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
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
will_v never_o the_o soon_o discover_v her_o face_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v find_v but_o what_o will_v still_o appear_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o practical_a conclusion_n natural_o follow_v hence_o will_v be_v this_o to_o fix_v there_o where_o it_o light_v most_o advantageous_a to_o their_o temporal_a interest_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o man_n addict_v themselves_o to_o this_o or_o that_o trade_n cry_v it_o up_o and_o maintain_v it_o stout_o to_o be_v truth_n because_o it_o be_v creditable_a to_o the_o profession_n though_o they_o judge_v all_o the_o while_o it_o may_v be_v a_o falsehood_n and_o because_o they_o see_v their_o faith_n can_v have_v no_o certain_a or_o firm_a ground_n undertake_v to_o make_v it_o good_a that_o faith_n itself_o need_v have_v none_o by_o the_o best_a assistance_n plausible_a rhetoric_n seemingly-probable_a reason_n weak_a or_o misuse_v testimony_n and_o voluntary_a cavil_n and_o mistake_v can_v lend_v they_o and_o in_o a_o word_n since_o they_o be_v not_o in_o circumstance_n to_o settle_v any_o thing_n to_o laugh_v hearty_o at_o those_o who_o go_v about_o it_o and_o to_o endeavour_v very_o politic_o to_o pull_v down_o every_o thing_n which_o any_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v manifest_o see_v by_o this_o establish_n treatise_n compare_v to_o their_o performance_n to_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o my_o adversary_n labour_n §_o 14._o the_o unnaturalness_n of_o this_o tenet_n exhortation_n will_v perhaps_o be_v bring_v near_a home_n and_o so_o be_v better_o penetrate_v even_o by_o our_o opposer_n themselves_o if_o we_o reflect_v how_o wicked_o it_o will_v sound_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o preacher_n if_o after_o a_o sermon_n exhort_v and_o press_v the_o faithful_a to_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n or_o particular_o to_o stand_v steadfast_a in_o their_o faith_n they_o shall_v in_o the_o close_a to_o prevent_v in_o their_o auditor_n the_o misunderstanding_n some_o overstrain_v expression_n add_v a_o ingenuous_a caution_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o for_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o faith_n as_o if_o it_o can_v not_o be_v false_a nor_o work_v for_o heaven_n as_o if_o there_o be_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o be_v of_o any_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o manifest_a this_o in_o our_o case_n honest-dealing_a profession_n will_v enervate_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o motive_n they_o have_v propose_v and_o press_v and_o if_o so_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a that_o all_o the_o efficacy_n of_o christian_a preach_v spring_n natural_o from_o the_o impossibility_n that_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o unseasonableness_n of_o this_o profession_n but_o the_o impiousness_n of_o it_o which_o will_v so_o scandalize_v the_o hearer_n and_o either_o avert_v they_o from_o the_o preacher_n or_o make_v they_o cold_a in_o virtue_n it_o be_v clear_a then_o that_o all_o the_o forceable_a application_n of_o christian_a motive_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v ground_v on_o the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o who_o hold_v the_o opposite_a tenet_n and_o will_v be_v honest_a shall_v either_o leave_v off_o preach_v for_o which_o this_o tenet_n make_v he_o unfit_a or_o else_o use_v much_o caution_n while_o he_o preach_v lest_o by_o imply_v the_o perfect_a certainty_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o practise_v assentation_n to_o that_o he_o become_v injurious_a to_o truth_n and_o consequent_o to_o it_o too_o if_o it_o be_v true_a §_o 15._o but_o to_o conclude_v it_o have_v be_v belief_n no_o less_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la to_o oblige_v the_o faithful_a to_o believe_v what_o they_o recommend_v to_o they_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n nay_o mr._n whitby_o in_o his_o late_a treatise_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d page_v 53_o 54._o assert_n the_o same_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o to_o their_o creed_n or_o fundamental_o which_o have_v faith_n be_v hold_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o the_o govern_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a have_v signify_v just_a thus_o much_o as_o if_o the_o governor_n shall_v say_v you_o shall_v believe_v it_o though_o we_o know_v it_o may_v be_v false_a or_o you_o shall_v believe_v we_o tell_v you_o the_o apostle_n teach_v it_o though_o both_o we_o and_o the_o authority_n we_o trust_v for_o it_o may_v be_v deceive_v for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v and_o as_o if_o the_o person_n govern_v shall_v answer_v we_o will_v believe_v you_o though_o we_o know_v you_o may_v be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o the_o point_n itself_o false_a which_o be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o as_o if_o they_o shall_v profess_v they_o be_v resolve_v to_o believe_v they_o let_v it_o prove_v what_o it_o will_v right_a or_o wrong_n true_a or_o false_a so_o strange_a a_o tyranny_n in_o the_o imposer_n or_o commander_n and_o slavery_n in_o the_o believer_n or_o obeyer_n as_o be_v impossible_a in_o either_o to_o consist_v with_o humane_a nature_n have_v not_o both_o of_o they_o the_o obeyer_n at_o least_o be_v very_o persuade_v those_o commander_n have_v such_o motive_n to_o propose_v as_o shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o oblige_v assent_n without_o which_o all_o command_n of_o a_o interior_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v nonsense_n and_o folly_n oh_o but_o will_n a_o witty_a atheist_n say_v humane_a policy_n may_v have_v make_v the_o governor_n conceal_v the_o cheat_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o ignorant_a govern_v be_v fright_v into_o a_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n very_o likely_a indeed_o that_o among_o so_o many_o million_o and_o of_o those_o many_o saint_n by_o our_o adversary_n own_o confession_n all_o shall_v persist_v and_o be_v true_a conspirator_n in_o so_o unnatural_a a_o confederacy_n or_o that_o in_o so_o free_a a_o admission_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o prudent_a people_n to_o any_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n as_o be_v practise_v in_o christendom_n insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v find_v many_o thousand_o of_o the_o govern_v equal_a in_o part_n and_o learning_n to_o divers_a of_o the_o chief_a governor_n and_o superior_a to_o very_o many_o of_o they_o all_o shall_v so_o come_o permit_v themselves_o and_o the_o world_n to_o be_v abuse_v in_o a_o point_n no_o less_o important_a than_o their_o very_a manhood_n it_o be_v then_o above_o policy_n and_o force_n and_o only_o atchievable_a by_o the_o natural_a strength_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o oblige_v such_o multitude_n and_o so_o qualify_v to_o christian_a faith_n and_o these_o motive_n must_v have_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a none_o else_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v the_o understanding_n of_o such_o a_o great_a portion_n of_o mankind_n to_o hold_v their_o proposal_n true_a or_o justify_v all_o the_o church-governor_n in_o all_o age_n from_o a_o most_o unjust_a and_o most_o unnatural_a tyranny_n divers_a principal_a objection_n answer_v to_o mistake_v every_o passage_n voluntary_o be_v so_o in_o fashion_n and_o so_o continual_o pursue_v as_o the_o best_a method_n to_o answer_v discourse_n which_o proceed_v by_o the_o way_n of_o principle_n that_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o imprudent_a to_o forestall_v such_o blind_v and_o prevent_v such_o misrepresenters_a from_o raise_v their_o light_n and_o airy_a dust_n by_o act_v ourselves_o if_o we_o can_v the_o part_n of_o a_o opponent_n after_o a_o solider_fw-la manner_n than_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o those_o prevaricate_a discourser_n beside_o nothing_o more_o clear_v a_o point_n than_o to_o manifest_v that_o such_o objection_n which_o aim_v at_o the_o root_n of_o it_o quite_o lose_v their_o force_n while_o level_v against_o it_o i_o recommend_v this_o forego_v discourse_n when_o i_o have_v finish_v it_o to_o the_o perusal_n of_o divers_a of_o the_o most_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a friend_n i_o can_v pick_v out_o court_v their_o severe_a candour_n to_o acquaint_v i_o with_o its_o defect_n their_o most_o pertinent_a and_o most_o fundamental_a exception_n i_o present_v the_o reader_n with_o which_o i_o have_v strengthen_v as_o well_o as_o i_o can_v and_o add_v divers_a of_o my_o own_o protest_v that_o do_v i_o know_v myself_o or_o know_v where_o to_o learn_v of_o other_o more_o forcible_a and_o efficacious_a one_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v decline_v the_o propose_v they_o nor_o have_v fear_v to_o oppose_v the_o invincibleness_n of_o the_o truth_n i_o here_o defend_v against_o the_o strong_a assault_n of_o the_o most_o ingenious_a most_o rational_a and_o most_o acute_a discourser_n objection_n i._n the_o word_n truth_n be_v both_o in_o the_o postulata_fw-la and_o all_o over_o this_o treatise_n take_v in_o too_o metaphysical_a a_o rigour_n in_o which_o sense_n it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v deny_v that_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n do_v so_o esteem_v it_o answer_n i_o take_v that_o word_n in_o the_o plain_a
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 ground_n of_o our_o belief_n which_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o all_o then_o that_o can_v be_v object_v from_o some_o of_o our_o divine_n be_v this_o that_o they_o explicate_v their_o tenet_n so_o as_o by_o consequence_n faith_n be_v leave_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n since_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o hold_v a_o tenet_n and_o another_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o out_o in_o the_o former_a they_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o late_a as_o be_v the_o genius_n of_o humane_a understanding_n where_o our_o heavenly_a teacher_n have_v not_o settle_v they_o they_o disagree_v with_o one_o another_o sometime_o with_o themselves_o nor_o can_v it_o bear_v any_o objection_n nor_o breed_v scandal_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v more_o particular_o and_o distinct_o explicate_v now_o than_o former_o for_o since_o controversy_n be_v a_o skill_n why_o shall_v it_o be_v admire_v nay_o why_o shall_v it_o not_o be_v expect_v that_o it_o shall_v receive_v improvement_n that_o be_v better_o explain_v its_o proper_a object_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n than_o former_o since_o we_o experience_v a_o progress_n in_o all_o other_o art_n and_o science_n which_o be_v frequent_a in_o use_n as_o this_o have_v be_v of_o late_a day_n objection_n iu._n a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o first_o eviction_n in_o case_n it_o proceed_v concern_v truth_n in_o we_o as_o it_o ought_v suppose_v the_o vulgar_a skilful_a in_o logic_n and_o to_o frame_v their_o thought_n and_o assent_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o artificial_a discourser_n do_v answer_n it_o suppose_v no_o skill_n or_o art_n in_o the_o vulgar_a or_o generality_n of_o christian_n but_o only_o declare_v artificial_o what_o natural_o pass_v in_o rational_a soul_n when_o they_o assent_v upon_o evidence_n and_o this_o it_o ought_v to_o do_v for_o the_o art_n of_o logic_n frame_v not_o its_o rule_n or_o observation_n at_o random_n but_o take_v they_o from_o the_o thing_n or_o its_o object_n as_o all_o other_o skill_n do_v that_o be_v from_o what_o be_v find_v in_o rational_a soul_n as_o rational_a or_o apt_a to_o discourse_v by_o observe_v the_o motion_n of_o which_o when_o it_o behave_v itself_o rational_o the_o logician_n set_v down_o rule_n how_o to_o demean_v our_o thought_n steady_o and_o constant_o according_a to_o right_a reason_n so_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o work_v in_o artificial_a discourser_n in_o this_o only_o differ_v from_o that_o of_o natural_a one_o that_o the_o one_o act_n direct_o the_o other_o reflect_o for_o example_n a_o vulgar_a soul_n when_o it_o assent_v interior_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o affirm_v have_v true_o in_o it_o what_o a_o logician_n call_v a_o proposition_n and_o that_o proposition_n have_v true_o in_o it_o what_o correspond_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o subject_a copula_fw-la and_o predicate_v though_o he_o reflect_v not_o on_o it_o as_o do_v a_o logician_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n when_o he_o gather_v the_o knowledge_n of_o some_o new_a 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 full_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o k._n james_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o mistake_v the_o question_n we_o will_v put_v he_o to_o be_v one_o that_o have_v a_o handsome_a degree_n of_o conversation_n in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v he_o assent_v to_o the_o affirmative_a hearty_o but_o the_o point_n be_v how_o he_o be_v lead_v into_o that_o assent_n and_o whether_o rational_o to_o ask_v he_o a_o reason_n why_o be_v bootless_a for_o this_o put_v he_o to_o behave_v himself_o like_o a_o reflecter_n on_o his_o own_o thought_n which_o he_o be_v not_o whence_o we_o shall_v find_v he_o upon_o such_o a_o question_n at_o a_o puzzle_n to_o give_v the_o particular_a reason_n though_o as_o teach_v by_o experience_n he_o will_v stand_v stiff_o to_o it_o in_o common_a that_o he_o have_v a_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o a_o good_a one_o too_o to_o help_v he_o out_o then_o the_o way_n be_v to_o suggest_v the_o true_a reason_n to_o he_o for_o than_o he_o will_v easy_o acknowledge_v it_o find_v it_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
patronize_v falsehood_n against_o this_o deceit_n our_o saviour_n have_v forearm_v we_o by_o his_o forewarn_v we_o with_o a_o nolite_fw-la credere_fw-la when_o any_o one_o pretend_v loe_o here_o be_v christ_n or_o there_o be_v christ._n last_o it_o be_v visible_a to_o any_o indifferent_a understanding_n that_o those_o divine_n who_o defend_v this_o influence_n of_o the_o pious_a affection_n upon_o the_o settle_n of_o faith_n certainty_n though_o in_o other_o point_n very_o rational_a and_o acute_a yet_o when_o they_o come_v to_o this_o they_o be_v at_o a_o utter_a loss_n and_o can_v make_v nothing_o cohere_v philippus_n de_fw-fr sancta_fw-la trinitate_fw-la contradict_v himself_o twice_o or_o thrice_o in_o one_o leaf_n while_o he_o attempt_v to_o defend_v it_o but_o i_o instance_n in_o one_o for_o all_o that_o be_v father_n vincentius_n baronius_n a_o doctor_n of_o tholouse_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a order_n of_o s._n dominick_n a_o person_n of_o as_o much_o eminency_n gravity_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o of_o late_a day_n this_o great_a writer_n in_o his_o manuductio_fw-la ad_fw-la moralem_fw-la theologiam_fw-la p._n 130_o 131._o fall_n upon_o caramuel_n in_o these_o word_n distinguit_fw-la caramuel_n duplicem_fw-la honestatis_fw-la certitudinem_fw-la seu_fw-la veritatem_fw-la formalem_fw-la unam_fw-la vocat_fw-la alteram_fw-la objectivam_fw-la istam_fw-la negat_fw-la cuilibet_fw-la opinioni_fw-la probabili_fw-la ill_a be_o concedit_fw-la etc._n etc._n sed_fw-la hoc_fw-la nobis_fw-la ignorantiae_fw-la prodiglum_fw-la est_fw-la aut_fw-la temeritatis_fw-la dari_fw-la veritatem_fw-la aut_fw-la falsitatem_fw-la certitudinemque_fw-la cui_fw-la nulla_fw-la objectiva_fw-la correspondeat_fw-la hoc_fw-la ne_fw-la deo_fw-la quidem_fw-la concessum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la scientiam_fw-la habeat_fw-la rei_fw-la non_fw-la scibilis_fw-la i._n e._n veritatem_fw-la formalem_fw-la rei_fw-la quae_fw-la objectiuâ_fw-la careat_fw-la yet_o the_o same_o author_n p._n 271_o be_v force_v by_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o ill_a ground_a tenet_n which_o he_o have_v espouse_v into_o the_o same_o paralogysm_n which_o he_o have_v so_o grave_o severe_o and_o learned_o reprehend_v in_o another_o where_o put_v the_o objection_n very_a home_n he_o ask_v si_fw-la praevium_fw-la illud_fw-la ad_fw-la fidem_fw-la judicium_fw-la sit_fw-la intra_fw-la probabilitatis_fw-la fine_n quâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la poterit_fw-la mens_fw-la assurgere_fw-la in_o assensum_fw-la illo_fw-la seu_fw-la opinion_n firmiorem_fw-la ergo_fw-la fidei_fw-la certitudo_fw-la nutlat_fw-la si_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la judicio_fw-la quod_fw-la prudenter_fw-la probabile_fw-la dixi_fw-la pendeat_fw-la nec_fw-la aliunde_fw-la repetatur_fw-la this_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o tota_fw-la controversia_fw-la &_o fidei_fw-la summa_fw-la be_v contain_v as_o indeed_o it_o be_v in_o this_o argument_n he_o address_v himself_o to_o answer_v it_o first_o slight_o by_o a_o example_n that_o this_o precedent_a judgement_n be_v to_o faith_n as_o accidental_a alteration_n to_o the_o substantial_a form_n and_o so_o be_v only_o a_o disposition_n to_o it_o may_v be_v less_o noble_a or_o certain_a than_o faith_n be_v itself_o whereas_o if_o our_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v thorough_o rational_a this_o previous_a judgement_n be_v that_o on_o which_o this_o assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o we_o or_o as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n must_v at_o least_o be_v firm_a and_o immovable_a itself_o since_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n build_v on_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v such_o and_o consequent_o beyond_o probability_n whence_o the_o example_n be_v most_o unsuitable_a signify_v that_o as_o nature_n dispose_v matter_n by_o imperfect_a degree_n towards_o a_o perfect_a and_o ultimate_a effect_n so_o infirm_a principle_n may_v rational_o beget_v a_o firm_a assent_n after_o this_o he_o allege_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v it_o from_o god_n the_o author_n of_o it_o who_o infuse_v light_a and_o give_v most_o efficacious_a strength_n to_o believe_v but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o god_n ordinary_o and_o abstract_v from_o miracle_n infuse_v light_a into_o rational_a creature_n but_o by_o mean_n of_o motive_n or_o reason_n and_o whether_o it_o require_v such_o strength_n or_o rather_o be_v not_o a_o unwise_a credulousness_n that_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o believe_v beyond_o what_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o do_v and_o so_o unworthy_a god_n the_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n last_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v it_o from_o the_o pious_a affection_n of_o the_o will_n qui_fw-la mentem_fw-la rebus_fw-la credendis_fw-la indubitato_fw-la &_o immoto_fw-la assensu_fw-la alligat_fw-la quasi_fw-la nodo_fw-la indissolubili_fw-la which_o as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o indissoluble_a knot_n tie_v the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v with_o a_o undoubted_a and_o unmoved_a assent_n but_o the_o question_n be_v how_o this_o knot_n be_v indissoluble_a in_o case_n the_o probable_a reason_n prove_v false_a unless_o the_o soul_n be_v wilful_o blind_a or_o why_o a_o resolvedness_n in_o the_o will_n can_v rational_o establish_v a_o true_a intellectual_a certainty_n what_o i_o chief_o conclude_v from_o these_o answer_n of_o he_o be_v that_o he_o perpetual_o wave_v certainty_n have_v from_o the_o object_n and_o so_o unavoidable_o be_v force_v to_o put_v a_o formal_a certainty_n in_o as_o to_o which_o no_o objective_a certainty_n correspond_v which_o his_o excellent_a wit_n in_o another_o circumstance_n see_v to_o be_v prodigious_o faulty_a and_o a_o certainty_n that_o be_v a_o perfection_n not_o competent_a even_o to_o god_n himself_o so_o impossible_a it_o be_v that_o error_n prejudice_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n shall_v not_o either_o by_o opposition_n to_o first_o principle_n be_v discover_v to_o be_v falsehood_n or_o by_o self-contradiction_n in_o their_o maintainer_n confess_v it_o themselves_o objection_n vii_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o diverse_a weak_a people_n assent_v upon_o very_o inconclusive_a nay_o silly_a or_o less_o than_o probable_a motive_n who_o yet_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v deny_v have_v save_v faith_n the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n than_o require_v not_o necessary_o motive_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o that_o faith_n be_v true_a to_o we_o but_o may_v be_v without_o any_o such_o qualification_n answer_n when_o we_o say_v faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a we_o take_v the_o word_n faith_n in_o its_o proper_a and_o primary_n signification_n now_o that_o be_v the_o proper_a signification_n of_o a_o word_n that_o be_v most_o usual_a and_o that_o most_o usual_a which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o user_n of_o it_o the_o proper_a signification_n that_o be_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v evident_o a_o assent_n to_o be_v adhere_v to_o all_o one_o life_n to_o be_v die_v in_o and_o die_v for_o and_o the_o object_n or_o form_n of_o that_o assent_n be_v truth_n and_o so_o itself_o true_a it_o be_v most_o manifest_o in_o each_o of_o those_o regard_n imply_v that_o it_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o or_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v it_o must_v have_v ground_n able_a to_o show_v it_o nay_o actual_o show_v it_o so_o to_o they_o whatever_o contingency_n may_v happen_v in_o a_o few_o particular_n for_o want_n of_o apply_v to_o they_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n beside_o faith_n must_v be_v a_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n a_o virtuous_a act_n and_o so_o rational_a and_o a_o most_o efficacious_a cause_n of_o work_v for_o heaven_n also_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v apt_a to_o establish_v the_o most_o speculative_a faithful_a to_o convert_v or_o confound_v the_o most_o acute_a wit_n deny_v or_o oppose_v it_o etc._n etc._n all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o discourse_n of_o sure_a foot_n by_o argument_n as_o yet_o not_o attempt_v to_o be_v invalidate_v by_o any_o however_o something_o have_v be_v offer_v against_o those_o conclusion_n which_o attribute_n it_o can_v possible_o justify_v nor_o yet_o perform_v those_o office_n without_o be_v true_a to_o we_o or_o have_v ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o word_n faith_n then_o apply_v to_o those_o weak_a person_n now_o speak_v of_o signify_v not_o the_o same_o as_o when_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o assenter_n but_o mere_o a_o simple_a credulity_n of_o any_o thing_n tell_v they_o by_o a_o person_n that_o look_v serious_o when_o he_o speak_v it_o and_o be_v conceit_v by_o the_o believer_n to_o be_v wise_a or_o to_o have_v hear_v more_o than_o himself_o which_o kind_n of_o assent_n if_o it_o be_v second_v by_o favourable_a circumstance_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n especial_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v find_v in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o it_o beget_v a_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n may_v suffice_v to_o save_v those_o weak_a and_o well_o meaning_n catholic_n but_o how_o incompetent_a a_o assent_n no_o better_o ground_v be_v
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 not-truth_n but_o at_o most_o a_o great_a likelihood_n it_o be_v utter_o incapable_a of_o since_o therefore_o in_o the_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_v a_o est_fw-fr ought_v to_o antecede_v quid_fw-la ests_n they_o have_v lose_v their_o right_n to_o be_v discourse_v with_o about_o the_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o what_o be_v that_o rule_n till_o they_o can_v justify_v themselves_o not_o to_o have_v destroy_v the_o very_a a_o est_fw-la or_o existence_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n both_o with_o which_o mr._n t._n be_v now_o challenge_v from_o his_o own_o word_n and_o mr._n st._n from_o his_o abet_v he_o and_o espouse_v his_o patronage_n both_o nature_n therefore_o and_o be_v excuse_v i_o from_o reply_v to_o mr_n t._n and_o mr._n st._n where_o the_o just_a law_n of_o severe_a and_o rigorous_a reason_n exact_o observe_v and_o so_o it_o be_v only_o a_o voluntary_a courtesy_n not_o a_o obligatory_a duty_n to_o afford_v they_o or_o any_o other_o writer_n thus_o principled_a any_o answer_n at_o all_o or_o to_o admit_v they_o to_o a_o dispute_n about_o this_o point_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n last_o hence_o be_v infer_v that_o a_o conclusive_a method_n or_o short_a way_n of_o end_v all_o controversy_n between_o the_o catho_n like_o church_n and_o all_o her_o relinquisher_n be_v settle_v by_o this_o doctrine_n for_o if_o right_a faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o or_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v if_o the_o motive_n to_o embrace_v christianity_n must_v be_v thus_o firm_a then_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o that_o party_n who_o writer_n renounce_v the_o have_v any_o such_o motive_n in_o case_n those_o writer_n speak_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o party_n be_v not_o right_o christian_n or_o true_o faithful_a 4_o but_o a_o distinct_a sect_n from_o the_o body_n of_o right_n christian_n or_o it_o be_v most_o unjust_a that_o the_o discourse_n of_o private_a speculater_n shall_v be_v pin_v upon_o the_o whole_a party_n if_o they_o write_v thing_n deniable_a by_o that_o party_n in_o case_n any_o such_o party_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o disclaim_v such_o writer_n as_o private_a discourser_n and_o their_o tenet_n of_o christian_a faith_n not_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v and_o set_v some_o other_o writer_n to_o maintain_v the_o opposite_a thesis_n it_o will_v quick_o be_v see_v whether_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v infallible_a ground_n of_o faith_n i_o mean_v any_o authority_n convey_v christ_n faith_n down_o to_o we_o infallible_o which_o they_o must_v bring_v 2._o if_o they_o will_v prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a distinct_a from_o what_o the_o catholic_a church_n hold_v to_o and_o which_o themselves_o renounce_v when_o they_o forsake_v her_o communion_n but_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o ground_n as_o these_o that_o be_v ground_n inerrable_o bring_v down_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n faith_n to_o we_o that_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o discern_v by_o the_o carriage_n write_n or_o discourse_n of_o any_o party_n that_o dissent_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v their_o tenet_n if_o then_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n that_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v abundant_o conclude_v it_o be_v also_o most_o certain_a that_o those_o who_o deny_v they_o have_v such_o a_o faith_n do_v by_o that_o very_a denial_n confess_v they_o have_v no_o true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a nor_o of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n postscript_n thus_o reader_n thou_o see_v i_o still_o endeavour_v candid_o to_o put_v controversy_n home_o as_o far_o as_o my_o discourse_n can_v carry_v it_o and_o that_o i_o have_v resume_v here_o all_o the_o scatter_a end_n of_o voluminous_a dispute_n into_o one_o point_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o sincere_a protestant_n and_o all_o other_o out_o of_o the_o church_n may_v see_v at_o a_o short_a view_n what_o they_o be_v to_o do_v if_o they_o look_v into_o their_o own_o breast_n as_o they_o be_v professor_n of_o christianity_n they_o will_v find_v it_o write_v there_o in_o capital_n that_o christian_a faith_n can_v be_v a_o illusion_n '_o or_o falsehood_n also_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o true_a and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o suffer_v all_o persecution_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o the_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v such_o this_o find_v and_o due_o reflect_v on_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v be_v that_o they_o press_v their_o learned_a man_n by_o who_o they_o be_v lead_v to_o show_v they_o by_o such_o ground_n as_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n permit_v they_o to_o hold_v that_o be_v by_o their_o ground_n that_o christian_a faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o they_o can_v as_o hitherto_o they_o have_v tell_v we_o they_o can_v than_o their_o adherent_n may_v in_o reason_n hope_v well_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n till_o they_o see_v those_o attempt_n evident_o show_v invalid_a but_o if_o they_o profess_v still_o they_o can_v and_o that_o faith_n need_v no_o such_o certainty_n then_o not_o only_o the_o natural_a dictamen_fw-la of_o christianity_n in_o their_o own_o breast_n ought_v to_o make_v they_o distrust_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o party_n find_v to_o be_v so_o destructive_a to_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o i_o shall_v hope_v there_o be_v some_o proof_n in_o this_o forego_n treatise_n which_o they_o will_v judge_n require_v a_o answer_n i_o expect_v my_o answerer_n will_v sow_v together_o many_o thin_a rhetorical_a figleaf_n to_o cover_v the_o deformity_n of_o that_o abominable_a thesis_n that_o faith_n may_v be_v false_a which_o to_o propose_v undisguised_a be_v too_o open_o shameful_a but_o i_o hope_v thou_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v their_o sense_n through_o their_o rhetoric_n and_o heedful_o to_o mark_v with_o a_o steadfast_a eye_n that_o in_o how_o quaint_a and_o elegant_a phrase_n soever_o they_o cloak_n their_o tenet_n yet_o the_o genuine_a downright_a and_o natural_a sense_n of_o the_o position_n they_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v will_v still_o be_v this_o the_o mystery_n of_o christian_a faith_n may_v all_o be_v so_o many_o lie_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v absolute_o know_v and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n a_o bundle_n of_o falsehood_n i_o expect_v also_o many_o plausible_a instance_n and_o pretend_a parallel_n of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o inferior_a degree_n of_o certitude_n for_o such_o and_o such_o particular_a end_n but_o what_o thou_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v whether_o those_o end_n be_v parallel_n or_o equal_v to_o that_o high_a end_n and_o concern_v of_o christian_a faith_n these_o thing_n i_o expect_v but_o i_o expect_v not_o that_o so_o much_o as_o one_o principle_n that_o will_v be_v find_v to_o deserve_v that_o name_n will_v ever_o be_v think_v prudent_a to_o be_v produce_v to_o justify_v a_o tenet_n every_o way_n so_o irrational_a and_o unprincipled_a or_o rather_o destroy_v the_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o best_a body_n of_o principle_n that_o either_o nature_n or_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n himself_o ever_o instill_a into_o mankind_n last_o i_o beseech_v thou_o to_o obtain_v for_o i_o if_o thou_o can_v that_o if_o any_o think_v fit_a to_o reply_v to_o this_o treatise_n they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o set_v aside_o all_o witty_a prevarication_n and_o elegant_a drollery_n the_o two_o chief_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n only_o stickler_n in_o the_o pretend_a answer_n to_o sure-footing_a and_o begin_v with_o first_o principle_n to_o draw_v thence_o immediate_a consequence_n as_o i_o have_v constant_o endeavour_v in_o this_o discourse_n by_o
impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o predicate_a pertinent_o exclude_v here_o all_o possibility_n of_o divers_a respect_n faith-proposition_n §_o 7._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o subject_n of_o those_o faith-proposition_n for_o those_o subject_n be_v proposition_n themselves_o as_o be_v show_v §_o 3._o and_o accept_v for_o truth_n as_o be_v suppose_v they_o be_v incapable_a of_o distinction_n as_o shall_v be_v particular_o show_v hereafter_o evict_v 3._o §_o 5._o beside_o those_o subject_n be_v point_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o stand_v in_o the_o abstract_n that_o be_v not_o descend_v to_o subsume_v respect_n even_o in_o that_o regard_n too_o they_o be_v free_v from_o all_o pertinent_a distinguishableness_n §_o 8._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n which_o consist_v in_o indivisible_a a_o indivisible_a whence_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o truth_n have_v how_o great_a soever_o the_o conceive_a approach_n towards_o it_o be_v till_o all_o may-not-bee_n or_o potentiality_n to_o be_v otherwise_o be_v utter_o exclude_v by_o the_o actuality_n of_o be_v or_o existence_n which_o put_v or_o discover_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n break_v forth_o and_o the_o dim_a twilight_n of_o may-not-bee_n vanish_v and_o disappear_v §_o 9_o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v out_o of_o connexion_n the_o nature_n of_o connexion_n find_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a proposition_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a their_o truth_n consist_v in_o the_o connexion_n of_o those_o notion_n which_o make_v the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v whoever_o therefore_o see_v not_o the_o connexion_n between_o those_o notion_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n see_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o of_o those_o proposition_n that_o be_v those_o proposition_n be_v not_o to_o such_o a_o man_n true_a wherefore_o connexion_n exclude_v formal_o inconnexion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_o impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v find_v together_o in_o the_o selfsame_a subject_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o such_o proposition_n consist_v in_o the_o unconnectedness_n of_o their_o term_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o who_o be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v those_o faith-proposition_n true_a must_v see_v the_o connexion_n between_o their_o term_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v inconnect_v or_o false_a again_o since_o all_o approach_n or_o vicinity_n to_o connexion_n by_o how_o near_a degree_n soever_o they_o be_v make_v be_v not_o connexion_n it_o follow_v that_o all_o connexion_n consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a and_o can_v admit_v no_o latitude_n for_o a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o to_o be_v ground_v on_o last_o all_o connexion_n be_v necessary_o immediate_a or_o see_v by_o virtue_n of_o immediateness_n and_o to_o see_v immediate_a connexion_n be_v the_o producer_n of_o certain_a knowledge_n or_o of_o assurance_n the_o thing_n can_v but_o be_v so_o it_o follow_v that_o to_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o proposition_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o immediate_a connexion_n of_o their_o term_n be_v to_o see_v they_o can_v but_o be_v so_o or_o that_o they_o be_v absolute_o void_a of_o all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n §_o 10._o by_o this_o time_n we_o be_v bring_v opinion_n orderly_o to_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n which_o word_n i_o take_v not_o here_o in_o a_o large_a sense_n for_o any_o kind_n of_o assent_n however_o produce_v it_o but_o for_o a_o assent_n or_o adhesion_n to_o a_o tenet_n without_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o evince_v the_o thing_n be_v so_o as_o the_o opine_a judge_n as_o it_o be_v take_v in_o that_o proverb_n turpe_fw-la est_fw-la opinari_fw-la now_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o there_o will_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o convince_v in_o case_n the_o term_n or_o point_n be_v see_v to_o be_v deduce_v by_o immediate_a step_n or_o a_o train_n of_o immediate_a connexion_n to_o that_o very_a conclusion_n it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o it_o be_v therefore_o opinion_n and_o blame-worthy_a because_o its_o ground_n as_o they_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o assenter_n want_n or_o fall_v short_a of_o this_o immediate_a connexion_n so_o that_o opinion_n be_v a_o judgement_n upon_o remote_a or_o unimmediate_a consideration_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o most_o necessary_a verity_n of_o that_o grand_a principle_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o upon_o which_o all_o certainty_n both_o of_o first_o principle_n and_o of_o deduction_n be_v build_v and_o who_o perfect_a self-evidence_n and_o interessedness_n in_o whatever_o belong_v to_o right_a discourse_n seem_v to_o make_v the_o very_a light_n of_o reason_n consist_v original_o in_o it_o be_v not_o engage_v in_o the_o opiner_n discourse_n whence_o want_v immediateness_n it_o become_v unconnect_v incoherent_a weak_a and_o slack_a or_o rather_o indeed_o null_a no_o wonder_n then_o if_o all_o opinion_n how_o near_o soever_o it_o approach_v seem_o to_o immediate_a connexion_n and_o how_o strong_o soever_o it_o be_v support_v by_o a_o experience_a seldomness_n of_o such_o effect_n or_o the_o conceive_a unaptness_n and_o fewness_n of_o cause_n fit_a to_o produce_v they_o yet_o it_o admit_v possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o in_o regard_v it_o fail_v in_o its_o very_a root_n and_o basis_n by_o not_o rely_v on_o the_o main_a principle_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o steadiness_n in_o humane_a discourse_n and_o which_o be_v of_o so_o necessary_a a_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o falter_v or_o give_v way_n to_o uphold_v and_o exempt_v it_o from_o a_o liableness_n to_o disconnexion_n of_o those_o notion_n which_o it_o pretend_v and_o aught_o to_o identify_v that_o be_v from_o a_o liableness_n to_o error_n §_o 11._o from_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n it_o be_v render_v manifest_a out_o of_o what_o fountainhead_n all_o rational_a assent_v flow_v namely_o from_o see_v the_o immediate_a connexion_n of_o one_o term_n with_o another_o or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o this_o principle_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o stand_v engage_v for_o their_o verity_n also_o that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n consist_v fundamental_o in_o this_o and_o formal_o in_o derive_v the_o perfect_a visibleness_n of_o this_o to_o make_v other_o proposition_n also_o visible_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n likewise_o that_o assent_v not_o spring_v from_o this_o light_n of_o reason_n must_v be_v as_o such_o irrational_a and_o arise_v necessary_o from_o the_o will_n take_v as_o not_o follow_v the_o light_n of_o understanding_n but_o as_o prompt_v and_o put_v forward_o by_o some_o passion_n viz._n some_o irrational_a desire_n or_o inclination_n the_o thing_n shall_v be_v so_o which_o press_v and_o precipitate_v the_o understanding_n into_o assent_n before_o due_a motive_n force_v it_o as_o likewise_o that_o since_o none_o can_v be_v bind_v constant_o to_o profess_v what_o he_o can_v steady_o see_v to_o be_v true_a a_o christian_n who_o be_v thus_o bind_v to_o profess_v his_o faith_n true_a must_v see_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n now_o speak_v of_o which_o give_v all_o steadiness_n to_o our_o intellectual_a sight_n be_v interest_v in_o the_o patronage_n of_o the_o proposition_n he_o assent_v to_o whence_o true_a faith_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o immovable_a ground_n can_v bear_v a_o assert_v the_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o its_o be_v false_a whereas_o who_o ever_o affirm_v faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a make_v it_o build_v upon_o remote_a medium_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v either_o not_o immediate_a or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o not_o see_v to_o be_v immediate_a to_o the_o two_o term_n of_o the_o proposition_n assent_v to_o and_o so_o they_o become_v destitute_a of_o the_o invincible_a strength_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n which_o establish_v all_o deduce_v truth_n and_o legitimate_v all_o assent_n to_o they_o whence_o follow_v inevitable_o that_o he_o turn_v all_o faith_n into_o opinion_n make_v faith_n absurd_a preternatural_a and_o irrational_a import_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o man_n must_v assent_v to_o or_o say_v interior_o it_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o see_v no_o solid_a ground_n why_o it_o must_v be_v so_o profess_v stout_o it_o be_v true_a and_o that_o they_o be_v sure_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o if_o they_o will_v speak_v true_o profess_v with_o all_o that_o it_o may_v be_v false_a and_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v mistake_v in_o it_o and_o last_o he_o leave_v all_o christ_n doctrine_n indefensible_a and_o utter_o unmaintainable_a to_o have_v absolute_o speak_v either_o any_o solidity_n or_o steadiness_n in_o its_o ground_n or_o one_o true_a word_n in_o itself_o second_o eviction_n §_o 1._o from_o this_o notseeing_a the_o connexion_n of_o the_o two_o term_n in_o assent_n the_o conclusion_n by_o a_o medium_fw-la immediate_o connect_v to_o they_o both_o but_o by_o distant_a glance_n only_o which_o have_v not_o
vast_a ocean_n on_o either_o side_n america_n to_o overswell_v the_o continent_n and_o so_o destroy_v it_o they_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v interiorly_a america_n may_v for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v possible_o not_o be_v whence_o they_o be_v force_v to_o suspend_v as_o to_o its_o existence_n and_o only_o assent_v to_o its_o extreme_a likelihood_n of_o exist_v §_o 4._o the_o use_n i_o make_v of_o this_o discourse_n assent_n at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o though_o likelihood_n have_v a_o great_a latitude_n yet_o assent_n be_v the_o terminus_fw-la of_o those_o inclination_n towards_o it_o which_o gradual_o exceed_v one_o another_o consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a as_o do_v the_o notion_n of_o be_v on_o which_o either_o see_v or_o deem_v to_o be_v see_v it_o be_v build_v and_o to_o which_o it_o go_v parallel_v that_o all_o act_n fall_v short_a of_o assent_n to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n advance_v no_o far_o than_o great_a assent_n to_o its_o likelihood_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o head_n of_o suspensive_a act_n as_o to_o that_o thing_n existence_n as_o the_o soul_n will_v discover_v upon_o reflection_n and_o that_o when_o we_o mistake_v one_o for_o the_o other_o it_o be_v for_o not_o distinguish_v well_o the_o great_a resemblance_n between_o assent_v as_o to_o outward_a action_n and_o as_o to_o the_o speculative_a truth_n as_o also_o between_o assent_v to_o the_o extreme_a likelihood_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o assent_v to_o its_o existence_n that_o whensoever_o we_o see_v the_o possibility_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v false_a or_o not-existent_a which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v all_o one_o we_o can_v have_v a_o assent_n to_o its_o existence_n but_o to_o the_o likelihood_n of_o it_o only_o and_o suspend_v as_o to_o its_o existence_n or_o actual_a be_v and_o that_o therefore_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_v use_v and_o all_o the_o ground_n it_o have_v faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a to_o we_o can_v be_v hold_v to_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n or_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n but_o to_o suspend_v concern_v their_o truth_n and_o to_o assent_v only_o to_o their_o likelihood_n to_o be_v true_a which_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a disposition_n to_o denominate_v such_o person_n christian_n will_v easy_o and_o best_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o vulgar_a of_o christianity_n who_o possess_v the_o genuine_a and_o natural_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n untainted_a with_o the_o frantic_a conceit_n spring_v from_o such_o speculation_n as_o be_v take_v out_o of_o fancy_n not_o as_o they_o ought_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o 5._o the_o same_o argument_n may_v be_v hold_v make_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o firm_o hold_v as_o be_v from_o assent_n and_o the_o selfsame_a discourse_n mutatis_fw-la mutandis_fw-la since_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a none_o can_v firm_o hold_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o he_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o be_v holds_z may_v be_v false_a however_o he_o may_v hold_v it_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a §_o 6._o the_o same_o be_v evince_v from_o the_o know_v notion_n of_o know_v which_o word_n i_o take_v here_o abstract_o unconcern_v what_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n it_o be_v provide_v it_o be_v true_a and_o proper_a knowledge_n and_o not_o abusive_o so_o call_v for_o since_o nothing_o can_v be_v know_v to_o be_v but_o what_o be_v nor_o know_v to_o be_v such_o but_o what_o be_v such_o again_o since_o christian_n if_o they_o have_v either_o honesty_n or_o wit_n in_o they_o must_v some_o way_n or_o other_o know_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a who_o truth_n they_o esteem_v themselves_o bind_v to_o profess_v and_o stand_v to_o even_o with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n it_o follow_v those_o point_n must_v be_v what_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v that_o be_v true_a and_o consequent_o unless_o knowledge_n can_v be_v ignorance_n impossible_a not_o to_o be_v or_o to_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o assent_n and_o hold_v and_o know_v may_v also_o be_v discourse_v regard_n from_o the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n for_o this_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v a_o determination_n of_o the_o understanding_n i_o mean_v intellectual_a determination_n be_v the_o common_a genus_fw-la to_o they_o all_o and_o they_o differ_v only_o in_o this_o that_o knowledge_n and_o certainty_n be_v proper_a effect_n of_o evidence_n whether_o spring_v from_o the_o thing_n or_o from_o the_o attester_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v where_o there_o be_v want_v the_o intellectual_a light_n issue_v from_o that_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o evidence_n so_o oft_o speak_v of_o whereas_o hâ—lding_v or_o assent_v can_v proceed_v from_o the_o blindness_n of_o passion_n or_o from_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o clear_a sight_n of_o the_o understanding_n now_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n consist_v in_o a_o intellectual_a determination_n thus_o originize_v and_o consequent_o when_o put_v exclude_v all_o possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v the_o point_n i_o aim_n to_o evince_v appear_v partly_o from_o the_o etymology_n and_o most_o evident_o from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n for_o certus_n signify_v determinate_a as_o then_o when_o the_o matter_n speak_v of_o restrain_v that_o word_n to_o volition_n it_o signify_v a_o absolute_a determination_n of_o will_n or_o resolution_n as_o certus_fw-la â—undi_fw-la so_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n and_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v certain_a we_o intend_v to_o express_v full_a as_o much_o as_o when_o we_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v which_o speak_v ultimate_a determination_n and_o actuality_n in_o the_o object_n consider_v in_o itself_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o the_o same_o word_n be_v intend_v to_o signify_v formal_a certainty_n in_o we_o or_o that_o disposition_n of_o the_o understanding_n whereby_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v certain_a it_o must_v necessary_o signify_v unless_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o word_n its_o most_o formal_a notion_n be_v less_o rigorous_a than_o those_o which_o be_v less_o formal_a a_o determinate_a state_n of_o the_o understanding_n or_o a_o intellectual_a determination_n whence_o as_o a_o thing_n be_v then_o certain_a or_o determinate_a when_o it_o be_v so_o the_o understanding_n be_v then_o determine_v according_a to_o its_o nature_n or_o certain_a when_o the_o thing_n be_v see_v to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v which_o immediate_a effect_n of_o the_o other_o be_v impossible_a but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o evidence_n make_v that_o clear_a discovery_n and_o this_o engage_v all_o intellectual_a potentiality_n or_o possibility_n of_o not_o be_v see_v to_o be_v be_v total_o and_o formal_o that_o be_v most_o absolute_o exclude_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a notion_n then_o of_o certainty_n import_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n that_o that_o judgement_n which_o so_o fix_v and_o determine_v the_o understanding_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a since_o nothing_o can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v but_o what_o real_o be_v §_o 8._o again_o since_o determination_n in_o any_o kind_n be_v the_o terminus_n of_o all_o indetermination_n in_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o so_o beyond_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o certainty_n or_o intellectual_a determination_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o possible_a degree_n of_o indetermination_n of_o the_o mind_n or_o uncertainty_n certainty_n therefore_o be_v not_o attain_v till_o all_o possible_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n to_o we_o or_o error_n be_v transcend_v and_o overcome_v i'faith_o then_o must_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v certain_a if_o it_o be_v put_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §9_n and_o as_o my_o former_a discourse_n have_v endeavour_v to_o display_v the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n from_o its_o genus_fw-la and_o difference_n which_o compound_v its_o definition_n so_o the_o same_o will_v be_v still_o more_o satisfactory_o evince_v from_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o mankind_n when_o they_o use_v the_o word_n certain_a for_o that_o be_v most_o evident_o the_o signification_n of_o a_o word_n which_o the_o intelligent_a user_n of_o that_o word_n intend_v to_o express_v by_o it_o if_o by_o divers_a say_n of_o they_o we_o can_v manifest_v that_o they_o mean_v to_o signify_v such_o a_o conception_n by_o that_o word_n that_o will_v infallible_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o it_o and_o that_o conception_n will_v have_v in_o it_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o certainty_n let_v we_o observe_v then_o attentive_o what_o be_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n when_o they_o use_v these_o and_o the_o like_a familiar_a discourse_n which_o natural_o break_v from_o they_o how_o frequent_a be_v it_o when_o any_o one_o ask_v another_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n true_a and_o the_o other_o reply_n i_o very_o think_v it_o be_v he_o return_v
come_v afterward_o through_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o object_n to_o judge_n it_o true_a it_o become_v determine_v and_o how_o but_o by_o a_o notion_n the_o most_o determinative_a of_o any_o other_o viz._n that_o of_o be_v or_o be_v wherefore_o since_o to_o put_v in_o she_o at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o judgement_n of_o its_o possibility_n to_o be_v false_a put_v she_o to_o be_v indetermine_v and_o this_o in_o order_n to_o the_o same_o this_o position_n put_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v at_o once_o determinate_a and_o indeterminate_a as_o to_o the_o same_o which_o state_n be_v as_o vast_o distant_a as_o actual_a be_v and_o not-actual_a be_v can_v remove_v they_o nay_o this_o monstrous_a thesis_n make_v the_o soul_n indeterminate_v to_o either_o side_n that_o be_v to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o to_o falsehood_n even_o after_o it_o have_v suppose_v she_o determine_v to_o truth_n for_o to_o judge_v a_o point_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a put_v the_o judgement_n potential_a or_o indetermine_v as_o to_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o and_o false_a signify_v not-true_a possible_a to_o be_v false_a must_v signify_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a and_o so_o include_v potentiality_n or_o indetermination_n to_o truth_n also_o in_o regard_n be_v it_o actual_o true_a it_o can_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o itself_o the_o soul_n must_v then_o be_v indeterminate_a to_o either_o that_o be_v neither_o judge_v it_o true_a nor_o false_a even_o after_o she_o be_v suppose_v to_o judge_n it_o true_a in_o case_n she_o can_v then_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o this_o position_n of_o faith_n possibility_n to_o be_v false_a can_v without_o high_a contradiction_n stand_v with_o a_o hearty_a conceit_n that_o faith_n be_v true_a to_o think_v to_o escape_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n by_o allege_v the_o respect_n to_o different_a motive_n or_o that_o the_o understanding_n be_v not_o perfect_o but_o partly_o determine_v be_v in_o our_o case_n frivolous_a for_o i_o ask_v be_v it_o determine_v enough_o by_o any_o intellectual_a or_o rational_a motive_n to_o judge_v the_o thing_n be_v if_o not_o what_o make_v it_o judge_v so_o when_o those_o motive_n can_v not_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a it_o must_v be_v some_o weakness_n or_o some_o blind_a motive_n in_o the_o will_n not_o light_n of_o understanding_n but_o if_o it_o be_v determine_v enough_o to_o judge_v the_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v true_a it_o be_v also_o enough_o for_o my_o argument_n and_o purpose_n §_o 8._o especial_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n falsehood_n will_v be_v better_o penetrate_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o consider_v in_o what_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n formal_o consist_v and_o that_o take_v right_o they_o be_v certain_a affection_n or_o disposition_n of_o our_o understanding_n for_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v call_v true_a by_o i_o which_o be_v not_o true_a to_o i_o not_o be_v any_o thing_n true_a to_o i_o but_o when_o it_o be_v see_v by_o i_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o object_n and_o to_o be_v thus_o see_v by_o i_o be_v the_o object_n to_o inform_v and_o actuate_v my_o understanding_n power_n as_o it_o be_v judicative_a whence_o that_o power_n as_o it_o be_v thus_o actuate_v gain_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o which_o consist_v the_o precise_a nature_n of_o truth_n however_o than_o truth_n come_v from_o the_o object_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v formal_o no_o where_o but_o in_o the_o understanding_n or_o judgement_n as_o appear_v evident_o from_o this_o that_o truth_n be_v find_v in_o proposition_n now_o proposition_n be_v not_o in_o the_o thing_n formal_o though_o when_o true_a they_o be_v derive_v hence_o but_o in_o the_o mind_n only_o and_o significative_o in_o word_n truth_n then_o be_v that_o whereby_o i_o be_o true_a or_o veracious_a when_o i_o say_v interior_o the_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v thus_o and_o thus_o wherefore_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o point_n be_v not_o have_v till_o this_o actuation_n or_o determination_n of_o my_o power_n by_o the_o object_n which_o as_o its_o formal_a cause_n make_v this_o conformity_n to_o it_o be_v put_v and_o this_o put_v to_o think_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n or_o at_o once_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v unactuate_v undetermined_a potential_a or_o disconformable_a to_o it_o be_v too_o gross_a a_o conceit_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o head_n of_o any_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n whoever_o than_o affirm_n faith_n or_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a he_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o reason_n in_o case_n the_o desperation_n of_o maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n for_o want_v of_o ground_n drive_v he_o not_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n but_o that_o he_o speak_v candid_o what_o he_o think_v not_o to_o judge_n or_o say_v from_o his_o heart_n his_o faith_n be_v indeed_o true_a have_v never_o experience_v in_o his_o soul_n for_o want_v of_o principle_n to_o put_v it_o there_o that_o the_o object_n or_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n have_v wrought_v in_o it_o that_o conformity_n to_o the_o thing_n in_o which_o truth_n consist_v and_o consequent_o that_o when_o he_o profess_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n he_o either_o by_o a_o fortunate_a piece_n of_o folly_n understand_v not_o what_o he_o say_v or_o collogue_n and_o dissemble_v with_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o honour_n or_o some_o other_o interest_n §_o 9_o it_o be_v hence_o far_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o position_n we_o impugn_v destroy_v unity_n the_o notion_n of_o metaphysical_a unity_n consist_v in_o a_o indivision_n or_o indistinction_n of_o any_o notion_n nature_n or_o thing_n in_o itself_o and_o a_o division_n or_o distinction_n of_o it_o from_o all_o other_o for_o according_a to_o this_o tenet_n truth_n or_o the_o conformity_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o the_o object_n put_v by_o our_o joint_a supposition_n that_o the_o proposition_n of_o faith_n be_v true_a may_v possible_o be_v disconformity_n or_o falsehood_n and_o this_o determinate_a state_n indeterminate_a which_o make_v the_o mind_n as_o have_v in_o it_o one_o notion_n that_o be_v indeed_o that_o one_o notion_n capable_a to_o admit_v into_o its_o bowel_n another_o not_o only_o disparate_a but_o opposite_a that_o be_v one_o possible_a to_o be_v not_o one_o but_o another_o §_o 10._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v concern_v verity_n metaphysical_a verity_n for_o this_o position_n make_v the_o selfsame_a mental_a proposition_n or_o disposition_n of_o the_o understanding_n we_o call_v truth_n possible_a to_o be_v falsehood_n that_o be_v possible_a not_o to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o subvert_v all_o metaphysical_a verity_n that_o be_v the_o foundation_n or_o ground_n of_o all_o formal_a verity_n or_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 11._o the_o same_o injury_n demonstrative_o goodness_n accrue_v to_o metaphysical_a bonity_n or_o goodness_n for_o it_o make_v that_o conformity_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v truth_n and_o so_o the_o good_a or_o perfection_n of_o the_o understanding_n to_o be_v at_o once_o possible_a to_o be_v falsehood_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o good_a but_o harmful_a and_o destructive_a to_o it_o §_o 12._o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o my_o adversary_n will_v think_v to_o elude_v the_o force_n of_o these_o three_o last_o demonstration_n and_o perhaps_o of_o some_o other_o by_o allege_v that_o they_o deny_v absolute_o truth_n can_v possible_o be_v falsehood_n and_o that_o they_o mean_v only_o that_o though_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n appear_v now_o upon_o considerable_a motive_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o those_o motive_n secure_v it_o not_o from_o be_v absolute_o false_a but_o not_o so_o that_o they_o can_v real_o be_v both_o and_o i_o grant_v this_o will_v be_v a_o good_a answer_n in_o case_n they_o do_v not_o affirm_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v real_o true_a upon_o which_o supposition_n take_v from_o the_o common_a language_n and_o sentiment_n of_o all_o that_o profess_v christianity_n even_o they_o too_o as_o christian_n i_o proceed_v but_o only_o profess_v they_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v true_a for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o follow_v that_o truth_n can_v be_v falsehood_n or_o that_o the_o same_o point_n can_v be_v both_o true_a and_o not_o true_a at_o once_o that_o in_o that_o case_n it_o will_v follow_v they_o ought_v to_o affirm_v they_o be_v neither_o true_a nor_o false_a since_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o true_a indeed_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o than_o a_o statue_n which_o be_v like_o a_o man_n be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o man_n but_o if_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o profess_v and_o themselves_o actual_o do_v so_o that_o their_o faith_n be_v indeed_o
of_o the_o word_n knowledge_n to_o mean_v scientifical_a knowledge_n it_o be_v neither_o my_o tenet_n nor_o interest_n but_o will_v leave_v it_o at_o large_a for_o any_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o explicate_v how_o this_o knowledge_n be_v breed_v provide_v they_o leave_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o knowledge_n and_o do_v not_o abusive_o call_v that_o knowledge_n which_o in_o reality_n be_v when_o look_v into_o no_o knowledge_n hence_o i_o argue_v since_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o one_o shall_v know_v what_o be_v not_o to_o be_v know_v and_o what_o be_v not_o be_v not_o to_o be_v know_v it_o follow_v that_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n be_v and_o so_o here_o be_v no_o contingency_n in_o the_o matter_n impossible_a not_o to_o be_v and_o consequent_o faith_n or_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 3._o nor_o be_o i_o afraid_a of_o those_o cant_a distinction_n without_o sense_n that_o it_o be_v moral_o a_o knowledge_n or_o that_o they_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a moral_o speak_v for_o if_o it_o be_v expend_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o these_o word_n moral_o a_o knowledge_n it_o will_v quick_o appear_v that_o as_o true_a knowledge_n can_v only_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v be_v so_o this_o counterfeit_n knowledge_n call_v moral_a fall_v short_a of_o the_o other_o can_v only_o be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v likelihood_n to_o be_v and_o so_o can_v only_o have_v for_o its_o object_n the_o thing_n be_v likelihood_n which_o whether_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o specify_v and_o terminate_v a_o act_n of_o christian_a faith_n i_o appeal_v to_o the_o constant_a expression_n of_o all_o who_o be_v general_o call_v and_o repute_v christian_n and_o challenge_v my_o adversary_n to_o produce_v one_o expression_n of_o they_o which_o sound_v thus_o dwindle_o and_o feeble_o as_o if_o it_o mean_v only_o some_o high_a likelihood_n or_o their_o apprehension_n of_o it_o as_o no_o more_o but_o such_o observe_v but_o the_o life_n and_o energy_n of_o their_o word_n in_o such_o occasion_n as_o that_o of_o job_n scio_fw-la quod_fw-la redemptor_n meus_fw-la vivit_fw-la and_o that_o of_o s._n paul_n scio_fw-la cui_fw-la credidi_fw-la &_o certus_fw-la sum_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o we_o shall_v find_v their_o understanding_n so_o perfect_o possess_v of_o the_o object_n be_v existence_n &_o not_o deem_v only_o its_o likelihood_n that_o they_o seem_v rather_o to_o want_v word_n to_o express_v their_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o it_o oftentimes_o indeed_o they_o deny_v faith_n to_o be_v evidence_n or_o science_n and_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v obscure_a but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n while_o all_o reliance_n on_o authority_n be_v obscure_a and_o certain_a knowledge_n can_v be_v have_v by_o mean_n of_o authority_n as_o appear_v in_o diverse_a instance_n of_o humane_a faith_n §_o 4._o particular_o wave_v the_o former_a we_o will_v reflect_v on_o some_o place_n more_o express_o assertive_a of_o our_o position_n as_o that_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o apostle_n act_n 2._o 36._o certissimè_fw-la sciat_fw-la ergo_fw-la omnis_fw-la domus_fw-la israel_n etc._n etc._n where_o about_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o faith_n he_o express_v it_o to_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a knowledge_n and_o this_o attainable_a by_o the_o whole_a house_n of_o israel_n which_o must_v mean_v the_o generality_n at_o least_o §_o 5._o i_o add_v omit_v many_o other_o two_o of_o his_o fellow-apostle_n paul_n the_o first_o col._n 1._o 23._o si_fw-mi tamen_fw-la permanetis_fw-la in_o fide_fw-la fundati_fw-la &_o stabiles_fw-la et_fw-la immobiles_fw-la à _fw-la spe_fw-la evangelii_n now_o how_o any_o one_o can_v be_v found_v or_o ground_v in_o faith_n if_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v eviction_n 2._o §_o 14._o have_v no_o foundation_n principle_n or_o ground_n itself_o how_o any_o one_o can_v be_v stable_a and_o immovable_a in_o a_o persuasion_n which_o very_a persuasion_n and_o its_o ground_n may_v not_o only_o be_v move_v but_o overthrow_v &_o subvert_v as_o must_v inevitable_o follow_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o expect_v to_o be_v inform_v by_o mr._n tilletson_n and_o mr._n stillingfleet_n do_v these_o word_n sound_v only_o a_o exclusion_n of_o actual_a doubt_n or_o suspicion_n of_o it_o at_o present_a which_o protestant_a writer_n make_v sufficient_a to_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n or_o rather_o do_v it_o not_o mean_a that_o which_o of_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v such_o as_o can_v admit_v no_o possible_a cause_n of_o doubt_n at_o any_o time_n for_o the_o future_a let_v they_o dispense_v a_o while_n with_o pursue_v their_o affect_a gayness_n in_o the_o outside_n of_o word_n and_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o look_v into_o their_o meaning_n and_o then_o if_o they_o can_v make_v out_o that_o groundedness_n stability_n and_o immobility_n can_v consist_v with_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n i_o shall_v promise_v they_o my_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o hold_v contradiction_n with_o they_o for_o in_o that_o case_n those_o will_v be_v the_o only_a truth_n §_o 6._o the_o second_o shall_v be_v that_o most_o emphatical_a one_o of_o the_o same_o apostle_n licèt_fw-la nos_fw-la aut_fw-la angelus_n de_fw-la coelo_fw-la annuntiaverit_fw-la vobis_fw-la praeter_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la accepistis_fw-la anathema_n sit_v though_o we_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v preach_v to_o you_o otherwise_o than_o you_o have_v receive_v let_v he_o be_v accurse_v which_o be_v a_o very_a rude_a and_o unreasonable_a carriage_n especial_o for_o we_o christian_n now_o adays_o be_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o short_a of_o the_o credit_n due_a to_o so_o incomparable_a authority_n for_o since_o it_o be_v know_v that_o many_o thing_n which_o have_v seem_v that_o i_o may_v use_v mr._n it_o be_v word_n moral_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a have_v prove_v to_o be_v actual_o and_o indeed_o false_a and_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v always_o possible_a to_o be_v so_o but_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v that_o a_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n can_v or_o at_o least_o do_v at_o any_o time_n preach_v false_a it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o nothing_o which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o reason_n sustain_v itself_o against_o the_o force_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o that_o faith_n which_o ought_v to_o do_v so_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o from_o the_o language_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o christian_n of_o former_a contingencie_n time_n let_v we_o come_v near_a home_n and_o see_v how_o unsuitable_a it_o be_v to_o the_o notion_n and_o expression_n of_o present_a christianity_n to_o say_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a now_o the_o possibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n be_v build_v on_o the_o contingency_n of_o the_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o ground_v it_o for_o be_v there_o no_o contingency_n in_o they_o but_o that_o their_o cause_n be_v so_o lay_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v not_o be_v conclusive_a they_o can_v not_o possible_o fail_v of_o be_v able_a to_o conclude_v and_o so_o faith_n will_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a consider_v then_o the_o nature_n of_o contingency_n whether_o speculative_o in_o itself_o or_o practical_o in_o instance_n wherein_o it_o be_v find_v we_o may_v observe_v that_o it_o imply_v a_o certain_a kind_n of_o proportion_n between_o the_o frequency_n of_o effect_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o the_o seldomness_n on_o the_o other_o which_o we_o usual_o express_v by_o ten_o to_o one_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o etc._n etc._n if_o then_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a its_o nature_n will_v bear_v nay_o oblige_v we_o to_o express_v the_o probable_a degree_n of_o its_o likelihood_n in_o such_o kind_n of_o language_n and_o that_o we_o assert_v it_o to_o be_v likely_a in_o such_o a_o proportion_n but_o not-like_o in_o a_o high_a for_o example_n it_o will_v be_v perhaps_o wise_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o thus_o propose_v to_o say_v v_o g._n it_o be_v a_o hundred_o to_o one_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n a_o heaven_n or_o a_o hell_n but_o it_o be_v not_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o if_o any_o contend_v i_o have_v assign_v too-small_a a_o over-proportion_n to_o faith_n likelihood_n yet_o at_o least_o he_o must_v grant_v that_o in_o a_o great_a it_o will_v inevitable_o follow_v that_o such_o language_n ought_v in_o true_a speak_n be_v use_v when_o we_o be_v to_o express_v the_o degree_n of_o faith_n firmness_n wherefore_o it_o be_v experiential_o manifest_a that_o nothing_o sound_v more_o ugly_a to_o a_o christian_a ear_n than_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v so_o many_o to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a but_o not_o so_o many_o more_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o
stand_v to_o it_o and_o deliver_v himself_o in_o some_o rude_a say_n or_o other_o in_o behalf_n of_o it_o for_o example_n tell_v he_o he_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o k._n james_n because_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o live_v then_o have_v tell_v we_o so_o but_o what_o if_o they_o be_v mistake_v his_o answer_n will_v in_o likelihood_n be_v to_o this_o purpose_n what_o a_o god_n name_n be_v they_o blind_a in_o those_o day_n that_o they_o can_v not_o see_v who_o be_v king_n then_o which_o express_v natural_o his_o conceit_n of_o their_o inerrableness_n in_o such_o a_o point_n in_o case_n they_o have_v eye_n which_o nature_n teach_v he_o man_n general_o have_v insist_v far_o perhaps_o they_o be_v not_o mistake_v but_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o cozen_v all_o england_n that_o come_v after_o they_o nature_n will_v lead_v he_o to_o this_o or_o some_o such_o kind_n of_o reply_n to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o all_o make_v fool_n of_o every_o body_n which_o word_n though_o rude_o express_v yet_o couch_v in_o themselves_o the_o full_a reason_n give_v in_o sure_a foot_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v build_v on_o nature_n for_o first_o it_o imply_v that_o man_n nature_n with_o which_o he_o have_v a_o fair_a acquaintance_n in_o common_a be_v to_o do_v a_o thing_n for_o a_o purpose_n end_n or_o reason_n next_o his_o interrogatory_n way_n be_v in_o his_o rude_a style_n equivalent_a to_o a_o negative_a and_o so_o it_o signify_v there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o last_o his_o stand_n to_o his_o former_a tenet_n imply_v virtual_o a_o conclusion_n from_o the_o reason_n give_v that_o the_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v do_v which_o involve_v necessary_o a_o knowledge_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n on_o which_o all_o force_n of_o consequence_n be_v ground_v and_o also_o of_o that_o principle_n no_o effect_n can_v be_v without_o a_o due_a cause_n both_o perfect_o suppose_v and_o hold_v by_o he_o though_o not_o express_v in_o his_o rude_a enthymeme_n from_o this_o discourse_n be_v collect_v what_o this_o practical_a self-evidence_n be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o experience_n in_o this_o that_o experience_n be_v only_o find_v of_o what_o use_v to_o make_v the_o minor_a in_o this_o virtual_a discourse_n but_o practical_a self-evidence_n be_v of_o conclusion_n deduce_v as_o it_o be_v from_o a_o common_a maxim_n natural_o know_v as_o the_o major_a and_o a_o minor_a for_o the_o most_o part_n experiential_o or_o else_o practical_o know_v which_o join_v with_o the_o self-evident_a principle_n in_o which_o the_o force_n of_o consequence_n consist_v make_v up_o that_o virtual_a discourse_n again_o it_o differ_v from_o science_n in_o that_o a_o man_n of_o science_n reflect_o see_v a_o medium_fw-la identify_v the_o two_o extreme_n and_o be_v aware_a of_o the_o virtue_n of_o those_o cause_n which_o beget_v evidence_n whereas_o the_o other_o be_v rather_o passive_a from_o natural_a impression_n than_o active_a by_o any_o self-industry_n in_o these_o knowledge_n and_o rather_o feel_v the_o force_n of_o those_o cause_n in_o his_o own_o adhesion_n than_o see_v it_o second_o it_o be_v collect_v that_o this_o practical_a self-evidence_n be_v notwithstanding_o true_a knowledge_n though_o perhaps_o it_o be_v the_o slight_a kind_n of_o it_o in_o which_o it_o be_v difference_v from_o opinion_n build_v on_o probability_n for_o see_v such_o assenter_n have_v both_o by_o experience_n or_o by_o common_a conversation_n true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o diverse_a thing_n in_o common_a which_o make_v the_o minor_a as_o also_o by_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o countervail_v the_o major_a and_o force_v the_o consequence_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o this_o practical_a self-evidence_n be_v entire_o and_o adequate_o ground_v on_o true_a knowledge_n both_o as_o to_o premise_n and_o consequence_n and_o cossequent_o it_o be_v itself_o a_o true_a knowledge_n likewise_o which_o consideration_n will_v help_v to_o explain_v my_o late_a postulatum_fw-la and_o show_v by_o what_o mean_v it_o be_v possible_a all_o christian_n may_v know_v their_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a or_o the_o same_o the_o apostle_n teach_v by_o the_o church_n testimony_n because_o they_o know_v the_o inerrableness_n and_o veracity_n of_o vast_a and_o grave_a multitude_n in_o open_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v practiceable_a daily_o and_o last_o it_o be_v collect_v that_o what_o be_v practical_o self-evident_a to_o the_o unlearned_a be_v demonstrable_a to_o the_o learned_a in_o regard_v these_o be_v capable_a of_o see_v by_o what_o virtue_n the_o cause_n of_o this_o self-evidence_n breed_v that_o knowledge_n which_o the_o other_n be_v incultivate_v reason_n will_v give_v no_o account_n of_o objection_n v._n that_o first_o principle_n every_o thing_n while_o it_o be_v be_v necessary_o what_o it_o be_v seem_v to_o be_v often_o time_n misapply_v particular_o evict_v 2._o §_o 11._o &_o 13._o to_o truth_n at_o present_a whence_o the_o arguer_n will_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v also_o at_o present_a false_a which_o be_v true_a if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o objective_a truth_n but_o than_o it_o seem_v to_o miss_v the_o question_n but_o the_o consequence_n hold_v not_o in_o case_n the_o discourse_n be_v of_o formal_a truth_n that_o be_v of_o truth_n in_o we_o or_o of_o truth_n to_o we_o that_o be_v of_o certainty_n for_o none_o pretend_v that_o his_o judgement_n can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v conformable_a and_o disconformable_a to_o the_o thing_n which_o speak_v those_o inrintsecall_a disposition_n call_v truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o we_o or_o that_o himself_o can_v be_v cetrain_n or_o uncertain_a of_o it_o at_o once_o which_o express_v truth_n and_o falsehood_n to_o we_o this_o be_v put_v those_o motive_n which_o only_o he_o have_v at_o present_a in_o his_o understanding_n able_a to_o prove_v the_o point_n true_a and_o false_a both_o or_o at_o once_o whereas_o what_o be_v pretend_v by_o the_o objecter_n be_v only_o this_o that_o though_o upon_o present_a motive_n he_o now_o judge_n it_o true_a and_o certain_a yet_o afterward_o upon_o other_o motive_n he_o may_v come_v to_o see_v it_o false_a answer_n i_o mean_v in_o those_o place_n truth_n to_o we_o or_o certainty_n but_o the_o objection_n proceed_v as_o if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o man_n in_o the_o world_n or_o as_o if_o true_a false_a certain_a and_o uncertain_a can_v be_v relative_a to_o one_o person_n only_o first_o then_o my_o position_n be_v that_o whoever_o put_v a_o thing_n true_a to_o himself_o yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o another_o put_v no_o less_o a_o capacity_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v be_v at_o once_o thus_o true_a and_o false_a though_o in_o several_a subject_n than_o as_o if_o it_o be_v in_o one_o subject_n only_o next_o he_o suppose_v each_o of_o those_o different_a judger_n to_o have_v possible_o just_a ground_n for_o so_o judge_v since_o he_o put_v in_o one_o motive_n sufficient_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o other_o possible_a one_o to_o conclude_v its_o falsehood_n for_o our_o question_n be_v not_o to_o what_o degree_n weak_a soul_n can_v miscarry_v in_o assent_v but_o what_o degree_n of_o strength_n be_v find_v in_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n which_o the_o objecter_n as_o a_o christian_a that_o be_v as_o a_o holder_n that_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v truth_n must_v affirm_v to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v it_o true_a and_o yet_o as_o himself_o contend_v leave_v it_o still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v provable_a by_o other_o ground_n to_o be_v so_o for_o else_o the_o word_n false_a can_v mean_v false_a to_o we_o or_o in_o the_o subject_a as_o be_v pretend_v that_o be_v he_o must_v make_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v just_o or_o in_o right_a reason_n hold_v by_o one_o true_a by_o the_o other_o false_a now_o it_o be_v the_o impossibility_n of_o such_o opposite_a ground_n i_o constant_o maintain_v or_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a three_o hence_o i_o go_v far_o and_o urge_v that_o if_o those_o different_a motive_n can_v oblige_v just_o one_o man_n to_o hold_v faith_n true_a the_o other_o to_o hold_v it_o false_a then_o put_v they_o in_o the_o same_o man_n it_o ought_v to_o oblige_v he_o to_o hold_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n and_o this_o enforce_v my_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o my_o three_o eviction_n i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v ready_o answe'rd_v that_o this_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o the_o motive_n be_v disparate_a the_o more_o probable_a one_o will_v when_o in_o the_o same_o subject_n overpower_v the_o other_o and_o so_o hinder_v the_o opposite_a assent_n but_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o intellectual_a motive_n or_o reason_n have_v their_o power_n to_o
none_o have_v the_o least_o actual_a doubt_n or_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n of_o it_o else_o sure_o they_o will_v never_o have_v stay_v in_o they_o inform_v we_o sufficient_o to_o what_o a_o changeable_a totter_a and_o ruinous_a condition_n christian_a faith_n will_v be_v reduce_v by_o these_o principle_n and_o parallel_n no_o few_o than_o three_o house_n fall_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o short_a time_n and_o none_o have_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n beforehand_o of_o such_o a_o event_n therefore_o may_v a_o atheist_n say_v down_o fall_v christian_a faith_n too_o who_o foundation_n be_v by_o this_o doctrine_n but_o parallel_n for_o strength_n to_o the_o other_o or_o if_o it_o fall_v not_o in_o so_o long_a time_n it_o have_v only_o something_o better_a luck_n not_o better_a ground_n than_o have_v the_o three_o house_n as_o for_o the_o object_v unsuitableness_n of_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o i_o require_v it_o be_v reply_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a for_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n than_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o authority_n nothing_o more_o penetrable_a by_o those_o of_o all_o sort_n than_o the_o infallibleness_n and_o veracity_n of_o exceed_o vast_a and_o grave_a authority_n relate_v matter_n of_o fact_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o their_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v a_o q._n elizabeth_n and_o such_o like_a to_o comprehend_v and_o assent_v immovable_o to_o which_o cost_v they_o not_o the_o least_o over_o strain_v as_o the_o obiecter_n imagine_v which_o be_v so_o i_o make_v account_n that_o god_n both_o in_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n can_v &_o in_o his_o goodness_n will_v render_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o church_n the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n as_o evident_a to_o all_o her_o child_n both_o as_o to_o its_o inerrableness_n and_o veracity_n as_o the_o other_o nay_o incomparable_o more_o it_o be_v in_o every_o regard_n so_o requisite_a objection_n vi._n if_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o they_o will_v necessary_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n wherefore_o they_o will_v of_o themselves_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v and_o so_o there_o will_v need_v no_o precedent_n pious_a affection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o yet_o both_o council_n father_n and_o catholic_n divine_v with_o one_o consent_n require_v nay_o more_o be_v not_o such_o a_o pious_a affection_n put_v act_n of_o faith_n will_v not_o be_v free_n answer_n if_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o even_o assent_v to_o humane_a science_n though_o evident_a from_o intrinsecal_n reason_n comprehensible_a by_o our_o understanding_n and_o pure_o speculative_a be_v not_o to_o be_v acquire_v without_o a_o affection_n to_o see_v truth_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o carriage_n of_o mere_a sceptic_n who_o have_v entertain_v a_o conceit_n of_o its_o hopelesness_n come_v thence_o to_o want_v love_n or_o affection_n for_o it_o and_o so_o never_o come_v to_o see_v it_o how_o conclusive_a soever_o the_o reason_n be_v much_o more_o by_o far_o must_v some_o good_a affection_n be_v pre-requisit_a to_o assent_v to_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n which_o be_v obscure_a in_o themselves_o as_o depend_v upon_o authority_n incomprehensible_a to_o our_o natural_a reason_n and_o practical_a that_o be_v obligingly-efficacious_a to_o break_v out_o into_o christian_a action_n or_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o sublunary_a thing_n as_o true_a faith_n must_v be_v the_o first_o obstacle_n of_o the_o three_o mention_v have_v this_o difficulty_n that_o the_o beam_n of_o truth_n which_o come_v direct_o from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v general_o apt_a to_o strike_v our_o understanding_n more_o natural_o penetrate_v it_o more_o deep_o and_o to_o stick_v in_o it_o more_o immovable_o than_o those_o which_o be_v reflect_v to_o we_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o another_o such_o as_o be_v point_n of_o faith_n beside_o the_o new_a difficulty_n of_o see_v the_o veracity_n of_o the_o attester_n which_o how_o evident_a soever_o it_o be_v yet_o it_o put_v the_o understanding_n to_o double_a pain_n whereas_o evidence_n have_v from_o the_o thing_n be_v but_o a_o single_a labour_n and_o so_o less_o confound_v and_o distract_n the_o thought_n the_o second_o obstacle_n incomprehensibleness_n be_v apt_a to_o stupify_v the_o understanding_n and_o retard_v assent_n nay_o even_o to_o deter_v it_o from_o consider_v they_o as_o truth_n the_o atheistical_a temper_n of_o the_o world_n which_o can_v not_o subsist_v be_v metaphysic_n due_o advance_v sufficient_o inform_v we_o how_o difficult_a it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o apply_v and_o fix_v their_o thought_n upon_o those_o considerability_n in_o thing_n and_o those_o nature_n which_o be_v abstract_v from_o matter_n the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o it_o be_v natural_a that_o our_o fancy_n be_v in_o act_n while_o our_o understanding_n be_v so_o and_o there_o be_v not_o proper_a phantasm_n the_o only_a agreeable_a one_o to_o material_a man_n who_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o guide_v their_o judgement_n pure_o by_o principle_n and_o connexion_n of_o term_n which_o suit_n to_o such_o abstract_a conception_n but_o metaphorical_a one_o only_o which_o the_o understanding_n must_v in_o rigour_n deny_v to_o be_v right_a one_o even_o while_o by_o necessity_n it_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o hence_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o so_o the_o object_n and_o principle_n of_o his_o new_a life_n for_o the_o most_o part_n and_o principal_o spiritual_a one_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o for_o this_o very_a regard_n alone_o there_o will_v need_v a_o great_a love_n of_o truth_n and_o spiritual_a good_n to_o make_v the_o understanding_n appliable_a to_o they_o or_o even_o admit_v a_o consideration_n of_o they_o i_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o worthy_a friend_n of_o i_o that_o discourse_v with_o a_o acute_a man_n but_o a_o great_a hater_n of_o metaphysic_n and_o mention_v a_o spirit_n he_o in_o a_o disgust_n break_v out_o into_o these_o word_n let_v we_o talk_v of_o what_o we_o know_v by_o which_o expression_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o mistake_v the_o question_n an_fw-mi est_fw-la for_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la but_o what_o make_v for_o my_o purpose_n be_v that_o the_o unknowableness_n of_o the_o essence_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o spirit_n to_o we_o in_o this_o state_n obstruct_v even_o his_o desire_n to_o consider_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o no_o &_o consequent_o that_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a desire_n or_o affection_n to_o know_v spiritual_a thing_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a even_o to_o entertain_v a_o thought_n of_o their_o be_v much_o more_o to_o conceit_v it_o but_o incomparable_o more_o needful_a be_v such_o a_o affection_n when_o to_o the_o spirituality_n of_o those_o point_n there_o shall_v be_v add_v a_o incomprehensibleness_n nay_o if_o only_o those_o point_n be_v consider_v a_o incredibleness_n when_o no_o parallel_n can_v be_v find_v in_o nature_n nor_o scarce_o any_o similitude_n weak_o to_o shadow_v out_o the_o thing_n and_o its_o possibility_n nay_o when_o some_o of_o those_o point_n direct_o thwart_v the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n whence_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n have_v their_o stability_n then_o i_o say_v if_o ever_o there_o be_v requisite_a a_o affection_n for_o the_o nobleness_n and_o excellency_n of_o those_o high_a spiritual_a object_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a to_o hearken_v to_o any_o authority_n propose_v they_o how_o evident_a soever_o the_o motive_n be_v for_o the_o credibleness_n of_o that_o authority_n the_o three_o obstacle_n follow_v take_v from_o the_o end_n for_o which_o faith_n be_v essential_o ordain_v that_o be_v from_o what_o it_o essential_o be_v viz._n a_o mover_n of_o the_o will_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n or_o a_o practical_a principle_n now_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o this_o 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