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betwixt_o adam_n and_o abraham_n but_o though_o this_o way_n be_v sufficient_a to_o have_v preserve_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n if_o man_n have_v not_o be_v want_v themselves_o yet_o we_o find_v it_o do_v not_o prove_v effectual_a for_o through_o the_o corruption_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n after_o the_o flood_n if_o not_o before_o when_o the_o world_n begin_v to_o multiply_v and_o the_o age_n of_o man_n be_v shorten_v the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n be_v general_o lose_v in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o far_o as_o appear_v by_o scripture-history_n the_o only_a record_n we_o have_v of_o those_o time_n when_o god_n call_v out_o abraham_n from_o ur_fw-la of_o the_o chaldee_n the_o whole_a world_n be_v lapse_v into_o polytheisme_n and_o idolatry_n therefore_o for_o the_o great_a security_n of_o religion_n
proof_n of_o this_o i_o appeal_v to_o that_o sess._n decree_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o which_o they_o declare_v that_o because_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n and_o unwritten_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o they_o do_v receive_v and_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o also_o tradition_n pari_fw-la pietatis_fw-la affectu_fw-la ac_fw-la reverentiâ_fw-la with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n 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 and_o consonant_o to_o this_o decree_n the_o general_a doctrine_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n be_v that_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n make_v up_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o the_o roman_a catechism_n set_v forth_o by_o order_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n say_v praefat._n that_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v to_o the_o faithful_a be_v contain_v in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v distribute_v into_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n bellarmine_n 12._o speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n not_o a_o entire_a but_o partial_a one_o the_o entire_a rule_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o partial_a rule_n scripture_n and_o tradition_n according_a to_o this_o the_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o be_v contain_v partly_o in_o scripture_n and_o partly_o in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o scripture_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o they_o as_o the_o principal_a rule_n and_o primary_n foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o tradition_n as_o only_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o some_o doctrine_n and_o rite_n not_o contain_v in_o scripture_n must_v be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o have_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o controversial_a divine_n bellarmine_n 9_o where_o he_o give_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o divine_a tradition_n speak_v to_o this_o purpose_n that_o that_o which_o they_o call_v a_o divine_a tradition_n be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n or_o rite_n as_o be_v not_o find_v in_o scripture_n but_o embrace_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n believe_v to_o have_v descend_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o further_o 11._o that_o the_o apostle_n commit_v all_o to_o write_v which_o be_v common_o and_o public_o preach_v and_o that_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o scripture_n which_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o know_v and_o believe_v explicit_o but_o then_o he_o say_v that_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n which_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o common_o and_o public_o teach_v and_o these_o they_o do_v not_o commit_v to_o write_v but_o deliver_v they_o only_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n to_o the_o prelate_n and_o priest_n and_o perfect_a man_n of_o the_o church_n and_o these_o be_v the_o apostolical_a tradition_n he_o speak_v of_o cardinal_n perron_n 4._o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o and_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o unwritten_a tradition_n be_v found_v in_o general_a on_o these_o sentence_n of_o the_o apostle_n 2.15_o hold_v the_o tradition_n etc._n etc._n again_o 2.2_o the_o thing_n which_o thou_o have_v hear_v of_o i_o among_o many_o witness_n commit_v to_o faithful_a man_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n to_o preserve_v and_o especial_o to_o declare_v these_o be_v found_v in_o this_o proposition_n viz._n 3.15_o that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n so_o that_o according_a to_o he_o the_o primary_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o scripture_n in_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n be_v found_v mr._n knott_n 1_o say_v express_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o h._n scripture_n to_o be_v a_o most_o perfect_a rule_n for_o as_o much_o as_o a_o write_n can_v be_v a_o rule_n we_o only_o deny_v that_o it_o exclude_v either_o divine_a tradition_n though_o it_o be_v unwritten_a or_o a_o external_a judge_n to_o keep_v to_o propose_v to_o interpret_v it_o etc._n etc._n so_o that_o according_a to_o he_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n only_o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v unwritten_a tradition_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o that_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v as_o mr._n s._n do_v a_o concurrent_a oral_a tradition_n of_o all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n but_o other_o doctrine_n not_o therein_o contain_v be_v plain_a from_o what_o he_o say_v elsewhere_o 179._o we_o do_v not_o distinguish_v tradition_n from_o the_o write_a word_n because_o tradition_n be_v not_o write_v by_o any_o or_o in_o any_o book_n or_o write_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o srripture_n or_o bible_n bellarmine_n 2._o also_o say_v the_o same_o and_o as_o for_o the_o interpret_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o office_n of_o a_o rule_n but_o of_o a_o judg._n 3_o there_o be_v say_v he_o a_o great_a and_o plain_a distinction_n between_o a_o judge_n and_o a_o rule_n for_o as_o in_o a_o kingdom_n the_o judge_n have_v his_o rule_n to_o follow_v which_o be_v the_o receive_v law_n and_o custom_n which_o be_v not_o fit_a or_o able_a to_o declare_v and_o be_v judge_n to_o themselves_o but_o that_o office_n must_v belong_v to_o a_o live_a judge_n so_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v and_o may_v be_v a_o rule_n but_o can_v be_v a_o judg._n here_o he_o make_v the_o scripture_n as_o much_o a_o rule_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n as_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v for_o civil_a matter_n and_o in_o his_o reply_n to_o mr._n chillingworth_n he_o have_v a_o chapter_n of_o above_o 150_o page_n the_o title_n whereof_o be_v scripture_n be_v not_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o have_v he_o with_o mr._n s._n believe_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n have_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o turk_n be_v not_o the_o only_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n mr._n cressy_n likewise_o not_o very_o consistent_o to_o himself_o lay_v down_o this_o conclusion_n 20._o the_o entire_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v contain_v not_o only_o in_o scripture_n but_o likewise_o in_o unwritten_a tradition_n §_o 2._o now_o all_o this_o be_v as_o contrary_a as_o can_v be_v to_o mr._n rushworth_n new_a rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o mr._n white_n say_v 96._o they_o speak_v ill_o who_o teach_v that_o some_o thing_n be_v know_v in_o the_o church_n from_o scripture_n some_o by_o tradition_n and_o dr._n holden_n in_o opposition_n to_o those_o who_o make_v scripture_n any_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n advance_v one_o of_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o uncharitable_a position_n that_o ever_o i_o yet_o meet_v withal_o viz._n 6._o that_o if_o one_o shall_v believe_v all_o the_o article_n of_o the_o catholic_n faith_n etc._n etc._n for_o this_o reason_n because_o he_o think_v they_o be_v all_o express_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n or_o implicit_o contain_v so_o as_o they_o may_v be_v deduce_v from_o thence_o and_o will_v not_o have_v believe_v they_o have_v he_o not_o judge_v that_o they_o may_v be_v evince_v from_o scripture_n yet_o this_o man_n can_v be_v no_o true_a catholic_n because_o as_o he_o tell_v we_o afterward_o 8._o we_o must_v receive_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o come_v to_o we_o by_o tradition_n for_o only_o by_o this_o mean_n exclude_v the_o scripture_n christ_n have_v appoint_v reveal_v truth_n to_o be_v receive_v and_o communicate_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n cardinal_n perron_n unless_o he_o alter_v his_o mind_n be_v in_o a_o sad_a case_n who_o believe_v the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n itself_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o it_o be_v found_v in_o scripture_n §_o 3._o and_o this_o fundamental_a difference_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n between_o the_o generality_n of_o their_o divine_n and_o mr_n s's_n small_a party_n be_v full_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o traditionist_n themselves_o dr._n holden_n say_v 9_o that_o their_o divine_n who_o resolve_v faith_n according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n do_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o that_o shameful_a circle_n of_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o church_n and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n back_o again_o by_o the_o scripture_n because_o they_o dare_v not_o build_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o natural_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n so_o that_o dr._n holden_n way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n be_v different_a from_o the_o common_a opinion_n of_o their_o divine_n which_o he_o say_v 3._o do_v not_o differ_v from_o the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o resolve_v their_o faith_n into_o the_o private_a spirit_n and_o this_o according_a to_o mr._n white_a 70._o
and_o if_o so_o notwithstanding_o whatever_o mr._n s._n can_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o age_n may_v have_v believe_v otherwise_o than_o the_o immediate_o precede_v do_v for_o let_v we_o but_o suppose_v that_o all_o necessary_a doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v betimes_o record_v in_o the_o church_n in_o book_n universal_o receive_v by_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n be_v it_o not_o possible_a that_o age_n which_o first_o embrace_v these_o book_n may_v deliver_v they_o to_o posterity_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o so_o down_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o do_v it_o not_o hence_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v quite_o different_a from_o a_o mere_a oral_a tradition_n let_v mr._n s._n then_o either_o show_v it_o impossible_a that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v write_v or_o that_o be_v write_v they_o shall_v be_v universal_o receive_v or_o that_o be_v universal_o receive_v in_o one_o age_n they_o shall_v not_o 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exact_v as_o the_o modern_a if_o mr._n s._n will_v impute_v it_o to_o the_o people_n ignorance_n want_v of_o letter_n frequent_a conquest_n by_o other_o nation_n and_o succeed_a barbarism_n he_o may_v easy_o find_v how_o many_o way_n there_o be_v for_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v soon_o lose_v or_o corrupt_v when_o they_o have_v not_o be_v diligent_o preserve_v by_o authentic_a record_n and_o that_o without_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o but_o notwithstanding_o mr._n s_n confidence_n i_o can_v think_v it_o possible_a for_o mr._n s._n to_o believe_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v have_v as_o true_a a_o account_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n if_o arrian_n curtias_n or_o plutarch_n have_v never_o write_v his_o story_n as_o we_o have_v now_o yet_o this_o he_o must_v assert_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o
what_o he_o say_v to_o a_o syllogistical_a form_n it_o come_v to_o this_o where_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n ergo_fw-la in_o every_o age_n there_o be_v a_o absolute_a obligation_n to_o believe_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o present_a church_n the_o minor_a he_o thus_o prove_v if_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o the_o precedent_n teach_v or_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o than_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o error_n come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o any_o age_n but_o the_o antecedent_n be_v true_a and_o therefore_o the_o consequent_a now_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o force_n of_o all_o this_o lie_v not_o in_o prove_v the_o minor_a proposition_n or_o that_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o but_o the_o consequence_n viz._n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o a_o church_n but_o by_o a_o general_a mistake_n in_o one_o whole_a age_n or_o the_o general_a imposture_n of_o it_o which_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o have_v show_v he_o already_o the_o falseness_n of_o it_o from_o his_o own_o concession_n and_o i_o may_v more_o large_o show_v it_o from_o those_o doctrine_n or_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v come_v into_o their_o church_n without_o any_o such_o general_a mistake_n or_o imposture_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o papal_a infallibility_n and_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o purgatory_n the_o very_a same_o way_n that_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n will_v show_v we_o how_o these_o come_v in_o we_o will_v show_v he_o how_o many_o other_o come_v in_o as_o erroneous_a and_o scandalous_a as_o those_o be_v for_o whether_o they_o account_v these_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o it_o be_v certain_a many_o among_o they_o do_v and_o that_o the_o far_o great_a 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conspiracy_n in_o any_o one_o age_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a he_o can_v bind_v i_o to_o believe_v what_o ever_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o this_o never_o come_v into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o speculation_n or_o private_a opinion_n and_o from_o thence_o by_o degree_n have_v come_v to_o be_v account_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n therefore_o his_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v now_o quite_o alter_v and_o he_o can_v say_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v for_o that_o which_o he_o call_v the_o present_a church_n may_v have_v admit_v speculation_n and_o private_a opinion_n into_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o he_o must_v first_o prove_v such_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o his_o time_n down_o to_o our_o age_n they_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v this_o as_o to_o any_o of_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o will_v promise_v he_o to_o be_v his_o proselyte_n but_o he_o ought_v still_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a for_o one_o whole_a age_n to_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o that_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o error_n to_o come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o mr._n s._n object_n against_o those_o word_n i_o then_o use_v against_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o way_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o reason_n shall_v enforce_v it_o but_o such_o as_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n and_o whatever_o mr._n s._n say_v to_o the_o contrary_a i_o can_v yet_o see_v 234._o but_o that_o therein_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o that_o which_o i_o look_v for_o be_v a_o demonstration_n which_o i_o suppose_a can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v demonstrate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n christian_n nay_o romanist_n to_o believe_v on_o other_o account_n than_o tradition_n of_o the_o precedent_a age_n i_o pray_v what_o demonstration_n can_v there_o be_v that_o man_n must_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v sure_o if_o mr._n s_n fancy_n have_v not_o be_v very_o extravagant_a he_o can_v never_o have_v think_v here_o of_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v for_o do_v i_o not_o mention_v believe_v first_o and_o then_o do_v by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o i_o mean_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o flow_v from_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a deal_n as_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o 235._o for_o i_o be_o content_a his_o doctrine_n be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o i_o have_v now_o give_v a_o large_a and_o full_a account_n why_o i_o be_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v for_o resolve_v faith_n pass_v by_o therefore_o his_o challenge_n which_o i_o accept_v of_o as_o long_o as_o he_o hold_v to_o the_o weapon_n of_o reason_n and_o civility_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o last_o enquiry_n why_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o such_o a_o obligation_n in_o posterity_n 236._o to_o believe_v their_o ancestor_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o he_o judicious_o resolve_v it_o into_o a_o strange_a distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o such_o as_o it_o seem_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o protestant_n temper_n 237._o which_o be_v say_v he_o to_o choose_v every_o one_o his_o faith_n by_o his_o private_a judgement_n or_o wit_n work_v upon_o disputable_a word_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o own_v it_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o and_o if_o this_o be_v such_o a_o distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n i_o envy_v not_o mr._n s_n uprightness_n and_o perfection_n if_o he_o mean_v that_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o our_o private_a judgement_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n or_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n let_v he_o prove_v it_o evident_o in_o one_o particular_a and_o i_o engage_v for_o myself_o and_o all_o true_a protestant_n we_o will_v renounce_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v any_o thing_n further_o to_o object_n against_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o know_v where_o to_o attaque_fw-la i_o let_v he_o undertake_v the_o whole_a or_o else_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n thus_o to_o charge_v falsity_n upon_o we_o and_o then_o say_v we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o say_v for_o ourselves_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o choose_v our_o faith_n but_o hearty_o embrace_v whatever_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n but_o we_o know_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n too_o well_o to_o believe_v all_o which_o she_o will_v impose_v upon_o we_o and_o be_v loath_a to_o have_v she_o choose_v our_o religion_n for_o we_o since_o we_o know_v she_o have_v choose_v so_o ill_o for_o herself_o but_o if_o mr._n s._n will_v not_o believe_v i_o in_o say_v thus_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o believe_v he_o in_o say_v otherwise_o such_o general_a charge_n than_o signify_v nothing_o but_o every_o one_o must_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o task_n which_o
take_v notice_n of_o what_o i_o have_v elsewhere_o say_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o let_v he_o see_v i_o be_o not_o at_o all_o concern_v about_o it_o i_o begin_v to_o understand_v he_o so_o well_o by_o this_o appendix_n that_o i_o can_v give_v myself_o a_o reasonable_a account_n why_o he_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o meddle_v with_o any_o other_o part_n of_o my_o book_n but_o if_o mr._n s._n be_v resolve_v not_o to_o answer_v any_o of_o the_o testimony_n i_o there_o produce_v 244._o unless_o i_o single_v they_o out_o and_o print_v they_o at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o answer_n i._n e._n remove_v they_o from_o that_o evidence_n which_o attend_v they_o in_o the_o series_n of_o the_o discourse_n i_o can_v only_o say_v he_o be_v the_o most_o imperious_a answerer_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o who_o be_v resolve_v never_o to_o deal_v with_o a_o adversary_n but_o on_o his_o own_o unreasonable_a term_n thus_o hearty_o wish_v mr._n s_n science_n as_o great_a as_o his_o opinion_n of_o it_o and_o a_o good_a effect_n of_o our_o endeavour_n to_o promote_v the_o one_o by_o remove_v the_o other_o i_o be_o sir_n your_o affectionate_a friend_n and_o servant_n edward_z stillingfleet_n london_n june_n 28._o 1665._o finis_fw-la postscript_n sir_n since_o the_o dispatch_n of_o the_o former_a paper_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o another_o treatise_n wherein_o i_o find_v myself_o concern_v write_v by_o the_o author_n of_o fiat_n lux_fw-la the_o title_n whereof_o be_v diaphanta_n i_o be_o afraid_a the_o title_n affright_v you_o for_o i_o assure_v you_o it_o be_v the_o most_o formidable_a thing_n in_o his_o whole_a book_n but_o the_o man_n be_v a_o very_a modest_a man_n and_o huge_o different_a from_o mr._n s_n humour_n for_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o offer_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o all_o he_o pretend_v to_o in_o the_o title_n of_o his_o book_n be_v to_o excuse_n catholic_n religion_n against_o the_o opposition_n of_o several_a adversary_n what_o fault_n i_o pray_v have_v the_o catholic_n religion_n commit_v that_o it_o must_v now_o come_v to_o be_v excuse_v instead_o of_o be_v defend_v but_o when_o i_o look_v into_o that_o part_n which_o concern_v myself_o i_o present_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o to_o excuse_v catholic_n religion_n but_o themselves_o for_o not_o be_v able_a to_o defend_v it_o for_o he_o very_o ingenious_o tell_v we_o that_o faith_n be_v firm_a and_o constant_a 210._o though_o all_o his_o talk_n for_o it_o be_v miserable_o weak_a i._n e._n he_o be_v sure_a they_o have_v a_o excellent_a religion_n though_o he_o know_v not_o what_o to_o say_v for_o it_o and_o their_o faith_n be_v a_o very_a good_a faith_n but_o it_o have_v not_o yet_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v understand_v by_o they_o for_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o as_o often_o as_o they_o dispute_v they_o be_v beyond_o the_o business_n 209._o so_o may_v any_o one_o believe_v who_o read_v their_o late_a book_n which_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v of_o dispute_v any_o long_o with_o adversary_n about_o their_o faith_n only_o they_o must_v believe_v it_o stout_o themselves_o but_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o offer_v to_o defend_v it_o nay_o it_o do_v their_o faith_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n for_o say_v he_o in_o read_v controversy_n we_o see_v not_o so_o much_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o faith_n as_o the_o wit_n of_o he_o who_o oppose_v or_o defend_v it_o from_o whence_o we_o may_v easy_o gather_v what_o unspeakable_a mischief_n they_o do_v their_o cause_n by_o write_v for_o it_o by_o which_o expression_n we_o may_v guess_v at_o what_o a_o low_a ebb_n the_o defence_n of_o their_o faith_n be_v among_o they_o for_o the_o way_n now_o take_v to_o defend_v it_o be_v by_o disow_v the_o defender_n of_o it_o and_o by_o say_v that_o they_o only_o vent_v their_o own_o opinion_n and_o though_o we_o confute_v they_o never_o so_o much_o yet_o their_o faith_n hold_v good_a still_o be_v ever_o a_o good_a cause_n drive_v to_o such_o miserable_a shift_n as_o these_o be_v especial_o among_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o wit_n and_o learning_n one_o he_o say_v t._n c._n vent_v a_o private_a opinion_n of_o his_o own_o and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o pin_n matter_n whether_o it_o stand_v or_o fall_v another_o he_o say_v the_o same_o of_o i._n s._n a_o three_o of_o j.u.c._n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o their_o religion_n be_v very_o firm_a and_o sure_a and_o they_o be_v all_o at_o perfect_a agreement_n about_o it_o be_v this_o the_o victory_n over_o i_o mr._n s._n mention_n to_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o thing_n i_o see_v that_o by_o the_o same_o figure_n m._n s._n call_v his_o way_n of_o argue_v demonstration_n run_v out_o of_o the_o field_n shall_v be_v account_v conquer_a for_o i_o never_o see_v any_o person_n do_v it_o more_o open_o than_o this_o author_n do_v for_o he_o plain_o confess_v that_o his_o catholic_n gentleman_n go_v quite_o beside_o his_o business_n that_o he_o build_v upon_o indefensible_a principle_n that_o his_o theological_a ratiocination_n be_v indeed_o pretty_a but_o too_o weak_a to_o hold_v and_o be_v not_o we_o huge_o too_o blame_v if_o we_o do_v not_o cry_v up_o such_o mighty_a conqueror_n as_o these_o be_v true_o sir_n i_o expect_v the_o very_a same_o answer_n shall_v be_v return_v to_o your_o book_n that_o mr._n s_n argument_n be_v a_o pretty_a theological_a ratiocination_n and_o that_o your_o answer_n be_v not_o unwitty_a but_o though_o that_o way_n will_v not_o hold_v another_o will_n thus_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v off_o infallibility_n they_o run_v to_o tradition_n and_o when_o they_o be_v again_o beat_v off_o tradition_n than_o back_o again_o to_o infallibility_n so_o that_o the_o short_a of_o all_o their_o answer_n be_v though_o such_o a_o one_o can_v defend_v our_o faith_n yet_o i_o can_v though_o i_o can_v yet_o the_o faith_n be_v firm_a and_o constant_a still_o i_o wonder_v what_o their_o superior_n think_v of_o this_o 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capable_a of_o convince_a demonstration_n again_o do_v but_o consider_v say_v he_o 6._o how_o unequal_a and_o unjust_a a_o condition_n it_o be_v that_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o present_a church_n shall_v not_o be_v hear_v unless_o she_o can_v confute_v all_o the_o peradventure_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v and_o solve_v all_o the_o argument_n which_o the_o infinite_a variety_n of_o time_n place_n and_o occasion_n may_v have_v give_v way_n unto_o and_o than_o you_o will_v see_v how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n he_o be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o such_o as_o man_n nature_n scarce_o afford_v and_o be_v it_o not_o equal_o unjust_a in_o mr._n s._n not_o to_o let_v scripture_n claim_n be_v hear_v unless_o we_o can_v confute_v every_o peradventure_o and_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o that_o wit_n may_v invent_v see_v then_o how_o unreasonable_a a_o adversary_n mr._n s._n be_v who_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o any_o satisfaction_n but_o 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better_a be_v not_o these_o fair_a concession_n which_o the_o evidence_n and_o force_n of_o truth_n have_v extort_a from_o these_o author_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v that_o that_o which_o mr._n s._n call_v 5._o a_o civil_a piece_n of_o atheistry_n be_v advance_v in_o most_o express_a word_n by_o his_o best_a friend_n and_o therefore_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v as_o he_o threaten_v i_o be_v smart_n with_o they_o in_o opposition_n to_o so_o damnable_a and_o fundamental_a a_o error_n and_o whenever_o he_o attempt_v this_o i_o will_v entreat_v he_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o have_v these_o two_o thing_n to_o prove_v first_o that_o no_o evidence_n but_o demonstration_n can_v give_v a_o man_n sufficient_a assurance_n of_o any_o thing_n second_o that_o a_o bare_a possibility_n that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v a_o rational_a cause_n of_o doubt_v and_o a_o wise_a ground_n of_o suspense_n which_o when_o he_o have_v prove_v i_o shall_v not_o grudge_v he_o his_o infallibility_n sect_n v._o certain_a §_o 1._o the_o last_o part_n of_o this_o three_o discourse_n endeavour_n to_o show_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o convictive_a of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n as_o for_o the_o obstinate_a he_o know_v my_o mind_n already_o let_v we_o see_v why_o the_o most_o acute_a adversary_n may_v not_o be_v convince_v by_o scripture_n because_o as_o he_o object_n 28._o first_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o this_o book_n be_v god_n word_n because_o of_o the_o many_o strange_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n in_o the_o open_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v as_o that_o god_n have_v hand_n and_o foot_n etc._n etc._n and_o because_o of_o the_o contradiction_n in_o it_o to_o which_o i_o have_v already_o return_v a_o answer_n second_o because_o as_o he_o say_v 31._o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n in_o any_o particular_a text_n that_o it_o be_v not_o foist_v in_o or_o some_o way_n alter_v in_o its_o significativeness_n and_o if_o it_o 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or_o leave_v out_o by_o the_o transcriber_n nay_o as_o to_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o fall_n in_o with_o the_o main_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n i_o demand_v his_o demonstration_n that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o undue_o insert_v or_o leave_v out_o not_o only_o in_o those_o text_n but_o also_o in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n of_o the_o doctrine_n coincident_a with_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n if_o he_o say_v it_o be_v impossible_a any_o age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o leave_v out_o or_o insert_v the_o particle_n not_o in_o the_o oral_a tradition_n so_o say_v i_o it_o be_v that_o they_o shall_v conspire_v to_o leave_v it_o out_o of_o the_o write_a text_n but_o then_o i_o differ_v from_o he_o thus_o far_o that_o i_o do_v not_o think_v this_o natural_o impossible_a so_o as_o that_o it_o can_v rigorous_o be_v demonstrate_v but_o only_o moral_o impossible_a so_o that_o no_o body_n have_v any_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o which_o to_o a_o prudent_a man_n 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character_n because_o book_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v burn_v tear_v blot_v wear_v out_o we_o grant_v it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o any_o or_o all_o the_o book_n in_o the_o world_n may_v be_v burn_v but_o then_o we_o say_v likewise_o that_o a_o book_n so_o universal_o disperse_v may_v easy_o be_v preserve_v though_o we_o have_v no_o assurance_n that_o god_n will_v preserve_v it_o in_o case_n all_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o foolish_a or_o so_o careless_a as_o to_o endeavour_v or_o suffer_v the_o abolition_n of_o it_o but_o it_o seem_v the_o scripture_n can_v be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o they_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o external_a accident_n and_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o 34._o though_o it_o may_v seem_v a_o remote_a and_o impertinent_a exception_n yet_o to_o one_o who_o consider_v the_o wise_a disposition_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o will_v deserve_v a_o deep_a consideration_n because_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o end_n of_o god_n make_v nature_n the_o mean_n to_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o settle_v strong_a and_o unalterable_a than_o any_o other_o piece_n of_o nature_n whatever_o but_o notwithstanding_o this_o wise_a reason_n this_o exception_n still_o seem_v to_o i_o both_o remote_a and_o impertinent_a for_o if_o this_o which_o he_o call_v a_o reason_n be_v a_o truth_n it_o will_v from_o thence_o necessary_o follow_v not_o only_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v convey_v by_o such_o a_o mean_n as_o be_v more_o unalterable_a than_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n but_o also_o by_o a_o clear_a parity_n of_o reason_n that_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o our_o salvation_n do_v operate_v towards_o the_o accomplish_n of_o their_o end_n with_o great_a certainty_n than_o the_o fire_n burn_v or_o the_o sun_n shine_v which_o they_o can_v never_o do_v unless_o they_o operate_v
this_o i_o confess_v be_v not_o altogether_o without_o some_o show_n of_o reason_n mr._n s._n may_v do_v well_o to_o take_v the_o matter_n into_o his_o deep_a consideration_n he_o have_v in_o his_o time_n improve_v as_o weak_a probability_n as_o these_o into_o lusty_a demonstration_n and_o if_o he_o can_v but_o demonstrate_v this_o it_o will_v very_o much_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o this_o instance_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n otherwise_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v this_o instance_n will_v hold_v good_a against_o he_o and_o whatever_o he_o can_v say_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o tradition_n fail_v in_o the_o latin_a church_n may_v all_o be_v say_v of_o the_o greek_a church_n if_o he_o will_v but_o grant_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n to_o they_o both_o that_o the_o argument_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_v which_o this_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o be_v apply_v as_o strong_o to_o the_o greek_n as_o the_o latin_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o 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they_o with_o so_o much_o as_o a_o videtur_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la but_o it_o may_v be_v he_o mean_v no_o more_o by_o this_o corollary_n than_o what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o 18_o the_o viz._n that_o no_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o tradition_n if_o so_o than_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o 23_o d_o corollary_n must_v be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o argue_v at_o all_o against_o tradition_n with_o any_o solid_a show_n or_o substantial_a shadow_n of_o reason_n which_o will_v be_v a_o little_a inconvenient_a i_o will_v instance_n but_o in_o one_o more_o his_o 40_o the_o which_o be_v this_o the_o knowledge_n of_o tradition_n certainty_n be_v the_o first_o knowledge_n or_o principle_n in_o controversial_a divinity_n i._n e._n without_o which_o nothing_o be_v know_v or_o knowable_a in_o that_o science_n which_o be_v to_o infer_v that_o because_o he_o have_v with_o much_o pain_n prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o it_o 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sect_n i._o §_o 1._o thus_o far_o in_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n and_o principles_n the_o rest_n be_v notebook_n learning_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o examine_v he_o be_v not_o much_o a_o friend_n to_o and_o there_o be_v no_o kindness_n lose_v for_o it_o be_v as_o little_a a_o friend_n to_o he_o and_o his_o cause_n as_o he_o can_v be_v to_o it_o i_o shall_v first_o examine_v the_o authority_n he_o bring_v for_o tradition_n and_o then_o produce_v express_a testimony_n in_o behalf_n of_o scripture_n in_o both_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o brief_a in_o the_o one_o because_o his_o testimony_n require_v no_o long_a answer_n in_o the_o other_o because_o it_o will_v be_v to_o little_a purpose_n to_o trouble_v mr._n s._n with_o many_o father_n who_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o his_o book_n be_v acquaint_v with_o none_o but_o father_n white_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v much_o blame_v he_o for_o the_o course_n he_o use_v to_o take_v with_o other_o man_n testimony_n because_o it_o be_v the_o only_a way_n that_o a_o man_n in_o his_o circumstance_n can_v take_v otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v in_o itself_o more_o unreasonable_a than_o to_o pretend_v to_o answer_v testimony_n by_o rank_v they_o under_o so_o many_o faulty_a head_n and_o have_v so_o do_v magisterial_o to_o require_v his_o adversary_n to_o vindicate_v they_o by_o show_v that_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o some_o of_o those_o head_n though_o he_o have_v not_o say_v one_o word_n against_o any_o of_o they_o particular_o nay_o though_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o recite_v any_o one_o of_o they_o for_o then_o the_o trick_n will_v be_v spoil_v and_o his_o catholic_n reader_n who_o perhaps_o may_v believe_v he_o in_o the_o general_n may_v see_v reason_n not_o to_o do_v so_o if_o he_o shall_v descend_v to_o particular_n which_o as_o he_o well_o observe_v will_v make_v his_o 161._o discourse_n to_o look_v with_o a_o contingent_a face_n §_o 2._o i_o begin_v with_o his_o three_o authority_n from_o scripture_n which_o when_o i_o consider_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o he_o of_o all_o man_n shall_v find_v fault_n with_o my_o lord_n bishop_n of_o down_n dissuasive_a for_o be_v so_o 320._o thin_a and_o sleight_n in_o scripture-citation_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v how_o he_o will_v answer_v it_o to_o mr._n rushworth_n for_o transgress_v that_o prudent_a rule_n of_o he_o viz._n 14._o that_o the_o catholic_n shall_v never_o undertake_v to_o convince_v his_o adversary_n out_o of_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o substantial_a reason_n ibid._n because_o this_o be_v to_o strengthen_v his_o opponent_n in_o his_o own_o ground_n and_o principle_n viz._n that_o all_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o scripture_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o present_o after_o be_v no_o more_o fit_a to_o convince_v than_o a_o beetle_n be_v to_o cut_v withal_o meaning_n it_o perhaps_o of_o text_n so_o apply_v as_o these_o be_v which_o follow_v 35.8_o this_o shall_v be_v to_o you_o a_o direct_a way_n so_o that_o fool_n can_v err_v in_o it_o 59.21_o this_o be_v my_o covenant_n with_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n my_o spirit_n which_o be_v in_o thou_o and_o my_o word_n which_o i_o have_v put_v in_o thy_o mouth_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thy_o mouth_n and_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o thy_o seed_n and_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o thy_o seed_n seed_n from_o henceforth_o for_o ever_o 31._o i_o will_v give_v my_o law_n in_o their_o bowel_n and_o in_o their_o heart_n will_v i_o write_v it_o from_o which_o text_n if_o mr._n s._n can_v prove_v tradition_n to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n any_o better_a than_o the_o philosopher_n stone_n or_o the_o longitude_n may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o 1_o cap._n of_o genesis_n i_o be_o content_a they_o shall_v pass_v for_o valid_a testimony_n though_o i_o may_v require_v of_o he_o by_o his_o own_o law_n before_o these_o text_n can_v signify_v any_o thing_n to_o his_o purpose_n to_o demonstrate_v that_o 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entertain_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n his_o word_n be_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v but_o two_o way_n of_o ordinary_a knowledge_n by_o act_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o operation_n on_o our_o body_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n and_o experience_n the_o former_a of_o which_o belong_v to_o speculator_n or_o doctor_n the_o second_o to_o deliverer_n of_o what_o be_v receive_v or_o testifier_n and_o this_o distinction_n he_o frequent_o admit_v not_o only_o in_o the_o present_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o in_o any_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v hold_v in_o all_o from_o hence_o i_o propose_v several_a query_n further_o to_o mr._n s._n 1._o if_o every_o one_o in_o the_o church_n look_v on_o himself_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v whence_o come_v any_o to_o have_v particular_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o for_o either_o the_o church_n have_v deliver_v her_o sense_n in_o that_o case_n or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o tradition_n be_v no_o 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to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n of_o her_o name_n the_o pope_n even_o to_o this_o day_n go_v on_o procession_n with_o the_o people_n and_o the_o clergy_n when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o place_n of_o her_o travel_n etc._n etc._n in_o token_n of_o abomination_n they_o turn_v from_o it_o and_o go_v a_o by-way_n and_o be_v past_o that_o detestable_a place_n they_o return_v into_o the_o way_n and_o finish_v their_o procession_n here_o be_v one_o practical_a tradition_n and_o for_o avoid_v of_o the_o like_a miscarriage_n it_o be_v decree_v that_o no_o one_o shall_v thereafter_o be_v admit_v into_o st._n peter_n be_v chair_n priusquam_fw-la per_fw-la foratam_fw-la sedem_fw-la futuri_fw-la pontificis_fw-la genitalia_fw-la ab_fw-la ultimo_fw-la dyacone_fw-it cardinale_n attractarentur_fw-la here_o be_v another_o with_o a_o witness_n 1._o sabellicus_n relate_v the_o same_o and_o moreover_o say_v that_o this_o porphyry_n chair_n be_v in_o his_o time_n to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o pope_n palace_n 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