Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n best_a examine_v great_a 31 3 2.1444 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59248 Sure-footing in Christianity, or Rational discourses on the rule of faith with short animadversions on Dr. Pierce's sermon : also on some passages in Mr. Whitby and M. Stillingfleet, which concern that rule / by J.S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1665 (1665) Wing S2595; ESTC R8569 122,763 264

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

to_o a_o lesser_a one_o in_o the_o margin_n and_o that_o to_o luke_n 19_o 22._o and_o david_n cut_v of_o goliah_n head_n with_o his_o own_o sword_n a_o story_n know_v undoubted_o by_o all_o that_o be_v like_a to_o read_v his_o sermon_n shall_v be_v secure_v from_o be_v think_v a_o piece_n of_o a_o romance_n or_o knight-errantry_a by_o a_o punctual_a citation_n in_o the_o open_a margin_n 1_o sam._n 17._o 51._o and_o to_o omit_v diverse_a of_o the_o like_a pleasant_a strain_n lest_o any_o unbeliever_n shall_v be_v so_o impious_a as_o to_o doubt_v that_o his_o theopneust_n aholiab_n be_v a_o embroiderer_n you_o shall_v see_v it_o as_o plain_a as_o the_o nose_n on_o a_o man_n face_n in_o a_o express_a text_n exod._n 35._o 30._o 34._o 11._o but_o why_o insist_v i_o thus_o on_o so_o poor_a a_o foolery_n in_o a_o book_n i_o design_v for_o solid_a or_o what_o advantage_n can_v i_o gain_v to_o my_o cause_n by_o so_o sleight_v a_o animadversion_n i'answer_v ●tis_o my_o temper_n when_o i_o see_v a_o odd_a action_n do_v without_o reason_n to_o trace_v it_o to_o its_o original_a and_o to_o search_v after_o its_o proper_a cause_n and_o upon_o consideration_n i_o find_v none_o so_o proper_a for_o this_o effect_n as_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o humour_n of_o quote_v in_o d._n pierce_n and_o other_o of_o his_o brethren_n so_o strong_o possess_v they_o and_o even_o naturalize_v into_o they_o that_o so_o they_o be_v quote_v they_o matter_n not_o much_o whether_o it_o be_v to_o purpose_n or_o not_o this_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o whole_a bead-roll_n of_o his_o citation_n the_o useful_a part_n as_o he_o say_v of_o his_o whole_a performance_n and_o that_o not_o one_o of_o those_o which_o he_o call_v evidence_n be_v conclusive_a that_o be_v worth_a a_o straw_n or_o to_o purpose_n but_o because_o every_o one_o will_v not_o be_v capable_a to_o see_v it_o in_o those_o citation_n he_o bring_v for_o proof_n i_o let_v they_o see_v it_o in_o those_o his_o late_a quotation_n of_o scripture_n in_o which_o he_o so_o pitiful_o betray_v his_o silly_a and_o vain_a humour_n of_o quote_v to_o no_o imaginable_a end_n but_o to_o satisfy_v his_o customary_a habit_n or_o fancy_n and_o as_o in_o his_o citation_n so_o in_o these_o imagine_v the_o application_n of_o they_o to_o his_o cause_n in_o stead_n of_o show_v it_o that_o i_o conceive_v no_o universitie-wit_n but_o will_v see_v in_o this_o carriage_n of_o he_o that_o dr._n pierce_n head_n be_v not_o too_o scientifical_a nor_o himself_o a_o fit_a man_n to_o to_o demonstrate_v against_o the_o papist_n second_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n 1._o i_o beg_v pardon_n of_o my_o reader_n for_o my_o late_a merriment_n and_o child_n play_n with_o airy_a bubble_n and_o feather_n both_o d._n pierce_n manner_n of_o writing_n and_o his_o carriage_n towards_o catholic_n merit_v this_o kind_n of_o return_n i_o hope_v the_o passage_n in_o mr._n whitby_n i_o have_v design_v to_o answer_v will_v give_v i_o occasion_n to_o speak_v more_o solid_o and_o that_o they_o may_v do_v so_o i_o will_v pick_v out_o those_o which_o aim_v at_o some_o point_n of_o concernment_n i_o have_v a_o particular_a respect_n for_o the_o person_n and_o be_o sorry_a his_o grow_a hopefulness_n receive_v a_o foil_n by_o his_o book_n against_o mr._n s._n c._n and_o this_o though_o a_o threefold_a disadvantage_n the_o badness_n of_o his_o cause_n the_o patronage_n of_o dr._n pierce_n malice_n and_o his_o impar_fw-la congressus_fw-la with_o so_o learned_a a_o antagonist_n 2._o my_o design_n lead_v i_o to_o take_v notice_n especial_o of_o that_o passage_n p._n 93._o sect._n 4._o where_o he_o begin_v a_o discourse_n about_o the_o sovereignty_n of_o reason_n and_o explicate_v rather_o than_o prove_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o what_o be_v his_o rule_n and_o guide_n to_o faith_n which_o because_o it_o look_v plausible_o yet_o be_v prudent_o neglect_v by_o mr._n s_o c._n who_o hear_v of_o more_o eminent_a antagonist_n write_v against_o he_o judge_v it_o wise_a to_o reserve_v himself_o to_o answer_v the_o protestanr_n second_v and_o best_a thought_n in_o they_o in_o case_n they_o be_v find_v to_o deserve_v it_o and_o because_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o challenge_n be_v make_v to_o all_o the_o romanist_n in_o the_o world_n and_o many_o passage_n in_o it_o light_a cross_n to_o the_o ground_n i_o have_v lay_v i_o take_v leave_v to_o consider_v and_o examine_v it_o my_o way_n in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o especial_o at_o the_o beginning_n the_o discourse_n be_v right_o make_v but_o in_o other_o place_n he_o confound_v guide_n with_o rule_n power_n with_o motive_n and_o by_o strain_v a_o word_n in_o mr._n s._n c._n beyond_o its_o necessary_a signification_n impose_v on_o we_o a_o false_a tenet_n which_o he_o main_o build_v upon_o so_o that_o i_o be_o force_v to_o begin_v my_o answer_n by_o put_v down_o our_o true_a one_o which_o give_v faith_n and_o reason_n both_o their_o due_n this_o do_v his_o superstructute_n on_o that_o supposition_n will_v fall_v of_o themselves_o 3._o our_o tenet_n then_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v the_o same_o with_o belief_n that_o belief_n rely_v on_o authority_n and_o divine_a faith_n or_o belief_n on_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o its_o motive_n and_o on_o the_o church_n as_o on_o the_o applier_n of_o the_o other_o to_o my_o understanding_n at_o next_o i_o hold_v that_o no_o authority_n deserve_v assent_n further_o than_o true_a reason_n give_v it_o to_o deserve_v and_o hence_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v essential_a truth_n deserve_v in_o true_a reason_n if_o possible_a infinite_o intense_a assent_n or_o adhesion_n to_o its_o say_n from_o i_o and_o the_o church_n authority_n be_v find_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o be_v certain_a it_o apply_v with_o certainty_n that_o be_v close_o the_o divine_a authority_n to_o my_o understanding_n and_o so_o oblige_v it_o absolute_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n god_n have_v tell_v and_o to_o submit_v whatever_o reason_n i_o may_v have_v against_o the_o object_n reveal_v to_o this_o all-overpowering_a authority_n of_o essential_a truth_n this_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n whence_o my_o particular_a reason_n be_v take_v nay_o far_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o i_o adhere_v more_o hearty_o and_o firm_o to_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n than_o to_o any_o conclusion_n of_o any_o science_n whatever_o because_o a_o more_o efficacious_a cause_n equal_o close_o apply_v be_v apt_a to_o produce_v a_o great_a effect_n and_o no_o cause_n be_v or_o can_v be_v in_o 〈◊〉_d reason_n comparable_a to_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a veracity_n in_o the_o point_n of_o cause_v assent_n which_o be_v close_o apply_v by_o i_o to_o the_o church_n assurance_n hence_o my_o faith_n be_v ever_o most_o rational_a because_o ●is_n 〈◊〉_d rational_a to_o believe_v a_o point_n for_o which_o the_o divine_a veracity_n be_v engage_v and_o high_o rational_a to_o believe_v the_o church_n assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v engage_v for_o such_o and_o such_o point_n nor_o yet_o be_v the_o divine_a authority_n or_o the_o church_n as_o mr._n whitby_n p._n 96._o very_a mistake_o argue_v behold_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o private_a reason_n for_o my_o belief_n of_o her_o infallibility_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a my_o private_a reason_n be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o that_o judgement_n see_v i_o therefore_o come_v to_o have_v that_o judgement_n because_o those_o as_o object_n wrought_v upon_o my_o apprehension_n and_o imprint_v a_o conceit_n of_o they_o there_o as_o they_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o so_o oblige_v my_o reason_n to_o conclude_v and_o my_o judgement_n to_o hold_v they_o such_o as_o they_o be_v this_o rational_a assent_n establish_v my_o faith_n against_o the_o assauld_n of_o any_o doubt_n from_o human_a reason_n rest_v assure_v th●●_n the_o same_o god_n who_o tell_v i_o this_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n else_o and_o have_v write_v all_o create_a truth_n in_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v make_v whence_o no_o create_a ●ruth_n can_v thwart_v my_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v contradict_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a hence_o if_o i_o have_v true_a science_n i_o be_o certain_a to_o find_v no_o part_n of_o it_o opposite_a to_o my_o faith_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a conformable_a to_o it_o as_o be_v a_o child_n of_o the_o same_o parent_n essential_a truth_n if_o i_o have_v not_o true_a science_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v so_o nothing_o therefore_o but_o my_o own_o overween_a can_v make_v i_o miscarry_v 4._o reason_n have_v thus_o play_v her_o part_n in_o bring_v i_o to_o faith_n desert_n i_o not_o yet_o while_o i_o act_n in_o it_o nor_o i_o she_o my_o act_n of_o belief_n be_v still_o rational_a because_o it_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v at_o first_o
vulgar_a reason_n easy_o tell_v they_o that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o truth_n that_o be_v that_o all_o the_o other_o professor_n to_o follow_v scripture_n do_v notwithstanding_o believe_v and_o speak_v false_a now_o these_o honest_a scholar_n of_o plain_a down_o right_a nature_n &_o that_o of_o her_o low_a form_n too_o be_v unable_a to_o judge_v which_o true_o follow_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o only_o capable_a to_o know_v they_o all_o profess_v it_o with_o word_n and_o action_n express_v the_o great_a seriousness_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o think_v that_o all_o equal_o mean_a to_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n whence_o their_o common_a reason_n will_v tell_v they_o though_o they_o can_v express_v it_o in_o our_o term_n or_o defend_v it_o that_o mere_o for_o want_v of_o light_n that_o be_v evidence_n in_o the_o directive_n power_n of_o that_o rule_n they_o all_o but_o one_o party_n and_o perhaps_o that_o too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n go_v most_o miserable_o astray_o this_o three_o property_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n namely_o to_o justify_v the_o undoubting_a vulgar_a be_v want_v to_o scripture_n letter_n 3._o there_o follow_v the_o four_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v that_o it_o must_v be_v able_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o satisfy_v the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o rational_a doubter_n that_o the_o doctrine_n it_o hold_v forth_o come_v from_o christ._n to_o make_v a_o true_a conceit_n of_o what_o may_v be_v judge_v sufficient_a for_o this_o end_n let_v we_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n and_o temper_n of_o such_o dissenter_n and_o doubter_n and_o we_o shall_v quick_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v man_n give_v to_o stir_v their_o thought_n by_o much_o reflection_n and_o to_o call_v they_o to_o a_o strict_a account_n ere_o they_o yield_v they_o over_o to_o assent_v wherefore_o if_o we_o suppose_v they_o true_a to_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o not_o to_o betray_v the_o light_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o some_o passion_n in_o which_o case_n their_o faith_n itself_o be_v in_o they_o a_o vice_n we_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o thing_n under_o demonstration_n can_v bind_v and_o restrain_v those_o active_a and_o volatile_a soul_n from_o flutter_v still_o in_o objection_n and_o hover_v in_o doubt_n when_o their_o eternal_a good_a be_v concern_v especial_o when_o a_o authority_n be_v about_o scan_v upon_o who_o word_n they_o be_v bind_v after_o they_o have_v approve_v it_o to_o believe_v unconcievable_a and_o unheard_a of_o thing_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o human_a reason_n &_o apprehension_n let_v now_o any_o man_n go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v to_o those_o great_a wit_n these_o point_n that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v that_o there_o be_v never_o a_o real_a one_o however_o there_o may_v be_v many_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o it_o and_o this_o to_o be_v show_v out_o of_o the_o very_a letter_n itself_o that_o just_o this_o catalogue_n or_o number_n of_o book_n be_v enough_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o no_o one_o necessary_a that_o be_v lose_v none_o be_v abate_v or_o if_o so_o how_o many_o that_o the_o original_n out_o of_o which_o the_o translation_n be_v make_v be_v entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a that_o the_o first_o translation_n be_v skilful_o &_o right_o make_v and_o afterward_o derive_v down_o sincere_a notwithstanding_o the_o errableness_n of_o thousand_o of_o transcriber_n printer_n corrector_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o malice_n of_o ancient_a heretic_n and_o jew_n who_o have_v it_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o last_o that_o this_o and_o this_o only_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o to_o which_o be_v requisite_a great_a skill_n in_o language_n to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o word_n in_o grammar_n to_o know_v what_o meaning_n they_o shall_v general_o beat_v according_a to_o its_o rule_n as_o thus_o construe_v or_o put_v together_o criticism_n to_o know_v what_o a_o word_n do_v most_o common_o or_o may_v possible_o signify_v by_o rule_n 〈◊〉_d nice_a etymology_n or_o acception_n of_o author_n ancient_a or_o modern_a by_o dialect_n of_o several_a country_n etc._n etc._n history_n to_o make_v know_v the_o true_a scope_n of_o the_o author_n the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o his_o meaning_n logic_n to_o draw_v consequence_n aright_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o thread_n of_o the_o discourse_n to_o avoid_v equivocation_n in_o word_n by_o discover_v which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v proper_o which_o metaphorical_o and_o to_o apply_v this_o right_n foam_n skill_n in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o that_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o metaphysic_n especial_o that_o which_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o spirit_n as_o the_o soul_n angel_n god_n and_o his_o attribute_n but_o especial_o in_o divinity_n both_o speculative_a and_o moral_a which_o by_o the_o way_n suppose_v faith_n and_o come_v after_o it_o and_o so_o can_v be_v presuppose_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o precede_v it_o let_v any_o man_n i_o say_v go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o these_o difficult_a point_n ro_o those_o acute_a man_n and_o will_v they_o not_o smile_v at_o his_o endeavour_n since_o most_o of_o they_o that_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v such_o that_o we_o want_v principle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o evidence_n they_o and_o the_o rest_n so_o obscure_a that_o a_o search_a and_o sincere_a wit_n will_v still_o find_v something_o to_o reply_v to_o rational_o or_o at_o least_o maintain_v his_o ground_n of_o suspense_n with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o and_o be_v some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o these_o point_n demonstrable_a yet_o who_o see_v not_o it_o be_v a_o task_n of_o so_o long_a study_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o a_o man_n life_n will_v be_v spend_v in_o a_o wearisome_a and_o hopeless_a endeavour_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o this_o tedious_a method_n which_o will_v both_o dis-invite_a to_o a_o pursuit_n and_o even_o a_o diligent_a man_n may_v in_o likelihood_n die_v ere_o he_o can_v rational_o embrace_v any_o faith_n at_o all_o i'faith_o then_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o man_n to_o lead_v his_o life_n by_o it_o be_v necessary_a its_o rule_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v easy_o victorious_a by_o reason_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n over_o the_o shock_n of_o doubt_n or_o the_o assault_n of_o intellectual_a fear_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v defective_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v far_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 4._o the_o same_o discourse_n hold_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o convictive_a of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n which_o be_v the_o five_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o to_o apprehend_v this_o more_o lively_a let_v we_o imagine_v it_o apply_v to_o practice_n and_o that_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v quote_v to_o convince_v a_o deist_n in_o some_o point_n he_o ask_v how_o you_o be_v certain_a that_o book_n be_v god_n word_n you_o allege_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o which_o indeed_o be_v such_o that_o eye_n already_o enlighten_v by_o true_a faith_n may_v discern_v something_o in_o it_o above_o nature_n and_o cry_v digitus_fw-la d●i_fw-la est_fw-la hîc_fw-la though_o not_o his_o dim_a sight_n he_o answer_v that_o many_o part_n of_o it_o be_v indeed_o very_o excellent_o good_a but_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o requite_v your_o excellency_n with_o many_o strange_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n even_o by_o your_o own_o confession_n in_o the_o open_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v and_o most_o unworthy_a god_n as_o that_o he_o have_v hand_n foot_n and_o passion_n like_o we_o according_o to_o which_o he_o be_v variable_a he_o find_v you_o direct_a text_n against_o acknowledge_a science_n in_o divers_a particular_n and_o reckon_v up_o a_o multitude_n of_o contradiction_n to_o his_o judgement_n you_o answer_v that_o those_o place_n be_v understand_v according_a to_o human_a apprehension_n and_o be_v indeed_o incompetent_a to_o god_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mystical_a and_o spiritual_a meaning_n couch_v in_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n which_o with_o the_o help_n of_o history_n will_v reconcile_v those_o seem_a contradiction_n he_o cry_v you_o quite_o abandon_v your_o pretend_a rule_n that_o since_o you_o confess_v heresy_n be_v in_o the_o open_a letter_n take_v as_o it_o lie_v you_o must_v have_v some_o knowledge_n in_o your_o head_n concern_v god_n which_o make_v you_o decline_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n as_o they_o lie_v and_o run_v to_o gloss_n they_o and_o demand_n whence_o you_o come_v by_o those_o tenet_n which_o oblige_v you_o to_o correct_v the_o plain_a letter_n challenge_v your_o thought_n and_o carriage_n as_o witness_n that_o that_o
multitude_n of_o knower_n if_o no_o possible_a consideration_n can_v awaken_v in_o our_o reason_n a_o doubt_n that_o they_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v we_o now_o in_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n all_o deliverer_n or_o immediate_a forefather_n be_v knower_n as_o appear_v in_o those_o who_o immediate_o hear_v the_o apostle_n all_o the_o knowledge_n requisite_a be_v of_o what_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o practise_v it_o according_o all_o their_o life_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o rude_a person_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a who_o ever_o have_v any_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o teach_v wrought_v upon_o he_o nor_o can_v any_o unless_o their_o brain_n rove_v wild_o or_o be_v unsettled_a even_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o madness_n suspect_v deceit_n where_o such_o multitude_n unanimous_o agree_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n look_v serious_o when_o they_o speak_v act_n themselves_o and_o practice_n according_o and_o show_v in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o carriage_n that_o they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v themselves_o and_o to_o save_v other_o who_o they_o thus_o instruct_v by_o rely_v on_o this_o truth_n that_o their_o forefather_n thus_o teach_v they_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o nature_n or_o common_a reason_n at_o unaware_o steal_v into_o they_o a_o solid_a apprehension_n that_o tradition_n be_v of_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o that_o while_o father_n thus_o teach_v child_n it_o be_v ever_o such_o that_o be_v that_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o convey_v down_o faith_n which_o be_v all_o we_o study_v to_o evince_v at_o present_a i_o may_v add_v that_o nature_n tell_v they_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n that_o parent_n general_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o believe_v to_o be_v good_a and_o true_a &_o needful_a to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n their_o natural_a thought_n will_v lead_v they_o by_o a_o downright_a procedure_n to_o judge_v that_o tradition_n be_v ever_o in_o some_o considerable_a body_n of_o deliverer_n who_o stick_v to_o it_o and_o own_a it_o and_o that_o those_o have_v true_a faith_n or_o true_o that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n and_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n teach_v but_o of_o this_o point_n more_o hereafter_o 10._o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o this_o multitude_n of_o plain_a honest-meaning_n soul_n be_v as_o much_o justify_v for_o believe_a scripture_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o you_o mean_v their_o faith_n conceive_v to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n or_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n letter_n it_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o they_o be_v as_o much_o justifiable_a for_o believe_v any_o set_v aside_o tradition_n help_n for_o without_o this_o it_o total_o depend_v on_o the_o inward_a judgement_n fancy_n or_o skill_n of_o man_n which_o they_o be_v unqualify_v to_o judge_v of_o not_o on_o open_a verdict_n of_o sense_n to_o wield_v the_o certainty_n or_o uncertainty_n of_o which_o lie_v clear_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o their_o common_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o scripture_n letter_n they_o can_v possible_o be_v justify_v in_o reason_n for_o believe_v even_o the_o substantial_a truth_n of_o it_o without_o tradition_n assist_v hand_n and_o preserve_a care_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o because_o the_o common_a course_n of_o human_a experience_n tell_v they_o that_o judgement_n or_o opinion_n often_o disagree_v but_o their_o plain_a sensation_n especial_o if_o frequent_o repeat_v never_o whence_o a_o jury_n of_o the_o plain_a high-shoe_n will_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o sight_n of_o six_o witness_n without_o more_o ado_n condemn_v a_o malefactor_n but_o not_o upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o thousand_o man_n if_o a_o testimony_n ground_v on_o sense_n be_v not_o bring_v now_o take_v away_o tradition_n and_o all_o ground_n from_o certain_a sense_n fail_v we_o either_o for_o the_o meaning_n or_o even_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o all_o be_v leave_v to_o man_n judgement_n build_v on_o latent_fw-la skill_n or_o fancy_n or_o at_o least_o on_o sense_n liable_a to_o great_a and_o numerous_a mistake_n as_o have_v be_v show_v disc._n 4._o §_o 3._o again_o see_v every_o one_o apprehend_v the_o most_o vulgar_a have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o k._n james_n and_o q._n elizabeth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v no_o otherwise_o ascertain_v but_o by_o tradition_n why_o be_v not_o they_o as_o much_o or_o more_o justify_v for_o believe_a point_n of_o faith_n receive_v down_o by_o the_o same_o tenor_n whereas_o if_o you_o go_v about_o to_o pump_v their_o common_a reason_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o statute-book_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o letter_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o blunder_v and_o at_o a_o ●oss_n be_v pose_v beyond_o their_o sphere_n of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n by_o a_o question_n entrench_v upon_o skill_n to_o which_o they_o can_v never_o answer_v with_o a_o steady_a assuredness_n inward_o and_o if_o they_o do_v so_o outward_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o some_o passion_n and_o not_o their_o reason_n breed_v that_o irrational_a profession_n the_o three_o condition_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v apt_a to_o settle_v and_o justify_v unreflect_v and_o undoubt_v vulgar_a be_v manifest_o find_v agree_v to_o tradition_n 11._o i_o put_v next_o the_o 6_o condition_n because_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o evident_o prove_v the_o four_o five_o and_o seven_o for_o what_o be_v build_v on_o immovable_a ground_n or_o certain_a in_o its_o self_n have_v in_o it_o wherewith_o to_o settle_v and_o satisfy_v the_o most_o pierce_a wit●_n convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a adversary_n and_o to_o ascertain_v we_o absolute_o to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a ground_n it_o may_v suffi●●_n to_o note_v that_o disc._n 1._o §_o 13_o 14_o 15._o it_o be_v evident_o prove_v faith_n must_v be_v infallible_a to_o we_o an●_n no_o less_o evident_a that_o it_o can_v be_v such_o without_o have_v infallibly-c●●tain_a ground_n since_o nothing_o can_v be_v firm_a to_o we_o than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o now_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v its_o ground_n it_o follow_v evident_o that_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v infallib●●_n certain_a there_o be_v then_o only_o two_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n own_v namely_o deliver_v of_o it_o down_o by_o write_v and_o by_o word_n an●_n practice_n which_o we_o call_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n it_o be_v leave_v avoidable_o out_o of_o the_o imposibility_n that_o scripture_n shall_v be_v infallible_a as_o rule_v that_o tradition_n must_v be_v such_o 12._o though_o this_o conclusion_n suppose_v th●_n truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n i_o assume_v as_o already_o prove_v be_v sufficient_o consequent_a to_o those_o adversary_n against_o who_o i_o contest_v at_o present_a th●_n certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o regard_n they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d stick_v to_o grant_v that_o either_o scripture_n or_o tradition_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o i_o foresee_v more_o will_n be_v expect_v from_o a_o pretender_n to_o demonstrate_v its_o certainty_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v frame_v his_o discourse_n from_o intrinsical_v medium_n reflect_v then_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n as_o before_o explicate_v we_o shall_v observe_v that_o it_o have_v for_o its_o basis_n the_o best_a nature_n in_o the_o universe_n that_o be_v man_n the_o flower_n and_o end_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o this_o not_o according_a to_o his_o moral_a part_n defectible_a by_o reason_n of_o original_a corruption_n nor_o yet_o his_o intellectual_n dark_o grope_v in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o science_n by_o reflect_a thought_n or_o speculation_n amid_o the_o misty_a vapour_n exhale_v by_o his_o passion_n predominant_a over_o his_o rational_a will_n but_o according_a to_o those_o faculty_n in_o he_o perfect_o and_o necessary_o subject_a to_o the_o operation_n and_o stroke_n of_o nature_n that_o be_v his_o eye_n ear_n handle_v and_o the_o direct_a impression_n of_o knowledge_n as_o natural_o and_o necessary_o issue_v from_o the_o affect_v those_o sense_n as_o it_o be_v to_o feel_v he●●_n cold_a pain_n pleasure_n or_o any_o other_o material_a quality_n again_o those_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n be_v not_o make_v once_o but_o frequent_o and_o in_o most_o many_o time_n every_o day_n moreover_o to_o make_v these_o more_o express_a and_o apt_a to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o their_o life_n be_v to_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o precept_n they_o hear_v and_o conformable_a example_n they_o see_v so_o that_o faith_n i_o mean_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o or_o that_o solid_a plain_a knowledge_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o cause_v downright_a christian_a 〈◊〉_d come_v clad_v in_o such_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o the_o most_o stupid_a man_n live_v can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o
that_o be_v be_v ever_o or_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n however_o they_o blind_v their_o own_o conscience_n with_o glance_n of_o fancy_n from_o private_a interpretation_n of_o god_n word_n and_o deaf_a their_o own_o and_o other_o ear_n with_o empty_a sound_n rebound_v with_o false_a echo_n from_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n 3._o now_o though_o it_o seem_v a_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o require_v that_o a_o rule_n shall_v not_o only_o be_v able_a to_o rule_v those_o who_o will_v follow_v it_o but_o also_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o oblige_v the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o actual_o do_v follow_v it_o not_o to_o desert_v it_o yet_o such_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o our_o saviour_n towards_o his_o church_n to_o order_v that_o the_o rule_n which_o bring_v down_o faith_n to_o we_o shall_v both_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o which_o it_o be_v graft_v and_o much_o more_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o doctrine_n it_o recommend_v be_v of_o so_o wonderful_a a_o efficacy_n 4._o this_o point_n therefore_o of_o the_o actual_a indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v both_o à_fw-la priori_fw-la from_o proper_a cause_n and_o à_fw-la posteriori_fw-la from_o a_o nowadays_o experience_a effect_n 5._o to_o do_v the_o former_a i_o say_v for_o my_o ground_n first_o that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o unanimous_o settle_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a disperse_v in_o great_a multitude_n over_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n second_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v firm_o believe_v by_o all_o those_o faithful_a to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o the_o contradict_a or_o desert_v it_o the_o way_n to_o damnation_n so_o that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n imaginable_a be_v by_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n encourage_v they_o to_o the_o adhere_n to_o that_o doctrine_n and_o deter_v they_o from_o relinquish_a it_o and_o indeed_o infinite_o great_a than_o any_o other_o whatever_o spring_v from_o any_o temporal_a consideration_n and_o that_o this_o be_v in_o all_o age_n the_o persuasion_n of_o the_o faithful_a three_o that_o hope_n of_o good_n and_o fear_n of_o harm_n strong_o apply_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o actual_a will._n last_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v feisible_a or_o within_o their_o power_n that_o be_v that_o what_o they_o be_v breed_v to_o be_v knowable_a by_o they_o this_o put_v it_o follow_v as_o certain_o that_o a_o great_a number_n or_o body_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n and_o after-faithful_a in_o each_o age_n that_o be_v from_o age_n to_o age_n will_v continue_v to_o hold_v themselves_o and_o teach_v their_o child_n as_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v that_o be_v will_v follow_v and_o stick_v to_o tradition_n as_o it_o do_v that_o a_o cause_n put_v actual_o cause_v produce_v its_o effect_n actual_o i_o say_v for_o since_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v the_o application_n put_v and_o the_o patient_n dispose_v for_o our_o argument_n put_v this_o to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o true_a believer_n in_o regard_n the_o first_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n must_v have_v be_v true_a believer_n or_o holder_n of_o it_o ere_o they_o renounce_v it_o it_o follow_v inevitable_o that_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v still_o actual_o cause_v 6._o i_o foresee_v some_o will_v object_v the_o indisposition_n of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o believe_a parent_n by_o reason_n of_o original_a corruption_n but_o suppose_v i_o dispute_v against_o those_o christian_n who_o hold_v that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v intend_v to_o be_v a_o antidote_n for_o that_o original_a malice_n and_o to_o keep_v man_n will_n already_o possess_v with_o it_o right_a notwithstanding_o the_o poise_n of_o their_o corrupt_a nature_n and_o the_o temptation_n of_o their_o circumstance_n to_o say_v it_o be_v apply_v universal_o to_o all_o several_a sort_n and_o temper_n and_o preserve_v none_o good_a be_v to_o question_v christ_n wisdom_n and_o to_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o do_v the_o effect_v it_o be_v mean_v for_o not_o to_o mind_v the_o object_a how_o many_o thousand_o of_o martyr_n and_o holy_a confessor_n by_o the_o power_n of_o this_o doctrine_n overcome_v this_o inbred_a declivity_n of_o their_o will_n and_o its_o disorderly_a inclination_n to_o the_o dear_a good_n life_n or_o nature_n can_v bestow_v a_o great_a part_n therefore_o will_v be_v virtuous_a and_o so_o it_o be_v easy_a and_o obvious_a as_o our_o former_a discourse_n prove_v will_v teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o believe_v in_o their_o conscience_n to_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n or_o the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o so_o a_o body_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n will_v still_o be_v continue_v to_o the_o very_a end_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o can_v that_o rule_n be_v total_o relinquish_v by_o any_o stratagem_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o prevail_v against_o by_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n again_o though_o nature_n incline_v man_n to_o sin_n or_o vicious_a appetite_n yet_o can_v it_o incline_v they_o all_o to_o this_o sort_n of_o sin_n that_o be_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o they_o think_v will_v damn_v they_o or_o rather_o do_v not_o nature_n most_o strong_o carry_v they_o to_o the_o contrary_a their_o original_a corruption_n than_o be_v no_o particular_a inviter_n to_o this_o kind_n of_o sin_n to_o teach_v their_o child_n pernicious_a falsehood_n and_o which_o themselves_o hold_v such_o though_o themselves_o be_v otherwise_o liable_a to_o several_a sort_n of_o particular_a fail_n 7._o if_o any_o object_n the_o fickle_a nature_n of_o the_o will_n and_o imagine_v that_o this_o exempt_v she_o from_o the_o law_n of_o cause_n i_o ask_v they_o without_o engage_v far_o into_o school-disputes_a which_o i_o industrious_o avoid_v whether_o good_a be_v not_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o the_o will_n and_o so_o be_v to_o affect_v it_o when_o sufficient_o apply_v or_o propose_v if_o so_o then_o since_o a_o object_n to_o affect_v a_o power_n be_v to_o put_v it_o in_o act_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o power_n we_o call_v the_o will_n be_v actual_a volition_n or_o willing_n good_a propose_v make_v the_o will_n to_o will_n or_o desire_v that_o good_a and_o consequent_o the_o know_a mean_n to_o obtain_v it_o now_o infinite_a good_n and_o harm_n sufficient_o propose_v be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n incomparable_o more_o powerful_a cause_n to_o carry_v the_o will_n than_o temporal_a one_o since_o then_o when_o two_o cause_n be_v counterpose_v the_o lesser_a when_o it_o come_v to_o execution_n be_v no_o cause_n as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o that_o effect_n as_o a_o heavy_a weight_n which_o be_v otherwise_o a_o cause_n of_o descend_v be_v no_o such_o cause_n when_o overweigh_v by_o a_o heavy_a as_o not_o make_v its_o scale_n descend_v at_o all_o it_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o move_v the_o will_n of_o a_o world_n of_o believer_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o do_v that_o which_o they_o judge_v will_v lose_v themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n infinite_a good_n and_o bring_v they_o infinite_a harm_n such_o strong_a and_o main_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v put_v in_o the_o counterbalance_n in_o case_n a_o sufficient_a proposal_n or_o application_n be_v not_o want_v 8._o the_o last_o attempt_n then_o of_o a_o objectour_n be_v to_o fault_n the_o application_n of_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a good_n and_o to_o enhance_v the_o proposal_n of_o sensible_a and_o temporal_a object_n but_o if_o we_o reflect_v with_o how_o steady_a a_o pursuit_n and_o even_o equal_a to_o that_o of_o eyesight_n or_o any_o other_o sense_n we_o general_o work_v for_o end_n no_o otherwise_o propose_v than_o by_o undoubted_a authority_n as_o when_o a_o king_n prepare_v for_o a_o expedition_n against_o a_o foreign_a country_n he_o never_o see_v or_o a_o gentleman_n for_o a_o journey_n to_o rome_n and_o such_o like_a if_o we_o but_o call_v to_o mind_n how_o the_o great_a testimony_n in_o the_o world_n engage_v god_n supremely-infallible_a veracity_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n it_o propose_v which_o ascertain_v we_o of_o those_o infinite_a good_n and_o harm_n speak_v of_o the_o best_a application_n of_o a_o motive_n to_o a_o true_o rational_a power_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v imagine_v if_o we_o but_o consider_v how_o those_o spiritual_a and_o unseen_a good_n be_v make_v intelligible_a to_o all_o in_o a_o fair_a measure_n by_o most_o fit_a and_o obvious_a metaphor_n familiar_a and_o sensible_a by_o daily_a practice_n and_o as_o it_o be_v experience_n of_o they_o in_o christian_a language_n and_o action_n by_o the_o venerable_a sacrament_n by_o the_o spectable_a majesty_n of_o outward_a ceremony_n all_o include_v our_o spiritual_a last_o end_n or_o intimate_v it_o by_o their_o order_n to_o it_o nay_o if_o we_o but_o contemplate_v even_o essential_a heaven_n itself_o