Selected quad for the lemma: sense_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
sense_n protestant_n scripture_n true_a 3,825 5 5.7198 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59248 Sure-footing in Christianity, or Rational discourses on the rule of faith with short animadversions on Dr. Pierce's sermon : also on some passages in Mr. Whitby and M. Stillingfleet, which concern that rule / by J.S. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1665 (1665) Wing S2595; ESTC R8569 122,763 264

There are 15 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

sure-footing_a in_o christianity_n or_o rational_a discourse_n on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o short_a animadversion_n on_o dr_n pierce_n sermon_n also_o on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr_n whitby_n and_o m_o stillingfleet_n which_o concern_v that_o rule_n ecce_fw-la nos_fw-la ex_fw-la patribus_fw-la ad_fw-la patres_fw-la per_fw-la manus_fw-la traditam_fw-la fuisse_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la demonstravimus_fw-la athanasius_n by_o i._n s._n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1665._o to_z the_o queen_n madam_n though_o the_o faith_n i_o write_v for_o be_v far_o more_o firm_o establish_v then_o heaven_n and_o earth_n themselves_o as_o the_o world_n great_a master_n have_v by_o his_o own_o word_n assure_v we_o and_o so_o need_v no_o support_n but_o its_o own_o invincible_a strength_n yet_o i_o be_o tell_v by_o my_o reason_n that_o nothing_o so_o clear_v and_o recommend_v religion_n to_o the_o generality_n as_o the_o virtuous_a life_n and_o eminent_a devotion_n of_o they_o that_o profess_v it_o but_o where_o shall_v i_o seek_v those_o happy_a effect_n and_o noble_a argument_n of_o truth_n if_o i_o consider_v they_o in_o their_o abstract_a idea_n they_o be_v invisible_a as_o angel_n too_o subtle_a and_o delicate_a for_o vulgar_a eye_n where_o then_o may_v i_o hope_v to_o meet_v those_o excellent_a form_n vest_v with_o body_n if_o i_o consult_v the_o common_a judgement_n i_o expect_v to_o be_v send_v to_o some_o hermit_n cell_n or_o the_o private_a oratory_n of_o some_o holy_a votaress_n where_o i_o may_v find_v they_o indeed_o embody_v but_o withal_o half-buryed_a incomparable_a light_n but_o shut_v up_o in_o a_o kind_n of_o dark_a lantern_n where_o they_o burn_v safe_o i_o confess_v but_o shine_v to_o few_o while_o those_o i_o seek_v must_v be_v high_a and_o conspicuous_a to_o send_v forth_o their_o beam_n and_o influence_n over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o in_o that_o regard_n court_n be_v the_o proper_a firmament_n for_o such_o illustrious_a star_n and_o court_n be_v easy_o see_v but_o where_o be_v the_o star_n in_o this_o perplexity_n madam_n it_o please_v the_o goodness_n of_o heaven_n to_o relieve_v i_o for_o as_o the_o mention_n of_o court_n bring_v immediate_o into_o my_o memory_n the_o happiness_n our_o nation_n be_v blessed_v with_o by_o your_o majesty_n residence_n among_o we_o so_o the_o contemplation_n of_o your_o exemplar_n life_n fill_v my_o soul_n with_o joy_n to_o have_v find_v at_o last_o those_o sublime_a and_o heroic_a virtue_n who_o perfect_a conformity_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o catholic_n religion_n be_v alone_z capable_a to_o convince_v the_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n such_o a_o unwearied_a constancy_n in_o devotion_n such_o a_o degree_n of_o fervour_n in_o that_o constancy_n can_v possible_o proceed_v from_o a_o lukewarm_a probability_n in_o faith_n such_o frequent_a retirement_n to_o intimate_v conversation_n with_o heaven_n such_o mortification_n and_o contempt_n of_o court-entertainment_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o hard_o such_o innocence_n and_o purity_n amid_o the_o necessary_a admittance_n of_o they_o as_o they_o all_o conspire_v to_o speak_v your_o soul_n angelical_a so_o they_o clear_o prove_v the_o vigorous_a activity_n of_o the_o faith_n that_o breed_v they_o far_o beyond_o the_o drowsy_a indifferency_n of_o a_o probable_a opinion_n thus_o madam_n while_o scholar_n but_o discourse_n you_o live_v demonstration_n permit_v i_o then_o to_o use_v not_o your_o bare_a name_n but_o your_o virtue_n as_o a_o patronage_n to_o my_o endeavour_n since_o the_o motive_n of_o this_o my_o dedicatory_a mean_v these_o for_o its_o substance_n and_o your_o temporal_a supremeness_n only_o for_o a_o circumstance_n other_o compliment_n while_o they_o dedicate_v i_o argue_v all_o the_o while_n nor_o intend_v i_o this_o for_o a_o far_o display_v of_o your_o excellent_a virtue_n which_o already_o be_v sufficient_o manifest_a to_o all_o the_o world_n but_o to_o breed_v a_o more_o serious_a reflection_n on_o they_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o against_o who_o i_o write_v and_o other_o well-meaning_a but_o mislead_v person_n this_o advantage_n your_o majesty_n and_o the_o practical_a prover_n of_o catholic_n faith_n have_v above_o we_o speculater_n that_o your_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o continual_a argument_n for_o it_o while_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o expect_v season_n and_o wait_v opportunity_n nor_o shall_v i_o at_o this_o time_n have_v offer_v to_o appear_v have_v not_o the_o multitude_n of_o book_n late_o print_v against_o catholic_n religion_n make_v it_o my_o plain_a and_o necessary_a duty_n with_o all_o my_o little_a power_n to_o defend_v it_o what_o i_o have_v endeavour_v i_o most_o humble_o lay_v at_o your_o majesty_n foot_n and_o remain_v madam_n your_o majesty_n most_o dutiful_a subject_n and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n i._n s._n preface_n to_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n 1._o he_o be_v little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o path_n which_o lead_v to_o science_n who_o know_v not_o that_o the_o settle_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o any_o affair_n be_v of_o main_a import_n towards_o satisfaction_n in_o that_o particular_a because_o if_o such_o a_o principle_n be_v not_o first_o settle_v the_o whole_a discourse_n as_o rely_v on_o that_o principle_n for_o its_o certainty_n must_v needs_o waver_v and_o stagger_v reflect_v on_o this_o plain_a truth_n and_o withal_o on_o the_o manner_n how_o very_a many_o i_o wish_v i_o may_v not_o say_v most_o controversy_n be_v manage_v that_o be_v by_o debate_v much_o about_o diverse_a conclusion_n but_o very_o little_a about_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n i_o can_v wonder_v if_o dispute_v come_v slow_o to_o a_o end_n when_o few_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o right_o begin_v another_o mischief_n and_o even_a despair_n of_o entire_a satisfaction_n spring_v from_o hence_o that_o see_v all_o dispute_v suppose_n a_o agreement_n between_o the_o disputer_n in_o some_o acknowledge_a principle_n i_o much_o fear_v while_o thing_n be_v carry_v on_o this_o fashion_n this_o requisite_a be_v want_v to_o the_o catholic_n and_o protestant_n controvertist_n for_o neither_o do_v the_o protestant_n from_o his_o heart_n hold_v witness_n the_o book_n of_o their_o most_o extol_v champion_n and_o even_o the_o 39_o article_n to_o the_o contrary_a the_o testimony_n of_o father_n and_o council_n certain_a and_o convictive_a nor_o even_o scripture_n always_o as_o to_o its_o letter_n and_o the_o sense_n they_o give_v it_o for_o they_o pretend_v infallible_a certainty_n of_o none_o of_o these_o much_o less_o do_v the_o catholic_n agree_v that_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n or_o citation_n from_o father_n not_o speak_v as_o witness_n of_o the_o church_n belief_n be_v of_o sufficient_a authority_n to_o settle_v the_o true_a or_o overthrow_v a_o false_a or_o pretend_a faith_n yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o each_o antagonist_n permit_v the_o other_o to_o frame_v his_o discourse_n upon_o these_o ground_n as_o if_o he_o hold_v the_o method_n be_v good_a and_o allowable_a which_o not_o be_v hearty_o grant_v by_o either_o what_o satisfaction_n can_v we_o expect_v but_o endless_a and_o fruitless_a contest_v for_o want_v of_o agreement_n in_o some_o acknowledge_a principle_n while_o this_o method_n be_v follow_v nay_o more_o be_v it_o suppose_v that_o both_o side_n have_v agree_v not_o to_o reject_v in_o their_o dispute_n such_o a_o principle_n yet_o still_o however_o one_o side_n may_v happen_v to_o foil_v the_o other_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v he_o contradict_v himself_o yet_o never_o so_o as_o to_o convince_v his_o tenet_n of_o falsehood_n unless_o the_o process_n be_v ground_v upon_o some_o first_o that_o be_v self-evident_a principle_n by_o virtue_n of_o who_o undoubtable_a certainty_n the_o discourse_n build_v on_o it_o may_v gain_v a_o establishment_n whence_o also_o the_o result_n of_o this_o way_n of_o discourse_n can_v be_v only_o the_o credit_n or_o discredit_v of_o the_o author_n and_o touch_v not_o at_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o without_o some_o evident_a principle_n to_o establish_v or_o overthrow_v it_o hover_v in_o its_o pure_a neutral_a condition_n of_o be_v as_o to_o assent_n or_o dissent_n just_o a_o bare_a say_n and_o no_o more_o 2._o the_o reason_n why_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o controversy_n be_v not_o more_o look_v into_o and_o clear_v appear_v to_o i_o evident_o this_o that_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n from_o the_o church_n and_o her_o faith_n see_v which_o be_v common_a to_o they_o with_o all_o other_o maintainer_n of_o error_n that_o to_o begin_v with_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n be_v the_o direct_a road_n to_o science_n and_o therefore_o absolute_o destructive_a of_o their_o interest_n avoid_v as_o much_o as_o in_o they_o lie_v the_o lay_v any_o such_o principle_n and_o instead_o of_o this_o apply_v their_o whole_a endeavour_n to_o airy_a descant_n upon_o word_n by_o such_o mean_n and_o art_n as_o be_v never_o likely_a to_o give_v they_o any_o determinate_a sense_n by_o which_o craft_n the_o way_n
true_a sense_n of_o that_o letter_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n deliver_v see_v coral_n 29._o &_o 30_o it_o follow_v that_o scripture_n allege_v by_o the_o church_n rely_v on_o tradition_n for_o its_o rule_n engage_v certain_o and_o full_o the_o very_a authority_n of_o the_o divine_o inspire_v writer_n himself_o and_o give_v that_o testimony_n the_o whole_a effect_n upon_o our_o understanding_n which_o that_o sacred_a writer_n authority_n deserve_v to_o have_v give_v it_o no_o wonder_n then_o the_o council_n proceed_v upon_o traditionary_a interpretation_n as_o it_o constant_o declare_v itself_o to_o do_v honour_n scripture-testimony_n so_o as_o to_o put_v it_o before_o tradition_n or_o the_o delivery_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n scripture_n thus_o allege_v and_o secure_v have_v the_o same_o force_n as_o if_o the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n himself_o shall_v sit_v in_o the_o council_n and_o by_o way_n of_o live_a voice_n declare_v his_o own_o sense_n in_o the_o matter_n to_o who_o thus_o present_a what_o deference_n the_o council_n will_v have_v give_v be_v obvious_a to_o be_v imagine_v hence_o also_o the_o protestant_n may_v see_v what_o high_a esteem_n our_o church_n give_v to_o god_n word_n true_o so_o call_v that_o be_v have_v god_n sense_n certainly-known_a to_o be_v such_o in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o outward_a letter_n as_o use_v to_o hammer_v a_o faith_n out_o of_o by_o wordish_a skill_n that_o be_v indeed_o their_o method_n of_o interpret_n it_o which_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o uncertainty_n fall_v short_a of_o engage_v the_o sacred_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n we_o fleight_v and_o scorn_v and_o most_o just_o since_o it_o be_v the_o have_n no_o better_a way_n to_o work_v on_o scripture_n which_o have_v bring_v scripture_n itself_o thus_o use_v to_o scorn_v and_o contempt_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o carriage_n of_o our_o bedlam_n of_o new_a sect_n in_o england_n i_o expect_v here_o some_o mighty_a man_n of_o talk_n but_o very_o weak_a speculator_n shall_v object_v that_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a way_n to_o bring_v all_o into_o our_o church_n hand_n but_o till_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o both_o letter_n &_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v knowable_a with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o to_o build_v on_o they_o that_o most_o firm_a assent_v call_v faith_n by_o any_o other_o way_n than_o this_o of_o tradition_n i_o can_v neither_o hinder_v my_o inference_n nor_o will_v he_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v my_o discourse_n 20._o thus_o much_o to_o show_v evident_o that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o have_v give_v in_o our_o former_a discourse_n be_v the_o very_a sense_n of_o our_o church_n at_o present_a and_o that_o her_o present_a sense_n in_o this_o matter_n be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o ancient_a father_n and_o council_n i_o have_v no_o more_o to_o do_v now_o but_o to_o show_v that_o at_o the_o very_a time_n of_o the_o breach_n here_o in_o england_n the_o catholic_n be_v find_v adhere_v fast_o to_o this_o rule_n of_o tradition_n renounce_v by_o the_o protestant_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n for_o as_o oft_o as_o you_o hear_v they_o allege_v that_o england_n be_v former_o overgrow_v with_o popery_n that_o the_o new_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v of_o late_o discover_v itself_o that_o they_o reform_v in_o faith_n that_o the_o former_a church_n err_v and_o such_o like_a expression_n which_o natural_o must_v burst_v out_o from_o they_o so_o oft_o you_o hear_v they_o acknowledge_v themselves_o deserter_n of_o tradition_n and_o innovator_n which_o expression_n of_o they_o by_o the_o way_n easy_o manifest_a to_o the_o most_o vulgar_a understanding_n who_o ●tis_o that_o have_v renounct_v tradition_n whence_o it_o be_v also_o easy_o evidenceable_a to_o the_o rude_a capacity_n that_o tradition_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a way_n of_o bring_v down_o faith_n disc._n 5._o §_o 8._o the_o most_o vulgar_a soul_n be_v capable_a of_o know_v which_o profession_n it_o be_v to_o follow_v for_o the_o two_o former_a point_n be_v know_v they_o be_v certain_a by_o motive_n within_o their_o own_o ken_n that_o protestant_n have_v renounct_v the_o certain_a way_n to_o bring_v down_o faith_n but_o that_o we_o renounct_v tradition_n of_o old_a be_v unacknowledged_a by_o we_o disputable_a and_o only_o knowable_a by_o skill_v they_o be_v not_o master_n of_o common_a sense_n then_o teach_v they_o they_o must_v guide_v themselves_o by_o reason_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o not_o by_o reason_n of_o which_o they_o know_v nothing_o and_o that_o god_n require_v no_o more_o at_o their_o hand_n than_o they_o can_v do_v god_n goodness_n have_v provide_v for_o those_o weak_a people_n out_o of_o the_o very_a confession_n of_o tradition●s_a deserter_n certain_a mean_n to_o judge_v whether_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v catholic_n or_o protestant_n but_o to_o return_v whence_o we_o divert_v 21._o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n but_o the_o open_a profession_n of_o the_o catholic_n clergy_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o the_o breach_n manifest_v our_o claim_n and_o constant_a adherence_n to_o tradition_n who_o declaration_n find_v in_o the_o synodal_n book_n 1559._o begin_v thus_o because_o by_o relation_n of_o public_a fame_n it_o have_v late_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n that_o many_o tenet_n of_o christian_a religion_n hitherto_o receive_v and_o approu●d_v by_o the_o public_a and_o 〈◊〉_d consent_v of_o christian_a nation_n and_o bring_v down_o by_o hand_n even_o from_o the_o apostle_n to_o we_o be_v call●d_v into_o doubt_n therefore_o etc._n etc._n where_o we_o find_v they_o stick_v firm_o to_o tradition_n and_o insist_v on_o this_o principle_n they_o proceed_v to_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n which_o they_o exhibit_v to_o the_o bishop_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o lord_n keeper_n but_o the_o state_n by_o power_n over-bearing_a the_o vote_n of_o the_o reverend_a convocation_n and_o persecute_v they_o for_o their_o constancy_n the_o breach_n ensue_v the_o catholic_n cleave_v fast_o to_o his_o old_a rule_n tradition_n the_o protestant_n choose_v a_o new_a one_o of_o scripture_n private_o interpret_v who_o vanity_n a_o little_a reason_n make_v they_o see_v but_o experience_n perfect_o find_v and_o relinquish_a the_o ancient_a rule_n so_o demonstrable_o self-evident_a secure_a and_o solid_a by_o which_o mean_n they_o become_v cut_v off_o from_o the_o only_a certain_a way_n to_o know_v christ_n sense_n that_o be_v from_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n the_o gild_n of_o which_o fact_n neither_o human_a authority_n multitude_n prosperity_n continuance_n nor_o yet_o all_o their_o voluminous_a wordish_a excuse_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o efface_v animadversion_n on_o dr._n pierce_n sermon_n also_o on_o mr._n whitby_n and_o mr._n stillingfleet_n where_o they_o touch_v the_o way_n lay_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n in_o three_o appendix_n psalm_n 63._o sagittae_fw-la parvulorum_fw-la factae_fw-la sunt_fw-la plagae_fw-la eorum_fw-la anno_fw-la dom._n 1665._o transition_n to_o the_o follow_a appendix_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o discourse_n how_o dexterous_o must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n of_o my_o reader_n and_o confutation_n from_o m●●e_a adversary_n but_o i_o account_v those_o only_o my_o proper_a judge_n &_o competent_a adversary_n who_o lay_v their_o principle_n ere_o they_o discourse_v and_o weigh_v the_o efficaciousness_n of_o their_o testimony_n in_o the_o scale_n of_o reason_n ere_o they_o allege_v they_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n lay_v no_o principle_n of_o his_o own_o but_o suppose_v they_o and_o make_v account_n all_o man_n must_v admit_v they_o out_o of_o respect_n to_o he_o or_o his_o party_n and_o yet_o bend_v all_o his_o endeavour_n to_o cavil_v at_o principle_n lay_v by_o other_o to_o ascertain_v and_o establish_v the_o groundwork_n of_o christianity_n if_o i_o find_v one_o ignorant_a of_o or_o resolve_v against_o the_o onely-certain_a method_n and_o rule_n of_o discourse_n which_o be_v that_o no_o position_n deserve_v assent_v unless_o the_o connexion_n of_o its_o term_n be_v evident_a which_o must_v either_o be_v when_o they_o be_v evident_o connect_v of_o themselves_o of_o which_o nature_n ought_v to_o be_v all_o first_o principle_n or_o make_v evidently-connected_n by_o the_o interposition_n of_o some_o other_o which_o we_o call_v evident-by-consequence_n or_o deduction_n last_o if_o i_o find_v a_o man_n wed_v to_o parrat-talk_a of_o air_n and_o sound_n that_o he_o think_v it_o a_o rare_a thing_n to_o load_v margin_n with_o citation_n without_o first_o distinguish_v they_o and_o consider_v what_o strength_n each_o aught_o to_o have_v according_a to_o rational_a principle_n i_o decline_v such_o a_o empty_a soul_n for_o my_o judge_n and_o sleight_v he_o as_o my_o adversary_n and_o lest_o any_o shall_v impute_v this_o carriage_n to_o i_o
form_n of_o word_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o bless_a peter_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o father_n this_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o orthodox_n from_o which_o testimony_n note_v we_o 17._o first_o that_o the_o council_n in_o every_o session_n not_o one_o except_v where_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v handle_v constant_o profess_v to_o follow_v tradition_n second_o it_o lay_v claim_v perpetual_o to_o vninterruptedness_n of_o this_o tradition_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o word_n ever_o always_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n from_o the_o beginning_n from_o the_o apostle_n have_v come_v down_o by_o hand_n to_o we_o the_o church_n have_v always_o understand_v hold_v open_o profess_v teach_v have_v ever_o keep_v and_o will_v ever_o keep_v perpetual_o commend_v by_o our_o father_n have_v learn_v by_o tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n have_v ever_o observe_v and_o such_o like_a plain_o show_v that_o this_o persuasion_n of_o our_o faith_n descent_n uninterrupted_o be_v deep_o and_o unanimous_o root_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n which_o strengthen_v our_o doctrine_n disc._n 8._o §_o 2._o and_o 3._o 3_o it_o make_v the_o suggestion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o sanctity_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a efficacious_a to_o perpetuate_v the_o delivery_n of_o receive_a doctrine_n see_v sess._n 6._o decreto_fw-la de_fw-la justificatione_n sess._n 13._o de_fw-fr ss_z euchar._n sacramento_n and_o many_o other_o place_n the_o very_a point_n i_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v in_o my_o 9_o discourse_n 4_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o it_o mention_n the_o holy_a scripture_n also_o with_o tradition_n yet_o this_o be_v both_o very_o rare_o and_o when_o it_o do_v so_o it_o only_o express_v that_o faith_n be_v contain_v in_o they_o but_o when_o it_o bring_v place_n of_o scripture_n to_o ground_n definition_n upon_o it_o perpetual_o profess_v to_o interpret_v they_o by_o tradition_n which_o be_v most_o evident_a both_o by_o its_o decree_a this_o in_o common_a sess._n 4._o that_o none_o dare_v to_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n against_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o holy_a mother_n the_o church_n have_v hold_v and_o do_v hold_v mean_v that_o sense_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o rule_n to_o interpret_v scripture_n by_o see_v corol._n 30._o as_o also_o by_o several_a instance_n sess._n 5._o §_o 4._o sess._n 14._o can._n 3._o sess._n 22._o cap._n 1._o and_o to_o omit_v other_o in_o that_o most_o remarkable_a pla●e_n sess._n 14._o in_o which_o after_o the_o text_n of_o s._n iames●lledged_v ●lledg'd_z for_o extreme_a unction_n the_o council_n subjoin_v in_o which_o word_n as_o the_o church_n have_v learn_v by_o apostolical_a tradition_n receive_v down_o by_o hand_n be_v teach_v etc._n etc._n where_o tradition_n be_v most_o evident_o make_v the_o rule_n which_o instruct_v and_o guide_v the_o church_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o council_n no_o where_o ground_n any_o definition_n on_o scripture_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n she_o ground_n her_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n on_o tradition_n which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o the_o council_n make_v tradition_n her_o only_a rule_n to_o know_v certain_o christ_n sense_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v in_o proper_a speak_n the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n 18._o but_o why_o then_o be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n make_v use_v of_o at_o all_o by_o the_o council_n and_o that_o so_o solemn_o nay_o and_o which_o be_v to_o be_v note_v constant_o put_v before_o tradition_n to_o satisfy_v full_o this_o difficulty_n it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a season_n at_o present_a yet_o be_v a_o good_a point_n and_o worth_a clear_n i_o will_v not_o total_o neglect_v it_o we_o may_v observe_v then_o that_o when_o we_o read_v any_o book_n write_v by_o a_o author_n we_o much_o esteem_v but_o yet_o such_o a_o book_n as_o require_v study_v aristotle_n for_o example_n or_o some_o other_o such_o who_o we_o hold_v scientifical_a we_o sometime_o hope_v well_o as_o it_o be_v when_o we_o apply_v our_o own_o industry_n to_o find_v out_o his_o meaning_n and_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o respect_n for_o what_o we_o conceive_v to_o be_v his_o sense_n yet_o his_o authority_n take_v not_o full_a hold_n of_o our_o understanding_n by_o reason_n the_o way_n we_o take_v be_v not_o evident_o convictive_a that_o this_o be_v his_o certain_a sense_n but_o if_o the_o point_n he_o write_v on_o be_v first_o clear_v to_o we_o through_o a_o scientifical_a discourse_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n make_v by_o some_o interpreter_n verse_v in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o perfect_o acquaint_v with_o his_o meaning_n we_o have_v as_o it_o be_v new_a eye_n give_v we_o to_o look_v deep_o and_o thorough_o into_o his_o sense_n and_o by_o this_o security_n of_o arrive_v at_o it_o his_o authority_n in_o case_n we_o high_o esteem_v it_o have_v now_o its_o full_a force_n upon_o we_o to_o strengthen_v our_o assent_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o power_n it_o have_v upon_o our_o understanding_n now_o what_o a_o well-skilled_a and_o insighted_a interpreter_n or_o scientifical_a explicater_v of_o the_o point_n be_v to_o such_o a_o author_n the_o same_o be_v tradition_n to_o scripture_n for_o this_o bring_v down_o certain_o christ_n sense_n in_o every_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o easy_o and_o secure_o guide_v we_o to_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n in_o those_o passage_n which_o concern_v such_o a_o point_n whereas_o the_o wordish_a way_n of_o grammar_n and_o criticism_n be_v evident_a by_o principle_n to_o be_v ambiguous_a and_o by_o experience_n to_o lead_v man_n into_o different_a sense_n it_o can_v never_o satisfy_v we_o thorough_o that_o the_o sense_n we_o arrive_v at_o by_o this_o method_n be_v infallible_o the_o true_a one_o or_o christ_n and_o so_o never_o engage_v certain_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o scripture_n thus_o interpret_v be_v of_o sleight_n force_n and_o at_o best_a good_a only_o for_o ecclesiastical_a rhetoric_n or_o sermon_n where_o the_o concern_n be_v not_o much_o if_o the_o preacher_n miss_v in_o this_o particular_a passage_n so_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o point_n he_o preach_v on_o or_o his_o text_n be_v true_o christ_n doctrine_n nor_o be_v scripture_n thus_o interpret_v even_o a_o competent_a proof_n in_o the_o science_n of_o school-divinity_n as_o be_v uncertain_a and_o so_o unapt_a to_o beget_v science_n whence_o intelligent_a divine_n quote_v and_o build_n on_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v suppose_v to_o judge_v the_o sense_n they_o build_v on_o to_o be_v the_o church_n and_o so_o they_o be_v presume_v to_o go_v to_o work_v as_o faithful_a or_o part_n of_o ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la or_o else_o they_o lay_v true_a science_n first_o which_o be_v ever_o agreeable_a to_o faith_n and_o so_o when_o any_o text_n concern_v a_o demonstrate_v point_n they_o know_v by_o science_n what_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o that_o point_n must_v be_v much_o less_o be_v scripture_n wordish_o interpret_v apt_a to_o build_v faith_n on_o the_o unwaveringness_n of_o which_o kind_n of_o assent_n must_v be_v ground_v and_o secure_a in_o the_o principle_n which_o beget_v it_o and_o not_o mere_o actual_o such_o as_o it_o be_v by_o accident_n whereas_o interpretation_n thus_o make_v faith_n principle_n in_o this_o case_n be_v liable_a to_o possible_a if_o not_o probable_a mistake_n this_o will_v be_v clear_a by_o a_o parallel_n make_v by_o a_o learned_a author_n worth_a insert_v because_o it_o strengthen_v our_o discourse_n by_o a_o new_a consideration_n let_v a_o critic_n and_o a_o skill_a carpenter_n read_v vitruvius_n his_o book_n of_o architecture_n the_o critic_n have_v but_o a_o dim_a dry_a and_o uncertain_a conceit_n of_o what_o he_o read_v as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o the_o carpenter_n or_o architect_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o principle_n and_o practice_n he_o have_v already_o of_o those_o matter_n understand_v he_o more_o thorough_o and_o make_v lively_a and_o firm_a conceit_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o excellency_n of_o what_o he_o write_v such_o be_v the_o practical_a way_n of_o know_v christ_n sense_n or_o tradition_n to_o the_o interpret_n scripture_n use_v by_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o critical_a method_n affect_v by_o other_o in_o a_o word_n tradition_n give_v we_o christ_n sense_n that_o be_v the_o life_n of_o the_o letter_n ascertaind_v to_o our_o hand_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o move_v the_o letter_n its_o body_n natural_o the_o other_o way_n take_v the_o dead_a letter_n and_o endeavour_n to_o move_v it_o artificial_o to_o counterfeit_v that_o life_n which_o it_o true_o want_v 19_o to_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o our_o matter_n in_o hand_n tradition_n secure_v to_o we_o the_o scripture_n letter_n true_o significative_a of_o christ_n sense_n and_o also_o the_o
which_o rely_v on_o sensitive_a knowledge_n and_o those_o be_v of_o certain_a authority_n if_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o testator_n be_v unquestionable_a and_o the_o conveyance_n of_o his_o sincerelymeant_a knowledge_n to_o we_o be_v evident_a not_o otherwise_o 2_o lie_n note_n second_o that_o for_o the_o reason_n give_v citation_n from_o adversary_n and_o opinator_n signify_v nothing_o also_o those_o who_o word_n presume_v to_o express_v the_o witnesser_n sense_n be_v ambiguous_a or_o otherwise-interpretable_a or_o else_o their_o very_a letter_n uncertain_a as_o all_o be_v if_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v hold_v fallible_a thus_o much_o in_o common_a of_o citation_n as_o in_o themselves_o consider_v they_o next_o as_o make_v use_v of_o by_o d._n pierce_n we_o find_v he_o rely_v on_o they_o as_o on_o his_o principle_n to_o conclude_v against_o we_o or_o as_o he_o good_a man_n unfortunate_o call_v it_o demonstrate_v hence_o 3_o lie_v they_o must_v not_o be_v negative_a for_o such_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o 4_o lie_v they_o must_v not_o be_v false_a or_o evident_o signify_v another_o thing_n than_o they_o be_v produce_v for_o nor_o impertinent_a for_o than_o they_o be_v in_o both_o case_n quite_o beside_o the_o purpose_n 5_o lie_v they_o must_v be_v express_a and_o home_n to_o the_o point_n for_o principle_n must_v need_v nothing_o but_o themselves_o beside_o the_o application_n to_o infer_v the_o conclusion_n pretend_v to_o spring_v from_o they_o 9_o lie_v they_o must_v be_v void_a of_o ambiguity_n for_o principles_n must_v be_v either_o self-evident_a or_o at_o least_o make_v evident_a ere_o they_o can_v deserve_v to_o be_v produce_v or_o admit_v as_o such_o last_o principle_n be_v sense_n not_o sound_n or_o character_n and_o so_o their_o sense_n ought_v to_o be_v indisputable_a 7._o the_o first_o note_n evacuate_v at_o once_o all_o his_o citation_n from_o author_n that_o concern_v any_o point_n between_o we_o for_o he_o bring_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o knowledge_n express_v to_o be_v build_v on_o sense_n that_o be_v no_o citation_n against_o we_o which_o in_o proper_a speech_n deserve_v to_o be_v call_v a_o testimony_n the_o second_o note_n particular_o invalidate_n those_o of_o the_o eight_o and_o nine_o forth_o the_o three_o those_o of_o the_o five_o sort_n the_o four_o those_o of_o the_o first_o and_o seven_o the_o five_o those_o of_o the_o five_o first_o sort_n and_o also_o those_o of_o the_o seven_o the_o six_o those_o of_o the_o second_o three_o and_o particular_o the_o eight_o the_o last_o note_n enervate_v the_o ten_o and_o indeed_o almost_o all_o the_o rest_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o our_o learned_a controvertist_n give_v other_o sense_n to_o those_o citation_n than_o what_o protestant_n assign_v they_o and_o maintain_v still_o those_o sense_n to_o be_v better_a than_o they_o 8._o in_o a_o word_n see_v all_o testimonial_a authority_n suppose_v knowledge_n in_o the_o author_n and_o all_o knowledge_n be_v either_o from_o sense_n call_v experience_n or_o else_o from_o evident_a connexion_n of_o term_n or_o reason_n and_o that_o this_o late_a knowledge_n be_v apt_a to_o make_v a_o master_n that_o be_v one_o fit_a to_o convince_v and_o teach_v another_o rational_o by_o intrinsecal_n medium_n or_o to_o cause_n science_n in_o he_o and_o so_o be_v unfit_a for_o testify_v and_o the_o former_a kind_n of_o knowledge_n only_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v a_o extrinsecal_n medium_fw-la or_o apt_a to_o beget_v belief_n of_o the_o witness_n word_n in_o regard_n any_o person_n unacquainted_a otherwise_o with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n know_v by_o ordinary_a experience_n and_o common_a reason_n that_o man_n understanding_n may_v err_v but_o their_o sense_n right_o circumstance_v can_v it_o follow_v that_o no_o citation_n in_o proper_a speech_n deserve_v the_o name_n nor_o have_v the_o force_n or_o virtue_n of_o a_o testimony_n but_o those_o which_o be_v build_v on_o sense_n or_o experience_n this_o weigh_v reflect_v on_o the_o main_a i_o find_v not_o one_o ●●●ress_n testimony_n against_o any_o point_n of_o our_o ●aith_n engage_v sense_n that_o be_v not_o one_o which_o merit_v the_o name_n of_o a_o testimony_n or_o to_o be_v esteem_v a_o part_n of_o tradition_n that_o of_o s._n austin_n for_o communicate_v infant_n have_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o a_o testimony_n in_o it_o and_o deserve_v a_o more_o elaborate_a answer_n have_v its_o sense_n be_v unquestionable_a and_o the_o word_n cite_v from_o the_o father_n himself_o but_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o be_v disputable_a his_o expositor_n explicate_v s._n austin_n by_o himself_o in_o another_o place_n no●_n to_o mean_v oral_a manducation_n but_o virtual●●●ly_o ●●●ly_z which_o be_v do_v by_o baptism_n and_o withal_o cite_v as_o a_o private_a author_n sense_n concern_v s._n austin_n it_o fall_v under_o the_o 6_o and_o 8_o head_n of_o faulty_a or_o inconclusive_a citation_n and_o so_o be_v already_o answer_v 9_o this_o be_v the_o upshot_n of_o that_o famous_a sermon_n and_o now_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o intelligent_a person_n who_o examine_v thing_n by_o ground_n dr._n pierce_n have_v perform_v in_o this_o so_o high_o extol_v piece_n of_o his_o more_o than_o his_o dear_a brother_n and_o fellow-champion_n against_o the_o pope_n mr._n henry_n whistler_n only_o he_o have_v clad_v his_o little_a nothing_o in_o some_o kind_n of_o mock-rhetorick_n which_o like_o figleaf_n cover_v after_o a_o pitiful_a manner_n the_o nakedness_n of_o his_o empty_a discourse_n yet_o be_v even_o his_o rhetoric_n examine_v by_o the_o substantial_a rule_n of_o that_o art_n i_o doubt_v it_o will_v come_v of_o as_o ill_o as_o his_o proof_n for_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o sermon_n be_v a-la-mode_o a_o school-boy's_a theme_n and_o that_o his_o style_n be_v far_o from_o even_a or_o spin_v on_o one_o thread_n instead_o of_o the_o thunder_n &_o lightning_n of_o strong_a and_o sententious_a sense_n astonish_v and_o move_v the_o auditor_n reason_n by_o the_o advantageous_a smartness_n and_o majesty_n of_o the_o expression_n he_o give_v we_o a_o peal_n of_o ordinance_n charge_v with_o air_n a_o volley_n of_o thunder-thumping_a bombast_n able_a to_o make_v a_o solid_a man_n reason_n nauseate_a and_o this_o most_o inartificial_o place_v at_o the_o very_a entrance_n of_o his_o sermon_n §_o 2._o or_o else_o loud_o pulpit-beating_a invective_n and_o rail_n he_o make_v huge_a account_n of_o little_a quirk_a observation_n out_o of_o human_a author_n which_o have_v no_o imaginable_a force_n or_o purpose_v but_o to_o make_v a_o ostentation_n of_o the_o uncouthness_n of_o his_o read_n the_o gallantry_n of_o his_o three_o paragraph_n for_o ingenious_a surprise_v of_o reason_n erect_v and_o take_v the_o understanding_n we_o have_v wordish_a quibble_n quirk_n and_o paranomasias_n and_o those_o most_o evident_o contrary_a to_o art_n studious_o and_o industrious_o affect_v his_o confident_a say_n without_o proof_n make_v up_o half_o his_o sermon_n and_o his_o irony_n and_o sarcasm_n be_v the_o sauce_n to_o make_v all_o this_o windy_a meat_n go_v down_o 10._o i_o will_v close_v with_o note_v his_o excellent_a faculty_n in_o quote_v scripture_n to_o do_v which_o when_o the_o place_n be_v worth_a look_v as_o be_v bring_v to_o justify_v some_o passage_n we_o be_v about_o be_v grave_a and_o to_o some_o purpose_n but_o when_o no_o occasion_n or_o need_n invite_v upon_o the_o name_n any_o two_o or_o three_o word_n which_o hap_n to_o be_v in_o scripture_n to_o be_v still_o quote_v and_o trick_v the_o margin_n with_o book_n chapter_n and_o verse_n and_o relate_v star_n or_o little_a letter_n be_v a_o very_a empty_a piece_n of_o pageantry_n and_o most_o silly_o pedantical_a now_o our_o dr._n can_v talk_v of_o faith_n but_o he_o must_v add_v though_o most_o unsutable_o to_o his_o reformer_n in_o england_n to_o who_o it_o be_v most_o notorious_a no_o body_n deliver_v it_o which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o jude_n 3_o shall_v ascertain_v it_o he_o can_v name_v the_o word_n which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n but_o the_o margin_n shall_v direct_v you_o to_o mat._n 19_o 8._o the_o two_o word_n spend_v and_o be_v spend_v oblige_v he_o to_o let_v you_o know_v where_o to_o find_v they_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 15._o at_o the_o very_o name_v help_n and_o all_o sufficient_a two_o good_a honest_a word_n which_o may_v have_v be_v speak_v whether_o scripture_n have_v be_v or_o not_o he_o can_v for_o his_o heart_n hold_v but_o allege_v you_o for_o it_o 1._o cor._n 1._o 27._o and_o will_v needs_o though_o indeed_o very_o needless_o to_o we_o prove_v himself_o a_o weak_a instrument_n by_o a_o plain_a text_n 2_o cor._n 10._o 4._o the_o obvious_a and_o common_a word_n condemn_v out_o of_o their_o mouth_n must_v have_v a_o star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n to_o light_v you_o
again_o for_o god_n love_n who_o ever_o deny_v they_o ought_v to_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o church_n authority_n be_v any_o thing_n more_o frequent_a in_o our_o controvertist_n and_o divine_n treat_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n than_o large_a discourse_n concern_v motive_n of_o credibility_n 9_o three_o he_o say_v that_o dispute_v with_o romanist_n whether_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a rule_n he_o mean_v it_o be_v so_o limited_o that_o be_v between_o christian_n who_o have_v already_o acknowledge_v scripture_n a_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o i_o see_v mr_n whitby_n guide_v himself_o by_o sound_n though_o he_o must_v need_v know_v if_o he_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o catholic_n ten●●●_n our_o sense_n be_v quite_o different_a i_o beseech_v you_o sir_n deal_v fair_o with_o we_o be_v not_o that_o speak_v formal_o and_o proper_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o give_v we_o christ_n sense_n and_o do_v not_o that_o give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o regulate_v we_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o do_v ever_o catholic_n then_o hold_v that_o scripture_n interpret_v on_o any_o fashion_n much_o less_o on_o your_o fashion_n by_o private_a judgement_n or_o reason_n regulate_v by_o grammatical_a skill_n criticism_n and_o such_o like_a verbal_a knowledge_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n nay_o do_v not_o we_o constant_o abhor_v this_o way_n as_o the_o source_n of_o heresy_n take_v we_o right_o then_o we_o hold_v not_o scripture_n letter_n alone_o a_o rule_n but_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o the_o church_n that_o be_v indeed_o the_o church_n formal_o speak_v and_o so_o you_o see_v you_o mistake_v our_o principle_n yet_o upon_o our_o joint-agreement_n in_o this_o your_o discourse_n against_o we_o proceed_v retrieve_v it_o then_o you_o see_v your_o error_n again_o you_o tell_v we_o scripture_n be_v your_o new_a rule_n but_o forget_v quite_o in_o your_o discourse_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o your_o reason_n assure_v you_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v the_o only_a rule_n or_o why_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o since_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v demonstrate_v to_o the_o contrary_a in_o my_o former_a discourse_n it_o be_v evident_a christian_n religion_n have_v descend_v many_o step_n ere_o the_o scripture_n part_n be_v much_o scatter_v much_o less_o the_o whole_a collect_v and_o no_o less_o clear_a that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n or_o way_n to_o faith_n which_o many_o follow_v yet_o their_o thought_n straggle_v into_o many_o several_a judgement_n not_o in_o indifferent_a point_n but_o in_o that_o of_o the_o trinity_n among_o the_o rest_n as_o yourself_o profess_v of_o the_o socinian_n that_o he_o reject_v not_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o first_o place_n because_o it_o seem_v a_o contradiction_n but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o clear_o discover_v in_o scripture_n by_o which_o you_o see_v he_o adhere_v firm_a to_o your_o rule_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v acknowledge_v one_o of_o your_o church_n since_o though_o he_o hap_v to_o differ_v in_o some_o point_n yet_o he_o hold_v fast_o the_o rule_n common_a to_o both_o which_o be_v the_o substantiall_a principle_n of_o a_o church_n as_o such_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o faith_n and_o indeed_o your_o kindness_n to_o he_o here_o and_o your_o tender_a care_n not_o to_o displease_v he_o show_v you_o have_v a_o true_a brotherly_a affection_n for_o he_o though_o i_o fear_v he_o he_o will_v con_v you_o small_a thanks_o for_o make_v his_o principle_n run_v thus_o that_o which_o be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o be_v coniradictory_n ti_fw-mi reason_n be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v which_o seem_v to_o imply_v that_o be_v it_o clear_a in_o scripture_n yet_o contradictory_n to_o reason_n than_o he_o will_v notwithstanding_o believe_v it_o a_o over-strain_n of_o piety_n no_o socinian_n be_v ever_o guilty_a of_o and_o i_o can_v assure_v you_o no_o learned_a catholic_n divine_v i_o ever_o hear_v of_o ever_o make_v such_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v another_o case_n if_o it_o only_o seem_v contradictory_n and_o be_v not_o judge_v by_o he_o to_o be_v evident_o such_o for_o then_o there_o be_v room_n leave_v in_o his_o mind_n for_o the_o contrary_a assent_n of_o faith_n to_o settle_v there_o 10._o you_o say_v you_o prescribe_v not_o the_o doctrine_n impute_v to_o the_o socinian_o because_o it_o make_v reason_n the_o judge_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n pray_v take_v pain_n to_o consider_v what_o you_o say_v he_o that_o judge_n must_v have_v some_o principle_n in_o his_o head_n by_o which_o he_o be_v regulate_v in_o make_v such_o a_o judgement_n those_o principle_n than_o must_v be_v his_o rule_n in_o that_o action_n and_o if_o that_o judgement_n be_v a_o adhesion_n to_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n those_o principle_n be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n examine_v now_o well_o your_o own_o thought_n whether_o your_o principle_n by_o which_o you_o find_v out_o certain_o by_o interpret_n scripture_n this_o be_v god_n sense_n or_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o maxim_n of_o your_o human_a reason_n i_o be_o sure_a in_o dispute_n against_o we_o you_o prove_v and_o defend_v your_o faith_n by_o such_o skill_v as_o language_n history_n and_o other_o knowledge_n get_v by_o human_a learning_n and_o consequent_o hold_v it_o yourselves_o upon_o the_o tenor_n of_o those_o skill_n which_o therefore_o be_v your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o bare_a letter_n you_o i_o know_v will_v deny_v it_o but_o i_o beg_v your_o second_o thought_n to_o reflect_v that_o a_o rule_n to_o such_o a_o effect_n be_v the_o immediate_a knowledge_n to_o the_o power_n as_o conversant_a about_o that_o effect_n and_o that_o if_o another_o intervene_v it_o regulate_v the_o former_a which_o thereupon_o become_v the_o thing_n rule_v not_o the_o rule_n do_v then_o these_o skill_v clear_a the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v make_v know_v god_n sense_n to_o you_o if_o so_o since_o their_o immediate_a effect_n be_v to_o clear_v it_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o deny_v but_o they_o be_v at_o least_o part_n of_o the_o revelation_n for_o reveal_v be_v clear_v and_o god_n sense_n be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v but_o by_o those_o mean_n that_o be_v by_o human_a maxim_n and_o so_o they_o be_v at_o least_o the_o more_o formal_a part_n of_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n again_o i_o ask_v may_v you_o not_o have_v mistake_v the_o true_a sense_n without_o those_o human_a maxim_n if_o so_o then_z they_o and_o not_o scripture_n letter_n be_v your_o rule_n if_o not_o then_o only_o common_a sense_n be_v requisite_a to_o understand_v clear_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n and_o then_o either_o your_o brother_n socinian_n or_o you_o want_v common_a sense_n which_o i_o think_v you_o will_v scarce_o say_v 11._o but_o will_v you_o see_v you_o still_o hold_v reason_n your_o rule_n notwithstanding_o you_o cry_v up_o the_o write_a word_n find_v you_o not_o there_o express_o that_o god_n have_v hand_n foot_n nostril_n and_o passion_n like_o we_o and_o this_o in_o clear_a term_n why_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n you_o will_v not_o answer_v sure_a it_o be_v against_o maxim_n of_o reason_n you_o renounce_v they_o former_o p._n 94._o when_o you_o have_v find_v out_o your_o new_a rule_n and_o only_o allow_v your_o reason_n power_n to_o judge_v if_o a_o point_n be_v sufficient_o reveal_v that_o it_o be_v most_o rational_a to_o 〈◊〉_d itself_o though_o it_o seem_v to_o contradict_v or_o thw●●●_n reason_n now_o this_o be_v sufficient_o reveal_v be_v plain_o write_v in_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o direct_a letter_n of_o scripture_n why_o will_v you_o not_o then_o captivate_v your_o reason_n and_o believe_v it_o i_o see_v you_o do_v but_o compliment_v with_o god_n incomprehensible_a knowledge_n in_o speak_v so_o high_o of_o it_o and_o so_o humble_o of_o your_o own_o shallow_a intellect_n will_v you_o deny_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n so_o plain_o reveal_v for_o your_o own_o capricho_n or_o conceit_n perhaps_o you_o will_v say_v it_o be_v not_o clear_o reveal_v because_o the_o contrary_n be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n too_o i_o ask_v be_v it_o as_o plain_a if_o not_o it_o can_v overthrow_v the_o title_n of_o this_o to_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n if_o as_o plain_a why_o shall_v you_o not_o believe_v both_o be_v valiant_a sir_n and_o believe_v a_o contradiction_n it_o be_v clear_o reveal_v perhaps_o it_o seem_v but_o such_o and_o then_o your_o own_o profession_n p._n 94._o oblige_v you_o to_o admit_v it_o you_o that_o can_v acknowledge_v a_o infinite_a extension_n of_o space_n when_o you_o say_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o do_v so_o too_o sure_o you_o think_v all_o the_o world_n be_v in_o your_o fancy_n may_v also_o hold_v materia_fw-la ab_fw-la aeterno_fw-la and_o that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o part_n
of_o science_n be_v to_o proceed_v from_o one_o piece_n of_o sense_n to_o another_o they_o carry_v the_o war_n out_o of_o the_o bound_n of_o science_n where_o solid_a ground_n be_v to_o be_v find_v to_o fix_v one_o fool_n upon_o so_o to_o overthrow_v or_o be_v overthrow_v and_o transfer_v it_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o spatium_fw-la imaginarium_fw-la of_o fancy_n and_o unsignify_v sound_n the_o proper_a sphere_n for_o chimerical_a discourser_n to_o buzz_v confuse_o and_o make_v a_o noise_n in_o where_o the_o catholic_n must_v either_o let_v they_o alone_o and_o then_o they_o cry_v victory_n or_o follow_v they_o thither_o and_o so_o hazard_v to_o prejudice_v his_o own_o cause_n by_o seem_v to_o allow_v their_o method_n of_o discourse_v whereas_o indeed_o the_o catholic_n be_v force_v by_o their_o importunity_n exciting_a his_o charity_n towards_o the_o unskilful_a to_o show_v how_o weak_o they_o discourse_v in_o their_o own_o shallow_a way_n 3._o how_o little_a faulty_a the_o catholic_n be_v in_o this_o will_v be_v quick_o manifest_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o ●tis_n against_o his_o principle_n and_o involuntary_a in_o he_o to_o take_v this_o method_n for_o he_o build_v not_o upon_o those_o airy_a skirmish_n for_o his_o faith_n nor_o consequent_o esteem_v he_o it_o conquerable_a by_o such_o attempt_n he_o receive_v his_o faith_n from_o the_o present_a church_n witness_v its_o delivery_n from_o the_o former_a age_n to_o this_o anchorage_n he_o stick_v he_o stand_v on_o immemorial_n possession_n nor_o doubt_v he_o that_o christ_n '_o s_o doctrine_n be_v his_o true_a and_o proper_a inheritance_n while_o bring_v down_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o so_o many_o christian_a nation_n as_o long_o as_o this_o foundation_n stand_v firm_a quirk_n hurt_v not_o he_o shake_v this_o that_o be_v show_v the_o church_n essential_a be_v mistress_n of_o falsehood_n and_o he_o must_v doubt_v all_o his_o faith_n but_o yet_o can_v hold_v the_o protestant_n for_o he_o must_v hold_v nothing_o no_o book_n can_v secure_v he_o when_o that_o principle_n which_o only_o can_v secure_v to_o we_o book_n write_v long_o ago_o be_v insecure_a itself_o now_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o protestant_n build_v his_o faith_n by_o thus_o hammer_v it_o out_o of_o unsenced_a character_n and_o be_v quite_o overthrow_v will_v his_o will_n give_v his_o reason_n leave_v to_o follow_v his_o principle_n if_o another_o more_o dexterous_o fit_v the_o word_n to_o a_o sense_n inconsistent_a with_o he_o and_o his_o hope_n of_o stand_n be_v not_o build_v as_o be_v the_o catholic_n on_o the_o self_n evidence_n of_o any_o thing_n or_o principle_n but_o indeed_o on_o the_o inevidence_n or_o ambiguity_n of_o word_n and_o his_o way_n to_o manage_v they_o which_o be_v to_o let_v no_o live_v authority_n sense_n thew_v and_o so_o they_o will_v more_o easy_o change_v their_o shape_n as_o the_o ingenious_a contrivance_n of_o fancy_n mould_n they_o and_o then_o if_o the_o discourse_n seem_v but_o a_o little_a plausible_a education_n and_o interest_n make_v the_o understanding_n content_a with_o very_o easy_a satisfaction_n 4._o i_o be_o far_o from_o blame_v the_o catholic_n prudence_n for_o engage_v on_o this_o manner_n i_o rather_o admire_v their_o charity_n towards_o their_o weak_a brethren_n that_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o so_o much_o patience_n and_o pain_n such_o excellent_a wit_n will_v condescend_v to_o so_o laborious_a a_o talk_n less_o suitable_a both_o to_o their_o own_o genius_n as_o catholic_n and_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o cause_n how_o easy_o may_v they_o rest_v secure_a upon_o immovable_a possession_n and_o demand_v evidence_n and_o demonstration_n from_o the_o protestant_n who_o deny_v his_o right_n to_o christ_n doctrine_n how_o easy_o may_v he_o show_v their_o reason_n inconclusive_a which_o method_n be_v observe_v by_o a_o late_a learned_a writer_n mr._n j._n s._n against_o that_o pulpit-vapour_n of_o dr._n pierce_n especial_o by_o discover_v the_o unsatisfactoriness_n of_o the_o method_n they_o take_v how_o most_o easy_o that_o they_o have_v never_o a_o principle_n or_o self_n evident_a ground_n to_o begin_v with_o that_o till_o they_o settle_v such_o a_o first_o principle_n all_o their_o discourse_n be_v frivolous_a that_o their_o reject_v the_o church_n live_v voice_n or_o tradition_n bring_v all_o into_o doubt_n both_o saying_n of_o father_n and_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o not_o to_o allow_v they_o the_o favour_n of_o dispute_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la from_o scripture_n or_o father_n by_o grant_v they_o any_o thing_n certain_a but_o put_v they_o to_o prove_v all_o for_o since_o they_o be_v to_o object_n and_o bring_v evident_a reason_n for_o change_v it_o lie_v on_o they_o to_o make_v their_o reason_n evident_a nor_o have_v any_o disputant_n right_a to_o have_v any_o thing_n allow_v he_o certain_a who_o renounce_v that_o principle_n which_o if_o renounct●_n all_o be_v uncertain_a and_o last_o that_o he_o who_o deny_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o any_o science_n deserve_v not_o ●ay_n can_v in_o reason_n abstract_v from_o circumstance_n be_v discourse_v with_o at_o all_o in_o that_o science_n nor_o they_o in_o controversy_n this_o will_v force_v they_o to_o lay_v some_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n which_o can_v fail_v to_o produce_v these_o two_o advantage_n one_o to_o the_o world_n that_o it_o shall_v get_v into_o a_o method_n of_o conclude_v something_o with_o evidence_n the_o other_o to_o catholic_n religion_n for_o ●twill_v be_v find_v impossible_a their_o reason_n strain_v to_o its_o utmost_a can_v invent_v any_o other_o in_o this_o matter_n but_o that_o of_o tradition_n 5._o this_o will_v clear_o shorten_v our_o debate_n and_o save_v the_o laborious_a transcribe_v and_o print_v volume_n of_o testimony_n by_o bring_v conrroversy_n to_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o first_o authority_n must_v needs_o be_v manifest_v by_o pure_a reason_n but_o who_o be_o i_o that_o i_o shall_v attempt_v such_o a_o change_n in_o the_o method_n of_o controversy_n or_o think_v myself_o a_o fit_a proposer_n or_o presser_z of_o it_o far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o yet_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o nature_n herself_o who_o i_o second_o in_o this_o design_n be_v about_o do_v that_o work_n for_o i_o hear_v catholic_n writer_n complain_v of_o the_o protestant_n and_o just_o too_o that_o he_o put_v he_o to_o answer_v what_o h●●_n be_v a_o hundred_o time_n say_v before_o and_o i_o be_o inform_v a_o eminent_a protestant_n now_o write_v in_o behalf_n of_o dr_n pierce_n make_v the_o same_o counter-complaint_n of_o the_o catholic_n and_o the_o dissuader_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o the_o same_o resentment_n beside_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o best_a wit_n of_o our_o nation_n be_v weary_a of_o this_o method_n see_v it_o be_v no_o more_o but_o reciprocate_a a_o saw_n or_o transcribe_v and_o reprinting_a what_o have_v be_v do_v before_o only_o in_o another_o frame_n or_o if_o any_o new_a production_n be_v make_v general_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o some_o note_n collect_v from_o some_o historical_a book_n unobserved_a by_o other_o which_o what_o satisfactory_a evidence_n it_o be_v like_a to_o bring_v with_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v guess_v 6._o now_o all_o this_o happen_v through_o not_o first_o settle_v and_o agree_v in_o some_o first_o principle_n not_o only_o for_o the_o reason_n give_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o preface_n but_o also_o because_o as_o will_v be_v show_v hereafter_o without_o thi●_n the_o validity_n of_o any_o testimony_n from_o father_n or_o council_n can_v be_v weigh_v understand_v or_o press_v with_o force_n upon_o the_o adversary_n for_o if_o these_o be_v but_o part_n of_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a of_o their_o time_n that_o be_v of_o christian_a tradition_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o till_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n be_v evidence_v they_o will_v not_o be_v clear_o know_v again_o tradition_n once_o evidence_v will_v give_v principle_n to_o distinguish_v those_o citation_n by_o and_o to_o secure_v as_o far_o as_o be_v needful_a and_o interpret_v scripture_n letter_n whence_o clear_a victory_n will_v accrue_v to_o truth_n and_o full_a satisfaction_n to_o her_o ingenuous_a seeker_n not_o that_o i_o at_o all_o doubt_n but_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o catholic_n writer_n of_o the_o testimonial_a strain_n carry_z 4_o strong_a force_n of_o conviction_n with_o they_o but_o i_o see_v th●●●_n while_o the_o solid_a testimony_n be_v not_o distinguish_v and_o sole_o insist_v on_o but_o run_v mix_v with_o other_o of_o less_o force_n by_o such_o a_o mixture_n they_o weaken_v their_o own_o i_o see_v also_o that_o they_o want_v their_o effect_n upon_o the_o protestant_n by_o reason_n he_o be_v not_o first_o press_v to_o admit_v that_o evident_a principle_n on_o which_o their_o strength_n be_v build_v and_o which_o once_o settle_v they_o be_v irresistible_a 7._o the_o settle_v then_o the_o
first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n be_v so_o supreme_o important_a i_o have_v attempt_v it_o put_v this_o dilemma_n to_o the_o protestant_n either_o controversy_n or_o the_o skill_n which_o enable_v we_o to_o conclude_v certain_o what_o be_v faith_n be_v a_o science_n or_o not_o if_o not_o why_o do_v we_o meddle_v with_o it_o since_o without_o science_n or_o knowledge_n all_o be_v mere_a beat_v the_o air_n and_o empty_a ignorant_a talk_n if_o it_o be_v common_a seuse_n tell_v we_o it_o must_v be_v ground_v on_o some_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n let_v we_o to_o work_n then_o and_o settle_v this_o principle_n that_o so_o we_o may_v have_v something_o to_o agree_v in_o and_o proceed_v upon_o that_o be_v be_v able_a to_o discourse_v together_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o first_o principle_n we_o catholic_n proceed_v on_o establish_v on_o rational_a ground_n and_o self-evident_a let_v the_o protestant_n either_o agree_v with_o we_o in_o it_o or_o settle_v some_o other_o able_a to_o render_v his_o citation_n certain_a without_o which_o they_o ought_v allege_v nothing_o nor_o be_v it_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o catch_v at_o single_a word_n or_o little_a parcel_n of_o my_o discourse_n as_o their_o way_n be_v but_o it_o be_v connect_v they_o must_v overthrow_v the_o main_a of_o it_o nor_o that_o but_o they_o must_v lay_v some_o first_o principle_n of_o their_o own_o else_o they_o ought_v affirm_v nothing_o nor_o speak_v for_o why_o shall_v any_o one_o say_v what_o he_o know_v not_o or_o how_o can_v he_o know_v without_o principle_n especial_o the_o protestant_n be_v oblige_v to_o do_v this_o who_o can_v stand_v on_o possession_n but_o on_o his_o reason_n why_o he_o move_v what_o he_o find_v settle_v this_o principle_n than_o they_o be_v tie_v by_o all_o honest_a consideration_n to_o produce_v and_o till_o they_o do_v so_o i_o must_v frank_o declare_v what_o reason_n tell_v ever_o intelligent_a man_n that_o those_o many_o flashy_a book_n of_o late_a against_o catholic_n by_o whosoever_o write_v deserve_v not_o a_o word_n in_o answer_n first_o discourse_n show_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n what_o property_n belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 1._o as_o common_a reason_n give_v it_o evident_a that_o no_o satisfaction_n at_o all_o can_v be_v have_v in_o any_o point_n whatever_o without_o know_v first_o the_o mean_v of_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n under_o debate_n since_o without_o this_o the_o discourser_n must_v talk_v of_o they_o know_v not_o what_o so_o the_o art_n of_o logic_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o mean_v of_o those_o word_n exact_o know_v a_o ready_a way_n be_v open_v to_o a_o clear_a decision_n of_o the_o most_o perplex_v difficulty_n for_o see_v the_o mean_v of_o a_o word_n include_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o signify_v by_o that_o word_n in_o regard_n it_o can_v not_o mean_v that_o thing_n unless_o it_o also_o mean_v it_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n which_o constitute_v that_o thing_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n once_o know_v perfect_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o signify_v by_o that_o word_n must_v be_v know_v likewise_o wherefore_o since_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n bear_v along_o with_o it_o all_o those_o consideration_n and_o attribute_n which_o intrinsical_o belong_v to_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o exclude_v all_o those_o which_o be_v incompetent_a to_o the_o same_o nature_n it_o acquaint_v we_o with_o what_o can_v be_v both_o say_v and_o deny_v of_o the_o thing_n as_o far_o as_o express_v by_o that_o word_n the_o perfect_a knowledge_n then_o of_o the_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n afford_v we_o the_o certain_a solution_n of_o all_o question_n whether_o affirmative_a or_o negative_a and_o be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o settle_v all_o controversy_n let_v we_o therefore_o apply_v this_o method_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n and_o examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v discuss_v namely_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o we_o may_v with_o good_a ground_n expect_v a_o solid_a clear_a and_o brief_a satisfaction_n both_o of_o what_o be_v not_o that_o rule_n and_o what_o be_v it._n 2._o to_o begin_v then_o with_o what_o be_v most_o evident_a see_v a_o rule_n signify_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v able_a to_o regulate_v or_o guide_v he_o who_o use_v it_o it_o must_v consequent_o have_v in_o it_o all_o those_o quality_n by_o which_o it_o be_v able_a to_o do_v that_o it_o be_v proper_a effect_n otherwise_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n that_o be_v it_o be_v not_o apt_a or_o able_a to_o do_v what_o a_o rule_n shall_v do_v 3._o it_o must_v then_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n unto_o the_o sense_n if_o it_o be_v to_o guide_v it_o or_o to_o the_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n for_o how_o shall_v either_o of_o these_o be_v guide_v by_o what_o they_o neither_o see_v nor_o know_v 4._o whence_o follow_v that_o it_o must_v be_v evident_a to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n otherwise_o it_o can_v be_v to_o they_o no_o rule_n since_o be_v unknown_a it_o reach_v not_o or_o affect_v not_o those_o person_n who_o be_v to_o be_v rule_v by_o it_o that_o be_v reach_v not_o those_o thing_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v to_o do_v its_o effect_n and_o so_o can_v rule_v they_o or_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o they_o 5._o moreover_o to_o those_o who_o can_v raise_v doubt_n or_o can_v have_v doubt_n raise_v in_o they_o that_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o mankind_n even_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a it_o must_v be_v knowable_a that_o the_o intellectual_a rule_n they_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o have_v in_o itself_o a_o virtue_n to_o rule_v or_o guide_v their_o understanding_n right_a that_o be_v they_o must_v be_v capable_a to_o know_v that_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v rely_v on_o as_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o this_o must_v either_o be_v evident_a by_o its_o own_o light_n or_o at_o least_o easy_o evidenceable_a by_o other_o knowledge_n or_o skill_v presuppose_v in_o those_o user_n of_o reason_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o that_o rule_n otherwise_o it_o be_v against_o sense_n and_o reason_n to_o yield_v over_o one_o understanding_n to_o be_v guide_v by_o that_o which_o he_o can_v never_o come_v to_o understand_v that_o it_o have_v in_o it_o any_o ability_n or_o power_n to_o guide_v he_o 6._o and_o because_o nothing_o can_v be_v evident_a to_o be_v what_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v not_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o thing_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n must_v also_o be_v certain_a in_o its_o self_n or_o establish_v on_o secure_a ground_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o can_v in_o true_a sense_n be_v call_v a_o rule_n which_o one_o may_v follow_v and_o yet_o go_v wrong_n or_o be_v miss_v the_o directive_n power_n then_o which_o it_o have_v must_v not_o be_v waver_v wherefore_o also_o the_o cause_n which_o conserve_v it_o so_o constant_o able_a to_o perform_v that_o effect_n must_v be_v establish_v too_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o keep_v it_o fit_v to_o do_v the_o effect_n proper_a to_o its_o nature_n which_o be_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o its_o self_n 7._o thus_o much_o be_v evident_o gather_v out_o of_o the_o common_a notion_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o genuine_a and_o proper_a meaning_n of_o that_o single_a word_n we_o be_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n by_o which_o we_o intend_v not_o to_o give_v rigorous_a school-definition_n of_o either_o this_o or_o the_o former_a word_n but_o only_o to_o reflect_v on_o and_o make_v use_n of_o some_o attribute_n predicate_v or_o property_n which_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o who_o intelligent_o use_v those_o word_n be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v involve_v in_o or_o true_o appertain_v to_o their_o signification_n this_o caution_n give_v to_o avoid_v mistake_n or_o cavil_v let_v we_o inquire_v of_o what_o kind_n of_o nature_n that_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o word_n faith_n and_o then_o reflect_v what_o further_a qualification_n it_o require_v in_o its_o rule_n that_o be_v in_o the_o certain_a mean_n which_o be_v to_o guide_v we_o to_o that_o knowledge_n call_v faith_n 8._o faith_n then_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o same_o with_o believe_v and_o divine_a faith_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n from_o who_o as_o be_v the_o intelligent_a user_n of_o that_o word_n the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v take_v the_o believe_a god_n in_o reveal_v truth_n which_o necessary_o import_v some_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n of_o
which_o imbue_v you_o antecedent_o with_o those_o contrary_a tenet_n not_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v your_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n in_o regard_v you_o frame_v it_o according_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o those_o foreheld_v tenet_n he_o press_o therefore_o demand_n whence_o you_o have_v those_o tenet_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o you_o guide_v yourself_o in_o adhere_v or_o not_o adhere_v to_o the_o scripture_n letter_n as_o it_o lie_v 5._o if_o you_o say_v from_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n control_v plain_o the_o other_o he_o reply_v this_o can_v only_o make_v you_o acknowledge_v scripture_n letter_n plain_o contradict_v itself_o and_o so_o leave_v you_o doubtful_a which_o side_n to_o hold_v as_o far_o as_o the_o bare_a letter_n carry_v you_o or_o if_o it_o invite_v you_o to_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o hold_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n what_o therefore_o he_o still_o demand_n be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o forelay_v those_o judgement_n in_o you_o by_o which_o you_o be_v bias_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o the_o letter_n indifferency_n to_o hold_v one_o side_n rather_o than_o ●he_v other_o here_o you_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n with_o your_o pretence_n of_o the_o letter_n authority_n be_v go_v beyond_o it_o if_o then_o you_o recur_n to_o reason_n and_o science_n teach_v you_o that_o god_n be_v immutable_a a_o spirit_n etc._n etc._n he_o straight_o reply_v then_o that_o science_n teach_v you_o that_o point_n whether_o scripture_n have_v be_v or_o no._n it_o therefore_o be_v your_o rule_n in_o this_o and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o whatever_o you_o avail_v yourself_o to_o interpret_v scriptute_fw-la by_o not_o the_o letter_n if_o you_o say_v you_o rely_v on_o the_o science_n or_o skill_n of_o your_o parent_n forefather_n and_o pastor_n than_o their_o skill_n which_o ascertaind_v they_o of_o god_n sense_n not_o scripture_n letter_n be_v their_o rule_n and_o so_o be_v likewise_o you_o for_o whoever_o rely_v on_o any_o precise_o as_o skilful_a rely_v in_o very_a deed_n and_o proper_o on_o their_o skill_n and_o not_o on_o the_o letter_n their_o skill_n work_v upon_o beside_o ove_z not_o skilful_a himself_o be_v a_o bad_a judge_n how_o far_o another_o skill_n extend_v if_o you_o say_v you_o rely_v not_o on_o their_o skill_n fallible_a perhaps_o in_o they_o and_o obscure_a to_o you_o but_o on_o their_o sense_n enable_v they_o to_o be_v know_v witness_n of_o what_o be_v deliver_v they_o and_o free_a from_o the_o former_a exception_n you_o be_v drive_v for_o your_o last_o refuge_n to_o tradition_n and_o still_o desert_n your_o letter-rule_n in_o a_o word_n he_o challenge_v the_o consciousness_n of_o your_o most_o inward_a thought_n whether_o however_o in_o controversy_n against_o other_o you_o quote_v scripture_n yet_o in_o read_v the_o letter_n for_o your_o own_o faith_n you_o bring_v not_o along_o with_o you_o some_o thought_n to_o interpret_v it_o by_o which_o you_o be_v resolve_v to_o hold_v to_o and_o so_o the_o scripture_n letter_n lie_v before_o you_o as_o matter_n to_o work_v on_o so_o as_o to_o preserve_v it_o significative_a of_o what_o you_o judge_v sound_a and_o not_o to_o frame_v your_o judgement_n by_o that_o be_v you_o use_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n rule_v not_o as_o a_o bull_fw-mi nay_o more_o if_o you_o look_v narrow_o into_o the_o bottom_n of_o those_o thought_n you_o shall_v discover_v the_o natural_a method_n of_o tradition_n to_o have_v at_o unaware_o settle_v your_o judgement_n concern_v faith_n and_o actual_o guide_v you_o in_o the_o interpretation_n however_o when_o your_o other_o concern_v awake_a design_n in_o you_o you_o protest_v against_o it_o and_o seem_v perhaps_o to_o your_o unreflect_a self_n to_o embrace_v and_o hold_v to_o the_o mere_a guidance_n of_o the_o letter_n 6._o again_o waive_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n to_o declare_v its_o own_o sense_n he_o ask_v this_o smart_a question_n how_o you_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n in_o this_o very_a text_n and_o demand_v your_o certain_a proof_n or_o demonstration_n either_o either_o for_o the_o thing_n or_o for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o authority_n upon_o which_o you_o hold_v that_o any_o particular_a text_n you_o allege_v be_v true_o a_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o not_o foist_v in_o or_o some_o way_n alter_v in_o its_o significativeness_n or_o how_o you_o know_v by_o the_o diligence_n of_o the_o letter-examiner_n if_o it_o be_v a_o negative_a proposition_n that_o the_o particle_n not_o be_v not_o insert_v if_o affirmative_a not_o leave_v out_o you_o allege_v consent_n of_o all_o our_o copy_n he_o reply_v first_o that_o this_o only_a argue_v that_o those_o ancient_a copy_n whence_o we_o come_v be_v alike_o perhaps_o not_o so_o much_o but_o who_o know_v or_o can_v undertake_v that_o they_o be_v not_o alike_o faulty_a or_o alike_o unlike_a the_o true_a original_a or_o that_o there_o be_v not_o some_o in_o those_o day_n which_o never_o come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n different_a from_o we_o in_o the_o very_a point_n between_o we_o in_o a_o word_n that_o all_o depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o copy_n immediate_o take_v from_o the_o original_a or_o the_o very_a next_o to_o they_o which_o what_o they_o be_v by_o who_o take_v where_o and_o how_o preserve_v from_o time_n to_o time_n how_o narrow_o examine_v when_o they_o be_v first_o transcribe_v and_o such_o like_a be_v so_o bury_v in_o obscurity_n and_o oblivion_n and_o so_o far_o from_o evidence_n apt_a to_o beget_v certain_a knowledge_n that_o we_o must_v have_v recourse_n to_o charity_n to_o allow_v it_o our_o hope_n have_v we_o no_o other_o rule_n of_o faith_n than_o that_o bare_a letter_n again_o though_o human_a diligence_n do_v play_v its_o part_n yet_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v say_v your_o deist_n that_o there_o be_v almost_o innumerable_a variae_fw-la lectiones_fw-la in_o it_o still_o controvert_v nay_o so_o many_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n alone_o observe_v by_o one_o man_n my_o lord_n usher_n that_o he_o dare_v not_o print_v they_o for_o fear_n of_o bring_v the_o whole_a book_n into_o doubt_n and_o why_o may_v not_o there_o have_v be_v such_o former_o and_o now_o blind_o determine_v and_o swallow_v in_o each_o text_n that_o concern_v our_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n if_o you_o reply_v as_o nature_n will_v lead_v you_o that_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n believe_v and_o teach_v from_o father_n to_o son_n be_v write_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o this_o make_v they_o both_o able_a and_o willing_a to_o that_o be_v actual_o do_v preserve_v the_o letter_n from_o error_n in_o any_o passage_n that_o concern_v the_o body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n he_o challenge_v you_o to_o fly_v your_o colour_n to_o desert_v your_o own_o rule_n and_o embrace_v tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o roman-catholikes_a and_o last_o that_o you_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o thing_n rule_v not_o the_o rule_n yet_o without_o this_o recourse_n no_o satisfactory_a account_n can_v possible_o be_v render_v to_o a_o strict_a examiner_n why_o error_n may_v not_o creep_v into_o the_o text_n in_o substantial_a point_n of_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o in_o less_o concern_v passage_n which_o devolve_v to_o this_o that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n hold_v forth_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n can_v never_o convince_v a_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n four_o discourse_n that_o the_o two_o last_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v clear_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n 1._o there_o remain_v the_o two_o last_o condition_n certainty_n in_o its_o self_n and_o ascertainableness_n to_o we_o that_o the_o late_a be_v incompetent_a to_o scripture_n alone_o or_o unassisted_a by_o another_o certain_a rule_n that_o be_v incompetent_a to_o it_o as_o a_o rule_n however_o it_o may_v agree_v to_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n regulate_v or_o rule_v be_v the_o subject_a in_o a_o manner_n of_o all_o our_o forego_n discourse_v and_o it_o so_o depend_v upon_o the_o former_a property_n of_o the_o two_o last_o name_v certainty_n in_o itself_o that_o if_o it_o fail_v that_o late_a be_v impossible_a now_o as_o for_o its_o certainty_n in_o its_o self_n or_o its_o be_v establish_v on_o secure_a ground_n we_o may_v consider_v scripture_n letter_n either_o material_o as_o such_o and_o such_o character_n or_o formal_o as_o significative_a of_o a_o determinate_a sense_n suppose_v to_o be_v christ_n and_o both_o of_o these_o either_o in_o its_o single_a self_n or_o as_o dependent_a on_o other_o help_n or_o cause_n on_o foot_n now_o in_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o thing_n 2._o and_o as_o for_o the_o mere_a material_a character_n in_o book_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v of_o themselves_o as_o liable_a to_o be_v destroy_v as_o any_o thing_n else_o in_o nature_n as_o burn_v tear_v
none_o of_o the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n all_o of_o they_o building_n on_o scripture_n letter_n be_v certain_a disc._n 2._o 3_o 4._o without_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o no_o other_o company_n have_v any_o principle_n of_o distinction_n from_o other_o that_o be_v either_o of_o constitution_n or_o self-preservation_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n all_o the_o loud_a outcry_n then_o make_v common_o against_o that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n call●d_n roman-catholick_n for_o account_v itself_o only_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o exclude_v all_o other_o be_v but_o empty_a noise_n and_o her_o claim_n rational_a and_o wellgrounded_n till_o it_o be_v show_v by_o evident_a discourse_n that_o the_o other_o pretender_n have_v some_o other_o more_o evident_a and_o certain_a rule_n to_o know_v who_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o than_o this_o of_o tradition_n now_o produce_v and_o explicate_v upon_o which_o she_o proceed_v and_o by_o which_o she_o consist_v 12._o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o scripture_n for_o since_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v disc._n 4._o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n without_o tradition_n this_o must_v first_o be_v suppose_v certain_a ere_o the_o scripture_n letter_n can_v be_v rational_o hold_v such_o and_o consequent_o aught_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v hold_v uncertain_a while_o tradition_n be_v think_v ●it_n to_o be_v argue_v against_o that_o be_v while_o its_o certainty_n be_v doubt_v of_o wherefore_o since_o none_o can_v argue_v solid_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n none_o ought_v to_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n 13._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n against_o tradition_n first_o because_o in_o reality_n tradition_n right_o understand_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n material_o with_o the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n essential_a consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o laity_n which_o be_v so_o ample_a that_o it_o include_v all_o imaginable_a authority_n which_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o a_o church_n second_o because_o in_o the_o way_n of_o generate_a faith_n tradition_n formal_o take_v be_v antecedent_n to_o disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o and_o so_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n work_v by_o formal_a and_o abstract_a notion_n its_o notion_n must_v be_v presuppose_v and_o its_o certainty_n establish_v before_o the_o notion_n and_o certainty_n of_o faith_n consequent_o of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o church_n which_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a whence_o they_o will_v argue_v very_o preposterous_o who_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o oppose_v church_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o think_v to_o establish_v the_o house_n by_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n 14._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o father_n or_o council_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o former_a corol._n 13._o in_o regard_n neither_o of_o these_o have_v any_o authority_n but_o as_o representative_n of_o the_o church_n or_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o determine_v certain_o what_o be_v a_o father_n or_o council_n disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o till_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n that_o be_v of_o faithful_a that_o be_v of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o tradition_n be_v certain_o establish_v 15._o no_o disacknowledger_n of_o tradition_n be_v in_o due_a of_o reason_n but_o in_o courtesy_n only_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o argue_v out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n father_n or_o council_n for_o since_o want_v tradition_n they_o have_v certainty_n of_o none_o of_o those_o as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o disacknowledge_v tradition_n while_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o these_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o thing_n themselves_o do_v not_o know_v to_o be_v certain_a wherefore_o it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o condescendence_n and_o courtesy_n in_o catholics_n to_o let_v they_o run_v forward_o descant_v with_o wordish_a discourse_n on_o those_o testimony_n after_o their_o raw_a manner_n since_o they_o may_v just_o take_v their_o advantage_n against_o they_o and_o show_v they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o principle_n which_o their_o own_o ground_n can_v never_o make_v good_a to_o they_o as_o be_v tertullian_n smart_n and_o solid_a way_n de_fw-fr praescr_n haeret._n c._n 15_o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21._o deny_v they_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n who_o deny_v the_o church_n which_o will_v save_v many_o a_o airy_a confuse_a discourse_n about_o word_n unapt_a to_o evidence_n any_o thing_n satisfactory_o nor_o can_v the_o right_a of_o a_o opponent_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la licence_n they_o to_o claim_v this_o favour_n from_o our_o controvertist_n in_o regard_n we_o never_o hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n hammer_v upon_o by_o criticism_n and_o such_o pretty_a knack_n of_o human_a learning_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o the_o way_n to_o establish_v it_o but_o only_o as_o interpret_v by_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o consequent_o can_v we_o hold_v it_o capable_a to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o such_o endeavour_n of_o private_a wit_n though_o then_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o consequent_o so_o far_o a_o liberty_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la against_o we_o yet_o we_o never_o allow_v their_o method_n of_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o efficacious_a either_o to_o build_v or_o evert_v faith_n but_o our_o learned_a controvertist_n ever_o hold_v direct_a contrary_n whence_o in_o case_n they_o clamour_v that_o in_o not_o follow_v their_o wild_a method_n we_o desert_n scripture_n to_o avoid_v which_o calumny_n with_o the_o vulgar_a i_o conceive_v one_o reason_n our_o controvertist_n general_o be_v so_o civil_a to_o they_o as_o to_o cope_v with_o they_o in_o their_o fleight_n way_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o calumny_n be_v to_o be_v make_v appear_v which_o be_v quick_o do_v not_o their_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o be_v satisfy_v 16._o no_o authority_n from_o any_o history_n or_o testimonial_a write_n be_v valid_a against_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n for_o since_o falsehood_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o be_v write_v or_o print_v as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_a those_o book_n can_v give_v no_o testimony_n to_o themselves_o that_o what_o they_o express_v be_v certain_o true_a and_o if_o we_o say_v they_o be_v abet_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o book_n the_o same_o question_n recurr_v concern_v they_o in_o what_o age_n soever_o they_o be_v write_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o acceptation_n of_o man_n or_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o so_o convey_v down_o from_o father_n to_o son_n that_o these_o book_n be_v true_a history_n and_o not_o fable_n which_o give_v they_o any_o authority_n but_o this_o have_v plain_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n they_o have_v therefore_o no_o authority_n but_o by_o force_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o possible_a force_n against_o tradition_n since_o if_o tradition_n or_o the_o convey_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n sense_n write_v thus_o universal_o in_o man_n heart_n can_v deceive_v we_o no_o such_o book_n can_v have_v any_o authority_n at_o all_o wherefore_o not_o the_o book_n but_o the_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o skill_n of_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n upon_o which_o qualification_n the_o truth_n of_o each_o passage_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n be_v build_v be_v to_o be_v allege_v against_o christian_a tradition_n since_o it_o be_v that_o sense_n which_o authorise_v those_o book_n and_o give_v credibility_n to_o those_o passage_n and_o so_o be_v strong_a than_o any_o dead_a testimony_n from_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o only_o some_o great_a tradition_n or_o live_a testimony_n for_o thing_n past_a can_v in_o point_n of_o authority_n be_v pretend_v a_o equal_a match_n to_o christian_a tradition_n or_o competent_a to_o be_v alledg●d_v against_o it_o 17._o no_o tradition_n be_v allege_v or_o alledgeable_a in_o reason_n against_o christian_a tradition_n that_o none_o be_v alledg●d_v be_v evident_a from_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o the_o adversary_n of_o catholic_n tradition_n never_o pretend_v the_o consent_n or_o constant_a sense_n of_o great_a multitude_n derive_v from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o live_a voice_n that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n former_a tradition_n be_v relinquish_v new_a faith_n introduce_v or_o the_o old_a faith_n change_v or_o abolish_v but_o only_o odd_a end_n or_o scrap_n of_o history_n or_o other_o dead_a testimony_n according_a as_o they_o light_v on_o some_o passage_n which_o seem_v favourable_a to_o they_o or_o may_v
be_v render_v interpretable_a that_o way_n whence_o there_o be_v almost_o as_o many_o mind_n as_o man_n about_o the_o time_n when_o any_o change_n be_v make_v nay_o some_o of_o their_o best_a champion_n dr_n whitaker_n and_o mr_n powel_n profess_v the_o time_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n change_n can_v easy_o be_v tell_v and_o that_o they_o can_v tell_v by_o who_o or_o at_o what_o time_n the_o enemy_n do_v sow_v the_o papist_n doctrine_n this_o i_o say_v be_v so_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a they_o decline_v the_o pretence_n of_o any_o tradition_n against_o we_o and_o the_o very_a way_n of_o derive_v down_o oral_o and_o practical_o since_o write_v in_o man_n heart_n by_o matter_n of_o fact_n work_v on_o their_o sense_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o recur_n to_o pitiful_a shred_n and_o fragment_n o●_n word_n utter_o unauthorise_v if_o the_o tradition_n for_o that_o book_n goodness_n can_v fail_v and_o if_o catholic_n tradition_n which_o in_o its_o source_n be_v so_o large_o extend_v visible_a and_o practicable_a by_o all_o can_v falter_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o easy_o may_v the_o tradition_n for_o any_o particular_a book_n which_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o can_v be_v but_o of_o a_o very_a obscure_a original_a fail_v and_o deceive_v we_o now_o that_o no_o tradition_n be_v alledgeable_a against_o we_o by_o protestant_n appear_v hence_o that_o their_o immediate_a forefather_n little_o more_o than_o a_o 100_o year_n ago_o be_v catholic_n that_o be_v holder_n of_o their_o faith_n no_o novelty_n but_o uninterrupted_o descend_v can_v never_o conspire_v to_o deliver_v to_o they_o any_o such_o sense_n that_o the_o roman_a church_n have_v alter_v her_o faith_n since_o they_o have_v the_o contrary_a sense_n write_v in_o the_o table_n of_o their_o heart_n nor_o can_v they_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o greek_a church_n for_o a_o tradition_n opposite_a to_o we_o for_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o they_o differ_v from_o we_o for_o they_o will_v find_v none_o such_o nor_o be_v the_o greek_a church_n progenitour_n to_o they_o here_o in_o england_n nor_o by_o consequence_n can_v they_o derive_v traditionary_o from_o they_o 18._o no_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n or_o intrinsical_v principle_n be_v producible_a against_o christian_a tradition_n for_o since_o argument_n if_o solid_a be_v take_v from_o thing_n or_o nature_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o christian_a tradition_n be_v build_v on_o the_o best_a nature_n that_o be_v man_n be_v not_o according_a to_o what_o be_v alterable_a in_o it_o but_o what_o be_v abstract_v from_o disease_n absolute_o unalterable_a that_o be_v on_o knowledge_n imprint_v by_o natural_a sensation_n and_o this_o knowledge_n strengthen_v and_o make_v most_o lively_a by_o the_o oft-repeatedness_a of_o those_o sensation_n and_o the_o import_n of_o the_o thing_n know_v also_o since_o most_o efficacious_a cause_n actual_o apply_v that_o be_v impossible_a not_o to_o do_v the_o effect_n and_o effect_n impossible_a to_o be_v without_o such_o a_o cause_n existence_n be_v engage_v for_o the_o ever-continuance_n or_o uninterruptedness_n of_o tradition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v disc._n 6._o &_o 8._o and_o the_o force_n of_o those_o preserve_a cause_n strengthen_v by_o the_o most_o powerful_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n disc._n 9_o or_o by_o best_a grace_n superad_v to_o best_a nature_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o solid_a argument_n from_o reason_n shall_v be_v bring_v against_o tradition_n 19_o the_o argue_v by_o way_n of_o some_o few_o instance_n as_o the_o manner_n be_v can_v have_v no_o force_n against_o tradition_n certainty_n and_o indefectiveness_n for_o see_v a_o pretend_a instance_n of_o tradition_n fail_v be_v a_o particular_a action_n presume_v to_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a and_o particular_n out_o of_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o be_v particular_n be_v surround_v by_o a_o thousand_o individuate_a circumstance_n or_o rather_o constitute_v by_o they_o that_o be_v be_v place_v in_o the_o proper_a sphere_n of_o contingency_n and_o that_o particular_a action_n be_v put_v to_o be_v long_o ago_o past_a and_o ●o_o affect_v not_o our_o sense_n by_o experience_n in_o which_o be_v found_v the_o force_n of_o instance_n in_o regard_n experimental_a knowledge_n be_v a_o necessary_a effect_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v know_v nor_o have_v we_o or_o can_v we_o have_v without_o tradition_n any_o certain_a knowledge_n coral_n 16._o that_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n pretend_v to_o have_v miscarry_v or_o to_o have_v be_v alter_v then_o or_o else_o the_o manner_n of_o express_v they_o be_v not_o mistake_v then_o or_o misrepresent_v to_o we_o now_o nor_o that_o interest_n for_o example_n of_o one_o party_n passion_n between_o both_o ambiguity_n of_o word_n slightness_n or_o confusedness_n of_o report_n ground_v the_o historian_n narration_n rashness_n of_o belief_n in_o he_o corruption_n of_o his_o book_n since_o they_o be_v write_v and_o innumerable_a other_o chance_n apt_a to_o occasion_n mistake_n do_v not_o intervene_v any_o of_o which_o will_v render_v the_o instance_n uncertain_a and_o the_o argument_n from_o it_o inconclusive_a again_o see_v we_o can_v have_v certainty_n of_o our_o own_o meaning_n of_o our_o word_n when_o we_o demonstrate_v and_o also_o of_o our_o consequence_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o way_n for_o a_o solid_a man_n to_o answer_v tradition_n pretend_a demonstrableness_n must_v be_v to_o show_v the_o incoherence_n of_o the_o term_n and_o not_o to_o bring_v some_o old_a story_n against_o it_o which_o be_v to_o produce_v uncertainty_n know_v to_o be_v such_o against_o pretend_a certainty_n and_o not_o yet_o know_v to_o be_v other_o than_o such_o nay_o who_o be_v evidence_n we_o can_v in_o reason_n deny_v till_o we_o can_v solve_v the_o connexion_n of_o term_n draw_v from_o intrinsical_a medium_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v 20._o the_o deny_v tradition_n be_v a_o proper_a and_o necessary_a disposition_n to_o fanatickness_n for_o since_o no_o argument_n take_v from_o any_o dead_a or_o write_a testimony_n coral_n 12._o 14._o 16._o nor_o live_v testimony_n of_o tradition_n coral_n 13._o 17._o nor_o from_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n coral_n 18._o that_o be_v from_o any_o thing_n without_o we_o which_o be_v a_o second_o cause_n be_v valid_a against_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n can_v be_v deny_v but_o by_o pretend_v some_o light_n or_o knowledge_n within_o we_o derive_v from_o the_o immediate_a influence_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n to_o which_o pretence_n help_v its_o difficulty_n to_o be_v confute_v in_o regard_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o stand_v stiff_a in_o this_o tenet_n that_o they_o see_v clear_o such_o truth_n by_o a_o inward_a light_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n to_o go_v about_o to_o confute_v their_o own_o manifest_a experience_n whereas_o be_v argument_n produc-t_a open_o they_o and_o their_o confutation_n may_v be_v publish_v together_o and_o the_o truth_n will_v lie_v expose_v to_o the_o scan_n and_o decision_n of_o the_o indifferent_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v clear_v by_o a_o few_o reply_v if_o a_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n be_v take_v wherefore_o since_o nature_n will_v easy_o teach_v the_o obstinate_a denier_n of_o any_o principle_n to_o avail_v themselves_o by_o the_o best_a plea_n they_o can_v to_o escape_v confute_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o nature_n will_v connatural_o carry_v the_o denier_n of_o tradition_n to_o fanatic_a pranciple_n and_o that_o man_n be_v so_o long_o and_o no_o long_o preserve_v from_o fanatickness_n than_o they_o follow_v tradition_n or_o the_o open_o declare_a sense_n of_o forefather_n either_o in_o our_o church_n or_o some_o other_o congregation_n again_o tradition_n be_v the_o way_n of_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o the_o open_a use_n of_o our_o sense_n the_o deny_v it_o must_v drive_v the_o denier_n to_o deny_v that_o way_n and_o to_o recur_n to_o knowledge_n have_v some_o other_o way_n not_o to_o knowledge_n acquire_v by_o human_a skill_n the_o knowledge_n of_o such_o high_a mystery_n be_v confess_o more_o than_o human_a therefore_o to_o infuse_v knowledge_n and_o this_o not_o infuse_v by_o ordinary_a way_n as_o preach_v teach_v of_o forefather_n and_o such_o like_a as_o we_o experience_v such_o knowledge_n to_o be_v infuse_v into_o we_o for_o this_o again_o fall_v into_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v only_o have_v refuge_n to_o inward_a light_n or_o knowledge_n infuse_v extraordinary_o or_o without_o connatural_a mean_n to_o make_v which_o the_o common_a road_n of_o receive_v heaven_n influence_n be_v the_o very_a definition_n of_o fanatickness_n 21._o fanatic_a principle_n can_v have_v no_o force_n against_o tradition_n though_o unconfutable_a but_o by_o it_o for_o since_o they_o pretend_v for_o their_o ground_n a_o light_n within_o imprint_v on_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o manifest_v god_n the_o author_n that_o be_v a_o effect_n
for_o fastidiousness_n i_o offer_v my_o reason_n for_o it_o for_o to_o cavil_v at_o principle_n and_o yet_o go_v about_o to_o lay_v none_o himself_o be_v the_o method_n of_o a_o sceptic_a and_o from_o he_o indeed_o i_o must_v suffer_v it_o if_o i_o can_v forc●_n he_o to_o hold_v his_o tongue_n but_o that_o one_o who_o pretend_v himself_o a_o christian_n that_o be_v a_o holder_n of_o christ_n law_n that_o be_v if_o he_o go_v consequent_o a_o rely_a upon_o some_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n for_o hold_v that_o christ_n say_v thus_o or_o thus_o shall_v be_v permit_v to_o impugn_v principle_n bring_v to_o ascertain_v fundamental_o that_o point_n and_o yet_o himself_o lay_v none_o to_o do_v that_o effect_n as_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o impugner_n of_o tradition_n be_v to_o let_v he_o behave_v himself_o like_o a_o renouncer_n of_o christianity_n and_o to_o fight_v against_o any_o assuredness_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v to_o contradict_v himself_o and_o all_o his_o own_o position_n as_o he_o be_v christian_a which_o permission_n be_v unreasonable_a according_a to_o maxim_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o illegal_a by_o the_o rule_n of_o true_a logic_n again_o if_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o understanding_n give_v it_o manifest_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v see_v intellectual_o but_o what_o be_v either_o evident_a by_o its_o own_o light_n or_o by_o deduction_n in_o the_o manner_n declare_v it_o be_v as_o evident_a that_o to_o frame_v discourse_n in_o another_o method_n than_o this_o or_o at_o least_o loose_a discourse_n that_o have_v no_o connexion_n involve_v in_o they_o enable_v they_o to_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o this_o method_n can_v be_v only_o to_o talk_v uncertainty_n that_o be_v of_o we_o know_v not_o what_o which_o be_v unworthy_a a_o man_n much_o more_o a_o scholar_n and_o last_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o reason_n that_o every_o sleight_n authority_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o that_o of_o god_n church_n it_o be_v evident_a likewise_o that_o reason_n be_v to_o weigh_v what_o be_v due_a to_o authority_n and_o that_o no_o authority_n deserve_v any_o assent_n further_o than_o reason_n give_v it_o to_o deserve_v now_o this_o be_v so_o to_o allege_v authority_n undistinguish_o whereas_o there_o be_v such_o diversity_n of_o degree_n in_o they_o that_o perhaps_o there_o be_v no_o two_n to_o be_v find_v perfect_o alike_o in_o merit_n be_v such_o a_o wild_a proceed_n hand_n over_o head_n such_o a_o careless_a say_v any_o thing_n to_o no_o imaginable_a purpose_n but_o pure_o to_o talk_v that_o no_o sober_a discourser_n can_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o spend_v time_n in_o combat_v such_o a_o airy_a adversary_n 2._o i_o make_v it_o my_o request_n to_o my_o intelligent_a reader_n for_o i_o write_v to_o none_o but_o such_o that_o he_o will_v reflect_v back_o on_o the_o method_n i_o have_v take_v in_o my_o short_a discouse_n and_o he_o will_v see_v that_o however_o my_o performance_n speed_v i_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o evidence_n and_o aim_v at_o least_o at_o perfect_a science_n of_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n he_o will_v see_v i_o take_v my_o rise_n at_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n rule_n and_o faith_n this_o know_v i_o establish_v my_o first_o principle_n in_o this_o present_a matter_n to_o be_v these_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n faith_n be_v faith_n hence_o i_o proceed_v to_o discover_v diverse_a attribute_n necessary_o connext_v with_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o two_o word_n and_o if_o to_o avoid_v witty_a cavil_n i_o decline_v the_o pretence_n of_o rigorous_a definition_n of_o either_o word_n without_o press_v the_o essentialness_n of_o any_o of_o those_o attribute_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n i_o hope_v i_o shall_v merit_v both_o pardon_n and_o thanks_o from_o those_o who_o look_v for_o satisfaction_n for_o as_o long_o as_o those_o attribute_n must_v necessary_o accompany_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o do_v my_o work_n without_o engage_v into_o nice_a disquisition_n those_o attribute_n be_v show_v necessary_o connect_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o apply_v they_o to_o my_o matter_n in_o hand_n by_o mean_n of_o these_o two_o proposition_n bear_v a_o necessity_n of_o truth_n in_o their_o very_a term_n that_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o attribute_n necessary_o belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n belong_v not_o and_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o property_n belong_v only_o to_o such_o a_o rule_n do_v belong_v hence_o i_o reject_v scripture_n letter_n from_o be_v that_o rule_n and_o assert_v tradition_n to_o be_v it_o and_o this_o be_v enough_o perhaps_o for_o i_o to_o do_v if_o i_o only_o mind_v opposition_n to_o those_o who_o adhere_v to_o scripture_n letter_n for_o their_o rule_n in_o contradistinction_n and_o opposition_n to_o tradition_n be_v such_o 3._o but_o intend_v to_o avail_v myself_o and_o my_o cause_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o truth_n and_o reason_n not_o the_o weakness_n and_o passion_n of_o other_o i_o go_v forward_o have_v first_o show_v it_o clear_o self-evident_a that_o tradition_n be_v a_o most_o certain_a rule_n if_o follow_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o indefectiveness_n of_o tradition_n or_o that_o it_o be_v ever_o follow_v and_o this_o i_o attempt_v by_o those_o mean_n i_o take_v the_o allow_v definition_n of_o man_n the_o subject_a of_o the_o effect_v i_o be_v to_o show_v which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n i_o find_v the_o proper_a agent_n or_o efficient_a to_o work_v upon_o he_o as_o such_o to_o be_v motive_n or_o reason_n and_o from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o any_o such_o motive_n to_o make_v he_o prevaricate_v from_o openly-delivered_a faith_n nay_o the_o necessity_n of_o see_v he_o must_v destroy_v his_o credit_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o compass_v his_o end_n i_o endeavour_v to_o conclude_v that_o faith_n thus_o descend_v be_v never_o prevaricate_v from_o then_o take_v the_o way_n of_o demonstrate_v the_o same_o a_o poste●iori_fw-la i_o take_v a_o effect_n i_o conceive_v impossible_a to_o be_v introduce_v into_o a_o know_a nature_n without_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n ever-indeficiency_a to_o engraft_v it_o there_o or_o rather_o to_o imbue_v soul_n with_o it_o natural_o and_o as_o it_o be_v ex_fw-la traduce_n 4._o see_v by_o this_o time_n that_o my_o discourse_n by_o stoop_v from_o my_o first_o principle_n while_o i_o apply●d_v they_o to_o my_o business_n seem_v immerse_v in_o matter_n and_o by_o the_o blunder_n of_o many_o more_o and_o more_o particular_a term_n than_o be_v in_o the_o mere_a principle_n forcible_o take_v in_o begin_v to_o look_v with_o a_o contingent_a face_n though_o indeed_o i_o still_o perch_v upon_o the_o specifical_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o so_o never_o flag_v below_o the_o sphere_n of_o science_n therefore_o to_o comfort_v the_o reader_n understand_v apt_a to_o grow_v turbid_v by_o my_o approach_n towards_o practice_n i_o consider_v tradition_n practical_o and_o open_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o by_o reflect_v connatural_o how_o the_o revolt_n from_o it_o which_o we_o call_v heresy_n come_v to_o be_v originize_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o compare_v the_o human_a force_n of_o christian_a tradition_n with_o another_o vast_a tradition_n mere_o human_a &_o then_o touch_v at_o some_o divine_a assistance_n show_v how_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n have_v establish_v the_o best_a piece_n of_o it_o man_n nature_n by_o particular_a mean_n exceed_v she_o own_o native_a strength_n to_o this_o effect_n of_o preserve_v the_o descent_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n unalterable_a and_o uninterrupted_a that_o be_v i_o show_v tradition_n most_o certain_a and_o most_o indefective_a and_o far_o beyond_o the_o establishment_n of_o any_o other_o piece_n of_o natural_a science_n whatsoever_o 5._o last_o observe_v that_o my_o discourse_n by_o process_n as_o the_o custom_n be_v in_o all_o discourse_n however_o evident_a if_o not_o bind_v to_o syllogistical_a form_n begin_v to_o look_v dishevel_a i_o add_v diverse_a corollary_n in_o some_o of_o which_o i_o make_v many_o several_a end_n of_o it_o meet_v in_o a_o close_a frame_n in_o other_o i_o advance_v forward_o to_o show_v that_o the_o church_n unity_n power_n to_o oblige_v and_o govern_v her_o subject_n as_o faithful_a and_o her_o infallibility_n in_o the_o whole_a and_o several_a part_n of_o she_o be_v found_v in_o tradition_n nay_o that_o by_o mean_n of_o tradition_n she_o enjoy_v a_o wonderful_a sacredness_n of_o authority_n be_v not_o only_o unexpugnable_a but_o also_o unimpugnable_a without_o destroy_v all_o kind_n of_o certainty_n that_o be_v without_o high_a nonsense_n in_o the_o opposer_n and_o hence_o i_o seat_n tradition_n on_o her_o throne_n demonstrate_v she_o they_o the_o first_o and_o consequent_o self-evident_a principle_n in_o affair_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o therefore_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o
father_n testimony_n leave_v little_a in_o he_o to_o be_v reply_v to_o and_o my_o discourse_n have_v leave_v nothing_o at_o all_o among_o late_a adversary_n then_o dr_n dentons_n folly_n seem_v so_o ultra_fw-la crepidam_fw-la that_o it_o be_v not_o worth_a a_o serious_a thought_n and_o it_o be_v whole_o answer_v by_o declare_v that_o he_o begin_v and_o ground_n his_o whole_a book_n on_o so_o knavish_a a_o calumny_n that_o can_v the_o universality_n of_o catholic_n have_v the_o same_o law_n against_o he_o that_o a_o private_a protestant_n though_o the_o mean_a in_o the_o kingdom_n may_v free_o have_v he_o will_v lose_v his_o ear_n for_o libel_v the_o dissuader_n for_o his_o plausibleness_n not_o for_o his_o strength_n of_o sense_n seem_v to_o require_v a_o large_a answer_n than_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o a_o appendix_n dr_n pierce_v be_v of_o high_a vogue_n and_o short_a but_o he_o be_v already_o so_o double_o overthrow_v by_o two_o learned_a opposer_n that_o it_o seem_v unhandsome_a and_o ignoble_a to_o strike_v a_o man_n when_o he_o be_v down_o his_o circumstance_n make_v he_o rather_o a_o object_n of_o pity_n than_o victory_n yet_o his_o pulpit-alarum_n to_o excite_v all_o england_n to_o persecute_v catholic_n be_v so_o full_a of_o malice_n and_o so_o monstrous_o cry_v up_o that_o i_o judge_v it_o above_o all_o other_o deserve_v to_o be_v make_v a_o example_n of_o ungrounded_a talk_n though_o i_o shall_v do_v it_o with_o that_o compassion_n as_o not_o so_o much_o to_o confute_v he_o as_o by_o lay_v a_o few_o note_n as_o admonition_n to_o he_o to_o open_v his_o understanding_n and_o enable_v he_o to_o look_v into_o the_o force_n of_o his_o own_o citation_n and_o so_o to_o guide_v himself_o better_a the_o next_o time_n he_o go_v about_o to_o quote_v author_n a_o point_n i_o doubt_v he_o as_o yet_o never_o think_v on_o they_o may_v also_o give_v his_o defender_n now_o as_o i_o hear_v write_v some_o light_n to_o strengthen_v his_o testimony_n against_o we_o i_o be_o sure_a they_o will_v tend_v to_o clear_a truth_n not_o to_o blunder_v it_o and_o so_o all_o ingenuous_a seeker_n of_o satisfaction_n will_v thank_v i_o for_o they_o to_o begin_v then_o 2._o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o his_o sermon_n express_v in_o the_o title_n of_o it_o the_o primitive_a rule_n of_o reformation_n cause_v my_o first_o admonition_n for_o since_o we_o both_o agree_v that_o the_o primitive_a faith_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v to_o and_o only_o differ_v about_o the_o certain_a mean_n to_o come_v to_o know_v what_o that_o faith_n be_v we_o hold_v to_o tradition_n and_o to_o father_n and_o council_n which_o be_v take_v proper_o part_n of_o tradition_n as_o certain_a mean_n to_o know_v that_o faith_n the_o protestant_n to_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n and_o to_o citation_n quote_v on_o any_o fashion_n the_o way_n to_o confute_v we_o catholic_n be_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o way_n they_o take_v to_o prove_v their_o faith_n the_o same_o with_o the_o primitive_a otherwise_o let_v they_o talk_v and_o write_v as_o long_o as_o they_o will_v they_o be_v never_o the_o near_a their_o conclusion_n now_o if_o plain_a experience_n tell_v we_o the_o sm●ctymnuans_n too_o preach_v and_o write_v against_o episcopacy_n by_o quote_v father_n and_o scripture_n let_v dr_n pierce_v show_n we_o what_o his_o way_n of_o talk_v have_v above_o they_o which_o give_v it_o a_o virtue_n of_o ascertain_v or_o perfect_o settle_v the_o understanding_n or_o confess_v they_o and_o so_o his_o too_o be_v fallible_a and_o frivolous_a to_o demonstrate_v then_o against_o we_o and_o so_o confute_v we_o he_o ought_v rather_o have_v insist_v on_o a_o derivative_a rule_n or_o a_o rule_n able_a to_o derive_v down_o to_o they_o christ_n faith_n with_o certainty_n so_o to_o make_v out_o their_o present_a knowledge_n which_o alone_o can_v justify_v their_o present_a or_o late_a action_n of_o reform_v and_o not_o run_v afar_o off_o to_o a_o primitive_a rule_n or_o faith_n which_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o protestant_n unless_o they_o can_v prove_v certain_o they_o follow_v it_o when_o d._n pierce_n make_v a_o sermon_n at_o court_n upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n we_o will_v all_o become_v auditor_n so_o he_o will_v promise_v to_o begin_v with_o first_o principle_n and_o bring_v evidence_n of_o what_o he_o say_v till_o then_o let_v he_o take_v heed_n of_o brag_v in_o print_n of_o demonstration_n until_o he_o know_v what_o the_o word_n mean_v that_o be_v till_o he_o reflect_v how_o a_o demonstration_n be_v a_o proof_n which_o oblige_v the_o uudersta●ding_n and_o consider_v or_o study_v wherein_o the_o virtue_n by_o which_o it_o perform_v this_o consist_v such_o bold_a and_o careless_a talk_n have_v cost_v his_o credit_n dear_a already_o and_o when_o it_o come_v to_o be_v scan_v by_o principle_n and_o science_n will_v leave_v it_o quite_o bankrupt_a 3._o we_o have_v see_v the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o d._n pierce_n performance_n which_o be_v to_o overleap_a all_o that_o concern_v he_o to_o prove_v if_o he_o will_v conclude_v with_o certainty_n against_o we_o now_o the_o useful_a part_n of_o his_o whole_a performance_n as_o he_o say_v in_o his_o dedication_n be_v his_o citation_n as_o be_v the_o evide●ce_n and_o warrant_v of_o all_o the_o rest_n which_o therefore_o if_o any_o thing_n deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v their_o fault_n distinguish_v they_o into_o so_o many_o fort_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v those_o which_o be_v impertinent_a to_o our_o or_o indeed_o to_o any_o purpose_n but_o to_o make_v a_o noise_n or_o vapor_a show_n of_o the_o second_o those_o which_o be_v raw_a or_o unapply_v and_o only_o say_v something_o in_o common_a which_o never_o come_v home_o to_o the_o point_n of_o the_o three_o those_o which_o be_v level_v blind_o at_o none_o know_v what_o or_o at_o a_o question_n unstated_a and_o so_o be_v shoot_v at_o rover_n of_o the_o four_o those_o which_o impugn_v a_o word_n for_o a_o thing_n or_o some_o circumstance_n or_o manner_n for_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o five_o negative_a testimony_n of_o the_o six_o a_o private_a author_n say_v against_o the_o torrent_n of_o a_o contrary_a consent_n which_o of_o itself_o be_v liable_a to_o innumerable_a contingency_n of_o passion_n mistake_v or_o ignorance_n but_o thus_o compare_v signify_v less_o than_o nothing_o the_o like_a be_v to_o quote_v a_o schoolman_n or_o two_o for_o a_o point_n which_o other_o free_o contradict_v of_o the_o seven_o those_o which_o be_v false_a and_o signify_v not_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v express_o quote_v for_o of_o the_o eight_o those_o which_o labour_n of_o obscurity_n by_o a_o evident_o ambiguous_a word_n of_o the_o nine_o saying_n of_o those_o on_o his_o own_o side_n of_o the_o ten_o a_o few_o fragment_n of_o scripture_n sence_v by_o fancy_n 4._o i_o intend_v not_o to_o muster_v up_o one_o by_o one_o all_o his_o citation_n and_o then_o rank_v they_o under_o their_o respective_a head_n the_o brevity_n of_o a_o appendix_n not_o permit_v it_o but_o i_o make_v this_o fair_a proffer_n to_o his_o vindicater_v or_o himself_n that_o if_o they_o please_v to_o pitch_v upon_o any_o testimony_n of_o he_o which_o fall_v not_o under_o some_o one_o perhaps_o many_o of_o these_o faulty_a common-place_n i_o will_v yield_v they_o all_o valid_a and_o conclusive_a and_o make_v he_o public_a satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n have_v thus_o give_v my_o bond_n for_o the_o truth_n y_fw-fr charge_n and_o under_o so_o great_a a_o penalty_n upon_o failure_n of_o be_v so_o i_o have_v title_n to_o free_a licence_n to_o suppose_v my_o charge_n good_a which_o will_v also_o appear_v short_o in_o common_a by_o my_o §_o 9_o and_o according_o to_o apply_v my_o reason_n to_o consider_v his_o citation_n i_o discourse_v then_o thus_o and_o note_v 6._o first_o that_o citation_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n the_o one_o allege_v the_o testifier_n knowledge_n by_o eyesight_n or_o infallible_a sense_n the_o other_o his_o judgement_n or_o opinion_n now_o this_o late_a in_o regard_n man_n judgement_n or_o opinion_n depend_v on_o reason_n be_v not_o proper_o that_o author_n testimony_n nor_o he_o a_o witness_v who_o ought_v to_o proceed_v upon_o evidence_n have_v by_o sense_n but_o a_o scholar_n or_o rely_a on_o his_o reason_n and_o so_o his_o express_a himself_o in_o the_o word_n find_v in_o such_o a_o citation_n have_v no_o authority_n further_o than_o his_o reason_n give_v he_o which_o reason_n therefore_o and_o not_o his_o say_v aught_o to_o be_v allege_v in_o regard_v it_o be_v mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o reason_n he_o know_v this_o and_o so_o the_o whole_a virtue_n of_o his_o authority_n which_o follow_v and_o go_v parallel_n to_o knowledge_n consist_v in_o that_o reason_n none_o therefore_o be_v proper_o testimony_n but_o those_o
with_o such_o a_o person_n be_v not_o he_o mad_a that_o be_v a_o renouncor_n of_o reason_n or_o man_n nature_n who_o shall_v not_o believe_v they_o you_o see_v then_o these_o witness_n have_v power_n to_o propose_v such_o a_o object_n as_o can_v oblige_v to_o belief_n you_o see_v the_o dissenter_n be_v irrational_a that_o their_o act_n of_o dissent_v spring_n from_o some_o passion_n or_o vice_n and_o vice_n be_v punishable_a and_o so_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o that_o dissent_n if_o it_o be_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n as_o be_v high_o pernicious_a to_o mankind_n best_a concern_v now_o our_o church_n make_v account_v she_o be_v able_a to_o propose_v a_o authority_n incomparable_o more_o ample_a than_o the_o attestation_n now_o speak_v of_o for_o the_o true_a descent_n of_o her_o faith_n and_o judge_n such_o a_o proposal_n found_v on_o the_o eyesight_n of_o all_o those_o witness_n to_o be_v able_a to_o oblige_v to_o interior_a assent_n in_o such_o a_o degree_n as_o to_o render_v they_o most_o high_o wilful_a vicious_a and_o irrational_a who_o shall_v disbelieve_v it_o hence_o the_o crime_n entrench_v upon_o the_o order_n to_o mankind_n salvation_n the_o high_a concern_v imaginable_a both_o to_o edify_v those_o dissenter_n by_o correct_v their_o vice_n and_o the_o circumstant_fw-la faithful_a by_o breed_v a_o conceit_n in_o they_o through_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o other_o of_o the_o sacredness_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n and_o the_o heinousness_n of_o pride_n of_o understand_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o all_o heresy_n they_o may_v nay_o ought_v punish_v their_o interior_a dissent_n not_o out_o of_o a_o height_n of_o authority_n without_o motive_n as_o mr._n whitby_n conceit_n but_o because_o that_o authority_n be_v herself_o such_o a_o motive_n to_o belief_n that_o only_o irrational_a vicious_a and_o wilfully-blind_a person_n can_v recede_v from_o it_o by_o disbelief_n and_o hence_o our_o church_n procedure_v be_v rational_a natural_a sweet_a and_o charitable_a tend_v to_o amend_v a_o enormity_n of_o will_v not_o breed_v from_o a_o rational_o but_o passionate_a dissatisfied_a understanding_n nay_o mr._n whitby_n discourse_n justify_v our_o church_n procedure_v who_o seem_v to_o allow_v his_o church_n a_o power_n to_o require_v a_o positive_a assent_n when_o the_o case_n come_v to_o be_v such_o that_o the_o denier_n of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v hold_v wilful_a and_o our_o church_n neither_o say_v nor_o act_n otherwise_o 15._o by_o this_o discourse_n i_o will_v not_o have_v mr_n whitby_n imagine_v that_o i_o be_o about_o prove_v our_o church_n infallibility_n in_o this_o place_n but_o only_o show_v that_o hold_v she_o can_v evidence_n her_o authority_n she_o go_v rational_o to_o work_v and_o consonant_o to_o herself_o in_o require_v assent_n to_o her_o proposal_n whereas_o they_o confess_v herself_o fallible_a even_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n upon_o which_o all_o both_o her_o faith_n and_o authority_n as_o a_o church_n depend_v be_v self-condemned_a irrational_a and_o tyrannical_a if_o she_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o require_v any_o such_o interior_a assent_n now_o though_o he_o in_o big_a word_n deny_v this_o to_o be_v her_o carriage_n ask_v when_o do_v they_o mean_v bishop_n convocation_n or_o parliament_n challenge_v any_o power_n over_o our_o mind_n and_o conscience_n and_o allege_v the_o consent_n of_o their_o divine_n for_o it_o yet_o i_o wonder_v what_o he_o think_v of_o the_o oath_n of_o allegiance_n and_o supremacy_n make_v by_o a_o protestant_a parliament_n be_v there_o no_o obligation_n there_o to_o hold_v any_o thing_n yes_o as_o strong_a as_o oath_n can_v tie_v it_o and_o which_o be_v worse_o it_o be_v more_o irrational_a to_o go_v about_o to_o bind_v our_o assent_n who_o be_v not_o of_o their_o church_n than_o to_o bind_v their_o own_o subject_n this_o in_o practice_n be_v perform_v towards_o all_o but_o so_o imprincipled_a a_o procedure_n that_o their_o church_n wave_v it_o when_o it_o come_v to_o a_o rational_a scan_n in_o a_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n acknowledge_v so_o their_o want_n of_o ground_n to_o make_v it_o good_a which_o show_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o church_n spring_v from_o the_o parliament_n or_o secular_a state_n in_o regard_n she_o profess_v herself_o very_o hearty_o content_a with_o external_a obedience_n let_v the_o interior_a assent_n go_v where_o it_o will_v most_o unlike_a the_o church_n settle_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n and_o constitute_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n who_o provide_v in_o the_o first_o place_n for_o the_o church_n power_n to_o hold_v we_o to_o the_o same_o tenet_n which_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o our_o action_n know_v that_o unless_o the_o root_n of_o faith_n be_v sound_a the_o action_n its_o branch_n must_v needs_o be_v rot_v and_o unconscientious_a and_o that_o no_o congregation_n can_v long_o hold_v together_o nor_o indeed_o long_o than_o the_o plain_a force_n of_o the_o secular_a sword_n awe_v they_o unless_o by_o power_n to_o evidence_n its_o authority_n it_o have_v power_n to_o oblige_v man_n understanding_n connatural_o to_o a_o unity_n in_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o do_v all_o else_o will_v follow_v and_o hence_o we_o may_v see_v confess_o in_o the_o protestant_a principle_n the_o reason_n of_o their_o present_a and_o past_a distraction_n and_o divine_a of_o the_o future_a for_o man_n fancy_n be_v natural_o various_a and_o no_o power_n in_o she_o to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o union_n they_o must_v needs_o ramble_v into_o multitude_n of_o dissent_v sect_n which_o to_o strive_v to_o unite_v into_o one_o be_v to_o force_v both_o nature_n and_o conscience_n too_o nature_n in_o strive_v to_o unite_v their_o understanding_n in_o faith_n without_o offer_v they_o evidence_n of_o authority_n conscience_n in_o bind_v they_o to_o act_n as_o protestant_n do_v whereas_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o stake_v their_o salvation_n upon_o it_o that_o their_o best_a reason_n work_v upon_o the_o very_a rule_n of_o faith_n protestant_n recommend_v oblige_v they_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o to_o force_v they_o to_o act_v with_o they_o be_v to_o force_v they_o to_o sin_n so_o that_o the_o protestant_n at_o once_o profess_v they_o will_v not_o or_o can_v oblige_v their_o understand_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n contend_v by_o force_n to_o oblige_v their_o will_n without_o nay_o against_o their_o understanding_n 16._o in_o a_o word_n let_v protestant_n write_v talk_z &_o quote_v word_n as_o long_o as_o they_o will_v plain_a common_a sense_n tell_v they_o and_o every_o man_n who_o consider_v it_o that_o unless_o they_o settle_v some_o undisputable_a method_n of_o arrive_v at_o christ_n sense_n or_o faith_n that_o be_v some_o self-evident_a and_o so_o all-obliging_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o protestant_a church_n can_v never_o hope_v for_o power_n to_o reduce_v their_o dissenter_n nor_o to_o hold_v together_o or_o govern_v efficacious_o their_o own_o subject_n that_o be_v they_o can_v never_o hope_v for_o unity_n within_o themselves_o nor_o last_o union_n with_o they_o that_o have_v it_o and_o charitable_o endeavour_v they_o may_v have_v it_o too_o three_o appendix_n animadversion_n on_o some_o passage_n in_o mr._n stillingfleet_n 1._o the_o loud_a fame_n of_o mr._n stillingfleet_n book_n prevent_v its_o publication_n and_o withal_o the_o report_n of_o his_o good_a part_n come_v from_o diverse_a judicious_a person_n breed_v in_o i_o a_o great_a impatience_n to_o see_v something_o of_o his_o other_o write_n that_o so_o i_o may_v have_v more_o solid_a ground_n to_o build_v my_o expectation_n on_o than_o common_a rumour_n or_o commendation_n of_o acquaintance_n a_o protestant_a friend_n show_v i_o a_o little_a treatise_n of_o his_o concern_v excommunication_n i_o peruse_v the_o beginning_n of_o it_o and_o immediate_o tell_v he_o mr._n stillingfleet_n be_v a_o very_a ingenious_a person_n and_o write_v the_o best_a i_o ever_o yet_o see_v any_o protestant_n for_o he_o settle_v first_o his_o notion_n or_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o thence_o attempt_v by_o intrinsical_v medium_n to_o draw_v immediate_a consequence_n which_o show_v that_o his_o head_n lie_v right_a for_o science_n but_o withal_o i_o assure_v my_o friend_n it_o be_v impossible_a he_o can_v write_v against_o we_o and_o take_v that_o method_n the_o nature_n of_o his_o cause_n not_o endure_v so_o severe_a a_o test._n his_o book_n come_v forth_o and_o bear_v in_o its_o title_n a_o rational_a account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o protestant_a religion_n my_o expectation_n be_v more_o erect_v and_o till_o myself_o can_v get_v leisure_n to_o peruse_v it_o i_o tell_v diverse_a both_o catholic_n and_o protestant_n that_o they_o may_v expect_v from_o mr._n stillingfleet_n wit_n the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v say_v either_o for_o the_o late_a or_o against_o the_o former_a but_o come_v to_o overlook_a cursory_o his_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n
to_o demonstration_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n not_o to_o note_v the_o unconsonancy_n of_o this_o carriage_n i_o shall_v yield_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o demonstration_n but_o only_a probability_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o he_o and_o to_o make_v this_o serious_a protestation_n for_o myself_o that_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o very_o dishonest_a do_v i_o assert_v and_o press_v on_o other_o any_o argument_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n which_o i_o judge_v not_o evident_a that_o be_v demonstrative_a this_o i_o hope_v will_v secure_v the_o honesty_n of_o my_o intention_n however_o my_o weakness_n may_v permit_v i_o to_o fail_v in_o my_o performance_n after_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o forestall_v my_o reason_n for_o the_o point_n in_o these_o word_n 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 that_o 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 do_v which_o word_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o review_v and_o note_n for_o thence_o my_o discourse_n take_v its_o rise_n 13._o what_o be_v it_o then_o that_o we_o affirm_v the_o late_a age_n oblige_v to_o hold_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n hold_v and_o act_v wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o build_v their_o house_n no_o for_o both_o those_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v of_o trivial_a concern_v and_o the_o fashion_n of_o both_o depend_v on_o fancy_n which_o be_v too_o sleight_v a_o principle_n to_o oblige_v to_o a_o constancy_n what_o be_v it_o then_o to_o manage_v their_o estate_n thus_o or_o thus_o no_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n or_o convenience_n of_o the_o different_a way_n be_v perhaps_o hold_v not_o very_o material_a and_o the_o judge_v which_o be_v best_a depend_v upon_o prudential_n principles_n which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n variable_a and_o accommodable_a to_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o not_o oblige_v they_o to_o think_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v let_v we_o proceed_v be_v it_o some_o piece_n of_o skill_n or_o a_o speculative_a opinion_n depend_v on_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o the_o ancestor_n knowledge_n no_o for_o experience_n teach_v that_o man_n differ_v in_o such_o judgement_n and_o be_v errable_a it_o can_v never_o oblige_v posterity_n to_o believe_v unalterable_o as_o they_o do_v be_v it_o then_o some_o historical_a passage_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o great_a note_n and_o as_o such_o apt_a to_o strike_v their_o fancy_n strong_o yet_o still_o such_o as_o the_o succeed_a age_n be_v not_o high_o concern_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o for_o example_n that_o of_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n to_o the_o asian_a and_o grecian_a offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age_n after_o no_o yet_o experience_n tell_v we_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o be_v fresh_a and_o lively_a even_o among_o we_o who_o be_v not_o the_o immediate_a descendants_n of_o those_o where_o he_o conquer_v though_o some_o thousand_o of_o year_n since_o 14._o before_o we_o go_v any_o further_a let_v we_o examine_v how_o this_o history_n come_v to_o obtain_v so_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a a_o belief_n from_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o this_o very_a day_n and_o first_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a speculater_n that_o can_v think_v the_o universal_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v cause_v by_o book_n curtius_n his_o history_n for_o example_n for_o since_o all_o mankind_n know_v natural_o that_o falsehood_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v character_v in_o letter_n as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_o the_o continue_a belief_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o sense_n in_o man_n heart_n of_o its_o truth_n that_o be_v human_a tradition_n which_o give_v that_o book_n all_o its_o authority_n and_o secure_v its_o strange_a content_n from_o be_v hold_v romanical_a which_o the_o very_a being-writ_a can_v never_o have_v do_v let_v we_o see_v next_o whence_o this_o human_a tradition_n have_v its_o force_n to_o continue_v hitherto_o so_o settle_v and_o unalterable_a a_o persuasion_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n and_o look_v into_o the_o thing_n for_o proper_a cause_n that_o be_v the_o best_a demonstrative_a medium_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o object_n itself_o be_v very_o universal_a strange_a notorious_a and_o hold_v of_o concern_v to_o the_o then_o liver_n which_o make_v their_o heart_n and_o fancy_n full_a of_o it_o and_o so_o oblige_v they_o to_o burst_v out_o into_o expression_n of_o it_o and_o relate_v it_o to_o their_o offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age._n i_o but_o what_o oblige_v the_o offspring_n to_o believe_v their_o forefather_n tell_v it_o and_o to_o act_v or_o talk_v of_o it_o again_o to_o their_o child_n as_o the_o father_n do_v without_o which_o obligation_n it_o can_v not_o have_v descend_v to_o we_o regard_v once_o more_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v discover_v that_o it_o be_v imprint_v into_o the_o offspring_n by_o the_o forefather_n testify_v what_o their_o sense_n have_v tell_v they_o which_o put_v common_a sense_n inform_v they_o the_o thing_n be_v infallibly-true_a and_o as_o certain_a as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v it_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n for_o no_o reach_n of_o reason_n but_o only_a extravagance_n of_o madness_n can_v have_v furnish_v they_o with_o any_o imaginable_a motive_n why_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v they_o or_o be_v decievable_a in_o their_o sensation_n by_o this_o mean_v the_o conceit_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o main_a for_o circumstantial_a consideration_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a to_o all_o at_o first_o and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v universal_o deliver_v as_o ascertain_v by_o sense_n be_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o firmness_n and_o certainty_n rivet_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o next_o age_n and_o so_o there_o be_v necessary_o in_o the_o rational_a part_n of_o the_o world_n some_o curious_a person_n who_o nature_n herself_o can_v not_o but_o incline_v to_o a_o inquisitiveness_n of_o what_o be_v do_v former_o and_o other_o too_o natural_o incline_v to_o tell_v it_o child_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o and_o delight_v with_o hear_v such_o strange-true_a story_n it_o go_v down_o continue_v by_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n to_o our_o very_a day_n 15._o but_o we_o have_v over-shot_a our_o mark_n the_o question_n be_v of_o the_o obligation_n not_o to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o forefather_n from_o age_n to_o age._n and_o it_o be_v already_o evident_a that_o the_o second_o age_n after_o alexander_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o first_o because_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n what_o be_v do_v but_o how_o can_v those_o in_o the_o three_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o second_o who_o see_v it_o not_o to_o answer_v this_o we_o must_v ask_v whether_o the_o three_o age_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o the_o second_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o first_o age_n tell_v they_o and_o the_o notoriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v no_o speculation_n but_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n secure_v that_o or_o conspire_v to_o bely_v the_o second_o age_n authority_n and_o common_a reason_n satisfy_v they_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o honesty_n of_o the_o person_n their_o consent_n and_o the_o disinteressedness_n of_o the_o position_n that_o they_o can_v not_o thus_o conspire_v even_o the_o rude_a have_v a_o demonstration_n the_o second_o age_n true_o testify_v what_o the_o first_o say_v and_o so_o those_o of_o the_o three_o age_n have_v the_o first_o age_n authority_n certain_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o by_o mean_n of_o its_o authority_n its_o sensation_n too_o and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n spring_v from_o that_o experimential_a perception_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o the_o three_o age_n as_o it_o do_v upon_o the_o second_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n upon_o the_o the_o four_o five_o and_o five_o hundred_o while_o it_o be_v know_v to_o have_v come_v down_o by_o the_o way_n of_o testification_n and_o this_o be_v know_v by_o its_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n as_o testify_v for_o if_o the_o second_o age_n can_v not_o tell_v the_o three_o it_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o first_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v so_o testify_v the_o same_o reason_n i_o have_v assign_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o that_o will_v hold_v for_o each_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v it_o will_v follow_v no_o age_n can_v say_v a_o former_a age_n testifyd_v so_o unless_o they_o do_v so_o whence_o nothing_o can_v come_v in_o as_o testify_v by_o a_o former_a age_n unless_o thus_o testifyd_v if_o therefore_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n receive_v a_o thing_n as_o testify_v suppose_v the_o notoreity_n of_o it_o secure_v the_o thing_n
vulgar_a reason_n easy_o tell_v they_o that_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o truth_n that_o be_v that_o all_o the_o other_o professor_n to_o follow_v scripture_n do_v notwithstanding_o believe_v and_o speak_v false_a now_o these_o honest_a scholar_n of_o plain_a down_o right_a nature_n &_o that_o of_o her_o low_a form_n too_o be_v unable_a to_o judge_v which_o true_o follow_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o only_o capable_a to_o know_v they_o all_o profess_v it_o with_o word_n and_o action_n express_v the_o great_a seriousness_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o think_v that_o all_o equal_o mean_a to_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n whence_o their_o common_a reason_n will_v tell_v they_o though_o they_o can_v express_v it_o in_o our_o term_n or_o defend_v it_o that_o mere_o for_o want_v of_o light_n that_o be_v evidence_n in_o the_o directive_n power_n of_o that_o rule_n they_o all_o but_o one_o party_n and_o perhaps_o that_o too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n go_v most_o miserable_o astray_o this_o three_o property_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n namely_o to_o justify_v the_o undoubting_a vulgar_a be_v want_v to_o scripture_n letter_n 3._o there_o follow_v the_o four_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v that_o it_o must_v be_v able_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o satisfy_v the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n and_o rational_a doubter_n that_o the_o doctrine_n it_o hold_v forth_o come_v from_o christ._n to_o make_v a_o true_a conceit_n of_o what_o may_v be_v judge_v sufficient_a for_o this_o end_n let_v we_o reflect_v on_o the_o nature_n and_o temper_n of_o such_o dissenter_n and_o doubter_n and_o we_o shall_v quick_o discover_v that_o they_o be_v man_n give_v to_o stir_v their_o thought_n by_o much_o reflection_n and_o to_o call_v they_o to_o a_o strict_a account_n ere_o they_o yield_v they_o over_o to_o assent_v wherefore_o if_o we_o suppose_v they_o true_a to_o their_o own_o thought_n and_o not_o to_o betray_v the_o light_n of_o their_o reason_n to_o some_o passion_n in_o which_o case_n their_o faith_n itself_o be_v in_o they_o a_o vice_n we_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o thing_n under_o demonstration_n can_v bind_v and_o restrain_v those_o active_a and_o volatile_a soul_n from_o flutter_v still_o in_o objection_n and_o hover_v in_o doubt_n when_o their_o eternal_a good_a be_v concern_v especial_o when_o a_o authority_n be_v about_o scan_v upon_o who_o word_n they_o be_v bind_v after_o they_o have_v approve_v it_o to_o believe_v unconcievable_a and_o unheard_a of_o thing_n above_o the_o reach_n of_o human_a reason_n &_o apprehension_n let_v now_o any_o man_n go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v to_o those_o great_a wit_n these_o point_n that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v that_o there_o be_v never_o a_o real_a one_o however_o there_o may_v be_v many_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o it_o and_o this_o to_o be_v show_v out_o of_o the_o very_a letter_n itself_o that_o just_o this_o catalogue_n or_o number_n of_o book_n be_v enough_o for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o no_o one_o necessary_a that_o be_v lose_v none_o be_v abate_v or_o if_o so_o how_o many_o that_o the_o original_n out_o of_o which_o the_o translation_n be_v make_v be_v entire_a and_o uncorrupted_a that_o the_o first_o translation_n be_v skilful_o &_o right_o make_v and_o afterward_o derive_v down_o sincere_a notwithstanding_o the_o errableness_n of_o thousand_o of_o transcriber_n printer_n corrector_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o malice_n of_o ancient_a heretic_n and_o jew_n who_o have_v it_o in_o their_o hand_n and_o last_o that_o this_o and_o this_o only_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o to_o which_o be_v requisite_a great_a skill_n in_o language_n to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o word_n in_o grammar_n to_o know_v what_o meaning_n they_o shall_v general_o beat_v according_a to_o its_o rule_n as_o thus_o construe_v or_o put_v together_o criticism_n to_o know_v what_o a_o word_n do_v most_o common_o or_o may_v possible_o signify_v by_o rule_n 〈◊〉_d nice_a etymology_n or_o acception_n of_o author_n ancient_a or_o modern_a by_o dialect_n of_o several_a country_n etc._n etc._n history_n to_o make_v know_v the_o true_a scope_n of_o the_o author_n the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o his_o meaning_n logic_n to_o draw_v consequence_n aright_o and_o so_o find_v out_o the_o thread_n of_o the_o discourse_n to_o avoid_v equivocation_n in_o word_n by_o discover_v which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v proper_o which_o metaphorical_o and_o to_o apply_v this_o right_n foam_n skill_n in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o that_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o metaphysic_n especial_o that_o which_o treat_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o spirit_n as_o the_o soul_n angel_n god_n and_o his_o attribute_n but_o especial_o in_o divinity_n both_o speculative_a and_o moral_a which_o by_o the_o way_n suppose_v faith_n and_o come_v after_o it_o and_o so_o can_v be_v presuppose_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o precede_v it_o let_v any_o man_n i_o say_v go_v about_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o these_o difficult_a point_n ro_o those_o acute_a man_n and_o will_v they_o not_o smile_v at_o his_o endeavour_n since_o most_o of_o they_o that_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n be_v such_o that_o we_o want_v principle_n to_o go_v about_o to_o evidence_n they_o and_o the_o rest_n so_o obscure_a that_o a_o search_a and_o sincere_a wit_n will_v still_o find_v something_o to_o reply_v to_o rational_o or_o at_o least_o maintain_v his_o ground_n of_o suspense_n with_o a_o may_v it_o not_o be_v otherwise_o and_o be_v some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o these_o point_n demonstrable_a yet_o who_o see_v not_o it_o be_v a_o task_n of_o so_o long_a study_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o a_o man_n life_n will_v be_v spend_v in_o a_o wearisome_a and_o hopeless_a endeavour_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n by_o this_o tedious_a method_n which_o will_v both_o dis-invite_a to_o a_o pursuit_n and_o even_o a_o diligent_a man_n may_v in_o likelihood_n die_v ere_o he_o can_v rational_o embrace_v any_o faith_n at_o all_o i'faith_o then_o be_v intend_v for_o a_o man_n to_o lead_v his_o life_n by_o it_o be_v necessary_a its_o rule_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o it_o shall_v be_v easy_o victorious_a by_o reason_n of_o its_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n over_o the_o shock_n of_o doubt_n or_o the_o assault_n of_o intellectual_a fear_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v defective_a it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o be_v far_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 4._o the_o same_o discourse_n hold_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o convictive_a of_o the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n which_o be_v the_o five_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o to_o apprehend_v this_o more_o lively_a let_v we_o imagine_v it_o apply_v to_o practice_n and_o that_o some_o text_n of_o scripture_n be_v quote_v to_o convince_v a_o deist_n in_o some_o point_n he_o ask_v how_o you_o be_v certain_a that_o book_n be_v god_n word_n you_o allege_v the_o excellency_n of_o it_o which_o indeed_o be_v such_o that_o eye_n already_o enlighten_v by_o true_a faith_n may_v discern_v something_o in_o it_o above_o nature_n and_o cry_v digitus_fw-la d●i_fw-la est_fw-la hîc_fw-la though_o not_o his_o dim_a sight_n he_o answer_v that_o many_o part_n of_o it_o be_v indeed_o very_o excellent_o good_a but_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o requite_v your_o excellency_n with_o many_o strange_a absurdity_n and_o heresy_n even_o by_o your_o own_o confession_n in_o the_o open_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v and_o most_o unworthy_a god_n as_o that_o he_o have_v hand_n foot_n and_o passion_n like_o we_o according_o to_o which_o he_o be_v variable_a he_o find_v you_o direct_a text_n against_o acknowledge_a science_n in_o divers_a particular_n and_o reckon_v up_o a_o multitude_n of_o contradiction_n to_o his_o judgement_n you_o answer_v that_o those_o place_n be_v understand_v according_a to_o human_a apprehension_n and_o be_v indeed_o incompetent_a to_o god_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mystical_a and_o spiritual_a meaning_n couch_v in_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n which_o with_o the_o help_n of_o history_n will_v reconcile_v those_o seem_a contradiction_n he_o cry_v you_o quite_o abandon_v your_o pretend_a rule_n that_o since_o you_o confess_v heresy_n be_v in_o the_o open_a letter_n take_v as_o it_o lie_v you_o must_v have_v some_o knowledge_n in_o your_o head_n concern_v god_n which_o make_v you_o decline_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n as_o they_o lie_v and_o run_v to_o gloss_n they_o and_o demand_n whence_o you_o come_v by_o those_o tenet_n which_o oblige_v you_o to_o correct_v the_o plain_a letter_n challenge_v your_o thought_n and_o carriage_n as_o witness_n that_o that_o