be_v very_o sincere_a or_o much_o incline_v to_o truth_n and_o averse_a from_o falsehood_n will_v not_o permit_v any_o one_o if_o he_o can_v help_v it_o to_o abuse_v his_o name_n or_o authority_n by_o counterfeit_v his_o commission_n or_o seal_n much_o less_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v by_o any_o sober_a person_n that_o god_n who_o be_v sincerity_n and_o truth_n itself_o will_v permit_v he_o be_v omnipotent_a the_o roman-catholick_n church_n to_o abuse_v his_o sacred_a name_n and_o assume_v his_o authority_n by_o counterfeit_a seal_n or_o false_a miracle_n and_o thereby_o to_o seduce_v the_o world_n for_o so_o many_o age_n as_o that_o church_n have_v be_v prudent_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sole_a true_a church_n of_o god_n so_o that_o you_o must_v grant_v 1._o the_o roman-catholick_n miracle_n approve_v of_o in_o the_o bull_n of_o canonization_n of_o saint_n to_o be_v true_a and_o by_o consequence_n itself_o to_o be_v infallible_o assist_v by_o god_n independent_o of_o and_o antecedent_o to_o any_o word_n of_o scripture_n and_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v true_a there_o can_v be_v no_o dispute_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o doctrine_n or_o of_o the_o authenticknesse_n of_o its_o commission_n 2._o you_o must_v grant_v that_o if_o its_o miracle_n be_v false_a there_o can_v be_v no_o proof_n or_o faith_n of_o god_n veracity_n this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o permission_n of_o a_o cheat_n so_o apparent_o supernatural_a we_o resolve_v therefore_o christian_a and_o catholic_n faith_n into_o this_o assertion_n or_o assent_n and_o assurance_n god_n veracity_n be_v infinite_a i_o do_v most_o firm_o and_o undoubted_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v never_o permit_v any_o falsehood_n to_o be_v propose_v as_o his_o word_n or_o revelation_n with_o such_o appearance_n of_o miracle_n and_o such_o sign_n of_o his_o approbation_n as_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n propose_v its_o doctrine_n and_o infallibility_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o the_o same_o church_n do_v propose_v as_o god_n word_n or_o revelation_n i_o do_v most_o firm_o and_o undoubted_o believe_v as_o the_o real_a word_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n to_o this_o universal_a assent_n or_o assertion_n be_v reduce_v all_o the_o particular_a assent_n or_o article_n of_o catholic_n faith_n without_o any_o kind_n of_o that_o circle_n which_o schoolman_n so_o much_o dread_n in_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o circle_n in_o prove_v the_o evident_a credibility_n of_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n by_o its_o miracle_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o miracle_n by_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o same_o church_n 1._o because_o we_o prove_v the_o credibility_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o sole_a moral_a appearance_n that_o our_o miracle_n be_v divine_a before_o they_o be_v believe_v to_o be_v divine_a by_o supernatural_a faith_n 2._o because_o both_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o miracle_n and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o our_o church_n be_v prove_v by_o the_o infiniteness_n of_o god_n veracity_n which_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o a_o permission_n of_o our_o miracle_n be_v false_a or_o of_o our_o church_n be_v fallible_a as_o have_v be_v hitherto_o declare_v as_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o 17._o proposition_n it_o be_v manifest_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o doubt_n and_o dispute_n be_v with_o more_o ease_n and_o clearness_n resolve_v by_o a_o infallible_a body_n of_o man_n then_o by_o a_o obscure_a though_o infallible_a write_v man_n may_v hear_v and_o answer_v difficulty_n and_o doubt_n a_o book_n even_o the_o bible_n can_v because_o we_o prove_v it_o be_v obscure_a even_o after_o all_o conference_n of_o text_n and_o examination_n of_o the_o able_a scripturist_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o difference_n in_o opinion_n concern_v the_o true_a sense_n thereof_o the_o 18._o proposition_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o 17._o and_o therefore_o need_v no_o other_o confutation_n but_o as_o to_o what_o it_o say_v god_n have_v promise_v to_o particular_a man_n who_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v scripture_n that_o either_o they_o shall_v not_o err_v or_o if_o they_o shall_v they_o shall_v not_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o fancy_n of_o dr._n stillingfleet_n without_o any_o proof_n or_o colour_n of_o truth_n and_o contrary_a to_o christ_n command_n of_o hear_v and_o obey_v the_o church_n the_o 19_o proposition_n contain_v only_o a_o false_a supposition_n confute_v in_o the_o 17._o and_o a_o inclination_n in_o d._n stillingfleet_n to_o the_o private_a spirit_n against_o the_o public_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n proposition_n xx._n no_o man_n faith_n can_v therefore_o be_v infallible_a mere_o because_o the_o proponent_n be_v say_v to_o be_v infallible_a because_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o objective_a infallibility_n of_o any_o thing_n without_o we_o but_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n for_o assent_n be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o their_o evidence_n to_o we_o the_o 20._o proposition_n want_v explanation_n there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o assent_n one_o be_v ground_v upon_o clear_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n assent_v unto_o and_o be_v a_o intellectual_a sight_n thereof_o the_o other_o be_v ground_v upon_o authority_n that_o be_v upon_o the_o author_n or_o speaker_n veracity_n or_o inclination_n to_o truth_n the_o first_o kind_n of_o assent_n be_v agreeable_a and_o bear_v proportion_n with_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n and_o be_v infallible_a if_o the_o evidence_n be_v clear_a as_o it_o be_v in_o some_o undeniable_a principle_n and_o in_o their_o immediate_a conclusion_n but_o the_o assent_n build_v upon_o authority_n which_o be_v faith_n depend_v in_o its_o infallibility_n upon_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o infallible_a author_n or_o proponent_n apprehend_v to_o be_v so_o by_o we_o and_o this_o independent_o of_o any_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o nature_n of_o thing_n without_o we_o and_o therefore_o this_o 20._o proposition_n be_v absolute_o false_a proposition_n xxi_o it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o a_o infallible_a assent_n that_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v infallible_o assist_v in_o judge_v of_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o he_o to_o be_v believe_v so_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o a_o necessity_n of_o some_o external_a infallible_a proponent_n be_v assert_v must_v rather_o make_v every_o particular_a person_n infallible_a if_o no_o divine_a faith_n can_v be_v without_o a_o infallible_a assent_n and_o so_o render_v any_o other_o infallible_a useless_a the_o 21._o proposition_n be_v also_o false_a it_o be_v only_o a_o consequence_n from_o the_o former_a a_o fallible_a person_n may_v give_v a_o infallible_a assent_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n because_o the_o truth_n and_o assurance_n of_o such_o a_o assent_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o any_o inward_a evidence_n the_o assenter_n have_v of_o the_o matter_n of_o mystery_n believe_v but_o suppose_v the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o the_o supernatural_a sign_n of_o the_o church_n by_o the_o grace_n that_o god_n give_v to_o assure_v we_o that_o himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o doctrine_n so_o propose_v and_o though_o the_o appearance_n of_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o church_n exceed_v not_o a_o moral_a certainty_n of_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n yet_o our_o assurance_n of_o that_o same_o truth_n be_v more_o than_o moral_a because_o we_o build_v not_o the_o assurance_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o catholic_n faith_n or_o of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o those_o motive_n of_o eredibility_n and_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o their_o connexion_n with_o the_o truth_n but_o upon_o god_n veracity_n goodness_n and_o his_o averseness_n from_o any_o falsehood_n which_o be_v so_o great_a that_o we_o do_v as_o firm_o believe_v he_o will_v no_o more_o permit_v a_o church_n so_o likely_a to_o be_v his_o as_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n be_v to_o err_v and_o lead_v we_o into_o any_o falsehood_n than_o he_o will_v own_v himself_o author_n or_o countenancer_n of_o that_o falsehood_n and_o fraud_n proposition_n xxii_o if_o no_o particular_a person_n be_v infallible_a in_o the_o assent_n he_o give_v to_o matter_n propose_v by_o other_o to_o he_o than_o no_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_o sure_a that_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a and_o so_o the_o church_n infallibility_n can_v signify_v nothing_o to_o our_o infallible_a assurance_n without_o a_o equal_a infallibility_n in_o ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o the_o 22._o proposition_n signify_v nothing_o if_o you_o will_v reflect_v upon_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v every_o faithful_a be_v infallible_a inasmuch_o as_o he_o agree_v with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n infallibility_n be_v one_o point_n of_o that_o doctrine_n the_o 23._o proposition_n be_v compose_v of_o absurd_a
sequels_fw-fr from_o the_o former_a the_o 24._o 25._o and_o 26._o proposition_n have_v not_o any_o thing_n worth_a our_o take_a notice_n of_o proposition_n xxvii_o the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n do_v receive_v several_a name_n eiâ—â—â—â—_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o proof_n or_o the_o degree_n of_o 〈…〉_o thus_o moral_a certainty_n may_v be_v so_o call_v either_o etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d the_o 27._o proposition_n the_o author_n declare_v that_o christianity_n be_v moral_o certain_a that_o be_v it_o imply_v a_o firm_a asâ—ent_n upon_o the_o high_a evidence_n that_o moral_a thing_n can_v receive_v this_o seem_v to_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n how_o can_v our_o assent_n be_v sufficient_o firm_a for_o faith_n and_o exclude_v all_o doubt_n and_o fear_n of_o falsehood_n as_o christian_a faith_n must_v if_o its_o certainty_n be_v only_o moral_a though_o in_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o moral_a certainty_n for_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o moral_a certainty_n do_v not_o include_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a so_o that_o dr._n stillingfleet_n must_v confess_v it_o be_v possible_a his_o faith_n may_v be_v false_a and_o the_o scripture_n a_o fable_n though_o he_o be_v moral_o certain_a in_o the_o high_a degree_n it_o be_v not_o so_o hence_o follow_v against_o the_o 28._o proposition_n that_o a_o christian_a have_v no_o more_o than_o moral_a certainty_n in_o the_o high_a degree_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o faith_n can_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o believe_v because_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n exclude_v all_o fallacy_n and_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o include_v not_o only_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o moral_n but_o of_o metaphysical_a certainty_n and_o by_o consequence_n every_o assent_n of_o faith_n ground_v thereupon_o and_o reduce_v thereunto_o must_v be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n the_o 29._o proposition_n confine_n god_n revelation_n to_o scripture_n only_o without_o proof_n or_o pretext_n for_o so_o bold_a a_o assertion_n as_o we_o have_v manifest_v in_o confute_v the_o 14._o proposition_n proposition_n xxx_o there_o can_v be_v no_o better_a way_n to_o prevent_v man_n mistake_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o man_n be_v fallible_a be_v subject_a to_o than_o the_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o their_o salvation_n be_v concern_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n give_v why_o that_o may_v not_o serve_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n unless_o any_o imagine_v that_o error_n in_o opinion_n be_v more_o dangerous_a to_o man_n soul_n then_o a_o vicious_a life_n be_v and_o therefore_o that_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o take_v more_o care_n to_o prevent_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o this_o 30._o and_o last_o proposition_n do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o 15._o and_o 18._o for_o in_o the_o 15._o the_o author_n maintain_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n into_o the_o scripture_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n and_o from_o thence_o conclude_v there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n suppose_v of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n or_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o attest_v or_o explain_v scripture_n to_o what_o purpose_n then_o be_v bishop_n dean_n chapter_n and_o pastor_n or_o at_o least_o their_o revenue_n and_o tithe_n may_v not_o this_o bring_v dr._n stillingfleet_n under_o the_o suspicion_n and_o censure_n of_o be_v rather_o a_o prevaricator_n then_o assertor_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o a_o impugner_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a hierarchy_n his_o 18._o proposition_n also_o destroy_v this_o 30._o as_o you_o may_v see_v by_o compare_v both_o in_o the_o 18._o he_o say_v god_n have_v promise_v to_o they_o who_o use_v their_o best_a endeavour_n or_o mean_n to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n that_o either_o they_o shall_v not_o err_v or_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v 1._o that_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a even_o in_o matter_n necessary_a for_o salvation_n contrary_a to_o the_o 15._o proposition_n 2._o that_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v be_v damn_v and_o therefore_o need_v not_o be_v concern_v for_o err_v which_o be_v contrary_a to_o this_o 30._o proposition_n and_o indeed_o to_o all_o christianity_n whereof_o st._n paul_n say_v it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o principle_n that_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n and_o that_o faith_n be_v the_o substance_n and_o foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o hope_n of_o salvation_n in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o error_n in_o opinion_n be_v for_o more_o dangerous_a than_o a_o vicious_a life_n be_v both_o because_o here_o ie_fw-fr be_v the_o worst_a of_o vice_n and_o because_o it_o be_v more_o difficult_a to_o recover_v true_a faith_n once_o lose_v then_o to_o repent_v of_o any_o other_o sin_n you_o have_v see_v d._n stillingfleetsâ—rincâ—ples_n â—rincâ—ples_z clear_v and_o confute_v now_o you_o shall_v see_v they_o retort_v against_o himself_o in_o his_o own_o conclusion_n conclusion_n i._n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o or_o use_v of_o a_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n to_o assure_v man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o without_o it_o and_o can_v have_v any_o great_a assurance_n suppose_v such_o infallibility_n to_o be_v in_o they_o conclusion_n ii_o the_o infallibility_n of_o that_o society_n of_o man_n who_o call_v themselves_o the_o catholic_n church_n must_v be_v examine_v by_o the_o same_o faculty_n a_o man_n the_o same_o rule_n of_o trial_n the_o same_o motive_n by_o which_o the_o infallibility_n of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n be_v conclusion_n iii_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 conclusion_n iu._n 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 still_o 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 conclusion_n v._n 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 it_o as_o to_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 conclusion_n have_v be_v retort_v in_o the_o 30._o proposition_n against_o the_o church_n of_o england_n which_o dr._n stillingfleet_n undertake_v to_o maintain_v because_o if_o a_o infallible_a church_n be_v superfluous_a much_o more_o superfluous_a must_v the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v that_o be_v confess_o fallible_a nay_o it_o must_v be_v dangerous_a because_o by_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n which_o confirm_v it_o and_o by_o the_o benefice_n and_o revenue_n that_o enrich_v it_o man_n may_v be_v induce_v to_o follow_v false_a doctrine_n whereunto_o as_o a_o fallible_a church_n it_o may_v lead_v they_o the_o 2._o conclusion_n deprive_v the_o church_n and_o state_n of_o england_n of_o all_o hope_n of_o peace_n and_o quiet_a because_o if_o a_o church_n pretend_v with_o good_a ground_n to_o infallibility_n must_v be_v judge_v and_o censure_v by_o every_o private_a man_n 〈◊〉_d and_o discretion_n much_o more_o a_o church_n that_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v fallible_a and_o yet_o both_o reason_n and_o experience_n demonstrate_v that_o no_o church_n or_o commonwealth_n can_v be_v peaceable_a wherein_o every_o private_a person_n be_v permit_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n of_o its_o law_n or_o of_o its_o religion_n the_o 3._o conclusion_n absolute_o destroy_v the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o it_o do_v not_o as_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o miracle_n nor_o supernatural_a visible_a mark_n nor_o to_o the_o name_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o by_o d._n stillingfleet_v consequence_n no_o christian_n ought_v to_o believe_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o 〈◊〉_d church_n the_o 4._o conâ—â—â—sion_n be_v also_o destructive_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o nothing_o be_v more_o repugnant_a to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n then_o that_o a_o church_n confess_o fallible_a shall_v pretend_v to_o direct_v man_n to_o the_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o man_n 〈◊〉_d be_v compel_v by_o law_n and_o penalty_n to_o hazard_v their_o salvation_n by_o
and_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o god_n revelation_n and_o will_n be_v necessary_a for_o believe_v the_o one_o and_o obey_v the_o other_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o prerogative_n due_a to_o superior_n not_o to_o be_v oblige_v to_o signify_v their_o will_n and_o pleasure_n to_o their_o subject_n by_o themselves_o immediate_o but_o may_v and_o do_v appoint_v their_o subordinate_a officer_n to_o publish_v and_o proclaim_v their_o command_n either_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n or_o writing_n and_o though_o dr._n stillingfleet_n in_o his_o seven_o principle_n seem_v to_o grant_v god_n ought_v to_o enjoy_v this_o prerogative_n yet_o if_o he_o proceed_v consequent_o he_o must_v deny_v it_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o clear_a undeniable_a certainty_n of_o god_n reveal_v or_o command_v when_o he_o trust_v his_o revelation_n and_o command_n to_o the_o proposal_n and_o ministry_n of_o other_o though_o confirm_v by_o such_o miracle_n as_o christ_n himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v because_o such_o miracle_n do_v not_o clear_o demonstrate_v that_o themselves_o be_v supernatural_a as_o be_v manifest_a by_o the_o obstinate_a lewes_z who_o artribute_v they_o to_o beelzebub_n or_o that_o the_o doctrine_n confirmeed_o by_o they_o be_v divine_a or_o that_o the_o word_n utter_v or_o write_v by_o man_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o therefore_o a_o clear_a certainty_n or_o demonstrative_a evidence_n of_o god_n will_v and_o revelation_n be_v requisite_a for_o christian_a obedience_n and_o belief_n we_o deprive_v god_n of_o that_o prerogative_n which_o be_v inseparable_a from_o sovereign_n and_o consist_v in_o the_o obligation_n of_o their_o subject_n to_o believe_v and_o obey_v they_o when_o they_o speak_v and_o command_v by_o subordinate_a officer_n though_o these_o show_v no_o clear_a or_o undeniable_a evidence_n for_o their_o office_n some_o sign_n god_n minister_n must_v show_v as_o seal_n of_o their_o commission_n which_o may_v create_v even_o in_o the_o most_o serupulous_a a_o moral_a certainty_n of_o divine_a truth_n and_o trust_v repose_v in_o they_o but_o no_o such_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o god_n reveal_v and_o command_v by_o they_o as_o d._n stillingfleet_n and_o all_o protestant_n be_v force_v to_o exact_v by_o not_o content_v themselves_o with_o that_o moral_a certainty_n and_o evidence_n of_o supernatural_a sign_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n and_o true_o by_o exact_v great_a evidence_n of_o god_n revelation_n then_o appear_v by_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n dr._n stillingfleet_n destroy_v all_o religion_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o christian_a faith_n which_o according_a to_o s._n paul_n heb._n 11._o involve_v obscurity_n or_o the_o not-appearance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o mystery_n believe_v and_o reason_n dictate_v that_o belief_n or_o faith_n be_v by_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o primitive_a notion_n but_o a_o imperfect_a sight_n whereby_o we_o make_v a_o shift_n to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o clear_a knowledge_n to_o make_v it_o compatible_a with_o a_o clear_a certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n believe_v or_o with_o more_o than_o a_o moral_a evidence_n of_o god_n revelation_n which_o be_v certain_o and_o clear_o connect_v with_o the_o truth_n believe_v because_o it_o can_v deceive_v nor_o be_v deceive_v be_v to_o maintain_v that_o we_o want_v and_o do_v not_o want_v that_o clearness_n of_o knowledge_n whereof_o faith_n do_v suppose_v we_o defective_a and_o suppli_v the_o defect_n these_o premise_n be_v thus_o prove_v there_o can_v be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o discover_v the_o fraud_n and_o falsehood_n of_o d._n stillingfleet_v principle_n and_o conclusion_n and_o therefore_o grant_v his_o six_o last_o and_o common_a principle_n i_o will_v proceed_v to_o his_o particular_a proposition_n mention_v only_o such_o as_o i_o do_v impugn_v dr._n stillingfleet_v faith_n of_o protestant_n reduce_v to_o principle_n be_v false_a the_o roman-catholick_n faith_n resolve_v into_o the_o inconsistency_n of_o its_o falsehood_n with_o god_n veracity_n proposition_n iu._n nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v admit_v for_o divine_a revelation_n which_o overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o those_o principle_n which_o must_v be_v antecedent_o suppose_v to_o all_o divine_a revelation_n for_o that_o be_v to_o overthrow_v the_o mâ—ans_n whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n proposition_n v._n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o mean_n imagine_v whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o a_o faculty_n in_o we_o of_o discern_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n which_o if_o we_o do_v not_o exercise_v in_o judge_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n we_o must_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o every_o thing_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o proposition_n vi._n the_o pretence_n of_o infallibility_n in_o any_o person_n or_o society_n of_o man_n must_v be_v judge_v in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v etc._n etc._n dr_n stillingfleet_v first_o and_o second_o proposition_n may_v pass_v and_o his_o three_o also_o if_o the_o word_n certain_a be_v right_o understand_v but_o his_o four_o proposition_n if_o therein_o he_o suppose_v that_o every_o one_o be_v to_o be_v judge_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v false_a as_o also_o the_o five_o wherein_o he_o make_v our_o humane_a understanding_n a_o sufficient_a faculty_n nay_o the_o only_a mean_n of_o discern_v the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n and_o of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o the_o object_n of_o divine_a revelation_n be_v frequent_o mystery_n so_o sublime_a that_o they_o far_o exceed_v all_o humane_a or_o natural_a capacity_n how_o therefore_o can_v their_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n be_v judge_v of_o by_o natural_a reason_n above_o its_o own_o reach_n and_o as_o for_o the_o divine_a revelation_n itself_o all_o divine_n grant_v its_o existence_n and_o by_o consequence_n its_o truth_n can_v be_v know_v by_o natural_a reason_n and_o therefore_o say_v that_o albeit_o you_o may_v prove_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n by_o natural_a reason_n yet_o you_o can_v by_o the_o same_o faculty_n prove_v the_o existence_n of_o any_o one_o of_o his_o revelation_n because_o these_o take_v their_o denomination_n from_o the_o exercise_n of_o god_n liberty_n be_v no_o subject_n for_o humane_a demonstration_n or_o conclude_a discourse_n unlet_n you_o will_v consine_n god_n free_a choice_n to_o one_o of_o those_o many_o contrary_a decree_n he_o may_v have_v fix_v upon_o ab_fw-la aeterno_fw-la but_o of_o this_o subject_a more_o in_o the_o confutation_n of_o his_o six_o conclusion_n to_o make_v every_o man_n private_a judgement_n the_o touchstone_n of_o what_o be_v divine_a revelation_n for_o fear_n forsooth_o of_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o every_o thing_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o be_v to_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o ourselves_o and_o savour_v more_o of_o the_o private_a spirit_n then_o of_o that_o pious_a affection_n and_o profound_a submission_n wherewith_o st._n paul_n bid_v we_o captivate_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n but_o sure_o dr._n stillingfleet_n do_v not_o consider_v what_o ill_a use_n himself_o make_v of_o his_o discern_a faculty_n when_o he_o judge_n that_o the_o protestant_a reformation_n be_v divine_a revelation_n let_v he_o reflect_v upon_o the_o incredibility_n of_o god_n permit_v his_o church_n to_o lurk_v in_o desert_n or_o to_o lie_v in_o error_n from_o the_o primitive_a time_n until_o martin_n luther_n appearance_n anno_fw-la 1517._o he_o will_v find_v there_o be_v very_o little_a judgement_n exercise_v in_o give_v that_o man_n or_o any_o of_o his_o comrade_n so_o much_o credit_n as_o to_o forsake_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o the_o church_n then_o and_o for_o many_o precede_a age_n hold_v for_o new_a fancy_n and_o invention_n of_o luther_n zuinglius_fw-la calvin_n and_o other_o debauch_a priest_n and_o friar_n without_o any_o other_o warrant_v for_o so_o great_a a_o undertake_n but_o their_o own_o word_n impudent_o pretend_v that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o inspire_v by_o god_n to_o plant_v a_o doctrine_n suitable_a enough_o to_o the_o lewdness_n of_o their_o own_o life_n and_o confess_o overwhelm_v confess_o luther_n tom_n 5._o witenb_n in_o galat._n c._n 1._o fol._n 290._o &_o in_o coll_n q._n mensal_n fol._n 273._o &_o tom_n 7._o witenb_n an._n 1558._o in_o lic_a de_fw-fr missa_fw-la privata_fw-la fol._n 443.228_o say_v do_v thou_o o_o sole_a man_n take_v upon_o thou_o so_o great_a matter_n what_o if_o thou_o be_v but_o one_o offendert_fw-ge if_o god_n permit_v so_o many_o and_o all_o to_o err_v why_o may_v he_o not_o permit_v thou_o to_o err_v hitherto_o appertain_v those_o argument_n the_o church_n the_o church_n the_o father_n the_o father_n the_o council_n the_o custom_n the_o multitude_n and_o greatness_n of_o wise_a man_n who_o do_v not_o those_o cloud_n and_o doubt_n yea_o
these_o sea_n of_o example_n overwhelm_v contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o great_a doctor_n and_o saint_n of_o god_n church_n a_o man_n that_o can_v believe_v this_o may_v be_v credulous_a enough_o to_o think_v he_o can_v persuade_v the_o world_n to_o look_v upon_o all_o miracle_n as_o mistake_n and_o upon_o the_o saint_n that_o wrought_v they_o as_o fool_n and_o fanatic_n but_o if_o dr._n stillingfleet_n will_v secure_v he_o elf_n and_o all_o protestant_n from_o imposture_n let_v he_o inquire_v into_o the_o motive_n and_o miracle_n which_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n be_v infallible_o assist_v by_o god_n in_o deliver_v and_o interpret_n his_o word_n and_o revelation_n he_o will_v not_o then_o presume_v to_o make_v every_o man_n private_a judgement_n according_a to_o his_o 5._o and_o 6._o proposition_n the_o only_a balance_n of_o so_o weighty_a a_o affair_n neither_o will_v he_o prefer_v his_o own_o particular_a opinion_n before_o the_o public_a testimony_n and_o constant_a tradition_n of_o christendom_n for_o many_o age_n especial_o if_o he_o will_v examine_v whether_o god_n veracity_n goodness_n and_o providence_n be_v consistent_a with_o permit_v fraud_n or_o falsehood_n in_o that_o doctrine_n which_o a_o church_n in_o all_o appearance_n miraculous_a and_o supernatural_o qualify_v propose_v as_o divine_v whether_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o roman-catholick_n church_n be_v true_a or_o false_a we_o dispute_v not_o at_o present_a but_o only_o aver_v that_o see_v so_o many_o jesuit_n many_o see_v s._n aug._n de_fw-fr civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n 22._o c._n 8._o where_o among_o other_o miracle_n he_o tell_v how_o that_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o he_o and_o other_o a_o devout_a woman_n call_v palladia_n be_v sudden_o cure_v by_o pray_v to_o st._n stephen_n and_o at_o his_o monument_n his_o word_n be_v ad_fw-la sanctum_fw-la martyem_n crare_n periexerat_a quae_fw-la mox_fw-la ut_fw-la cancellos_fw-la attigit_fw-la sana_fw-la surrexit_fw-la s._n malachias_n miracle_n you_o may_v see_v in_o his_o life_n write_v by_o s._n bernard_n who_o say_v in_o what_o kind_n of_o old_a miracle_n do_v not_o malachias_n excel_v he_o want_v not_o prophecy_n not_o revelation_n not_o the_o gift_n of_o heal_a and_o to_o conclude_v not_o raise_v of_o the_o dead_a and_o relate_v they_o particular_o as_o also_o how_o himself_n assist_v at_o malachias_n his_o death_n get_v his_o blessing_n and_o after_o he_o expire_v take_v his_o hand_n and_o lay_v it_o on_o the_o wither_a and_o useless_a hand_n of_o a_o boy_n then_o present_a he_o be_v restore_v to_o perfect_a health_n because_o in_o the_o dead_a saint_n say_v s._n bernard_n live_v the_o grace_n of_o cure_v disease_n all_o these_o and_o other_o more_o ancient_a and_o modern_a miracle_n as_o those_o of_o s._n bernard_n himself_n be_v by_o the_o century_n writer_n ostander_n and_o most_o protestant_a author_n say_v to_o be_v cheat_n delusion_n or_o enchantment_n see_v ostander_n for_o one_o in_o epit._n cent_n 12._o pag._n 310._o partim_fw-la permissione_n dei_fw-la praestigiis_fw-la satanicis_fw-la effecta_fw-la existimo_fw-la not_o say_v he_o that_o i_o think_v s._n bernard_n be_v a_o magician_n but_o it_o be_v likely_a satan_n wrought_v such_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v idolatry_n and_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n etc._n etc._n see_v s._n xamir_n his_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o convert_v the_o indian_n and_o japonian_o to_o popery_n himself_o be_v a_o jesuit_n wise_a and_o wary_a man_n in_o every_o age_n for_o at_o least_o a_o 1000_o year_n and_o after_o a_o severe_a scrutiny_n and_o serious_a study_n have_v judge_v our_o most_o authentic_a miracle_n true_a if_o all_o these_o man_n shall_v be_v mistake_v none_o can_v be_v condemn_v for_o follow_v their_o judgement_n and_o all_o prudent_a and_o learned_a man_n must_v confess_v it_o be_v a_o mystery_n not_o intelligible_a how_o the_o infinite_a veracity_n of_o god_n can_v be_v infinite_o averse_a from_o fraud_n and_o falsehood_n if_o he_o permit_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o to_o be_v countenance_v and_o promote_v by_o apparent_a miracle_n so_o plausible_o father_v upon_o the_o divine_a omnipotency_n that_o such_o as_o pretend_v they_o to_o be_v counterfeit_a can_v discover_v the_o fraud_n nor_o disprove_v the_o fact_n nor_o find_v out_o any_o natural_a cause_n to_o work_v such_o prodigious_a effect_n and_o therefore_o be_v force_v imâ—â—â—ting_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n to_o attribute_v they_o to_o the_o power_n of_o beelzebub_n or_o to_o the_o craft_n of_o those_o very_a monk_n which_o they_o will_v have_v the_o world_n believe_v be_v madman_n and_o yet_o now_o make_v they_o so_o witty_a as_o to_o contrive_v the_o cheat_n so_o cunning_o and_o to_o counterfeit_v supernatural_a miracle_n so_o natural_o that_o our_o protestant_a adversary_n have_v be_v hitherto_o as_o unsuccessful_a in_o discover_v any_o fallacy_n in_o they_o i_o mean_v still_o those_o which_o move_v the_o pope_n to_o canonize_v saint_n as_o the_o first_o reformer_n luther_n and_o calvin_n be_v unfortunate_a in_o be_v convict_v of_o folly_n and_o forgery_n in_o imitate_v they_o when_o the_o one_o attempt_v to_o cast_v out_o the_o devil_n in_o germany_n and_o the_o other_o to_o revive_v the_o dead_a in_o geneva_n proposition_n fourteen_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 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 proposition_n xv._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 etc._n etc._n proposition_n xvi_o there_o can_v be_v no_o more_o intolerable_a usurpation_n upon_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n then_o for_o any_o person_n or_o society_n of_o man_n to_o pretend_v to_o a_o assistance_n as_o infallible_a in_o what_o they_o propose_v as_o be_v in_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n without_o give_v any_o equal_a degree_n of_o evidence_n that_o they_o be_v so_o assist_v as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v viz._n by_o miracle_n as_o great_a public_a and_o convince_a as_o they_o be_v by_o which_o i_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v wrought_v by_o these_o very_a person_n who_o challenge_v this_o infallibility_n and_o with_o a_o design_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v it_o the_o 7.8.9.10.11.12_o and_o 13._o proposition_n and_o but_o so_o many_o preface_v to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o 14._o which_o say_v that_o if_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o practise_v be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o new_a and_o old_a testament_n it_o follow_v that_o god_n be_v fraudulent_a in_o not_o deliver_v his_o whole_a mind_n or_o that_o the_o writer_n be_v insincere_a 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 fool_n for_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 these_o consequence_n suppose_v but_o it_o be_v not_o prove_v that_o god_n promise_v or_o decree_v to_o deliver_v his_o whole_a mind_n so_o plain_o in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o salvation_n that_o every_o one_o may_v easy_o understand_v his_o meaning_n and_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n believe_v so_o but_o this_o agree_v not_o with_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n nor_o with_o the_o word_n of_o s._n peter_n 2_o pet._n 3.16_o say_n that_o in_o s._n paul_n epistle_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o easy_o wrefted_a by_o man_n to_o their_o damnation_n and_o be_v further_o demonstrate_v to_o be_v false_a by_o the_o continual_a contestation_n of_o protestant_n against_o the_o roman-catholick_n sense_n of_o scripture_n about_o image-worship_n whether_o it_o be_v prohibit_v in_o the_o second_o commandment_n and_o many_o other_o controversy_n as_o the_o real_a presence_n etc._n etc._n for_o if_o scripture_n or_o god_n meaning_n therein_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o be_v pretend_v in_o the_o 15._o proposition_n conscientious_a sober_a and_o learned_a man_n can_v not_o differ_v so_o irreconcilable_o in_o the_o true_a sense_n thereof_o wherefore_o nothing_o be_v more_o clear_a to_o man_n in_o scripture_n than_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o clear_a and_o that_o god_n do_v not_o intend_v it_o for_o the_o