by_o some_o natural_a and_o therefore_o more_o easily-known_a assistance_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n those_o out_o of_o she_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o she_o be_v supernatural_o assist_v this_o be_v the_o method_n i_o take_v in_o resolve_v faith_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o other_o that_o be_v either_o more_o solid_a more_o orderly_a more_o connatural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o more_o honourable_a to_o god_n church_n i_o shall_v as_o willing_o and_o easy_o quit_v it_o as_o i_o now_o out_o of_o long_a and_o serious_a consideration_n embrace_v and_o firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o whoever_o contradict_v this_o especial_o as_o to_o that_o point_n which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n must_v withal_o contradict_v a_o maxim_n on_o which_o all_o science_n be_v principal_o build_v namely_o that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o notion_n define_v which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a definition_n but_o of_o each_o single_a part_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o one_o part_n be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v the_o whole_a definition_n as_o have_v that_o obscure_a part_n in_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o obscure_a likewise_o wherefore_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v more_o know_v and_o knowable_a than_o that_o of_o church_n and_o consequent_o antecedent_n to_o it_o in_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n or_o the_o definition_n will_v be_v obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o if_o it_o be_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o to_o what_o end_n definition_n be_v or_o why_o they_o do_v not_o rather_o conduce_v to_o ignorance_n than_o to_o science_n add_v that_o true_a faith_n be_v most_o intrinsical_a and_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n it_o be_v by_o consequence_n a_o more_o forcible_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o convince_v inevitable_o that_o such_o a_o body_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o be_v any_o extrinsecal_n mark_v whatsoever_o and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o extrinsical_a mark_n be_v more_o easy_o knowable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o superficial_a appearance_n there_o be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o objection_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n to_o settle_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o any_o of_o these_o mark_n any_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v at_o all_o much_o less_o more_o easy_o know_v if_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o visible_a and_o practical_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v questionable_a and_o that_o neither_o scripture_n father_n council_n history_n monument_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v pretend_v to_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a or_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v know_v unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o that_o be_v more_o know_v as_o be_v show_v particular_o in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a §_o 11._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v take_v in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n take_v at_o large_a for_o the_o humane_a or_o natural_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o deliver_v and_o last_o for_o its_o divinely-assisted_n or_o supernatural_a authority_n call_v proper_o christian._n when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o one_o fence_n when_o in_o another_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o the_o concomitant_a circumstance_n will_v evident_o determine_v only_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o three_o notion_n be_v not_o adequate_o contradistinct_a the_o late_a still_o include_v the_o former_a as_o length_n breadth_n and_o depth_n do_v in_o continue_v quantity_n for_o the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n include_v tradition_n take_v at_o large_a and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v show_v suref_a p._n 82_o 83._o the_o supernatural_a authority_n include_v all_o find_v in_o the_o other_o two_o and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v particular_o declare_v there_o from_o p._n 84._o to_o p._n 93._o so_o that_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v imaginable_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v christian_n or_o in_o the_o testify_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n §_o 12._o but_o because_o it_o be_v still_o d._n it_o be_v best_a play_n to_o make_v use_n of_o extrinsecal_n exception_n so_o to_o divert_v the_o reader_n eye_n and_o avoid_v answer_v my_o intrinsecal_n reason_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o grapple_v and_o since_o among_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v very_o frequent_a at_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n of_o my_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n after_o a_o different_a manner_n than_o other_o divine_n do_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o omit_v many_o pregnant_a instance_n which_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o dr._n stratford_n the_o learned_a author_n of_o protestancy_n without_o principle_n and_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o show_v how_o far_o he_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n by_o instance_v in_o one_o controvertist_n of_o eminent_a both_o fame_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o in_o his_o time_n one_o who_o write_v before_o rushworth_n dialogue_n appear_v or_o perhaps_o be_v think_v of_o and_o so_o can_v be_v suspect_v a_o follower_n of_o that_o new_a way_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v it_o i_o mean_v mr._n fisher._n this_o able_a controvertist_n in_o his_o censure_n of_o dr._n white_n be_v reply_n p._n 83_o 84_o maintain_v that_o unwritten_a that_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v the_o prime_a ground_n of_o faith_n more_o fundamental_a than_o scripture_n and_o show_v how_o his_o adversary_n mr._n white_a the_o minister_n grant_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o point_n p._n 27._o he_o conclude_v strong_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n suppose_v before_o faith_n which_o infidel_n see_v to_o be_v true_a resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o be_v secondary_a truth_n dark_a and_o obscure_a in_o themselves_o believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n which_o word_n as_o ample_o and_o full_o express_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o express_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v for_o how_o shall_v that_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a or_o how_o can_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n that_o be_v partly_o at_o least_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n since_o what_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o presuppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o argument_n he_o make_v the_o primâ—_n principle_n of_o faith_n or_o unwritten_a tradition_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o that_o be_v the_o same_o we_o mean_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a evident_a in_o itself_o and_o p._n 40._o he_o put_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o protestant_n to_o be_v what_o be_v the_o external_a infallible_a ground_n unto_o which_o divine_a inspiration_n move_v man_n to_o adhere_v that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n where_o first_o beside_o god_n grace_n move_v we_o to_o every_o good_a act_n which_o all_o catholic_n hold_v to_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o he_o a_o external_n infallible_a ground_n next_o that_o without_o such_o a_o ground_n a_o man_n can_v be_v settle_v in_o true_a save_a faith_n again_o p._n 38_o come_n to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o know_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v apostolical_a he_o mention_n none_o but_o only_o public_a catholic_n tradition_n teach_v unanimous_o and_o perpetual_o by_o pastor_n which_o p._n 37._o he_o call_v a_o rule_n infallible_a and_o say_v that_o only_a heretic_n charge_v it_o to_o be_v fallible_a where_o also_o he_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v the_o catholic_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o tradition_n of_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o father_n unto_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o child_n etc._n etc._n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o by_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v appear_v to_o be_v evident_o the_o same_o i_o defend_v he_o affirm_v p._n 38._o that_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v simple_o infallible_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n thereof_o and_o quote_v suarez_n to_o
principle_n examine_v of_o suspense_n and_o assent_n of_o great_a likelihood_n freedom_n from_o actual_a doubt_n fair_a probability_n and_o other_o mock-certainty_n §_o 1._o he_o introduce_v his_o discourse_n thus_o so_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n by_o all_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v by_o as_o good_a argument_n as_o that_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v as_o we_o can_v possible_o have_v suppose_v it_o be_v we_o ought_v not_o in_o reason_n to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o that_o thing_n this_o be_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o first_o principle_n too_o be_v so_o universal_o necessary_a that_o without_o admit_v this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o nor_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o be_v certain_a to_o any_o man_n you_o see_v gentleman_n how_o much_o depend_v upon_o it_o and_o i_o conceive_v you_o will_v easy_o conclude_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o evident_a and_o as_o firm_a as_o any_o first_o principle_n extant_a since_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o precious_a concern_v in_o the_o world_n particular_o the_o possibility_n of_o prove_v a_o deity_n must_v run_v its_o fate_n and_o be_v establish_v or_o ruin_v by_o its_o stand_n or_o fall_v now_o my_o judgement_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a piece_n of_o folly_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a abstract_n of_o pithy_a nonsense_n that_o ever_o be_v lay_v down_o since_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n by_o any_o sober_a man_n for_o such_o a_o principle_n without_o which_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o can_v be_v have_v no_o not_o even_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n i_o charge_v it_o therefore_o with_o four_o fault_n first_o that_o it_o be_v unprove_v next_o it_o be_v unevident_a of_o itself_o and_o so_o no_o principle_n three_o that_o be_v it_o evident_a it_o be_v impertinent_a to_o the_o end_n it_o be_v produce_v for_o and_o last_o it_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o §_o 2._o and_o first_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o conclusion_n by_o his_o introduce_v it_o with_o so_o that_o etc._n etc._n after_o his_o former_a discourse_n but_o as_o i_o have_v already_o confute_v that_o so_o i_o discern_v not_o any_o title_n it_o have_v to_o be_v sequel_n from_o those_o premise_n in_o case_n they_o be_v true_a for_o what_o a_o mad_a consequence_n be_v this_o diverse_a thing_n bear_v diverse_a kind_n of_o proof_n some_o weak_a some_o strong_a therefore_o when_o we_o have_v the_o best_a the_o object_n can_v afford_v we_o we_o be_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v how_o i_o say_v do_v this_o follow_v unless_o he_o have_v first_o maâ—e_n out_o or_o at_o least_o supposed_a that_o the_o least_o of_o those_o proof_n be_v satisfactory_a or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o object_n in_o the_o world_n but_o be_v capable_a of_o yield_a light_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v which_o position_n every_o day_n experience_n convince_v of_o falsehood_n indeed_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o word_n that_o upon_o our_o see_v the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o conclusive_a proof_n it_o be_v wisdom_n in_o we_o to_o sit_v down_o satisfy_v that_o no_o more_o be_v to_o be_v have_v and_o so_o surcease_v our_o far_a quest_n i_o understand_v he_o very_o well_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o acquiesce_v to_o its_o truth_n as_o he_o must_v mean_v to_o make_v it_o 〈◊〉_d for_o his_o purpose_n not_o from_o the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v under_o or_o the_o prevalence_n of_o the_o object_n upon_o my_o understanding_n subdue_a it_o to_o assent_n but_o because_o that_o object_n be_v capable_a to_o bear_v no_o more_o or_o to_o discover_v itself_o no_o better_o to_o my_o sight_n be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o say_v that_o because_o the_o object_n afford_v i_o no_o certain_a light_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v or_o no_o therefore_o i_o will_v hold_v myself_o well_o apay_v and_o think_v it_o be_v certain_a or_o thus_o though_o i_o see_v absolute_o speak_v it_o be_v uncertain_a yet_o as_o long_o as_o i_o see_v withal_o the_o object_n can_v bear_v no_o more_o or_o can_v be_v make_v absolute_o certain_a i_o will_v therefore_o rest_v satisfy_v or_o judge_v it_o be_v absolute_o certain_a if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o meaning_n i_o desire_v himself_o to_o inform_v i_o better_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o i_o it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o if_o he_o mean_v anything_o at_o all_o his_o intent_n be_v to_o evince_v a_o deity_n and_o i_o declare_v hearty_o i_o have_v that_o good_a opinion_n of_o he_o as_o to_o hope_v that_o settle_v perhaps_o in_o that_o assent_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n as_o be_v the_o vulgar_a and_o not_o by_o skill_n or_o principle_n as_o scholar_n be_v for_o his_o speculation_n make_v it_o absolute_o uncertain_a he_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a either_o than_o he_o judge_v his_o motive_n he_o have_v to_o evince_v it_o conclusive_a or_o no_o if_o conclusive_a there_o need_v no_o run_v about_o the_o bush_n to_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a kind_n of_o proof_n or_o lay_v such_o whimsical_a principle_n fit_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o make_v the_o witty_a atheist_n laugh_v at_o christianity_n but_o it_o have_v be_v enough_o to_o stand_v to_o it_o hearty_o that_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v so_o because_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v so_o but_o in_o case_n he_o fear_v his_o motive_n be_v not_o absolute_o conclusive_a or_o able_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n and_o that_o this_o be_v his_o sentiment_n appear_v by_o his_o blame_v i_o here_o p._n 20._o for_o pretend_v to_o such_o to_o ground_n faith_n then_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o good_a policy_n or_o rather_o plain_a necessity_n to_o lay_v some_o principle_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o he_o may_v compound_v the_o business_n between_o the_o object_n and_o the_o understanding_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n though_o this_o seem_v but_o a_o odd_a method_n of_o prove_v as_o friend_n take_v up_o difference_n between_o good_a nature_a creditor_n and_o the_o debtor_n when_o he_o that_o owe_v be_v williâ—â—_n to_o do_v his_o utmost_a but_o yet_o be_v not_o solvent_a and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v say_v before_o so_o to_o accord_v the_o business_n to_o avoid_v rigorous_a dispute_n that_o though_o the_o understanding_n see_v absolute_o speak_v the_o thing_n be_v uncertain_a and_o more_o light_a if_o it_o can_v be_v have_v be_v in_o reality_n due_a ere_o it_o can_v be_v satisfy_v of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n yet_o because_o the_o object_n be_v able_a to_o afford_v no_o more_o it_o be_v award_v by_o their_o umpire_n dr._n t._n that_o the_o kind-hearted_a understanding_n be_v to_o be_v content_a to_o rest_v apay_v and_o hold_v it_o notwithstanding_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o say_v that_o though_o i_o do_v not_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o yet_o because_o the_o thing_n itself_o can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v so_o i_o will_v fancy_v strong_o or_o judge_v i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v so_o let_v we_o parallel_v it_o by_o analogy_n to_o our_o corporal_a sight_n and_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o though_o i_o see_v not_o the_o wall_n to_o be_v white_a because_o it_o be_v so_o far_o distant_a or_o the_o air_n dusky_a yet_o because_o i_o can_v see_v it_o no_o better_o the_o wall_z thus_o circumstance_v not_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v my_o eye_n clear_o therefore_o despair_v of_o the_o wall_n afford_v i_o any_o better_a sight_n of_o itself_o i_o will_v piece_v out_o that_o degree_n of_o obscurity_n in_o the_o object_n with_o a_o strong_a bend_v my_o eye_n till_o i_o fancy_v very_o i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v white_a or_o rather_o out_o of_o a_o civil_a compliance_n with_o its_o defect_n of_o visibleness_n i_o will_v very_o judge_v and_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v indeed_o of_o such_o a_o colour_n and_o than_o if_o any_o object_n folly_n to_o i_o for_o assent_v upon_o infirm_a ground_n i_o will_v tell_v he_o he_o be_v ill-natured_a and_o unmerciful_a the_o poor_a wall_n have_v do_v alas_o all_v it_o can_v and_o who_o can_v in_o reason_n desire_v more_o §_o 3._o i_o expect_v dr._n t._n will_v pretend_v degree_n of_o intellectual_a sight_n and_o that_o by_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o evidence_n he_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v though_o it_o be_v not_o manifest_v to_o he_o by_o the_o great_a but_o it_o be_v impossible_a and_o even_a contradictory_n
the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o these_o be_v my_o word_n then_o and_o i_o be_o sorry_a he_o will_v needs_o dare_v and_o provoke_v i_o to_o make_v they_o good_a in_o which_o if_o i_o have_v justify_v myself_o too_o particular_o let_v he_o blame_v himself_o all_o this_o while_n i_o serious_o declare_v that_o i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o far_a yet_o from_o imagine_v that_o already_o hold_v one_o he_o shall_v hold_v it_o possible_a afterward_o god_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v which_o ridiculous_a folly_n constant_a to_o his_o prevaricate_a humour_n he_o put_v upon_o i_o p._n 8._o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v that_o his_o ill_a principle_n do_v equivalent_o confess_v it_o possible_a there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v a_o god_n and_o this_o i_o have_v abundant_o show_v out_o of_o his_o own_o word_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o himself_o through_o god_n goodness_n have_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v no_o speculater_n or_o scholar_n also_o have_v it_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n in_o despite_n of_o his_o weak_a speculation_n nay_o that_o in_o this_o very_a sermon_n he_o have_v one_o or_o two_o proof_n which_o have_v in_o they_o the_o force_n of_o a_o demonstration_n though_o his_o not_o understand_v and_o so_o ill-managing_a of_o they_o and_o then_o call_v they_o probability_n have_v endeavour_v all_o that_o may_v be_v to_o render_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o i_o end_v with_o some_o of_o his_o own_o word_n pref._n p._n 37._o that_o if_o dr._n t._n do_v in_o truth_n believe_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o a_o creation_n be_v as_o he_o say_v serm._n p._n 20_o so_o evident_a that_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v make_v plain_a than_o they_o be_v of_o themselves_o he_o shall_v by_o all_o mean_n have_v let_v they_o alone_o for_o they_o be_v in_o a_o very_a good_a condition_n to_o shift_v for_o themselves_o but_o his_o blind_a and_o sceptical_a way_n of_o prove_v they_o be_v enough_o to_o cast_v a_o mist_n about_o the_o clear_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o admonish_v he_o that_o it_o lie_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v it_o half_a that_o mischief_n as_o one_o christian_a divine_n may_v who_o by_o his_o earnestness_n manifest_v a_o desire_n to_o do_v the_o best_a he_o can_v by_o the_o vogue_n he_o bear_v seem_v able_a to_o do_v the_o best_a that_o may_v be_v do_v yet_o produce_v not_o any_o one_o proof_n which_o he_o vouch_v to_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o truth_n either_o of_o christianity_n or_o a_o deity_n but_o rather_o by_o his_o carriage_n deny_v there_o be_v any_o such_o while_o he_o talk_v of_o likelihood_n probability_n more_o credible_a opinion_n moral_a certainty_n and_o suchlike_a who_o very_a name_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v or_o endure_v in_o a_o discourse_n aim_v to_o settle_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n let_v he_o consider_v that_o he_o must_v take_v his_o measure_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o ground_n from_o the_o object_n or_o thing_n not_o from_o our_o freedom_n from_o doubt_n and_o suchlike_a for_o these_o may_v be_v light_a and_o silly_a whereas_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v â—aid_v by_o god_n must_v necessary_o be_v wise_a and_o solid_a and_o so_o when_o look_v into_o absolutely-conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n let_v we_o then_o who_o hold_v a_o god_n leave_v creature_n to_o their_o weakness_n vindicate_v our_o maker_n from_o the_o scandalous_a imputation_n of_o govern_v mankind_n tyrannical_o by_o command_v we_o to_o assent_v thâ—t_v a_o thing_n be_v which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o see_v may_v not_o be_v so_o oblige_v we_o to_o hold_v contrary_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n which_o himself_o have_v ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o what_o be_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n possible_a not_o to_o be_v and_o to_o profess_v a_o point_n true_a nay_o die_v to_o attest_v its_o truth_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v show_v false_a to_o morrow_n nay_o which_o ourselves_o see_v may_v be_v now_o false_a he_o tell_v we_o here_o in_o common_a p._n 90_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o true_o that_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v our_o selus_fw-la we_o be_v encounter_v with_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o a_o deity_n why_o do_v he_o then_o come_v to_o make_v out_o that_o point_n say_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v clear_a demonstration_n and_o that_o only_a mathematical_a matter_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o why_o pursue_v he_o not_o such_o proof_n as_o these_o and_o make_v they_o out_o and_o stand_v by_o they_o and_o reduce_v they_o to_o first_o principle_n and_o so_o oblige_v humane_a nature_n to_o assent_v to_o they_o under_o evident_a forfeiture_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o even_a manhood_n be_v he_o afraid_a clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n will_v not_o necessary_o conclude_v why_o do_v he_o put_v supposition_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o then_o argue_v thus_o blind_o that_o since_o suppose_v it_o be_v it_o will_v give_v no_o more_o light_n of_o itself_o than_o it_o do_v therefore_o it_o be_v be_v there_o any_o necessity_n for_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a perplex_v and_o inconclusive_a method_n when_o we_o may_v vouch_v we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n last_o why_o do_v he_o distrust_v the_o object_n strength_n and_o explain_v our_o assurance_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o faith_n by_o moral_a certainty_n or_o such_o as_o will_v satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n probability_n amass_v together_o not_o doubt_v and_o other_o suchlike_a feeble_a diminutive_a expression_n be_v not_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o be_v demonstration_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la in_o point_n of_o certainty_n incomparable_o beyond_o such_o quiver_a ground_n and_o such_o dwindle_a adhesion_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v take_v these_o thing_n into_o his_o better_a thought_n and_o at_o least_o by_o amend_v his_o expression_n and_o reason_n hereafter_o make_v some_o tolerable_a satisfaction_n for_o this_o intolerable_a injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o god_n church_n discourse_n vi._n that_o dr._n t._n make_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a of_o infallibility_n demonstration_n and_o moral_a certainty_n §_o 1._o thus_o much_o to_o justify_v my_o first_o charge_n that_o dr._n t._n make_v that_o fundamental_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o consequent_o all_o religion_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a my_o second_o charge_n be_v that_o he_o particular_o make_v all_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o it_o be_v find_v faith_n vindicated_n p._n 171._o where_o i_o put_v down_o his_o own_o word_n which_o concern_v that_o purpose_n though_o he_o who_o presume_v on_o the_o partiality_n of_o his_o friend_n take_v the_o liberty_n to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o even_o eyesight_n may_v confute_v assure_v his_o reader_n pag._n 5._o that_o i_o dare_v not_o cite_v they_o i_o lay_v my_o charge_n in_o this_o tenor_n it_o be_v necessary_o consequent_a from_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n that_o if_o i_o have_v discourse_v right_a in_o this_o small_a treatise_n of_o i_o and_o have_v prove_v that_o faith_n and_o consequent_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o mr._n t.'s_n confession_n p._n 118._o to_o which_o mr._n st.'s_n doctrine_n be_v consonant_a that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v to_o be_v false_a that_o any_o book_n be_v so_o ancient_a as_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v or_o that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o name_n it_o bear_v or_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o be_v a_o clear_a conviction_n that_o neither_o be_v the_o book-rule_n he_o maintain_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 3._o nor_o have_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n true_a faith_n §_o 4._o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n own_v take_v away_o private_a spirit_n but_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only-true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 6._o and_o so_o the_o main_a of_o sure-footing_a stand_v yet_o firm_a and_o last_o it_o be_v evince_v that_o his_o own_o book_n which_o oppose_v it_o oppose_v the_o only-true_a because_o the_o only_a impossible-to-be-false_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v convince_v in_o that_o supposition_n to_o go_v about_o to_o undermine_v all_o christian_a faith_n whence_o the_o title_n of_o his_o probable-natured_a book_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v manifest_v to_o be_v a_o improper_a nickname_n
and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n you_o see_v here_o gentlemen_z how_o great_a stress_n i_o lay_v upon_o dr._n t.'s_n confession_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o consequent_o his_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o real_o if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o it_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o suffer_v a_o very_a great_a defeat_n because_o i_o so_o much_o build_v upon_o it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v utter_o overthrow_v as_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n either_o of_o be_v a_o good_a writer_n or_o a_o solid_a christian_a divine_a and_o he_o will_v owe_v the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o who_o his_o doctrine_n have_v pervert_v by_o turn_v their_o faith_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n who_o ground_n and_o consequent_o itself_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a into_o opinion_n who_o ground_n and_o by_o consequence_n itself_o be_v 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place_n now_o cite_v and_o relate_v by_o he_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o sense_n as_o he_o acknowledge_v here_o page_z 15._o these_o thing_n thus_o premise_v i_o put_v he_o this_o dilemma_n either_o he_o hold_v what_o he_o conceive_v to_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v his_o faith_n true_a or_o he_o do_v not_o if_o he_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a he_o must_v hold_v it_o at_o least_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o not_o actual_o such_o but_o if_o he_o say_v he_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v true_a then_o since_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o security_n he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o of_o the_o book_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o immediate_o subjoin_v these_o very_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o â—ay_v be_v otherwise_o he_o as_o evident_o say_v that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o that_o be_v his_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o it_o be_v that_o what_o be_v otherwise_o than_o true_a be_v false_a i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o dr._n t._n can_v possible_o speak_v more_o plain_o what_o i_o charge_v he_o with_o than_o he_o have_v do_v in_o those_o word_n unless_o he_o shall_v use_v the_o word_n false_a which_o too_o candid_a and_o rude_a expression_n will_v expose_v he_o open_o to_o the_o dislike_n of_o all_o sober_a mâ—n_z and_o therefore_o he_o disguise_v it_o in_o its_o more_o moderate_a equivalent_a otherwise_o i_o say_v equivalent_a and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o what_o the_o word_n otherwise_o relate_v too_o human_a language_n forbid_v that_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v otherwise_o unless_o it_o be_v otherwise_o than_o something_o i_o ask_v then_o otherwise_o than_o what_o do_v he_o mean_v when_o be_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o discourse_v what_o security_n he_o have_v of_o the_o antiquity_n writer_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a as_o word_n can_v express_v he_o must_v mean_v it_o be_v possible_a the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a as_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v possible_a this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o such_o passage_n as_o concern_v faith_n for_o to_o these_o and_o these_o only_a our_o discourse_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o title_n of_o his_o book_n determine_v it_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o none_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o his_o faith_n in_o case_n it_o be_v sole_o ground_v upon_o that_o as_o he_o profess_v see_v reader_n how_o all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o sacred_a one_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o man_n frame_v only_o for_o fine_a talk_v undertake_v to_o prove_v and_o how_o parallel_a his_o defence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n be_v to_o that_o he_o give_v we_o late_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o so_o prove_v a_o god_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a there_o may_v be_v none_o and_o now_o he_o so_o prove_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a it_o may_v be_v no_o rule_n since_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o follow_v may_v lead_v into_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v dr._n t._n need_v here_o the_o blessing_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n else_o he_o will_v not_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v scripture_n a_o rule_n and_o then_o ever_o and_o anon_o in_o equivalent_a language_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v none_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v now_o and_o then_o reflect_v upon_o such_o evident_a truth_n and_o not_o out_o of_o a_o openly-declared_a feud_n against_o those_o first_o principle_n fall_v thus_o perpetual_o into_o manifest_a contradiction_n §_o 3._o but_o how_o do_v dr._n t._n clear_a himself_o of_o this_o charge_n of_o i_o or_o how_o come_v he_o off_o from_o his_o own_o word_n first_o he_o again_o put_v down_o those_o very_a word_n which_o say_v over_o and_o over_o what_o i_o charge_v upon_o he_o and_o then_o ask_v very_o confident_o where_o he_o say_v any_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v just_a as_o wise_a a_o craft_n as_o child_n use_v when_o they_o hoodwink_v themselves_o and_o then_o tell_v the_o bystander_n they_o shall_v not_o see_v they_o next_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o he_o say_v be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a in_o judge_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o mean_v that_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v these_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o to_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n but_o yet_o etc._n etc._n be_v this_o all_o he_o say_v what_o then_o be_v become_v of_o those_o famous_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o may_v be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v only_o object_v but_o let_v we_o examine_v what_o he_o do_v acknowledge_v whether_o he_o be_v infallible_o certain_a or_o no_o it_o matter_n not_o but_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v why_o if_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a ground_n of_o faith_n some_o at_o least_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v to_o govern_v and_o instruct_v the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v thus_o certain_a of_o both_o in_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v and_o as_o we_o questionless_a be_v die_v to_o attest_v the_o point_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o be_v absolutely-certain_a truth_n again_o if_o dr._n t._n be_v not_o infallible_o certain_a
the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o if_o the_o simple_a can_v not_o nay_o be_v not_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o other_o to_o believe_v upon_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a motive_n which_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v her_o faith_n upon_o or_o as_o if_o the_o most_o simple_a that_o be_v can_v not_o rational_o believe_v the_o church_n and_o so_o become_v infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n by_o adhere_v to_o she_o though_o their_o weak_a understanding_n do_v not_o penetrate_v or_o comprehend_v how_o the_o church_n or_o themselves_o come_v to_o be_v so_o nay_o perhaps_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o what_o the_o word_n infallible_a mean_n till_o some_o discourse_n awaken_v the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o in_o they_o §_o 10._o have_v thus_o act_v the_o disputant_n exit_fw-la theologus_fw-la intrat_fw-la scuâ—ra_fw-la and_o pag._n 13.14_o play_v the_o old_a trick_n of_o legerdemain_n over_o again_o that_o be_v leave_v out_o half_a a_o argument_n of_o i_o and_o playâ—_n upon_o the_o other_o half_a with_o all_o the_o disingenuous_a craft_n a_o wit_n bend_v that_o way_n can_v invent_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 89._o and_o 90._o i_o discourse_v thus_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n will_v seem_v to_o a_o heathen_a impossible_a to_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o motive_n must_v at_o least_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o dr._n t._n confess_v both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o object_n proportion_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v that_o be_v to_o make_v it_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o he_o it_o will_v be_v against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v have_v view_v my_o discourse_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o peruse_v the_o answer_n here_o give_v by_o my_o confuter_n he_o name_v the_o word_n argument_n say_v two_o pretty_a word_n upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v pleasant_a and_o surprise_v leaf_n out_o better_a half_n of_o it_o conceal_v perfect_o all_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o conclude_v strong_o against_o his_o own_o insufficient_a ground_n catch_n at_o a_o word_n and_o will_v make_v my_o discouse_n and_o argument_n aim_v to_o prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o motive_n be_v only_a seem_o such_o whereas_o every_o page_n in_o that_o book_n and_o its_o whole_a design_n show_v i_o mean_v and_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v actual_o real_o and_o indeed_o such_o have_v i_o a_o mind_n to_o evade_v such_o petty_a cavil_n i_o can_v allege_v that_o both_o may_v seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a yet_o one_o more_o seem_v so_o than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v advancing_z to_o confute_v he_o i_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o contend_v that_o against_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a nothing_o but_o motive_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v hold_v convictive_a but_o he_o have_v no_o motive_n even_o seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o confess_o possible_a to_o be_v such_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o imaginable_a show_n of_o convictiveness_n i_o grant_v then_o it_o be_v asleep_o draw_v match_n as_o he_o call_v it_o between_o equally-seeming_a impossibility_n and_o because_o it_o be_v so_o therefore_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o object_n be_v by_o much_o a_o overmatch_n to_o what_o be_v less_o than_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a in_o the_o motive_n or_o ground_n but_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n his_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_o possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v false_a and_o so_o be_v less_o than_o seem_o even_o to_o himself_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o his_o motive_n to_o believe_v be_v incomparable_o overmatcht_v by_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v rational_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n no_o faith_n at_o all_o this_o be_v my_o true_a argument_n which_o perhaps_o may_v be_v surprise_v to_o he_o which_o make_v he_o thus_o start_v aside_o from_o put_v or_o answer_v it_o though_o we_o may_v perceive_v by_o his_o carriage_n he_o esteem_v not_o it_o and_o other_o such_o like_a very_o pleasant_a indeed_o he_o still_o put_v on_o a_o pleasant_a look_v when_o he_o shall_v be_v sober_a and_o be_v ever_o most_o merry_a when_o it_o become_v he_o to_o be_v the_o most_o serious_a but_o this_o be_v long_o since_o understand_v to_o be_v a_o necessary_a policy_n not_o a_o genuine_a effect_n of_o nature_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o transubstantiation_n be_v evident_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a if_o so_o than_o it_o imply_v some_o contradiction_n which_o if_o he_o show_v i_o in_o any_o thing_n hold_v of_o faith_n by_o catholic_n in_o that_o point_n i_o will_v become_v dr._n t_n convert_v and_o obedient_a auditor_n but_o alas_o how_o will_v he_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o contradiction_n since_o those_o faulty_a proposition_n be_v as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2.3_o therefore_o such_o because_o they_o be_v opposite_a to_o identical_a one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v see_v then_o dr._n t._n have_v long_o since_o renounce_v all_o those_o from_o be_v first_o principles_n for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v discern_v he_o must_v either_o hold_v there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o or_o else_o which_o come_v to_o the_o same_o hold_v that_o contradiction_n be_v truth_n §_o 11._o but_o he_o go_v forward_o amain_o in_o confute_v a_o point_n which_o no_o man_n live_v ever_o maintain_v viz._n that_o every_o single_a christian_a must_v be_v infallible_a that_o be_v as_o dr._n t._n will_v needs_o take_v it_o must_v so_o penetrate_v his_o ground_n and_o what_o relate_v to_o they_o as_o to_o see_v clear_o he_o can_v be_v deceiuâ—d_v in_o judge_v his_o ground_n of_o faith_n conclusive_a whereas_o my_o tenet_n be_v that_o let_v any_o man_n though_o of_o the_o acute_a understanding_n and_o great_a learning_n that_o may_v be_v entertain_v any_o tenet_n as_o faith_n oâ—_n reveal_v by_o god_n upon_o any_o other_o motive_n than_o what_o god_n have_v lose_v to_o his_o church_n this_o man_n however_o thus_o endow_v not_o only_o may_v but_o in_o likelihood_n will_v be_v deceive_v not_o for_o want_v of_o wit_n but_o for_o want_v of_o ground_n ascertain_v and_o infallible_o engage_v the_o divine_a revelation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v the_o simple_a and_o weak_a understanding_n that_o be_v happen_v to_o embrace_v faith_n upon_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n and_o leave_v in_o his_o church_n he_o be_v infallible_o secure_a from_o be_v in_o a_o error_n not_o through_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o understanding_n perfect_o discern_v and_o penetrate_v the_o conclusive_a nature_n of_o his_o ground_n but_o though_o the_o strength_n of_o those_o ground_n themselves_o or_o of_o the_o cause_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o plant_v and_o continue_v right_a faith_n in_o the_o church_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o what_o he_o have_v thus_o more_a by_o the_o peculiar_a disposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a providence_n than_o any_o reach_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n or_o judgement_n fortunate_o embrace_v be_v preserve_v impossible_a to_o false_a and_o consequent_o his_o assent_n to_o it_o impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n because_o the_o church_n authority_n upon_o which_o he_o receive_v it_o be_v infallible_a and_o sure_o it_o be_v but_o fit_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v upon_o that_o rule_n god_n have_v leave_v and_o command_v we_o to_o follow_v shall_v be_v thus_o secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n for_o otherwise_o since_o a_o power_n be_v relative_a to_o its_o proper_a act_n what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a may_v actual_o be_v so_o and_o so_o we_o may_v come_v to_o be_v lead_v actual_o into_o error_n by_o obey_v god_n command_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v thâ—s_n if_o dr._n t._n therefore_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o receive_v their_o faith_n upon_o and_o by_o do_v so_o have_v command_v they_o to_o believe_v it_o he_o must_v either_o say_v that_o its_o sense_n and_o letter_n take_v they_o as_o he_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o beside_o the_o many_o absurdity_n already_o mention_v grant_v that_o our_o alwise_a and_o good_a god_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n into_o actual_a error_n nay_o command_v they_o to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o a_o lie_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v
will_v believe_v he_o that_o my_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a &_o unchristian_a all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o my_o ground_n and_o nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o to_o prove_v it_o in_o his_o way_n it_o be_v but_o mistake_v again_o the_o notion_n of_o school-divines_a for_o the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o school_n for_o church_n as_o he_o do_v late_o and_o the_o deed_n be_v do_v immediate_o without_o any_o more_o trouble_n he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n in_o his_o first_o principle_n and_o his_o method_n that_o i_o ever_o meet_v with_o the_o part_n of_o the_o former_a need_v not_o hang_v together_o at_o all_o but_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v incoherent_a and_o the_o late_a be_v a_o build_n upon_o false_a pretence_n and_o wrong_a supposition_n and_o then_o what_o may_v not_o he_o prove_v or_o what_o conquest_n can_v he_o obtain_v by_o such_o powerful_a stratagem_n he_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v not_o make_v oral_a tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o she_o faith_n possible_o i_o be_o not_o so_o lucky_a as_o to_o light_v on_o this_o large_a proof_n of_o he_o all_o i_o can_v find_v with_o a_o ordinary_a search_n be_v four_o or_o five_o line_n rule_v of_o faith_n pag._n 280._o where_o after_o a_o commonly-objected_n &_o often-answered_a citation_n from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n declare_v that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n &_o unwritten_a tradition_n &_o therefore_o that_o they_o receive_v &_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n &_o also_o tradition_n with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n he_o add_v which_o i_o understand_v not_o how_o those_o do_v who_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n now_o i_o have_v put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o suref_a pag._n 346._o and_o proceed_v to_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o pag._n 150._o particular_o pag._n 147.149_o upon_o this_o reason_n because_o take_v the_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o tradition_n as_o the_o council_n express_v itself_o to_o do_v and_o forbid_v any_o man_n to_o interpret_v it_o otherwise_o it_o have_v the_o full_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o equal_o to_o be_v reverence_v whereas_o take_v it_o interpret_v by_o private_a head_n which_o only_o will_v serve_v dr_n t_n turn_n it_o be_v nothing_o less_o as_o not_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n at_o all_o but_o now_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n there_o be_v more_o require_v as_o dr._n t._n himself_o grant_v and_o contend_v it_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o every_o sensible_a may_v understand_v it_o as_o to_z matter_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o build_v on_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n authority_n and_o judgement_n i_o deny_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o say_v it_o be_v no_o rule_n i_o omit_v the_o repeat_n very_o many_o argument_n from_o the_o council_n for_o that_o point_n deduce_v from_o pag._n 141._o to_o pag._n 146._o never_o touch_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o that_o mock-answ_a of_o he_o §_o 16._o but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o mistake_v i_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o declare_v who_o i_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o least_o from_o the_o way_n to_o it_o who_o not_o and_o upon_o what_o ground_n speak_v of_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o to_o do_v throughout_o this_o whole_a treatise_n i_o make_v account_v that_o perfect_a charity_n or_o love_n of_o god_n above_o and_o in_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o bliss_n or_o vnitive_a of_o a_o soul_n to_o god_n also_o that_o this_o virtue_n can_v with_o a_o due_a heartiness_n be_v connatural_o or_o rational_o wrought_v in_o soul_n if_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o of_o christian_a faith_n be_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o ly._n hence_o i_o be_o oblige_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o hold_v that_o those_o who_o judge_v there_o be_v no_o absolueely-conclusive_a reason_n for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n nor_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v as_o such_o out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o salvation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o who_o hold_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v infallible_a and_o by_o consequence_n their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o all_o catholic_n do_v though_o as_o divine_n they_o fail_v in_o make_v out_o how_o and_o by_o what_o particular_a mean_n it_o come_v to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o through_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o firm_a and_o steady_a adhesion_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v because_o they_o be_v truth_n apt_a to_o beget_v solid_a and_o wellgrounded_n that_o be_v indeed_o true_a virtue_n such_o as_o be_v a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a and_o all-oure-powering_a charity_n hence_o they_o possess_v the_o connatural_a mean_n or_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o esteem_v dr._n it_o be_v way_n of_o discourse_v concern_v a_o deity_n and_o faith_n in_o his_o sermon_n most_o pestilent_a and_o mischievous_a to_o soul_n as_o be_v apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o incline_v they_o if_o they_o have_v wit_n to_o discern_v its_o shallowness_n first_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n and_o at_o next_o to_o carelessness_n irreligion_n and_o atheism_n though_o true_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o his_o intention_n to_o do_v so_o but_o that_o his_o shortness_n in_o understanding_n the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o christianity_n make_v he_o conceit_n he_o do_v excellent_o even_o to_o admiration_n all_o the_o while_o he_o commit_v such_o well-meaning_a folly_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v upon_o second_o thought_n think_v fit_a to_o patronize_v principle_n so_o destructive_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n find_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o protestant_n i_o ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o who_o all_o with_o one_o mouth_n will_v own_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a christian_a faith_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o abhor_v the_o contrary_a position_n as_o wicked_a and_o damnable_a how_o dr._n t._n may_v have_v season_v some_o of_o his_o own_o auditor_n by_o preach_v controversy_n to_o they_o which_o he_o extreme_o affect_v i_o can_v tell_v it_o be_v according_a as_o they_o incline_v to_o believe_v he_o more_o than_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o sentiment_n he_o oppose_v in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n discourse_n viii_o with_o what_o be_v dr._n t._n answer_v my_o method_n a_o present_v make_v to_o his_o credulous_a friend_n show_v how_o solid_o he_o confute_v sure-footing_a by_o ready_o grant_v the_o main_a of_o the_o book_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o tradition_n that_o j._n s._n be_v not_o singular_a in_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n §_o 1._o he_o make_v a_o pass_n or_o two_o at_o my_o method_n and_o that_o i_o conceive_v must_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o hear_v be_v threaten_v will_v appear_v very_o short_o but_o this_o pleasant_a preface_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o appear_v and_o all_o that_o appear_v like_o answer_n in_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v make_v it_o believe_v he_o ought_v not_o answer_v at_o all_o and_o this_o he_o do_v very_o neat_o and_o like_o a_o master_n for_o let_v no_o man_n think_v i_o have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o dr._n t._n but_o every_o one_o be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o thing_n some_o be_v good_a at_o prove_v some_o at_o disprove_v some_o at_o shift_v of_o the_o question_n without_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v every_o one_o in_o his_o way_n and_o in_o his_o way_n i_o know_v no_o man_n live_v a_o great_a master_n nor_o so_o great_a as_o the_o dr._n two_o thing_n he_o do_v and_o both_o of_o they_o strange_a one_o first_o he_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n be_v found_v on_o the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oraâ—_n tradition_n next_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o surefoot_v the_o first_o of_o they_o will_v make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v i_o there_o suppose_v oral_a tradition_n self-evident_o infallible_a and_o then_o run_v on_o all_o the_o way_n upon_o that_o supposition_n which_o if_o it_o obtain_v belief_n as_o from_o his_o credit_n he_o hope_v it_o may_v since_o every_o scholar_n know_v all_o discourse_n must_v be_v found_v either_o on_o first_o principle_n or_o at_o least_o on_o such_o as_o be_v grant_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o
of_o these_o thing_n then_o let_v he_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o which_o do_v nature_n will_v show_v he_o how_o perfect_a nonsense_n he_o speak_v whence_o the_o same_o nature_n will_v tell_v he_o with_o a_o little_a reflection_n that_o since_o the_o word_n infallible_o can_v with_o good_a sense_n be_v join_v with_o the_o word_n certain_a either_o it_o be_v adeqaate_a to_o that_o word_n and_o extend_v its_o sense_n as_o far_o as_o the_o other_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n where_o there_o be_v not_o infallibility_n or_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v as_o far_o as_o the_o word_n certain_a and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n yet_o not-infallible_o certain_a which_o since_o not-infallible_o mean_n fallible_o signify_v clear_o we_o may_v be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o those_o thing_n but_o common_a sense_n teach_v we_o how_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o say_v we_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a therefore_o and_o demonstrable_a that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n but_o where_o there_o be_v infallibility_n and_o that_o we_o can_v never_o be_v say_v to_o be_v true_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n till_o all_o circumstance_n consider_v we_o see_v ourselves_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o that_o very_a thing_n whence_o dr._n t._n deny_v infallible_a assurance_n of_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v convince_v to_o deny_v all_o true_a certainty_n of_o either_o and_o so_o to_o render_v all_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o uncertain_a that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o can_v he_o with_o sense_n take_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o distinction_n and_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o yet_o the_o guilt_n of_o the_o same_o position_n will_v still_o remain_v with_o he_o this_o logical_a demonstration_n i_o produce_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 37._o of_o which_o dr_n t._n take_v notice_n here_o pag._n 17_o thus_o mr._n s._n be_v please_v to_o say_v that_o certainty_n and_o infallibility_n be_v all_o one_o conceal_v thus_o from_o his_o reader_n i_o have_v ever_o prove_v it_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v oblige_v â—o_o speak_v to_o my_o proof_n which_o he_o neither_o like_v nor_o use_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o i_o have_v only_o say_v it_o which_o suppose_v then_o indeed_o his_o bare_a say_v the_o contrary_n be_v a_o competent_a answer_n this_o do_v he_o confute_v it_o manful_o with_o tell_v his_o reader_n i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_v say_v it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v foolish_a i_o beseech_v you_o gentlemen_z be_v it_o the_o fashion_n in_o the_o univeesity_n to_o solve_v argument_n on_o this_o manner_n that_o be_v to_o neglect_v the_o premise_n call_v the_o conclusion_n foolish_a and_o think_v to_o overthrow_v the_o reason_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o reader_n because_o it_o be_v not_o some_o hackney_n argument_n bring_v into_o play_n perhaps_o a_o hundred_o time_n over_o and_o ninety_o nine_o time_n answer_v but_o now_o produce_v first_o certain_o one_o will_v think_v in_o reason_n that_o what_o have_v be_v many_o time_n allege_v shall_v rather_o be_v slight_v because_o it_o may_v have_v receive_v already_o many_o answer_n and_o not_o such_o pcoof_n as_o first_o appear_v because_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o never_o yet_o have_v any_o at_o all_o nor_o do_v i_o conceive_v that_o the_o noble_a and_o learned_a virtuoso_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n use_v to_o reject_v any_o production_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v the_o first_o that_o invent_v it_o but_o they_o allow_v it_o examination_n and_o if_o it_o hold_v the_o trial_n approve_v it_o and_o commend_v the_o author_n §_o 4._o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v he_o another_o argument_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n though_o i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o fear_n he_o will_v afford_v it_o again_o no_o other_o answer_v but_o only_o this_o that_o i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_o produce_v it_o it_o be_v this_o take_v the_o word_n false_a or_o falsus_fw-la subjectively_o or_o as_o in_o the_o subject_a that_o be_v as_o make_v the_o jugment_v false_a or_o erroneous_a it_o be_v a_o participle_n of_o the_o verb_n fallor_fw-la and_o signify_v deceive_v actual_o to_o which_o correspond_v as_o its_o proper_a power_n fallible_a or_o capable_a to_o be_v deceive_v now_o the_o contrary_a to_o false_a thus_o understand_v be_v true_a take_v also_o subjective_o or_o as_o make_v the_o judgement_n which_o in_o it_o be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a in_o that_o its_o act._n wherefore_o the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o that_o act_n must_v necessary_o be_v that_o which_o be_v oppose_v to_o fallible_a that_o be_v infallible_a again_o take_v the_o word_n false_a objective_o or_o as_o find_v in_o the_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o object_n or_o cause_n of_o our_o judgement_n as_o it_o be_v false_a or_o actual_o deceive_v it_o be_v proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o deceive_v wherefore_o also_o take_v its_o opposite_a truth_n objectively_o or_o for_o the_o object_n of_o our_o judgement_n when_o it_o be_v true_a the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o must_v be_v incapable_a to_o deceive_v it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o both_o these_o consideration_n that_o we_o can_v neither_o affirm_v point_n or_o propositiont_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o object_n of_o such_o act_n true_a but_o we_o must_v affirm_v withal_o that_o they_o be_v incapable_a to_o make_v we_o judge_v erroneous_o while_o we_o assent_v to_o they_o nor_o that_o our_o judgement_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a but_o we_o must_v be_v infallible_a in_o so_o judge_v thus_o far_o concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n if_o we_o once_o put_v our_o assent_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a judgement_n from_o which_o it_o be_v a_o different_a question_n to_o ask_v how_o we_o become_v thus_o infallible_a only_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o case_n the_o former_a proposition_n be_v put_v viz_o that_o we_o must_v affirm_v our_o act_n of_o faith_n true_a infallible_a we_o must_v be_v or_o impossible_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n when_o we_o make_v those_o acts._n but_o now_o to_o this_o infallibility_n in_o those_o act_v god_n providence_n lead_v man_n diverse_o according_a to_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o capacity_n those_o who_o be_v arrive_v to_o a_o great_a pitch_n of_o learn_v come_v to_o it_o by_o absolutely-concluding_a proof_n call_v demonstration_n that_o be_v by_o penetrate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o authority_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v and_o such_o man_n can_v make_v out_o clear_o and_o distinct_o to_o their_o own_o thought_n the_o certainty_n of_o that_o authority_n by_o discourse_v it_o to_o themselves_o &_o other_o they_o can_v resolve_v it_o into_o its_o ground_n meet_v with_o and_o answer_v objection_n and_o in_o a_o word_n see_v themselves_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o it_o in_o these_o man_n therefore_o though_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o tenet_n be_v indeed_o take_v from_o the_o object_n as_o it_o be_v always_o yet_o the_o clearness_n distinctness_n and_o firm_a strength_n of_o it_o spring_v from_o the_o perfection_n of_o their_o well-cultivated_n understanding_n those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o weak_a pitch_n be_v lead_v to_o it_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o authority_n and_o of_o the_o way_n in_o common_a by_o which_o they_o receive_v faith_n which_o dim_a rude_a sight_n even_o in_o the_o simple_a serve_v to_o carry_v they_o on_o to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a nature_n when_o they_o assent_v but_o they_o can_v discourse_v their_o thought_n nor_o resolve_v they_o into_o principle_n nor_o answer_v objection_n nor_o see_v themselves_o clear_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a nay_o more_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o especial_o if_o very_o simple_a do_v by_o some_o lucky_a chance_n or_o rather_o by_o a_o particular_a disposition_n of_o god_n good_a providence_n light_n upon_o this_o right_a way_n more_o than_o by_o any_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n look_v into_o ground_n but_o be_v in_o it_o once_o they_o find_v that_o which_o satisfy_v they_o according_a to_o knowledge_n familiarize_v to_o they_o by_o converse_n with_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v of_o themselves_o solid_a and_o satisfactory_a in_o a_o word_n it_o become_v god_n goodness_n so_o to_o order_v thing_n that_o the_o act_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_n may_v be_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a in_o man_n of_o every_o pitch_n and_o capacity_n rational_a or_o virtuous_a whatever_o contingency_n may_v happen_v in_o some_o particular_n original_a sin_n and_o by_o it_o passion_n ignorance_n or_o interest_n sometime_o byass_v they_o and_o make_v they_o act_n with_o precipitancy_n in_o which_o case_n
will_v with_o infallible_a certainty_n bring_v down_o the_o letter_n of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la the_o statute_n book_n and_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n the_o selfsame_a from_o year_n to_o year_n at_o least_o in_o matter_n of_o high_a consequence_n and_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o sense_n write_v traditional_o in_o some_o man_n â—_z correct_v the_o letter_n if_o printer_n or_o copier_n shall_v mistake_v if_o dr._n t._n ask_v how_o i_o prove_v it_o i_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v make_v it_o notorious_a if_o alter_v be_v cause_n great_a multitude_n be_v conversant_a in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v esteem_v of_o a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a nature_n weigh_v every_o tittle_n of_o it_o wary_o especial_o those_o passage_n that_o immediate_o touch_v some_o weighty_a point_n whence_o shall_v some_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o alter_v it_o go_v about_o such_o a_o action_n it_o can_v appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n who_o concern_v be_v high_o violate_v by_o that_o alteration_n to_o conceal_v and_o permit_v the_o letter_n to_o remain_v uncorrected_a and_o if_o it_o can_v not_o appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n to_o consent_v to_o alter_v it_o nor_o become_v a_o motive_n to_o the_o rest_n to_o attempt_v a_o see_v impossiblity_n neither_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o can_v will_v to_o alter_v it_o much_o less_o both_o conspire_v to_o do_v it_o and_o shall_v they_o attempt_v it_o their_o will_n must_v either_o have_v no_o object_n and_o then_o it_o be_v a_o power_n to_o nothing_o that_o be_v no_o power_n or_o else_o act_v without_o a_o appear_a good_n and_o in_o both_o case_n the_o will_n will_v be_v no_o will._n this_o short_a hint_n will_v let_v the_o reader_n see_v the_o ground_n i_o go_v upon_o it_o be_v not_o now_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o pursue_v such_o argument_n close_o or_o press_v they_o home_o i_o wish_v i_o may_v see_v some_o return_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n from_o our_o two_o undemonstrate_v adversary_n who_o think_v it_o their_o best_a play_n to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n because_o they_o know_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o be_v perfect_a stranger_n to_o both_o §_o 8._o well_o but_o though_o dr._n t._n deny_v any_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n let_v we_o see_v at_o lest_o what_o other_o certainty_n he_o afford_v we_o and_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n any_o honest_a man_n may_v safe_o swear_v it_o must_v be_v if_o any_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n that_o be_v a_o very_a fair_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n the_o abhorrer_n of_o first_o principle_n always_o except_v that_o if_o any_o certainty_n be_v infallible_a and_o there_o be_v any_o other_o beside_o this_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o middle_n between_o contradictary_n so_o that_o dr._n t._n be_v put_v to_o this_o hard_a choice_n either_o to_o bring_v such_o a_o certainty_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christianity_n which_o be_v no_o certainty_n or_o else_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v perfect_a nonsense_n if_o it_o be_v name_v by_o its_o proper_a name_n lâ—t's_n see_v what_o choice_n he_o make_v we_o be_v not_o say_v he_o infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o book_n etc._n etc._n but_o yet_o observe_v now_o the_o opposite_a kind_n of_o certainty_n deliver_v here_o pag._n 9_o we_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n concern_v these_o matter_n so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o i_o marry_v this_o be_v a_o rare_a certainty_n indeed_o we_o have_v not_o infallible_a certainty_n say_v dr._n t._n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o a_o one_o as_o keep_v we_o from_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o now_o since_o a_o very_a easy_a reflection_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o have_v no_o doubt_n of_o many_o thing_n be_v true_a nay_o more_o have_v strong_a hope_n they_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o hold_v they_o notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v a_o strange_a argument_n to_o prove_v he_o avow_v not_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n to_o allege_v that_o he_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v only_o such_o a_o assurance_n as_o not_o at_o all_o to_o doubt_v it_o for_o not_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o not_o at_o all_o hope_n it_o be_v true_a see_v he_o who_o suspend_v indifferent_o from_o both_o side_n and_o incline_v to_o neither_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n a_o thing_n or_o fear_v it_o be_v false_a have_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n to_o ground_n the_o least_o degree_n of_o any_o such_o fear_n more_o than_o he_o have_v to_o ground_v any_o hope_n of_o its_o truth_n again_o those_o speculator_n who_o attend_v not_o to_o principle_n be_v oftentimes_o in_o a_o perplex_a case_n and_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n hold_v a_o thing_n absolute_o true_a while_o they_o attend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o connatural_o breed_v that_o persuasion_n which_o thing_n notwithstanding_o come_v to_o make_v it_o out_o as_o scholar_n and_o unable_a to_o perform_v it_o hereupon_o consider_v as_o speculator_n they_o must_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v dr._n t_n condition_n regard_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o common_a conceit_n of_o christianity_n he_o can_v but_o see_v he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v be_v a_o christian_n profess_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o doubles_o he_o will_v avow_v it_o such_o as_o long_o as_o he_o speak_v nature_n and_o avoid_v reflect_v on_o his_o speculative_a thought_n but_o come_v once_o to_o consider_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o stand_v under_o such_o proof_n as_o his_o unskilful_a art_n afford_v he_o and_o conscious_a to_o himself_o as_o he_o needs_o must_v who_o sleight_n first_o principle_n and_o all_o method_n to_o knowledge_n that_o he_o have_v never_o a_o argument_n that_o be_v absolute_o or_o true_o conclusive_a he_o be_v force_v again_o take_v in_o these_o unlucky_a circumstance_n to_o avow_v faith_n ground_n and_o consequent_o its_o self_n to_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o false_a be_v willing_a to_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o say_v they_o can_v bear_v absolutely-conclusive_a proof_n rather_o than_o on_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o his_o own_o skill_n and_o to_o represent_v they_o as_o unworthy_a to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o stable_a ground_n rather_o than_o he_o will_v lose_v a_o tittle_n of_o the_o fame_n of_o be_v a_o able_a divine_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o the_o christian_a in_o dr._n t._n may_v overcome_v the_o speculator_n at_o least_o balance_v he_o in_o a_o equal_a suspense_n or_o beget_v in_o he_o a_o pretty_a good_a conceit_n of_o faith_n impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a but_o then_o when_o he_o once_o reflect_v that_o this_o can_v be_v maintain_v without_o admit_v infallibility_n which_o be_v the_o word_n the_o abominable_a papist_n use_v nor_o make_v out_o without_o use_v first_a principle_n or_o identical_a proposition_n which_o that_o malignant_a man_n i._n s._n pretend_v to_o build_v on_o immediate_o the_o bias_n prevail_v and_o the_o idea_n of_o popery_n once_o stir_v up_o which_o haunt_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n fancy_n day_n and_o night_n in_o a_o thousand_o hideous_a shape_n â—_o he_o run_v in_o a_o fright_n so_o far_o from_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith_n that_o he_o come_v to_o a_o very_a easy_a possibility_n of_o its_o be_v all_o a_o plain_a imposture_n or_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o absolute_o know_v since_o ground_n prevail_v only_o to_o make_v he_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o can_v raise_v it_o no_o high_o moreover_o if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n i_o declare_v myself_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o a_o thing_n therefore_o i_o can_v not_o avow_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o must_v be_v allow_v argumentative_a to_o say_v i_o be_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o doubt_v of_o it_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a dull_a university_n that_o have_v not_o the_o wit_n to_o light_v all_o this_o while_n on_o dr._n t_n principles_n and_o way_n of_o argue_v they_o ascertain_v all_o thing_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n without_o more_o ado_n i_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n so_o as_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o by_o this_o new_a logic_n they_o be_v conclude_v certain_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a in_o opposition_n to_o which_o if_o you_o
more_o blasphemous_a against_o essential_a truth_n and_o goodness_n farther_o i_o declare_v it_o be_v my_o tenet_n that_o notwithstanding_o this_o failure_n in_o some_o particular_n yet_o i_o hold_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o testify_v authority_n as_o to_o know_v gross_o and_o confuse_o by_o mean_n of_o practical_a self-evidence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o proceed_v upon_o and_o thence_o either_o discern_v themselves_o if_o they_o be_v very_o prudential_a or_o else_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v make_v discern_v who_o proceed_v upon_o that_o rule_n who_o not_o hence_o also_o i_o hold_v that_o tradition_n or_o testify_a authority_n be_v the_o best_a provision_n that_o can_v be_v make_v for_o all_o mankind_n to_o receive_v faith_n upon_o it_o be_v the_o most_o familiar_o and_o most_o obvious_o knowable_a and_o penetrable_a by_o all_o sort_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o far_o more_o than_o language_n translation_n &_o transcription_n on_o which_o the_o letter-rule_n depend_v last_o i_o hold_v that_o what_o be_v thus_o practical_o self-evident_a that_o be_v know_v in_o gross_a and_o confuse_o by_o the_o vulgar_a be_v demonstrable_a to_o the_o learned_a who_o scan_v with_o exact_a art_n the_o nature_n of_o those_o cause_n which_o wrought_v constant_o that_o certify_a effect_n in_o the_o generality_n and_o find_v out_o according_a to_o what_o precise_o they_o have_v that_o certify_a virtue_n which_o find_v it_o will_v be_v the_o proper_a medium_fw-la to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o authority_n by_o this_o be_v my_o true_a tenet_n which_o my_o prevaricate_a adversary_n perpetual_o mistake_v because_o he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o he_o therefore_o will_v do_v it_o because_o it_o must_v be_v do_v in_o mala_fw-la causa_fw-la as_o st._n austin_n say_v non_fw-la possunt_fw-la aliter_fw-la §_o 12._o he_o go_v about_o to_o argue_v pag._n 15._o from_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n and_o allege_v that_o a_o freedom_n from_o see_v just_a cause_n of_o doubt_v the_o authority_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n may_v make_v one_o believe_v or_o real_o assent_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o live_v according_o and_o be_v save_v by_o which_o i_o conceive_v he_o judge_v a_o christian_n life_n consist_v in_o move_v one_o leg_n arm_n or_o hand_n for_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o stir_v we_o up_o to_o external_n action_n that_o the_o motive_n be_v only_o probable_a but_o if_o a_o christian_n life_n be_v spiritual_a consist_v in_o interior_a act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_n as_o a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a love_n of_o unseen_a and_o unconceivable_a good_n with_o other_o virtue_n subservient_fw-fr to_o these_o and_o all_o these_o depend_v on_o faith_n as_o their_o basis_n and_o faith_n depend_v for_o its_o truth_n which_o give_v it_o all_o its_o efficacy_n on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o doubt_v it_o will_v scarce_o suffice_v to_o work_v these_o effect_n hearty_o if_o learned_a man_n speak_v out_o candid_o and_o tell_v the_o christian_n they_o be_v to_o govern_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o they_o can_v discern_v they_o can_v see_v absolute_o speak_v that_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o high_a likelihood_n a_o more_o credible_a opinion_n or_o a_o fair_a probability_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v beyond_o all_o these_o and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o main_a point_n then_o that_o dr._n t._n ever_o miss_v in_o be_v this_o that_o he_o still_o omit_v to_o state_n what_o certainty_n be_v due_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o its_o ground_n per_fw-la se_fw-la loquendo_fw-la or_o according_a to_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o the_o interior_a act_n it_o must_v produce_v and_o the_o difficulty_n it_o must_v struggle_v through_o and_o overcome_v even_o in_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o rational_a person_n who_o be_v to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o its_o verity_n and_o so_o embrace_v it_o and_o consider_v it_o perpetual_o according_a to_o what_o per_fw-la accidens_fw-la that_o be_v not_o essential_o belong_v to_o it_o but_o accidental_o may_v consist_v with_o it_o without_o utter_o destroy_v its_o nature_n that_o be_v he_o consider_v it_o not_o as_o found_v in_o those_o subject_n where_o it_o be_v in_o its_o true_a and_o perfect_a state_n or_o free_v from_o all_o alloy_n of_o irrationality_n but_o as_o in_o those_o where_o it_o be_v find_v most_o defective_o and_o imperfect_o or_o as_o it_o most_o deviate_v from_o its_o right_a nature_n and_o this_o he_o be_v force_v to_o do_v because_o he_o see_v that_o shall_v he_o treat_v of_o it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v or_o according_a to_o what_o it_o will_v be_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o the_o giver_n of_o every_o perfect_a gift_n to_o bring_v mankind_n to_o faith_n single_o and_o sole_o consider_v without_o mingle_v the_o imperfection_n of_o creature_n with_o his_o otherwise_o most_o powerful_a and_o wise_a efficiency_n the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n must_v be_v able_a to_o subdue_v to_o a_o hearty_a assent_n the_o most_o learned_a and_o wise_a portion_n of_o mankind_n which_o they_o can_v never_o do_v while_o they_o be_v see_v by_o they_o to_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 13._o he_o argue_v that_o infallibility_n be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n because_o this_o admit_v of_o degree_n that_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o assent_n of_o none_o beside_o infallibility_n be_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v and_o there_o be_v no_o degree_n in_o absolute_a impossibility_n i_o answer_v that_o let_v a_o thousand_o intellectual_a creature_n angel_n or_o man_n know_v and_o that_o infallible_o too_o the_o self-same-object_n yet_o they_o all_o know_v it_o in_o different_a degree_n of_o perfection_n not_o by_o mean_n of_o know_v more_o in_o the_o object_n for_o we_o will_v suppose_v it_o one_o single_a point_n but_o intensive_o or_o better_a on_o the_o subject_n side_n because_o of_o the_o different_a perfection_n of_o their_o understand_a power_n penetrate_v more_o clear_o the_o self-same-object_n to_o conceive_v this_o better_a let_v we_o reflect_v that_o the_o selfsame_a thing_n may_v be_v corporal_o see_v by_o several_a man_n and_o each_o infallible_o know_v what_o it_o be_v by_o mean_n of_o that_o sight_n yet_o because_o one_o of_o they_o have_v better_a eye_n than_o another_o one_o see_v more_o clear_o what_o it_o be_v the_o other_o less_o also_o the_o bless_a saint_n and_o angel_n in_o heaven_n differ_v from_o one_o another_o in_o glory_n or_o in_o great_a and_o lesser_a degree_n of_o the_o blissful_a vision_n that_o be_v one_o see_v the_o divine_a essence_n better_o another_o not_o so_o well_o yet_o the_o object_n be_v one_o indivisible_a formality_n one_o can_v see_v more_o than_o another_o wherefore_o their_o great_a degree_n of_o glory_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o one_o penetrate_v it_o better_o and_o as_o it_o be_v sink_v it_o deep_o in_o the_o know_a power_n than_o another_o do_v which_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o several_a disposition_n of_o the_o subject_a or_o the_o antecedent_n love_n of_o god_n which_o when_o it_o be_v great_a it_o more_o intimate_o and_o close_o apply_v the_o divine_a object_n to_o the_o ferventlyâ—addicted_v power_n again_o on_o the_o object_n side_n there_o may_v be_v in_o some_o sense_n several_a degree_n even_o of_o absolute_a impossibility_n first_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disproportion_n of_o the_o object_n to_o the_o power_n as_o put_v case_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o twenty_o man_n shall_v lift_v such_o a_o weight_n it_o be_v good_a sense_n to_o say_v if_o twenty_o man_n can_v lift_v it_o much_o less_o can_v two_o or_o if_o ten_o man_n can_v possible_o resist_v the_o force_n of_o five_o hundred_o much_o less_o can_v they_o resist_v ten_o thousand_o of_o equal_a strength_n next_o because_o one_o of_o the_o impossibles_fw-fr depend_v upon_o another_o aâ—_n if_o be_v impossible_a the_o conclusion_n shall_v be_v false_a it_o be_v more_o impossible_a the_o premise_n shall_v be_v so_o and_o yet_o more_o that_o the_o very_o first_o principle_n shall_v or_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a 2_o and_o 3_o shall_v not_o make_v â—_o yet_o it_o be_v more_o impossible_a god_n who_o be_v self-existence_n shall_v not_o be_v because_o in_o these_o the_o late_a impossibility_n which_o depend_v on_o the_o formeâ—_n be_v only_o impossible_a by_o consequence_n though_o still_o absolute_o such_o that_o be_v be_v not_o at_o all_o impossible_a if_o that_o which_o ground_n it_o be_v not_o so_o whence_o be_v see_v that_o unless_o dr._n t._n will_v say_v that_o all_o create_a understanding_n be_v of_o the_o selfsame_a pitch_n of_o excellence_n he_o must_v say_v that_o even_o suppose_v â—he_v selfsame_o object_n or_o motive_n apt_a to_o assure_v infallible_o one_o may_v better_o penetrate_v it_o and_o so_o be_v more_o
infallible_o certain_a on_o the_o subject_n side_n than_o another_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o same_o person_n his_o faith_n may_v be_v come_v more_o lively_a than_o former_o according_a as_o he_o render_v it_o more_o express_a to_o his_o thought_n and_o better_a dint_a or_o imprint_v in_o they_o which_o be_v do_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n habitual_o by_o often_o think_v on_o the_o point_n which_o way_n be_v proper_a to_o the_o vulgar_a or_o know_o by_o penetrate_v its_o ground_n still_o better_a and_o better_o and_o so_o make_v those_o judgement_n solider_fw-la and_o firm_a it_o be_v see_v also_o that_o one_o object_n maybe_o just_o say_v to_o be_v more_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o another_o because_o that_o other_o be_v not_o at_o all_o such_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o it_o and_o dependence_n on_o it_o according_a to_o that_o axiom_n quod_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la est_fw-la tale_n est_fw-la magis_fw-la tale_n what_o be_v so_o of_o itself_o be_v more_o or_o more_o perfect_o such_o than_o what_o be_v such_o by_o mean_n of_o another_o and_o with_o good_a reason_n for_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a sole_o by_o dependence_n on_o another_o it_o be_v consequent_o of_o itself_o possible_a to_o â—e_v false_a yet_o this_o possibility_n can_v never_o be_v reduce_v into_o act_n because_o that_o object_n or_o truth_n be_v never_o find_v unconnect_v with_o that_o other_o on_o which_o it_o depend_v but_o ever_o most_o intimate_o unite_v with_o it_o and_o so_o engage_v its_o verity_n §_o 14._o pag._n 18._o dr._n t._n endeavour_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o notion_n of_o moral_a certainty_n which_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o learn_v for_o i_o be_o not_o ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o i_o never_o understand_v it_o perfect_o in_o my_o life_n some_o mean_v one_o thing_n by_o it_o another_o mean_v another_o thing_n as_o their_o fancy_n lead_v they_o now_o i_o for_o my_o part_n declare_v that_o i_o have_v no_o distinct_a notion_n or_o knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o i_o can_v define_v nor_o can_v i_o define_v that_o the_o limit_n or_o bound_n of_o who_o nature_n i_o see_v not_o nor_o i_o be_o confident_a any_o man_n live_v i_o wish_v dr._n t._n better_a success_n moral_a certainty_n say_v he_o be_v sometime_o take_v for_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o probability_n which_o can_v only_o produce_v a_o doubtful_a assent_n he_o mean_v i_o suppose_v such_o a_o assent_n as_o be_v a_o doubt_n or_o suspend_v of_o assent_n that_o be_v such_o a_o assent_n as_o be_v no_o assent_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v go_v to_o school_v a_o while_n to_o honest_a dame_n nature_n and_o learn_v his_o hornbook_n of_o first_o principle_n and_o not_o thus_o ever_o and_o anon_o commit_v such_o banger_n to_o doubt_n signify_v to_o fear_v a_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o not_o to_o dare_v to_o assent_v to_o it_o that_o be_v not_o to_o assent_v and_o so_o a_o doubtful_a assent_n be_v not_o assent_v assent_n that_o be_v a_o assent_n which_o be_v not_o a_o assent_n he_o proceed_v yet_o it_o be_v also_o frequent_o use_v for_o a_o firm_a and_o undoubted_a assent_n to_o a_o thing_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o be_v fit_a full_o to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n here_o be_v many_o thing_n worth_a remark_n if_o one_o have_v leisure_n and_o first_o what_o mean_v a_o undoubted_a assent_n it_o be_v the_o thing_n proper_o speak_v be_v undoubted_a or_o not-doubted_n of_o and_o not_o the_o assent_n but_o that_o be_v but_o a_o slip_n of_o word_n i_o conceive_v by_o the_o word_n yet_o which_o introduce_v it_o he_o mean_v a_o undoubtful_a assent_n only_o he_o fear_v the_o inelegancy_n of_o the_o word_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o doubtful_a assent_n here_o speak_v of_o and_o because_o speak_v proper_o the_o opposite_a to_o doubt_n be_v hope_n a_o vndoubtful_a assent_n mean_v a_o hopeful_a assent_n which_o since_o doubt_v speak_v a_o disincline_n to_o assent_n or_o judge_v the_o thing_n so_o and_o hope_v a_o incline_n to_o it_o very_o fair_o give_v we_o a_o second_o dish_n of_o a_o assent_n which_o be_v no_o assent_n for_o incline_v only_o to_o be_v be_v not_o be_v such_o and_o so_o incline_v to_o assent_v how_o strong_a soever_o it_o be_v be_v in_o reality_n no_o assent_n well_o dr._n t_n resolution_n against_o identical_a proposition_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o fatal_a bolt_n that_o ever_o be_v shoot_v make_v he_o discourse_n like_o the_o man_n that_o say_v he_o have_v three_o light_n in_o he_o a_o great_a light_n a_o little_a light_n and_o no_o light_n at_o all_o next_o i_o will_v know_v what_o ground_n be_v full_o fit_a to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n one_o man_n like_v some_o ground_n other_o like_o other_o a_o sleight_n proof_n from_o scripture_n like_v some_o man_n better_o than_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n or_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n another_o i_o mean_v the_o atheist_n like_v a_o plausible_a reason_n that_o suit_n with_o and_o take_v fancy_n better_o than_o all_o of_o 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each_o of_o they_o may_v serious_o protest_v they_o be_v moral_o certain_a of_o it_o each_o may_v allege_v reason_n they_o may_v be_v both_o prudent_a man_n too_o and_o both_o be_v full_o satisfy_v with_o their_o reason_n and_o yet_o the_o plain_a discovery_n of_o the_o thing_n may_v show_v afterward_o that_o one_o of_o they_o prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n now_o if_o this_o happen_v in_o a_o controversy_n for_o example_n between_o a_o prudent_a socinian_n and_o a_o prudent_a protestant_n how_o must_v it_o be_v decide_v both_o allege_v scripture_n each_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o his_o own_o interpretation_n and_o both_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o be_v both_o have_v dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n and_o so_o both_o must_v be_v in_o the_o right_n if_o his_o ground_n be_v in_o the_o
that_o i_o never_o say_v or_o think_v it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o tradition_n have_v always_o be_v follow_v but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v of_o own_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d evident_o infallible_a rule_n abstract_v from_o be_v follow_v his_o answer_n to_o my_o method_n be_v this_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o point_n before_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o speak_v to_o it_o now_o for_o why_o shall_v people_n expect_v more_o from_o i_o here_o than_o elsewhere_o or_o rather_o i_o have_v grant_v the_o point_n already_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o say_v more_o to_o it_o and_o i_o for_o my_o part_n think_v he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a &_o because_o it_o seem_v a_o little_a unreasonable_a to_o require_v the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v twice_o i_o think_v it_o best_o to_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o sufficient-consideration_n and_o go_v on_o to_o the_o next_o only_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v how_o empty_a a_o brag_n it_o be_v in_o the_o drs._n how_o partial_a in_o their_o friend_n to_o magnify_v this_o piece_n as_o unanswerable_a yet_o in_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v such_o for_o a_o ready_a grant_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a truth_n can_v never_o be_v answer_v or_o refute_v §_o 7._o his_o next_o pretence_n be_v that_o my_o method_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n to_o which_o though_o enough_o have_v be_v say_v already_o yet_o because_o the_o clear_n this_o will_n at_o once_o give_v account_n of_o what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o affirm_v faith_n must_v be_v know_v antecedent_o to_o church_n which_o bear_v a_o show_n as_o if_o i_o hold_v we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n for_o our_o faith_n i_o shall_v be_v something_o large_a in_o declare_v this_o point_n to_o perform_v which_o more_o satisfactory_o i_o note_v 1._o that_o those_o who_o be_v actual_o from_o their_o childhood_n in_o the_o church_n have_v faith_n instill_a into_o they_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o those_o who_o be_v educate_v in_o another_o profession_n and_o after_o come_v to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n the_o formâ—â—_n be_v imbue_v after_o a_o natural_a way_n with_o the_o church_n doctrine_n and_o be_v educate_v in_o a_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o church_n itself_o whereas_o the_o late_a be_v to_o acquire_v faith_n by_o consider_v and_o look_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o be_v educate_v rather_o in_o a_o hatred_n against_o the_o true_a church_n than_o in_o any_o good_a opinion_n of_o she_o the_o former_a therefore_o have_v the_o full_a weight_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n both_o as_o to_o natural_n and_o supernatural_n actual_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o work_v its_o effect_n upon_o they_o practical_a self-evidence_n both_o of_o the_o credit_n due_a to_o so_o grave_a learned_a ample_n and_o sacred_a a_o authority_n as_o also_o of_o the_o holiness_n the_o morality_n or_o agreeableness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n to_o right_a reason_n which_o they_o actual_o experience_n render_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o assent_n connatural_a that_o be_v rational_a or_o virtuous_a the_o late_a fancy_n nothing_o supernatural_a in_o she_o nor_o experience_n the_o goodness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n but_o have_v it_o represent_v to_o they_o as_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a in_o a_o word_n the_o former_a have_v both_o faith_n and_o the_o reason_n for_o it_o practical_o instill_a into_o they_o in_o a_o manner_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o grow_v together_o daily_o to_o new_a degree_n of_o perfection_n whereas_o the_o late_a must_v have_v reason_n antecedent_o to_o faith_n and_o apprehend_v as_o yet_o nothing_o supernatural_a in_o the_o church_n must_v begin_v with_o something_o natural_a or_o mere_o humane_a which_o may_v be_v the_o object_n of_o a_o unelevated_a reason_n and_o withal_o such_o as_o may_v be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n able_a to_o satisfy_v rational_o that_o haesitation_n and_o disquisitive_a doubt_n wherewith_o they_o be_v perplex_v and_o settle_v they_o in_o a_o firm_a belief_n 2._o my_o discourse_n in_o that_o treatise_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o title_n be_v intend_v for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o their_o natural_a reason_n by_o propose_v something_o which_o be_v a_o object_n proper_a and_o proportion_v to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v lead_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n step_v by_o step_n to_o the_o church_n though_o all_o the_o while_o they_o walk_v upon_o their_o own_o leg_n and_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o be_v proceed_v upon_o plain_a maxim_n of_o humane_a reason_n every_o step_n they_o take_v 3._o though_o i_o use_v the_o abstract_a word_n tradition_n yet_o i_o conceive_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v imagine_v i_o mean_v by_o it_o some_o idea_n platonica_fw-la or_o separate_v formalility_n hover_v in_o the_o air_n without_o any_o subject_a but_o that_o the_o thing_n i_o indeed_o mean_v to_o signify_v by_o it_o be_v the_o church_n as_o deliver_v or_o as_o testify_v and_o take_v it_o as_o apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o capable_a to_o discern_v any_o supernaturality_n in_o the_o church_n the_o natural_a or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o church_n testify_v she_o receive_v this_o faith_n uninterrupted_o from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o tradition_n differ_v from_o church_n as_o a_o man_n consider_v precise_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v differ_v from_o himself_o consider_v and_o express_v as_o such_o a_o person_n which_o know_v by_o speech_n and_o carriage_n or_o by_o himself_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v other_o consideration_n also_o belong_v to_o he_o which_o before_o lay_v hide_v and_o be_v involve_v or_o as_o the_o school_n express_v it_o confound_v in_o the_o subject_a or_o suppositum_fw-la become_v know_v likewise_o so_o the_o church_n humane_a testimony_n or_o tradition_n which_o as_o be_v show_v sure_a f._n p._n 81_o 82_o 83._o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o powerful_o support_v even_o natural_o of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o proportion_a object_n to_o their_o reason_n who_o yet_o believe_v not_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v know_v thence_o that_o the_o body_n who_o proceed_v on_o that_o ground_n possess_v the_o first-delivered_a that_o be_v right_a faith_n and_o so_o be_v the_o true_a church_n immediate_o all_o those_o prerogative_n and_o supernatural_a endowment_n apprehend_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n to_o spring_v out_o of_o it_o or_o attend_v on_o it_o be_v know_v to_o appertain_v and_o to_o have_v ever_o appertain_v to_o the_o true_a church_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n goodness_n or_o sanctity_n the_o proper_a gift_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n with_o all_o the_o mean_n to_o it_o which_o with_o a_o incomparable_a efficacy_n strengthen_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o to_o the_o delivery_n of_o right_a faith_n whence_o she_o be_v just_o hold_v and_o believe_v by_o the_o new-converted_n faithful_a to_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n which_o till_o some_o motive_n mere_o humane_a have_v first_o introduce_v it_o into_o their_o understanding_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o can_v not_o possible_o apprehend_v §_o 8._o in_o this_o way_n then_o of_o discourse_v the_o church_n be_v still_o the_o only_a ascertainer_n of_o faith_n either_o take_v in_o her_o whole_a latitude_n as_o in_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a or_o consider_v in_o part_n only_o that_o be_v as_o deliver_v by_o way_n of_o natural_o testify_v which_o i_o here_o call_v tradition_n in_o order_n to_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n whence_o appear_v the_o perfect_a groundlesness_n of_o dr._n t_n objection_n and_o how_o he_o whole_o misunderstand_v my_o doctrine_n in_o this_o point_n when_o he_o say_v the_o discourse_n in_o my_o method_n do_v unchristian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n for_o first_o he_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v to_o those_o actual_o in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o find_v which_o be_v the_o church_n next_o since_o all_o believer_n actual_o in_o the_o church_n even_o to_o a_o man_n rely_v on_o the_o church_n both_o natural_o and_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o i_o be_o diseourse_v only_o about_o the_o natural_a mean_n for_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o his_o discourse_n amount_v to_o this_o that_o because_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o come_v to_o faith_n rely_v only_o on_o the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o who_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n both_o humane_o
say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o humane_a certitude_n of_o which_o it_o may_v simple_o or_o absolute_o be_v say_v non_fw-la posse_fw-la illi_fw-la falsum_fw-la subesse_fw-la that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v produce_v more_o express_o abet_v my_o way_n of_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n nothing_o certain_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o which_o immediate_o follow_v contain_v the_o reason_n why_o tradition_n be_v by_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o it_o simple_o infallible_a for_o say_v he_o tradition_n be_v full_a report_n about_o what_o be_v evident_a unto_o sense_n to_o wit_n what_o doctrine_n and_o scripture_n the_o apostle_n public_o deliver_v unto_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a world_n of_o man_n can_v be_v uniform_o mistake_v and_o deceive_v about_o a_o matter_n evident_a to_o sense_n and_o not_o be_v deceive_v be_v so_o many_o in_o number_n so_o divide_v in_o place_n of_o so_o different_a affection_n and_o condition_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v so_o have_v agree_v in_o their_o tale_n have_v they_o so_o malicious_o resolve_v to_o deceive_v the_o world_n observe_v here_o 1._o that_o he_o allege_v only_o natural_a motive_n or_o speak_v only_o of_o tradition_n as_o it_o signify_v the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v as_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n wherein_o i_o take_v it_o in_o my_o method_n 2._o he_o go_v about_o to_o show_v out_o of_o its_o very_a nature_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a 3._o he_o make_v this_o tradition_n or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a deriver_n down_o or_o ascertainer_n that_o what_o be_v now_o hold_v upon_o that_o tenure_n be_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n or_o the_o first-taught_a faith_n which_o once_o know_v those_o who_o be_v yet_o unbeliever_n may_v infallible_o know_v that_o body_n that_o proceed_v upon_o it_o to_o possess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o consequent_o infallible_o know_v the_o true_a church_n which_o be_v the_o very_a way_n i_o take_v in_o my_o method_n and_o other_o tâ—eatises_n it_o may_v hence_o be_v discern_v with_o how_o little_a reason_n dr._n t._n except_v against_o it_o as_o so_o superlative_o singular_a but_o to_o proceed_v hence_o p._n 40._o he_o aver_v that_o the_o proof_n of_o tradition_n be_v so_o full_a and_o sufficient_a that_o it_o convince_v infidel_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v only_o natural_a reason_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o for_o though_o say_v he_o they_o be_v blind_a not_o to_o see_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v divine_a yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o void_a of_o common_a sense_n impudent_a and_o obstinate_a as_o to_o deny_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_n catholic_n tradition_n to_o be_v true_o christian_n and_o apostolical_a and_o p._n 41._o the_o only_a mean_n whereby_o man_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n may_v know_v assure_o what_o scripture_n and_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v to_o the_o primitive_a catholic_n church_n be_v the_o catholic_n tradition_n by_o world_n of_o christian_a father_n and_o pastor_n unto_o world_n of_o christian_a child_n and_o faithful_a people_n which_o word_n as_o full_o express_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only_a or_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o whereas_o some_o hold_n that_o a_o inward_a work_n of_o god_n spirit_n supply_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o motive_n this_o learned_a writer_n p._n 46_o on_o the_o contrary_n affirm_v that_o inward_a assurance_n without_o any_o external_n infallible_a ground_n to_o assure_v man_n of_o truth_n be_v proper_a unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o first_o publisher_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o last_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 47._o he_o discourse_v thus_o if_o any_o object_n that_o the_o sense_n of_o man_n in_o this_o search_n may_v be_v deceive_v through_o natural_a invincible_a fallibility_n of_o their_o organ_n 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powerful_o from_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 13._o at_o least_o will_v not_o dr._n t_n best_a friend_n so_o he_o be_v but_o any_o thing_n ingenuous_a think_v he_o may_v safe_o swear_v that_o either_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n faith_n when_o i_o say_v faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o else_o candid_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v strange_o insincere_a to_o counterfeit_v so_o many_o imaginary_a tenet_n and_o then_o one_o by_o one_o confute_v they_o read_v they_o here_o from_o the_o middle_n of_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 12._o and_o then_o reflect_v on_o my_o word_n find_v in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 17_o which_o be_v these_o to_o ask_v then_o if_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v to_o ask_v whether_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v christian_a faith_n must_v be_v such_o as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n can_v fail_v to_o conclude_v those_o 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