express_v to_o be_v the_o scripture_n and_o on_o this_o expression_n he_o so_o strong_o build_v that_o p._n 10_o 11._o he_o conclude_v thence_o and_o certain_o too_o thus_o the_o religion_n of_o our_o church_n say_v he_o be_v therefore_o certain_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a because_o it_o teach_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o whole_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o nothing_o else_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n what_o mean_v the_o word_n scripture_n any_o determinate_a sense_n of_o it_o or_o the_o dead_a character_n alas_o their_o church_n be_v far_o from_o teach_v they_o the_o first_o or_o from_o have_v ground_n to_o own_o such_o a_o pretence_n but_o put_v the_o book_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o bid_v they_o find_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o or_o their_o faith_n for_o there_o be_v their_o rule_n it_o be_v the_o bare_a letter_n then_o unsence_v he_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n scripture_n and_o so_o he_o must_v say_v it_o be_v the_o outward_a cuaracter_n his_o church_n teach_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o nothing_o else_o as_o matter_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v their_o whole_a faith_n have_v for_o its_o object_n ink_n thus_o figure_v in_o a_o book_n a_o worthy_a argument_n to_o prove_v their_o church_n be_v certain_o primitive_a and_o apostolic_a whereas_o itis_fw-la know_v faith_n be_v before_o those_o character_n and_o beside_o if_o this_o be_v to_o be_v apostolical_a we_o owe_v nothing_o to_o the_o other_o apostle_n for_o our_o faith_n but_o only_o to_o those_o six_o who_o write_v but_o we_o mistake_v he_o he_o mean_v neither_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n scripture_n and_o hate_v these_o distinctionswith_o all_o his_o heart_n which_o will_v oblige_v he_o to_o either_o he_o mean_v to_o talk_v of_o scripture_n indeterminate_o and_o confuse_o which_o may_v make_v a_o fine_a show_n and_o yet_o expose_v he_o to_o no_o inconvenience_n by_o give_v any_o particular_a account_n of_o his_o meaning_n his_o inference_n from_o this_o his_o first_o principle_n be_v a_o immediate_a one_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v the_o papist_n without_o doubt_n therefore_o say_v he_o p._n 11._o unless_o there_o can_v be_v new_a scripture_n we_o can_v have_v no_o new_a matter_n of_o belief_n no_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n no_o my_o ld_n yes_o as_o long_o as_o by_o scripture_n you_o mean_v no_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o bare_a letter_n only_o who_o sense_n be_v fetch_v it_o out_o by_o interpretation_n and_o these_o as_o we_o experience_v depend_v on_o mean_n private_a judgement_n and_o fancy_n if_o mean_v fancy_n may_v vary_v every_o hour_n you_o may_v have_v diverse_a interpretation_n every_o hour_n and_o so_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n every_o hour_n be_v not_o this_o a_o mad_a kind_n of_o argue_v to_o conclude_v as_o absolute_a a_o unerrableness_n in_o faith_n as_o if_o they_o have_v not_o only_o a_o determinate_a principle_n but_o even_o as_o self-evident_a and_o unmistakable_a as_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o metaphysic_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o whereas_o our_o daily_a eyesight_n and_o their_o own_o sad_a experience_n every_o day_n teach_v we_o by_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o principle_n and_o yet_o their_o differ_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o most_o high_a and_o most_o concern_v point_n that_o the_o speenlation_n be_v naught_o and_o the_o principle_n itself_o a_o false_a and_o misguide_n light_n nay_o i_o doubt_v my_o ld._n himself_n have_v no_o hearty_a value_n for_o this_o his_o first_o principle_n though_o he_o say_v he_o whole_o rely_v on_o it_o for_o i_o never_o see_v protestant_n book_n in_o my_o life_n thin_a and_o slight_a in_o scripture-citation_n than_o be_v his_o dissuasive_a so_o that_o if_o that_o be_v his_o first_o principle_n he_o make_v little_a use_n of_o it_o 35._o many_o other_o proposition_n or_o supposal_n be_v imply_v in_o his_o book_n to_o give_v it_o force_v as_o that_o it_o matter_n not_o how_o a_o citation_n be_v qualify_v so_o it_o be_v but_o allege_v it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o the_o question_n be_v right_o state_v or_o no._n the_o tenet_n of_o our_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o use_n of_o definition_n find_v in_o approve_a council_n speak_v abstract_o but_o from_o the_o particular_a explication_n of_o some_o divine_n every_o foppery_n be_v a_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n point_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v comprehensible_a to_o reason_n and_o spiritual_a thing_n suitable_a to_o fancy_n the_o act_n of_o a_o inquisition_n say_n of_o a_o few_o divine_n or_o casuist_n be_v all_o catholic_a faith_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v rational_o dissuasive_a which_o be_v confess_o uncertain_a no_o answer_n be_v ever_o give_v to_o the_o citation_n or_o reason_n produce_v in_o the_o dissuasive_a talk_v sober_o and_o pious_o about_o a_o point_n be_v oftentimes_o as_o good_a as_o prove_v it_o that_o it_o be_v self-evident_a scripture_n letter_n can_v bear_v but_o one_o interpretation_n as_o wrought_v upon_o by_o human_a skill_n these_o and_o multitude_n of_o such_o like_a though_o not_o express_v yet_o run_v imply_v in_o his_o carriage_n all_o along_o this_o book_n and_o suppose_v true_a to_o give_v it_o any_o force_n yet_o so_o evident_o false_a and_o weak_a that_o to_o pull_v they_o out_o thence_o and_o make_v they_o show_v their_o head_n be_v enough_o to_o confute_v they_o i_o conclude_v and_o charge_v the_o dissuader_n that_o he_o not_o only_o have_v never_o a_o principle_n for_o his_o dissuasive_a to_o subsist_v by_o but_o far_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o himself_o shall_v know_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n that_o he_o have_v none_o nay_o more_o that_o the_o protestant_a cause_n and_o the_o same_o i_o say_v of_o all_o out_o of_o the_o church_n can_v have_v none_o the_o first_o part_n of_o my_o charge_n i_o have_v manifold_o prove_v in_o this_o present_a appendix_n the_o other_o part_n of_o it_o which_o charge_v he_o with_o consciousness_n of_o have_v no_o ground_n have_v two_o branch_n and_o for_o the_o former_a of_o those_o i_o allege_v that_o the_o way_n he_o take_v all_o along_o to_o manage_v his_o dissuasive_a be_v so_o evident_o studious_a so_o industrious_a so_o design_v and_o perfect_o artificial_a that_o though_o one_o who_o be_v guide_v on_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n be_v oftentimes_o not_o aware_a of_o his_o thought_n or_o their_o method_n till_o he_o come_v to_o reflect_v yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v not_o be_v aware_a of_o he_o which_o he_o posture_n with_o such_o exquisite_a craft_n and_o such_o multitude_n of_o preternatural_a sleight_n to_o render_v his_o discourse_n plausible_a for_o the_o late_a of_o those_o branch_n namely_o that_o he_o can_v but_o know_v the_o protestant_a cause_n can_v have_v no_o principle_n to_o make_v it_o evident_a i_o discourse_v thus_o ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la what_o i_o have_v prove_v in_o sure-footing_a out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o be_v their_o most_o constant_a and_o avow_v profession_n and_o his_o p._n 9_o that_o they_o do_v whole_o rely_v upon_o scripture_n as_o the_o foundation_n and_o final_a resort_n of_o all_o their_o persuasion_n this_o be_v so_o father_n and_o council_n be_v not_o hold_v at_o all_o by_o they_o but_o as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o scripture_n that_o be_v their_o testimony_n have_v no_o basis_n of_o certainty_n from_o themselves_o or_o of_o their_o own_o but_o what_o they_o participate_v from_o scripture_n wherefore_o either_o they_o be_v no_o principle_n or_o else_o subordinate_a one_o to_o their_o first_o principle_n scripture_n unless_o then_o it_o be_v certain_a or_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o principle_n they_o can_v never_o be_v hold_v by_o protestant_n such_o nor_o consequent_o can_v merit_v the_o name_n of_o principle_n even_o subordinate_a one_o because_o then_o pretend_v first_o principle_n from_o which_o only_o they_o can_v derive_v title_n to_o that_o dignity_n be_v in_o that_o case_n none_o itself_o to_o scripture_n then_o le_fw-fr we_o come_v by_o which_o word_n if_o they_o agree_v to_o mean_v any_o determinate_a sense_n of_o it_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v the_o true_a one_o their_o discourse_n be_v well-built_a but_o since_o their_o church_n can_v own_v no_o determinate_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n derive_v down_o from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o antecedency_n to_o the_o scripture_n letter_n but_o have_v renounce_v that_o way_n or_o tradition_n must_v say_v she_o have_v it_o mere_o from_o that_o letter_n as_o yet_o unsence_v she_o must_v mean_v that_o it_o be_v the_o scripture_n letter_n she_o rely_v on_o as_o the_o foundation_n and_o final_a resort_n of_o all_o her_o persuasion_n nay_o for_o her_o persuasion_n that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o since_o than_o principle_n be_v determinate_a sense_n not_o character_n or_o sound_n neither_o be_v
to_o be_v say_v since_o the_o whole_a world_n see_v plain_o we_o still_o maintain_v the_o field_n against_o they_o nay_o dare_v pretend_v without_o fear_v a_o absolute_a baffle_n which_o must_v needs_o follow_v have_v we_o not_o at_o least_o probability_n to_o befriend_v we_o that_o our_o ground_n be_v evident_o and_o demonstrable_o certain_a nay_o more_o dare_v venture_v to_o take_v the_o most_o clear_v method_n imaginable_a to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o and_o withal_o be_v bold_a to_o challenge_v they_o that_o they_o have_v no_o evident_a ground_n to_o begin_v with_o nor_o dare_v venture_v to_o pursue_v that_o evidence_a method_n but_o my_o ld_n own_o word_n in_o his_o liberty_n of_o prophesy_v sect._n 20._o §_o 2._o will_n beyond_o all_o confute_v evince_v it_o ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la at_o least_o that_o we_o have_v probability_n and_o those_o strong_a one_o too_o on_o our_o side_n i_o pick_v out_o some_o leave_v out_o other_o weighty_a one_o which_o hisexpression_n have_v too_o much_o deform_v his_o word_n be_v these_o such_o as_o be_v the_o beauty_n and_o splendour_n of_o their_o church_n their_o pompous_a service_n the_o stateliness_n and_o solemnity_n of_o the_o hierarchy_n their_o name_n of_o catholic_n which_o they_o suppose_v their_o own_o due_a and_o to_o concern_v no_o other_o sort_n of_o christian_n he_o ought_v have_v say_v which_o the_o establish_a use_n of_o the_o word_n and_o derive_v rive_v down_o to_o the_o successor_n of_o those_o who_o first_o have_v that_o name_n force_v all_o even_o their_o adversary_n to_o give_v they_o when_o they_o speak_v natural_o and_o make_v they_o despair_v of_o obtain_v it_o for_o themselves_o the_o antiquity_n of_o many_o of_o their_o doctrine_n the_o continual_a succession_n of_o their_o bishop_n their_o immediate_a derivation_n from_o the_o apostle_n the_o title_n to_o succeed_v s._n peter_n the_o multiteudand_v variety_n of_o people_n which_o be_v of_o their_o persuasion_n apparent_a consent_n with_o antiquity_n in_o many_o ceremonial_n which_o other_o church_n have_v reject_v a_o pretend_a and_o sometime_o a_o apparent_a consent_n with_o some_o elder_a age_n in_o many_o matter_n doctrinal_a the_o great_a consent_n of_o one_o part_n with_o another_o in_o that_o which_o most_o of_o they_o affirm_v to_o be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la the_o great_a difference_n which_o be_v commence_v among_o their_o adversary_n their_o happiness_n in_o be_v instrument_n in_o convert_v divers_a nation_n he_o shall_v rather_o have_v say_v all_n the_o advantage_n of_o monarchical_a government_n the_o benefit_n of_o which_o as_o well_o as_o the_o inconvenience_n they_o daily_o enjoy_v the_o piety_n and_o austerity_n of_o their_o religious_a order_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n the_o single_a life_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o bishop_n the_o severity_n of_o their_o fast_n and_o their_o exterior_a observance_n the_o know_a holiness_n of_o some_o of_o those_o person_n who_o institutes_n the_o religious_a person_n pretend_v to_o imitate_v etc._n etc._n after_o which_o he_o subjoin_v these_o thing_n and_o diverse_a other_o may_v very_o easy_o persuade_v person_n of_o much_o reason_n and_o more_o piety_n to_o retain_v that_o which_o they_o know_v to_o have_v be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o forefather_n which_o have_v actual_a possession_n and_o seizure_n of_o man_n understanding_n before_o the_o opposite_a profession_n have_v a_o name_n thus_o he_o by_o which_o word_v it_o be_v evident_a we_o have_v probability_n and_o high_a one_o too_o on_o our_o side_n else_o how_o can_v they_o be_v able_a very_o easy_o to_o persuade_v person_n of_o much_o reason_n especial_o they_o have_v as_o he_o say_v more_o piety_n or_o more_o then_o much_o that_o be_v very_o much_o which_o argue_v rather_o that_o those_o motive_n for_o catholic_n faith_n be_v suitable_a to_o piety_n or_o truth_n ot_fw-mi at_o least_o exceedingly-seeming-pious_a so_o as_o the_o great_a piety_n of_o those_o person_n neither_o check_v at_o the_o practice_n according_a to_o those_o motive_n nor_o their_o much_o reason_n reach_v to_o a_o discovery_n of_o their_o fallaciousness_n whence_o we_o may_v gather_v far_o than_o those_o motive_n so_o stand_v for_o we_o be_v to_o be_v rank_v in_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o probability_n for_o since_o those_o person_n be_v confess_v to_o be_v very_o pious_a that_o be_v very_o good_a and_o so_o unapt_a to_o be_v bias_v by_o passion_n and_o withal_o to_o have_v much_o reason_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o cause_n of_o their_o assent_n to_o catholic_n faith_n must_v be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o object_n and_o have_v a_o wonderful_a appearance_n at_o least_o of_o evidence_n or_o high_a probability_n which_o be_v able_a to_o conquer_v and_o satisfy_v so_o rational_a and_o sincere_a understanding_n this_o be_v so_o my_o ld._n can_v in_o reason_v own_o himself_o a_o dissuader_n nor_o pretend_v his_o discourse_n have_v power_n to_o dissuade_v any_o from_o our_o faith_n unless_o he_o put_v down_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o what_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o together_o with_o his_o motive_n why_o he_o judge_v it_o false_a and_o then_o compare_v or_o weigh_v those_o reason_n together_o and_o so_o conclude_v his_o absolute_o preponderate_v i_o doubt_v those_o very_a motive_n deliver_v faint_o by_o himself_o though_o a_o adversary_n be_v such_o as_o have_v he_o lay_v they_o open_a at_o large_a as_o he_o do_v his_o own_o objection_n he_o will_v have_v be_v infinite_o puzzle_v to_o find_v other_o to_o overballance_v they_o with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n but_o i_o will_v not_o put_v he_o upon_o so_o large_a a_o task_n let_v he_o only_o consider_v on_o what_o ground_n the_o rule_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v build_v to_o wit_n on_o sensible_a and_o unmistakable_a matter_n of_o fact_n from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o this_o unmistakableness_n confirm_v supernatural_o by_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o thing_n oblige_v the_o believer_n best_o care_n to_o preserve_v it_o and_o by_o the_o goodness_n implant_v in_o their_o heart_n by_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o keep_v lively_o awake_v that_o care_n as_o it_o be_v at_o large_a lay_v open_a in_o sure-footing_a and_o then_o compare_v it_o with_o descant_v upon_o scripture_n letter_n by_o human_a skill_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o protestant_n faith_n as_o contradistinguished_a from_o we_o or_o rather_o of_o their_o dissent_n or_o negative_a tenet_n and_o show_v those_o ground_n preponderate_v we_o and_o then_o his_o reader_n will_v have_v some_o encouragement_n to_o heed_n his_o dissuasive_a otherwise_o he_o can_v have_v none_o six_o way_n 10._o a_o six_o way_n be_v to_o demand_v of_o his_o lp._n if_o he_o will_v undertake_v the_o pretend_a evidence_n he_o produce_v whether_o reason_n or_o citation_n have_v not_o also_o be_v pretend_v at_o least_o to_o be_v answer_v by_o learned_a man_n on_o our_o side_n and_o that_o the_o indifferent_a part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v judge_v the_o catholic_n be_v so_o evident_o conclude_v against_o by_o the_o protestant_n that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a in_o reason_n to_o reply_v however_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v allege_v that_o in_o the_o evidence_n he_o bring_v the_o protestant_n have_v have_v the_o last_o reply_n that_o so_o at_o least_o there_o may_v be_v some_o sleight_n conjectural_a likelihood_n they_o be_v unanswerable_a or_o convictive_a this_o i_o say_v seem_v in_o reason_n fit_a to_o have_v be_v vouch_a and_o as_o natural_a method_n require_v it_o place_v at_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o his_o book_n so_o to_o give_v the_o reader_n some_o faint_a hope_n his_o peruse_n it_o may_v be_v perhaps_o to_o some_o purpose_n what_o do_v my_o l._n of_o down_n he_o profess_v at_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o his_o introduction_n the_o direct_a contrary_n for_o he_o confess_v there_o that_o the_o evidence_n on_o both_o side_n in_o question_n of_o difference_n between_o our_o church_n have_v be_v so_o often_o produce_v etc._n etc._n it_o will_v seem_v almost_o impossible_a to_o produce_v any_o new_a matter_n or_o if_o we_o can_v observe_v how_o unlikely_a he_o make_v it_o he_o shall_v conclude_v any_o thing_n it_o will_v not_o be_v probable_a that_o what_o can_v be_v new_o allege_v can_v prevail_v more_o than_o all_o which_o already_o have_v be_v so_o often_o urge_v in_o these_o question_n he_o shall_v after_o the_o word_n so_o often_o urge_v have_v add_v and_o never_o answer_v otherwise_o the_o often_o urge_v signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o convictiveness_n yet_o careless_a of_o this_o he_o proceed_v but_o we_o be_v not_o deter_v from_o do_v our_o duty_n by_o any_o such_o consideration_n as_o know_v that_o the_o same_o medicament_n etc._n etc._n which_o wave_v the_o pious_a rhetoric_n to_o any_o understanding_n man_n signify_v direct_o as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v profess_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o write_v a_o book_n against_o the_o papist_n whatever_n come_v onit_a or_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o purpose_n or_o
to_o beat_v down_o the_o wordish_a and_o dissatisfactory_a way_n of_o write_v and_o go_v about_o to_o evidence_n the_o ground_n of_o all_o our_o faith_n know_v that_o as_o wound_n be_v never_o connatural_o and_o solid_o cure_v by_o unite_n the_o distant_a side_n at_o the_o surface_n and_o leave_v they_o disunite_v and_o unhealed_a at_o the_o bottom_n but_o the_o cure_n must_v begin_v there_o first_o so_o the_o only_a way_n to_o heal_v the_o wound_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o begin_v first_o to_o win_v some_o to_o acknowledge_v the_o most_o radical_a and_o bottom-principle_n of_o all_o faith_n as_o controvert_v between_o we_o without_o which_o all_o agreement_n in_o particular_a point_n must_v needs_o be_v unsound_a and_o hollow-hearted_a this_o be_v my_o only_a aim_n in_o sure-footing_a that_o therefore_o you_o may_v not_o obstruct_v so_o good_a a_o work_n and_o withal_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o solid_a and_o candid_a writer_n i_o offer_v to_o yourself_o and_o all_o ingenuous_a reader_n these_o few_o reflection_n not_o spring_v from_o my_o will_n for_o what_o authority_n have_v i_o to_o prescribe_v you_o your_o method_n but_o from_o true_a reason_n work_v upon_o the_o thing_n which_o make_v it_o just_a duty_n in_o you_o and_o so_o ought_v oblige_v you_o to_o follow_v it_o 3._o in_o the_o first_o place_n fince_n the_o scope_n of_o my_o whole_a book_n be_v about_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n or_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o faith_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n that_o be_v about_o a_o point_n antecedent_n to_o all_o particular_a point_n i_o conceive_v it_o reasonable_a you_o shall_v let_v your_o discourse_n stand_v firm_a to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o not_o permit_v it_o to_o slide_v into_o controversy_n about_o particular_n for_o so_o it_o be_v evident_a we_o shall_v be_v apt_a to_o multiply_v many_o word_n little_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n on_o what_o condition_n you_o may_v have_v right_a to_o allege_v particular_n as_o pretend_a instance_n of_o tradition_n fail_v shall_v be_v see_v hereafter_o 4._o next_o i_o desire_v you_o will_v please_v to_o speak_v out_o categorical_o and_o declare_v whether_o you_o hold_v faith_n absolute_o certain_a to_o we_o or_o else_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v to_o explicate_v myself_o better_a that_o so_o i_o may_v void_a some_o common_a and_o frivolous_a distinction_n my_o intent_n be_v to_o demand_v of_o you_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o christian_a reader_n and_o his_o due_a satisfaction_n whether_o you_o hold_v god_n providence_n have_v lay_v in_o the_o whole_a creation_n any_o certain_a mean_n by_o way_n of_o proper_a cause_n to_o such_o a_o effect_n to_o bring_v down_o faith_n true_o to_o we_o and_o whether_o we_o can_v arrive_v at_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o those_o mean_n that_o be_v come_v to_o see_v or_o know_v the_o connexion_n between_o such_o cause_n and_o their_o effect_n speak_v of_o i_o make_v bold_a to_o press_v you_o earnest_o to_o this_o declaration_n and_o my_o reason_n be_v because_o nothing_o will_v more_o conduce_v to_o the_o conclusion_n of_o our_o present_a debate_n for_o in_o case_n such_o cause_n be_v lay_v and_o can_v be_v see_v by_o we_o than_o they_o be_v evident_a or_o demonstrative_a reason_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n certainty_n but_o if_o no_o such_o cause_n be_v lay_v or_o be_v lay_v can_v be_v see_v by_o we_o than_o all_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v never_o avoid_v the_o consequence_n but_o that_o we_o can_v have_v only_a probability_n for_o all_o our_o faith_n that_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n we_o absolute_o know_v it_o be_v all_o as_o false_a as_o a_o old_a wife_n tale_n since_o there_o be_v no_o degree_n in_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n if_o you_o advance_v this_o civil_a piece_n of_o atheistry_n you_o must_v pardon_v i_o if_o i_o be_v smart_n with_o you_o in_o opposition_n to_o so_o damnable_a and_o fundamental_a a_o error_n i_o love_v christianity_n and_o mankind_n 〈◊〉_d well_o to_o suffer_v that_o position_n which_o destroy_v effectual_o the_o root_n of_o all_o their_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o the_o substance_n of_o all_o their_o hope_n to_o pass_v unstigmatize_v as_o it_o deserve_v nor_o think_v to_o avail_v yourself_o by_o some_o discourser_n in_o our_o school_n it_o will_v be_v show_v when_o press_v that_o they_o be_v still_o preserve_v good_a christian_n through_o the_o virtue_n of_o tradition_n which_o they_o all_o hold_v to_o notwithstanding_o their_o private_a speculation_n but_o you_o not_o because_o of_o your_o want_n of_o certain_a ground_n to_o make_v you_o rational_o hold_v christ_n faith_n they_o only_o mistake_v a_o word_n whereas_o you_o will_v be_v find_v to_o err_v in_o the_o whole_a thing_n or_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n to_o true_a christianity_n again_o if_o such_o cause_n be_v fit_v to_o be_v lay_v by_o god_n providence_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o avoid_v the_o doctrine_n propose_v in_o sure-footing_a because_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o invent_v any_o thing_n that_o look_v like_o such_o cause_n but_o those_o which_o be_v deliver_v there_o nor_o do_v any_o other_o way_n ever_o attempt_v to_o show_v any_o such_o whence_o i_o foresee_v your_o cause_n will_v force_v you_o to_o fly_v for_o refuge_n to_o the_o actual_a uncertainty_n or_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o all_o our_o faith_n for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v by_o ordinary_a mean_n a_o sad_a consequence_n of_o a_o erroneous_a tenet_n but_o it_o be_v connatural_a and_o so_o to_o be_v expect_v such_o effect_n shall_v follow_v the_o renounce_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 5._o three_o i_o conceive_v it_o very_o reasonable_a that_o you_o will_v please_v to_o declare_v whether_o controversy_n onght_n to_o have_v any_o first_o principle_n or_o no_o if_o none_o then_o to_o speak_v candid_o out_o and_o confess_v that_o controvertist_n be_v certain_a of_o nothing_o they_o say_v since_o their_o discourse_n have_v no_o ground_n or_o first_o principle_n to_o rely_v on_o if_o any_o whether_o tradition_n be_v it_o or_o if_o it_o be_v not_o what_o else_o be_v and_o then_o vouch_v as_o plain_a reason_n tell_v we_o you_o ought_v that_o what_o you_o assign_v have_v true_o in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o first_o principle_n which_o common_a reason_n give_v to_o be_v self-evidence_n or_o last_o to_o profess_v if_o you_o judge_v it_o your_o best_a play_n that_o what_o you_o substitute_n in_o stead_n of_o tradition_n though_o it_o be_v a_o first_o principle_n yet_o it_o need_v not_o be_v at_o all_o self-evident_a any_o thing_n shall_v content_v i_o so_o you_o will_v but_o please_v to_o speak_v out_o and_o to_o the_o point_n 6._o again_o since_o it_o be_v evident_o your_o task_n to_o argue_v against_o tradition_n certainty_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o while_n you_o argue_v against_o it_o you_o must_v bear_v yourself_o as_o hold_v it_o uncertain_a i_o conceive_v then_o plain_a reason_n oblige_v you_o not_o to_o produce_v any_o thing_n against_o tradition_n which_o depend_v upon_o tradition_n for_o its_o certainty_n for_o in_o do_v so_o you_o will_v invalidate_v and_o even_o nullify_v all_o your_o own_o proof_n since_o if_o tradition_n be_v hold_v by_o you_o uncertain_a and_o they_o have_v no_o certainty_n but_o by_o mean_n of_o it_o they_o must_v be_v confess_v uncertain_a too_o and_o so_o they_o will_v be_v incompetent_a to_o be_v produce_v as_o proof_n and_o yourself_o very_o disingenuous_a to_o produce_v they_o i_o add_v self-contradicting_a too_o and_o unskilful_a nature_n and_o aristotle_n teach_v we_o that_o a_o discourser_n ought_v not_o sustain_v contrary_a to_o himself_o hence_o plain_a reason_n exclude_v you_o from_o allege_v any_o kind_n of_o testimony_n either_o from_o scripture_n council_n father_n or_o history_n till_o you_o answer_v my_o corollary_n 12_o 15_o 16._o which_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o all_o these_o dependent_a on_o tradition_n and_o the_o only_a way_n to_o show_v my_o discourse_n there_o to_o be_v weak_a be_v to_o manifest_v my_o mistake_n by_o declare_v into_o what_o other_o thing_n your_o certainty_n of_o those_o testimony_n be_v final_o resolvable_a which_o be_v not_o coincident_a with_o tradition_n when_o you_o produce_v such_o a_o principle_n and_o prove_v it_o such_o you_o have_v right_a to_o allege_v the_o foresay_a testimony_n for_o than_o you_o can_v make_v good_a their_o authority_n till_o then_o you_o can_v have_v no_o right_n in_o true_a reason_n to_o do_v it_o not_o only_o because_o till_o then_o you_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v a_o renouncer_n of_o that_o thing_n be_v certainty_n upon_o which_o there_o be_v pretend_v demonstration_n against_o you_o they_o be_v build_v and_o those_o presume_v true_a one_o because_o you_o let_v such_o strong_a attempt_n pass_v unanswered_a but_o very_o particular_o for_o this_o consideration_n that_o our_o present_a matter_n
be_v of_o incomparable_a value_n not_o only_o for_o the_o divine_a doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o also_o for_o many_o particular_a passage_n who_o source_n or_o first_o attestation_n not_o be_v universal_a nor_o their_o nature_n much_o practical_a may_v possible_o have_v be_v lose_v in_o their_o conveyance_n down_o by_o tradition_n next_o follow_v those_o of_o council_n and_o father_n and_o suppose_v christ_n a_o perfect_a lawgiver_n it_o be_v clear_a all_o they_o have_v to_o do_v with_o faith_n be_v to_o witness_v the_o church_n belief_n and_o the_o former_a of_o they_o to_o declare_v or_o explain_v faith_n or_o the_o church_n sense_n against_o obstinate_a heretic_n as_o such_o than_o their_o book_n be_v to_o be_v value_v that_o be_v exceed_o next_o follow_v such_o as_o euclid_n or_o archimedes_n his_o which_o express_a science_n and_o those_o be_v of_o very_o great_a worth_n in_o regard_n they_o acquaint_v we_o with_o and_o manifest_a to_o our_o hand_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o former_a world_n which_o be_v speculative_a little_a of_o it_o can_v have_v come_v down_o by_o tradition_n except_o when_o that_o speculation_n become_v practical_a and_o express_v itself_o in_o matter_n by_o many_o useful_a or_o rather_o needful_a art_n trade_n or_o manufacture_n after_o these_o succeed_v opinionative_n book_n of_o which_o this_o last_o age_n have_v produce_v multitude_n and_o these_o also_o be_v very_o useful_a if_o the_o reader_n go_v not_o too_o credulous_o to_o work_v but_o have_v right_a principle_n lay_v already_o in_o his_o head_n for_o then_o the_o variety_n of_o man_n conceit_n and_o their_o reason_n for_o they_o will_v hint_n to_o a_o considerer_n diverse_a consequence_n which_o otherwise_o the_o slowness_n and_o distractedness_n of_o our_o reason_n will_v not_o have_v light_n of_o nay_o even_o the_o miscairiage_n of_o such_o reasoner_n avail_v a_o wise_a man_n as_o aristotle_n out_o of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n of_o philosopher_n who_o he_o see_v fail_v in_o their_o ground_n gather_v very_o happy_o the_o middle_a truth_n these_o book_n therefore_o be_v worth_a preserve_n human_a history_n come_v next_o and_o these_o second_o tradition_n in_o her_o object_n matter_n of_o fact_n after_o she_o have_v authenticated_a they_o and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o their_o writer_n there_o be_v other_o fit_v for_o explication_n or_o rational_a declaration_n of_o a_o point_n by_o similitude_n allusion_n example_n &_o such_o like_a as_o pliny_n natural_a history_n emblem_n fiction_n &_o other_o of_o a_o ornamental_a nature_n which_o be_v useful_a for_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n suitable_a to_o the_o middle_a size_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v preservable_a with_o this_o caution_n that_o these_o and_o chief_o opinionative_n book_n be_v either_o keep_v from_o the_o weak_a and_o credulous_a vulgar_a or_o else_o in_o the_o preface_n to_o they_o some_o learned_a authority_n declare_v in_o common_a how_o far_o they_o be_v to_o be_v credit_v lest_o by_o impose_v on_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o generality_n they_o hinder_v the_o world_n improvement_n prayer-book_n and_o recreation-book_n it_o be_v almost_o as_o evident_a they_o be_v to_o be_v preserve_v as_o it_o be_v that_o prayer_n and_o recreation_n be_v to_o be_v use_v only_o caution_n be_v to_o be_v have_v the_o former_a be_v examine_v well_o and_o approved_a by_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n and_o that_o the_o late_a be_v chaste_a and_o unabusive_a you_o have_v here_o my_o sentiment_n concern_v book_n against_o which_o you_o shall_v find_v nothing_o in_o schism_n dispatch_v or_o any_o of_o my_o write_n in_o a_o word_n i_o will_v have_v every_o thing_n distinguish_v examine_v by_o ground_n &_o allow_v as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v reasonable_a nor_o wonder_v i_o much_o at_o your_o mistake_n of_o i_o in_o this_o point_n for_o you_o be_v not_o the_o only_a man_n that_o think_v all_o book_n and_o even_o authority_n to_o be_v absolute_o deny_v when_o they_o be_v sort_v and_o rank_v in_o their_o just_a degree_n of_o merit_n that_o be_v indeed_o settle_a and_o establish_v for_o we_o metaphysician_n think_v nothing_o to_o stand_v firm_a but_o by_o be_v or_o be_v held-to-be_a true_o what_o it_o be_v you_o denounce_v woe_n to_o college_n and_o library_n if_o these_o man_n shall_v prevail_v yet_o you_o see_v now_o i_o leave_v you_o library_n enough_o and_o permit_v you_o your_o only_a darling_n book_n and_o only_o desire_v you_o will_v love_v they_o wise_o neither_o will_v college_n forfeit_v their_o library_n to_o my_o discourse_n only_o whereas_o you_o will_v have_v scholar_n educate_v there_o only_o poor_a on_o book_n note_v and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o write_v quote_v i_o will_v have_v they_o take_v principle_n along_o with_o they_o by_o which_o to_o judge_v and_o consider_v of_o what_o they_o read_v without_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v their_o much_o read_n will_v do_v they_o more_o harm_n then_o good_a and_o even_o pervert_v honest_a natural_a reason_n in_o they_o by_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o a_o multitude_n of_o unconnected_a and_o unconnectible_a end_n of_o say_n impossible_a to_o be_v ever_o posture_v in_o the_o frame_n of_o reason_n and_o themselves_o unfurnished_a of_o mean_n to_o know_v which_o rather_o to_o adhere_v to_o which_o may_v sit_v they_o to_o talk_v indeed_o of_o many_o thing_n like_o parrot_n yet_o all_o the_o while_n for_o want_v of_o principle_n know_v nothing_o of_o what_o they_o say_v if_o you_o will_v have_v college_n consist_v of_o such_o i_o conceive_v i_o be_o a_o far_o better_a friend_n to_o college_n than_o yourself_o be_v and_o that_o no_o great_a cause_n of_o woe_n will_v come_v to_o they_o by_o my_o mean_n but_o as_o our_o way_n in_o your_o conceit_n bring_v woe_n to_o college_n and_o library_n so_o you_o affirm_v that_o atheism_n and_o mahometism_n will_v get_v by_o it_o by_o which_o i_o understand_v what_o a_o disputant_n you_o be_v i_o believe_v you_o will_v quote_v scripture_n and_o book_n to_o confute_v a_o atheist_n or_o mahometan_a whereas_o i_o conceive_v since_o all_o discourse_n suppose_v a_o agreement_n between_o the_o discourser_n in_o some_o common_a principle_n and_o they_o deny_v or_o undervalue_v your_o write_a proof_n you_o must_v begin_v to_o confute_v they_o by_o maxim_n of_o common_a reason_n antecedent_n to_o all_o authority_n for_o these_o human_a nature_n oblige_v all_o man_n to_o hold_v to_o unless_o they_o have_v quite_o irrationalize_v themselves_o into_o perfect_a scepticism_n whereas_o they_o reject_v or_o sleight_v the_o other_o which_o to_o render_v efficacious_a you_o must_v go_v to_o work_v first_o with_o principle_n of_o plain_a reason_n your_o last_o injury_n which_o i_o account_v the_o worst_a of_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v deliver_v thus_o other_o of_o approve_a worth_n and_o ability_n have_v meet_v with_o this_o man_n who_o i_o think_v have_v do_v he_o more_o credit_n than_o he_o deserve_v this_o argue_v you_o be_v so_o set_v to_o abuse_v i_o that_o no_o testimony_n though_o never_o so_o valid_a and_o confess_v to_o be_v such_o can_v stave_v you_o of_o and_o the_o judgement_n or_o veracity_n of_o my_o friend_n who_o speak_v by_o experience_n shall_v be_v question_v rather_o than_o you_o will_v be_v bring_v to_o entertain_v any_o conceit_n of_o i_o that_o be_v handsome_a you_o leap_v voluntary_o into_o falsification_n and_o ill-languaged_a misconceit_n without_o any_o motive_n but_o be_v so_o restif_a and_o backward_o to_o think_v or_o speak_v in_o the_o lest_o civil_o of_o i_o that_o witness_n of_o approve_a worth_n and_o ability_n can_v win_v you_o to_o favourable_a apprehension_n nor_o keep_v you_o from_o pursue_v your_o resolute_a censoriousness_n have_v you_o find_v half_o that_o testimony_n for_o the_o authenticness_n of_o a_o old_a writer_n in_o some_o mouse-eaten_a rag_n of_o antiquity_n it_o have_v go_v down_o current_o with_o your_o genius_n and_o be_v next_o to_o gospel_n i_o value_v not_o your_o judgement_n of_o i_o but_o high_o and_o equal_o dislike_v your_o humour_n as_o void_a of_o all_o ingenuity_n whether_o it_o have_v be_v use_v to_o myself_o or_o another_o when_o you_o review_v schism_n dispatch_v and_o see_v your_o mistake_n i_o hope_v you_o will_v have_v a_o good_a conceit_n of_o my_o friend_n at_o least_o for_o who_o in_o this_o passage_n i_o apologise_v but_o that_o i_o may_v re-acquaint_a myself_o with_o you_o i_o be_o to_o tell_v you_o that_o you_o also_o have_v meet_v i_o former_o and_o know_v i_o very_o well_o nay_o that_o i_o be_o exceed_o bind_v to_o you_o for_o the_o best_a favour_n in_o the_o world_n which_o be_v that_o accidental_o you_o contribute_v to_o make_v i_o a_o catholic_n but_o because_o it_o be_v long_o ago_o i_o be_o force_v to_o remind_v you_o of_o it_o by_o two_o token_n one_o be_v that_o in_o durham-house_n where_o you_o at_o that_o time_n lodge_v when_o you_o come_v to_o