Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n authority_n church_n reject_v 2,895 5 9.0049 5 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
A59220 Errour non-plust, or, Dr. Stillingfleet shown to be the man of no principles with an essay how discourses concerning Catholick grounds bear the highest evidence. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1673 (1673) Wing S2565; ESTC R18785 126,507 288

There are 10 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

only_o in_o the_o word_n it_o be_v agree_v then_o among_o we_o all_o that_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v be_v god_n word_n or_o his_o will_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o salvation_n all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o know_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n what_o be_v the_o first_o teach_v doctrine_n or_o christ_n sense_n and_o whatever_o can_v thus_o assure_v we_o of_o that_o be_v deserve_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n now_o the_o word_n rule_v make_v use_n of_o to_o mean_v a_o spiritual_a or_o intellectual_a direction_n be_v metaphorical_a or_o translate_v from_o some_o material_a thing_n as_o most_o word_n that_o express_v spiritual_a notion_n be_v and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o those_o kind_n of_o metaphor_n which_o be_v transfer_v from_o one_o thing_n to_o another_o for_o some_o proportion_n or_o resemblance_n between_o they_o for_o as_o a_o material_a rule_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o if_o one_o endeavour_n to_o go_v according_a to_o it_o and_o decline_v not_o from_o it_o preserve_v one_o from_o go_v crooked_a so_o this_o intellectual_a rule_n call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o if_o one_o go_v according_a to_o it_o and_o swerve_v not_o from_o it_o it_o preserve_v one_o from_o go_v wrong_a or_o from_o err_v in_o his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v true_a or_o first-delivered_a faith_n and_o faith_n be_v intend_v for_o person_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o capacity_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v able_a to_o preserve_v even_o those_o of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n from_o err_v in_o faith_n while_o they_o rely_v upon_o it._n agian_a this_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o primary_n effect_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o every_o nature_n that_o be_v have_v essential_o in_o itself_o a_o power_n to_o produce_v of_o its_o self_n and_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o its_o primary_n effect_v or_o rather_o be_v itself_o that_o power_n as_o man_n to_o discourse_n fire_v to_o burn_v etc._n etc._n it_o follow_v that_o since_o to_o preserve_v all_o that_o rely_v on_o it_o in_o right_a faith_n be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n what_o have_v not_o in_o itself_o the_o power_n to_o do_v this_o and_o this_o of_o its_o self_n independent_o on_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o on_o god_n who_o establish_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v certain_a power_n to_o produce_v their_o proper_a effect_n be_v not_o in_o true_a speech_n a_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o than_o not_o one_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n of_o itself_o and_o independent_o on_o something_o else_o viz_o th●_n church_n tradition_n attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o letter_n and_o interpret_n it_o have_v in_o itself_o power_n thus_o to_o certify_v person_n of_o all_o capacity_n of_o christian_a faith_n without_o possibility_n of_o err_v nor_o any_o one_o but_o hold_v the_o church_n authority_n be_v able_a alone_o to_o do_v this_o effect_n since_o it_o be_v know_v and_o confess_v it_o actual_o perform_v this_o in_o the_o beginning_n there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n that_o i_o know_v of_o who_o hold_v either_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n take_v the_o word_n in_o this_o sense_n or_o that_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o church_n live_v voice_n and_o practice_n or_o tradition_n be_v it_o and_o so_o take_v the_o word_n proper_o as_o i_o do_v they_o all_o agree_v with_o i_o on_o the_o other_o side_n take_v those_o word_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o contain_v faith_n or_o that_o may_v signify_v it_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n to_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n not_o of_o itself_o but_o mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o another_o who_o power_n of_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n in_o those_o passage_n at_o least_o that_o concern_v christian_a faith_n and_o of_o uner_o interpret_n it_o lend_v it_o to_o be_v thus_o certain_o significative_a of_o god_n will_n take_z i_o say_v rule_v of_o faith_n in_o this_o sense_n as_o some_o of_o we_o do_v i_o grant_v with_o they_o that_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o still_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o the_o thing_n only_o i_o dissent_v from_o they_o in_o the_o word_n and_o judge_v that_o this_o container_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n as_o now_o describe_v be_v but_o improper_o call_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o not_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v not_o have_v a_o power_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o its_o self_n thus_o to_o ascertain_v faith_n by_o absolute_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n this_o distinction_n now_o give_v i_o learn_v from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o no_o where_o say_v that_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o do_v express_o of_o tradition_n sess._n 5._o but_o only_a that_o it_o contain_v faith_n as_o also_o tradition_n do_v but_o whether_o it_o contain_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o all_o those_o who_o be_v to_o have_v faith_n by_o rely_v on_o it_o may_v by_o so_o do_v be_v absolute_o secure_v from_o err_a which_o be_v requisite_a over_o and_o above_o to_o make_v it_o in_o true_a speech_n deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o rule_n the_o council_n say_v nothing_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v far_o from_o say_v that_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n read_v the_o scripture_n and_o attend_v sole_o to_o the_o letter_n as_o interpret_v and_o understand_v by_o their_o private_a self_n shall_v be_v sure_a never_o to_o err_v in_o right_a faith_n nay_o it_o engage_v not_o for_o their_o security_n from_o err_v so_o much_o as_o in_o any_o one_o point_n which_o yet_o ought_v to_o be_v say_v if_o scripture_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o itself_o have_v the_o power_n of_o regulate_v they_o in_o their_o faith_n or_o be_v a_o rule_n rather_o the_o council_n by_o its_o carriage_n say_v the_o direct_a contrary_n for_o though_o be_v about_o to_o define_v against_o heretic_n it_o profess_v to_o follow_v in_o its_o definition_n the_o write_a word_n yet_o it_o be_v observable_a 146._o that_o it_o no_o where_o build_v on_o any_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o it_o profess_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o build_v its_o interpretation_n of_o that_o place_n on_o tradition_n which_o evident_o argue_v that_o though_o scripture_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o council_n contain_v the_o point_n yet_o that_o which_o indeed_o regulate_v the_o council_n in_o its_o definition_n be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o also_o express_o declare_v where_o ever_o it_o define_v and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n who_o think_v the_o council_n know_v not_o both_o what_o and_o how_o to_o define_v against_o luther_n and_o calvin_n at_o that_o time_n without_o need_v to_o seek_v its_o faith_n anew_o in_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o plain_o conclude_v that_o the_o council_n be_v not_o regulate_v by_o it_o or_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o her_o rule_n but_o only_o consider_v it_o as_o of_o a_o sacred_a authority_n and_o available_a against_o heretic_n profess_v to_o rely_v on_o scripture_n and_o accuse_v the_o church_n for_o go_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nay_o the_o council_n define_v that_o none_o shall_v dare_v to_o interpret_v scripture_n contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o h._n mother_n the_o catholic_n church_n have_v hold_v and_o do_v hold_v which_o clear_o take_v it_o out_o of_o private_a hand_n and_o make_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n ever_o hold_v the_o only_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o extend_v to_o all_o scripture_n which_o unavoidable_o make_v it_o no_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o distinction_n now_o give_v show_v my_o sentiment_n consistent_a if_o not_o perfect_o agree_v with_o that_o common_a opinion_n of_o our_o divine_n that_o scripture_n be_v a_o partial_a rule_n or_o that_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n integrate_a one_o complete_a rule_n for_o they_o clear_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o faith_n be_v partly_o contain_v in_o scripture_n partly_o in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o what_o they_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o in_o so_o do_v be_v not_o the_o evidence_n requisite_a to_o a_o rule_n but_o only_o the_o degree_n of_o extent_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o it_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o mean_v only_o that_o scripture_n contain_v some_o part_n of_o faith_n which_o i_o perfect_o allow_v to_o it_o and_o perhaps_o more_o this_o be_v my_o judgement_n concern_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v such_o a_o rule_n and_o these_o my_o reason_n for_o that_o judgement_n if_o any_o one_o think_v
he_o can_v go_v to_o work_v more_o logical_o and_o exact_o in_o find_v out_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n and_o show_v i_o i_o take_v it_o improper_o i_o shall_v hearty_o thank_v he_o and_o acknowledge_v my_o mistake_n but_o i_o never_o yet_o discern_v any_o such_o attempt_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v any_o reason_n to_o fear_v any_o such_o performance_n and_o i_o much_o doubt_n shall_v any_o catholic_n divine_v out_o of_o a_o charitable_a intention_n of_o union_n which_o i_o shall_v ever_o commend_v and_o hearty_o approve_v trust_v to_o the_o equivocalness_n of_o the_o word_n say_v scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n or_o a_o rule_n i_o much_o doubt_v i_o say_v that_o when_o the_o thing_n come_v to_o be_v examine_v to_o the_o bottom_n it_o will_v scarce_o tend_v to_o any_o solid_a good_a for_o however_o word_n may_v bend_v yet_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o catholic_n faith_n be_v inflexible_a and_o we_o must_v take_v heed_n lest_o while_o we_o yield_v they_o the_o word_n they_o expect_v not_o as_o they_o may_v just_o have_v such_o occasion_n that_o we_o shall_v grant_v the_o thing_n proper_o signify_v by_o that_o word_n which_o if_o they_o do_v we_o must_v either_o recede_v or_o else_o forgo_v catholic_n ground_n but_o now_o the_o difference_n between_o i_o and_o dr._n st_n party_n be_v in_o the_o very_a thing_n itself_o and_o this_o as_o wide_a as_o contradiction_n can_v distance_n we_o for_o 118._o dr._n t._n who_o he_o still_o abett_n make_v it_o possible_a that_o he_o have_v neither_o true_a letter_n nor_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v make_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o his_o faith_n build_v sole_o on_o it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o all_o that_o go_v that_o way_n fall_v unavoidable_o into_o that_o precipice_n while_o they_o admit_v no_o ground_n but_o what_o be_v fallible_a as_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o reason_n against_o raillery_n whereas_o i_o still_o bear_v up_o to_o the_o impossibility_n that_o christian_a faith_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o consequent_o i_o maintain_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n on_o which_o its_o truth_n sole_o depend_v and_o without_o engage_v which_o it_o may_v be_v all_o false_a must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o infallible_o certain_a and_o hence_o take_v my_o rise_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o all_o protestant_n and_o indeed_o all_o that_o have_v the_o name_n of_o christian_n except_o some_o few_o speculator_n agree_v with_o i_o viz._n that_o take_v it_o as_o build_v on_o those_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n that_o be_v take_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v it_o be_v above_o opinion_n and_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a hence_o i_o say_v build_v on_o this_o mutual_a agreement_n i_o pursue_v a_o solid_a union_n which_o i_o declare_v myself_o most_o hearty_o to_o zeal_n hope_v that_o this_o point_n once_o distinct_o clear_v against_o the_o sophism_n and_o blind_a craft_n of_o some_o weak_a heterodox_n writer_n it_o will_v quick_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v every_o man_n concern_v who_o be_v of_o capacity_n to_o look_v after_o such_o ground_n that_o the_o divine_a authority_n on_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o faith_n depend_v be_v engage_v for_o the_o point_n he_o hold_v as_o be_v absolute_o certain_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o i_o make_v account_n that_o be_v this_o quest_n hearty_o pursue_v it_o will_v quick_o appear_v both_o by_o other_o confess_v the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o they_o as_o also_o by_o enforce_a reason_n nay_o by_o dr._n tillitsons_n yield_v to_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o this_o rule_n etc._n even_o when_o he_o be_v to_o impugn_v it_o that_o nothing_o but_o tradition_n or_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n can_v be_v such_o a_o ground_n perhaps_o also_o it_o may_v be_v show_v that_o both_o more_o learned_a and_o more_o sober_a protestant_a author_n have_v own_a the_o admit_v tradition_n and_o a_o reliance_n on_o the_o church_n authority_n for_o their_o faith_n and_o for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o order_n to_o the_o attain_v true_a faith_n than_o those_o be_v who_o have_v maintain_v this_o private-spirited_n way_n so_o zealous_o advance_v by_o dr._n st._n of_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o every_o vulgar_a head_n to_o the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o church_n and_o church-government_n this_o be_v and_o shall_v be_v my_o way_n of_o endeavour_v union_n which_o beginning_n at_o the_o bottom_n and_o with_o our_o mutual_a agreement_n in_o so_o main_a a_o point_n that_o it_o bear_v all_o along_o with_o it_o viz._n the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v hopeful_a to_o be_v solid_a and_o well_o build_v and_o so_o effectual_a if_o it_o please_v god_n to_o inspire_v some_o eminent_a and_o good_a man_n to_o pursue_v home_o a_o principle_n which_o themselves_o have_v already_o hearty_o embrace_v if_o not_o i_o have_v this_o satisfaction_n that_o i_o have_v do_v a_o due_a right_n and_o honour_n to_o christian_a faith_n and_o give_v it_o that_o advantage_n by_o assert_v its_o perfect_a security_n from_o error_n as_o god_n grace_n assist_v be_v apt_a to_o make_v it_o work_v more_o efficacious_o both_o interiorly_a and_o exterior_o in_o those_o who_o already_o possess_v it_o four_o examen_fw-la sift_v the_o the_o ten_o follow_a principle_n concern_v the_o letter-rule_n and_o live_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o right_a nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v thus_o state_v it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o address_v to_o our_o examen_fw-la how_v dr._n st._n from_o principles_n settle_v we_o such_o a_o rule_n beginning_n from_o his_o ten_o 10._o if_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v sufficient_o declare_v to_o man_n by_o write_v it_o must_v either_o be_v because_o no_o write_n can_v be_v intelligible_a enough_o for_o that_o end_n or_o that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v know_v to_o be_v write_v by_o man_n infallible_o assist_v the_o former_a be_v repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n for_o word_n be_v equal_o capable_a of_o be_v understand_v speak_v or_o write_v the_o late_a overthrow_n the_o possibility_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o have_v already_o say_v and_o in_o divers_a book_n manifold_o prove_v that_o no_o declaration_n of_o god_n will_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o in_o our_o case_n no_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a consider_v the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d obligation_n arise_v from_o it_o but_o 〈…〉_z to_o be_v false_a and_o build_v on_o infallible_a ground_n this_o premise_a we_o be_v to_o inquire_v whether_o write_v be_v the_o best_a way_n for_o thus_o assure_v it_o in_o all_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v then_o close_o to_o our_o answer_n we_o be_v first_o to_o reflect_v again_o what_o dr._n st._n mean_n by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n at_o lest_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o mean_v by_o it_o for_o these_o word_n at_o the_o first_o sight_n seem_v to_o signify_v only_o some_o external_n action_n command_v by_o god_n to_o be_v perform_v or_o avoid_v and_o it_o be_v the_o dr_n interest_n they_o shall_v be_v take_v only_o in_o this_o sense_n for_o such_o a_o will_n be_v more_o easy_a to_o be_v signify_v by_o write_v than_o some_o other_o thing_n of_o a_o more_o abstruse_a spiritual_a and_o dogmatical_a nature_n which_o yet_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o be_v believe_v by_o the_o church_n such_o as_o be_v the_o point_n of_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n and_o godhead_n of_o christ_n who_o die_v for_o we_o since_o then_o god_n will_v extend_v not_o only_o to_o aim_v at_o mankind_n attainment_n of_o his_o last_o end_n or_o true_a happiness_n but_o also_o to_o provide_v for_o the_o best_a mean_n to_o it_o or_o to_o give_v we_o knowledge_n of_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o create_v in_o man_n a_o hearty_a love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n the_o best_a condition_n of_o man_n happiness_n or_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o hold_v all_o those_o tenet_n which_o contain_v in_o themselves_o such_o motive_n do_v all_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o omit_v many_o other_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o two_o point_n of_o main_a concern_v and_o influence_n towards_o christian_a life_n namely_o the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o real_a presence_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o sacrament_n now_o who_o see_v not_o how_o wonderful_a a_o ascendent_n both_o these_o if_o verify_v must_v needs_o have_v over_o christian_a heart_n can_v any_o amulet_n of_o love_n be_v so_o charm_v or_o apt_a to_o elevate_v to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n as_o
the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o i_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n oppose_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n for_o advance_v uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o scepticism_n in_o faith_n however_o they_o and_o their_o angry_a passionate_a party_n be_v please_v to_o apprehend_v i_o i_o perceive_v dr._n st._n will_v hope_v to_o evade_v by_o say_v that_o christian_a virtue_n may_v be_v uphold_v by_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n though_o other_o be_v uncertain_a which_o point_n to_o make_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o faith_n go_v down_o the_o better_a he_o call_v here_o opinion_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o opinion_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o trinity_n christ_n godhead_n and_o presence_n in_o the_o b._n sacrament_n all_o most_o high_o concern_v christian_n life_n one_o way_n or_o other_o in_o which_o we_o discern_v great_a party_n differ_v who_o all_o admit_v the_o scripture_n and_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o interpret_v it_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v perceive_v nay_o and_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v too_o which_o he_o make_v the_o very_o best_a mean_n of_o all_o if_o i_o say_v these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o opinion_n he_o speak_v of_o and_o counterpose_v they_o to_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n he_o assign_v leaf_n whole_a body_n of_o relier_n on_o it_o in_o actual_a error_n in_o such_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o most_o high_a concernment_n to_o good_a life_n as_o have_v be_v show_v even_o while_o they_o proceed_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n god_n intend_v his_o church_n and_o mankind_n to_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o and_o so_o none_o can_v presume_v of_o security_n of_o mistake_n by_o rely_v pure_o upon_o it_o but_o all_o of_o concern_v not_o know_v before_o by_o some_o other_o mean_n that_o be_v all_o which_o it_o alone_o hold_v forth_o may_v be_v also_o liable_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n likewise_o unless_o some_o other_o authority_n more_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o than_o it_o abet_n its_o letter_n in_o such_o passage_n as_o be_v plain_a because_o they_o be_v either_o mere_o moral_a or_o narrative_n or_o explain_v its_o sense_n in_o other_o which_o be_v more_o spiritual_a and_o supernatural_a and_o so_o more_o peculiar_a and_o fundamental_a to_o christianity_n recapitulation_n to_o meet_v with_o the_o absurd_a position_n express_v or_o else_o imply_v in_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v here_o by_o dr._n st._n in_o these_o last_o eleven_o principle_n of_o he_o i_o take_v leave_n to_o remind_n the_o reader_n of_o these_o few_o opposite_a truth_n establish_v in_o my_o former_a discourse_n 1._o that_o assent_n call_v faith_n take_v as_o build_v on_o the_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n that_o be_v take_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v and_o as_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n be_v for_o that_o reason_n absolute_o that_o be_v more_o than_o moral_o certain_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a 2._o though_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n depend_v immediate_o on_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n when_o it_o be_v rational_a yet_o in_o case_n it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v it_o must_v necessary_o be_v build_v and_o depend_v fundamental_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n since_o without_o dependence_n on_o it_o this_o evidence_n itself_o can_v possible_o be_v have_v 3._o a_o man_n may_v be_v material_o infallible_a or_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v by_o adhere_v to_o another_o judgement_n who_o be_v infallible_a or_o in_o the_o right_n in_o thus_o judge_v though_o he_o penetrate_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o that_o other_o man_n come_v to_o be_v infallible_a also_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o infallible_a be_v in_o possession_n of_o those_o truth_n relieve_v upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o the_o formal_a motive_n of_o believe_v they_o which_o truth_n as_o principle_n beget_v those_o good_a affection_n in_o he_o in_o which_o consist_v our_o christian_a life_n such_o a_o man_n i_o say_v have_v consequent_o enough_o speak_v abstract_o for_o the_o essence_n of_o save_v faith_n though_o he_o be_v not_o formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a by_o penetrate_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n 4._o to_o be_v thus_o material_o infallible_a or_o thus_o in_o the_o right_n in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v be_v requisite_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o essence_n of_o faith_n otherwise_o the_o believe_v upon_o the_o divin_n authority_n when_o it_o be_v not_o engage_v and_o so_o perhaps_o the_o believe_a and_o hold_v firm_o to_o abominable_a error_n and_o heretical_a tenet_n may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o assert_v which_o be_v both_o absurd_a and_o most_o impious_a 5._o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o since_o it_o hazard_v heresy_n and_o error_n to_o judge_v that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o any_o point_n when_o it_o be_v not_o it_o ought_v to_o breed_v suspense_n and_o caution_n in_o reflecter_n till_o they_o see_v it_o engage_v &_o consequent_o the_o better_a they_o see_v this_o the_o more_o hearty_a they_o be_v apt_a to_o assent_v to_o the_o point_n upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n which_o conclude_v the_o divine_a authority_n engage_v better_n and_o strengthen_v the_o act_n of_o faith_n 6._o however_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o downright_a rudeness_n let_v they_o not_o reflect_v at_o all_o to_o be_v only_o material_o infallible_a that_o god_n authority_n be_v engage_v yet_o it_o be_v beside_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o reflecter_n who_o raise_v doubt_n especial_o for_o those_o who_o be_v very_o acute_a to_o discern_v some_o reason_n which_o can_v deceive_v they_o or_o to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o it_o be_v indeed_o actual_o engage_v for_o those_o point_n otherwise_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o provision_n enough_o have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n to_o satisfy_v or_o cause_n save_v faith_n in_o fool_n and_o none_o at_o all_o to_o breed_v faith_n wise_a man_n which_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o in_o point_n be_v in_o possible_a to_o be_v expect_v in_o such_o through-sighted_n reflecter_n the_o same_o formal_a infallibility_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o wise_a sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o church_n both_o to_o de●end_v faith_n and_o establish_v its_o ground_n in_o a_o scholarlike_o way_n as_o also_o for_o their_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n and_o other_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o last_o for_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v to_o be_v breed_v in_o they_o by_o faith_n certainty_n 7._o though_o then_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n need_v not_o to_o be_v actual_o penetrate_v by_o all_o the_o faithful_a while_o they_o proceed_v unreflect_o yet_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o qualify_v that_o it_o may_v satisfy_v all_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o reflect_v and_o so_o to_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n that_o be_v it_o be_v ruling_n power_n ought_v to_o be_v penetrable_a or_o evidenceable_a to_o they_o if_o they_o come_v to_o doubt_v and_o also_o so_o connatural_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o unelevated_a and_o unreflect_a thought_n of_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o apt_a that_o maybe_o to_o establish_v the_o faithful_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n or_o testify_a authority_n and_o not_o in_o scripture_n letter_n that_o therefore_o and_o not_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 8._o infallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v reject_v the_o moral_a certain●y_n he_o substitute_n must_v either_o be_v a_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o none_o this_o late_a be_v impious_a the_o former_a be_v nonsense_n wherefore_o all_o dr._n st_n discourse_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o reject_v infallibility_n must_v forcible_o have_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o qualification_n 9_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a render_v no_o man_n certain_a of_o what_o he_o thus_o assent_v to_o for_o so_o heretic_n may_v be_v true_o certain_a of_o all_o the_o pestilent_a error_n they_o hold_v so_o they_o but_o firm_o assent_v they_o be_v true_a 10._o faith_n be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o christian_a virtue_n on_o which_o all_o our_o spiritual_a edifice_n be_v build_v and_o from_o whence_o we_o derive_v all_o the_o
examine_v as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v which_o be_v so_o evident_a to_o all_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o it_o can_v need_v proof_n and_o can_v scarce_o admit_v any_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v never_o prove_v by_o he_o that_o be_v it_o be_v no_o conclusion_n draw_v from_o any_o of_o his_o principle_n but_o put_v in_o stead_n of_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o trial_n and_o motive_n these_o word_n the_o same_o way_n which_o include_v they_o both_o equivalent_o it_o be_v only_o a_o repetition_n of_o his_o 5_o and_o 6_o principle_n and_o continue_v the_o same_o affect_a ambiguity_n in_o the_o word_n revelation_n as_o he_o use_v former_o nay_o and_o be_v the_o same_o nonsense_n too_o in_o case_n he_o take_v revelation_n in_o either_o place_n for_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n reveal_v and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n for_o that_o only_a which_o be_v build_v on_o natural_a assistance_n that_o be_v for_o it_o be_v human_a testimony_n for_o so_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a the_o same_o motive_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v common_a to_o both_o for_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v receive_v upon_o authority_n as_o their_o proper_a motive_n and_o be_v relative_n to_o that_o and_o the_o human_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n depend_v on_o maxim_n of_o mere_a natural_a reason_n and_o not_o at_o all_o on_o authority_n which_o evidence_n they_o depend_v upon_o different_a motive_n and_o so_o must_v be_v examine_v by_o motive_n which_o be_v not_o the_o same_o this_o pretend_a conclusion_n then_o be_v no_o new_a proposition_n from_o his_o premise_n as_o a_o conclusion_n ought_v to_o be_v but_o the_o self_n same_o with_o they_o and_o be_v either_o self-evident_a or_o else_o a_o mere_a piece_n of_o folly_n and_o nonsense_n that_o be_v the_o term_n of_o it_o be_v clear_v both_o false_a and_o unproved_a and_o so_o again_o no_o conclusion_n which_o must_v be_v make_v evident_a or_o prove_v 3._o the_o less_o convince_a the_o miracle_n the_o more_o doubtful_a the_o mark_n the_o more_o obscure_a the_o sense_n of_o either_o what_o be_v call_v the_o catholic_n church_n or_o declare_v by_o it_o the_o less_o reason_n have_v any_o christian_n to_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o any_o who_o call_v themselves_o by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n can_v any_o more_o doubt_n of_o this_o then_o of_o what_o be_v most_o evident_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n for_o convincingness_n of_o miracle_n evidence_n of_o the_o mark_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v evident_o mean_v or_o reason_n to_o believe_v this_o conclusion_n put_v less_o of_o 〈◊〉_d these_o reason_n amount_n in_o plain_a term_n to_o this_o indentical_a proposition_n where_o there_o be_v less_o reason_n to_o believe_v there_o be_v less_o reason_n to_o believe_v which_o be_v dr._n st._n can_v show_v possible_a to_o follow_v out_o of_o any_o of_o his_o principle_n as_o premise_n as_o he_o here_o pretend_v he_o will_v do_v more_o than_o miracle_n for_o he_o have_v not_o there_o prove_v in_o the_o least_o that_o our_o miracle_n be_v less_o convince_a our_o mark_n doubtful_a our_o sense_n obscure_a nor_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v those_o point_n much_o less_o go_v about_o to_o confute_v our_o pretence_n of_o their_o convincingnesse_n and_o evidence_n and_o without_o do_v this_o to_o pretend_v this_o be_v a_o conclusion_n and_o that_o it_o follow_v from_o his_o principle_n whereas_o it_o be_v incomparable_o more_o evident_a than_o the_o best_a of_o those_o he_o make_v use_v of_o be_v to_o abuse_v the_o common_a regard_n due_a to_o his_o reader_n and_o to_o declare_v he_o make_v account_v they_o never_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o ordinary_a natural_a logic_n or_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n 4._o the_o more_o absurd_a any_o opinion_n be_v and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n which_o any_o church_n obtrude_v upon_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n the_o great_a reason_n man_n shill_v have_v to_o reject_v the_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n in_o that_o church_n as_o a_o grand_a imposture_n this_o be_v just_a such_o another_o as_o the_o former_a for_o it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o absurdity_n and_o contradiction_n be_v not_o to_o be_v hold_v and_o self-evident_a likewise_o that_o that_o which_o recommend_v such_o thing_n to_o our_o belief_n 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v reject_v this_o pretend_a conclusion_n amount_v to_o this_o plain_a truth_n that_o what_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o be_v reject_v have_v great_a or_o more_o reason_n to_o be_v reject_v which_o be_v a_o identical_a proposition_n so_o plain_a that_o it_o can_v need_v or_o admit_v proof_n and_o if_o it_o do_v or_o can_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o semblance_n of_o any_o thing_n offer_v in_o his_o principle_n to_o prove_v it_o by_o nor_o any_o sentence_n or_o clause_n in_o they_o concern_v that_o matter_n which_o have_v the_o ten_o part_n of_o the_o ●lear_a evidence_n that_o shine_v in_o this_o proposition_n which_o he_o pretend_v follow_v from_o they_o as_o a_o conclusion_n 5._o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n be_v not_o to_o question_v the_o veracity_n of_o god_n but_o so_o firm_o to_o adhere_v to_o that_o in_o what_o he_o have_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o man_n dare_v not_o out_o of_o love_n to_o their_o soul_n reject_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o former_a for_o the_o word_n such_o a_o church_n and_o so_o teach_v mean_v absurd_o and_o repugnant_o to_o first_o principle_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v full_a as_o self-evident_a to_o all_o christian_n who_o hold_v god_n the_o author_n of_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o truth_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o lie_n the_o rest_n of_o it_o which_o will_v seem_v to_o put_v the_o opposite_a to_o the_o forego_n part_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n be_v firm_o to_o adhere_v to_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n be_v absolute_o false_a for_o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o to_o hold_v to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n in_o point_n conrrary_a to_o those_o principle_n obtrude_v by_o that_o church_n which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o be_v a_o atheist_n for_o any_o thing_n dr._n st._n have_v bring_v to_o make_v he_o adhere_v to_o scripture_n for_o i_o much_o doubt_n that_o a_o profess_a fallible_a certainty_n for_o such_o wonderful_a &_o extraordinary_a point_n as_o he_o will_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v if_o he_o become_v a_o christian_n will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o give_v he_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o their_o truth_n if_o he_o guide_v himself_o by_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n as_o dr._n st._n pretend_v he_o shall_v nor_o be_v it_o in_o dr._n st_n love_n of_o his_o soul_n as_o he_o like_v a_o saint_n pretend_v here_o but_o humour_n and_o interest_n to_o adhere_v so_o firm_o to_o his_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n for_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o he_o can_v but_o see_v have_v not_o in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n nor_o consequent_o be_v ever_o intend_v by_o god_n for_o such_o a_o end_n since_o renounce_v infallibility_n in_o man_n he_o must_v confess_v that_o all_o possible_a mean_n be_v use_v to_o find_v out_o truth_n by_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n no_o better_o ground_v it_o still_o leave_v all_o the_o relier_n on_o it_o in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v mistake_v as_o himself_o also_o confess_v princ._n 30._o that_o be_v insecure_a that_o their_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o only_o fallible_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o six_o and_o last_o conclusion_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o examine_v these_o according_a to_o the_o no●es_v put_v down_o former_o contain_v some_o qualification_n necessary_o belong_v to_o all_o conclusion_n and_o to_o show_v by_o their_o want_n of_o all_o those_o how_o utter_o unlike_o these_o five_o last_o be_v to_o what_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o first_o not_o one_o of_o they_o follow_v out_o of_o his_o principle_n as_o from_o their_o premise_n as_o i_o show_v in_o each_o of_o they_o 2._o their_o verity_n be_v know_v and_o evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n independent_o on_o those_o principle_n of_o he_o 3._o their_o verity_n be_v more_o know_v than_o be_v that_o of_o those_o principle_n for_o speak_v of_o the_o main_a import_n and_o weight_n of_o they_o abstract_v from_o some_o particular_a word_n and_o phrase_v his_o notion_n they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o manner_n self-evident_a and_o unexceptionable_a whereas_o his_o thirty_o principle_n be_v liable_a to_o
of_o his_o ever_o have_v from_o the_o church_n which_o argue_v its_o perfect_a conformity_n to_o the_o church_n sense_n in_o settle_v and_o state_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o transcribe_v then_o from_o this_o ancient_n and_o learned_a father_n his_o whole_a second_o chapter_n in_o his_o treatise_n entitle_v against_o the_o profane_a innovation_n of_o heresy_n which_o be_v this_o hic_fw-la for_o sit_v a_o requirat_fw-la aliquis_fw-la etc._n etc._n here_o perhaps_o some_o may_v ask_v since_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v perfect_a and_o enough_o nay_o more_o th●●_n enough_o suffice_v to_o itself_o for_o all_o thing_n what_o need_n be_v there_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n sense_n shall_v be_v join_v to_o it_o because_o all_o man_n do_v not_o take_v the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o depth_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o meaning_n but_o divers_a man_n interpret_v its_o say_n diverse_o so_o that_o as_o many_o opinion_n in_o a_o manner_n as_o there_o be_v man_n seem_v possible_a to_o be_v draw_v thence_o for_o novatian_n expound_v it_o one_o way_n photinus_n another_o sabellius_n another_o and_o donatus_n another_o arius_n eunomius_n macedonius_n take_v it_o in_o one_o sense_n apollinaris_n priscillianus_n in_o another_o sense_n jovinian_a pelagius_n coelestius_n understand_v it_o thus_o and_o last_o nestorius_n otherwise_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o necessary_a by_o reason_n of_o so_o great_a wind_n of_o so_o various_a error_n that_o the_o line_n of_o the_o prophetical_a and_o apostolical_a interpretation_n may_v be_v direct_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a and_o catholic_n sense_n from_o which_o place_n we_o may_v note_n 1._o that_o though_o he_o allow_v the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n perfect_a and_o sufficient_a for_o all_o thing_n yet_o by_o show_v it_o interpretable_a divers_a way_n and_o this_o by_o great_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o so_o that_o they_o fall_v into_o multitude_n of_o error_n by_o those_o inerpretation_n and_o thence_o require_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n sense_n as_o necessary_a to_o understand_v it_o right_o so_o as_o to_o build_v faith_n on_o it_o he_o plain_o show_v that_o scripture_n alone_o be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o this_o end_n since_o it_o need_v another_o to_o achieve_v it_o and_o hence_o it_o be_v not_o say_v simple_o it_o suffice_v for_o all_o thing_n but_o sufficit_fw-la sibi_fw-la ad●omnia_fw-la it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o itself_o for_o all_o thing_n which_o can_v only_o mean_v that_o it_o have_v all_o the_o perfection_n due_a to_o it_o be_v own_o nature_n as_o i_o show_v above_o p._n 87_o 88_o 89._o or_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o end_v god_n intend_v it_o for_o reckon_v up_o by_o s._n paul_n to_o timothy_n among_o which_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v find_v as_o sufficiency_n of_o clearness_n to_o every_o sober_a enquirer_n so_o as_o to_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o his_o private_a interpretation_n of_o it_o without_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o church_n sense_n only_o which_o will_v come_v to_o dr._n st_n purpose_n since_o than_o i_o allow_v scripture_n all_o sufficiency_n and_o perfection_n but_o this_o of_o be_v sufficient_o clear_a to_o private_a understanding_n so_o as_o to_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o it_o i_o allow_v it_o all_o this_o learned_a father_n or_o the_o ancient_a church_n ever_o do_v 2._o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o put_v not_o the_o fault_n in_o the_o person_n but_o give_v for_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o misunderstanding_n it_o the_o depth_n or_o deep_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o argue_v that_o though_o some_o few_o out_o of_o wickedness_n wilful_o mistake_v yet_o the_o general_n reason_n of_o the_o miscarriage_n be_v the_o disproportion_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o private_a understand_n in_o dogmatical_a point_n of_o christianity_n as_o i_o constant_o maintain_v 3._o he_o call_v the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o a_o line_n which_o be_v flexible_a and_o dirigible_a and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n the_o rule_n which_o lie_v firm_a as_o apt_a to_o direct_v another_o and_o so_o with_o i_o he_o make_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n 4._o this_o sense_n of_o he_o church_n be_v intimate_v to_o be_v antecedent_n to_o all_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n must_v have_v have_v this_o sense_n or_o knowledge_n of_o faith_n by_o tradition_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n become_v god_n ordinary_a providence_n but_o these_o two_o 5._o these_o thing_n be_v so_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o when_o in_o the_o former_a chapter_n he_o mention_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n mean_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n he_o mean_v they_o joint_o as_o appear_v express_o by_o the_o very_a next_o word_n begin_v this_o present_a chapter_n nor_o do_v he_o speak_v there_o of_o the_o mean_n of_o bring_v man_n to_o faith_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o do_v but_o of_o keep_v they_o in_o faith_n or_o preserve_v they_o from_o slide_v into_o heresy_n and_o since_o he_o attribute_n in_o this_o chapter_n convictiveness_n of_o what_o be_v faith_n only_a to_o the_o church_n sense_n it_o be_v manifest_a all_o that_o remain_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o scripture_n be_v agreeableness_n of_o its_o letter_n if_o a_o good_a pastor_n expound_v it_o to_o the_o present_a faith_n of_o the_o church_n to_o see_v which_o exceed_o comfort_n faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o already-faithful_a who_o must_v need_n be_v have_v a_o high_a reverence_n for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n authority_n the_o whole_a strain_n then_o of_o my_o discourse_n here_o against_o dr._n st._n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v perfect_o consonant_a to_o this_o learned_a father_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o all_o antiquity_n only_o our_o frequent_a and_o close_o contest_v with_o our_o acute_a modern_a dissenter_n have_v oblige_v we_o to_o a_o more_o scholarlike_o way_n of_o distinguish_v our_o notion_n exact_o which_o the_o ancient_n do_v not_o and_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o two_o thing_n the_o scripture_n and_o the_o breast_n of_o the_o church_n of_o determine_v which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o proper_a ascertainer_n of_o faith_n to_o all_o the_o faithful_a and_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v convert_v and_o so_o in_o true_a and_o exact_a speech_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o both_o this_o father_n and_o evident_a reason_n give_v it_o to_o be_v the_o church_n what_o then_o dr._n st._n be_v to_o do_v in_o this_o point_n if_o he_o make_v any_o such_o attempt_n be_v to_o allege_v convince_v testimony_n that_o the_o ancient_a father_n hold_v scripture_n so_o plain_a to_o every_o sober_a enquirer_n as_o to_o give_v he_o such_o certainty_n that_o he_o may_v safe_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o his_o own_o interpretation_n thereof_o without_o need_v the_o church_n when_o he_o produce_v such_o testimony_n as_o come_v home_o to_o this_o or_o a_o equivalent_a sense_n he_o will_v work_v wonder_n and_o unless_o he_o do_v this_o he_o do_v just_a nothing_o but_o i_o foresee_v two_o unlucky_a difficulty_n one_o that_o he_o will_v not_o find_v one_o testimony_n of_o any_o authority_n which_o exclude_v the_o church_n from_o this_o office_n as_o himself_o direct_o do_v next_o that_o can_v he_o produce_v thousand_o he_o will_v spoil_v they_o all_o at_o the_o next_o word_n and_o render_v they_o inconclusive_a that_o be_v insignificant_a with_o tell_v we_o very_o sober_o they_o be_v all_o fallible_a as_o to_o that_o effect_n and_o consequent_o be_v perhaps_o in_o a_o error_n in_o all_o they_o say_v finis_fw-la finis_fw-la see_v sure_o foot_v 2d_o ed._n p._n 145_o 146._o 146._o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 118._o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 153._o reason_n against_o raillery_n p._n 190_o 191_o etc._n etc._n etc._n rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 118._o see_v his_o preface_n to_o his_o sermon_n p._n last_o
be_v so_o the_o not_o appear_v to_o be_v otherwise_o will_v avail_v nothing_o to_o conclude_v it_o so_o all_o it_o can_v effect_n be_v to_o make_v we_o maintain_v our_o liberty_n of_o suspense_n and_o indifferency_n that_o so_o we_o may_v be_v void_a of_o forestalment_n or_o prejudice_n and_o free_a to_o believe_v it_o when_o competent_a or_o conclusive_a reason_n shall_v appear_v to_o evince_v it_o what_o then_o dr._n st._n be_v to_o do_v be_v to_o produce_v conclusive_a reason_n to_o evince_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n have_v such_o a_o perspicuity_n and_o other_o perfection_n belong_v to_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o must_v ground_v that_o most_o firm_a unalterable_a and_o if_o right_o ground_v inerrable_a assent_n call_v christian_a faith_n and_o this_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n the_o effect_n which_o be_v to_o proceed_v from_o faith_n and_o obligation_n issue_v from_o it_o and_o incumbent_a on_o the_o faithful_a as_o such_o but_o in_o stead_n of_o perform_v this_o necessary_a duty_n of_o he_o to_o argue_v as_o if_o though_o the_o reason_n he_o bring_v conclude_v it_o not_o yet_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o because_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n it_o be_v not_o so_o be_v so_o pleasant_a and_o new_o invent_v a_o way_n of_o argue_v that_o he_o must_v find_v the_o world_n a_o new_a logic_n and_o mankind_n itself_o a_o new_a nature_n ere_o he_o will_v arrive_v by_o mean_n of_o such_o discourse_n at_o any_o conclusion_n and_o whereas_o he_o seem_v to_o build_v much_o on_o the_o word_n equal_a allege_v that_o we_o must_v for_o the_o reason_n there_o give_v hold_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n unless_o it_o appear_v they_o be_v defective_a with_o a_o evidence_n equal_a to_o that_o whereby_o we_o believe_v those_o book_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v absolute_o deny_v not_o only_o for_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v in_o common_a that_o none_o can_v be_v bind_v in_o reason_n to_o hold_v or_o own_o any_o unproved_a position_n but_o particular_o because_o of_o the_o peculiar_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n we_o be_v discourse_v of_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o which_o be_v to_o tell_v we_o god_n say_v such_o or_o such_o thing_n or_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n for_o their_o verity_n if_o we_o shall_v happen_v to_o misuse_v scripture_n letter_n by_o let_v loose_a people_n of_o all_o capacity_n to_o rely_v on_o it_o as_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n then_o in_o case_n it_o shall_v peradventure_o not_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o god_n for_o this_o end_n but_o for_o some_o other_o we_o expose_v ourselves_o and_o other_o to_o the_o desperate_a danger_n of_o run_v into_o endless_a error_n by_o this_o misusage_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o adhere_v to_o those_o error_n as_o firm_o as_o if_o god_n himself_o have_v speak_v they_o that_o be_v we_o hazard_v err_v irrecoverable_o in_o matter_n which_o eat_v the_o proper_a mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o blaspheme_a god_n daily_o in_o make_v he_o the_o patron_n of_o lie_n in_o this_o case_n then_o there_o be_v particular_a caution_n to_o be_v use_v and_o so_o if_o upon_o sincere_a and_o strict_a examination_n it_o be_v but_o any_o thing_n dubious_a that_o scripture_n be_v never_o intend_v by_o god_n for_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o can_v never_o be_v oblige_v to_o hold_v or_o own_v it_o for_o such_o especial_o not_o have_v any_o certain_a argument_n to_o conclude_v it_o such_o much_o less_o must_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v such_o unless_o we_o have_v eqval_a evidence_n of_o its_o unfitness_n to_o that_o whereby_o we_o believe_v those_o book_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n unless_o dr._n st._n will_v say_v that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o restrain_v a_o man_n from_o hazard_v the_o great_a mischief_n in_o the_o world_n but_o perfect_a evidence_n that_o no_o harm_n will_v come_v of_o it_o so_o that_o still_o his_o main_a business_n and_o without_o which_o he_o do_v nothing_o at_o all_o remain_v yet_o to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v to_o bring_v solid_a convince_a proof_n that_o god_n intend_v scripture_n or_o his_o write_a word_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v for_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n rely_v on_o it_o shall_v be_v infallible_o or_o absolutely-secured_a from_o error_n by_o so_o do_v in_o make_v good_a which_o concern_v point_n he_o have_v hitherto_o trifle_v exceed_o nay_o himself_n here_o be_v afraid_a to_o own_o the_o goodness_n of_o his_o own_o proof_n otherwise_o he_o will_v never_o have_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o annex_v those_o word_n unless_o it_o appear_v with_o a_o evidence_n equal_a to_o that_o whereby_o we_o believe_v those_o book_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o they_o be_v never_o intend_v for_o that_o end_n because_o of_o their_o obscurity_n or_o imperfection_n for_o the_o evidence_n whereby_o it_o appear_v those_o book_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v be_v conclusive_a else_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n we_o can_v never_o conclude_v one_o word_n of_o faith_n true_a and_o so_o a_o evidence_n equal_a to_o it_o must_v be_v conclusive_a likewise_o if_o then_o he_o have_v think_v his_o reason_n to_o prove_v scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v good_a and_o conclusive_a common_a sense_n will_v have_v forbid_v he_o to_o add_v these_o cautious_a word_n unless_o it_o appear_v with_o a_o equal_a evidence_n etc._n etc._n for_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o no_o conclusive_a reason_n can_v possible_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o negative_a if_o conclusive_a reason_n be_v once_o produce_v or_o be_v producible_a for_o the_o affirmative_a it_o appear_v then_o by_o this_o behaviour_n of_o he_o on_o this_o occasion_n that_o he_o distrust_v that_o either_o he_o have_v produce_v any_o conclusive_a reason_n for_o that_o main_a point_n of_o scripture_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o any_o can_v be_v produce_v last_o that_o we_o may_v give_v perfect_a satisfaction_n to_o this_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o he_o though_o perhaps_o there_o be_v not_o evidence_n scripture_n letter_n be_v never_o intend_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n equal_a to_o that_o whereby_o we_o believe_v those_o book_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o regard_n we_o believe_v this_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n church_n which_o be_v support_v with_o the_o whole_a strength_n of_o best_a nature_n and_o supernatural_n yet_o we_o have_v rigorous_a and_o conclusive_a evidence_n that_o it_o be_v not_o pen_v in_o the_o very_o best_a way_n imaginable_a to_o avoid_v all_o ambiguity_n of_o word_n and_o forestall_a mistake_n as_o be_v immediate_o inspire_v by_o god_n who_o work_n be_v perfect_a if_o it_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o he_o to_o be_v our_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o i_o shall_v presume_v i_o have_v already_o bring_v conclusive_a evidence_n both_o à_fw-la priori_fw-la and_o also_o à_fw-la posteriori_fw-la in_o my_o answer_n to_o his_o 10_o principle_n to_o evince_v that_o it_o have_v not_o in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n nor_o consequent_o be_v it_o intend_v by_o god_n to_o be_v such_o a_o rule_n how_o incomparable_o excellent_a soever_o it_o be_v for_o other_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v indeed_o and_o sole_o intend_v but_o omit_v all_o the_o rest_n at_o present_a i_o remind_v he_o of_o one_o which_o i_o can_v too_o often_o repeat_v and_o enforce_v it_o upon_o he_o thus_o he_o can_v deny_v but_o the_o point_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o christ_n godhead_n be_v most_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n he_o can_v deny_v but_o both_o protestant_n and_o socinian_o rely_v on_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n for_o the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o which_o be_v all_o he_o require_v on_o the_o person_n side_n he_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o notwithstanding_o this_o one_o party_n hold_v there_o be_v no_o trinity_n and_o that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n the_o other_o that_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n and_o that_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o so_o one_o side_n err_v most_o fundamental_o he_o can_v deny_v but_o error_n be_v a_o defect_n there_o must_v be_v a_o fault_n somewhere_o to_o beget_v this_o error_n that_o be_v either_o in_o the_o person_n judge_v of_o what_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n tell_v they_o or_o else_o in_o judge_v that_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n which_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n for_o in_o case_n they_o err_v in_o neither_o of_o these_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v err_v or_o misconceive_v at_o all_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n he_o can_v deny_v in_o any_o reason_n but_o the_o person_n on_o both_o side_n be_v such_o acute_a man_n and_o excellent_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n have_v both_o capacity_n
christianity_n yet_o for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v or_o these_o crafty_a common_a word_n inform_v we_o they_o have_v still_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o save_v they_o that_o be_v though_o they_o go_v wrong_v all_o their_o life_n they_o be_v still_o all_o the_o while_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o i_o suppose_v dr._n st._n mean_n that_o no_o more_o be_v necessary_a for_o any_o one_o salvation_n than_o just_a as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v understand_v in_o scripture_n which_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v once_o begin_v to_o set_v himself_o to_o prove_v &_o make_v out_o by_o some_o convince_a argument_n i_o be_o hearty_o weary_a of_o speak_v still_o to_o his_o unproved_a and_o voluntary_a assertion_n 14._o to_o suppose_v the_o book_n so_o write_v to_o be_v imperfect_a i._n e._n that_o any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o practise_v be_v not_o contain_v in_o they_o be_v either_o to_o charge_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o with_o fraud_n and_o not_o deliver_v his_o whole_a mind_n or_o the_o writer_n with_o insincerity_n in_o not_o set_v it_o down_o and_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n with_o folly_n in_o believe_v the_o fullness_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o order_n to_o salvation_n as_o far_o as_o i_o apprehend_v the_o forego_v principle_n be_v intend_v to_o show_v that_o scripture_n be_v sufficirnt_o intelligible_a to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o under_o examination_n be_v to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o faith_n as_o he_o call_v it_o princ._n 28._o and_o all_o he_o contend_v here_o be_v that_o it_o contain_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o multiply_v dispute_n i_o grant_v those_o holy_a book_n contain_v all_o he_o pretend_v some_o way_n or_o other_o either_o implicit_o or_o explicit_o either_o in_o express_v word_n or_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n but_o that_o those_o book_n contain_v or_o signify_v for_o they_o be_v the_o same_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v so_o evident_o that_o all_o person_n who_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o know_v their_o meaning_n and_o this_o for_o all_o future_a age_n may_v thence_o alone_o as_o his_o discourse_n aim_v to_o evince_v that_o be_v without_o the_o church_n interpretation_n arrive_v to_o know_v what_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o salvation_n with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n annex_v to_o it_o i_o absolute_o deny_v and_o if_o he_o mean_v this_o by_o the_o word_n perfection_n which_o he_o add_v to_o fullness_n i_o deny_v also_o that_o either_o the_o first_o author_n can_v be_v charge_v with_o fraud_n since_o he_o promise_v no_o such_o thing_n or_o the_o writer_n with_o insincerity_n since_o they_o be_v not_o command_v nor_o do_v intend_v thus_o to_o express_v it_o nor_o as_o far_o as_o appear_v have_v any_o order_n from_o god_n to_o set_v down_o his_o whole_a mind_n but_o only_o write_v the_o several_a piece_n of_o it_o occasional_o nor_o do_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n ever_o attribute_v to_o scripture_n such_o a_o intelligibleness_n as_o that_o private_a person_n shall_v ground_v their_o faith_n upon_o their_o evidence_n without_o need_v the_o church_n interpretation_n if_o we_o speak_v of_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o mankind_n salvation_n as_o he_o seem_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v and_o here_o i_o desire_v to_o enter_v this_o declaration_n to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o i_o attribute_v not_o the_o least_o imperfection_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n every_o thing_n have_v all_o the_o perfection_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v if_o it_o can_v do_v what_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o do_v and_o in_o the_o manner_n it_o be_v intend_v treatise_n of_o deep_a philosophy_n be_v not_o imperfect_a if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_a narrative_n history_n no_o not_o if_o they_o be_v ita_fw-la editi_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la editi_fw-la in_o case_n they_o be_v mean_v as_o a_o matter_n for_o the_o author_n to_o explain_v and_o dilate_v upon_o to_o his_o scholar_n nor_o be_v the_o law_n imperfect_a though_o they_o often_o need_v learned_a judge_n to_o interpret_v they_o nor_o be_v we_o to_o expect_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n shall_v be_v as_o plain_a as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o immediate_a end_n of_o write_v each_o piece_n as_o far_o as_o appear_v to_o we_o be_v occasional_a st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v evident_o so_o nor_o can_v i_o doubt_v but_o they_o be_v perfect_a in_o their_o kind_n and_o apt_a to_o signify_v competent_o to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v what_o he_o intend_v so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v any_o far_a doubt_n they_o may_v send_v to_o ask_v he_o or_o do_v it_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-mi and_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o those_o day_n when_o the_o complexion_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n be_v fresh_a and_o near_o than_o now_o some_o unlearned_a person_n err_v damnable_o in_o mistake_v and_o misconceive_a they_o that_o be_v while_o they_o go_v about_o to_o frame_v their_o faith_n out_o of_o they_o it_o be_v questionless_a also_o they_o rely_v upon_o they_o as_o god_n word_n or_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n else_o they_o have_v not_o so_o build_v upon_o they_o or_o adhere_v to_o they_o they_o may_v sincere_o endeavour_v too_o to_o know_v their_o meaning_n yet_o if_o the_o write_n be_v disproportion_v to_o their_o pitch_n they_o may_v err_v damnable_o for_o all_o that_o what_o far_a end_n god_n intend_v the_o h._n scripture_n for_o appear_v not_o by_o any_o express_v either_o promise_n or_o declaration_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o out_o of_o the_o knowledge_n that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o person_n divine_o inspire_v and_o the_o experience_n the_o church_n have_v of_o their_o vsefulness_n towards_o instruction_n and_o good_a life_n join_v with_o the_o common_a knowledge_n we_o have_v that_o all_o good_n that_o come_v to_o the_o church_n happen_v through_o the_o order_n of_o god_n providence_n hence_o we_o just_o conclude_v as_o dr._n st._n well_o say_v that_o they_o be_v intend_v and_o write_v also_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o future_a age_n and_o from_o their_o vsefulness_n and_o the_o success_n of_o their_o use_n we_o may_v gather_v how_o god_n intend_v they_o for_o the_o church_n the_o learned_a and_o stable_a son_n of_o the_o church_n read_v they_o with_o much_o fruit_n to_o excite_v their_o will_n to_o goodness_n the_o pastore_n of_o the_o church_n make_v excellent_a use_n of_o they_o in_o exhort_v preach_v catchise_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o many_o other_o use_n of_o this_o sort_n they_o be_v excellent_o beneficial_a which_o be_v so_o many_o that_o be_v it_o now_o seasonable_a for_o i_o to_o lay_v they_o open_v at_o large_a as_o i_o true_o hold_v they_o none_o will_v think_v i_o have_v little_a reverence_n for_o scripture_n but_o in_o decide_v controversy_n or_o final_o silence_v heretic_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o do_v by_o the_o unavoidable_a evidence_n of_o the_o text_n to_o private_a person_n no_o use_n be_v ever_o make_v of_o they_o alone_o with_o any_o success_n as_o the_o father_n also_o complain_v unless_o the_o the_o church_n authority_n go_v along_o animate_v the_o dead_a letter_n in_o dogmatical_a passage_n and_o show_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n to_o have_v be_v perpetual_o hold_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o so_o give_v it_o the_o sense_n majesty_n authority_n and_o force_n of_o god_n word_n elevate_a it_o thus_o above_o the_o repute_n of_o be_v some_o private_a conceit_n or_o production_n of_o skill_n and_o wit_n interpret_n the_o letter_n scripture_n then_o be_v perfect_a or_o have_v all_o due_a to_o the_o nature_n god_n intend_v it_o if_o due_o make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o church_n best_a instrument_n it_o be_v able_a to_o work_v those_o effect_n speak_v of_o though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o evident_a or_o self-authorized_a as_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o give_v it_o absolute_a pre-eminence_n in_o its_o kind_n that_o be_v above_o all_o other_o write_n that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o prefer_v before_o it_o tradition_n or_o god_n church_n which_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o consist_v of_o the_o live_a temple_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n for_o who_o sole_a good_a as_o its_o final_a end_n scripture_n itself_o be_v intend_v and_o write_v 15._o these_o write_n be_v own_v as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n so_o plain_o reveal_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n suppose_v of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n either_o
to_o attest_v or_o explain_v these_o write_n among_o christian_n any_o more_o than_o there_o be_v for_o some_o age_n before_o christ_n of_o such_o a_o body_n of_o man_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o attest_v or_o explain_v to_o they_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n he_o that_o own_v this_o must_v own_v it_o without_o reason_n for_o any_o thing_n appear_v yet_o for_o dr._n st._n have_v afford_v we_o hitherto_o nothing_o to_o prove_v this_o point_n but_o a_o few_o word_n crafty_o lay_v together_o which_o when_o look_v into_o have_v not_o a_o jot_n of_o reason_n in_o they_o and_o the_o like_a empty_a inside_n we_o find_v in_o this_o present_a principle_n for_o if_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n then_o in_o case_n nothing_o else_o be_v requisite_a to_o understand_v god_n will_v but_o the_o disposition_n of_o sober_o inquire_v as_o he_o put_v no_o other_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o know_v there_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n and_o since_o every_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v part_n of_o god_n will_n it_o will_v follow_v hence_o that_o every_o sober_a enquirer_n may_v understand_v all_o faith_n in_o scripture_n which_o yet_o the_o dr._n be_v not_o dispose_v to_o say_v as_o appear_v by_o his_o avoid_n to_o put_v down_o what_o the_o tenor_n of_o his_o discourse_n require_v namely_o that_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n be_v so_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o know_v his_o whole_a will_n there_o and_o instead_o of_o it_o substitute_v that_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n be_v so_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o no_o sober_a inquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n which_o word_n may_v be_v true_a though_o they_o fall_v far_o short_a of_o know_v the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n by_o that_o mean_n next_o it_o be_v very_o material_a and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o requisite_a to_o know_v how_o a_o man_n must_v be_v qualify_v to_o be_v a_o sober_a enquirer_n in_o order_n to_o which_o we_o may_v reflect_v that_o as_o be_v say_v before_o it_o ought_v in_o reason_n be_v judge_v god_n will_n that_o we_o shall_v know_v whether_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o whether_o his_o body_n and_o consequent_o himself_o be_v real_o in_o the_o sacrament_n lest_o we_o either_o want_v the_o best_a incitement_n to_o devotion_n if_o he_o be_v and_o we_o judge_v he_o be_v not_o or_o else_o commit_v material_a idolatry_n by_o judge_v he_o to_o be_v so_o when_o he_o be_v not_o so_o now_o i_o will_v have_v he_o clear_o show_v clear_o i_o say_v for_o all_o depend_v upon_o it_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n in_o what_o either_o the_o roman_a catholic_n or_o the_o socinian_o fall_v short_a in_o point_n of_o be_v sober_a enquirer_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o must_v both_o fall_v short_a of_o be_v such_o if_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n be_v clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n since_o the_o former_a hold_v christ_n be_v real_o in_o the_o sacrament_n the_o other_o that_o he_o be_v not_o god_n the_o contrary_a to_o both_o which_o i_o suppose_v dr._n st._n hold_v to_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n far_o if_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n either_o to_o attest_v or_o explain_v those_o write_n it_o be_v evident_a there_o can_v be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o fallible_a society_n of_o man_n for_o those_o ends._n for_o if_o write_n which_o be_v attest_v or_o explain_v by_o a_o fallible_a society_n of_o man_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o ground_n god_n have_v leave_v we_o to_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o and_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o fallible_a attestation_n or_o explication_n may_v possible_o lead_v we_o into_o nothing_o but_o error_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n himself_o may_v possible_o have_v lead_v all_o christian_n hitherto_o and_o still_o lead_v they_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n into_o actual_a error_n since_o a_o reliance_n on_o fallible_a mean_n of_o know_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n can_v possible_o raise_v any_o assent_n beyond_o possibility_n of_o be_v erroneous_a there_o need_v therefore_o by_o dr._n st_n discourse_n neither_o infallible_a nor_o fallible_a society_n and_o so_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n farewell_o all_o church_n both_o catholic_n and_o protestant_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v these_o two_o main_a duty_n on_o which_o all_o else_o depend_v again_o though_o all_o this_o be_v true_a and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v own_a as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n so_o plain_o reveal_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o that_o therefore_o there_o need_v no_o church_n to_o explain_v they_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a consequence_n that_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n to_o attest_v they_o or_o to_o witness_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n be_v right_a this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o follow_v out_o of_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o the_o contrary_a aught_o to_o follow_v 〈…〉_z prejudice_a his_o own_o pretence_n that_o 〈◊〉_d conduce_v exceed_o to_o it_o for_o certain●y_o his_o sober_a enquirer_n will_v less_o be_v in_o doubt_n to_o miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n in_o case_n the_o letter_n on_o which_o all_o depend_v be_v well_o attest_v than_o if_o it_o be_v not_o and_o most_o certain_o a_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n can_v better_o attest_v that_o letter_n than_o a_o fallible_a one_o and_o those_o write_n can_v with_o better_a show_n of_o reason_n be_v own_v to_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o their_o letter_n be_v attest_v beyond_o possibility_n of_o be_v wrong_n than_o if_o leave_v in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v such_o for_o if_o the_o letter_n be_v wrong_a all_o be_v wrong_a in_o this_o case_n it_o may_v seem_v wonderful_a then_o what_o it_o be_v that_o thus_o byass_n dr._n st._n against_o his_o own_o interest_n and_o i_o wish_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v it_o be_v not_o a_o kind_n of_o innate_a antipathy_n against_o not_o only_o our_o church_n but_o church_n in_o common_a and_o a_o desire_n to_o attribute_v as_o little_a to_o it_o as_o he_o can_v possible_o though_o he_o hazard_v some_o prejudice_n to_o his_o own_o cause_n and_o even_o all_o christian_a faith_n into_o the_o bargain_n his_o whole_a way_n of_o discourse_n here_o bend_v strong_o towards_o the_o take_n away_o all_o divine_a institution_n of_o pastor_n for_o this_o will_v oblige_v the_o people_n to_o hear_v they_o and_o level_v all_o into_o a_o fanatic_a anarchy_n i_o will_v glad_o interpret_v he_o otherwise_o and_o imagine_v that_o perhaps_o he_o mean_v that_o since_o it_o be_v own_a the_o scripture_n thus_o contain_v god_n will_n therefore_o there_o need_v not_o be_v suppose_v any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n either_o to_o attest_v or_o explain_v they_o but_o i_o can_v conceive_v he_o shall_v think_v scripture_n letter_n must_v be_v own_a to_o be_v right_a without_o some_o either_o fallible_a or_o infallible_a authority_n to_o attest_v it_o to_o be_v such_o or_o that_o however_o he_o may_v sceptical_o dread_v no_o authority_n can_v be_v infallible_a yet_o that_o he_o will_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v good_a there_o be_v such_o a_o authority_n to_o attest_v scripture_n letter_n nay_o needful_a too_o in_o case_n he_o hearty_o hold_v that_o christian_a faith_n build_v according_a to_o his_o ground_n sole_o on_o that_o letter_n may_v not_o possible_o all_o be_v a_o lie_n which_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o it_o may_v be_v in_o case_n we_o may_v all_o be_v deceive_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n last_o that_o for_o some_o age_n before_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o body_n of_o man_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o attest_v or_o explain_v to_o they_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v first_o not_o prove_v and_o yet_o dr._n st._n build_v upon_o it_o as_o confident_o as_o if_o it_o be_v evident_o conclude_v or_o else_o self-evident_a next_o what_o mean_v those_o word_n for_o some_o age_n before_o christ_n if_o the_o whole_a time_n of_o the_o mosaical_a law_n then_o it_o be_v evident_o false_a since_o deut._n 17._o v_o 10_o 11_o etc._n etc._n god_n command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o do_v according_a as_o some_o person_n he_o have_v appoint_v for_o that_o end_n shall_v explain_v the_o write_n belong_v to_o that_o law_n and_o if_o these_o man_n have_v not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n god_n by_o command_v the_o subject_a laity_n under_o so_o heavy_a a_o penalty_n to_o
different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o measure_n of_o divine_a assistance_n but_o every_o christian_a by_o the_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n may_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n from_o the_o convince_v argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n on_o which_o man_n doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o they_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o sense_n &_o reason_n i_o wish_v d._n s._n have_v explain_v himself_o here_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n whither_o some_o glance_n or_o likely_a appearance_n of_o truth_n call_v great_a or_o lesser_a probability_n or_o such_o intellectual_a sight_n at_o the_o least_o of_o they_o discover_v the_o th●ng_n th●●_n evidence_v to_o ●e_v be_v indeed_o so_o or_o true_a i_o suspect_v much_o he_o mean_v the_o former_a because_o th●se_a be_v the_o most_o proper_a ground_n for_o fallible_a certainty_n which_o he_o be_v now_o go_v to_o establish_v whereas_o the_o latter_a sort_n of_o evidence_n will_v hazard_v to_o carry_v too_o far_o and_o to_o beget_v infallible_a certainty_n which_o will_v quite_o spoil_v his_o most_o excellent_a design_n of_o settle_v the_o fallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n for_o those_o evidence_n which_o show_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a show_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a whence_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o such_o evidence_n as_o these_o will_v utter_o destroy_v his_o belove_a fallible_a certainty_n and_o endanger_v to_o introduce_v again_o by_o necessary_a and_o enforce_v consequence_n that_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n which_o he_o have_v new_o discard_v when_o he_o add_v that_o every_o christian_a may_v by_o the_o mean_n here_o assign_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v think_v he_o have_v mean_v certainty_n of_o the_o point_n of_o his_o faith_n but_o my_o hope_n be_v much_o defeat_v when_o come_v to_o the_o point_n he_o fly_v off_o to_o his_o christian_n not_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v far_o wide_a of_o our_o purpose_n and_o his_o promise_n which_o be_v to_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n to_o principle_n whereas_o these_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o christianity_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n or_o scripture_n be_v god_n word_n but_o reach_v not_o to_o what_o be_v those_o point_n of_o christianity_n or_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o particular_a which_o constitute_v protestantism_n and_o only_o concern_v our_o debate_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o roman-catholic_n profess_v not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o convince_a ground_n of_o christianity_n nor_o yet_o of_o scripture_n but_o to_o hold_v that_o christianity_n be_v the_o only-true_a religion_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v holy_a and_o god_n word_n and_o yet_o we_o differ_v so_o much_o from_o protestant_n that_o he_o think_v we_o idolater_n what_o we_o be_v then_o in_o reason_n to_o expect_v from_o dr._n st._n be_v that_o he_o will_v bring_v we_o ground_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n as_o to_o determinate_a point_n viz._n christ_n godhead_n a_o trinity_n reality_n or_o not-reality_n of_o christ_n body_n in_o the_o eucharist_n and_o such_o like_a and_o those_o so_o certain_a as_o that_o we_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o what_o we_o judge_v to_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o sense_n and_o reason_n as_o doubt_v of_o they_o as_o he_o here_o pretend_v and_o not_o put_v we_o off_o with_o common_a word_n in_o stead_n of_o particular_a satisfaction_n concern_v his_o faith_n and_o the_o certainty_n thereof_o i_o will_v ask_v he_o then_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o socinian_n who_o he_o will_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v both_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n and_o both_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o make_v use_n of_o how_o i_o say_v he_o come_v so_o to_o fall_v short_a of_o evidence_n and_o consequent_o certainty_n spring_v from_o that_o evidence_n concern_v christ_n godhead_n which_o be_v a_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christian_a faith_n that_o he_o doubt_v it_o nay_o utter_o deny_v it_o whereas_o yet_o the_o protestant_a have_v the_o same_o mean_n to_o work_v with_o judges_z he_o have_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n ground_v on_o that_o evidence_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n yet_o all_o this_o while_n they_o dissent_v not_o at_o all_o in_o thing_n most_o evident_a to_o sense_n or_o reason_n i_o much_o fear_v our_o drs._n big_a word_n concern_v his_o degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n build_v on_o those_o degree_n will_v when_o examine_v amount_v to_o a_o very_a obscure_a evidence_n and_o a_o problematical_a kind_n of_o assuredness_n much_o like_o those_o comfortable_a light_n which_o both_o party_n have_v when_o they_o lie_v even_o wager_n at_o cockfighting_n &_o such_o game_n give_v good_a hope_n to_o both_o side_n but_o good_a security_n to_o neither_o but_o so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v if_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o infallible_o but_o only_o fallibly-certain_a which_o be_v all_o he_o be_v bend_v to_o prove_v 25._o no_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v therefore_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o these_o who_o be_v certain_a of_o what_o they_o believe_v may_v at_o the_o same_o time_n not_o know_v but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a which_o be_v a_o apparent_a contradiction_n and_o overthrow_v any_o faculty_n in_o we_o of_o judge_v of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n this_o principle_n and_o the_o next_o be_v i_o conceive_v intend_v to_o preserve_v the_o dr_n and_o his_o friend_n credit_v against_o the_o inference_n at_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o diverse_a other_o passage_n show_v they_o either_o to_o be_v far_o from_o good_a christian_n in_o hold_v that_o all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n and_o lie_v imposture_n or_o else_o very_o bad_a discourser_n of_o their_o own_o thought_n whilst_o they_o equivalent_o express_v themselves_o in_o divers_a place_n to_o be_v possible_o in_o a_o error_n in_o all_o they_o believe_v nay_o more_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n this_o if_o justify_v can_v but_o reflect_v on_o they_o be_v so_o concern_v a_o lapse_n and_o i_o have_v at_o dr._n st_n brisk_a instigation_n charge_v it_o home_o in_o reason_n against_o raillery_n though_o i_o still_o express_v myself_o to_o incline_v to_o the_o more_o civil_a and_o more_o charitable_a side_n and_o rather_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o their_o understanding_n then_o on_o their_o will_n and_o intention_n which_o book_n have_v dr._n st._n see_v when_o he_o write_v this_o he_o will_v have_v discern_v the_o triflingness_n of_o these_o weak_a excuse_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o he_o say_v his_o fir●t_o part_n be_v build_v on_o a_o most_o gross_a and_o senseless_a error_n which_o be_v that_o he_o who_o firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a be_v certain_a of_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o those_o word_n for_o this_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o wonder_v exceed_o where_o the_o dr._n ●earned_v this_o notion_n of_o certainty_n not_o from_o mankind_n i_o be_o sure_a at_o least_o not_o from_o those_o who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n for_o all_o these_o already_o know_v it_o to_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o man_n may_v firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a and_o yet_o that_o thing_n be_v false_a must_v that_o man_n therefore_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o falsehood_n and_o that_o it_o be_v though_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v not_o we_o experience_n that_o opposite_a party_n firm_o assent_v to_o contrary_a tenet_n as_o true_a for_o example_n the_o socinian_o firm_o assent_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n we_o and_o the_o protestant_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n catholic_n assent_v firm_o that_o they_o be_v not_o idolater_n when_o they_o make_v use_v of_o holy_a image_n in_o divine_a worship_n d._n st._n firm_o assent_v they_o be_v at_o least_o he_o will_v persuade_v his_o 〈◊〉_d by_o his_o book_n he_o do_v so_o be_v all_o these_o opposite_a side_n certain_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n because_o each_o side_n firm_o assent_v to_o they_o as_o true_a
palpable_o evident_a that_o dr._n st._n most_o absurd_o unskilful_o and_o prepo●cerously_o make_v those_o his_o principle_n which_o be_v obscure_a and_o ungranted_a and_o have_v hundred_o of_o exception_n against_o they_o and_o so_o need_v proof_n that_o be_v make_v those_o his_o principle_n which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v his_o con●lusions_n and_o put_v those_o for_o his_o conclusion_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n self-evident_a and_o must_v be_v grant_v by_o all_o mankind_n and_o which_o natural_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o major_n in_o any_o discourse_n on_o this_o subject_a that_o be_v he_o mistake_v principle_n for_o conclusion_n and_o conclusion_n for_o principle_n which_o perhaps_o be_v the_o reason_n he_o make_v use_v of_o those_o word_n reduce_v to_o principle_n in_o stead_n of_o deduce_v from_o principle_n intimate_v thereby_o that_o his_o conclusion_n be_v all_o of_o they_o indeed_o principle_n do_v ever_o logic_n and_o common_a sense_n go_v thus_o to_o wrack_n his_o 6_o conclusion_n remain_v yet_o to_o be_v speak_v to_o and_o it_o be_v this_o 6._o though_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v as_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o what_o be_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n declaree_v to_o be_v so_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o neither_o be_v the_o catholic_n church_n nor_o any_o sound_a part_n or_o member_n of_o it_o this_o be_v far_o from_o be_v self-evident_a as_o be_v the_o former_a but_o of_o itself_o as_o obscure_a as_o may_v be_v and_o in_o that_o regard_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v a_o conclusion_n have_v there_o be_v any_o premise_n to_o infer_v it_o it_o come_v home_n also_o to_o the_o point_n as_o far_o as_o his_o intent_n be_v to_o impugn_v catholic_n for_o be_v that_o which_o it_o contain_v conclude_v it_o will_v import_v no_o less_o than_o the_o utter_a overthrow_n of_o the_o roman_a cause_n but_o where_o be_v the_o premise_n or_o principle_n which_o be_v to_o infer_v it_o must_v every_o bold_a and_o unprove_v say_v and_o which_o beg_v the_o whole_a question_n be_v call_v a_o conclusion_n whether_o it_o have_v any_o principle_n or_o no_o to_o prove_v it_o by_o if_o then_o it_o have_v none_o why_o do_v he_o put_v it_o for_o a_o conclusion_n and_o so_o pretend_v he_o have_v conclude_v it_o if_o any_o why_o do_v he_o not_o show_v we_o they_o and_o relate_v to_o they_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n more_o important_a then_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o those_o perilous_a all-overturning_a principle_n on_o which_o a_o conclusion_n so_o desperate_o destructive_a to_o rome_n be_v ground_v or_o may_v we_o not_o just_o suspect_v that_o not_o give_v we_o notice_n with_o which_o of_o his_o insignificant_a thirty_o principle_n this_o romantical_a six_o conclusion_n have_v any_o commerce_n he_o be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o it_o follow_v from_o none_o of_o they_o and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o have_v a_o mighty_a mind_n to_o be_v think_v to_o have_v conclude_v it_o he_o therefore_o very_o politic_o call_v his_o own_o say_v a_o conclusion_n i_o know_v he_o have_v pretend_v elsewhere_o idolatrous_a worship_n forsooth_o have_v corrupt_v she_o and_o make_v her_o unsound_a and_o twenty_o other_o flaw_n he_o find_v in_o she_o but_o than_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v make_v this_o proposition_n be_v relate_v to_o those_o discourse_n and_o not_o pretend_v they_o follow_v out_o of_o his_o thirty_o principle_n where_o not_o a_o word_n to_o that_o purpose_n be_v find_v moreover_o these_o church_n now_o in_o communion_n with_o rome_n be_v once_o true_a church_n how_o come_v they_o then_o or_o when_o to_o be_v now_o so_o rot_v and_o unsound_a let_v the_o time_n be_v assign_v when_o by_o alter_v their_o faith_n and_o worship_n they_o become_v corrupt_v let_v the_o person_n place_n manner_n of_o beginning_n proceed_v and_o other_o circumstance_n be_v particularise_v that_o so_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o this_o manifest_a and_o concern_v nature_n may_v be_v make_v credible_a above_o all_o how_o it_o happen_v that_o matter_n of_o this_o notorious_a and_o important_a nature_n shall_v remain_v unrecord_v and_o still_o believe_v that_o no_o such_o change_n be_v and_o this_o upon_o the_o score_n of_o a_o testify_a authority_n so_o great_a that_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v even_o by_o our_o enemy_n that_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v since_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o so_o many_o vast_a nation_n shall_v swallow_v so_o prodigious_a a_o error_n so_o tame_o in_o a_o most_o manifest_a and_o most_o concern_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o which_o if_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o error_n none_o can_v be_v absolute_o secure_a of_o the_o existence_n of_o any_o former_a king_n or_o action_n do_v before_o our_o time_n much_o less_o of_o the_o authority_n or_o text_n of_o any_o book_n in_o the_o world_n but_o i_o suppose_v if_o these_o thing_n be_v press_v the_o best_a answer_n will_v be_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o that_o the_o enemy_n sow_v tare_n while_o man_n sleep_v which_o interpret_v by_o dr._n st_n private_a spirit_n shall_v sanctify_v to_o we_o this_o prodigious_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n that_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n alter_v her_o faith_n and_o christian_a practice_n and_o yet_o none_o observe_v it_o or_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o that_o be_v that_o those_o many_o million_o of_o her_o subject_n begin_v as_o they_o must_v at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o if_o she_o indeed_o alter_v her_o faith_n to_o believe_v and_o practise_v otherwise_o then_o they_o do_v yet_o none_o of_o they_o know_v they_o do_v so_o all_o sleep_v and_o be_v wrap_v up_o god_n wot_v in_o the_o dark_a night_n of_o ignorance_n till_o owl-eyed_a luther_n even_o at_o that_o midnight_n of_o infidelity_n most_o bless_o espy_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n dawn_v and_o show_v it_o to_o dr._n st_n predecessor_n now_o whoever_o reflect_v how_o considerable_a a_o part_n of_o christianity_n those_o church_n in_o communion_n with_o rome_n make_v and_o how_o many_o abominable_a corruption_n or_o sickness_n there_o be_v in_o she_o if_o those_o of_o dr._n st_n private-spirited_n church_n may_v be_v trust_v will_v with_o good_a reason_n conclude_v that_o the_o church_n have_v as_o many_o disease_n in_o she_o as_o a_o old_a horse_n and_o very_o few_o limb_n of_o her_o free_a so_o that_o it_o will_v appear_v she_o for_o who_o sake_n whole_a nature_n be_v make_v be_v the_o great_a monster_n for_o wretchedness_n and_o that_o her_o condition_n be_v more_o miserable_a than_o any_o other_o thing_n in_o nature_n and_o consequent_o that_o god_n providence_n have_v a_o slendere_a care_n of_o his_o church_n then_o of_o the_o most_o trifle_a toy_n in_o the_o world_n which_o ill_a suit_n with_o the_o great_a wonder_n and_o extraordinary_a thing_n he_o have_v do_v for_o she_o as_o be_v make_v man_n die_v for_o she_o and_o such_o like_a it_o be_v good_a too_o to_o know_v how_o long_o a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n may_v remain_v unsound_a ere_o it_o be_v time_n to_o cut_v it_o off_o also_o whether_o it_o can_v be_v cut_v off_o or_o who_o be_v likely_a to_o cut_v it_o off_o without_o which_o the_o church_n case_n must_v needs_o be_v most_o desperate_a to_o be_v almost_o from_o top_n to_o to●_n as_o full_a of_o disease_n as_o she_o can_v well_o hold_v and_o no_o mean_n extant_a to_o give_v her_o help_n but_o alas_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o there_o be_v none_o in_o the_o world_n but_o herself_o and_o some_o few_o sect_n that_o have_v manifest_o go_v out_o from_o she_o and_o it_o sound_v so_o unnatural_o to_o say_v the_o tree_n can_v be_v cut_v off_o from_o its_o branch_n that_o whatever_o such_o talker_n may_v say_v in_o common_a yet_o come_v once_o to_o put_v it_o in_o execution_n the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o bewray_v the_o falsehood_n of_o tenet_n but_o to_o come_v close_o to_o this_o voluntary_a say_n of_o he_o either_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n rely_v for_o the_o certainty_n of_o her_o faith_n on_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n appoint_v by_o god_n or_o she_o do_v not_o if_o not_o she_o have_v no_o faith_n at_o all_o but_o only_a opinion_n however_o she_o may_v hap_v to_o be_v in_o the_o right_n in_o many_o point_n she_o hold_v for_o her_o assent_n will_v want_v the_o certainty_n requisite_a to_o faith_n as_o not_o be_v build_v on_o the_o stable_a ground_n god_n have_v lay_v to_o give_v it_o that_o certainty_n and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a she_o shall_v be_v a_o church_n or_o any_o part_n of_o a_o church_n sound_n or_o unsound_a as_o want_v what_o be_v most_o essential_a true_a faith_n and_o so_o dr._n st._n have_v provide_v rare_o well_o for_o the_o mission_n of_o his_o own_o church_n for_o if_o we_o be_v no_o church_n she_o have_v no_o