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scripture_n faith_n word_n write_a 3,171 5 10.6412 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61594 A reply to Mr. J.S. his 3d. appendix containing some animadversions on the book entituled, A rational account of the grounds of Protestant religion. By Ed. Stillingfleet B.D. Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1666 (1666) Wing S5630; ESTC R34612 48,337 128

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his_o book_n or_o not_o i●_n not_o to_o what_o purpose_n do_v he_o write_v ●_o if_o he_o do_v than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v so●_n matter_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v intelligible_o convey_v by_o writing_n especial_o if_o mr._n s._n do_v it_o but_o by_o no_o mean_n we_o be_v t●_n believe_v that_o ever_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n ca●_n do_v it_o for_o whatever_o be_v write_v by_o me●_n assist_v by_o that_o be_v according_a to_o he_o bu●_n a_o heap_n of_o dead_a letter_n and_o insignificant_a character_n when_o mr._n s._n the_o mean_a while_o be_v full_a of_o sense_n and_o demonstration_n happy_a man_n that_o can_v thus_o outdo_v inanite_a wisdom_n and_o write_v far_o beyond_o either_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n but_o if_o he_o will_v condescend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o allow_v that_o to_o inspire_a person_n which_o he_o confident_o believe_v of_o himself_o viz._n that_o he_o can_v write_v a_o book_n full_a of_o sense_n and_o that_o any_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v apprehend_v the_o 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whole_a age_n or_o the_o general_a imposture_n of_o it_o which_o we_o utter_o deny_v and_o have_v show_v he_o already_o the_o falseness_n of_o it_o from_o his_o own_o concession_n and_o i_o may_v more_o large_o show_v it_o from_o those_o doctrine_n or_o opinion_n which_o they_o themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v come_v into_o their_o church_n without_o any_o such_o general_a mistake_n or_o imposture_n as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o papal_a infallibility_n and_o the_o common_a belief_n of_o purgatory_n the_o very_a same_o way_n that_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n will_v show_v we_o how_o these_o come_v in_o we_o will_v show_v he_o how_o many_o other_o come_v in_o as_o erroneous_a and_o scandalous_a as_o those_o be_v for_o whether_o they_o account_v these_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o it_o be_v certain_a many_o among_o they_o do_v and_o that_o the_o far_o great_a number_n who_o assert_v and_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n too_o if_o therefore_o these_o may_v come_v in_o without_o one_o age_n mistake_v or_o deceive_v the_o next_o why_o may_v not_o all_o those_o come_v in_o the_o same_o way_n which_o we_o charge_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o error_n of_o their_o church_n and_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o corrupt_a doctrine_n come_v in_o may_v corrupt_v practice_n too_o since_o these_o as_o he_o say_v spring_v srom_o the_o other_o he_o may_v therefore_o have_v save_v himself_o the_o trouble_n of_o find_v out_o how_o a_o acute_a wit_n or_o great_a scholar_n will_v discover_v the_o 231._o weakness_n of_o this_o way_n for_o without_o pretend_v to_o be_v either_o of_o these_o i_o have_v find_v out_o another_o way_n of_o attaque_a it_o then_o mr._n s._n look_v for_o viz._n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o concession_n show_v how_o error_n may_v come_v into_o a_o church_n without_o a_o total_a deception_n or_o conspiracy_n in_o any_o one_o age_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a he_o can_v bind_v i_o to_o believe_v what_o ever_o he_o tell_v i_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o this_o never_o come_v into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o speculation_n or_o private_a opinion_n and_o from_o thence_o by_o degree_n have_v come_v to_o be_v account_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n therefore_o his_o way_n of_o proof_n be_v now_o quite_o alter_v and_o he_o can_v say_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v whatever_o the_o present_a church_n deliver_v for_o that_o which_o he_o call_v the_o present_a church_n may_v have_v admit_v speculation_n and_o private_a opinion_n into_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n but_o he_o must_v first_o prove_v such_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o from_o his_o time_n down_o to_o our_o age_n they_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o the_o whole_a church_n for_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o when_o he_o have_v do_v this_o as_o to_o any_o of_o the_o point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o will_v promise_v he_o to_o be_v his_o proselyte_n but_o he_o ought_v still_o to_o remember_v that_o he_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a for_o one_o whole_a age_n to_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o but_o that_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o error_n to_o come_v into_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n let_v we_o now_o see_v what_o mr._n s._n object_n against_o those_o word_n i_o then_o use_v against_o the_o demonstrate_v this_o way_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v what_o reason_n shall_v enforce_v it_o but_o such_o as_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n and_o whatever_o mr._n s._n say_v to_o the_o contrary_a
234._o i_o can_v yet_o see_v but_o that_o therein_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o that_o which_o ●_o look_v for_o be_v a_o demonstration_n which_o i_o suppose_a can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v demonstrate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n christian_n nay_o romanist_n to_o believe_v on_o other_o account_n then_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o precedent_a age_n i_o pray_v what_o demonstration_n can_v there_o be_v that_o man_n must_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v sure_o if_o mr._n s_n fancy_n have_v not_o be_v very_o extravagant_a he_o can_v never_o have_v think_v here_o of_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v for_o do_v i_o not_o mention_v believe_v first_o and_o then_o do_v by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o i_o mean_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o flow_v from_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a deal_n as_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o for_o 235._o i_o be_o content_a his_o doctrine_n be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o i_o have_v now_o give_v a_o large_a and_o full_a account_n why_o i_o be_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v for_o resolve_v faith_n pass_v by_o therefore_o his_o challenge_n which_o i_o accept_v of_o as_o long_o as_o he_o hold_v to_o the_o weapon_n of_o reason_n and_o civility_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o last_o enquiry_n why_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o such_o a_o obligation_n 236._o in_o posterity_n to_o believe_v their_o ancestor_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o he_o judicious_o resolve_v it_o into_o a_o strange_a distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o such_o as_o it_o seem_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o protestant_n temper_n 237._o which_o be_v say_v he_o to_o choose_v every_o one_o his_o faith_n by_o his_o private_a judgement_n or_o wit_n work_v upon_o disputable_a word_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o own_v it_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o and_o if_o this_o be_v such_o a_o distortion_n of_o humane_a nature_n i_o envy_v not_o mr._n s_n uprightness_n and_o perfection_n if_o he_o mean_v that_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o our_o private_a judgement_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n or_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n let_v he_o prove_v it_o evident_o in_o one_o particular_a and_o i_o engage_v for_o myself_o and_o all_o true_a protestant_n we_o will_v renounce_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v any_o thing_n further_o to_o object_n against_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o know_v where_o to_o attaque_fw-la i_o let_v he_o undertake_v the_o whole_a or_o else_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n thus_o to_o charge_v falsity_n upon_o we_o and_o then_o say_v we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o say_v for_o ourselves_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o choose_v our_o faith_n but_o hearty_o embrace_v whatever_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n but_o we_o know_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n too_o well_o to_o believe_v all_o which_o she_o will_v impose_v upon_o we_o and_o be_v loath_a to_o have_v she_o choose_v our_o religion_n for_o we_o since_o we_o know_v she_o have_v choose_v so_o ill_o for_o herself_o but_o if_o mr._n s._n will_v not_o believe_v i_o in_o say_v thus_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o believe_v he_o in_o say_v otherwise_o such_o general_a charge_n than_o signify_v nothing_o but_o every_o one_o must_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o 17._o task_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o way_n be_v repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o experience_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v apparent_o alter_v from_o what_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o former_a age_n to_o which_o purpose_n my_o word_n be_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o motion_n when_o i_o see_v man_n move_v no_o more_o be_v it_o to_o prove_v that_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v vary_v from_o the_o precede_a when_o we_o can_v evident_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v do_v it_o and_o therefore_o this_o argument_n be_v intend_v only_o to_o catch_v easy_a mind_n that_o care_v not_o for_o a_o search_n into_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o have_v rather_o sit_v down_o with_o a_o superficial_a subtlety_n then_o spend_v time_n in_o further_a inquiry_n but_o two_o thing_n mr._n s._n tell_v i_o be_v require_v ere_o i_o can_v see_v that_o their_o faith_n vary_v 238._o from_o the_o former_a first_o to_o see_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v now_o and_o then_o to_o see_v what_o the_o former_a church_n hold_v before_o and_o he_o kind_o tell_v i_o if_o he_o see_v any_o thing_n i_o see_v neither_o well_o it_o seem_v i_o want_v mr._n s_n spectacle_n of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o see_v with_o but_o as_o yet_o i_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o complain_v of_o the_o want_n of_o they_o but_o ●_o see_v much_o better_a without_o they_o the●_n with_o they_o he_o tell_v i_o i_o can_v see_v what_o their_o present_a church_n hold_v an●_n therefore_o i_o can_v assure_v any_o what_o w●_n hold_v before_o because_o if_o i_o renounce_v tradition_n i_o take_v away_o all_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o can_v candid_o see_v as_o he_o phrase_n it_o what_o their_o church_n hold_v now_o be_v because_o i_o can_v distinguish_v between_o faith_n and_o its_o explication_n some_o schoolman_n and_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o know_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v concern_v invocation_n of_o saint_n worship_n of_o image_n communion_n in_o one_o kind_n for_o those_o be_v the_o point_v i_o there_o mention_v wherein_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v recede_v from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n or_o be_v these_o only_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o some_o schoolman_n among_o they_o and_o not_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o church_n but_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o some_o full_a state_n of_o these_o controversy_n i_o wish_v m._n s._n will_v settle_v some_o sure_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v distinct_o what_o be_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o church_n if_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o roman-catechism_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o doctrine_n i_o desire_v no_o other_o so_o that_o those_o may_v be_v interpret_v by_o practice_n universal_o allow_v among_o they_o as_o when_o that_o council_n only_o define_v that_o due_a honour_n be_v give_v to_o saint_n the_o general_a practice_n of_o that_o church_n may_v tell_v we_o what_o they_o mean_v by_o that_o due_a honour_n and_o if_o that_o be_v not_o fair_a i_o know_v not_o what_o be_v but_o i_o see_v all_o the_o shift_n mr._n s._n have_v be_v when_o he_o be_v pinch_v to_o say_v those_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o schoolman_n and_o private_a speculator_n and_o not_o the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n and_o if_o such_o shift_n as_o these_o be_v must_v serve_v the_o turn_n i_o shall_v wonder_v if_o ever_o he_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o a_o answer_n but_o the_o short_a answer_n of_o all_o will_v be_v that_o none_o but_o those_o of_o their_o church_n can_v know_v what_o she_o hold_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o protestant_n to_o write_v against_o she_o or_o it_o may_v be_v that_o none_o but_o mr._n s._n and_o one_o or_o two_o more_o can_v tell_v for_o many_o among_o they_o say_v those_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n which_o they_o deny_v to_o be_v so_o that_o except_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n and_o some_o very_o few_o demonstrator_n more_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v schoolman_n private_a opinator_n and_o not_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o but_o i_o can_v see_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v former_o neither_o 239._o no_o wonder_n at_o all_o of_o that_o for_o if_o i_o can_v see_v a_o object_n so_o near_o i_o as_o the_o present_a church_n how_o can_v it_o be_v expect_v i_o shall_v see_v one_o so_o much_o further_o off_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o former_a age_n and_o his_o reason_n be_v so_o strong_a as_o may_v well_o persuade_v i_o out_o of_o one_o at_o least_o of_o my_o five_o sense_n for_o say_v he_o if_o i_o question_v tradition_n i_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o doctrine_n deliver_v and_o so_o any_o father_n and_o be_v not_o this_o argue_v
the_o latin_n it_o seem_v then_o a_o decepti●_n be_v possible_a in_o the_o case_n of_o testify_v 〈◊〉_d therefore_o this_o do_v more_o than_o per●●●_n man_n to_o be_v decievable_a for_o here_o have_v be_v a_o actual_a deception_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o but_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v lose_v mankind_n in_o this_o for_o the_o possibility_n o●_n error_n suppose_v mankind_n to_o continue_v still_o and_o if_o we_o take_v away_o that_o we_o m●●_n soon_o lose_v it_o than_o by_o the_o contrary_n but_o what_o repugnancy_n can_v we_o imagine_v to_o humane_a nature_n that_o me●_n suppose_v doctrine_n of_o faith_n to_o come_v down_o from_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n shall_v yet_o mistake_v in_o judge_v what_o those_o doctrine_n be_v have_v not_o man_n eye_n and_o ear_n and_o common_a sense_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o yet_o we_o see_v eve●_n then_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v mistake_v and_o be_v it_o such_o a_o wonder_n it_o shall_v be_v in_o succeed_a age_n do_v not_o the_o nazarenes_n mistake_v in_o point_n of_o circumcision_n the_o corinthian_n as_o to_o the_o resurrection_n and_o yet_o the_o mean_a time_n agree_v i●_n this_o that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o come_v from_o he_o di●_n not_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o err_v eve●_n while_o they_o be_v with_o christ_n and_o certain_o have_v eye_n and_o ear_n an●_n 〈◊〉_d sense_n as_o other_o man_n have_v concern●●●me_v great_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n christ_n passion_n resurrection_n and_o the_o nat●_n of_o his_o kingdom_n if_o then_o such_o who_o have_v the_o great_a opportunity_n imaginable_a and_o the_o high_a apprehension_n of_o christ_n may_v so_o easy_o mistake_v in_o point_n of_o such_o moment_n what_o ground_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o succeed_a age_n shall_v not_o be_v liable_a to_o such_o misapprehension_n and_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o the_o want_n of_o clear_a divine_a 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we_o consider_v how_o much_o notwithstanding_o scripture_n the_o pride_n passion_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o deface_v christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n what_o will_v not_o these_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o it_o by_o mr._n s._n imagin●_n himself_o in_o repub_fw-la platonis_fw-la but_o it_o appear●_n he_o be_v still_o in_o faece_fw-la romuli_n he_o fancy_v there_o never_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o difference_n among_o christian_n and_o that_o all_o christian_n make_v it_o their_o whole_a business_n to_o teach_v their_o posterity_n matter_n o●_n faith_n and_o that_o they_o mind_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o imprint_n tha●_n on_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o may_v have_v i●_n ready_a for_o their_o child_n and_o that_o al●_n parent_n have_v equal_a skill_n and_o sidelit●_n in_o deliver_v matter_n of_o religion_n t●_n their_o posterity_n whereas_o in_o truth_n w●_n find_v in_o the_o 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instance_n in_o wherein_o all_o person_n who_o be_v not_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o same_o apprehension_n concern_v all_o point_n of_o faith_n i._o e._n that_o none_o among_o they_o do_v believe_v more_o thing_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o the_o apostle_n than_o other_o do_v i_o be_o sure_a he_o can_v neither_o instance_n in_o the_o age_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o nor_o in_o those_o immediate_o succeed_v they_o unless_o mr._n s._n the_o better_a to_o defend_v his_o hypothesis_n will_v question_v all_o write_a record_n because_o they_o consist_v of_o dead_a letter_n and_o unsence_v character_n and_o wordish_a testimony_n never_o consider_v that_o while_o he_o utter_v this_o he_o write_v himself_o unless_o he_o imagine_v there_o be_v more_o of_o life_n sense_n and_o certainty_n in_o his_o book_n than_o in_o the_o scripture_n or_o any_o other_o write_v whatsoever_o 2._o where_o there_o be_v different_a apprehension_n in_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n 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will_v not_o profess_v it_o but_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o noble_a science_n but_o to_o let_v he_o see_v that_o i_o will_v deal_v as_o plain_o with_o he_o as_o he_o do_v with_o i_o i_o will_v profess_v it_o that_o i_o not_o only_o think_v controversy_n as_o usual_o manage_v but_o some_o man_n way_n of_o demonstrate_v mr._n s._n may_v easy_o know_v who_o i_o mean_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a art_n of_o ●alking_v and_o nothing_o else_o but_o he_o take_v ●t_a to_o be_v a_o noble_a science_n yes_o doubtless_o ●f_n mr._n s._n manage_v it_o and_o he_o be_v the_o ●udge_n of_o it_o himself_o his_o meaning_n i_o suppose_v be_v by_o his_o follow_a word_n 240._o ●hat_n be_v go_v upon_o certain_a principle_n and_o ●e_n do_v not_o we_o have_v already_o see_v how_o ●ertain_a his_o principle_n have_v be_v and_o i_o ●hould_v be_v somewhat_o ashamed_a of_o my_o religion_n if_o i_o have_v no_o better_o but_o what_o ●ur_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v have_v be_v so_o ample_o discourse_v already_o by_o you_o and_o that_o in_o ●r_n s_n clear_v method_n that_o nothing_o ●_o leave_v for_o i_o to_o do_v but_o to_o touch_v at_o ●hat_n remain_v and_o conclude_v this_o an●er_n i_o have_v the_o better_a to_o illustrate_v ●he_v weakness_n of_o that_o argument_n from_o ●ral_a tradition_n bring_v a_o instance_n in_o ●hat_n case_n parallel_n viz._n that_o if_o one_o age_n deliver_v to_o another_o will_v prove_v that_o ●e_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o every_o age_n ●nalterable_a because_o no_o age_n do_v testify_v ●ny_n such_o alteration_n to_o be_v in_o it_o by_o ●he_n same_o argument_n the_o world_n may_v be_v ●roved_v eternal_a because_o no_o age_n do_v ●ver_o testify_v to_o another_o that_o the_o world_n ●as_v ever_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v so_o that_o ●f_o oral_a tradition_n be_v only_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o there_o can_v be_v no_o evidence_n give_v of_o the_o world_n be_v ever_o otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v and_o consequent_o the_o world_n must_v be_v believe_v to_o have_v be_v always_o what_o we_o see_v it_o be_v this_o a●_n far_o as_o i_o can_v apprehend_v be_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a ratiocination_n and_o purposely_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o must_v admit_v o●_n other_o rule_n to_o judge_v of_o alteration_n i●_n the_o church_n by_o beside_o oral_a tradition_n but_o mr._n s._n in_o his_o own_o expression_n strange_o rove_a from_o the_o mark_n i_o aime●_n at_o profess_v there_o be_v not_o a_o tittle_n in_o i●_n 241._o parallel_v to_o his_o medium_n nay_o that_o he_o never_o see_v in_o his_o life_n more_o absurdity_n couche●_n in_o few_o word_n but_o i_o must_v take_v al●_n patient_o from_o a_o man_n who_o still_o perche●_n on_o the_o specifical_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o never_o flag_n below_o the_o sphere_n of_o science_n yet_o by_o his_o good_a leave_n he_o either_o apprehend_v not_o or_o wilful_o mistake_v my_o meaning_n for_o my_o argument_n do_v no●_n proceed_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o world●_n eternity_n which_o in_o his_o answer_n he_o run●_n whole_o upon_o as_o far_o as_o eighthly_a and_o last_o 242._o but_o upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o oral_a tradition_n as_o to_o no_o discernible_a alteration_n in_o an●_n age_n of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n between_o us●_n be_v whether_o in_o matter_n of_o alteration_n i●_n the_o fa●_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o rely_v only_o on_o the_o testimony_n of_o oral_a tradition_n so_o that_o if_o no_o age_n can_v be_v instance_a in_o wherein_n any_o alteration_n be_v make_v and_o this_o deliver_v by_o that_o age_n than_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v there_o have_v be_v no_o alteraration_n since_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n time_n now_o i_o say_v if_o this_o ●old_a good_a i_o will_v prove_v the_o world_n eternal_a by_o the_o same_o argument_n take_v this_o for_o our_o principle_n that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o rely_v only_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o the_o case_n original_o derive_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n see_v by_o those_o of_o the_o first_o age_n for_o that_o which_o never_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v be_v eternal_a but_o we_o can_v know_v by_o oral_a tradition_n that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v for_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v instance_a in_o wherein_o we_o have_v any_o testimony_n of_o any_o alteration_n that_o be_v in_o it_o either_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v what_o it_o be_v i._n e._n eternal_a or_o else_o we_o must_v say_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v bare_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o this_o case_n but_o we_o must_v judge_v whether_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o no_o by_o other_o medium_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o aim_v at_o viz._n to_o show_v that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n from_o oral_a tradition_n yet_o if_o there_o be_v scripture_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o our_o faith_n to_o stand_v upon_o and_o so_o i_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o present_a case_n though_o we_o can_v not_o prove_v bare_o from_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o one_o age_n that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o alteration_n in_o the_o faith_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n this_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o now_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o the_o indifferent_a reader_n ●ether_o thi●_n be_v so_o full_a of_o absurdity_n or_o it_o b●_n such_o a_o ramble_a chimerical_a argument_n as_o he_o call_v it_o no_o two_o piece_n ●_o which_o hang_v together_o with_o themselves_o 〈◊〉_d 243._o any_o thing_n else_o which_o
more_o open_o than_o this_o author_n do_v for_o he_o plain_o confess_v that_o his_o catholic_n gentleman_n go_v quite_o beside_o his_o business_n that_o he_o build_v upon_o indefensible_a principle_n that_o his_o theological_a ratiocination_n be_v indeed_o pretty_a but_o too_o weak_a to_o hold_v and_o be_v not_o we_o huge_o too_o blame_v if_o we_o do_v not_o cry_v up_o such_o mighty_a conqueror_n as_o these_o be_v true_o sir_n i_o expect_v the_o very_a same_o answer_n shall_v be_v return_v to_o your_o book_n that_o mr._n s_n argument_n be_v a_o pretty_a theological_a ratiocination_n and_o that_o your_o answer_n be_v not_o unwitty_a but_o though_o that_o way_n will_v not_o hold_v another_o will_n thus_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v off_o infallibility_n they_o run_v to_o tradition_n and_o when_o they_o be_v again_o beat_v off_o tradition_n than_o back_o again_o to_o infallibility_n so_o that_o the_o short_a of_o all_o their_o answer_n be_v though_o such_o a_o one_o can_v defend_v our_o faith_n yet_o i_o can_v though_o i_o can_v yet_o the_o fai●●s_n firm_a and_o constant_a still_o i_o wonder_v what_o their_o superior_n think_v of_o this_o ●ay_n of_o proceed_v among_o they_o we_o ●hould_v imagine_v if_o they_o be_v so_o weak_a ●s_n they_o say_v themselves_o they_o have_v much_o ●etter_o keep_v they_o from_o appear_v abroad_o and_o expose_v their_o cause_n so_o ridiculous_o to_o contempt_n but_o it_o may_v ●e_v they_o think_v their_o faith_n be_v the_o bet●er_n as_o well_o as_o their_o devotion_n for_o their_o ●gnorance_n and_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o ●ighty_a disparagement_n to_o their_o cause_n ●or_a such_o silly_a people_n to_o be_v able_a to_o de●end_v it_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o to_o admire_v it_o themselves_o and_o to_o say_v as_o ●heir_v common_a people_n use_v to_o do_v though_o ●hey_n can_v defend_v it_o yet_o there_o be_v ●ome_o that_o can_v and_o although_o it_o ●ay_v be_v no_o particular_a person_n can_v do_v ●_o yet_o their_o cause_n be_v able_a to_o defend_v ●_o self_n but_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v see_v by_o ●ck_a kind_n of_o answer_n the_o intention_n of_o ●hem_n be_v to_o entreat_v we_o not_o to_o triumph_v over_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o pre●nt_a writer_n but_o to_o wait_v till_o the_o ●ause_n itself_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v and_o when_o it_o do_v so_o they_o may_v expect_v further_a answer_n but_o it_o be_v a_o grea●_n piece_n of_o cruelty_n for_o we_o to_o hasten_v the●_n ruin_n who_o fall_v so_o fast_o before_o we_o b●_n each_o other_o pen_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la page_n 16._o l._n 16._o for_o that_o r._n than_o p._n 2d_o l._n 8._o for_o error_n r._n concern_v book_n print_v for_o and_o sell_v by_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n near_o the_o little_a north_n door_n a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n be_v a_o vindication_n of_o the_o lord-achbishop_a of_o canterburye_n relation_n of_o a_o conference_n etc._n etc._n from_o the_o pretend_a answer_n by_o t._n c._n wherein_o the_o true_a ground_n of_o faith_n be_v clear_v and_o the_o false_a discover_v the_o church_n of_o england_n justify_v from_o the_o imputation_n of_o schism_n and_o the_o most_o important_a particular_a controversy_n between_o we_o and_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n though_o examine_v by_o edward_n stillingflee●_n b._n d._n origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la or_o a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o matter_n therein_o contain_v by_o the_o same_o author_n the_o three_o edition_n correcte●_n and_o amend_v irenicum_fw-la a_o weapon-salve_n for_o the_o church_n wound_n by_o the_o same_o author_n shecinah_n a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a presence_n in_o place_n of_o religious_a worship_n by_o j._n stillingfleet_n rector_n of_o beckingham_n in_o lincolnshire_n the_o moral_a philosophy_n of_o the_o stoic_n bain_n upon_o the_o ephesian_n knowledge_n and_o practice_n or_o a_o plain_a discourse_n of_o the_o chief_a thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v believe_v and_o practise_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n by_o sa●_n cradock_n b._n d._n the_o second_o edition_n correct_v and_o enlarge_v etc._n etc._n the_o believer_n duty_n towards_o the_o spirit_n the_o spirit_n office_n towards_o believer_n by_o h._n h._n b._n d._n §._o 1._o p._n 236._o p._n 202._o §._o 2._o p._n 203._o p._n 204._o §_o 3._o §._o 4._o p._n 205._o §._o 1._o 5._o §._o 6._o p._n 203._o §._o 7._o §._o 8._o p._n 05._o p._n 206._o p._n 207._o §._o 9_o p._n 208._o §._o 10._o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la &_o th●ol_fw-la tract_n 2_o sect_n 22._o p._n 158._o ibid._n p._n 209._o tabul_n suffrag_v p._n 318._o §._o 11._o p._n 210._o §._o 12._o p._n 211._o p._n 212._o p._n 213._o p._n 214._o §._o 13._o p._n 216._o §._o 14._o p._n 236._o p._n 217._o p._n 218._o p._n 223._o §._o 15._o p._n 224._o part._n 1._o chap._n ●_o §._o 16._o ●_o 229._o etc._n etc._n p._n 231._o p._n 234._o p._n 235._o p._n 236._o p._n 237._o §._o 17._o p._n 238._o p._n 239._o §._o 18._o p_o 240._o p._n 241._o p._n 242._o p._n 243._o §._o 19_o p._n 244._o p._n 210._o p._n 2●9_n