and_o my_o ground_n why_o i_o then_o believe_v rest_n still_o unchanged_a nay_o be_v unchangeable_a but_o yet_o reason_n act_n much_o different_o now_o then_o former_o before_o i_o come_v at_o faith_n she_o act_v about_o she_o own_o object_n motive_n or_o maxim_n by_o which_o she_o scan_v the_o authority_n we_o speak_v of_o but_o in_o act_n of_o faith_n she_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o the_o object_n of_o those_o act_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n she_o be_v like_o a_o dim-sighted_a man_n who_o use_v his_o reason_n to_o find_v a_o trusty_a friend_n to_o lead_v he_o in_o the_o twilight_n and_o then_o rely_v on_o his_o guidance_n rational_o without_o use_v his_o own_o reason_n at_o all_o about_o the_o way_n itself_o to_o make_v this_o clear_a we_o may_v distinguish_v two_o sense_n in_o the_o word_n reason_n one_o as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o that_o natural_a faculty_n which_o constitute_v man_n which_o faculty_n never_o desert_n or_o aught_o to_o desert_v we_o in_o any_o action_n that_o be_v manly_n or_o virtuous_a the_o other_o as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o that_o power_n wrought_v upon_o by_o motive_n under_o its_o own_o ken_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n we_o call_v it_o human_a reason_n by_o which_o be_v not_o mean_v the_o natural_a power_n unactuate_v or_o abstract_o for_o then_o the_o word_n human_a be_v a_o tautology_n but_o reason_n as_o conversant_a with_o such_o object_n or_o inform_v by_o such_o knowledge_n as_o be_v common_o find_v within_o the_o sphere_n of_o our_o natural_a condition_n as_o man_n such_o as_o be_v those_o which_o beget_v science_n and_o this_o leave_v we_o when_o we_o have_v once_o find_v the_o authority_n now_o speak_v of_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n formal_o speak_v be_v out_o of_o her_o reach_n nor_o be_v she_o thus_o understand_v the_o motive_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n but_o authority_n only_o wherefore_o into_o authority_n only_o faith_n as_o such_o be_v resolve_v final_o though_o if_o you_o go_v about_o to_o resolve_v the_o rationalness_n of_o assent_v to_o the_o authority_n itself_o it_o will_v light_v into_o those_o evident_a reason_n which_o your_o natural_a power_n of_o reason_n as_o yet_o uninform_v by_o faith_n but_o by_o motive_n or_o maxim_n within_o its_o own_o sphere_n be_v capable_a to_o wield_v 5._o reason_n therefore_o take_v for_o my_o natural_a power_n be_v my_o eye_n or_o interior_a sight_n as_o inform_v by_o common_a principle_n or_o maxim_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n my_o guide_n to_o bring_v i_o to_o believe_v authority_n and_o those_o motive_n or_o maxim_n be_v the_o rule_n to_o my_o reason_n by_o attend_v to_o which_o she_o have_v virtue_n or_o skill_n to_o set_v she_o own_o thought_n right_a that_o be_v to_o guide_v i_o in_o my_o way_n to_o faith_n but_o when_o i_o have_v once_o come_v to_o believe_v authority_n that_o be_v come_v to_o faith_n not_o reason_n but_o authority_n be_v my_o guide_n for_o i_o follow_v authority_n and_o not_o my_o reason_n in_o judge_v what_o be_v faith_n what_o not_o and_o though_o the_o light_n of_o that_o natural_a power_n never_o desert_n i_o yet_o reason_n as_o rule_v by_o she_o own_o natural_a maxim_n be_v useless_a to_o i_o as_o a_o guide_n or_o those_o maxim_n as_o a_o rule_n for_o i_o apply_v neither_o of_o these_o to_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n to_o scan_v their_o verity_n or_o falsity_n by_o but_o pure_o rely_v upon_o authority_n and_o believe_v they_o authority_n then_o be_v my_o guide_n and_o in_o the_o infallibility_n of_o that_o authority_n consist_v the_o power_n or_o virtue_n it_o have_v to_o guide_v i_o right_n that_o be_v to_o regulate_v or_o rule_v i_o as_o one_o of_o the_o faithful_a or_o as_o one_o who_o must_v have_v such_o certain_a ground_n of_o my_o assent_n as_o i_o may_v secure_o build_v my_o salvation_n on_o this_o authority_n then_o as_o it_o be_v infallible_a be_v also_o my_o rule_n in_o my_o believe_a or_o the_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n this_o of_o my_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o common_a against_o adversary_n of_o faith_n in_o common_a but_o with_o protestant_n who_o grant_v christ_n to_o be_v god_n and_o consequent_o his_o word_n or_o doctrine_n true_a the_o only_a rule_n and_o guido_n we_o need_v be_v to_o lead_v we_o into_o the_o knowledge_n of_o what_o he_o say_v and_o assure_v it_o to_o we_o we_o affirm_v then_o that_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o guide_n we_o follow_v and_o her_o infallibility_n consist_v in_o tradition_n our_o rule_n of_o faith_n hence_o all_o catholic_n profess_v her_o doctrine_n uninterrupted_o succeed_a from_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o so_o to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n hence_o with_o one_o voice_n they_o lay_v claim_v to_o christ_n gracious_a assistance_n to_o she_o in_o defend_v she_o from_o over-growing_a error_n against_o faith_n or_o heresy_n hence_o all_o profess_v to_o hear_v and_o follow_v she_o and_o pledge_v undoubting_o even_o the_o security_n of_o their_o salvation_n by_o rely_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o her_o live_a voice_n for_o their_o tenet_n and_o on_o her_o discipline_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o though_o some_o schoolman_n make_v scripture_n a_o partial_a rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o they_o can_v mean_v only_o material_o not_o formal_o that_o be_v that_o some_o part_n of_o faith_n be_v signify_v by_o scripture_n letter_n not_o that_o scripture_n letter_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a secure_o to_o signify_v it_o to_o private_a understanding_n so_o as_o to_o beget_v that_o most_o strong_a &_o firm_a assent_n find_v in_o divine_a faith_n as_o be_v evident_a by_o this_o that_o all_o hold_v no_o scripture_n be_v of_o private_a interpretation_n all_o hold_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n and_o her_o constant_a practice_n be_v the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n now_o faith_n be_v tenet_n and_o sense_n that_o must_v be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o ascertain_v we_o of_o christ_n sense_n not_o the_o material_a character_n which_o that_o certain_a interpreter_n we_o call_v the_o church_n work_v upon_o and_o by_o her_o practical_a tradition_n interpret_v 6._o it_o be_v high_a time_n now_o to_o look_v back_o upon_o dr._n pierce_n and_o his_o party_n how_o just_o they_o deal_v with_o we_o and_o how_o mistake_o they_o discourse_v when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n 7._o first_o by_o the_o tenor_n of_o his_o discourse_n he_o will_v seem_v to_o obtrude_v upon_o we_o a_o tenet_n which_o none_o but_o perfect_a madman_n can_v hold_v namely_o that_o we_o profess_v we_o have_v no_o reason_n why_o we_o believe_v the_o church_n which_o devolve_v to_o this_o that_o we_o must_v profess_v we_o have_v as_o much_o reason_n to_o believe_v a_o old_a wife_n dream_n as_o our_o faith_n since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o less_o reason_n than_o none_o at_o all_o and_o hence_o he_o will_v needs_o assure_v the_o reader_n that_o therefore_o the_o enthusiastic_a sectary_n be_v in_o part_n romish_a proselyte_n etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o upon_o so_o gross_a a_o calumny_n lay_v down_o for_o his_o principle_n and_o a_o sober_a truth_n what_o may_v he_o not_o conclude_v with_o equal_a reason_n he_o may_v have_v infer_v that_o all_o bedlam_n be_v catholic_n and_o that_o to_o turn_v mad_a be_v to_o turn_v a_o romanist_n but_o his_o carriage_n to_o put_v this_o upon_o mr._n s._n c._n be_v strange_o unjust_a since_o he_o know_v and_o hint_n it_o that_o he_o write_v a_o book_n upon_o his_o declare_v himself_n catholic_n entitle_v motive_n of_o his_o conversion_n do_v he_o think_v the_o word_n motive_n do_v not_o signify_v reason_n or_o that_o to_o write_v a_o whole_a book_n of_o reason_n why_o he_o adheae_v to_o the_o catholic_n church_n signify_v that_o he_o renounce_v all_o reason_n why_o he_o believe_v she_o 8._o next_o as_o for_o his_o own_o tenet_n he_o lay_v this_o for_o his_o ground_n that_o reason_n alone_o be_v judge_n in_o all_o case_n i_o will_v propose_v he_o one_o case_n and_o it_o be_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o trinity_n to_o work_v now_o with_o your_o reason_n about_o this_o object_n and_o see_v how_o you_o evince_v it_o i_o doubt_v your_o best_a reason_n will_v crack_v ere_o you_o make_v all_o end_n meet_v but_o you_o mean_v you_o must_v have_v reason_n to_o believe_v it_o i_o conceive_v speak_v proper_o you_o shall_v rather_o say_v you_o must_v have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o authority_n and_o authority_n to_o believe_v it_o for_o belief_n be_v as_o proper_o relative_a to_o authority_n as_o science_n be_v to_o a_o act_n of_o true_a reason_n or_o evidence_n whence_o it_o be_v as_o incongruous_a to_o say_v i_o must_v have_v reason_n to_o believe_v such_o a_o point_n as_o to_o say_v i_o know_v such_o a_o point_n scientifical_o by_o authority_n
again_o for_o god_n love_n who_o ever_o deny_v they_o ought_v to_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o church_n authority_n be_v any_o thing_n more_o frequent_a in_o our_o controvertist_n and_o divine_n treat_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n than_o large_a discourse_n concern_v motive_n of_o credibility_n 9_o three_o he_o say_v that_o dispute_v with_o romanist_n whether_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n he_o mean_v it_o be_v so_o limited_o that_o be_v between_o christian_n who_o have_v already_o acknowledge_v scripture_n a_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o i_o see_v mr_n whitby_n guide_v himself_o by_o sound_n though_o he_o must_v need_v know_v if_o he_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o catholic_n tenâ—â—â—_n our_o sense_n be_v quite_o different_a i_o beseech_v you_o sir_n deal_v fair_o with_o we_o be_v not_o that_o speak_v formal_o and_o proper_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o give_v we_o christ_n sense_n and_o do_v not_o that_o give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o regulate_v we_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o do_v ever_o catholic_n then_o hold_v that_o scripture_n interpret_v on_o any_o fashion_n much_o less_o on_o your_o fashion_n by_o private_a judgement_n or_o reason_n regulate_v by_o grammatical_a skill_n criticism_n and_o such_o like_a verbal_a knowledge_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n nay_o do_v not_o we_o constant_o abhor_v this_o way_n as_o the_o source_n of_o heresy_n take_v we_o right_o then_o we_o hold_v not_o scripture_n letter_n alone_o a_o rule_n but_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o the_o church_n that_o be_v indeed_o the_o church_n formal_o speak_v and_o so_o you_o see_v you_o mistake_v our_o principle_n yet_o upon_o our_o joint-agreement_n in_o this_o your_o discourse_n against_o we_o proceed_v retrieve_v it_o then_o you_o see_v your_o error_n again_o you_o tell_v we_o scripture_n be_v your_o new_a rule_n but_o forget_v quite_o in_o your_o discourse_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o your_o reason_n assure_v you_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n or_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o since_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o contrary_a in_o my_o former_a discourse_n it_o be_v evident_a christian_n religion_n have_v descend_v many_o step_n ere_o the_o scripture_n part_n be_v much_o scatter_v much_o less_o the_o whole_a collect_v and_o no_o less_o clear_a 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 yet_o their_o thought_n straggle_v into_o many_o several_a judgement_n not_o in_o indifferent_a point_n but_o in_o that_o of_o the_o trinity_n among_o the_o rest_n as_o yourself_o profess_v of_o the_o socinian_n that_o he_o reject_v not_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o first_o place_n because_o it_o seem_v a_o contradiction_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o clear_o discover_v in_o scripture_n by_o which_o you_o see_v he_o adhere_v firm_a to_o your_o rule_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v one_o of_o your_o church_n since_o though_o he_o hap_v to_o differ_v in_o some_o point_n yet_o he_o hold_v fast_o the_o rule_n common_a to_o both_o which_o be_v the_o substantiall_a principle_n of_o a_o church_n as_o such_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o faith_n and_o indeed_o your_o kindness_n to_o he_o here_o and_o your_o tender_a care_n not_o to_o displease_v he_o show_v you_o have_v a_o true_a brotherly_a affection_n for_o he_o though_o i_o fear_v he_o he_o will_v con_v you_o small_a thanks_o for_o make_v his_o principle_n run_v thus_o that_o which_o be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v coniradictory_n ti_fw-mi reason_n be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o be_v it_o clear_a in_o scripture_n yet_o contradictory_n to_o reason_n than_o he_o will_v notwithstanding_o believe_v it_o a_o over-strain_n of_o piety_n no_o socinian_n be_v ever_o guilty_a of_o and_o i_o can_v assure_v you_o no_o learned_a catholic_n divine_v i_o ever_o hear_v of_o ever_o make_v such_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v another_o case_n if_o it_o only_o seem_v contradictory_n and_o be_v not_o judge_v by_o he_o to_o be_v evident_o such_o for_o then_o there_o be_v room_n leave_v in_o his_o mind_n for_o the_o contrary_a assent_n of_o faith_n to_o settle_v there_o 10._o you_o say_v you_o prescribe_v not_o the_o doctrine_n impute_v to_o the_o socinian_o because_o it_o make_v reason_n the_o judge_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n pray_v take_v pain_n to_o consider_v what_o you_o say_v he_o that_o judge_n must_v have_v some_o principle_n in_o his_o head_n by_o which_o he_o be_v regulate_v in_o make_v such_o a_o judgement_n those_o principle_n than_o must_v be_v his_o rule_n in_o that_o action_n and_o if_o that_o judgement_n be_v a_o adhesion_n to_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n those_o principle_n be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n examine_v now_o well_o your_o own_o thought_n whether_o your_o principle_n by_o which_o you_o find_v out_o certain_o by_o interpret_n scripture_n this_o be_v god_n sense_n or_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o maxim_n of_o your_o human_a reason_n i_o be_o sure_a in_o dispute_n against_o we_o you_o prove_v and_o defend_v your_o faith_n by_o such_o skill_v as_o language_n history_n and_o other_o knowledge_n get_v by_o human_a learning_n and_o consequent_o hold_v it_o yourselves_o upon_o the_o tenor_n of_o those_o skill_n which_o therefore_o be_v your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o bare_a letter_n you_o i_o know_v will_v deny_v it_o but_o i_o beg_v your_o second_o thought_n to_o reflect_v that_o a_o rule_n to_o such_o a_o effect_n be_v the_o immediate_a knowledge_n to_o the_o power_n as_o conversant_a about_o that_o effect_n and_o that_o if_o another_o intervene_v it_o regulate_v the_o former_a which_o thereupon_o become_v the_o thing_n rule_v not_o the_o rule_n do_v then_o these_o skill_v clear_a the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v make_v know_v god_n sense_n to_o you_o if_o so_o since_o their_o immediate_a effect_n be_v to_o clear_v it_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o deny_v but_o they_o be_v at_o least_o part_n of_o the_o revelation_n for_o reveal_v be_v clear_v and_o god_n sense_n be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v but_o by_o those_o mean_n that_o be_v by_o human_a maxim_n and_o so_o they_o be_v at_o least_o the_o more_o formal_a part_n of_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n again_o i_o ask_v may_v you_o not_o have_v mistake_v the_o true_a sense_n without_o those_o human_a maxim_n if_o so_o then_z they_o and_o not_o scripture_n letter_n be_v your_o rule_n if_o not_o then_o only_o common_a sense_n be_v requisite_a to_o understand_v clear_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o then_o either_o your_o brother_n socinian_n or_o you_o want_v common_a sense_n which_o i_o think_v you_o will_v scarce_o say_v 11._o but_o will_v you_o see_v you_o still_o hold_v reason_n your_o rule_n notwithstanding_o you_o cry_v up_o the_o write_a word_n find_v you_o not_o there_o express_o that_o god_n have_v hand_n foot_n nostril_n and_o passion_n like_o we_o and_o this_o in_o clear_a term_n why_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n you_o will_v not_o answer_v sure_a it_o be_v against_o maxim_n of_o reason_n you_o renounce_v they_o former_o p._n 94._o when_o you_o have_v find_v out_o your_o new_a rule_n and_o only_o allow_v your_o reason_n power_n to_o judge_v if_o a_o point_n be_v sufficient_o reveal_v that_o it_o be_v most_o rational_a to_o 〈◊〉_d itself_o though_o it_o seem_v to_o contradict_v or_o thwâ—â—â—_n reason_n now_o this_o be_v sufficient_o reveal_v be_v plain_o write_v in_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o direct_a letter_n of_o scripture_n why_o will_v you_o not_o then_o captivate_v your_o reason_n and_o believe_v it_o i_o see_v you_o do_v but_o compliment_v with_o god_n incomprehensible_a knowledge_n in_o speak_v so_o high_o of_o it_o and_o so_o humble_o of_o your_o own_o shallow_a intellect_n will_v you_o deny_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n so_o plain_o reveal_v for_o your_o own_o capricho_n or_o conceit_n perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v it_o be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v because_o the_o contrary_n be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n too_o i_o ask_v be_v it_o as_o plain_a if_o not_o it_o can_v overthrow_v the_o title_n of_o this_o to_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n if_o as_o plain_a why_o shall_v you_o not_o believe_v both_o be_v valiant_a sir_n and_o believe_v a_o contradiction_n it_o be_v clear_o reveal_v perhaps_o it_o seem_v but_o such_o and_o then_o your_o own_o profession_n p._n 94._o oblige_v you_o to_o admit_v it_o you_o that_o can_v acknowledge_v a_o infinite_a extension_n of_o space_n when_o you_o say_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o do_v so_o too_o sure_o you_o think_v all_o the_o world_n be_v in_o your_o fancy_n may_v also_o hold_v materia_fw-la ab_fw-la aeterno_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o part_n
itself_o to_o omit_v here_o that_o he_o make_v it_o the_o very_a temper_n of_o a_o christian_a mind_n not_o to_o question_v tradition_n he_o maintain_v continuance_n of_o time_n to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o weaken_v the_o certainty_n of_o traditionary_a point_n that_o it_o contribute_v to_o strengthen_v they_o more_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o church_n doctrine_n spread_v by_o time_n and_o so_o the_o sway_n of_o tradition_n descent_n be_v ample_a beside_o that_o every_o new_a degree_n of_o continuance_n establish_v its_o title_n to_o possession_n and_o make_v it_o hainouser_n to_o revolt_v from_o it_o and_o effect_n show_v our_o discourse_n true_a for_o there_o be_v more_o variety_n of_o heresy_n that_o be_v renouncer_n of_o tradition_n in_o the_o first_o 400_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n than_o we_o read_v of_o in_o any_o 400_o year_n since_o nor_o that_o we_o may_v use_v a_o familiar_a instance_n in_o human_a tradition_n do_v i_o conceive_v any_o man_n live_v more_o doubt_n now_o of_o mahomet_n or_o julius_n caesar_n existence_n than_o within_o a_o 100_o year_n after_o they_o live_v 15._o a_o few_o note_n well_o weigh_v will_v strengthen_v the_o force_n of_o these_o allegation_n which_o even_o at_o first_o sight_n seem_v to_o look_v very_o favourable_o on_o our_o cause_n i_o mind_v my_o reader_n then_o first_o that_o almost_o every_o citation_n allege_v be_v of_o council_n or_o father_n speak_v direct_o against_o heretic_n that_o be_v in_o such_o circumstance_n as_o put_v they_o to_o declare_v what_o fix_v they_o catholic_n and_o what_o make_v the_o other_o heretic_n second_o that_o though_o some_o father_n and_o council_n speak_v high_o of_o scripture_n as_o that_o it_o contain_v all_o faith_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v first_o to_o be_v mark_v whether_o they_o speak_v of_o scripture_n sence_v or_o as_o yet_o to_o be_v sencâ—t_o and_o if_o the_o late_a by_o who_o or_o whether_o any_o father_n say_v that_o scripture_n wrought_v upon_o by_o private_a interpretation_n and_o human_a wit_n be_v apt_a to_o ascertain_v faith_n or_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o true_a point_n between_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n and_o we_o three_o they_o shall_v observe_v it_o frequent_v in_o father_n to_o force_v heretic_n to_o accept_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o those_o who_o give_v they_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o very_o frequent_a to_o sense_n that_o letter_n even_o when_o dark_a by_o tradition_n but_o never_o to_o bend_v tradition_n to_o the_o outward_a show_v the_o scripture_n letter_n seem_v to_o bear_v as_o interpret_v by_o human_a skill_n or_o to_o say_v universal_a tradition_n be_v insufficient_a or_o uncertain_a unless_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o interpret_v come_v to_o clear_a or_o assist_v it_o last_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v hold_v scripture_n thus_o interpretable_a the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o most_o heretic_n against_o who_o they_o write_v hold_v it_o they_o and_o so_o have_v they_o hold_v scripture_n thus_o interpret_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o can_v not_o have_v hold_v they_o heretic_n since_o they_o adhere_v stiff_o to_o that_o rule_n or_o root_n of_o faith_n however_o they_o may_v err_v in_o many_o particular_a tenet_n not_o to_o repeat_v how_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v urter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n letter_n this_o do_v all_o the_o testimony_n for_o scripture_n against_o tradition_n lose_v their_o edge_n that_o be_v if_o my_o discourse_n also_o hold_v the_o test_n it_o will_v appear_v by_o way_n of_o fact_n as_o it_o do_v before_o by_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v neither_o reason_n nor_o authority_n against_o tradition_n so_o that_o i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o to_o show_v that_o our_o church_n at_o present_a ground_n her_o faith_n on_o tradition_n as_o former_o which_o do_v it_o follow_v all_o the_o substance_n of_o my_o forego_v discourse_n be_v but_o a_o explication_n of_o our_o church_n sense_n 16._o to_o know_v our_o church_n sense_n in_o this_o point_n we_o will_v not_o fetch_v our_o testimony_n from_o private_a author_n as_o be_v the_o protestant_n mode_n when_o they_o will_v affix_v any_o thing_n upon_o she_o but_o we_o will_v attend_v to_o what_o her_o own_o live_a voice_n pronounce_v in_o her_o late_a famous_a representative_a the_o council_n of_o trent_n where_o in_o every_o session_n definitive_a of_o faith_n it_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n either_o in_o most_o express_a or_o equivalent_a term_n as_o session_n 4_o the_o holy_a synod_n clear_o see_v that_o this_o truth_n and_o discipline_n christ_n doctrine_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_a book_n and_o tradition_n without_o writing_n which_o receive_v by_o the_o apostle_n from_o christ_n own_o mouth_n or_o from_o the_o very_a apostle_n the_o holy_a ghost_n dictate_v as_o it_o be_v deliver_v by_o hand_n per_fw-la manus_fw-la traditae_fw-la have_v come_v down_o to_o we_o etc._n etc._n and_o again_o also_o the_o tradition_n both_o belong_v to_o faith_n and_o manner_n as_o dictate_v oral_o by_o christ_n or_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o conserve_v by_o continval_n succession_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n &c._n &c._n session_n 5._o the_o holy_a council_n follow_v the_o judgement_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n ibid._n §_o 4._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n where_o ever_o diffuse_v have_v always_o understand_v it_o for_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n according_a to_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n session_n 6._o it_o profess_v to_o follow_v that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n teach_v the_o apostle_n deliver_v and_o the_o catholic_n church_n the_o holy_a ghost_n suggest_v perpetual_o or_o interrupt_o retain_v session_n 7._o the_o holy_a synod_n adhere_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o council_n and_o father_n session_n 13._o the_o sound_n and_o sincere_a doctrine_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n have_v ever_o keep_v and_o will_v ever_o keep_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o again_o for_o so_o all_o our_o ancestor_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n most_o open_o have_v profess_v and_o yet_o again_o cap._n 3._o this_o faith_n be_v ever_o in_o the_o church_n so_o cap._n 4._o it_o be_v ever_o hold_v in_o god_n church_n more_o such_o like_a expression_n be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o session_n but_o to_o proceed_v session_n 14._o chap._n 1._o the_o consent_n of_o all_o the_o father_n ever_o understand_v etc._n etc._n chap._n 5._o the_o church_n of_o god_n never_o teach_v nor_o hold_v etc._n etc._n chap._n 5._o the_o universal_a church_n ever_o understand_v that_o etc._n etc._n chap._n 7._o it_o be_v ever_o hold_v in_o god_n church_n chap._n 8._o it_o be_v perpetvally_o commend_v by_o our_o father_n to_o christian_a people_n no_o catholic_n ever_o hold_v etc._n etc._n and_o in_o the_o same_o session_n concern_v extreme_a unction_n allege_v s._n james_n his_o text_n it_o add_v by_o which_o word_n as_o the_o church_n have_v learned_a by_o tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n he_o teach_v etc._n etc._n and_o can._n 3._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o understand_v from_o the_o beginning_n etc._n etc._n can._n 6._o which_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o observe_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o do_v observe_v etc._n etc._n session_n 21._o chap._n 1._o the_o council_n profess_v to_o follow_v the_o judgement_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n chap._n 2._o it_o declare_v that_o this_o power_n have_v perpetvally_o be_v in_o the_o church_n session_n 22._o that_o the_o ancient_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n may_v be_v retain_v in_o the_o church_n ibid._n cap._n 1._o as_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o understand_v and_o teach_v chap._n 1._o according_a to_o apostolical_a tradition_n session_n 23_o holy_a write_n show_v it_o and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n ever_o teach_v it_o chap._n 2._o they_o be_v know_v to_o have_v be_v in_o use_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o the_o church_n session_n 24._o the_o holy_a father_n council_n and_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n have_v always_o teach_v and_o speak_v of_o some_o error_n it_o pronounce_v they_o different_a from_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o from_o the_o custom_n approve_v since_o the_o apostle_n time_n session_n 25._o the_o catholic_n church_n instruct_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v out_o of_o sacred_a write_n and_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n etc._n etc._n according_a to_o the_o use_n of_o the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n traditam_fw-la deliver_v from_o the_o first_o or_o primitive_a time_n of_o christian_a religion_n etc._n etc._n more_o expression_n of_o the_o like_a strain_n be_v find_v in_o this_o session_n and_o to_o close_v up_o all_o in_o their_o acclamation_n they_o use_v this_o
of_o god_n nature_n as_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o jacob_n beman_n do_v and_o then_o secundum_fw-la hanc_fw-la partum_fw-la of_o illam_fw-la will_v do_v the_o work_n and_o give_v a_o true_a sense_n to_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n you_o shall_v do_v any_o thing_n which_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n make_v it_o seem_v possible_a rather_o than_o question_v a_o plain_a divine_a revelation_n nay_o perhaps_o you_o do_v not_o think_v you_o can_v demonstrate_v the_o contrary_a to_o the_o solution_n i_o have_v help_v you_o out_o with_o at_o least_o that_o your_o demonstration_n be_v but_o a_o seem_a one_o and_o then_o i_o challenge_v your_o candour_n to_o own_o your_o say_n and_o demand_v why_o you_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o use_v this_o shift_n and_o a_o thousand_o other_o rather_o than_o violate_v your_o avow_v rule_n of_o faith_n and_o deny_v and_o hold_v against_o the_o clear_a letter_n of_o scripture_n if_o you_o allege_v you_o have_v perfect_a science_n of_o the_o contrary_a by_o metaphysic_n then_o though_o i_o expect_v not_o this_o from_o you_o your_o science_n rule_v your_o rule_n of_o faith_n gloss_v or_o rather_o violent_o wrest_v the_o plain_a letter_n and_o so_o be_v so_o absolute_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o control_v and_o even_o baffle_v the_o other_o though_o clear_o reveal_v or_o if_o to_o be_v in_o express_a term_n in_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o be_v clear_o reveal_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o those_o word_n clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n signify_v 12._o perhaps_o you_o i_o say_v that_o notwithstanding_o your_o new_a rule_n reason_n must_v be_v your_o gvid_n still_o even_o in_o faith_n though_o not_o your_o rule_n but_o i_o ask_v if_o your_o reason_n must_v guide_v you_o sometime_o so_o as_o to_o deny_v the_o clear_a letter_n of_o scripture_n since_o a_o guide_n in_o any_o thing_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o some_o knowledge_n in_o that_o affair_n by_o what_o principle_n or_o knowledge_n reason_n be_v to_o regulate_v itself_o while_o it_o guide_v you_o in_o that_o particular_a now_o in_o question_n by_o principle_n of_o faith_n how_o can_v that_o be_v in_o your_o ground_n antecedent_o to_o the_o know_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o principle_n of_o human_a science_n then_o those_o principle_n of_o human_a science_n give_v you_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o the_o write_a word_n when_o itself_o be_v insufficient_a and_o therefore_o be_v still_o true_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o you_o be_v force_v to_o fly_v back_o for_o refuge_n to_o the_o old_a rule_n human_a reason_n which_o you_o seem_o renounce_v when_o you_o have_v find_v your_o new_a rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o some_o maxim_n of_o your_o reason_n be_v your_o rule_n and_o not_o scripture_n letter_n and_o this_o be_v what_o we_o reprehend_v in_o the_o socinian_n and_o you_o too_o that_o choose_v a_o wrong_a rule_n of_o faith_n so_o to_o avoid_v the_o church_n you_o both_o gloss_n it_o as_o seem_v best_a to_o your_o reason_n regulate_v herself_o by_o her_o own_o and_o those_o fallible_a maxim_n they_o by_o certain_a acute_a and_o ingenious_a sophistry_n proper_a to_o themselves_o you_o by_o the_o more_o schoolboy_n way_n of_o grammar_n and_o dictionary_n learning_n and_o so_o both_o of_o you_o make_v your_o rule_n the_o thing_n rule_v nor_o think_v to_o retort_v any_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n upon_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o this_o be_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v we_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o the_o point_n we_o be_v to_o profess_v whereas_o you_o needs_o skill_v and_o help_v of_o studious_a reason_n to_o tell_v you_o what_o it_o will_v say_v we_o be_v alive_a and_o in_o the_o breast_n and_o action_n of_o the_o faithful_a you_o be_v dead_a character_n waxen-natured_a and_o pliable_a to_o the_o dedalean_a fancy_n of_o the_o ingenious_a molder_v of_o new_a opinion_n and_o so_o alone_z can_v satisfy_v no_o man_n as_o you_o handle_v it_o 13._o no_o wonder_n now_o if_o have_v no_o certain_a a_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o herself_o your_o church_n be_v shamefast_a of_o oblige_v other_o to_o believe_v she_o man_n nature_n can_v scarce_o own_v or_o permit_v so_o irrational_a a_o tyranny_n yet_o whether_o she_o do_v or_o do_v not_o we_o must_v not_o know_v from_o your_o word_n which_o run_v so_o backward_o and_o forward_o that_o none_o can_v tell_v which_o be_v the_o true_a face_n of_o the_o janus_n first_o p._n 99_o you_o seem_v to_o deny_v it_o stout_o from_o the_o carriage_n of_o your_o convocation_n and_o bishop_n and_o from_o your_o own_o tenet_n yet_o afterward_o you_o seem_v to_o grant_v they_o do_v require_v a_o positive_a assent_n sometime_o and_o justify_v they_o as_o not_o do_v it_o upon_o pretence_n of_o any_o infallibility_n but_o because_o the_o thing_n determine_v be_v so_o evident_a in_o scripture_n that_o all_o deny_v it_o must_v be_v wilful_a a_o rare_a discourse_n and_o worthy_a a_o deep_a consideration_n pray_v who_o must_v be_v judge_v it_o be_v so_o evident_a in_o scripture_n as_o to_o render_v the_o dissenter_n guilty_a of_o flat_a wilfulness_n the_o bishop_n or_o your_o church_n nothing_o less_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n p._n 93._o you_o plain_o deny_v they_o to_o be_v judge_n of_o faith_n now_o in_o your_o sense_n to_o be_v clear_o reveal_v or_o evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o to_o be_v of_o faith_n be_v all_o one_o so_o that_o they_o must_v not_o be_v judge_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n lest_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n they_o become_v judge_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o without_o have_v power_n to_o judge_v what_o be_v evident_a in_o scripture_n they_o must_v have_v power_n to_o require_v assent_n to_o point_n as_o evident_a in_o scripture_n nay_o and_o punish_v the_o dissenter_n too_o for_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n for_o governor_n to_o require_v any_o thing_n of_o their_o subject_n without_o have_v reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o make_v what_o they_o require_v to_o be_v due_o obseruâ—d_v nay_o p._n 93._o you_o absolute_o refuse_v to_o admit_v they_o as_o guide_n of_o your_o faith_n a_o moderate_a word_n and_o less_o than_o to_o be_v a_o judge_n which_o signify_v they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o require_v our_o assent_n in_o matter_n in_o which_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o guide_v we_o that_o be_v they_o may_v have_v power_n to_o require_v we_o to_o go_v wrong_n for_o any_o thing_n we_o or_o they_o know_v a_o excellent_a honour_n for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o her_o champion_n profess_v in_o print_n her_o supreme_a pastor_n have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o to_o guide_v their_o flock_n in_o their_o faith_n or_o to_o it_o when_o they_o be_v out_o of_o it_o again_o i_o will_v ask_v whether_o the_o trinity_n be_v not_o evident_a in_o scripture_n and_o the_o socinian_o wilful_a for_o deny_v it_o why_o be_v they_o then_o so_o kind_o deal_v with_o or_o what_o can_v be_v reply_v to_o a_o socinian_n answer_v when_o his_o assent_n to_o the_o trinity_n be_v require_v that_o he_o humble_o submit_v to_o scripture_n that_o he_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n he_o can_v but_o discover_v it_o not_o so_o evident_a there_o and_o thereupon_o complain_v that_o you_o obtrude_v upon_o his_o equally-learned_n party_n your_o own_o conceit_n or_o opinion_n for_o scripture-evidence_n what_o therefore_o you_o allege_v here_o as_o in_o your_o church_n behalf_n that_o she_o require_v not_o a_o positive_a assent_n upon_o pretence_n of_o any_o infallibility_n more_o condemn_v she_o see_v it_o be_v most_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a that_o one_o shall_v require_v any_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o point_n or_o proposition_n whatever_o as_o evident_a in_o scripture_n without_o infallible_a certainty_n at_o least_o imagine_a and_o pretend_a that_o it_o be_v thus_o evident_a there_o for_o shall_v it_o happen_v to_o be_v otherwise_o how_o ridiculous_a be_v his_o authority_n how_o damnable_a and_o diabolical_a his_o tyranny_n to_o oblige_v man_n to_o the_o hazard_n of_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v in_o matter_n belong_v to_o his_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n profess_v himself_o ignorant_a whether_o they_o be_v false_a or_o no._n 14._o now_o our_o church_n go_v another_o way_n which_o ere_o i_o declare_v i_o will_v let_v your_o party_n see_v that_o interior_a assent_n may_v be_v require_v by_o governor_n lawful_o and_o rational_o which_o your_o principle_n can_v never_o make_v sense_n of_o suppose_v a_o thousand_o witness_n from_o several_a place_n each_o of_o they_o hold_v always_o man_n of_o good_a conscience_n shall_v swear_v in_o open_a court_n that_o they_o have_v see_v such_o and_o such_o action_n do_v by_o such_o a_o man_n or_o that_o they_o have_v see_v speak_v or_o converse_v
with_o such_o a_o person_n be_v not_o he_o mad_a that_o be_v a_o renouncor_n of_o reason_n or_o man_n nature_n who_o shall_v not_o believe_v they_o you_o see_v then_o these_o witness_n have_v power_n to_o propose_v such_o a_o object_n as_o can_v oblige_v to_o belief_n you_o see_v the_o dissenter_n be_v irrational_a that_o their_o act_n of_o dissent_v spring_n from_o some_o passion_n or_o vice_n and_o vice_n be_v punishable_a and_o so_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o that_o dissent_n if_o it_o be_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n as_o be_v high_o pernicious_a to_o mankind_n best_a concern_v now_o our_o church_n make_v account_v she_o be_v able_a to_o propose_v a_o authority_n incomparable_o more_o ample_a than_o the_o attestation_n now_o speak_v of_o for_o the_o true_a descent_n of_o her_o faith_n and_o judge_n such_o a_o proposal_n found_v on_o the_o eyesight_n of_o all_o those_o witness_n to_o be_v able_a to_o oblige_v to_o interior_a assent_n in_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o to_o render_v they_o most_o high_o wilful_a vicious_a and_o irrational_a who_o shall_v disbelieve_v it_o hence_o the_o crime_n entrench_v upon_o the_o order_n to_o mankind_n salvation_n the_o high_a concern_v imaginable_a both_o to_o edify_v those_o dissenter_n by_o correct_v their_o vice_n and_o the_o circumstant_fw-la faithful_a by_o breed_v a_o conceit_n in_o they_o through_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o other_o of_o the_o sacredness_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n and_o the_o heinousness_n of_o pride_n of_o understand_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o all_o heresy_n they_o may_v nay_o ought_v punish_v their_o interior_a dissent_n not_o out_o of_o a_o height_n of_o authority_n without_o motive_n as_o mr._n whitby_n conceit_n but_o because_o that_o authority_n be_v herself_o such_o a_o motive_n to_o belief_n that_o only_o irrational_a vicious_a and_o wilfully-blind_a person_n can_v recede_v from_o it_o by_o disbelief_n and_o hence_o our_o church_n procedure_v be_v rational_a natural_a sweet_a and_o charitable_a tend_v to_o amend_v a_o enormity_n of_o will_v not_o breed_v from_o a_o rational_o but_o passionate_a dissatisfied_a understanding_n nay_o mr._n whitby_n discourse_n justify_v our_o church_n procedure_v who_o seem_v to_o allow_v his_o church_n a_o power_n to_o require_v a_o positive_a assent_n when_o the_o case_n come_v to_o be_v such_o that_o the_o denier_n of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v hold_v wilful_a and_o our_o church_n neither_o say_v nor_o act_n otherwise_o 15._o by_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v not_o have_v mr_n whitby_n imagine_v that_o i_o be_o about_o prove_v our_o church_n infallibility_n in_o this_o place_n but_o only_o show_v that_o hold_v she_o can_v evidence_n her_o authority_n she_o go_v rational_o to_o work_v and_o consonant_o to_o herself_o in_o require_v assent_n to_o her_o proposal_n whereas_o they_o confess_v herself_o fallible_a even_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n upon_o which_o all_o both_o her_o faith_n and_o authority_n as_o a_o church_n depend_v be_v self-condemned_a irrational_a and_o tyrannical_a if_o she_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o require_v any_o such_o interior_a assent_n now_o though_o he_o in_o big_a word_n deny_v this_o to_o be_v her_o carriage_n ask_v when_o do_v they_o mean_v bishop_n convocation_n or_o parliament_n challenge_v any_o power_n over_o our_o mind_n and_o conscience_n and_o allege_v the_o consent_n of_o their_o divine_n for_o it_o yet_o i_o wonder_v what_o he_o think_v of_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n make_v by_o a_o protestant_a parliament_n be_v there_o no_o obligation_n there_o to_o hold_v any_o thing_n yes_o as_o strong_a as_o oath_n can_v tie_v it_o and_o which_o be_v worse_o it_o be_v more_o irrational_a to_o go_v about_o to_o bind_v our_o assent_n who_o be_v not_o of_o their_o church_n than_o to_o bind_v their_o own_o subject_n this_o in_o practice_n be_v perform_v towards_o all_o but_o so_o imprincipled_a a_o procedure_n that_o their_o church_n wave_v it_o when_o it_o come_v to_o a_o rational_a scan_n in_o a_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n acknowledge_v so_o their_o want_n of_o ground_n to_o make_v it_o good_a which_o show_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n spring_v from_o the_o parliament_n or_o secular_a state_n in_o regard_n she_o profess_v herself_o very_o hearty_o content_a with_o external_a obedience_n let_v the_o interior_a assent_n go_v where_o it_o will_v most_o unlike_a the_o church_n settle_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n and_o constitute_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n who_o provide_v in_o the_o first_o place_n for_o the_o church_n power_n to_o hold_v we_o to_o the_o same_o tenet_n which_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o our_o action_n know_v that_o unless_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n be_v sound_a the_o action_n its_o branch_n must_v needs_o be_v rot_v and_o unconscientious_a and_o that_o no_o congregation_n can_v long_o hold_v together_o nor_o indeed_o long_o than_o the_o plain_a force_n of_o the_o secular_a sword_n awe_v they_o unless_o by_o power_n to_o evidence_n its_o authority_n it_o have_v power_n to_o oblige_v man_n understanding_n connatural_o to_o a_o unity_n in_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o do_v all_o else_o will_v follow_v and_o hence_o we_o may_v see_v confess_o in_o the_o protestant_a principle_n the_o reason_n of_o their_o present_a and_o past_a distraction_n and_o divine_a of_o the_o future_a for_o man_n fancy_n be_v natural_o various_a and_o no_o power_n in_o she_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o union_n they_o must_v needs_o ramble_v into_o multitude_n of_o dissent_v sect_n which_o to_o strive_v to_o unite_v into_o one_o be_v to_o force_v both_o nature_n and_o conscience_n too_o nature_n in_o strive_v to_o unite_v their_o understanding_n in_o faith_n without_o offer_v they_o evidence_n of_o authority_n conscience_n in_o bind_v they_o to_o act_n as_o protestant_n do_v whereas_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o stake_v their_o salvation_n upon_o it_o that_o their_o best_a reason_n work_v upon_o the_o very_a rule_n of_o faith_n protestant_n recommend_v oblige_v they_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o to_o force_v they_o to_o act_v with_o they_o be_v to_o force_v they_o to_o sin_n so_o that_o the_o protestant_n at_o once_o profess_v they_o will_v not_o or_o can_v oblige_v their_o understand_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n contend_v by_o force_n to_o oblige_v their_o will_n without_o nay_o against_o their_o understanding_n 16._o in_o a_o word_n let_v protestant_n write_v talk_z &_o quote_v word_n as_o long_o as_o they_o will_v plain_a common_a sense_n tell_v they_o and_o every_o man_n who_o consider_v it_o that_o unless_o they_o settle_v some_o undisputable_a method_n of_o arrive_v at_o christ_n sense_n or_o faith_n that_o be_v some_o self-evident_a and_o so_o all-obliging_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o protestant_a church_n can_v never_o hope_v for_o power_n to_o reduce_v their_o dissenter_n nor_o to_o hold_v together_o or_o govern_v efficacious_o their_o own_o subject_n that_o be_v they_o can_v never_o hope_v for_o unity_n within_o themselves_o nor_o last_o union_n with_o they_o that_o have_v it_o and_o charitable_o endeavour_v they_o may_v have_v it_o too_o three_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n stillingfleet_n 1._o the_o loud_a fame_n of_o mr._n stillingfleet_n book_n prevent_v its_o publication_n and_o withal_o the_o report_n of_o his_o good_a part_n come_v from_o diverse_a judicious_a person_n breed_v in_o i_o a_o great_a impatience_n to_o see_v something_o of_o his_o other_o write_n that_o so_o i_o may_v have_v more_o solid_a ground_n to_o build_v my_o expectation_n on_o than_o common_a rumour_n or_o commendation_n of_o acquaintance_n a_o protestant_a friend_n show_v i_o a_o little_a treatise_n of_o his_o concern_v excommunication_n i_o peruse_v the_o beginning_n of_o it_o and_o immediate_o tell_v he_o mr._n stillingfleet_n be_v a_o very_a ingenious_a person_n and_o write_v the_o best_a i_o ever_o yet_o see_v any_o protestant_n for_o he_o settle_v first_o his_o notion_n or_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o thence_o attempt_v by_o intrinsical_v medium_n to_o draw_v immediate_a consequence_n which_o show_v that_o his_o head_n lie_v right_a for_o science_n but_o withal_o i_o assure_v my_o friend_n it_o be_v impossible_a he_o can_v write_v against_o we_o and_o take_v that_o method_n the_o nature_n of_o his_o cause_n not_o endure_v so_o severe_a a_o test._n his_o book_n come_v forth_o and_o bear_v in_o its_o title_n a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n my_o expectation_n be_v more_o erect_v and_o till_o myself_o can_v get_v leisure_n to_o peruse_v it_o i_o tell_v diverse_a both_o catholic_n and_o protestant_n that_o they_o may_v expect_v from_o mr._n stillingfleet_n wit_n the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v say_v either_o for_o the_o late_a or_o against_o the_o former_a but_o come_v to_o overlook_a cursory_o his_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n
part_n 1_o cap._n 6._o and_o the._n protestant_n way_n of_o resolve_v faith_n cap._n 7._o i_o have_v quite_o lose_v mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o instead_o of_o he_o have_v find_v a_o dr._n hammond_n dr._n pierce_n or_o a_o dissuader_n who_o talk_v not_o out_o of_o nature_n or_o thing_n but_o word_n &_o imagination_n i_o plain_o discover_v there_o be_v not_o one_o proposition_n in_o those_o two_o discourse_n which_o can_v be_v a_o solid_a ground_n for_o a_o rational_a understanding_n that_o will_v be_v true_a to_o itself_o to_o settle_v and_o rely_v on_o and_o be_v desirous_a to_o show_v it_o have_v it_o not_o be_v uncivil_a to_o put_v my_o sickle_n into_o another_o man_n harvest_n and_o crop_v the_o victory_n due_a to_o another_o learning_n and_o industry_n victory_n i_o say_v for_o he_o that_o defend_v his_o cause_n no_o better_o in_o effect_n yield_v it_o lose_v yet_o i_o beg_v leave_n of_o the_o judicious_a author_n of_o labyrinthus_n cantuariensis_n to_o maintain_v one_o breach_n where_o i_o find_v myself_o more_o direct_o assault_v oral_a tradition_n be_v the_o post_n i_o have_v take_v upon_o i_o to_o explicate_v further_o &_o defend_v because_o i_o conceive_v it_o the_o solid_a ground_n on_o which_o the_o church_n or_o all_o catholic_n both_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a rely_v as_o faithful_a however_o some_o schoolman_n abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n ground_n also_o their_o explication_n of_o the_o church_n infallibility_n on_o something_o beside_o 2._o mr_n stillingfleet_n then_o part_n 3_o chap._n 5._o §_o 4_o &_o 5._o set_n himself_o to_o oppose_v oral_a tradition_n who_o infallibility_n he_o oppose_v to_o doctrinal_a infallibility_n in_o pope_n or_o council_n where_o if_o by_o doctrinal_a infallibility_n he_o mean_v that_o which_o they_o have_v as_o doctor_n or_o scholar_n he_o may_v reflect_v that_o no_o catholic_n make_v such_o a_o infallibility_n proper_a to_o the_o church_n or_o church-governor_n as_o such_o however_o it_o may_v be_v sometime_o necessary_a to_o proceed_v upon_o it_o in_o some_o signal_n occasion_n now_o take_v away_o this_o infallibility_n there_o be_v none_o leave_v but_o the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n perform_v by_o testify_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 speculater_n or_o doctor_n the_o second_o to_o deliverer_n of_o what_o be_v receive_v or_o to_o testifier_n whence_o m._n stillingfleet_n may_v see_v he_o stumble_v at_o the_o very_a threshold_n by_o counterpose_v doctrinal_a infallibility_n to_o traditionary_a since_o that_o which_o we_o call_v ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la profess_v constant_o to_o ground_n herself_o on_o tradition_n witness_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o every_o session_n where_o she_o define_v faith_n 3._o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o ground_v on_o this_o mistake_n mr_n stillingfleet_n declare_v himself_o unsatisfied_a he_o ask_v therefore_o whether_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v to_o be_v infallible_a i_o understand_v he_o not_o have_v he_o instead_o of_o the_o word_n infallible_a put_v receive_v as_o deliver_v ever_o or_o infallible_o true_a i_o have_v for_o fallibility_n and_o infallibility_n belong_v to_o the_o know_v power_n or_o the_o person_n that_o have_v it_o not_o to_o the_o object_n the_o object_n be_v neither_o deceive_v nor_o not_o deceive_v but_o we_o well_o but_o suppose_v he_o mean_v by_o it_o deliver_v ever_o or_o which_o be_v equivalent_a certain_o true_a for_o what_o come_v from_o christ_n must_v be_v so_o in_o that_o case_n we_o answer_v affirmative_o he_o ask_v again_o on_o what_o account_n be_v he_o bind_v to_o believe_v it_o and_o he_o make_v our_o answer_n to_o be_v because_o the_o present_a church_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o church_n of_o the_o former_a age_n believe_v nor_o that_o in_o the_o precedent_n and_o so_o up_o till_o christ._n this_o be_v indeed_o part_n of_o our_o answer_n the_o other_o part_n be_v that_o the_o church_n in_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v against_o her_o knowledge_n to_o deceive_v that_o age_n immediate_o follow_v in_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n upon_o this_o he_o fall_v into_o two_o new_a demand_n which_o take_v up_o this_o whole_a paragraph_n 4._o the_o first_o be_v how_o we_o can_v assure_v he_o the_o present_a church_n oblige_v he_o to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o only_a what_o and_o so_o far_o as_o it_o receive_v from_o the_o former_a church_n i_o answer_v by_o her_o manifest_a practice_n never_o refuse_v communion_n to_o any_o man_n that_o can_v approve_v himself_o to_o believe_v all_o the_o former_a age_n do_v i_o can_v here_o distinguish_v the_o word_n believe_v but_o i_o refer_v it_o till_o i_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la he_o proceed_v what_o evidence_n can_v you_o bring_v to_o convince_v i_o both_o that_o the_o church_n always_o observe_v this_o rule_n and_o can_v never_o be_v deceive_v in_o it_o for_o the_o late_a i_o hope_v i_o need_v bring_v no_o great_a evidence_n than_o this_o that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v eye_n ear_n and_o other_o sense_n also_o common_a reason_n and_o as_o much_o memory_n as_o to_o remember_v their_o own_o name_n and_o frequently-inculcated_n action_n if_o you_o disprove_v this_o i_o doubt_v we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n the_o subject_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o and_o till_o you_o disprove_v it_o neither_o i_o nor_o any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n can_v doubt_v that_o this_o rule_n depend_v on_o testify_v that_o be_v sense_n or_o experience_n can_v possible_o permit_v man_n to_o be_v deceivable_a the_o former_a part_n i_o shall_v speak_v to_o when_o i_o come_v to_o show_v the_o obligation_n not_o to_o vary_v from_o faith_n his_o scruple_n spring_v hence_o that_o he_o see_v the_o roman_a church_n assert_n thing_n to_o be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o etc._n etc._n that_o this_o be_v the_o common_a doctrine_n and_o the_o denier_n ill-looked_a on_o i_o beg_v leave_n to_o distinguish_v the_o word_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la which_o may_v either_o mean_a christian_a faith_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o than_o you_o see_v it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v they_o can_v be_v in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o for_o what_o christ_n have_v teach_v he_o have_v teach_v and_o the_o preteritness_n of_o the_o thing_n have_v so_o fix_v its_o existence_n to_o its_o proper_a time_n that_o it_o be_v not_o now_o obnoxious_a to_o variation_n quod_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la infectum_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la or_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la may_v mean_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o this_o late_a sense_n none_o i_o think_v deny_v thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n none_o hold_v it_o what_o be_v now_o become_v of_o your_o difficulty_n i_o believe_v you_o be_v in_o some_o wonderment_n and_o think_v i_o elude_v it_o rather_o than_o answer_v it_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o unperplex_v you_o 5._o christianity_n aim_v not_o to_o make_v we_o beast_n but_o more_o perfect_o man_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o manhood_n consist_v in_o use_v our_o reason_n since_o than_o natural_a consequence_n be_v apt_a to_o spring_v from_o natural_a principle_n by_o the_o operation_n of_o reason_n and_o we_o can_v but_o think_v that_o the_o consequence_n apt_a to_o flow_v from_o supernatural_a principle_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n deliver_v down_o from_o christ_n only_a which_o be_v de_fw-la fide_fw-la in_o the_o former_a sense_n be_v of_o incomparable_o great_a excellency_n than_o natural_a truth_n it_o follow_v that_o christianity_n or_o christian_a faith_n be_v so_o far_o from_o hinder_v the_o faithful_a from_o deduce_v out_o of_o they_o that_o both_o out_o of_o their_o nature_n as_o supreme_a truth_n or_o principle_n and_o out_o of_o their_o high_a excellency_n they_o invite_v and_o prompt_v most_o strong_o to_o it_o now_o these_o point_n deduct_v out_o of_o principle_n of_o faith_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n the_o former_a those_o which_o need_v no_o more_o but_o common_a sense_n or_o the_o ordinary_a natural_a light_n of_o reason_n to_o discover_v their_o arise_v thence_o nor_o any_o piece_n of_o skill_n or_o science_n to_o infer_v they_o but_o be_v see_v by_o the_o bare_a principle_n of_o faith_n or_o rather_o in_o it_o be_v indeed_o but_o a_o branch_n or_o part_n of_o that_o principle_n the_o late_a be_v those_o which_o need_n beside_o the_o maxim_n of_o some_o science_n get_v by_o speculation_n to_o infer_v they_o a_o example_n of_o the_o former_a sort_n be_v that_o against_o the_o monothelite_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o human_a will_n for_o common_a experience_n tell_v
sure-footing_a in_o christianity_n or_o rational_a discourse_n on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o short_a animadversion_n on_o dr_n pierce_n sermon_n also_o on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr_n whitby_n and_o m_o stillingfleet_n which_o concern_v that_o rule_n ecce_fw-la nos_fw-la ex_fw-la patribus_fw-la ad_fw-la patres_fw-la per_fw-la manus_fw-la traditam_fw-la fuisse_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la demonstravimus_fw-la athanasius_n by_o i._n s._n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1665._o to_z the_o queen_n madam_n though_o the_o faith_n i_o write_v for_o be_v far_o more_o firm_o establish_v then_o heaven_n and_o earth_n themselves_o as_o the_o world_n great_a master_n have_v by_o his_o own_o word_n assure_v we_o and_o so_o need_v no_o support_n but_o its_o own_o invincible_a strength_n yet_o i_o be_o tell_v by_o my_o reason_n that_o nothing_o so_o clear_v and_o recommend_v religion_n to_o the_o generality_n as_o the_o virtuous_a life_n and_o eminent_a devotion_n of_o they_o that_o profess_v it_o but_o where_o shall_v i_o seek_v those_o happy_a effect_n and_o noble_a argument_n of_o truth_n if_o i_o consider_v they_o in_o their_o abstract_a idea_n they_o be_v invisible_a as_o angel_n too_o subtle_a and_o delicate_a for_o vulgar_a eye_n where_o then_o may_v i_o hope_v to_o meet_v those_o excellent_a form_n vest_v with_o body_n if_o i_o consult_v the_o common_a judgement_n i_o expect_v to_o be_v send_v to_o some_o hermit_n cell_n or_o the_o private_a oratory_n of_o some_o holy_a votaress_n where_o i_o may_v find_v they_o indeed_o embody_v but_o withal_o half-buryed_a incomparable_a light_n but_o shut_v up_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o dark_a lantern_n where_o they_o burn_v safe_o i_o confess_v but_o shine_v to_o few_o while_o those_o i_o seek_v must_v be_v high_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o send_v forth_o their_o beam_n and_o influence_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o in_o that_o regard_n court_n be_v the_o proper_a firmament_n for_o such_o illustrious_a star_n and_o court_n be_v easy_o see_v but_o where_o be_v the_o star_n in_o this_o perplexity_n madam_n it_o please_v the_o goodness_n of_o heaven_n to_o relieve_v i_o for_o as_o the_o mention_n of_o court_n bring_v immediate_o into_o my_o memory_n the_o happiness_n our_o nation_n be_v blessed_v with_o by_o your_o majesty_n residence_n among_o we_o so_o the_o contemplation_n of_o your_o exemplar_n life_n fill_v my_o soul_n with_o joy_n to_o have_v find_v at_o last_o those_o sublime_a and_o heroic_a virtue_n who_o perfect_a conformity_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o catholic_n religion_n be_v alone_z capable_a to_o convince_v the_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n such_o a_o unwearied_a constancy_n in_o devotion_n such_o a_o degree_n of_o fervour_n in_o that_o constancy_n can_v possible_o proceed_v from_o a_o lukewarm_a probability_n in_o faith_n such_o frequent_a retirement_n to_o intimate_v conversation_n with_o heaven_n such_o mortification_n and_o contempt_n of_o court-entertainment_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o hard_o such_o innocence_n and_o purity_n amid_o the_o necessary_a admittance_n of_o they_o as_o they_o all_o conspire_v to_o speak_v your_o soul_n angelical_a so_o they_o clear_o prove_v the_o vigorous_a activity_n of_o the_o faith_n that_o breed_v they_o far_o beyond_o the_o drowsy_a indifferency_n of_o a_o probable_a opinion_n thus_o madam_n while_o scholar_n but_o discourse_n you_o live_v demonstration_n permit_v i_o then_o to_o use_v not_o your_o bare_a name_n but_o your_o virtue_n as_o a_o patronage_n to_o my_o endeavour_n since_o the_o motive_n of_o this_o my_o dedicatory_a mean_v these_o for_o its_o substance_n and_o your_o temporal_a supremeness_n only_o for_o a_o circumstance_n other_o compliment_n while_o they_o dedicate_v i_o argue_v all_o the_o while_n nor_o intend_v i_o this_o for_o a_o far_o display_v of_o your_o excellent_a virtue_n which_o already_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_a to_o all_o the_o world_n but_o to_o breed_v a_o more_o serious_a reflection_n on_o they_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o against_o who_o i_o write_v and_o other_o well-meaning_a but_o mislead_v person_n this_o advantage_n your_o majesty_n and_o the_o practical_a prover_n of_o catholic_n faith_n have_v above_o we_o speculater_n that_o your_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o continual_a argument_n for_o it_o while_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o expect_v season_n and_o wait_v opportunity_n nor_o shall_v i_o at_o this_o time_n have_v offer_v to_o appear_v have_v not_o the_o multitude_n of_o book_n late_o print_v against_o catholic_n religion_n make_v it_o my_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n with_o all_o my_o little_a power_n to_o defend_v it_o what_o i_o have_v endeavour_v i_o most_o humble_o lay_v at_o your_o majesty_n foot_n and_o remain_v madam_n your_o majesty_n most_o dutiful_a subject_n and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n i._n s._n preface_n to_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n 1._o he_o be_v little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o path_n which_o lead_v to_o science_n who_o know_v not_o that_o the_o settle_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o any_o affair_n be_v of_o main_a import_n towards_o satisfaction_n in_o that_o particular_a because_o if_o such_o a_o principle_n be_v not_o first_o settle_v the_o whole_a discourse_n as_o rely_v on_o that_o principle_n for_o its_o certainty_n must_v needs_o waver_v and_o stagger_v reflect_v on_o this_o plain_a truth_n and_o withal_o on_o the_o manner_n how_o very_a many_o i_o wish_v i_o may_v not_o say_v most_o controversy_n be_v manage_v that_o be_v by_o debate_v much_o about_o diverse_a conclusion_n but_o very_o little_a about_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n i_o can_v wonder_v if_o dispute_v come_v slow_o to_o a_o end_n when_o few_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o right_o begin_v another_o mischief_n and_o even_a despair_n of_o entire_a satisfaction_n spring_v from_o hence_o that_o see_v all_o dispute_v suppose_n a_o agreement_n between_o the_o disputer_n in_o some_o acknowledge_a principle_n i_o much_o fear_v while_o thing_n be_v carry_v on_o this_o fashion_n this_o requisite_a be_v want_v to_o the_o catholic_n and_o protestant_n controvertist_n for_o neither_o do_v the_o protestant_n from_o his_o heart_n hold_v witness_n the_o book_n of_o their_o most_o extol_v champion_n and_o even_o the_o 39_o article_n to_o the_o contrary_a the_o testimony_n of_o father_n and_o council_n certain_a and_o convictive_a nor_o even_o scripture_n always_o as_o to_o its_o letter_n and_o the_o sense_n they_o give_v it_o for_o they_o pretend_v infallible_a certainty_n of_o none_o of_o these_o much_o less_o do_v the_o catholic_n agree_v that_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n or_o citation_n from_o father_n not_o speak_v as_o witness_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n be_v of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o settle_v the_o true_a or_o overthrow_v a_o false_a or_o pretend_a faith_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o each_o antagonist_n permit_v the_o other_o to_o frame_v his_o discourse_n upon_o these_o ground_n as_o if_o he_o hold_v the_o method_n be_v good_a and_o allowable_a which_o not_o be_v hearty_o grant_v by_o either_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v we_o expect_v but_o endless_a and_o fruitless_a contest_v for_o want_v of_o agreement_n in_o some_o acknowledge_a principle_n while_o this_o method_n be_v follow_v nay_o more_o be_v it_o suppose_v that_o both_o side_n have_v agree_v not_o to_o reject_v in_o their_o dispute_n such_o a_o principle_n yet_o still_o however_o one_o side_n may_v happen_v to_o foil_v the_o other_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v he_o contradict_v himself_o yet_o never_o so_o as_o to_o convince_v his_o tenet_n of_o falsehood_n unless_o the_o process_n be_v ground_v upon_o some_o first_o that_o be_v self-evident_a principle_n by_o virtue_n of_o who_o undoubtable_a certainty_n the_o discourse_n build_v on_o it_o may_v gain_v a_o establishment_n whence_o also_o the_o result_n of_o this_o way_n of_o discourse_n can_v be_v only_o the_o credit_n or_o discredit_v of_o the_o author_n and_o touch_v not_o at_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o without_o some_o evident_a principle_n to_o establish_v or_o overthrow_v it_o hover_v in_o its_o pure_a neutral_a condition_n of_o be_v as_o to_o assent_n or_o dissent_n just_o a_o bare_a say_n and_o no_o more_o 2._o the_o reason_n why_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o controversy_n be_v not_o more_o look_v into_o and_o clear_v appear_v to_o i_o evident_o this_o that_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n and_o her_o faith_n see_v which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o all_o other_o maintainer_n of_o error_n that_o to_o begin_v with_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n be_v the_o direct_a road_n to_o science_n and_o therefore_o absolute_o destructive_a of_o their_o interest_n avoid_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o lay_v any_o such_o principle_n and_o instead_o of_o this_o apply_v their_o whole_a endeavour_n to_o airy_a descant_n upon_o word_n by_o such_o mean_n and_o art_n as_o be_v never_o likely_a to_o give_v they_o any_o determinate_a sense_n by_o which_o craft_n the_o way_n
supernatural_a thing_n again_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o hold_v by_o those_o christian_n that_o none_o can_v come_v to_o heaven_n without_o know_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o some_o very_a great_a good_a reserve_v for_o the_o next_o life_n nor_o yet_o without_o love_v it_o for_o none_o be_v think_v to_o go_v to_o heaven_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o no_o which_o love_n beside_o the_o knowledge_n that_o heaven_n be_v can_v be_v have_v without_o know_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v a_o good_a incomparable_o great_a than_o any_o in_o this_o life_n nor_o can_v these_o knowledge_n be_v have_v by_o mankind_n but_o by_o believe_v hence_o belief_n of_o supernatural_a thing_n or_o faith_n be_v conceive_v necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n nor_o be_v this_o find_v only_o in_o the_o judgement_n the_o learneder_n faithful_n make_v concern_v it_o by_o their_o discourse_n but_o in_o the_o very_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n faith_n as_o it_o import_v knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a thing_n it_o be_v then_o grant_v by_o all_o and_o in_o itself_o most_o rational_a that_o some_o at_o least_o of_o the_o vulgar_a be_v to_o be_v save_v that_o be_v be_v to_o have_v faith_n or_o knowledge_n of_o god_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o certain_a mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n must_v be_v appliable_a to_o they_o 9_o moreover_o since_o the_o rude_a or_o unskilfull_a people_n be_v the_o less_o capable_a they_o be_v of_o science_n and_o none_o doubt_v but_o some_o among_o even_o the_o rude_a may_v come_v to_o be_v save_v since_o we_o experience_v they_o have_v oftentimes_o well-meaning_a virtuous_a and_o devout_a heart_n the_o rule_n or_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n must_v also_o be_v appliable_a to_o these_o that_o be_v must_v be_v such_o as_o even_o the_o rude_a may_v be_v capable_a to_o know_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n 10._o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o must_v be_v knowable_a as_o to_o it_o be_v existence_n by_o natural_a impression_n upon_o man_n sense_n affect_v their_o soul_n according_a to_o the_o common_a light_n of_o understanding_n for_o see_v the_o rude_a be_v very_o shallow_a reflecter_n and_o discourser_n and_o suppose_v to_o be_v utter_o unacquainted_a with_o any_o kind_n of_o skill_n get_v by_o speculation_n or_o study_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n existence_n must_v not_o need_v any_o skill_n or_o science_n acquire_v by_o study_n intervening_a between_o the_o natural_a power_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o itâ—_n otherwise_o it_o can_v not_o be_v knowable_a by_o they_o 〈◊〉_d be_v to_o they_o a_o rule_n by_o parag_n 4_o 11._o again_o see_v those_o who_o be_v very_o rude_a be_v yet_o capable_a of_o be_v put_v into_o doubt_n concern_v their_o faith_n either_o by_o sophistry_n or_o faiâ—_n language_n and_o at_o length_n desert_v it_o and_o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a there_o shall_v be_v no_o mean_n lest_o by_o god_n sufficient_a to_o settle_v they_o nor_o can_v any_o mean_n be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o best_a if_o not_o only_o mean_v to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o faith_n be_v dissatisfactory_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v show_v worthy_a to_o be_v rely_v on_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o iâ—_n either_o by_o its_o own_o light_n evident_o secure_a and_o worthy_a to_o be_v hold_v a_o rule_n and_o this_o even_a to_o the_o rude_a who_o can_v doubt_v or_o else_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o they_o to_o be_v such_o by_o intelligent_a person_n who_o be_v verse_v in_o such_o reflection_n and_o this_o out_o of_o principle_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o as_o be_v prove_v parage_v the_o 5_o that_o be_v require_v only_o common_a and_o obvious_a reason_n not_o scientifical_a speculation_n to_o instill_v they_o otherwise_o those_o rude_a person_n will_v be_v leave_v unfurnish_v of_o due_a mean_n to_o be_v steadfast_a in_o their_o faith_n 12._o also_o since_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 so_o no_o act_n of_o it_o irrational_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a all_o its_o act_n rational_a and_o the_o submission_n of_o onr_a understanding_n exercisd_v in_o it_o rationabile_fw-la obsequium_fw-la it_o be_v evince_v that_o the_o satisfactorine_n of_o its_o rule_n ought_v not_o only_o to_o be_v evident_a or_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o rude_a doubter_n as_o we_o now_o prove_v but_o also_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o qualify_v that_o the_o faithful_a who_o yet_o have_v no_o doubt_n shall_v do_v rational_o even_o while_o they_o simple_o or_o unreflect_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o that_o it_o shall_v supply_v to_o their_o common_a and_o uncultivated_a reason_n by_o a_o natural_a way_n what_o it_o want_v of_o reflection_n i_o mean_v so_o that_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n may_v tell_v they_o upon_o solid_a and_o true_a principle_n teach_v they_o by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v or_o follow_v thongh_v they_o dive_v not_o into_o the_o ground_n or_o particular_a reason_n of_o their_o tenet_n or_o action_n nor_o can_v give_v account_n of_o they_o 13._o and_o since_o our_o saviour_n intend_v those_o out_o of_o the_o church_n shall_v embrace_v faith_n and_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v convert_v be_v heterodox_n that_o be_v hold_v contradictory_o to_o the_o church_n in_o what_o they_o dissent_v from_o she_o so_o that_o if_o they_o change_v they_o must_v now_o hold_v be_v indeed_o of_o be_v not_o or_o be_v not_o instead_o of_o be_v there_o be_v no_o middle_a to_o hold_v to_o in_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o differ_v from_o she_o and_o no_o change_n ought_v to_o be_v in_o reason_n or_o in_o a_o rational_a nature_n of_o which_o nature_n those_o heterodox_n be_v without_o true_a reason_n to_o change_v and_o the_o change_n in_o our_o case_n be_v to_o be_v make_v not_o to_o a_o mere_a suspension_n which_o be_v believe_v nothing_o nor_o to_o a_o middle_n between_o be_v and_o be_v not_o but_o to_o a_o contrary_a or_o rather_o contradictory_n assent_n and_o no_o assent_n can_v beâ—_n without_o sufficient_a cause_n of_o assent_n nor_o be_v any_o sufficient_a in_o reason_n to_o put_v that_o effect_n or_o cause_n assent_n in_o a_o thing_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n as_o be_v the_o ruleâ—_n of_o faith_n but_o evidence_n for_o while_o it_o be_v but_o probable_a that_o be_v while_o the_o understanding_n must_v aâ—_n yet_o say_v i_o know_v not_o it_o be_v so_o it_o can_v say_v i_o know_v iâ—_n be_v so_o which_o be_v no_o more_o but_o to_o say_v understand_o or_o to_o assent_n that_o it_o be_v so_o now_o the_o cause_n of_o our_o actual_a assent_v to_o the_o church_n faith_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o follow_v out_o of_o the_o notion_n of_o rational_a include_v in_o the_o word_n faith_n as_o apply_v to_o convettible_a person_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v beyond_o all_o peradventure_o how_o high_a and_o presume_v soever_o they_o be_v that_o be_v absolute_o evident_a to_o we_o and_o consequent_o certain_a 14._o moreover_o there_o be_v many_o eminent_a wit_n in_o the_o chutch_n verse_v in_o true_a logic_n &_o enure_v to_o science_n and_o true_a logic_n and_o the_o course_n of_o science_n necessary_o tell_v they_o that_o nothing_o can_v in_o perfect_a reason_n be_v hold_v by_o one_o who_o penetrate_v difficulty_n but_o either_o self-evident_a principle_n or_o conclusion_n necessary_o deduce_v by_o intrinsical_v medium_n from_o those_o principle_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v necessary_o deduce_v without_o immediate_a connexion_n or_o identification_n of_o the_o term_n with_o the_o medium_fw-la which_o infer_v the_o identity_n between_o themselves_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o that_o what_o be_v not_o see_v to_o be_v thus_o connect_v be_v unknown_a and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v may_v be_v false_a and_o to_o see_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v false_a must_v needs_o breed_v some_o fear_n of_o be_v so_o or_o doubt_v if_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o truth_n or_o falsity_n of_o that_o thing_n and_o none_o can_v rational_o assent_v or_o fix_v their_o judgement_n where_o there_o be_v leave_v some_o doubt_n or_o waver_v of_o judgement_n and_o the_o judgement_n or_o assent_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v rotional_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o immediate_a producer_n and_o cause_n of_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o must_v not_o only_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o rude_a sort_n but_o also_o contain_v in_o itself_o seed_n of_o perfect_a evidence_n to_o satisfy_v those_o learned_a person_n who_o shall_v more_o narrow_o examine_v it_o otherwise_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a portion_n and_o
as_o it_o be_v the_o flower_n of_o mankind_n which_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n can_v hold_v nothing_o or_o have_v no_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o church_n must_v only_o be_v make_v up_o of_o ignorant_a and_o undiscerning_a person_n which_o will_v make_v her_o little_a better_o than_o a_o congregation_n of_o fanatic_n 15._o especial_o the_o church_n have_v many_o adversary_n skill_v in_o natural_a science_n who_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o oppose_v she_o all_o they_o can_v and_o conquer_v she_o too_o can_v they_o take_v any_o just_a advantage_n against_o she_o and_o no_o great_a advantage_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v gain_v or_o more_o deadly_a wound_n to_o be_v give_v she_o than_o to_o prove_v her_o faith_n uncertain_a which_o be_v do_v by_o show_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o concern_v our_o knowledge_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o at_o once_o enervate_v her_o government_n vilify_v her_o sacrament_n weaken_v all_o the_o motive_n to_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n which_o she_o propose_v and_o by_o consequence_n quite_o enfeeble_v the_o vigour_n of_o christian_a life_n or_o rather_o this_o make_v manifest_a by_o reason_n of_o temptation_n to_o the_o love_n of_o creature_n perpetual_o and_o on_o all_o side_n besiege_v we_o endanger_v to_o extinguish_v it_o utter_o and_o last_o make_v christian_n the_o most_o ridiculous_a people_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o high_a mystery_n above_o their_o reason_n upon_o uncertain_a ground_n it_o be_v manifest_a therefore_o that_o the_o only_a safeguard_n and_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o church_n and_o christian_a religion_n be_v place_v in_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v make_v therefore_o and_o ordain_v to_o ascertain_v faith_n that_o it_o it_o have_v in_o it_o what_o be_v fit_a for_o this_o end_n that_o be_v it_o be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n absolute_o certain_a that_o be_v absolute_a certainty_n be_v find_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v signify_v or_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n thorough_o understand_v 16._o and_o last_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n main_o conduce_v to_o bliss_n as_o be_v see_v §_o 8._o and_o its_o influence_n towards_o bliss_n which_o we_o call_v its_o merit_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o make_v we_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o divine_a veracity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n adhere_v unwaver_o to_o such_o truth_n as_o raise_v we_o to_o heaven_n so_o that_o the_o divine_a authority_n apply_v be_v the_o principal_a cause_n or_o motive_n of_o this_o submission_n assent_n or_o adhesion_n and_o every_o cause_n produce_v its_o effect_n better_o and_o strongly_a by_o how_o much_o the_o near_o and_o close_o it_o be_v apply_v and_o all_o the_o application_n of_o it_o to_o we_o consist_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o derive_v down_o to_o we_o those_o doctrine_n christ_n teach_v and_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o christ_n say_v they_o and_o the_o application_n of_o a_o thing_n close_o to_o a_o judge_a power_n be_v perform_v by_o certify_v it_o which_o make_v it_o sink_v into_o it_o &_o become_v a_o intimate_a act_n of_o that_o power_n whereas_o uncertainty_n can_v only_o admit_v it_o to_o swim_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o soul_n much_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o bare_a proposal_n or_o simple_a apprehension_n or_o at_o best_a as_o a_o probability_n not_o have_v weight_n enough_o of_o motive_n to_o settle_v deep_a into_o its_o solid_a substance_n which_o be_v cognoscitive_a and_o so_o become_v there_o a_o fix_a judgement_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o merit_n be_v incomparable_o advantage_v by_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o very_o feeble_a and_o inefficacious_a without_o it_o this_o rule_n then_o must_v be_v absolutely-certain_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o absolutely-certain_a be_v involve_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 17._o sum_v up_o then_o the_o full_a account_n of_o our_o discourse_n hitherto_o it_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o out_o of_o the_o genuine_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n rule_v which_o as_o use_v by_o we_o denote_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n &_o much_o more_o out_o of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n it_o be_v clear_o evince_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v have_v these_o several_a condition_n namely_o it_o must_v be_v plain_a and_o self-evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n to_o all_o §_o 3_o 4_o 9_o &_o 10._o &_o evidenceable_a as_o to_o its_o rule_v power_n to_o enquirer_n even_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a §_o 5._o &_o 11._o apt_a to_o settle_v &_o justify_v undoubting_a person_n §_o 12._o to_o satisfy_v full_o the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n §_o 13._o and_o rational_a doubter_n §_o 14._o and_o to_o convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n §_o 15._o build_v upon_o unmoveable_a ground_n that_o be_v certain_a in_o itself_o §_o 6._o 15_o 16._o and_o absolute_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o §_o 5_o 11_o 13_o 14._o second_o discourse_n show_v the_o two_o first_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n utter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n 1._o have_v attain_v so_o clear_a a_o description_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o acquaintance_n with_o it_o by_o particular_a mark_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n conceive_v good_a hope_n of_o know_v it_o when_o we_o meet_v it_o especial_o not_o have_v a_o great_a crowd_n from_o which_o we_o be_v to_o single_a it_o out_o the_o pretender_n to_o that_o title_n be_v very_o few_o and_o indeed_o but_o two_o be_v own_v namely_o tradition_n and_o scripture_n though_o if_o we_o look_v narrow_o into_o it_o the_o private_a spirit_n private_a reason_n testimony_n of_o father_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o be_v hold_v the_o ascertainer_n of_o scripture_n sense_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o place_n among_o the_o pretender_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o it_o be_v those_o which_o be_v think_v to_o give_v the_o relier_n on_o they_o all_o the_o security_n they_o have_v of_o god_n sense_n that_o be_v of_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v to_o they_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 2._o but_o to_o speak_v to_o they_o in_o their_o own_o language_n who_o say_v scripture_n be_v their_o rule_n we_o must_v premise_v this_o note_n that_o they_o can_v mean_v by_o scripture_n the_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v for_o those_o they_o confess_v be_v the_o very_a point_n of_o faith_n of_o which_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o ascertain_v we_o when_o they_o say_v then_o that_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o can_v only_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n scripture_n that_o book_n not_o yet_o sence_v or_o interpret_v but_o as_o yet_o to_o be_v sence_v that_o be_v such_o and_o such_o character_n in_o a_o book_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v to_o they_o assure_o god_n mind_n or_o ascertain_v they_o of_o their_o faith_n for_o abstract_v from_o the_o sense_n or_o actual_a signification_n of_o those_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o imaginable_a leave_v but_o those_o character_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v it_o this_o understand_v let_v we_o apply_v now_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o scripture_n letter_n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o they_o will_v fit_v 3._o and_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o occurr_n be_v its_o existence_n or_o a_o est_fw-la that_o be_v whether_o those_o book_n pretend_v to_o be_v god_n word_n be_v indeed_o scripture_n that_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v of_o which_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a the_o very_o rude_a sort_n can_v be_v certain_a by_o self-evidence_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v easy_o evidenceable_a to_o those_o doubter_n that_o be_v the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o the_o vulgar_a by_o any_o skill_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o nor_o even_o to_o more_o curious_a and_o speculative_a scarcher_n but_o by_o so_o deep_a a_o inspection_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o shall_v discover_v such_o secret_n that_o philosophy_n and_o human_a industry_n can_v never_o have_v arrive_v to_o beside_o all_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n must_v be_v solve_v ere_o they_o can_v out_o of_o the_o bare_a nature_n of_o the_o letter_n conclude_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v and_o so_o worthy_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o solve_v which_o literal_o plain_o and_o satisfactory_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o many_o particular_n which_o make_v they_o clear_a to_o those_o of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o the_o matter_n know_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v
one_o of_o the_o most_o difficult_a task_n in_o the_o world_n the_o scripture_n letter_n then_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o §_o 3_o 4_o 5_o 10_o 11._o of_o our_o former_a discourse_n as_o want_v self-evidence_n of_o its_o existence_n easy_a evidenceableness_n of_o its_o rule_v virtue_n and_o power_n to_o establish_v and_o satisfy_v at_o least_o unlearned_a doubter_n 4._o second_o be_v it_o know_v that_o there_o be_v some_o book_n leave_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v yet_o it_o be_v unknown_a how_o many_o those_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v and_o which_o of_o the_o many_o controvert_v one_o may_v secure_o be_v put_v in_o that_o catalogue_n which_o not_o which_o it_o be_v most_o palpable_a that_o either_o few_o or_o at_o least_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a and_o common_a sort_n of_o mankind_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o faithful_a but_o look_v to_o come_v to_o faith_n which_o be_v do_v by_o know_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n can_v never_o be_v assure_v of_o either_o by_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o or_o by_o other_o skill_v they_o be_v already_o possess_v of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n then_o be_v from_o this_o head_n conclude_v defective_a in_o the_o forementioned_a property_n necessary_o belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 5._o three_o be_v the_o catalogue_n of_o the_o true_a book_n know_v yet_o how_o be_v it_o self-evident_a or_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o capacity_n above_o name_v if_o to_o any_o that_o the_o very_a original_a or_o a_o perfect_o true_a copy_n of_o these_o book_n be_v preserve_v indeficient_o entire_a out_o of_o which_o our_o translation_n be_v make_v can_v the_o rude_a sort_n either_o know_v this_o or_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o skill_n of_o other_o by_o which_o they_o know_v it_o the_o former_a be_v manifest_o impossible_a the_o late_a equal_o such_o since_o they_o have_v no_o knowledge_n in_o their_o head_n enable_v they_o to_o judge_v uner_o of_o the_o competency_n of_o other_o skill_n in_o such_o a_o particular_a wherefore_o scripture_n letter_n falter_v still_o in_o the_o primary_n most_o necessary_a and_o essential_a condition_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 6._o four_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o right_n original_a or_o true_a copy_n of_o it_o be_v preserve_v indefective_a yet_o very_a few_o that_o be_v only_o those_o who_o be_v perfect_a in_o those_o ancient_a language_n can_v arrive_v to_o the_o understanding_n so_o much_o the_o rest_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o mankind_n must_v come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o by_o translation_n and_o ere_o they_o can_v think_v it_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n they_o must_v know_v it_o be_v right_o translate_v for_o which_o because_o they_o have_v no_o skill_n in_o those_o language_n themselves_o they_o must_v rely_v on_o the_o translator_n skill_n concern_v who_o sufficiency_n of_o understanding_n to_o be_v able_a to_o translate_v uner_o right_a and_o honesty_n of_o will_n or_o true_a intention_n to_o do_v it_o themselves_z at_o least_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a be_v not_o qualify_v enough_o to_o jndge_v assure_o that_o they_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v secure_o rely_v on_o so_o that_o we_o be_v still_o at_o a_o loss_n in_o this_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n for_o our_o first_o and_o fundamental_a condition_n 7._o five_o let_v we_o pass_v by_o all_o these_o defect_n and_o grant_v it_o most_o true_o translate_v to_o a_o tittle_n and_o indeed_o to_o a_o tittle_n it_o shall_v be_v else_o a_o error_n may_v slip_v in_o instead_o of_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o any_o thing_n the_o bare_a letter_n can_v assure_v we_o yet_o the_o innumerable_a copier_n before_o printing_n and_o since_o printer_n and_o corrector_n of_o the_o press_n be_v still_o ro_o be_v rely_v on_o and_o they_o only_o can_v have_v evidence_n of_o the_o right_a letter_n of_o scripture_n who_o stand_v at_o their_o elbow_n attentive_o watch_v they_o shall_v not_o err_v in_o make_v it_o perfect_o like_o a_o former_a copy_n and_o even_o then_o why_o may_v they_o not_o mistrust_v their_o own_o eye_n and_o aptness_n to_o oversee_v or_o be_v it_o grant_v these_o man_n err_v not_o nor_o themselves_o in_o overlook_v they_o yet_o the_o same_o difficulty_n occurr_v concern_v the_o former_a printer_n care_n if_o the_o former_a copy_n be_v print_v or_o the_o scrivener_n if_o manuscript_n which_o escape_v the_o view_n of_o our_o now-liver_n except_o we_o will_v examine_v they_o again_o from_o impression_n to_o impression_n or_o from_o copy_n to_o copy_n by_o other_o more_o ancient_a and_o still_o let_v we_o run_v as_o high_a as_o we_o will_v the_o same_o difficulty_n pursue_v we_o to_o which_o if_o we_o add_v that_o the_o printer_n corrector_n or_o transcriber_n may_v hap_v to_o be_v knave_n and_o either_o be_v heretic_n themselves_o or_o bribe_v by_o heretic_n who_o manner_n it_o be_v ever_o to_o make_v the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n their_o weapon_n they_o can_v wish_v no_o great_a advantage_n than_o to_o have_v it_o frame_v commodious_a to_o their_o hand_n and_o so_o will_v questionless_a endeavour_v it_o and_o history_n assure_v we_o they_o do_v so_o that_o we_o be_v still_o at_o the_o same_o or_o a_o great_a loss_n in_o our_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n 8._o last_o be_v all_o this_o multitude_n of_o exception_n pardon_v still_o we_o be_v as_o far_o to_o seek_v unless_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v rule_v and_o guide_v by_o the_o scripture_n letter_n to_o faith_n be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o which_o be_v find_v out_o by_o right_a interpretation_n now_o the_o numerous_a commentator_n upon_o it_o and_o infinite_a dispute_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o even_o in_o most_o concern_v point_n as_o in_o that_o of_o christ_n divinity_n beat_v it_o out_o so_o plain_a to_o we_o that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o task_n of_o the_o vulgar_a who_o yet_o be_v capable_a of_o salvation_n and_o so_o of_o faith_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v perfect_a frenzy_n to_o deny_v it_o 9_o it_o may_v be_v allege_v that_o some_o of_o these_o defect_n may_v be_v provide_v against_o by_o skill_n in_o history_n but_o it_o be_v quick_o reply_v that_o then_o none_o can_v be_v secure_a of_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n nor_o consequent_o have_v faith_n unless_o skilled_a in_o history_n or_o know_v â—hose_v man_n to_o be_v so_o and_o withal_o unbyast_o who_o â—hey_n converse_v with_o nay_o without_o know_v that_o those_o man_n know_v certain_o the_o historian_n who_o they_o rely_v on_o have_v secure_a ground_n and_o not_o bare_a hearsay_n for_o what_o they_o write_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o contradict_v by_o other_o either_o extant_a or_o perish_v now_o how_o few_o of_o the_o unlearned_a vulgar_a â—ay_v even_o of_o the_o middle_a sort_n of_o prudent_a man_n which_o make_v up_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n i_o may_v say_v of_o very_o good_a scholar_n can_v judge_v of_o these_o point_n and_o if_o they_o can_v how_o then_o be_v their_o faith_n rational_a or_o virtuous_a and_o not_o rather_o a_o hare-brained_a opinionative_n rashness_n to_o build_v their_o assent_n faith_n and_o salvation_n upon_o principle_n they_o can_v make_v no_o judgement_n of_o 10._o if_o necessity_n make_v some_o willing_a to_o reply_v what_o their_o judgement_n natural_o flow_v from_o their_o principle_n will_v not_o that_o god_n assist_v his_o church_n and_o therefore_o his_o providence_n will_v take_v care_n the_o contingency_n their_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v subject_a to_o shall_v be_v avoid_v it_o be_v ask_v how_o they_o be_v certain_a in_o their_o way_n of_o such_o a_o assistance_n but_o by_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o must_v first_o then_o prove_v that_o certain_a ere_o they_o mention_v the_o church_n or_o god_n assistance_n to_o she_o since_o this_o assistance_n be_v in_o their_o ground_n found_v upon_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o letter_n beside_o a_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a that_o be_v of_o such_o as_o have_v faith_n which_o not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v have_v without_o certain_a mean_n to_o come_v unto_o it_o or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o must_v be_v clear_v be_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n antecedent_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n faithful_a or_o church_n 11._o if_o testimony_n out_o of_o council_n or_o father_n be_v allege_v by_o they_o sufficient_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v reply_v that_o if_o those_o be_v needful_a to_o make_v a_o certain_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n certain_o significative_a of_o godâ—s_n sense_n then_o first_o none_o can_v be_v capable_a of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n nor_o consequent_o
vulgar_a reason_n easy_o tell_v they_o that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o truth_n that_o be_v that_o all_o the_o other_o professor_n to_o follow_v scripture_n do_v notwithstanding_o believe_v and_o speak_v false_a now_o these_o honest_a scholar_n of_o plain_a down_o right_a nature_n &_o that_o of_o her_o low_a form_n too_o be_v unable_a to_o judge_v which_o true_o follow_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o only_o capable_a to_o know_v they_o all_o profess_v it_o with_o word_n and_o action_n express_v the_o great_a seriousness_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o think_v that_o all_o equal_o mean_a to_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n whence_o their_o common_a reason_n will_v tell_v they_o though_o they_o can_v express_v it_o in_o our_o term_n or_o defend_v it_o that_o mere_o for_o want_v of_o light_n that_o be_v evidence_n in_o the_o directive_n power_n of_o that_o rule_n they_o all_o but_o one_o party_n and_o perhaps_o that_o too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n go_v most_o miserable_o astray_o this_o three_o property_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n namely_o to_o justify_v the_o undoubting_a vulgar_a be_v want_v to_o scripture_n letter_n 3._o there_o follow_v the_o four_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v that_o it_o must_v be_v able_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o satisfy_v the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o rational_a doubter_n that_o the_o doctrine_n it_o hold_v forth_o come_v from_o christ._n to_o make_v a_o true_a conceit_n of_o what_o may_v be_v judge_v sufficient_a for_o this_o end_n let_v we_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n and_o temper_n of_o such_o dissenter_n and_o doubter_n and_o we_o shall_v quick_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v man_n give_v to_o stir_v their_o thought_n by_o much_o reflection_n and_o to_o call_v they_o to_o a_o strict_a account_n ere_o they_o yield_v they_o over_o to_o assent_v wherefore_o if_o we_o suppose_v they_o true_a to_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o not_o to_o betray_v the_o light_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o some_o passion_n in_o which_o case_n their_o faith_n itself_o be_v in_o they_o a_o vice_n we_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o thing_n under_o demonstration_n can_v bind_v and_o restrain_v those_o active_a and_o volatile_a soul_n from_o flutter_v still_o in_o objection_n and_o hover_v in_o doubt_n when_o their_o eternal_a good_a be_v concern_v especial_o when_o a_o authority_n be_v about_o scan_v upon_o who_o word_n they_o be_v bind_v after_o they_o have_v approve_v it_o to_o believe_v unconcievable_a and_o unheard_a of_o thing_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o human_a reason_n &_o apprehension_n let_v now_o any_o man_n go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v to_o those_o great_a wit_n these_o point_n that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v that_o there_o be_v never_o a_o real_a one_o however_o there_o may_v be_v many_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o it_o and_o this_o to_o be_v show_v out_o of_o the_o very_a letter_n itself_o that_o just_o this_o catalogue_n or_o number_n of_o book_n be_v enough_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o no_o one_o necessary_a that_o be_v lose_v none_o be_v abate_v or_o if_o so_o how_o many_o that_o the_o original_n out_o of_o which_o the_o translation_n be_v make_v be_v entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a that_o the_o first_o translation_n be_v skilful_o &_o right_o make_v and_o afterward_o derive_v down_o sincere_a notwithstanding_o the_o errableness_n of_o thousand_o of_o transcriber_n printer_n corrector_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o malice_n of_o ancient_a heretic_n and_o jew_n who_o have_v it_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o last_o that_o this_o and_o this_o only_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o to_o which_o be_v requisite_a great_a skill_n in_o language_n to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o word_n in_o grammar_n to_o know_v what_o meaning_n they_o shall_v general_o beat_v according_a to_o its_o rule_n as_o thus_o construe_v or_o put_v together_o criticism_n to_o know_v what_o a_o word_n do_v most_o common_o or_o may_v possible_o signify_v by_o rule_n 〈◊〉_d nice_a etymology_n or_o acception_n of_o author_n ancient_a or_o modern_a by_o dialect_n of_o several_a country_n etc._n etc._n history_n to_o make_v know_v the_o true_a scope_n of_o the_o author_n the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o his_o meaning_n logic_n to_o draw_v consequence_n aright_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o thread_n of_o the_o discourse_n to_o avoid_v equivocation_n in_o word_n by_o discover_v which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v proper_o which_o metaphorical_o and_o to_o apply_v this_o right_n foam_n skill_n in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o that_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o metaphysic_n especial_o that_o which_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o spirit_n as_o the_o soul_n angel_n god_n and_o his_o attribute_n but_o especial_o in_o divinity_n both_o speculative_a and_o moral_a which_o by_o the_o way_n suppose_v faith_n and_o come_v after_o it_o and_o so_o can_v be_v presuppose_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o precede_v it_o let_v any_o man_n i_o say_v go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o these_o difficult_a point_n ro_o those_o acute_a man_n and_o will_v they_o not_o smile_v at_o his_o endeavour_n since_o most_o of_o they_o that_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v such_o that_o we_o want_v principle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o evidence_n they_o and_o the_o rest_n so_o obscure_a that_o a_o search_a and_o sincere_a wit_n will_v still_o find_v something_o to_o reply_v to_o rational_o or_o at_o least_o maintain_v his_o ground_n of_o suspense_n with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o and_o be_v some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o these_o point_n demonstrable_a yet_o who_o see_v not_o it_o be_v a_o task_n of_o so_o long_a study_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o a_o man_n life_n will_v be_v spend_v in_o a_o wearisome_a and_o hopeless_a endeavour_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o this_o tedious_a method_n which_o will_v both_o dis-invite_a to_o a_o pursuit_n and_o even_o a_o diligent_a man_n may_v in_o likelihood_n die_v ere_o he_o can_v rational_o embrace_v any_o faith_n at_o all_o i'faith_o then_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o man_n to_o lead_v his_o life_n by_o it_o be_v necessary_a its_o rule_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v easy_o victorious_a by_o reason_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n over_o the_o shock_n of_o doubt_n or_o the_o assault_n of_o intellectual_a fear_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v defective_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v far_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 4._o the_o same_o discourse_n hold_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o convictive_a of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n which_o be_v the_o five_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o to_o apprehend_v this_o more_o lively_a let_v we_o imagine_v it_o apply_v to_o practice_n and_o that_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v quote_v to_o convince_v a_o deist_n in_o some_o point_n he_o ask_v how_o you_o be_v certain_a that_o book_n be_v god_n word_n you_o allege_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o which_o indeed_o be_v such_o that_o eye_n already_o enlighten_v by_o true_a faith_n may_v discern_v something_o in_o it_o above_o nature_n and_o cry_v digitus_fw-la dâ—i_fw-la est_fw-la hîc_fw-la though_o not_o his_o dim_a sight_n he_o answer_v that_o many_o part_n of_o it_o be_v indeed_o very_o excellent_o good_a but_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o requite_v your_o excellency_n with_o many_o strange_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n even_o by_o your_o own_o confession_n in_o the_o open_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v and_o most_o unworthy_a god_n as_o that_o he_o have_v hand_n foot_n and_o passion_n like_o we_o according_o to_o which_o he_o be_v variable_a he_o find_v you_o direct_a text_n against_o acknowledge_a science_n in_o divers_a particular_n and_o reckon_v up_o a_o multitude_n of_o contradiction_n to_o his_o judgement_n you_o answer_v that_o those_o place_n be_v understand_v according_a to_o human_a apprehension_n and_o be_v indeed_o incompetent_a to_o god_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mystical_a and_o spiritual_a meaning_n couch_v in_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n which_o with_o the_o help_n of_o history_n will_v reconcile_v those_o seem_a contradiction_n he_o cry_v you_o quite_o abandon_v your_o pretend_a rule_n that_o since_o you_o confess_v heresy_n be_v in_o the_o open_a letter_n take_v as_o it_o lie_v you_o must_v have_v some_o knowledge_n in_o your_o head_n concern_v god_n which_o make_v you_o decline_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n as_o they_o lie_v and_o run_v to_o gloss_n they_o and_o demand_n whence_o you_o come_v by_o those_o tenet_n which_o oblige_v you_o to_o correct_v the_o plain_a letter_n challenge_v your_o thought_n and_o carriage_n as_o witness_n that_o that_o
advantage_n the_o letter_n give_v they_o as_o compare_v place_n and_o such_o like_a and_o avail_v themselves_o the_o best_a they_o can_v by_o acquire_v skill_n yet_o differ_v in_o so_o main_a point_n as_o those_o of_o the_o b._n trinity_n and_o christ_n divinity_n what_o certainty_n can_v we_o undertake_o promise_v to_o weak_a head_n that_o be_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n less_o able_a to_o make_v such_o fit_a allusion_n of_o place_n to_o one_o another_o incapable_a of_o such_o mean_n as_o shall_v help_v they_o which_o the_o other_o have_v and_o be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o proper_a to_o work_v upon_o the_o letter_n and_o last_o who_o be_v for_o want_v of_o those_o unfurnish_v of_o any_o steady_a principle_n to_o settle_v their_o judgement_n and_o rational_o determine_v their_o own_o interpretation_n certain_a scripture_n letter_n therefore_o be_v not_o certain_a in_o its_o self_n that_o be_v have_v no_o immovable_o secure_a ground_n enable_v it_o to_o perform_v the_o office_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o to_o guide_v mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n with_o a_o rational_a assuredness_n our_o conclusion_n then_o be_v this_o that_o scripture_n letter_n want_v all_o the_o forementioned_a property_n belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 7._o lest_o any_o shall_v misconstrue_v my_o former_a discourse_n i_o declare_v here_o once_o more_o that_o in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la that_o be_v i_o manifest_v what_o must_v follow_v out_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n not_o out_o of_o my_o own_o or_o catholic_n one_o i_o declare_v likewise_o that_o i_o with_o all_o reverence_n acknowledge_v such_o excellency_n in_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n as_o will_v taste_v the_o tongue_n both_o of_o man_n and_o angel_n to_o lay_v they_o forth_o i_o only_o contest_v that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v most_o improper_a and_o never_o intend_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v evince_v against_o a_o unobstinate_a adversary_n by_o this_o that_o it_o be_v know_v the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n go_v not_o with_o book_n in_o their_o hand_n to_o preach_v and_o deliver_v christ_n doctrine_n but_o word_n in_o their_o mouth_n and_o that_o primitive_a antiquity_n learn_v their_o faith_n by_o another_o method_n a_o long_a time_n before_o many_o of_o those_o book_n be_v universal_o spread_v among_o the_o vulgar_a much_o less_o the_o catalogue_n collect_v and_o acknowledge_v till_o the_o revolter_n from_o that_o method_n and_o rule_n be_v manifest_o convince_v of_o novelty_n by_o it_o be_v forâ—t_a to_o invent_v some_o other_o and_o choose_v this_o of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n for_o most_o plausible_a as_o be_v hold_v very_o sacred_a until_o by_o strain_v it_o to_o a_o undue_a use_n and_o to_o please_v the_o people_n put_v it_o without_o any_o distinction_n of_o the_o person_n into_o their_o hand_n and_o leave_v it_o to_o their_o interpretation_n they_o have_v bring_v it_o as_o it_o be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o vile_a degree_n of_o contempt_n every_o silly_a upstart_n heresy_n father_v itself_o upon_o it._n of_o which_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o evident_a a_o instance_n as_o our_o miserable_a country_n distract_v into_o so_o many_o sect_n all_o issue_v from_o that_o principle_n so_o impossible_a to_o be_v bring_v under_o ecclesiastical_a government_n and_o even_o with_o much_o ado_n under_o temporal_a that_o it_o be_v wonderful_a such_o proper_a effect_n especial_o so_o sensible_a burdensome_a so_o universal_o spread_v and_o so_o continual_a shall_v not_o long_o ago_o have_v abundant_o demonstrate_v their_o proper_a cause_n and_o oblige_v they_o to_o renounce_v that_o principle_n which_o be_v the_o necessary_a parent_n of_o such_o ruinous_a and_o unredressable_a disorder_n five_o discourse_n show_v the_o notion_n of_o tradition_n and_o that_o all_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n do_v clear_o agree_v to_o it._n 1._o have_v then_o quite_o lose_v our_o labour_n in_o our_o last_o search_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o we_o shall_v have_v better_a success_n in_o this_o second_o enquiry_n which_o be_v whether_o we_o may_v hope_v to_o find_v the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n meet_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v or_o all_o or_o practical_a tradition_n by_o which_o we_o mean_v a_o delivery_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n by_o word_n and_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o frequent_a and_o visible_a action_n conformable_a to_o those_o word_n of_o the_o sense_n and_o faith_n of_o forefather_n 2._o but_o to_o make_v a_o more_o express_a conceit_n of_o tradition_n that_o so_o we_o may_v more_o perfect_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o which_o we_o treat_v of_o let_v we_o first_o sober_o reflect_v on_o the_o manner_n how_o child_n learn_v their_o own_o and_o other_o name_n with_o who_o they_o live_v as_o also_o of_o the_o room_n and_o thing_n they_o converse_v with_o afterward_o grow_v up_o to_o exercise_v their_o trade_n to_o write_v read_v or_o use_v civil_a or_o legal_a carriage_n to_o every_o one_o in_o their_o kindsâ—_n and_o look_v into_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v observe_v that_o they_o first_o glean_v notion_n of_o those_o several_a object_n either_o mere_o through_o impression_n on_o their_o sense_n by_o the_o thing_n itself_o alone_o or_o by_o the_o help_n of_o have_v they_o point_v at_o or_o something_o practic'â—_n about_o they_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o be_v name_v and_o afterward_o learn_v to_o repeat_v the_o same_o word_n after_o other_o more_o and_o more_o intelligent_o by_o degree_n and_o to_o practise_v the_o same_o action_n till_o aâ—_n length_n the_o former_a generation_n of_o teacher_n decay_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n a_o new_a one_o iâ—_n spring_v up_o to_o perfection_n furnish_v with_o all_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o former_a and_o continue_v the_o same_o natural_a and_o civil_a knowledge_n action_n and_o convenience_n to_o this_o age_n which_o the_o formeâ—_n enjoy_v and_o so_o forward_o to_o succeed_a generation_n by_o a_o natural_a kind_n of_o method_n without_o need_v book_n or_o new_a skill_n mere_o to_o perform_v this_o effect_n of_o continue_v and_o preserve_v the_o former_a age_n as_o it_o be_v alive_a in_o this_o add_v now_o to_o this_o that_o this_o continuation_n go_v not_o by_o long_a leap_n from_o age_n to_o age_n or_o from_o twenty_o year_n to_o twenty_o but_o from_o year_n to_o year_n nay_o month_n to_o month_n &_o even_o less_o according_a as_o the_o new_a offspring_n grow_v up_o by_o degree_n to_o a_o capacity_n of_o understanding_n and_o practise_v and_o then_o reflect_v on_o this_o whole_a course_n and_o we_o shall_v see_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o tradition_n or_o immediate_a delivery_n as_o exercise_v in_o civil_a matter_n and_o human_a convenience_n 3._o we_o want_v nothing_o now_o but_o to_o apply_v this_o selfsame_a method_n to_o spiritual_a or_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n and_o to_o reflect_v how_o it_o bring_v down_o faith_n by_o doctrine_n couch_v in_o word_n and_o express_v in_o conformable_a practice_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v have_v gain_v a_o complete_a and_o proper_a notion_n of_o faith-tradition_n which_o be_v the_o tradition_n we_o speak_v of_o 4._o we_o may_v observe_v then_o that_o the_o child_n of_o christian_n first_o hear_v the_o sound_n afterward_o by_o degree_n get_v dim_a notion_n of_o god_n christ_n saviour_n heaven_n hell_n virtue_n vice_n and_o such_o like_a and_o according_a as_o their_o capacity_n increase_v be_v put_v on_o to_o practise_v what_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o make_v to_o do_v some_o external_a action_n by_o precept_n and_o example_n which_o action_n by_o their_o more_o particularise_v nature_n ripen_v to_o a_o more_o express_a and_o familiar_a conceit_n those_o raw_a apprehension_n or_o judgement_n which_o while_o they_o stand_v under_o bare_a word_n look_v as_o if_o they_o hover_v in_o the_o air_n and_o afar_o off_o they_o be_v deter_v from_o sin_n first_o from_o lie_v and_o disobey_v their_o parent_n afterward_o other_o by_o reproach_n and_o punishment_n and_o encourage_v to_o virtuous_a action_n by_o reward_n such_o as_o their_o age_n bear_v to_o breed_v in_o they_o a_o conceit_n of_o the_o badness_n of_o sin_n and_o goodness_n of_o virtue_n they_o be_v show_v how_o to_o say_v grace_n say_v their_o prayer_n and_o make_v do_v it_o when_o they_o be_v able_a and_o to_o gain_v they_o some_o abstract_a conceit_n of_o those_o action_n they_o be_v inure_v even_o while_o very_a infant_n by_o certain_a carriage_n unusual_a at_o other_o time_n as_o hold_v up_o their_o hand_n or_o perhaps_o eye_n kneeling_z keep_v silence_n and_o other_o sober_a posture_n to_o look_v upon_o such_o action_n as_o extraordinary_a one_o when_o as_o yet_o they_o know_v no_o more_o of_o
multitude_n of_o knower_n if_o no_o possible_a consideration_n can_v awaken_v in_o our_o reason_n a_o doubt_n that_o they_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v we_o now_o in_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n all_o deliverer_n or_o immediate_a forefather_n be_v knower_n as_o appear_v in_o those_o who_o immediate_o hear_v the_o apostle_n all_o the_o knowledge_n requisite_a be_v of_o what_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o practise_v it_o according_o all_o their_o life_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o rude_a person_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a who_o ever_o have_v any_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o teach_v wrought_v upon_o he_o nor_o can_v any_o unless_o their_o brain_n rove_v wild_o or_o be_v unsettled_a even_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o madness_n suspect_v deceit_n where_o such_o multitude_n unanimous_o agree_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n look_v serious_o when_o they_o speak_v act_n themselves_o and_o practice_n according_o and_o show_v in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o carriage_n that_o they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v themselves_o and_o to_o save_v other_o who_o they_o thus_o instruct_v by_o rely_v on_o this_o truth_n that_o their_o forefather_n thus_o teach_v they_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o nature_n or_o common_a reason_n at_o unaware_o steal_v into_o they_o a_o solid_a apprehension_n that_o tradition_n be_v of_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o that_o while_o father_n thus_o teach_v child_n it_o be_v ever_o such_o that_o be_v that_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o convey_v down_o faith_n which_o be_v all_o we_o study_v to_o evince_v at_o present_a i_o may_v add_v that_o nature_n tell_v they_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n that_o parent_n general_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o believe_v to_o be_v good_a and_o true_a &_o needful_a to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n their_o natural_a thought_n will_v lead_v they_o by_o a_o downright_a procedure_n to_o judge_v that_o tradition_n be_v ever_o in_o some_o considerable_a body_n of_o deliverer_n who_o stick_v to_o it_o and_o own_a it_o and_o that_o those_o have_v true_a faith_n or_o true_o that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n and_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n teach_v but_o of_o this_o point_n more_o hereafter_o 10._o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o this_o multitude_n of_o plain_a honest-meaning_n soul_n be_v as_o much_o justify_v for_o believe_a scripture_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o you_o mean_v their_o faith_n conceive_v to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n or_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n letter_n it_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o they_o be_v as_o much_o justifiable_a for_o believe_v any_o set_v aside_o tradition_n help_n for_o without_o this_o it_o total_o depend_v on_o the_o inward_a judgement_n fancy_n or_o skill_n of_o man_n which_o they_o be_v unqualify_v to_o judge_v of_o not_o on_o open_a verdict_n of_o sense_n to_o wield_v the_o certainty_n or_o uncertainty_n of_o which_o lie_v clear_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o their_o common_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o scripture_n letter_n they_o can_v possible_o be_v justify_v in_o reason_n for_o believe_v even_o the_o substantial_a truth_n of_o it_o without_o tradition_n assist_v hand_n and_o preserve_a care_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o because_o the_o common_a course_n of_o human_a experience_n tell_v they_o that_o judgement_n or_o opinion_n often_o disagree_v but_o their_o plain_a sensation_n especial_o if_o frequent_o repeat_v never_o whence_o a_o jury_n of_o the_o plain_a high-shoe_n will_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o sight_n of_o six_o witness_n without_o more_o ado_n condemn_v a_o malefactor_n but_o not_o upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o thousand_o man_n if_o a_o testimony_n ground_v on_o sense_n be_v not_o bring_v now_o take_v away_o tradition_n and_o all_o ground_n from_o certain_a sense_n fail_v we_o either_o for_o the_o meaning_n or_o even_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o all_o be_v leave_v to_o man_n judgement_n build_v on_o latent_fw-la skill_n or_o fancy_n or_o at_o least_o on_o sense_n liable_a to_o great_a and_o numerous_a mistake_n as_o have_v be_v show_v disc._n 4._o §_o 3._o again_o see_v every_o one_o apprehend_v the_o most_o vulgar_a have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o k._n james_n and_o q._n elizabeth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v no_o otherwise_o ascertain_v but_o by_o tradition_n why_o be_v not_o they_o as_o much_o or_o more_o justify_v for_o believe_a point_n of_o faith_n receive_v down_o by_o the_o same_o tenor_n whereas_o if_o you_o go_v about_o to_o pump_v their_o common_a reason_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o statute-book_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o letter_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o blunder_v and_o at_o a_o â—oss_n be_v pose_v beyond_o their_o sphere_n of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n by_o a_o question_n entrench_v upon_o skill_n to_o which_o they_o can_v never_o answer_v with_o a_o steady_a assuredness_n inward_o and_o if_o they_o do_v so_o outward_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o some_o passion_n and_o not_o their_o reason_n breed_v that_o irrational_a profession_n the_o three_o condition_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v apt_a to_o settle_v and_o justify_v unreflect_v and_o undoubt_v vulgar_a be_v manifest_o find_v agree_v to_o tradition_n 11._o i_o put_v next_o the_o 6_o condition_n because_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o evident_o prove_v the_o four_o five_o and_o seven_o for_o what_o be_v build_v on_o immovable_a ground_n or_o certain_a in_o its_o self_n have_v in_o it_o wherewith_o to_o settle_v and_o satisfy_v the_o most_o pierce_a witâ—_n convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a adversary_n and_o to_o ascertain_v we_o absolute_o to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a ground_n it_o may_v suffiâ—â—_n to_o note_v that_o disc._n 1._o §_o 13_o 14_o 15._o it_o be_v evident_o prove_v faith_n must_v be_v infallible_a to_o we_o anâ—_n no_o less_o evident_a that_o it_o can_v be_v such_o without_o have_v infallibly-câ—â—tain_a ground_n since_o nothing_o can_v be_v firm_a to_o we_o than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o now_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v its_o ground_n it_o follow_v evident_o that_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v infallibâ—â—_n certain_a there_o be_v then_o only_o two_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n own_v namely_o deliver_v of_o it_o down_o by_o write_v and_o by_o word_n anâ—_n practice_n which_o we_o call_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n it_o be_v leave_v avoidable_o out_o of_o the_o imposibility_n that_o scripture_n shall_v be_v infallible_a as_o rule_v that_o tradition_n must_v be_v such_o 12._o though_o this_o conclusion_n suppose_v thâ—_n truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n i_o assume_v as_o already_o prove_v be_v sufficient_o consequent_a to_o those_o adversary_n against_o who_o i_o contest_v at_o present_a thâ—_n certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o regard_n they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d stick_v to_o grant_v that_o either_o scripture_n or_o tradition_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o i_o foresee_v more_o will_n be_v expect_v from_o a_o pretender_n to_o demonstrate_v its_o certainty_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v frame_v his_o discourse_n from_o intrinsical_v medium_n reflect_v then_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n as_o before_o explicate_v we_o shall_v observe_v that_o it_o have_v for_o its_o basis_n the_o best_a nature_n in_o the_o universe_n that_o be_v man_n the_o flower_n and_o end_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o this_o not_o according_a to_o his_o moral_a part_n defectible_a by_o reason_n of_o original_a corruption_n nor_o yet_o his_o intellectual_n dark_o grope_v in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o science_n by_o reflect_a thought_n or_o speculation_n amid_o the_o misty_a vapour_n exhale_v by_o his_o passion_n predominant_a over_o his_o rational_a will_n but_o according_a to_o those_o faculty_n in_o he_o perfect_o and_o necessary_o subject_a to_o the_o operation_n and_o stroke_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v his_o eye_n ear_n handle_v and_o the_o direct_a impression_n of_o knowledge_n as_o natural_o and_o necessary_o issue_v from_o the_o affect_v those_o sense_n as_o it_o be_v to_o feel_v heâ—â—_n cold_a pain_n pleasure_n or_o any_o other_o material_a quality_n again_o those_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n be_v not_o make_v once_o but_o frequent_o and_o in_o most_o many_o time_n every_o day_n moreover_o to_o make_v these_o more_o express_a and_o apt_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o their_o life_n be_v to_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o precept_n they_o hear_v and_o conformable_a example_n they_o see_v so_o that_o faith_n i_o mean_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o or_o that_o solid_a plain_a knowledge_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o cause_v downright_a christian_a 〈◊〉_d come_v clad_v in_o such_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o stupid_a man_n live_v can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o
compare_v next_o the_o certainty_n each_o christian_a forefather_n have_v of_o what_o he_o have_v practise_v it_o all_o his_o life_n with_o that_o which_o a_o swear_a witness_n in_o a_o court_n have_v of_o what_o he_o see_v or_o hear_v but_o once_o which_o do_v multiply_v these_o thus-qualifyed_a witness_n till_o you_o equal_v the_o vast_a total_a of_o christianity_n and_o then_o invent_v what_o force_n in_o nature_n universe_n be_v comparable_a to_o this_o inerrability_n of_o tradition_n and_o if_o clear_a reason_n evince_n to_o you_o that_o it_o be_v far_o more_o possible_a to_o make_v a_o man_n not_o be_v than_o not_o to_o know_v what_o be_v rivet_v into_o his_o soul_n by_o so-oft-repeated_n sensation_n nay_o if_o it_o exceed_v all_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n abstract_v from_o the_o case_n of_o madness_n and_o violent_a disease_n to_o blot_v knowledge_n thus_o fix_v out_o of_o the_o soul_n of_o one_o single_a believer_n then_o it_o be_v as_o clear_o evince_v that_o soon_o may_v all_o mankind_n perish_v than_o the_o regulative_a virtue_n of_o tradition_n miscarry_v nay_o soon_o may_v the_o sinow_v of_o entire_a nature_n by_o overstrain_v crack_n and_o she_o lose_v all_o her_o activity_n and_o motion_n that_o be_v herself_o than_o one_o single_a part_n of_o that_o innumerable_a multitude_n which_o integrate_a that_o vast_a testification_n we_o call_v tradition_n can_v possible_o be_v violate_v the_o virtue_n then_o by_o which_o tradition_n regulate_v her_o follower_n to_o bring_v down_o faith_n uner_o be_v ground_v on_o a_o far_o strong_a basis_n than_o all_o material_a nature_n that_o be_v on_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v fit_v for_o supreme_a wisdom_n to_o lay_v for_o faith_n be_v so_o near_o and_o necessary_a a_o mean_n to_o bring_v mankind_n to_o his_o beatitude_n which_o be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o this_o corporeal_a architecture_n its_o follower_n i_o say_v for_o i_o only_o contest_v in_o this_o present_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n that_o tradition_n if_o follow_v be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n whether_o it_o be_v always_o thus_o follow_v or_o no_o belong_v to_o another_o enquiry_n 13._o nor_o must_v i_o neglect_v the_o remind_n in_o this_o place_n what_o be_v produce_v before_o §_o 8._o to_o show_v the_o evidenceableness_n of_o tradition_n rule_v power_n to_o the_o rude_a enquirer_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o while_n the_o next_o age_n believe_v and_o practice_n as_o the_o former_a age_n hold_v and_o practise_v it_o that_o be_v while_o the_o rule_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v those_o of_o the_o late_a age_n be_v still_o of_o the_o same_o faith_n with_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v that_o to_o believe_v the_o same_o be_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o only_o i_o be_o forbid_v by_o my_o reason_n and_o logic_n to_o call_v this_o a_o proof_n or_o argument_n because_o it_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n idem_fw-la est_fw-la idem_fw-la sibijpsi_fw-la and_o only_o a_o instance_n or_o particular_a of_o it_o as_o these_o proposition_n be_v a_o stone_n be_v a_o stone_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n in_o which_o the_o two_o term_n be_v as_o near_o lay_v and_o as_o fast_o connect_v as_o perfect_a identity_n can_v cement_n they_o that_o be_v so_o close_o that_o no_o medium_n can_v come_v between_o to_o make_v they_o capable_a of_o be_v argud_v or_o prove_v that_o be_v it_o be_v self-evident_a and_o so_o i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v but_o by_o open_v the_o term_n to_o explicate_v the_o proposition_n which_o do_v it_o be_v evident_a beyond_o proof_n 14._o let_v now_o the_o most_o rational_a doubter_n or_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n muster_v all_o the_o caprichoe_n of_o fancy_n invention_n can_v suggest_v and_o the_o subtle_a quirk_n ingenious_o misuse_v logic_n and_o abus'd-into-sophistry_n can_v furnish_v they_o with_o let_v the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n of_o faith_n whet_v their_o wit_n to_o that_o degree_n of_o sharpness_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o penetrate_v with_o nice_a distinction_n between_o the_o side_n of_o two_o notion_n if_o in_o the_o least_o disagree_v that_o be_v only_o metaphysical_o divisible_a and_o lay_v open_a their_o difference_n what_o can_v they_o say_v in_o this_o case_n if_o they_o will_v argue_v against_o tradition_n it_o must_v be_v out_o of_o some_o knowledge_n but_o knowledge_n be_v take_v from_o thing_n and_o the_o best_a thing_n in_o this_o universe_n to_o wit_n man_n nature_n in_o what_o he_o be_v unalterable_a be_v engage_v for_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n but_o indeed_o their_o proper_a task_n will_v be_v to_o find_v a_o solution_n for_o or_o to_o loose_v those_o two_o notion_n which_o perfect_a identity_n bind_v and_o to_o blunder_v that_o truth_n which_o the_o noon-day-sun_n of_o self_n evidence_n discover_v and_o as_o it_o be_v write_v with_o its_o most_o lightsome_a and_o most_o conspicous_a ray_n 15._o these_o four_o last_o condition_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n most_o full_o agree_v with_o tradition_n as_o well_o as_o the_o three_o first_o that_o be_v it_o be_v self-evident_a to_o all_o as_o to_o its_o existence_n §_o 7._o and_o evidenceable_a as_o to_o it_o be_v rule_v power_n to_o any_o vulgar_a enquirer_n §_o 8._o apt_a to_o settle_v and_o justify_v undoubting_a person_n §_o 9_o 10._o to_o satisfy_v full_o the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o most_o rational_a doubter_n and_o to_o convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n build_v upon_o unmoveable_a ground_n that_o be_v certain_a in_o its_o self_n and_o absolute_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o §_o 11_o 12_o 13_o 14._o and_o these_o property_n spring_v out_o of_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o be_v incompetent_a to_o any_o competitor_n or_o pretend_a rule_n as_o have_v be_v show_v this_o main_a conclusion_n be_v make_v good_a that_o tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n six_z discourse_n endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v à _fw-la priori_fw-la the_o indefectibleness_n of_o tradition_n 1._o all_o this_o be_v well_o may_v some_o say_v in_o case_n tradition_n have_v be_v ever_o hold_v to_o for_o then_o indeed_o faith_n have_v come_v down_o by_o such_o a_o incomparable_a testification_n that_o the_o like_a be_v never_o hear_v of_o but_o how_o know_v we_o who_o begin_v to_o desert_n that_o rule_n and_o who_o ever_o hold_v to_o it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v ever_o hold_v to_o by_o any_o 2._o now_o though_o the_o carriage_n of_o protestant_n make_v this_o labour_n needless_a while_o i_o write_v against_o they_o yet_o i_o owe_v to_o my_o former_a discourse_n a_o clear_n of_o this_o likewise_o their_o carriage_n i_o say_v for_o when_o it_o be_v prove_v evident_o that_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n and_o scripture_n letter_n not_o such_o they_o who_o reject_v the_o former_a to_o adhere_v to_o the_o late_a be_v clear_o cast_v in_o their_o cause_n and_o condemn_v without_o more_o ado_n indeed_o if_o protestant_n fault_v not_o the_o rule_n but_o only_o pretend_v that_o man_n have_v fail_v it_o they_o may_v yet_o delude_v the_o world_n with_o some_o colour_n that_o they_o have_v ever_o hold_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o ancestor_n and_o only_o desert_v we_o because_o we_o have_v desert_v ancestor_n former_o but_o if_o they_o put_v the_o fault_n in_o the_o rule_n itself_o write_v against_o it_o disgrace_n it_o and_o recur_n to_o another_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n of_o self-condemnation_n and_o that_o they_o judge_v in_o their_o inmost_a thought_n that_o tradition_n or_o immediate_a delivery_n ever_o stand_v our_o friend_n and_o will_v overthrow_v they_o nay_o do_v they_o think_v they_o can_v manifest_v satisfactory_o that_o we_o have_v desert_v former_o the_o faith_n of_o our_o forefather_n as_o they_o pretend_v they_o have_v no_o more_o efficacious_a way_n to_o ruin_v we_o than_o to_o oppose_v we_o upon_o those_o principle_n lay_v in_o this_o former_a discourse_n since_o tradition_n a_o little_a after_o the_o primitive_a time_n at_o which_o time_n they_o pretend_v we_o fall_v have_v not_o go_v down_o many_o step_n and_o so_o the_o renouncer_n of_o it_o will_v in_o reason_n seem_v to_o they_o more_o easy_o discoverable_a by_o its_o vicinity_n to_o the_o apostle_n beside_o this_o rule_n be_v so_o own_a and_o stick_v to_o by_o we_o it_o have_v be_v the_o most_o efficacious_a way_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la to_o confute_v and_o shame_v we_o even_o by_o our_o own_o principle_n wherefore_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a they_o think_v it_o not_o their_o best_a play_n to_o offer_v to_o avail_v themselves_o by_o tradition_n know_v it_o will_v be_v their_o disadvantage_n and_o our_o gain_n that_o be_v they_o in_o effect_n tacit_o yield_v that_o if_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n which_o we_o have_v show_v self-evident_a the_o doctrine_n hold_v by_o our_o church_n to_o be_v of_o faith_n come_v down_o uninterrupted_o from_o the_o apostle_n
make_v the_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n to_o comply_v with_o our_o weakness_n by_o the_o word_n be_v be_v make_v flesh_n and_o dwell_n among_o we_o his_o be_v bear_v his_o suffering_n cold_a hunger_n persecution_n banishment_n and_o other_o inconvenience_n in_o his_o life_n his_o cure_v our_o disease_a comfort_v our_o afflict_a raise_v our_o dead_a and_o other_o miraculous_a action_n his_o be_v bind_v buffet_v scourge_v crown_v with_o thorn_n and_o last_o crucify_v and_o all_o this_o believe_v to_o be_v for_o our_o sake_n all_o of_o they_o object_n most_o sensible_o and_o palpable_o affect_v our_o understanding_n and_o thence_o slide_v move_o and_o this_o by_o their_o sensible_a nature_n into_o our_o very_a will_n we_o shall_v discover_v that_o the_o infinite_a spiritual_a good_a we_o speak_v of_o be_v become_v through_o the_o provident_a goodness_n of_o our_o god_n both_o as_o easy_o appliable_a as_o the_o most_o visible_a and_o concern_v civil_a action_n work_v on_o the_o best_a sensation_n of_o our_o forefather_n the_o best_a and_o ample_a authority_n in_o the_o world_n to_o make_v their_o sensation_n we_o and_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n action_n sacrament_n and_o all_o other_o outward_a show_n which_o can_v be_v invent_v to_o make_v such_o mystery_n maniable_a can_v possible_o render_v they_o and_o that_o if_o after_o all_o this_o they_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o want_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o sensibleness_n it_o be_v abundant_o supply_v by_o that_o deep_a impression_n which_o the_o sacred_a horror_n of_o the_o reverence_n give_v to_o they_o make_v and_o the_o efficacious_a way_n to_o excite_v and_o and_o preserve_v that_o reverence_n all_o which_o way_n and_o object_n thus_o easy_o and_o strong_o appliable_a be_v frequent_o and_o efficacious_o apply_v by_o the_o education_n of_o parent_n and_o by_o the_o discipline_n and_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o church_n which_o bring_v those_o speculation_n to_o practice_n be_v ever_o and_o must_v needs_o reach_v the_o generality_n in_o a_o word_n christianity_n urge_v to_o execution_n give_v its_o follower_n a_o new_a life_n and_o a_o new_a nature_n than_o which_o a_o near_a application_n can_v be_v imagine_v no_o application_n therefore_o be_v want_v wherefore_o the_o efficient_a and_o the_o matter_n be_v proper_a and_o fit_v to_o one_o another_o the_o effect_n must_v still_o be_v or_o continue_v that_o be_v the_o deliver_v down_o sincere_o and_o careful_o christian_a doctrine_n first_o receive_v must_v still_o continue_v in_o some_o great_a multitude_n at_o least_o and_o this_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n seven_o discourse_n a_o objection_n clear_v and_o the_o beginning_n and_o progress_n of_o a_o heresy_n connatural_o lay_v open_a 1._o what_o only_a and_o main_o seem_v to_o prejudice_v our_o argument_n be_v that_o there_o have_v actual_o be_v many_o heretic_n or_o deserter_n of_o tradition_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v but_o some_o contingency_n shall_v have_v place_n where_o a_o whole_a species_n in_o a_o manner_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o it_o suffice_v we_o that_o the_o cause_n to_o preserve_v faith_n indeficient_o entire_a be_v as_o efficacious_a as_o those_o which_o be_v lay_v for_o the_o propagagation_n of_o mankind_n the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n not_o be_v to_o continue_v long_o than_o mankind_n its_o only_a subject_n do_v and_o they_o will_v easy_o appear_v as_o efficacious_a as_o the_o other_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o strength_n of_o those_o cause_n before_o explicate_v and_o reflect_v that_o they_o be_v effective_o powerful_a to_o make_v multitude_n daily_o debar_v themselves_o of_o those_o pleasure_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o mankind_n propagation_n and_o if_o we_o look_v into_o history_n for_o experience_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v in_o the_o world_n since_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n we_o shall_v find_v faâ—_n more_o particular_n fail_v in_o propagate_a their_o kind_a than_o their_o faith_n 2._o i_o know_v the_o multitude_n of_o heretic_n which_o have_v from_o time_n to_o time_n rise_v make_v this_o position_n seem_v incredible_a wherefore_o that_o we_o may_v 〈◊〉_d once_o both_o open_a tradition_n and_o make_v good_a ouâ—_n tenet_n we_o will_v reflect_v how_o a_o heresy_n be_v first_o breed_v to_o enforce_v then_o our_o former_a argument_n we_o musâ—_n look_v on_o christ_n church_n not_o only_o as_o on_o a_o congregation_n have_v in_o their_o heart_n those_o most_o powerful_a motive_n already_o speak_v of_o able_a of_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o carry_v each_o single_a heart_n possess_v by_o they_o though_o leave_v at_o its_o own_o liberty_n but_o as_o oâ—_n the_o perfect_a form_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n have_v within_o herself_o government_n and_o officer_n appoint_v by_o christ_n himself_o and_o so_o look_v upon_o by_o the_o faithful_a to_o take_v care_n all_o those_o motive_n bâ—_n actual_o apply_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v to_o the_o subject_a laity_n and_o that_o all_o the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n be_v awe_v by_o wholesome_a discipline_n to_o conform_v their_o life_n according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n they_o profess_v yet_o notwithstanding_o as_o in_o the_o civil_a state_n maugre_o the_o law_n and_o care_n of_o governor_n it_o happen_v sometime_o that_o some_o particular_a person_n turn_v rebel_n or_o outlaw_n and_o associate_n to_o himself_n other_o so_o it_o happen_v sometime_o in_o the_o church_n that_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o perfection_n of_o discipline_n shall_v extend_v itself_o in_o so_o vast_a a_o multititude_n to_o every_o particular_a some_o one_o or_o few_o person_n by_o neglect_n of_o apply_v christian_n motive_n to_o their_o soul_n fall_v into_o extravagancy_n of_o spiritual_a pride_n ambition_n lust_n or_o other_o vice_n and_o itch_a with_o desire_n of_o follower_n to_o honour_n and_o support_v they_o they_o first_o lie_v hold_v on_o some_o accidental_a miscarriage_n as_o foolish_a opinion_n or_o ill_a life_n of_o some_o in_o the_o church_n which_o they_o aggravate_v beyond_o all_o reason_n to_o justify_v their_o rebellion_n and_o 〈◊〉_d invent_v and_o propose_v new_a tenet_n to_o other_o which_o partly_o by_o their_o plausibleness_n partly_o licentiousness_n suit_v with_o the_o curious_a or_o passionate_a humour_n of_o diverse_a if_o governor_n be_v not_o vigilant_a and_o prudent_a draw_v they_o into_o the_o same_o faction_n with_o themselves_o especial_o if_o they_o get_v the_o state_n on_o their_o side_n secure_a indemnity_n and_o hope_n of_o reward_n draw_v the_o corrupt_a heart_n of_o many_o to_o bandy_v with_o their_o fellow-revolters_a against_o the_o former_a church_n thus_o a_o body_n be_v make_v inconsiderable_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o whole_a which_o yet_o be_v engage_v by_o the_o natural_a care_n of_o self-preservation_n to_o make_v head_n against_o it_o the_o church_n stand_v upon_o the_o uninterrupted_a succession_n of_o her_o doctrine_n from_o christ_n ground_v on_o the_o noonday_n manifestation_n of_o the_o most_o universal_a and_o clear_a attestation_n in_o the_o world_n the_o other_o know_a newness_n make_v it_o impossible_a to_o human_a nature_n though_o most_o deprave_a to_o pretend_v this_o reception_n from_o immediate_a forefather_n the_o contrary_a be_v so_o evident_a to_o the_o whole_a world_n eyesight_n that_o this_o be_v to_o tell_v a_o open_o to_o no_o imaginable_a purpose_n they_o must_v cry_v therefore_o the_o church_n have_v err_v in_o faith_n else_o they_o condemn_v themselves_o whence_o they_o be_v oblige_v at_o next_o to_o renounce_v and_o disgrace_v tradition_n or_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n as_o unfit_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n which_o leave_v in_o force_n will_v present_o quash_n and_o strangle_v all_o their_o attempt_n after_o this_o a_o new_a rule_n must_v be_v seek_v for_o either_o some_o private_a inspiration_n or_o some_o waxen-naturâ—d_a word_n not_o yet_o sence_v not_o have_v any_o certain_a interpreter_n but_o fit_a to_o be_v play_v upon_o diverse_o by_o quirk_n of_o wit_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v but_o to_o clear_v little_a or_o nothing_o their_o policy_n must_v be_v to_o study_v vapour_n in_o wordish_a learning_n to_o be_v dextrous_a in_o criticism_n and_o all_o that_o can_v conduce_v to_o the_o various_a acception_n of_o word_n and_o then_o to_o hook_v catholic_n from_o their_o infallible_a and_o evident_a way_n of_o tradition_n to_o combat_v with_o they_o at_o their_o own_o weapon_n and_o in_o their_o own_o way_n in_o which_o if_o the_o catholic_n be_v so_o unwary_a or_o good-natured_a as_o to_o engage_v and_o have_v be_v enure_v to_o more_o solid_a and_o sober_a ground_n for_o his_o faith_n be_v not_o perhaps_o so_o skilful_a in_o beat_v the_o air_n as_o his_o bird-witted_n opponent_n present_o a_o victory_n be_v proclaim_v with_o the_o loud_a trumpet_n of_o fame_n and_o vanity_n be_v general_o their_o god_n who_o place_n their_o honour_n in_o such_o airy_a sort_n of_o learning_n
blaze_v up_o and_o down_o to_o the_o commendation_n of_o themselves_o and_o perversion_n of_o other_o but_o a_o company_n which_o make_v such_o a_o bustle_n can_v long_o want_v a_o name_n wherefore_o the_o traditionary_a christian_a have_v ever_o enjoy_v the_o appellation_n of_o catholic_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a their_o adversary_n shall_v by_o any_o design_n or_o craft_n after_o the_o common_a language_n of_o mankind_n hopeless_a to_o attain_v the_o name_n of_o catholic_n they_o be_v force_v to_o content_v themselves_o though_o unwilling_a with_o some_o other_o new_a one_o which_o nature_n work_v upon_o their_o own_o comportment_n determine_v to_o be_v either_o from_o their_o author_n as_o lutheran_n zuingliaus_fw-la or_o their_o new_a tenet_n as_o tritheits_fw-mi sacramentarian_n or_o some_o combination_n among_o themselves_o as_o protestant_n or_o last_o some_o particular_a carriage_n as_o quaker_n dipper_n etc._n etc._n 3._o these_o first_o adherent_n to_o the_o upstart_n novellist_n be_v cling_v into_o a_o body_n after_o a_o while_o young_a understanding_n ripen_v to_o a_o capacity_n of_o faith_n thing_n be_v present_o alter_v the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o scripture_n letter_n selfsufficiency_n be_v immediate_o throw_v by_o as_o useless_a any_o far_o design_n have_v get_v its_o end_n already_o and_o the_o natural_a way_n of_o of_o tradition_n begin_v to_o take_v place_n again_o and_o recover_v its_o self_n nay_o the_o reformer_n themselves_o be_v force_v to_o crave_v help_n of_o it_o to_o keep_v their_o company_n together_o child_n be_v teach_v that_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v their_o pastor_n and_o father_n and_o though_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n when_o they_o come_v at_o age_n yet_o they_o be_v tell_v they_o be_v to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o sense_n their_o pastor_n and_o father_n give_v it_o which_o be_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o faith_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o teacher_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n the_o very_a way_n catholic_n ever_o take_v in_o that_o particular_a and_o if_o any_o company_n of_o man_n though_o now_o mature_a to_o judge_v presume_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o judgement_n in_o interpret_n it_o and_o differ_v from_o those_o first_o reformer_n these_o if_o they_o get_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n will_v present_o fall_v to_o oblige_v they_o by_o force_n to_o act_v that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v have_v they_o do_v it_o conscientious_o which_o else_o be_v to_o force_v they_o to_o sin_n to_o hold_v as_o they_o do_v and_o persecute_v or_o punish_v they_o if_o they_o do_v not_o whereas_o they_o guide_v themselves_o to_o their_o best_a capacity_n by_o the_o scripture_n letter_n which_o be_v the_o very_a rule_n of_o faith_n their_o persecutor_n teach_v they_o and_o make_v use_n of_o themselves_o when_o they_o break_v from_o the_o church_n which_o evident_o show_v that_o a_o new_a rule_n be_v introduce_v and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o indeed_o the_o letter_n of_o god_n word_n which_o be_v now_o think_v fit_a to_o guide_v the_o reader_n of_o it_o to_o faith_n but_o those_o man_n interpretation_n of_o it_o so_o that_o the_o break_n from_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o the_o church_n cast_v they_o most_o inevitable_o upon_o these_o self-contradiction_n first_o to_o reform_v npon_n pretence_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o afterward_o in_o practice_n to_o desert_n that_o rule_n in_o their_o carriage_n towards_o other_o second_o to_o disallow_v to_o other_o those_o ground_n themselves_o proceed_v upon_o three_o to_o pretend_v first_o the_o scripture_n letter_n clear_a of_o itself_o without_o need_v the_o church_n to_o interpret_v it_o so_o to_o avoid_v condemnation_n from_o the_o former_a church_n yet_o afterward_o to_o judge_v the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o best_a power_n to_o go_v wrong_n that_o be_v to_o confess_v it_o obscure_v and_o to_o need_v their_o new_a church_n interpretation_n 4_o to_o persecute_v other_o for_o take_v that_o way_n which_o they_o hold_v at_o least_o pretend_a meritorious_a in_o themselves_o 5_o to_o oblige_v other_o to_o relinquish_v the_o sole_a guidance_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o to_o rule_v themselves_o by_o their_o tradition_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o they_o write_v and_o dispute_v against_o catholic_n to_o impugn_v tradition_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o forefather_n as_o unfitting_a to_o sense_n it_o and_o abet_v only_o the_o selfsufficiency_n of_o scripture_n letter_n and_o last_o to_o impute_v that_o carriage_n to_o our_o church_n as_o a_o fault_n which_o themselves_o practise_v upon_o their_o own_o subject_n and_o which_o be_v most_o material_a our_o church_n punish_v none_o but_o such_o as_o desert_v the_o rule_n she_o recommend_v whereas_o they_o punish_v those_o under_o they_o for_o follow_v too_o close_o that_o rule_n which_o themselves_o recommend_v and_o applaud_v as_o the_o whole_a and_o sole_a bafis_n of_o their_o reformation_n 4._o now_o what_o can_v follow_v hence_o but_o that_o their_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n who_o common_a sense_n can_v but_o make_v exceed_o sensible_a of_o such_o their_o unreasonable_a carriage_n in_o persecute_v they_o pure_o for_o follow_v god_n word_n or_o the_o scripture_n letter_n to_o their_o best_a power_n which_o themselves_o have_v teach_v they_o may_v secure_o nay_o aught_o in_o conscience_n be_v follow_v let_v the_o consent_n of_o forefather_n and_o the_o present_a church_n make_v up_o of_o meeâ—_n man_n say_v what_o they_o will_v what_o follow_v we_o i_o say_v but_o that_o exasperate_v beyond_o patience_n by_o this_o procedure_n which_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o most_o senseless_a and_o self-condemning_a tyranny_n over_o their_o conscience_n they_o will_v unless_o governor_n be_v vigilant_a strive_v to_o wreak_v their_o malice_n against_o their_o persecutor_n and_o if_o they_o be_v numerous_a and_o powerful_a endeavour_v to_o involve_v whole_a nation_n in_o war_n and_o blood_n which_o god_n of_o his_o mercy_n avert_v from_o our_o distract_a country_n of_o so_o main_a consequence_n it_o be_v both_o for_o church_n and_o state_n that_o man_n mind_n be_v right_o set_v in_o the_o fundamental_a ground_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o the_o principle_n they_o build_v religion_n on_o be_v evident_a that_o be_v apt_a to_o unite_v their_o understanding_n and_o by_o it_o their_o affection_n not_o uncertain_a and_o vertible_a which_o must_v needs_o lead_v if_o pursue_v by_o a_o earnest_a zeal_n to_o nothing_o but_o diversity_n in_o opinion_n about_o faith_n thence_o to_o dissension_n and_o feud_n in_o the_o will_n which_o upon_o any_o great_a pressure_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o break_v forth_o into_o action_n of_o high_a enmity_n and_o by_o the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o such_o interest_n neither_o side_n be_v able_a to_o yield_v to_o the_o other_o in_o what_o each_o of_o rhem_n hold_v sacred_a religious_a and_o conscientious_a endless_a and_o fierce_a bicker_n be_v apt_a to_o succeed_v even_o to_o utter_v desolation_n as_o frequent_a history_n too_o lamentable_o record_v not_o that_o i_o intend_v the_o justification_n of_o those_o revolt_a sect_n who_o have_v no_o certain_a ground_n of_o controversy_n be_v both_o self-condemned_a by_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n for_o disobey_v a_o certain_a and_o know_a legal_a authority_n which_o god_n law_n and_o plain_a reason_n command_v they_o to_o submit_v to_o to_o maintain_v a_o uncertainty_n that_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v a_o error_n and_o be_v it_o a_o know_a truth_n they_o hold_v will_v be_v no_o less_o condemn_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o common_a reason_n nay_o out_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n itself_o for_o make_v rebellion_n and_o a_o unimpower_v sword_n the_o defence_n of_o truth_n which_o stand_v firm_a on_o a_o sure_a basis._n i_o only_o mind_n prudent_a considerer_n on_o the_o by_o how_o much_o it_o conduce_v to_o state-unity_n and_o peace_n that_o the_o principle_n of_o convey_v faith_n to_o we_o be_v build_v on_o sensible_a evidence_n acknowledgable_a by_o all_o mankind_n when_o right_o understand_v and_o not_o leave_v to_o giddy_a interpretation_n of_o private_a fancy_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o run_v so_o eccentrical_o to_o one_o another_o that_o we_o can_v never_o expect_v they_o shall_v have_v any_o common_a point_n where_o to_o fix_v and_o unite_v man_n mind_n and_o afflection_n 5._o the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o parergon_n serve_v to_o elucidate_v as_o it_o be_v ptactical_o and_o experimental_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n the_o particular_a use_n we_o make_v of_o it_o in_o this_o present_a discourse_n whence_o we_o digress_v into_o it_o be_v to_o conclude_v as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v of_o thing_n at_o a_o common_a view_n which_o yet_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o actual_a deserter_n of_o the_o natural_a way_n of_o tradition_n have_v be_v but_o few_o to_o wit_v the_o
it_o corollary_n from_o the_o former_a discourse_n 1._o none_o can_v pretend_v to_o have_v faith_n by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n but_o the_o holder_n to_o tradition_n it_o be_v prove_v by_o our_o conclusion_n former_o deduce_v disc._n 5._o §_o 15._o that_o tradition_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o ordinary_a way_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n 2._o none_o can_v with_o right_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o church_n but_o the_o follower_n of_o tradition_n for_o since_o corol._n 1_o none_o can_v have_v faith_n by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n but_o the_o holder_n to_o tradition_n and_o a_o church_n must_v be_v a_o congregation_n of_o person_n true_o faithful_a or_o who_o have_v true_a faith_n come_v to_o they_o by_o ordinary_a mean_n as_o we_o daily_a experience_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o none_o but_o the_o follower_n of_o tradition_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v a_o true_a church_n 3._o none_o can_v be_v of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n but_o follower_n of_o tradition_n for_o see_v a_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o person_n who_o have_v true_a faith_n come_v to_o they_o by_o ordinary_a mean_n and_o disc._n 5._o §_o 15._o tradition_n be_v this_o mean_n it_o follow_v that_o none_o be_v of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n but_o they_o who_o have_v true_a faith_n by_o this_o mean_n that_o be_v who_o follow_v the_o mean_n of_o tradition_n those_o who_o renounce_v tradition_n or_o immediate_a delivery_n be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o cease_v to_o be_v true_o call_v faithful_a for_o see_v that_o be_v to_o we_o or_o in_o the_o way_n of_o reason_v the_o root_n of_o any_o knowledge_n whence_o that_o knowledge_n spring_v and_o faith_n be_v no_o knowledge_n in_o we_o disc._n 1._o 15._o and_o corol._n 1_o but_o by_o rely_v on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o tradition_n as_o on_o its_o principle_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o they_o who_o renounce_v tradition_n want_v the_o root_n of_o faith_n nor_o consequent_o be_v faithful_a nor_o of_o the_o church_n but_o be_v dead_a branch_n or_o opiner_n only_o 5._o that_o company_n of_o man_n who_o follow_v such_o ancestor_n as_o former_o renounce_v tradition_n or_o immediate_a delivery_n be_v no_o less_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n for_o since_o corol._n 4._o those_o ancestor_n renounce_v tradition_n former_o be_v by_o so_o do_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n their_o follower_n for_o how_o many_o generation_n soever_o they_o continue_v must_v be_v so_o likewise_o as_o want_v and_o not_o dare_v even_o to_o pretend_v to_o that_o faithâ—causing_a principle_n of_o tradition_n or_o uninterrupted_a delivery_n which_o their_o forefather_n have_v renounce_v 6._o they_o who_o follow_v such_o ancestor_n as_o former_o have_v manifest_o renounce_v tradition_n how_o numerous_a soever_o can_v never_o claim_v to_o be_v a_o part_n of_o christian_a tradition_n or_o deliverer_n of_o faith_n first_o because_o corol._n 5._o they_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o tradition_n and_o so_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o it_o next_o because_o christian_a tradition_n be_v indeficient_a or_o uninterrupted_a disc._n 6_o 8_o and_o 9_o and_o so_o none_o can_v lay_v claim_n to_o it_o who_o can_v lay_v claim_n to_o uninterruptedness_n which_o those_o we_o speak_v of_o can_v the_o say_n then_o of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n id_fw-la teneamus_fw-la quod_fw-la ubique_fw-la quod_fw-la semper_fw-la quod_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la creditum_fw-la est_fw-la and_o that_o we_o must_v follow_v universality_n antiquity_n and_o consent_v can_v only_o be_v mean_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o those_o who_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n or_o follow_v the_o doctrine_n former_o deliver_v not_o of_o those_o who_o have_v break_v from_o it_o otherwise_o all_o heretic_n in_o the_o world_n especial_o the_o primitive_a one_o may_v claim_v to_o be_v part_n of_o the_o church_n 7._o they_o who_o pretend_v themselves_o reformer_n in_o faith_n do_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la manifest_v themselves_o cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o church_n for_o since_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n and_o so_o have_v no_o degree_n in_o they_o but_o be_v indivisible_a reformation_n in_o faith_n can_v mean_v mend_v faith_n but_o put_v it_o anew_o but_o this_o presuppose_v tradition_n interrupt_v wherefore_o reformer_n in_o faith_n must_v renounce_v uninterruptedness_n of_o delivery_n that_o be_v they_o must_v renounce_v tradition_n disc._n 6._o 8_o 9_o and_o consequent_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n coral_n 4._o 8._o that_o body_n of_o man_n who_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n can_v evidence_n clear_o and_o plain_o who_o be_v true_o faithful_a who_o not_o for_o since_o coral_n 4._o &_o 5._o to_o those_o man_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o renounce_v immediate_a or_o uninterrupted_a delivery_n or_o follow_v those_o who_o renounce_v it_o as_o to_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o one_o to_o be_v faithful_a and_o to_o rely_v on_o that_o principle_n again_o see_v it_o be_v evident_a by_o clear_a matter_n of_o fact_n who_o rely_v and_o proceed_v upon_o it_o who_o not_o that_o body_n of_o man_n who_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n can_v evidence_n clear_o and_o plain_o who_o be_v true_o faithful_a who_o not_o and_o if_o church-government_n be_v institute_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o so_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o descend_v to_o we_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n who_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o 9_o none_o else_o can_v give_v any_o certain_a account_n who_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v true_o faithful_a and_o of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o for_o since_o without_o tradition_n both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v uncertain_a disc._n 4._o and_o subject_a to_o dispute_v as_o we_o also_o daily_a experience_n it_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o denier_n of_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a who_o have_v the_o right_a letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v who_o they_o be_v to_o esteem_v faithful_a or_o sit_v to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o again_o tradition_n be_v the_o only_a certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n if_o one_o revolter_v from_o it_o may_v be_v admit_v all_o may_v so_o they_o prosess_v christianity_n in_o outward_a talk_n which_o they_o will_v easy_o do_v wherefore_o since_o the_o denier_n of_o tradition_n deem_v some_o one_o revolter_v from_o it_o to_o be_v of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v himself_o he_o may_v nay_o aught_o judge_v so_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n provide_v they_o talk_v a_o few_o fine_a pious_a word_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n which_o what_o heretic_n but_o do_v 10._o none_o can_v rational_o punish_v the_o revolter_n from_o their_o faith_n but_o that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o radition_n for_o since_o set_v aside_o tradition_n both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v uncertain_a disc._n 4._o the_o gild_n of_o those_o revolter_n be_v also_o uncertain_a see_v than_o none_o can_v even_o pretend_v to_o correct_v a_o fault_n much_o less_o punish_v it_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n none_o can_v rational_o go_v about_o to_o punish_v their_o revolter_n from_o faith_n unless_o it_o be_v that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n and_o they_o can_v for_o in_o regard_n tradition_n certainty_n be_v evident_a to_o the_o rude_a by_o common_a sense_n disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o and_o likewise_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a to_o governor_n who_o revolt_v from_o it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o know_v when_o one_o dis-acknowledges_a and_o rise_v against_o a_o settle_a civil_a authority_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o the_o revolter_n have_v both_o passion_n or_o gild_n enough_o to_o be_v hold_v punishable_a and_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n evidence_n enough_o of_o his_o fact_n to_o go_v about_o to_o punish_v it_o to_o avoid_v mistake_n i_o declare_v that_o in_o this_o corollary_n i_o only_o discourse_v what_o may_v or_o may_v not_o be_v do_v upon_o a_o church-account_n what_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v upon_o a_o state-account_n i_o be_o neither_o able_a to_o judge_v nor_o do_v i_o meddle_v with_o it_o 11._o no_o company_n of_o man_n hang_v together_o like_o a_o body_n of_o a_o christian_a commonwealth_n or_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n for_o since_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o every_o external_a commonwealth_n or_o body_n of_o man_n have_v some_o outward_a mark_n proper_a to_o it_o by_o which_o the_o member_n of_o it_o have_v their_o coherence_n or_o consistency_n and_o that_o those_o be_v certain_a token_n to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o any_o other_o and_o as_o manifest_v that_o all_o the_o mark_n proper_a to_o a_o church_n as_o such_o depend_v upon_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n disc._n 1._o §_o 15._o and_o their_o certainty_n on_o it_o and_o last_o that_o
none_o of_o the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n all_o of_o they_o building_n on_o scripture_n letter_n be_v certain_a disc._n 2._o 3_o 4._o without_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o no_o other_o company_n have_v any_o principle_n of_o distinction_n from_o other_o that_o be_v either_o of_o constitution_n or_o self-preservation_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n all_o the_o loud_a outcry_n then_o make_v common_o against_o that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n callâ—d_n roman-catholick_n for_o account_v itself_o only_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o exclude_v all_o other_o be_v but_o empty_a noise_n and_o her_o claim_n rational_a and_o wellgrounded_n till_o it_o be_v show_v by_o evident_a discourse_n that_o the_o other_o pretender_n have_v some_o other_o more_o evident_a and_o certain_a rule_n to_o know_v who_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o than_o this_o of_o tradition_n now_o produce_v and_o explicate_v upon_o which_o she_o proceed_v and_o by_o which_o she_o consist_v 12._o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o scripture_n for_o since_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v disc._n 4._o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n without_o tradition_n this_o must_v first_o be_v suppose_v certain_a ere_o the_o scripture_n letter_n can_v be_v rational_o hold_v such_o and_o consequent_o aught_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v hold_v uncertain_a while_o tradition_n be_v think_v â—it_n to_o be_v argue_v against_o that_o be_v while_o its_o certainty_n be_v doubt_v of_o wherefore_o since_o none_o can_v argue_v solid_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n none_o ought_v to_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n 13._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n against_o tradition_n first_o because_o in_o reality_n tradition_n right_o understand_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n material_o with_o the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n essential_a consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o laity_n which_o be_v so_o ample_a that_o it_o include_v all_o imaginable_a authority_n which_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o a_o church_n second_o because_o in_o the_o way_n of_o generate_a faith_n tradition_n formal_o take_v be_v antecedent_n to_o disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o and_o so_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n work_v by_o formal_a and_o abstract_a notion_n its_o notion_n must_v be_v presuppose_v and_o its_o certainty_n establish_v before_o the_o notion_n and_o certainty_n of_o faith_n consequent_o of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o church_n which_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a whence_o they_o will_v argue_v very_o preposterous_o who_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o oppose_v church_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o think_v to_o establish_v the_o house_n by_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n 14._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o father_n or_o council_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o former_a corol._n 13._o in_o regard_n neither_o of_o these_o have_v any_o authority_n but_o as_o representative_n of_o the_o church_n or_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o determine_v certain_o what_o be_v a_o father_n or_o council_n disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o till_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n that_o be_v of_o faithful_a that_o be_v of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o tradition_n be_v certain_o establish_v 15._o no_o disacknowledger_n of_o tradition_n be_v in_o due_a of_o reason_n but_o in_o courtesy_n only_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o argue_v out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n father_n or_o council_n for_o since_o want_v tradition_n they_o have_v certainty_n of_o none_o of_o those_o as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o disacknowledge_v tradition_n while_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o these_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o thing_n themselves_o do_v not_o know_v to_o be_v certain_a wherefore_o it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o condescendence_n and_o courtesy_n in_o catholics_n to_o let_v they_o run_v forward_o descant_v with_o wordish_a discourse_n on_o those_o testimony_n after_o their_o raw_a manner_n since_o they_o may_v just_o take_v their_o advantage_n against_o they_o and_o show_v they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o principle_n which_o their_o own_o ground_n can_v never_o make_v good_a to_o they_o as_o be_v tertullian_n smart_n and_o solid_a way_n de_fw-fr praescr_n haeret._n c._n 15_o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21._o deny_v they_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n who_o deny_v the_o church_n which_o will_v save_v many_o a_o airy_a confuse_a discourse_n about_o word_n unapt_a to_o evidence_n any_o thing_n satisfactory_o nor_o can_v the_o right_a of_o a_o opponent_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la licence_n they_o to_o claim_v this_o favour_n from_o our_o controvertist_n in_o regard_n we_o never_o hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n hammer_v upon_o by_o criticism_n and_o such_o pretty_a knack_n of_o human_a learning_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o the_o way_n to_o establish_v it_o but_o only_o as_o interpret_v by_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o consequent_o can_v we_o hold_v it_o capable_a to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o such_o endeavour_n of_o private_a wit_n though_o then_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o consequent_o so_o far_o a_o liberty_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la against_o we_o yet_o we_o never_o allow_v their_o method_n of_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o efficacious_a either_o to_o build_v or_o evert_v faith_n but_o our_o learned_a controvertist_n ever_o hold_v direct_a contrary_n whence_o in_o case_n they_o clamour_v that_o in_o not_o follow_v their_o wild_a method_n we_o desert_n scripture_n to_o avoid_v which_o calumny_n with_o the_o vulgar_a i_o conceive_v one_o reason_n our_o controvertist_n general_o be_v so_o civil_a to_o they_o as_o to_o cope_v with_o they_o in_o their_o fleight_n way_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o calumny_n be_v to_o be_v make_v appear_v which_o be_v quick_o do_v not_o their_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o be_v satisfy_v 16._o no_o authority_n from_o any_o history_n or_o testimonial_a write_n be_v valid_a against_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n for_o since_o falsehood_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o be_v write_v or_o print_v as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_a those_o book_n can_v give_v no_o testimony_n to_o themselves_o that_o what_o they_o express_v be_v certain_o true_a and_o if_o we_o say_v they_o be_v abet_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o book_n the_o same_o question_n recurr_v concern_v they_o in_o what_o age_n soever_o they_o be_v write_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o acceptation_n of_o man_n or_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o so_o convey_v down_o from_o father_n to_o son_n that_o these_o book_n be_v true_a history_n and_o not_o fable_n which_o give_v they_o any_o authority_n but_o this_o have_v plain_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n they_o have_v therefore_o no_o authority_n but_o by_o force_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o possible_a force_n against_o tradition_n since_o if_o tradition_n or_o the_o convey_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n sense_n write_v thus_o universal_o in_o man_n heart_n can_v deceive_v we_o no_o such_o book_n can_v have_v any_o authority_n at_o all_o wherefore_o not_o the_o book_n but_o the_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o skill_n of_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n upon_o which_o qualification_n the_o truth_n of_o each_o passage_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n be_v build_v be_v to_o be_v allege_v against_o christian_a tradition_n since_o it_o be_v that_o sense_n which_o authorise_v those_o book_n and_o give_v credibility_n to_o those_o passage_n and_o so_o be_v strong_a than_o any_o dead_a testimony_n from_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o only_o some_o great_a tradition_n or_o live_a testimony_n for_o thing_n past_a can_v in_o point_n of_o authority_n be_v pretend_v a_o equal_a match_n to_o christian_a tradition_n or_o competent_a to_o be_v alledgâ—d_v against_o it_o 17._o no_o tradition_n be_v allege_v or_o alledgeable_a in_o reason_n against_o christian_a tradition_n that_o none_o be_v alledgâ—d_v be_v evident_a from_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o the_o adversary_n of_o catholic_n tradition_n never_o pretend_v the_o consent_n or_o constant_a sense_n of_o great_a multitude_n derive_v from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o live_a voice_n that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n former_a tradition_n be_v relinquish_v new_a faith_n introduce_v or_o the_o old_a faith_n change_v or_o abolish_v but_o only_o odd_a end_n or_o scrap_n of_o history_n or_o other_o dead_a testimony_n according_a as_o they_o light_v on_o some_o passage_n which_o seem_v favourable_a to_o they_o or_o may_v
believe_v ancestor_n that_o they_o who_o do_v not_o so_o stand_v upon_o a_o precipice_n seeking_z what_o be_v beyond_o their_o power_n that_o be_v to_o hammer_v a_o certain_a faith_n out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n by_o their_o private_a wit._n which_o reflect_v on_o a_o little_a reason_n enlighten_v by_o so_o plain_a and_o manifold_a experience_n will_v easy_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v the_o shallowness_n of_o their_o ground_n unable_a to_o satisfy_v rational_a nature_n which_o make_v so_o many_o of_o they_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o seek_v for_o faith_n and_o so_o leave_v they_o and_o the_o solid_a secureness_n connaturalness_n and_o satisfactoriness_n of_o we_o which_o make_v few_o or_o none_o leave_v we_o and_o those_o who_o do_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o discover_v the_o motive_n of_o their_o revolt_n 11._o yet_o one_o more_o from_o this_o illustrious_a father_n as_o one_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o famous_a contrast_n with_o the_o impious_a arian_n it_o concern_v to_o be_v more_o express_a in_o inculcate_v and_o stick_v to_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n he_o write_v to_o epictetus_n bishop_n of_o corinth_n it_o be_v to_o be_v answer_v say_v he_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o alone_o of_o itself_o suffice_v that_o those_o be_v vot_o of_o the_o orthodox_n church_n and_o that_o our_o ancestor_n never_o hold_v so_o so_o that_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n or_o belief_n of_o ancestor_n be_v hold_v by_o he_o a_o sole-sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o only_a answer_n to_o be_v give_v why_o we_o reject_v point_n from_o faith_n or_o admit_v they_o into_o it_o that_o be_v a_o evident_a reason_n for_o such_o a_o carriage_n for_o otherwise_o another_o answer_n will_v be_v requisite_a 12._o we_o will_v be_v short_a in_o the_o rest_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n stromatôn_n 7o._o as_o if_o one_o of_o a_o man_n become_v a_o beast_n like_o those_o infect_v by_o circe_n poison_n so_o he_o have_v forfeit_v his_o be_v a_o man-of-god_n and_o faithful_a to_o our_o lord_n who_o spurn_v against_o the_o church_n tradition_n and_o leap_v into_o opinion_n of_o human_a election_n basil_n against_o eunomius_n will_v thou_o have_v we_o all_o persuade_v by_o thou_o prefer_v your_o conceit_n before_o the_o tradition_n of_o faith_n which_o perpetual_o have_v conquer_v under_o so_o many_o holy_a man_n and_o speak_v against_o two_o other_o heretic_n sabellius_n and_o arius_n let_v tradition_n bridle_v thou_o our_o lord_n teach_v thus_o the_o apostle_n preach_v it_o the_o father_n conserve_v it_o our_o ancestor_n confirm_v it_o be_v content_a to_o say_v as_o thou_o be_v teach_v we_o have_v it_o clear_v then_o that_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a that_o be_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n see_v corol._n 4._o that_o all_o be_v man_n conceit_n and_o arbitrary_a opinion_n which_o the_o word_n heresy_n import_v that_o be_v opposite_a to_o tradition_n we_o have_v last_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o faith_n descent_n from_o christ_n to_o we_o yet_o not_o a_o word_n of_o descend_v by_o scripture_n or_o letter_n in_o book_n but_o by_o the_o way_n of_o preach_v and_o teach_v that_o be_v oral_a delivery_n and_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n 13._o i_o omit_v many_o other_o father_n but_o i_o must_v not_o s._n austin_n ea_fw-la potius_fw-la credam_fw-la etc._n etc._n i_o will_v rather_o believe_v say_v he_o contra_fw-la epistolam_fw-la fundamenti_fw-la those_o thing_n which_o be_v celebrate_v now_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o be_v confirm_v throughout_o all_o nation_n by_o most_o grave_a authority_n and_o again_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v of_o force_n to_o cause_n faith_n and_o assurance_n which_o authority_n from_o the_o best_a establish_a seat_n of_o the_o apostle_n even_o to_o this_o very_a day_n be_v strengthen_v by_o the_o series_n of_o bishop_n succeed_v they_o and_o by_o the_o assertion_n of_o so_o many_o nation_n in_o both_o place_n he_o he_o make_v the_o consent_n of_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a bishop_n and_o conspire_a people_n continue_v down_o to_o these_o day_n that_o be_v the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a or_o tradition_n the_o most_o grave_a authority_n apt_a to_o ascertain_v we_o and_o cause_n faith_n that_o be_v he_o make_v tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o build_v its_o strength_n as_o we_o also_o do_v on_o the_o multitude_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o asserter_n or_o testifier_n of_o its_o descent_n also_o in_o his_o 58._o epistle_n the_o faithful_a say_v he_o do_v possess_v persevere_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n common_a to_o little_a and_o great_a in_o the_o church_n where_o every_o word_n be_v emphatical_a that_o the_o church_n voice_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o this_o rule_n be_v common_a to_o learued_a and_o unlearned_a that_o be_v able_a to_o satisfy_v the_o acute_a discourser_n and_o yet_o understandable_a by_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a last_o that_o they_o hold_v it_o and_o that_o persevere_o or_o unshaken_o which_o show_v it_o self-evident_a else_o both_o the_o unlearned_a at_o least_o may_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o it_o see_v disc._n 5._o §_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o 14._o thus_o much_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o tradition_n it_o be_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n certain_a and_o uninterrupted_a but_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v who_o enjoy_v this_o tradition_n or_o what_o point_n have_v be_v hand_v down_o by_o it_o from_o the_o beginning_n must_v we_o not_o run_v to_o private_a exposition_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o or_o at_o least_o to_o library_n of_o book_n write_v in_o all_o former_a age_n to_o see_v if_o perhaps_o their_o author_n mightâ—have_v dream_v of_o our_o now_o difficulty_n and_o then_o prophesy_v we_o a_o satisfaction_n so_o express_v and_o ample_a that_o no_o cavil_n can_v avoid_v it_o no_o we_o have_v manifest_a certainty_n of_o it_o other_o way_n if_o we_o may_v trust_v the_o father_n we_o will_v only_o allege_v two_o both_o very_a ancient_n and_o great_a master_n of_o controversy_n against_o the_o heretic_n of_o their_o time_n s._n ireneus_fw-la lib._n 1._o cap._n 3._o all_o those_o who_o will_v hear_v truth_n may_v at_o present_v perfect_o discern_v adest_fw-la perspicere_fw-la in_o the_o church_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n manifest_a in_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o present_a church_n proceed_v upon_o or_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n that_o what_o it_o teach_v now_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o tertullian_n contra_fw-la marcionem_fw-la that_o be_v manifest_o true_a which_o be_v first_o that_o first_o which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n that_o from_o the_o beginning_n which_o be_v from_o the_o apostle_n in_o like_a manner_n that_o will_v manifest_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n which_o shall_v be_v establish_v as_o sacred_a in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o apostle_n where_o first_o he_o ascend_v and_o confound_v novelty_n or_o heresy_n by_o show_v that_o the_o priority_n of_o what_o they_o leave_v argue_v it_o to_o have_v be_v ever_o or_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o true_a and_o then_o prove_v and_o manifest_o too_o that_o that_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v find_v establish_v that_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o all_o his_o former_a doctrine_n run_v as_o sacred_a in_o the_o church_n at_o present_a which_o be_v found_v by_o the_o apostle_n but_o he_o be_v yet_o more_o express_a in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o the_o same_o heretic_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v a_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o what_o be_v at_o this_o present_a day_n profess_v for_o such_o in_o their_o church_n so_o that_o he_o send_v we_o not_o to_o volume_n of_o history_n and_o other_o writer_n which_o if_o tradition_n can'fail_v be_v of_o no_o authority_n to_o find_v what_o be_v the_o ancient_a or_o primitive_a tradition_n or_o what_o the_o apostle_n teach_v or_o deliver_v but_o only_o to_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o present_a church_n which_o have_v be_v but_o a_o weak_a procedure_n in_o case_n their_o hold_v now_o a_o thing_n deliver_v be_v not_o argumentative_a that_o it_o be_v deliver_v ever_o which_o be_v the_o substance_n of_o my_o proof_n a_o posteriori_fw-la for_o the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n and_o lest_o it_o shall_v be_v imagine_v that_o this_o argument_n lose_v its_o force_n by_o tract_n of_o time_n or_o the_o long-continuance_n of_o the_o church_n peter_n chrysologus_fw-la in_o his_o 85._o sermon_n secure_v we_o from_o that_o danger_n a_o christian_a mind_n know_v not_o how_o to_o bring_v into_o dispute_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v strengthen_v by_o tradition_n of_o the_o father_n and_o even_o ipsis_fw-la temporibus_fw-la by_o time_n
form_n of_o word_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o bless_a peter_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o father_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o orthodox_n from_o which_o testimony_n note_v we_o 17._o first_o that_o the_o council_n in_o every_o session_n not_o one_o except_v where_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v handle_v constant_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n second_o it_o lay_v claim_v perpetual_o to_o vninterruptedness_n of_o this_o tradition_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o word_n ever_o always_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o beginning_n from_o the_o apostle_n have_v come_v down_o by_o hand_n to_o we_o the_o church_n have_v always_o understand_v hold_v open_o profess_v teach_v have_v ever_o keep_v and_o will_v ever_o keep_v perpetual_o commend_v by_o our_o father_n have_v learn_v by_o tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n have_v ever_o observe_v and_o such_o like_a plain_o show_v that_o this_o persuasion_n of_o our_o faith_n descent_n uninterrupted_o be_v deep_o and_o unanimous_o root_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o strengthen_v our_o doctrine_n disc._n 8._o §_o 2._o and_o 3._o 3_o it_o make_v the_o suggestion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o sanctity_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a efficacious_a to_o perpetuate_v the_o delivery_n of_o receive_a doctrine_n see_v sess._n 6._o decreto_fw-la de_fw-la justificatione_n sess._n 13._o de_fw-fr ss_z euchar._n sacramento_n and_o many_o other_o place_n the_o very_a point_n i_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v in_o my_o 9_o discourse_n 4_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o it_o mention_n the_o holy_a scripture_n also_o with_o tradition_n yet_o this_o be_v both_o very_o rare_o and_o when_o it_o do_v so_o it_o only_o express_v that_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o they_o but_o when_o it_o bring_v place_n of_o scripture_n to_o ground_n definition_n upon_o it_o perpetual_o profess_v to_o interpret_v they_o by_o tradition_n which_o be_v most_o evident_a both_o by_o its_o decree_a this_o in_o common_a sess._n 4._o that_o none_o dare_v to_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n against_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o holy_a mother_n the_o church_n have_v hold_v and_o do_v hold_v mean_v that_o sense_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o rule_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n by_o see_v corol._n 30._o as_o also_o by_o several_a instance_n sess._n 5._o §_o 4._o sess._n 14._o can._n 3._o sess._n 22._o cap._n 1._o and_o to_o omit_v other_o in_o that_o most_o remarkable_a plaâ—e_n sess._n 14._o in_o which_o after_o the_o text_n of_o s._n iamesâ—lledged_v â—lledg'd_z for_o extreme_a unction_n the_o council_n subjoin_v in_o which_o word_n as_o the_o church_n have_v learn_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n be_v teach_v etc._n etc._n where_o tradition_n be_v most_o evident_o make_v the_o rule_n which_o instruct_v and_o guide_v the_o church_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o council_n no_o where_o ground_n any_o definition_n on_o scripture_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n she_o ground_n her_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n on_o tradition_n which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o the_o council_n make_v tradition_n her_o only_a rule_n to_o know_v certain_o christ_n sense_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v in_o proper_a speak_n the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n 18._o but_o why_o then_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n make_v use_v of_o at_o all_o by_o the_o council_n and_o that_o so_o solemn_o nay_o and_o which_o be_v to_o be_v note_v constant_o put_v before_o tradition_n to_o satisfy_v full_o this_o difficulty_n it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a season_n at_o present_a yet_o be_v a_o good_a point_n and_o worth_a clear_n i_o will_v not_o total_o neglect_v it_o we_o may_v observe_v then_o that_o when_o we_o read_v any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o author_n we_o much_o esteem_v but_o yet_o such_o a_o book_n as_o require_v study_v aristotle_n for_o example_n or_o some_o other_o such_o who_o we_o hold_v scientifical_a we_o sometime_o hope_v well_o as_o it_o be_v when_o we_o apply_v our_o own_o industry_n to_o find_v out_o his_o meaning_n and_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o respect_n for_o what_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v his_o sense_n yet_o his_o authority_n take_v not_o full_a hold_n of_o our_o understanding_n by_o reason_n the_o way_n we_o take_v be_v not_o evident_o convictive_a that_o this_o be_v his_o certain_a sense_n but_o if_o the_o point_n he_o write_v on_o be_v first_o clear_v to_o we_o through_o a_o scientifical_a discourse_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n make_v by_o some_o interpreter_n verse_v in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o perfect_o acquaint_v with_o his_o meaning_n we_o have_v as_o it_o be_v new_a eye_n give_v we_o to_o look_v deep_o and_o thorough_o into_o his_o sense_n and_o by_o this_o security_n of_o arrive_v at_o it_o his_o authority_n in_o case_n we_o high_o esteem_v it_o have_v now_o its_o full_a force_n upon_o we_o to_o strengthen_v our_o assent_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o power_n it_o have_v upon_o our_o understanding_n now_o what_o a_o well-skilled_a and_o insighted_a interpreter_n or_o scientifical_a explicater_v of_o the_o point_n be_v to_o such_o a_o author_n the_o same_o be_v tradition_n to_o scripture_n for_o this_o bring_v down_o certain_o christ_n sense_n in_o every_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o easy_o and_o secure_o guide_v we_o to_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n in_o those_o passage_n which_o concern_v such_o a_o point_n whereas_o the_o wordish_a way_n of_o grammar_n and_o criticism_n be_v evident_a by_o principle_n to_o be_v ambiguous_a and_o by_o experience_n to_o lead_v man_n into_o different_a sense_n it_o can_v never_o satisfy_v we_o thorough_o that_o the_o sense_n we_o arrive_v at_o by_o this_o method_n be_v infallible_o the_o true_a one_o or_o christ_n and_o so_o never_o engage_v certain_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o scripture_n thus_o interpret_v be_v of_o sleight_n force_n and_o at_o best_a good_a only_o for_o ecclesiastical_a rhetoric_n or_o sermon_n where_o the_o concern_n be_v not_o much_o if_o the_o preacher_n miss_v in_o this_o particular_a passage_n so_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o point_n he_o preach_v on_o or_o his_o text_n be_v true_o christ_n doctrine_n nor_o be_v scripture_n thus_o interpret_v even_o a_o competent_a proof_n in_o the_o science_n of_o school-divinity_n as_o be_v uncertain_a and_o so_o unapt_a to_o beget_v science_n whence_o intelligent_a divine_n quote_v and_o build_n on_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v suppose_v to_o judge_v the_o sense_n they_o build_v on_o to_o be_v the_o church_n and_o so_o they_o be_v presume_v to_o go_v to_o work_v as_o faithful_a or_o part_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la or_o else_o they_o lay_v true_a science_n first_o which_o be_v ever_o agreeable_a to_o faith_n and_o so_o when_o any_o text_n concern_v a_o demonstrate_v point_n they_o know_v by_o science_n what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o that_o point_n must_v be_v much_o less_o be_v scripture_n wordish_o interpret_v apt_a to_o build_v faith_n on_o the_o unwaveringness_n of_o which_o kind_n of_o assent_n must_v be_v ground_v and_o secure_a in_o the_o principle_n which_o beget_v it_o and_o not_o mere_o actual_o such_o as_o it_o be_v by_o accident_n whereas_o interpretation_n thus_o make_v faith_n principle_n in_o this_o case_n be_v liable_a to_o possible_a if_o not_o probable_a mistake_n this_o will_v be_v clear_a by_o a_o parallel_n make_v by_o a_o learned_a author_n worth_a insert_v because_o it_o strengthen_v our_o discourse_n by_o a_o new_a consideration_n let_v a_o critic_n and_o a_o skill_a carpenter_n read_v vitruvius_n his_o book_n of_o architecture_n the_o critic_n have_v but_o a_o dim_a dry_a and_o uncertain_a conceit_n of_o what_o he_o read_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o the_o carpenter_n or_o architect_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o principle_n and_o practice_n he_o have_v already_o of_o those_o matter_n understand_v he_o more_o thorough_o and_o make_v lively_a and_o firm_a conceit_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o what_o he_o write_v such_o be_v the_o practical_a way_n of_o know_v christ_n sense_n or_o tradition_n to_o the_o interpret_n scripture_n use_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o critical_a method_n affect_v by_o other_o in_o a_o word_n tradition_n give_v we_o christ_n sense_n that_o be_v the_o life_n of_o the_o letter_n ascertaind_v to_o our_o hand_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o move_v the_o letter_n its_o body_n natural_o the_o other_o way_n take_v the_o dead_a letter_n and_o endeavour_n to_o move_v it_o artificial_o to_o counterfeit_v that_o life_n which_o it_o true_o want_v 19_o to_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o our_o matter_n in_o hand_n tradition_n secure_v to_o we_o the_o scripture_n letter_n true_o significative_a of_o christ_n sense_n and_o also_o the_o
to_o demonstration_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n not_o to_o note_v the_o unconsonancy_n of_o this_o carriage_n i_o shall_v yield_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o demonstration_n but_o only_a probability_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o he_o and_o to_o make_v this_o serious_a protestation_n for_o myself_o that_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o very_o dishonest_a do_v i_o assert_v and_o press_v on_o other_o any_o argument_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n which_o i_o judge_v not_o evident_a that_o be_v demonstrative_a this_o i_o hope_v will_v secure_v the_o honesty_n of_o my_o intention_n however_o my_o weakness_n may_v permit_v i_o to_o fail_v in_o my_o performance_n after_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o forestall_v my_o reason_n for_o the_o point_n in_o these_o word_n 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 that_o 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 do_v which_o word_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o review_v and_o note_n for_o thence_o my_o discourse_n take_v its_o rise_n 13._o what_o be_v it_o then_o that_o we_o affirm_v the_o late_a age_n oblige_v to_o hold_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n hold_v and_o act_v wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o build_v their_o house_n no_o for_o both_o those_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v of_o trivial_a concern_v and_o the_o fashion_n of_o both_o depend_v on_o fancy_n which_o be_v too_o sleight_v a_o principle_n to_o oblige_v to_o a_o constancy_n what_o be_v it_o then_o to_o manage_v their_o estate_n thus_o or_o thus_o no_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n or_o convenience_n of_o the_o different_a way_n be_v perhaps_o hold_v not_o very_o material_a and_o the_o judge_v which_o be_v best_a depend_v upon_o prudential_n principles_n which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n variable_a and_o accommodable_a to_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o not_o oblige_v they_o to_o think_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v let_v we_o proceed_v be_v it_o some_o piece_n of_o skill_n or_o a_o speculative_a opinion_n depend_v on_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o the_o ancestor_n knowledge_n no_o for_o experience_n teach_v that_o man_n differ_v in_o such_o judgement_n and_o be_v errable_a it_o can_v never_o oblige_v posterity_n to_o believe_v unalterable_o as_o they_o do_v be_v it_o then_o some_o historical_a passage_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o great_a note_n and_o as_o such_o apt_a to_o strike_v their_o fancy_n strong_o yet_o still_o such_o as_o the_o succeed_a age_n be_v not_o high_o concern_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o for_o example_n that_o of_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n to_o the_o asian_a and_o grecian_a offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age_n after_o no_o yet_o experience_n tell_v we_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o be_v fresh_a and_o lively_a even_o among_o we_o who_o be_v not_o the_o immediate_a descendants_n of_o those_o where_o he_o conquer_v though_o some_o thousand_o of_o year_n since_o 14._o before_o we_o go_v any_o further_a let_v we_o examine_v how_o this_o history_n come_v to_o obtain_v so_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a a_o belief_n from_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o this_o very_a day_n and_o first_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a speculater_n that_o can_v think_v the_o universal_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v cause_v by_o book_n curtius_n his_o history_n for_o example_n for_o since_o all_o mankind_n know_v natural_o that_o falsehood_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v character_v in_o letter_n as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_o the_o continue_a belief_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o sense_n in_o man_n heart_n of_o its_o truth_n that_o be_v human_a tradition_n which_o give_v that_o book_n all_o its_o authority_n and_o secure_v its_o strange_a content_n from_o be_v hold_v romanical_a which_o the_o very_a being-writ_a can_v never_o have_v do_v let_v we_o see_v next_o whence_o this_o human_a tradition_n have_v its_o force_n to_o continue_v hitherto_o so_o settle_v and_o unalterable_a a_o persuasion_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n and_o look_v into_o the_o thing_n for_o proper_a cause_n that_o be_v the_o best_a demonstrative_a medium_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o object_n itself_o be_v very_o universal_a strange_a notorious_a and_o hold_v of_o concern_v to_o the_o then_o liver_n which_o make_v their_o heart_n and_o fancy_n full_a of_o it_o and_o so_o oblige_v they_o to_o burst_v out_o into_o expression_n of_o it_o and_o relate_v it_o to_o their_o offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age._n i_o but_o what_o oblige_v the_o offspring_n to_o believe_v their_o forefather_n tell_v it_o and_o to_o act_v or_o talk_v of_o it_o again_o to_o their_o child_n as_o the_o father_n do_v without_o which_o obligation_n it_o can_v not_o have_v descend_v to_o we_o regard_v once_o more_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v discover_v that_o it_o be_v imprint_v into_o the_o offspring_n by_o the_o forefather_n testify_v what_o their_o sense_n have_v tell_v they_o which_o put_v common_a sense_n inform_v they_o the_o thing_n be_v infallibly-true_a and_o as_o certain_a as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v it_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n for_o no_o reach_n of_o reason_n but_o only_a extravagance_n of_o madness_n can_v have_v furnish_v they_o with_o any_o imaginable_a motive_n why_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v they_o or_o be_v decievable_a in_o their_o sensation_n by_o this_o mean_v the_o conceit_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o main_a for_o circumstantial_a consideration_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a to_o all_o at_o first_o and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v universal_o deliver_v as_o ascertain_v by_o sense_n be_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o firmness_n and_o certainty_n rivet_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o next_o age_n and_o so_o there_o be_v necessary_o in_o the_o rational_a part_n of_o the_o world_n some_o curious_a person_n who_o nature_n herself_o can_v not_o but_o incline_v to_o a_o inquisitiveness_n of_o what_o be_v do_v former_o and_o other_o too_o natural_o incline_v to_o tell_v it_o child_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o and_o delight_v with_o hear_v such_o strange-true_a story_n it_o go_v down_o continue_v by_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n to_o our_o very_a day_n 15._o but_o we_o have_v over-shot_a our_o mark_n the_o question_n be_v of_o the_o obligation_n not_o to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o forefather_n from_o age_n to_o age._n and_o it_o be_v already_o evident_a that_o the_o second_o age_n after_o alexander_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o first_o because_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n what_o be_v do_v but_o how_o can_v those_o in_o the_o three_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o second_o who_o see_v it_o not_o to_o answer_v this_o we_o must_v ask_v whether_o the_o three_o age_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o the_o second_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o first_o age_n tell_v they_o and_o the_o notoriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v no_o speculation_n but_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n secure_v that_o or_o conspire_v to_o bely_v the_o second_o age_n authority_n and_o common_a reason_n satisfy_v they_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o honesty_n of_o the_o person_n their_o consent_n and_o the_o disinteressedness_n of_o the_o position_n that_o they_o can_v not_o thus_o conspire_v even_o the_o rude_a have_v a_o demonstration_n the_o second_o age_n true_o testify_v what_o the_o first_o say_v and_o so_o those_o of_o the_o three_o age_n have_v the_o first_o age_n authority_n certain_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o by_o mean_n of_o its_o authority_n its_o sensation_n too_o and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n spring_v from_o that_o experimential_a perception_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o the_o three_o age_n as_o it_o do_v upon_o the_o second_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n upon_o the_o the_o four_o five_o and_o five_o hundred_o while_o it_o be_v know_v to_o have_v come_v down_o by_o the_o way_n of_o testification_n and_o this_o be_v know_v by_o its_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n as_o testify_v for_o if_o the_o second_o age_n can_v not_o tell_v the_o three_o it_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o first_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v so_o testify_v the_o same_o reason_n i_o have_v assign_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o that_o will_v hold_v for_o each_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v it_o will_v follow_v no_o age_n can_v say_v a_o former_a age_n testifyd_v so_o unless_o they_o do_v so_o whence_o nothing_o can_v come_v in_o as_o testify_v by_o a_o former_a age_n unless_o thus_o testifyd_v if_o therefore_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n receive_v a_o thing_n as_o testify_v suppose_v the_o notoreity_n of_o it_o secure_v the_o thing_n