side_n he_o who_o discourse_v ill_a violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o run_v into_o contradiction_n absurdity_n and_o what_o mean_v violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o speak_v contradiction_n but_o the_o make_v the_o thing_n not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o so_o falsify_v by_o his_o discourse_n that_o principle_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a in_o this_o circumstance_n to_o the_o contradiction_n he_o sustain_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v for_o example_n dr._n t._n put_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o unless_o he_o will_v be_v strange_o uncharitable_a must_v grant_v convince_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o that_o many_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o judge_v not_o right_a concern_v what_o be_v true_a faith_n what_o not_o which_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o make_v a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o that_o affair_n for_o he_o put_v it_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n ex_fw-la suppositâ—one_fw-la and_o yet_o put_v it_o to_o be_v no_o rule_n because_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o power_n be_v mislead_v which_o argue_v there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n no_o fault_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o regulative_a virtue_n in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n §_o 11._o hence_o be_v easy_o understand_v what_o use_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n viz._n not_o to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o such_o a_o affair_n one_o of_o the_o premise_n in_o a_o syllogism_n much_o less_o to_o make_v that_o one_o single_a identical_a proposition_n both_o the_o premise_n or_o two_o proposition_n as_o our_o shallow_a logician_n in_o his_o wild_a rant_v of_o drollery_n will_v persuade_v the_o reader_n but_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n have_v a_o far_o more_o sovereign_a influence_n over_o the_o discourse_n than_o any_o of_o those_o particular_a proposition_n decisive_o as_o it_o be_v abet_v or_o dis-approving_a the_o whole_a it_o be_v therefore_o to_o stand_v fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o discourser_n and_o be_v heedful_o attend_v to_o so_o to_o give_v a_o steadiness_n to_o all_o his_o ratiocination_n it_o be_v its_o office_n to_o be_v the_o test_n or_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n or_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v right_a what_o crooked_a oblique_a or_o deviate_a from_o true_a nature_n if_o in_o dispute_n one_o hold_v firm_o to_o that_o it_o authenticate_v his_o discourse_n to_o be_v the_o solid_a gold_n of_o truth_n if_o any_o plausible_a talk_v make_v a_o mock-show_a of_o connexion_n or_o truth_n it_o discover_v the_o cheat_n show_v by_o its_o own_o most_o evident_a connexion_n the_o unconnectedness_n or_o looseness_n of_o the_o other_o empty_a babble_n and_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mere_a dross_n of_o falsehood_n how_o fair_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o eye_n at_o first_o and_o how_o pretty_o soever_o it_o be_v superficial_o gild_v with_o sophisticate_a rhetoric_n or_o other_o artificial_a trick_n of_o counterfeit_a truth_n it_o be_v like_o a_o immovable_a basis_n that_o sustain_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o truth_n though_o itself_o rise_v not_o above_o its_o own_o firm_a level_n or_o like_o a_o rock_n which_o by_o its_o rigid_a hardness_n dash_v asunder_o into_o contradiction_n and_o folly_n the_o ill-coherent_a and_o weak_a production_n of_o witty_a ignorance_n no_o wonder_n then_o dr._n t._n abuse_v so_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o good_a for_o nothing_o for_o he_o perceive_v they_o dispose_v to_o abuse_v he_o by_o show_v all_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o well-clad_a nonsense_n and_o though_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n or_o his_o cause_n not_o bear_v it_o he_o can_v work_v with_o they_o yet_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v they_o will_v make_v work_n with_o he_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o instance_n §_o 12._o i'faith_o meaning_n by_o it_o a_o believe_v upon_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o his_o truth_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o preface_n to_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o elsewhere_o be_v a_o assent_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o be_v find_v in_o its_o definition_n as_o its_o difference_n essential_o distinguish_v it_o from_o opinion_n which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o be_v prove_v by_o more_o than_o forty_o demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o least_o reply_v to_o wherefore_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n it_o engage_v that_o first_o verity_n on_o which_o the_o definition_n itself_o be_v ground_v that_o be_v if_o faith_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n be_v not_o faith_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n who_o for_o all_o his_o shuffle_n make_v faith_n thus_o understand_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o clash_v with_o that_o self-evident_a identical_a proposition_n by_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v not_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o pretend_a demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n or_o any_o of_o they_o stand_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n dr._n st._n if_o they_o true_o say_v what_o they_o think_v be_v as_o certain_o conclude_v to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a as_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 13._o also_o tradition_n be_v a_o delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sense_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o child_n or_o to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v by_o catechise_v preach_a converse_v practise_v and_o all_o the_o way_n thâ—t_o can_v be_v possible_o find_v in_o education_n it_o follow_v that_o if_o mankind_n can_v express_v what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o thought_n to_o other_o at_o long_o run_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v so_o as_o to_o make_v generality_n at_o least_o the_o wise_a understand_v they_o we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n since_o to_o do_v this_o require_v little_o more_o than_o eye_n ear_n power_n of_o speak_v and_o common_a sense_n wherefore_o let_v this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v and_o it_o will_v convey_v the_o first-taught_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o belong_v intrinsical_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o but_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n it_o will_v infallible_o derive_v down_o the_o first_o that_o be_v right_o faâ—th_v since_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v by_o its_o have_v such_o a_o nature_n in_o it_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v indeed_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o he_o who_o deny_v that_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n §_o 14_o my_o last_o instance_n show_v withal_o more_o ample_o the_o use_n of_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o ground_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o discourse_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o be_v thus_o make_v use_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v the_o identity_n or_o as_o we_o may_v say_v the_o sameness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o it_o connect_v and_o it_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v these_o two_o term_n identify_v in_o the_o concsusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n be_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v this_o be_v prove_v a_o three_o term_n be_v seek_v for_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o two_o other_o and_o thence_o '_o tâ—s_v evince_v that_o those_o two_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o why_o because_o otherwise_o that_o three_o term_n will_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o be_v what_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o two_o other_o and_o yet_o those_o two_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o one_o another_o but_o it_o will_v have_v division_n in_o its_o very_a nature_n or_o not_o be_v its_o self_n be_v in_o that_o case_n distract_v into_o more_o essential_a nature_n that_o be_v be_v chimerical_a and_o consequent_o two_o thing_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o of_o those_o term_n according_a to_o the_o other_o the_o
the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o if_o the_o simple_a can_v not_o nay_o be_v not_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o other_o to_o believe_v upon_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a motive_n which_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v her_o faith_n upon_o or_o as_o if_o the_o most_o simple_a that_o be_v can_v not_o rational_o believe_v the_o church_n and_o so_o become_v infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n by_o adhere_v to_o she_o though_o their_o weak_a understanding_n do_v not_o penetrate_v or_o comprehend_v how_o the_o church_n or_o themselves_o come_v to_o be_v so_o nay_o perhaps_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o what_o the_o word_n infallible_a mean_n till_o some_o discourse_n awaken_v the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o in_o they_o §_o 10._o have_v thus_o act_v the_o disputant_n exit_fw-la theologus_fw-la intrat_fw-la scuâ—ra_fw-la and_o pag._n 13.14_o play_v the_o old_a trick_n of_o legerdemain_n over_o again_o that_o be_v leave_v out_o half_a a_o argument_n of_o i_o and_o playâ—_n upon_o the_o other_o half_a with_o all_o the_o disingenuous_a craft_n a_o wit_n bend_v that_o way_n can_v invent_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 89._o and_o 90._o i_o discourse_v thus_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n will_v seem_v to_o a_o heathen_a impossible_a to_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o motive_n must_v at_o least_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o dr._n t._n confess_v both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o object_n proportion_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v that_o be_v to_o make_v it_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o he_o it_o will_v be_v against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v have_v view_v my_o discourse_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o peruse_v the_o answer_n here_o give_v by_o my_o confuter_n he_o name_v the_o word_n argument_n say_v two_o pretty_a word_n upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v pleasant_a and_o surprise_v leaf_n out_o better_a half_n of_o it_o conceal_v perfect_o all_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o conclude_v strong_o against_o his_o own_o insufficient_a ground_n catch_n at_o a_o word_n and_o will_v make_v my_o discouse_n and_o argument_n aim_v to_o prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o motive_n be_v only_a seem_o such_o whereas_o every_o page_n in_o that_o book_n and_o its_o whole_a design_n show_v i_o mean_v and_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v actual_o real_o and_o indeed_o such_o have_v i_o a_o mind_n to_o evade_v such_o petty_a cavil_n i_o can_v allege_v that_o both_o may_v seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a yet_o one_o more_o seem_v so_o than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v advancing_z to_o confute_v he_o i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o contend_v that_o against_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a nothing_o but_o motive_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v hold_v convictive_a but_o he_o have_v no_o motive_n even_o seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o confess_o possible_a to_o be_v such_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o imaginable_a show_n of_o convictiveness_n i_o grant_v then_o it_o be_v asleep_o draw_v match_n as_o he_o call_v it_o between_o equally-seeming_a impossibility_n and_o because_o it_o be_v so_o therefore_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o object_n be_v by_o much_o a_o overmatch_n to_o what_o be_v less_o than_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a in_o the_o motive_n or_o ground_n but_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n his_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_o possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v false_a and_o so_o be_v less_o than_o seem_o even_o to_o himself_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o his_o motive_n to_o believe_v be_v incomparable_o overmatcht_v by_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v rational_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n no_o faith_n at_o all_o this_o be_v my_o true_a argument_n which_o perhaps_o may_v be_v surprise_v to_o he_o which_o make_v he_o thus_o start_v aside_o from_o put_v or_o answer_v it_o though_o we_o may_v perceive_v by_o his_o carriage_n he_o esteem_v not_o it_o and_o other_o such_o like_a very_o pleasant_a indeed_o he_o still_o put_v on_o a_o pleasant_a look_v when_o he_o shall_v be_v sober_a and_o be_v ever_o most_o merry_a when_o it_o become_v he_o to_o be_v the_o most_o serious_a but_o this_o be_v long_o since_o understand_v to_o be_v a_o necessary_a policy_n not_o a_o genuine_a effect_n of_o nature_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o transubstantiation_n be_v evident_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a if_o so_o than_o it_o imply_v some_o contradiction_n which_o if_o he_o show_v i_o in_o any_o thing_n hold_v of_o faith_n by_o catholic_n in_o that_o point_n i_o will_v become_v dr._n t_n convert_v and_o obedient_a auditor_n but_o alas_o how_o will_v he_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o contradiction_n since_o those_o faulty_a proposition_n be_v as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2.3_o therefore_o such_o because_o they_o be_v opposite_a to_o identical_a one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v see_v then_o dr._n t._n have_v long_o since_o renounce_v all_o those_o from_o be_v first_o principles_n for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v discern_v he_o must_v either_o hold_v there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o or_o else_o which_o come_v to_o the_o same_o hold_v that_o contradiction_n be_v truth_n §_o 11._o but_o he_o go_v forward_o amain_o in_o confute_v a_o point_n which_o no_o man_n live_v ever_o maintain_v viz._n that_o every_o single_a christian_a must_v be_v infallible_a that_o be_v as_o dr._n t._n will_v needs_o take_v it_o must_v so_o penetrate_v his_o ground_n and_o what_o relate_v to_o they_o as_o to_o see_v clear_o he_o can_v be_v deceiuâ—d_v in_o judge_v his_o ground_n of_o faith_n conclusive_a whereas_o my_o tenet_n be_v that_o let_v any_o man_n though_o of_o the_o acute_a understanding_n and_o great_a learning_n that_o may_v be_v entertain_v any_o tenet_n as_o faith_n oâ—_n reveal_v by_o god_n upon_o any_o other_o motive_n than_o what_o god_n have_v lose_v to_o his_o church_n this_o man_n however_o thus_o endow_v not_o only_o may_v but_o in_o likelihood_n will_v be_v deceive_v not_o for_o want_v of_o wit_n but_o for_o want_v of_o ground_n ascertain_v and_o infallible_o engage_v the_o divine_a revelation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v the_o simple_a and_o weak_a understanding_n that_o be_v happen_v to_o embrace_v faith_n upon_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n and_o leave_v in_o his_o church_n he_o be_v infallible_o secure_a from_o be_v in_o a_o error_n not_o through_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o understanding_n perfect_o discern_v and_o penetrate_v the_o conclusive_a nature_n of_o his_o ground_n but_o though_o the_o strength_n of_o those_o ground_n themselves_o or_o of_o the_o cause_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o plant_v and_o continue_v right_a faith_n in_o the_o church_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o what_o he_o have_v thus_o more_a by_o the_o peculiar_a disposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a providence_n than_o any_o reach_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n or_o judgement_n fortunate_o embrace_v be_v preserve_v impossible_a to_o false_a and_o consequent_o his_o assent_n to_o it_o impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n because_o the_o church_n authority_n upon_o which_o he_o receive_v it_o be_v infallible_a and_o sure_o it_o be_v but_o fit_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v upon_o that_o rule_n god_n have_v leave_v and_o command_v we_o to_o follow_v shall_v be_v thus_o secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n for_o otherwise_o since_o a_o power_n be_v relative_a to_o its_o proper_a act_n what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a may_v actual_o be_v so_o and_o so_o we_o may_v come_v to_o be_v lead_v actual_o into_o error_n by_o obey_v god_n command_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v thâ—s_n if_o dr._n t._n therefore_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o receive_v their_o faith_n upon_o and_o by_o do_v so_o have_v command_v they_o to_o believe_v it_o he_o must_v either_o say_v that_o its_o sense_n and_o letter_n take_v they_o as_o he_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o beside_o the_o many_o absurdity_n already_o mention_v grant_v that_o our_o alwise_a and_o good_a god_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n into_o actual_a error_n nay_o command_v they_o to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o a_o lie_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v
right_a that_o be_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n must_v be_v true_a if_o dr._n t_n faith_n be_v true_a build_v only_o on_o moral_a certainty_n which_o will_v utter_o destroy_v his_o enemy_n identical_a proposition_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v at_o least_o why_o these_o two_o equal_o match_v moral_a certainty_n shall_v not_o make_v a_o draw_v battle_n of_o it_o or_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v determine_v on_o who_o side_n the_o certain_a truth_n stand_v i_o doubt_v it_o will_v be_v the_o hard_a task_n that_o ever_o be_v for_o he_o to_o make_v it_o even_o moral_o certain_a there_o be_v a_o trinity_n for_o this_o can_v be_v do_v but_o by_o manifest_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n bear_v no_o shadow_n of_o reason_n on_o the_o socinian_o side_n otherwise_o that_o seem_a reason_n may_v be_v a_o just_a cause_n for_o a_o protestant_n to_o suspend_v perhaps_o doubt_v of_o it_o and_o so_o not_o be_v morally-certain_a §_o 15._o the_o meaning_n then_o of_o these_o word_n moral_a certainty_n be_v so_o indeterminate_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o can_v tell_v what_o to_o make_v of_o it_o no_o wonder_n our_o divine_n can_v agree_v about_o it_o if_o he_o say_v he_o understand_v it_o very_o well_o i_o desire_v to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o trial_n by_o produce_v any_o one_o proposition_n hold_v by_o he_o to_o be_v but_o morally-certain_a and_o show_v we_o logical_o art_n be_v the_o test_n of_o nature_n how_o or_o by_o virtue_n of_o what_o its_o term_n hang_v together_o or_o to_o make_v out_o according_a to_o his_o own_o notion_n of_o moral_a certainty_n that_o not_o one_o prudent_a man_n in_o the_o world_n do_v or_o can_v be_v dissatisfy_v with_o it_o what_o i_o conceive_v be_v mean_v general_o by_o moral_a certainty_n be_v a_o high_a probability_n or_o some_o great_a likelihood_n which_o be_v a_o insufficient_a ground_n for_o faith_n for_o we_o be_v to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o not_o for_o its_o likelihood_n only_o â—_o judge_v the_o name_n of_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o certainty_n due_a to_o faith_n and_o itâ—_n ground_n unless_o it_o be_v signify_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o be_v use_v catachrestical_o or_o abusive_o to_o mean_v absolute_a certainty_n §_o 16._o i_o expect_v d._n t._n will_n instead_o of_o make_v out_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o chimerical_a certainty_n run_v to_o instance_n for_o example_n that_o of_o our_o be_v moral_o certain_a of_o the_o sun_n be_v rise_v to_o morrow_n and_o such_o like_a but_o first_o i_o contend_v he_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o this_o his_o own_o instance_n if_o he_o be_v let_v he_o give_v his_o ground_n of_o certainty_n for_o it_o and_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v or_o conclude_v the_o night_n before_o that_o it_o will_n i_o doubt_v much_o he_o will_v when_o he_o come_v to_o try_v it_o find_v himself_o gravel_v and_o confess_v with_o i_o that_o it_o be_v only_o high_o likely_a it_o be_v well_o he_o do_v not_o live_v in_o joshuah_n or_o ezekiah_n time_n and_o tell_v they_o the_o day_n before_o that_o moses_n his_o law_n be_v only_o as_o certain_a as_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v not_o stand_v still_o or_o go_v backward_o the_o next_o day_n for_o if_o so_o i_o doubt_v much_o those_o who_o have_v hear_v and_o believe_v he_o will_v have_v take_v a_o just_a scandal_n at_o their_o faith_n see_v point_n hold_v equal_o certain_a as_o it_o prove_v actual_o false_a again_o what_o more_o certainty_n have_v he_o now_o of_o the_o sun_n rise_v again_o within_o 18_o hour_n after_o his_o set_n than_o they_o in_o those_o day_n be_v the_o day_n before_o that_o it_o will_v not_o go_v back_o or_o stand_v still_o and_o yet_o we_o see_v they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o it_o for_o we_o know_v they_o have_v be_v mistake_v in_o it_o and_o that_o judgement_n a_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o d._n t_n moral_a certainty_n mean_v such_o a_o certainty_n w_o ch_z as_o appear_v by_o this_o event_n be_v uncertain_a or_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v certain_a peradventure_o now_o this_o nonsense_n have_v no_o harm_n in_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v opposite_a to_o a_o identical_a proposition_n what_o be_v certain_a be_v certain_a which_o weigh_v not_o with_o dr._n t._n who_o have_v renounce_v all_o first_o principle_n in_o a_o word_n our_o b._n saviour_n have_v beforehand_o prevent_v all_o such_o instance_n by_o â—elling_v we_o that_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v fail_v but_o his_o word_n shall_v not_o fail_v intimate_v that_o the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n much_o more_o some_o one_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v totter_v and_o unstable_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o unchangeable_a nature_n of_o truth_n and_o such_o all_o good_a christian_n be_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v to_o attest_v it_o §_o 17._o have_v thus_o do_v more_o than_o miracle_n and_o establish_v moral_a certainty_n which_o be_v not_o its_o self_n be_v it_o not_o unestablisht_v â—e_n proccee_v p._n 18._o to_o overthrow_v infallibility_n allege_v that_o the_o understanding_n can_v be_v absolute_o secure_v from_o all_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n but_o either_o by_o the_o perfection_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n which_o he_o think_v all_o mankind_n but_o mr._n s._n have_v hitherto_o grant_v that_o it_o can_v not_o or_o by_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o desire_v he_o will_v not_o stretch_v my_o tenet_n beyond_o the_o bound_n myself_o give_v it_o i_o never_o say_v that_o human_a understanding_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v mistake_v in_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o but_o only_o in_o knowledge_n build_v on_o sensation_n in_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o first_o principle_n in_o know_v while_o leave_v to_o nature_n till_o speculation_n for_o which_o they_o be_v too_o weak_a put_v they_o into_o a_o puzzle_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n confuse_o and_o in_o common_a something_o belong_v to_o some_o nature_n daily_o converse_v with_o and_o last_o some_o learned_a man_n in_o diverse_a deduction_n of_o evident_a reason_n for_o example_n in_o diverse_a proposition_n in_o euclid_n but_o that_o which_o our_o subject_n restrain_v it_o to_o be_v about_o the_o infallible_a conveyance_n down_o of_o faith_n be_v the_o first_o of_o those_o viz._n infallibility_n of_o our_o sensation_n for_o once_o put_v this_o tradition_n be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n speak_v then_o of_o this_o which_o be_v all_o my_o present_a purpose_n require_v i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o hold_v it_o that_o dr._n t._n except_v sceptic_n if_o perhaps_o he_o be_v not_o one_o of_o that_o sect_n be_v i_o think_v the_o only_a man_n that_o ever_o deny_v it_o be_v not_o both_o of_o we_o infallible_o certain_a that_o we_o eat_v drink_v write_v and_o live_v or_o do_v any_o but_o a_o madman_n ever_o think_v serious_o that_o sober_a mankind_n abstract_v from_o disease_n in_o some_o particular_n may_v possible_o be_v deceive_v in_o such_o knowledge_n as_o these_o be_v not_o our_o sense_n contrive_v natural_o as_o apt_a to_o convey_v impression_n from_o the_o object_n to_o the_o know_v power_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o perfection_n necessary_o annex_v to_o each_o but_o as_o to_o the_o main_a so_o as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o use_v and_o needful_a speculation_n as_o any_o other_o cause_n in_o nature_n be_v to_o do_v their_o proper_a effect_n have_v they_o not_o also_o as_o little_a contingency_n in_o they_o and_o that_o contingency_n as_o easy_o discoverable_a by_o the_o standard_n of_o circumstant_fw-la mankind_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v as_o in_o icterical_a person_n and_o such_o like_a this_o be_v so_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o basis_n on_o which_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v build_v viz._n natural_a knowledge_n be_v more_o secure_a than_o any_o part_n of_o nature_n since_o natural_o it_o be_v impossible_a mankind_n can_v err_v in_o these_o and_o whereas_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a but_o it_o may_v in_o some_o conjuncture_n become_v god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o exert_v his_o divine_a omnipotence_n and_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n even_o in_o considerable_a portion_n of_o it_o as_o in_o the_o instance_n give_v of_o the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o and_o go_v back_o the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o such_o like_a yet_o in_o our_o case_n it_o be_v impossible_a because_o the_o alter_a nature_n course_n in_o such_o as_o these_o be_v direct_o to_o create_v false_a judgement_n or_o error_n in_o mankind_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a essential_a wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n shall_v be_v the_o immediate_a and_o peculiar_a cause_n natural_o therefore_o it_o can_v happen_v nor_o yet_o supernatural_o for_o though_o take_v the_o proportion_n between_o god_n omnipotence_n single_o consider_v and_o the_o
that_o i_o never_o say_v or_o think_v it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o tradition_n have_v always_o be_v follow_v but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v of_o own_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d evident_o infallible_a rule_n abstract_v from_o be_v follow_v his_o answer_n to_o my_o method_n be_v this_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o point_n before_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o speak_v to_o it_o now_o for_o why_o shall_v people_n expect_v more_o from_o i_o here_o than_o elsewhere_o or_o rather_o i_o have_v grant_v the_o point_n already_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o say_v more_o to_o it_o and_o i_o for_o my_o part_n think_v he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a &_o because_o it_o seem_v a_o little_a unreasonable_a to_o require_v the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v twice_o i_o think_v it_o best_o to_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o sufficient-consideration_n and_o go_v on_o to_o the_o next_o only_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v how_o empty_a a_o brag_n it_o be_v in_o the_o drs._n how_o partial_a in_o their_o friend_n to_o magnify_v this_o piece_n as_o unanswerable_a yet_o in_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v such_o for_o a_o ready_a grant_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a truth_n can_v never_o be_v answer_v or_o refute_v §_o 7._o his_o next_o pretence_n be_v that_o my_o method_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n to_o which_o though_o enough_o have_v be_v say_v already_o yet_o because_o the_o clear_n this_o will_n at_o once_o give_v account_n of_o what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o affirm_v faith_n must_v be_v know_v antecedent_o to_o church_n which_o bear_v a_o show_n as_o if_o i_o hold_v we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n for_o our_o faith_n i_o shall_v be_v something_o large_a in_o declare_v this_o point_n to_o perform_v which_o more_o satisfactory_o i_o note_v 1._o that_o those_o who_o be_v actual_o from_o their_o childhood_n in_o the_o church_n have_v faith_n instill_a into_o they_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o those_o who_o be_v educate_v in_o another_o profession_n and_o after_o come_v to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n the_o formâ—â—_n be_v imbue_v after_o a_o natural_a way_n with_o the_o church_n doctrine_n and_o be_v educate_v in_o a_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o church_n itself_o whereas_o the_o late_a be_v to_o acquire_v faith_n by_o consider_v and_o look_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o be_v educate_v rather_o in_o a_o hatred_n against_o the_o true_a church_n than_o in_o any_o good_a opinion_n of_o she_o the_o former_a therefore_o have_v the_o full_a weight_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n both_o as_o to_o natural_n and_o supernatural_n actual_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o work_v its_o effect_n upon_o they_o practical_a self-evidence_n both_o of_o the_o credit_n due_a to_o so_o grave_a learned_a ample_n and_o sacred_a a_o authority_n as_o also_o of_o the_o holiness_n the_o morality_n or_o agreeableness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n to_o right_a reason_n which_o they_o actual_o experience_n render_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o assent_n connatural_a that_o be_v rational_a or_o virtuous_a the_o late_a fancy_n nothing_o supernatural_a in_o she_o nor_o experience_n the_o goodness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n but_o have_v it_o represent_v to_o they_o as_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a in_o a_o word_n the_o former_a have_v both_o faith_n and_o the_o reason_n for_o it_o practical_o instill_a into_o they_o in_o a_o manner_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o grow_v together_o daily_o to_o new_a degree_n of_o perfection_n whereas_o the_o late_a must_v have_v reason_n antecedent_o to_o faith_n and_o apprehend_v as_o yet_o nothing_o supernatural_a in_o the_o church_n must_v begin_v with_o something_o natural_a or_o mere_o humane_a which_o may_v be_v the_o object_n of_o a_o unelevated_a reason_n and_o withal_o such_o as_o may_v be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n able_a to_o satisfy_v rational_o that_o haesitation_n and_o disquisitive_a doubt_n wherewith_o they_o be_v perplex_v and_o settle_v they_o in_o a_o firm_a belief_n 2._o my_o discourse_n in_o that_o treatise_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o title_n be_v intend_v for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o their_o natural_a reason_n by_o propose_v something_o which_o be_v a_o object_n proper_a and_o proportion_v to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v lead_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n step_v by_o step_n to_o the_o church_n though_o all_o the_o while_o they_o walk_v upon_o their_o own_o leg_n and_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o be_v proceed_v upon_o plain_a maxim_n of_o humane_a reason_n every_o step_n they_o take_v 3._o though_o i_o use_v the_o abstract_a word_n tradition_n yet_o i_o conceive_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v imagine_v i_o mean_v by_o it_o some_o idea_n platonica_fw-la or_o separate_v formalility_n hover_v in_o the_o air_n without_o any_o subject_a but_o that_o the_o thing_n i_o indeed_o mean_v to_o signify_v by_o it_o be_v the_o church_n as_o deliver_v or_o as_o testify_v and_o take_v it_o as_o apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o capable_a to_o discern_v any_o supernaturality_n in_o the_o church_n the_o natural_a or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o church_n testify_v she_o receive_v this_o faith_n uninterrupted_o from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o tradition_n differ_v from_o church_n as_o a_o man_n consider_v precise_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v differ_v from_o himself_o consider_v and_o express_v as_o such_o a_o person_n which_o know_v by_o speech_n and_o carriage_n or_o by_o himself_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v other_o consideration_n also_o belong_v to_o he_o which_o before_o lay_v hide_v and_o be_v involve_v or_o as_o the_o school_n express_v it_o confound_v in_o the_o subject_a or_o suppositum_fw-la become_v know_v likewise_o so_o the_o church_n humane_a testimony_n or_o tradition_n which_o as_o be_v show_v sure_a f._n p._n 81_o 82_o 83._o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o powerful_o support_v even_o natural_o of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o proportion_a object_n to_o their_o reason_n who_o yet_o believe_v not_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v know_v thence_o that_o the_o body_n who_o proceed_v on_o that_o ground_n possess_v the_o first-delivered_a that_o be_v right_a faith_n and_o so_o be_v the_o true_a church_n immediate_o all_o those_o prerogative_n and_o supernatural_a endowment_n apprehend_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n to_o spring_v out_o of_o it_o or_o attend_v on_o it_o be_v know_v to_o appertain_v and_o to_o have_v ever_o appertain_v to_o the_o true_a church_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n goodness_n or_o sanctity_n the_o proper_a gift_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n with_o all_o the_o mean_n to_o it_o which_o with_o a_o incomparable_a efficacy_n strengthen_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o to_o the_o delivery_n of_o right_a faith_n whence_o she_o be_v just_o hold_v and_o believe_v by_o the_o new-converted_n faithful_a to_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n which_o till_o some_o motive_n mere_o humane_a have_v first_o introduce_v it_o into_o their_o understanding_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o can_v not_o possible_o apprehend_v §_o 8._o in_o this_o way_n then_o of_o discourse_v the_o church_n be_v still_o the_o only_a ascertainer_n of_o faith_n either_o take_v in_o her_o whole_a latitude_n as_o in_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a or_o consider_v in_o part_n only_o that_o be_v as_o deliver_v by_o way_n of_o natural_o testify_v which_o i_o here_o call_v tradition_n in_o order_n to_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n whence_o appear_v the_o perfect_a groundlesness_n of_o dr._n t_n objection_n and_o how_o he_o whole_o misunderstand_v my_o doctrine_n in_o this_o point_n when_o he_o say_v the_o discourse_n in_o my_o method_n do_v unchristian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n for_o first_o he_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v to_o those_o actual_o in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o find_v which_o be_v the_o church_n next_o since_o all_o believer_n actual_o in_o the_o church_n even_o to_o a_o man_n rely_v on_o the_o church_n both_o natural_o and_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o i_o be_o diseourse_v only_o about_o the_o natural_a mean_n for_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o his_o discourse_n amount_v to_o this_o that_o because_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o come_v to_o faith_n rely_v only_o on_o the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o who_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n both_o humane_o
discover_v to_o i_o that_o i_o can_v not_o bestow_v my_o pain_n better_a on_o any_o subject_n than_o in_o make_v know_v what_o be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o evidence_v to_o man_n capable_a of_o evidence_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n that_o it_o have_v indeed_o the_o quality_n proper_a to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v virtue_n or_o power_n to_o acquaint_v we_o that_o live_v now_o without_o the_o least_o danger_n of_o error_n what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v at_o first_o to_o this_o end_n i_o show_v first_o in_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n have_v not_o this_o virtue_n and_o by_o consequence_n can_v not_o be_v the_o rule_n intend_v and_o leave_v we_o by_o christ._n many_o argument_n i_o use_v from_o p._n 1._o to_o p._n 41._o though_o these_o two_o short_a discourse_n be_v sufficient_a to_o evince_v the_o point_n to_o any_o who_o be_v not_o beforehand_o resolve_v he_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v first_o that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n or_o way_n to_o faith_n which_o many_o follow_v to_o their_o power_n yet_o be_v mislead_v and_o this_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o for_o i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o charity_n or_o even_o with_o humanity_n to_o think_v that_o none_o among_o the_o socinian_o or_o other_o err_a sect_n endeavour_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a nor_o how_o it_o can_v be_v make_v out_o that_o all_o without_o exception_n either_o wilful_o or_o negligent_o pervert_v it_o and_o yet_o unless_o it_o be_v show_v rational_a to_o believe_v this_o it_o can_v never_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n as_o useful_a and_o as_o excellent_a as_o it_o be_v in_o other_o respect_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o all_o want_v to_o themselves_o and_o their_o rule_n it_o be_v unavoidable_a that_o their_o rule_n be_v want_v to_o they_o next_o they_o who_o affirm_v the_o letter_n be_v the_o rule_n must_v either_o say_v that_o the_o bare_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v antecedent_o to_o and_o abstract_n from_o all_o interpretation_n whatsoever_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o this_o can_v be_v with_o any_o sense_n maintain_v for_o so_o god_n must_v be_v hold_v to_o have_v hand_n foot_n passion_n etc._n etc._n or_o else_o that_o the_o letter_n alone_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o give_v as_o assurance_n of_o god_n sense_n in_o dogmatical_a point_n of_o high_a concern_v as_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o interpretation_n and_o to_o say_v this_o be_v to_o say_v as_o express_o as_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n alone_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o it_o give_v not_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o christ_n without_o that_o interpretation_n adjoin_v nay_o more_o since_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o interpretation_n to_o give_v the_o sense_n of_o word_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o christ_n this_o interpretation_n manifest_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o revelation_n to_o we_o who_o live_v now_o of_o what_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n i_o know_v it_o be_v sometime_o say_v that_o the_o letter_n may_v be_v interpret_v by_o itself_o a_o clear_a place_n afford_v light_n to_o one_o more_o obscure_a but_o take_v the_o letter_n as_o antecedent_n to_o all_o interpretation_n as_o in_o this_o case_n it_o ought_v i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n for_o this_o pretence_n for_o let_v we_o take_v two_o such_o place_n e._n g._n it_o repent_v god_n that_o he_o have_v make_v man_n and_o god_n be_v not_o as_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v abstract_a from_o all_o interpretation_n and_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o that_o can_v of_o the_o two_o place_n take_v alone_o which_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o which_o be_v the_o obscure_a one_o atheist_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o take_v such_o pretence_n to_o reject_v the_o scripture_n and_o impious_o accuse_v it_o of_o contradiction_n but_o how_o that_o method_n can_v assist_v a_o sincere_a man_n who_o hope_v by_o the_o mere_a letter_n to_o find_v his_o faith_n and_o hinder_v the_o obscure_a place_n from_o darken_n the_o clear_a place_n as_o much_o as_o the_o clear_a one_o enlighten_v the_o obscure_a one_o i_o understand_v not_o in_o fine_a it_o expose_v a_o man_n to_o the_o scandal_n and_o temptation_n of_o think_v there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o scripture_n but_o absolute_a assurance_n of_o truth_n it_o give_v no_o man_n beside_o the_o former_a of_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v return_v again_o for_o the_o socinian_o compare_v place_n to_o place_n as_o well_o as_o other_o other_o sect_n do_v so_o too_o and_o yet_o all_o err_v and_o some_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n wherefore_o it_o must_v be_v either_o presume_v they_o all_o err_v wilful_o or_o the_o way_n can_v be_v presume_v a_o right_a way_n far_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v when_o one_o pitch_v upon_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o any_o place_n beyond_o what_o the_o letter_n enforce_v by_o what_o light_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o that_o determination_n and_o then_o show_v that_o that_o light_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o not_o the_o letter_n be_v indeed_o the_o formal_a revealer_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o occasion_n but_o my_o business_n now_o be_v to_o state_n my_o case_n not_o to_o plead_v it_o the_o letter_n rule_v seclude_v i_o advance_v to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n or_o that_o body_n call_v the_o church_n which_o christ_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n constitute_v take_v as_o deliver_v her_o thought_n by_o a_o constant_a tenor_n of_o live_a voice_n and_o practise_v visible_a to_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v the_o absolutely-certain_a way_n of_o convey_v down_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v at_o first_o from_o age_n to_o age_n nay_o year_n to_o year_n and_o so_o to_o our_o time_n which_o be_v in_o other_o term_n to_o say_v that_o pastor_n and_o father_n and_o the_o conversant_a faithful_a by_o discourse_v preach_v teach_v and_o catechise_v and_o live_v and_o practise_v can_v from_o the_o very_a first_o and_o so_o all_o along_o better_a and_o more_o certain_o make_v their_o thought_n or_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o they_o instruct_v than_o a_o book_n which_o lie_v before_o they_o and_o can_v accommodate_v itself_o to_o the_o arise_v difficulty_n of_o the_o reader_n i_o be_o not_o here_o to_o repeat_v my_o reason_n they_o be_v contain_v in_o my_o book_n which_o i_o call_v sure_a foot_n in_o christianity_n and_o because_o i_o observe_v our_o improve_n age_n have_v in_o this_o last_o half_a century_n exceed_o ripen_v and_o advance_v in_o manly_a reason_n strain_v towards_o perfect_a satisfaction_n and_o unwilling_o rest_v on_o any_o thing_n in_o which_o appear_v a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o to_o express_v the_o same_o in_o other_o word_n bend_v their_o thought_n and_o hopeful_a endeavour_n to_o perfect_a science_n i_o endeavour_v in_o that_o treatise_n rigorous_o to_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o science_n both_o in_o disprove_v the_o letter-rule_n and_o prove_v the_o live_a rule_n of_o faith_n beginning_n with_o some_o plain_a attribute_n belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n and_o build_v my_o whole_a discourse_n upon_o they_o with_o care_v not_o to_o swerve_v from_o they_o in_o the_o least_o and_o be_v conscious_a to_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v as_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v close_o hold_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o hold_v my_o first_o five_o discourse_n demonstrative_a which_o be_v all_o i_o need_v have_v do_v as_o appear_v p._n 57_o and_o 58._o the_o rest_n that_o follow_v be_v add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o express_v by_o i_o a_o endeavour_n to_o demonstrate_v as_o by_o the_o title_n of_o the_o six_o and_o eight_o discourse_n be_v manifest_a though_o i_o do_v not_o perceive_v by_o the_o opposition_n of_o my_o answerer_n why_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v better_a thought_n of_o they_o than_o at_o first_o i_o pretend_v this_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v that_o book_n as_o far_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o i_o and_o a_o true_a account_n why_o i_o write_v on_o that_o subject_a and_o in_o that_o manner_n what_o thought_n i_o have_v of_o its_o usefulness_n and_o hope_v it_o may_v prove_v serviceable_a towards_o compose_v the_o difference_n in_o religion_n of_o which_o the_o world_n have_v so_o long_o complain_v though_o from_o the_o long_a and_o deep_a meditation_n i_o must_v necessary_o have_v make_v upon_o those_o principle_n i_o may_v reasonable_o be_v judge_v to_o
proper_o a_o science_n for_o this_o abstraction_n or_o manner_n of_o be_v in_o our_o mind_n free_v the_o notion_n or_o nature_n thus_o abstract_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n as_o thus_o conceive_v by_o we_o from_o uncertainty_n nay_o indeed_o fix_v it_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o immutability_n whereas_o be_v it_o consider_v as_o find_v in_o the_o world_n there_o will_v be_v no_o firm_a ground_n at_o all_o for_o any_o discourse_n for_o example_n perhaps_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o perpetual_a turmoil_n of_o thing_n in_o nature_n there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o world_n any_o one_o body_n either_o mathematical_o straight_a circular_a or_o triangular_a yet_o because_o the_o nature_n of_o body_n conceive_v as_o in_o rest_n bear_v it_o &_o we_o can_v abstract_n from_o motion_n and_o so_o consider_v quantitative_a thing_n according_a to_o what_o they_o can_v bear_v in_o themselves_o take_v as_o not_o move_v or_o in_o rest_n therefore_o we_o can_v make_v such_o steady_a notion_n and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v discourse_v they_o and_o ground_n a_o long_a train_n of_o new_a conclusion_n which_o we_o call_v a_o particular_a science_n upon_o such_o a_o nature_n thus_o conceive_v §_o 9_o and_o for_o that_o reason_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v why_o ethic_n or_o morality_n be_v not_o equal_o demonstrable_a as_o mathematics_n for_o we_o can_v equal_o abstract_a those_o moral_a notion_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o consider_v they_o apart_o as_o we_o can_v do_v those_o mathematical_a one_o of_o line_n and_o number_n i_o know_v it_o be_v grow_v a_o common_a humour_n in_o the_o world_n take_v up_o i_o know_v not_o how_o by_o course_n and_o continue_v none_o know_v why_o to_o think_v otherwise_o but_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o never_o can_v discern_v any_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o shall_v be_v thankful_a to_o that_o man_n who_o can_v show_v i_o any_o that_o convince_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o give_v i_o for_o the_o affirmative_a which_o be_v this_o that_o the_o same_o reason_n hold_v for_o ethic_n as_o for_o mathematics_n since_o all_o the_o perquisit_n for_o demonstration_n be_v find_v in_o the_o one_o as_o in_o the_o other_o to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o test_n let_v we_o consider_v what_o euclid_n do_v when_o he_o demonstrate_v and_o by_o virtue_n of_o what_o we_o see_v he_o put_v his_o definition_n and_o some_o common_a maxim_n peculiar_a to_o that_o subject_a and_o then_o by_o his_o reason_n connect_v the_o first_o deduction_n with_o his_o principle_n and_o the_o follow_a deduction_n with_o the_o forego_n onâ—â—_n weave_v they_o into_o a_o science_n and_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o we_o can_v as_o well_o know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n which_o express_v virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o so_o as_o well_o define_v they_o as_o we_o can_v those_o other_o also_o that_o the_o common_a maxim_n of_o morality_n be_v as_o self-evident_a to_o humane_a nature_n as_o any_o first_o principle_n in_o the_o world_n i_o admire_v then_o what_o shall_v hinder_v ethic_n to_o be_v as_o perfect_v a_o science_n as_o the_o clear_a piece_n of_o mathematics_n since_o we_o can_v equal_o abstract_a the_o several_a notion_n handle_v in_o it_o from_o matter_n equal_o define_v they_o and_o consequent_o assist_v by_o common_a maxim_n equally-evident_a with_o equal_a clearness_n discourse_v they_o which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v require_v §_o 10._o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o particular_a moral_a action_n be_v liable_a to_o contingency_n it_o be_v answer_v that_o this_o hinder_v not_o but_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o morality_n be_v a_o true_a science_n even_o mathematical_a demonstration_n when_o reduce_v to_o practice_n and_o put_v in_o matter_n be_v subject_a also_o to_o contingency_n as_o we_o experience_v daily_o in_o mechanic_n and_o yet_o the_o speculative_a part_n which_o abstract_n from_o matter_n be_v never_o the_o less_o scientifical_a §_o 11._o the_o great_a difficulty_n be_v in_o that_o cardinal_n virtue_n call_v prudence_n and_o i_o confess_v that_o because_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o virtue_n be_v surround_v with_o a_o incomprehensible_a number_n of_o accident_n and_o waylay_v as_o it_o be_v with_o all_o the_o ambush_n and_o stratagem_n of_o fortune_n and_o consequent_o to_o make_v its_o success_n certain_a we_o must_v be_v put_v to_o fathom_v the_o nature_n of_o many_o several_a thing_n nay_o more_o their_o combination_n or_o joynt-actings_a with_o their_o several_a circumstance_n and_o especial_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o common_a cause_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o other_o star_n if_o they_o have_v any_o that_o be_v considerable_a and_o last_o of_o the_o element_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o our_o shortsighted_a knowledge_n to_o reach_v hence_o prudence_n in_o its_o execution_n or_o put_v in_o matter_n be_v liable_a to_o more_o contingency_n by_o far_o than_o any_o piece_n of_o the_o mathematics_n where_o we_o have_v but_o one_o or_o two_o single_a notion_n or_o nature_n to_o grapple_v with_o and_o wield_v yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o difficulty_n i_o must_v still_o contest_v that_o the_o maxim_n of_o prudence_n upon_o which_o its_o dictaman_n be_v chief_o ground_v be_v self-evident_a practical_o and_o to_o the_o learned_a demonstrable_a viz._n that_o we_o ought_v to_o sow_v and_o plant_v in_o their_o proper_a season_n that_o it_o be_v best_a for_o merchant_n to_o hazard_v though_o they_o be_v insecure_a of_o the_o event_n and_o a_o thousand_o suchlike_a §_o 12._o i_o expect_v dr._n t._n will_v object_v the_o fickle_a nature_n of_o the_o will_n which_o render_v all_o contingent_a where_o this_o perpetually-changing_a planet_n have_v any_o influence_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o way_n for_o all_o that_o to_o fix_v this_o volatile_a mercurial_a power_n and_o make_v it_o act_v with_o a_o constancy_n as_o great_a as_o any_o other_o thing_n in_o nature_n to_o conceive_v how_o this_o may_v be_v effect_v we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o will_v too_o have_v a_o peculiar_a nature_n of_o its_o own_o which_o it_o can_v no_o more_o forgo_v than_o the_o most_o constant_a piece_n find_v in_o nature_n can_v do_v its_o that_o be_v the_o will_n can_v no_o more_o leave_v off_o be_v a_o will_n than_o a_o rule_n can_v notbe_a a_o rule_n faith_n notbe_a faith_n or_o any_o other_o of_o those_o ridiculous_a identical_a proposition_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v they_o not_o be_v true_a now_o the_o will_n be_v a_o power_n and_o power_n take_v their_o several_a nature_n from_o their_o object_n or_o as_o the_o school_n express_v it_o be_v specify_v by_o they_o and_o the_o object_n of_o the_o will_v as_o distinguish_v from_o the_o understanding_n be_v good_a and_o this_o propose_v to_o it_o by_o that_o know_a power_n that_o be_v good_a at_o least_o appear_v such_o if_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a that_o such_o a_o thing_n can_v never_o appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o subject_a thus_o circumstance_v it_o be_v demonstrable_a the_o will_n can_v will_v it_o nay_o as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o a_o will_n be_v a_o will._n §_o 13._o to_o apply_v this_o to_o particular_n in_o case_n there_o be_v a_o trade_n or_o profession_n of_o merchant_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o the_o follower_n of_o that_o sole_a employment_n that_o themselves_o wife_n and_o child_n must_v starve_v unless_o they_o venture_v to_o sea_n the_o notventure_n can_v never_o appear_v to_o they_o thus_o circumstance_v that_o be_v addict_v to_o that_o only_a way_n of_o livelihood_n as_o be_v suppose_v a_o good_a and_o so_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o abstract_v from_o madness_n or_o exorbitant_a passion_n which_o be_v not_o our_o case_n they_o can_v never_o will_v not-to-venture_a or_o if_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o man_n have_v embrace_v no_o profession_n but_o that_o of_o the_o law_n and_o as_o we_o will_v suppose_v have_v no_o other_o livelihood_n but_o that_o so_o that_o it_o become_v evident_a it_o can_v never_o appear_v a_o good_a to_o they_o not_o to_o take_v fee_n it_o be_v as_o certain_a they_o will_v not_o refuse_v they_o as_o it_o be_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v itself_o or_o that_o a_o will_n be_v a_o will_n because_o a_o will_n be_v a_o power_n who_o essence_n it_o be_v to_o have_v such_o a_o object_n as_o be_v appear_o good_n §_o 14._o to_o come_v close_o to_o our_o purpose_n suppose_v innumerable_a multitude_n of_o father_n or_o immediate_a predecessor_n in_o any_o age_n have_v a_o inclination_n to_o deceive_v their_o child_n or_o immediate_a successor_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o immediate_a end_n they_o propose_v to_o themselves_o be_v to_o make_v they_o believe_v such_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v receive_v by_o they_o from_o forefather_n which_o be_v indeed_o new_o invent_v these_o man_n i_o say_v in_o case_n they_o must_v see_v
before_o and_o after_o itself_o as_o also_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_v it_o can_v have_v no_o force_n upon_o one_o not_o yet_o arrive_v at_o faith_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o have_v because_o it_o be_v as_o yet_o unknown_a to_o he_o §_o 14._o again_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v many_o several_a prudential_n reason_n suit_v to_o man_n of_o several_a capacity_n and_o circumstance_n move_v they_o to_o disquisition_n and_o incline_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o true_a church_n but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o move_v a_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o incline_v he_o to_o assent_v another_o thing_n to_o settle_v he_o in_o a_o most_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o and_o such_o point_n as_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n hereupon_o i_o affirm_v that_o this_o late_a effect_n can_v be_v wrought_v rational_o without_o ground_n true_o evident_a and_o absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o knowable_a either_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o also_o to_o the_o learned_a by_o a_o certain_o conclude_v proof_n which_o i_o call_v a_o demonstration_n i_o affirm_v moreover_o with_o due_a respect_n to_o those_o divine_n that_o motive_n only_a prudential_n seem_v improper_a to_o be_v name_v in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o they_o must_v be_v principia_fw-la sapientiae_fw-la and_o not_o prudentiae_fw-la which_o can_v rational_o make_v we_o absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o be_v or_o not-being_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n the_o object_n of_o prudence_n be_v agibilia_fw-la and_o not_o intelligibilia_fw-la as_o such_o and_o its_o proper_a exercise_n and_o use_v be_v to_o determine_v a_o man_n to_o act_v exterior_o or_o to_o act_v thus_o in_o circumstance_n where_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n be_v find_v and_o not_o to_o act_v interior_o or_o meddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n or_o truth_n depend_v sole_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n in_o a_o word_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v think_v singular_a in_o my_o principle_n while_o i_o ground_n myself_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o both_o all_o catholic_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n hold_n and_o st._n thomas_n of_o aquin_n the_o prince_n of_o school-divines_a assert_n as_o i_o show_v faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 130._o §_o 14._o as_o for_o all_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n once_o more_o i_o request_v dr._n t._n to_o make_v good_a this_o consequence_n that_o my_o discourse_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o all_o our_o divine_n even_o of_o the_o same_o way_n in_o common_a agree_v with_o i_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o this_o do_v to_o reply_v distinct_o to_o all_o his_o extrinsecal_n and_o impertinent_a exception_n which_o wave_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n my_o premise_n he_o so_o constant_o lelevel_v against_o my_o conclusion_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v i_o can_v reasonable_o charge_v he_o with_o those_o thing_n till_o i_o have_v vindicate_v our_o own_o divine_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o i_o can_v not_o be_v i_o their_o adversary_n charge_v they_o with_o what_o i_o can_v just_o charge_v he_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n on_o which_o they_o rely_v infallible_a and_o hold_v this_o more_o firm_o than_o they_o do_v any_o of_o their_o speculation_n and_o consequent_o they_o hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o preserve_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a whereas_o what_o he_o be_v to_o hold_v to_o most_o firm_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n be_v his_o own_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o see_v and_o hold_v to_o be_v fallible_a and_o so_o he_o must_v say_v that_o all_o his_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o god_n goodness_n will_v give_v he_o leave_v in_o himself_o and_o other_o and_o corrupt_v it_o into_o opinion_n they_o produce_v motive_n which_o though_o they_o call_v they_o prudential_n be_v indeed_o some_o of_o they_o demonstrative_a and_o coincident_a in_o part_n with_o tradition_n whereas_o dr._n t._n have_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o his_o ground_n take_v he_o as_o oppose_a catholic_n or_o stand_v to_o his_o own_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o right_o state_v have_v even_o the_o least_o shâ—w_n of_o prudential_n to_o a_o unbyast_a man_n much_o less_o of_o demonstrative_a last_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o handle_v the_o point_n at_o large_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v they_o differ_v only_o in_o a_o word_n but_o dr._n t._n err_v in_o the_o whole_a thing_n though_o indeed_o in_o most_o of_o our_o divine_n here_o cite_v he_o mistake_v they_o and_o not_o they_o the_o main_a point_n whatever_o he_o pretend_v for_o however_o they_o make_v prudential_n motive_n sufficient_a to_o find_v the_o church_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n when_o find_v on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o faith_n of_o far_o great_a weight_n than_o such_o a_o evidence_n as_o do_v ordinary_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n since_o they_o all_o hold_v it_o infallible_a which_o be_v vast_o more_o than_o dr._n t._n hold_v to_o ground_v his_o faith_n §_o 15._o his_o three_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o principle_n of_o i_o make_v every_o true_a believer_n infallible_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o say_v he_o be_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o i_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o it_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n now_o this_o charge_n of_o he_o join_v with_o my_o true_a tenet_n that_o true_a believer_n be_v those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n or_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n signify_v thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a and_o strange_a paradox_n that_o those_o that_o follow_v and_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o direct_v they_o to_o truth_n shall_v in_o so_o do_v not_o possible_o be_v lead_v into_o error_n that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n to_o say_v that_o essential_a truth_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o proper_a cause_n of_o falsehood_n but_o he_o discourse_v still_o upon_o this_o point_n as_o if_o i_o have_v hold_v that_o the_o vulgar_a be_v preserve_v from_o possibility_n of_o error_n or_o be_v infallible_a not_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ground_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o err_v but_o from_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v i_o ever_o think_v or_o say_v even_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a he_o ask_v if_o this_o be_v true_a what_o need_v then_o of_o my_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o need_v governor_n when_o people_n know_v their_o duty_n or_o judge_n see_v the_o main_a of_o the_o common_a law_n be_v traditionary_a &_o to_o man_n verse_v in_o such_o affair_n self-known_a practical_o let_v he_o but_o assure_v the_o world_n that_o no_o upstart_n shall_v have_v a_o humour_n to_o rebel_n and_o innovate_v but_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v practise_v and_o hold_v to_o what_o they_o know_v evident_o be_v practise_v and_o hold_v by_o the_o immediate_o forego_v church_n and_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o there_o will_v need_v no_o infallible_a desiner_n not_o any_o at_o all_o as_o to_o such_o point_n but_o dr._n t._n discourse_n still_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o rude_a dim_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o accurate_a exact_a and_o oft-reflâ—cting_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o by_o their_o great_a learning_n their_o education_n their_o posture_n and_o office_n be_v particular_o verse_v and_o most_o deep_o insighted_a into_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n explain_v or_o word_v it_o &_o thence_o declare_v it_o authentical_o so_o to_o keep_v its_o distinct_a sense_n clear_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o the_o equivocate_a witty_a heretic_n endeavour_v to_o render_v confuse_v and_o obscure_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v study_v our_o tenet_n a_o while_n and_o understand_v they_o ere_o he_o undertake_v to_o confute_v we_o he_o be_v very_o raw_a in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n §_o 16._o his_o next_o error_n be_v worse_a than_o the_o former_a he_o will_v fain_o persuade_v catholic_n if_o any_o
will_v believe_v he_o that_o my_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a &_o unchristian_a all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o my_o ground_n and_o nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o to_o prove_v it_o in_o his_o way_n it_o be_v but_o mistake_v again_o the_o notion_n of_o school-divines_a for_o the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o school_n for_o church_n as_o he_o do_v late_o and_o the_o deed_n be_v do_v immediate_o without_o any_o more_o trouble_n he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n in_o his_o first_o principle_n and_o his_o method_n that_o i_o ever_o meet_v with_o the_o part_n of_o the_o former_a need_v not_o hang_v together_o at_o all_o but_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v incoherent_a and_o the_o late_a be_v a_o build_n upon_o false_a pretence_n and_o wrong_a supposition_n and_o then_o what_o may_v not_o he_o prove_v or_o what_o conquest_n can_v he_o obtain_v by_o such_o powerful_a stratagem_n he_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v not_o make_v oral_a tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o she_o faith_n possible_o i_o be_o not_o so_o lucky_a as_o to_o light_v on_o this_o large_a proof_n of_o he_o all_o i_o can_v find_v with_o a_o ordinary_a search_n be_v four_o or_o five_o line_n rule_v of_o faith_n pag._n 280._o where_o after_o a_o commonly-objected_n &_o often-answered_a citation_n from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n declare_v that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n &_o unwritten_a tradition_n &_o therefore_o that_o they_o receive_v &_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n &_o also_o tradition_n with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n he_o add_v which_o i_o understand_v not_o how_o those_o do_v who_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n now_o i_o have_v put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o suref_a pag._n 346._o and_o proceed_v to_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o pag._n 150._o particular_o pag._n 147.149_o upon_o this_o reason_n because_o take_v the_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o tradition_n as_o the_o council_n express_v itself_o to_o do_v and_o forbid_v any_o man_n to_o interpret_v it_o otherwise_o it_o have_v the_o full_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o equal_o to_o be_v reverence_v whereas_o take_v it_o interpret_v by_o private_a head_n which_o only_o will_v serve_v dr_n t_n turn_n it_o be_v nothing_o less_o as_o not_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n at_o all_o but_o now_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n there_o be_v more_o require_v as_o dr._n t._n himself_o grant_v and_o contend_v it_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o every_o sensible_a may_v understand_v it_o as_o to_z matter_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o build_v on_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n authority_n and_o judgement_n i_o deny_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o say_v it_o be_v no_o rule_n i_o omit_v the_o repeat_n very_o many_o argument_n from_o the_o council_n for_o that_o point_n deduce_v from_o pag._n 141._o to_o pag._n 146._o never_o touch_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o that_o mock-answ_a of_o he_o §_o 16._o but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o mistake_v i_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o declare_v who_o i_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o least_o from_o the_o way_n to_o it_o who_o not_o and_o upon_o what_o ground_n speak_v of_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o to_o do_v throughout_o this_o whole_a treatise_n i_o make_v account_v that_o perfect_a charity_n or_o love_n of_o god_n above_o and_o in_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o bliss_n or_o vnitive_a of_o a_o soul_n to_o god_n also_o that_o this_o virtue_n can_v with_o a_o due_a heartiness_n be_v connatural_o or_o rational_o wrought_v in_o soul_n if_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o of_o christian_a faith_n be_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o ly._n hence_o i_o be_o oblige_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o hold_v that_o those_o who_o judge_v there_o be_v no_o absolueely-conclusive_a reason_n for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n nor_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v as_o such_o out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o salvation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o who_o hold_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v infallible_a and_o by_o consequence_n their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o all_o catholic_n do_v though_o as_o divine_n they_o fail_v in_o make_v out_o how_o and_o by_o what_o particular_a mean_n it_o come_v to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o through_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o firm_a and_o steady_a adhesion_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v because_o they_o be_v truth_n apt_a to_o beget_v solid_a and_o wellgrounded_n that_o be_v indeed_o true_a virtue_n such_o as_o be_v a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a and_o all-oure-powering_a charity_n hence_o they_o possess_v the_o connatural_a mean_n or_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o esteem_v dr._n it_o be_v way_n of_o discourse_v concern_v a_o deity_n and_o faith_n in_o his_o sermon_n most_o pestilent_a and_o mischievous_a to_o soul_n as_o be_v apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o incline_v they_o if_o they_o have_v wit_n to_o discern_v its_o shallowness_n first_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n and_o at_o next_o to_o carelessness_n irreligion_n and_o atheism_n though_o true_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o his_o intention_n to_o do_v so_o but_o that_o his_o shortness_n in_o understanding_n the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o christianity_n make_v he_o conceit_n he_o do_v excellent_o even_o to_o admiration_n all_o the_o while_o he_o commit_v such_o well-meaning_a folly_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v upon_o second_o thought_n think_v fit_a to_o patronize_v principle_n so_o destructive_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n find_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o protestant_n i_o ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o who_o all_o with_o one_o mouth_n will_v own_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a christian_a faith_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o abhor_v the_o contrary_a position_n as_o wicked_a and_o damnable_a how_o dr._n t._n may_v have_v season_v some_o of_o his_o own_o auditor_n by_o preach_v controversy_n to_o they_o which_o he_o extreme_o affect_v i_o can_v tell_v it_o be_v according_a as_o they_o incline_v to_o believe_v he_o more_o than_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o sentiment_n he_o oppose_v in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n discourse_n viii_o with_o what_o be_v dr._n t._n answer_v my_o method_n a_o present_v make_v to_o his_o credulous_a friend_n show_v how_o solid_o he_o confute_v sure-footing_a by_o ready_o grant_v the_o main_a of_o the_o book_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o tradition_n that_o j._n s._n be_v not_o singular_a in_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n §_o 1._o he_o make_v a_o pass_n or_o two_o at_o my_o method_n and_o that_o i_o conceive_v must_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o hear_v be_v threaten_v will_v appear_v very_o short_o but_o this_o pleasant_a preface_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o appear_v and_o all_o that_o appear_v like_o answer_n in_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v make_v it_o believe_v he_o ought_v not_o answer_v at_o all_o and_o this_o he_o do_v very_o neat_o and_o like_o a_o master_n for_o let_v no_o man_n think_v i_o have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o dr._n t._n but_o every_o one_o be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o thing_n some_o be_v good_a at_o prove_v some_o at_o disprove_v some_o at_o shift_v of_o the_o question_n without_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v every_o one_o in_o his_o way_n and_o in_o his_o way_n i_o know_v no_o man_n live_v a_o great_a master_n nor_o so_o great_a as_o the_o dr._n two_o thing_n he_o do_v and_o both_o of_o they_o strange_a one_o first_o he_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n be_v found_v on_o the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oraâ—_n tradition_n next_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o surefoot_v the_o first_o of_o they_o will_v make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v i_o there_o suppose_v oral_a tradition_n self-evident_o infallible_a and_o then_o run_v on_o all_o the_o way_n upon_o that_o supposition_n which_o if_o it_o obtain_v belief_n as_o from_o his_o credit_n he_o hope_v it_o may_v since_o every_o scholar_n know_v all_o discourse_n must_v be_v found_v either_o on_o first_o principle_n or_o at_o least_o on_o such_o as_o be_v grant_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o
by_o some_o natural_a and_o therefore_o more_o easily-known_a assistance_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n those_o out_o of_o she_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o she_o be_v supernatural_o assist_v this_o be_v the_o method_n i_o take_v in_o resolve_v faith_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o other_o that_o be_v either_o more_o solid_a more_o orderly_a more_o connatural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o more_o honourable_a to_o god_n church_n i_o shall_v as_o willing_o and_o easy_o quit_v it_o as_o i_o now_o out_o of_o long_a and_o serious_a consideration_n embrace_v and_o firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o whoever_o contradict_v this_o especial_o as_o to_o that_o point_n which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n must_v withal_o contradict_v a_o maxim_n on_o which_o all_o science_n be_v principal_o build_v namely_o that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o notion_n define_v which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a definition_n but_o of_o each_o single_a part_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o one_o part_n be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v the_o whole_a definition_n as_o have_v that_o obscure_a part_n in_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o obscure_a likewise_o wherefore_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v more_o know_v and_o knowable_a than_o that_o of_o church_n and_o consequent_o antecedent_n to_o it_o in_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n or_o the_o definition_n will_v be_v obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o if_o it_o be_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o to_o what_o end_n definition_n be_v or_o why_o they_o do_v not_o rather_o conduce_v to_o ignorance_n than_o to_o science_n add_v that_o true_a faith_n be_v most_o intrinsical_a and_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n it_o be_v by_o consequence_n a_o more_o forcible_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o convince_v inevitable_o that_o such_o a_o body_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o be_v any_o extrinsecal_n mark_v whatsoever_o and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o extrinsical_a mark_n be_v more_o easy_o knowable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o superficial_a appearance_n there_o be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o objection_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n to_o settle_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o any_o of_o these_o mark_n any_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v at_o all_o much_o less_o more_o easy_o know_v if_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o visible_a and_o practical_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v questionable_a and_o that_o neither_o scripture_n father_n council_n history_n monument_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v pretend_v to_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a or_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v know_v unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o that_o be_v more_o know_v as_o be_v show_v particular_o in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a §_o 11._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v take_v in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n take_v at_o large_a for_o the_o humane_a or_o natural_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o deliver_v and_o last_o for_o its_o divinely-assisted_n or_o supernatural_a authority_n call_v proper_o christian._n when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o one_o fence_n when_o in_o another_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o the_o concomitant_a circumstance_n will_v evident_o determine_v only_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o three_o notion_n be_v not_o adequate_o contradistinct_a the_o late_a still_o include_v the_o former_a as_o length_n breadth_n and_o depth_n do_v in_o continue_v quantity_n for_o the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n include_v tradition_n take_v at_o large_a and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v show_v suref_a p._n 82_o 83._o the_o supernatural_a authority_n include_v all_o find_v in_o the_o other_o two_o and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v particular_o declare_v there_o from_o p._n 84._o to_o p._n 93._o so_o that_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v imaginable_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v christian_n or_o in_o the_o testify_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n §_o 12._o but_o because_o it_o be_v still_o d._n it_o be_v best_a play_n to_o make_v use_n of_o extrinsecal_n exception_n so_o to_o divert_v the_o reader_n eye_n and_o avoid_v answer_v my_o intrinsecal_n reason_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o grapple_v and_o since_o among_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v very_o frequent_a at_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n of_o my_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n after_o a_o different_a manner_n than_o other_o divine_n do_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o omit_v many_o pregnant_a instance_n which_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o dr._n stratford_n the_o learned_a author_n of_o protestancy_n without_o principle_n and_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o show_v how_o far_o he_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n by_o instance_v in_o one_o controvertist_n of_o eminent_a both_o fame_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o in_o his_o time_n one_o who_o write_v before_o rushworth_n dialogue_n appear_v or_o perhaps_o be_v think_v of_o and_o so_o can_v be_v suspect_v a_o follower_n of_o that_o new_a way_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v it_o i_o mean_v mr._n fisher._n this_o able_a controvertist_n in_o his_o censure_n of_o dr._n white_n be_v reply_n p._n 83_o 84_o maintain_v that_o unwritten_a that_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v the_o prime_a ground_n of_o faith_n more_o fundamental_a than_o scripture_n and_o show_v how_o his_o adversary_n mr._n white_a the_o minister_n grant_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o point_n p._n 27._o he_o conclude_v strong_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n suppose_v before_o faith_n which_o infidel_n see_v to_o be_v true_a resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o be_v secondary_a truth_n dark_a and_o obscure_a in_o themselves_o believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n which_o word_n as_o ample_o and_o full_o express_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o express_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v for_o how_o shall_v that_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a or_o how_o can_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n that_o be_v partly_o at_o least_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n since_o what_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o presuppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o argument_n he_o make_v the_o primâ—_n principle_n of_o faith_n or_o unwritten_a tradition_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o that_o be_v the_o same_o we_o mean_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a evident_a in_o itself_o and_o p._n 40._o he_o put_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o protestant_n to_o be_v what_o be_v the_o external_a infallible_a ground_n unto_o which_o divine_a inspiration_n move_v man_n to_o adhere_v that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n where_o first_o beside_o god_n grace_n move_v we_o to_o every_o good_a act_n which_o all_o catholic_n hold_v to_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o he_o a_o external_n infallible_a ground_n next_o that_o without_o such_o a_o ground_n a_o man_n can_v be_v settle_v in_o true_a save_a faith_n again_o p._n 38_o come_n to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o know_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v apostolical_a he_o mention_n none_o but_o only_o public_a catholic_n tradition_n teach_v unanimous_o and_o perpetual_o by_o pastor_n which_o p._n 37._o he_o call_v a_o rule_n infallible_a and_o say_v that_o only_a heretic_n charge_v it_o to_o be_v fallible_a where_o also_o he_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v the_o catholic_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o tradition_n of_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o father_n unto_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o child_n etc._n etc._n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o by_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v appear_v to_o be_v evident_o the_o same_o i_o defend_v he_o affirm_v p._n 38._o that_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v simple_o infallible_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n thereof_o and_o quote_v suarez_n to_o
of_o irony_n or_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o least_o of_o a_o impertinent_a nature_n but_o a_o serious_a pursuit_n of_o the_o point_n by_o way_n of_o reason_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v in_o it_o no_o show_n of_o passion_n it_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o which_o gall_v and_o be_v so_o uneasy_a to_o he_o what_o need_n be_v there_o to_o fall_v into_o such_o down_o right_a rudeness_n as_o to_o call_v a_o proposition_n of_o i_o for_o which_o i_o offer_v my_o reason_n most_o impudent_a as_o do_v dr._n t._n rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 173._o and_o in_o forty_o other_o place_n to_o make_v the_o droll_fw-fr supplier_fw-fr the_o divine_a be_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o answer_v the_o reason_n and_o let_v the_o world_n judge_n if_o he_o can_v show_v any_o such_o rude_a language_n in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o i_o here_o blame_v myself_o for_o it_o though_o it_o be_v responsum_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la the_o worst_a word_n i_o use_v be_v charge_v hâ—m_n with_o falsify_v my_o word_n and_o sense_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o but_o hard_a law_n if_o he_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o commit_v such_o fault_n frequent_o and_o i_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v his_o fault_n when_o it_o be_v my_o duty_n as_o his_o answerer_n to_o discover_v they_o §_o 2._o he_o will_v clear_v himself_o of_o some_o fault_n object_v to_o do_v which_o he_o summon_v together_o all_o his_o best_a art_n first_o he_o pick_v out_o general_o what_o can_v best_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o reply_n next_o he_o counterfeit_v a_o wrong_a objection_n and_o last_o conceal_v in_o what_o manner_n and_o for_o what_o reason_n it_o be_v press_v against_o he_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o hope_v to_o escape_v blame_n §_o 3._o first_o he_o will_v justify_v himself_o for_o say_v i_o go_v about_o to_o explain_v word_n because_o myself_o say_v i_o will_v examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o they_o which_o seem_v equivalent_a to_o explain_v they_o but_o he_o conceal_v what_o kind_n of_o explication_n i_o deny_v myself_o to_o mean_v and_o what_o he_o unjust_o impute_v twice_o in_o one_o page_n p._n 3_o namely_o definition_n he_o conceal_v how_o he_o will_v needs_o make_v i_o intend_v to_o define_v and_o yet_o most_o disingenuous_o put_v down_o himself_o at_o the_o same_o time_n my_o very_a word_n in_o which_o i_o disclaim_v any_o pretence_n to_o define_v but_o only_o to_o reflect_v on_o some_o attribute_n predicate_v or_o property_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o be_v some_o pertinent_a and_o true_a say_n concern_v rule_n and_o faith_n which_o though_o they_o in_o part_n explicate_v they_o which_o i_o never_o deny_v yet_o they_o be_v far_o from_o look_v like_o those_o complete_a explication_n call_v definition_n or_o even_o like_o those_o less_o artificial_a one_o call_v description_n or_o like_o those_o explication_n industrious_o compile_v which_o be_v the_o word_n i_o use_v to_o adequate_v the_o entire_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n under_o consideration_n for_o example_n faith_n be_v there_o take_v for_o believe_v i_o come_v to_o discover_v it_o import_v some_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n and_o then_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o such_o §_o 8._o again_o i_o affirm_v §_o 12._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n bear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o a_o virtue_n and_o thence_o discourse_v from_o it_o as_o it_o import_v a_o virtue_n also_o §_o 16._o i_o affirm_v that_o faith_n main_o conduce_v to_o bliss_n or_o salvation_n etc._n etc._n and_o thereupon_o frame_v such_o a_o discourse_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o spring_v out_o of_o such_o a_o consideration_n now_o all_o these_o in_o part_n explicate_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v disclose_v or_o say_v some_o truth_n that_o belong_v to_o its_o nature_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o those_o say_n look_v like_o a_o explication_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n for_o this_o speak_v a_o entireness_n and_o a_o adequateness_n to_o the_o notion_n explicate_v which_o it_o be_v evident_a not_o one_o of_o these_o particular_a affirmation_n or_o say_n have_v the_o least_o show_n of_o he_o conceal_v also_o what_o be_v allege_v letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 6._o for_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o creditable_a that_o candid_a scholar_n shall_v reflect_v on_o it_o viz._n that_o the_o word_n faith_n be_v equivocal_a and_o sometime_o signify_v conscience_n sometime_o fidelity_n or_o honesty_n etc._n etc._n i_o be_v necessary_o to_o explain_v myself_o in_o what_o sense_n i_o understand_v it_o there_o and_o to_o declare_v that_o i_o take_v it_o for_o belief_n and_o according_o say_v faith_n be_v the_o same_o with_o believe_v which_o no_o soon_o do_v but_o my_o pleasant_a confuter_n will_v needs_o have_v that_o express_v or_o clear_v its_o distinct_a sense_n in_o one_o single_a word_n to_o be_v a_o definition_n too_o and_o play_v upon_o it_o p._n 3._o with_o such_o affect_a raillery_n as_o will_v make_v any_o sober_a man_n unacquainted_a with_o the_o art_n he_o use_v to_o escape_v the_o duty_n of_o reply_v just_o wonder_v but_o i_o shall_v easy_o satisfy_v our_o reader_n what_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o this_o carriage_n he_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o give_v one_o word_n of_o a_o sober_a and_o solid_a reply_n to_o any_o one_o of_o thoâ—e_a many_o reason_n in_o that_o first_o discourse_n of_o i_o build_v all_o upon_o those_o affirmation_n or_o predication_n now_o speak_v of_o though_o this_o be_v the_o substantial_a part_n of_o my_o book_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o rest_n on_o whâ—ch_n i_o ground_n rhe_n property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n import_v its_o absolute_a certainty_n but_o neglect_v all_o my_o premise_n and_o proof_n he_o fall_v to_o deny_v my_o conclusion_n and_o talk_v something_o against_o it_o in_o his_o own_o way_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o jest_n be_v to_o divert_v the_o reader_n from_o the_o point_n and_o so_o serve_v instead_o of_o a_o confute_v to_o that_o whole_a discourse_n a_o rare_a method_n signify_v thus_o much_o if_o candidly_n and_o plain_o lay_v open_a and_o bring_v to_o termâ—_n of_o reason_n because_o i_o can_v pretend_v any_o thing_n and_o play_n upon_o it_o with_o ironies_n pretty_o express_v therefore_o my_o kind_n unexamine_v friend_n be_v inure_v to_o believe_v all_o i_o say_v to_o be_v gospel_n let_v my_o adversary_n say_v what_o he_o will_v he_o shall_v never_o be_v hold_v to_o discourse_v solid_o i_o charge_v he_o then_o afresh_o with_o a_o affect_a disingenuity_n design_v to_o palliate_v hâ—s_a neglect_n of_o answer_v and_o let_v he_o know_v that_o as_o it_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o my_o book_n i_o build_v not_o there_o those_o seven_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n â—he_n reason_n for_o which_o he_o no_o where_o refute_v on_o the_o exactness_n entireness_n or_o goodness_n of_o any_o falsely-pretended_n definition_n or_o explication_n but_o on_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o proposition_n or_o the_o agreement_n of_o those_o attribute_n or_o property_n to_o the_o respective_a nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n as_o their_o subject_n also_o he_o may_v please_v to_o reflect_v that_o these_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o signification_n of_o those_o word_n by_o discover_v and_o then_o dilate_v upon_o each_o of_o those_o single_o i_o declare_v by_o consequence_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v my_o present_a purpose_n without_o compile_v explication_n or_o frame_v definition_n which_o only_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o deny_v last_o i_o charge_v this_o insincerity_n far_o more_o home_n upon_o he_o now_o than_o ever_o that_o whereas_o in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o from_o p._n 5._o to_o p_o 9_o i_o have_v at_o large_a refute_v these_o ridiculous_a exception_n of_o he_o he_o in_o this_o very_a place_n where_o he_o pretend_v to_o speak_v particular_o to_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o one_o word_n there_o allege_v but_o conceal_v all_o that_o have_v be_v produce_v to_o answer_v those_o exception_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o no_o such_o answer_n have_v be_v give_v this_o i_o must_v confess_v fall_v much_o short_a of_o either_o nibble_a or_o gnaw_v and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o constant_a carriage_n of_o he_o discover_v too_o open_o a_o perfect_a disregard_n of_o truth_n abate_v in_o i_o much_o of_o that_o respect_n which_o otherwise_o his_o good_a endowment_n will_v natural_o give_v i_o §_o 4._o his_o second_o remembrance_n of_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o for_o though_o he_o say_v here_o p._n 32._o he_o must_v not_o forget_v it_o yet_o he_o haâ—_n be_v perfect_o unmindful_a of_o it_o hitherto_o be_v that_o i_o say_v my_o testimony_n be_v not_o intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n whereas_o my_o book_n be_v write_v
apparent_a respect_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v find_v in_o rushworth_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n to_o that_o purpose_n in_o my_o book_n three_o to_o give_v countenance_n to_o this_o false_a charge_n those_o word_n of_o i_o whereas_o in_o the_o place_n you_o cite_v he_o only_o express_v which_o in_o i_o be_v immediate_o subjoin_v to_o his_o comment_n and_o be_v evident_o design_v to_o restrain_v that_o author_n word_n to_o a_o sense_n different_a from_o what_o he_o have_v impose_v he_o here_o join_v immediate_o after_o the_o very_a woâ—ds_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v three_o or_o four_o line_n between_o one_o and_o the_o other_o by_o this_o stratagem_n make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v the_o word_n only_a be_v exclusive_a or_o negative_a of_o more_o word_n find_v in_o rushworth_n whereas_o by_o the_o whoâ—e_a tenor_n of_o the_o charge_n by_o all_o the_o word_n which_o express_v it_o and_o last_o by_o the_o place_v those_o word_n he_o only_o express_a immediate_o after_o his_o unhandsome_a comment_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_a they_o only_o exclude_v any_o ground_n or_o occasion_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o misconstruction_n and_o aim_v not_o in_o the_o least_o at_o deny_v any_o other_o word_n but_o only_o at_o clear_v that_o this_o be_v that_o author_n sole_a intention_n yet_o in_o confidence_n of_o these_o blind_a craft_n and_o that_o his_o unexamine_v reader_n will_v believe_v all_o he_o say_v he_o sound_v the_o triumph_n of_o his_o own_o victory_n in_o this_o rude_a and_o confident_a manner_n certain_o one_o will_v think_v that_o either_o this_o man_n have_v no_o eye_n or_o no_o forehead_n i_o will_v not_o say_v as_o dr._n t._n do_v here_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v against_o himself_o p._n 123._o that_o a_o little_a wit_n and_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o ill-nature_n will_v furnish_v a_o man_n for_o satyr_n only_o i_o must_v say_v that_o the_o ten_o part_n of_o this_o rudeness_n in_o another_o though_o just_o occasion_v too_o will_v have_v be_v call_v passion_n and_o ill_a language_n but_o i_o see_v what_o be_v a_o most_o horrid_a sin_n in_o the_o abominable_a papist_n be_v still_o a_o great_a virtue_n in_o the_o saint_n on_o this_o occasion_n since_o he_o be_v so_o hot_a and_o rustic_a i_o must_v be_v serious_a with_o he_o and_o demand_v of_o he_o public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o this_o unjust_a calumny_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v too_o rigorous_a with_o he_o i_o will_v yield_v he_o innocent_a in_o all_o the_o rest_n if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o this_o one_o passage_n in_o which_o he_o counterfeit_v the_o great_a triumph_n and_o victory_n of_o this_o fault_n i_o say_v which_o he_o have_v new_o commit_v even_o then_o when_o he_o go_v about_o to_o clear_a himsellf_n of_o a_o former_a §_o 12._o his_o last_o attempt_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n why_o he_o add_v that_o large_a sense_v monosyllable_n all_o to_o my_o word_n which_o be_v the_o only_a false_a citation_n be_v have_v yet_o offer_v to_o examination_n the_o former_a two_o not_o be_v object_v as_o such_o whatever_o he_o pretend_v now_o the_o advantage_n he_o gain_v by_o add_v it_o be_v manifest_o this_o that_o if_o that_o word_n be_v add_v and_o that_o i_o indeed_o say_v the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o christian_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o no_o one_o christian_a in_o the_o world_n can_v apostatise_v or_o be_v a_o bad_a man_n which_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a position_n that_o ever_o be_v advance_v and_o confutable_a by_o every_o day_n experience_n his_o impose_v this_o tenet_n on_o i_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o addition_n iâ—_n as_o he_o well_o express_v it_o serm._n p._n 87._o put_v i_o in_o a_o fool_n coat_n for_o every_o body_n to_o laugh_v at_o i_o appeal_v letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 66_o 67._o to_o eyesight_n that_o no_o such_o word_n be_v ever_o annex_v to_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v and_o thence_o charge_v he_o with_o falsify_v he_o will_v clear_v himself_o in_o do_v which_o he_o deny_v not_o that_o he_o add_v the_o word_n all_o this_o be_v too_o evident_a to_o be_v cloak_v but_o he_o give_v his_o reason_n why_o he_o add_v it_o on_o this_o manner_n he_o allege_v my_o word_n that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o unanimous_o settle_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n and_o firm_o believe_v by_o all_v those_o faithful_a to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n therefore_o infer_v dr._n t._n since_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o discourse_n it_o be_v add_v that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n those_o first_o believer_n must_v mean_v all_z those_o faithful_n speak_v of_o before_o and_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o christian_n in_o after_o age_n this_o be_v the_o full_a force_n of_o his_o plea_n my_o reply_n be_v that_o i_o have_v particular_a reason_n to_o add_v the_o word_n all_o in_o the_o former_a part_n where_o i_o say_v that_o that_o doctrine_n be_v firm_o believe_v by_o all_o those_o faithful_a for_o they_o have_v not_o be_v faithful_a have_v they_o not_o firm_o believe_v it_o and_o yet_o have_v equal_a reason_n to_o omit_v it_o when_o i_o come_v to_o that_o passage_n the_o great_a motive_n be_v strong_o aprly_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n because_o i_o have_v learn_v of_o our_o b._n saviour_n that_o many_o receive_v the_o word_n that_o be_v believe_v and_o glad_o too_o yet_o the_o thorny_a care_n of_o this_o world_n to_o which_o i_o add_v passion_n and_o ill_a affection_n spring_v from_o original_a sin_n choke_v the_o divine_a seed_n and_o hinder_v it_o from_o fructify_a whereas_o have_v it_o have_v the_o full_a and_o due_a effect_n which_o its_o nature_n require_v it_o have_v bear_v fruit_n abundant_o now_o since_o those_o motive_n be_v of_o themselves_o able_a to_o produce_v it_o in_o all_o and_o oftentimes_o convert_v the_o most_o indispose_v that_o be_v the_o most_o wicked_a sinner_n i_o conceive_v this_o happen_v for_o want_v of_o due_a application_n make_v the_o motive_n sink_v deep_a into_o the_o understanding_n power_n so_o as_o to_o make_v it_o conceit_n they_o hearty_o which_o vigorous_a apprehension_n we_o use_v to_o call_v lively_a faith_n nothing_o else_o be_v require_v to_o any_o effect_n but_o the_o agent_n power_n over_o the_o patient_n indisposition_n and_o a_o close_a application_n of_o the_o power_n to_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v to_o work_v upon_o which_o kind_n of_o application_n be_v evident_o not_o make_v to_o all_o there_o be_v no_o show_n of_o reason_n why_o i_o shall_v put_v that_o word_n in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o less_o that_o dr._n t._n shall_v put_v it_o for_o i_o i_o be_v force_v indeed_o to_o name_v the_o word_n believer_n because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o those_o motive_n shall_v be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o jew_n or_o heathen_n again_o i_o be_v force_v to_o express_v it_o plural_o since_o no_o sober_a man_n can_v doubt_v but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n sink_v deep_a into_o the_o heart_n or_o will_n of_o more_o than_o some_o one_o and_o thence_o wrought_v in_o they_o through_o charity_n but_o that_o i_o shall_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n only_o plural_o express_v a_o number_n of_o believer_n have_v those_o motive_n strong_o apply_v to_o they_o equal_a to_o those_o who_o firm_o believe_v or_o be_v faithful_a be_v unconceivable_a by_o any_o man_n who_o look_v into_o the_o sense_n of_o word_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o apprehend_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v speculative_o lay_v to_o heart_n those_o motive_n to_o good_a life_n which_o faith_n teach_v they_o a_o thing_n our_o daily_a experience_n confute_v moreover_o i_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v any_o such_o apprehension_n in_o my_o very_a next_o word_n after_o my_o principle_n which_o be_v these_o this_o put_n it_o follow_v as_o certain_o that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n and_o after_o faithful_a will_v continue_v etc._n etc._n now_o these_o word_n he_o adhere_v number_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n have_v most_o evident_o a_o partitive_a sense_n that_o be_v signify_v only_o a_o part_n or_o some_o of_o they_o it_o may_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o man_n that_o know_v not_o dr._n it_o be_v might_n in_o such_o performance_n and_o that_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o mistake_v who_o will_v do_v it_o because_o he_o must_v do_v it_o that_o he_o can_v interpret_v those_o very_o same_o word_n first_o believer_n to_o mean_v all_o not_o one_o except_v it_o be_v a_o trifle_a evasion_n then_o to_o hope_v to_o come_v off_o by_o say_v as_o he_o do_v here_o p._n 36._o if_o it_o