have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o its_o basis_n which_o they_o honest_o understand_v to_o have_v the_o same_o certainty_n as_o if_o god_n himself_o have_v speak_v it_o yet_o be_v dress_v up_o by_o their_o plausible_a rhetoric_n and_o advance_v in_o a_o circumstance_n when_o they_o be_v confute_v the_o papist_n the_o middle_a sort_n of_o protestant_a reader_n at_o unaware_o let_v it_o pass_v as_o meritorious_a to_o their_o party_n and_o the_o wise_a sort_n embrace_v it_o both_o as_o a_o real_a truth_n and_o also_o as_o make_v best_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o cause_n when_o they_o will_v oppugn_v we_o what_o disservice_n soever_o it_o do_v tot_fw-mi he_o common_a cause_n of_o religionor_n christianity_n for_o they_o be_v not_o at_o all_o solicitous_a so_o strange_o do_v faction_n transport_v they_o so_o they_o can_v in_o their_o conceit_n overthrow_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n though_o they_o reduce_v all_o faith_n into_o incertainty_n and_o all_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v into_o a_o totter_a contingency_n it_o seem_v to_o threaten_v a_o mischief_n considerable_a enough_o to_o christianity_n that_o such_o a_o pernicious_a tenet_n shall_v be_v public_o own_a in_o controversy_n to_o taint_v the_o wise_a sort_n of_o reader_n with_o atheism_n in_o which_o it_o have_v be_v too_o successful_a but_o it_o grow_v intolerable_a when_o it_o dare_v take_v the_o boldness_n to_o appear_v in_o sermon_n pronounce_v in_o very_o honourable_a assembly_n and_o afterward_o publish_v in_o print_n where_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a and_o a_o great_a many_o seem_a show_n and_o i_o hearty_o think_v very_o real_a intention_n of_o impugn_a atheism_n by_o a_o ill-principled_n and_o in_o that_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o unnecessary_a confession_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n nay_o even_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n religion_n receive_v a_o deep_a wound_n and_o atheism_n a_o especial_a advantage_n as_o may_v perhaps_o more_o particular_o be_v show_v hereafter_o i_o envy_v not_o that_o sermon_n and_o some_o other_o production_n of_o mr._n tillotson_n their_o author_n their_o due_a commendation_n though_o he_o be_v my_o adversary_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o his_o clear_a method_n or_o disposition_n of_o his_o matter_n and_o the_o cleanness_n of_o his_o style_n which_o fit_v he_o for_o a_o excellency_n in_o preach_v he_o have_v few_o equal_n and_o that_o have_v he_o good_a principle_n he_o will_v deliver_v they_o as_o intelligible_o as_o any_o man_n i_o know_v only_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v right_a principle_n to_o ground_n his_o discourse_n without_o which_o he_o can_v never_o make_v a_o controvertist_n but_o must_v needs_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o undertake_v to_o meddle_v with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o what_o i_o be_o on_o this_o occasion_n chief_o to_o reflect_v on_o be_v my_o own_o obligation_n which_o be_v the_o boldness_n of_o own_v and_o publish_v the_o incertainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v come_v to_o the_o height_n to_o assert_v its_o absolute_a firmness_n and_o certainty_n in_o the_o best_a manner_n god_n shall_v enable_v i_o and_o his_o providence_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o of_o i_o at_o present_a in_o regard_n it_o be_v expect_v i_o shall_v reply_v to_o mr._n tillotson_n be_v pretend_a answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n who_o first_o principle_n in_o that_o reply_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o what_o he_o deem_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o consequent_o that_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o position_n which_o he_o defend_v p._n 118_o and_o in_o diverse_a other_o place_n imply_v and_o build_v on_o he_o more_o oppugn_v my_o discourse_n than_o by_o any_o other_o thesis_n whatever_o the_o contrary_a to_o which_o if_o i_o evince_v than_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n that_o they_o have_v no_o absolutely-certain_a ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n confute_v they_o without_o more_o ado_n and_o conclude_v they_o to_o have_v relinquish_v its_o only_a right_n because_o its_o only_a true_o certain_a rule_n tradition_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o my_o chief_a design_n to_o establish_v the_o absolute_a truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o itself_o by_o all_o the_o argument_n i_o can_v imagine_v and_o not_o mere_o to_o confute_v protestant_a controvertist_n i_o need_v not_o take_v the_o pain_n thus_o to_o multiply_v demonstration_n or_o even_o allege_v so_o much_o as_o one_o for_o since_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v seem_o to_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n of_o father_n by_o their_o voluminous_a quotation_n yet_o they_o will_v final_o and_o hearty_o stand_v to_o nothing_o in_o contest_v about_o faith_n as_o conclusive_a but_o their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v so_o weak_a a_o ground_n that_o every_o day_n experience_n show_v its_o fail_n a_o ordinary_a probability_n be_v abundant_o enough_o to_o overthrow_v their_o discourse_n who_o very_a principle_n be_v not_o only_o improbable_a but_o evident_o a_o false_a one_o whence_o the_o mean_a catholic_n writer_n can_v fail_v to_o have_v the_o advantage_n over_o their_o best_a in_o a_o prudential_n man_n esteem_n because_o he_o can_v possible_o miss_v of_o a_o medium_fw-la more_o probable_a than_o be_v their_o main_a ground_n i_o declare_v then_o that_o my_o chief_a end_n in_o this_o treatise_n be_v to_o settle_v christian_a faith_n or_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o must_v be_v true_o or_o absolute_o certain_a and_o that_o my_o apply_v it_o now_o and_o then_o to_o my_o opposer_n be_v only_o a_o secundary_a intention_n and_o mere_o occasional_a ere_o i_o fall_v close_o to_o my_o proof_n that_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a to_o avoid_v equivocation_n in_o the_o word_n i_o declare_v that_o by_o the_o word_n faith_n i_o be_o not_o solicitous_a whether_o be_v mean_v our_o act_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o object_n of_o that_o act_n but_o judge_v that_o distinction_n whole_o impertinent_a in_o this_o present_a discourse_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o i_o can_v affirm_v a_o point_n true_a or_o false_a but_o as_o it_o stand_v under_o motive_n able_a to_o make_v i_o judge_v assent_n or_o believe_v it_o be_v such_o or_o such_o which_o motive_n if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v able_a to_o convince_v that_o the_o point_n can_v but_o be_v so_o than_o my_o judgement_n or_o assent_n tothose_n point_n thusconclude_v that_o be_v my_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v but_o be_v true_a because_o it_o depend_v entire_o on_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a viz._n those_o motive_n but_o if_o those_o motive_n be_v not_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a the_o thing_n be_v than_o both_o the_o thing_n object_n point_n or_o proposition_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v only_o knowable_a by_o virtue_n of_o they_o may_v be_v otherwise_o and_o also_o my_o act_n of_o faith_n or_o belief_n of_o those_o point_n may_v be_v a_o wrong_n or_o erroneous_a judgement_n that_o be_v both_o of_o they_o may_v be_v false_a 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 point_n true_a and_o to_o affirm_v that_o faith_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v equivalent_o to_o assert_v that_o those_o motive_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v thus_o absolute_o conclusive_a firm_a and_o immovable_a hence_o be_v see_v that_o i_o concern_v not_o myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n with_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o diverse_a person_n penetrate_v those_o motive_n or_o how_o they_o satisfy_v or_o dissatisfy_v some_o particular_a person_n since_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o motive_n in_o themselves_o and_o as_o lay_v in_o second_o cause_n by_o god_n providence_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n to_o which_o the_o dimness_n of_o eyesight_n neglect_v to_o look_v at_o all_o or_o look_v the_o wrong_a way_n even_o in_o many_o particular_a man_n be_v extrinsecal_n and_o contingent_a last_o to_o avoid_v mistake_n and_o confusion_n i_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o question_n one_o concern_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n call_v a_o est_fw-la viz._n whether_o there_o be_v any_o certainly-conclusive_a rule_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o and_o the_o other_o about_o what_o be_v the_o certain_a or_o truely-conclusive_a rule_n of_o faith_n call_v quid_fw-la est_fw-la i_o be_o not_o now_o discourse_v about_o the_o late_a that_o be_v the_o work_n
faith_n vindicated_n from_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o the_o immovable_a firmness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o christian_a faith_n asserted_n against_o that_o tenet_n which_o deny_v infallibility_n of_o authority_n subvert_v its_o foundation_n and_o render_v it_o uncertain_a desistes_fw-la adversus_fw-la alios_fw-la dicere_fw-la caeterùm_fw-la ita_fw-la pro_fw-la veritate_fw-la loquêris_fw-la ut_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la argui_fw-la refellique_n non_fw-la possint_fw-la dionys._n areopag_n epist._n 6._o louvain_n a._n d._n mdclxvii_o introduction_n though_o nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a than_o that_o all_o who_o deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n shall_v deny_v also_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n itself_o since_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o late_a depend_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o former_a and_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o conclusion_n shall_v be_v hold_v certain_a unless_o the_o premise_n be_v hold_v so_o too_o yet_o the_o conceit_n which_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o call_v themselv'_v faithful_a or_o christian_n have_v of_o their_o faith_n and_o consequent_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n be_v such_o that_o nothing_o can_v sound_v more_o horrid_o and_o blasphemous_o to_o their_o ear_n than_o blunt_o and_o without_o disguise_n to_o say_v that_o all_o their_o faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v absolute_o know_v for_o a_o certain_a goodness_n of_o rational_a nature_n have_v fix_v this_o apprehension_n in_o they_o that_o since_o the_o world_n be_v make_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o providence_n which_o have_v furnish_v we_o with_o mean_n of_o certainty_n for_o our_o inferior_a concern_v that_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o eternity_n depend_v shall_v fall_v short_a of_o that_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o of_o strength_n and_o efficacy_n to_o move_v &_o carry_v we_o on_o to_o a_o steady_a pursuit_n of_o that_o great_a and_o in_o comparison_n only_a interest_n notwithstanding_o so_o unresistible_a be_v the_o force_n of_o this_o evident_a truth_n that_o whoever_o have_v desert_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o her_o rule_n of_o faith_n tradition_n can_v have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v indeed_o no_o true_a faith_n for_o that_o true_o be_v faith_n which_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o use_v the_o word_n mean_v by_o it_o that_o the_o more_o intelligent_a among_o they_o conscious_a of_o the_o manifest_a weakness_n of_o their_o ground_n be_v necessitate_v in_o their_o controversy_n when_o they_o shall_v defend_v their_o faith_n in_o plain_a term_n to_o disgrace_n and_o betray_v it_o choose_v rather_o candid_o to_o confess_v it_o to_o be_v all_o a_o possible_a falsehood_n than_o to_o undertake_v that_o impossible_a performance_n to_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a truth_n i_o can_v resemble_v this_o natural_a conceit_n of_o the_o perfect_a certainty_n of_o faith_n inbred_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v have_v even_o a_o glimmer_n of_o christianity_n to_o any_o thing_n so_o well_o as_o to_o the_o apprehension_n the_o former_a world_n have_v of_o a_o godhead_n for_o as_o natural_a instinct_n force_v those_o who_o have_v not_o light_a to_o know_v the_o true_a god_n to_o affix_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o some_o false_a one_o as_o some_o eminent_a hero_n the_o sun_n thunder_n fire_n nay_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o ridiculous_a but_o they_o will_v make_v a_o god_n of_o it_o rather_o than_o forgo_v the_o tenet_n of_o a_o sovereign_a power_n so_o deep_o root_v in_o they_o by_o nature_n so_o our_o modern_a misbeliever_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v relinquish_v their_o opinion_n that_o faith_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o know_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v absolutely-certain_a spring_v natural_o from_o the_o conceit_n they_o have_v that_o god_n have_v a_o providence_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n choose_v to_o misplace_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o certain_a mean_n to_o know_v god_n will_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o most_o unlikely_a thing_n imaginable_a as_o in_o a_o ridiculous_a whimsy_n of_o fancy_n little_o better_o than_o a_o dream_n nay_o sometime_o in_o a_o dream_n itself_o or_o in_o the_o motion_n of_o some_o hypocondriacal_a vapour_n as_o do_v the_o fanatic_n other_o in_o other_o thing_n seem_o wise_a as_o in_o their_o opinion_n of_o some_o man_n they_o esteem_v good_a and_o learned_a in_o mere_o their_o be_v educate_v thus_o by_o parent_n who_o confess_v they_o have_v relinquish_v what_o themselves_o have_v be_v educate_v to_o in_o interpretation_n of_o word_n by_o grammatical_a skill_n which_o be_v write_v long_o ago_o and_o in_o dogmatical_a point_n where_o every_o word_n be_v capable_a of_o equivocalness_n nay_o which_o be_v indeed_o as_o mad_a as_o the_o most_o extatick_a of_o they_o all_o to_o affirm_v that_o such_o word_n be_v so_o plain_a to_o every_o reader_n that_o none_o can_v miss_v the_o right_a sense_n of_o they_o all_o which_o though_o plain_o confute_v by_o this_o principle_n which_o nature_n teach_v the_o rude_a that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o way_n which_o many_o follow_v to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o the_o great_a part_n be_v mislead_v join_v to_o their_o plain_a experience_n that_o many_o follower_n of_o these_o way_n exceed_o differ_v yet_o so_o prevalent_a be_v the_o force_n of_o the_o other_o truth_n that_o they_o will_v wink_v at_o this_o late_a to_o embrace_v that_o insomuch_o that_o none_o of_o those_o i_o except_a seeker_n by_o what_o name_n soever_o they_o be_v call_v as_o not_o be_v pretender_n to_o faith_n but_o be_v they_o ask_v whether_o they_o be_v not_o as_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n as_o that_o they_o live_v will_v ready_o and_o hearty_o answer_v affirmative_o i_o mean_v those_o of_o every_o sort_n who_o follow_v mere_o the_o guidance_n of_o uncorrupted_a nature_n in_o this_o affair_n notwithstanding_o as_o in_o the_o pa_n begin_v world_n there_o be_v find_v many_o witty_a man_n who_o out_o of_o unacquaintance_n with_o the_o true_a godhead_n and_o the_o unworthiness_n of_o the_o false_a god_n then_o in_o vogue_n or_o out_o of_o a_o conceit_n of_o many_o misgovernment_n in_o the_o world_n speculate_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o natural_a notion_n and_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v absolute_o there_o be_v any_o god_n at_o all_o so_o it_o happen_v that_o among_o those_o who_o have_v desert_v the_o catholic_n church_n there_o be_v find_v diverse_a man_n of_o speculative_a and_o search_a brain_n who_o out_o of_o unacquaintance_n with_o or_o at_o least_o their_o slight_o penetrate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n rule_n of_o faith_n the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n or_o tradition_n and_o withal_o see_v the_o vanity_n and_o manifest_a inability_n of_o their_o own_o pretend_a rule_n to_o ascertain_v they_o absolute_o their_o faith_n be_v true_a join_v with_o the_o experience_a disagreement_n in_o faith_n among_o diverse_a pretender_n to_o it_o will_v speculate_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o natural_a christianity_n and_o deny_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n at_o all_o of_o faith_n or_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o probability_n in_o the_o ground_n it_o be_v build_v on_o miscall_v by_o they_o moral_a certainty_n confess_o consistent_a with_o a_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o kind_n of_o ground_n permit_v that_o perhaps_o all_o may_v chance_v to_o be_v show_v to_o morrow_n a_o mere_a illusion_n and_o a_o bold_a lie_n and_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n hitherto_o to_o have_v be_v possible_o lead_v by_o the_o nose_n by_o a_o false_a impostùre_n nay_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o imposture_n most_o sacred_a and_o prefer_v the_o adhere_n to_o it_o before_o all_o the_o good_n life_n or_o nature_n can_v bestow_v how_o near_o this_o wicked_a tenet_n approach_v to_o atheism_n appear_v hence_o that_o it_o be_v next_o to_o the_o denial_n of_o a_o godhead_n to_o deny_v that_o in_o proper_a speech_n we_o know_v he_o or_o the_o way_n to_o he_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o very_a position_n of_o those_o who_o put_v a_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith_n since_o none_o can_v true_o be_v say_v to_o know_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o he_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v may_v not_o be_v true_a at_o the_o same_o time_n this_o seed_n of_o infidelity_n sow_v when_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v renounce_v first_o dare_v to_o appear_v public_o above_o ground_n in_o the_o write_n of_o mr._n chillingworth_n and_o the_o l._n falkland_n and_o though_o have_v it_o be_v propose_v barefaced_a in_o another_o occasion_n it_o can_v have_v hope_v for_o no_o welcome_a reception_n even_o among_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o protestant_n themselves_z who_o be_v make_v believe_v ever_o since_o their_o break_v from_o the_o church_n their_o faith_n
overthrow_v or_o show_v false_a by_o any_o reason_n bring_v against_o it_o both_o which_o equivalent_o imply_v impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n again_o it_o be_v deny_v that_o catholic_n divine_n even_o as_o speculater_n hold_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n whatever_o they_o hold_v beside_o hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n infallible_a and_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v our_o faith_n from_o her_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n now_o the_o tenet_n of_o infallibility_n in_o the_o proposer_n necessary_o draw_v after_o it_o the_o tenet_n of_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o what_o be_v propose_v that_o be_v in_o faith_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v this_o be_v their_o sentiment_n as_o catholic_n not_o as_o schoolman_n let_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o school_n speak_v for_o the_o school_n themselves_o his_o expression_n be_v common_a and_o so_o reach_v all_o scientia_fw-la say_v he_o sum._n theol._n 2â_fw-la 2e_n q._n 1â_fw-la a._n 50_o ad_fw-la 4m_fw-la cum_fw-la opinion_n simul_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la simpliciter_fw-la de_fw-la eodem_fw-la quia_fw-la de_fw-la ratione_fw-la scientiae_fw-la est_fw-la quòd_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la scitur_fw-la ex_fw-la â—stimetur_fw-la impossibile_fw-it esse_fw-la aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la de_fw-la ratione_fw-la autem_fw-la opinionis_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la est_fw-la opinatum_fw-la existimetur_fw-la possibile_fw-la aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la sed_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la fide_fw-la tenâ—tur_fw-la propter_fw-la fidei_fw-la certitudinem_fw-la existimatur_fw-la etiam_fw-la impossibile_fw-it aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o question_n ao_o 4o._o ad_fw-la 2o._o ea_fw-la quae_fw-la subsunt_fw-la fidei_fw-la dupliciter_fw-la considerari_fw-la possunt_fw-la uno_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o speciali_fw-la &_o sic_fw-la non_fw-la possunt_fw-la esse_fw-la simul_fw-la visa_fw-la &_o credita_fw-la alio_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o generali_fw-la scilicet_fw-la sub_fw-la communi_fw-la ratione_fw-la credibilis_fw-la et_fw-la sic_fw-la sunt_fw-la visa_fw-la ab_fw-la eo_fw-la qui_fw-la credit_n non_fw-la enim_fw-la crederet_fw-la nisi_fw-la videret_fw-la ea_fw-la esse_fw-la credenda_fw-la vel_fw-la propter_fw-la evidentiam_fw-la signorum_fw-la vel_fw-la propter_fw-la aliquid_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la it_o be_v easy_a for_o i_o to_o avail_v myself_o by_o these_o testimony_n to_o confirm_v the_o main_a of_o my_o doctrine_n but_o what_o method_n will_v permit_v i_o and_o lead_v i_o to_o at_o present_a be_v only_o this_o to_o show_v that_o this_o great_a father_n of_o the_o church_n and_o doctor_n of_o all_o school_n declare_v the_o common_a sentiment_n draw_v out_o of_o the_o conceit_n of_o faith_n certainty_n to_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o point_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v otherwise_o or_o false_a and_o that_o we_o must_v ere_o we_o believe_v have_v evidence_n of_o the_o 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thing_n he_o have_v true_o in_o that_o discourse_n of_o he_o what_o correspond_v to_o major_n minor_n and_o conclusion_n nay_o he_o have_v practical_o in_o he_o what_o necessitate_v the_o consequence_n or_o that_o maxim_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o of_o who_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n he_o can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a though_o all_o this_o while_n he_o reflect_v not_o how_o or_o by_o virtue_n of_o what_o he_o acquire_v this_o knowledge_n and_o hence_o light_n be_v afford_v we_o to_o understand_v in_o common_a how_o the_o vulgar_a come_v to_o have_v practical_a self-evidence_n of_o divers_a truth_n for_o the_o maxim_n which_o even_o scientifical_a man_n have_v of_o the_o object_n of_o several_a science_n be_v take_v from_o the_o thing_n or_o the_o object_n of_o those_o science_n and_o those_o maxim_n be_v common_a or_o general_a one_o from_o the_o obvious_a or_o common_a knowledge_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o vulgar_a who_o conver_v with_o they_o can_v choose_v but_o have_v again_o nature_n imbue_v they_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o that_o principle_n on_o which_o the_o force_n of_o all_o consequence_n be_v ground_v as_o also_o with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o those_o we_o call_v principia_fw-la intellectûs_fw-la or_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n hence_o their_o rational_a nature_n be_v lead_v direct_o by_o a_o natural_a course_n to_o see_v evident_o and_o assent_v to_o divers_a conclusion_n without_o any_o reflection_n or_o speculation_n which_o rude_a but_o unerring_a draught_n of_o knowledge_n be_v call_v by_o i_o in_o sure_a foot_n and_o elsewhere_o practical_a self-evidence_n because_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a result_n of_o practice_n or_o ordinary_a converse_n with_o those_o thing_n a_o instance_n will_v at_o once_o clear_a this_o and_o if_o right_o choose_v be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o reader_n of_o sure_a foot_n a_o unlearned_a person_n that_o can_v read_v a_o word_n believe_v 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experimental_o in_o himself_o which_o do_v deny_v the_o goodness_n of_o it_o and_o you_o shall_v find_v he_o will_v as_o teach_v by_o nature_n
affection_n pre-requisit_a to_o faith_n derogate_v nothing_o from_o its_o certainty_n but_o be_v perfect_o consistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o generate_v it_o and_o that_o the_o governor_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n though_o propose_v the_o most_o convince_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o authority_n convey_v down_o faith_n to_o we_o can_v prevail_v nothing_o unless_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n by_o his_o peculiar_a power_n plant_v antecedent_o in_o their_o heart_n this_o good_a disposition_n and_o prepare_v terram_fw-la bonam_fw-la that_o their_o endeavour_n may_v take_v effect_n and_o the_o sower_n seed_n take_v root_n no_o more_o than_o paul_n though_o miraculous_a can_v convert_v all_o that_o see_v his_o miracle_n or_o hear_v his_o preach_a but_o only_o such_o who_o heart_n god_n open_v as_o he_o do_v lydia_n it_o appear_v also_o by_o the_o same_o discourse_n how_o 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christi_fw-la all_o who_o shall_v read_v this_o treatise_n and_o yet_o have_v speculative_o hold_v and_o maintain_v this_o opinion_n i_o here_o impugn_v for_o practical_o and_o as_o christian_n they_o hold_v the_o contrary_a conclusion_n serious_o to_o weigh_v the_o point_n once_o more_o and_o not_o to_o obstruct_v the_o resolve_v christian_a faith_n into_o immovable_a principle_n or_o absolute_o certain_a ground_n by_o a_o opinion_n only_o spring_v from_o the_o conceit_a difficulty_n in_o make_v out_o those_o ground_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a which_o yet_o themselves_o to_o a_o man_n profess_v and_o hold_v as_o they_o be_v christian_n i_o humble_o beg_v leave_v to_o propose_v to_o they_o these_o few_o consideration_n first_o it_o be_v certain_a faith_n be_v no_o less_o faith_n or_o a_o assent_n upon_o authority_n though_o that_o authority_n be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v infallible_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v both_o firm_a and_o more_o rational_a even_o for_o that_o very_a regard_n second_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n hold_v their_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v it_o be_v true_a to_o we_o and_o withal_o perfect_o rational_a and_o consequent_o that_o its_o ground_n or_o principle_n be_v so_o able_a to_o ascertain_v it_o that_o they_o place_v it_o beyond_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n three_o it_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a that_o a_o inclination_n or_o motion_n of_o the_o will_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o it_o can_v have_v neither_o truth_n nor_o falsehood_n in_o it_o can_v be_v no_o rational_a principle_n or_o ground_n of_o our_o assent_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o or_o indeed_o apt_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o tenet_n four_o that_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a from_o my_o forego_n discourse_n that_o a_o antecedent_n pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n be_v still_o requisite_a to_o faith_n notwithstanding_o the_o perfect_a conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v and_o that_o all_o act_n of_o faith_n depend_v on_o this_o quoad_fw-la exercitium_fw-la at_o least_o as_o the_o school_n speak_v which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o divine_n be_v sufficient_a five_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o solid_a divine_n that_o faith_n consist_v with_o evidence_n in_o the_o attester_n six_o that_o faith_n or_o a_o firm_a and_o immovable_a assent_n upon_o authority_n be_v not_o thorough_o rational_a and_o by_o consequence_n partly_o faulty_a if_o the_o motive_n be_v not_o alone_o able_a to_o convince_v a_o understanding_n right_o dispose_v without_o the_o will_v his_o assistance_n for_o what_o can_v be_v say_v for_o that_o degree_n of_o assent_n which_o be_v beyond_o the_o motive_n or_o reason_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a term_n that_o it_o be_v irrational_a or_o without_o any_o reason_n but_o the_o worst_a be_v that_o whereas_o all_o good_a christian_n hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o judge_v their_o act_n of_o faith_n immovable_a assent_n these_o author_n as_o speculater_n put_v all_o the_o reason_n for_o faith_n to_o leave_v it_o still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o make_v this_o pious_a affection_n the_o only_a thing_n which_o elevate_v it_o to_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o be_v vast_o high_a in_o point_n of_o certainty_n as_o if_o a_o rational_a creature_n not_o deviate_a total_o from_o its_o nature_n but_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n ought_v therefore_o to_o hold_v a_o point_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o itself_o have_v a_o affection_n or_o as_o we_o say_v a_o great_a mind_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o seven_o this_o assertion_n render_v the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n not_o only_o unmaintainable_a as_o have_v be_v now_o show_v but_o also_o unperswadable_a to_o other_o for_o how_o shall_v i_o be_v able_a to_o give_v account_n to_o other_o that_o my_o affection_n which_o work_v this_o persuasion_n in_o i_o be_v rational_a and_o not_o apt_a to_o mislead_v i_o when_o as_o the_o very_a position_n oblige_v i_o to_o profess_v the_o contrary_a and_o to_o grant_v that_o this_o affection_n push_v forward_o my_o understanding_n to_o assent_v beyond_o the_o reason_n it_o have_v that_o be_v as_o to_o this_o degree_n in_o my_o assent_n which_o be_v no_o small_a one_o since_o it_o raise_v it_o from_o judge_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o judge_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v such_o without_o reason_n or_o will_v not_o this_o speculative_a tenet_n seem_v to_o force_v this_o inference_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o its_o most_o intrinsical_a consideration_n viz._n the_o impossibility_n of_o its_o falsehood_n be_v make_v by_o this_o doctrine_n full_a as_o dark_a a_o hole_n as_o it_o be_v to_o allege_v the_o private_a spirit_n nor_o can_v the_o reverence_n due_a to_o the_o divine_a authority_n suffice_v for_o such_o a_o effect_n both_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a god_n shall_v will_v that_o mankind_n for_o his_o sake_n shall_v act_v irrational_o as_o also_o because_o there_o be_v no_o poison_n in_o the_o world_n so_o pestilent_a as_o a_o error_n abet_v by_o the_o most_o sacred_a patronage_n of_o god_n authority_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fanatic_n in_o all_o age_n and_o our_o homebred_a experience_n testify_v whence_o that_o very_a reverence_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n oblige_v we_o to_o be_v so_o sure_a it_o be_v engage_v for_o a_o truth_n ere_o we_o admit_v it_o for_o such_o that_o we_o may_v secure_o though_o with_o a_o humble_a truth_n say_v with_o richardus_fw-la de_fw-la sancto_fw-la victore_fw-la domine_fw-la si_fw-la error_n est_fw-la quod_fw-la credimus_fw-la à _fw-la te_fw-la decepti_fw-la sumus_fw-la so_o that_o there_o be_v indeed_o no_o great_a injury_n and_o abuse_n to_o the_o divine_a name_n imaginable_a than_o to_o hazard_v the_o make_v it_o
be_v a_o crooked_a path_n and_o a_o false_a light_n lead_v it_o into_o error_n what_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o do_v in_o the_o circumstance_n they_o have_v bring_v themselves_o into_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o destroy_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o way_n to_o that_o truth_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o put_v they_o both_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o see_v they_o do_v and_o therefore_o be_v oblige_v to_o begin_v my_o discourse_n high_o and_o to_o settle_v the_o existence_n of_o faith_n by_o remove_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o falsehood_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v show_v able_a to_o bear_v the_o have_v a_o rule_n which_o while_o it_o be_v in_o the_o totter_a and_o uncertain_a condition_n to_o which_o mr._n t._n and_o mr._n st._n have_v reduce_v it_o that_o be_v in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v all_o a_o lie_n and_o indeed_o be_v a_o actuality_n of_o be_v as_o to_o we_o 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truth_n that_o by-affection_n and_o contrary_a inclination_n be_v apt_a to_o hinder_v the_o understanding_n from_o assent_v or_o even_o attend_v candid_o and_o calm_o to_o these_o reason_n how_o clear_a soever_o they_o be_v which_o make_v against_o any_o belove_a interest_n whence_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a affection_n to_o these_o other_o to_o remove_v the_o mist_n those_o passion_n have_v raise_v and_o purge_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o so_o it_o may_v become_v capable_a of_o discern_v what_o it_o can_v not_o before_o though_o in_o itself_o most_o visible_a how_o much_o more_o not_o only_o requisite_a but_o even_o necessary_a must_v some_o pious_a affection_n be_v to_o permit_v the_o mind_n free_o to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a faith_n contain_v principle_n which_o enjoin_v a_o disregard_n and_o posthabition_n of_o all_o that_o be_v sweet_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n nay_o even_o of_o livelihood_n and_o life_n itself_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a than_o that_o a_o plough_v