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
and_o divine_o assist_v be_v no_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n this_o way_n of_o divinity_n or_o resolution_n of_o faith_n which_o i_o take_v make_v every_o man_n both_o those_o in_o the_o church_n and_o those_o out_o of_o it_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n authority_n or_o testimony_n diverse_o consider_v in_o order_n to_o their_o respective_a capacity_n and_o so_o still_o make_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n which_o all_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n not_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o school-divine_a except_v hold_v the_o secure_a way_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o shall_v any_o one_o dislike_v it_o i_o see_v not_o what_o he_o can_v with_o any_o show_n pretend_v he_o must_v allow_v some_o natural_a motive_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v know_v by_o mean_n of_o it_o that_o be_v he_o must_v grant_v some_o motive_n antecedent_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a assistance_n and_o where_o he_o will_v find_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n any_o such_o motive_n strong_a than_o be_v the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n i_o profess_v i_o know_v not_o nor_o i_o be_o confident_a can_v any_o man_n live_v imagine_v if_o this_o than_o be_v absolute_o speak_v the_o secure_a way_n that_o be_v it_o be_v secure_a or_o firm_a than_o be_v the_o way_n of_o proceed_v upon_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o incomparable_o more_o secure_a than_o be_v that_o of_o resolve_v faith_n into_o motive_n only_a prudential_n though_o indeed_o thing_n right_o state_v and_o understand_v the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n be_v some_o of_o they_o coincident_a with_o tradition_n and_o the_o rest_n which_o can_v lay_v just_a claim_n to_o certainty_n depend_v on_o it_o take_v at_o large_a as_o their_o ground_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a it_o may_v be_v ask_v why_o since_o tradition_n and_o church_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o do_v not_o choose_v to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n give_v we_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o deliver_v faith_n rather_o than_o that_o tradition_n do_v so_o see_v none_o can_v have_v scruple_v or_o except_v against_o the_o former_a manner_n of_o expression_n whereas_o this_o give_v occasion_n of_o misapprehension_n to_o some_o unattentive_a reader_n i_o answer_v i_o use_v on_o that_o occasion_n the_o word_n tradition_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n church_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o geometrician_n use_v the_o word_n line_n or_o surface_n when_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o express_v body_n as_o long_o or_o broad_a for_o these_o be_v in_o reality_n the_o same_o thing_n with_o body_n but_o in_o regard_n body_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o many_o other_o consideration_n as_o well_o as_o these_o and_o these_o speak_v body_n precise_o according_a to_o the_o consideration_n of_o length_n and_o breadth_n to_o which_o only_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o speak_v hence_o it_o be_v better_o both_o for_o succinctness_n of_o expression_n and_o exactness_n of_o science_n which_o be_v build_v on_o the_o perfect_a distinction_n of_o our_o conception_n to_o use_v the_o abstract_n or_o distinguish_a word_n line_n and_o surface_n rather_o than_o the_o concrete_a or_o confuse_a word_n body_n which_o involve_v much_o more_o than_o the_o discourser_n in_o that_o circumstance_n intend_v to_o consider_v or_o speak_v to_o now_o this_o be_v the_o very_a method_n observe_v in_o that_o science_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n for_o the_o great_a exactness_n in_o discourse_n i_o much_o fear_v the_o objecter_n mistake_n proceed_v from_o not_o reflect_v that_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o a_o accurate_a and_o connected_a way_n of_o discourse_n and_o rigorous_o to_o conclude_v what_o he_o intend_v must_v either_o follow_v that_o best_a of_o method_n or_o he_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o duty_n and_o wrong_v his_o cause_n §_o 9_o to_o clear_v this_o a_o little_a better_o and_o withal_o to_o apply_v it_o i_o shall_v make_v choice_n of_o another_o familiar_a instance_n we_o use_v to_o say_v in_o common_a speech_n that_o the_o countenance_n or_o carriage_n of_o a_o man_n make_v know_v his_o genius_n now_o all_o these_o three_o viz._n countenance_n carriage_n and_o genius_n be_v in_o reality_n most_o evident_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o man_n himself_o only_o they_o differ_v from_o it_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n the_o word_n man_n nominate_v the_o whole_a or_o entire_a thing_n which_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o all_o these_o and_o innumerable_a other_o considerability_n confuse_o imply_v in_o that_o word_n the_o other_o three_o be_v more_o distinct_a indeed_o in_o their_o manner_n of_o signify_v but_o they_o fall_v exceed_o short_a of_o the_o other_o vast_a extent_n and_o express_v man_n but_o in_o part_n or_o only_o a_o few_o respect_n find_v in_o that_o subject_a whereof_o some_o be_v less_o know_v some_o more_o and_o so_o a_o mean_n to_o know_v other_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o countenance_n signify_v man_n as_o look_v or_o according_a to_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o that_o part_n in_o he_o call_v the_o face_n also_o carriage_n signify_v he_o as_o bear_v or_o demeaning_a himself_o and_o last_o genius_n as_o have_v such_o a_o peculiarity_n of_o humour_n or_o nature_n in_o he_o hence_o these_o word_n the_o speech_n countenance_n and_o carriage_n of_o a_o man_n discover_v his_o genius_n amount_v to_o this_o the_o man_n according_a to_o his_o speech_n countenance_n or_o carriage_n which_o be_v visible_a and_o more_o intelligible_a consideration_n belong_v to_o he_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o notify_v himself_o to_o we_o according_a to_o something_o in_o he_o which_o be_v latent_fw-la and_o less_o manifest_a viz._n his_o genius_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o other_o word_n only_o this_o late_a manner_n of_o speak_v be_v prolix_a and_o troublesome_a the_o other_o short_a and_o yet_o full_o expressive_a of_o the_o speaker_n intention_n again_o the_o other_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v proper_a and_o apt_a whereas_o shall_v one_o put_v it_o thus_o the_o man_n make_v know_v the_o man_n beside_o the_o confusedness_n of_o the_o expression_n since_o man_n signify_v the_o whole_a entire_a thing_n without_o distinguish_v any_o particular_a respect_n it_o will_v make_v the_o whole_a or_o the_o selfsame_a thing_n abstract_v from_o all_o different_a respect_n to_o be_v before_o and_o after_o more_o know_v and_o less_o know_v than_o it_o selâ—_n which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n §_o 10._o apply_v then_o this_o discourse_n the_o word_n church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o man_n answer_n in_o its_o way_n of_o express_v to_o the_o word_n man_n in_o the_o example_n now_o give_v and_o involve_v confuse_o in_o its_o notion_n innumerable_a consideration_n belong_v to_o that_o body_n of_o which_o true_a faith_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o genius_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o true_a church_n be_v of_o itself_o latent_fw-la unknown_a and_o far_o from_o self-discoverable_a other_o such_o as_o be_v the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v in_o those_o circumstance_n by_o the_o word_n tradition_n in_o regard_n it_o depend_v on_o testify_a authority_n be_v more_o know_v and_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a fit_o correspond_v to_o speech_n countenance_n carriage_n and_o suchlike_a it_o be_v know_v then_o by_o this_o mean_n that_o such_o a_o body_n have_v in_o it_o the_o first-delivered_a or_o true_a faith_n it_o be_v know_v immediate_o that_o have_v in_o it_o the_o genius_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o true_a church_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a church_n again_o it_o be_v know_v likewise_o and_o conceive_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n that_o true_a faith_n be_v a_o firm_a adhesion_n to_o christ_n doctrine_n also_o it_o be_v apprehend_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o dispute_v nay_o demonstrable_a out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o doctrine_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o thing_n hence_o it_o be_v just_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o generality_n or_o in_o great_a multitude_n of_o this_o body_n a_o due_a love_n of_o heaven_n call_v sanctity_n or_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o gift_n peculiar_o attribute_v to_o the_o h._n ghost_n and_o it_o be_v know_v and_o experience_v by_o those_o already_o in_o the_o church_n that_o this_o love_n of_o heaven_n or_o sanctity_n give_v the_o faithful_a a_o particular_a strength_n and_o power_n to_o perform_v all_o good_a duty_n and_o this_o of_o preserve_v uncorrupted_a the_o deliver_v faith_n be_v one_o and_o that_o a_o most_o concern_v one_o hence_o they_o come_v to_o know_v that_o the_o church_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n as_o in_o all_o other_o good_a duty_n so_o especial_o in_o this_o of_o deliver_v and_o continual_o propose_v right_a faith_n so_o that_o as_o reason_n require_v
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 possible_a to_o be_v such_o and_o last_o unless_o he_o avoid_v or_o râ—â—ants_v this_o error_n object_v all_o he_o have_v write_v 〈◊〉_d convince_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o be_v againâ—â—â—ith_n and_o its_o true_a ground_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v quite_o overthrow_v in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o those_o who_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o act_n of_o right_a faith_n that_o be_v a_o asseâ—â—_n build_v on_o those_o ground_n god_n have_v leave_v in_o the_o church_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n and_o command_v they_o to_o believe_v upon_o those_o ground_n whether_o scripture_n letter_n or_o the_o church_n voice_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o a_o lie_n which_o all_o sober_a protestant_n presbyterian_o nay_o almost_o all_o sect_n except_o some_o few_o witty_a man_n incline_v much_o by_o read_v such_o author_n to_o scepticism_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o &_o perhaps_o some_o socinian_o reject_v abominate_a and_o hate_v with_o all_o their_o heart_n the_o charge_n be_v lay_v and_o the_o case_n be_v put_v now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n which_o ere_o we_o do_v i_o desire_v those_o reader_n who_o have_v dr._n t.'s_n preface_n by_o they_o to_o read_v his_o 9_o the_o page_n or_o else_o his_o whole_a page_n 118._o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n lest_o either_o of_o we_o may_v injure_v he_o by_o a_o wrong_a apprehension_n i_o discourse_v thus_o §_o 2._o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o who_o make_v the_o ground_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a make_v faith_n itself_o such_o likewise_o since_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v strong_a than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o next_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o dr._n t._n be_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v god_n sense_n or_o faith_n last_o that_o in_o the_o 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
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
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 they_o together_o a_o three_o like_v nonsense_n pretty_o express_v better_a than_o the_o clear_a truth_n unelegant_o deliver_v a_o four_o value_v nothing_o that_o be_v produce_v to_o ground_n assent_n but_o what_o when_o examine_v subsist_v by_o engage_v first_a principle_n and_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o right_a logic_n my_o friend_n on_o the_o other_o side_n bid_v defiance_n to_o first_o principle_n and_o logic_n too_o and_o be_v all_o for_o likelihood_n more_o credible_a proof_n fair_a probability_n doubtful_a or_o rather_o hopeful_a assent_n yet_o there_o want_v note_n now_o in_o the_o world_n esteem_v sober_a person_n who_o judge_v all_o these_o to_o be_v prudent_a men._n where_o then_o be_v this_o prudent_a man_n that_o we_o may_v take_v measure_n of_o his_o pitch_n and_o fit_v he_o with_o ground_n for_o any_o thing_n yet_o appear_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o fit_v the_o moon_n with_o a_o coat_n there_o be_v many_o prudent_a man_n among_o the_o protestant_n who_o judge_n the_o scripture_n letter_n interpret_v by_o private_a wit_n be_v a_o competent_a ground_n for_o faith_n there_o be_v other_o prudent_a man_n among_o catholic_n who_o judge_v the_o contrary_a nay_o more_o there_o be_v questionless_a among_o turk_n and_o even_a heathen_n divers_a man_n of_o grert_n natural_a prudence_n and_o we_o can_v only_o mean_v such_o a_o prudence_n antecedent_o to_o the_o illumination_n of_o faith_n and_o they_o too_o have_v ground_n fit_v full_o to_o satisfy_v they_o for_o they_o do_v actual_o satisfy_v they_o so_o that_o they_o see_v not_o the_o least_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o so_o according_a to_o dr._n t_n discourse_n these_o too_o have_v moral_a certainty_n of_o what_o they_o hold_v wherefore_o unless_o we_o can_v state_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o prudent_a man_n we_o can_v never_o come_v to_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n nor_o consequent_o when_o faith_n be_v certain_a when_o not_o nay_o which_o be_v worse_o if_o moral_a certainty_n be_v that_o which_o he_o appoint_v as_o sufficient_a for_o faith_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v by_o his_o word_n turk_n heathen_n and_o all_o heretic_n have_v the_o same_o since_o they_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o do_v full_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o they_o may_v have_v as_o good_a ground_n as_o christian_n have_v at_o least_o that_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v who_o have_v right_a ground_n of_o faith_n who_o not_o since_o this_o notion_n of_o what_o be_v fit_a full_o to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n have_v no_o determinate_a limit_n to_o state_n the_o nature_n of_o this_o mock-certainty_n beside_o it_o be_v common_a in_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o have_v divers_a time_n observe_v it_o myself_o that_o two_o person_n may_v contest_v about_o some_o passage_n even_o in_o humane_a affair_n as_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v by_o a_o strange_a surprise_n or_o forgetfulness_n lose_v or_o to_o seek_v 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
before_o and_o after_o itself_o as_o also_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_v it_o can_v have_v no_o force_n upon_o one_o not_o yet_o arrive_v at_o faith_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o have_v because_o it_o be_v as_o yet_o unknown_a to_o he_o §_o 14._o again_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v many_o several_a prudential_n reason_n suit_v to_o man_n of_o several_a capacity_n and_o circumstance_n move_v they_o to_o disquisition_n and_o incline_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o true_a church_n but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o move_v a_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o incline_v he_o to_o assent_v another_o thing_n to_o settle_v he_o in_o a_o most_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o and_o such_o point_n as_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n hereupon_o i_o affirm_v that_o this_o late_a effect_n can_v be_v wrought_v rational_o without_o ground_n true_o evident_a and_o absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o knowable_a either_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o also_o to_o the_o learned_a by_o a_o certain_o conclude_v proof_n which_o i_o call_v a_o demonstration_n i_o affirm_v moreover_o with_o due_a respect_n to_o those_o divine_n that_o motive_n only_a prudential_n seem_v improper_a to_o be_v name_v in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o they_o must_v be_v principia_fw-la sapientiae_fw-la and_o not_o prudentiae_fw-la which_o can_v rational_o make_v we_o absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o be_v or_o not-being_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n the_o object_n of_o prudence_n be_v agibilia_fw-la and_o not_o intelligibilia_fw-la as_o such_o and_o its_o proper_a exercise_n and_o use_v be_v to_o determine_v a_o man_n to_o act_v exterior_o or_o to_o act_v thus_o in_o circumstance_n where_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n be_v find_v and_o not_o to_o act_v interior_o or_o meddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n or_o truth_n depend_v sole_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n in_o a_o word_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v think_v singular_a in_o my_o principle_n while_o i_o ground_n myself_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o both_o all_o catholic_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n hold_n and_o st._n thomas_n of_o aquin_n the_o prince_n of_o school-divines_a assert_n as_o i_o show_v faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 130._o §_o 14._o as_o for_o all_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n once_o more_o i_o request_v dr._n t._n to_o make_v good_a this_o consequence_n that_o my_o discourse_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o all_o our_o divine_n even_o of_o the_o same_o way_n in_o common_a agree_v with_o i_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o this_o do_v to_o reply_v distinct_o to_o all_o his_o extrinsecal_n and_o impertinent_a exception_n which_o wave_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n my_o premise_n he_o so_o constant_o lelevel_v against_o my_o conclusion_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v i_o can_v reasonable_o charge_v he_o with_o those_o thing_n till_o i_o have_v vindicate_v our_o own_o divine_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o i_o can_v not_o be_v i_o their_o adversary_n charge_v they_o with_o what_o i_o can_v just_o charge_v he_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n on_o which_o they_o rely_v infallible_a and_o hold_v this_o more_o firm_o than_o they_o do_v any_o of_o their_o speculation_n and_o consequent_o they_o hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o preserve_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a whereas_o what_o he_o be_v to_o hold_v to_o most_o firm_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n be_v his_o own_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o see_v and_o hold_v to_o be_v fallible_a and_o so_o he_o must_v say_v that_o all_o his_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o god_n goodness_n will_v give_v he_o leave_v in_o himself_o and_o other_o and_o corrupt_v it_o into_o opinion_n they_o produce_v motive_n which_o though_o they_o call_v they_o prudential_n be_v indeed_o some_o of_o they_o demonstrative_a and_o coincident_a in_o part_n with_o tradition_n whereas_o dr._n t._n have_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o his_o ground_n take_v he_o as_o oppose_a catholic_n or_o stand_v to_o his_o own_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o right_o state_v have_v even_o the_o least_o shâ—w_n of_o prudential_n to_o a_o unbyast_a man_n much_o less_o of_o demonstrative_a last_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o handle_v the_o point_n at_o large_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v they_o differ_v only_o in_o a_o word_n but_o dr._n t._n err_v in_o the_o whole_a thing_n though_o indeed_o in_o most_o of_o our_o divine_n here_o cite_v he_o mistake_v they_o and_o not_o they_o the_o main_a point_n whatever_o he_o pretend_v for_o however_o they_o make_v prudential_n motive_n sufficient_a to_o find_v the_o church_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n when_o find_v on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o faith_n of_o far_o great_a weight_n than_o such_o a_o evidence_n as_o do_v ordinary_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n since_o they_o all_o hold_v it_o infallible_a which_o be_v vast_o more_o than_o dr._n t._n hold_v to_o ground_v his_o faith_n §_o 15._o his_o three_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o principle_n of_o i_o make_v every_o true_a believer_n infallible_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o say_v he_o be_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o i_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o it_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n now_o this_o charge_n of_o he_o join_v with_o my_o true_a tenet_n that_o true_a believer_n be_v those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n or_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n signify_v thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a and_o strange_a paradox_n that_o those_o that_o follow_v and_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o direct_v they_o to_o truth_n shall_v in_o so_o do_v not_o possible_o be_v lead_v into_o error_n that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n to_o say_v that_o essential_a truth_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o proper_a cause_n of_o falsehood_n but_o he_o discourse_v still_o upon_o this_o point_n as_o if_o i_o have_v hold_v that_o the_o vulgar_a be_v preserve_v from_o possibility_n of_o error_n or_o be_v infallible_a not_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ground_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o err_v but_o from_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v i_o ever_o think_v or_o say_v even_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a he_o ask_v if_o this_o be_v true_a what_o need_v then_o of_o my_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o need_v governor_n when_o people_n know_v their_o duty_n or_o judge_n see_v the_o main_a of_o the_o common_a law_n be_v traditionary_a &_o to_o man_n verse_v in_o such_o affair_n self-known_a practical_o let_v he_o but_o assure_v the_o world_n that_o no_o upstart_n shall_v have_v a_o humour_n to_o rebel_n and_o innovate_v but_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v practise_v and_o hold_v to_o what_o they_o know_v evident_o be_v practise_v and_o hold_v by_o the_o immediate_o forego_v church_n and_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o there_o will_v need_v no_o infallible_a desiner_n not_o any_o at_o all_o as_o to_o such_o point_n but_o dr._n t._n discourse_n still_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o rude_a dim_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o accurate_a exact_a and_o oft-reflâ—cting_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o by_o their_o great_a learning_n their_o education_n their_o posture_n and_o office_n be_v particular_o verse_v and_o most_o deep_o insighted_a into_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n explain_v or_o word_v it_o &_o thence_o declare_v it_o authentical_o so_o to_o keep_v its_o distinct_a sense_n clear_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o the_o equivocate_a witty_a heretic_n endeavour_v to_o render_v confuse_v and_o obscure_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v study_v our_o tenet_n a_o while_n and_o understand_v they_o ere_o he_o undertake_v to_o confute_v we_o he_o be_v very_o raw_a in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n §_o 16._o his_o next_o error_n be_v worse_a than_o the_o former_a he_o will_v fain_o persuade_v catholic_n if_o any_o
he_o can_v most_o easy_o seem_v to_o misunderstand_v so_o to_o divert_v the_o discourse_n a_o method_n so_o constant_o observe_v in_o his_o reply_n to_o sure-footing_a where_o he_o make_v witty_a dexterity_n still_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o pertinent_a solidity_n that_o instead_o of_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o aught_o more_o just_o have_v be_v entitle_v sure-footing_a travesty_n 5._o and_o since_o all_o discourse_n be_v ineffectual_a which_o be_v not_o ground_v on_o some_o certain_a truth_n and_o consequent_o not_o only_a he_o who_o settle_v or_o build_v but_o also_o he_o who_o aim_v to_o overthrow_v or_o the_o objecter_n must_v ground_v his_o discourse_n on_o some_o certain_a principle_n if_o he_o intend_v to_o convince_v the_o other_o teneâ—_n of_o falsehood_n that_o dr._n t._n will_v therefore_o esteem_v it_o his_o duty_n even_o when_o he_o object_n to_o ground_v his_o opposition_n upon_o some_o firm_a principle_n and_o since_o no_o pretend_a principle_n can_v be_v firm_a but_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o first_o principle_n and_o that_o dr._n t._n have_v disclaim_v here_o identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v such_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o he_o either_o confute_v my_o discourse_n produce_v in_o this_o treatise_n prove_v first_a principle_n to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o show_v some_o other_o way_n by_o which_o the_o term_n of_o those_o he_o assign_v for_o such_o do_v better_o cohere_v or_o he_o be_v convince_v to_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o so_o all_o he_o write_v or_o discourse_n must_v be_v groundless_a and_o insignificant_a 6._o thus_o much_o in_o common_a for_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o write_n as_o for_o his_o matter_n i_o request_v he_o will_v not_o in_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o present_a discourse_n about_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o christian_a faith_n hover_v with_o ambiguous_a gloss_n between_o certainty_n and_o uncertainty_n that_o be_v between_z be_v and_o be_v not_o but_o speak_v out_o categorical_o and_o plain_o declare_v whether_o he_o hold_v those_o point_n absolute_o true_a that_o be_v whether_o they_o be_v absolute_o true_a to_o we_o or_o whether_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v with_o reason_n say_v he_o see_v they_o be_v true_a or_o have_v any_o reason_n or_o argument_n to_o conclude_v they_o true_a if_o not_o then_z â—et_z he_o show_v how_o it_o be_v avoidable_o but_o all_o the_o world_n must_v with_o truth_n say_v both_o these_o may_v be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o can_v discern_v than_o which_o nothing_o sound_v more_o horrid_a and_o blasphemous_a to_o a_o christian_a ear._n if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v such_o reason_n extant_a but_o he_o have_v they_o not_o then_o let_v he_o leave_v off_o attempt_v to_o settle_v those_o tenet_n or_o write_v on_o those_o subject_n since_o he_o confess_v himself_o unqualify_v and_o unfurnish_a with_o mean_n to_o manage_v they_o if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v such_o proof_n and_o that_o he_o have_v they_o let_v he_o produce_v they_o and_o stand_v by_o they_o and_o not_o blame_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n for_o bear_v no_o more_o and_o other_o for_o say_v they_o have_v more_o and_o that_o the_o thing_n do_v bear_v more_o to_o express_v myself_o close_o and_o more_o particular_o let_v he_o speak_v out_o ingenuous_o and_o candid_o to_o these_o query_n whether_o be_v hold_v that_o god_n church_n or_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v furnish_v with_o better_a ground_n for_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o for_o christian_a faith_n or_o any_o strong_a reason_n to_o prove_v these_o point_n true_a than_o those_o in_o joshua_n and_o hezekiah_n time_n have_v or_o can_v have_v the_o day_n before_o that_o the_o sun_n shall_v not_o stand_v still_o or_o go_v back_o the_o next_o day_n than_o that_o person_n who_o throw_v a_o glass_n on_o the_o ground_n which_o break_v not_o have_v or_o can_v have_v that_o it_o will_v not_o break_v â—han_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o divers_a house_n have_v that_o they_o will_v not_o sudden_o fall_v which_o yet_o do_v so_o or_o last_o to_o use_v his_o own_o word_n than_o those_o reason_n be_v which_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n in_o which_o notwithstanding_o they_o experience_v themselves_o often_o mistake_v if_o he_o say_v he_o have_v let_v he_o produce_v they_o and_o hearty_o maintain_v they_o and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v they_o out_o and_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o express_v as_o much_o honour_n for_o he_o as_o i_o have_v do_v here_o of_o resentment_n and_o dislike_n for_o advance_v the_o contrary_a position_n but_o if_o he_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o better_a or_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n not_o bear_v it_o there_o can_v no_o better_o be_v give_v then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a first_o that_o the_o most_o sacred_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o all_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a faith_n may_v be_v now_o actual_o false_a since_o point_n which_o have_v reason_n for_o they_o of_o equivalent_a strength_n do_v prove_v actual_o such_o next_o that_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v in_o true_a speech_n certain_a there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o that_o the_o least_o word_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v true_a since_o it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v any_o of_o those_o person_n in_o those_o former_a instance_n of_o equivalent_a strength_n be_v or_o can_v be_v true_o certain_a of_o point_n which_o prove_v actual_o false_a and_o in_o which_o themselves_o be_v mistake_v in_o a_o word_n i_o will_v have_v he_o without_o disguise_n let_v the_o world_n know_v whether_o as_o there_o be_v contingency_n in_o those_o cause_n and_o so_o the_o imagine_a or_o hope_v effect_n in_o the_o former_a instance_n miscarry_v and_o prove_v otherwise_o than_o be_v expect_v so_o there_o be_v not_o also_o contingency_n in_o the_o motive_n for_o those_o two_o most_o sacred_a tenet_n upon_o who_o certainty_n the_o eternal_a good_a of_o mankind_n depend_v so_o as_o they_o may_v perhaps_o not_o conclude_v and_o so_o both_o those_o tenet_n may_v perhaps_o be_v real_o and_o actual_o otherwise_o than_o we_o christian_n now_o hold_v if_o he_o profess_v to_o embrace_v this_o wicked_a tenet_n and_o his_o word_n be_v too_o express_v for_o it_o ever_o to_o be_v deny_v though_o upon_o second_o thought_n i_o hope_v they_o may_v be_v retract_v he_o owe_v i_o a_o answer_n to_o my_o faith_n vindicated_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v shuffle_v off_o without_o any_o at_o all_o and_o to_o my_o reason_n allege_v in_o this_o treatise_n for_o the_o same_o point_n faith_n absolute_a certainty_n now_o gentleman_n since_o nothing_o conduce_v more_o to_o knowledge_n in_o any_o kind_n than_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_v be_v unambiguous_o state_v and_o clear_o understand_v and_o that_o a_o solid_a method_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o manage_n it_o i_o become_v a_o humble_a petitioner_n to_o yourselves_o as_o you_o tender_v that_o excellent_a concern_v of_o mankind_n and_o that_o most_o sacred_a one_o of_o christianity_n to_o use_v your_o best_a interest_n with_o dr._n t._n that_o he_o will_v please_v to_o yield_v to_o these_o duty_n here_o express_v and_o i_o oblige_v myself_o inviolable_o to_o observe_v the_o same_o carriage_n towards_o he_o which_o i_o here_o propose_v and_o press_v he_o will_v use_v towards_o i_o which_o if_o he_o refuse_v i_o declare_v i_o shall_v leave_v he_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o all_o truly-learned_n and_o ingenuous_a person_n however_o he_o triumph_v among_o those_o who_o be_v great_a admirer_n of_o pretty_a expression_n rest_v assure_v that_o yourselves_o will_v not_o only_o hold_v i_o unblameable_a but_o also_o high_o commendable_a for_o noâ—_n lose_v my_o precious_a time_n in_o reciprocate_a his_o trifle_a and_o insignificant_a drollery_n your_o true_a honourer_n and_o humble_a servant_n j._n s._n finis_fw-la amendment_n page_n 1._o line_n 21._o read_v that_o both_o first_o p._n 47._o l._n 3._o self_n possible_a to_o p._n 50._o l._n 20._o solid_a p._n 101._o l._n 6_o 7._o possible_a all_o this_o may_v p._n 115_o l._n 12_o judgement_n in_o which_o it_o be_v l._n 25._o can_v never_o p._n 118._o l._n 26._o resolute_a hatred_n p._n 121._o l._n 23._o do_v equivalent_o p._n 124._o l._n 21._o &_o 28._o speculater_n p._n 127._o l._n 17._o nay_o more_o p._n 135._o l._n 7._o to_o be_v p._n 139._o l._n 18._o great_a degree_n p._n 142._o l._n 2._o be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o to_o dare_v p._n 146._o l._n 14._o chimerical_a p_o 157._o l._n 16._o four_o eviction_n l._n 18._o of_o the_o six_o p._n 162._o l._n 16._o sermon_n equal_o p._n 163._o l_o 27._o parallelepipe_v p._n 166._o l._n 30._o predicate_v p._n 176._o l._n ult_n all_o good_a p._n 183._o l._n 28_o sensible_a man_n may_v p._n 184._o l._n 2._o deduce_v there_o p._n 186._o l._n 12._o of_o discourse_v the_o p._n 199._o l._n 25._o it_o be_v be_v not_o more_o p._n 200._o l._n 16._o of_o its_o own_o p._n 212._o l._n 24._o not_o the_o rule_n deal_n express_v p._n 218._o discourse_n ix_o p._n 219_o l_o 13_o 14._o reason_n in_o it_o p_o 229._o l._n 28_o 29._o the_o author_n mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o p._n 234._o l._n 17._o i_o do_v non_fw-fr stand_n p._n 239._o l._n 5._o apply_v l._n 6._o i_o have_v