Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n believe_v church_n infallible_a 3,076 5 10.3460 5 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62626 Sermons preach'd upon several occasions by his Grace John Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury ; the first volume.; Sermons. Selections Tillotson, John, 1630-1694. 1694 (1694) Wing T1260; ESTC R18444 149,531 355

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

to_o any_o thing_n as_o reveal_v by_o god_n can_v be_v deceive_v upon_o supposition_n that_o it_o be_v so_o reveal_v or_o else_o absolute_o that_o whoever_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o reveal_v by_o god_n can_v be_v deceive_v now_o although_o i_o do_v not_o in_o the_o passage_n forecited_a speak_v one_o syllable_n concern_v doctrine_n reveal_v by_o god_n yet_o i_o affirm_v and_o so_o will_v any_o man_n else_o that_o a_o assent_n to_o any_o doctrine_n as_o reveal_v by_o god_n if_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o he_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o this_o be_v only_o a_o infallibility_n upon_o supposition_n which_o amount_v to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o if_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o the_o principal_a design_n of_o mr._n s_n book_n be_v to_o prove_v this_o which_o i_o believe_v no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v ever_o so_o senseless_a as_o to_o deny_v but_o if_o he_o mean_v absolute_o that_o whoever_o assent_v to_o any_o doctrine_n as_o reveal_v by_o god_n can_v be_v deceive_v that_o be_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v mistake_v about_o matter_n of_o faith_n as_o he_o must_v mean_v if_o he_o pretend_v to_o have_v any_o adversary_n and_o do_v not_o fight_v only_o with_o his_o own_o shadow_n this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a assertion_n but_o i_o be_o much_o afraid_a it_o be_v not_o true_a or_o else_o last_o by_o faith_n he_o understand_v the_o mean_n and_o motive_n of_o faith_n and_o then_o the_o plain_a state_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o be_v this_o whether_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o christian_a belief_n to_o be_v infallible_o secure_v of_o the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o and_o of_o the_o firmness_n of_o the_o motive_n upon_o which_o our_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v ground_v this_o indeed_o be_v something_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o though_o in_o the_o passage_n before-cited_n i_o say_v not_o one_o word_n concern_v the_o motive_n of_o our_o belief_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n yet_o my_o discourse_n there_o be_v intend_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o doctrine_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o however_o i_o be_o content_v to_o join_v issue_n with_o mr._n s._n upon_o both_o these_o point_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o motive_n upon_o which_o any_o man_n believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n shall_v be_v absolute_o conclusive_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o it_o be_v necessary_a mr._n s._n several_a time_n affirm_v in_o his_o book_n but_o how_o unreasonable_o appear_v from_o certain_a and_o daily_a experience_n very_o many_o christian_n such_o as_o st._n austin_n speak_v of_o as_o save_v not_o by_o the_o quickness_n of_o their_o understanding_n but_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o belief_n do_v believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n upon_o incompetent_a ground_n and_o their_o belief_n be_v true_a though_o the_o argument_n upon_o which_o they_o ground_n it_o be_v not_o as_o mr._n s._n say_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o he_o that_o thus_o believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n if_o he_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o live_v according_o shall_v undoubted_o be_v save_v and_o yet_o i_o hope_v mr._n s._n will_v not_o say_v that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v save_v without_o true_a faith_n i_o may_v add_v that_o in_o this_o assertion_n mr._n s._n be_v plain_o contradict_v by_o those_o of_o his_o own_o church_n for_o they_o general_o grant_v that_o general_a council_n though_o they_o be_v infallible_a in_o their_o definition_n and_o conclusion_n yet_o be_v not_o always_o so_o in_o their_o argument_n and_o reason_n about_o they_o and_o the_o guide_n of_o controversy_n 35._o controversy_n p._n 35._o express_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o a_o divine_a faith_n shall_v always_o have_v a_o external_a rational_o infallible_a ground_n or_o motive_n thereto_o whether_o church_n authority_n or_o any_o other_o on_o his_o part_n that_o so_o believe_v here_o be_v a_o man_n of_o their_o own_o church_n avow_v this_o position_n that_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o desire_v mr._n s._n who_o be_v the_o very_a rule_n of_o controversy_n to_o do_v justice_n upon_o this_o false_a guide_n i_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o mr._n s._n attempt_n to_o prove_v this_o assertion_n and_o that_o by_o a_o very_a pleasant_a and_o surprise_v argument_n which_o be_v this_o the_o profound_a mystery_n o●_n faith_n he_o tell_v we_o 9●_n we_o faith_n vind_z p._n 9●_n must_v needs_o seem_v to_o some_o viz._n those_o who_o have_v no_o light_n but_o their_o pure_a natural_a reason_n 89._o reason_n p._n 89._o as_o he_o say_v before_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a which_o therefore_o nothing_o but_o a_o motive_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v conquer_v so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o conceit_n they_o real_o true_a what_o mr._n s._n here_o mean_v by_o a_o motive_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o can_v divine_v unless_o he_o mean_v a_o real_a seem_a impossibility_n but_o be_v that_o as_o it_o will_v do_v mr._n s._n in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v that_o a_o motive_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v any_o man_n that_o have_v and_o use_v the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n which_o must_v needs_o seem_v to_o he_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a in_o my_o opinion_n these_o two_o seem_a impossibility_n be_v so_o equal_o match_v that_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o draw_a battle_n between_o they_o suppose_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v be_v transubstantiation_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a profound_a mystery_n and_o be_v to_o speak_v in_o mr._n s_n phrase_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n so_o seem_o impossible_a that_o i_o know_v no_o argument_n in_o the_o world_n strong_a enough_o to_o cope_v with_o it_o and_o i_o challenge_v mr._n s._n to_o instance_n in_o any_o motive_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v both_o to_o our_o understanding_n and_o our_o sense_n more_o plain_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o their_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v evident_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o he_o can_v how_o can_v he_o reasonable_o expect_v that_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v believe_v it_o 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v infallible_o secure_v of_o the_o mean_n whereby_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o particular_o of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o that_o the_o expression_n in_o it_o can_v possible_o bear_v any_o other_o sense_n and_o these_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n i_o instance_n in_o in_o the_o passage_n so_o often_o mention_v and_o to_o these_o mr._n s._n ought_v to_o have_v speak_v if_o he_o intend_v to_o have_v confute_v that_o passage_n but_o he_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o speak_v distinct_o know_v his_o best_a play_n to_o be_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o that_o all_o his_o safety_n lie_v in_o the_o confusion_n and_o obscurity_n of_o his_o talk_n now_o that_o to_o have_v a_o infallible_a security_n in_o these_o particular_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n be_v evident_a upon_o these_o two_o account_n because_o faith_n may_v be_v without_o this_o infallible_a security_n and_o because_o in_o the_o particular_n mention_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v have_v 1._o because_o faith_n may_v be_v without_o this_o infallible_a security_n he_o that_o be_v so_o assure_v of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n wherein_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v plain_o deliver_v as_o to_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v thereof_o may_v real_o assent_v to_o those_o doctrine_n trine_n though_o he_o have_v no_o infallible_a security_n and_o a_o assent_n so_o ground_v i_o affirm_v to_o have_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n for_o what_o degree_n of_o assent_n and_o what_o security_n of_o the_o mean_n which_o convey_v to_o we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christianity_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v estimate_v from_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o salvation_n of_o man_n soul_n and_o whoever_o be_v so_o assure_v of_o the_o authority_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o and_o to_o live_v according_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o sure_o such_o a_o belief_n as_o will_v save_v a_o man_n have_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n though_o it_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o if_o god_n have_v sufficient_o
pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a four_o that_o mr._n s._n by_o his_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o generality_n of_o his_o own_o church_n that_o be_v all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o his_o ground_n and_o this_o be_v the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o his_o reason_n in_o a_o late_a treatise_n entitle_v the_o method_n to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n the_o principle_n whereof_o be_v these_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a the_o faithful_a be_v those_o who_o have_v true_a faith_n that_o till_o it_o be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a faith_n it_o can_v be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n that_o which_o be_v the_o true_a faith_n can_v only_o be_v know_v by_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v oral_a tradition_n and_o that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o rule_n be_v evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o from_o these_o principle_n he_o conclude_v 21._o conclude_v sec._n 21._o that_o those_o who_o follow_v not_o this_o rule_n and_o so_o be_v out_o of_o this_o church_n can_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n and_o that_o though_o many_o of_o the_o point_n to_o which_o they_o assent_n be_v true_a yet_o their_o assent_n be_v not_o faith_n for_o faith_n speak_v of_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o assent_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v false_a so_o that_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o method_n be_v the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o consider_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n which_o yet_o remain_v unanswered_a that_o which_o i_o be_o now_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o method_n which_o do_v at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a and_o un-christian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o his_o own_o church_n for_o if_o all_o who_o do_v not_o follow_v oral_a tradition_n as_o their_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n than_o all_o who_o follow_v the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la no_o christian_n for_o nothing_o be_v plain_a than_o that_o that_o council_n do_v not_o make_v oral_a tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n nor_o rely_v upon_o it_o as_o such_o which_o have_v be_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n but_o why_o be_v mr._n s._n so_o zealous_a in_o this_o matter_n of_o infallibility_n there_o be_v a_o plain_a reason_n for_o it_o he_o find_v that_o confidence_n how_o weak_o soever_o it_o be_v ground_n have_v some_o effect_n upon_o the_o common_a and_o ignorant_a people_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v there_o be_v something_o more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o a_o swagger_a man_n that_o talk_v of_o nothing_o but_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n and_o so_o we_o see_v it_o in_o some_o other_o profession_n there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o people_n very_o well_o know_v who_o find_v that_o the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o cheat_v the_o people_n be_v always_o to_o pretend_v to_o infallible_a cure_n i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o his_o infallibility_n but_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v this_o letter_n of_o thanks_o i_o shall_v whole_o pass_v by_o the_o passion_n and_o ill_a language_n of_o it_o which_o a_o man_n may_v plain_o see_v to_o have_v proceed_v from_o a_o gall_v and_o uneasy_a mind_n he_o will_v fain_o put_v on_o some_o pleasantness_n but_o be_v not_o able_a to_o conceal_v his_o vexation_n nor_o shall_v i_o insist_v upon_o his_o palpable_a shussle_v about_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o term_n rule_n and_o faith_n he_o be_v convince_v that_o he_o have_v explain_v they_o very_o untoward_o and_o therefore_o will_v glad_o come_v off_o by_o say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o intend_v explication_n 7._o p._n 7._o but_o only_o to_o predicate_v or_o affirm_v something_o of_o they_o and_o yet_o the_o whole_a design_n of_o the_o first_o page_n of_o sure-footing_a be_v to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o beginning_n with_o the_o meaning_n of_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n under_o debate_n and_o this_o method_n he_o tell_v we_o he_o will_v apply_v to_o his_o present_a purpose_n and_o will_v examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n he_o be_v to_o discuss_v namely_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n now_o if_o to_o examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o word_n be_v not_o to_o go_v about_o to_o explain_v they_o i_o must_v confess_v myself_o to_o be_v in_o a_o great_a error_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n in_o his_o apology_n for_o his_o testimony_n as_o if_o they_o be_v 105._o be_v p._n 105._o not_o intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n whereas_o his_o book_n be_v write_v against_o the_o protestant_n and_o when_o he_o come_v to_o his_o testimony_n he_o 126._o he_o sure-footing_a p._n 126._o declare_v the_o design_n of_o they_o to_o be_v to_o second_v by_o authority_n what_o he_o have_v before_o establish_v by_o reason_n so_o that_o if_o the_o rational_a part_n of_o his_o book_n be_v intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n and_o the_o testimony_n be_v design_v to_o second_v it_o i_o can_v understand_v why_o he_o shall_v say_v one_o be_v less_o intend_v against_o they_o than_o the_o other_o but_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v so_o conscious_a of_o the_o weakness_n of_o those_o testimony_n that_o he_o do_v not_o think_v they_o sit_v to_o satisfy_v any_o but_o those_o who_o believe_v he_o already_o as_o to_o his_o charge_n of_o false_a citation_n it_o be_v but_o the_o common_a artifice_n of_o the_o roman_a controvertist_n when_o they_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o say_v however_o that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v how_o little_o he_o be_v to_o be_v trust_v i_o shall_v instance_n in_o two_o or_o three_o about_o which_o he_o make_v the_o loud_a clamour_n and_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o reader_n to_o judge_v by_o these_o of_o his_o sincerity_n in_o the_o rest_n he_o say_v 62._o p._n 62._o i_o notorious_o abuse_v the_o preface_n to_o rushworth_n dialogue_n in_o cite_v the_o author_n of_o it_o to_o say_v that_o such_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o to_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherwise_o ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n whereas_o say_v mr._n s._n he_o only_o tell_v we_o there_o p._n 7._o that_o by_o moral_a certainty_n some_o understand_v such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n etc._n etc._n to_o vindicate_v myself_o in_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o set_v the_o author_n word_n before_o the_o reader_n be_v eye_n they_o be_v these_o this_o term_n moral_a certainty_n every_o one_o explicate_v not_o like_a but_o some_o understand_v by_o it_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v other_o way_n other_o call_v that_o a_o moral_a certainty_n which_o proceed_v from_o etc._n etc._n a_o three_o explication_n of_o this_o word_n be_v etc._n etc._n of_o these_o three_o the_o first_o ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o the_o author_n consider_v as_o mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o be_v this_o only_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o moral_a certainty_n some_o understand_v etc._n etc._n do_v not_o the_o prefacer_n also_o express_o affirm_v that_o what_o these_o some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n i_o cite_v he_o for_o another_o heavy_a charge_n be_v 65._o p._n 65._o that_o according_a to_o my_o usual_a sincerity_n i_o quote_v rushworth_n nephew_n to_o say_v that_o a_o few_o good_a word_n be_v to_o be_v cast_v in_o concern_v scripture_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o indifferent_a man_n who_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o verbal_a and_o apparent_a respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n whereas_o say_v mr._n s._n in_o the_o place_n you_o cite_v he_o only_o express_v it_o will_v be_v a_o satisfaction_n to_o indifferent_a man_n to_o see_v the_o position_n one_o will_v induce_v they_o to_o embrace_v maintainable_a by_o scripture_n do_v he_o only_o say_v so_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_n the_o word_n in_o mr._n rushworth_n be_v these_o yet_o this_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n for_o indifferent_a man_n that_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o verbal_a and_o apparent_a respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o see_v that_o the_o position_n you_o will_v induce_v they_o unto_o can_v be_v and_o be_v maintain_v by_o scripture_n and_o that_o they_o be_v ground_v therein_o certain_o one_o will_v think_v that_o either_o this_o man_n have_v no_o eye_n or_o no_o forehead_n but_o the_o great_a
of_o confirmation_n shall_v be_v by_o endeavour_v to_o vindicate_v religion_n from_o those_o common_a imputation_n which_o seem_v to_o charge_v it_o with_o ignorance_n or_o imprudence_n and_o they_o be_v chief_o these_o three_o 1._o credulity_n 2._o singularity_n 3._o make_v a_o foolish_a bargain_n first_o credulity_n say_v they_o the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o belief_n of_o those_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n and_o consequent_o of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o good_a assurance_n as_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n thing_n which_o we_o never_o see_v nor_o do_v experience_n nor_o ever_o speak_v with_o any_o body_n that_o do_v now_o it_o seem_v to_o argue_v too_o great_a a_o forwardness_n and_o easiness_n of_o belief_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n upon_o insufficient_a ground_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o be_v as_o a_o god_n and_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n it_o can_v as_o i_o say_v before_o in_o reason_n be_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n for_o such_o thing_n for_o he_o that_o believe_v a_o god_n believe_v such_o a_o be_v as_o have_v all_o perfection_n among_o which_o this_o be_v one_o that_o he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o consequent_o that_o he_o be_v invisible_a and_o can_v be_v see_v he_o likewise_o that_o believe_v another_o life_n after_o this_o profess_v to_o believe_v a_o state_n of_o which_o in_o this_o life_n we_o have_v no_o trial_n and_o experience_n beside_o if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a objection_n that_o no_o man_n ever_o see_v these_o thing_n it_o strike_v at_o the_o atheist_n as_o well_o as_o we_o for_o no_o man_n ever_o see_v the_o world_n to_o be_v from_o eternity_n nor_o epicurus_n his_o atom_n of_o which_o notwithstanding_o he_o believe_v the_o world_n be_v make_v 2._o we_o have_v the_o best_a evidence_n for_o these_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o at_o present_a suppose_v they_o be_v 3._o those_o who_o deny_v these_o principle_n must_v be_v much_o more_o credulous_a that_o be_v believe_v thing_n upon_o incomparable_o less_o evidence_n of_o reason_n the_o atheist_n look_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v religious_a as_o a_o company_n of_o credulous_a fool_n but_o he_o for_o his_o part_n pretend_v to_o be_v wise_a than_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n for_o company_n he_o can_v entertain_v thing_n upon_o those_o slight_a ground_n which_o move_v other_o man_n if_o you_o will_v win_v his_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n you_o must_v give_v he_o a_o clear_a demonstration_n for_o it_o now_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o deal_v with_o this_o man_n of_o reason_n this_o rigid_a exactor_n of_o strict_a demonstration_n for_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o it_o but_o by_o show_v he_o that_o he_o be_v a_o hundred_o time_n more_o credulous_a that_o he_o beg_v more_o principle_n take_v more_o thing_n for_o grant_v without_o offer_v to_o prove_v they_o and_o assent_v to_o more_o strange_a conclusion_n upon_o weak_a ground_n than_o those_o who_o he_o so_o much_o accuse_v of_o credulity_n and_o to_o evidence_n this_o i_o shall_v brief_o give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o the_o atheist_n creed_n and_o present_v you_o with_o a_o catalogue_n of_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o possible_o can_v be_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o wise_a as_o well_o as_o unwise_a of_o all_o age_n have_v be_v mistake_v except_o himself_o and_o a_o few_o more_o he_o believe_v that_o either_o all_o the_o world_n have_v be_v fright_v with_o a_o apparition_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n or_o that_o they_o have_v most_o unnatural_o conspire_v together_o to_o cozen_v themselves_o or_o that_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v a_o trick_n of_o policy_n though_o the_o great_a prince_n and_o politician_n do_v not_o at_o this_o day_n know_v so_o much_o nor_o have_v do_v time_n out_o of_o a_o mind_n he_o believe_v either_o that_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o they_o have_v no_o original_a cause_n of_o their_o be_v or_o else_o that_o they_o be_v make_v by_o chance_n and_o happen_v he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o be_v as_o they_o be_v and_o that_o in_o this_o last_o shuffle_n of_o matter_n all_o thing_n have_v by_o great_a good_a fortune_n fall_v out_o as_o happy_o and_o as_o regular_o as_o if_o the_o great_a wisdom_n have_v contrive_v they_o but_o yet_o he_o be_v resolve_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o wisdom_n in_o the_o contrivance_n of_o they_o he_o believe_v that_o matter_n of_o it_o sel●_n be_v utter_o void_a of_o all_o sense_n understanding_n and_o liberty_n but_o for_o all_o that_o he_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n may_v know_v and_o then_o happen_v to_o be_v so_o convenient_o dispose_v as_o to_o have_v all_o these_o quality_n and_o most_o dextrous_o to_o perform_v all_o those_o fine_a and_o free_a operation_n which_o the_o ignorant_a attribute_n to_o spirit_n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o belief_n and_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v find_v any_o person_n pretend_v to_o reason_n or_o wit_n that_o can_v assent_v to_o such_o a_o heap_n of_o absurdity_n which_o be_v so_o gross_a and_o palpable_a that_o they_o may_v be_v feel_v so_o that_o if_o every_o man_n have_v his_o due_n it_o will_v certain_o fall_v to_o the_o atheist_n share_n to_o be_v the_o most_o credulous_a person_n that_o be_v to_o believe_v thing_n upon_o the_o slight_a reason_n for_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o prove_v any_o thing_n of_o all_o this_o only_o he_o find_v himself_o he_o know_v not_o why_o incline_v to_o believe_v so_o and_o to_o laugh_v at_o those_o that_o do_v not_o ii_o the_o second_o imputation_n be_v singularity_n the_o affectation_n whereof_o be_v unbecoming_a a_o wise_a man_n to_o this_o charge_n i_o answer_v i._o if_o by_o religion_n be_v mean_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n that_o our_o soul_n be_v immortal_a and_o that_o there_o be_v rewa_fw-mi d_n to_o be_v expect_v after_o this_o life_n these_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v singular_a opinion_n that_o they_o be_v and_o always_o have_v be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o mankind_n even_o of_o the_o most_o barbarous_a nation_n insomuch_o that_o the_o history_n of_o ancient_a time_n do_v hardly_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o name_n of_o above_o five_o or_o six_o person_n who_o deny_v a_o god_n and_o lucretius_n acknowledge_v that_o epicurus_n be_v the_o first_o who_o do_v oppose_v those_o great_a foundation_n of_o religion_n the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n primum_fw-la grajus_n homo_fw-la etc._n etc._n meaning_n epicurus_n 2._o if_o by_o religion_n be_v mean_v a_o live_n up_o to_o those_o principle_n that_o be_v to_o act_v conformable_o to_o our_o best_a reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o to_o live_v as_o it_o do_v become_v those_o who_o do_v believe_v a_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n this_o be_v acknowledge_v even_o by_o those_o who_o live_v otherwise_o to_o be_v the_o part_n of_o every_o wise_a man_n and_o the_o contrary_a to_o be_v the_o very_a madness_n of_o folly_n and_o height_n of_o distraction_n nothing_o be_v more_o ordinary_a than_o for_o man_n who_o live_v wicked_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v otherwise_o 3._o though_o according_a to_o the_o common_a course_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v somewhat_o singular_a for_o man_n true_o and_o thorough_o to_o live_v up_o to_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o religion_n yet_o singularity_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o reflection_n upon_o any_o man_n prudence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o singular_a commendation_n of_o it_o in_o two_o case_n singularity_n be_v very_o commendable_a 1._o when_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o it_o in_o order_n to_o a_o man_n great_a interest_n and_o happiness_n i_o think_v it_o to_o be_v a_o reasonable_a account_n for_o any_o man_n to_o give_v why_o he_o do_v not_o live_v as_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n do_v that_o he_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o die_v as_o they_o do_v and_o to_o perish_v with_o they_o he_o be_v not_o dispose_v to_o be_v a_o fool_n and_o to_o be_v miserable_a for_o company_n he_o have_v no_o inclination_n to_o have_v his_o last_o end_n like_o they_o who_o know_v not_o god_n and_o obey_v not_o the_o gospel_n of_o his_o son_n and_o shall_v be_v punish_v with_o everlasting_a destruction_n from_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o from_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o power_n 2._o it_o be_v very_o commendable_a to_o be_v singular_a in_o