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
the_o power_n to_o make_v one_o see_v intellectual_o the_o thing_n be_v or_o assent_v join_v with_o this_o that_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v not_o see_v those_o term_n be_v opposite_a or_o inconnectible_a the_o soul_n become_v hereupon_o as_o it_o be_v environ_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o intellectual_a darkness_n and_o see_v not_o which_o way_n to_o step_v forward_o without_o danger_n of_o harm_v hor_o cognoscitive_a or_o truth-affecting_a nature_n by_o error_n whence_o she_o remain_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o neutral_a condition_n which_o we_o call_v suspense_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v well_o note_v that_o this_o suspensive_a condition_n of_o the_o soul_n not_o be_v a_o state_n of_o actuality_n or_o determination_n much_o less_o of_o utmost_a actuality_n as_o be_v the_o see_v by_o virtue_n of_o that_o main_a principle_n beforenamed_a that_o a_o thing_n be_v but_o of_o indetermination_n potentiality_n and_o confusedness_n its_o nature_n admit_v consequent_o infinite_a degree_n according_a as_o the_o appearance_n which_o incline_v she_o towards_o assent_n or_o dissent_n be_v great_a or_o less_o moreover_o as_o in_o the_o pass_n from_o indetermination_n to_o determination_n for_o example_n in_o a_o motion_n to_o a_o terminus_n of_o rest_n there_o be_v diverse_a approach_n of_o that_o motion_n quantity_n so_o very_a near_o the_o terminus_n or_o end_n that_o their_o distance_n be_v undiscernible_a to_o a_o vulgar_a eye_n and_o needs_o exact_a skill_n to_o distinguish_v they_o so_o it_o happen_v here_o that_o there_o must_v necessary_o be_v find_v divers_a inclination_n or_o approach_n towards_o assent_n which_o have_v so_o small_a a_o degree_n of_o suspense_n in_o they_o that_o they_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o absolute_a assent_n but_o by_o a_o learned_a reflecter_n and_o the_o way_n he_o take_v to_o distinguish_v they_o must_v be_v to_o observe_v whether_o the_o understanding_n act_v reflect_o that_o be_v look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o own_o act_n find_v there_o that_o it_o absolute_o yield_v itself_o over_o to_o judge_n the_o thing_n be_v existent_a or_o true_a or_o whether_o it_o only_a judge_n it_o very_o probable_a or_o truthlikely_a for_o any_o assent_n to_o the_o great_a likelihood_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v as_o far_o from_o be_v a_o assent_n to_o the_o thing_n existence_n as_o the_o notion_n of_o existent_n or_o true_a be_v from_o the_o notion_n of_o very_a likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o the_o assent_n to_o the_o former_a be_v not_o actual_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o late_a yet_o tend_v towards_o it_o as_o it_o do_v then_o it_o be_v potential_a in_o respect_n of_o it_o and_o so_o include_v some_o degree_n of_o suspense_n which_o defect_n only_o can_v in_o our_o present_a case_n hinder_v the_o other_o from_o be_v actual_o it_o according_a to_o our_o former_a discourse_n assent_n then_o to_o the_o mere_a likelihood_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v or_o at_o least_o imply_v suspense_n of_o its_o existence_n §_o 2._o another_o thing_n which_o incline_v man_n to_o confound_v the_o assent_n to_o the_o likelihood_n of_o a_o thing_n with_o the_o assent_n to_o its_o existence_n or_o truth_n be_v habituation_n or_o custom_n for_o man_n be_v use_v to_o proceed_v natural_o to_o outward_a action_n upon_o a_o very_a high_a probability_n without_o more_o ado_n or_o examination_n they_o be_v hence_o apt_a to_o apprehend_v that_o a_o conceit_n which_o have_v so_o little_a and_o so_o undiscernible_a a_o proportion_n of_o suspense_n in_o it_o be_v a_o perfect_a assent_n and_o that_o because_o the_o soul_n quite_o yield_v to_o the_o motive_n as_o to_o exterior_a action_n therefore_o it_o yield_v likewise_o as_o to_o interior_n assent_n whereas_o by_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o act_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o by_o retrive_v its_o ground_n we_o come_v to_o discover_v that_o however_o the_o soul_n run_v prompt_o and_o rational_o to_o outward_a action_n upon_o such_o a_o motive_n when_o she_o be_v concern_v to_o act_n even_o after_o deliberation_n yet_o not_o so_o to_o interior_a assent_n if_o she_o act_v rational_o but_o upon_o reflection_n find_v in_o herself_o nothing_o to_o fix_v in_o she_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o elevate_v it_o beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o not-being_a or_o be_v false_a she_o hang_v back_o from_o assent_v the_o thing_n be_v and_o be_v constrain_v to_o say_v interior_o or_o acknowledge_v in_o she_o own_o breast_n she_o may_v possible_o be_v mistake_v and_o the_o thing_n possible_o be_v not-existent_a for_o aught_o she_o see_v which_o restrain_v she_o from_o true_o assent_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v §_o 3._o a_o instance_n will_v render_v our_o discourse_n clear_a it_o be_v propose_v then_o for_o example_n to_o our_o judge_a power_n whether_o america_n be_v or_o no_o and_o we_o will_v suppose_v to_o avoid_v a_o dispute_v case_n the_o evidence_n of_o authority_n have_v convince_v the_o understanding_n it_o once_o be_v by_o the_o impossibility_n the_o several_a attester_n shall_v either_o be_v deceive_v in_o a_o plain_a object_n of_o eyesight_n or_o have_v a_o common_a motive_n able_a to_o make_v they_o conspire_v to_o bely_v their_o eye_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o it_o be_v now_o or_o no._n and_o the_o uncouthness_n and_o unlikelihood_n that_o so_o vast_a a_o place_n shall_v be_v destroy_v join_v with_o the_o customariness_n of_o act_v upon_o a_o very_a great_a probability_n make_v he_o who_o be_v to_o act_v in_o order_n to_o it_o for_o example_n send_v a_o ship_n thither_o proceed_v to_o his_o intend_a outward_a action_n fearless_o and_o esteem_v he_o mad_a who_o desi_v upon_o a_o conceit_n of_o so_o unlikely_a a_o failure_n for_o since_o all_o action_n be_v in_o particular_n and_o particular_n be_v the_o very_a sphere_n of_o contingency_n it_o follow_v that_o we_o must_v not_o act_v at_o all_o if_o we_o expect_v demonstration_n of_o the_o several_a object_n and_o adjunct_n of_o our_o outward_a action_n whence_o he_o deserve_v just_o to_o be_v account_v frantic_a who_o shall_v desist_v from_o action_n where_o there_o be_v so_o high_a a_o probability_n for_o this_o extravagant_a cautiousness_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o take_v away_o the_o motive_n to_o any_o exterior_a action_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o all_o such_o action_n itself_o but_o now_o let_v two_o speculater_n or_o scholar_n meet_v together_o who_o consider_v not_o the_o practicableness_n but_o mere_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n and_o aim_v not_o to_o better_v their_o purse_n by_o merchandize_v or_o outward_a endeavour_n but_o their_o understanding_n by_o rightly-made_a judgement_n or_o assent_n that_o be_v by_o knowledge_n and_o we_o shall_v see_v their_o work_n on_o the_o point_n turn_v upon_o other_o hinge_n in_o the_o other_o there_o be_v necessity_n of_o act_v without_o which_o the_o world_n can_v not_o subsist_v but_o here_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o assent_v which_o we_o suppose_v only_o aim_v at_o at_o present_a nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o unless_o that_o principle_n or_o cause_n of_o all_o assent_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o come_v to_o exercise_v its_o overpower_v virtue_n upon_o the_o soul_n there_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o prudential_a consideration_n discover_v a_o betterness_n to_o act_v exterior_o all_o thing_n weigh_v to_o which_o need_v not_o a_o severity_n of_o principle_n force_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o here_o those_o principle_n which_o be_v the_o maxim_n of_o metaphysic_n or_o supreme_a wisdom_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n to_o be_v consult_v and_o the_o prudential_a weigh_v of_o particular_n avail_v little_a or_o nothing_o towards_o the_o secure_a establishment_n of_o the_o truth_n aim_v at_o there_o some_o harm_n be_v likely_a to_o ensue_v if_o they_o act_v not_o exterior_o and_o go_v not_o about_o their_o work_n but_o here_o no_o harm_n at_o all_o can_v come_v by_o not_o act_v interior_o i_o mean_v by_o not-assenting_a but_o suspending_a till_o the_o beam_n of_o truth_n by_o the_o fountain-light_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n clear_v their_o understanding_n rather_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o great_a harm_n be_v certain_a to_o ensue_v upon_o assent_v in_o that_o case_n that_o be_v a_o injury_n to_o reason_n their_o true_a nature_n by_o conclude_v without_o see_v a_o middle_a term_n connect_v the_o two_o extreme_n on_o which_o every_o act_n of_o right_a reason_n be_v build_v these_o scholar_n then_o or_o pursuer_n of_o truth_n consult_v with_o speculative_a not_o practical_a principle_n to_o guide_v their_o assent_n by_o they_o be_v certain_a that_o such_o a_o effect_n as_o be_v the_o destruction_n of_o america_n can_v be_v without_o a_o cause_n and_o experience_n tell_v they_o such_o cause_n seldom_o or_o never_o happen_v yet_o know_v that_o all_o material_a thing_n have_v contingency_n annex_v to_o their_o nature_n and_o not_o discover_v any_o evident_a principle_n in_o nature_n hinder_v the_o
affection_n pre-requisit_a to_o faith_n derogate_v nothing_o from_o its_o certainty_n but_o be_v perfect_o consistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o generate_v it_o and_o that_o the_o governor_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n though_o propose_v the_o most_o convince_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o authority_n convey_v down_o faith_n to_o we_o can_v prevail_v nothing_o unless_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n by_o his_o peculiar_a power_n plant_v antecedent_o in_o their_o heart_n this_o good_a disposition_n and_o prepare_v terram_fw-la bonam_fw-la that_o their_o endeavour_n may_v take_v effect_n and_o the_o sower_n seed_n take_v root_n no_o more_o than_o paul_n though_o miraculous_a can_v convert_v all_o that_o see_v his_o miracle_n or_o hear_v his_o preach_a but_o only_o such_o who_o heart_n god_n open_v as_o he_o do_v lydia_n it_o appear_v also_o by_o the_o same_o discourse_n how_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v free_a that_o be_v as_o depend_v on_o this_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n which_o set_v the_o understanding_n on_o work_n to_o consider_v the_o motive_n and_o so_o produce_v they_o the_o whole_a humane_a action_n be_v free_a because_o the_o will_n order_v it_o though_o she_o do_v not_o produce_v it_o all_o or_o though_o freedom_n be_v not_o formal_o in_o the_o body_n so_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v free_a because_o it_o be_v order_v by_o the_o will_n which_o be_v free_a though_o no_o freedom_n be_v find_v in_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v incapable_a of_o such_o a_o qualification_n but_o pure_a necessity_n of_o assent_v when_o the_o motive_n be_v see_v to_o be_v conclusive_a no_o need_n then_o be_v there_o upon_o any_o account_n of_o a_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n to_o piece_n out_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o believe_v and_o to_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v beyond_o the_o motive_n that_o be_v assent_n to_o a_o degree_n beyond_o what_o it_o have_v reason_n to_o do_v a_o impossibility_n in_o humane_a nature_n right_o and_o connatural_o govern_v and_o i_o much_o fear_v no_o small_a disgrace_n to_o christian_a faith_n consider_v the_o obstinate_a bent_n of_o the_o church_n adversary_n to_o confound_v the_o speculative_a thought_n of_o divine_n explain_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n less_o careful_o with_o their_o sentiment_n issue_v natural_o from_o they_o as_o christian_n nay_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n itself_o what_o can_v revince_o be_v reply_v to_o a_o atheist_n object_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o christian_n make_v the_o evidence_n of_o faith_n ground_n stand_v need_v to_o be_v pec_v out_o by_o obscurity_n our_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o ignorance_n and_o the_o rationality_n of_o they_o by_o will_n without_o reason_n that_o be_v wilfulness_n wherefore_o i_o carnest_o obtest_v and_o beseech_v even_o per_fw-la viscera_fw-la 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
of_o sure_a foot_n but_o the_o former_a only_o indeed_o in_o my_o first_o discourse_n there_o i_o endeavour_v to_o evince_v this_o truth_n from_o par_fw-fr 1._o to_o par_fw-fr 17._o by_z diverse_a argument_n but_o because_o mr._n t._n wave_v the_o speak_n to_o those_o premise_n as_o they_o tend_v to_o infer_v my_o conclusion_n and_o only_o discourse_v a_o little_a mistake_o against_o the_o conclusion_n themselves_o therefore_o be_v resolve_v to_o write_v a_o treatise_n to_o establish_v christian_a faith_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o apply_v it_o to_o his_o proceedure_n there_o that_o so_o i_o may_v both_o more_o forcible_o invite_v he_o to_o that_o necessary_a though_o neglect_a duty_n and_o withal_o that_o by_o settle_v the_o existence_n &_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n first_o i_o may_v clear_v the_o way_n methodical_o to_o discover_v what_o and_o only_o what_o can_v be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o possible_o in_o my_o next_o treatise_n if_o mr._n t._n and_o mr._n st._n think_v fit_a to_o continue_v on_o this_o discourse_n forward_o by_o answer_v this_o they_o may_v by_o deny_v that_o in_o true_a speech_n the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n or_o faith_n be_v true_a oblige_v i_o to_o begin_v yet_o high_o and_o make_v use_n of_o such_o medium_n as_o be_v more_o direct_a and_o immediate_o fit_a to_o confute_v atheism_n the_o understand_a reader_n will_v easy_o pardon_v the_o speculativeness_n of_o this_o treatise_n in_o great_a part_n of_o it_o if_o he_o reflect_v that_o discourse_n build_v on_o intrinsecal_n medium_n and_o manage_v in_o the_o way_n of_o severe_a reason_n do_v natural_o nay_o most_o necessary_o bear_v up_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n yet_o by_o the_o harmony_n and_o connexion_n of_o truth_n with_o one_o another_o there_o will_v be_v find_v also_o very_a many_o proof_n fair_o intelligible_a by_o the_o middle_a sort_n of_o prudential_n man_n especial_o in_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o practice_n and_o if_o i_o flatter_v not_o myself_o some_o proof_n and_o those_o convince_v one_o too_o suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n this_o comfort_n my_o reader_n may_v expect_v to_o reap_v by_o this_o procedure_n that_o it_o must_v forcible_o shorten_v dispute_n and_o bring_v controversy_n after_o a_o while_n to_o a_o period_n unless_o our_o adversary_n be_v still_o obstinate_o bend_v to_o play_v the_o droll_n instead_o of_o sober_o and_o pertinent_o dispute_v for_o hardly_o can_v error_n hide_v her_o deformity_n when_o she_o be_v expose_v naked_a to_o the_o view_n of_o rational_a nature_n in_o the_o noon-day-light_n of_o first-principle_n faith_n vindicated_n from_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n first_o eviction_n §_o 1._o i_o lay_v for_o the_o basis_n of_o my_o present_a discourse_n these_o two_o proposition_n 1._o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o hold_v firm_o profess_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o even_o with_o postulata_fw-la the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n that_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n 2._o none_o can_v be_v thus_o oblige_v to_o hold_v profess_v and_o maintain_v that_o to_o be_v truth_n which_o they_o know_v not_o to_o be_v so_o the_o late_a of_o these_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o god_n the_o imposer_n of_o this_o obligation_n be_v good_a for_o how_o unworthy_a his_o infinite_a goodness_n be_v it_o to_o will_v that_o rational_a nature_n or_o mankind_n shall_v act_v irrational_o by_o hold_v firm_o what_o it_o have_v no_o firm_a ground_n to_o hold_v that_o be_v what_o it_o know_v not_o to_o be_v so_o or_o to_o sacrifice_v its_o very_a be_v to_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n concern_v which_o if_o it_o work_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n the_o nature_n god_n have_v give_v it_o and_o deviate_v not_o from_o that_o by_o a_o weak_a credulity_n it_o can_v never_o be_v perfect_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o truth_n which_o it_o can_v never_o be_v if_o notwithstanding_o all_o it_o know_v they_o yet_o may_v possible_o be_v falsehood_n no_o man_n in_o true_a morality_n ought_v to_o say_v what_o he_o know_v not_o much_o less_o so_o asseverant_o as_o to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n as_o for_o the_o former_a proposition_n which_o i_o account_v most_o fundamental_a to_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n i_o be_o to_o declare_v that_o by_o hold_v etc._n etc._n a_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o truth_n i_o understand_v the_o hold_v that_o the_o thing_n absolute_o in_o reality_n or_o indeed_o be_v so_o as_o i_o judge_v whence_o to_o this_o hold_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v truth_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o a_o man_n hold_v it_o be_v so_o to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o judgement_n but_o it_o be_v require_v moreover_o that_o he_o hold_v he_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o make_v such_o a_o judgement_n and_o this_o because_o he_o hold_v his_o thought_n conformable_a to_o the_o thing_n for_o this_o settle_v verity_n or_o truth_n on_o its_o proper_a and_o firm_a foundation_n the_o thing_n and_o not_o on_o the_o unstable_a motion_n of_o his_o judgement_n as_o do_v the_o other_o my_o first_o and_o chief_a postulatum_fw-la thus_o understand_v i_o esteem_v to_o be_v self-evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o christianity_n take_v in_o its_o large_a sense_n as_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n set_v aside_o that_o sort_n of_o speculater_n i_o mean_v those_o of_o our_o modern_a adversary_n against_o who_o i_o dispute_v at_o present_a and_o of_o who_o the_o question_n be_v now_o agitate_a whether_o they_o be_v indeed_o to_o be_v hold_v right_a christian_n or_o no._n and_o i_o conceive_v that_o he_o who_o shall_v deny_v it_o must_v be_v bind_v to_o put_v the_o contradictory_n position_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o christian_n be_v not_o bind_v firm_o to_o hold_v profess_v and_o maintain_v with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o its_o likelihood_n only_o he_o that_o affirm_v this_o if_o he_o will_v be_v hold_v a_o christian_a be_v to_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o contrary_a sentiment_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n from_o who_o he_o dissent_v in_o so_o fundamental_a a_o point_n as_o be_v the_o right_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o profess_v and_o which_o it_o so_o high_o import_v they_o to_o know_v that_o be_v indeed_o in_o right_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n if_o he_o be_v no_o christian_n yet_o hold_v the_o godhead_n it_o be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v partly_o from_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n both_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a which_o it_o be_v ordain_v to_o master_n partly_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n oblige_v he_o to_o lay_v mean_v proportion_v to_o a_o intend_a end_n or_o to_o establish_v every_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o concern_v that_o depend_v on_o it_o which_o concern_v in_o our_o case_n be_v the_o high_a imaginable_a to_o wit_n the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n the_o end_n of_o create_v those_o very_a entity_n on_o which_o the_o certitude_n of_o science_n be_v build_v or_o last_o if_o he_o be_v a_o atheist_n the_o deity_n and_o its_o attribute_n be_v first_o to_o be_v demonstrate_v as_o also_o what_o be_v man_n summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la and_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o it_o and_o then_o the_o nature_n and_o certitude_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o of_o its_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v suppose_v then_o my_o late_a postulatum_fw-la to_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o that_o know_v there_o be_v a_o wise_a and_o good_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o understand_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o morality_n and_o my_o former_a postulatum_fw-la to_o be_v clear_a and_o undeniable_a matter_n of_o fact_n to_o those_o who_o converse_v with_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o to_o have_v unavoidable_a force_n upon_o all_o that_o will_v be_v hold_v professor_n thereof_o i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o proceed_v upon_o they_o and_o first_o logic_n who_o proper_a office_n it_o be_v to_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o action_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o rational_a and_o as_o it_o be_v to_o anatomize_v her_o thought_n take_v up_o the_o discourse_n and_o proceed_v thus_o §_o 2._o truth_n be_v find_v in_o proposition_n evidence_n a_o proposition_n consist_v of_o two_o notion_n call_v subject_a and_o predicate_v and_o a_o three_o who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o connect_v they_o whence_o to_o know_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v truth_n or_o true_a be_v to_o see_v the_o connexion_n between_o the_o two_o notion_n speak_v of_o or_o to_o see_v that_o the_o three_o true_o connect_v they_o now_o there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n imaginable_a abstract_v from_o experience_n how_o this_o may_v be_v see_v either_o by_o see_v immediate_o that_o those_o two_o notion_n be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o out_o of_o the_o very_a notion_n themselves_o or_o
be_v not_o reducible_a to_o these_o ground_n nay_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o person_n who_o declare_v against_o have_v any_o such_o ground_n for_o faith_n signify_v just_a as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v i_o beseech_v you_o sir_n be_v so_o good_a nature_a as_o to_o believe_v i_o though_o to_o tell_v you_o true_a i_o acknowledge_v sincere_o neither_o can_v i_o bring_v nor_o can_v there_o possible_o be_v bring_v any_o ground_n able_a to_o make_v good_a what_o i_o say_v or_o any_o undeniable_a premise_n to_o force_v my_o conclusion_n three_o eviction_n §_o 1._o thus_o far_o logic_n let_v we_o see_v next_o subject_a what_o nature_n and_o metaphysic_n say_v to_o the_o point_n in_o which_o quest_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o leave_v logick_n assistance_n and_o first_o these_o science_n assure_v we_o that_o as_o all_o capacity_n of_o different_a being_n spring_n from_o first_o matter_n so_o all_o capacity_n of_o contrary_a determination_n arise_v from_o what_o we_o call_v potentiality_n or_o indifferency_n in_o the_o subject_a now_o the_o subject_a in_o our_o present_a case_n be_v not_o so_o much_o our_o mere_a faculty_n of_o understanding_n as_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n itself_o in_o our_o soul_n or_o the_o judge_a power_n of_o our_o soul_n consider_v precise_o as_o affect_v with_o these_o point_n for_o it_o be_v these_o or_o our_o judge_a power_n take_v mere_o as_o conversant_a about_o these_o that_o be_v our_o judgement_n which_o our_o opponent_n must_v affirm_v true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o therefore_o both_o the_o point_n themselves_o and_o our_o judgement_n consist_v formal_o in_o affirmation_n and_o negation_n that_o be_v in_o be_v and_o be_v not_o which_o be_v indivisible_a and_o constitute_v such_o by_o a_o formality_n the_o most_o formal_a and_o actual_a that_o can_v be_v as_o have_v be_v show_v they_o can_v have_v as_o such_o no_o indifferency_n or_o potentiality_n in_o they_o to_o the_o contrary_a neither_o natural_a nor_o metaphysical_a nor_o consequent_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n §_o 2._o the_o position_n of_o our_o adversary_n falsehood_n be_v still_o render_v more_o absurd_a by_o this_o consideration_n that_o even_o in_o nature_n where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a potentiality_n that_o be_v viz._n first_o matter_n the_o subject_n be_v not_o yet_o capable_a of_o opposite_a quality_n at_o once_o but_o successive_o at_o least_o in_o the_o same_o part_n whereas_o their_o position_n be_v not_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v now_o true_a be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a afterward_o upon_o the_o alteration_n of_o some_o contingent_a matter_n but_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a now_o to_o be_v false_a or_o possible_a to_o be_v now_o false_a for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n know_v that_o be_v the_o understanding_n may_v have_v possible_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o it_o at_o once_o and_o as_o to_o the_o same_o part_n or_o point_n §_o 3._o but_o it_o be_v still_o far_o more_o irrational_a true_a in_o regard_n these_o seem_a contrary_n true_a and_o false_a apply_v to_o the_o proposition_n we_o speak_v of_o have_v in_o they_o the_o perfect_a nature_n of_o contradictory_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o in_o those_o which_o speak_v de_fw-la praesenti_fw-la one_o shall_v be_v express_v by_o be_v existent_a the_o other_o by_o be_v not_o existent_a as_o it_o be_v in_o those_o which_o speak_v preterit_o and_o future_o that_o one_o shall_v be_v express_v by_o have_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v the_o other_o by_o have_v not_o be_v or_o shall_v not_o be_v to_o think_v than_o they_o can_v at_o once_o be_v true_a and_o false_a be_v to_o judge_v that_o contradictory_n may_v be_v verify_v of_o the_o same_o or_o that_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n may_v be_v true_a §_o 4._o again_o truth_n be_v a_o conformity_n thing_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n and_o falsehood_n a_o disconformity_n to_o say_v a_o proposition_n be_v true_a and_o yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o mind_n consider_v as_o judge_o conversant_a about_o that_o proposition_n may_v be_v at_o once_o conformable_a and_o disconformable_a to_o the_o same_o thing_n too_o wild_a a_o position_n to_o be_v introduce_v into_o a_o rational_a nature_n by_o any_o thing_n but_o such_o a_o wilful_a and_o blind_a passion_n as_o must_v first_o actual_o corrupt_a and_o in_o fine_a tend_v to_o destroy_v the_o very_a nature_n itself_o §_o 5._o and_o to_o void_a this_o thesis_n from_o all_o contradiction_n possible_a evasion_n here_o can_v be_v no_o different_a respect_n according_a to_o which_o these_o affirmation_n and_o negation_n may_v be_v make_v so_o to_o avoid_v contradiction_n but_o all_o such_o respect_n be_v exclude_v both_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o predicate_v in_o most_o of_o those_o proposition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v evict_v 1._o §_o 5._o as_o also_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o abstract_n descend_v nor_o to_o nor_o meddle_v with_o subsume_a respect_n but_o have_v their_o notion_n complete_v in_o the_o common_a word_n which_o express_v they_o and_o last_o because_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o distinction_n and_o respect_n for_o however_o a_o proposition_n take_v into_o consideration_n and_o scan_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o may_v admit_v respect_n and_o distinction_n and_o so_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v in_o this_o regard_n true_a in_o that_o false_a yet_o what_o be_v once_o accept_v to_o be_v true_a can_v in_o any_o respect_n afterward_o be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a or_o false_a for_o example_n this_o proposition_n a_o ethiopian_a be_v white_a be_v distinguish_v by_o respect_n to_o several_a part_n and_o in_o regard_n to_o his_o tooth_n it_o be_v true_a to_o his_o skin_n it_o be_v false_a but_o after_o those_o respect_n have_v distinguish_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o it_o and_o so_o by_o divide_v it_o into_o two_o proposition_n settle_v one_o to_o be_v true_a the_o other_o to_o be_v false_a there_o can_v be_v no_o further_o use_v of_o respect_n or_o distinction_n which_o be_v to_o antecede_v to_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n by_o clear_v the_o doubtfulness_n of_o proposition_n and_o can_v have_v no_o place_n after_o the_o truth_n be_v once_o acknowledge_v or_o supervene_v to_o it_o he_o than_o that_o once_o acknowledge_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n can_v have_v no_o assistance_n from_o recourse_n to_o this_o and_o the_o other_o respect_n to_o evade_v a_o contradiction_n when_o he_o affirm_v they_o may_v be_v false_a §_o 6._o again_o it_o be_v particular_o opposite_a soul_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o soul_n to_o have_v such_o a_o act_n in_o she_o as_o to_o judge_n a_o thing_n true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o our_o soul_n as_o to_o her_o judge_a power_n be_v essential_o a_o capacity_n of_o truth_n whence_o the_o first_o principle_n which_o ground_n all_o truth_n be_v so_o connatural_a to_o she_o that_o she_o can_v but_o embrace_v they_o and_o judge_v they_o true_a nothing_o therefore_o be_v more_o opposite_a to_o truth_n than_o a_o contradiction_n it_o follow_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o impossible_a to_o be_v receive_v or_o subject_v in_o the_o soul_n according_a to_o her_o judge_a power_n than_o a_o contradiction_n that_o be_v no_o implicatory_a or_o contradictory_n act_n can_v settle_v there_o now_o to_o judge_v a_o proposition_n or_o point_n to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o judge_v the_o thing_n to_o exist_v just_a as_o it_o affirm_v and_o to_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v to_o judge_v it_o possible_a not_o to_o exist_v as_o it_o affirm_v and_o this_o not_o in_o order_n to_o different_a time_n but_o the_o same_o that_o be_v to_o judge_v a_o proposition_n or_o point_n true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v the_o same_o as_o to_z judge_v the_o thing_n actual_o be_v and_o yet_o perhaps_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o this_o as_o appear_v by_o our_o former_a discourse_n not_o to_o be_v avoid_v in_o our_o case_n by_o difference_n or_o diversity_n of_o respect_n wherefore_o since_o such_o a_o act_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v in_o the_o judge_a power_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o he_o who_o hold_v one_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n can_v possible_o hold_v the_o other_o that_o be_v he_o who_o hold_v faith_n may_v be_v false_a can_v hold_v that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v hold_v and_o profess_v to_o be_v true_a it_o ought_v also_o to_o be_v hold_v and_o profess_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o moreover_o the_o soul_n antecedent_o point_n to_o its_o be_v inform_v by_o the_o object_n be_v indifferent_a and_o undetermined_a to_o judge_v it_o true_a or_o false_a that_o be_v to_o be_v or_o not_o to_o be_v but_o when_o it_o
real_o since_o this_o motive_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o other_o judgement_n and_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v be_v so_o in_o reality_n and_o depend_v on_o the_o same_o incompossibility_n of_o be_v and_o not-being_n or_o on_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o notion_n be_v and_o last_o on_o a_o maxim_n as_o evident_a as_o what_o be_v most_o namely_o that_o the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o whence_o i_o make_v account_n whoever_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o affirm_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v or_o be_v true_a that_o be_v be_v more_o than_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a have_v withal_o true_a ground_n to_o affirm_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o who_o confess_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a disclaim_v any_o true_a ground_n of_o judge_v or_o profess_v it_o be_v or_o be_v true_a and_o so_o judge_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n to_o be_v but_o a_o high_a probability_n or_o a_o good_a likelihood_n at_o most_o which_o be_v enough_o for_o plausible_a talker_n but_o fall_v far_o short_a of_o make_v a_o man_n a_o true_a christian._n §_o 3._o and_o hence_o we_o may_v with_o horror_n and_o pity_n reflect_v upon_o the_o perniciousness_n of_o heresy_n in_o corrupt_v the_o understanding_n that_o eye_n who_o defect_n fill_v as_o our_o saviour_n discourse_v it_o the_o whole_a body_n with_o darkness_n by_o subvert_v fundamental_o all_o those_o principle_n in_o which_o the_o common_a light_n of_o all_o knowledge_n consist_v and_o pervert_v as_o much_o as_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n establish_v by_o our_o creator_n will_v suffer_v it_o that_o very_a faculty_n which_o make_v we_o man_n in_o what_o be_v most_o intrinsical_v and_o essential_a to_o it_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n that_o be_v despoil_v it_o quite_o of_o all_o intellectual_a perfection_n due_a to_o its_o nature_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o argument_n §_o 4._o can_v any_o discourse_n be_v take_v high_a than_o from_o first_o principles_n yes_o in_o some_o sort_n there_o can_v that_o be_v from_o the_o first_o cause_n or_o be_v or_o à _fw-la patre_fw-la luminum_fw-la the_o father_n of_o light_n from_o who_o all_o create_a nature_n whence_o those_o principle_n be_v borrow_v and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o our_o understanding_n itself_o where_o they_o be_v find_v derive_v their_o origin_n this_o first_o be_v metaphysic_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v self_n existent_a that_o be_v infinite_a and_o unlimited_a in_o existence_n and_o consequent_o in_o all_o perfection_n among_o which_o since_o to_o be_v a_o self-determination_n to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n be_v one_o god_n have_v or_o rather_o be_v that_o too_o it_o be_v then_o according_a to_o right_a reason_n to_o do_v what_o be_v see_v clear_o to_o be_v best_a all_o thing_n consider_v god_n see_v what_o be_v absolute_o best_a must_v therefore_o be_v self-determined_a to_o do_v still_o what_o be_v best_a this_o put_v look_v into_o the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o best_a we_o find_v they_o to_o be_v both_o relative_a and_o that_o what_o be_v good_a to_o none_o be_v be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o apply_v which_o to_o god_n perfection_n every_o way_n infinite_a and_o no_o way_n far_o perfectible_a it_o be_v see_v manifest_o that_o when_o he_o be_v say_v to_o operate_v exterior_o in_o this_o world_n what_o be_v best_a it_o can_v mean_v what_o be_v good_a or_o best_a to_o himself_o or_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v his_o own_o good_a or_o perfection_n but_o what_o be_v good_a or_o best_a to_o his_o creature_n and_o hence_o we_o settle_v this_o most_o comfortable_a most_o evident_a and_o most_o enlighten_v conclusion_n that_o god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o his_o creature_n and_o it_o be_v evident_o best_o for_o they_o to_o be_v guide_v or_o govern_v according_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o it_o follow_v also_o that_o god_n govern_v his_o creature_n connatural_o or_o suitable_o to_o their_o right_a nature_n §_o 5_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o we_o can_v once_o demonstrate_v that_o to_o act_n thus_o or_o thus_o be_v most_o connatural_a to_o such_o a_o species_n or_o nature_n we_o can_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o high_a first_o best_a and_o most_o immutable_a cause_n that_o however_o contingency_n find_v place_n in_o divers_a particular_n yet_o that_o kind_n as_o it_o be_v subject_v to_o god_n guidance_n be_v govern_v most_o agreeable_o to_o its_o true_a and_o right_a nature_n which_o his_o creative_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v at_o first_o give_v it_o §_o 6_o particular_o it_o be_v consequent_a that_o it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v command_v or_o expect_v from_o his_o creature_n what_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n he_o have_v give_v they_o for_o since_o their_o be_v what_o they_o be_v or_o their_o metaphysical_a verity_n be_v fix_v by_o the_o idea_n in_o his_o own_o divine_a understanding_n from_o which_o in_o their_o creation_n they_o uner_o flow_v hence_o as_o to_o put_v they_o at_o first_o be_v to_o act_v conformable_o to_o himself_o or_o his_o own_o wisdom_n so_o to_o violate_v they_o be_v to_o work_v disconformable_o and_o unlike_a to_o himself_o which_o it_o can_v be_v think_v god_n shall_v do_v through_o inclination_n or_o choice_n and_o as_o little_o be_v make_v to_o do_v it_o through_o force_n §_o 7._o again_o since_o we_o can_v no_o otherwise_o discourse_n of_o god_n but_o by_o such_o notion_n as_o we_o gather_v here_o from_o creature_n which_o however_o improper_a yet_o all_o grant_n to_o be_v true_o pronounce_v of_o he_o if_o they_o signify_v perfection_n hence_o if_o we_o can_v demonstrative_o evince_v that_o such_o a_o action_n be_v true_o agreeable_a to_o wisdom_n goodness_n mercy_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o other_o disagreeable_a we_o can_v know_v demonstrative_o that_o those_o be_v worthy_a to_o proceed_v from_o he_o these_o impossible_a to_o have_v so_o infinite_o perfect_v a_o author_n §_o 8._o what_o use_n may_v be_v make_v of_o this_o deity_n principle_n of_o supreme_a wisdom_n god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o his_o creature_n will_v be_v see_v hereafter_o the_o use_n we_o make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v to_o add_v a_o new_a degree_n of_o establishment_n to_o our_o former_a discourse_n by_o apply_v it_o to_o they_o i_o argue_v then_o thus_o since_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o rational_a nature_n or_o rather_o since_o it_o be_v the_o very_a nature_n itself_o not_o to_o hold_v any_o thing_n but_o upon_o the_o tenure_n of_o immediate_a connexion_n or_o see_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o rational_a discourse_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o be_v engage_v for_o the_o truth_n both_o of_o the_o premise_n and_o consequence_n since_o assent_v not_o thus_o abet_v be_v but_o opinion_n and_o as_o such_o deprave_v humane_a nature_n since_o nothing_o but_o true_a certainty_n can_v fix_v the_o understanding_n in_o a_o steadness_n of_o judgement_n since_o it_o be_v connatural_a to_o rational_a nature_n to_o proceed_v upon_o principle_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v where_o there_o be_v possibility_n of_o falsehood_n since_o this_o possibility_n render_v faith_n unmaintainable_a and_o so_o contrary_a to_o rational_a nature_n make_v christian_n hold_v and_o profess_v what_o they_o can_v make_v good_a since_o the_o put_a point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a put_v the_o soul_n in_o violent_a and_o incompossible_a state_n as_o of_o indetermination_n and_o determination_n conformity_n and_o disconformity_n to_o the_o object_n nay_o subject_n she_o to_o the_o judge_a contradiction_n true_a which_o be_v most_o repugnant_a to_o her_o nature_n since_o it_o subvert_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n both_o logical_o and_o metaphysical_o consider_v that_o be_v radical_o and_o fundamental_o destroy_v all_o possible_a rationality_n since_o it_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o by_o consequence_n the_o stability_n of_o all_o the_o nature_n in_o the_o world_n since_o i_o say_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o as_o have_v be_v particular_o prove_v in_o my_o precedent_a discourse_n it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a impossibility_n that_o god_n who_o do_v the_o best_a for_o his_o creature_n can_v govern_v or_o manage_v his_o darling-creature_n mankind_n on_o this_o preternatural_a fashion_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o way_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n be_v particular_o lay_v by_o god_n providence_n and_o so_o be_v a_o especial_a part_n of_o his_o government_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v know_v also_o and_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o have_v command_v we_o to_o profess_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o due_a occasion_n therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o mean_n ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o shall_v be_v capable_a to_o be_v false_a see_v this_o last_o position_n join_v
to_o the_o other_o immediate_o forego_v induce_v all_o the_o absurdity_n mention_v in_o my_o former_a discourse_n and_o pin_n they_o upon_o the_o deity_n as_o on_o their_o first_o cause_n so_o horrible_a and_o diabolical_a a_o tenet_n be_v this_o of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o calumniate_v heaven_n itself_o nor_o can_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n in_o the_o maintainer_n of_o it_o excuse_v they_o from_o high_a blasphemy_n &_o from_o make_v the_o unenvious_a fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n like_o our_o own_o narrow_a and_o crooked_a self_n five_o eviction_n §_o 1._o let_v we_o hear_v next_o what_o the_o science_n of_o divinity_n both_o speculative_a and_o moral_a will_v award_v concern_v the_o point_n in_o question_n §_o 2._o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n mankind_n have_v be_v please_v to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o and_o among_o his_o other_o office_n he_o perform_v towards_o mankind_n that_o of_o a_o master_n be_v manifest_o one_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o he_o both_o will_v and_o can_v that_o be_v do_v accomplish_v what_o belong_v to_o that_o office_n again_o true_a divinity_n assign_v one_o main_a if_o not_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o the_o second_o person_n be_v make_v man_n to_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v requisite_a god_n shall_v come_v and_o converse_v with_o we_o visible_o to_o cause_v in_o we_o knowledge_n of_o his_o heavenly_a doctrine_n or_o be_v our_o master_n and_o knowledge_n or_o wisdom_n be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o second_o person_n it_o be_v therefore_o most_o fit_a that_o person_n shall_v be_v incarnate_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o master_n in_o our_o saviour_n christ_n spring_v peculiar_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o divine_a personality_n and_o not_o of_o his_o humanity_n precise_o as_o do_v his_o suffer_v and_o die_v for_o we_o etc._n etc._n wherefore_o the_o proper_a agent_n of_o instruct_v and_o teach_v mankind_n be_v as_o such_o infinite_o perfect_a it_o be_v evident_o consequent_a christ_n perform_v the_o office_n of_o a_o master_n or_o wrought_v the_o effect_n proper_a to_o a_o teacher_n as_o such_o with_o all_o imaginable_a perfection_n §_o 3._o it_o be_v then_o the_o proper_a office_n or_o effect_n of_o a_o master_n or_o teacher_n to_o make_v his_o scholar_n know_v his_o doctrine_n be_v true_a we_o can_v think_v but_o that_o this_o divine_a or_o infinitely-perfect_a master_n make_v they_o absolute_o or_o perfect_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n §_o 4._o and_o because_o the_o end_n of_o this_o teach_v be_v not_o terminate_v in_o those_o few_o himself_o converse_v with_o nor_o in_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n but_o be_v principal_o intend_v for_o the_o body_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v future_a in_o respect_n of_o they_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o enlighten_v and_o instruct_v now_o speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v equal_o extend_v to_o the_o follow_a world_n of_o christian_n they_o be_v all_o sectator_n or_o follower_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o be_v his_o scholar_n and_o he_o their_o master_n unless_o then_o he_o have_v take_v order_n that_o succeed_a age_n also_o shall_v have_v perfect_a assurance_n or_o know_v his_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o true_a he_o will_v have_v set_v up_o a_o school_n and_o lay_v no_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o far_o great_a part_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o his_o scholar_n or_o christian_n from_o ignorance_n and_o error_n §_o 5._o all_o christian_n then_o both_o the_o primitive_a and_o their_o successor_n have_v and_o will_v have_v mean_n to_o know_v absolute_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v true_a this_o mean_n we_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n both_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n then_o must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v veracious_a and_o faith_n which_o be_v build_v on_o it_o to_o be_v absolute_o true_a and_o by_o consequence_n to_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 6._o beside_o man_n be_v a_o intellectual_a instruct_v creature_n it_o be_v evident_a the_o true_a perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n consist_v in_o know_v and_o this_o whether_o we_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o speculater_n or_o as_o a_o actor_n for_o if_o the_o thing_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v than_o he_o be_v most_o evident_o ignorant_a whether_o it_o be_v false_a or_o no_o that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o which_o speak_v imperfection_n in_o his_o nature_n as_o it_o be_v a_o capacity_n of_o knowledge_n and_o if_o he_o be_v to_o act_n about_o it_o it_o be_v evident_o a_o less_o perfection_n and_o worse_a for_o mankind_n to_o go_v to_o work_v unassured_o than_o assure_o faith_n then_o be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o mankind_n it_o follow_v faith_n be_v perfect_o secure_a to_o he_o that_o be_v he_o must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o consequent_o it_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o contingency_n of_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o but_o leave_v man_n the_o subject_a of_o virtue_n faith_n and_o reflect_v upon_o faith_n itself_o in_o we_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o offer_v itself_o to_o our_o consideration_n be_v that_o its_o habit_n be_v a_o virtue_n and_o consequent_o rational_a also_o that_o its_o act_n be_v a_o assent_n upon_o authority_n since_o then_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v former_o that_o there_o can_v be_v in_o reason_n no_o assent_n without_o certain_a ground_n and_o that_o what_o be_v certain_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 8._o next_o faith_n be_v a_o intellectual_a virtue_n virtue_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o perfect_a man_n understanding_n as_o such_o that_o be_v it_o be_v to_o he_o a_o knowledge_n and_o so_o inform_v his_o mind_n with_o truth_n the_o nature_n of_o faith_n than_o force_v that_o point_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v truth_n and_o so_o as_o be_v manifold_o demonstrate_v faith_n itself_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 9_o again_o this_o intellectual_a virtue_n virtue_n call_v faith_n be_v also_o a_o supernatural_a one_o and_o therefore_o as_o such_o proceed_v from_o a_o agent_n infinite_o more_o perfect_a than_o any_o can_v be_v find_v in_o nature_n therefore_o the_o immediate_a effect_n aim_v at_o by_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o inform_v the_o understanding_n will_v be_v perform_v with_o infinite_a advantage_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v that_o supernatural_a agent_n be_v or_o god_n part_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o exquisite_o perform_v it_o must_v spring_v from_o some_o incapacity_n in_o the_o subject_a there_o be_v then_o in_o this_o effect_n of_o inform_v the_o understanding_n two_o consideration_n viz._n evidence_n which_o be_v have_v either_o by_o experience_n of_o our_o sense_n of_o which_o spiritual_a nature_n the_o chief_a object_n of_o faith_n be_v incapable_a or_o by_o intrinsical_v medium_n that_o be_v demonstration_n of_o those_o spiritual_a thing_n of_o which_o take_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n the_o subject_a of_o faith_n very_o few_o be_v capable_a and_o that_o other_o of_o certainty_n attainable_a both_o by_o those_o intrinsecal_n and_o also_o extrinsical_a medium_n or_o authority_n which_o authority_n by_o mean_n of_o the_o practicableness_n of_o its_o nature_n all_o be_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n able_a to_o understand_v it_o follow_v that_o here_o be_v no_o violence_n or_o unsuitableness_n to_o humane_a nature_n consider_v in_o its_o generality_n the_o supernatural_a agent_n or_o cause_n of_o faith_n will_v effect_v here_o a_o great_a certainty_n than_o mere_a natural_a impression_n can_v produce_v that_o be_v all_o extrinsical_a argument_n be_v final_o resolve_v into_o intrinsecal_n one_o the_o best_a and_o chief_a nature_n in_o the_o world_n will_v be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o most_o strong_o support_v to_o make_v up_o the_o great_a authority_n that_o be_v possible_a and_o so_o to_o establish_v this_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o principle_n beyond_o that_o of_o any_o humane_a science_n but_o divers_a piece_n of_o humane_a science_n nay_o the_o least_o particle_n of_o true_a science_n be_v acknowledge_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n therefore_o à _fw-la fortiori_fw-la must_v be_v such_o also_o §_o 10._o this_o supernaturality_n of_o faith_n by_o natural_a which_o word_n we_o mean_v divine_a faith_n convince_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o exceed_v all_o other_o faith_n be_v according_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n in_o common_a that_o be_v it_o ought_v to_o partake_v whatever_o perfection_n true_o belong_v to_o faith_n or_o belief_n as_o such_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n and_o far_o above_o what_o be_v find_v in_o humane_a faith_n in_o a_o word_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v as_o much_o in_o it_o as_o can_v elevate_v it_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n without_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
the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o proportion_n of_o its_o fail_v to_o its_o stand_n and_o all_o degree_n of_o contingency_n that_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 6._o moreover_o to_o say_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o faith_n to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n be_v not_o to_o say_v it_o be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n christian_n therefore_o aught_o in_o due_a candour_n then_o when_o they_o be_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n express_v only_o how_o much_o over-proportion_n in_o a_o moral_a estimation_n its_o likelihood_n bear_v to_o its_o unlikelihood_n and_o not_o to_o stand_v tell_v a_o lie_n when_o they_o be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n say_v it_o be_v true_a when_o it_o be_v only_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n likely_a to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v lie_v when_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v a_o chief_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o as_o be_v not_o only_o most_o unwise_a and_o imprudent_a but_o most_o diabolical_o wicked_a and_o impudent_a to_o stand_v stiff_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o lie_n though_o they_o hazard_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o even_o live_v too_o by_o the_o bargain_n yet_o this_o imputation_n of_o such_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o most_o damnably-dishone_a obstinacy_n be_v unavoidable_o to_o be_v affix_v upon_o christian_n if_o they_o thus_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a in_o case_n it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v in_o case_n it_o be_v only_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o for_o example_n that_o it_o be_v true_a if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v not_o perhaps_o this_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o act_v virtuous_o in_o that_o absolute_a profession_n of_o its_o truth_n because_o of_o their_o good_a meaning_n the_o answer_n be_v ready_a first_o that_o mr._n tillotson_n mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o such_o who_o maintain_v and_o so_o if_o they_o write_v what_o they_o think_v see_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v bind_v not_o to_o profess_v faith_n to_o be_v true_a and_o to_o forewarn_v other_o not_o to_o make_v such_o a_o lie_a profession_n next_o that_o if_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o make_v such_o a_o profession_n as_o all_o christian_n grant_v he_o have_v then_o not_o only_o their_o mean_v but_o the_o act_n itself_o be_v good_a and_o laudable_a which_o join_v to_o these_o man_n principle_n and_o their_o natural_a consequence_n lay_v open_a in_o our_o former_a discourse_n signify_v that_o dishonesty_n be_v honesty_n and_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o wicked_a obstinacy_n a_o high_a virtue_n as_o be_v command_v by_o god_n nay_o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n command_v they_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n in_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a position_n most_o abominable_a as_o well_o as_o contradictory_n but_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a the_o nature_n of_o all_o goodness_n shall_v go_v to_o wrack_n when_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n be_v once_o violate_v §_o 7._o again_o if_o contingency_n have_v place_n in_o faith_n basis_n there_o must_v be_v some_o stint_n of_o ly._n this_o contingency_n according_a to_o the_o moral_a estimation_n of_o thing_n be_v it_o then_o for_o example_n a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o what_o other_o proportion_n you_o please_v for_o it_o alter_v not_o the_o present_a case_n if_o then_o it_o be_v but_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v not-true_a that_o be_v it_o will_v bear_v a_o wager_n that_o faith_n be_v a_o lie_n and_o a_o christian_a according_a to_o these_o principle_n may_v without_o injury_n to_o his_o faith_n or_o its_o ground_n and_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o honesty_n lay_v a_o wager_n that_o his_o faith_n be_v actual_o false_a nay_o if_o he_o get_v any_o one_o to_o cope_v with_o he_o at_o excessive_a odds_o he_o be_v bind_v in_o reason_n and_o prudence_n to_o undertake_v he_o and_o lay_v a_o wager_n all_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o ly._n which_o sound_v high_a impiety_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o repute_a christian_n of_o what_o sect_n soever_o that_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o natural_a conceit_n they_o have_v of_o faith_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n of_o fail_v that_o be_v all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n if_o it_o be_v object_v such_o a_o wager_n can_v never_o be_v try_v and_o so_o it_o can_v never_o in_o prudence_n come_v to_o be_v lay_v i_o reply_v my_o discourse_n be_v unconcern_v how_o able_a or_o unable_a man_n understanding_n be_v to_o decide_v it_o and_o only_o contend_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o faith_n no_o better_o settle_v will_v bear_v or_o justify_v it_o which_o be_v unavoidable_o consequent_a §_o 8._o particular_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o prudent_a none_o of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n who_o from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v die_v for_o their_o faith_n shall_v when_o their_o life_n lie_v at_o stake_n endeavour_v to_o mitigate_v the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n with_o such_o like_a language_n i_o beseech_v you_o great_a nero_n or_o dioclesian_n understand_v we_o christian_n right_a we_o deny_v not_o absolute_o the_o possibility_n of_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n be_v true_a nor_o assert_v our_o own_o faith_n so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v it_o may_v not_o possible_o be_v false_a what_o we_o profess_v be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o we_o so_o high_o probable_a or_o morally-certain_a that_o we_o have_v no_o actual_a doubt_n of_o it_o at_o present_a though_o we_o can_v absolute_o say_v but_o we_o may_v come_v to_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v false_a hereafter_o and_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n true_a and_o so_o renounce_v christianity_n and_o join_v with_o you_o indeed_o we_o dare_v venture_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o perhaps_o something_o more_o that_o our_o faith_n be_v true_a yet_o for_o all_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o lay_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v false_a these_o have_v be_v moderate_a and_o mollify_a expression_n and_o questionless_a may_v have_v save_v the_o life_n of_o very_a many_o which_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v use_v they_o be_v according_a to_o our_o adversary_n principle_n true_a and_o honest_a to_o profess_v they_o and_o high_o prudent_a to_o do_v it_o their_o life_n be_v concern_v nay_o conscientious_a too_o for_o there_o be_v none_o but_o hold_v it_o high_o sinful_a to_o conceal_v any_o truth_n which_o may_v save_v another_o man_n life_n no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o this_o that_o the_o possibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n have_v never_o enter_v into_o their_o heart_n but_o they_o hold_v god_n promise_n of_o a_o better_a life_n full_a as_o certain_a as_o be_v their_o present_a possession_n of_o this_o or_o present_a determination_n of_o lose_v it_o for_o christ_n name_n all_o their_o expression_n sound_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v and_o their_o most_o comfortable_a hope_n ground_v upon_o that_o certainty_n nor_o do_v any_o of_o the_o circumstant_fw-la faithful_a ever_n judge_v they_o too_o lavish_a of_o their_o blood_n for_o stand_v so_o stiff_o upon_o their_o avow_v the_o rigorous_a truth_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o its_o contradictory_n but_o always_o esteem_v their_o action_n no_o less_o wise_a and_o honest_a than_o it_o be_v undaunted_a what_o kind_n of_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n a_o protestant_n thus_o principled_a will_v make_v in_o case_n of_o imminent_a martyrdom_n i_o know_v not_o but_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o the_o foolish_a knave_n live_v to_o tell_v aly_a to_o hang_v myself_o by_o profess_v my_o faith_n true_a which_o i_o can_v never_o hearty_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v whilst_o i_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o at_o best_a only_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a §_o 9_o note_v here_o that_o i_o have_v concede_v very_o much_o in_o yield_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o of_o the_o likelihood_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o protestant_a ground_n without_o tradition_n certainty_n which_o they_o deny_v rather_o take_v in_o the_o incredibleness_n of_o the_o mystery_n it_o will_v be_v in_o that_o hypothesis_n above_o five_o to_o one_o speak_v modest_o that_o all_o faith_n be_v false_a for_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o certainty_n of_o book_n can_v be_v have_v at_o all_o without_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o protestant_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o bring_v multitude_n of_o exception_n against_o it_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o mr._n tillotson_n answer_n or_o rather_o abuse_v of_o sure_a foot_n there_o be_v some_o degree_n of_o incredibleness_n in_o the_o right_a conveyance_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n hitherto_o to_o which_o difficulty_n add_v the_o incredibleness_n
bind_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v not_o from_o their_o relation_n to_o other_o extrinsecall_v proof_n correspond_v or_o discorrespond_v with_o they_o but_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n on_o which_o they_o intrinsical_o depend_v and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o consequence_n and_o final_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o be_v build_v on_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n if_o then_o the_o motive_n one_o man_n have_v at_o present_a be_v sufficient_a of_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o oblige_v he_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n to_o judge_v faith_n true_a who_o ever_o have_v humane_a reason_n ought_v to_o assent_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o faith_n be_v still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v false_a to_o we_o that_o be_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v show_v false_a or_o possible_a that_o other_o may_v have_v just_a ground_n to_o hold_v it_o so_o put_v those_o ground_n also_o in_o the_o same_o man_n and_o since_o they_o must_v be_v convictive_a of_o humane_a understanding_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v their_o formal_a effect_n where_o they_o be_v that_o be_v convince_v it_o of_o faith_n falsehood_n too_o which_o however_o absurd_v yet_o it_o be_v the_o genuine_a and_o necessary_a sequel_n of_o this_o source_n of_o absurdity_n viz._n that_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a how_o the_o force_n of_o this_o discourse_n be_v avoidable_o but_o by_o allege_v that_o no_o man_n act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n have_v just_a ground_n to_o hold_v his_o faith_n true_a to_o we_o or_o can_v ever_o have_v just_a ground_n to_o hold_v it_o false_a to_o we_o which_o be_v to_o deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n to_o we_o the_o opposer_n own_o position_n i_o profess_v myself_o utter_o unable_a to_o discern_v now_o he_o that_o hold_v these_o position_n be_v a_o perfect_a sceptic_a or_o a_o pyrrhonian_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o religion_n since_o he_o put_v a_o absolute_a desperateness_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n on_o either_o side_n in_o that_o matter_n or_o subject_n objection_n vi._n when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n may_v be_v false_a the_o arguer_n misunderstand_v it_o to_o mean_v that_o we_o assert_v it_o may_v actual_o and_o indeed_o be_v show_v so_o whereas_o it_o be_v only_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v or_o for_o any_o thing_n the_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n evince_n or_o force_v to_o the_o contrary_n answer_n i_o know_v not_o what_o possibility_n to_o any_o thing_n mean_v if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o relation_n to_o its_o be_v actual_o and_o indeed_o nor_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v false_a to_o we_o but_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v actual_o and_o indeed_o such_o that_o be_v of_o be_v actual_o show_v so_o to_o we_o and_o all_o this_o must_v be_v forcible_o admit_v by_o he_o who_o put_v no_o proper_a or_o necessary_a cause_n in_o the_o thing_n nor_o consequent_o conclusive_a motive_n in_o man_n understanding_n why_o this_o faith_n now_o profess_v shall_v necessary_o be_v the_o same_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v it_o be_v indeed_o a_o different_a thing_n to_o say_v it_o may_v be_v so_o and_o to_o say_v i_o do_v not_o know_v but_o it_o may_v be_v so_o but_o he_o who_o maintain_v that_o faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a if_o he_o be_v honest_a know_v what_o he_o maintain_v to_o be_v true_a otherwise_o certain_o he_o be_v very_o wicked_a who_o will_v thus_o disgrace_v or_o diminish_v faith_n if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v his_o position_n to_o be_v a_o truth_n whence_o follow_v that_o such_o a_o man_n must_v not_o only_o say_v i_o know_v not_o but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a but_o he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v speak_v out_o what_o he_o think_v be_v oblige_v to_o say_v i_o know_v it_o may_v be_v false_a however_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o declare_v categorical_o and_o sincere_o his_o tenet_n in_o so_o odious_a a_o point_n or_o hazard_v his_o credit_n with_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n who_o sentiment_n he_o contradict_v so_o express_o objection_n vii_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o faith_n be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v rise_v to_o morrow_n that_o america_n will_v not_o be_v drown_v as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o henry_n the_o eight_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v only_o moral_o certain_a and_o enough_o for_o humane_a action_n since_o they_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n or_o leave_v no_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n behind_o they_o which_o as_o mr._n still_v fleet_n tell_v we_o app._n p._n 76._o be_v the_o high_a actual_a certainty_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v certainty_n enough_o for_o i_o to_o use_v my_o house_n that_o i_o be_o moral_o certain_a it_o will_v not_o fall_v on_o my_o head_n though_o i_o have_v no_o absolute_a security_n but_o it_o may_v and_o this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n seem_v more_o suitable_a to_o mankind_n be_v more_o easy_o penetrable_a by_o the_o generality_n than_o the_o other_o rigorous_a and_o over-straining_a certainty_n which_o seem_v more_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o the_o high_a sort_n of_o speculater_n than_o for_o a_o world_n of_o man_n which_o comprehend_v capacity_n of_o all_o degree_n and_o sort_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o perhaps_o of_o little_a learning_n answer_n the_o objecter_n must_v prove_v that_o all_o those_o instance_n be_v only-morally-certain_a or_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a ere_o he_o allege_v they_o for_o such_o that_o of_o henry_n the_o eight_o which_o do_v indeed_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o belief_n i_o affirm_v to_o be_v practical_o self_n evident_a and_o demonstrable_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o for_o the_o rest_n they_o be_v utter_o unfit_a to_o parallel_v faith_n certitude_n be_v all_o of_o material_a thing_n who_o very_a essence_n be_v to_o be_v mutable_a whereas_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n and_o in_o matter_n not_o subject_a to_o contingency_n be_v essential_o incapable_a of_o be_v otherwise_o than_o they_o be_v that_o be_v still_o truth_n so_o that_o far_o easy_a be_v it_o that_o all_o material_a nature_n shall_v undergo_v all_o the_o change_n imaginable_a than_o that_o any_o such_o truth_n can_v not_o be_v itself_o or_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v in_o we_o desist_v to_o be_v true_a or_o conclusive_a in_o particular_a i_o will_v askâ—_n whether_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o faith_n to_o be_v as_o certain_a to_o we_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v to_o those_o immediate_o before_o the_o flood_n that_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v not_o be_v drown_v which_o exceed_v the_o case_n of_o america_n possible_a destruction_n or_o as_o it_o be_v to_o those_o after_o the_o flood_n that_o the_o sun_n shall_v never_o stand_v still_o or_o go_v back_o or_o last_o as_o it_o be_v that_o a_o house_n of_o who_o firmness_n none_o have_v actual_a doubt_n shall_v 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qualify_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n that_o be_v no_o act_n of_o belief_n but_o what_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o they_o know_v or_o can_v know_v of_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a nor_o consequent_o be_v they_o to_o be_v account_v true_o faithful_a as_o not_o have_v true_a faith_n that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n a_o assent_n build_v either_o on_o infallible_a live_a authority_n or_o on_o unmistakeable_a letter_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o book_n §_o 3._o but_o opinion_n only_o 5._o it_o follow_v with_o like_a evidence_n that_o a_o controvertist_n be_v one_o who_o be_v to_o assert_v faith_n not_o by_o look_v into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o explain_v they_o this_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o school-divine_a but_o into_o the_o motive_n to_o it_o or_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o he_o go_v not_o about_o to_o bring_v proof_n which_o he_o judge_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o maintain_v nay_o which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n apt_a to_o show_v faith_n and_o its_o rule_n 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have_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n true_a faith_n §_o 4._o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n own_v take_v away_o private_a spirit_n but_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o onely-true-rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 6._o and_o so_o the_o main_a of_o sure-footing_a stand_v yet_o firm_a and_o last_o it_o be_v evince_v that_o his_o own_o book_n which_o oppose_v it_o oppose_v the_o onety-true_a because_o the_o onely-impossible-to-be-false_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v convince_v in_o that_o supposition_n to_o go_v about_o to_o undermine_v all_o christian_a faith_n whence_o the_o title_n of_o his_o probable-natured_a book_n be_v manifest_v to_o be_v a_o improper_a faith_n nickname_n and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n 8._o this_o last_o point_n be_v hence_o far_o confirm_v because_o mr_n t._n and_o mr._n st._n can_v claim_v no_o admittance_n into_o a_o dispute_n whether_o this_o or_o the_o other_o be_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n till_o 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