human_a conversation_n make_v it_o a_o madness_n not_o to_o believe_v great_a multitude_n of_o knower_n if_o no_o possible_a consideration_n can_v awaken_v in_o our_o reason_n a_o doubt_n that_o they_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v we_o and_o a_o little_a after_o ibid._n nor_o can_v any_o unless_o their_o brain_n rove_v wild_o or_o be_v unsettle_a even_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o madness_n suspect_v deceit_n where_o such_o multitude_n agree_v unanimous_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n now_o if_o man_n be_v but_o suppose_v to_o write_v as_o well_o as_o to_o speak_v what_o 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tradition_n §_o 13._o second_o he_o tell_v we_o 18._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v no_o security_n against_o those_o contingency_n the_o scripture_n be_v subject_a to_o because_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o divine_a providence_n or_o assistance_n to_o his_o church_n but_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o that_o must_v first_o be_v prove_v certain_a before_o we_o mention_v the_o church_n or_o god_n assistance_n to_o she_o as_o if_o we_o pretend_v there_o be_v any_o promise_n in_o scripture_n that_o god_n will_v preserve_v the_o letter_n of_o it_o entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a or_o as_o if_o we_o can_v not_o otherwise_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o as_o if_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n can_v not_o assure_v we_o of_o god_n providence_n in_o general_n and_o of_o his_o more_o especial_a care_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o great_a concernment_n to_o we_o such_o as_o this_o be_v that_o a_o book_n contain_v the_o method_n and_o the_o term_n of_o salvation_n shall_v be_v preserve_v from_o any_o material_a corruption_n he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v say_v that_o without_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n we_o can_v know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n §_o 14_o three_o nor_o say_v he_o 19_o can_v testimony_n of_o council_n and_o father_n be_v sufficient_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n we_o do_v not_o say_v they_o be_v our_o principle_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v sufficient_o interpret_v itself_o that_o be_v be_v plain_a to_o all_o capacity_n in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v and_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o father_n in_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o sufficient_a plainness_n of_o scripture_n which_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v be_v a_o good_a evidence_n against_o they_o as_o for_o obscure_a and_o more_o doubtful_a text_n we_o acknowledge_v the_o comment_n of_o the_o father_n to_o be_v a_o good_a help_n but_o no_o certain_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n and_o that_o the_o papist_n think_v so_o as_o well_o as_o we_o be_v plain_a inasmuch_o as_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o father_n to_o differ_v among_o themselves_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o several_a text_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o familiar_a in_o all_o popish_a commentator_n than_o to_o differ_v from_o the_o ancient_a father_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o as_o for_o council_n dr._n holden_n and_o mr._n cressy_n as_o i_o say_v before_o do_v not_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o believe_v that_o always_o to_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o text_n which_o council_n give_v of_o they_o when_o they_o bring_v they_o to_o confirm_v point_n of_o faith_n nay_o if_o any_o controversy_n arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v impossible_a according_a to_o mr._n rushworth_n principle_n for_o a_o council_n to_o decide_v either_o that_o or_o any_o other_o controversy_n for_o he_o 8._o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o prove_v that_o controversy_n can_v be_v decide_v by_o word_n and_o if_o this_o be_v so_o than_o they_o can_v be_v decide_v at_o all_o unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o they_o may_v be_v decide_v without_o word_n and_o consequent_o that_o council_n may_v do_v their_o work_n best_o in_o the_o quaker_n way_n by_o silent_a meeting_n §_o 15._o four_o nor_o can_v say_v he_o 21._o the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o fundamental_o be_v any_o help_n against_o these_o defect_n why_o not_o first_o because_o a_o certain_a catalogue_n of_o fundamental_o be_v never_o give_v and_o agree_v to_o by_o sufficient_a authority_n and_o yet_o without_o this_o all_o go_v to_o wrack_n i_o hope_v not_o so_o long_o as_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n will_v make_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o he_o have_v make_v plain_a and_o so_o long_o as_o man_n do_v believe_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_o reveal_v which_o be_v every_o one_o fault_n if_o he_o do_v not_o man_n may_v do_v well_o enough_o without_o a_o precise_a catalogue_n but_o suppose_v we_o say_v that_o the_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n contain_v all_o necessary_a matter_n of_o simple_a belief_n what_o have_v mr._n s._n to_o say_v against_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o roman_a catechism_n set_v forth_o by_o the_o decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n say_v praefat._n as_o much_o as_o this_o come_v to_o viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v receive_v a_o command_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n think_v fit_a to_o compose_v a_o form_n of_o christian_a faith_n namely_o to_o this_o end_n that_o they_o may_v all_o think_v and_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v no_o schism_n among_o those_o who_o they_o have_v call_v to_o the_o unity_n of_o faith_n but_o that_o they_o may_v all_o be_v perfect_a in_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o the_o same_o opinion_n and_o this_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o hope_n so_o frame_v by_o they_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o symbol_n or_o creed_n now_o how_o this_o end_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o make_v they_o perfect_o of_o the_o same_o sense_n and_o opinion_n can_v probable_o be_v attain_v by_o mean_n of_o the_o creed_n if_o it_o do_v not_o contain_v all_o necessary_a point_n of_o simple_a belief_n i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n understand_v beside_o a_o certain_a catalogue_n of_o fundamental_o be_v as_o necessary_a for_o they_o as_o for_o we_o and_o when_o mr._n s_o give_v in_o his_o we_o be_v ready_a mr._n chillingworth_n have_v a_o great_a desire_n to_o have_v see_v mr._n knott_n catalogue_n of_o fundamental_o and_o challenge_v he_o to_o produce_v it_o and_o offer_v he_o very_o fair_o that_o when_o ever_o he_o may_v with_o one_o hand_n receive_v he_o he_o will_v with_o the_o other_o deliver_v his_o own_o but_o mr._n knott_n though_o he_o still_o persist_v in_o the_o same_o demand_n
capable_a of_o convince_a demonstration_n again_o do_v but_o consider_v say_v he_o 6._o how_o unequal_a and_o unjust_a a_o condition_n it_o be_v that_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o present_a church_n shall_v not_o be_v hear_v unless_o she_o can_v confute_v all_o the_o peradventure_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v and_o solve_v all_o the_o argument_n which_o the_o infinite_a variety_n of_o time_n place_n and_o occasion_n may_v have_v give_v way_n unto_o and_o than_o you_o will_v see_v how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n he_o be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o such_o as_o man_n nature_n scarce_o afford_v and_o be_v it_o not_o equal_o unjust_a in_o mr._n s._n not_o to_o let_v scripture_n claim_n be_v hear_v unless_o we_o can_v confute_v every_o peradventure_o and_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v see_v then_o how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n mr._n s._n be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o such_o as_o according_a to_o mr._n rushworth_n man_v nature_n scarce_o afford_v dr._n holden_n i_o confess_v state_v the_o matter_n somewhat_o cautious_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o 1._o that_o it_o shall_v suffice_v for_o present_a to_o determine_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o creator_n have_v afford_v we_o such_o a_o assurance_n especial_o of_o truth_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o our_o nature_n and_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o safe_a conduct_n of_o our_o life_n in_o moral_a and_o religious_a affair_n but_o if_o we_o interpret_v these_o general_a expression_n by_o the_o passage_n i_o before_o cite_v out_o of_o mr._n rushworth_n as_o in_o reason_n we_o may_v since_o the_o doctor_n be_v behold_v to_o he_o for_o the_o best_a part_n of_o his_o book_n than_o nothing_o can_v make_v more_o against_o mr._n s_n principle_n §_o 5._o mr._n cressy_a in_o his_o exomologesis_fw-la 5._o say_v that_o such_o teacher_n as_o approach_v near_a to_o the_o fountain_n of_o truth_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v mean_n of_o inform_v themselves_o in_o apostolical_a tradition_n incomparable_o beyond_o we_o mr._n s._n may_v do_v well_o to_o show_v what_o those_o mean_n be_v which_o be_v so_o incomparable_o beyond_o his_o infallibility_n and_o demonstration_n the_o same_o author_n 4._o do_v very_o much_o applaud_v stapleton_n determination_n of_o the_o question_n concern_v the_o church_n infallibility_n which_o be_v as_o follow_v that_o the_o church_n do_v not_o expect_v to_o be_v teach_v by_o god_n immediate_o by_o new_a revelation_n but_o make_v use_n of_o several_a mean_n etc._n etc._n as_o be_v govern_v not_o by_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n but_o by_o ordinary_a pastor_n and_o teacher_n that_o these_o pastor_n in_o make_v use_n of_o these_o several_a mean_n of_o decision_n proceed_v not_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v with_o a_o peculiar_a infallible_a direction_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n but_o with_o a_o prudential_a collection_n not_o always_o necessary_a that_o to_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o first_o master_n of_o evangelical_n faith_n and_o founder_n of_o the_o church_n such_o a_o infallible_a certitude_n of_o mean_n be_v necessary_a not_o so_o now_o to_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n if_o this_o be_v true_a that_o a_o infallible_a certitude_n of_o mean_n be_v not_o now_o necessary_a to_o the_o church_n and_o that_o her_o pastor_n do_v now_o in_o decide_v matter_n of_o faith_n proceed_v only_o with_o a_o prudent_a collection_n not_o always_o necessary_a than_o it_o shall_v seem_v that_o a_o search_a wit_n may_v maintain_v his_o ground_n of_o suspense_n even_o against_o their_o church_n also_o with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o again_o mr._n cressy_n 5._o tell_v we_o that_o truth_n and_o our_o obligation_n to_o believe_v it_o be_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n in_o scripture_n than_o in_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o church_n as_o bellarmine_n acknowledge_v which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o we_o may_v have_v great_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n than_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o doctrine_n from_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o church_n but_o if_o we_o have_v the_o great_a assurance_n that_o can_v be_v of_o truth_n deliver_v to_o we_o by_o the_o church_n as_o mr._n s._n affirm_v than_o i_o will_v fain_o learn_v of_o he_o what_o that_o great_a degree_n of_o assurance_n be_v which_o stapleton_n speak_v of_o and_o whether_o it_o be_v great_a than_o the_o great_a not_o to_o insist_v upon_o that_o which_o yet_o i_o can_v but_o by_o the_o way_n take_v notice_n of_o that_o mr._n cressy_n by_o his_o approbation_n of_o this_o determination_n of_o bellarmine_n do_v advance_v the_o scripture_n above_o the_o church_n as_o to_o one_o of_o the_o most_o essential_a property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n viz._n the_o certainty_n of_o it_o but_o the_o most_o eminent_a testimony_n to_o my_o purpose_n in_o mr._n cressy_n be_v that_o famous_a passage_n etc._n which_o have_v give_v so_o much_o offence_n to_o several_a of_o his_o own_o church_n wherein_o he_o acknowledge_v the_o unfortunateness_n to_o he_o of_o the_o word_n infallibility_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o can_v find_v no_o such_o word_n in_o any_o council_n that_o no_o necessity_n appear_v to_o he_o that_o either_o he_o or_o any_o other_o protestant_n shall_v ever_o have_v hear_v that_o word_n name_v and_o much_o less_o press_v with_o so_o much_o earnestness_n as_o of_o late_o it_o have_v general_o be_v in_o disputation_n and_o book_n of_o controversy_n and_o that_o mr._n chillingworth_n combat_v this_o word_n with_o too_o to_o great_a success_n insomuch_o that_o if_o this_o word_n be_v once_o forget_v or_o but_o lay_v by_o mr._n chillingworth_n argument_n will_v lose_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o strength_n and_o that_o if_o this_o word_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o school_n where_o it_o be_v breed_v there_o will_v be_v still_o no_o inconvenience_n and_o that_o since_o by_o manifest_a experience_n the_o english_a protestant_o think_v themselves_o so_o secure_a when_o they_o have_v leave_v to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o that_o word_n and_o in_o very_a deed_n have_v so_o much_o to_o say_v for_o themselves_o when_o they_o be_v press_v unnecessary_o with_o it_o since_o likewise_o it_o be_v a_o word_n capable_a of_o so_o high_a a_o sense_n that_o we_o can_v devise_v one_o more_o full_a and_o proper_a to_o attribute_v to_o god_n himself_o etc._n etc._n since_o all_o this_o be_v so_o he_o think_v he_o can_v be_v blame_v if_o such_o reason_n move_v he_o to_o wish_v that_o the_o protestant_n may_v never_o be_v invite_v to_o combat_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n under_o that_o notion_n a_o very_a ingenuous_a acknowledgement_n and_o as_o cross_v to_o mr._n s_n principle_n as_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v but_o the_o word_n infallibility_n be_v not_o so_o unfortunate_a to_o mr._n cressy_n as_o be_v his_o untoward_a explication_n of_o the_o forecited_n passage_n in_o his_o appendix_n which_o he_o afterward_o publish_v chief_o by_o way_n of_o vindication_n of_o himself_o against_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o the_o preface_n to_o my_o lord_n falkland_n discourse_n of_o infallibility_n there_o he_o 3_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n of_o infallibility_n and_o that_o we_o may_v know_v what_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n he_o think_v necessary_a to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o church_n this_o follow_a passage_n will_v inform_v we_o methinks_a say_v he_o if_o god_n have_v furnish_v his_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n with_o evidence_n equal_a to_o this_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v shine_v to_o morrow_n or_o that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o spring_n and_o harvest_n next_o year_n we_o be_v infinite_o oblige_v to_o bless_v his_o providence_n and_o just_o condemn_v if_o we_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o least_o of_o such_o truth_n as_o show_v less_o affection_n to_o save_v our_o soul_n than_o the_o dull_a ploughman_n to_o sow_v their_o corn_n who_o certain_o have_v far_o less_o evidence_n for_o their_o harvest_n than_o catholic_n for_o their_o faith_n and_o yet_o they_o insist_v not_o peevish_o upon_o every_o capricious_a objection_n nor_o exact_v a_o infallible_a security_n of_o a_o plentiful_a reap_v next_o summer_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o difficulty_n and_o contingency_n proceed_v cheerful_o in_o their_o painful_a husbandry_n so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o discourse_n whatever_o degree_n of_o assurance_n the_o church_n have_v or_o can_v give_v to_o those_o who_o rely_v upon_o she_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o no_o further_a degree_n be_v necessary_a than_o what_o the_o husbandman_n when_o he_o sow_v have_v of_o a_o plentiful_a harvest_n and_o that_o man_n be_v just_o condemn_v if_o they_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o least_o truth_n upon_o such_o security_n which_o yet_o by_o his_o own_o acknowledgement_n be_v liable_a to_o contingency_n nay_o further_o that_o man_n be_v
the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n i_o be_o content_a therefore_o wherever_o in_o what_o i_o have_v write_v he_o meet_v that_o term_n so_o apply_v that_o he_o take_v it_o only_o in_o his_o own_o sense_n for_o that_o which_o be_v certain_o true_a for_o i_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o it_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n mr._n s._n answer_v affirmative_o and_o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o not_o only_o because_o the_o present_a church_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o church_n of_o the_o former_a age_n believe_v but_o because_o the_o church_n in_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v against_o her_o knowledge_n to_o deceive_v that_o age_n immediate_o follow_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n for_o i_o to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v certain_o true_a or_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v and_o consequent_o whether_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v bare_o into_o oral_a tradition_n 3._o thus_o we_o see_v the_o clear_a state_n of_o the_o question_n between_o we_o i_o come_v therefore_o to_o the_o vindication_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v object_v against_o this_o way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n into_o oral_a tradition_n three_o thing_n i_o especial_o insist_v on_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o present_a roman_a church_n 2._o that_o it_o have_v not_o be_v the_o way_n own_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n 3._o that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o experience_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v apparent_o alter_v from_o what_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o former_a age_n if_o these_o three_o be_v make_v good_a there_o will_v be_v no_o cause_n to_o glory_n in_o this_o last_o invention_n to_o support_v the_o sink_a fabric_n of_o that_o church_n these_o three_o than_o i_o undertake_v to_o defend_v against_o what_o mr._n sergeant_n have_v object_v against_o they_o 1._o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o present_a roman_a church_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o those_o who_o be_v of_o it_o to_o rely_v upon_o it_o for_o if_o so_o be_v that_o church_n pretend_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o faith_n arise_v from_o a_o quite_o different_a ground_n from_o this_o how_o can_v they_o who_o believe_v that_o church_n infallible_a venture_v their_o faith_n upon_o any_o other_o principle_n than_o what_o be_v public_o own_a by_o she_o and_o whosoever_o think_v himself_o bind_v to_o believe_v by_o virtue_n of_o a_o infallible_a assistance_n of_o the_o present_a church_n do_v thereby_o show_v that_o his_o obligation_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o former_a age_n of_o the_o church_n as_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o apostle_n be_v infallible_a in_o their_o doctrine_n can_v not_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n but_o into_o that_o immediate_a assistance_n by_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o belief_n of_o a_o like_a assistance_n the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n can_v lie_v in_o the_o indefectibility_n of_o tradition_n but_o in_o that_o infallible_a spirit_n which_o they_o suppose_v the_o church_n to_o be_v assist_v by_o for_o suppose_v this_o oral_a tradition_n shall_v fail_v and_o that_o man_n may_v believe_v that_o it_o have_v actual_o fail_v yet_o if_o the_o former_a supposition_n be_v true_a there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o faith_n remain_v still_o and_o what_o assurance_n can_v any_o one_o have_v that_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v nothing_o for_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o have_v be_v derive_v in_o every_o age_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o such_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n be_v suppose_v in_o the_o present_a church_n which_o be_v in_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o for_o on_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o those_o who_o hear_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o former_a age_n no_o more_o ought_v they_o who_o believe_v the_o present_a roman_a church_n to_o have_v the_o same_o infallible_a assistance_n they_o need_v not_o then_o inquire_v whether_o this_o age_n know_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o former_a or_o whether_o one_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o or_o whether_o notwithstanding_o both_o these_o error_n may_v not_o come_v into_o the_o church_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o that_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n be_v infallible_a in_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n therefore_o my_o demand_n be_v build_v on_o very_o good_a reason_n how_o can_v you_o assure_v i_o the_o present_a church_n oblige_v i_o to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o only_a what_o and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o former_a church_n and_o mr._n s_n answer_n be_v far_o from_o be_v satisfactory_a that_o this_o appear_v by_o her_o manifest_a practice_n never_o refuse_v communion_n to_o any_o man_n that_o can_v approve_v himself_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o former_a age_n do_v for_o this_o may_v be_v resolve_v into_o a_o principle_n far_o different_a from_o this_o which_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o present_a church_n for_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o inquire_v themselves_o into_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o tradition_n can_v not_o fail_v in_o any_o age_n it_o be_v suffient_fw-la for_o they_o to_o believe_v the_o church_n infallible_a and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o in_o propose_v matter_n of_o faith_n it_o must_v be_v so_o in_o declare_v what_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o former_a age_n be_v but_o my_o demand_n go_v on_o what_o evidence_n can_v you_o bring_v to_o convince_v i_o both_o that_o the_o church_n always_o observe_v this_o rule_n and_o can_v never_o be_v deceive_v in_o it_o which_o question_n be_v build_v on_o these_o two_o principle_n which_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n stand_v on_o 1._o that_o the_o church_n must_v always_o go_v upon_o this_o ground_n 2._o that_o if_o it_o do_v so_o it_o be_v impossible_a she_o shall_v be_v deceive_v both_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o that_o self-evidence_n which_o m._n serjeant_n still_o pretend_v to_o in_o this_o way_n that_o the_o jesuit_n principle_n seem_v much_o more_o rational_a and_o consistent_a than_o these_o do_v for_o grant_v they_o but_o that_o one_o postulatum_fw-la that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o inherent_a infallibility_n in_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o present_a church_n to_o afford_v sufficient_a foundation_n for_o divine_a faith_n all_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o doctrine_n follow_v natural_o from_o it_o whereas_o this_o new_a way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n be_v build_v on_o such_o supposition_n which_o no_o man_n well_o in_o his_o wit_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o grant_v for_o unless_o it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o the_o church_n do_v always_o proceed_v on_o this_o ground_n it_o can_v be_v self-evident_a that_o oral_a tradition_n be_v infallible_a because_o the_o self-evidence_n of_o this_o principle_n depend_v on_o this_o that_o in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n the_o only_a rule_n and_o measure_n of_o faith_n be_v what_o be_v deliver_v by_o oral_a tradition_n from_o the_o age_n forego_v now_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v convey_v in_o way_n quite_o different_a from_o this_o what_o self-evidence_n can_v there_o be_v that_o the_o church_n much_o always_o proceed_v upon_o this_o mr._n s._n then_o must_v demonstrate_v it_o impossible_a for_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v convey_v to_o posterity_n in_o any_o other_o way_n than_o oral_a tradition_n and_o not_o only_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v impossible_a but_o that_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n judge_v it_o to_o be_v so_o or_o else_o he_o can_v never_o make_v it_o at_o all_o 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to_o oblige_v the_o whole_a to_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o definition_n of_o it_o to_o speak_v plain_a be_v it_o not_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v the_o pope_n and_o council_n infallible_a in_o their_o decree_n and_o i_o hope_v the_o jesuit_n as_o little_a as_o mr._n s._n love_v they_o or_o they_o him_z may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o more_o than_o the_o bare_a possibility_n of_o this_o if_o they_o may_v believe_v this_o do_v it_o not_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o faith_n suppose_v then_o that_o transubstantiation_n supremacy_n invocation_n of_o saint_n be_v but_o private_a opinion_n before_o but_o be_v now_o define_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n these_o man_n can_v but_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o every_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v it_o now_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o this_o opinion_n shall_v be_v believe_v or_o entertain_v in_o the_o church_n if_o not_o why_o may_v not_o this_o opinion_n be_v general_o receive_v if_o it_o be_v so_o do_v it_o not_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n must_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o church_n definition_n and_o thus_o private_a opinion_n may_v be_v believe_v as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o corrupt_a practice_n be_v establish_v as_o laudable_a piece_n of_o devotion_n and_o yet_o no_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o thus_o i_o hope_v mr._n s._n may_v see_v how_o far_o it_o be_v from_o be_v a_o self-evident_a principle_n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o the_o church_n unless_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o be_v so_o wild_a a_o apprehension_n that_o i_o believe_v the_o jesuit_n can_v entertain_v themselves_o without_o smile_n to_o see_v their_o domestic_a adversary_n expose_v themselves_o to_o contempt_n with_o so_o much_o confidence_n thus_o i_o come_v to_o the_o reason_n i_o give_v 8._o why_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n my_o word_n be_v for_o i_o see_v the_o roman_a church_n assert_n that_o thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o at_o least_o pope_n and_o council_n challenge_v this_o and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a doctrine_n maintain_v there_o and_o other_o be_v look_v on_o as_o no_o member_n of_o their_o church_n who_o assert_v the_o contrary_a but_o as_o person_n at_o least_o meritorious_o if_o not_o actual_o excommunicate_v where_o then_o shall_v i_o satisfy_v myself_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o your_o church_n be_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a must_v i_o believe_v a_o very_a few_o person_n who_o the_o rest_n disow_v as_o heretical_a and_o seditious_a or_o aught_o i_o not_o rather_o to_o take_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o approve_a person_n of_o that_o church_n and_o these_o disown_n any_o such_o doctrine_n but_o assert_v that_o the_o church_n may_v determine_v thing_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la which_o be_v not_o before_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o mr._n s._n beg_v leave_v to_o distinguish_v the_o word_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la 205._o which_o may_v either_o mean_a christian_a faith_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o he_o grant_v it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v they_o can_v be_v in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o or_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la may_v mean_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o this_o latter_a sense_n none_o i_o think_v say_v he_o deny_v thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n none_o hold_v it_o upon_o which_o very_o triumphant_o he_o conclude_v what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o your_o difficulty_n i_o believe_v you_o be_v in_o some_o wonderment_n and_o think_v i_o elude_v it_o rather_o than_o answer_v it_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o unperplex_v you_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o a_o fault_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o admire_v thing_n which_o man_n understand_v not_o on_o which_o account_n i_o can_v free_v myself_o from_o some_o temptation_n to_o that_o he_o call_v wonderment_n but_o i_o be_o present_o cure_v of_o it_o when_o i_o endeavour_v to_o reduce_v his_o distinction_n to_o reason_n for_o instead_o of_o explain_v his_o term_n he_o shall_v have_v show_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n which_o notwithstanding_o his_o endeavour_n to_o unperplex_v i_o be_v a_o thing_n as_o yet_o i_o apprehend_v not_o because_o i_o understand_v no_o obligation_n
what_o he_o say_v to_o a_o syllogistical_a form_n it_o come_v to_o this_o where_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o every_o age_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o believe_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n the_o minor_a he_o thus_o prove_v if_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o the_o precedent_n teach_v or_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o than_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o any_o age_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a and_o therefore_o the_o consequent_a now_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o force_n of_o all_o this_o lie_v not_o in_o prove_v the_o minor_a proposition_n or_o that_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o but_o the_o consequence_n viz._n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o a_o church_n but_o by_o a_o general_a mistake_n in_o one_o whole_a age_n or_o the_o general_a imposture_n of_o it_o which_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o have_v show_v he_o already_o the_o falseness_n of_o it_o from_o his_o own_o concession_n and_o i_o may_v more_o large_o show_v it_o from_o those_o doctrine_n or_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v come_v into_o their_o church_n without_o any_o such_o general_a mistake_n or_o imposture_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o papal_a infallibility_n and_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o purgatory_n the_o very_a same_o way_n that_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n will_v show_v we_o how_o these_o come_v in_o we_o will_v show_v he_o how_o many_o other_o come_v in_o as_o erroneous_a and_o scandalous_a as_o those_o be_v for_o whether_o they_o account_v these_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o it_o be_v certain_a many_o among_o they_o do_v and_o that_o the_o far_o great_a number_n who_o assert_v and_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n too_o if_o therefore_o these_o may_v come_v in_o without_o one_o age_n mistake_v or_o deceive_v the_o next_o why_o may_v not_o all_o those_o come_v in_o the_o same_o way_n which_o we_o charge_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o error_n of_o their_o church_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o corrupt_a doctrine_n come_v in_o may_v corrupt_v practice_n too_o since_o these_o as_o he_o say_v spring_n from_o the_o other_o he_o may_v therefore_o have_v save_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o find_v out_o how_o a_o acute_a wit_n or_o great_a scholar_n will_v discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o this_o way_n 231._o for_o without_o pretend_v to_o be_v either_o of_o these_o i_o have_v find_v out_o another_o way_n of_o attaque_a it_o than_o mr._n s._n look_v for_o viz._n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o concession_n show_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o a_o church_n without_o a_o total_a deception_n or_o conspiracy_n in_o any_o one_o age_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a he_o can_v bind_v i_o to_o believe_v what_o ever_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o this_o never_o come_v into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o speculation_n or_o private_a opinion_n and_o from_o thence_o by_o degree_n have_v come_v to_o be_v account_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n therefore_o his_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v now_o quite_o alter_v and_o he_o can_v say_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v for_o that_o which_o he_o call_v the_o present_a church_n may_v have_v admit_v speculation_n and_o private_a opinion_n into_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o he_o must_v first_o prove_v such_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o his_o time_n down_o to_o our_o age_n they_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v this_o as_o to_o any_o of_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o will_v promise_v he_o to_o be_v his_o proselyte_n but_o he_o ought_v still_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a for_o one_o whole_a age_n to_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o that_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o error_n to_o come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o mr._n s._n object_n against_o those_o word_n i_o then_o use_v against_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o way_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o reason_n shall_v enforce_v it_o but_o such_o as_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n and_o whatever_o mr._n s._n say_v to_o the_o contrary_a i_o can_v yet_o see_v 234._o but_o that_o therein_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o that_o which_o i_o look_v for_o be_v a_o demonstration_n which_o i_o suppose_a can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v demonstrate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n christian_n nay_o romanist_n to_o believe_v on_o other_o account_n than_o tradition_n of_o the_o precedent_a age_n i_o pray_v what_o demonstration_n can_v there_o be_v that_o man_n must_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v sure_o if_o mr._n s_n fancy_n have_v not_o be_v very_o extravagant_a he_o can_v never_o have_v think_v here_o of_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v for_o do_v i_o not_o mention_v believe_v first_o and_o then_o do_v by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o i_o mean_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o flow_v from_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a deal_n as_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o 235._o for_o i_o be_o content_a his_o doctrine_n be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o i_o have_v now_o give_v a_o large_a and_o full_a account_n why_o i_o be_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v for_o resolve_v faith_n pass_v by_o therefore_o his_o challenge_n which_o i_o accept_v of_o as_o long_o as_o he_o hold_v to_o the_o weapon_n of_o reason_n and_o civility_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o last_o enquiry_n why_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o such_o a_o obligation_n in_o posterity_n 236._o to_o believe_v their_o ancestor_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o he_o judicious_o resolve_v it_o into_o a_o strange_a distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o such_o as_o it_o seem_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o protestant_n temper_n 237._o which_o be_v say_v he_o to_o choose_v every_o one_o his_o faith_n by_o his_o private_a judgement_n or_o wit_n work_v upon_o disputable_a word_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o own_v it_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o and_o if_o this_o be_v such_o a_o distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n i_o envy_v not_o mr._n s_n uprightness_n and_o perfection_n if_o he_o mean_v that_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o our_o private_a judgement_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n or_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n let_v he_o prove_v it_o evident_o in_o one_o particular_a and_o i_o engage_v for_o myself_o and_o all_o true_a protestant_n we_o will_v renounce_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v any_o thing_n further_o to_o object_n against_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o know_v where_o to_o attaque_fw-la i_o let_v he_o undertake_v the_o whole_a or_o else_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n thus_o to_o charge_v falsity_n upon_o we_o and_o then_o say_v we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o say_v for_o ourselves_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o choose_v our_o faith_n but_o hearty_o embrace_v whatever_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n but_o we_o know_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n too_o well_o to_o believe_v all_o which_o she_o will_v impose_v upon_o we_o and_o be_v loath_a to_o have_v she_o choose_v our_o religion_n for_o we_o since_o we_o know_v she_o have_v choose_v so_o ill_o for_o herself_o but_o if_o mr._n s._n will_v not_o believe_v i_o in_o say_v thus_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o believe_v he_o in_o say_v otherwise_o such_o general_a charge_n than_o signify_v nothing_o but_o every_o one_o must_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o task_n which_o
be_v and_o i_o shall_v be_v somewhat_o ashamed_a of_o my_o religion_n if_o i_o have_v no_o better_o but_o what_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v have_v be_v ample_o discourse_v already_o by_o you_o and_o that_o in_o mr._n s_n clear_v method_n that_o nothing_o be_v leave_v for_o i_o to_o do_v but_o to_o touch_v at_o what_o remain_v and_o conclude_v this_o answer_n i_o have_v the_o better_a to_o illustrate_v the_o weakness_n of_o that_o argument_n from_o oral_a tradition_n bring_v a_o instance_n in_o that_o case_n parallel_n viz._n that_o if_o one_o age_n deliver_v to_o another_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o every_o age_n unalterable_a because_o no_o age_n do_v testify_v any_o such_o alteration_n to_o be_v in_o it_o by_o the_o same_o argument_n the_o world_n may_v be_v prove_v eternal_a because_o no_o age_n do_v ever_o testify_v to_o another_o that_o the_o world_n be_v ever_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v so_o that_o if_o oral_a tradition_n be_v only_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o there_o can_v be_v no_o evidence_n give_v of_o the_o world_n be_v ever_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v and_o consequent_o the_o world_n must_v be_v believe_v to_o have_v be_v always_o what_o we_o see_v it_o be_v this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v apprehend_v be_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a ratiocination_n and_o purposely_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o must_v admit_v of_o other_o rule_n to_o judge_n of_o alteration_n in_o the_o church_n by_o beside_o oral_a tradition_n but_o mr._n s._n in_o his_o own_o expression_n strange_o rove_a from_o the_o mark_n i_o aim_v at_o profess_v there_o be_v not_o a_o tittle_n in_o it_o parallel_n to_o his_o medium_n 241._o nay_o that_o he_o never_o see_v in_o his_o life_n more_o absurdity_n couch_v in_o few_o word_n but_o i_o must_v take_v all_o patient_o from_o a_o man_n who_o still_o perch_v on_o the_o specifical_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o never_o flag_n below_o the_o sphere_n of_o science_n yet_o by_o his_o good_a leave_n he_o 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for_o our_o principle_n that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o rely_v only_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o the_o case_n original_o derive_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n see_v by_o those_o of_o the_o first_o age_n for_o that_o which_o never_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v be_v eternal_a but_o we_o can_v know_v by_o oral_a tradition_n that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v for_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v instance_a in_o wherein_o we_o have_v any_o testimony_n of_o any_o alteration_n that_o be_v in_o it_o either_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v what_o it_o be_v i._n e._n eternal_a or_o else_o we_o must_v say_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v bare_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o this_o case_n but_o we_o must_v judge_n whether_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o no_o by_o other_o medium_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o aim_v at_o viz._n to_o show_v that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o 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of_o they_o and_o his_o demonstration_n together_o the_o last_o thing_n he_o quarrel_v with_o i_o for_o 19_o be_v that_o i_o say_v if_o we_o can_v evident_o prove_v that_o there_o have_v be_v alteration_n in_o the_o church_n than_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o prove_v that_o impossible_a which_o we_o see_v actual_o do_v and_o this_o appear_v not_o only_o because_o the_o scripture_n suppose_v a_o degeneracy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n which_o can_v never_o be_v if_o every_o age_n of_o the_o church_n do_v infallible_o believe_v and_o practice_v as_o the_o precedent_n up_o to_o christ_n time_n do_v but_o because_o we_o can_v produce_v clear_a evidence_n that_o some_o thing_n be_v deliver_v by_o the_o present_a church_n which_o must_v be_v bring_v in_o by_o some_o age_n since_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n for_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o what_o i_o have_v say_v about_o communion_n in_o one_o kind_n invocation_n of_o saint_n and_o worship_n of_o image_n in_o all_o which_o i_o say_v i_o have_v prove_v evident_o that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o use_n in_o some_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o these_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o present_a church_n and_o therefore_o this_o principle_n must_v needs_o be_v false_a in_o answer_n to_o this_o mr._n s._n wish_n i_o will_v tell_v he_o first_o what_o evidence_n mean_v whether_o a_o strong_a fancy_n or_o a_o demonstration_n i_o mean_v that_o which_o be_v enough_o to_o persuade_v a_o wise_a man_n who_o judge_n according_a to_o the_o clear_a reason_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v more_o than_o ever_o his_o demonstration_n will_v do_v but_o it_o be_v a_o pleasant_a spectacle_n to_o see_v how_o mr._n saint_n lay_v about_o he_o at_o my_o say_n that_o the_o scripture_n suppose_v a_o degeneracy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n incomparable_o argue_v say_v he_o why_o see_v we_o not_o the_o place_n do_v it_o evident_o speak_v of_o faith_n or_o manner_n the_o universal_a church_n or_o particular_a person_n but_o be_v it_o in_o faith_n be_v it_o universal_a do_v it_o suppose_v this_o degeneracy_n already_o past_a which_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o your_o purpose_n or_o yet_o to_o come_v that_o be_v do_v it_o say_v there_o must_v be_v a_o total_a apostasy_n in_o faith_n before_o the_o year_n 1664_o alas_o he_o have_v forget_v this_o most_o incomparable_o answer_v for_o if_o the_o degeneracy_n be_v in_o 1665._o or_o any_o year_n after_o what_o become_v of_o m._n s_n demonstration_n then_o that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o the_o church_n but_o it_o seem_v his_o demonstration_n hold_v but_o till_o 1664._o and_o i_o easy_o believe_v another_o year_n will_v never_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o if_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o degeneracy_n be_v possible_a how_o then_o stand_v the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n when_o there_o can_v be_v no_o degeneracy_n without_o fall_v from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o that_o such_o a_o degeneracy_n have_v already_o be_v in_o that_o which_o call_v itself_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o that_o both_o in_o faith_n and_o manner_n i_o shall_v refer_v mr._n s_o to_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o the_o late_a idea_n of_o antichristianism_n and_o synopsis_fw-la prophetica_fw-la where_o he_o may_v find_v enough_o to_o persuade_v he_o that_o his_o demonstration_n be_v far_o from_o hold_v so_o long_o as_o 1664._o and_o now_o i_o leave_v the_o reader_n to_o judge_n whether_o the_o forego_n evidence_n against_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n or_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n have_v the_o great_a force_n of_o reason_n in_o they_o and_o if_o he_o will_v not_o stoop_v so_o far_o from_o the_o height_n of_o his_o perch_n as_o to_o
be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o this_o be_v either_o general_a or_o more_o particular_a common_a notion_n and_o the_o acknowledge_v principle_n of_o reason_n be_v that_o general_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o false_a the_o particular_a principle_n of_o every_o science_n be_v the_o more_o particular_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v whether_o thing_n in_o that_o science_n be_v true_a or_o false_a so_o that_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o measure_n by_o the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n to_o which_o we_o judge_v of_o all_o thing_n of_o that_o kind_n to_o which_o it_o belong_v §_o 4._o i'faith_o though_o both_o among_o sacred_a and_o profane_a writer_n it_o be_v use_v many_o time_n more_o general_o for_o a_o persuasion_n or_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o any_o thing_n wrought_v in_o we_o by_o any_o kind_n of_o argument_n yet_o as_o it_o be_v a_o term_n of_o art_n use_v by_o divine_n it_o signify_v that_o particular_a kind_n of_o assent_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o we_o by_o testimony_n or_o authority_n so_o that_o divine_a faith_n which_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n upon_o the_o testimony_n or_o authority_n of_o god_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o a_o assent_n to_o a_o truth_n upon_o divine_a revelation_n §_o 5._o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o judge_v what_o matter_n we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o revealed_z to_o we_o by_o god_n and_o what_o not_o and_o more_o particular_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o measure_n according_a to_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n and_o what_o not_o §_o 6._o so_o that_o this_o question_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n suppose_v a_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o that_o doctrine_n be_v intelligible_o and_o entire_o deliver_v by_o christ_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o sufficient_a confirmation_n give_v to_o it_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n publish_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o apostle_n who_o likewise_o give_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o all_o this_o be_v necessary_o suppose_v in_o the_o question_n for_o it_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a to_o inquire_v whether_o this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n if_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v not_o first_o suppose_v when_o therefore_o we_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o mean_v of_o that_o enquiry_n be_v by_o what_o way_n and_o mean_n the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v convey_v certain_o down_o to_o we_o who_o live_v at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o many_o age_n from_o the_o time_n of_o its_o first_o delivery_n for_o this_o be_v know_v we_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v a_o measure_n by_o which_o we_o may_v judge_v what_o we_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o not_o so_o that_o when_o any_o question_n arise_v about_o any_o particular_a proposition_n whether_o this_o be_v part_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n we_o may_v be_v able_a by_o this_o rule_n to_o resolve_v it_o sect_n ii_o §_o 1._o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v his_o resolution_n of_o this_o question_n faith_n by_o which_o we_o shall_v know_v what_o his_o opinion_n be_v concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o that_o be_v know_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o will_v easy_o be_v state_v his_o opinion_n in_o general_n be_v that_o oral_a or_o practical_a tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o writing_n or_o any_o other_o way_n that_o can_v be_v assign_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o oral_n or_o practical_a tradition_n he_o mean_v 41._o a_o delivery_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n by_o word_n and_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o frequent_a and_o visible_a action_n conformable_a to_o those_o word_n of_o the_o sense_n and_o faith_n of_o forefather_n §_o 2._o now_o that_o i_o may_v bring_v the_o controversy_n between_o we_o to_o a_o clear_a state_n i_o be_o first_o to_o take_v a_o more_o particular_a view_n of_o his_o opinion_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o so_o i_o may_v the_o better_o understand_v how_o much_o he_o attribute_n to_o oral_a tradition_n and_o what_o to_o the_o scripture_n or_o write_v tradition_n and_o then_o i_o be_o to_o lay_v down_o the_o protestant_a rule_n of_o faith_n that_o so_o it_o may_v appear_v how_o far_o we_o agree_v and_o how_o far_o we_o differ_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o he_o attribute_n to_o oral_a tradition_n so_o far_o as_o can_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o so_o obscure_a and_o confuse_a a_o discourse_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o five_o head_n §_o 3._o first_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n to_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o they_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o age_n which_o first_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v it_o as_o they_o receive_v it_o without_o any_o change_n or_o corruption_n to_o their_o child_n and_o they_o to_o they_o and_o so_o it_o go_v on_o sole_o by_o this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o explication_n of_o tradition_n disc._n 5_o the_o §_o 4._o second_o that_o this_o way_n alone_o be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o convey_v this_o doctrine_n down_o to_o all_o age_n certain_o and_o without_o any_o alteration_n but_o it_o be_v the_o only_a possible_a way_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v of_o convey_v down_o a_o doctrine_n secure_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o this_o be_v the_o natural_a result_n of_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o the_o true_a property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n than_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a mean_n and_o if_o those_o property_n do_v sole_o and_o essential_o appertain_v to_o it_o and_o be_v incompatible_a to_o any_o thing_n else_o as_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v than_o it_o be_v impossible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o other_o way_n §_o 5._o three_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a this_o mean_n shall_v fail_v or_o miss_v of_o its_o end_n that_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v once_o put_v into_o this_o way_n of_o conveyance_n it_o can_v neither_o cease_v to_o descend_v nor_o be_v at_o any_o time_n corrupt_v or_o change_v in_o its_o descent_n this_o be_v that_o which_o his_o demonstration_n pretend_v to_o prove_v §_o 6._o four_o that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n or_o the_o impossibility_n of_o its_o fail_n be_v a_o first_o and_o self_n evident_a principle_n this_o he_o frequent_o assert_n throughout_o his_o book_n §_o 7._o five_o that_o this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n have_v the_o facto_fw-la in_o all_o age_n be_v acknowledge_v by_o christian_n as_o the_o only_a way_n and_o mean_n whereby_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o they_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o he_o attempt_v to_o prove_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o authority_n §_o 8._o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n he_o grant_v they_o indeed_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o contain_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n even_o the_o same_o which_o be_v deliver_v by_o oral_a tradition_n so_o he_o tell_v we_o 117._o it_o be_v certain_a the_o apostle_n teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n they_o write_v but_o then_o he_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v of_o any_o use_n without_o oral_a tradition_n because_o neither_o the_o letter_n nor_o sense_n of_o it_o can_v without_o that_o be_v ascertain_v so_o he_o say_v in_o his_o letter_n to_o dr._n casaubon_n 337._o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n ascertain_v their_o letter_n and_o sense_n which_o be_v do_v by_o tradition_n it_o be_v clear_a they_o be_v of_o incomparable_a value_n not_o only_o for_o the_o divine_a doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o also_o for_o many_o particular_a passage_n who_o source_n or_o first_o attestation_n not_o be_v universal_a nor_o their_o nature_n much_o practical_a may_v possible_o have_v be_v lose_v in_o their_o conveyance_n down_o by_o tradition_n where_o though_o he_o give_v the_o scripture_n very_o good_a word_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v provide_v they_o will_v be_v subordinate_a and_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o owe_v their_o sense_n and_o their_o be_v intelligible_a and_o useful_a to_o oral_a tradition_n for_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v presume_v to_o say_v that_o this_o book_n have_v any_o certain_a sense_n without_o oral_a tradition_n or_o that_o god_n
with_o it_o and_o make_v they_o wise_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o shall_v inform_v he_o what_o i_o have_v find_v that_o the_o father_n never_o except_v against_o that_o method_n but_o appeal_v frequent_o from_o the_o slanderous_a report_n and_o misrepresentation_n which_o be_v make_v of_o their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o true_a standard_n of_o it_o §_o 8._o another_o evidence_n that_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n have_v own_v the_o scripture_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n be_v that_o the_o father_n in_o their_o homily_n do_v use_v constant_o to_o declare_v to_o the_o people_n what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o they_o be_v to_o practice_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v be_v most_o absurd_a and_o senseless_a have_v they_o believe_v not_o the_o scripture_n but_o something_o else_o to_o have_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n for_o what_o can_v tend_v more_o to_o the_o seduce_a 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we_o from_o our_o forefather_n §_o 9_o i_o may_v add_v for_o a_o three_o evidence_n the_o great_a malice_n of_o the_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n of_o christianity_n against_o this_o book_n and_o their_o cruel_a endeavour_n to_o extort_v it_o out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o christian_n and_o destroy_v it_o out_o of_o the_o world_n that_o by_o this_o mean_v they_o may_v extirpate_v christianity_n for_o it_o seem_v they_o think_v that_o the_o abolish_n of_o this_o book_n will_v have_v be_v the_o ruin_n of_o that_o religion_n but_o according_a to_o mr._n s_n opinion_n their_o malice_n want_v wit_n for_o have_v all_o the_o bibles_n in_o the_o world_n be_v burn_v christian_a religion_n will_v nevertheless_o have_v be_v entire_o preserve_v and_o safe_o transmit_v down_o to_o we_o by_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n with_o the_o good_a help_n of_o of_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n nay_o their_o church_n will_v have_v be_v a_o great_a gainer_n by_o it_o for_o this_o occasion_n and_o parent_n of_o all_o heresy_n the_o scripture_n be_v once_o out_o of_o the_o way_n she_o may_v have_v have_v all_o in_o she_o own_o hand_n and_o by_o lead_v the_o people_n in_o the_o safe_a path_n of_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o of_o science_n may_v have_v make_v they_o wise_a enough_o to_o obey_v well_o but_o suppose_v the_o persecutor_n of_o christianity_n mistake_v themselves_o in_o their_o design_n how_o come_v the_o christian_n in_o those_o day_n to_o be_v so_o tenacious_a of_o this_o book_n that_o rather_o than_o deliver_v it_o they_o will_v yield_v up_o themselves_o to_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o why_o do_v they_o look_v upon_o those_o who_o out_o of_o fear_n deliver_v up_o their_o book_n as_o apostate_n and_o renouncer_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o have_v not_o think_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o great_a instrument_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o salvation_n and_o if_o it_o have_v real_o be_v of_o no_o great_a consideration_n than_o mr._n wh._n and_o mr._n s._n will_v make_v it_o why_o shall_v they_o be_v so_o loath_a to_o part_v with_o a_o few_o unsense_v character_n waxen_a nature_a word_n fit_a to_o be_v play_v upon_o diverse_o by_o quirk_n of_o wit_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v but_o to_o clear_v little_a or_o nothing_o why_o shall_v they_o value_v their_o life_n at_o so_o cheap_a a_o rate_n as_o to_o throw_v they_o away_o for_o a_o few_o insignificant_a scrawl_n and_o to_o shed_v their_o blood_n for_o a_o little_a ink_n various_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n do_v they_o not_o know_v that_o the_o safety_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o this_o book_n do_v no_o christian_n then_o understand_v that_o which_o according_a to_o mr._n s._n no_o christian_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o viz._n that_o not_o the_o scripture_n but_o unmistakeable_a indefectible_a oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n why_o do_v they_o not_o consider_v that_o though_o this_o letter_n rule_n of_o heretic_n have_v be_v consume_v to_o ash_n yet_o their_o faith_n will_v have_v lie_v safe_a and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a in_o its_o *_o spiritual_a cause_n man_n mind_n the_o noble_a piece_n in_o nature_n some_o of_o they_o indeed_o do_v deliver_v up_o their_o book_n and_o be_v call_v traditores_fw-la and_o i_o have_v some_o ground_n to_o believe_v that_o these_o be_v the_o only_a traditionary_a christian_n of_o that_o time_n and_o that_o the_o rest_n be_v confessor_n and_o martyr_n for_o the_o letter_n rule_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o evidence_n enough_o that_o the_o scripture_n have_v always_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o christian_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o shall_v when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v his_o testimony_n for_o tradition_n with_o the_o good_a leave_n of_o his_o distinction_n between_o speculator_n and_o testifier_n prove_v by_o most_o express_a testimony_n that_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o father_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o then_o if_o his_o demonstration_n of_o the_o infalliblity_n of_o tradition_n will_v enforce_v that_o as_o testifier_n they_o must_v nesds_o have_v speak_v otherwise_o who_o can_v help_v it_o sect_n iv._o §_o 1._o have_v thus_o lay_v down_o the_o protestant_a rule_n of_o faith_n tradition_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o all_o that_o now_o remain_v for_o i_o to_o do_v towards_o the_o clear_a and_o full_o state_v of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o be_v to_o take_v notice_n brief_o and_o with_o due_a limitation_n 1._o how_o much_o the_o protestant_n do_v allow_v to_o oral_a tradition_n second_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o mr._n saint_n think_v fit_a to_o attribute_v to_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o we_o see_v no_o cause_n to_o attribute_v to_o we_o and_o when_o this_o be_v do_v any_o one_o may_v easy_o discern_v how_o far_o we_o differ_v §_o 2._o 1._o how_o much_o protestant_n do_v allow_v to_o oral_a tradition_n first_o we_o grant_v that_o oral_a tradition_n in_o some_o circumstance_n may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a way_n of_o convey_v a_o doctrine_n but_o withal_o we_o deny_v that_o such_o circumstance_n be_v now_o in_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o the_o credenda_fw-la or_o article_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o agenda_fw-la or_o precept_n of_o it_o be_v but_o few_o and_o such_o as_o have_v the_o evidence_n of_o natural_a light_n when_o the_o world_n be_v contract_v into_o a_o few_o family_n in_o comparison_n and_o the_o age_n of_o man_n ordinary_o extend_v to_o six_o or_o seven_o hundred_o year_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o imagine_v how_o such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o such_o circumstance_n may_v have_v be_v propagate_v by_o oral_a tradition_n without_o any_o great_a change_n or_o alteration_n adam_n live_v till_o methuselah_n be_v above_o two_o hundred_o year_n old_a methuselah_n live_v till_o sem_fw-mi be_v near_o a_o hundred_o and_o sem_fw-mi outlive_v abraham_n so_o that_o this_o tradition_n need_v not_o pass_v through_o more_o than_o two_o hand_n betwixt_o adam_n and_o abraham_n but_o though_o this_o way_n be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v preserve_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n if_o man_n have_v not_o be_v want_v themselves_o yet_o we_o find_v it_o do_v not_o prove_v effectual_a for_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n after_o the_o flood_n if_o not_o before_o when_o the_o world_n begin_v to_o multiply_v and_o the_o age_n of_o man_n be_v shorten_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n be_v general_o lose_v in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o far_o as_o appear_v by_o scripture-history_n the_o only_a record_n we_o have_v of_o those_o time_n when_o god_n call_v out_o abraham_n from_o ur_fw-la of_o the_o chaldee_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v lapse_v into_o polytheisme_n and_o idolatry_n therefore_o for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o religion_n
afterward_o when_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n be_v multiply_v into_o a_o great_a nation_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o entrust_v the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n any_o long_o to_o the_o fallible_a and_o uncertain_a way_n of_o tradition_n but_o commit_v it_o to_o writing_n now_o that_o god_n pitch_v upon_o this_o way_n after_o the_o world_n have_v sad_o experience_v the_o unsuccesfulness_n of_o the_o other_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o very_a good_a evidence_n that_o this_o be_v the_o better_a and_o more_o secure_a way_n it_o be_v the_o usual_a method_n of_o the_o divine_a dispensation_n not_o to_o go_v backward_o but_o to_o move_v towards_o perfection_n and_o to_o proceed_v from_o that_o which_o be_v less_o perfect_a to_o that_o which_o be_v more_o and_o the_o apostle_n 8.7_o reason_v concern_v the_o two_o covenant_n be_v very_o applicable_a to_o these_o two_o method_n of_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n if_o the_o first_o have_v be_v faultless_a then_o shall_v no_o place_n have_v be_v seek_v for_o a_o second_o §_o 3._o so_o likewise_o when_o christ_n reveal_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o life-time_n commit_v to_o writing_n because_o it_o be_v entertain_v but_o by_o a_o few_o who_o be_v his_o disciple_n and_o follower_n and_o who_o so_o long_o as_o he_o continue_v with_o they_o have_v a_o live_a oracle_n to_o teach_v they_o after_o his_o death_n the_o apostle_n who_o be_v to_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n be_v assist_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n so_o as_o they_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n and_o mistake_n in_o the_o delivery_n of_o it_o but_o when_o this_o extraordinary_a assistance_n fail_v there_o be_v need_n of_o some_o other_o mean_n to_o convey_v it_o to_o posterity_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v a_o fix_a and_o stand_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o end_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n take_v care_n to_o have_v it_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o that_o mr._n saint_n may_v see_v this_o be_v not_o a_o conjecture_n of_o protestant_n but_o the_o sense_n of_o former_a time_n i_o shall_v refer_v he_o to_o st._n chrysostom_n homil._n 1._o in_o matth._n who_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n leave_v nothing_o in_o write_v to_o his_o apostle_n but_o in_o stead_n thereof_o do_v promise_n to_o bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o grace_n of_o his_o holy_a spirit_n say_v john_n 14._o he_o shall_v bring_v all_o thing_n to_o your_o remembrance_n etc._n etc._n but_o because_o in_o progress_n of_o time_n there_o be_v many_o grievous_a miscarriage_n both_o in_o matter_n of_o opinion_n and_o also_o of_o life_n and_o manner_n therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v preserve_v by_o write_v so_o long_o then_o as_o the_o apostle_n live_v who_o be_v thus_o infallible_o assist_v the_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n be_v secure_a but_o no_o long_o nor_o even_o then_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o from_o that_o extraordinary_a and_o supernatural_a assistance_n which_o accompany_v the_o deliverer_n §_o 4._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o good_a way_n of_o argument_n against_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n by_o writing_n which_o he_o lay_v so_o much_o weight_n upon_o 40._o that_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n go_v not_o with_o book_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o preach_v and_o deliver_v christ_n doctrine_n but_o word_n in_o their_o mouth_n and_o that_o primitive_a antiquity_n learn_v their_o faith_n by_o another_o method_n a_o long_a time_n before_o many_o of_o those_o book_n be_v universal_o spread_v among_o the_o vulgar_a for_o what_o if_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o write_v this_o doctrine_n whilst_o those_o live_a oracle_n the_o apostle_n be_v present_a with_o the_o church_n do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o it_o afterward_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v dead_a and_o that_o extraordinary_a and_o 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perverse_a and_o if_o those_o profession_n damn_v and_o persecute_v one_o another_o about_o the_o meaning_n of_o obscure_a text_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o in_o fault_n but_o those_o that_o do_v so_o §_o 2._o and_o whereas_o he_o pretend_v 27._o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o able_a to_o satisfy_v sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o rational_a doubter_n because_o nothing_o under_o a_o demonstration_n can_v satisfy_v such_o person_n so_o well_o concern_v the_o incorruptedness_n of_o original_n the_o faithfulness_n of_o translation_n etc._n etc._n but_o that_o search_a and_o sincere_a wit_n may_v still_o maintain_v their_o ground_n of_o suspense_n with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o this_o have_v be_v answer_v already_o partly_o by_o show_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o intend_v to_o satisfy_v sceptic_n and_o that_o a_o demonstration_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o they_o and_o partly_o by_o show_v that_o rational_a doubter_n may_v have_v as_o 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do_v not_o aristotle_n say_v that_o thing_n of_o a_o moral_a and_o civil_a nature_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v long_o ago_o be_v incapable_a of_o demonstration_n and_o that_o it_o be_v madness_n to_o expect_v it_o for_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v there_o no_o passage_n in_o book_n so_o plain_a that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v sufficient_o satisfy_v that_o this_o and_o no_o other_o be_v the_o certain_a sense_n of_o they_o if_o there_o be_v none_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v speak_v in_o plain_a word_n than_o it_o may_v be_v write_v if_o it_o can_v how_o can_v we_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o any_o doctrine_n oral_o deliver_v and_o if_o we_o can_v be_v so_o satisfy_v where_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o oral_a tradition_n but_o if_o book_n may_v be_v write_v so_o plain_o as_o that_o we_o may_v be_v abundant_o satisfy_v that_o this_o be_v the_o certain_a
either_o whole_o or_o for_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o they_o take_v upan_n humour_n against_o propagate_a mankind_n and_o yet_o both_o history_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o present_a age_n assure_v we_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o asia_n and_o of_o africa_n where_o the_o most_o flourish_a church_n in_o the_o world_n once_o be_v be_v fall_v off_o from_o christianity_n and_o become_v either_o mahometan_n or_o heathen_n in_o africa_n almost_o all_o those_o vast_a region_n which_o christianity_n have_v gain_v from_o heathenism_n mahometanism_n have_v regain_v from_o christianity_n all_o the_o north-part_n of_o africa_n lie_v along_o the_o mediterranean_a where_o christianity_n flourish_v once_o as_o much_o as_o ever_o it_o do_v at_o rome_n be_v at_o this_o time_n utter_o void_a of_o christian_n except_v a_o few_o town_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o european_a prince_n and_o not_o to_o mention_v all_o particular_a place_n the_o large_a region_n of_o nubia_n which_o have_v as_o be_v think_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n profess_v the_o christian_a faith_n have_v within_o these_o 150_o year_n for_o want_n of_o minister_n as_o alvarez_n aethiop_n tell_v we_o quit_v christianity_n and_o be_v partly_o revolt_a to_o heathenism_n partly_o fall_v off_o to_o mahometanism_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n the_o very_a teacher_n of_o tradition_n may_v fail_v in_o a_o large_o extend_v church_n as_o for_o asia_n in_o the_o easterly_a part_n of_o it_o there_o be_v not_o now_o one_o christian_a to_o four_o of_o what_o there_o be_v 500_o year_n ago_o and_o in_o the_o more_o southerly_a part_n of_o it_o where_o christianity_n have_v take_v deep_a root_n the_o christian_n be_v far_o inferior_a in_o number_n to_o the_o idolater_n and_o mahometan_n and_o do_v daily_o decrease_v what_o think_v mr._n s._n of_o all_o this_o have_v those_o christian_a nation_n which_o be_v turn_v mahometan_n and_o pagan_n fail_v in_o their_o faith_n or_o not_o if_o they_o have_v i_o expect_v from_o he_o clear_a instance_n of_o more_o that_o have_v fail_v in_o propagate_a their_o kind_n §_o 7._o but_o beside_o those_o who_o have_v total_o apostatise_v from_o christianity_n have_v not_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n with_o the_o jacobite_n and_o nestorian_n and_o all_o those_o other_o sect_n which_o agree_v with_o and_o depend_v upon_o these_o and_o which_o take_v together_o be_v manifold_o great_a than_o the_o roman_a church_n i_o say_v have_v not_o all_o these_o renounce_v tradition_n for_o several_a age_n and_o here_o in_o europe_n have_v not_o a_o great_a part_n of_o poland_n hungary_n both_o germany's_n france_n and_o switzerland_n have_v not_o the_o kingdom_n of_o great_a britain_n denmark_n sweden_n and_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o ireland_n in_o mr._n s_n opinion_n desert_v tradition_n if_o i_o shall_v once_o see_v a_o whole_a nation_n fail_v because_o no_o body_n will_v marry_v and_o contribute_v to_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o shall_v find_v this_o sullen_a humour_n to_o prevail_v in_o several_a nation_n and_o to_o overspread_v vast_a part_n of_o the_o world_n i_o shall_v then_o in_o good_a earnest_n think_v it_o possible_a for_o mankind_n to_o fail_v unless_o i_o can_v show_v it_o impossible_a for_o other_o nation_n to_o do_v that_o which_o i_o see_v some_o to_o have_v do_v who_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o unlikely_a to_o have_v do_v it_o so_o that_o whatever_o cause_n he_o assign_v of_o heresy_n 67._o as_o pride_n ambition_n lust_n or_o any_o other_o vice_n or_o interest_n if_o these_o can_v take_v place_n in_o whole_a nation_n and_o make_v they_o renounce_v tradition_n then_o where_o be_v the_o efficacy_n of_o the_o cause_n to_o preserve_v faith_n indeficient_o entire_a in_o any_o for_o the_o demonstration_n hold_v as_o strong_o for_o all_o christian_n as_o for_o any_o §_o 8._o second_o from_o these_o ground_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o no_o christian_n can_v live_v wicked_o because_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n be_v a_o good_a life_n the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n must_v in_o all_o reason_n be_v as_o powerful_a and_o efficacious_a cause_n of_o a_o good_a life_n as_o of_o a_o true_a belief_n and_o that_o his_o demonstration_n prove_v the_o one_o as_o much_o as_o the_o other_o will_v be_v evident_a from_o his_o own_o reason_n for_o he_o 62._o argue_v in_o this_o manner_n good_a be_v the_o proper_a object_n of_o the_o will_n good_a propose_v make_v the_o will_n to_o desire_v that_o good_a and_o consequent_o the_o know_a mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o now_o infinite_a good_n and_o harm_n sufficient_o propose_v be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n incomparable_o more_o powerful_a cause_n to_o carry_v the_o will_n than_o temporal_a one_o since_o then_o when_o two_o cause_n be_v counterpoise_v the_o lesser_a when_o it_o come_v to_o execution_n be_v no_o cause_n as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o effect_n it_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o move_v the_o will_n of_o a_o world_n of_o believer_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o do_v that_o which_o they_o judge_v will_v lose_v themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n infinite_a good_n and_o bring_v they_o infinite_a harm_n etc._n etc._n in_o case_n a_o sufficient_a proposal_n or_o application_n be_v not_o want_v which_o he_o tell_v we_o 6â—_n be_v not_o want_v because_o christianity_n urge_v to_o execution_n give_v its_o follower_n a_o new_a life_n and_o a_o new_a nature_n than_o which_o a_o near_a application_n can_v be_v imagine_v do_v not_o this_o argument_n extend_v to_o the_o life_n of_o christian_n as_o well_o as_o their_o belief_n so_o that_o he_o may_v as_o well_o infer_v from_o these_o ground_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o those_o who_o profess_v christianity_n shall_v live_v contrary_a to_o it_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v fail_v to_o deliver_v down_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n because_o whatever_o can_v be_v a_o inducement_n and_o temptation_n to_o any_o man_n to_o contradict_v this_o doctrine_n by_o his_o practice_n may_v equal_o prevail_v upon_o he_o to_o falsify_v it_o for_o why_o shall_v man_n make_v any_o more_o scruple_n of_o damn_v themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n by_o teach_v they_o false_a doctrine_n than_o by_o live_v wicked_a life_n which_o be_v equal_o pernicious_a with_o heretical_a doctrine_n not_o only_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o bad_a influence_n which_o such_o example_n of_o father_n and_o teacher_n be_v like_a to_o have_v upon_o their_o scholar_n but_o likewise_o as_o they_o be_v one_o of_o the_o strong_a argument_n in_o the_o world_n to_o persuade_v they_o that_o their_o teacher_n do_v not_o themselves_o believe_v that_o religion_n which_o they_o teach_v for_o if_o they_o do_v they_o will_v live_v according_a to_o it_o why_o shall_v any_o man_n think_v that_o those_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v which_o will_v not_o prevail_v upon_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n to_o make_v they_o live_v holy_a life_n shall_v be_v so_o necessary_o efficacious_a to_o make_v they_o so_o much_o concern_v for_o the_o preserve_n of_o a_o right_a belief_n nay_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o such_o person_n will_v endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o bend_v and_o accommodate_v their_o belief_n to_o their_o life_n and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a source_n of_o those_o innovation_n in_o faith_n for_o which_o we_o challenge_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o any_o man_n may_v easy_o discern_v who_o will_v but_o consider_v how_o all_o their_o new_a doctrine_n be_v fit_v to_o a_o secular_a interest_n and_o the_o gratify_n of_o that_o inordinate_a appetite_n after_o riches_n and_o dominion_n which_o reign_v in_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n and_o in_o the_o upper_a part_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o that_o church_n sect_n iv._o §_o 1._o second_o demonstration_n the_o main_a ground_n of_o his_o demonstration_n be_v apparent_o false_a for_o first_o this_o demonstration_n suppose_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_a parent_n in_o all_o age_n perfect_o understand_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o do_v not_o mistake_v any_o part_n of_o it_o that_o they_o remember_v it_o perfect_o and_o that_o they_o be_v faithful_a and_o diligent_a to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o it_o which_o be_v as_o contrary_a to_o experience_n as_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n be_v know_v and_o honest_a it_o suppose_v likewise_o that_o this_o doctrine_n and_o every_o substantial_a part_n of_o it_o be_v receive_v and_o remember_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o child_n as_o it_o be_v teach_v and_o be_v understand_v perfect_o by_o they_o without_o the_o least_o material_a mistake_n so_o he_o tell_v we_o 53._o that_o the_o substance_n of_o faith_n come_v clad_v in_o such_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o stupid_a man_n live_v can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o but_o whether_o this_o be_v
it_o as_o that_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o they_o and_o their_o posterity_n incomparable_o beyond_o any_o thing_n else_o all_o this_o i_o suppose_v do_v to_o and_o by_o the_o greek_n as_o well_o as_o any_o other_o nation_n these_o thing_n be_v put_v it_o can_v enter_v into_o any_o man_n understanding_n but_o that_o the_o christian_a greek_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v the_o scholar_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v and_o will_v earnest_o commend_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o their_o posterity_n if_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o do_v so_o that_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o greek_n church_n be_v found_v upon_o this_o that_o father_n always_o deliver_v the_o same_o doctrine_n to_o their_o child_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o their_o father_n and_o do_v believe_v it_o under_o this_o very_a notion_n and_o title_n as_o receive_v nor_o can_v any_o one_o of_o that_o church_n deliver_v another_o doctrine_n under_o this_o title_n but_o he_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o a_o lie_n by_o the_o rest_n and_o if_o the_o whole_a greek_a church_n shall_v endeavour_v to_o deliver_v a_o new_a doctrine_n under_o that_o title_n and_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n if_o they_o shall_v leave_v out_o any_o article_n of_o the_o old_a doctrine_n that_o whole_a age_n will_v be_v in_o their_o conscience_n condemn_v of_o perfidiousness_n and_o parricide_n now_o this_o be_v as_o impossible_a as_o it_o be_v that_o all_o mankind_n shall_v conspire_v to_o kill_v themselves_o and_o he_o afterward_o 5._o give_v the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v so_o impossible_a that_o tradition_n shall_v fail_v and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a bold_a and_o saucy_a one_o that_o if_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v not_o more_o firm_a than_o the_o course_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n than_o god_n have_v show_v himself_o a_o unskilful_a artificer_n what_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o demonstration_n which_o may_v not_o be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o greek_a church_n with_o as_o much_o force_n and_o advantage_n as_o to_o the_o catholic_n unless_o he_o can_v show_v that_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o all_o the_o man_n in_o greece_n may_v conspire_v to_o kill_v themselves_o but_o yet_o absolute_o impossible_a that_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v do_v so_o which_o i_o be_o sure_a he_o can_v show_v unless_o he_o can_v demonstrate_v that_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o million_o of_o as_o wise_a man_n as_o any_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n together_o to_o conspire_v to_o do_v a_o foolish_a action_n yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o hundred_o million_o not_o one_o jot_n wise_a than_o the_o other_o shall_v agree_v together_o to_o the_o do_v of_o it_o §_o 4._o from_o all_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o mr._n white_n be_v answer_v to_o this_o objection_n do_v not_o signify_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o purpose_n for_o if_o the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v part_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n than_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o so_o they_o can_v not_o fail_v to_o deliver_v it_o down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n and_o that_o to_o the_o next_o and_o so_o on_o but_o it_o seem_v they_o have_v fail_v where_o then_o be_v the_o force_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n strong_o apply_v where_o be_v the_o certain_a cause_n of_o actual_a will_n to_o adhere_v to_o this_o doctrine_n why_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n produce_v the_o cause_n be_v put_v actual_o cause_v if_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v this_o doctrine_n oral_a tradition_n be_v so_o clear_a and_o unmistakable_a and_o 54._o bring_v down_o faith_n clad_v in_o such_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o stupid_a man_n live_v much_o less_o the_o greek_n that_o be_v the_o flower_n of_o mankind_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o nay_o ibid._n it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n to_o blot_v knowledge_n thus_o fix_v out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n much_o more_o out_o of_o so_o vast_a a_o church_n and_o 78._o since_o no_o man_n can_v hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n or_o doubt_v of_o what_o he_o hold_v nor_o change_v and_o innovate_v without_o know_v he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a impossibility_n a_o whole_a church_n shall_v in_o any_o age_n fall_v into_o a_o absurdity_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o one_o single_a man_n and_o 86._o since_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o every_o man_n to_o speak_v truth_n and_o grace_n be_v to_o perfect_a nature_n in_o whatever_o be_v good_a in_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o one_o true_o christian_a heart_n be_v far_o more_o fix_v to_o veracity_n than_o other_o not_o imbue_v with_o these_o heavenly_a tenet_n and_o consequent_o that_o a_o multitude_n of_o such_o must_v incomparable_o exceed_v in_o point_n of_o testify_v the_o same_o number_n of_o other_o unfortified_a by_o christ_n doctrine_n and_o since_o 89._o such_o a_o thought_n can_v enter_v into_o the_o most_o deprave_a nature_n as_o to_o harm_v another_o without_o any_o good_a to_o himself_o and_o yet_o this_o must_v be_v if_o we_o put_v christian_a father_n misteach_v their_o child_n unreceive_v doctrine_n for_o receive_v and_o i_o hope_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n receive_v doctrine_n for_o unreceive_v contrary_a to_o their_o knowledge_n for_o suppose_v sanctity_n in_o the_o greek_z church_n and_o why_o may_v we_o not_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o latin_a that_o be_v that_o multitude_n in_o it_o make_v heaven_n their_o first_o love_n and_o look_v on_o spiritual_a good_n as_o their_o main_n concern_v etc._n etc._n it_o follow_v that_o have_v the_o father_n of_o that_o church_n in_o any_o age_n consent_v to_o mislead_v their_o posterity_n from_o what_o themselves_o not_o only_o conceit_a but_o know_v to_o be_v true_a they_o shall_v do_v the_o most_o extreme_a harm_n imaginable_a to_o other_o without_o any_o the_o least_o good_a to_o themselves_o which_o be_v perhaps_o impossible_a in_o one_o single_a man_n more_o in_o few_o but_o infinite_o in_o a_o multitude_n especial_o of_o good_a man_n §_o 5._o thus_o i_o may_v apply_v the_o rest_n of_o his_o rant_a rhetoric_n but_o that_o i_o be_o weary_a of_o transcribe_v it_o concern_v 91._o the_o natural_a love_n of_o parent_n to_o their_o child_n unless_o we_o suppose_v the_o greek_a church_n destitute_a of_o it_o which_o must_v needs_o engage_v they_o to_o use_v the_o mean_n proper_a to_o bring_v they_o to_o heaven_n and_o save_v they_o from_o hell_n as_o also_o concern_v the_o natural_a care_n man_n have_v of_o not_o lose_v their_o credit_n by_o tell_v pernicious_a lie_n and_o not_o to_o omit_v the_o best_a part_n of_o his_o demonstration_n 93._o which_o be_v therefore_o prudent_o reserve_v to_o the_o last_o place_n i_o may_v likewise_o show_v how_o the_o principle_n of_o each_o science_n arithmetic_n geometry_n logic_n nature_n morality_n historical_a prudence_n politic_n metaphysic_n divinity_n and_o last_o of_o all_o the_o new_a science_n of_o controversy_n as_o he_o call_v it_o or_o the_o bless_a art_n of_o eternal_a wrangle_n and_o dispute_v the_o first_o principle_n whereof_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v that_o tradition_n be_v certain_a do_v all_o contribute_v to_o show_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v the_o impossibility_n that_o any_o part_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n shall_v fail_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n any_o more_o than_o in_o the_o latin_n and_o sure_o arithmetic_n geometry_n logic_n natural_a philosophy_n metaphysic_n etc._n etc._n will_v all_o stand_v up_o for_o the_o greek_a church_n in_o this_o quarrel_n for_o consider_v that_o greece_n be_v the_o place_n where_o the_o art_n and_o science_n be_v bear_v and_o breed_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o disingenuous_a and_o unnatural_a as_o not_o to_o contribute_v their_o best_a assistance_n to_o the_o service_n of_o their_o country_n §_o 6._o but_o it_o may_v be_v the_o greek_n can_v so_o just_o pretend_v to_o oral_a tradition_n as_o the_o latin_n what_o if_o st._n peter_n the_o head_n of_o the_o apostle_n think_v fit_a to_o share_v scripture_n and_o tradition_n between_o these_o two_o church_n and_o lay_v his_o left_a hand_n on_o the_o greek_a church_n and_o his_o right_n on_o the_o latin_a be_v please_v to_o confer_v the_o great_a blessing_n of_o oral_a tradition_n upon_o the_o latin_a church_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o infallibility_n it_o be_v but_o fit_v that_o she_o shall_v be_v furnish_v with_o this_o infallible_a way_n of_o convey_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o therefore_o it_o may_v be_v that_o as_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v leave_v in_o greek_a so_o oral_a tradition_n be_v deliver_v down_o only_o in_o latin_a
this_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o altogether_o without_o some_o show_n of_o reason_n mr._n s._n may_v do_v well_o to_o take_v the_o matter_n into_o his_o deep_a consideration_n he_o have_v in_o his_o time_n improve_v as_o weak_a probability_n as_o these_o into_o lusty_a demonstration_n and_o if_o he_o can_v but_o demonstrate_v this_o it_o will_v very_o much_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o this_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n otherwise_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v this_o instance_n will_v hold_v good_a against_o he_o and_o whatever_o he_o can_v say_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o tradition_n fail_v in_o the_o latin_a church_n may_v all_o be_v say_v of_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o he_o will_v but_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n to_o they_o both_o that_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v which_o this_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o be_v apply_v as_o strong_o to_o the_o greek_n as_o the_o latin_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o tradition_n have_v plain_o fail_v in_o the_o greek_a church_n let_v he_o now_o assign_v the_o age_n wherein_o so_o vast_a a_o number_n of_o man_n conspire_v to_o leave_v out_o the_o article_n of_o the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o show_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o whole_a age_n can_v conspire_v together_o to_o damn_v their_o posterity_n or_o how_o the_o faith_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n may_v be_v alter_v without_o any_o such_o conspiracy_n and_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o satisfy_v he_o how_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o latin_a church_n may_v be_v corrupt_v and_o alter_v and_o to_o tell_v he_o punctual_o in_o what_o age_n it_o be_v do_v and_o until_o he_o do_v this_o i_o will_v entreat_v he_o to_o trouble_v we_o no_o more_o with_o those_o cant_a question_n wherein_o yet_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o demonstration_n lie_v how_o be_v it_o possible_a a_o whole_a age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o change_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o in_o what_o age_n be_v this_o do_v for_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o demand_v of_o we_o in_o order_n to_o the_o overthrow_v of_o his_o demonstration_n to_o assign_v the_o particular_a age_n wherein_o the_o latin_a church_n conspire_v to_o change_v the_o ancient_a doctrine_n with_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o require_v of_o he_o in_o order_n to_o the_o maintain_n of_o his_o demonstration_n to_o name_v the_o particular_a age_n wherein_o the_o greek_a church_n conspire_v to_o alter_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v undoubted_o in_o the_o first_o age_n true_o deliver_v to_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o also_o to_o show_v from_o the_o rational_a force_n and_o strength_n of_o tradition_n how_o it_o be_v more_o impossible_a for_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o have_v fail_v in_o transmit_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n down_o to_o we_o or_o to_o have_v conspire_v to_o the_o alter_n of_o it_o than_o for_o such_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n as_o be_v the_o vast_a body_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o mr._n s._n or_o mr._n white_n show_v this_o they_o do_v something_o otherwise_o i_o must_v tell_v they_o that_o unless_o they_o can_v manage_v these_o pretty_a thing_n they_o call_v demonstration_n better_o they_o must_v short_o either_o quit_v their_o reason_n or_o their_o religion_n or_o else_o return_v to_o the_o honest_a old_a mumpsimus_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n from_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o to_o make_v the_o business_n short_a and_o stop_v all_o gap_n with_o one_o bush_n come_v over_o to_o the_o jesuit_n and_o acknowledge_v the_o pope_n infallibility_n both_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o fact_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o may_v reconcile_v themselves_o to_o he_o and_o prevent_v that_o direful_a stroke_n which_o threaten_v they_o from_o rome_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o cut_v they_o off_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o traditionary_a church_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o his_o first_o demonstration_n and_o i_o take_v it_o for_o a_o good_a sign_n that_o the_o popish_a cause_n be_v at_o a_o very_a low_a ebb_n when_o such_o stuff_n as_o this_o must_v be_v call_v demonstration_n sect_n vi_o posteriori_fw-la §_o 1._o i_o come_v now_o to_o his_o demonstration_n a_o posteriori_fw-la which_o although_o it_o fall_v of_o itself_o if_o the_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la fail_v yet_o because_o it_o have_v some_o peculiar_a absurdity_n of_o its_o own_o i_o shall_v consider_v it_o by_o itself_o as_o well_o as_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o other_o §_o 2._o before_o he_o come_v to_o lay_v it_o down_o with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o according_a to_o his_o usual_a fashion_n he_o premise_v something_o as_o yield_v by_o protestant_n which_o in_o his_o sense_n no_o protestant_n ever_o grant_v just_o so_o he_o deal_v with_o we_o before_o concern_v the_o scripture_n say_v that_o by_o they_o the_o protestant_n must_v mean_v unsense_v letter_n and_o character_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o it_o be_v 76._o that_o this_o demonstration_n a_o posteriori_fw-la seem_v a_o needless_a endeavour_n against_o the_o protestant_n who_o yield_v that_o those_o point_n in_o which_o we_o agree_v as_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n come_v down_o by_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n and_o this_o he_o say_v no_o protestant_n ever_o deny_v and_o then_o he_o ask_v whether_o the_o same_o virtue_n of_o tradition_n will_v not_o have_v be_v as_o powerful_a to_o bring_v down_o other_o point_n in_o which_o we_o do_v not_o agree_v have_v any_o such_o be_v now_o if_o he_o speak_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o own_o purpose_n he_o must_v suppose_v protestant_n to_o yield_v that_o all_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o be_v agree_v be_v convey_v down_o to_o we_o sole_o by_o oral_a tradition_n without_o write_v but_o this_o all_o protestant_n deny_v so_o that_o that_o only_o which_o will_v avail_v his_o cause_n against_o we_o be_v to_o show_v that_o those_o point_n wherein_o we_o differ_v have_v not_o only_o come_v down_o to_o we_o by_o oral_a teach_v but_o that_o they_o be_v likewise_o contain_v in_o scripture_n without_o which_o we_o say_v we_o can_v have_v no_o sufficient_a certainty_n and_o assurance_n at_o this_o distance_n that_o they_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o either_o total_o innovate_v or_o else_o corrupt_v in_o the_o conveyance_n from_o what_o they_o be_v at_o first_o and_o if_o he_o can_v show_v this_o concern_v any_o point_n in_o difference_n i_o promise_v to_o yield_v it_o to_o he_o §_o 3._o i_o come_v now_o to_o his_o demonstration_n which_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o in_o his_o own_o word_n with_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o it_o rely_v 78._o the_o effect_n than_o we_o will_v pitch_v upon_o and_o avow_v to_o be_v the_o proper_a one_o of_o such_o a_o cause_n be_v the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n or_o catholic_n that_o their_o faith_n have_v descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n uninterrupted_o which_o we_o find_v most_o firm_o root_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o this_o persuasion_n we_o affirm_v to_o be_v impossible_a without_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n ever_o indeficiency_n to_o beget_v it_o to_o prove_v this_o i_o lay_v this_o first_o principle_n that_o age_n which_o hold_v her_o faith_n thus_o deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n neither_o can_v itself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o nor_o know_v or_o doubt_n that_o any_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v change_v or_o innovate_v therein_o the_o second_o principle_n shall_v be_v this_o no_o age_n can_v innovate_v any_o thing_n and_o withal_o deliver_v that_o very_a thing_n to_o posterity_n as_o receive_v from_o christ_n by_o continual_a succession_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v this_o that_o because_o a_o present_a multitude_n of_o christian_n viz._n the_o roman_a church_n be_v persuade_v that_o christ_n doctrine_n have_v descend_v to_o they_o sole_o by_o a_o uninterrupted_a oral_a tradition_n therefore_o this_o persuasion_n be_v a_o effect_n which_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o any_o other_o cause_n but_o the_o indeficiency_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o if_o neither_o the_o present_a age_n nor_o any_o age_n before_o can_v make_v any_o change_n or_o innovation_n than_o the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o present_a age_n be_v a_o plain_a demonstration_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v always_o the_o same_o and_o consequent_o that_o tradition_n can_v fail_v §_o 4._o in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v good_a these_o four_o thing_n first_o that_o these_o principle_n whole_o rely_v upon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o demonstration_n a_o priori_fw-la second_o that_o these_o principle_n be_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v by_o he_o three_o that_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v
doctrine_n of_o christ_n but_o what_o be_v descend_v to_o they_o by_o tradition_n how_o shall_v this_o principle_n secure_v the_o church_n from_o heresy_n any_o more_o than_o this_o viz._n that_o nothing_o but_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v assent_v to_o do_v secure_a man_n from_o error_n or_o more_o than_o this_o viz._n that_o no_o man_n be_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v wise_a and_o virtuous_a do_v secure_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n from_o folly_n and_o vice_n sect_n viii_o §_o 1._o second_o demonstration_n the_o principle_n upon_o which_o this_o demonstration_n rely_v be_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v by_o he_o his_o first_o principle_n be_v this_o that_o age_n which_o hold_v her_o faith_n deliver_v thus_o from_o the_o apostle_n neither_o can_v itself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o nor_o know_v or_o doubt_n that_o any_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v change_v or_o innovate_v any_o thing_n therein_o this_o proposition_n he_o tell_v we_o need_v no_o proof_n to_o evidence_n it_o but_o only_o a_o explication_n for_o since_o no_o man_n can_v hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n or_o doubt_v of_o what_o he_o hold_v nor_o change_v or_o innovate_v in_o the_o case_n propose_v without_o know_v he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a impossibility_n a_o whole_a age_n shall_v fall_v into_o a_o absurdity_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o one_o single_a man_n but_o by_o his_o favour_n that_o which_o he_o say_v be_v no_o proof_n but_o only_o a_o explication_n be_v a_o proof_n if_o it_o be_v any_o thing_n and_o the_o force_n of_o it_o this_o that_o which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n if_o one_o single_a man_n be_v manifest_o impossible_a to_o a_o whole_a age_n but_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o single_a man_n to_o hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o impossible_a to_o a_o whole_a age_n and_o consequent_o that_o age_n which_o hold_v her_o faith_n deliver_v thus_o from_o the_o apostle_n neither_o can_v itself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n nor_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v good_a of_o this_o first_o principle_n mr._n s._n have_v leave_v nothing_o unprove_v but_o only_o this_o proposition_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o one_o single_a man_n that_o hold_v his_o faith_n to_o have_v be_v deliver_v uninterrupted_o from_o the_o apostle_n shall_v either_o himself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o or_o know_v or_o doubt_n that_o any_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v change_v or_o innovate_v any_o thing_n therein_o and_o to_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n there_o only_o remain_v this_o to_o be_v prove_v viz._n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o single_a man_n to_o be_v mistake_v for_o if_o that_o be_v possible_a then_o contrary_a to_o mr._n s._n a_o man_n may_v hold_v that_o to_o have_v be_v deliver_v as_o a_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v §_o 2._o his_o second_o principle_n be_v this_o that_o no_o age_n can_v innovate_v any_o thing_n and_o withal_o deliver_v that_o very_a thing_n to_o posterity_n as_o receive_v from_o christ_n by_o continual_a succession_n he_o prove_v it_o thus_o since_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n he_o must_v have_v some_o reason_n or_o motive_n good_a or_o bad_a which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o as_o a_o end_n to_o be_v achieve_v by_o his_o action_n and_o whatever_o his_o remote_a end_n be_v his_o immediate_a end_n in_o tell_v posterity_n a_o late_o invent_v thing_n be_v hold_v immdiate_o before_o be_v to_o make_v they_o belive_o it_o wherefore_o since_o a_o see_v impossibility_n can_v be_v a_o motive_n to_o one_o not_o frantic_a and_o since_o it_o be_v evident_o impossiible_a they_o shall_v make_v posterity_n believe_v a_o thing_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o be_v false_a as_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v as_o impossiible_a this_o principle_n shall_v falter_v as_o that_o the_o foregoing_a age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o act_v without_o a_o motive_n or_o that_o the_o succeed_a age_n shall_v believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v shall_v hold_v both_o side_n of_o a_o contradiction_n in_o a_o clear_a matter_n of_o fact_n the_o force_n of_o which_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o man_n not_o frantic_a shall_v attempt_v to_o innovate_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n because_o the_o immediate_a end_n of_o such_o a_o attempt_n must_v be_v to_o have_v his_o new_a doctrine_n believe_v but_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v attain_v this_o end_n and_o impossible_a he_o shall_v not_o see_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o attain_v it_o now_o a_o see_v impossibility_n be_v a_o end_n that_o can_v move_v any_o one_o that_o be_v not_o frantic_a therefore_o no_o man_n that_o be_v not_o frantic_a can_v attempt_v to_o innovate_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n thus_o he_o have_v demonstrate_v it_o impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o heretic_n if_o a_o heretic_n be_v one_o that_o attempt_v to_o innovate_v in_o matter_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o attmpter_n they_o must_v be_v frantic_a and_o if_o they_o be_v frantic_a they_o can_v be_v no_o heretic_n for_o heresy_n imply_v a_o crime_n but_o god_n will_v not_o impute_v the_o action_n of_o mad_a man_n to_o they_o as_o fault_n again_o suppose_v he_o that_o attempt_n to_o innovate_v be_v mistake_v and_o i_o hope_v mr._n s._n will_v grant_v that_o a_o heretic_n be_v fallible_a and_o think_v that_o which_o he_o deliver_v as_o christ_n doctrine_n to_o be_v real_o so_o though_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o why_o shall_v such_o a_o person_n think_v it_o impossible_a to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o to_o be_v receive_v from_o christ_n which_o he_o real_o think_v be_v receive_v and_o think_v he_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o if_o this_o be_v grant_v than_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a that_o man_n though_o he_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n may_v attempt_v to_o innovate_v and_o if_o so_o than_o his_o second_o principle_n be_v not_o prove_v if_o mr._n s._n have_v any_o regard_n to_o the_o noble_a science_n of_o controversy_n whereof_o he_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o great_a a_o master_n he_o will_v not_o bring_v such_o trifle_a sophism_n instead_o of_o demonstrative_a proof_n and_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o demonstrative_a proof_n will_v serve_v to_o establish_v any_o principle_n upon_o which_o a_o demonstration_n be_v to_o be_v build_v sect_n ix_o §_o 1._o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v innovate_v demonstration_n have_v make_v the_o same_o pretence_n to_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n and_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v give_v several_a instance_n one_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o rest_n among_o christian_n 1._o i_o shall_v instance_n among_o the_o traditionary_a jew_n who_o persuasion_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n be_v and_o still_o be_v that_o their_o oral_a doctrine_n which_o they_o call_v their_o cabala_n have_v descend_v to_o they_o from_o moses_n uninterrupted_o now_o here_o be_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o persuasion_n as_o mr._n s._n affirm_v to_o be_v impossible_a without_o tradition_n ever-indeficiency_a to_o beget_v it_o and_o this_o persuasion_n of_o they_o be_v most_o exact_o parallel_v with_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n according_a to_o mr._n s._n for_o here_o be_v a_o multitude_n of_o traditionary_a jew_n manifold_o great_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o dissenter_n in_o that_o church_n than_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v in_o comparison_n to_o those_o christian_n that_o dissent_v from_o she_o josephus_n tell_v we_o 18._o that_o the_o rich_a sort_n be_v of_o the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o sadducee_n but_o the_o multitude_n be_v on_o the_o pharisee_n side_n so_o that_o the_o pharisee_n have_v this_o mark_n of_o the_o true_a church_n as_o bellarmine_n call_v it_o common_a to_o they_o with_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o they_o be_v the_o great_a number_n and_o so_o they_o continue_v to_o this_o very_a day_n insomuch_o that_o although_o they_o do_v not_o call_v themselves_o the_o catholic_n yet_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o call_v all_o jew_n that_o do_v dissent_n from_o they_o schismatic_n now_o that_o the_o sadducee_n be_v for_o the_o write_a law_n against_o oral_a tradition_n be_v i_o confess_v no_o credit_n to_o we_o but_o that_o our_o saviour_n reprove_v the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o pharisee_n because_o by_o they_o they_o make_v void_a the_o write_a law_n be_v much_o more_o to_o the_o discredit_n of_o the_o assertor_n of_o oral_a tradition_n both_o romanist_n and_o pharisees_n they_o own_o alike_o a_o write_a doctrine_n but_o then_o they_o both_o pretend_v the_o true_a
and_o christian_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v a_o temporal_a prince_n in_o case_n it_o be_v a_o point_n hold_v ever_o deliver_v but_o most_o certain_a it_o be_v it_o be_v so_o hold_v by_o the_o jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n and_o have_v be_v hold_v so_o ever_o since_o to_o this_o day_n i_o shall_v not_o trouble_v the_o reader_n with_o transcribe_v the_o rest_n of_o this_o demonstration_n only_o desire_v he_o as_o he_o read_v it_o over_o to_o imagine_v instead_o of_o mr._n s._n a_o pharisee_fw-mi demonstrate_v against_o one_o of_o christ_n disciple_n the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o will_v find_v this_o demonstration_n and_o every_o part_n of_o it_o change_v only_o the_o name_n as_o forcible_o conclude_v christ_n not_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o it_o do_v infer_v any_o point_n of_o popery_n against_o the_o protestant_n §_o 4._o before_o i_o leave_v this_o instance_n of_o the_o jewish_a tradition_n i_o shall_v brief_o consider_v what_o mr._n white_a etc._n have_v offer_v by_o way_n of_o answer_n to_o it_o as_o first_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o these_o tradition_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o explication_n of_o scripture_n frame_v and_o invent_v by_o their_o own_o rabbin_n so_o we_o say_v that_o the_o popish_a tradition_n be_v innovation_n but_o then_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o that_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v they_o to_o be_v descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n because_o it_o be_v the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o christian_n that_o they_o be_v so_o descend_v in_o like_a manner_n if_o this_o demonstration_n be_v good_a the_o jew_n can_v prove_v their_o tradition_n to_o be_v descend_v from_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n second_o he_o say_v that_o the_o form_n of_o these_o tradition_n be_v more_o ridiculous_a than_o the_o cant_v of_o gypsy_n or_o the_o juggle_n of_o hocuspocus_a because_o it_o consist_v in_o invent_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o mystery_n and_o number_n and_o change_n of_o letter_n this_o be_v a_o gross_a inexcusable_a mistake_n for_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v such_o a_o cabala_n call_v gematry_n as_o this_o which_o mr._n white_a describe_v yet_o that_o cabala_n which_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o instance_n and_o which_o our_o saviour_n reprove_v in_o the_o pharisee_n by_o the_o name_n of_o tradition_n be_v quite_o another_o thing_n and_o among_o the_o jewish_a writer_n know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o unwritten_a or_o oral_a law_n which_o they_o say_v be_v deliver_v to_o moses_n on_o mount_n sinai_n and_o by_o he_o convey_v to_o aaron_n and_o joshua_n and_o the_o elder_n and_o successive_o deliver_v down_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o at_o last_o by_o rabbi_n jehuda_n compile_v into_o one_o volume_n which_o they_o call_v mishna_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o this_o do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o art_n of_o number_v combine_a or_o change_v of_o letter_n 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mishnah_n and_o which_o this_o instance_n only_o intend_v for_o of_o this_o maimonides_n talmud_n say_v express_o that_o in_o every_o age_n from_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n to_o rabbi_n jehudah_n who_o compile_v the_o mishna_n the_o oral_a law_n be_v public_o teach_v and_o that_o after_o rabbi_n jehudah_n have_v compile_v it_o into_o one_o volume_n the_o israelite_n do_v general_o write_v out_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v every_o where_o careful_o teach_v for_o fear_v lest_o the_o oral_a law_n shall_v by_o forgetfulness_n be_v last_o among_o the_o jew_n so_o that_o upon_o account_n of_o the_o publickness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n there_o be_v as_o great_a a_o impossibility_n of_o juggle_a and_o cozenage_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o jewish_a as_o of_o the_o romish_a tradition_n beside_o be_v wash_v of_o hand_n and_o cup_n which_o they_o also_o pretend_v to_o have_v come_v down_o to_o they_o from_o moses_n and_o to_o have_v be_v constant_o practise_v in_o every_o age_n a_o secret_a 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they_o i_o can_v but_o applaud_v your_o discourse_n it_o have_v so_o please_v and_o attractive_a a_o countenance_n and_o again_o 5._o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o oppose_v what_o you_o say_v by_o any_o weighty_a objection_n your_o argument_n be_v not_o only_o strong_a and_o nervous_a but_o of_o so_o comely_a and_o win_a a_o complexion_n etc._n etc._n i_o can_v i_o say_v speak_v all_o this_o of_o his_o present_a argument_n but_o i_o may_v deserve_o apply_v to_o it_o the_o last_o part_n of_o his_o nephew_n compliment_n that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n so_o frame_v as_o if_o without_o any_o evidence_n of_o its_o consequence_n it_o will_v persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v it_o but_o to_o return_v a_o answer_n to_o this_o passage_n it_o seem_v according_a to_o mr._n white_a that_o irenaeus_n be_v mistake_v in_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o tradition_n and_o if_o so_o learn_v a_o father_n be_v ignorant_a in_o the_o common_a rule_n of_o faith_n what_o can_v we_o to_o use_v mr._n s_n word_n 39_o 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he_o do_v not_o mean_a that_o these_o controvertist_n be_v to_o blame_v in_o that_o they_o do_v not_o settle_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o point_n by_o hundred_o of_o different_a expression_n explicate_v the_o same_o meaning_n but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o keep_v to_o the_o word_n wherein_o the_o church_n have_v in_o council_n or_o otherwise_o if_o there_o be_v any_o other_o way_n declare_v her_o sense_n of_o those_o point_n again_o 2._o he_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n refer_v to_o the_o doctrine_n settle_v by_o oral_a instruction_n to_o show_v the_o uniformity_n of_o it_o everywhere_o call_v it_o a_o form_n of_o wholesome_a word_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v either_o that_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o well_o to_o call_v the_o traditionary_a doctrine_n as_o mr._n cressy_n say_v he_o do_v a_o form_n of_o word_n or_o else_o which_o be_v more_o probable_a that_o mr._n white_n be_v mistake_v in_o say_v that_o a_o tradition_n be_v a_o sense_n not_o deliver_v in_o set-word_n 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upon_o this_o as_o a_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o yet_o it_o seem_v he_o think_v it_o a_o point_n of_o more_o than_o ordinary_a importance_n because_o he_o join_v it_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o disow_v by_o any_o but_o those_o who_o also_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n but_o whereas_o mr._n white_n say_v that_o justin_n acknowledge_v other_o catohlick_n to_o have_v hold_v the_o contrary_a i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o evident_a from_o the_o scope_n and_o series_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o acknowledge_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o that_o the_o plain_a design_n of_o his_o discourse_n be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v own_v by_o all_o true_a christian_n for_o when_o trypho_n ask_v he_o 1615._o whether_o the_o christian_n do_v indeed_o believe_v that_o jerusalem_n shall_v be_v rebuilt_a etc._n etc._n he_o return_v he_o this_o answer_n i_o be_o not_o such_o a_o wretch_n as_o to_o speak_v otherwise_o than_o i_o think_v i_o have_v tell_v thou_o before_o that_o myself_o and_o many_o other_o as_o you_o all_o know_v be_v of_o the_o mind_n that_o this_o will_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o that_o many_o indeed_o of_o those_o christian_n who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o pure_a and_o pious_a persuasion_n do_v not_o own_o this_o i_o have_v intimate_v to_o thou_o that_o the_o negative_a particle_n though_o omit_v in_o the_o copy_n ought_v to_o be_v thus_o insert_v will_v be_v clear_a to_o any_o one_o that_o consider_v what_o follow_v for_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o those_o who_o disow_v this_o doctrine_n he_o immediate_o add_v by_o way_n of_o further_a description_n of_o they_o that_o
the_o faith_n by_o scripture_n this_o say_v he_o be_v a_o great_a triumph_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o demonstrate_v our_o opinion_n so_o strong_o and_o to_o overthrow_v the_o contrary_a by_o testimony_n from_o scripture_n and_o neither_o in_o this_o epistle_n nor_o the_o other_o do_v he_o make_v any_o mention_n of_o oral_a tradition_n next_o he_o cite_v that_o know_a place_n in_o irenaeus_n but_o what_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o leave_v we_o the_o scripture_n ought_v we_o not_o to_o follow_v the_o order_n of_o tradition_n &_o c._n this_o make_v clear_o against_o he_o for_o it_o imply_v that_o now_o the_o apostle_n have_v leave_v we_o the_o scripture_n we_o ought_v to_o follow_v they_o the_o other_o passage_n he_o cite_v out_o of_o irenaeus_n lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o be_v a_o clear_a eviction_n that_o he_o do_v not_o consult_v the_o book_n for_o he_o put_v two_o saying_n together_o which_o he_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o mr._n white_a immediate_o one_o after_o the_o other_o and_o 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he_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n tradition_n preserve_v by_o order_n of_o succession_n viz._n the_o mystical_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o say_v be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o they_o down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n if_o this_o be_v the_o tradition_n mr._n s._n contend_v for_o origen_n be_v at_o his_o service_n if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o assure_v he_o he_o be_v not_o for_o his_o turn_n next_o come_v tertullian_n concern_v who_o as_o also_o origen_n the_o papist_n upon_o occasion_n think_v it_o enough_o to_o reply_v in_o st._n hierom_n word_n helvid_n as_o for_o tertullian_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v of_o he_o but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o the_o church_n whatever_o he_o be_v these_o be_v his_o word_n if_o thou_o be_v but_o a_o christian_a believe_v what_o be_v traditum_fw-la deliver_v and_o here_o be_v nothing_o again_o but_o the_o word_n deliver_v which_o as_o i_o have_v say_v be_v indifferent_a to_o write_a or_o oral_a tradition_n if_o the_o circumstance_n do_v not_o determine_v it_o to_o one_o as_o here_o they_o do_v very_o unlucky_o for_o mr._n s._n to_o the_o scripture_n for_o he_o dispute_v here_o against_o martion_n who_o deny_v the_o flesh_n of_o christ_n and_o who_o to_o maintain_v that_o deny_v his_o nativity_n and_o etc._n expunge_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o it_o out_o of_o the_o gospel_n but_o say_v tertullian_n by_o what_o authority_n do_v thou_o do_v this_o if_o thou_o be_v a_o prophet_n foretell_v something_o if_o a_o apostle_n preach_v public_o if_o apostolical_a be_v of_o the_o apostle_n mind_n if_o no_o more_o but_o a_o christian_a believe_v what_o be_v deliver_v and_o where_o deliver_v but_o in_o those_o instrument_n or_o book_n of_o the_o gospel_n out_o of_o which_o as_o tertullian_n immediate_o before_o tell_v we_o martion_n have_v make_v bold_a to_o expunge_v this_o story_n as_o for_o his_o testimony_n out_o of_o athanasius_n the_o two_o first_o of_o they_o prove_v nothing_o but_o that_o faith_n come_v down_o from_o our_o ancestor_n or_o be_v by_o they_o deliver_v to_o we_o which_o no_o body_n deny_v nor_o be_v there_o a_o word_n in_o either_o of_o they_o concern_v oral_a in_o opposition_n to_o write_a tradition_n the_o three_o testimony_n be_v out_o of_o a_o epistle_n to_o epictetus_n to_o who_o athanasius_n writing_n concern_v those_o who_o hold_v christ_n body_n to_o be_v consubstantial_a with_o his_o divinity_n tell_v he_o this_o be_v so_o gross_a a_o conceit_n that_o it_o need_v no_o solicitous_a confutation_n but_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o say_v in_o general_a the_o orthodox_n church_n be_v not_o of_o that_o mind_n our_o father_n do_v not_o think_v so_o from_o whence_o mr._n s._n infer_v that_o tradition_n be_v hold_v by_o he_o a_o sole_a sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o only_a answer_n to_o be_v give_v why_o we_o reject_v point_n from_o faith_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o he_o have_v consult_v the_o book_n he_o will_v not_o have_v infer_v that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a answer_n to_o be_v give_v etc._n etc._n for_o it_o immediate_o follow_v but_o lest_o from_o our_o be_v whole_o silent_a these_o inventor_n of_o evil_a thing_n shall_v take_v occasion_n to_o be_v more_o impudent_a it_o will_v be_v good_a to_o recite_v a_o few_o passage_n out_o of_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n and_o from_o thence_o he_o confute_v they_o at_o large_a it_o be_v so_o gross_a a_o error_n that_o he_o think_v it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a without_o bring_v particular_a argument_n out_o of_o scripture_n against_o it_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o ancient_a faith_n but_o yet_o lest_o they_o shall_v if_o he_o have_v say_v no_o more_o have_v take_v boldness_n from_o thence_o and_o think_v that_o nothing_o more_o can_v be_v say_v against_o it_o therefore_o he_o confute_v it_o from_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o what_o in_o his_o opinion_n be_v the_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n mr._n s._n may_v have_v see_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o epistle_n from_o these_o word_n that_o faith_n which_o be_v profess_v by_o the_o father_n in_o that_o council_n viz._n the_o nicene_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o i_o sufficient_a etc._n etc._n it_o seem_v that_o scripture_n be_v to_o he_o the_o rule_n and_o standard_n whereby_o to_o judge_v even_o the_o creed_n of_o general_a council_n mr._n s._n say_v he_o will_v be_v short_a in_o the_o rest_n and_o so_o will_v i._o for_o what_o be_v to_o be_v say_v to_o testimony_n bring_v at_o a_o venture_n when_o he_o that_o bring_v they_o have_v he_o read_v the_o book_n themselves_o can_v not_o have_v have_v the_o face_n to_o have_v bring_v they_o such_o be_v this_o out_o of_o 7._o clem._n alezand_n as_o if_o one_o of_o a_o man_n become_v a_o beast_n like_o those_o infect_v with_o circe_n poison_n so_o he_o have_v forfeit_v his_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o faithful_a to_o our_o lord_n who_o spurn_v against_o ecclesiastical_a tradition_n and_o leap_v into_o opinion_n of_o human_a election_n mr._n s._n know_v who_o way_n of_o quote_v this_o be_v to_o pick_v a_o bit_n out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o text_n that_o sound_v something_o towards_o his_o purpose_n and_o leave_v out_o the_o rest_n which_o will_v make_v it_o evident_a to_o be_v mean_v just_a contrary_n yet_o i_o can_v charge_v this_o whole_o upon_o mr._n s._n who_o implicit_a faith_n be_v it_o not_o for_o his_o culpable_a ignorance_n may_v excuse_v he_o but_o for_o his_o seducer_n mr._n white_a how_o he_o can_v acquit_v himself_o of_o so_o foul_a a_o imputation_n i_o leave_v it_o to_o any_o ingenuous_a papist_n to_o judge_n when_o i_o have_v naked_o set_v the_o whole_a passage_n before_o he_o clemens_n speak_v of_o heretic_n who_o relinquish_v the_o scripture_n or_o abuse_v it_o by_o wrest_v it_o to_o their_o lust_n say_v man_n who_o deal_v in_o matter_n of_o high_a importance_n must_v needs_o commit_v great_a error_n if_o they_o do_v not_o take_v and_o hold_v the_o rule_n of_o truth_n from_o truth_n itself_o for_o such_o man_n have_v once_o deviate_v from_o the_o right_a way_n do_v likewise_o err_v in_o most_o particular_n probable_o because_o they_o have_v not_o the_o faculty_n of_o distinguish_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n perfect_o exercise_v to_o choose_v what_o ought_v to_o be_v choose_v for_o if_o they_o have_v this_o they_o will_v be_v rule_v by_o the_o divine_a scriptures_fw-fr therefore_o as_o if_o any_o of_o mankind_n shall_v become_v a_o beast_n in_o such_o sort_n as_o those_o who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d bewitch_v by_o circe_n even_o so_o he_o have_v lose_v his_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o abide_v faithful_a to_o the_o lord_n who_o have_v spurn_v against_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o
church_n and_o skip_v into_o the_o opinion_n of_o human_a sect_n 〈◊〉_d not_o of_o human_a election_n as_o mr._n s._n blind_o follow_v mr._n wh._n do_v most_o absurd_o translate_v it_o but_o he_o that_o have_v return_v from_o his_o error_n and_o hearken_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o conform_v his_o life_n to_o the_o truth_n be_v as_o it_o be_v advance_v from_o a_o man_n to_o a_o god_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n he_o go_v on_o for_o several_a page_n together_o take_v the_o scripture_n for_o a_o indemonstrable_a principle_n from_o which_o all_o divine_a doctrine_n be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v and_o for_o the_o criterion_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o be_v try_v and_o charge_v the_o heretic_n in_o such_o word_n as_o we_o can_v find_v fit_a for_o our_o adversary_n as_o say_v he_o naughty_a boy_n shut_v out_o their_o schoolmaster_n so_o these_o drive_v the_o prophecy_n out_o of_o the_o church_n suspect_v that_o they_o will_v chide_v and_o admonish_v they_o and_o they_o patch_v together_o abundance_n of_o falsehood_n and_o fiction_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v rational_o not_o to_o admit_v the_o scripture_n again_o speak_v of_o these_o heretic_n affront_a the_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o they_o oppose_v the_o 〈◊〉_d divine_a tradition_n with_o human_a doctrine_n 〈◊〉_d by_o other_o tradition_n deliver_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n that_o they_o may_v establish_v a_o sect_n or_o heresy_n again_o he_o say_v they_o adulterate_a the_o truth_n and_o steal_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n but_o for_o oral_a fraud_n they_o shall_v have_v write_v punishment_n but_o enough_o of_o this_o whosoever_o desire_v to_o see_v more_o of_o it_o let_v he_o read_v on_o where_o these_o man_n to_o their_o shame_n have_v direct_v we_o and_o see_v whether_o any_o protestant_n can_v speak_v more_o full_o and_o plain_o in_o this_o controversy_n the_o whole_a trust_n of_o the_o papist_n be_v upon_o the_o equivocal_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n tradition_n which_o word_n be_v common_o use_v by_o the_o father_n to_o signify_v to_o we_o the_o scripture_n or_o divine_a tradition_n as_o clement_n here_o call_v it_o but_o the_o papist_n understand_v it_o of_o their_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o to_o this_o they_o apply_v all_o those_o passage_n in_o the_o father_n where_o tradition_n be_v honourable_o mention_v so_o mr._n s._n deal_v with_o we_o in_o the_o testimony_n i_o have_v already_o examine_v and_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o argument_n in_o those_o few_o which_o remain_v but_o from_o the_o ambiguity_n of_o this_o word_n which_o i_o need_v not_o show_v of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a for_o whosoever_o shall_v read_v they_o with_o this_o key_n will_v find_v that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o conclude_v what_o he_o drive_v at_o §_o 5._o as_o for_o his_o citation_n out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n by_o which_o he_o will_v prove_v it_o to_o be_v the_o persuasion_n of_o their_o present_a church_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o that_o council_n have_v declare_v otherwise_o and_o be_v otherwise_o understand_v by_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o own_o writer_n and_o therefore_o he_o do_v prudent_o to_o conceal_v in_o a_o etc._n etc._n those_o choke_a word_n in_o which_o the_o council_n declare_v itself_o to_o receive_v and_o honour_v with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o after_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o shuffle_n what_o a_o pitiful_a account_n be_v it_o that_o he_o at_o last_o give_v of_o that_o council_n put_v scripture_n constant_o before_o tradition_n because_o scripture_n be_v interpret_v by_o tradition_n be_v of_o the_o same_o authority_n as_o if_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n be_v present_a and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n they_o honour_v scripture-testimony_n so_o as_o to_o put_v it_o before_o tradition_n which_o be_v to_o say_v that_o because_o scripture_n be_v subordinate_a to_o tradition_n and_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o therefore_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v put_v before_o it_o beside_o if_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n be_v but_o several_a way_n of_o convey_v the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a doctrine_n why_o shall_v he_o imagine_v a_o evangelist_n or_o apostle_n to_o be_v more_o present_a by_o the_o scripture_n than_o by_o oral_a tradition_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o suppose_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o uncertain_a and_o tradition_n a_o infallible_a way_n of_o convey_v this_o doctrine_n sect_n ii_o scripture_n §_o 1._o all_z that_o now_o remain_v be_v to_o confirm_v the_o precedent_a discourse_n by_o testimony_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a person_n of_o the_o church_n in_o several_a age_n in_o which_o i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o be_v large_a be_v so_o happy_o prevent_v by_o that_o full_a account_n which_o be_v give_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_n in_o this_o matter_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o labyrinthus_n cantuariensis_n which_o mr._n s._n may_v if_o he_o please_v consult_v for_o his_o further_a conviction_n §_o 2_o i_o begin_v with_o the_o historical_a account_n which_o eusebius_n give_v of_o commit_v the_o gospel_n to_o writing_n which_o be_v to_o this_o purpose_n viz_o 14._o that_o the_o roman_n be_v not_o content_a with_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v unless_o it_o be_v also_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o therefore_o do_v earnest_o beg_v of_o mark_n peter_n companion_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v they_o a_o monument_n in_o write_v of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o they_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o this_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n mark_n be_v gospel_n and_o when_o peter_n do_v understand_v that_o this_o work_n be_v publish_v be_v suggest_v by_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v very_o much_o please_v with_o the_o ready_a and_o earnest_a desire_n of_o those_o person_n and_o that_o by_o his_o authority_n he_o confirm_v this_o write_n to_o the_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v every_o where_o read_v in_o the_o church_n as_o for_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n he_o tell_v we_o 18._o that_o of_o all_o the_o disciple_n they_o two_o only_o have_v leave_v monument_n in_o write_v of_o who_o it_o be_v also_o report_v that_o they_o betake_v themselves_o to_o write_v be_v draw_v thereto_o by_o necessity_n matthew_n after_o he_o have_v preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o be_v resolve_v to_o go_v to_o other_o nation_n write_v his_o gospel_n in_o the_o language_n of_o his_o country_n and_o thus_o by_o the_o diligence_n and_o pain_n of_o write_v do_v abundant_o supply_v the_o the_o want_n of_o his_o presence_n to_o those_o who_o he_o leave_v and_o when_o mark_n and_o luke_n have_v publish_v their_o gospel_n it_o be_v report_v that_o john_n who_o have_v always_o use_v to_o preach_v the_o word_n without_o write_v it_o be_v at_o length_n wrought_v upon_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n do_v betake_v himself_o to_o write_v from_o this_o account_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o apostle_n think_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o preservation_n and_o secure_a conveyance_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v put_v into_o write_v and_o that_o they_o judge_v this_o a_o better_a way_n to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o their_o presence_n than_o oral_a tradition_n therefore_o the_o same_o author_n tell_v we_o 31._o that_o the_o disciple_n who_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n as_o they_o travel_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o yet_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n do_v with_o great_a care_n also_o deliver_v to_o they_o the_o write_n of_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n again_o 30._o that_o ignatius_n as_o he_o travel_v towards_o rome_n where_o he_o be_v to_o suffer_v exhort_v the_o church_n of_o every_o city_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o as_o also_o by_o write_v he_o testify_v for_o great_a security_n he_o hold_v necessary_a to_o be_v copy_v in_o write_v §_o 4._o that_o the_o heretic_n of_o old_a make_v the_o same_o pretence_n which_o the_o papist_n make_v now_o of_o oral_a tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n the_o same_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o and_o withal_o that_o book_n be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o this_o pretence_n 27._o those_o say_v he_o who_o be_v of_o the_o heresy_n of_o artemon_n say_v that_o all_o their_o forefather_n and_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o have_v receive_v and_o teach_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o they_o also_o do_v and_o have_v preserve_v the_o true_a teach_v unto_o the_o time_n of_o victor_n bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o successor_n zephyrinus_n corrupt_v it_o and_o this_o say_v he_o will_v have_v great_a probability_n be_v it_o not_o first_o of_o all_o contradict_v by_o the_o scripture_n and_o next_o if_o there_o
do_v not_o remain_v the_o write_n of_o other_o brethren_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o victor_n be_v time_n etc._n etc._n in_o the_o book_n of_o all_o who_o christ_n divinity_n be_v acknowledge_v and_o afterward_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o these_o heretic_n do_v change_v and_o corrupt_v the_o scripture_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o their_o opinion_n so_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o outward_a letter_n of_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v correct_v by_o tradition_n and_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n st._n hierom_n also_o tell_v we_o 19_o that_o the_o heretic_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o the_o wise_a who_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n but_o he_o add_v that_o the_o true_a son_n of_o judah_n adhere_v to_o the_o scripture_n §_o 4._o that_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a st._n chrysostome_n 4._o all_o thing_n in_o the_o divine_a scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o straight_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v necessary_a be_v manifest_a st._n austin_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o profoundness_n of_o scripture_n add_v 3._o not_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o hard_a to_o be_v come_v at_o but_o say_v he_o when_o one_o have_v there_o attain_v faith_n without_o which_o there_o be_v no_o pious_a and_o right_a live_n there_o be_v beside_o many_o dark_a and_o mysterious_a thing_n etc._n etc._n again_o ibid._n the_o manner_n of_o speech_n in_o scripture_n how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o all_o though_o few_o can_v penetrate_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o it_o those_o thing_n which_o it_o plain_o contain_v it_o speak_v without_o disguise_n like_o a_o familiar_a friend_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a how_o will_v mr._n s._n reconcile_v this_o with_o his_o grand_a exception_n against_o scripture_n and_o what_o these_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v plain_o contain_v in_o scripture_n the_o same_o father_n tell_v we_o elsewhere_o in_o these_o word_n 9_o among_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n all_o those_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v which_o comprehend_v faith_n and_o good_a manner_n the_o same_o st._n austin_n as_o also_o clement_n in_o the_o book_n which_o mr._n white_a quote_v for_o the_o understanding_n of_o obscure_a text_n of_o scripture_n direct_v we_o not_o to_o tradition_n but_o to_o the_o plain_a text_n without_o which_o he_o express_o say_v 5._o there_o will_v be_v no_o way_n to_o understand_v they_o §_o 5._o that_o scripture_n be_v so_o plain_a as_o to_o be_v fit_a to_o determine_v controversy_n justin_n sure_o think_v so_o when_o dispute_v with_o trypho_n concern_v a_o point_n wherein_o the_o jew_n have_v tradition_n on_o his_o side_n he_o tell_v he_o he_o will_v bring_v such_o proof_n to_o the_o contrary_a as_o no_o man_n can_v gainsay_v attend_v say_v he_o to_o what_o i_o shall_v recite_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n proof_n which_o need_v not_o to_o be_v explain_v but_o only_o to_o be_v hear_v mr._n white_a may_v have_v find_v likewise_o much_o to_o this_o purpose_n in_o his_o clement_n but_o not_o to_o tire_v my_o reader_n in_o a_o point_n which_o the_o ancient_n abound_v with_o i_o shall_v only_o produce_v the_o judgement_n of_o constantine_n 7._o in_o that_o solemn_a oration_n of_o he_o to_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a wherein_o he_o bewail_v their_o mutual_a opposition_n especial_o in_o divine_a thing_n concern_v which_o they_o have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n record_v in_o write_v for_o say_v he_o the_o book_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o old_a prophet_n do_v evident_o teach_v we_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n therefore_o lay_v aside_o all_o seditious_a contention_n let_v we_o determine_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n by_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o divine_a write_n not_o a_o word_n of_o any_o other_o tradition_n but_o scripture_n which_o be_v hold_v evident_a enough_o in_o those_o day_n though_o now_o mr._n s._n tell_v we_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o decide_v that_o controversy_n about_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ._n §_o 6._o last_o that_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n irenaeus_n 1._o the_o method_n of_o our_o salvation_n we_o have_v not_o know_v by_o any_o other_o but_o those_o man_n by_o who_o the_o gospel_n come_v to_o we_o which_o then_o they_o preach_v but_o afterward_o by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n deliver_v it_o to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v for_o the_o future_a the_o foundation_n and_o pillar_n of_o our_o faith_n st._n cyprian_n the_o church_n have_v ever_o hold_v a_o good_a catholic_n yet_o mr._n s._n 314._o take_v notice_n that_o he_o err_v in_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o perhaps_o the_o rather_o because_o mr._n rushworth_n 13._o have_v tell_v he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o they_o in_o this_o controversy_n for_o say_v he_o st._n cyprian_n seem_v to_o think_v that_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v make_v into_o scripture_n and_o not_o into_o tradition_n but_o that_o we_o may_v not_o seem_v to_o accept_v of_o this_o of_o courtesy_n from_o he_o nor_o yet_o whole_o to_o despise_v it_o i_o shall_v offer_v this_o one_o testimony_n instead_o of_o many_o out_o of_o that_o father_n who_o be_v oppose_v with_o a_o argument_n from_o tradition_n demand_n 74._o whence_o have_v you_o that_o tradition_n come_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o from_o the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o god_n testify_v that_o we_o be_v to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v command_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o contain_v in_o the_o epistle_n or_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n then_o let_v we_o observe_v it_o as_o a_o divine_a and_o holy_a tradition_n hilary_n constant_n commend_v constantius_n the_o emperor_n for_o regulate_v his_o faith_n only_o according_a to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v and_o to_o oblige_v he_o to_o deserve_v this_o commendation_n he_o add_v he_o who_o refuse_v this_o be_v antichrist_n and_o who_o dissemble_v in_o it_o be_v anathema_n donat._n optatus_n concern_v the_o controversy_n with_o the_o donatist_n ask_v who_o shall_v be_v judge_n and_o answer_v himself_o the_o scripture_n which_o he_o illustrate_v by_o the_o similitude_n of_o a_o father_n who_o deliver_v his_o will_n oral_o to_o his_o child_n while_o he_o be_v live_v but_o when_o he_o be_v die_v cause_v it_o to_o be_v write_v in_o last_a table_n to_o decide_v all_o controversy_n that_o may_v happen_v among_o they_o after_o his_o death_n the_o passage_n be_v large_a and_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o apply_v it_o basil_n maintain_v the_o doxology_n as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o his_o day_n say_v 7._o thus_o we_o receive_v it_o from_o our_o father_n but_o add_v immediate_o this_o be_v not_o enough_o for_o we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o father_n for_o they_o follow_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n make_v its_o testimony_n the_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o build_v he_o have_v indeed_o in_o the_o same_o book_n 27._o a_o passage_n much_o insist_v on_o by_o the_o papist_n concern_v unwritten_a tradition_n but_o withal_o he_o say_v those_o tradition_n be_v secret_o convey_v which_o make_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o no_o use_n to_o mr._n s._n chrysostom_n 5._o have_v mention_v several_a heresy_n direct_v how_o they_o may_v be_v avoid_v viz._n by_o attend_v to_o the_o faith_n deliver_v and_o look_v upon_o all_o that_o disagree_v from_o that_o as_o adulterate_a for_o say_v he_o as_o those_o who_o give_v rule_n do_v not_o put_v man_n upon_o a_o curious_a enquiry_n after_o many_o measure_n but_o bid_v they_o keep_v to_o the_o rule_n give_v so_o be_v it_o in_o opinion_n but_o no_o body_n will_v attend_v to_o the_o scripture_n if_o we_o do_v we_o shall_v not_o only_o not_o fall_v into_o error_n ourselves_o but_o also_o rescue_v those_o that_o be_v deceive_v again_o joh._n if_o we_o will_v be_v thorough_o conversant_a in_o the_o scripture_n we_o shall_v be_v instruct_v both_o in_o right_a opinion_n and_o a_o good_a life_n again_o among_o the_o many_o sect_n of_o christian_n apost_n it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o judge_v of_o the_o right_n if_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n because_o these_o be_v plain_a and_o true_a if_o any_o one_o agree_v with_o these_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n if_o he_o contradict_v they_o he_o be_v far_o from_o this_o rule_n st._n austin_n call_v the_o scripture_n 6._o the_o divine_a balance_n for_o the_o weigh_v of_o doctrine_n again_o the_o holy_a scripture_n say_v he_o fix_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o doctrine_n and_o according_o himself_o use_v it_o both_o in_o his_o dispute_n with_o maximinus_n to_o who_o he_o
to_o faith_n to_o arise_v from_o any_o thing_n but_o divine_a revelation_n and_o i_o do_v not_o yet_o believe_v any_o thing_n in_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v but_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o my_o wonderment_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o great_a because_o i_o suppose_v this_o inconsistent_a with_o mr._n s_n principle_n for_o oral_a tradition_n do_v necessary_o imply_v that_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v first_o teach_v by_o christ_n and_o convey_v by_o tradition_n to_o we_o but_o if_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o this_o latter_a sense_n which_o be_v not_o before_o what_o become_v of_o resolve_v faith_n whole_o into_o oral_a tradition_n for_o faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o that_o from_o whence_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v come_v but_o here_o mr._n s._n confess_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v do_v arise_v from_o something_o quite_o different_a from_o oral_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o faith_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o it_o beside_o all_o the_o sense_n i_o can_v find_v in_o that_o distinction_n be_v that_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v something_o in_o one_o age_n which_o they_o be_v not_o in_o another_o and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v desire_v mr._n s._n to_o unperplex_v i_o in_o this_o how_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_n do_v and_o yet_o one_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v more_o than_o the_o precedent_n but_o however_o i_o be_o much_o oblige_v to_o he_o for_o his_o endeavour_n to_o unperplex_v i_o as_o he_o speak_v for_o real_o i_o look_v on_o no_o civility_n to_o be_v great_a than_o those_o which_o be_v design_v for_o clear_v our_o understanding_n so_o great_a a_o adorer_n be_o i_o of_o true_a reason_n and_o a_o intelligible_a religion_n and_o therefore_o i_o perfect_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o say_n 206._o that_o christianity_n aim_v not_o to_o make_v we_o beast_n but_o more_o perfect_o man_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o manhood_n consist_v in_o the_o use_n of_o our_o reason_n from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v reasonable_a consequence_n shall_v be_v draw_v from_o principle_n of_o faith_n which_o he_o say_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n first_o such_o as_o need_v no_o more_o but_o common_a sense_n to_o deduce_v they_o the_o other_o be_v such_o as_o need_v the_o maxim_n of_o some_o science_n get_v by_o speculation_n to_o infer_v they_o and_o these_o be_v theological_a conclusion_n the_o former_a sort_n he_o tell_v we_o the_o church_n be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v use_n of_o upon_o occasion_n i._n e._n when_o any_o heretic_n question_n those_o and_o eadem_fw-la opera_fw-la the_o whole_a point_n of_o faith_n itself_o of_o which_o they_o be_v a_o part_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o monothelite_n about_o christ_n have_v two_o will_n but_o all_o this_o while_n i_o be_o far_o enough_o from_o be_v unperplex_v nay_o by_o this_o discourse_n i_o see_v every_o one_o who_o offer_v to_o unperplex_v another_o be_v not_o very_o clear_v himself_o for_o since_o he_o make_v no_o theological_a conclusion_n to_o be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la but_o only_o such_o consequence_n as_o common_a sense_n draw_v i_o will_v willing_o understand_v how_o common_a sense_n receive_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o faith_n for_o to_o my_o apprehension_n the_o deduce_n of_o consequence_n from_o principle_n by_o common_a sense_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o believe_v but_o of_o knowledge_n consequent_a upon_o a_o principle_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o meaning_n be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o man_n when_o they_o say_v they_o believe_v thing_n shall_v not_o contradict_v themselves_o as_o certain_o they_o will_v do_v if_o they_o deny_v those_o consequence_n which_o common_a sense_n draw_v from_o they_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o monothelite_n for_o man_n to_o assert_v that_o christ_n have_v two_o nature_n and_o yet_o not_o two_o will_n when_o the_o will_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o nature_n to_o that_o good_a which_o belong_v to_o it_o so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o distinct_a obligation_n to_o believe_v such_o consequence_n as_o be_v draw_v by_o common_a sense_n but_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v the_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v draw_v be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o believe_v all_o the_o consequence_n which_o immediate_o follow_v from_o they_o indeed_o the_o church_n when_o people_n will_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a to_o deny_v such_o thing_n may_v explain_v her_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o those_o term_n which_o may_v best_o prevent_v dispute_n but_o this_o be_v only_o to_o discriminate_a the_o person_n who_o true_o believe_v this_o article_n from_o such_o as_o do_v not_o not_o that_o any_o new_a obligation_n to_o faith_n result_v from_o this_o act_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o better_a to_o prevent_v cavil_n she_o explain_v her_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n itself_o in_o more_o explicit_a term_n which_o as_o he_o say_v be_v only_o to_o put_v the_o faith_n out_o of_o danger_n of_o be_v equivocate_v which_o be_v quite_o another_o thing_n from_o cause_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o believe_v as_o suppose_v the_o church_n to_o prevent_v the_o growth_n of_o the_o socinian_n doctrine_n shall_v require_v from_o man_n the_o declare_v their_o belief_n of_o the_o eternal_a existence_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n will_v this_o be_v to_o bind_v man_n to_o believe_v some_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o before_o no_o but_o only_o to_o express_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o deity_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o simple_a term_n because_o otherwise_o they_o may_v call_v he_o god_n by_o office_n and_o not_o by_o nature_n now_o how_o can_v any_o one_o conceive_v that_o any_o shall_v be_v first_o oblige_v to_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o yet_o receive_v a_o new_a obligation_n afterward_o to_o believe_v his_o eternal_a existence_n thus_o it_o be_v in_o all_o immediate_a 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on_o as_o novelty_n therefore_o they_o speak_v much_o of_o tradition_n and_o the_o ancient_a faith_n but_o that_o be_v not_o by_o what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o but_o what_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v in_o their_o write_n for_o by_o these_o they_o judge_v of_o tradition_n and_o not_o the_o oral_a way_n and_o therefore_o i_o see_v little_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v either_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n or_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o any_o number_n of_o roman_a catholic_n much_o less_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n 212._o none_o except_v as_o mr._n s._n in_o his_o confident_a way_n express_v it_o and_o if_o he_o will_v as_o he_o say_v disavow_v the_o maintain_v any_o point_n or_o affect_v any_o way_n which_o be_v not_o assent_v to_o by_o all_o i_o hope_v to_o see_v mr._n s._n retract_v this_o opinion_n and_o either_o fall_n in_o with_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n or_o return_v as_o reason_n lead_v he_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o 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mr._n s._n go_v the_o contrary_a way_n and_o make_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o the_o church_n to_o depend_v on_o the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n and_o therefore_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v see_v we_o must_v still_o oppose_v private_a opinator_n in_o this_o controversy_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n not_o have_v declare_v herself_o at_o all_o on_o mr._n s_n behalf_n but_o the_o contrary_a and_o the_o generality_n believe_v on_o the_o account_n of_o the_o present_a church_n infallibility_n and_o it_o be_v strange_a mr._n s._n shall_v find_v no_o difference_n between_o man_n resolve_v faith_n into_o common_a sense_n and_o into_o the_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n if_o this_o than_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o controversy_n as_o mr._n s._n pretend_v 213._o we_o see_v how_o unlikely_a they_o be_v to_o agree_v about_o other_o matter_n who_o be_v so_o much_o divide_v about_o the_o principle_n of_o resolve_v they_o and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o 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such_o as_o be_v involve_v and_o imply_v in_o the_o main_a point_n this_o be_v no_o more_o easy_o say_v then_o understand_v for_o if_o these_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o former_a how_o can_v there_o come_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o believe_v they_o for_o to_o take_v his_o own_o instance_n will_v any_o man_n in_o his_o sense_n say_v that_o he_o that_o believe_v homo_fw-la est_fw-la animal_n rationale_fw-la do_v not_o believe_v homo_fw-la est_fw-la animal_n and_o this_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o as_o a_o example_n how_o one_o point_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v involve_v in_o another_o so_o as_o to_o receive_v a_o distinct_a obligation_n to_o believe_v it_o i_o grant_v that_o homo_fw-la est_fw-la animal_n be_v involve_v in_o the_o other_o but_o he_o that_o shall_v say_v that_o after_o he_o have_v assent_v
i_o take_v to_o be_v as_o shameful_a a_o circle_n as_o that_o wherewith_o dr._n holden_n upbraid_v the_o generality_n of_o his_o brethren_n §_o 3._o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o authority_n from_o father_n and_o council_n all_o which_o not_o one_o of_o they_o except_v he_o have_v take_v out_o of_o mr._n white_n be_v tabulae_fw-la suffragiales_n without_o the_o least_o acknowledgement_n from_o who_o he_o have_v they_o and_o that_o it_o may_v be_v evident_a that_o he_o have_v not_o consult_v the_o book_n themselves_o for_o they_o he_o have_v take_v they_o with_o all_o their_o fault_n and_o with_o the_o very_a same_o error_n of_o citation_n which_o mr._n white_n have_v be_v guilty_a of_o before_o he_o so_o that_o though_o he_o be_v please_v to_o say_v of_o himself_o that_o 239._o he_o he_o be_v a_o bad_a transcriber_n yet_o i_o must_v do_v he_o that_o right_a to_o assure_v the_o reader_n that_o he_o do_v it_o very_o punctual_o and_o exact_o §_o 4._o he_o begin_v with_o council_n of_o which_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o will_v only_o mention_v three_o in_o several_a age_n the_o first_o be_v the_o first_o synod_n of_o lateran_n one_o may_v have_v expect_v after_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o he_o will_v mention_v three_o in_o several_a age_n he_o shall_v have_v produce_v they_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o have_v begin_v with_o the_o council_n of_o sardica_n which_o be_v near_o 300_o year_n before_o the_o lateran_n but_o there_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o lateran_n shall_v be_v first_o produce_v viz._n because_o it_o be_v mention_v before_o the_o other_o in_o mr_n white_n be_v book_n well_o but_o what_o say_v this_o synod_n we_o all_o confess_v unanimous_o and_o consequent_o with_o one_o heart_n and_o mouth_n the_o tenet_n and_o say_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n add_v nothing_o substract_v nothing_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v deliver_v we_o by_o they_o and_o we_o believe_v as_o the_o father_n have_v believe_v we_o preach_v so_o as_o they_o have_v teach_v the_o force_n of_o which_o testimony_n mr._n s._n lay_v upon_o the_o word_n deliver_v as_o if_o that_o word_n wherever_o it_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o council_n or_o father_n must_v needs_o be_v understand_v of_o oral_a delivery_n whereas_o it_o be_v a_o general_a word_n indifferent_o use_v for_o conveyance_n either_o by_o writing_n or_o word_n of_o mouth_n in_o this_o place_n it_o plain_o refer_v to_o the_o write_n of_o particular_a father_n out_o of_o who_o a_o long_a catalogue_n of_o testimony_n against_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o monothelite_n have_v be_v read_v just_a before_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o synod_n now_o what_o signify_v this_o to_o oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o this_o synod_n declare_v her_o faith_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o monothelite_n to_o be_v consonant_n in_o all_o thing_n to_o those_o testimony_n which_o have_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o father_n the_o next_o be_v the_o council_n of_o sardica_n out_o of_o a_o epistle_n of_o which_o council_n he_o cite_v these_o word_n we_o have_v receive_v this_o doctrine_n we_o have_v be_v teach_v so_o we_o hold_v this_o catholic_n tradition_n faith_n and_o confession_n which_o be_v general_a word_n and_o indifferent_o applicable_a to_o oral_a tradition_n or_o write_v or_o both_o but_o be_v they_o what_o they_o will_v mr._n s._n ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v ignorant_a that_o this_o council_n be_v reject_v by_o st._n austin_n and_o other_o orthodox_n father_n as_o 1_o binnius_n acknowledge_v and_o which_o be_v more_o that_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o this_o epistle_n out_o of_o which_o part_n mr._n s._n cite_v these_o word_n which_o contain_v a_o confession_n of_o faith_n be_v by_o 347._o baronius_n and_o after_o he_o by_o binnius_n prove_v to_o have_v be_v surreptitious_o add_v for_o though_o it_o be_v find_v in_o theodoret_n and_o mention_v by_o sozomen_n yet_o baronius_n think_v that_o it_o be_v the_o arian_n confession_n compose_v by_o 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call_v the_o 7_o the_o general_a council_n who_o pretend_v their_o doctrine_n of_o image-worship_n to_o have_v descend_v to_o they_o by_o a_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n and_o prove_v it_o most_o doughty_o by_o text_n of_o scripture_n ridiculous_o wrest_v by_o impertinent_a say_n out_o of_o obscure_a and_o counterfeit_a author_n and_o by_o fond_a and_o immodest_a story_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o pope_n 4._o adrian_n the_o 6_o the_o of_o apparition_n and_o woman_n dream_n etc._n etc._n for_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o the_o council_n itself_o which_o be_v such_o a_o mess_n of_o poppery_n that_o if_o a_o general_a council_n of_o atheist_n have_v meet_v together_o with_o a_o design_n to_o abuse_v religion_n by_o talk_v ridiculous_o concern_v it_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o more_o effectual_o i_o say_v as_o for_o his_o testimony_n from_o this_o council_n i_o shall_v refer_v mr._n s_o to_o that_o western_a council_n under_o charles_n the_o great_a which_o a_o little_a after_o at_o francford_n condemn_v and_o also_o full_o confute_v the_o decision_n of_o this_o council_n call_v their_o pretend_a tradition_n of_o image-worship_n putidissimam_fw-la traditionem_fw-la a_o most_o stink_a tradition_n these_o be_v his_o authority_n from_o council_n where_o say_v he_o we_o see_v general_a council_n rely_v on_o the_o teach_v of_o the_o father_n or_o foregoing_a church_n and_o on_o the_o church_n tradition_n as_o their_o rule_n etc._n etc._n where_o do_v he_o see_v any_o such_o matter_n or_o where_o do_v he_o see_v general_a council_n be_v the_o council_n of_o lateran_n a_o general_n one_o or_o be_v the_o council_n of_o sardica_n if_o it_o be_v let_v he_o show_v how_o the_o 2_o d._n of_o nice_n can_v be_v the_o 7_o the_o general_n council_n mr._n white_a must_v write_v more_o explicit_o and_o say_v which_o be_v general_a council_n which_o not_o otherwise_o he_o will_v lead_v his_o friend_n into_o dangerous_a mistake_n §_o 4._o after_o ancient_a 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with_o a_o say_n of_o pope_n celestine_n to_o the_o father_n of_o the_o ephesin_n council_n now_o therefore_o we_o must_v act_v with_o a_o common_a endeavour_n to_o preserve_v thing_n believe_v and_o retain_v to_o this_o very_a time_n by_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n binnius_n other_o read_v of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quite_o spoil_v the_o force_n of_o this_o citation_n which_o mr._n s._n put_v upon_o the_o word_n succession_n but_o read_v it_o how_o he_o will_v why_o may_v not_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v say_v to_o come_v by_o succession_n from_o the_o apostle_n when_o it_o be_v transmit_v to_o we_o by_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o when_o by_o oral_a tradition_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o same_o celestine_n in_o a_o epistle_n to_o cyril_n commend_v he_o for_o defend_v