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ground_n authority_n church_n faith_n 5,185 5 6.2589 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61594 A reply to Mr. J.S. his 3d. appendix containing some animadversions on the book entituled, A rational account of the grounds of Protestant religion. By Ed. Stillingfleet B.D. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1666 (1666) Wing S5630; ESTC R34612 48,337 128

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more_o open_o than_o this_o author_n do_v for_o he_o plain_o confess_v that_o his_o catholic_n gentleman_n go_v quite_o beside_o his_o business_n that_o he_o build_v upon_o indefensible_a principle_n that_o his_o theological_a ratiocination_n be_v indeed_o pretty_a but_o too_o weak_a to_o hold_v and_o be_v not_o we_o huge_o too_o blame_v if_o we_o do_v not_o cry_v up_o such_o mighty_a conqueror_n as_o these_o be_v true_o sir_n i_o expect_v the_o very_a same_o answer_n shall_v be_v return_v to_o your_o book_n that_o mr._n s_n argument_n be_v a_o pretty_a theological_a ratiocination_n and_o that_o your_o answer_n be_v not_o unwitty_a but_o though_o that_o way_n will_v not_o hold_v another_o will_n thus_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v off_o infallibility_n they_o run_v to_o tradition_n and_o when_o they_o be_v again_o beat_v off_o tradition_n than_o back_o again_o to_o infallibility_n so_o that_o the_o short_a of_o all_o their_o answer_n be_v though_o such_o a_o one_o can_v defend_v our_o faith_n yet_o i_o can_v though_o i_o can_v yet_o the_o fai●●s_n firm_a and_o constant_a still_o i_o wonder_v what_o their_o superior_n think_v of_o this_o ●ay_n of_o proceed_v among_o they_o we_o ●hould_v imagine_v if_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a ●s_n they_o say_v themselves_o they_o have_v much_o ●etter_o keep_v they_o from_o appear_v abroad_o and_o expose_v their_o cause_n so_o ridiculous_o to_o contempt_n but_o it_o may_v ●e_v they_o think_v their_o faith_n be_v the_o bet●er_n as_o well_o as_o their_o devotion_n for_o their_o ●gnorance_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o ●ighty_a disparagement_n to_o their_o cause_n ●or_a such_o silly_a people_n to_o be_v able_a to_o de●end_v it_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o to_o admire_v it_o themselves_o and_o to_o say_v as_o ●heir_v common_a people_n use_v to_o do_v though_o ●hey_n can_v defend_v it_o yet_o there_o be_v ●ome_o that_o can_v and_o although_o it_o ●ay_v be_v no_o particular_a person_n can_v do_v ●_o yet_o their_o cause_n be_v 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●_o 229._o etc._n etc._n p._n 231._o p._n 234._o p._n 235._o p._n 236._o p._n 237._o §._o 17._o p._n 238._o p._n 239._o §._o 18._o p_o 240._o p._n 241._o p._n 242._o p._n 243._o §._o 19_o p._n 244._o p._n 210._o p._n 2●9_n
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principle_n that_o 4._o the_v be_v to_o be_v embrace_v but_o what_o 〈◊〉_d derive_v by_o tradition_n from_o the_o a●tles_n how_o do_v it_o thence_o follow_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v admit_v into_o th●_n church_n but_o what_o be_v real_o so_o derive●_n from_o they_o do_v we_o not_o see_v in_o th●_n world_n at_o this_o day_n that_o among_o tho●_n who_o own_o this_o principle_n contradictor_n proposition_n be_v believe_v and_o bo●_n side_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v on_o this_o account_n b●_n cause_n their_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v ●_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o the_o greek_a chur●_n profess_v to_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o well_o the_o latin_a if_o that_o tradition_n fail_v the_o greek_a church_n which_o be_v preseru_v in_o the_o latin_a either_o mr._n s._n must_v instance_n on_o his_o own_o principle_n in_o th●_n age_n which_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v t●_n next_o or_o he_o must_v acknowledge_v t●_n while_o man_n own_o tradition_n they_o may_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o forego_n ●_o teach_v they_o and_o consequent_o th●_n thing_n may_v be_v admit_v as_o doctri●_fw-la come_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o w●_n not_o so_o and_o some_o which_o do_v may_n lose_v and_o yet_o the_o pretence_n of_o tradit●_n remain_v still_o what_o self-evidence_n t●_n can_v there_o be_v in_o this_o principle_n w●_n two_o part_n of_o the_o church_n may_v b●_n own_v it_o and_o yet_o believe_v contradicti●_n on_o the_o account_n of_o it_o it_o be_v then_o wo●_n our_o inquire_v what_o self-evidence_n this_o be_v which_o mr._n s._n speak_v so_o much_o of_o which_o be_v neither_o more_o nor_o less_o but_o that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v eye_n ear_n and_o other_o 205._o ●enses_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 frequent_o inculcate_v action_n which_o ●s_v so_o very_o reasonable_a a_o postulatum_fw-la that_o suppose_v none_o who_o enjoy_v any_o of_o these_o will_v deny_v it_o let_v we_o therefore_o see_v how_o ●he_n proceed_v upon_o it_o if_o you_o disprove_v ●his_fw-la i_o doubt_v we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n the_o ●bject_n we_o speak_v of_o and_o till_o you_o disprove_v ●t_a 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 on_o experience_n can_v possible_o ●ermit_v man_n to_o be_v deceivable_a big_a word_n indeed_o but_o such_o as_o evidence_n that_o all_o man_n who_o be_v in_o their_o wit_n do_v not_o constant_o 〈◊〉_d they_o for_o i_o pray_v sir_n what_o do_v mr._n s._n think_v of_o the_o greek_a church_n ●ad_v not_o those_o in_o it_o eye_n ear_n and_o other_o ●●ses_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o latin_a do_v not_o they_o pretond_v and_o appeal_v to_o what_o they_o ●eceived_v from_o their_o forefather_n as_o well_o ●s_v
what_o be_v deliver_v but_o under_o what_o notion_n it_o be_v deliver_v whether_o as_o a_o allowable_a opinion_n or_o a_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n but_o if_o several_a person_n nay_o multitude_n in_o the_o church_n may_v have_v different_a notion_n as_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o same_o point_n by_o what_o mean_n shall_v we_o discern_v what_o be_v deliver_v as_o a_o opinion_n in_o the_o church_n and_o what_o as_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n but_o mr._n s._n throughout_o his_o discourse_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n of_o believe_v and_o deliver_v all_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o still_o suppose_v the_o same_o sacredness_n concern_v necessity_n in_o deliver_v all_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n between_o the_o romanist_n and_o we_o as_o there_o be_v in_o those_o main_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o and_o we_o be_v agree_v in_o which_o be_v so_o extravagant_a a_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v it_o shall_v ever_o enter_v into_o the_o head_n of_o a_o person_n pretend_v to_o reason_n but_o as_o extravagant_a as_o it_o be_v it_o be_v that_o without_o which_o his_o whole_a fabric_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n for_o suppose_v we_o shall_v grant_v he_o that_o the_o infinite_a error_n which_o depend_v on_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n shall_v be_v of_o so_o prevalent_a nature_n with_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v any_o one_o age_n shall_v neglect_v the_o know_v they_o or_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o age_n about_o they_o yet_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o difference_n between_o we_o will_n mr._n s._n prove_v the_o same_o sacredness_n necessity_n concern_v and_o miraculous_o attestedness_n as_o he_o phrase_n it_o in_o the_o invocation_n of_o saint_n purgatory_n transubstantiation_n supremacy_n etc._n etc._n as_o in_o the_o believe_v the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n if_o he_o do_v not_o prove_v this_o he_o do_v nothing_o for_o his_o argument_n may_v hold_v for_o doctrine_n judge_v universal_o necessary_a but_o for_o no_o other_o therefore_o mr._n s._n have_v a_o new_a task_n which_o he_o think_v not_o of_o which_o be_v to_o manifest_v that_o these_o can_v not_o be_v look_v on_o as_o opinion_n but_o be_v embrace_v as_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n for_o unless_o he_o prove_v they_o such_o he_o can_v neither_o prove_v any_o obligation_n in_o parent_n to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n nor_o in_o child_n to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v but_o only_o to_o hold_v they_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n which_o they_o do_v themselves_o when_o mr._n s._n will_v undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n from_o the_o time_n of_o christ_n do_v agree_v in_o the_o point_n in_o difference_n between_o we_o as_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n i_o may_v more_o easy_o believe_v that_o no_o age_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o or_o offer_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o about_o they_o but_o when_o mr._n s._n reflect_v on_o his_o frequent_a concession_n that_o there_o be_v private_a opinion_n in_o the_o church_n distinct_a from_o matter_n of_o faith_n he_o must_v remember_v before_o he_o can_v bring_v home_o his_o ground_n to_o the_o case_n between_o their_o church_n and_o we_o that_o he_o must_v prove_v none_o of_o the_o thing_n in_o debate_n be_v ever_o entertain_v as_o private_a opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o that_o which_o be_v a_o private_a opinion_n in_o one_o age_n to_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o next_o but_o because_o this_o distinction_n of_o his_o 6._o ruin_n his_o whole_a demonstration_n i_o shall_v ●irst_n propound_v it_o in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o ●hen_o show_v how_o from_o thence_o it_o follow_v ●hat_n error_n may_v come_v into_o the_o church_n and_o be_v entertain_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n his_o word_n be_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o we_o have_v but_o two_o way_n of_o ordinary_a knowledge_n 203._o by_o act_n of_o our_o soul_n or_o operation_n ●n_v our_o body_n that_o be_v by_o reason_n and_o expe●ience_n the_o former_a of_o which_o belong_v to_o ●peculators_n or_o doctor_n the_o second_o to_o deliverer_n of_o what_o be_v receive_v or_o testi●iers_n and_o this_o distinction_n he_o frequent_o admit_v not_o only_o in_o the_o present_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o in_o any_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v hold_v in_o all_o from_o ●ence_n i_o propose_v several_a query_n further_o to_o mr._n s._n 1._o if_o every_o one_o in_o the_o church●ooked_a ●ooked_z on_o himself_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v ●ust_z as_o the_o precedent_a age_n do_v whence_o come_v any_o to_o have_v particular_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o for_o either_o the_o church●ad_v ●ad_z deliver_v her_o sense_n in_o that_o case_n or_o not_o if_o not_o than_o tradition_n be_v no_o certain_a conveyer_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n ●f_o she_o have_v than_o those_o who_o vent_v private_a speculation_n be_v heretic_n in_o so_o do_v because_o they_o oppose_v that_o doctrine_n which_o the_o church_n receive_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n if_o mr._n s._n replie●_n that_o private_a speculation_n be_v in_o such_o case●_n where_o there_o be_v no_o matter_n of_o faith_n at_o all_o he_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o help_v himself_o by_o that_o distinction_n in_o the_o case_n of_o hi●_n own_o church_n for_o i_o demand_v whether_o i●_n it_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o man_n ought_v to_o believe_v oral_a tradition_n infallible_a i●_n not_o how_o can_v man_n ground_v their_o faith_n upon_o it_o if_o it_o be_v then_o either_o some_o be_v mere_a speculator_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o all_o who_o believe_v on_o the_o account_n o●_n the_o pope_n infallibility_n be_v heretic_n for_o so_o do_v 2._o if_o there_o be_v speculator_n in_o former_a age_n as_o well_o as_o this_o whether_o do_v those_o man_n believe_v their_o own_o speculation_n or_o no_o if_o not_o than_o the_o ●_z be_v great_a impostor_n who_o vent_v those_o speculation_n in_o the_o church_n which_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o and_o it_o i●_n plain_a mr._n s._n speak_v of_o such_o opinion_n which_o the_o asserter_n of_o do_v firm_o believe_v to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o they_o do_v than_o they_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o be_v not_o found_v on_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n and_o consequent_o do_v not_o own_o oral_a tradition_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o as_o many_o speculator_n as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o church_n so_o many_o testifier_n we_o have_v against_o the_o in●libility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 3._o whether_o those_o person_n who_o do_v themselves_o believe_v those_o opinion_n to_o be_v true_a do_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o tell_v other_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v they_o and_o consequent_o to_o deliver_v these_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o their_o child_n let_v mr._n s._n show_v i_o any_o inconsequence_n in_o this_o but_o that_o it_o unavoidable_o follow_v upon_o his_o principle_n that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o receive_v as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o obligation_n be_v in_o all_o respect_v equal_a as_o if_o they_o have_v believe_v these_o thing_n on_o the_o account_n of_o oral_a tradition_n 4_o if_o child_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o parent_n teach_v they_o for_o matter_n of_o faith_n then_o upon_o mr._n s_n own_o concession_n be_v not_o posterity_n bind_v to_o believe_v something_o which_o original_o come_v not_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n for_o it_o appear_v in_o this_o case_n that_o the_o first_o rise_n be_v from_o a_o private_a opinion_n of_o some_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o believe_v these_o opinion_n themselves_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o propagate_v they_o to_o other_o 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no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o either_o then_o mr._n s._n must_v say_v there_o never_o be_v any_o private_a opinator_n or_o speculator_n in_o the_o church_n as_o distinct_a from_o testifier_n and_o then_o he_o unavoidable_o contradict_v himself_o or_o he_o must_v deny_v that_o posterity_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o forefather_n deliver_v they_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o destroy_v the_o force_n of_o his_o whole_a demonstration_n perhaps_o he_o will_v answer_v that_o child_n be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v what_o bare_o their_o parent_n or_o another_o number_n of_o person_n may_v deliver_v matter_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o every_o age_n deliver_v this_o ●ough_o the_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v say_v in_o ●e_a case_n yet_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a because_o it_o run_v man_n upon_o inextricable_a difficulty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o their_o resolve_v ●ith_o for_o suppose_v any_o child_n ●ught_v by_o 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not_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v the_o pope_n and_o council_n infallible_a in_o their_o decree_n and_o i_o hope_v the_o jesuit_n as_o little_a as_o mr._n s._n love_v they_o or_o they_o him_z may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o more_o than_o the_o bare_a possibility_n of_o this_o if_o they_o may_v believe_v this_o do_v it_o not_o necessary_o follow_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v matter_n of_o faith_n suppose_v then_o that_o transubstantiation_n supremacy_n invocation_n of_o saint_n be_v but_o private_a opinion_n before_o but_o be_v now_o define_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n these_o man_n can_v but_o look_v on_o themselves_o as_o much_o oblige_v to_o believe_v they_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v deliver_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n in_o every_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v it_o
be_v a_o novel_a fancy_n of_o some_o few_o half-catholicks_a in_o england_n and_o tend_v to_o subvert_v the_o roman_a church_n but_o be_v the_o present_a pope_n with_o mr._n s._n a_o private_a opinator_fw-la or_o be_v the_o last_o a_o mere_a schoolman_fw-mi i_o be_o sure_a what_o ever_o mr._n s._n think_v of_o he_o he_o think_v not_o so_o of_o himself_o when_o he_o say_v he_o be_v no_o divine_a in_o the_o controversy_n of_o jansenius_n do_v the_o court_n of_o rome_n signify_v no_o more_o with_o mr._n s._n then_o a_o company_n of_o scholastic_a pedant_n that_o know_v not_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o meddle_v not_o with_o the_o school_n but_o with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o present_a church_n and_o he_o who_o mr._n s._n own_v for_o the_o head_n of_o it_o and_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o his_o headship_n to_o condemn_v that_o doctrine_n which_o contain_v in_o it_o the_o only_a certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n mr._n s._n may_v 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rule_n of_o faith_n if_o i_o do_v this_o i_o confess_v myself_o satisfy_v in_o this_o enquiry_n but_o how_o much_o to_o the_o contrary_n be_v there_o very_o obvious_a in_o the_o proceed_n of_o it_o for_o in_o the_o 4._o session_n the_o decree_n be_v that_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n shall_v be_v embrace_v with_o equal_a piety_n and_o reverence_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v contain_v partly_o in_o scripture_n partly_o in_o tradition_n but_o what_o art_n must_v mr._n s._n use_v to_o infer_v from_o hence_o that_o oral_a tradition_n in_o contradistinction_n to_o scripture_n be_v look_v on_o as_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o can_v but_o say_v that_o the_o roll_a man_n of_o that_o council_n be_v man_n wise_a enough_o in_o their_o generation_n and_o they_o be_v too_o wise_a whole_o to_o exclude_v scripture_n but_o because_o they_o know_v that_o of_o itself_o can_v not_o serve_v their_o purpose_n they_o therefore_o help_v it_o out_o with_o 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teach_v they_o but_o what_o the_o father_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v in_o their_o write_n for_o by_o these_o they_o judge_v of_o tradition_n and_o not_o the_o oral_a way_n and_o therefore_o i_o see_v little_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v either_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n or_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o any_o number_n of_o roman_a catholic_n much_o less_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n none_o except_v as_o mr._n s._n in_o his_o 212._o confident_a way_n express_v it_o and_o if_o he_o will_v as_o he_o say_v disavow_v the_o maintain_v any_o point_n or_o affect_v any_o way_n which_o be_v not_o assent_v to_o by_o all_o i_o hope_v to_o see_v mr._n s._n retract_v this_o opinion_n and_o either_o fall_n in_o with_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n or_o return_v as_o reason_n lead_v he_o into_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v somewhat_o more_o in_o what_o follow_v viz._n that_o though_o schoolman_n question_v the_o personal_a infallibility_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o of_o the_o roman_a clergy_n nay_o of_o a_o general_n council_n yet_o all_o affirm_v the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n or_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a and_o this_o he_o faith_n be_v hold_v by_o all_o hold_v firm_o and_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a to_o this_o therefore_o i_o answer_v either_o mr._n s._n mean_n that_o none_o do_v affirm_v that_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a can_v err_v or_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o church_n essential_a can_v err_v in_o her_o tradition_n but_o which_o way_n soever_o he_o take_v it_o i_o shall_v easy_o show_v how_o far_o it_o be_v from_o prove_v that_o he_o design_v it_o for_o for_o if_o he_o take_v it_o in_o the_o first_o sense_n viz._n that_o all_o the_o faithful_a in_o all_o age_n can_v not_o concur_v in_o a_o error_n than_o he_o may_v as_o well_o prove_v protestant_n of_o his_o mind_n as_o papist_n for_o this_o be_v the_o foundation_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o particular_a book_n of_o scripture_n if_o this_o therefore_o prove_v any_o thing_n it_o prove_v more_o than_o he_o intend_v viz._n that_o while_o we_o thus_o oppose_v each_o other_o we_o do_v perfect_o agree_v together_o and_o true_o so_o we_o do_v as_o much_o as_o they_o do_v among_o themselves_o but_o if_o mr._n s_n meaning_n be_v that_o all_o of_o their_o religion_n own_o the_o roman_a church_n to_o be_v the_o church_n essential_a and_o on_o that_o account_n that_o it_o can_v err_v set_v aside_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o opinion_n itself_o i_o say_v from_o hence_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o they_o make_v or●l_a tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n because_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o ground_n why_o they_o say_v thei●_n church_n can_v err_v be_v not_o on_o mr._n s_n principle_n but_o on_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o infallible_a assistance_n which_o preserve_v that_o church_n from_o error_n so_o that_o this_o fall●_n far_o short_a of_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v all_o agree_v in_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o far_o from_o probability_n that_o he_o may_v by_o the_o same_o argument_n prove_v that_o scripture_n be_v own_v by_o they_o all_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v hold_v by_o all_o and_o hold_v firm_o that_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o god_n in_o scripture_n as_o deliver_v to_o we_o be_v infallible_a and_o if_o so_o then_o there_o be_v as_o much_o ground_n for_o this_o as_o the_o other_o but_o if_o we_o inquire_v what_o it_o be_v man_n make_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o must_v know_v not_o only_o that_o they_o believe_v tradition_n infallible_a but_o on_o what_o account_n they_o do_v so_o for_o if_o tradition_n be_v believe_v infallible_a bare_o on_o the_o account_n of_o a_o promise_n of_o infallibility_n to_o the_o present_a church_n than_o the_o resolution_n of_o say_v be_v not_o into_o the_o tradition_n but_o into_o that_o infallible_a assistance_n and_o consequent_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o what_o bare_a tradition_n deliver_v but_o what_o that_o church_n which_o can_v err_v in_o judge_a tradition_n do_v propose_v to_o we_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o their_o be_v agree_v in_o general_n that_o tradition_n be_v infallible_a do_v make_v they_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o they_o must_v agree_v in_o the_o ground_n of_o that_o infallibility_n viz._n that_o it_o depend_v on_o this_o that_o no_o age_n can_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o all_o person_n who_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o general_a reason_n why_o tradition_n be_v believe_v infallible_a be_v
234._o i_o can_v yet_o see_v but_o that_o therein_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o that_o which_o ●_o look_v for_o be_v a_o demonstration_n which_o i_o suppose_a can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v demonstrate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n christian_n nay_o romanist_n to_o believe_v on_o other_o account_n then_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o precedent_a age_n i_o pray_v what_o demonstration_n can_v there_o be_v that_o man_n must_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v sure_o if_o mr._n s_n fancy_n have_v not_o be_v very_o extravagant_a he_o can_v never_o have_v think_v here_o of_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v for_o do_v i_o not_o mention_v believe_v first_o and_o then_o do_v by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o i_o mean_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o flow_v from_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a deal_n as_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o for_o 235._o i_o be_o content_a his_o doctrine_n be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o i_o have_v now_o give_v a_o large_a and_o full_a account_n why_o i_o be_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v for_o resolve_v faith_n pass_v by_o therefore_o his_o challenge_n which_o i_o accept_v of_o as_o long_o as_o he_o hold_v to_o the_o weapon_n of_o reason_n and_o civility_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o last_o enquiry_n why_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o such_o a_o obligation_n 236._o in_o posterity_n to_o believe_v their_o ancestor_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o he_o judicious_o resolve_v it_o into_o a_o strange_a distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o such_o as_o it_o seem_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o protestant_n temper_n 237._o which_o be_v 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will_v not_o profess_v it_o but_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o noble_a science_n but_o to_o let_v he_o see_v that_o i_o will_v deal_v as_o plain_o with_o he_o as_o he_o do_v with_o i_o i_o will_v profess_v it_o that_o i_o not_o only_o think_v controversy_n as_o usual_o manage_v but_o some_o man_n way_n of_o demonstrate_v mr._n s._n may_v easy_o know_v who_o i_o mean_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a art_n of_o ●alking_v and_o nothing_o else_o but_o he_o take_v ●t_a to_o be_v a_o noble_a science_n yes_o doubtless_o ●f_n mr._n s._n manage_v it_o and_o he_o be_v the_o ●udge_n of_o it_o himself_o his_o meaning_n i_o suppose_v be_v by_o his_o follow_a word_n 240._o ●hat_n be_v go_v upon_o certain_a principle_n and_o ●e_n do_v not_o we_o have_v already_o see_v how_o ●ertain_a his_o principle_n have_v be_v and_o i_o ●hould_v be_v somewhat_o ashamed_a of_o my_o religion_n if_o i_o have_v no_o better_o but_o what_o ●ur_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v have_v be_v so_o ample_o discourse_v already_o by_o you_o 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shy_a of_o the_o word_n demonstration_n and_o infallibility_n they_o be_v such_o man_n as_o mr._n s._n have_v do_v it_o who_o talk_v of_o these_o thing_n when_o their_o argument_n fall_v beneath_o some_o of_o the_o remote_a probability_n we_o insist_v on_o nay_o if_o there_o be_v any_o force_n in_o his_o demonstration_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o have_v be_v use_v by_o we_o long_o before_o his_o book_n see_v the_o light_n but_o we_o love_v to_o give_v the_o true_a name_n to_o thing_n and_o not_o to_o lose_v our_o credit_n with_o all_o intelligent_a person_n by_o play_v mountebank_n in_o religion_n cry_v 〈◊〉_d those_o thing_n for_o infallible_a cure_n which_o a_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v discern_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o but_o be_v it_o any_o thin●_n but_o justice_n and_o reason_n in_o i_o to_o expe●●_n and_o call_v for_o a_o demonstration_n from_o they_o who_o talk_v of_o nothing_o under_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o demonstrate_v 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call_v they_o so_o yet_o ●_o shall_v think_v he_o much_o wise_a if_o he_o do_v not_o but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a 14._o debate_n of_o these_o thing_n i_o free_o tell_v he_o that_o i_o grant_v all_o he_o request_v ●_o shall_v take_v along_o with_o i_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n the_o doctrine_n an●_n 236._o practise_v speak_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o deliver_v they_o the_o necessary_a circumstance●_n which_o give_v weight_n to_o both_o yet_o for_o al●_n these_o i_o can_v look_v on_o his_o way_n as_o demonstrative_a and_o that_o both_o our_o meaning_n may_v be_v better_o understand_v it_o i●_n very_o necessary_a the_o reader_n shall_v hau●_n a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o if_o he_o will_v believe_v i_o i_o never_o intend_v to_o dispute_v with_o he_o or_o any_o one_o else_o whether_o me●_n be_v bind_v to_o wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o buil●_n house_n or_o manage_v estate_n just_a as_o thei●_n 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