be_v this_o there_o be_v no_o medium_n between_o man_n judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o give_v up_o their_o judgement_n to_o other_o we_o grant_v it_o but_o what_o then_o his_o inference_n be_v this_o if_o the_o first_o be_v their_o duty_n the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v but_o why_o not_o his_o reason_n be_v again_o the_o same_o because_o it_o debar_v man_n from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o inform_v their_o judgement_n that_o be_v his_o argument_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n betwixt_o such_o as_o can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o such_o as_o can_v where_o the_o scripture_n be_v express_v the_o word_n plain_a and_o the_o sense_n easy_a every_o man_n who_o have_v a_o competent_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o can_v read_v his_o bible_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o but_o when_o several_a interpretation_n be_v give_v of_o any_o text_n when_o doubt_n be_v raise_v when_o argument_n be_v 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our_o people_n a_o intimation_n that_o by_o so_o do_v they_o make_v we_o the_o lord_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o how_o do_v that_o follow_v suppose_v two_o person_n be_v engage_v in_o a_o doubtful_a controversy_n about_o a_o estate_n claim_v by_o both_o these_o person_n be_v of_o themselves_o unable_a to_o determine_v the_o case_n appeal_v to_o the_o king_n judge_n but_o do_v they_o thereby_o make_v those_o judge_n the_o lord_n of_o that_o estate_n which_o be_v contend_v for_o sure_o no_o the_o judge_n do_v no_o more_o than_o according_a to_o evidence_n and_o law_n declare_v to_o which_o person_n that_o estate_n do_v just_o belong_v so_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n several_a party_n of_o man_n lay_v claim_n to_o truth_n as_o they_o and_o produce_v evidence_n for_o it_o now_o a_o man_n unable_a to_o satisfy_v himself_o which_o side_n truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v consult_v his_o minister_n who_o by_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n which_o in_o this_o case_n be_v the_o only_a 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controvert_v point_n can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o there_o be_v some_o other_o of_o clear_a head_n and_o more_o improve_v understanding_n that_o can_v and_o for_o their_o sake_n this_o author_n say_v that_o the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v and_o his_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n debar_v they_o from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v their_o judgement_n this_o argument_n in_o effect_n have_v already_o be_v offer_v once_o and_o again_o and_o have_v as_o often_o be_v reply_v to_o but_o for_o the_o great_a satisfaction_n of_o my_o reader_n i_o shall_v again_o consider_v and_o enlarge_v my_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o this_o it_o be_v not_o know_v and_o intelligent_a christian_a who_o be_v well_o able_a to_o judge_v for_o himself_o can_v want_v any_o new_a allegation_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o any_o dispute_v point_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n because_o we_o have_v 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resurrection_n which_o they_o deny_v and_o when_o our_o lord_n will_v prove_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o great_a person_n than_o david_n he_o do_v it_o by_o that_o 1._o text_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n etc._n etc._n this_o course_n take_v our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o so_o do_v his_o apostle_n too_o and_o so_o must_v we_o we_o must_v take_v the_o scripture_n for_o our_o guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a and_o infallible_a rule_n and_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o measure_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o church_n do_v teach_v recommend_v or_o require_v from_o we_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o demand_v who_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n whether_o among_o different_a interpretation_n of_o holy_a writ_n this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o true_a one_o whether_o in_o controvert_v point_n such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n do_v certain_o warrant_v such_o or_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v ground_v thereon_o i_o answer_v again_o 2._o we_o have_v the_o unite_a judgement_n and_o decree_n of_o several_a council_n those_o i_o mean_v that_o be_v convene_v in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n before_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o rome_n have_v creep_v in_o by_o degree_n through_o carelessness_n vice_n and_o ignorance_n and_o overspread_v the_o church_n the_o grand_a controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n among_o we_o concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n the_o personality_n and_o deity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o christ_n in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o that_o notion_n be_v true_o god_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v a_o person_n and_o a_o divine_a person_n we_o affirm_v but_o our_o socinian_n who_o be_v the_o spawn_n of_o old_a arius_n make_v bold_a to_o deny_v to_o justify_v our_o doctrine_n we_o cite_v such_o and_o such_o text_n and_o to_o establish_v their_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v they_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o for_o the_o scripture_n which_o we_o produce_v to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n because_o humane_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v it_o they_o do_v either_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o such_o text_n or_o else_o they_o wrest_v they_o to_o such_o a_o intolerable_a sense_n as_o every_o sober_a man_n reason_n may_v just_o abhor_v now_o the_o question_n be_v who_o must_v judge_v betwixt_o we_o and_o they_o who_o must_v determine_v whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v on_o their_o side_n or_o we_o i_o answer_v that_o heterodox_n opinion_n now_o much_o contend_v for_o which_o we_o call_v socinian_n do_v appear_v under_o some_o other_o name_n very_o early_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n be_v deny_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o particular_o by_o ebion_n in_o the_o three_o century_n by_o
one_o theodatus_fw-la artemon_n and_o beryllus_n and_o sabellius_n in_o the_o four_o century_n by_o arius_n eunomius_n and_o some_o other_o and_o in_o the_o same_o age_n the_o personality_n and_o divinity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v deny_v by_o macedonius_n and_o some_o other_o who_o be_v there_o brand_v by_o a_o particular_a name_n and_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oppugner_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o heterodox_n opinion_n beginning_n to_o spread_v and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o some_o other_o ill_a opinion_n arise_v too_o several_a general_n council_n be_v summon_v by_o several_a christian_a emperor_n the_o nicene_n council_n by_o constantine_n the_o great_a who_o main_a work_n be_v to_o examine_v the_o opinion_n of_o arius_n the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o first_o to_o debate_v the_o opinion_n of_o macedonius_n the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o second_o to_o consider_v the_o opinion_n of_o nestorius_n and_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n summon_v by_o the_o emperor_n martian_a to_o consult_v about_o the_o opinion_n of_o eutyches_n these_o council_n consist_v of_o some_o hundred_o of_o bishop_n have_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o their_o heart_n the_o settlement_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o their_o hand_n do_v after_o a_o mature_a deliberation_n pronounce_v the_o opinion_n of_o these_o man_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o obstinate_a defender_n of_o they_o to_o be_v heretic_n and_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o general_a council_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o person_n exemplary_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o eminent_a for_o their_o learning_n who_o resolve_v on_o nothing_o without_o mature_a advice_n and_o deliberation_n be_v of_o as_o great_a authority_n and_o afford_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n as_o any_o thing_n of_o man_n can_v be_v or_o do_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n once_o teach_v the_o world_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v unchangeable_a for_o ever_o and_o our_o bibles_n which_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n to_o measure_v religion_n by_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o for_o ever_o that_o which_o be_v a_o error_n in_o those_o early_a day_n must_v needs_o be_v a_o error_n still_o and_o that_o which_o be_v a_o truth_n then_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o truth_n now_o and_o if_o we_o can_v think_v of_o any_o more_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n and_o error_n than_o the_o deliberate_a and_o unanimous_a judgement_n of_o so_o many_o hundred_o pious_a learned_a and_o unbiased_a man_n assemble_v together_o then_o certain_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o ancient_a council_n be_v very_o considerable_a evidence_n for_o truth_n and_o against_o error_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n who_o beside_o their_o eminent_a piety_n and_o learning_n have_v the_o great_a advantage_n of_o live_v near_o the_o apostle_n age_n and_o thereby_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o inform_v themselves_o and_o we_o what_o be_v certain_o believe_v and_o do_v in_o the_o very_a infancy_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n sect_n ix_o 3._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n those_o especial_o that_o live_v within_o the_o first_o six_o century_n wherever_o they_o agree_v and_o be_v not_o since_o corrupt_v or_o maim_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o forgery_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v of_o singular_a use_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o that_o ignatius_n clemens_n origen_n athanasius_n cyril_n nazianzen_n basil_n chrysostom_n hierom_n austin_n and_o many_o other_o both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a church_n be_v indeed_o person_n of_o great_a piety_n and_o excellent_a part_n our_o socinian_n without_o breach_n of_o modesty_n can_v deny_v and_o although_o some_o of_o these_o great_a name_n in_o some_o particular_a matter_n have_v their_o peculiar_a mistake_n and_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v but_o man_n yet_o in_o all_o point_n where_o we_o find_v a_o unanimous_a consent_n among_o they_o we_o be_v to_o have_v so_o much_o veneration_n for_o their_o authority_n as_o not_o easy_o to_o suspect_v or_o contradict_v it_o true_a it_o be_v if_o we_o take_v these_o father_n single_o man_n by_o man_n where_o we_o find_v any_o of_o they_o alone_o in_o their_o opinion_n as_o origen_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o punishment_n of_o hell_n and_o st._n austin_n in_o reference_n to_o infant_n that_o die_v unbaptise_v we_o be_v not_o in_o this_o case_n much_o more_o oblige_v to_o accept_v their_o judgement_n than_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o single_a person_n yet_o alive_a but_o if_o we_o take_v all_o the_o father_n who_o live_v within_o six_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n together_o and_o in_o a_o lump_n where_o we_o find_v they_o one_o in_o judgement_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o make_v a_o wise_a council_n than_o any_o have_v be_v since_o their_o time_n they_o be_v enough_o to_o inform_v we_o what_o be_v error_n and_o what_o be_v truth_n but_o sect_n x._o 4._o because_o learned_a man_n who_o fortune_n be_v mean_a can_v purchase_v and_o unlearned_a man_n who_o intellectual_n be_v weak_a can_v read_v and_o understand_v the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o the_o father_n we_o have_v several_a system_n of_o divinity_n confession_n of_o faith_n short_a abridgement_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v especial_o to_o unlearned_a person_n great_a help_n in_o this_o matter_n too_o and_o here_o methinks_v those_o ancient_a creed_n of_o the_o apostle_n nice_n and_o athanasius_n which_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v of_o great_a authority_n to_o settle_v our_o judgement_n in_o the_o main_a and_o most_o necessary_a point_n of_o faith_n beside_o we_o have_v many_o choice_n and_o excellent_a catechism_n compose_v by_o man_n that_o be_v pious_a judicious_a acquaint_v with_o scripture_n well_o verse_v in_o the_o primitive_a council_n and_o father_n these_o short_a catechism_n compile_v by_o person_n of_o singular_a endowment_n and_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n be_v little_o less_o than_o contract_v bibles_n contain_v in_o they_o whatever_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o deliver_v enough_o in_o easy_a term_n to_o inform_v we_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o error_n and_o confirm_v our_o judgement_n in_o all_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n in_o short_a the_o substance_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o this_o argument_n be_v this_o since_o we_o have_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v our_o rule_n and_o since_o this_o word_n in_o some_o material_a case_n according_a to_o the_o different_a fancy_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v different_a interpretation_n give_v concern_v its_o true_a sense_n and_o mean_v it_o be_v our_o safe_a way_n for_o our_o better_a satisfaction_n to_o betake_v ourselves_o to_o the_o most_o able_a faithful_a and_o unbiased_a judge_n and_o they_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a council_n and_o the_o primitive_a father_n who_o judgement_n be_v declare_v in_o our_o several_a creed_n in_o other_o public_a confession_n of_o faith_n and_o orthodox_n catechism_n set_v forth_o or_o approve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o since_o we_o be_v very_o well_o store_v with_o these_o excellent_a help_n i_o do_v once_o more_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n whether_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a can_v need_v any_o new_a argument_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n sect_n xi_o 7._o this_o author_n seven_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o if_o it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o let_v the_o press_n continue_v free_a lest_o it_o furnish_v man_n with_o the_o reason_n of_o one_o party_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o it_o must_v be_v as_o unlawful_a to_o examine_v those_o reason_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o party_n and_o party_n between_o one_o who_o be_v orthodox_n and_o one_o who_o be_v heretical_a this_o distinction_n be_v premise_v i_o shall_v resolve_v this_o hypothetical_n proposition_n into_o these_o two_o categorical_a one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n to_o examine_v those_o reason_n which_o heretic_n may_v urge_v in_o defence_n of_o their_o ill_a opinion_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o furnish_v such_o christian_n with_o any_o such_o reason_n it_o be_v notorious_o know_v that_o there_o be_v among_o we_o vast_a number_n of_o person_n who_o be_v of_o weak_a judgement_n not_o firm_o establish_v in_o their_o faith_n not_o able_a to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n in_o a_o fallacious_a argument_n and_o therefore_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o by_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n now_o for_o such_o
but_o to_o who_o ought_v the_o care_n of_o this_o be_v commit_v doubtless_o to_o man_n of_o integrity_n learning_n and_o judgement_n to_o man_n who_o be_v able_a at_o first_o view_n to_o distinguish_v vice_n from_o virtue_n and_o truth_n from_o error_n and_o with_o such_o man_n be_v the_o church_n of_o england_n store_v man_n of_o such_o part_n and_o piety_n that_o we_o can_v without_o breach_n of_o charity_n so_o much_o as_o once_o suspect_v that_o they_o will_v to_o gratify_v any_o party_n stifle_v any_o book_n which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n or_o the_o common_a benefit_n of_o mankind_n notwithstanding_o this_o our_o author_n think_v fit_a to_o tell_v his_o friend_n the_o parliament-man_n that_o of_o all_o other_o person_n the_o clergyman_n of_o our_o church_n be_v the_o most_o unfit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o regulation_n of_o the_o press_n and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n namely_o because_o they_o will_v allow_v no_o book_n to_o be_v publish_v save_v only_o such_o as_o tend_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n that_o be_v in_o plain_a english_a they_o will_v permit_v no_o book_n to_o be_v print_v which_o tend_v to_o subvert_v the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o for_o that_o who_o can_v just_o blame_v they_o that_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v sound_a and_o orthodox_n have_v be_v prove_v over_o and_o over_o by_o such_o scripture_n argument_n as_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n arian_n and_o socinian_o or_o any_o other_o heretic_n never_o yet_o can_v nor_o ever_o can_v overthrow_v and_o if_o any_o book_n which_o contradict_v they_o be_v offer_v to_o the_o press_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v stifle_v in_o the_o birth_n and_o if_o they_o chance_v to_o be_v bring_v forth_o by_o stealth_n it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v immediate_o be_v cast_v into_o the_o flame_n that_o be_v the_o quick_a way_n to_o cleanse_v they_o from_o that_o dross_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o however_o to_o prevent_v as_o much_o as_o may_v be_v the_o further_a increase_n of_o dangerous_a book_n which_o by_o good_a word_n fair_a speech_n and_o seem_a argument_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n among_o the_o illiterate_a vulgar_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o all_o write_n offer_v to_o the_o press_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n shall_v careful_o be_v examine_v by_o conscientious_a and_o judicious_a divine_n and_o that_o no_o general_a liberty_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o man_n of_o all_o sect_n to_o write_v and_o to_o printer_n to_o publish_v whatever_o they_o please_v there_o be_v among_o we_o in_o this_o unhappy_a age_n heretic_n of_o 11._o several_a denomination_n of_o who_o st._n paul_n say_v their_o mouth_n must_v be_v stop_v and_o for_o that_o he_o give_v a_o very_a just_a reason_n when_o he_o tell_v we_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n teach_v thing_n which_o they_o ought_v not_o now_o if_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o muzzle_n clap_v upon_o the_o heretic_n mouth_n there_o be_v far_o great_a reason_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o restraint_n upon_o his_o pen_n and_o press_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o heretic_n shall_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n with_o his_o tongue_n as_o he_o may_v by_o his_o write_n word_n only_o speak_v and_o hear_v be_v transient_a but_o word_n write_v and_o print_v be_v permanent_a a_o heretical_a tongue_n can_v do_v no_o harm_n but_o by_o a_o personal_a conference_n but_o a_o heretical_a pen_n may_v do_v much_o mischief_n to_o man_n at_o a_o distance_n the_o wrong_n that_o may_v be_v do_v by_o heretical_a discourse_n alone_o can_v reach_v but_o the_o present_a age_n but_o heretical_a book_n may_v injure_v and_o poison_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n in_o after_o age_n and_o since_o there_o be_v too_o many_o such_o book_n publish_v among_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v and_o shall_v be_v the_o great_a care_n of_o our_o governor_n to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o lest_o if_o their_o number_n increase_v without_o control_n they_o may_v by_o degree_n consider_v the_o ignorance_n instability_n and_o credulity_n of_o man_n subvert_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o endanger_v the_o soul_n of_o men._n but_o sect_n iii_o 2._o this_o author_n argue_v for_o a_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n not_o only_o for_o its_o own_o great_a usefulness_n but_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o several_a grand_a inconvenience_n which_o as_o he_o say_v will_v follow_v shall_v the_o press_n chance_n to_o be_v restrain_v and_o the_o first_o which_o he_o name_v be_v this_o first_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o and_o to_o take_v it_o up_o without_o any_o trial_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o argument_n may_v hold_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n where_o the_o people_n for_o want_v of_o mean_n can_v and_o for_o fear_n of_o their_o inquisitor_n dare_v not_o examine_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a religion_n but_o the_o same_o argument_n plead_v in_o and_o against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v of_o no_o force_n for_o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a ground_n and_o have_v a_o fallacy_n in_o it_o for_o here_o be_v non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v here_o assign_v as_o the_o cause_n or_o at_o least_o the_o great_a occasion_n that_o man_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n though_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o charge_n be_v true_a and_o as_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v so_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o great_a number_n of_o man_n even_o among_o we_o do_v indeed_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n bare_o on_o trust_n protestant_n they_o be_v but_o why_o be_v they_o such_o only_o because_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o parent_n that_o wherein_o they_o be_v train_v up_o from_o their_o childhood_n it_o be_v the_o religion_n establish_v by_o our_o law_n general_o profess_v in_o our_o nation_n and_o preach_v in_o our_o church_n these_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o only_a motive_n upon_o which_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o man_n do_v by_o a_o blind_a and_o implicit_a faith_n take_v up_o their_o religion_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o man_n who_o be_v constrain_v thus_o to_o take_v up_o their_o religion_n upon_o trust_n by_o a_o invincible_a necessity_n man_n who_o be_v never_o blessed_v with_o a_o liberal_a education_n never_o teach_v to_o read_v man_n so_o dull_a and_o stupid_a that_o they_o can_v apprehend_v much_o less_o remember_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o sure_o person_n under_o such_o ill_a circumstance_n be_v in_o no_o capacity_n to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o but_o must_v rely_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o teacher_n and_o upon_o their_o credit_n and_o authority_n take_v up_o some_o religion_n or_o other_o or_o else_o they_o can_v take_v up_o none_o at_o all_o and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a unhappiness_n of_o many_o thousand_o i_o fear_v even_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n but_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v another_o sort_n of_o man_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o principle_n of_o learning_n man_n of_o complete_a knowledge_n and_o good_a ability_n to_o judge_v betwixt_o vice_n and_o virtue_n truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o how_o frequent_o how_o earnest_o do_v we_o 1._o exhort_v such_o man_n from_o our_o pulpit_n to_o prove_v all_o thing_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n but_o alas_o it_o be_v much_o to_o be_v fear_v that_o we_o lose_v our_o labour_n that_o man_n will_v not_o spare_v any_o time_n nor_o take_v any_o pain_n to_o examine_v their_o religion_n but_o rather_o take_v it_o up_o at_o a_o venture_n just_a as_o they_o find_v it_o now_o if_o a_o man_n take_v up_o his_o religion_n upon_o trust_n when_o he_o need_v not_o do_v so_o he_o run_v himself_o both_o into_o sin_n and_o danger_n a_o sin_n it_o certain_o be_v because_o a_o breach_n of_o those_o fore_n name_n command_v and_o a_o great_a danger_n it_o be_v because_o instead_o of_o a_o juno_n he_o may_v embrace_v a_o cloud_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a religion_n he_o may_v close_v with_o a_o false_a one_o but_o where_o lie_v the_o fault_n upon_o who_o or_o what_o must_v this_o sin_n be_v charge_v sure_o i_o be_o that_o in_o this_o case_n a_o restraint_n upon_o the_o press_n be_v innocent_a and_o can_v be_v just_o blame_v for_o be_v not_o man_n oblige_v to_o examine_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o religion_n long_o before_o the_o art_n of_o printing_n be_v invent_v and_o be_v not_o the_o neglect_n of_o this_o duty_n a_o sin_n in_o former_a age_n when_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o press_n in_o all_o the_o
man_n to_o peep_v into_o heretical_a book_n can_v be_v lawful_a because_o they_o do_v thereby_o run_v themselves_o into_o a_o very_a dangerous_a temptation_n 1â—_n our_o lord_n have_v leave_v we_o this_o caution_n beware_v of_o false_a prophet_n it_o seem_v they_o be_v dangerous_a man_n so_o we_o be_v tell_v again_o and_o again_o they_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o there_o find_v success_n for_o 11._o they_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n and_o again_o they_o overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o some_o nay_o they_o subvert_v whole_a house_n it_o seem_v that_o heresy_n be_v a_o contagious_a disease_n apt_a to_o overrun_v whole_a family_n and_o doubtless_o this_o poison_n may_v be_v convey_v in_o a_o piece_n of_o paper_n as_o successful_o as_o any_o other_o way_n this_o infection_n may_v be_v receive_v as_o well_o by_o the_o eye_n from_o a_o book_n as_o by_o the_o ear_n from_o a_o tongue_n for_o when_o unlearned_a man_n meet_v with_o socinian_n argument_n draw_v either_o from_o humane_a reason_n or_o abuse_v scripture_n since_o they_o themselves_o can_v confute_v they_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o yield_v up_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o give_v up_o those_o truth_n for_o lose_v which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o defend_v and_o i_o think_v that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o breach_n of_o charity_n if_o i_o tell_v my_o reader_n that_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v that_o the_o great_a reason_n why_o this_o author_n plead_v so_o many_o argument_n though_o no_o good_a one_o for_o the_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o namely_o that_o our_o socinian_n may_v without_o control_n publish_v their_o book_n full_a of_o subtle_a but_o fallacious_a argument_n to_o surprise_n and_o captivate_v the_o judgement_n of_o illiterate_a and_o undiscerning_a men._n we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o late_a reign_n a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o conscience_n be_v plead_v for_o and_o grant_v by_o a_o declaration_n upon_o a_o design_n to_o bring_v in_o popery_n so_o now_o a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n be_v contend_v for_o by_o those_o man_n who_o design_n it_o be_v to_o introduce_v socinianism_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o heresy_n for_o it_o total_o subvert_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n and_o hope_n indeed_o to_o my_o best_a observation_n this_o author_n have_v not_o in_o his_o whole_a letter_n so_o much_o as_o once_o name_v socinian_n nor_o drop_v one_o plain_a word_n in_o favour_n of_o it_o but_o yet_o latet_fw-la anguis_fw-la in_o herba_fw-la this_o be_v very_o prudent_o do_v to_o prevent_v suspicion_n but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o that_o sort_n why_o do_v he_o tell_v we_o that_o if_o the_o press_n must_v be_v regulate_v it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o some_o layman_n for_o which_o he_o can_v have_v no_o substantial_a reason_n save_v only_o this_o namely_o because_o from_o a_o clergyman_n no_o socinian_n book_n can_v ever_o expect_v a_o imprimatur_fw-la but_o this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d only_o by_o the_o way_n in_o short_a the_o substance_n of_o my_o answer_n to_o this_o allegation_n be_v this_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o man_n of_o weak_a understanding_n to_o mind_n subtle_a argument_n contain_v in_o heretical_a book_n lest_o thereby_o they_o may_v be_v ensnare_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n the_o press_n shall_v not_o be_v permit_v to_o publish_v any_o such_o book_n unless_o security_n can_v be_v give_v that_o they_o shall_v never_o come_v into_o vulgar_a hand_n sect_n xii_o 8._o this_o author_n eight_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v because_o the_o reformation_n be_v whole_o owe_v to_o it_o i_o answer_v there_o be_v no_o liberty_n deny_v to_o any_o english_a press_n to_o publish_v any_o book_n which_o tend_v to_o help_v the_o devotion_n to_o reform_v the_o life_n or_o confirm_v the_o judgement_n of_o man_n in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n but_o as_o for_o the_o establish_v religion_n of_o our_o church_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n it_o be_v so_o well_o refine_v already_o from_o the_o dregs_o of_o popery_n and_o superstition_n that_o we_o do_v not_o need_v another_o luther_n nor_o the_o help_n of_o any_o press_n to_o reform_v and_o make_v it_o better_o he_o that_o will_v reform_v our_o religion_n in_o any_o of_o its_o substantial_a part_n must_v reform_v the_o scripture_n too_o for_o our_o church_n teach_v no_o other_o doctrine_n in_o the_o great_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n than_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v the_o world_n if_o we_o may_v believe_v those_o sacred_a write_n which_o they_o have_v leave_v we_o but_o since_o i_o have_v already_o under_o another_o head_n give_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o allegation_n i_o need_v not_o here_o say_v any_o more_o about_o it_o sect_n xiii_o 9_o the_o nine_o allegation_n which_o this_o author_n urge_v against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o our_o divine_n condemn_v the_o popish_a clergy_n for_o not_o suffer_v their_o laity_n to_o read_v protestant_a author_n we_o do_v so_o and_o very_o just_o too_o but_o what_o then_o the_o inference_n which_o he_o intend_v must_v be_v this_o our_o protestant_a clergy_n must_v be_v condemn_v for_o not_o suffer_v our_o laity_n to_o read_v socinian_n book_n and_o for_o watch_v the_o press_n to_o prevent_v it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v thus_o this_o inference_n be_v a_o non_fw-la sequitur_fw-la it_o be_v wild_a and_o extravagant_a for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o the_o case_n the_o prohibition_n of_o book_n may_v be_v a_o act_n either_o to_o be_v blame_v or_o commend_v according_a as_o the_o book_n prohibit_v be_v either_o real_o good_a or_o real_o bad_a to_o forbid_v man_n the_o use_n of_o such_o book_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n the_o advantage_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n be_v a_o act_n impious_a and_o tyrannical_a and_o this_o be_v the_o know_a practice_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o forbid_v layman_n to_o read_v the_o bible_n and_o the_o write_n of_o such_o protestant_a author_n as_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o for_o this_o do_v we_o very_o just_o condemn_v they_o but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o forbid_v injudicious_a man_n the_o use_n of_o such_o book_n as_o tend_v to_o promote_v error_n and_o heresy_n to_o distract_v their_o reader_n judgement_n and_o rather_o to_o shake_v their_o faith_n than_o to_o confirm_v it_o be_v a_o act_n laudable_a charitable_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o for_o those_o prediction_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n false_a prophet_n shall_v arise_v and_o again_o false_a 1_o teacher_n shall_v be_v among_o you_o be_v fulfil_v in_o these_o time_n for_o there_o be_v among_o we_o romish_a priest_n and_o jesuit_n yea_o and_o some_o far_o more_o dangerous_a than_o they_o i_o mean_v our_o socinian_n who_o can_v corrupt_v so_o many_o soul_n by_o their_o personal_a conference_n as_o they_o may_v by_o their_o book_n and_o be_v it_o not_o high_a time_n to_o watch_v the_o press_n lest_o any_o thing_n steal_v from_o thence_o which_o may_v poison_n the_o head_n of_o unwary_a man_n or_o must_v the_o press_n be_v permit_v free_o to_o spread_v that_o destructive_a heresy_n which_o have_v be_v long_o since_o condemn_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o its_o representative_n meet_v in_o general_a council_n but_o here_o this_o author_n to_o justify_v his_o own_o opinion_n cites_n a_o learned_a divine_a of_o our_o own_o church_n and_o borrow_v this_o passage_n from_o he_o they_o that_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n will_v not_o fright_v man_n from_o consider_v what_o their_o adversary_n say_v against_o they_o nor_o forbid_v they_o to_o read_v their_o book_n but_o rather_o encourage_v they_o so_o to_o do_v that_o they_o may_v see_v the_o difference_n between_o truth_n and_o error_n reason_n and_o sophistry_n with_o their_o own_o eye_n etc._n etc._n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o little_a service_n this_o passage_n do_v our_o author_n let_v we_o view_v it_o again_o they_o who_o have_v a_o good_a cause_n but_o who_o be_v they_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o this_o good_a man_n mean_v the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o which_o he_o himself_o be_v a_o very_a worthy_a minister_n but_o what_o say_v he_o of_o this_o church_n of_o we_o it_o will_v not_o fright_v man_n from_o consider_v etc._n etc._n but_o what_o man_n this_o eminent_a divine_a be_v the_o lecturer_n of_o gray_n inn_n where_o his_o auditory_a do_v chief_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n as_o have_v be_v blessed_v with_o a_o learned_a education_n and_o may_v charitable_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v well_o skill_v in_o the_o law_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o law_n of_o man._n now_o that_o this_o