god_n holy_a disposition_n than_o they_o will_v have_v have_v have_v they_o keep_v awake_v that_o degree_n of_o suspense_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o right_a reason_n the_o nature_n god_n have_v give_v they_o require_v they_o shall_v §_o 8._o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o dr._n t_n performance_n it_o appear_v hence_o that_o one_o may_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o a_o thing_n and_o yet_o withal_o have_v no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assent_v firm_o to_o it_o as_o a_o most_o certain_a truth_n which_o only_o be_v to_o his_o purpose_n and_o this_o may_v be_v do_v two_o way_n either_o by_o perfect_o suspend_v and_o incline_v to_o neither_o side_n as_o we_o experience_v our_o understanding_n now_o bear_v itself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o star_n be_v even_o or_o odd_a or_o by_o strong_o hope_v or_o incline_v to_o assent_v the_o thing_n be_v true_a as_o when_o we_o expect_v a_o friend_n such_o a_o time_n at_o london_n who_o never_o use_v to_o break_v his_o word_n which_o expectation_n though_o one_o may_v have_v very_o great_a ground_n to_o hope_n will_v not_o deceive_v we_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o mad_a thing_n to_o assent_v to_o it_o as_o firm_o as_o i_o do_v to_o my_o faith_n or_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god._n but_o what_o i_o most_o admire_v be_v that_o dr._n t._n can_v think_v a_o actual_a not_o doubt_v or_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v be_v a_o competent_a assurance_n of_o the_o ground_n for_o christian_a faith_n as_o he_o all_o over_o inculcate_n for_o not_o to_o repeat_v over_o again_o what_o have_v be_v late_o prove_v that_o a_o bear_v not_o doubt_v be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christianâ—_n it_o be_v evident_a first_fw-mi that_o turk_n jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o generality_n at_o least_o be_v full_o persuade_v what_o they_o hold_v be_v â—rue_a and_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v it_o whence_o by_o this_o kind_n of_o argue_v if_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_a faith_n to_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o exclude_v doubt_n in_o its_o adherent_n turcism_n judaisme_n and_o perhaps_o paganism_n too_o may_v claim_v to_o be_v true_a religion_n by_o the_o same_o title_n and_o if_o the_o certainty_n or_o security_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o freedom_n from_o doubt_n all_o those_o wicked_a sect_n have_v good_a reason_n to_o be_v hold_v certain_a too_o and_o so_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n may_v become_v certain_a by_o which_o stratagem_n dr._n t._n be_v as_o complete_o revenge_v of_o his_o enemy_n identical_a proposition_n as_o his_o own_o heart_n can_v wish_v and_o reward_v his_o dear_a friend_n and_o faithful_a abetter_n direct_a contradiction_n very_o honourable_o advance_v they_o to_o be_v first_o principle_n and_o even_o as_o certain_a as_o faith_n itself_o second_o passion_n and_o vice_n can_v breed_v in_o a_o man_n a_o full_a persuasion_n that_o a_o error_n be_v true_a and_o such_o a_o apprehension_n as_o shall_v take_v away_o all_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o the_o more_o passion_n a_o man_n be_v in_o and_o the_o more_o obstinate_a he_o be_v in_o that_o passion_n the_o less_o still_o he_o doubt_v so_o that_o by_o dr._n t_n logic_n no_o man_n can_v tell_v whether_o christianity_n be_v indeed_o rationally-wise_a or_o passionately-foolish_a in_o caâ—e_a the_o test_n of_o its_o certainty_n or_o the_o adequate_a effect_n of_o its_o ground_n be_v not_o a_o steady_a assent_n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o be_v if_o the_o motive_n to_o embrace_v it_o be_v not_o conclusive_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o oneâ—y_o exclusive_a of_o doubt_n three_o ignorance_n and_o dull_a rudeness_n be_v easy_o apay_v with_o any_o silly_a reason_n and_o so_o a_o most_o excellent_a way_n to_o be_v void_a of_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n those_o who_o be_v perfect_o ignorant_a see_v the_o least_o cause_n of_o doubt_v be_v least_o able_a to_o raise_v any_o wherefore_o if_o be_v free_a from_o see_v any_o just_a cause_n of_o doubt_n be_v the_o utmost_a effect_n of_o christian_a ground_n let_v all_o christian_n be_v but_o gross_o ignorant_a and_o they_o shall_v immediate_o without_o more_o ado_n become_v as_o free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n as_o may_v be_v and_o by_o that_o mean_n be_v the_o best_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o ignorance_n be_v fundamental_o establish_v by_o dr._n t._n the_o mother_n of_o all_o true_a devotion_n four_o though_o out_o of_o a_o stupid_a carelessness_n man_n use_v to_o take_v many_o thing_n for_o grant_v upon_o slight_a ground_n while_o it_o be_v cheap_a to_o admit_v they_o and_o no_o danger_n accrue_v upon_o the_o own_v they_o yet_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o when_o any_o great_a inconvenience_n press_v as_o the_o loss_n of_o friend_n livelihood_n or_o life_n reason_v our_o true_a nature_n teach_v man_n to_o study_v their_o careless_a thought_n over_o again_o by_o which_o mean_n they_o begin_v now_o to_o doubt_v of_o that_o which_o before_o they_o take_v for_o grant_v if_o they_o have_v not_o certain_a motive_n to_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o to_o ascertain_v to_o they_o some_o equivalent_a good_a at_o least_o to_o what_o they_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o forego_v in_o which_o case_n i_o fear_v it_o will_v yield_v small_a strength_n to_o a_o man_n put_v in_o such_o a_o strong_a temptation_n to_o find_v upon_o review_n of_o his_o ground_n that_o they_o be_v only_o able_a to_o make_v he_o let_v they_o pass_v for_o good_a one_o while_o the_o concern_v be_v remote_a and_o less_o but_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o he_o see_v they_o may_v perhaps_o be_v false_a and_o himself_o a_o great_a fool_n for_o hold_v they_o true_a without_o reason_n convince_a they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o foolish_a perhaps_o wicked_a to_o boot_v for_o suffer_v so_o deep_o to_o attest_v they_o if_o dr._n t._n reply_n that_o such_o man_n die_v for_o what_o they_o conceive_v truth_n mean_v well_o and_o consequent_o act_v virtuous_o i_o must_v ask_v he_o how_o he_o know_v that_o or_o can_v make_v they_o know_v it_o unless_o he_o propose_v motive_n to_o conclude_v those_o tenet_n true_a for_o as_o error_n be_v the_o parent_n and_o origin_n of_o all_o vice_n so_o be_v truth_n of_o all_o virtue_n nor_o be_v virtue_n any_o thing_n but_o a_o disposition_n of_o the_o will_v to_o follow_v reason_n or_o truth_n whence_o if_o we_o can_v be_v absolute_o certain_a any_o tenet_n we_o follow_v be_v truth_n we_o can_v be_v absolutely-certain_a any_o action_n be_v virtuous_a and_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o make_v a_o man_n virtuous_a to_o mean_v well_o in_o common_a or_o intend_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o be_v only_o free_a from_o doubt_n all_o the_o while_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o substantial_a truth_n to_o proceed_v upon_o which_o render_v their_o meaning_n and_o particular_a action_n good_a as_o to_o the_o main_a by_o direct_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v man_n true_a happiness_n for_o it_o be_v questionless_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o worship_v juno_n venus_n vulcan_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o rabble_n mean_v well_o in_o common_a be_v free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o have_v dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n too_o that_o be_v have_v a_o firm_a and_o undoubted_a assent_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v full_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n for_o many_o of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o great_a natural_a prudence_n and_o be_v actual_o satisfy_v with_o the_o motive_n they_o have_v for_o polytheism_n last_o they_o have_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n too_o on_o their_o side_n for_o they_o have_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v discern_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n round_o about_o they_o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v give_v they_o though_o it_o be_v for_o have_v there_o be_v indeed_o such_o god_n and_o goddess_n yet_o be_v in_o heaven_n they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o light_n concern_v they_o than_o by_o authority_n of_o other_o relate_v also_o as_o doubtless_o they_o do_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n conceive_v to_o be_v do_v by_o their_o mean_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o have_v all_o the_o authority_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n for_o they_o and_o what_o doubt_v soever_o a_o few_o speculative_a and_o learned_a man_n raise_v concern_v they_o yet_o the_o generality_n who_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o their_o thought_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o raise_v any_o at_o all_o these_o advantage_n i_o say_v the_o heathen_n have_v parallel_n within_o a_o very_a little_a if_o not_o altogether_o to_o dr._n t_n ground_n and_o principle_n that_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v a_o equal_a effect_n viz._n not-doubting_a yet_o because_o
all_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o lie_n that_o they_o proceed_v on_o all_o their_o religion_n for_o all_o this_o be_v wicked_a and_o the_o the_o most_o zealous_a devotion_n to_o dame_n juno_n and_o the_o rest_n nay_o die_a for_o their_o sake_n be_v notwithstanding_o their_o good_a meaning_n in_o common_a dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n and_o firm_a principle_n a_o diabolical_a and_o mischievous_a action_n not_o a_o jot_n better_o as_o to_o the_o effect_n of_o gain_v heaven_n than_o the_o make_v their_o child_n pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o moloch_n pervert_v and_o destroy_v the_o soul_n that_o perform_v it_o nay_o die_v for_o it_o by_o addict_v it_o to_o what_o be_v not_o its_o true_a last_o end_n or_o eternal_a good_a and_o all_o this_o because_o there_o want_v truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n to_o render_v those_o action_n and_o suffering_n virtuous_a wherefore_o unless_o dr._n t._n produce_v some_o immovable_a ground_n to_o establish_v christianity_n to_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a especial_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n which_o enfeeble_v all_o the_o rest_n fall_v down_o to_o the_o ground_n he_o can_v never_o convince_v that_o either_o act_n or_o suffer_v for_o it_o be_v a_o virtue_n any_o more_o than_o it_o be_v in_o heathenism_n when_o the_o same_o be_v do_v for_o their_o false_a god_n and_o so_o he_o can_v never_o with_o reason_n persuade_v his_o auditory_a to_o it_o but_o have_v once_o prove_v that_o it_o matter_n less_o whether_o all_o the_o assenter_n penetrate_v the_o full_a force_n of_o the_o motive_n or_o no_o for_o if_o once_o it_o be_v put_v to_o be_v true_a all_o action_n and_o suffering_n proceed_v from_o those_o truth_n shall_v connatural_o addict_v those_o soul_n to_o their_o true_a last_o end_n and_o dispose_v they_o for_o it_o though_o their_o understanding_n be_v never_o so_o imperfect_a and_o their_o good_a or_o well-meaning_a will_n certain_o bring_v they_o to_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v because_o their_o will_n and_o its_o affection_n be_v good_a which_o they_o can_v not_o be_v as_o be_v prove_v be_v they_o not_o build_v upon_o some_o truth_n §_o 9_o again_o dr._n t._n discourse_v all_o along_o as_o if_o all_o be_v well_o when_o one_o be_v free_a from_o all_o doubt_n but_o i_o will_v desire_v his_o friend_n serious_o to_o ask_v he_o one_o question_n which_o be_v whether_o though_o his_o ground_n exclude_v all_o doubt_n from_o his_o mind_n at_o present_a yet_o he_o see_v any_o certain_a reason_n why_o he_o may_v not_o perhaps_o come_v to_o doubt_v of_o all_o his_o faith_n and_o even_o of_o a_o godhead_n too_o to_o morrow_n if_o he_o say_v he_o see_v not_o but_o he_o may_v he_o must_v say_v withal_o that_o he_o see_v it_o not_o and_o consequent_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a for_o if_o he_o once_o see_v it_o to_o be_v truth_n he_o can_v not_o hold_v it_o possible_a ever_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o with_o reason_n if_o he_o affirm_v that_o he_o see_v he_o can_v never_o come_v with_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o than_o he_o see_v his_o ground_n for_o hold_v it_o can_v possible_o be_v show_v false_a else_o it_o may_v both_o be_v doubt_v and_o what_o be_v more_o deny_v and_o if_o he_o hold_v his_o ground_n can_v possible_o be_v make_v out_o to_o be_v false_a than_o he_o must_v say_v they_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o if_o they_o be_v humane_a authority_n infallible_a which_o yet_o he_o stiff_o deny_v but_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v he_o hold_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o ground_n he_o lay_v his_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a but_o only_o a_o plausible_a likelihood_n else_o common_a sense_n will_v force_v he_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o he_o build_v his_o assent_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o not_o to_o palliate_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o with_o such_o raw_a principle_n and_o petty_a craft_n to_o avoid_v a_o honest_a downright_a procedure_n which_o be_v to_o say_v plain_o my_o ground_n can_v fail_v of_o conclude_v the_o thing_n absolute_o true_a i_o will_v justify_v they_o to_o be_v such_o and_o here_o they_o be_v but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o the_o best_a word_n he_o afford_v they_o who_o do_v this_o right_n to_o christianity_n be_v to_o call_v they_o vapour_a and_o swagger_a man_n with_o all_o the_o disgraceful_a irony_n he_o can_v put_v upon_o they_o §_o 10._o by_o this_o time_n my_o last_o charge_n that_o this_o firm_a principle_n of_o he_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n i_o may_v have_v say_v likelihood_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o be_v already_o make_v good_a and_o needs_o only_o a_o short_a rehearsal_n for_o 1._o he_o assert_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o a_o deity_n unless_o we_o entertain_v his_o firm_a principle_n which_o be_v so_o full_o stuff_v with_o nonsense_n and_o folly_n that_o unlesâ—_n it_o be_v in_o bedlam_n i_o know_v no_o place_n in_o england_n where_o it_o be_v like_a to_o find_v entertainment_n that_o the_o evidence_n or_o visibleness_n of_o a_o object_n beget_v certainty_n in_o we_o be_v that_o which_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n ever_o teach_v i_o and_o all_o mankind_n hitherto_o but_o that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o a_o object_n or_o its_o afford_v we_o no_o true_a evidence_n ground_v our_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o it_o nay_o that_o even_o its_o incapableness_n to_o afford_v we_o any_o in_o our_o circumstance_n and_o consequent_o our_o despair_n of_o see_v any_o such_o evidence_n for_o it_o shall_v contribute_v to_o make_v we_o certain_a of_o it_o nay_o more_o that_o this_o must_v be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o be_v obtrude_v upon_o all_o mankind_n under_o such_o a_o unmerciful_a penalty_n that_o unless_o they_o entertain_v this_o as_o honourable_o as_o a_o firm_a principle_n not_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v such_o a_o super-transcendent_a absurdity_n as_o surpass_v all_o belief_n or_o even_o imagination_n but_o a_o rhetorician_n may_v say_v any_o thing_n when_o talk_v pretty_a plausibility_n be_v only_o in_o vogue_n and_o a_o melodious_a gingle_n to_o please_v the_o ear_n be_v more_o modish_a than_o solid_a reason_n to_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n next_o he_o vouch_v not_o any_o reason_n he_o bring_v to_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a and_o consequent_o own_v not_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n no_o not_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o not_o to_o assert_v but_o as_o have_v be_v show_v from_o his_o firm_a principle_n equivalent_o to_o deny_v even_o then_o when_o he_o be_v maintain_v it_o be_v a_o intolerable_a prejudice_n to_o that_o weighty_a and_o excellent_a cause_n he_o have_v undertake_v and_o so_o be_v engage_v to_o defend_v 3._o he_o wave_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o his_o reason_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o content_v himself_o that_o it_o keep_v we_o free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n which_o reach_v not_o assent_v for_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n be_v to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a and_o so_o not_o to_o doubt_v be_v bare_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o be_v far_o short_a of_o hold_v it_o true_a and_o consequent_o from_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n beside_o our_o not_o doubt_v may_v be_v in_o many_o regard_v faulty_a and_o spring_n from_o surprise_n passion_n and_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o from_o ignorance_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v but_o a_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v faulty_a wherefore_o to_o relinquish_v the_o patronage_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o validity_n that_o be_v absolute_a conclusiveness_n of_o christian_a proof_n of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a store_n for_o this_o point_n defend_v only_o their_o plausibility_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o victorious_a way_n of_o convince_a the_o understanding_n into_o assent_n require_v only_o a_o feeble_a not_o doubt_v be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o betray_v his_o cause_n and_o tacit_o or_o rather_o indeed_o too_o open_o to_o accuse_v christianity_n of_o a_o infirmity_n in_o its_o ground_n as_o be_v incapable_a to_o effect_v what_o they_o ought_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o to_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n 4._o by_o make_v our_o certainty_n of_o it_o or_o the_o adequate_a effect_n of_o its_o motive_n consist_v mere_o in_o our_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o he_o make_v its_o effect_n and_o consequent_o the_o efficacy_n of_o those_o motive_n themselves_o no_o better_a than_o those_o which_o heathen_n turk_n and_o heretic_n have_v for_o these_o also_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n from_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o respective_a sect_n if_o he_o say_v christian_n have_v no_o just_a reason_n
discover_v to_o i_o that_o i_o can_v not_o bestow_v my_o pain_n better_a on_o any_o subject_n than_o in_o make_v know_v what_o be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o evidence_v to_o man_n capable_a of_o evidence_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n that_o it_o have_v indeed_o the_o quality_n proper_a to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v virtue_n or_o power_n to_o acquaint_v we_o that_o live_v now_o without_o the_o least_o danger_n of_o error_n what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v at_o first_o to_o this_o end_n i_o show_v first_o in_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n have_v not_o this_o virtue_n and_o by_o consequence_n can_v not_o be_v the_o rule_n intend_v and_o leave_v we_o by_o christ._n many_o argument_n i_o use_v from_o p._n 1._o to_o p._n 41._o though_o these_o two_o short_a discourse_n be_v sufficient_a to_o evince_v the_o point_n to_o any_o who_o be_v not_o beforehand_o resolve_v he_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v first_o that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n or_o way_n to_o faith_n which_o many_o follow_v to_o their_o power_n yet_o be_v mislead_v and_o this_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o for_o i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o charity_n or_o even_o with_o humanity_n to_o think_v that_o none_o among_o the_o socinian_o or_o other_o err_a sect_n endeavour_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a nor_o how_o it_o can_v be_v make_v out_o that_o all_o without_o exception_n either_o wilful_o or_o negligent_o pervert_v it_o and_o yet_o unless_o it_o be_v show_v rational_a to_o believe_v this_o it_o can_v never_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n as_o useful_a and_o as_o excellent_a as_o it_o be_v in_o other_o respect_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o all_o want_v to_o themselves_o and_o their_o rule_n it_o be_v unavoidable_a that_o their_o rule_n be_v want_v to_o they_o next_o they_o who_o affirm_v the_o letter_n be_v the_o rule_n must_v either_o say_v that_o the_o bare_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v antecedent_o to_o and_o abstract_n from_o all_o interpretation_n whatsoever_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o this_o can_v be_v with_o any_o sense_n maintain_v for_o so_o god_n must_v be_v hold_v to_o have_v hand_n foot_n passion_n etc._n etc._n or_o else_o that_o the_o letter_n alone_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o give_v as_o assurance_n of_o god_n sense_n in_o dogmatical_a point_n of_o high_a concern_v as_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o interpretation_n and_o to_o say_v this_o be_v to_o say_v as_o express_o as_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n alone_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o it_o give_v not_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o christ_n without_o that_o interpretation_n adjoin_v nay_o more_o since_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o interpretation_n to_o give_v the_o sense_n of_o word_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o christ_n this_o interpretation_n manifest_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o revelation_n to_o we_o who_o live_v now_o of_o what_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n i_o know_v it_o be_v sometime_o say_v that_o the_o letter_n may_v be_v interpret_v by_o itself_o a_o clear_a place_n afford_v light_n to_o one_o more_o obscure_a but_o take_v the_o letter_n as_o antecedent_n to_o all_o interpretation_n as_o in_o this_o case_n it_o ought_v i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n for_o this_o pretence_n for_o let_v we_o take_v two_o such_o place_n e._n g._n it_o repent_v god_n that_o he_o have_v make_v man_n and_o god_n be_v not_o as_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v abstract_a from_o all_o interpretation_n and_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o that_o can_v of_o the_o two_o place_n take_v alone_o which_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o which_o be_v the_o obscure_a one_o atheist_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o take_v such_o pretence_n to_o reject_v the_o scripture_n and_o impious_o accuse_v it_o of_o contradiction_n but_o how_o that_o method_n can_v assist_v a_o sincere_a man_n who_o hope_v by_o the_o mere_a letter_n to_o find_v his_o faith_n and_o hinder_v the_o obscure_a place_n from_o darken_n the_o clear_a place_n as_o much_o as_o the_o clear_a one_o enlighten_v the_o obscure_a one_o i_o understand_v not_o in_o fine_a it_o expose_v a_o man_n to_o the_o scandal_n and_o temptation_n of_o think_v there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o scripture_n but_o absolute_a assurance_n of_o truth_n it_o give_v no_o man_n beside_o the_o former_a of_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v return_v again_o for_o the_o socinian_o compare_v place_n to_o place_n as_o well_o as_o other_o other_o sect_n do_v so_o too_o and_o yet_o all_o err_v and_o some_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n wherefore_o it_o must_v be_v either_o presume_v they_o all_o err_v wilful_o or_o the_o way_n can_v be_v presume_v a_o right_a way_n far_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v when_o one_o pitch_v upon_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o any_o place_n beyond_o what_o the_o letter_n enforce_v by_o what_o light_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o that_o determination_n and_o then_o show_v that_o that_o light_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o not_o the_o letter_n be_v indeed_o the_o formal_a revealer_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o occasion_n but_o my_o business_n now_o be_v to_o state_n my_o case_n not_o to_o plead_v it_o the_o letter_n rule_v seclude_v i_o advance_v to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n or_o that_o body_n call_v the_o church_n which_o christ_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n constitute_v take_v as_o deliver_v her_o thought_n by_o a_o constant_a tenor_n of_o live_a voice_n and_o practise_v visible_a to_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v the_o absolutely-certain_a way_n of_o convey_v down_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v at_o first_o from_o age_n to_o age_n nay_o year_n to_o year_n and_o so_o to_o our_o time_n which_o be_v in_o other_o term_n to_o say_v that_o pastor_n and_o father_n and_o the_o conversant_a faithful_a by_o discourse_v preach_v teach_v and_o catechise_v and_o live_v and_o practise_v can_v from_o the_o very_a first_o and_o so_o all_o along_o better_a and_o more_o certain_o make_v their_o thought_n or_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o they_o instruct_v than_o a_o book_n which_o lie_v before_o they_o and_o can_v accommodate_v itself_o to_o the_o arise_v difficulty_n of_o the_o reader_n i_o be_o not_o here_o to_o repeat_v my_o reason_n they_o be_v contain_v in_o my_o book_n which_o i_o call_v sure_a foot_n in_o christianity_n and_o because_o i_o observe_v our_o improve_n age_n have_v in_o this_o last_o half_a century_n exceed_o ripen_v and_o advance_v in_o manly_a reason_n strain_v towards_o perfect_a satisfaction_n and_o unwilling_o rest_v on_o any_o thing_n in_o which_o appear_v a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o to_o express_v the_o same_o in_o other_o word_n bend_v their_o thought_n and_o hopeful_a endeavour_n to_o perfect_a science_n i_o endeavour_v in_o that_o treatise_n rigorous_o to_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o science_n both_o in_o disprove_v the_o letter-rule_n and_o prove_v the_o live_a rule_n of_o faith_n beginning_n with_o some_o plain_a attribute_n belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n and_o build_v my_o whole_a discourse_n upon_o they_o with_o care_v not_o to_o swerve_v from_o they_o in_o the_o least_o and_o be_v conscious_a to_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v as_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v close_o hold_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o hold_v my_o first_o five_o discourse_n demonstrative_a which_o be_v all_o i_o need_v have_v do_v as_o appear_v p._n 57_o and_o 58._o the_o rest_n that_o follow_v be_v add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o express_v by_o i_o a_o endeavour_n to_o demonstrate_v as_o by_o the_o title_n of_o the_o six_o and_o eight_o discourse_n be_v manifest_a though_o i_o do_v not_o perceive_v by_o the_o opposition_n of_o my_o answerer_n why_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v better_a thought_n of_o they_o than_o at_o first_o i_o pretend_v this_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v that_o book_n as_o far_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o i_o and_o a_o true_a account_n why_o i_o write_v on_o that_o subject_a and_o in_o that_o manner_n what_o thought_n i_o have_v of_o its_o usefulness_n and_o hope_v it_o may_v prove_v serviceable_a towards_o compose_v the_o difference_n in_o religion_n of_o which_o the_o world_n have_v so_o long_o complain_v though_o from_o the_o long_a and_o deep_a meditation_n i_o must_v necessary_o have_v make_v upon_o those_o principle_n i_o may_v reasonable_o be_v judge_v to_o
to_o doubt_v i_o ask_v he_o how_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o it_o must_v needs_o exclude_v all_o reason_n of_o actual_a doubt_n from_o the_o mind_n even_o of_o the_o wise_a christian_n unless_o he_o can_v prove_v those_o ground_n can_v possible_o be_v doubt_v of_o with_o reason_n for_o otherwise_o if_o those_o man_n may_v possible_o doubt_v with_o reason_n it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o they_o will_v do_v so_o actual_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o he_o ought_v then_o to_o say_v those_o motive_n exclude_v all_o possible_a doubt_n or_o be_v undoubtable_a of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o so_o take_v it_o out_o of_o the_o subject_n strength_n or_o weakness_n and_o put_v it_o upon_o the_o object_n but_o this_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o say_v dread_v the_o consequence_n which_o be_v this_o that_o he_o who_o affirm_v a_o thing_n can_v never_o be_v possible_o doubt_v of_o in_o true_a reason_n must_v affirm_v withal_o that_o he_o have_v motive_n conclude_v it_o absolute_o true_a that_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o if_o it_o depend_v on_o authority_n infallible_a testimony_n for_o it_o which_o his_o superficial_a reason_n full_o resolve_v against_o first_o principle_n or_o identical_a proposition_n can_v never_o reach_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o he_o must_v hold_v to_o actual_a not-doubting_a on_o the_o subject_n side_n that_o be_v he_o must_v say_v the_o motive_n be_v only_o such_o as_o preseru_v prudent_a person_n from_o doubt_n and_o then_o he_o must_v either_o make_v out_o that_o christian_n have_v more_o natural_a prudence_n than_o those_o in_o those_o other_o sect_n natural_a i_o say_v for_o all_o motive_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n must_v be_v object_n of_o our_o natural_a part_n or_o endowment_n or_o else_o confess_v that_o he_o know_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o reason_n for_o those_o other_o sect_n and_o those_o for_o christianity_n according_a to_o the_o ground_n deliver_v by_o he_o here_o both_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n in_o person_n as_o far_o as_o appear_v to_o we_o equal_a in_o prudence_n as_o to_o other_o thing_n neither_o of_o they_o exclude_v possible_a rational_a doubt_n each_o one_o have_v as_o much_o evidence_n of_o their_o deity_n they_o adore_v as_o they_o can_v have_v in_o their_o circumstance_n suppose_v those_o deity_n be_v and_o no_o true_a or_o absolute_o conclusive_a evidence_n appear_v on_o either_o side_n both_o have_v as_o good_a proof_n as_o the_o thing_n afford_v suppose_v it_o be_v and_o such_o as_o exclude_v doubt_v therefore_o according_a to_o dr._n t_n doctrine_n both_o have_v certainty_n and_o all_o be_v parallel_v and_o so_o farewell_n christianity_n religion_n and_o first_o principle_n too_o that_o be_v farewell_o common_a sense_n and_o all_o possibility_n of_o know_v any_o thing_n all_o truth_n and_o goodness_n must_v needs_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o principle_n natural_o self-evident_a and_o establish_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o founder_n of_o nature_n be_v relinquish_v and_o other_o make_v up_o of_o mere_a fancy_n and_o air_n be_v take_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n §_o 10._o i_o know_v dr._n t._n will_v sweat_v and_o fume_n and_o bestir_v all_o his_o knack_n of_o rhetoric_n to_o avoid_v these_o consequence_n of_o his_o doctrine_n i_o expect_v he_o will_v pelt_v i_o with_o ironies_n and_o bitter_a jeer_n cavil_v at_o unelegant_a word_n tell_v i_o what_o some_o divine_n of_o we_o say_v and_o perhaps_o mistake_v they_o all_o the_o while_n stout_o deny_v all_o my_o conclusion_n instead_o of_o answer_v my_o discourse_n nay_o fall_v into_o another_o peevish_a fit_n of_o the_o spleen_n and_o say_v i_o have_v no_o forehead_n for_o drive_v on_o his_o principle_n to_o such_o conclusion_n as_o he_o who_o be_v too_o busy_a at_o word_n to_o mind_n or_o amend_v his_o reason_n never_o dream_v of_o therefore_o to_o defend_v my_o forehead_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o phylactery_n contain_v such_o expression_n take_v out_o of_o his_o first_o sermon_n as_o best_a discover_v to_o we_o his_o thought_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o his_o positive_a proof_n and_o the_o point_n itself_o as_o prove_v by_o they_o i_o mean_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o a_o creation_n such_o as_o be_v serm._n p._n 19_o a_o be_v suppose_v of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v a_o very_a likely_a cause_n of_o these_o thing_n what_o more_o likely_a to_o make_v this_o vast_a world_n etc._n etc._n what_o more_o likely_a to_o communicate_v be_v what_o more_o likely_a to_o contrive_v this_o admirable_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n this_o seem_v no_o unreasonable_a account_n p._n 21._o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o this_o sort_n of_o atheist_n come_v to_o this_o which_o be_v the_o more_o credible_a opinion_n that_o the_o world_n be_v never_o make_v etc._n etc._n or_o that_o there_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n such_o a_o be_v as_o we_o conceive_v god_n to_o be_v now_o compare_v the_o probability_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v know_v on_o which_o side_n the_o advantage_n lie_v etc._n etc._n p._n 22._o the_o question_n whether_o the_o world_n be_v create_v or_o not_o can_v only_a be_v decide_v by_o testimony_n and_o probability_n of_o reason_n testimony_n be_v the_o principal_a argument_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o if_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o it_o etc._n etc._n p._n 29._o the_o probability_n of_o reason_n do_v all_o likewise_o favour_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 32._o another_o probability_n be_v etc._n etc._n p._n 34._o these_o be_v the_o chief_z probability_n on_o our_o side_n which_o be_v take_v together_o and_o in_o their_o unite_a sense_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o conviction_n in_o they_o §_o 11._o upon_o these_o word_n and_o expression_n of_o he_o i_o make_v these_o reflection_n 1._o that_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o own_o state_v the_o point_n p._n 21._o he_o make_v it_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o question_n as_o indeed_o it_o do_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o creation_n or_o a_o first_o be_v create_v the_o world_n who_o we_o call_v god_n so_o that_o all_o his_o proof_n be_v indifferent_o to_o be_v take_v as_o aim_v to_o evince_v one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o 2._o that_o this_o be_v so_o he_o stand_v not_o hearty_o to_o any_o one_o argument_n he_o bring_v as_o able_a to_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v or_o creator_n existence_n 3._o that_o his_o word_n which_o be_v expressive_a of_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o ground_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o point_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n manifest_v too_o plain_o that_o he_o judge_n according_a to_o his_o speculative_a thought_n at_o least_o he_o have_v neither_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o for_o if_o it_o be_v but_o likely_a though_o it_o be_v exceed_o such_o yet_o as_o common_a experience_n teach_v we_o it_o may_v notwithstanding_o be_v false_a if_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o a_o deity_n create_v the_o world_n be_v only_o no_o unreasonable_a one_o this_o signify_v only_o that_o it_o have_v some_o reason_n or_o other_o for_o it_o and_o every_o man_n know_v that_o seldom_o or_o never_o do_v two_o wit_n discourse_v contrary_a position_n or_o lawyer_n plead_v for_o contrary_a cause_n or_o preacher_n preach_v for_o contrary_a opinion_n but_o there_o be_v some_o reason_n produce_v by_o they_o for_o either_o side_n and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v say_v the_o atheist_n may_v come_v to_o give_v no_o unreasonable_a account_n too_o that_o there_o be_v no_o deity_n though_o it_o be_v something_o less_o reasonable_a than_o that_o for_o a_o deity_n and_o if_o the_o controversy_n between_o atheist_n and_o we_o be_v only_o this_o whether_o be_v the_o more_o credible_a opinion_n than_o the_o other_o opinion_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o creation_n or_o be_v no_o god_n be_v yield_v to_o be_v credible_a too_o though_o not_o so_o credible_a as_o that_o there_o be_v also_o if_o we_o ought_v to_o compare_v the_o probability_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v know_v on_o which_o side_n the_o advantage_n lie_v it_o be_v intimate_v to_o we_o and_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a there_o be_v no_o god_n though_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a there_o be_v and_o while_o it_o be_v but_o probable_a though_o it_o be_v very_o much_o more_o yet_o it_o may_v very_o easy_o be_v false_a as_o every_o day_n experience_n teach_v we_o in_o a_o thousand_o instance_n wherein_o ourselves_o be_v mistake_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n which_o common_o happen_v when_o the_o far_o more_o probable_a side_n prove_v false_a else_o we_o have_v not_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o true_a and_o by_o that_o mean_v be_v mistake_v again_o if_o the_o probability_n of_o reason_n do_v but_o favour_v our_o side_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o
evident_o that_o they_o renounce_v not_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o manage_v be_v not_o apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o at_o all_o and_o so_o no_o rule_n yet_o he_o give_v we_o one_o great_a reason_n as_o he_o call_v it_o why_o man_n do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o because_o their_o interest_n and_o lust_n and_o passion_n be_v more_o concern_v so_o that_o according_a to_o dr._n t._n a_o man_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o his_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v look_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n alone_o and_o discern_v who_o be_v passionate_a prejudice_v interest_v and_o lustful_a again_o this_o reason_n be_v find_v on_o either_o side_n to_o a_o great_a degree_n for_o be_v not_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n so_o evident_a that_o absurd_a man_n will_v 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t_n vindication_n of_o himself_o from_o make_v according_a to_o his_o ground_n faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a amount_v to_o this_o he_o produce_v word_n to_o disprove_v it_o which_o manifold_o confess_v it_o he_o endeavour_v all_o along_o to_o show_v that_o infallible_a certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o either_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o be_v he_o grant_v that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v deceive_v though_o all_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v to_o secure_v they_o in_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o deny_v that_o absolute_o speak_v faith_n be_v certainlytrue_a again_o loath_a to_o speak_v out_o to_o that_o point_n candid_o he_o shuffle_n about_o and_o put_v upon_o his_o adversary_n divers_a odd_a and_o ridiculous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n omit_v the_o right_a one_o which_o be_v give_v to_o his_o hand_n last_o be_v to_o give_v account_n what_o kind_n of_o certainty_n he_o allow_v to_o faith_n he_o give_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o it_o as_o signify_v 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for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v actual_o such_o discourse_n vii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n reply_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 1._o dr_n t._n have_v no_o fellow_n nor_o his_o way_n of_o confute_v any_o parallel_n not_o to_o provoke_v the_o peevishness_n of_o malice_n too_o far_o and_o yet_o follow_v home_o my_o blow_n more_o full_o and_o yet_o withal_o to_o uphold_v the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n ground_v on_o the_o just_a conceit_n of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n i_o write_v a_o a_o book_n call_v faith_n vindicated_n in_o behalf_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o common_a show_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o security_n from_o error_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n provide_v it_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o motive_n god_n have_v leave_v to_o settle_v his_o church_n and_o by_o it_o mankind_n in_o faith_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n it_o pretend_v demonstration_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o have_v not_o one_o drollish_a or_o unsober_a expression_n in_o it_o take_v a_o map_n of_o it_o in_o a_o few_o word_n i_o conceive_v myself_o debtor_n both_o sapientibus_fw-la and_o insipientibus_fw-la and_o hence_o the_o concern_v be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n among_o the_o rest_n to_o speculative_a divine_n i_o resolve_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o argument_n suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o the_o more_o intelligent_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o eviction_n to_o the_o middle_a or_o prudential_n sort_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o fifth·_n and_o to_o they_o of_o the_o low_a capacity_n in_o the_o last_o every_o one_o be_v enable_v by_o tradition_n or_o education_n to_o comprehend_v what_o the_o common_a language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n teach_v they_o as_o to_z speechee_n and_o carriage_n appertain_v to_o faith_n i_o begin_v after_o i_o have_v put_v two_o postulatum_fw-la grant_v by_o all_o christian_n with_o logical_a argument_n which_o i_o pursue_v at_o large_a because_o as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a trick_n in_o sophister_n and_o half_a logician_n to_o abuse_v that_o excellent_a art_n to_o elude_v the_o clear_a evidendence_n so_o it_o become_v a_o more_o necessary_a duty_n in_o i_o to_o prevent_v by_o the_o close_a proof_n fetch_v it_o from_o almost_o all_o head_n imaginable_a that_o belong_v to_o that_o skill_n any_o misusage_n of_o its_o maxim_n to_o patronize_v falsehood_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o very_o speculative_a and_o according_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n what_o my_o reader_n be_v to_o expect_v in_o discourse_n of_o that_o kind_n nor_o will_v any_o man_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n wonder_n that_o i_o shall_v use_v logical_a expression_n when_o i_o make_v logical_a discourse_n or_o term_n of_o art_n when_o i_o speak_v to_o scholar_n these_o thing_n reflect_v on_o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o a_o dextrous_a way_n our_o learned_a confuter_n take_v to_o answer_v that_o whole_a book_n for_o he_o manifest_v here_o a_o intention_n to_o give_v it_o no_o other_o and_o to_o overthrow_v so_o many_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o his_o first_o way_n of_o confute_v be_v to_o pick_v out_o a_o leaf_n or_o two_o of_o the_o most_o speculative_a part_n of_o that_o treatise_n only_o intend_v for_o scholar_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o be_v only_a sermon-pitch_n to_o who_o because_o such_o discourse_n be_v unsuitable_a and_o withal_o too_o hard_o for_o he_o to_o answer_v hence_o he_o very_o politic_o both_o gratify_v the_o fancy_n of_o those_o reader_n and_o avoid_v himself_o the_o difficult_a task_n of_o answer_v the_o press_a reason_n in_o it_o by_o play_v the_o wit_n when_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o act_v the_o scholar_n and_o make_v use_n of_o his_o constant_a friend_n at_o a_o dead_a lift_n drollery_n in_o stead_n of_o rely_v on_o the_o patronage_n of_o reason_n which_o as_o he_o experience_n so_o often_o betray_v and_o expose_v hss_a weakness_n he_o run_v on_o therefore_o a_o whole_a leaf_n or_o two_o in_o this_o jovial_a career_n ere_o he_o can_v recover_v himself_o till_o even_o his_o own_o friend_n who_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o the_o necessity_n admire_v at_o his_o endless_a raillery_n and_o true_a to_o his_o method_n neglect_v whole_o the_o sense_n and_o except_v mighty_o against_o five_o or_o six_o hard_a word_n namely_o potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n determinative_a supervene_v and_o subsume_v which_o it_o seem_v puzzle_v he_o exceed_o for_o he_o profess_v to_o think_v they_o mystical_a he_o call_v the_o discourse_n jargon_fw-la foolish_a and_o nonsense_n which_o two_o last_o word_n he_o be_v ever_o most_o free_a of_o when_o his_o reason_n be_v most_o at_o a_o loss_n he_o liken_n it_o to_o the_o coptick_n and_o slavonian_a language_n talk_v of_o astrology_n palmistry_n chemistry_n and_o what_o not_o and_o with_o such_o kind_n of_o stuff_n confute_v it_o
that_o i_o never_o say_v or_o think_v it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o tradition_n have_v always_o be_v follow_v but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v of_o own_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d evident_o infallible_a rule_n abstract_v from_o be_v follow_v his_o answer_n to_o my_o method_n be_v this_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o point_n before_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o speak_v to_o it_o now_o for_o why_o shall_v people_n expect_v more_o from_o i_o here_o than_o elsewhere_o or_o rather_o i_o have_v grant_v the_o point_n already_o and_o therefore_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o say_v more_o to_o it_o and_o i_o for_o my_o part_n think_v he_o be_v in_o the_o right_a &_o because_o it_o seem_v a_o little_a unreasonable_a to_o require_v the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v do_v twice_o i_o think_v it_o best_o to_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o sufficient-consideration_n and_o go_v on_o to_o the_o next_o only_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v how_o empty_a a_o brag_n it_o be_v in_o the_o drs._n how_o partial_a in_o their_o friend_n to_o magnify_v this_o piece_n as_o unanswerable_a yet_o in_o one_o sense_n it_o be_v such_o for_o a_o ready_a grant_n of_o what_o be_v evident_a truth_n can_v never_o be_v answer_v or_o refute_v §_o 7._o his_o next_o pretence_n be_v that_o my_o method_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n to_o which_o though_o enough_o have_v be_v say_v already_o yet_o because_o the_o clear_n this_o will_n at_o once_o give_v account_n of_o what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o affirm_v faith_n must_v be_v know_v antecedent_o to_o church_n which_o bear_v a_o show_n as_o if_o i_o hold_v we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n for_o our_o faith_n i_o shall_v be_v something_o large_a in_o declare_v this_o point_n to_o perform_v which_o more_o satisfactory_o i_o note_v 1._o that_o those_o who_o be_v actual_o from_o their_o childhood_n in_o the_o church_n have_v faith_n instill_a into_o they_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n from_o those_o who_o be_v educate_v in_o another_o profession_n and_o after_o come_v to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n the_o formâ—â—_n be_v imbue_v after_o a_o natural_a way_n with_o the_o church_n doctrine_n and_o be_v educate_v in_o a_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n of_o the_o church_n itself_o whereas_o the_o late_a be_v to_o acquire_v faith_n by_o consider_v and_o look_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o be_v educate_v rather_o in_o a_o hatred_n against_o the_o true_a church_n than_o in_o any_o good_a opinion_n of_o she_o the_o former_a therefore_o have_v the_o full_a weight_n of_o the_o church_n authority_n both_o as_o to_o natural_n and_o supernatural_n actual_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o work_v its_o effect_n upon_o they_o practical_a self-evidence_n both_o of_o the_o credit_n due_a to_o so_o grave_a learned_a ample_n and_o sacred_a a_o authority_n as_o also_o of_o the_o holiness_n the_o morality_n or_o agreeableness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n to_o right_a reason_n which_o they_o actual_o experience_n render_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o assent_n connatural_a that_o be_v rational_a or_o virtuous_a the_o late_a fancy_n nothing_o supernatural_a in_o she_o nor_o experience_n the_o goodness_n of_o her_o doctrine_n but_o have_v it_o represent_v to_o they_o as_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a in_o a_o word_n the_o former_a have_v both_o faith_n and_o the_o reason_n for_o it_o practical_o instill_a into_o they_o in_o a_o manner_n at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o grow_v together_o daily_o to_o new_a degree_n of_o perfection_n whereas_o the_o late_a must_v have_v reason_n antecedent_o to_o faith_n and_o apprehend_v as_o yet_o nothing_o supernatural_a in_o the_o church_n must_v begin_v with_o something_o natural_a or_o mere_o humane_a which_o may_v be_v the_o object_n of_o a_o unelevated_a reason_n and_o withal_o such_o as_o may_v be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n able_a to_o satisfy_v rational_o that_o haesitation_n and_o disquisitive_a doubt_n wherewith_o they_o be_v perplex_v and_o settle_v they_o in_o a_o firm_a belief_n 2._o my_o discourse_n in_o that_o treatise_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o title_n be_v intend_v for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o i_o be_o to_o speak_v to_o their_o natural_a reason_n by_o propose_v something_o which_o be_v a_o object_n proper_a and_o proportion_v to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v lead_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n step_v by_o step_n to_o the_o church_n though_o all_o the_o while_o they_o walk_v upon_o their_o own_o leg_n and_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n that_o be_v proceed_v upon_o plain_a maxim_n of_o humane_a reason_n every_o step_n they_o take_v 3._o though_o i_o use_v the_o abstract_a word_n tradition_n yet_o i_o conceive_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v imagine_v i_o mean_v by_o it_o some_o idea_n platonica_fw-la or_o separate_v formalility_n hover_v in_o the_o air_n without_o any_o subject_a but_o that_o the_o thing_n i_o indeed_o mean_v to_o signify_v by_o it_o be_v the_o church_n as_o deliver_v or_o as_o testify_v and_o take_v it_o as_o apply_v to_o those_o who_o be_v not_o yet_o capable_a to_o discern_v any_o supernaturality_n in_o the_o church_n the_o natural_a or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o church_n testify_v she_o receive_v this_o faith_n uninterrupted_o from_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o tradition_n differ_v from_o church_n as_o a_o man_n consider_v precise_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v differ_v from_o himself_o consider_v and_o express_v as_o such_o a_o person_n which_o know_v by_o speech_n and_o carriage_n or_o by_o himself_o as_o speak_v and_o act_v other_o consideration_n also_o belong_v to_o he_o which_o before_o lay_v hide_v and_o be_v involve_v or_o as_o the_o school_n express_v it_o confound_v in_o the_o subject_a or_o suppositum_fw-la become_v know_v likewise_o so_o the_o church_n humane_a testimony_n or_o tradition_n which_o as_o be_v show_v sure_a f._n p._n 81_o 82_o 83._o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o powerful_o support_v even_o natural_o of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o proportion_a object_n to_o their_o reason_n who_o yet_o believe_v not_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v know_v thence_o that_o the_o body_n who_o proceed_v on_o that_o ground_n possess_v the_o first-delivered_a that_o be_v right_a faith_n and_o so_o be_v the_o true_a church_n immediate_o all_o those_o prerogative_n and_o supernatural_a endowment_n apprehend_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n to_o spring_v out_o of_o it_o or_o attend_v on_o it_o be_v know_v to_o appertain_v and_o to_o have_v ever_o appertain_v to_o the_o true_a church_n and_o among_o the_o rest_n goodness_n or_o sanctity_n the_o proper_a gift_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n with_o all_o the_o mean_n to_o it_o which_o with_o a_o incomparable_a efficacy_n strengthen_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a as_o to_o the_o delivery_n of_o right_a faith_n whence_o she_o be_v just_o hold_v and_o believe_v by_o the_o new-converted_n faithful_a to_o be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n which_o till_o some_o motive_n mere_o humane_a have_v first_o introduce_v it_o into_o their_o understanding_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a church_n they_o can_v not_o possible_o apprehend_v §_o 8._o in_o this_o way_n then_o of_o discourse_v the_o church_n be_v still_o the_o only_a ascertainer_n of_o faith_n either_o take_v in_o her_o whole_a latitude_n as_o in_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a or_o consider_v in_o part_n only_o that_o be_v as_o deliver_v by_o way_n of_o natural_o testify_v which_o i_o here_o call_v tradition_n in_o order_n to_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n whence_o appear_v the_o perfect_a groundlesness_n of_o dr._n t_n objection_n and_o how_o he_o whole_o misunderstand_v my_o doctrine_n in_o this_o point_n when_o he_o say_v the_o discourse_n in_o my_o method_n do_v unchristian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o our_o own_o church_n for_o first_o he_o mistake_v the_o ground_n of_o believe_v to_o those_o actual_o in_o the_o church_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o ground_n for_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o find_v which_o be_v the_o church_n next_o since_o all_o believer_n actual_o in_o the_o church_n even_o to_o a_o man_n rely_v on_o the_o church_n both_o natural_o and_o supernatural_o assist_v and_o i_o be_o diseourse_v only_o about_o the_o natural_a mean_n for_o those_o who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o his_o discourse_n amount_v to_o this_o that_o because_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o come_v to_o faith_n rely_v only_o on_o the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n therefore_o they_o who_o be_v in_o the_o church_n and_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n both_o humane_o
apparent_a respect_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v find_v in_o rushworth_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n to_o that_o purpose_n in_o my_o book_n three_o to_o give_v countenance_n to_o this_o false_a charge_n those_o word_n of_o i_o whereas_o in_o the_o place_n you_o cite_v he_o only_o express_v which_o in_o i_o be_v immediate_o subjoin_v to_o his_o comment_n and_o be_v evident_o design_v to_o restrain_v that_o author_n word_n to_o a_o sense_n different_a from_o what_o he_o have_v impose_v he_o here_o join_v immediate_o after_o the_o very_a woâ—ds_n themselves_o though_o there_o be_v three_o or_o four_o line_n between_o one_o and_o the_o other_o by_o this_o stratagem_n make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v the_o word_n only_a be_v exclusive_a or_o negative_a of_o more_o word_n find_v in_o rushworth_n whereas_o by_o the_o whoâ—e_a tenor_n of_o the_o charge_n by_o all_o the_o word_n which_o express_v it_o and_o last_o by_o the_o place_v those_o word_n he_o only_o express_a immediate_o after_o his_o unhandsome_a comment_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_a they_o only_o exclude_v any_o ground_n or_o occasion_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o misconstruction_n and_o aim_v not_o in_o the_o least_o at_o deny_v any_o other_o word_n but_o only_o at_o clear_v that_o this_o be_v that_o author_n sole_a intention_n yet_o in_o confidence_n of_o these_o blind_a craft_n and_o that_o his_o unexamine_v reader_n will_v believe_v all_o he_o say_v he_o sound_v the_o triumph_n of_o his_o own_o victory_n in_o this_o rude_a and_o confident_a manner_n certain_o one_o will_v think_v that_o either_o this_o man_n have_v no_o eye_n or_o no_o forehead_n i_o will_v not_o say_v as_o dr._n t._n do_v here_o in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v against_o himself_o p._n 123._o that_o a_o little_a wit_n and_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o ill-nature_n will_v furnish_v a_o man_n for_o satyr_n only_o i_o must_v say_v that_o the_o ten_o part_n of_o this_o rudeness_n in_o another_o though_o just_o occasion_v too_o will_v have_v be_v call_v passion_n and_o ill_a language_n but_o i_o see_v what_o be_v a_o most_o horrid_a sin_n in_o the_o abominable_a papist_n be_v still_o a_o great_a virtue_n in_o the_o saint_n on_o this_o occasion_n since_o he_o be_v so_o hot_a and_o rustic_a i_o must_v be_v serious_a with_o he_o and_o demand_v of_o he_o public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o this_o unjust_a calumny_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v too_o rigorous_a with_o he_o i_o will_v yield_v he_o innocent_a in_o all_o the_o rest_n if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o this_o one_o passage_n in_o which_o he_o counterfeit_v the_o great_a triumph_n and_o victory_n of_o this_o fault_n i_o say_v which_o he_o have_v new_o commit_v even_o then_o when_o he_o go_v about_o to_o clear_a himsellf_n of_o a_o former_a §_o 12._o his_o last_o attempt_n be_v to_o give_v a_o account_n why_o he_o add_v that_o large_a sense_v monosyllable_n all_o to_o my_o word_n which_o be_v the_o only_a false_a citation_n be_v have_v yet_o offer_v to_o examination_n the_o former_a two_o not_o be_v object_v as_o such_o whatever_o he_o pretend_v now_o the_o advantage_n he_o gain_v by_o add_v it_o be_v manifest_o this_o that_o if_o that_o word_n be_v add_v and_o that_o i_o indeed_o say_v the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o christian_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o no_o one_o christian_a in_o the_o world_n can_v apostatise_v or_o be_v a_o bad_a man_n which_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a position_n that_o ever_o be_v advance_v and_o confutable_a by_o every_o day_n experience_n his_o impose_v this_o tenet_n on_o i_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o addition_n iâ—_n as_o he_o well_o express_v it_o serm._n p._n 87._o put_v i_o in_o a_o fool_n coat_n for_o every_o body_n to_o laugh_v at_o i_o appeal_v letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 66_o 67._o to_o eyesight_n that_o no_o such_o word_n be_v ever_o annex_v to_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v and_o thence_o charge_v he_o with_o falsify_v he_o will_v clear_v himself_o in_o do_v which_o he_o deny_v not_o that_o he_o add_v the_o word_n all_o this_o be_v too_o evident_a to_o be_v cloak_v but_o he_o give_v his_o reason_n why_o he_o add_v it_o on_o this_o manner_n he_o allege_v my_o word_n that_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o unanimous_o settle_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n and_o firm_o believe_v by_o all_v those_o faithful_a to_o be_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n therefore_o infer_v dr._n t._n since_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o the_o discourse_n it_o be_v add_v that_o the_o great_a hope_n and_o fear_n be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n those_o first_o believer_n must_v mean_v all_z those_o faithful_n speak_v of_o before_o and_o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o christian_n in_o after_o age_n this_o be_v the_o full_a force_n of_o his_o plea_n my_o reply_n be_v that_o i_o have_v particular_a reason_n to_o add_v the_o word_n all_o in_o the_o former_a part_n where_o i_o say_v that_o that_o doctrine_n be_v firm_o believe_v by_o all_o those_o faithful_a for_o they_o have_v not_o be_v faithful_a have_v they_o not_o firm_o believe_v it_o and_o yet_o have_v equal_a reason_n to_o omit_v it_o when_o i_o come_v to_o that_o passage_n the_o great_a motive_n be_v strong_o aprly_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n because_o i_o have_v learn_v of_o our_o b._n saviour_n that_o many_o receive_v the_o word_n that_o be_v believe_v and_o glad_o too_o yet_o the_o thorny_a care_n of_o this_o world_n to_o which_o i_o add_v passion_n and_o ill_a affection_n spring_v from_o original_a sin_n choke_v the_o divine_a seed_n and_o hinder_v it_o from_o fructify_a whereas_o have_v it_o have_v the_o full_a and_o due_a effect_n which_o its_o nature_n require_v it_o have_v bear_v fruit_n abundant_o now_o since_o those_o motive_n be_v of_o themselves_o able_a to_o produce_v it_o in_o all_o and_o oftentimes_o convert_v the_o most_o indispose_v that_o be_v the_o most_o wicked_a sinner_n i_o conceive_v this_o happen_v for_o want_v of_o due_a application_n make_v the_o motive_n sink_v deep_a into_o the_o understanding_n power_n so_o as_o to_o make_v it_o conceit_n they_o hearty_o which_o vigorous_a apprehension_n we_o use_v to_o call_v lively_a faith_n nothing_o else_o be_v require_v to_o any_o effect_n but_o the_o agent_n power_n over_o the_o patient_n indisposition_n and_o a_o close_a application_n of_o the_o power_n to_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v to_o work_v upon_o which_o kind_n of_o application_n be_v evident_o not_o make_v to_o all_o there_o be_v no_o show_n of_o reason_n why_o i_o shall_v put_v that_o word_n in_o that_o place_n and_o much_o less_o that_o dr._n t._n shall_v put_v it_o for_o i_o i_o be_v force_v indeed_o to_o name_v the_o word_n believer_n because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o those_o motive_n shall_v be_v strong_o apply_v to_o the_o mind_n of_o jew_n or_o heathen_n again_o i_o be_v force_v to_o express_v it_o plural_o since_o no_o sober_a man_n can_v doubt_v but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n sink_v deep_a into_o the_o heart_n or_o will_n of_o more_o than_o some_o one_o and_o thence_o wrought_v in_o they_o through_o charity_n but_o that_o i_o shall_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n only_o plural_o express_v a_o number_n of_o believer_n have_v those_o motive_n strong_o apply_v to_o they_o equal_a to_o those_o who_o firm_o believe_v or_o be_v faithful_a be_v unconceivable_a by_o any_o man_n who_o look_v into_o the_o sense_n of_o word_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o apprehend_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v speculative_o lay_v to_o heart_n those_o motive_n to_o good_a life_n which_o faith_n teach_v they_o a_o thing_n our_o daily_a experience_n confute_v moreover_o i_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v any_o such_o apprehension_n in_o my_o very_a next_o word_n after_o my_o principle_n which_o be_v these_o this_o put_n it_o follow_v as_o certain_o that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n and_o after_o faithful_a will_v continue_v etc._n etc._n now_o these_o word_n he_o adhere_v number_n of_o the_o first_o believer_n have_v most_o evident_o a_o partitive_a sense_n that_o be_v signify_v only_o a_o part_n or_o some_o of_o they_o it_o may_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o man_n that_o know_v not_o dr._n it_o be_v might_n in_o such_o performance_n and_o that_o nothing_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o mistake_v who_o will_v do_v it_o because_o he_o must_v do_v it_o that_o he_o can_v interpret_v those_o very_o same_o word_n first_o believer_n to_o mean_v all_o not_o one_o except_v it_o be_v a_o trifle_a evasion_n then_o to_o hope_v to_o come_v off_o by_o say_v as_o he_o do_v here_o p._n 36._o if_o it_o