Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n acknowledge_v church_n faith_n 2,659 5 5.1512 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
B01684 Remarks upon a tract, intituled A treatise of humane reason, and upon Mr. Warren's late defence of it. / By Sir George Blundell. Blundell, George, Sir. 1683 (1683) Wing B3361A; ESTC R172804 29,578 119

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

command_v as_o agreeable_a to_o truth_n and_o most_o conducible_a to_o his_o honour_n and_o to_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n among_o man_n i_o hope_v this_o may_v convince_v any_o one_o who_o acknowledge_v divine_a revelation_n as_o to_o your_o subsequent_a objection_n concern_v the_o uncertainty_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n the_o catholic_a church_n declare_v that_o the_o essential_o of_o faith_n and_o all_o thing_n of_o necessary_a obedience_n be_v set_v down_o positive_o and_o plain_o enough_o in_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o all_o such_o who_o diligent_o observe_v they_o and_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o those_o aide_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o that_o end_n consistent_a with_o this_o also_o be_v our_o divine_n assert_v a_o literal_a and_o typical_a sense_n from_o a_o simple_a and_o a_o compound_n signification_n of_o the_o same_o text_n this_o latter_a be_v applicable_a to_o the_o type_n and_o sacrament_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o as_o they_o be_v of_o present_a use_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o they_o have_v a_o prospect_n and_o a_o reference_n to_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o same_o text_n also_o may_v contain_v in_o it_o a_o analogical_a sense_n in_o relation_n to_o another_o and_o all_o this_o according_a to_o the_o intent_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o unity_n that_o pen_v they_o which_o the_o same_o divine_n will_v tell_v you_o have_v ever_o be_v account_v the_o best_a medium_n to_o comprehend_v and_o preserve_v the_o harmony_n of_o holy_a writ_n your_o next_o be_v such_o a_o argument_n as_o be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o i_o say_v that_o the_o command_v of_o god_n concern_v religion_n be_v equal_o obey_v and_o fulfil_v by_o all_o the_o various_a kind_n of_o obedience_n which_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n conceive_v themselves_o bind_v to_o pay_v unto_o they_o how_o erroneous_a or_o senseless_a soever_o for_o so_o your_o assertion_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v as_o if_o nonsense_n and_o error_n be_v as_o agreeable_a to_o his_o divine_a will_n and_o pleasure_n as_o what_o be_v right_o and_o the_o truth_n thus_o while_o your_o natural_a guide_n bid_v defiance_n to_o all_o authority_n of_o other_o it_o set_v up_o its_o own_o and_o most_o stupid_o outface_n god_n own_o declaration_n in_o the_o next_o place_n you_o will_v deduce_v from_o the_o sun_n melt_v the_o wax_n and_o harden_v the_o mud_n that_o faith_n be_v proper_o one_o though_o according_a to_o the_o divers_a reception_n of_o it_o it_o produce_v not_o only_o divers_a but_o contrary_a effect_n that_o be_v that_o the_o same_o faith_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o godliness_n and_o profaneness_n piety_n and_o irreligion_n of_o the_o true_a worship_n and_o idolatry_n the_o own_n of_o one_o god_n and_o polutheism_n and_o atheism_n for_o all_o these_o lie_v couch_v under_o that_o futilous_a sophism_n of_o contrary_a effect_n and_o your_o suitable_a similitude_n of_o a_o hard_a and_o soft_a temper_n but_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o advertise_v any_o reader_n that_o these_o inconsistent_a notion_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o your_o new_a humane_a reason_n page_n 40_o 41_o 42_o 43._o you_o fantastical_o accumulate_v inveigh_v similitude_n against_o too_o austere_a and_o uncharitable_a censure_v of_o member_n infirm_a or_o weak_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n but_o as_o they_o be_v altogether_o unapplicable_a to_o the_o method_n and_o tenant_n of_o our_o church_n as_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a so_o neither_o be_v they_o in_o the_o least_o available_a for_o the_o defence_n of_o your_o doctrine_n which_o by_o a_o extreme_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n much_o more_o mischievous_a and_o destructive_a to_o all_o order_n in_o religion_n do_v not_o admit_v of_o any_o censure_n at_o all_o page_n 44_o &_o 45._o how_o ever_o other_o as_o you_o guess_v with_o probability_n enough_o may_v accuse_v you_o of_o pride_n and_o vanity_n for_o attribute_v so_o much_o to_o your_o own_o reason_n yet_o i_o will_v not_o pretend_v to_o have_v so_o clear_a a_o sight_n into_o the_o whole_a contexture_n of_o your_o thought_n and_o action_n as_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v pride_n and_o vanity_n or_o humility_n and_o charity_n most_o scandalous_o mistake_v which_o induce_v you_o first_o to_o embrace_v and_o then_o to_o publish_v this_o doctrine_n so_o absolute_o new_a to_o the_o world_n but_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v without_o any_o tyrannical_a assumption_n let_v you_o know_v that_o in_o my_o apprehension_n wise_a man_n will_v hardly_o be_v persuade_v to_o allow_v that_o for_o a_o good_a nature_a or_o peaceable_a opinion_n which_o encourage_v every_o one_o stubborn_o and_o inhumane_o to_o undertake_v to_o govern_v himself_o from_o within_o in_o opposition_n to_o all_o authority_n and_o example_n especial_o since_o the_o creator_n have_v institute_v subordination_n and_o order_n for_o the_o prime_n and_o original_a cement_n not_o only_o of_o all_o society_n celestial_a and_o terrestrial_a but_o also_o of_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o material_a world_n as_o for_o your_o so_o often_o reiterated_a accusation_n of_o such_o who_o claim_v a_o infallibility_n for_o their_o party_n by_o say_v that_o who_o ever_o be_v not_o of_o my_o opinion_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o whoever_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n be_v to_o perish_v eternal_o for_o his_o error_n it_o can_v be_v at_o all_o apply_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n for_o which_o i_o be_o only_o concern_v for_o that_o steer_v a_o rational_a and_o moderate_a course_n betwixt_o the_o two_o extreme_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o you_o as_o have_v be_v manifest_v before_o but_o let_v i_o remind_v you_o also_o that_o your_o doctrine_n may_v more_o reasonable_o deserve_v the_o encomium_n you_o give_v it_o in_o this_o paragraph_n for_o allow_v its_o disciple_n to_o lay_v down_o a_o opinion_n when_o cause_n shall_v appear_v for_o so_o do_v if_o it_o do_v also_o advise_v they_o to_o renounce_v the_o guide_n that_o bring_v they_o into_o it_o which_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n page_n 46_o &_o 47._o as_o to_o your_o quarrel_n with_o mr._n hobbs_n i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o maintain_v his_o opinion_n or_o to_o reconcile_v they_o with_o you_o yet_o in_o my_o weak_a apprehension_n you_o will_v find_v it_o a_o task_n too_o hard_o for_o your_o natural_a reason_n to_o make_v good_a that_o position_n by_o which_o you_o design_v his_o defeat_n that_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o think_v those_o worship_n dishonourable_a to_o god_n that_o be_v not_o practise_v by_o themselves_o for_o whoever_o shall_v hold_v this_o assertion_n must_v either_o want_v sincerity_n and_o deceive_v their_o own_o soul_n by_o practise_v one_o sort_n of_o worship_n and_o approve_v of_o other_o or_o else_o they_o must_v believe_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o worship_n be_v right_o which_o be_v practise_v among_o man_n or_o that_o the_o deity_n equal_o approve_v of_o both_o the_o right_n and_o the_o wrong_n all_o which_o be_v not_o only_a contradictory_n to_o divine_a revelation_n but_o also_o repugnant_a to_o the_o fundamental_o and_o system_n of_o all_o the_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o your_o doctrine_n by_o broach_v a_o universal_a dissension_n among_o all_o mortal_a votary_n will_v introduce_v a_o variety_n in_o divine_a worship_n more_o unaccountable_o ridiculous_a than_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v hear_v of_o in_o this_o or_o former_a age_n however_o you_o abuse_v they_o in_o the_o next_o place_n you_o allege_v that_o if_o ignorant_a or_o malicious_a physician_n in_o this_o violent_a fever_n do_v not_o apply_v new_a heat_n instead_o of_o julip_n they_o may_v by_o write_v dispute_v preach_a and_o live_v charitable_o which_o be_v all_o the_o former_a reduce_v the_o world_n in_o a_o short_a time_n to_o its_o ancient_a healthful_a and_o natural_a temper_n but_o what_o coherence_n or_o alliance_n have_v the_o natural_a temper_n of_o the_o world_n with_o its_o ancient_a and_o healthful_a state_n in_o religion_n therefore_o to_o make_v better_a sense_n of_o this_o clause_n we_o will_v rectify_v it_o thus_o that_o we_o allow_v write_v preach_a dispute_v and_o live_v charitable_o to_o be_v the_o chief_a outward_a mean_n as_o well_o to_o confute_v error_n in_o notion_n as_o to_o reclaim_v evil_a doer_n and_o so_o reduce_v the_o christian_a world_n to_o the_o primitive_a integrity_n of_o life_n and_o purity_n of_o doctrine_n but_o let_v i_o remind_v you_o though_o that_o the_o exercise_n and_o effect_n of_o these_o performance_n chief_o depend_v upon_o example_n and_o authority_n both_o which_o your_o doctrine_n most_o irrational_o disavow_v neither_o can_v we_o possible_o agree_v with_o you_o that_o this_o ancient_a and_o healthful_a temper_n of_o the_o world_n be_v a_o general_a idolatry_n among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o within_o six_o line_n after_o you_o
numerical_o the_o same_o through_o all_o the_o succession_n of_o his_o natural_a constitution_n although_o he_o have_v the_o same_o appellation_n but_o when_o we_o see_v the_o body_n of_o a_o man_n leave_v uninform_v and_o lifeless_a by_o the_o departure_n of_o his_o soul_n from_o that_o time_n we_o declare_v the_o be_v of_o that_o compositum_fw-la and_o peculiar_a denomination_n to_o be_v determine_v and_o cease_v and_o if_o we_o can_v perceive_v the_o depart_a soul_n according_a to_o pythagoras_n his_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d undertake_v the_o information_n of_o another_o body_n we_o shall_v as_o ready_o pronounce_v that_o to_o be_v a_o new_a compositum_fw-la or_o another_o person_n this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o your_o disciple_n conscience_n which_o you_o call_v the_o soul_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o its_o transmigration_n from_o the_o system_fw-la or_o body_n of_o the_o protestant_a faith_n to_o that_o of_o the_o papist_n which_o from_o its_o dissonant_n article_n and_o essential_o to_o those_o of_o our_o church_n have_v be_v ever_o distinguish_v by_o a_o different_a appellation_n so_o that_o these_o two_o neither_o in_o name_n nor_o essence_n be_v the_o same_o faith_n and_o consequent_o if_o one_o be_v true_a the_o other_o be_v false_a therefore_o i_o shall_v leave_v your_o disciple_n to_o be_v inform_v by_o yourself_o after_o what_o manner_n with_o both_o these_o faith_n he_o shall_v behold_v his_o saviour_n and_o thus_o you_o may_v observe_v how_o easy_a it_o be_v for_o you_o to_o mistake_v a_o equal_a sincerity_n of_o conscience_n for_o a_o identity_n of_o faith_n in_o your_o allegorical_a argument_n from_o page_n 20_o to_o page_n 26._o you_o employ_v your_o confident_a guide_n to_o assert_v its_o own_o sufficiency_n by_o recriminate_v we_o as_o not_o total_o exempt_v from_o mistake_n as_o well_o as_o its_o self_n but_o of_o the_o validity_n of_o that_o sort_n of_o argue_v i_o shall_v leave_v the_o reader_n to_o judge_v and_o proceed_v to_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n thus_o much_o then_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o we_o do_v not_o think_v ourselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o pastor_n of_o holy_a church_n upon_o the_o bare_a account_n of_o humanity_n to_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a neither_o do_v we_o attribute_v to_o they_o so_o high_a illumination_n and_o gift_n as_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v require_v and_o christ_n conversation_n afford_v his_o apostle_n who_o likewise_o be_v not_o altogether_o exempt_a from_o mistake_n but_o yet_o we_o rely_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n which_o our_o saviour_n promise_v to_o send_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n after_o his_o ascension_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o teach_v such_o error_n as_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o divine_a oeconomy_n in_o affair_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o harmony_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o this_o in_o one_o of_o your_o lucid_a interval_n page_n 24._o you_o in_o effect_n affirm_v in_o these_o very_a syllable_n and_o i_o very_o believe_v if_o god_n have_v not_o stir_v up_o some_o person_n of_o excellent_a ability_n and_o worthy_a spirit_n for_o such_o sure_o they_o be_v though_o not_o exempt_v from_o humane_a weakness_n to_o examine_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n those_o folly_n and_o dangerous_a error_n in_o religion_n which_o etc._n etc._n now_o in_o my_o poor_a opinion_n it_o will_v neither_o blemish_v your_o style_n nor_o injure_v your_o notion_n to_o pen_v it_o plain_o thus_o if_o god_n have_v not_o by_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n stir_v up_o etc._n etc._n for_o that_o be_v the_o mean_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o god_n stir_v up_o and_o enable_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o all_o religious_a performance_n whether_o private_a or_o public_a i_o choose_v to_o answer_v your_o recrimination_n after_o this_o manner_n rather_o than_o to_o rake_v into_o antiquity_n by_o revive_v the_o exception_n to_o the_o constitution_n of_o those_o counsel_n you_o quote_v in_o this_o paragraph_n and_o therefore_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o to_o this_o point_n but_o that_o our_o saviour_n not_o promise_v the_o same_o measure_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o every_o private_a man_n as_o to_o his_o apostle_n and_o their_o successor_n state_n the_o right_a guide_n of_o holy_a church_n above_o the_o scandal_n of_o your_o comparison_n page_n 25_o &_o 26._o you_o again_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o be_v in_o much_o more_o danger_n of_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o christian_a faith_n by_o build_v our_o belief_n whole_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o past_a or_o present_a age_n then_o to_o remit_v the_o judgement_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o our_o own_o reason_n in_o this_o assertion_n the_o term_n whole_o altogether_o exclude_v a_o rational_a satisfaction_n on_o the_o believer_n part_n and_o therefore_o do_v not_o assault_v the_o protestant_a principle_n for_o which_o only_o i_o be_o concern_v you_o reinforce_v this_o argument_n against_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n with_o another_o absurd_a allegation_n much_o of_o the_o same_o class_n with_o the_o former_a that_o the_o christian_a be_v neither_o the_o most_o ancient_a nor_o universal_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n as_o to_o the_o last_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o you_o will_v agree_v with_o we_o that_o immense_a dominion_n or_o vast_a number_n of_o votary_n be_v not_o the_o inseparable_a characteristic_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v enslave_v to_o idolatry_n and_o gentilism_n as_o you_o observe_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o you_o who_o own_o the_o scripture_n must_v acknowledge_v with_o we_o that_o the_o first_o be_v dictate_v by_o god_n the_o father_n and_o the_o other_o by_o his_o son_n the_o supreme_a testimony_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o both_o 2_o as_o to_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n you_o can_v but_o know_v that_o the_o content_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o learned_a man_n assert_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o eternal_a decree_n of_o a_o messiah_n before_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o first_o notice_n of_o it_o here_o below_o be_v immediate_o after_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n when_o god_n promise_v a_o great_a redeemer_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o man_n who_o shall_v vanquish_v and_o be_v avenge_v of_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o serpent_n and_o after_o this_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a principle_n be_v existent_a in_o the_o primitive_a integrity_n of_o abel_n and_o his_o successor_n until_o the_o time_n of_o abraham_n to_o who_o it_o be_v reveal_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v descend_v from_o his_o own_o loin_n and_o afterward_o more_o particular_o to_o jacob_n of_o what_o tribe_n he_o shall_v be_v bear_v after_o this_o manner_n the_o christian_a faith_n be_v preserve_v and_o convey_v down_o to_o the_o pen_v of_o the_o scripture_n and_o then_o the_o type_n and_o prediction_n under_o the_o law_n be_v the_o harbinger_n of_o its_o manifestation_n in_o the_o incarnation_n doctrine_n and_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n until_o he_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o passion_n upon_o this_o account_n you_o may_v very_o well_o conclude_v as_o you_o do_v although_o against_o your_o forego_n allegation_n in_o the_o same_o page_n that_o there_o be_v more_o and_o great_a reason_n to_o be_v find_v for_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o christian_a than_o for_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o in_o your_o 27_o &_o 28_o page_n i_o find_v such_o a_o medley_n of_o vile_a contradiction_n as_o never_o before_o be_v vent_v by_o man_n for_o here_o in_o your_o allegorical_a style_n you_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o thousand_o right_a religion_n or_o way_n of_o true_a worship_n although_o you_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o admit_v but_o of_o one_o and_o second_o that_o your_o infallible_a guide_n by_o wander_v up_o and_o down_o in_o this_o multiplicity_n of_o path_n will_v by_o a_o long_a troublesome_a and_o tedious_a voyage_n bring_v you_o to_o happiness_n at_o last_o now_o for_o the_o apply_v this_o allegory_n you_o shall_v have_v make_v a_o new_a demonstration_n that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o right_a way_n to_o eternal_a salvation_n otherwise_o if_o you_o will_v measure_v your_o metaphor_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o holy_a writ_n it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o but_o your_o guide_n will_v deceive_v you_o as_o to_o the_o content_n of_o your_o 29_o 30_o 31_o &_o 32_o page_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o act_n of_o charity_n but_o the_o absolute_a duty_n of_o christian_n to_o allow_v the_o gate_n of_o heaven_n to_o be_v as_o broad_a as_o the_o scripture_n have_v state_v it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o
remark_n upon_o a_o tract_n entitle_v a_o treatise_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o upon_o mr._n warren_n late_a defence_n of_o it_o by_o sir_n george_n blundell_n london_n print_v for_o jacob_n tonson_n at_o the_o judge_n head_n in_o chancery-lane_n near_o fleetstreet_n 1683._o a_o advertisement_n to_o the_o reader_n i_o have_v no_o intention_n until_o late_o to_o expose_v these_o remark_n which_o be_v make_v in_o the_o year_n 76_o for_o my_o private_a diversion_n to_o the_o public_a censure_n of_o a_o age_n so_o much_o distract_v in_o opinion_n but_o find_v that_o the_o approbation_n of_o this_o treatise_n after_o some_o man_n endeavour_n to_o refute_v it_o do_v still_o remain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o many_o upon_o who_o inclination_n to_o novelty_n it_o may_v be_v hope_v that_o the_o variety_n as_o well_o as_o force_v of_o argument_n may_v prevail_v to_o make_v a_o new_a answer_n serviceable_a and_o see_v likewise_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o poor_a protestant_a religion_n increase_v so_o much_o both_o in_o number_n and_o audacity_n as_o to_o attack_v it_o on_o every_o side_n by_o most_o graceless_a and_o inhuman_a attempt_n i_o think_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o orthodox_n though_o a_o unworthy_a professor_n to_o put_v my_o mite_n into_o the_o corban_n to_o help_v to_o support_v it_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v further_o object_v that_o i_o have_v not_o well_o time_v the_o publish_n of_o these_o remark_n in_o regard_n the_o author_n of_o the_o treatise_n may_v possible_o be_v dead_a to_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o answer_v that_o no_o book_n in_o any_o age_n have_v be_v privilege_v from_o be_v confute_v or_o suppress_v after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o author_n if_o their_o content_n be_v offensive_a to_o our_o law_n or_o religion_n remark_n upon_o a_o treatise_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o treatise_n sir_n in_o read_v your_o treatise_n i_o deal_v frank_o with_o you_o i_o be_v much_o disappoint_v for_o i_o do_v expect_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o origen_n nature_n and_o conveyance_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o all_o the_o generation_n of_o man_n and_o in_o order_n to_o this_o that_o you_o will_v have_v treat_v first_o of_o its_o primitive_a inspiration_n and_o descent_n from_o god_n himself_o to_o man_n at_o his_o creation_n 2_o of_o its_o perspicacity_n and_o extent_n in_o the_o state_n of_o innocency_n 3_o of_o its_o impair_a condition_n in_o adam_n himself_o and_o the_o first_o age_n before_o many_o of_o those_o vice_n which_o so_o much_o weaken_v it_o now_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o world_n 4_o that_o you_o will_v by_o some_o new_a ratiocination_n have_v either_o confirm_v that_o opinion_n of_o the_o conveyance_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o all_o adam_n posterity_n which_o be_v general_o agree_v on_o to_o be_v the_o best_a account_n or_o that_o you_o will_v have_v discover_v some_o other_o more_o satisfactory_a to_o the_o reader_n since_o the_o most_o prevalent_a opinion_n be_v that_o the_o rational_a soul_n do_v not_o inherit_v this_o degeneration_n etraduce_v or_o by_o descent_n but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o spirit_n infuse_v endue_v with_o great_a purity_n and_o intelligence_n than_o can_v possible_o be_v exert_v in_o the_o humane_a compositum_fw-la as_o it_o be_v now_o state_v from_o which_o some_o sceptic_n take_v occasion_n to_o cavil_v and_o last_o that_o for_o the_o benefit_n and_o amendment_n of_o man_n and_o the_o vindication_n of_o our_o best_a faculty_n you_o will_v have_v make_v some_o acute_a and_o new_a essay_n at_o least_o to_o remind_v we_o that_o the_o exercise_n of_o humane_a reason_n be_v so_o much_o obstruct_v and_o dull_v by_o mere_a sloth_n in_o some_o and_o injure_v and_o deprave_v by_o passion_n and_o vice_n in_o other_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v fall_v from_o the_o glory_n and_o splendour_n of_o the_o great_a luminary_n in_o the_o heaven_n to_o the_o small_a appearance_n of_o a_o star_n in_o the_o sky_n for_o such_o be_v the_o proportion_n which_o rationality_n bear_v in_o the_o uncorrupted_a nature_n of_o man_n to_o that_o which_o be_v so_o much_o decay_v and_o weaken_a not_o only_o by_o adam_n fall_n but_o also_o by_o the_o fault_n and_o ill_a management_n of_o his_o degenerate_v posterity_n ever_o since_o but_o in_o lieu_n of_o all_o this_o i_o find_v a_o peremptory_a claim_n make_v and_o pretension_n to_o assert_v humane_a reason_n title_n not_o only_o to_o a_o office_n of_o inquisition_n but_o also_o to_o a_o power_n judicial_a in_o divine_a matter_n for_o in_o search_v out_o it_o must_v likewise_o determine_v in_o its_o own_o court_n as_o you_o style_v it_o which_o be_v the_o right_a religion_n and_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o orthodox_n christian_n who_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v its_o friend_n and_o subject_n upon_o the_o best_a and_o true_a foundation_n do_v above_o all_o other_o deny_v it_o its_o due_a station_n and_o dominion_n but_o how_o valid_a this_o title_n be_v and_o the_o consequent_a accusation_n must_v be_v discover_v by_o examine_v the_o ensue_a treatise_n in_o the_o first_o page_n whereof_o you_o declare_v your_o inducement_n to_o make_v a_o inquiry_n into_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o your_o religion_n to_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o your_o private_a condition_n and_o that_o your_o interest_n in_o humane_a society_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o your_o offering_n to_o the_o view_n of_o other_o the_o effect_n of_o that_o search_n which_o if_o beneficial_a to_o yourself_o and_o other_o as_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o charity_n we_o may_v suppose_v you_o believe_v by_o your_o publish_n it_o be_v thanks_o and_o praiseworthy_a but_o if_o otherwise_o then_o upon_o a_o sight_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o your_o mistake_n a_o true_a repentance_n and_o all_o possible_a endeavour_n to_o prevent_v the_o spread_a of_o your_o error_n be_v only_o pardonable_a in_o the_o 2d_o and_o 3d._a page_n you_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o your_o opinion_n contain_v in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n if_o therefore_o upon_o examination_n this_o shall_v be_v find_v faulty_a your_o small_a fabric_n will_v with_o much_o more_o ease_n be_v total_o demolish_v here_o you_o acknowledge_v the_o history_n of_o adam_n fall_n as_o it_o be_v state_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o miserable_a consequence_n of_o it_o upon_o he_o and_o his_o lapse_v posterity_n as_o to_o the_o great_a vitiate_a and_o blur_v the_o eyesight_n of_o our_o understanding_n that_o to_o use_v your_o own_o expression_n one_o have_v great_a need_n of_o a_o better_a eyesight_n than_o be_v leave_v we_o by_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o forefather_n to_o guide_v we_o among_o many_o erroneous_a to_o the_o right_a way_n of_o salvation_n i_o question_v not_o but_o this_o will_v be_v allow_v you_o as_o orthodox_n and_o if_o instead_o of_o your_o so_o anxious_a debate_n and_o consideration_n in_o the_o next_o place_n you_o have_v apply_v yourself_o to_o receive_v the_o direction_n and_o obey_v the_o precept_n contain_v in_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o will_v have_v convince_v you_o that_o tradition_n revelation_n miracle_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n which_o teach_v the_o right_a use_n of_o the_o rest_n be_v prepare_v by_o the_o divine_a providence_n as_o the_o best_a pilot_n to_o steer_v your_o reason_n in_o this_o dubious_a voyage_n and_o will_v certain_o have_v preserve_v you_o from_o so_o sudden_a a_o revolt_n from_o the_o truth_n and_o so_o direct_v a_o contradiction_n to_o your_o own_o notion_n within_o four_o line_n after_o by_o pitch_v upon_o your_o own_o reason_n for_o that_o clear-sighted_a guide_n which_o itself_o so_o much_o want_v before_o this_o be_v that_o irreparable_a flaw_n in_o your_o foundation_n which_o cause_v the_o ruin_n of_o your_o whole_a superstructure_n you_o have_v pen_v the_o next_o clause_n dark_o for_o a_o blind_a i_o suppose_v to_o the_o contradiction_n in_o the_o former_a if_o reason_n take_v such_o direction_n as_o it_o ought_v and_o may_v do_v before_o it_o set_v forth_o if_o you_o mean_v those_o direction_n which_o i_o mention_v before_o as_o indeed_o it_o may_v and_o aught_o then_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o question_n be_v altogether_o lose_v for_o so_o reason_n alone_o can_v be_v state_v as_o the_o best_a guide_n but_o if_o you_o mean_v such_o direction_n as_o natural_a reason_n shall_v give_v itself_o than_o the_o same_o thing_n will_v both_o guide_v and_o be_v guide_v to_o the_o same_o end_n now_o a_o guide_n subject_n to_o such_o incongruity_n as_o these_o can_v but_o bring_v you_o into_o error_n but_o not_o through_o they_o to_o happiness_n at_o last_o which_o in_o this_o clause_n also_o you_o as_o incongruous_o as_o vain_o assert_v in_o the_o next_o place_n you_o digress_v by_o bid_v defiance_n to_o those_o many_o enemy_n which_o you_o expect_v