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ground_n world_n write_n write_v 37 3 5.0493 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59220 Errour non-plust, or, Dr. Stillingfleet shown to be the man of no principles with an essay how discourses concerning Catholick grounds bear the highest evidence. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1673 (1673) Wing S2565; ESTC R18785 126,507 288

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make_v it_o more_o a_o certainty_n or_o a_o better_a certainty_n which_o make_v the_o conclusiveness_n or_o evidence_n have_v from_o the_o object_n needless_a to_o create_v a_o certainty_n and_o signify_v thus_o much_o in_o plain_a term_n think_v or_o imagine_v what_o you_o will_v so_o you_o imagine_v it_o strong_o and_o hold_v it_o stiff_o you_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o it_o as_o may_v be_v have_v he_o say_v a_o christian_n be_v or_o may_v be_v thus_o certain_a by_o such_o a_o proof_n have_v from_o the_o object_n as_o be_v true_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n how_o genuine_a coherent_a &_o clear_a have_v his_o expression_n be_v which_o now_o be_v force_v incongruous_a and_o obscure_a how_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n as_o all_o mankind_n understand_v it_o which_o now_o be_v most_o irrational_a and_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o same_o nature_n how_o honourable_a and_o creditable_a have_v it_o be_v to_o his_o cause_n and_o to_o himself_o too_o as_o a_o writer_n but_o man_n that_o have_v not_o truth_n on_o their_o side_n and_o consequent_o be_v quite_o destitnte_a of_o find_v principle_n and_o true_a ground_n must_v not_o dare_v to_o speak_v sense_n himself_o tell_v we_o princ._n 20._o that_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n let_v he_o remember_v then_o that_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o a_o firm_a assent_n require_v in_o reason_n the_o high_a gree_n of_o clear_a evidence_n to_o beget_v it_o which_o yet_o he_o late_o deny_v to_o be_v have_v from_o moral_a thing_n and_o attribute_v it_o peculiar_o to_o the_o mathematics_n so_o that_o all_o be_v incoherent_a all_o be_v common_a and_o big_a word_n hollow_a and_o so_o of_o a_o loud_a and_o high_a sound_n but_o without_o any_o determinate_a sense_n again_o how_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o because_o a_o christian_a be_v thus_o certain_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o therefore_o his_o faith_n be_v thereby_o resolve_v into_o the_o scripture_n as_o into_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o believe_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o show_n of_o consequence_n for_o this_o unless_o he_o have_v first_o prove_v that_o god_n have_v intend_v to_o speak_v so_o clear_a in_o the_o scripture_n as_o every_o private_a understanding_n shall_v not_o sail_v of_o be_v secure_v from_o mistake_n while_o it_o rely_v upon_o it_o as_o also_o that_o god_n have_v speak_v to_o we_o no_o other_o way_n but_o by_o the_o write_a word_n which_o he_o have_v no_o where_o prove_v nor_o can_v ever_o prove_v and_o if_o the_o former_a of_o these_o as_o experience_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v be_v want_v it_o be_v not_o a_o rule_n to_o those_o person_n if_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v not_o necessary_o the_o measure_n of_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v 29._o no_o christian_a can_v be_v oblige_v under_o any_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o what_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n himself_o in_o that_o book_n wherein_o he_o believe_v his_o will_n to_o be_v contain_v and_o consequent_o be_v bind_v to_o reject_v whatsoever_o be_v offer_v to_o be_v impose_v upon_o his_o faith_n which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n or_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o which_o rejection_n be_v no_o make_v negative_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o apply_v the_o general_a ground_n of_o faith_n to_o particular_a instance_n as_o because_o i_o believe_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o what_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n therefore_o no_o such_o particular_a thing_n which_o neither_o be_v there_o nor_o can_v be_v deduce_v thence_o if_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o hold_v that_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o whole_a will_n in_o that_o book_n and_o this_o so_o clear_o that_o all_o or_o most_o christian_n can_v not_o miss_v of_o understand_v it_o right_o so_o as_o thereby_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n than_o indeed_o the_o first_o half_a of_o his_o principle_n here_o run_v very_o current_o and_o smooth_o but_o these_o rub_n lie_v still_o in_o the_o way_n which_o dr._n st._n have_v not_o in_o the_o least_o remould_v they_o be_v also_o satisfy_v by_o the_o general_n conceit_n of_o christianity_n and_o by_o the_o nature_n and_o genius_n of_o christian_a faith_n that_o it_o can_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n or_o lie_n and_o consequent_o mu●t_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o can_v possible_o permit_v all_o the_o world_n to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n while_o they_o rely_v on_o they_o that_o be_v ground_n which_o be_v infallible_o secure_a and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n observe_v both_o by_o experience_n and_o reason_n that_o scripture_n be_v not_o such_o a_o ground_n as_o that_o private_a understanding_n apply_v to_o it_o be_v thereby_o perserve_v from_o possibility_n of_o err_v as_o dr._n st._n also_o confess_v in_o his_o next_o principle_n hence_o they_o be_v invite_v strong_o to_o 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and_o whereas_o he_o say_v that_o their_o rejection_n of_o such_o point_n which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n or_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o be_v no_o make_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o apply_v the_o general_a ground_n of_o faith_n to_o particular_a instance_n he_o discourse_v therein_o very_o consonant_o to_o his_o own_o ground_n be_v they_o worth_a any_o thing_n yet_o i_o have_v one_o thing_n to_o propose_v to_o his_o consideration_n which_o be_v that_o to_o justify_v his_o reformer_n he_o must_v produce_v ground_n full_a as_o good_a or_o rather_o better_a for_o the_o rejection_n of_o those_o point_n as_o for_o his_o faith_n or_o to_o speak_v more_o distinct_o he_o must_v have_v as_o perfect_v or_o rather_o perfect_a certainty_n for_o these_o two_o proposition_n nothing_o it_o to_o be_v believe_v which_o have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n and_o this_o or_o that_o reject_a point_n have_v no_o foundation_n in_o scripture_n as_o he_o have_v for_o any_o point_n of_o christian_a faith_n for_o since_o upon_o the_o evidence_n they_o have_v of_o these_o two_o proposition_n they_o disobey_v and_o rebel_v against_o their_o then_o lawful_a superior_n and_o church_n pastor_n and_o break_v church-union_n which_o be_v evident_o forbid_v by_o god_n law_n and_o so_o the_o preserve_a union_n &_o obey_v they_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o themselves_o confess_v be_v such_o and_o bind_v they_o as_o such_o in_o case_n the_o reason_n for_o their_o impose_v new_a point_n be_v not_o valid_a that_o be_v if_o these_o two_o proposition_n on_o who_o evidence_n they_o rely_v when_o they_o allege_v they_o be_v wrongful_o impose_v and_o thence_o reject_v they_o be_v not_o true_a it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v at_o least_o have_v equal_a evidence_n nay_o more_o for_o bare_a equality_n will_v only_o balance_v they_o in_o a_o doubtful_a suspense_n berween_v either_o side_n that_o those_o proposition_n on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o rejection_n of_o those_o article_n and_o disobedience_n to_o their_o pastor_n and_o superior_n be_v true_a as_o they_o have_v for_o their_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o this_o rejection_n ought_v to_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n there_o be_v either_o some_o thing_n wrong_v in_o the_o pretend_a ground_n of_o their_o faith_n or_o else_o their_o negative_a article_n ought_v to_o be_v allow_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v point_n of_o faith_n too_o since_o their_o great_a certainty_n give_v they_o fair_a and_o equal_a title_n to_o it_o if_o not_o absolute_a pre-eminence_n 30._o there_o can_v be_v no_o better_a way_n to_o prevent_v man_n mistake_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o man_n be_v fallible_a be_v subject_a to_o than_o the_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o their_o salvation_n
notion_n fit_v that_o be_v whic_n have_v trn_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o be_v perform_v by_o examine_v which_o of_o they_o be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n if_o apply_v and_o hold_v to_o able_a to_o assure_v we_o infallible_o that_o christ_n taugbt_v thus_o and_o thus_o 10._o and_o for_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n not_o to_o insist_v that_o if_o it_o be_v deny_v as_o many_o if_o not_o all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v be_v by_o some_o or_o other_o or_o mention_v that_o those_o who_o receive_v the_o book_n do_v often_o and_o always_o may_v doubt_v of_o almost_o any_o particular_a text_n allege_v whether_o some_o fault_n through_o malice_n negligence_n or_o weakness_n be_v not_o creep_v into_o it_o in_o which_o case_n the_o letter_n can_v evidence_n it_o self_n but_o needs_o another_o rule_n to_o establish_v it_o i_o say_v not_o to_o insist_v upon_o these_o thing_n which_o yet_o be_v undeniable_a we_o see_v by_o experience_n multitude_n of_o sect_n differ_v from_o one_o another_o and_o some_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n as_o the_o trinity_n and_o godhead_n of_o christ_n yet_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o outward_a letter_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o uncharitable_a but_o even_o impossible_a to_o imagine_v that_o none_o among_o so_o u●st_a multitude_n do_v intend_v to_o follow_v the_o letter_n to_o their_o power_n while_o they_o all_o pro●ess_n to_o reverence_v it_o as_o much_o as_o any_o read_v it_o frequent_o study_v it_o diligent_o quote_v it_o constant_o and_o zealous_o defend_v the_o sense_n which_o they_o conceive_v of_o it_o foe_z far_o that_o many_o be_v even_o ready_a to_o die_v for_o it_o wherefore_o it_o can_v be_v suspect_v but_o they_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o infallible_o teach_v they_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n that_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o they_o contradict_v one_o another_o and_o that_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o bare_a letter_n then_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o not_o be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n able_a to_o assure_v we_o infallible_o though_o we_o follow_v it_o to_o our_o power_n what_o christ_n have_v teach_v i_o will_v not_o be_v mistake_v to_o have_v less_o veneration_n than_o i_o ought_v for_o the_o divine_a book_n who_o excellence_n and_o vsefulness_n as_o it_o be_v beyond_o man_n to_o express_v so_o peradventure_o among_o man_n there_o be_v not_o many_o who_o conceit_n this_o deep_a than_o myself_o and_o i_o be_o sure_a not_o one_o among_o those_o who_o take_v the_o confidence_n to_o charge_v we_o with_o such_o irreverent_a thought_n but_o we_o be_v now_o about_o another_o question_n they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o their_o true_a sense_n be_v faith_n we_o be_v inquire_v out_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n who_o office_n it_o be_v not_o to_o satisfy_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v what_o god_n have_v say_v which_o none_o doubt_v of_o but_o what_o it_o be_v which_o god_n have_v say_v and_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o letter_n alone_o be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o assure_v we_o infallible_o of_o this_o and_o the_o experience_n of_o so_o many_o err_a thousand_o be_v a_o lamentable_a but_o convince_a proof_n of_o it_o 11._o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o need_v but_o common_a sense_n to_o discern_v that_o tradition_n be_v able_a if_o follow_v to_o one_o power_n to_o bring_v infallible_o down_o to_o after_o age_n what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v at_o first_o for_o since_o it_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o delivery_n of_o faith_n by_o daily_o teach_v and_o practice_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o respective_a child_n and_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o man_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o to_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v of_o that_o which_o they_o daily_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v let_v this_o rule_n be_v follow_v to_o one_o power_n that_o be_v let_v child_n resolve_v still_o to_o believe_v and_o practice_v themselves_o what_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o and_o practise_v with_o their_o father_n and_o this_o from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o all_o succeed_a child_n which_o follow_v this_o rule_n must_v needs_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v of_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o be_v teach_v at_o first_o for_o while_o they_o do_v thus_o there_o be_v no_o change_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o change_n it_o be_v the_o same_o tradition_n then_o thus_o understand_v have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v able_a if_o hold_v to_o to_o bring_v down_o infallible_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v 12._o we_o have_v find_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n there_o remain_v to_o find_v which_o body_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v ever_o and_o still_o do_v follow_v this_o rule_n for_o those_o and_o only_o those_o can_v be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o what_o christ_n teach_v that_o be_v can_v only_o have_v true_a faith_n whereas_o all_o the_o rest_n since_o they_o have_v but_o fallible_a ground_n or_o a_o rule_n for_o their_o faith_n which_o may_v deceive_v they_o can_v have_v right_a faith_n but_o opinion_n only_o which_o may_v be_v false_a whereas_o faith_n can_v 13._o and_o first_o it_o be_v a_o strong_a presumption_n that_o those_o many_o particular_a church_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a which_o for_o that_o reason_n be_v call_v roman-catholic_n do_v hold_v their_o doctrine_n by_o this_o infallible_a tenure_n since_o they_o alone_o own_o tradition_n to_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n whereas_o the_o deserter_n of_o that_o church_n write_v whole_a book_n to_o disgrace_n and_o vilify_v it_o and_o since_o no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n will_v go_v about_o to_o weaken_v a_o tenure_n by_o which_o he_o hold_v his_o estate_n it_o be_v a_o manifest_a sign_n that_o the_o deserter_n of_o that_o church_n hold_v not_o their_o faith_n by_o the_o tenure_n of_o tradition_n but_o rather_o acknowledge_v by_o their_o carriage_n that_o tradition_n stand_v against_o they_o and_o that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o renounce_v it_o lest_o it_o shall_v overthrow_v their_o cause_n wherefore_o since_o tradition_n §_o 11._o be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o derive_v christ_n doctrine_n infallible_o down_o to_o after_o age_n they_o by_o renounce_v it_o renounce_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o convey_v the_o docttine_n of_o faith_n certain_o to_o we_o and_o be_v convince_v to_o have_v no_o faith_n but_o only_a opinion_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o even_o to_o oppose_v and_o go_v pointblank_o against_o it_o since_o they_o oppose_v the_o only-sure_a method_n by_o which_o it_o can_v with_o certainty_n come_v down_o to_o we_o 14_o beside_o since_o tradition_n which_o i_o always_o understand_v as_o former_o explicate_v to_o be_v the_o teach_v the_o faith_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n by_o word_n and_o practice_n have_v be_v prove_v the_o only_a infallible_a rule_n of_o faith_n those_o who_o in_o the_o day_n of_o k._n henry_n viii_o and_o since_o have_v desert_v it_o aught_o to_o have_v have_v infallible_a certainty_n that_o we_o recede_v from_o it_o former_o for_o if_o we_o do_v not_o but_o still_o cleave_v to_o it_o it_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o preserve_v the_o true_a faith_n to_o we_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o sure_a we_o do_v not_o they_o know_v not_o but_o we_o have_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o manifest_o condemn_v themselves_o in_o desert_v a_o faith_n which_o for_o aught_o they_o know_v be_v the_o true_a one_o but_o infallible_a certainty_n that_o we_o have_v desert_v this_o rule_n they_o can_v have_v none_o since_o they_o neither_o hold_v the_o father_n infallible_a nor_o their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o unavoidable_o shipwaack_v themselves_o upon_o that_o desperate_a rock_n which_o be_v aggravate_v by_o this_o consideration_n that_o they_o build_v not_o their_o reformation_n upon_o a_o zealous_a care_n of_o right_v tradition_n which_o we_o have_v former_o violate_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o testimonial_a evidence_n as_o shall_v be_v show_v present_o that_o we_o have_v desert_v it_o but_o all_o their_o pretence_n be_v that_o we_o have_v desert_v scripture_n and_o because_o they_o assign_v no_o other_o certain_a mean_n to_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a book_n but_o the_o word_n and_o those_o be_v show_v to_o be_v no_o certain_a mean_n §_o 10._o it_o be_v plain_a the_o reformer_n regard_v not_o at_o all_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n but_o build_v their_o reformation_n upon_o a_o weak_a foundation_n and_o incompetent_a to_o sustain_v such_o a_o building_n whence_o neither_o have_v the_o first_o reformer_n nor_o have_v their_o follower_n faith_n at_o all_o but_o only_a opinion_n 15._o on_o the_o contrary_a since_o it_o be_v know_v and_o
the_o twelve_o have_v nothing_o new_a but_o what_o be_v build_v on_o this_o manifest_a truth_n none_o can_v be_v assure_v without_o mean_n to_o assure_v which_o since_o mean_v speak_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o as_o a_o necessary_a requisite_a a_o end_n s_o to_o be_v compass_v that_o be_v without_o which_o it_o can_v be_v compass_v amount_v to_o this_o self-evident_a truth_n that_o can_v be_v do_v which_o can_v be_v do_v §_o 13._o the_o thirteen_o have_v for_o its_o basis_n this_o undeniable_a verity_n it_o be_v presumable_a that_o they_o who_o constant_o maintain_v a_o tenet_n do_v hold_v the_o same_o tenet_n and_o judge_v it_o available_a to_o their_o cause_n or_o for_o their_o purpose_n and_o that_o they_o who_o write_v against_o it_o and_o vilify_v it_o do_v not_o hold_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n nor_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v available_a to_o their_o cause_n both_o which_o be_v perfect_o the_o same_o with_o this_o proposition_n which_o practice_n make_v self-evident_a man_n not_o frantic_a or_o in_o some_o high_a passion_n will_v not_o act_v direct_o against_o their_o own_o interest_n or_o to_o their_o own_o overthrow_n or_o too_o this_o which_o be_v self-evident_a speculative_o rational_a agent_n leave_v to_o their_o nature_n will_v act_v as_o they_o be_v that_o be_v rational_o the_o rest_n of_o this_o §_o be_v show_v to_o be_v self-evident_a in_o our_o discussion_n of_o the_o 11_o §_o 14._o the_o fourteen_o suppose_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o 11_o 13_o and_o 10_o be_v reduce_v to_o this_o clear_a truth_n they_o act_v irrational_o and_o unjustifiable_o who_o relinquish_v a_o rule_n infallibly-certain_a upon_o uncertain_a ground_n or_o that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o proceed_v upon_o certainty_n than_o uncertainty_n which_o nature_n teach_v all_o mankind_n §_o 15._o the_o fifteen_o contain_v these_o two_o truth_n for_o its_o supporter_n both_o of_o they_o self-evident_a practical_o that_o charge_n be_v irrational_a which_o be_v ground_v on_o a_o thing_n unknown_a to_o the_o accuser_n and_o that_o rational_a which_o be_v ground_v on_o matter_n of_o fact_n notorious_a to_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n §_o 16._o the_o sixteen_o subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o evident_a truth_n a_o universal_a change_n in_o matter_n both_o manifest_a to_o sense_n and_o most_o concern_v must_v needs_o be_v notorious_a which_o engage_v that_o principle_n man_n be_v sensitive_a or_o a_o animal_n whence_o this_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n of_o man_n it_o be_v consequent_o self-evident_a §_o 17._o the_o seventeen_o be_v reduce_v to_o this_o plain_a proposition_n men_n of_o reason_n can_v hold_v and_o own_v themselves_o and_o propose_v to_o other_o point_n most_o difficult_a to_o believe_v upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o come_v from_o christ_n and_o yet_o yield_v nor_o own_o any_o reason_n why_o they_o hold_v they_o come_v from_o christ_n or_o thus_o man_n either_o have_v or_o else_o yield_v no_o reason_n where_o there_o be_v most_o need_n of_o both_o which_o come_v to_o this_o that_o he_o press_v necessity_n which_o be_v the_o most_o violent_a of_o cause_n &_o which_o in_o our_o case_n strain_v humane_a nature_n &_o if_o it_o act_n nor_o frustrate_v it_o of_o its_o end_n have_v no_o effect_n at_o all_o which_o destroy_v all_o causality_n and_o consequent_o all_o science_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 18._o the_o eighteen_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o it_o be_v that_o mankind_n among_o which_o be_v in_o all_o age_n person_n of_o great_a wit_n &_o goodness_n in_o matter_n of_o high_a moment_n and_o which_o require_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a ground_n can_v continue_v to_o hold_v such_o thing_n and_o yet_o confess_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o hold_v it_o naught_o and_o insufficient_a or_o upon_o second_o thought_n go_v about_o to_o settle_v a_o better_a palpable_o and_o direct_o contradict_v their_o own_o pretence_n which_o be_v to_o say_v where_o there_o be_v most_o need_n of_o reason_n man_n do_v not_o use_v it_o at_o all_o and_n since_o effect_n be_v not_o do_v without_o cause_n which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v motive_n and_o the_o great_a necessity_n be_v the_o most_o powerful_a of_o motive_n or_o cause_n if_o that_o move_v they_o not_o to_o act_v rational_o nothing_o will_v do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o imply_v by_o consequence_n the_o contradictory_n to_o this_o identical_a proposition_n rational_a agent_n be_v capable_a to_o act_v rational_o §_o 19_o the_o nineteen_o have_v the_o same_o basis_n with_o the_o 16_o and_o 17_o §_o 20._o the_o 20_o be_v mere_o this_o identical_a proposition_n dilate_a all_n in_o any_o kind_n be_v the_o universality_n or_o all_o in_o that_o kind_n §_o 21_o the_o twenty_o first_o and_o second_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o evident_a truth_n those_o who_o have_v mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o a_o end_n can_v arrive_v at_o that_o end_n and_o those_o who_o have_v not_o mean_n can_v and_o since_o mean_v speak_v that_o which_o make_v a_o end_n compassable_a they_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o wh●●●c●●_n be_v do_v can_v be_v do_v and_o that_o which_o can_v can_v §_o 22._o the_o last_o paragraph_n suppose_v the_o foregoing_a one_o true_a be_v of_o the_o same_o strain_n and_o full_a as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o none_o can_v arrive_v at_o a_o end_n without_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o arrive_v at_o that_o end_n or_o that_o that_o can_v be_v do_v which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v postscript_n have_v thus_o attempt_v to_o reduce_v the_o main_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n concern_v the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n to_o first_o principle_n it_o be_v require_v of_o dr._n st._n that_o in_o maintain_v he_o he_o will_v not_o decline_v the_o same_o test_n this_o if_o he_o think_v it_o safe_a to_o undertake_v it_o will_v quick_o and_o evident_o appear_v on_o who_o side_n truth_n stand_v and_o this_o be_v mainfest_o his_o task_n who_o pretend_v to_o principle_n for_o he_o must_v either_o vouch_v those_o he_o produce_v to_o be_v first_o principle_n or_o reducible_a to_o the_o first_o else_o he_o must_v confess_v they_o to_o be_v none_o at_o all_o i_o have_v little_a hope_n he_o will_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o expose_v his_o discourse_n to_o this_o noon-day-evidence_n nor_o indeed_o will_v the_o genius_n of_o error_n endure_v such_o a_o trial_n as_o the_o go_n about_o to_o connect_v it_o with_o first_o and_o self-evident_a truth_n for_o what_o communication_n can_v that_o darkness_n have_v with_o this_o clear_a light_n and_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v clearness_n of_o style_n that_o be_v a_o grammatical_a or_o rhetorical_a clearness_n and_o not_o a_o logical_a or_o rational_a one_o which_o consist_v in_o resolve_v his_o discourse_n into_o first_o principle_n that_o dr._n tillotson_n boast_o attribute_v to_o he_o in_o his_o sermon-preface_n for_o himself_o as_o be_v evident_a by_o his_o whole_a way_n of_o writing_n never_o dream_v of_o any_o other_o it_o be_v more_o to_o dr._n st_n purpose_n which_o be_v to_o keep_v thing_n from_o be_v understand_v to_o avoid_v by_o all_o mean_v this_o discover_v method_n and_o all_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n whence_o he_o foresee_v no_o small_a danger_n of_o too_o great_a evidence_n be_v likely_a to_o spring_v and_o to_o lead_v his_o reader_n into_o a_o wilderness_n of_o word_n whole_a library_n of_o author_n where_o by_o his_o way_n of_o manage_v citation_n which_o be_v by_o criticise_v upon_o ambiguous_a word_n and_o phrase_n they_o may_v dance_v in_o the_o maze_n till_o they_o be_v weary_a i_o hear_v he_o be_v about_o this_o stratagem_n and_o that_o he_o aim_v out_o of_o some_o high_a expression_n of_o the_o father_n concern_v the_o excellency_n and_o selfsufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o prove_v the_o vselesness_n of_o the_o church_n to_o ascertain_v faith_n but_o alas_o how_o he_o will_v be_v defeat_v not_o one_o testimony_n of_o any_o authority_n will_v be_v find_v which_o come_v home_o to_o his_o purpose_n or_o prove_v that_o private_a man_n need_v not_o the_o church_n interpretation_n ere_o they_o can_v secure_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o it_o to_o save_v he_o therefore_o the_o labour_n of_o collect_v and_o print_v multitude_n of_o these_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o his_o reader_n from_o the_o fruitless_a toil_n of_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o impertinence_n i_o produce_v he_o one_o out_o of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n worth_n thousand_o for_o it_o speak_v with_o as_o high_a reverence_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o fullness_n perfection_n and_o selfsufficiency_n as_o any_o perhaps_o more_o and_o so_o he_o can_v not_o with_o any_o reason_n except_o against_o it_o and_o be_v intend_v purposely_o to_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o apposite_a decider_n of_o the_o question_n that_o can_v be_v not_o to_o add_v the_o acceptation_n and_o esteem_n that_o excellent_a treatise_n