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raise_v against_o he_o in_o the_o first_o place_n apply_v himself_o to_o ward_v they_o off_o pag._n 3._o &_o 4._o object_n 1._o he_o thus_o propose_v that_o many_o of_o the_o great_a wit_n have_v by_o follow_v their_o own_o opinion_n increase_v the_o catalogue_n of_o heresy_n to_o this_o he_o answer_v that_o these_o man_n either_o follow_v not_o their_o own_o reason_n but_o their_o will_n or_o first_o hoodwinked_a their_o reason_n by_o interest_n and_o prejudice_n or_o passion_n etc._n etc._n all_o this_o i_o easy_o grant_v be_v truth_n but_o now_o i_o appeal_v to_o this_o author_n himself_o whether_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o follow_v their_o will_n more_o than_o their_o
to_o be_v excuse_v for_o his_o contempt_n of_o authority_n because_o the_o different_a ceremony_n which_o he_o use_v in_o god_n worship_n do_v agree_v and_o consent_n in_o god_n glory_n for_o what_o he_o say_v p._n 53._o viz._n that_o as_o well_o may_v different_a thought_n represent_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n as_o different_a word_n can_v represent_v the_o same_o thought_n i_o can_v tell_v what_o he_o will_v have_v by_o it_o but_o this_o i_o know_v take_v it_o in_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o it_o it_o be_v as_o extravagant_a a_o assertion_n as_o one_o can_v easy_o meet_v withal_o for_o different_a word_n may_v signify_v the_o same_o thing_n because_o neither_o the_o thing_n nor_o man_n notion_n of_o thing_n do_v alter_v by_o the_o various_a word_n or_o language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v express_v but_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v so_o in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v essential_o place_v in_o the_o thought_n different_a thought_n must_v make_v different_a worship_n but_o perhaps_o this_o be_v to_o be_v typical_o or_o anagogical_o interpret_v as_o for_o that_o lash_n he_o give_v the_o roman_a church_n p._n 53._o the_o old_a gentleman_n of_o the_o infallible_a chair_n may_v well_o pardon_v he_o for_o it_o since_o he_o make_v he_o amends_o very_o speedy_o after_o p._n 56._o by_o draw_v in_o henry_n the_o eight_o by_o the_o head_n and_o shoulder_n first_o to_o be_v lash_v for_o his_o adultery_n and_o then_o for_o desert_v his_o good_a old_a friend_n the_o pope_n the_o last_o object_n he_o answer_v from_o p._n 54._o to_o p._n 62._o be_v that_o by_o which_o some_o will_v prove_v he_o guilty_a of_o the_o error_n of_o the_o greek_n by_o several_a text_n of_o scripture_n the_o error_n of_o the_o greek_n i_o suppose_v be_v this_o their_o follow_v vain_a and_o heathen_a philosophy_n or_o mere_a humane_a reason_n against_o the_o divine_a revelation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o the_o miracle_n and_o preach_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o from_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n be_v deride_v among_o they_o that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v be_v think_v foolishness_n and_o the_o cross_n a_o stumbling-block_n now_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a reader_n whether_o this_o author_n have_v not_o drive_v on_o this_o same_o or_o a_o worse_a design_n in_o no_o small_a part_n of_o his_o book_n for_o he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v excusable_a though_o he_o follow_v his_o humane_a reason_n to_o the_o denial_n of_o christianity_n i._n e._n in_o a_o direct_a opposition_n to_o the_o divine_a revelation_n nay_o he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o jew_n heathen_n and_o atheist_n be_v in_o a_o equal_a possibility_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o unerring_a christian._n now_o i_o desire_v this_o author_n to_o prove_v that_o ever_o the_o heathen_a greek_n have_v among_o they_o any_o question_n which_o they_o do_v defend_v more_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o his_o be_v which_o if_o he_o can_v do_v he_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o he_o have_v outdo_v they_o all_o at_o the_o wisdom_n of_o entice_a word_n to_o draw_v other_o from_o christianity_n and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o come_v far_o short_a of_o they_o at_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n will_v appear_v in_o that_o he_o have_v so_o much_o busy_v himself_o to_o prove_v that_o humane_a reason_n may_v tolerate_v atheism_n itself_o and_o consequent_o all_o kind_n of_o lust_n and_o wickedness_n whatsoever_o away_o with_o you_o dull_a greek_n for_o a_o company_n of_o old_a fool_n that_o can_v not_o improve_v your_o reason_n further_o then_o to_o the_o denial_n of_o christ_n mere_a gregory-grey-beard_n be_v you_o all_o in_o comparison_n of_o our_o author_n who_o can_v tell_v you_o present_o how_o to_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n by_o humane_a reason_n and_o to_o excuse_v yourselves_o when_o you_o have_v do_v so_o exquisite_o have_v he_o find_v out_o a_o guide_n to_o happiness_n and_o so_o gentile_o have_v he_o follow_v the_o direction_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n the_o gentleman_n in_o the_o next_o place_n proceed_v to_o establish_v his_o doctrine_n by_o positive_a argument_n and_o his_o first_o argument_n be_v from_o the_o safety_n of_o it_o which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v by_o compare_v his_o guide_n viz._n every_o man_n own_o reason_n with_o other_o that_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o it_o as_o first_o with_o the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o vision_n or_o revelation_n extrinsecal_o come_v into_o the_o soul_n p._n 62._o if_o he_o mean_v nothing_o but_o enthusiasm_n hereby_o i_o shall_v only_o leave_v it_o to_o be_v dispute_v betwixt_o he_o and_o his_o grateful_a friend_n the_o quaker_n for_o i_o know_v no_o christian_n that_o will_v follow_v or_o expect_v new_a light_n since_o god_n have_v give_v we_o the_o gospel_n a_o positive_a law_n to_o govern_v our_o life_n and_o action_n and_o since_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o gal._n 1._o 8._o that_o if_o he_o or_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v preach_v any_o other_o gospel_n he_o ought_v to_o be_v hold_v accurse_v if_o he_o mean_v all_o revelation_n in_o general_n even_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n not_o except_v as_o what_o may_v not_o a_o man_n venture_v at_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o his_o humane_a reason_n which_o have_v already_o teach_v he_o to_o excuse_v infidelity_n and_o atheism_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o since_o he_o himself_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o his_o book_n that_o we_o have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n what_o strange_a kind_n of_o blasphemous_a aspersion_n he_o must_v cast_v upon_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n if_o he_o dare_v to_o assert_v that_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n be_v a_o safe_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o than_o that_o rule_n which_o god_n have_v particular_o reveal_v to_o we_o from_o heaven_n for_o that_o purpose_n unless_o therefore_o he_o can_v think_v our_o own_o reason_n more_o infallible_a than_o the_o reason_n of_o god_n himself_o he_o must_v conclude_v if_o he_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v god_n word_n as_o he_o profess_v to_o do_v that_o it_o be_v much_o safe_a to_o follow_v that_o law_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o give_v we_o than_o the_o law_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n for_o otherwise_o the_o divine_a revelation_n have_v be_v altogether_o vain_a and_o useless_a second_o the_o next_o guide_n he_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v less_o safe_a than_o humane_a reason_n be_v authority_n pag._n 63._o by_o which_o he_o have_v not_o explain_v what_o he_o mean_v so_o that_o by_o this_o discourse_n since_o he_o have_v no_o way_n limit_v the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n we_o may_v just_o judge_v he_o intend_v to_o set_v up_o every_o man_n reason_n as_o a_o safe_a guide_n than_o all_o authority_n his_o reason_n be_v this_o for_o if_o that_o authority_n prescribe_v truth_n we_o have_v good_a fortune_n and_o mere_o good_a fortune_n in_o our_o obedience_n but_o i_o pray_v you_o sir_n be_v there_o not_o many_o truth_n that_o can_v be_v no_o way_n make_v evident_a or_o at_o least_o not_o so_o evident_a as_o be_v convenient_a but_o by_o the_o suffrage_n of_o authority_n as_o the_o distinction_n of_o person_n in_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n the_o deity_n of_o the_o son_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n for_o if_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o point_n do_v not_o clear_o prove_v that_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v urge_v for_o they_o be_v to_o be_v so_o interpret_v it_o will_v not_o perhaps_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n to_o stop_v a_o subtle_a socinian_o mouth_n by_o mere_a scripture_n and_o much_o less_o by_o mere_a reason_n if_o we_o take_v authority_n in_o the_o other_o common_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n for_o lawful_a power_n the_o author_n assertion_n be_v still_o worse_o and_o much_o more_o false_a for_o in_o all_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o doubtful_a matter_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o magistrate_n be_v to_o prescribe_v to_o we_o not_o our_o own_o reason_n only_o it_o be_v much_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o follow_v authority_n in_o those_o case_n then_o to_o be_v guide_v only_o by_o ourselves_o so_o that_o sir_n you_o see_v by_o this_o time_n that_o in_o most_o action_n of_o our_o life_n for_o most_o of_o they_o do_v concern_v indifferent_a thing_n we_o have_v not_o only_o good_a fortune_n but_o good_a reason_n in_o our_o obedience_n to_o authority_n nay_o in_o some_o case_n and_o those_o not_o a_o few_o authority_n be_v the_o only_a reason_n of_o our_o assent_n as_o in_o all_o
probable_a that_o they_o who_o business_n it_o be_v to_o study_v those_o thing_n must_v know_v they_o more_o certain_o than_o i_o who_o have_v never_o have_v time_n nor_o convenience_n to_o study_v they_o but_o suppose_v they_o shall_v deceive_v i_o as_o long_o as_o i_o be_o in_o this_o life_n i_o shall_v always_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n and_o if_o i_o do_v follow_v these_o direction_n sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v their_o fault_n and_o not_o i_o if_o they_o lâ—ad_v i_o into_o error_n for_o i_o have_v do_v what_o i_o can_v to_o prevent_v it_o and_o sure_o i_o be_o i_o can_v this_o way_n be_v lead_v into_o popery_n infidelity_n and_o atheism_n as_o i_o may_v be_v if_o i_o whole_o commit_v myself_o to_o the_o sole_a guidance_n of_o my_o own_o reason_n since_o our_o church_n have_v so_o plain_o guard_v we_o against_o the_o idolatry_n of_o rome_n in_o its_o plain_a homily_n and_o against_o infidelity_n and_o atheism_n by_o her_o full_a and_o short_a catechism_n and_o by_o allow_v we_o the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o dare_v confident_o aver_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n in_o the_o world_n leave_v for_o we_o that_o be_v unlearned_a to_o keep_v we_o without_o a_o miracle_n from_o heresy_n and_o schism_n or_o popery_n and_o atheism_n but_o only_o by_o this_o method_n that_o i_o have_v now_o lay_v down_o if_o i_o be_o mistake_v i_o shall_v be_v very_o thankful_a to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v show_v i_o wherein_o if_o i_o be_o not_o mistake_v i_o must_v desire_v our_o author_n to_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o think_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n be_v a_o safe_a guide_n to_o i_o then_o my_o own_o reason_n and_o consequent_o that_o all_o his_o boast_n of_o safety_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o mere_a impertinence_n and_o falsehood_n several_a thing_n it_o be_v possible_a will_v be_v object_v against_o this_o method_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o all_o private_a gentleman_n and_o man_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n especial_o for_o common_a people_n which_o be_v this_o that_o every_o one_o shall_v rely_v upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o those_o guide_n of_o conscience_n which_o she_o have_v authorize_v in_o all_o difficult_a case_n and_o doubtful_a matter_n which_o surpass_v his_o own_o ability_n to_o judge_v of_o against_o this_o it_o may_v be_v object_v first_o that_o this_o be_v ro_o run_v into_o the_o same_o implicit_a faith_n which_o we_o condemn_v in_o the_o romanist_n and_o put_v out_o our_o own_o eye_n that_o we_o may_v see_v with_o other_o man_n i_o answer_v not_o at_o all_o for_o i_o allow_v every_o one_o the_o free_a use_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o their_o own_o reason_n in_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v within_o the_o reach_n of_o their_o capacity_n and_o within_o their_o proper_a sphere_n of_o action_n and_o for_o all_o other_o that_o be_v above_o they_o i_o have_v show_v they_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o safe_a guide_n i_o can_v possible_o find_v if_o any_o body_n can_v produce_v a_o safe_a jet_n they_o and_o they_o will_v do_v very_o good_a service_n to_o the_o public_a second_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o by_o this_o direction_n they_o that_o be_v papist_n especial_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o they_o be_v in_o no_o possibility_n to_o be_v free_v from_o the_o roman_a yoke_n and_o consequent_o must_v continue_v in_o idolatry_n and_o therefore_o in_o most_o imminent_a peril_n of_o damnation_n i_o answer_v i_o give_v not_o this_o direction_n to_o papist_n or_o those_o that_o be_v without_o our_o church_n for_o what_o have_v i_o to_o do_v to_o judge_v they_o that_o be_v without_o but_o to_o those_o who_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v obedient_a child_n of_o the_o most_o christian_n and_o tender_a mother_n the_o church_n of_o england_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o no_o corruption_n from_o the_o primitive_a christianity_n either_o in_o doctrine_n or_o worship_n who_o enjoin_v the_o belief_n of_o no_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n nor_o no_o idolatrous_a worship_n nor_o command_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v sinful_a to_o be_v obey_v the_o contrary_a to_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v most_o apparent_o guilty_a of_o now_o i_o refer_v it_o to_o any_o man_n or_o to_o all_o mankind_n to_o judge_v which_o be_v the_o safe_a way_n for_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n whether_o to_o persuade_v all_o of_o our_o communion_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o so_o to_o endanger_v the_o loss_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o that_o be_v now_o free_a and_o must_v continue_v so_o so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v in_o obedience_n to_o our_o church_n from_o all_o fear_n of_o popish_a idolatry_n and_o thereby_o to_o expose_v they_o not_o only_o to_o all_o false_a religion_n but_o even_o to_o be_v of_o no_o religion_n at_o all_o for_o fear_v of_o use_v such_o argument_n to_o secure_v they_o as_o may_v if_o use_v to_o ignorant_a papist_n continue_v they_o in_o their_o error_n and_o obstruct_v their_o conversion_n to_o our_o church_n of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v half_o so_o great_a a_o probability_n as_o there_o be_v of_o lose_v or_o at_o least_o hazard_v their_o soul_n who_o now_o be_v not_o nor_o never_o can_v be_v in_o any_o danger_n so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v in_o obedience_n to_o their_o own_o church_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v safe_a for_o they_o to_o be_v keep_v by_o law_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o in_o obedience_n to_o her_o injunction_n in_o all_o honest_a and_o lawful_a thing_n which_o be_v all_o that_o our_o church_n require_v even_o of_o the_o clergy_n themselves_o three_o another_o objection_n may_v be_v this_o that_o possible_a it_o be_v our_o church_n may_v in_o time_n as_o well_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o former_o be_v a_o church_n as_o free_v from_o all_o corruption_n as_o we_o be_v now_o degenerate_a into_o the_o very_a same_o crime_n which_o we_o now_o blame_v rome_n for_o i_o answer_v that_o then_o our_o church_n must_v be_v quite_o alter_v from_o what_o it_o be_v at_o present_a and_o i_o only_o propose_v my_o method_n of_o safety_n to_o all_o illiterate_a person_n in_o her_o present_a communion_n and_o therefore_o be_o not_o at_o all_o concern_v for_o future_a contingency_n but_o if_o ever_o she_o shall_v be_v change_v from_o her_o primitive_a purity_n which_o god_n forbid_v then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o will_v this_o objection_n deserve_v a_o answer_n for_o if_o possibility_n of_o error_n may_v render_v separation_n allowable_a we_o must_v never_o be_v fix_v in_o any_o church_n till_o we_o can_v come_v to_o that_o which_o be_v triumphant_a in_o heaven_n nay_o neither_o can_v any_o man_n be_v free_a from_o a_o possibility_n of_o error_n as_o long_o as_o he_o be_v here_o on_o earth_n let_v he_o propose_v to_o himself_o what_o guide_v he_o can_v and_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o any_o man_n that_o be_v rational_a whether_o he_o must_v not_o think_v that_o his_o own_o reason_n may_v in_o all_o probability_n lead_v he_o into_o error_n much_o soon_o than_o the_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o he_o be_v not_o a_o capable_a judge_n of_o for_o sure_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n be_v much_o more_o subject_a to_o a_o possibility_n of_o error_n than_o a_o whole_a church_n be_v to_o a_o possibility_n of_o a_o total_a change_n and_o alteration_n so_o that_o it_o must_v still_o remain_v much_o safe_a to_o rely_v upon_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n i_o have_v lay_v down_o than_o it_o be_v to_o rely_v whole_o upon_o our_o own_o reason_n 4._o the_o last_o objection_n i_o shall_v answer_v be_v this_o that_o if_o we_o that_o be_v illiterate_a must_v rely_v upon_o our_o church_n in_o all_o thing_n above_o our_o capacity_n that_o then_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v practise_v the_o same_o rule_n when_o we_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o consequent_o ought_v never_o to_o have_v separate_v from_o it_o and_o therefore_o that_o our_o reformer_n be_v schismatic_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o romish_a doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n and_o their_o idolatry_n in_o worship_v the_o host_n etc._n etc._n beside_o the_o pope_n usurpation_n upon_o our_o regal_a authority_n be_v so_o direct_o contradictory_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o he_o must_v needs_o see_v it_o that_o do_v not_o wilful_o shut_v his_o eye_n second_o our_o reformation_n be_v carry_v on_o not_o by_o private_a person_n but_o by_o the_o public_a power_n of_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o all_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o learned_a man_n in_o it_o and_o consequent_o it_o can_v be_v no_o schism_n it_o be_v grant_v upon_o so_o warrantable_a a_o cause_n and_o do_v in_o so_o orderly_a a_o manner_n to_o conclude_v