fair_a trial_n but_o do_v what_o they_o can_v to_o stifle_v all_o the_o reason_n that_o can_v be_v urge_v against_o it_o but_o sir_n pray_v tell_v we_o can_v any_o sound_a reason_n be_v ever_o urge_v against_o a_o religion_n such_o as_o we_o be_v institute_v by_o christ_n teach_v by_o his_o apostle_n embrace_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o seal_v by_o the_o blood_n of_o thousand_o of_o martyr_n but_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a to_o hear_v man_n speak_v against_o the_o very_o best_a of_o thing_n or_o person_n for_o our_o lord_n tell_v his_o apostle_n 11._o man_n shall_v revile_v you_o and_o say_v all_o manner_n of_o evil_n against_o you_o thus_o be_v their_o person_n treat_v yea_o and_o their_o doctrine_n too_o 20._o the_o jew_n speak_v against_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v by_o paul_n nay_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v his_o god_n they_o speak_v against_o thou_o and_o what_o wonder_n then_o if_o they_o speak_v against_o his_o religion_n too_o but_o what_o do_v they_o speak_v that_o which_o this_o author_n style_v reason_n be_v but_o pretence_n and_o sophistry_n and_o be_v such_o pretence_n though_o never_o so_o plausible_a yet_o be_v fallacious_a bury_v in_o perpetual_a oblivion_n and_o stifle_v for_o ever_o what_o harm_n be_v in_o it_o what_o one_o single_a soul_n will_v be_v the_o worse_a but_o our_o author_n reply_v that_o when_o there_o be_v a_o contest_v between_o man_n of_o two_o different_a opinion_n they_o have_v not_o fair_a play_n if_o their_o respective_a reason_n be_v not_o hear_v equal_o on_o both_o side_n we_o grant_v it_o what_o seneca_n say_v be_v true_a qui_fw-la statuit_fw-la aliquid_fw-la parte_fw-la inaudita_fw-la altera_fw-la aequum_fw-la licet_fw-la statuerit_fw-la haud_fw-la aequus_fw-la fuit_fw-la well_o the_o main_a party_n now_o contend_v be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o our_o socinian_n and_o have_v not_o these_o man_n very_o often_o be_v hear_v already_o their_o opinion_n and_o their_o argument_n for_o it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o with_o those_o of_o the_o old_a arian_n have_v be_v frequent_o debate_v all_o their_o witness_n have_v be_v hear_v all_o their_o evidence_n have_v be_v mature_o consider_v baffle_v and_o overthrow_v and_o condemn_v by_o several_a council_n by_o many_o pious_a and_o learned_a father_n by_o a_o great_a number_n of_o worthy_a divine_n by_o papist_n by_o protestant_n by_o calvinist_n by_o lutheran_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o christian_n but_o themselves_o now_o when_o a_o cause_n condemn_v by_o several_a able_a and_o impartial_a judge_n at_o several_a time_n and_o in_o several_a place_n be_v by_o a_o bill_n of_o revival_n renew_v and_o bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n again_o with_o the_o self_n same_n witness_n and_o the_o self_n same_n evidence_n if_o the_o proper_a judge_n to_o free_v themselves_o and_o other_o from_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o needless_a trouble_n shall_v reject_v and_o cast_v it_o out_o of_o the_o court_n without_o any_o further_o hear_v i_o think_v there_o will_v be_v no_o foul_a play_n in_o do_v so_o but_o we_o have_v not_o treat_v our_o modern_a socinian_o thus_o for_o do_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o desire_v a_o personal_a conference_n with_o any_o of_o our_o learned_a divine_n and_o be_v reject_v do_v any_o of_o they_o ever_o provoke_v the_o professor_n of_o divinity_n in_o either_o of_o our_o university_n to_o a_o public_a disputation_n and_o be_v refuse_v be_v not_o their_o write_n and_o we_o to_o be_v see_v and_o have_v in_o many_o shop_n in_o london_n oxford_n cambridge_n and_o other_o great_a town_n and_o city_n have_v they_o not_o receive_v our_o print_a answer_n to_o their_o print_a objection_n if_o they_o have_v why_o shall_v this_o author_n complain_v for_o want_v of_o fair_a play_n why_o shall_v he_o unworthy_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o we_o dare_v not_o suffer_v our_o religion_n to_o undergo_v a_o fair_a trial_n for_o fear_v it_o shall_v prove_v false_a no_o we_o do_v not_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n nor_o the_o ability_n of_o our_o church_n to_o defend_v it_o but_o our_o lord_n tell_v false_a 2._o prophet_n shall_v deceive_v many_o and_o st._n peter_n say_v they_o shall_v bring_v in_o damnable_a doctrine_n and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o many_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n these_o text_n do_v make_v we_o jealous_a that_o many_o weak_a easy_a and_o credulous_a man_n may_v be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o sophistry_n and_o fallacy_n of_o socinian_n argument_n which_o for_o that_o reason_n shall_v not_o be_v publish_v but_o may_v our_o author_n reply_n and_o in_o effect_n he_o do_v so_o what_o danger_n can_v there_o be_v in_o publish_v such_o argument_n since_o if_o they_o be_v false_a we_o have_v great_a store_n of_o divine_n able_a to_o confute_v they_o we_o have_v so_o and_o bless_v god_n for_o it_o but_o what_o then_o must_v we_o permit_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o be_v poison_v because_o we_o abound_v with_o sovereign_a antidote_n must_v we_o permit_v the_o church_n our_o mother_n or_o her_o son_n who_o be_v our_o brethren_n to_o receive_v wound_n in_o their_o head_n because_o we_o have_v balsam_n enough_o to_o cure_v they_o we_o will_v take_v a_o better_a course_n than_o so_o and_o follow_v the_o old_a rule_n venienti_fw-la occurrite_fw-la morbo_fw-la prevent_v the_o poison_n and_o then_o we_o need_v not_o use_v any_o antidote_n prevent_v the_o wound_n and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o plaster_n so_o here_o if_o we_o can_v by_o a_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o press_n prevent_v the_o spread_a of_o erroneous_a doctrine_n there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o confutation_n but_o if_o man_n of_o restless_a spirit_n be_v still_o permit_v to_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o our_o church_n and_o stagger_v the_o faith_n of_o weak_a believer_n by_o publish_v argument_n which_o only_o seem_v to_o be_v plausible_a against_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n we_o shall_v be_v concern_v to_o spend_v more_o time_n and_o blot_v more_o paper_n in_o return_v just_a answer_n to_o they_o we_o must_v not_o quit_v the_o field_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v enemy_n in_o it_o and_o so_o i_o pass_v from_o this_o paragraph_n to_o the_o next_o sect_n xvi_o 12._o this_o paragraph_n begin_v thus_o it_o may_v be_v object_v say_v he_o and_o very_o just_o say_v we_o that_o by_o such_o a_o latitude_n people_n may_v be_v seduce_v into_o false_a religion_n or_o into_o heresy_n and_o schism_n the_o truth_n hereof_o this_o author_n do_v not_o deny_v but_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o yet_o he_o insinuate_v that_o there_o will_v be_v but_o very_o little_a or_o no_o danger_n in_o it_o for_o thus_o he_o tell_v we_o if_o two_o person_n profess_v two_o different_a religion_n the_o one_o a_o true_a the_o other_o a_o false_a one_o yet_o if_o they_o have_v be_v equal_o sincere_a in_o their_o examination_n they_o be_v equal_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n this_o assertion_n be_v it_o true_a will_v be_v very_o comfortable_a to_o all_o sober_a jew_n turk_n and_o pagan_n who_o have_v be_v serious_a in_o examine_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o respective_a religion_n and_o yet_o i_o can_v think_v they_o equal_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n with_o all_o such_o christian_n as_o have_v do_v as_o much_o and_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o believe_v that_o those_o christian_n who_o after_o a_o impartial_a search_n into_o scripture-truths_n do_v own_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v in_o a_o much_o fair_a capacity_n of_o salvation_n than_o our_o socinian_n who_o after_o all_o their_o examination_n embrace_v a_o doctrine_n contrary_n to_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n 2._o church_n even_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o a_o doctrine_n which_o st._n peter_n style_v damnable_a 54_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v one_o faith_n one_o true_a religion_n and_o no_o more_o and_o this_o one_o true_a religion_n be_v the_o only_a right_a path_n which_o lead_v towards_o heaven_n and_o he_o who_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o his_o religion_n be_v like_o a_o traveller_n who_o after_o all_o his_o inquiry_n mistake_v his_o way_n and_o if_o he_o continue_v under_o that_o mistake_n he_o have_v little_a hope_n to_o attain_v his_o desire_a journey_n be_v end_v but_o to_o justify_v this_o strange_a paradox_n this_o author_n subjoin_v this_o reason_n two_o such_o person_n the_o one_o after_o a_o due_a examination_n profess_v a_o true_a religion_n the_o other_o a_o false_a one_o be_v equal_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n because_o in_o follow_v their_o reason_n they_o both_o have_v do_v what_o god_n require_v that_o be_v his_o argument_n but_o there_o be_v a_o fallacy_n in_o it_o for_o do_v not_o god_n require_v and_o do_v not_o reason_n oblige_v we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o salvation_n
a_o modest_a plea_n for_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o press_n in_o answer_n to_o several_a reason_n late_o print_v against_o it_o humble_o submit_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o authority_n quae_fw-la est_fw-la pejor_fw-la mors_fw-la animae_fw-la quam_fw-la libertas_fw-la erroris_fw-la august_n in_o epist_n 166._o by_o francis_n gregory_n d._n d._n and_o rector_n of_o hambleden_n in_o the_o county_n of_o buck_n london_n print_v for_o r._n sare_n at_o greys-inn-gate_n in_o holborn_n m_o dc_o xc_o viii_o a_o modest_a plea_n for_o the_o due_a regulation_n of_o the_o press_n etc._n etc._n sect_n i._o good_a reader_n it_o be_v not_o long_o since_o i_o accidental_o meet_v with_o a_o print_a paper_n entitle_v a_o letter_n to_o a_o member_n of_o parliament_n show_v that_o a_o restraint_n on_o the_o press_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o dangerous_a to_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o nation_n this_o title_n at_o the_o first_o view_n do_v startle_v and_o make_v i_o wonder_v for_o i_o can_v not_o imagine_v how_o the_o content_n of_o this_o letter_n can_v possible_o justify_v such_o a_o inscription_n but_o whether_o this_o letter_n be_v real_o send_v or_o only_o pretend_v and_o by_o who_o i_o can_v tell_v for_o the_o writer_n of_o it_o think_v it_o a_o act_n of_o prudence_n to_o conceal_v his_o name_n as_o well_o as_o his_o opinion_n but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o heretic_n i_o mean_v a_o socinian_n it_o be_v his_o great_a misfortune_n and_o no_o small_a fault_n that_o he_o have_v give_v his_o reader_n just_a cause_n to_o think_v he_o so_o for_o 1._o this_o author_n treat_v our_o common_a people_n with_o extraordinary_a civility_n he_o plead_v for_o the_o full_a liberty_n of_o every_o man_n conscience_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o every_o man_n have_v as_o much_o right_a to_o communicate_v his_o thought_n to_o his_o neighbour_n as_o to_o think_v they_o himself_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o every_o man_n be_v to_o judge_v for_o himself_o even_o in_o the_o controvert_v point_n of_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o able_a divine_n of_o our_o church_n nor_o can_v we_o wonder_v that_o a_o socinian_n shall_v thus_o flatter_v the_o vulgar_a for_o they_o who_o design_n to_o instil_v their_o opinion_n into_o the_o head_n of_o man_n be_v concern_v in_o policy_n by_o fair_a word_n and_o courtship_n first_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o their_o heart_n 2._o this_o author_n treat_v the_o church_n of_o england_n with_o incivility_n and_o scurrilous_a language_n he_o load_v its_o governor_n with_o several_a calumny_n which_o be_v no_o way_n deserve_v he_o call_v they_o imposer_n upon_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n tyrant_n lord_n of_o the_o people_n faith_n but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o business_n to_o wipe_v off_o his_o unjust_a reproach_n but_o to_o answer_v his_o groundless_a argument_n but_o however_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a that_o a_o socinian_n shall_v thus_o bespatter_v the_o clergy_n of_o our_o church_n to_o render_v we_o odious_a to_o the_o people_n because_o they_o know_v that_o our_o divine_n be_v the_o most_o able_a man_n to_o defend_v those_o great_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n which_o they_o oppose_v and_o to_o confute_v those_o detestable_a doctrine_n which_o they_o promote_v but_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o maintain_v so_o long_o as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v continue_v as_o well_o store_v with_o learned_a man_n as_o now_o it_o be_v but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n they_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o disparage_v and_o vilify_v our_o divine_n in_o hope_n that_o our_o people_n disesteem_v our_o person_n may_v show_v the_o less_o regard_n to_o what_o we_o plead_v in_o defence_n of_o truth_n 3._o this_o author_n show_v himself_o yet_o more_o manifest_o to_o be_v a_o socinian_n because_o according_a to_o the_o know_a practice_n of_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n he_o high_o magnify_v humane_a reason_n exalt_v it_o far_o above_o its_o proper_a sphere_n advance_v it_o to_o that_o sublime_a and_o sacred_a office_n which_o as_o now_o it_o be_v it_o can_v never_o discharge_v for_o in_o that_o preliminary_n discourse_n which_o he_o premise_v as_o a_o introduction_n to_o the_o main_a body_n and_o substance_n of_o his_o letter_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n have_v give_v man_n his_o reason_n which_o be_v his_o only_a light_n not_o only_o to_o discover_v that_o there_o be_v a_o religion_n but_o to_o distinguish_v the_o true_a from_o the_o many_o false_a one_o he_o tell_v we_o again_o p._n 15._o that_o god_n have_v give_v man_n no_o other_o guide_n but_o their_o reason_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o happiness_n and_o yet_o again_o p_o 17._o he_o say_v that_o the_o people_n common_a notion_n be_v the_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n now_o my_o own_o reason_n such_o as_o it_o be_v tell_v i_o that_o all_o these_o assertion_n be_v as_o false_a as_o bold_a and_o dare_a for_o what_o great_a encomium_n can_v have_v be_v give_v to_o humane_a reason_n be_v we_o still_o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n though_o in_o that_o state_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n may_v shine_v like_o the_o sun_n in_o its_o full_a glory_n not_o a_o cloud_n interpose_v yet_o by_o and_o since_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n be_v become_v like_o the_o moon_n lie_v under_o though_o not_o a_o total_a yet_o a_o very_a great_a eclipse_n solomon_n the_o wise_a of_o man_n have_v leave_v our_o reason_n no_o better_o title_n than_o this_o the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n it_o be_v not_o â—â—_o style_v a_o blaze_a torch_n but_o a_o candle_n which_o be_v but_o a_o diminutive_a light_n and_o so_o much_o the_o less_o because_o it_o be_v full_a of_o snuff_n it_o be_v cloud_v with_o mist_n and_o fog_n of_o ignorance_n and_o in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n true_a it_o be_v that_o this_o little_a light_n of_o nature_n be_v well_o attend_v to_o be_v enough_o to_o discover_v to_o we_o some_o truth_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o natural_a religion_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n exercise_v itself_o in_o contemplate_v the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n be_v enough_o to_o convince_v he_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o this_o god_n ought_v to_o be_v worship_v but_o there_o be_v some_o other_o truth_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o the_o most_o improve_a reason_n of_o man_n without_o some_o other_o help_n can_v never_o have_v discover_v in_o all_o case_n the_o reason_n of_o man_n be_v lumen_fw-la sine_fw-la quo_fw-la non_fw-la a_o light_n without_o which_o we_o can_v discern_v no_o truth_n at_o all_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o a_o light_n by_o which_o we_o can_v discern_v every_o truth_n which_o do_v concern_v we_o our_o lord_n have_v true_o say_v the_o light_n of_o the_o body_n be_v the_o eye_n and_o 2d_o yet_o this_o eye_n be_v it_o never_o so_o clear_a and_o strong_a without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o other_o light_n beside_o its_o own_o can_v see_v very_o little_a or_o nothing_o so_o here_o the_o light_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v its_o reason_n and_o yet_o this_o reason_n without_o some_o other_o assistance_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n can_v discern_v but_o very_o little_a there_o be_v among_o the_o heathen_n many_o sober_a virtuous_a and_o industrious_a moralist_n man_n of_o raise_a intellectual_n man_n of_o excellent_a part_n both_o natural_a and_o acquire_v and_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o show_v themselves_o mere_a 21._o sot_n and_o dunce_n they_o become_v as_o st._n paul_n say_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n they_o exceed_o dote_v in_o their_o notion_n concern_v the_o nature_n will_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n there_o be_v several_a religious_a and_o necessary_a truth_n whereunto_o their_o own_o reason_n though_o much_o improve_v be_v not_o only_o a_o perfect_a stranger_n but_o a_o profess_a adversary_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o creation_n stand_v oppose_v by_o that_o know_a maxim_n which_o their_o reason_n entertain_v as_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n ex_fw-la nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la fit_a out_o of_o nothing_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v make_v and_o as_o for_o the_o great_a doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n man_n of_o reason_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o 24._o celsus_n speak_v in_o origen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o a_o thing_n impossible_a and_o abominable_a and_o according_a to_o these_o notion_n they_o take_v st._n paul_n who_o preach_v this_o glorious_a but_o difficult_a doctrine_n to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o a_o vain_a babbler_n but_o whence_o may_v this_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o they_o arise_v how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o man_n so_o acute_a and_o lucky_a in_o search_v and_o find_v out_o many_o secret_a mystery_n both_o of_o art_n and_o nature_n shall_v be_v so_o dull_a and_o
unhappy_a as_o not_o to_o apprehend_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n doubtless_o the_o reason_n must_v needs_o be_v this_o their_o own_o understanding_n though_o exercise_v to_o their_o utmost_a ability_n can_v not_o inform_v they_o better_o for_o want_n of_o some_o other_o and_o clear_a light_n and_o what_o be_v their_o case_n will_v have_v be_v we_o have_v not_o god_n enlighten_v and_o bless_v the_o christian_a church_n with_o divine_a revelation_n but_o withal_o this_o great_a blessing_n of_o divine_a revelation_n do_v not_o exclude_v but_o require_v the_o very_a utmost_a exercise_n of_o human_a reason_n for_o we_o must_v employ_v not_o only_o our_o eye_n or_o tongue_n but_o our_o understanding_n in_o read_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v our_o great_a endeavour_n by_o the_o use_n of_o all_o proper_a mean_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a mean_v of_o what_o we_o read_v and_o when_o upon_o good_a ground_n we_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o such_o or_o 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for_o it_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o it_o have_v do_v and_o still_o may_v do_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o mischief_n and_o we_o be_v to_o lament_v it_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v religion_n and_o virtue_n it_o be_v well_o employ_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v encourage_v but_o when_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o promote_v vice_n and_o irreligion_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v discountenance_v and_o restrain_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o press_n have_v be_v use_v to_o publish_v a_o great_a number_n of_o such_o paper_n as_o tend_v to_o debauch_v the_o life_n and_o corrupt_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n such_o be_v our_o obscene_a poem_n our_o profane_a and_o wanton_a stage-plays_a where_o vice_n be_v not_o only_o represent_v but_o so_o promote_v that_o we_o may_v just_o fear_v that_o as_o all_o their_o spectator_n lose_v their_o time_n so_o many_o of_o they_o may_v lose_v their_o innocence_n too_o for_o since_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n be_v so_o prone_a to_o evil_n and_o become_v so_o like_a to_o tinder_n apt_a to_o take_v fire_n from_o every_o little_a spark_n it_o be_v hard_a to_o see_v those_o vice_n which_o be_v please_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n represent_v upon_o a_o public_a stage_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v infect_v by_o they_o and_o as_o these_o be_v very_o like_a to_o debauch_v their_o spectator_n moral_n so_o be_v there_o many_o other_o print_v paper_n as_o like_a to_o corrupt_v their_o reader_n be_v judgement_n such_o be_v those_o many_o volume_n print_v in_o defence_n of_o popery_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o such_o be_v those_o book_n print_v in_o the_o defence_n of_o arianism_n socinianism_n and_o other_o heresy_n just_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v report_v that_o our_o modern_a socinian_n have_v already_o pervert_v a_o considerable_a number_n of_o man_n not_o only_o by_o their_o personal_a insinuation_n but_o by_o their_o print_a paper_n and_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o they_o may_v yet_o make_v many_o more_o proselyte_n to_o their_o dangerous_a opinion_n if_o the_o press_n be_v still_o permit_v to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v for_o their_o book_n contain_v argument_n so_o plausible_a so_o seem_o strong_a that_o they_o may_v pass_v for_o clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n among_o the_o unlearned_a multitude_n who_o be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o discover_v the_o fallacy_n that_o lie_v in_o they_o now_o since_o the_o press_n may_v as_o well_o do_v harm_n as_o good_a it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o regulate_v to_o promote_v that_o good_a and_o prevent_v that_o harm_n it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o no_o new_a book_n shall_v be_v publish_v till_o they_o have_v be_v first_o supervise_v and_o allow_v
but_o to_o who_o ought_v the_o care_n of_o this_o be_v commit_v doubtless_o to_o man_n of_o integrity_n learning_n and_o judgement_n to_o man_n who_o be_v able_a at_o first_o view_n to_o distinguish_v vice_n from_o virtue_n and_o truth_n from_o error_n and_o with_o such_o man_n be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n store_v man_n of_o such_o part_n and_o piety_n that_o we_o can_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n so_o much_o as_o once_o suspect_v that_o they_o will_v to_o gratify_v any_o party_n stifle_v any_o book_n which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o mankind_n notwithstanding_o this_o our_o author_n think_v fit_a to_o tell_v his_o friend_n the_o parliament-man_n that_o of_o all_o other_o person_n the_o clergyman_n of_o our_o church_n be_v the_o most_o unfit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o press_n and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n namely_o because_o they_o will_v allow_v no_o book_n to_o be_v publish_v save_v only_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a english_a they_o will_v permit_v no_o book_n to_o be_v print_v which_o tend_v to_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o for_o that_o who_o can_v just_o blame_v they_o that_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n have_v be_v prove_v over_o and_o over_o by_o such_o scripture_n argument_n as_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n arian_n and_o socinian_o or_o any_o other_o heretic_n never_o yet_o can_v nor_o ever_o can_v overthrow_v and_o if_o any_o book_n which_o contradict_v they_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o press_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v stifle_v in_o the_o birth_n and_o if_o they_o chance_v to_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o stealth_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v immediate_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o flame_n that_o be_v the_o quick_a way_n to_o cleanse_v they_o from_o that_o dross_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o however_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v the_o further_a increase_n of_o dangerous_a book_n which_o by_o good_a word_n fair_a speech_n and_o seem_a argument_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n among_o the_o illiterate_a vulgar_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o all_o write_n offer_v to_o the_o press_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n shall_v careful_o be_v examine_v by_o conscientious_a and_o judicious_a divine_n and_o that_o no_o general_a liberty_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o man_n of_o all_o sect_n to_o write_v and_o to_o printer_n to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o please_v there_o be_v among_o we_o in_o this_o unhappy_a age_n heretic_n of_o 11._o several_a denomination_n of_o who_o st._n paul_n say_v their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v a_o very_a just_a reason_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n teach_v thing_n which_o they_o ought_v not_o now_o if_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o muzzle_n clap_v upon_o the_o heretic_n mouth_n there_o be_v far_o great_a reason_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o his_o pen_n and_o press_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o heretic_n shall_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n with_o his_o tongue_n as_o he_o may_v by_o his_o write_n word_n only_o speak_v and_o hear_v be_v transient_a but_o word_n write_v and_o print_v be_v permanent_a a_o heretical_a tongue_n can_v do_v no_o harm_n but_o by_o a_o personal_a conference_n but_o a_o heretical_a pen_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n to_o man_n at_o a_o distance_n the_o wrong_n that_o may_v be_v do_v by_o heretical_a discourse_n alone_o can_v reach_v but_o the_o present_a age_n but_o heretical_a book_n may_v injure_v and_o poison_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o after_o age_n and_o since_o there_o be_v too_o many_o such_o book_n publish_v among_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a care_n of_o our_o governor_n to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o lest_o if_o their_o number_n increase_v without_o control_n they_o may_v by_o degree_n consider_v the_o ignorance_n instability_n and_o credulity_n of_o man_n subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endanger_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n but_o sect_n iii_o 2._o this_o author_n argue_v for_o a_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n not_o only_o for_o its_o own_o great_a usefulness_n but_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o several_a grand_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v shall_v the_o press_n chance_n to_o be_v restrain_v and_o the_o first_o which_o he_o name_v be_v this_o first_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o and_o to_o take_v it_o up_o without_o any_o trial_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o argument_n may_v hold_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n where_o the_o people_n for_o want_v of_o mean_n can_v and_o for_o fear_n of_o their_o inquisitor_n dare_v not_o examine_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a religion_n but_o the_o same_o argument_n plead_v in_o and_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a ground_n and_o have_v a_o fallacy_n in_o it_o for_o here_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v here_o assign_v as_o the_o cause_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a occasion_n that_o man_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o charge_n be_v true_a and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v so_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o great_a number_n of_o man_n even_o among_o we_o do_v indeed_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n bare_o on_o trust_n protestant_n they_o be_v but_o why_o be_v they_o such_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o parent_n that_o wherein_o they_o be_v train_v up_o from_o their_o childhood_n it_o be_v the_o religion_n establish_v by_o our_o law_n general_o profess_v in_o our_o nation_n and_o preach_v in_o our_o church_n these_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o only_a motive_n upon_o which_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o man_n do_v by_o a_o blind_a and_o implicit_a faith_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o man_n who_o be_v constrain_v thus_o to_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n man_n who_o be_v never_o blessed_v with_o a_o liberal_a education_n never_o teach_v to_o read_v man_n so_o dull_a and_o stupid_a that_o they_o can_v apprehend_v much_o less_o remember_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o sure_o person_n under_o such_o ill_a circumstance_n be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o but_o must_v rely_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o teacher_n and_o upon_o their_o credit_n and_o authority_n take_v up_o some_o religion_n or_o other_o or_o else_o 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certain_o be_v because_o a_o breach_n of_o those_o fore_n name_n command_v and_o a_o great_a danger_n it_o be_v because_o instead_o of_o a_o juno_n he_o may_v embrace_v a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a religion_n he_o may_v close_v with_o a_o false_a one_o but_o where_o lie_v the_o fault_n upon_o who_o or_o what_o must_v this_o sin_n be_v charge_v sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o this_o case_n a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o press_n be_v innocent_a and_o can_v be_v just_o blame_v for_o be_v not_o man_n oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o religion_n long_o before_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n be_v invent_v and_o be_v not_o the_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n a_o sin_n in_o former_a age_n when_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o press_n in_o all_o the_o