to_o doubt_v i_o ask_v he_o how_o he_o will_v prove_v that_o it_o must_v needs_o exclude_v all_o reason_n of_o actual_a doubt_n from_o the_o mind_n even_o of_o the_o wise_a christian_n unless_o he_o can_v prove_v those_o ground_n can_v possible_o be_v doubt_v of_o with_o reason_n for_o otherwise_o if_o those_o man_n may_v possible_o doubt_v with_o reason_n it_o be_v ten_o to_o one_o they_o will_v do_v so_o actual_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o he_o ought_v then_o to_o say_v those_o motive_n exclude_v all_o possible_a doubt_n or_o be_v undoubtable_a of_o their_o own_o nature_n and_o so_o take_v it_o out_o of_o the_o subject_n strength_n or_o weakness_n and_o put_v it_o upon_o the_o object_n but_o this_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o say_v dread_v the_o consequence_n which_o be_v this_o that_o he_o who_o affirm_v a_o thing_n can_v never_o be_v possible_o doubt_v of_o in_o true_a reason_n must_v affirm_v withal_o that_o he_o have_v motive_n conclude_v it_o absolute_o true_a that_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o if_o it_o depend_v on_o authority_n infallible_a testimony_n for_o it_o which_o his_o superficial_a reason_n full_o resolve_v against_o first_o principle_n or_o identical_a proposition_n can_v never_o reach_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o he_o must_v hold_v to_o actual_a not-doubting_a on_o the_o subject_n side_n that_o be_v he_o must_v say_v the_o motive_n be_v only_o such_o as_o preseru_v prudent_a person_n from_o doubt_n and_o then_o he_o must_v either_o make_v out_o that_o christian_n have_v more_o natural_a prudence_n than_o those_o in_o those_o other_o sect_n natural_a i_o say_v for_o all_o motive_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n must_v be_v object_n of_o our_o natural_a part_n or_o endowment_n or_o else_o confess_v that_o he_o know_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o reason_n for_o those_o other_o sect_n and_o those_o for_o christianity_n according_a to_o the_o ground_n deliver_v by_o he_o here_o both_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n in_o person_n as_o far_o as_o appear_v to_o we_o equal_a in_o prudence_n as_o to_o other_o thing_n neither_o of_o they_o exclude_v possible_a rational_a doubt_n each_o one_o have_v as_o much_o evidence_n of_o their_o deity_n they_o adore_v as_o they_o can_v have_v in_o their_o circumstance_n suppose_v those_o deity_n be_v and_o no_o true_a or_o absolute_o conclusive_a evidence_n appear_v on_o either_o side_n both_o have_v as_o good_a proof_n as_o the_o thing_n afford_v suppose_v it_o be_v and_o such_o as_o exclude_v doubt_v therefore_o according_a to_o dr._n t_n doctrine_n both_o have_v certainty_n and_o all_o be_v parallel_v and_o so_o farewell_n christianity_n religion_n and_o first_o principle_n too_o that_o be_v farewell_o common_a sense_n and_o all_o possibility_n of_o know_v any_o thing_n all_o truth_n and_o goodness_n must_v needs_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o principle_n natural_o self-evident_a and_o establish_v by_o god_n himself_o the_o founder_n of_o nature_n be_v relinquish_v and_o other_o make_v up_o of_o mere_a fancy_n and_o air_n be_v take_v up_o in_o their_o stead_n §_o 10._o i_o know_v dr._n t._n will_v sweat_v and_o fume_n and_o bestir_v all_o his_o knack_n of_o rhetoric_n to_o avoid_v these_o consequence_n of_o his_o doctrine_n i_o expect_v he_o will_v pelt_v i_o with_o ironies_n and_o bitter_a jeer_n cavil_v at_o unelegant_a word_n tell_v i_o what_o some_o divine_n of_o we_o say_v and_o perhaps_o mistake_v they_o all_o the_o while_n stout_o deny_v all_o my_o conclusion_n instead_o of_o answer_v my_o discourse_n nay_o fall_v into_o another_o peevish_a fit_n of_o the_o spleen_n and_o say_v i_o have_v no_o forehead_n for_o drive_v on_o his_o principle_n to_o such_o conclusion_n as_o he_o who_o be_v too_o busy_a at_o word_n to_o mind_n or_o amend_v his_o reason_n never_o dream_v of_o therefore_o to_o defend_v my_o forehead_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o make_v use_n of_o some_o phylactery_n contain_v such_o expression_n take_v out_o of_o his_o first_o sermon_n as_o best_a discover_v to_o we_o his_o thought_n as_o to_o the_o certainty_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o his_o positive_a proof_n and_o the_o point_n itself_o as_o prove_v by_o they_o i_o mean_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o a_o creation_n such_o as_o be_v serm._n p._n 19_o a_o be_v suppose_v of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v a_o very_a likely_a cause_n of_o these_o thing_n what_o more_o likely_a to_o make_v this_o vast_a world_n etc._n etc._n what_o more_o likely_a to_o communicate_v be_v what_o more_o likely_a to_o contrive_v this_o admirable_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n this_o seem_v no_o unreasonable_a account_n p._n 21._o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o this_o sort_n of_o atheist_n come_v to_o this_o which_o be_v the_o more_o credible_a opinion_n that_o the_o world_n be_v never_o make_v etc._n etc._n or_o that_o there_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n such_o a_o be_v as_o we_o conceive_v god_n to_o be_v now_o compare_v the_o probability_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v know_v on_o which_o side_n the_o advantage_n lie_v etc._n etc._n p._n 22._o the_o question_n whether_o the_o world_n be_v create_v or_o not_o can_v only_a be_v decide_v by_o testimony_n and_o probability_n of_o reason_n testimony_n be_v the_o principal_a argument_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o if_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o it_o etc._n etc._n p._n 29._o the_o probability_n of_o reason_n do_v all_o likewise_o favour_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 32._o another_o probability_n be_v etc._n etc._n p._n 34._o these_o be_v the_o chief_z probability_n on_o our_o side_n which_o be_v take_v together_o and_o in_o their_o unite_a sense_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o conviction_n in_o they_o §_o 11._o upon_o these_o word_n and_o expression_n of_o he_o i_o make_v these_o reflection_n 1._o that_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o own_o state_v the_o point_n p._n 21._o he_o make_v it_o amount_v to_o the_o same_o question_n as_o indeed_o it_o do_v whether_o there_o be_v a_o creation_n or_o a_o first_o be_v create_v the_o world_n who_o we_o call_v god_n so_o that_o all_o his_o proof_n be_v indifferent_o to_o be_v take_v as_o aim_v to_o evince_v one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o 2._o that_o this_o be_v so_o he_o stand_v not_o hearty_o to_o any_o one_o argument_n he_o bring_v as_o able_a to_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v or_o creator_n existence_n 3._o that_o his_o word_n which_o be_v expressive_a of_o the_o evidence_n of_o his_o ground_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o point_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n manifest_v too_o plain_o that_o he_o judge_n according_a to_o his_o speculative_a thought_n at_o least_o he_o have_v neither_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o for_o if_o it_o be_v but_o likely_a though_o it_o be_v exceed_o such_o yet_o as_o common_a experience_n teach_v we_o it_o may_v notwithstanding_o be_v false_a if_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o a_o deity_n create_v the_o world_n be_v only_o no_o unreasonable_a one_o this_o signify_v only_o that_o it_o have_v some_o reason_n or_o other_o for_o it_o and_o every_o man_n know_v that_o seldom_o or_o never_o do_v two_o wit_n discourse_v contrary_a position_n or_o lawyer_n plead_v for_o contrary_a cause_n or_o preacher_n preach_v for_o contrary_a opinion_n but_o there_o be_v some_o reason_n produce_v by_o they_o for_o either_o side_n and_o so_o for_o any_o thing_n he_o have_v say_v the_o atheist_n may_v come_v to_o give_v no_o unreasonable_a account_n too_o that_o there_o be_v no_o deity_n though_o it_o be_v something_o less_o reasonable_a than_o that_o for_o a_o deity_n and_o if_o the_o controversy_n between_o atheist_n and_o we_o be_v only_o this_o whether_o be_v the_o more_o credible_a opinion_n than_o the_o other_o opinion_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o creation_n or_o be_v no_o god_n be_v yield_v to_o be_v credible_a too_o though_o not_o so_o credible_a as_o that_o there_o be_v also_o if_o we_o ought_v to_o compare_v the_o probability_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o may_v know_v on_o which_o side_n the_o advantage_n lie_v it_o be_v intimate_v to_o we_o and_o grant_v that_o it_o be_v probable_a there_o be_v no_o god_n though_o it_o be_v more_o probable_a there_o be_v and_o while_o it_o be_v but_o probable_a though_o it_o be_v very_o much_o more_o yet_o it_o may_v very_o easy_o be_v false_a as_o every_o day_n experience_n teach_v we_o in_o a_o thousand_o instance_n wherein_o ourselves_o be_v mistake_v through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n which_o common_o happen_v when_o the_o far_o more_o probable_a side_n prove_v false_a else_o we_o have_v not_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o true_a and_o by_o that_o mean_v be_v mistake_v again_o if_o the_o probability_n of_o reason_n do_v but_o favour_v our_o side_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o
a_o conclusion_n of_o a_o syllogism_n that_o be_v they_o can_v be_v conclude_v or_o admit_v of_o proof_n wherefore_o since_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o the_o prime_a verity_n can_v admit_v proof_n their_o term_n must_v be_v far_a from_o have_v any_o middle_a term_n come_v between_o they_o that_o be_v imaginable_a that_o be_v must_v be_v of_o the_o selfsame_a notion_n and_o so_o they_o must_v be_v identical_a proposition_n the_o former_a of_o these_o discourse_n be_v put_v down_o by_o i_o letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 10_o 11_o 12._o which_o one_o will_v think_v it_o become_v a_o logician_n to_o speak_v to_o but_o my_o adversary_n be_v of_o another_o metal_n not_o the_o very_a same_o but_o near_o akin_a to_o aes_fw-la sonans_fw-la aut_fw-la cymbalum_fw-la tinniens_fw-la he_o never_o meddle_v willing_o with_o premise_n or_o proof_n but_o deny_v the_o conclusion_n stout_o never_o acknowledge_v what_o be_v say_v in_o its_o behalf_n and_o tinkle_v a_o little_a rhetoric_n against_o it_o which_o do_v who_o will_v think_v it_o immediate_o as_o with_o some_o charm_n the_o term_n unconnect_v of_o themselves_o and_o miraculous_o fly_v asunder_o and_o though_o before_o it_o look_v like_o good_a honest_a reason_n yet_o by_o his_o give_v it_o a_o disguise_n instead_o of_o a_o confute_v it_o be_v turn_v perfect_a nonsense_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o argument_n §_o 5._o logic_n tell_v we_o moreover_o that_o whatever_o accidental_a consideration_n may_v enhance_v opposition_n it_o be_v agree_v by_o all_o that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v formal_o and_o intrinsical_o the_o great_a or_o first_o of_o falsehood_n also_o that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v a_o affirm_v and_o deny_v the_o same_o of_o the_o same_o according_a to_o all_o the_o same_o respect_n wherefore_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n be_v the_o first_o of_o truth_n aught_o to_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a to_o those_o that_o be_v a_o affirm_v or_o deny_v the_o same_o of_o the_o same_o according_a to_o all_o the_o same_o respect_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v express_v but_o by_o a_o identical_a proposition_n §_o 6._o add_v that_o since_o contradiction_n be_v faulty_a and_o all_o fault_n be_v a_o privation_n of_o the_o opposite_a good_a which_o it_o violate_v it_o follow_v that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v innocent_a do_v it_o not_o violate_v some_o opposite_a truth_n since_o then_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v every_o reflect_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o assign_v any_o truth_n opposite_a to_o a_o contradiction_n but_o a_o identical_a proposition_n it_o follow_v that_o first_o truth_n or_o first_o principle_n must_v be_v identical_a proposition_n §_o 7._o to_o explain_v this_o better_a we_o shall_v find_v by_o reflection_n that_o two_o contradictory_n proposition_n be_v comprisable_v into_o one_o equivalent_a to_o both_o who_o subject_a and_o predicate_v contradict_v one_o another_o as_o peter_n here_o and_o now_o run_v peter_z here_o and_o now_o run_v not_o be_v necessary_o equivalent_a to_o this_o what_o here_o and_o now_o run_v here_o and_o now_o run_v not_o so_o likewise_o scripture's_n letter_n be_v a_o rule_n scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n be_v equivalent_a to_o this_o something_o which_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v how_o clear_a a_o truth_n it_o be_v that_o identical_a proposition_n be_v the_o proper_a opposite_n to_o contradiction_n or_o the_o truth_n they_o direct_o and_o immediate_o violate_v and_o consequent_o first_o principles_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a man_n wit_n rack_v to_o its_o utmost_a can_v invent_v any_o opposite_a to_o what_o run_v run_v not_o but_o what_o run_v run_n or_o to_o what_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n but_o what_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n last_o the_o nature_n of_o contradiction_n in_o common_a put_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o once_o and_o consequent_o put_v this_o proposition_n what_o be_v not_o be_v to_o which_o the_o only_a opposite_a truth_n be_v what_o be_v be_v which_o be_v therefore_o the_o first_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n and_o all_o other_o first_o principle_n as_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n a_o man_n a_o man_n etc._n etc._n be_v but_o particular_n subsume_v under_o it_o and_o partake_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a manner_n of_o its_o clear_a light_n §_o 8._o far_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o more_o remote_a the_o term_n of_o a_o proposition_n be_v from_o formal_a identity_n the_o less_o evident_a they_o be_v and_o the_o more_o proof_n they_o require_v as_o also_o that_o they_o still_o grow_v near_o and_o near_o to_o evidence_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o approach_n towards_o the_o say_a identity_n wherefore_o since_o all_o approach_n of_o distant_a thing_n if_o pursue_v end_v in_o a_o conjoin_v and_o centre_v in_o the_o same_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o distance_n in_o notion_n among_o term_n end_n in_o their_o be_v the_o same_o in_o notion_n that_o be_v in_o a_o identical_a proposition_n as_o also_o that_o such_o proposition_n be_v for_o the_o reason_n give_v the_o most_o evident_a that_o may_v be_v and_o so_o in_o both_o regard_v the_o very_a first_o principles_n §_o 9_o far_o all_o proposition_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o proof_n or_o all_o conclusion_n must_v have_v their_o term_n material_o identical_a that_o be_v what_o correspond_v to_o both_o their_o notion_n must_v be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n else_o they_o can_v not_o be_v true_a nor_o capable_a to_o be_v prove_v wherefore_o the_o term_n in_o first_o principle_n must_v be_v formal_o such_o nay_o the_o most_o formal_o that_o be_v possible_a but_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v more_o formal_o identical_a than_o to_o have_v the_o predicate_v and_o subject_a every_o way_n the_o same_o such_o therefore_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n ought_v necessary_o to_o be_v §_o 10._o there_o be_v also_o in_o logic_n a_o way_n of_o argue_v by_o bring_v one_o to_o a_o absurdity_n or_o contradiction_n and_o this_o be_v perform_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n one_o by_o force_v the_o defendant_n to_o contradict_v himself_o the_o other_o by_o oblige_v he_o to_o contradict_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v available_a as_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la but_o the_o latter_a attempt_n if_o bring_v to_o effect_v be_v a_o perfect_a conquest_n and_o why_o but_o because_o it_o put_v the_o defendant_n to_o violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n under_o debate_n that_o be_v to_o thwart_v this_o first_o principle_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o for_o example_n to_o make_v quantity_n not_o to_o be_v quantity_n a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n faith_n not_o to_o be_v faith_n as_o shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o more_o clear_o when_o we_o come_v to_o see_v the_o use_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o particular_a instance_n §_o 11._o moreover_o if_o it_o be_v well_o examine_v it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o all_o efficiency_n and_o passiveness_n that_o be_v all_o kind_n of_o operation_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n exerting_fw-mi or_o as_o it_o be_v imprint_v itself_o upon_o the_o subject_a in_o which_o it_o work_v its_o effect_n for_o example_n when_o a_o brass_n seal_n make_v a_o impression_n upon_o soft_a wax_n no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o this_o effect_n abstract_v from_o motion_n which_o be_v cause_v by_o a_o nature_n superior_a to_o body_n but_o only_o this_o that_o the_o agent_n be_v of_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o density_n or_o hardness_n as_o if_o move_v or_o apply_v to_o that_o matter_n be_v apt_a to_o alter_v the_o figure_n of_o its_o part_n according_a to_o its_o own_o mould_n and_o the_o patient_n of_o such_o a_o yield_a nature_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o as_o to_o receive_v its_o impression_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o that_o degree_n rare_a as_o to_o lose_v it_o again_o by_o the_o action_n of_o the_o common_a cause_n in_o nature_n till_o some_o more_o particular_a agent_n come_v to_o efface_v it_o it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o all_o causality_n essential_o depend_v on_o and_o be_v final_o resolve_v into_o this_o truth_n that_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o they_o be_v which_o be_v their_o be_v in_o part_n what_o they_o be_v all_o knowledge_n then_o of_o cause_n and_o effect_v and_o consequent_o all_o demonstration_n be_v ultimate_o refund_v that_o be_v primary_o build_v on_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v thing_n be_v what_o they_o be_v that_o be_v into_o identical_a one_o §_o 12._o last_o he_o who_o be_v essential_a wisdom_n and_o truth_n itself_o have_v propose_v to_o we_o a_o identical_a proposition_n in_o those_o word_n i_o be_o what_o i_o be_o which_o be_v the_o first_o increated_a truth_n as_o
and_o adhere_v to_o they_o as_o such_o since_o on_o the_o one_o side_n they_o be_v of_o a_o large_a extent_n as_o principle_n use_v to_o be_v and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n he_o see_v no_o principle_n they_o be_v opposite_a to_o and_o so_o ought_v to_o take_v they_o for_o â—_z when_o dr._n t._n give_v the_o world_n satisfaction_n in_o this_o point_n i_o will_v follow_v his_o nonsensical_a admonition_n and_o renounce_v all_o principle_n as_o far_o as_o god_n and_o nature_n will_v give_v i_o leave_v for_o in_o that_o case_n nonsense_n will_v be_v the_o best_a sense_n and_o contradiction_n the_o perfect_a truth_n but_o till_o he_o do_v this_o he_o must_v remain_v in_o his_o despair_n of_o convince_a i_o i_o can_v for_o my_o heart_n help_v it_o §_o 19_o i_o shall_v add_v one_o word_n more_o to_o the_o true_o learned_a reader_n our_o imperfect_a manner_n of_o know_v in_o rhis_fw-la state_n oblige_v we_o to_o detail_v or_o as_o it_o be_v divide_v the_o object_n we_o will_v know_v into_o many_o abstract_a inadequate_a or_o partial_a conception_n which_o we_o use_v to_o rank_v orderly_o in_o the_o ten_o predicament_n and_o then_o to_o compound_v those_o single_a conception_n into_o proposition_n and_o those_o into_o discourse_n whereas_o separate_a substance_n when_o they_o know_v any_o object_n neither_o compound_v nor_o divide_v at_o all_o but_o with_o one_o intuitive_a view_n see_v the_o whole_a to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v wherefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o our_o knowledge_n that_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o come_v so_o near_o their_o way_n of_o operate_n as_o our_o act_n of_o know_v identical_a proposition_n it_o divide_v as_o little_a as_o be_v possible_a for_o our_o state_n for_o it_o predicate_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o whole_a for_o which_o very_a reason_n it_o as_o little_a compound_n again_o and_o do_v not_o our_o condition_n here_o forcible_o exact_a oâ—_n we_o to_o frame_v a_o proposition_n or_o connect_v together_o inadequate_a notion_n by_o a_o copula_fw-la when_o we_o will_v express_v a_o truth_n it_o will_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o intuitive_a see_v the_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v and_o so_o indeed_o after_o a_o sort_n it_o be_v but_o confuse_a all_o clearness_n here_o arise_v from_o a_o perfect_a distinguish_v our_o notion_n yet_o it_o resemble_v not_o a_o little_a in_o its_o absolute_a evidence_n immovable_a firmness_n and_o its_o near_a approach_n possible_a to_o simple_a intuition_n whence_o it_o hint_n to_o a_o soul_n deâ—irous_a of_o truth_n the_o glorious_a satisfaction_n it_o will_v enjoy_v when_o the_o screen_n of_o our_o body_n be_v take_v away_o to_o have_v at_o one_o prospect_n all_o the_o whole_a creation_n and_o each_o single_a thing_n in_o it_o present_v to_o her_o ravish_a understanding_n and_o see_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v with_o a_o far_o great_a evidence_n possess_v and_o hold_v with_o a_o incomparable_o great_a firmness_n and_o penetrate_v by_o a_o transcendent_o more_o excellent_a and_o simple_a manner_n of_o know_v than_o whâ—t_v we_o now_o experience_n here_o in_o those_o weak_a yet_o best_o resemblance_n our_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n and_o indeed_o '_o â—is_n but_o fit_v that_o those_o supreme_a knowledge_n which_o ground_n both_o our_o definition_n the_o matter_n and_o all_o force_n of_o consequence_n the_o form_n of_o our_o inferior_a way_n of_o knowledge_n by_o reason_v shall_v be_v near_o ally_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o know_v proper_a to_o those_o high_a sort_n of_o intellectual_a creature_n that_o so_o as_o the_o wise_a order_n of_o the_o world_n require_v the_o supremum_fw-la infimi_fw-la may_v touch_v or_o immediate_o confine_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v infimum_fw-la supremi_fw-la §_o 20._o by_o this_o time_n i_o hope_v those_o learned_a and_o intelligent_a person_n to_o who_o i_o address_v this_o discourse_n will_v discern_v i_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o hold_v identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v first_o principles_n i_o beseech_v they_o to_o review_v all_o dr._n t._n have_v say_v against_o they_o either_o here_o or_o in_o any_o other_o place_n and_o when_o they_o have_v discover_v it_o all_o to_o be_v mere_a empty_a drollery_n they_o will_v just_o wonder_v at_o his_o confidence_n that_o dare_v appear_v before_o scholar_n in_o print_n and_o think_v to_o carry_v it_o off_o with_o soppish_a jest_n as_o if_o his_o reader_n have_v only_a risibility_n in_o they_o and_o no_o rationality_n yet_o in_o reliance_n on_o these_o unfailing_a ground_n he_o end_v with_o a_o declaration_n to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o principle_n but_o such_o as_o these_o mean_v identical_a proposition_n he_o neither_o have_v any_o principle_n nor_o will_v have_v any_o a_o excellent_a resolution_n and_o hard_o to_o keep_v yet_o i_o will_v wager_v ten_o to_o one_o on_o his_o head_n that_o in_o despite_n of_o both_o art_n and_o nature_n he_o shall_v hold_v it_o as_o well_o as_o any_o man_n live_v and_o that_o when_o he_o come_v to_o lay_v any_o principle_n of_o his_o own_o the_o term_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o identical_a that_o all_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n shall_v not_o make_v they_o hang_v together_o at_o all_o §_o 21._o the_o sum_n of_o thâ—s_n whole_a discourse_n about_o principle_n be_v this_o all_o science_n à _fw-la priori_fw-la be_v thus_o originize_v the_o first_o be_v be_v what_o he_o be_v that_o be_v self-existence_n be_v self-existence_n and_o so_o essential_o unchangeable_a wherefore_o the_o essence_n of_o thing_n depend_v sole_o on_o the_o relation_n they_o have_v to_o what_o be_v in_o in_o god_n that_o be_v to_o what_o be_v god_n be_v unchangeable_a likewise_o or_o be_v establish_v in_o their_o own_o be_v that_o be_v fix_v in_o their_o own_o particular_a and_o distinct_a nature_n which_o we_o fit_o express_v by_o identical_a proposition_n affirm_v they_o to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v hence_o they_o become_v capable_a of_o have_v the_o determinate_a bound_n of_o their_o nature_n describe_v in_o certain_a form_n of_o speech_n call_v definition_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o expression_n of_o their_o distinction_n from_o all_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n the_o way_n to_o make_v these_o definition_n be_v twofold_a one_o by_o collect_v the_o natural_a say_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n about_o that_o thing_n as_o such_o and_o then_o observe_v in_o what_o notion_n those_o several_a say_n of_o they_o do_v centre_n the_o distinct_a expression_n of_o which_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o definition_n for_o they_o know_v through_o practical_a self-evidence_n the_o distinction_n of_o one_o thing_n from_o another_o by_o a_o perpetual_a converse_n wâ—th_v they_o have_v the_o right_a notion_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o theâ—r_a mind_n and_o those_o say_n genuine_o deliver_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o that_o notion_n imprint_v there_o by_o the_o teach_n of_o nature_n the_o otâ—er_a way_n be_v by_o sort_v all_o our_o notion_n under_o certain_a distinct_a head_n and_o then_o divide_v the_o high_a or_o most_o general_a notion_n in_o such_o a_o head_n by_o intrinsical_v difference_n till_o by_o descend_v they_o light_v on_o that_o difference_n which_o constitute_v and_o join_v with_o the_o genus_fw-la which_o it_o divide_v define_v that_o nature_n the_o definition_n have_v that_o be_v a_o diâ—â—inct_a knowledge_n be_v gain_v of_o what_o it_o be_v in_o which_o any_o nature_n agree_v with_o other_o and_o in_o what_o it_o differ_v from_o they_o reason_n have_v more_o room_n to_o stir_v herself_o in_o or_o more_o matter_n to_o work_v upon_o in_o order_n to_o bring_v thing_n to_o a_o further_a distinction_n and_o clearness_n and_o first_o by_o a_o due_a consideration_n and_o reflection_n practical_a self-evidence_n still_o assist_v for_o the_o great_a man_n of_o art_n must_v nâ—t_o leave_v off_o be_v child_n of_o nature_n nay_o perhaps_o it_o be_v their_o best_a title_n the_o proper_a cause_n and_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n begin_v to_o appear_v and_o thence_o middle_a term_n for_o demonstrative_a syllogism_n disclose_v themselves_o and_o science_n begin_v to_o spread_v itself_o and_o advance_v or_o if_o two_o notion_n be_v to_o be_v show_v connect_v which_o seem_v remote_a the_o notion_n which_o direct_o compound_v their_o definition_n be_v to_o be_v resolve_v far_o and_o their_o resolution_n pursue_v till_o something_o appear_v in_o both_o of_o they_o which_o be_v formal_o identical_a that_o be_v till_o some_o identical_a proposition_n come_v to_o be_v engage_v for_o example_n if_o one_o will_v prove_v that_o virtue_n be_v laudable_a he_o will_v find_v that_o laudable_a be_v deserve_v to_o be_v speak_v well_o of_o and_o practical_a self-evidence_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n tell_v we_o that_o our_o speech_n be_v frame_v natural_o to_o express_v our_o thought_n that_o thing_n deserve_v to_o be_v speak_v well_o of_o which_o deserve_v to_o be_v think_v well_o
it_o be_v the_o first_o create_v one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o discourse_v about_o creature_n as_o to_o their_o nature_n or_o essâ—nces_n that_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v therefore_o true_a because_o god_n be_v what_o he_o be_v or_o because_o self-existence_n be_v self-existence_n as_o be_v explicate_v above_o §_o 1._o &_o 2._o which_o i_o hope_v dr._n t_n goodness_n will_v so_o much_o prevail_v above_o his_o ignorance_n as_o not_o to_o judge_v ridiculous_a whatever_o he_o think_v of_o the_o first_o create_v truth_n which_o immediate_o depend_v on_o the_o other_o §_o 13._o but_o why_o must_v first_o principles_n be_v necessary_o express_v with_o that_o most_o perfectly-formal_a identity_n or_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v put_v in_o the_o selfsame_a word_n be_v it_o not_o enough_o the_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o as_o be_v find_v in_o definition_n but_o the_o word_n must_v be_v the_o same_o also_o which_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o ridiculousness_n and_o seem_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o possibility_n of_o advance_v towards_o new_a knowledge_n why_o can_v then_o the_o definition_n serve_v to_o principle_n all_o our_o discourse_n about_o the_o thing_n define_v without_o recur_v to_o such_o proposition_n as_o appear_v little_o better_o than_o flâ—t_n and_o insignificant_a as_o to_o that_o purpose_n i_o answer_v the_o objection_n in_o great_a part_n demand_v what_o use_v can_v be_v make_v of_o first_o principle_n which_o shall_v be_v speak_v to_o in_o the_o next_o discourse_n but_o that_o definition_n be_v not_o the_o very_a prime_a verity_n of_o all_o appear_v evident_o already_o because_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n possibility_n to_o be_v define_v must_v necessary_o antecede_v the_o definition_n and_o the_o same_o will_v be_v far_o clear_v by_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o definition_n be_v often_o liable_a to_o dispute_v but_o identical_a proposition_n never_o i_o have_v hear_v a_o certain_a learned_a and_o ingenuous_a person_n disallow_v he_o rational_a creature_n to_o be_v a_o right_a definition_n of_o a_o man_n and_o discourse_v very_o sober_o how_o proud_a a_o thing_n mankind_n be_v to_o arrogate_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o himself_o whereas_o diverse_a bird_n and_o beast_n in_o their_o several_a sphere_n have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o reason_n than_o he._n and_o yet_o i_o dare_v say_v the_o same_o gentleman_n will_v hearty_o allow_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n nay_o indeed_o all_o the_o sceptic_n in_o the_o world_n admit_v identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o the_o same_o man_n quarrel_v every_o definition_n extant_a since_o then_o it_o be_v direct_o against_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n to_o be_v dlsputable_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o definition_n can_v be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o all_o 2._o first_o principles_n ought_v to_o be_v principia_fw-la intellectus_fw-la and_o natural_o ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o so_o they_o may_v oblige_v all_o under_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o nature_n to_o acquiesce_v to_o their_o verity_n whereas_o definition_n be_v not_o such_o but_o acquire_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n for_o example_n by_o a_o long_a course_n of_o observation_n heedful_o attend_v to_o the_o action_n of_o man_n as_o man_n and_o thence_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o first_o principle_n evidence_v so_o constant_a a_o hit_v in_o so_o many_o particular_n to_o be_v beyond_o chance_n or_o accident_n gather_v his_o primary_n and_o proper_a operation_n we_o come_v to_o know_v the_o definition_n of_o man_n none_o of_o which_o need_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o nature-taught_a proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o man_n or_o a_o rational_a creature_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n moreover_o definition_n general_o need_v some_o skill_n of_o art_n to_o make_v they_o and_o all_o art_n presuppose_v some_o first_o principle_n whence_o it_o be_v impossible_a definition_n shall_v be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o 3._o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o word_n be_v liable_a to_o equivocation_n where_o there_o be_v few_o word_n there_o be_v less_o room_n for_o equivocate_a wherefore_o since_o first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o consequent_o the_o most_o unequivocal_a that_o can_v be_v imagine_v definition_n which_o explicate_v the_o notion_n in_o more_o word_n afford_v more_o room_n for_o equivocation_n and_o consequent_o be_v even_o in_o this_o regard_n less_o fit_a to_o be_v first_o principles_n 4._o last_o logical_a trick_n of_o nice_o distinguish_v sometime_o elude_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o proposition_n at_o least_o darken_v it_o from_o which_o inconvenience_n first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o most_o free_a that_o may_v be_v now_o definition_n yield_v more_o room_n for_o equivocalness_n do_v by_o consequence_n give_v more_o occasion_n of_o distinguish_v whereas_o identical_a proposition_n afford_v not_o the_o least_o for_o example_n this_o proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n bear_v this_o distinction_n a_o man_n be_v rational_a in_o some_o thing_n as_o in_o discourse_v those_o notion_n that_o concern_v quantity_n but_o not_o in_o other_o e._n g._n those_o which_o concern_v be_v or_o rational_a that_o be_v capable_a to_o discourse_v right_o the_o nature_n of_o some_o body_n but_o not_o of_o spirit_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a hence_o that_o this_o definition_n of_o man_n be_v by_o this_o mean_v render_v in_o show_n ambiguous_a and_o i_o wish_v there_o be_v not_o too_o many_o in_o the_o world_n who_o out_o of_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a method_n to_o science_n think_v this_o distinction_n both_o wellgrounded_n and_o very_o pertinent_a now_o this_o be_v so_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o true_a limit_n of_o the_o definition_n of_o man_n become_v doubtful_a by_o such_o kind_n of_o distinction_n and_o consequent_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o definition_n itself_o unknown_a whereas_o nothing_o of_o this_o can_v possible_o happen_v in_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n since_o whatever_o distinction_n affect_v the_o predicate_v must_v also_o affect_v the_o subject_a and_o so_o the_o proposition_n remain_v still_o entire_o identical_a and_o perfect_o true_a and_o not_o in_o part_n only_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o other_o it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o all_o imaginable_a consideration_n that_o can_v belong_v to_o this_o peculiar_a matter_n that_o the_o very_o first_o principle_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o identical_a proposition_n §_o 14._o as_o for_o their_o seem_a ridiculous_a to_o some_o person_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o those_o man_n of_o mirth_n be_v lead_v much_o by_o fancy_n and_o inure_v all_o their_o life_n to_o pretty_a plausibility_n and_o seldom_o or_o never_o reflect_v on_o or_o discourse_v orderly_o from_o such_o ground_n be_v hence_o apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o first_o principle_n aâ—e_v certain_a great_a rarity_n or_o production_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a height_n of_o wit_n when_o therefore_o they_o come_v to_o hear_v identical_a proposition_n allege_v for_o first_o principle_n see_v their_o high_a expectation_n so_o strange_o disappoint_v they_o hereupon_o grow_v pleasant_a at_o the_o defeat_n of_o their_o fancy_n never_o consider_v that_o because_o first_o principle_n ground_n all_o possible_a discourse_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o and_o therefore_o be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n even_o the_o rude_a in_o the_o world_n and_o inbred_a in_o they_o they_o must_v therefore_o be_v the_o far_a from_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o wit_n and_o the_o most_o plain_o down_o right_a say_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v whence_o they_o be_v better_o learn_v from_o the_o vulgar_a than_o they_o be_v from_o great_a scholar_n and_o therefore_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v go_v to_o work_v solid_o ought_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o result_v of_o pure_a natural_a knowledge_n attend_v to_o such_o as_o speak_v mere_a nature_n rather_o than_o to_o those_o who_o mingle_v and_o perhaps_o corrupt_v it_o with_o airy_a speculation_n which_o have_v not_o that_o firm_a basis_n to_o ground_v their_o discourse_n now_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o nature-instructed_n vulgar_a be_v apt_a to_o deliver_v themselves_o in_o such_o kind_n of_o plain_a speech_n in_o due_a occasion_n and_o make_v use_n of_o they_o as_o truth_n which_o fix_v their_o judgement_n in_o a_o unalterableness_n for_o example_n if_o a_o man_n will_v force_v one_o of_o they_o to_o forgo_v what_o be_v very_o evident_a he_o will_v stick_v firm_o to_o the_o point_n and_o tell_v you_o sober_o that_o truth_n be_v truth_n or_o that_o he_o be_v sure_a a_o spade_n be_v a_o spade_n or_o that_o he_o know_v what_o he_o know_v or_o if_o it_o be_v in_o a_o point_n belong_v to_o justice_n that_o right_o be_v right_o and_o bring_v in_o these_o as_o evidence_n from_o
virtue_n of_o the_o plain_a evidence_n of_o this_o one_o paradox_n to_o overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n nay_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o natural_a science_n to_o boot_v for_o these_o according_a to_o he_o be_v sole_o build_v upon_o induction_n which_o depend_v on_o sensation_n and_o these_o if_o we_o may_v trust_v he_o be_v all_o possible_a to_o be_v deceive_v §_o 19_o and_o be_v not_o faith_n itself_o by_o these_o ground_n leave_v in_o the_o same_o pickle_n it_o be_v rule_n whether_o it_o be_v tradition_n or_o scripture_n letter_n evident_o depend_v upon_o humane_a authority_n and_o this_o say_v he_o be_v all_o fallible_a and_o what_o be_v build_v on_o a_o fallible_a authority_n say_v common_a sense_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a therefore_o it_o be_v most_o unavoidable_a from_o his_o principle_n that_o all_o faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a however_o the_o shame_n of_o own_v so_o unchristian_a and_o half-atheistical_a a_o tenet_n make_v he_o very_o stiff_o and_o angry_o deny_v the_o conclusion_n but_o he_o shall_v never_o show_v why_o it_o be_v not_o a_o most_o necessary_a and_o genuine_a consequence_n from_o his_o position_n of_o all_o humane_a authority_n be_v fallible_a i_o expect_v that_o instead_o of_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o the_o force_n of_o my_o argument_n he_o will_v tinkle_v a_o little_a rhetoric_n against_o my_o conclusion_n or_o start_v aside_o to_o a_o logical_a possibility_n that_o man_n may_v be_v deceive_v and_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o contradiction_n in_o term_n and_o so_o may_v be_v effect_v by_o the_o divine_a omnipotence_n but_o that_o be_v not_o our_o point_n we_o be_v discourse_v what_o will_v follow_v out_o of_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o cause_n the_o conduct_n of_o which_o be_v the_o work_n of_o the_o world_n alwise_a governor_n whence_o if_o those_o portion_n of_o nature_n or_o mankind_n can_v be_v deceive_v without_o miracle_n and_o it_o be_v most_o unbeseeming_a god_n to_o do_v a_o miracle_n which_o reach_v in_o a_o manner_n a_o whole_a species_n as_o that_o no_o fire_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v burn_v no_o water_n wet_a especial_o if_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o conceive_v that_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o truth_n nay_o essential_a truth_n itself_o shall_v do_v such_o a_o stupendous_a and_o never-yet-heard-of_a miracle_n to_o lead_v man_n into_o error_n as_o be_v our_o case_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_o consequent_a it_o can_v be_v effect_v at_o all_o that_o mankind_n shall_v be_v fallible_a in_o knowledge_n build_v on_o their_o constant_a sensation_n §_o 20._o it_o follow_v and_o though_o none_o of_o these_o be_v strict_a demonstration_n yet_o have_v we_o a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o best_a argument_n that_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v to_o this_o we_o will_v speak_v when_o we_o come_v to_o examine_v his_o firm_a principle_n he_o proceed_v none_o can_v demonstrate_v to_o i_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o island_n in_o america_n as_o jamaica_n yet_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o credible_a person_n and_o author_n who_o have_v write_v of_o it_o i_o be_o as_o free_a from_o all_o doubt_n concern_v it_o as_o from_o doubt_v of_o the_o clear_a mathematical_a demonstration_n true_a none_o can_v demonstrate_v there_o be_v either_o jamaica_n or_o any_o such_o place_n yet_o i_o see_v not_o why_o they_o may_v not_o demonstrate_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o attester_n from_o the_o visibility_n of_o the_o object_n and_o their_o veracity_n from_o the_o impossibility_n they_o shall_v all_o conspire_v to_o act_v or_o say_v so_o without_o some_o appear_a good_a for_o their_o object_n or_o intend_v to_o deceive_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n and_o so_o circumstance_v when_o it_o be_v evident_o impossible_a they_o shall_v compass_v their_o intend_a end_n as_o for_o his_o affirm_v that_o he_o be_v as_o free_v from_o all_o doubt_n concern_v it_o as_o he_o be_v from_o doubt_v of_o the_o clear_a mathematical_a demonstration_n i_o answer_v that_o a_o man_n may_v 〈…〉_z yet_o not_o hold_v the_o thing_n true_a as_o shall_v present_o be_v show_v and_o if_o dr._n t._n pleâ—se_v to_o look_v into_o his_o own_o thought_n he_o shall_v find_v instill_a through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n more_o than_o a_o bare_a freedom_n from_o doubt_n viz._n such_o a_o firm_a assent_n &_o adherence_n to_o it_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n that_o he_o will_v deem_v he_o a_o madman_n or_o a_o deserter_n of_o humane_a nature_n who_o can_v doubt_v of_o it_o and_o in_o a_o word_n as_o firm_a a_o assent_n as_o to_o any_o mathematical_a demonstration_n which_o why_o he_o shall_v according_a to_o maxim_n of_o right_a reason_n have_v unless_o he_o have_v a_o demonstration_n of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o see_v it_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n impossible_a that_o authority_n shall_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la be_v deceive_v or_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v and_o so_o hold_v the_o authority_n infallible_a as_o to_o this_o point_n i_o expect_v his_o logic_n shall_v inform_v i_o §_o 21._o we_o be_v now_o come_v to_o take_v a_o view_n of_o dr._n t_n performance_n hitherto_o he_o have_v omit_v the_o proper_a science_n for_o his_o purpose_n metaphysic_n i_o suppose_v because_o it_o sometime_o use_v those_o hard_a word_n potentiality_n and_o actuality_n which_o his_o delicate_a ear_n can_v brook_v and_o have_v seclude_v morality_n physics_n and_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o the_o nature_n which_o ground_n all_o humane_a authority_n and_o christian_a faith_n from_o be_v science_n allow_v it_o only_o to_o the_o mathematics_n which_o will_v make_v one_o very_o think_v the_o world_n be_v perverse_o order_v and_o odd_o disproportion_v to_o the_o nature_n and_o good_a of_o mankind_n for_o which_o we_o christian_n agree_v it_o be_v create_v that_o great_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o power_n to_o act_v aright_o shall_v be_v find_v in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o far_o less_o import_n than_o in_o those_o which_o be_v of_o a_o concern_v incomparable_o high_o yet_o it_o matter_n less_o some_o may_v think_v as_o long_o as_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o assent_v to_o any_o of_o those_o conclusion_n in_o those_o respective_a subject_n the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o whâ—ch_n dr._n t_n discourse_n call_v into_o question_n or_o rather_o deny_v whence_o iâ—_n we_o have_v in_o these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o knowledge_n enough_o to_o determine_v we_o to_o act_v exterior_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o suffice_v but_o now_o when_o we_o come_v to_o faith_n where_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o assent_v or_o to_o hold_v fâ—rmly_o and_o very_o judge_v the_o thing_n true_a and_o where_o exterior_a act_n will_v not_o do_v the_o work_n or_o carry_v a_o soul_n to_o bliss_n but_o interior_a act_n of_o a_o firm_a faith_n a_o vigorous_a hope_n build_v on_o that_o faith_n and_o a_o ardent_a and_o overpower_v love_n of_o unseen_a goods_n spring_v out_o of_o both_o these_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o fit_a we_o for_o a_o union_n with_o our_o infinitely-blissful_a object_n and_o the_o strength_n of_o all_o these_o be_v fundamental_o build_v on_o the_o secureness_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n in_o this_o case_n i_o say_v a_o rational_a considerer_n wouâ—d_v think_v it_o very_o requiâ—â—â—e_a that_o the_o reason_n of_o so_o hearty_a a_o assent_n but_o especial_o for_o that_o most_o fundamental_a point_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n it_o be_v of_o a_o infinitely-high_a nature_n and_o import_n shall_v be_v fâ—ll_a as_o evident_a as_o the_o most_o evident_a of_o those_o inferior_a concern_v and_o in_o comparison_n trifle_a curiosity_n and_o not_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v manage_v on_o such_o a_o fashion_n as_o if_o mankinâ—_n be_v only_o make_v to_o study_v mathematics_n since_o absolute_a evidence_n his_o best_a natural_a perfection_n be_v according_a to_o dr._n t._n only_o find_v in_o these_o whence_o we_o see_v that_o mathematician_n be_v infinite_o behold_v to_o he_o but_o philosopher_n not_o at_o all_o and_o i_o fear_v christian_n as_o little_a now_o these_o two_o point_n be_v according_a to_o my_o way_n of_o discourse_v for_o this_o very_a reason_n take_v from_o the_o end_n and_o use_v of_o faith_n and_o the_o obligation_n lie_v on_o we_o to_o hold_v and_o profess_v it_o true_a self-evident_a practical_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o vulgar_a and_o demonstrable_a to_o the_o learned_a let_v we_o see_v what_o strong_a ground_n of_o such_o a_o immovably-firm_a assent_n dr._n t._n will_v afford_v the_o world_n for_o that_o first_o and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n of_o which_o if_o we_o can_v be_v assure_v all_o else_o that_o belong_v to_o faith_n be_v not_o worth_a hee_n discourse_n v._n dr._n t_n firm_a
principle_n examine_v of_o suspense_n and_o assent_n of_o great_a likelihood_n freedom_n from_o actual_a doubt_n fair_a probability_n and_o other_o mock-certainty_n §_o 1._o he_o introduce_v his_o discourse_n thus_o so_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n by_o all_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v by_o as_o good_a argument_n as_o that_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v as_o we_o can_v possible_o have_v suppose_v it_o be_v we_o ought_v not_o in_o reason_n to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o that_o thing_n this_o be_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o first_o principle_n too_o be_v so_o universal_o necessary_a that_o without_o admit_v this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o nor_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o be_v certain_a to_o any_o man_n you_o see_v gentleman_n how_o much_o depend_v upon_o it_o and_o i_o conceive_v you_o will_v easy_o conclude_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o evident_a and_o as_o firm_a as_o any_o first_o principle_n extant_a since_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o precious_a concern_v in_o the_o world_n particular_o the_o possibility_n of_o prove_v a_o deity_n must_v run_v its_o fate_n and_o be_v establish_v or_o ruin_v by_o its_o stand_n or_o fall_v now_o my_o judgement_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a piece_n of_o folly_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a abstract_n of_o pithy_a nonsense_n that_o ever_o be_v lay_v down_o since_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n by_o any_o sober_a man_n for_o such_o a_o principle_n without_o which_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o can_v be_v have_v no_o not_o even_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n i_o charge_v it_o therefore_o with_o four_o fault_n first_o that_o it_o be_v unprove_v next_o it_o be_v unevident_a of_o itself_o and_o so_o no_o principle_n three_o that_o be_v it_o evident_a it_o be_v impertinent_a to_o the_o end_n it_o be_v produce_v for_o and_o last_o it_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o §_o 2._o and_o first_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o conclusion_n by_o his_o introduce_v it_o with_o so_o that_o etc._n etc._n after_o his_o former_a discourse_n but_o as_o i_o have_v already_o confute_v that_o so_o i_o discern_v not_o any_o title_n it_o have_v to_o be_v sequel_n from_o those_o premise_n in_o case_n they_o be_v true_a for_o what_o a_o mad_a consequence_n be_v this_o diverse_a thing_n bear_v diverse_a kind_n of_o proof_n some_o weak_a some_o strong_a therefore_o when_o we_o have_v the_o best_a the_o object_n can_v afford_v we_o we_o be_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v how_o i_o say_v do_v this_o follow_v unless_o he_o have_v first_o maâ—e_n out_o or_o at_o least_o supposed_a that_o the_o least_o of_o those_o proof_n be_v satisfactory_a or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o object_n in_o the_o world_n but_o be_v capable_a of_o yield_a light_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v which_o position_n every_o day_n experience_n convince_v of_o falsehood_n indeed_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o word_n that_o upon_o our_o see_v the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o conclusive_a proof_n it_o be_v wisdom_n in_o we_o to_o sit_v down_o satisfy_v that_o no_o more_o be_v to_o be_v have_v and_o so_o surcease_v our_o far_a quest_n i_o understand_v he_o very_o well_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o acquiesce_v to_o its_o truth_n as_o he_o must_v mean_v to_o make_v it_o 〈◊〉_d for_o his_o purpose_n not_o from_o the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v under_o or_o the_o prevalence_n of_o the_o object_n upon_o my_o understanding_n subdue_a it_o to_o assent_n but_o because_o that_o object_n be_v capable_a to_o bear_v no_o more_o or_o to_o discover_v itself_o no_o better_o to_o my_o sight_n be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o say_v that_o because_o the_o object_n afford_v i_o no_o certain_a light_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v or_o no_o therefore_o i_o will_v hold_v myself_o well_o apay_v and_o think_v it_o be_v certain_a or_o thus_o though_o i_o see_v absolute_o speak_v it_o be_v uncertain_a yet_o as_o long_o as_o i_o see_v withal_o the_o object_n can_v bear_v no_o more_o or_o can_v be_v make_v absolute_o certain_a i_o will_v therefore_o rest_v satisfy_v or_o judge_v it_o be_v absolute_o certain_a if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o meaning_n i_o desire_v himself_o to_o inform_v i_o better_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o i_o it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o if_o he_o mean_v anything_o at_o all_o his_o intent_n be_v to_o evince_v a_o deity_n and_o i_o declare_v hearty_o i_o have_v that_o good_a opinion_n of_o he_o as_o to_o hope_v that_o settle_v perhaps_o in_o that_o assent_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n as_o be_v the_o vulgar_a and_o not_o by_o skill_n or_o principle_n as_o scholar_n be_v for_o his_o speculation_n make_v it_o absolute_o uncertain_a he_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a either_o than_o he_o judge_v his_o motive_n he_o have_v to_o evince_v it_o conclusive_a or_o no_o if_o conclusive_a there_o need_v no_o run_v about_o the_o bush_n to_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a kind_n of_o proof_n or_o lay_v such_o whimsical_a principle_n fit_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o make_v the_o witty_a atheist_n laugh_v at_o christianity_n but_o it_o have_v be_v enough_o to_o stand_v to_o it_o hearty_o that_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v so_o because_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v so_o but_o in_o case_n he_o fear_v his_o motive_n be_v not_o absolute_o conclusive_a or_o able_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n and_o that_o this_o be_v his_o sentiment_n appear_v by_o his_o blame_v i_o here_o p._n 20._o for_o pretend_v to_o such_o to_o ground_n faith_n then_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o good_a policy_n or_o rather_o plain_a necessity_n to_o lay_v some_o principle_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o he_o may_v compound_v the_o business_n between_o the_o object_n and_o the_o understanding_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n though_o this_o seem_v but_o a_o odd_a method_n of_o prove_v as_o friend_n take_v up_o difference_n between_o good_a nature_a creditor_n and_o the_o debtor_n when_o he_o that_o owe_v be_v williâ—â—_n to_o do_v his_o utmost_a but_o yet_o be_v not_o solvent_a and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v say_v before_o so_o to_o accord_v the_o business_n to_o avoid_v rigorous_a dispute_n that_o though_o the_o understanding_n see_v absolute_o speak_v the_o thing_n be_v uncertain_a and_o more_o light_a if_o it_o can_v be_v have_v be_v in_o reality_n due_a ere_o it_o can_v be_v satisfy_v of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n yet_o because_o the_o object_n be_v able_a to_o afford_v no_o more_o it_o be_v award_v by_o their_o umpire_n dr._n t._n that_o the_o kind-hearted_a understanding_n be_v to_o be_v content_a to_o rest_v apay_v and_o hold_v it_o notwithstanding_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o say_v that_o though_o i_o do_v not_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o yet_o because_o the_o thing_n itself_o can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v so_o i_o will_v fancy_v strong_o or_o judge_v i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v so_o let_v we_o parallel_v it_o by_o analogy_n to_o our_o corporal_a sight_n and_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o though_o i_o see_v not_o the_o wall_n to_o be_v white_a because_o it_o be_v so_o far_o distant_a or_o the_o air_n dusky_a yet_o because_o i_o can_v see_v it_o no_o better_o the_o wall_z thus_o circumstance_v not_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v my_o eye_n clear_o therefore_o despair_v of_o the_o wall_n afford_v i_o any_o better_a sight_n of_o itself_o i_o will_v piece_v out_o that_o degree_n of_o obscurity_n in_o the_o object_n with_o a_o strong_a bend_v my_o eye_n till_o i_o fancy_v very_o i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v white_a or_o rather_o out_o of_o a_o civil_a compliance_n with_o its_o defect_n of_o visibleness_n i_o will_v very_o judge_v and_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v indeed_o of_o such_o a_o colour_n and_o than_o if_o any_o object_n folly_n to_o i_o for_o assent_v upon_o infirm_a ground_n i_o will_v tell_v he_o he_o be_v ill-natured_a and_o unmerciful_a the_o poor_a wall_n have_v do_v alas_o all_v it_o can_v and_o who_o can_v in_o reason_n desire_v more_o §_o 3._o i_o expect_v dr._n t._n will_v pretend_v degree_n of_o intellectual_a sight_n and_o that_o by_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o evidence_n he_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v though_o it_o be_v not_o manifest_v to_o he_o by_o the_o great_a but_o it_o be_v impossible_a and_o even_a contradictory_n
light_n i_o can_v have_v concern_v that_o point_n be_v it_o therefore_o past_a doubt_n that_o it_o be_v so_o who_o see_v not_o that_o witty_a man_n find_v plausible_a reason_n for_o any_o â—hing_n even_o though_o it_o be_v most_o foreign_a from_o our_o circumstance_n of_o know_v it_o certain_o and_o so_o in_o case_n it_o be_v can_v give_v we_o no_o moâ—e_n light_n concern_v itself_o must_v it_o therefore_o be_v forthwith_o hold_v undoubted_o so_o suppose_v it_o be_v propose_v to_o debate_v whether_o the_o star_n be_v even_o or_o odd_a and_o no_o better_a argument_n can_v be_v find_v as_o true_o though_o it_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a one_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o find_v a_o better_a but_o only_o this_o that_o virgil_n say_v numero_fw-la deus_fw-la impair_v gaudet_fw-la and_o therefore_o odd_a number_n be_v the_o best_a and_o so_o fit_v to_o be_v find_v in_o such_o vast_a and_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o universe_n as_o the_o star_n be_v it_o not_o a_o wise_a business_n now_o upon_o so_o simple_a a_o reason_n to_o judge_v that_o the_o star_n be_v undoubted_o odd_a yet_o this_o be_v perfect_o agreeable_a to_o dr._n t_n first_n principle_n this_o be_v all_o the_o light_a the_o star_n be_v capable_a to_o give_v we_o at_o this_o distance_n and_o be_v they_o indeed_o odd_a yet_o we_o can_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o any_o better_a argument_n than_o this_o so_o that_o we_o must_v either_o content_v ourselves_o with_o this_o or_o take_v nothing_o wherefore_o say_v dr._n t._n unless_o you_o will_v deny_v a_o most_o firm_a principle_n and_o by_o do_v so_o be_v render_v incapable_a of_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n too_o great_a a_o penalty_n one_o will_v think_v for_o so_o small_a a_o fault_n the_o thing_n must_v be_v conclude_v certain_a and_o odd_a they_o shall_v be_v §_o 6._o be_v it_o speak_v then_o with_o honour_n to_o dr._n t._n he_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o all-ascertaining_a first_o principle_n which_o by_o the_o way_n be_v a_o shrewd_a argument_n it_o be_v none_o since_o nature_n never_o instill_a it_o into_o all_o mankind_n and_o of_o a_o new_a method_n to_o arrive_v at_o certainty_n of_o all_o thing_n so_o easy_a so_o compendious_a as_o the_o world_n never_o hear_v the_o like_a all_o even_o the_o rude_a may_v comprehend_v it_o nay_o perhaps_o be_v as_o wise_a as_o the_o wise_a for_o all_o can_v understand_v as_o much_o of_o the_o object_n as_o in_o their_o circumstance_n they_o can_v do_v and_o the_o wise_a can_v do_v no_o more_o and_o this_o rare_a method_n require_v no_o more_o but_o that_o the_o object_n be_v know_v as_o well_o as_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v know_v in_o every_o one_o circumstance_n and_o that_o the_o person_n do_v not_o doubt_v of_o it_o which_o the_o rude_a will_v do_v the_o least_o of_o all_o other_o which_o do_v they_o be_v according_a to_o he_o certain_a of_o it_o and_o all_o be_v well_o §_o 7._o this_o principle_n be_v moreover_o utter_o impertinent_a to_o the_o end_n it_o be_v produce_v for_o to_o show_v which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o hold_v it_o firm_o as_o a_o certain_a truth_n and_o die_v if_o need_n be_v to_o attest_v it_o and_o not_o bare_o not_o to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o it_o to_o declare_v this_o point_n more_o full_o and_o so_o manifest_a how_o far_o short_a dr._n t._n fall_v when_o he_o undertake_v to_o lay_v principle_n we_o be_v to_o reflect_v that_o we_o have_v two_o act_n of_o our_o understanding_n call_v assent_n and_o disconsent_v that_o be_v a_o interior_a yield_n or_o deny_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v between_o which_o be_v place_v a_o kind_n of_o neutral_a act_n which_o be_v neither_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o call_v suspense_n now_o the_o two_o former_a of_o these_o consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a as_o do_v their_o object_n be_v and_o be_v not_o and_o so_o admit_v no_o latitude_n but_o suspense_n even_o for_o that_o very_a reason_n admit_v of_o many_o degree_n which_o i_o explain_v thus_o if_o we_o consider_v it_o abstract_o from_o its_o difference_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a not_o yield_v to_o assent_v and_o disassent_v and_o if_o any_o where_o it_o be_v find_v or_o at_o least_o conceivable_a to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o very_a middle_n between_o those_o two_o act_n now_o mention_v without_o the_o least_o inclination_n to_o either_o of_o they_o wherefore_o one_o of_o its_o difference_n be_v incline_v towards_o assent_n and_o may_v perhaps_o not_o unfit_o be_v call_v intellectual_a hope_n because_o if_o the_o thing_n be_v our_o concern_v it_o be_v apt_a to_o principle_n that_o disposition_n of_o the_o will_n which_o we_o proper_o call_v by_o that_o name_n the_o other_o difference_n be_v a_o disâ—inclining_v to_o assent_v or_o a_o incline_v towards_o disassent_v which_o it_o be_v not_o much_o amiss_o to_o term_v intellectual_a fear_n because_o if_o we_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o be_v of_o that_o thing_n it_o be_v apt_a to_o excite_v in_o we_o that_o passion_n or_o disposition_n of_o the_o will_n which_o be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n whence_o it_o be_v general_o call_v doubt_n which_o include_v some_o degree_n of_o fear_n these_o two_o difference_n have_v innumerable_a multitude_n of_o other_o difference_n or_o degree_n comprise_v under_o they_o according_a as_o the_o probability_n which_o here_o sole_o reign_v be_v apt_a to_o beget_v more_o or_o less_o appearance_n of_o likelihood_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v but_o no_o probability_n how_o high_a soever_o can_v in_o true_a reason_n beget_v assent_n because_o the_o high_a probability_n that_o be_v can_v only_o render_v the_o thing_n see_v to_o be_v high_o probable_a to_o be_v which_o be_v evident_o a_o different_a effect_n from_o make_v it_o see_v to_o be_v absolute_o real_o and_o indeed_o since_o when_o i_o once_o see_v this_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o conclusive_a that_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a motive_n i_o see_v it_o be_v impossible_a hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la not_o to_o be_v or_o impossible_a my_o conclusion_n shall_v be_v false_a but_o i_o do_v not_o see_v this_o when_o i_o have_v a_o very_a high_a probability_n experience_n tell_v every_o man_n who_o be_v mean_o practise_v in_o the_o world_n that_o very_o high_a probability_n often_o deceive_v we_o as_o when_o a_o glass_n throw_v against_o the_o ground_n break_v no_o when_o a_o house_n deem_v very_o strong_a fall_v down_o sudden_o and_o a_o thousand_o suchlike_a odd_a contingency_n but_o there_o need_v no_o more_o to_o evince_v that_o all_o be_v to_o be_v call_v suspense_n till_o we_o arrive_v at_o assent_n than_o to_o reflect_v that_o suspense_n be_v relative_a to_o assent_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o english_a phrase_n to_o suspend_v ones-assent_n intimate_v that_o assoon_o as_o suspense_n be_v take_v away_o immediate_o assent_n follow_v which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o all_o be_v suspense_n till_o we_o come_v to_o assent_v indeed_o some_o thing_n so_o very_o seldom_o happen_v as_o that_o a_o house_n seem_o firm_a shall_v fall_v and_o such_o like_a rare_a casualty_n that_o unattentive_a man_n be_v apt_a to_o assent_v absolute_o upon_o such_o a_o very_a high_a probability_n and_o even_o in_o the_o wise_a it_o seem_v to_o counterfeit_v a_o perfect_a assent_n and_o to_o have_v no_o degree_n at_o all_o of_o suspense_n in_o it_o notwithstanding_o i_o absolute_o deny_v any_o truly-wise_a or_o rational_a man_n go_v to_o work_v on_o that_o manner_n but_o by_o see_v the_o casualty_n to_o which_o our_o uncertain_a state_n be_v expose_v and_o lay_v to_o heart_n the_o sudden_a chance_n that_o happen_v to_o other_o which_o may_v have_v be_v his_o own_o case_n hereupon_o not_o with_o a_o perpetual_a anxious_a doubt_n the_o danger_n be_v too_o unlikely_a to_o require_v that_o but_o with_o a_o prudent_a care_n lest_o it_o shall_v be_v his_o own_o lot_n to_o be_v so_o sudden_o surprise_v he_o endeavour_v to_o stand_v daily_o on_o his_o guard_n and_o out_o of_o that_o consideration_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n and_o a_o will_n resign_v to_o god_n in_o all_o thing_n which_o disposition_n evident_o discover_v some_o degree_n of_o suspense_n as_o for_o careless_a and_o inconsiderate_a liver_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o often_o assent_v absolute_o the_o world_n be_v their_o own_o beyond_o reason_n that_o be_v out_o of_o mere_a passion_n and_o precipitancy_n till_o some_o imminent_a danger_n give_v a_o check_n to_o their_o blind_a security_n but_o the_o reward_n of_o their_o unreasonableness_n and_o rashness_n in_o assent_v absolute_o without_o just_a ground_n be_v this_o that_o they_o have_v even_o from_o hence_o some_o less_o degree_n of_o concern_v to_o amend_v their_o life_n and_o if_o they_o be_v overtake_v with_o any_o sudden_a disaster_n less_o if_o any_o resignation_n to_o
the_o small_a strength_n they_o have_v when_o they_o do_v their_o utmost_a be_v not_o earnest_o and_o hearty_o engage_v neither_o in_o the_o patronage_n of_o our_o cause_n or_o in_o prove_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o only_o incline_v favourable_o towards_o we_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o beside_o those_o who_o be_v of_o moderate_a temper_n use_v to_o be_v favourable_a to_o every_o body_n and_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n such_o sweet_a soft-natured_a melt_a pliable_a tender-hearted_a compassionate_a and_o indulgent_a thing_n as_o these_o same_o probability_n they_o be_v ever_o at_o hand_n to_o lend_v their_o weak_a help_n to_o any_o body_n that_o want_v a_o good_a argument_n and_o will_v fit_v any_o cause_n in_o the_o world_n good_a or_o bad_a yet_o for_o all_o their_o kind_n and_o gentle_a behaviour_n in_o oblige_v none_o to_o assent_v to_o they_o or_o say_v as_o they_o do_v as_o your_o rude_a demonstration_n use_v i_o have_v notwithstanding_o a_o kind_n of_o prejudice_n against_o they_o which_o be_v that_o they_o be_v false_a heart_a and_o use_v to_o play_v jack-a-both-side_n most_o egregious_o for_o scarce_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o tenet_n in_o the_o world_n so_o absurd_a but_o when_o not_o one_o good_a reason_n dare_v appear_v for_o it_o this_o tattle_a gossip_n dame_n probability_n will_v for_o all_o that_o undertake_v it_o and_o let_v she_o have_v but_o her_o neat_a chambermaid_n rhetoric_n to_o trick_n she_o up_o with_o lace_n spangle_n curl_n patch_n and_o other_o such_o pretty_a bauble_n she_o will_v dare_v to_o encounter_v with_o any_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n or_o maintain_v the_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n imaginable_a as_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n well_o know_v else_o they_o will_v be_v out_o of_o heart_n ever_o to_o write_v more_o and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n i_o conceive_v why_o p._n 22._o he_o call_v they_o fair_a say_v if_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n and_o no_o less_o than_o thrice_o in_o the_o same_o page_n he_o make_v mention_n of_o fair_a proof_n he_o say_v not_o good_a proof_n or_o conclusive_a that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n no_o take_v heed_n of_o that_o this_o will_v quite_o take_v the_o business_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o probability_n which_o a_o rhetorical_a divine_a ought_v not_o to_o do_v for_o nothing_o suit_v with_o rhetoric_n humour_n so_o well_o as_o probability_n do_v and_o demonstration_n care_v not_o one_o straw_n for_o she_o but_o he_o give_v they_o their_o just_a due_n and_o call_v they_o only_o fair_a proof_n and_o fair_a probability_n that_o be_v pretty_a plausible_a and_o take_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o of_o themselves_o what_o be_v there_o which_o a_o little_a daub_v with_o rhetorical_a varnish_n will_v not_o make_v fair_a but_o the_o upshot_n oâ—_n sum_n total_a of_o his_o proof_n be_v the_o best_a sport_n if_o it_o be_v not_o most_o pernicious_a it_o be_v this_o that_o these_o fair_a probability_n take_v together_o and_o in_o their_o unite_a force_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o conviction_n in_o they_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o plain_a confession_n though_o couch_v in_o wary_a term_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o good_a proof_n among_o they_o all_o yet_o many_o bad_a one_o put_v together_o will_v make_v a_o good_a one_o i_o know_v indeed_o that_o a_o concurrence_n of_o many_o likelihood_n render_v a_o thing_n more_o probable_a and_o encourage_v we_o to_o outward_a action_n but_o to_o think_v that_o many_o probability_n will_v reach_v that_o indivisible_a point_n in_o which_o truth_n and_o consequent_o our_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o truth_n be_v find_v be_v quite_o to_o mistake_v the_o nature_n of_o truth_n and_o assent_n too_o which_o consist_v in_o be_v or_o be_v not_o and_o since_o to_o convince_v rational_o be_v to_o conclude_v the_o thing_n be_v i_o desire_v dr._n t_n logic_n to_o inform_v the_o world_n how_o since_o a_o probable_a proof_n be_v that_o which_o only_o conclude_v the_o thing_n probable_a and_o consequent_o many_o probable_a one_o be_v terminate_v in_o render_v it_o more_o probable_a how_o i_o say_v many_o proof_n only_o probable_a can_v conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o be_v to_o be_v certain_o or_o convince_v the_o understanding_n that_o it_o be_v unless_o they_o happen_v to_o engage_v some_o nature_n or_o other_o and_o consequent_o some_o identical_a proposition_n which_o dr._n t._n neither_o pretend_v nor_o go_v about_o to_o show_v but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n declare_v himself_o a_o utter_a enemy_n to_o such_o principle_n and_o consequent_o to_o such_o a_o way_n of_o discourse_n §_o 12._o in_o a_o word_n dr._n t_n positive_a proof_n of_o a_o godhead_n be_v reducible_a to_o these_o two_o head_n humane_a testimony_n and_o probability_n of_o reason_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n serm._n p._n 22_o 23._o and_o testimony_n which_o p._n 22._o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o principal_a argument_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o divide_v into_o universal_a tradition_n and_o write_a history_n now_o write_a history_n be_v not_o therefore_o true_a because_o it_o be_v write_v but_o depend_v upon_o live_v authority_n or_o tradition_n to_o authenticate_v it_o and_o how_o ridiculous_a he_o will_v make_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n even_o that_o which_o be_v confess_o ground_v on_o the_o sensation_n of_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v vast_o above_o this_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v see_v in_o hâ—s_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o here_o again_o he_o tell_v we_o pref._n p._n 16._o all_o humane_a testimony_n be_v fallible_a and_o so_o all_o build_v on_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o plain_a reason_n because_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a wherefore_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n it_o be_v conclude_v there_o may_v possible_o be_v no_o god_n for_o any_o thing_n humane_a testimony_n say_v to_o the_o point_n and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a word_n that_o probability_n of_o reason_n though_o never_o such_o fair_a one_o conclude_v as_o little_a last_o he_o tell_v we_o serm._n p_o 22._o that_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n this_o argument_n have_v all_o the_o strength_n it_o can_v have_v and_o thus_o dr._n t._n instead_o of_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o very_o learned_o that_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o neither_o reason_n nor_o authority_n can_v evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 13._o i_o omit_v his_o abuse_v the_o word_n testimony_n which_o be_v build_v on_o sensation_n in_o allege_v it_o to_o prove_v a_o creation_n which_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o mankind_n nor_o consequent_o can_v the_o persuasion_n of_o future_a deliverer_n and_o writer_n have_v for_o its_o source_n attestation_n or_o testimony_n i_o omit_v also_o his_o neglect_v to_o make_v use_n of_o testimony_n to_o prove_v miracle_n god_n proper_a effect_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o sense_n and_o which_o both_o christian_n jew_n and_o heathen_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o time_n both_o unanimous_o have_v and_o the_o first_o seer_n can_v proper_o attest_v i_o suppose_v his_o confidence_n in_o his_o rhetoric_n make_v he_o choose_v the_o worse_a argument_n to_o show_v how_o pretty_o he_o can_v make_v they_o look_v or_o perhaps_o the_o genius_n of_o thing_n lie_v so_o that_o the_o slight_a argument_n most_o need_v and_o so_o best_a suit_n with_o rhetorical_a discourser_n §_o 14._o by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v gentleman_n there_o will_v appear_v just_a reason_n for_o that_o moderate_a and_o civil_a hint_n i_o give_v dr._n t._n in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o ground_n in_o these_o word_n in_o which_o sermon_n under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a and_o a_o great_a many_o seem_a show_n and_o i_o hearty_o think_v very_o real_a intention_n of_o impugn_a atheism_n by_o a_o ill-principled_n and_o in_o that_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o unnecessary_a confession_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n nay_o even_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n religion_n receive_v a_o deep_a wound_n and_o atheism_n a_o especial_a advantage_n as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v more_o particular_o show_v hereafter_o after_o which_o i_o give_v his_o sermon_n all_o its_o due_a commendation_n and_o then_o subjoin_v only_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v right_a principle_n to_o ground_n his_o discourse_n without_o which_o he_o can_v never_o make_v a_o controvertist_n but_o must_v needs_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o undertake_v to_o meddle_v with_o
and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n you_o see_v here_o gentlemen_z how_o great_a stress_n i_o lay_v upon_o dr._n t.'s_n confession_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o consequent_o his_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o real_o if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o it_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o suffer_v a_o very_a great_a defeat_n because_o i_o so_o much_o build_v upon_o it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v utter_o overthrow_v as_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n either_o of_o be_v a_o good_a writer_n or_o a_o solid_a christian_a divine_a and_o he_o will_v owe_v the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o who_o his_o doctrine_n have_v pervert_v by_o turn_v their_o faith_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n who_o ground_n and_o consequent_o itself_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a into_o opinion_n who_o ground_n and_o by_o consequence_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v such_o and_o last_o unless_o he_o avoid_v or_o râ—â—ants_v this_o error_n object_v all_o he_o have_v write_v 〈◊〉_d convince_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o be_v againâ—â—â—ith_n and_o its_o true_a ground_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v quite_o overthrow_v in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o those_o who_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o act_n of_o right_a faith_n that_o be_v a_o asseâ—â—_n build_v on_o those_o ground_n god_n have_v leave_v in_o the_o church_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n and_o command_v they_o to_o believe_v upon_o those_o ground_n whether_o scripture_n letter_n or_o the_o church_n voice_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o a_o lie_n which_o all_o sober_a protestant_n presbyterian_o nay_o almost_o all_o sect_n except_o some_o few_o witty_a man_n incline_v much_o by_o read_v such_o author_n to_o scepticism_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o &_o perhaps_o some_o socinian_o reject_v abominate_a and_o hate_v with_o all_o their_o heart_n the_o charge_n be_v lay_v and_o the_o case_n be_v put_v now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n which_o ere_o we_o do_v i_o desire_v those_o reader_n who_o have_v dr._n t.'s_n preface_n by_o they_o to_o read_v his_o 9_o the_o page_n or_o else_o his_o whole_a page_n 118._o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n lest_o either_o of_o we_o may_v injure_v he_o by_o a_o wrong_a apprehension_n i_o discourse_v thus_o §_o 2._o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o who_o make_v the_o ground_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a make_v faith_n itself_o such_o likewise_o since_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v strong_a than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o next_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o dr._n t._n be_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v god_n sense_n or_o faith_n last_o that_o in_o the_o place_n now_o cite_v and_o relate_v by_o he_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o sense_n as_o he_o acknowledge_v here_o page_z 15._o these_o thing_n thus_o premise_v i_o put_v he_o this_o dilemma_n either_o he_o hold_v what_o he_o conceive_v to_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v his_o faith_n true_a or_o he_o do_v not_o if_o he_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a he_o must_v hold_v it_o at_o least_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o not_o actual_o such_o but_o if_o he_o say_v he_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v true_a then_o since_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o security_n he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o of_o the_o book_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o immediate_o subjoin_v these_o very_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o â—ay_v be_v otherwise_o he_o as_o evident_o say_v that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o that_o be_v his_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o it_o be_v that_o what_o be_v otherwise_o than_o true_a be_v false_a i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o dr._n t._n can_v possible_o speak_v more_o plain_o what_o i_o charge_v he_o with_o than_o he_o have_v do_v in_o those_o word_n unless_o he_o shall_v use_v the_o word_n false_a which_o too_o candid_a and_o rude_a expression_n will_v expose_v he_o open_o to_o the_o dislike_n of_o all_o sober_a mâ—n_z and_o therefore_o he_o disguise_v it_o in_o its_o more_o moderate_a equivalent_a otherwise_o i_o say_v equivalent_a and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o what_o the_o word_n otherwise_o relate_v too_o human_a language_n forbid_v that_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v otherwise_o unless_o it_o be_v otherwise_o than_o something_o i_o ask_v then_o otherwise_o than_o what_o do_v he_o mean_v when_o be_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o discourse_v what_o security_n he_o have_v of_o the_o antiquity_n writer_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a as_o word_n can_v express_v he_o must_v mean_v it_o be_v possible_a the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a as_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v possible_a this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o such_o passage_n as_o concern_v faith_n for_o to_o these_o and_o these_o only_a our_o discourse_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o title_n of_o his_o book_n determine_v it_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o none_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o his_o faith_n in_o case_n it_o be_v sole_o ground_v upon_o that_o as_o he_o profess_v see_v reader_n how_o all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o sacred_a one_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o man_n frame_v only_o for_o fine_a talk_v undertake_v to_o prove_v and_o how_o parallel_a his_o defence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n be_v to_o that_o he_o give_v we_o late_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o so_o prove_v a_o god_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a there_o may_v be_v none_o and_o now_o he_o so_o prove_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a it_o may_v be_v no_o rule_n since_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o follow_v may_v lead_v into_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v dr._n t._n need_v here_o the_o blessing_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n else_o he_o will_v not_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v scripture_n a_o rule_n and_o then_o ever_o and_o anon_o in_o equivalent_a language_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v none_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v now_o and_o then_o reflect_v upon_o such_o evident_a truth_n and_o not_o out_o of_o a_o openly-declared_a feud_n against_o those_o first_o principle_n fall_v thus_o perpetual_o into_o manifest_a contradiction_n §_o 3._o but_o how_o do_v dr._n t._n clear_a himself_o of_o this_o charge_n of_o i_o or_o how_o come_v he_o off_o from_o his_o own_o word_n first_o he_o again_o put_v down_o those_o very_a word_n which_o say_v over_o and_o over_o what_o i_o charge_v upon_o he_o and_o then_o ask_v very_o confident_o where_o he_o say_v any_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v just_a as_o wise_a a_o craft_n as_o child_n use_v when_o they_o hoodwink_v themselves_o and_o then_o tell_v the_o bystander_n they_o shall_v not_o see_v they_o next_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o he_o say_v be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a in_o judge_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o mean_v that_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v these_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o to_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n but_o yet_o etc._n etc._n be_v this_o all_o he_o say_v what_o then_o be_v become_v of_o those_o famous_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o may_v be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v only_o object_v but_o let_v we_o examine_v what_o he_o do_v acknowledge_v whether_o he_o be_v infallible_o certain_a or_o no_o it_o matter_n not_o but_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v why_o if_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a ground_n of_o faith_n some_o at_o least_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v to_o govern_v and_o instruct_v the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v thus_o certain_a of_o both_o in_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v and_o as_o we_o questionless_a be_v die_v to_o attest_v the_o point_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o be_v absolutely-certain_a truth_n again_o if_o dr._n t._n be_v not_o infallible_o certain_a
whatever_o be_v good_a in_o those_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v refund_v into_o god_n the_o author_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n as_o its_o original_a cause_n what_o defective_a into_o the_o limitedness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o creature_n §_o 5._o this_o tenet_n of_o infallibility_n which_o unprejudiced_a nature_n teach_v even_o the_o rude_a in_o thing_n subject_a to_o sense_n and_o common_a reason_n and_o learned_a man_n in_o thing_n provable_a by_o exact_a art_n the_o adversary_n of_o true_a certainty_n our_o sceptic_n in_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o render_v ridiculous_a and_o cast_v a_o mist_n about_o it_o by_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a pretence_n that_o ever_o be_v invent_v which_o be_v to_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_a in_o one_o thing_n but_o he_o must_v be_v so_o in_o all_o as_o if_o i_o can_v not_o infallible_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o my_o chamber_n or_o practise_v open_o among_o those_o i_o converse_v with_o but_o i_o must_v be_v likewise_o infallible_a in_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o moon_n and_o dr._n t._n be_v one_o of_o these_o for_o contradiction_n be_v as_o natural_a to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v to_o a_o fish_n to_o swim_v who_o tell_v we_o here_o pag._n 19_o that_o omniscience_n within_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n be_v a_o infinite_a within_o a_o finite_a sphere_n as_o if_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o to_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v to_o know_v infinite_a or_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n or_o so_o hard_a to_o comprehend_v that_o one_o may_v know_v all_o the_o money_n in_o one_o purse_n without_o know_v all_o the_o money_n that_o be_v extant_a or_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o room_n without_o know_v all_o mankind_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v show_v we_o why_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o particular_a matter_n must_v needs_o argue_v a_o infinite_a knowledge_n or_o why_o the_o know_v all_o thing_n in_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n which_o last_o word_n when_o he_o come_v to_o answer_v that_o be_v break_v his_o jest_n our_o prevaricator_n prudent_o omit_v may_v not_o consist_v with_o a_o ignorance_n of_o many_o thing_n out_o of_o that_o sphere_n must_v the_o word_n all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n need_v signify_v infinite_a or_o do_v the_o common_a reason_n ever_o thus_o go_v wrack_n i_o suppose_v my_o friend_n resolute_a hazard_n against_o identical_a proposition_n make_v he_o fall_v into_o this_o more_o than_o childish_a mistake_n for_o this_o plain_a truth_n what_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o have_v preserve_v he_o from_o this_o nonsense_n but_o he_o take_v this_o for_o his_o ground_n to_o proceed_v upon_o that_o all_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o 〈◊〉_d all_o in_o every_o matter_n or_o which_o be_v more_o be_v infinite_a and_o so_o still_o he_o continue_v most_o learned_o to_o lay_v contradiction_n for_o his_o first_o principle_n because_o their_o interest_n and_o his_o be_v inseparable_o linkâ—_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n identical_a proposition_n this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v a_o very_a smart_n and_o ingenious_a kind_n of_o reason_v and_o proper_a to_o dr._n t._n unless_o perhaps_o his_o swear_a brother_n at_o hate_v first_a principle_n and_o papist_n put_v in_o for_o a_o share_n it_o appear_v by_o a_o certain_a paper_n call_v dr._n stillingfleet_n against_o dr._n stillingfleet_n he_o be_v a_o strong_a pretender_n and_o will_v cry_v half_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o examine_v his_o answer_n §_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a indeed_o to_o truth_n that_o every_o one_o shall_v demonstrate_v a_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v â—_o contradiction_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v know_v also_o through_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o those_o who_o can_v demonstrate_v but_o yet_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v demonstrable_a else_o it_o be_v not_o knowable_a or_o ascertainable_a for_o demonstrable_a be_v a_o plain_a honest_a word_n what_o game_n soever_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n make_v at_o it_o and_o import_v no_o more_o abstract_n from_o subtle_a quirk_n but_o only_o capable_a to_o be_v know_v or_o intellectual_o see_v by_o way_n of_o proof_n whence_o a_o learned_a man_n who_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o strength_n of_o severe_a reason_n ought_v either_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o or_o he_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o dâ—â—y_n once_o more_o i_o desire_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v i_o right_n and_o to_o reflect_v that_o when_o i_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v demonstrable_a or_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v i_o do_v not_o take_v the_o word_n demonstration_n with_o all_o those_o many_o subtlety_n and_o perquisit_n the_o school_n require_v i_o as_o little_a love_n nicety_n as_o any_o man_n live_v and_o can_v as_o easy_o dispense_v with_o they_o so_o the_o solid_a part_n be_v well_o provide_v for_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n establish_v which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v i_o make_v account_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o these_o case_n in_o which_o assent_n &_o die_v to_o attest_v thing_n to_o be_v truth_n be_v require_v i_o only_o mean_v then_o by_o demonstration_n such_o a_o proof_n as_o be_v take_v not_o from_o any_o exrinsecal_n consideration_n as_o be_v authority_n which_o ground_n belief_n but_o from_o the_o intrinsical_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o subject_n in_o dispute_n and_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o necessary_o conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v which_o can_v be_v possible_o do_v without_o engage_v final_o some_o identical_a proposition_n or_o that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v on_o which_o all_o be_v build_v now_o this_o be_v evident_o so_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o let_v dr._n t._n show_v the_o contrary_a i_o will_v ask_v our_o verbal_a divine_a why_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o be_v prove_v by_o necessary_a conclude_a argument_n both_o the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o will_v have_v man_n assent_v most_o firm_o to_o faith_n build_v according_a to_o he_o sole_o upon_o their_o certainty_n be_v it_o not_o his_o intent_n in_o his_o discourse_n to_o conclude_v what_o he_o speak_v of_o how_o can_v he_o do_v this_o unless_o he_o show_v the_o conclusion_n necessary_o follow_v again_o do_v he_o not_o intend_v to_o conclude_v it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o this_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o must_v do_v so_o or_o else_o he_o can_v never_o pretend_v that_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v truth_n and_o if_o he_o prove_v it_o truâ—_n must_v he_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v its_o contradictory_n false_a and_o be_v any_o thing_n false_a but_o what_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o or_o be_v not_o so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n can_v never_o conclude_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a unless_o he_o bring_v a_o proof_n necessary_o engage_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v unless_o according_a to_o my_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n he_o both_o demonstrate_v and_o also_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o to_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n both_o these_o satisfactory_a certainty_n my_o ground_n attribute_v to_o scripture_n letter_n and_o sense_n see_v surâ—f_n pag._n 116_o 117_o in_o point_n appertain_v to_o faith_n and_o he_o here_o deny_v both_o pag._n 10._o whence_o be_v see_v which_o of_o we_o two_o have_v more_o real_a honour_n and_o respect_n for_o scripture_n he_o who_o make_v neither_o its_o letter_n or_o sense_n to_o have_v any_o ground_n able_a to_o ascertain_v they_o that_o be_v as_o to_o our_o purpose_n make_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o or_o i_o who_o grant_v and_o prove_v both_o §_o 7._o i_o suppose_v dr._n t_n will_n say_v again_o as_o he_o do_v in_o that_o point_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v a_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v true_a to_o his_o firm_a principle_n and_o make_v all_o faith_n alike_o uncertain_a i_o answer_v the_o more_o blame_n will_v fall_v to_o their_o share_n who_o take_v away_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o way_n of_o authority_n or_o first_o authority_n namely_o tradition_n which_o and_o only_o which_o can_v authenticate_v book_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o high_a concern_v practical_o carry_v down_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o so_o easy_o preserve_v the_o book_n significative_a of_o the_o same_o sense_n noâ—_n doubt_v i_o but_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o the_o practice_n of_o england_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o thing_n join_v with_o the_o necessary_a evidence_n of_o any_o alteration_n in_o a_o matter_n daily_o so_o nice_o canvas_v and_o continual_o use_v can_v and_o
tell_v he_o the_o firmness_n of_o a_o rational_a assent_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v from_o principle_n or_o the_o object_n not_o from_o the_o subject_n firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o admonish_v he_o that_o this_o late_a sort_n of_o firmness_n without_o the_o other_o signify_v nothing_o but_o a_o irrational_a resolution_n to_o hold_v a_o thing_n right_a or_o wrong_n he_o cut_v you_o off_o short_a and_o blame_v the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n tell_v you_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v no_o more_o at_o which_o if_o your_o reason_n repine_v and_o begin_v to_o despair_v of_o satisfaction_n he_o tell_v you_o smart_o that_o you_o contradict_v a_o first_o and_o firm_a principle_n that_o to_o have_v as_o much_o assurance_n as_o the_o thing_n afford_v you_o be_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o prodigious_a folly_n not_o to_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o most_o evident_a notion_n i_o be_o full_o persuade_v and_o the_o thing_n be_v certain_o so_o and_o allege_v our_o not_o doubt_v or_o strong_a adhesion_n to_o a_o thing_n for_o a_o competent_a explication_n of_o that_o certainty_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o great_a in_o the_o whole_a world_n since_o more_o sacred_a concern_v than_o any_o the_o world_n can_v show_v be_v build_v upon_o it_o which_o adhesion_n also_o as_o nature_n teach_v we_o be_v very_o frequent_o a_o effect_n of_o passion_n common_a experience_n manifest_v it_o to_o be_v a_o fault_n annex_v to_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o man_n that_o his_o understanding_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v bias_v by_o his_o will_n where_o his_o very_a essence_n be_v not_o concern_v so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o may_v more_o oftentimes_o to_o hold_v firm_o whatever_o habitual_a prejudice_n affection_n to_o friend_n precipitate_a haste_n or_o sullen_a ignorance_n have_v once_o addict_v he_o to_o all_o i_o can_v imagine_v in_o dr._n t_n behalf_n be_v this_o that_o he_o must_v allege_v he_o conceive_v this_o assurance_n or_o firm_a adhesion_n be_v a_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o object_n work_v it_o in_o his_o understanding_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o can_v not_o have_v this_o firm_a assurance_n or_o adhesion_n to_o it_o unless_o the_o thing_n be_v indeed_o such_o in_o itself_o this_o every_o intelligent_a man_n see_v be_v his_o only_a way_n to_o come_v off_o but_o this_o he_o neither_o have_v attempt_v to_o do_v nor_o ever_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o least_o able_a to_o compass_v till_o he_o retract_v his_o costly_a anger_n against_o first_o principle_n his_o drollish_a abuse_n against_o demonstration_n his_o accuse_v the_o thing_n of_o invisibleness_n instead_o of_o blame_v his_o own_o bad_a eye_n and_o last_o his_o miscall_v firm_a principle_n which_o make_v all_o build_v upon_o it_o no_o better_a than_o empty_a contradiction_n yet_o if_o he_o please_v to_o show_v we_o that_o the_o object_n do_v rational_o assure_v he_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o by_o afford_v such_o proof_n as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o assent_v firm_o to_o it_o as_o a_o truth_n and_o not_o only_o incline_v we_o towards_o it_o as_o a_o likelihood_n let_v he_o go_v to_o work_v logical_o that_o be_v the_o proper_a science_n in_o this_o case_n and_o show_v we_o how_o and_o by_o what_o virtue_n any_o proof_n of_o he_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o faithful_o to_o respect_n and_o treat_v he_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o honour_n though_o his_o performance_n come_v off_o never_o so_o short_a but_o i_o foresee_v three_o insuperable_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o his_o way_n first_o that_o he_o see_v his_o cause_n can_v bear_v it_o for_o which_o he_o still_o blame_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n next_o that_o the_o deep_a study_n or_o the_o most_o learned_a science_n of_o elegant_a expression_n so_o total_o possess_v his_o mind_n it_o will_v not_o let_v logic_n have_v any_o part_n in_o his_o thought_n and_o last_o if_o it_o do_v yet_o he_o may_v hap_v to_o meet_v there_o with_o some_o unelegant_a term_n of_o art_n which_o will_v quite_o fright_v he_o from_o his_o business_n and_o make_v he_o forswear_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 9_o but_o he_o have_v only_o skirmish_v hitherto_o now_o â—he_n come_v to_o close_a dispute_n and_o will_v prove_v that_o take_v faith_n how_o i_o will_v he_o do_v not_o in_o these_o word_n avow_v the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o fail_v to_o hit_v right_a on_o my_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n he_o divide_v the_o text_n and_o give_v we_o many_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n &_o those_o as_o ridiculous_a as_o he_o can_v imagine_v which_o will_v make_v the_o unexamine_v reader_n judge_v very_o that_o i_o be_v out_o of_o my_o wit_n to_o take_v the_o word_n faith_n in_o such_o absurd_a meaning_n and_o then_o hold_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a this_o do_v he_o show_v himself_o a_o most_o victorious_a conqueror_n and_o confute_v i_o powerful_o from_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 13._o at_o least_o will_v not_o dr._n t_n best_a friend_n so_o he_o be_v but_o any_o thing_n ingenuous_a think_v he_o may_v safe_o swear_v that_o either_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n faith_n when_o i_o say_v faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o else_o candid_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v strange_o insincere_a to_o counterfeit_v so_o many_o imaginary_a tenet_n and_o then_o one_o by_o one_o confute_v they_o read_v they_o here_o from_o the_o middle_n of_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 12._o and_o then_o reflect_v on_o my_o word_n find_v in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 17_o which_o be_v these_o to_o ask_v then_o if_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v to_o ask_v whether_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v christian_a faith_n must_v be_v such_o as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n can_v fail_v to_o conclude_v those_o point_n true_a and_o to_o affirm_v that_o faith_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v equivalent_o to_o assert_v that_o those_o motive_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v thus_o absolute_o conclusive_a firm_a and_o immovable_a hence_o be_v see_v that_o i_o concern_v not_o myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n with_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o divers_a person_n penetrate_v those_o motive_n or_o how_o they_o satisfy_v or_o dissatisfie_v some_o particular_a person_n since_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o motive_n in_o themselves_o and_o as_o lay_v in_o second_o cause_n by_o god_n providence_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n to_o which_o the_o dimness_n of_o eyesight_n neglect_v to_o look_v at_o all_o or_o look_v the_o wrong_a way_n even_o in_o many_o particular_a man_n be_v extrinsecal_n and_o contingent_a observe_v gentleman_n what_o exquisite_a care_n i_o take_v to_o declare_v my_o meaning_n so_o perfect_o that_o the_o common_a regard_n to_o reader_n and_o his_o own_o reputation_n may_v restrain_v dr._n t._n from_o impose_v wilful_o a_o wrong_a sense_n to_o which_o habitual_a fault_n i_o know_v he_o have_v otherwise_o most_o strong_a inclination_n observe_v next_o that_o all_o his_o confute_v be_v whole_o build_v on_o this_o know_a mistake_n hence_o his_o object_v the_o weak_a understanding_n of_o some_o believer_n which_o be_v both_o forestal_a by_o the_o woâ—ds_v now_o cite_v declare_v that_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o motive_n to_o light_a mankind_n or_o the_o church_n to_o faith_n and_o what_o they_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o in_o themselves_o not_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o other_o penetrate_v they_o beside_o i_o put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o faith_n vindicated_n p._n 164._o and_o answer_v it_o which_o he_o never_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v i_o put_v here_o as_o his_o own_o against_o i_o without_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o my_o answer_n there_o give_v the_o last_o meaning_n he_o give_v of_o the_o word_n faith_n which_o be_v the_o mean_n and_o motive_n to_o faith_n be_v near_o to_o i_o but_o because_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o be_v ordain_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n as_o also_o of_o what_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o object_n and_o speak_v of_o they_o only_o as_o in_o the_o worst_a subject_n viz._n in_o weak_a person_n which_o penetrate_v they_o very_o little_a he_o miss_v whole_o my_o sense_n and_o so_o impugn_v i_o nor_o at_o all_o but_o skirmish_n with_o his_o own_o shadow_n for_o what_o kind_n of_o consequence_n be_v this_o st._n austin_n say_v some_o person_n be_v save_v not_o by_o the_o quickness_n of_o their_o understand_n but_o by_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o belief_n therefore_o
object_n it_o be_v possible_a or_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o god_n power_n to_o make_v all_o mankind_n err_v yet_o take_v in_o his_o other_o attribute_n which_o determine_v his_o omnipoence_n to_o do_v only_o what_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a and_o according_a to_o truth_n it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v either_o will_n or_o do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o can_v be_v effective_o do_v at_o all_o §_o 18._o he_o object_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n challenge_v infallibility_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o that_o of_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o answer_v the_o church_n have_v her_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v to_o her_o hand_n by_o jesus_n châ—ist_v who_o found_v and_o constitute_v she_o and_o find_v it_o not_o out_o by_o speculative_a reason_n whence_o it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a concern_v of_o a_o church_n to_o discourse_v very_o particular_o about_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o of_o speculative_a divine_n who_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o there_o find_v the_o reason_n of_o those_o truth_n god_n have_v bare_o tell_v we_o next_o it_o be_v only_o of_o faith_n that_o christ_n have_v promise_v to_o assist_v his_o church_n but_o whether_o supernatural_o only_a or_o also_o by_o natural_a mean_n be_v no_o where_o define_v my_o tenet_n be_v that_o he_o assist_v his_o church_n both_o way_n as_o i_o at_o large_a defend_v in_o surefoot_v and_o that_o the_o best_a strength_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n be_v both_o of_o they_o exert_v to_o their_o utmost_a to_o ascertain_v the_o infallible_a authority_n on_o who_o testimony_n we_o receive_v our_o faith_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n exceed_o comfort_n faith_n in_o those_o who_o be_v true_a believer_n already_o and_o the_o natural_a assistance_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v the_o due_a satisfaction_n of_o reason_n inform_v the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o yet_o discern_v no_o supernaturality_n at_o all_o in_o the_o church_n and_o have_v nothing_o but_o their_o natural_a reason_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o without_o which_o i_o see_v not_o how_o either_o a_o circle_n be_v avoidable_a or_o rational_a satisfaction_n to_o such_o man_n possible_a for_o be_v not_o a_o natural_a assistance_n admit_v to_o introduce_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o other_o supernatural_n will_v be_v the_o way_n to_o supernatural_n and_o faith_n the_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n which_o will_v confound_v the_o mean_n with_o the_o end_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v leave_v off_o this_o new_a way_n of_o confute_v by_o tell_v i_o still_o i_o be_o the_o only_a man_n or_o first_o man_n that_o say_v he_o shall_v have_v say_v prove_v such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n which_o cavil_n if_o he_o answer_v not_o my_o argument_n as_o he_o seldom_o think_v of_o that_o duty_n signify_v either_o nothing_o at_o all_o or_o else_o a_o high_a commendation_n to_o i_o as_o improve_n knowledge_n to_o some_o degree_n but_o more_o of_o this_o point_n when_o i_o come_v to_o defend_v my_o method_n §_o 19_o hitherto_o then_o dr._n t._n have_v give_v we_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n either_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n oâ—_n of_o christian_n faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o miscall_v certainty_n as_o mean_n uncertainty_n whence_o his_o pretend_a certainty_n of_o its_o sense_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o vindicate_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o himself_z not_o to_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a by_o ascertain_v at_o least_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o suppose_v the_o letter_n be_v right_a he_o tell_v we_o pag._n 20._o that_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o book_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a any_o thing_n shall_v be_v deliver_v in_o such_o clear_a and_o certain_a word_n as_o be_v absolute_o incapable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n and_o what_o be_v the_o natural_a sequel_n of_o this_o apply_v to_o scripture_n but_o that_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a faith_n build_v on_o thaâ—_n sense_n or_o rather_o which_o be_v that_o sense_n shall_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o the_o letter_n can_v never_o be_v a_o competent_a rule_n of_o faith_n whereas_o in_o this_o way_n of_o convey_v iâ—_n down_o by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v â—y_a catechise_n public_a preach_a private_a discourse_v &_o consonant_a live_n it_o be_v make_v so_o manifest_a to_o the_o generality_n what_o be_v hold_v in_o each_o year_n immemediate_o before_o that_o no_o prejudice_n can_v make_v they_o all_o so_o mad_a as_o either_o to_o mistake_v or_o misrepresent_v it_o as_o it_o be_v for_o example_n in_o england_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_n to_o err_v or_o impose_v this_o this_o year_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o england_n that_o last_o year_n they_o hold_v and_o practise_a prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a or_o assist_v at_o the_o christian_a sacrifice_n by_o which_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o see_v whether_o of_o we_o two_o make_v better_a provision_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n he_o proceed_v yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o may_v be_v so_o plain_a as_o that_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o reasonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v they_o let_v he_o apply_v this_o to_o scripture_n &_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o all_o man_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o prejudice_v who_o take_v not_o scripture_n in_o my_o sense_n if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n let_v he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o other_o maxim_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o judge_v who_o be_v such_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o rersonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o can_v assign_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o those_o man_n faultiness_n but_o their_o disagree_v with_o he_o in_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n i_o doubt_v his_o reader_n will_v scarce_o believe_v he_o that_o all_o socinian_o and_o other_o sect_n who_o differ_v from_o he_o in_o main_a point_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v if_o a_o indifferent_a man_n stand_v by_o while_n d._n t._n and_o a_o socinian_n dispute_v and_o hear_v one_o of_o they_o cite_v place_n after_o place_n compare_v one_o place_n to_o another_o and_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n he_o can_v to_o make_v out_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o other_o use_v the_o selfsame_a method_n and_o yet_o nothing_o conclude_v decisive_o as_o it_o never_o be_v in_o this_o way_n of_o manage_v dispute_n i_o fear_v he_o will_v be_v little_a the_o near_a satisfaction_n and_o embrace_v dr._n t_n tenet_n upon_o his_o say_n that_o his_o adversary_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v he_o parallel_v the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n sense_n to_o that_o of_o euclid_n definition_n and_o axiom_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o which_o man_n be_v universal_o agree_v and_o think_v themselves_o undoubted_o certain_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o word_n in_o which_o they_o be_v express_v may_v possible_o bear_v another_o sense_n he_o trifle_n let_v he_o show_v i_o the_o generality_n of_o scripturist_n as_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o geometrician_n do_v in_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n or_o let_v he_o leave_v of_o bring_v such_o disagree_a parallel_n import_v that_o there_o be_v not_o man_n of_o all_o side_n and_o sect_n as_o willing_a to_o see_v truth_n in_o thing_n belong_v to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n as_o to_o see_v the_o truth_n in_o mathematics_n how_o many_o interpretation_n be_v there_o of_o this_n be_v my_o body_n and_o of_o those_o many_o text_n which_o signify_v christ_n to_o be_v true_a god_n both_o of_o main_n concern_v the_o understanding_n they_o wrong_n be_v on_o one_o side_n idolatry_n on_o the_o other_o blasphemy_n yet_o we_o have_v eminent_a learned_a man_n acute_a wit_n excellent_a linguist_n good_a logician_n and_o historian_n and_o last_o very_o great_a scripturist_n who_o compare_v also_o place_n to_o place_n yet_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o nothing_o be_v decide_v final_o still_o they_o debate_v write_v quote_v interpret_v and_o will_v do_v while_o this_o method_n be_v take_v to_o the_o world_n end_n do_v dr._n t._n find_v such_o a_o disagreement_n among_o man_n learned_a in_o the_o mathematics_n in_o the_o understanding_n the_o axiom_n and_o definition_n of_o euclid_n add_v that_o those_o man_n in_o other_o matter_n be_v not_o passionate_a or_o prejudice_v but_o be_v hold_v prudent_a and_o sober_a by_o great_a portion_n of_o mankind_n nor_o do_v they_o lose_v their_o repute_n among_o indifferent_a judge_n as_o renounce_v their_o manhood_n or_o perfect_o desert_v reason_n that_o be_v they_o be_v not_o hold_v madman_n for_o not_o adhere_v to_o such_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o those_o place_n which_o argue_v
the_o former_a proof_n as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 24._o be_v to_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a that_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a that_o be_v such_o point_n as_o express_v only_o the_o a_o est_fw-fr of_o a_o thing_n and_o so_o have_v for_o their_o predicate_a existent_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o that_o argument_n and_o my_o conclusion_n of_o the_o 2_o d._n proof_n be_v this_o as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 25._o it_o be_v impossible_a therefore_o that_o what_o be_v thus_o affirm_v to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v in_o such_o word_n as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n shall_v in_o any_o regard_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o predicate_a pertinent_a lie_v exclude_v here_o all_o possibility_n of_o diverse_a respect_n be_v this_o bare_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o rather_o that_o no_o different_a regard_n or_o respect_n can_v in_o such_o faith-proposition_n as_o these_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o elude_v or_o diminish_v the_o grant_v their_o entire_a truth_n the_o proposition_n a_o ethiopian_a be_v black_a be_v but_o in_o part_n true_a because_o it_o can_v bear_v diverse_a respect_n or_o regard_v to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o viz._n according_a to_o his_o tooth_n and_o his_o skin_n but_o in_o those_o proposition_n which_o have_v existent_a for_o their_o predicate_v no_o imaginable_a regard_n can_v be_v find_v appliable_a to_o it_o so_o to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o the_o next_o falsification_n of_o my_o intention_n be_v to_o pretend_v that_o i_o argue_v bare_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o subject_a copula_fw-la and_o predicate_v whereas_o by_o my_o whole_a discourse_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o i_o argue_v precise_o from_o their_o be_v such_o subject_n and_o predicate_v that_o be_v such_o as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n diminish_v the_o integrity_n of_o their_o truth_n in_o a_o word_n the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o truth_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith-proposition_n and_o i_o be_v there_o treat_v it_o logical_o i_o will_v glad_o then_o have_v any_o sober_a and_o intelligent_a man_n inform_v i_o why_o it_o be_v not_o as_o proper_a and_o pertinent_a for_o i_o to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o proposition_n in_o which_o only_a truth_n be_v find_v and_o particular_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o proposition_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v such_o subject_n &_o such_o predicate_v in_o they_o as_o it_o be_v for_o a_o mathematician_n write_v a_o discourse_n of_o trigonometry_n to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o angle_n or_o a_o triangular_a figure_n or_o why_o in_o so_o do_v i_o can_v just_o be_v think_v to_o have_v deflect_v from_o the_o rule_n or_o method_n of_o exact_a art_n §_o 8._o in_o a_o word_n have_v i_o in_o a_o christian_a english_a sermon_n stand_v very_o grave_o repeat_v sixteen_o verse_n out_o of_o a_o heathenish_a latin_a poet_n or_o have_v i_o after_o i_o have_v so_o often_o mock_v at_o other_o for_o bombast_n rhetoric_n and_o so_o indirect_o extol_v myself_o for_o my_o smooth_a style_n talk_v of_o person_n of_o a_o profligate_n temper_v as_o do_v dr._n t._n here_o pag._n 33._o and_o pag._n 163._o some_o idle_a wit_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v may_v perhaps_o have_v take_v just_a occasion_n to_o sport_n himself_o with_o my_o imperfection_n but_o to_o mock_v at_o a_o writer_n for_o use_v the_o term_n proper_a to_o the_o be_v he_o be_v discourse_v in_o seem_v to_o argue_v a_o very_o profligate_v temper_n of_o levity_n at_o least_o that_o i_o may_v say_v no_o worse_o §_o 9_o thus_o much_o for_o his_o first_o answer_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n consist_v whole_o of_o drollery_n neglect_v and_o other_o worse_a fault_n his_o second_o be_v that_o the_o main_a of_o that_o book_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o oppose_v no_o body_n that_o â—e_n know_v of_o in_o this_o matter_n i_o answer_v whoever_o please_v to_o run_v over_o the_o several_a head_n from_o which_o i_o argue_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n hint_v brief_o in_o the_o margin_n will_v see_v that_o that_o which_o he_o pretend_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o only_a point_n be_v but_o once_o design_o make_v use_v of_o and_o very_o rare_o touch_v at_o in_o other_o place_n and_o that_o there_o be_v near_o forty_o proof_n of_o another_o nature_n though_o sometime_o all_o truth_n be_v connect_v they_o happen_v to_o be_v partly_o coincident_a into_o the_o same_o sometime_o also_o i_o suppose_v it_o but_o it_o bear_v no_o show_n of_o reason_n that_o most_o of_o my_o book_n be_v spend_v in_o prove_v it_o but_o be_v it_o so_o clear_a that_o i_o oppose_v no_o body_n he_o know_v of_o in_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a do_v not_o he_o know_v one_o dr._n t._n that_o same_o person_n i_o suppose_v will_v tell_v we_o sober_o that_o he_o can_v prove_v his_o faith_n true_a rely_v on_o what_o he_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o yet_o speak_v of_o the_o certainty_n he_o have_v of_o both_o these_o he_o tell_v we_o express_o rale_n of_o faith_n pag._n 118._o all_o this_o may_v possible_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v that_o possible_o he_o have_v neither_o right_a letter_n nor_o right_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v his_o faith_n and_o true_a be_v notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o same_o man_n be_v to_o vindicate_v himself_o in_o this_o pref._n pag._n 10._o explain_v his_o meaning_n to_o be_v that_o he_o can_v not_o demonstrate_v those_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n now_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n involve_v a_o contradiction_n he_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o contrary_a to_o be_v false_a nothing_o be_v false_a which_o clash_v not_o by_o consequence_n at_o least_o with_o some_o first_o principle_n or_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n and_o as_o long_o as_o he_o can_v prove_v it_o false_a it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v and_o if_o the_o contrary_a to_o faith_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a faith_n itself_o must_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o though_o his_o discourse_n make_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o he_o as_o a_o christian_a force_v he_o 〈◊〉_d affirm_v that_o it_o be_v notwithstanding_o true_a so_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o christianity_n join_v with_o the_o badness_n of_o his_o ground_n oblige_v he_o to_o grant_v equivalent_o though_o he_o be_v wary_a than_o to_o do_v it_o direct_o that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 10._o now_o because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o very_a grain_n of_o rational_a nature_n to_o admire_v of_o such_o a_o palpable_a contradiction_n if_o the_o word_n truth_n be_v right_o and_o proper_o understand_v hence_o i_o be_o certain_a he_o and_o such_o as_o he_o be_v provide_v with_o a_o distinction_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o only_o hold_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v moral_o true_a that_o be_v some_o great_a likelihood_n or_o as_o true_a as_o many_o thing_n be_v of_o which_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o moral_o certain_a and_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o yet_o oftentimes_o upon_o clear_a information_n have_v find_v ourselves_o deceive_v in_o our_o opinion_n of_o they_o and_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sentiment_n in_o this_o matter_n appear_v far_a beside_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v from_o his_o own_v such_o a_o moral_a certainty_n only_o for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n as_o free_v one_o from_o doubt_n from_o his_o feeble_a and_o dwindling_n expression_n of_o his_o certainty_n of_o a_o godhead_n and_o last_o from_o his_o blame_v i_o pag._n 29._o for_o râ—sting_v content_v with_o no_o less_o certain_a ground_n than_o such_o as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o how_o one_o who_o rely_v on_o his_o speculative_a proof_n for_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n can_v have_v no_o claim_n to_o practical_a self-evidence_n can_v be_v think_v to_o hold_v faith_n absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o disclaim_v himself_o and_o blame_v in_o other_o the_o pretend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o absolute_o conclude_v or_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o how_o a_o man_n can_v with_o honesty_n affirm_v a_o thing_n be_v absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o deny_v he_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o it_o i_o must_v confess_v
both_o pass_v my_o imagination_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a every_o man_n living_n who_o consider_v well_o what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a then_o from_o dr._n t_n whole_a carriage_n in_o this_o business_n that_o unless_o perhaps_o the_o natural_a force_n of_o tradition_n work_v a_o practical-self_n evidence_n in_o he_o of_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o who_o hold_v to_o tradition_n and_o he_o agree_v which_o he_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o dr._n t._n do_v not_o hold_v his_o faith_n absolute_o but_o moral_o true_a which_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n as_o be_v show_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o will_v be_v see_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o â—itting_v and_o necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v clear_v the_o word_n truth_n from_o a_o ridiculous_a equivocation_n or_o impertinent_a distinction_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o such_o sceptical_a pretender_n to_o christianity_n and_o manifest_a that_o the_o word_n truth_n in_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v the_o a_o est_fw-la of_o a_o thing_n speak_v be_v and_o so_o necessary_o involve_v impossibility_n of_o not_o be_v or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o its_o notion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o material_o though_o formal_o it_o be_v different_a that_o what_o be_v true_a must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 11._o hence_o will_v appear_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n more_o than_o mathematically-demonstrative_a because_o it_o be_v immediate_o build_v on_o that_o first_o principle_n in_o metaphysic_n it_o be_v impossible_a the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o once_o which_o be_v superior_a to_o and_o clear_a than_o any_o mathematical_a principle_n since_o the_o verity_n of_o all_o the_o maxim_n of_o this_o depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o or_o to_o explain_v myself_o more_o full_o because_o it_o be_v entire_o build_v on_o the_o notion_n or_o nature_n of_o be_v which_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o any_o mathematical_a one_o if_o he_o deny_v it_o he_o be_v desire_v to_o produce_v any_o mathematical_a notion_n which_o be_v of_o equal_a clearness_n which_o do_v a_o little_a reflection_n will_v teach_v he_o that_o that_o mathematical_a notion_n whatever_o it_o be_v can_v bear_v a_o definition_n that_o be_v can_v be_v represent_v or_o make_v clear_a than_o it_o be_v while_n express_v by_o that_o single_a word_n define_v whereas_o the_o notion_n of_o be_v can_v possible_o bear_v any_o but_o while_o we_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v it_o better_o we_o be_v force_v to_o put_v its_o own_o notion_n in_o its_o definition_n and_o other_o notion_n beside_o less_o evident_a than_o itself_o and_o so_o while_o we_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v it_o better_o we_o explain_v it_o worse_o whence_o it_o will_v appear_v evident_o by_o our_o defeat_n when_o we_o attempt_v to_o clear_v it_o better_o that_o it_o be_v the_o clear_a notion_n that_o be_v or_o clear_a than_o mathematical_a one_o and_o consequent_o the_o discourse_n ground_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o be_v be_v more_o than_o mathematical_o demonstrative_a but_o i_o pardon_v this_o mistake_n to_o dr._n t._n who_o i_o very_o judge_v to_o be_v sincere_o ignorant_a in_o such_o kind_n of_o speculation_n and_o not_o affect_o only_a as_o he_o discover_v himself_o to_o be_v in_o multitude_n of_o other_o hence_o by_o the_o way_n be_v see_v also_o how_o strange_o the_o world_n be_v mistake_v in_o metaphysic_n esteem_v that_o high_a science_n intolerable_o obscure_a and_o impenetrable_o difficult_a whereas_o its_o object_n be_v those_o notion_n that_o concern_v be_v all_o its_o obscurity_n and_o hardness_n to_o one_o who_o right_a logic_n have_v teach_v accurate_o to_o distinguish_v and_o steady_o to_o keep_v distinct_a his_o notion_n consist_v only_o in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v too_o luminous_a and_o intelligible_a in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o sun_n be_v hard_o to_o be_v see_v at_o noonday_n whence_o it_o happen_v that_o because_o we_o be_v inure_v by_o custom_n to_o make_v definition_n or_o explication_n of_o what_o we_o be_v discourse_v about_o and_o here_o the_o subject_a not_o need_v nor_o bear_v it_o we_o can_v make_v none_o of_o be_v which_o be_v the_o principal_a object_n in_o that_o science_n hence_o be_v put_v out_o of_o our_o road_n we_o be_v at_o a_o puzzle_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v lose_v our_o way_n through_o too_o much_o light_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o his_o confutation_n of_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 12._o his_o next_o answer_n be_v that_o in_o assert_v infallibility_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n i_o have_v the_o generality_n of_o my_o own_o church_n my_o profess_a adversary_n that_o be_v dr._n t._n will_v say_v any_o thing_n let_v he_o show_v i_o i_o will_v not_o say_v the_o generality_n or_o any_o great_a number_n but_o even_o any_o one_o particular_a catholic_n profess_v either_o that_o he_o rely_v not_o on_o the_o church_n for_o his_o faith_n or_o that_o the_o church_n he_o rely_v on_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o i_o here_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v no_o catholic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o â—ll_o good_a son_n of_o the_o church_n will_v join_v with_o i_o in_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o such_o i_o hope_v those_o reader_n who_o be_v scholar_n will_v by_o the_o way_n reflect_v how_o solid_a a_o method_n dr._n t._n still_o take_v to_o confute_v my_o discourse_n which_o be_v to_o let_v all_o my_o proof_n or_o premise_n alone_o untouched_a and_o fall_v to_o combat_v my_o conclusion_n with_o extrinsecal_n medium_n next_o he_o tell_v â—s_a the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v only_o to_o infallibility_n found_v on_o christ_n promise_n to_o secure_v the_o church_n from_o error_n by_o a_o supernatural_a assistance_n which_o be_v evident_o different_a from_o mr._n s_o '_o s._n rational_a infallibility_n of_o tradition_n in_o which_o discourse_n be_v almost_o as_o many_o fault_n as_o word_n for_o 1._o it_o suppose_v the_o church_n exclude_v the_o concurrence_n of_o natural_a mean_n to_o her_o infallibility_n which_o he_o shall_v never_o show_v next_o it_o suppose_v i_o exclude_v supernatural_a assistance_n and_o admit_v only_o natural_a whereas_o i_o express_o include_v and_o open_o vouch_v it_o in_o sure_a foot_n from_o pag._n 85._o to_o pag._n 93._o and_o 3_o lie_n he_o suppose_v that_o supernatural_a and_o rational_a be_v inconsistent_a whereas_o in_o the_o place_n now_o cite_v and_o never_o speak_v to_o in_o his_o much_o applaud_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o all_o a_o long_o prove_v the_o supernatural_a mean_n to_o be_v very_o rational_a and_o have_v so_o good_a a_o opinion_n of_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o make_v account_n that_o supernatural_a thing_n have_v far_o more_o excellent_a reason_n for_o they_o than_o natural_a one_o and_o that_o god_n do_v not_o envious_o hide_v from_o we_o the_o sight_n of_o those_o reason_n but_o permit_v and_o will_v they_o shall_v be_v see_v and_o penetrate_v by_o those_o who_o be_v dispose_v and_o capable_a by_o the_o antecedent_n illumination_n of_o faith_n assist_v by_o other_o natural_a knowledge_n to_o look_v into_o they_o §_o 13._o after_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o our_o church_n before_o this_o new_a way_n be_v find_v out_o do_v general_o resolve_v faith_n into_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o into_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o â—rue_a church_n into_o motive_n only_a prudential_n so_o that_o what_o he_o late_o put_v upon_o our_o church_n be_v now_o come_v to_o signify_v divine_n of_o oâ—a_n church_n which_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v dr._n t._n make_v account_v that_o faith_n and_o school-divinity_n church_n and_o school_n humane_a deduction_n and_o divine_a revelation_n signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n next_o he_o acquaint_v we_o that_o this_o new_a way_n of_o we_o be_v the_o old_a way_n in_o case_n the_o divine_n do_v general_o before_o this_o new_a way_n be_v find_v out_o resolve_v faith_n into_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o all_o the_o late_a explicaters_n of_o tradition_n make_v it_o the_o same_o with_o the_o attestation_n or_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o which_o follow_v i_o partly_o agree_v with_o that_o other_o sort_n of_o divine_n partly_o i_o dissent_v from_o they_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o our_o saviour_n promise_v infallibility_n to_o his_o church_n as_o also_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o promise_n have_v by_o faith_n be_v a_o excellent_a satisfaction_n to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o so_o the_o same_o thing_n will_v in_o the_o same_o respect_n be_v
before_o and_o after_o itself_o as_o also_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_v it_o can_v have_v no_o force_n upon_o one_o not_o yet_o arrive_v at_o faith_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o have_v because_o it_o be_v as_o yet_o unknown_a to_o he_o §_o 14._o again_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v many_o several_a prudential_n reason_n suit_v to_o man_n of_o several_a capacity_n and_o circumstance_n move_v they_o to_o disquisition_n and_o incline_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o true_a church_n but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o move_v a_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o incline_v he_o to_o assent_v another_o thing_n to_o settle_v he_o in_o a_o most_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o and_o such_o point_n as_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n hereupon_o i_o affirm_v that_o this_o late_a effect_n can_v be_v wrought_v rational_o without_o ground_n true_o evident_a and_o absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o knowable_a either_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o also_o to_o the_o learned_a by_o a_o certain_o conclude_v proof_n which_o i_o call_v a_o demonstration_n i_o affirm_v moreover_o with_o due_a respect_n to_o those_o divine_n that_o motive_n only_a prudential_n seem_v improper_a to_o be_v name_v in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o they_o must_v be_v principia_fw-la sapientiae_fw-la and_o not_o prudentiae_fw-la which_o can_v rational_o make_v we_o absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o be_v or_o not-being_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n the_o object_n of_o prudence_n be_v agibilia_fw-la and_o not_o intelligibilia_fw-la as_o such_o and_o its_o proper_a exercise_n and_o use_v be_v to_o determine_v a_o man_n to_o act_v exterior_o or_o to_o act_v thus_o in_o circumstance_n where_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n be_v find_v and_o not_o to_o act_v interior_o or_o meddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n or_o truth_n depend_v sole_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n in_o a_o word_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v think_v singular_a in_o my_o principle_n while_o i_o ground_n myself_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o both_o all_o catholic_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n hold_n and_o st._n thomas_n of_o aquin_n the_o prince_n of_o school-divines_a assert_n as_o i_o show_v faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 130._o §_o 14._o as_o for_o all_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n once_o more_o i_o request_v dr._n t._n to_o make_v good_a this_o consequence_n that_o my_o discourse_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o all_o our_o divine_n even_o of_o the_o same_o way_n in_o common_a agree_v with_o i_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o this_o do_v to_o reply_v distinct_o to_o all_o his_o extrinsecal_n and_o impertinent_a exception_n which_o wave_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n my_o premise_n he_o so_o constant_o lelevel_v against_o my_o conclusion_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v i_o can_v reasonable_o charge_v he_o with_o those_o thing_n till_o i_o have_v vindicate_v our_o own_o divine_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o i_o can_v not_o be_v i_o their_o adversary_n charge_v they_o with_o what_o i_o can_v just_o charge_v he_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n on_o which_o they_o rely_v infallible_a and_o hold_v this_o more_o firm_o than_o they_o do_v any_o of_o their_o speculation_n and_o consequent_o they_o hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o preserve_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a whereas_o what_o he_o be_v to_o hold_v to_o most_o firm_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n be_v his_o own_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o see_v and_o hold_v to_o be_v fallible_a and_o so_o he_o must_v say_v that_o all_o his_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o god_n goodness_n will_v give_v he_o leave_v in_o himself_o and_o other_o and_o corrupt_v it_o into_o opinion_n they_o produce_v motive_n which_o though_o they_o call_v they_o prudential_n be_v indeed_o some_o of_o they_o demonstrative_a and_o coincident_a in_o part_n with_o tradition_n whereas_o dr._n t._n have_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o his_o ground_n take_v he_o as_o oppose_a catholic_n or_o stand_v to_o his_o own_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o right_o state_v have_v even_o the_o least_o shâ—w_n of_o prudential_n to_o a_o unbyast_a man_n much_o less_o of_o demonstrative_a last_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o handle_v the_o point_n at_o large_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v they_o differ_v only_o in_o a_o word_n but_o dr._n t._n err_v in_o the_o whole_a thing_n though_o indeed_o in_o most_o of_o our_o divine_n here_o cite_v he_o mistake_v they_o and_o not_o they_o the_o main_a point_n whatever_o he_o pretend_v for_o however_o they_o make_v prudential_n motive_n sufficient_a to_o find_v the_o church_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n when_o find_v on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o faith_n of_o far_o great_a weight_n than_o such_o a_o evidence_n as_o do_v ordinary_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n since_o they_o all_o hold_v it_o infallible_a which_o be_v vast_o more_o than_o dr._n t._n hold_v to_o ground_v his_o faith_n §_o 15._o his_o three_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o principle_n of_o i_o make_v every_o true_a believer_n infallible_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o say_v he_o be_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o i_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o it_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n now_o this_o charge_n of_o he_o join_v with_o my_o true_a tenet_n that_o true_a believer_n be_v those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n or_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n signify_v thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a and_o strange_a paradox_n that_o those_o that_o follow_v and_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o direct_v they_o to_o truth_n shall_v in_o so_o do_v not_o possible_o be_v lead_v into_o error_n that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n to_o say_v that_o essential_a truth_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o proper_a cause_n of_o falsehood_n but_o he_o discourse_v still_o upon_o this_o point_n as_o if_o i_o have_v hold_v that_o the_o vulgar_a be_v preserve_v from_o possibility_n of_o error_n or_o be_v infallible_a not_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ground_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o err_v but_o from_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v i_o ever_o think_v or_o say_v even_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a he_o ask_v if_o this_o be_v true_a what_o need_v then_o of_o my_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o need_v governor_n when_o people_n know_v their_o duty_n or_o judge_n see_v the_o main_a of_o the_o common_a law_n be_v traditionary_a &_o to_o man_n verse_v in_o such_o affair_n self-known_a practical_o let_v he_o but_o assure_v the_o world_n that_o no_o upstart_n shall_v have_v a_o humour_n to_o rebel_n and_o innovate_v but_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v practise_v and_o hold_v to_o what_o they_o know_v evident_o be_v practise_v and_o hold_v by_o the_o immediate_o forego_v church_n and_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o there_o will_v need_v no_o infallible_a desiner_n not_o any_o at_o all_o as_o to_o such_o point_n but_o dr._n t._n discourse_n still_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o rude_a dim_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o accurate_a exact_a and_o oft-reflâ—cting_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o by_o their_o great_a learning_n their_o education_n their_o posture_n and_o office_n be_v particular_o verse_v and_o most_o deep_o insighted_a into_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n explain_v or_o word_v it_o &_o thence_o declare_v it_o authentical_o so_o to_o keep_v its_o distinct_a sense_n clear_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o the_o equivocate_a witty_a heretic_n endeavour_v to_o render_v confuse_v and_o obscure_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v study_v our_o tenet_n a_o while_n and_o understand_v they_o ere_o he_o undertake_v to_o confute_v we_o he_o be_v very_o raw_a in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n §_o 16._o his_o next_o error_n be_v worse_a than_o the_o former_a he_o will_v fain_o persuade_v catholic_n if_o any_o
do_v that_o which_o before_o he_o come_v to_o he_o make_v such_o a_o pother_n and_o still_o hang_v back_o and_o pretend_v to_o hold_v the_o contrary_a even_o there_o where_o he_o grant_v it_o as_o be_v see_v in_o his_o title_n but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o peevish_a and_o so_o the_o truth_n be_v agree_v mean_v not_o to_o fall_v out_o about_o the_o word_n let_v he_o use_v what_o he_o please_v in_o god_n name_n marry_o i_o suspect_v his_o friend_n will_v not_o so_o easy_o be_v satisfy_v &_o perhaps_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o more_o speedy_a way_n of_o answer_v than_o a_o good_a way_n of_o confute_v for_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o odd_a way_n of_o show_v that_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n which_o he_o undertake_v in_o his_o title_n to_o grant_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o can_v do_v what_o a_o rule_n shall_v do_v that_o be_v have_v all_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n all_o i_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o be_v he_o recal_v his_o grant_n and_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o his_o word_n give_v public_o and_o after_o sufficient_a consideration_n but_o after_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n continue_v still_o to_o contradict_v it_o and_o bear_v other_o in_o hand_n that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o answer_v what_o he_o have_v plain_o grant_v this_o cross_a proceed_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v deserve_v of_o truth_n and_o i_o i_o can_v approve_v and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v for_o his_o own_o and_o the_o world_n sake_n he_o will_v stedy_o own_v at_o least_o his_o own_o concession_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o see_v if_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_o may_v be_v in_o stead_n of_o sâ—ven_n property_n prove_v in_o my_o discourse_n to_o belong_v to_o tradition_n he_o put_v two_o of_o his_o own_o first_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a and_o this_o he_o grant_v here_o pag._n 149._o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n his_o second_o be_v that_o we_o must_v be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o change_n in_o the_o conveyance_n and_o here_o he_o say_v be_v the_o difficulty_n where_o good_a dr_n we_o be_v inquire_v which_o be_v the_o rule_n must_v we_o before_o we_o can_v find_v it_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n when_o the_o rule_n be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o give_v we_o this_o assurance_n if_o we_o must_v beforehand_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o need_v a_o rule_n no_o more_o for_o the_o business_n be_v do_v already_o or_o if_o we_o do_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v one_o for_o assurance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o rule_n we_o make_v the_o rule_n the_o effect_n of_o this_o assurance_n and_o so_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n till_o we_o have_v a_o rule_n and_o no_o rule_n till_o we_o have_v this_o assurance_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o difficulty_n and_o i_o think_v a_o insuperable_a one_o but_o all_o proceed_v from_o his_o jumble_a two_o distinct_a question_n and_o confound_v the_o first_o which_o alone_o i_o treat_v and_o he_o pretend_v to_o answer_v there_o namely_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o which_o i_o treat_v afterward_o and_o examine_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v always_o follow_v for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o two_o way_n by_o which_o christiâ—â—_n doctrine_n may_v have_v receive_v corruption_n or_o change_n be_v these_o either_o a_o defect_n of_o power_n or_o aptitude_n in_o the_o rule_n to_o convey_v it_o or_o defect_n of_o will_n in_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o have_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n it_o have_v and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o plain_a that_o in_o case_n we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o tradition_n have_v power_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o convey_v it_o uncorrupted_a down_o we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o it_o have_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o a_o rule_n and_o since_o dr._n t._n grant_v it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a he_o must_v grant_v the_o person_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n or_o tradition_n be_v to_o blame_v if_o it_o have_v not_o do_v what_o it_o be_v qualify_v to_o do_v to_o have_v a_o will_v to_o follow_v tradition_n be_v the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n or_o good_a christian_n and_o not_o of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o follow_v or_o of_o the_o rule_n which_o if_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o may_v have_v follow_v it_o if_o they_o will_v a_o sword_n be_v a_o sword_n whether_o man_n cut_v with_o it_o or_o no_o and_o a_o pen_n be_v a_o pen_n though_o no_o man_n write_v with_o it_o distinguish_v then_o the_o property_n of_o of_o a_o rule_n from_o the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o use_v it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o his_o second_o qualification_n sufficient_o certain_a agree_v no_o less_o to_o tradition_n than_o his_o first_o sufficient_o plain_a for_o what_o can_v sufficient_o certain_a signify_v more_o than_o that_o in_o case_n it_o have_v be_v use_v christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n both_o these_o he_o grant_v and_o plain_o and_o ready_o and_o these_o two_o be_v all_o himself_o require_v wherefore_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n about_o the_o point_n i_o there_o treat_v whether_o tradition_n have_v all_o the_o property_n belong_v to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n &_o dr._n t._n his_o difficulty_n be_v this_o whether_o 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v follow_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o person_n who_o shall_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o be_v whole_o extrinsical_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o rule_n §_o 3._o the_o dr._n than_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o say_v she_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o point_n so_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v grant_v there_o be_v in_o truth_n little_o more_o to_o be_v say_v to_o it_o i_o for_o my_o part_n find_v some_o difficulty_n how_o to_o reconcile_v his_o difficulty_n and_o his_o ready_a grant_n and_o make_v they_o hang_v together_o with_o sense_n the_o difficulty_n be_v say_v he_o whether_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o change_n in_o its_o conveyance_n he_o put_v it_o then_o deliver_v by_o tradition_n that_o be_v he_o put_v this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v and_o before_o he_o say_v that_o if_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n and_o then_o make_v a_o difficulty_n whether_o there_o have_v be_v a_o change_n where_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v something_a difficult_a to_o apprehend_v otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n at_o all_o in_o conceive_v that_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o change_n in_o christian_a doctrine_n this_o must_v have_v happen_v not_o by_o defect_n of_o the_o rule_n which_o if_o follow_v he_o say_v leave_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o possibility_n of_o it_o but_o of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v deficient_a in_o their_o duty_n and_o will_v not_o follow_v it_o he_o may_v perhaps_o say_v that_o by_o deliver_v down_o he_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o pretend_v to_o be_v deliver_v down_o but_o to_o omit_v that_o by_o deliver_v to_o mean_v not_o deliver_v be_v something_o uncouth_a this_o be_v plain_o to_o fasten_v the_o difficulty_n upon_o the_o doctrine_n not_o the_o rule_n and_o â—o_o doubt_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v follow_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n and_o so_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n at_o least_o as_o far_o as_o the_o dr._n can_v give_v it_o we_o that_o tradition_n be_v as_o well_o sufficient_o certain_a as_o sufficient_o plain_a since_o he_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o it_o be_v follow_v no_o change_n in_o the_o doctrine_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v which_o be_v all_o the_o certainty_n can_v possible_o be_v expect_v from_o or_o desire_v in_o a_o rule_n his_o difficulty_n such_o as_o it_o be_v belong_v to_o another_o place_n where_o it_o be_v express_o treat_v and_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sufficient_a consideration_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 4._o what_o pretty_a fantastical_a thing_n these_o word_n be_v and_o how_o apt_a they_o be_v to_o trapan_n a_o man_n who_o look_v not_o narrow_o into_o their_o sense_n one_o will_v have_v think_v &_o i_o imagine_v the_o dr._n intend_v man_n shall_v think_v that_o his_o sufficient_o consider_v mean_v sufficient_o confute_v when_o alas_o they_o signify_v plain_o and_o ready_o grant_v it_o be_v a_o neat_a and_o a_o
by_o some_o natural_a and_o therefore_o more_o easily-known_a assistance_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n those_o out_o of_o she_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o she_o be_v supernatural_o assist_v this_o be_v the_o method_n i_o take_v in_o resolve_v faith_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o other_o that_o be_v either_o more_o solid_a more_o orderly_a more_o connatural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o more_o honourable_a to_o god_n church_n i_o shall_v as_o willing_o and_o easy_o quit_v it_o as_o i_o now_o out_o of_o long_a and_o serious_a consideration_n embrace_v and_o firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o whoever_o contradict_v this_o especial_o as_o to_o that_o point_n which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n must_v withal_o contradict_v a_o maxim_n on_o which_o all_o science_n be_v principal_o build_v namely_o that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o notion_n define_v which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a definition_n but_o of_o each_o single_a part_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o one_o part_n be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v the_o whole_a definition_n as_o have_v that_o obscure_a part_n in_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o obscure_a likewise_o wherefore_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v more_o know_v and_o knowable_a than_o that_o of_o church_n and_o consequent_o antecedent_n to_o it_o in_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n or_o the_o definition_n will_v be_v obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o if_o it_o be_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o to_o what_o end_n definition_n be_v or_o why_o they_o do_v not_o rather_o conduce_v to_o ignorance_n than_o to_o science_n add_v that_o true_a faith_n be_v most_o intrinsical_a and_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n it_o be_v by_o consequence_n a_o more_o forcible_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o convince_v inevitable_o that_o such_o a_o body_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o be_v any_o extrinsecal_n mark_v whatsoever_o and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o extrinsical_a mark_n be_v more_o easy_o knowable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o superficial_a appearance_n there_o be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o objection_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n to_o settle_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o any_o of_o these_o mark_n any_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v at_o all_o much_o less_o more_o easy_o know_v if_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o visible_a and_o practical_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v questionable_a and_o that_o neither_o scripture_n father_n council_n history_n monument_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v pretend_v to_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a or_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v know_v unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o that_o be_v more_o know_v as_o be_v show_v particular_o in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a §_o 11._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v take_v in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n take_v at_o large_a for_o the_o humane_a or_o natural_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o deliver_v and_o last_o for_o its_o divinely-assisted_n or_o supernatural_a authority_n call_v proper_o christian._n when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o one_o fence_n when_o in_o another_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o the_o concomitant_a circumstance_n will_v evident_o determine_v only_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o three_o notion_n be_v not_o adequate_o contradistinct_a the_o late_a still_o include_v the_o former_a as_o length_n breadth_n and_o depth_n do_v in_o continue_v quantity_n for_o the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n include_v tradition_n take_v at_o large_a and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v show_v suref_a p._n 82_o 83._o the_o supernatural_a authority_n include_v all_o find_v in_o the_o other_o two_o and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v particular_o declare_v there_o from_o p._n 84._o to_o p._n 93._o so_o that_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v imaginable_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v christian_n or_o in_o the_o testify_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n §_o 12._o but_o because_o it_o be_v still_o d._n it_o be_v best_a play_n to_o make_v use_n of_o extrinsecal_n exception_n so_o to_o divert_v the_o reader_n eye_n and_o avoid_v answer_v my_o intrinsecal_n reason_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o grapple_v and_o since_o among_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v very_o frequent_a at_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n of_o my_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n after_o a_o different_a manner_n than_o other_o divine_n do_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o omit_v many_o pregnant_a instance_n which_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o dr._n stratford_n the_o learned_a author_n of_o protestancy_n without_o principle_n and_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o show_v how_o far_o he_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n by_o instance_v in_o one_o controvertist_n of_o eminent_a both_o fame_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o in_o his_o time_n one_o who_o write_v before_o rushworth_n dialogue_n appear_v or_o perhaps_o be_v think_v of_o and_o so_o can_v be_v suspect_v a_o follower_n of_o that_o new_a way_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v it_o i_o mean_v mr._n fisher._n this_o able_a controvertist_n in_o his_o censure_n of_o dr._n white_n be_v reply_n p._n 83_o 84_o maintain_v that_o unwritten_a that_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v the_o prime_a ground_n of_o faith_n more_o fundamental_a than_o scripture_n and_o show_v how_o his_o adversary_n mr._n white_a the_o minister_n grant_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o point_n p._n 27._o he_o conclude_v strong_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n suppose_v before_o faith_n which_o infidel_n see_v to_o be_v true_a resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o be_v secondary_a truth_n dark_a and_o obscure_a in_o themselves_o believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n which_o word_n as_o ample_o and_o full_o express_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o express_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v for_o how_o shall_v that_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a or_o how_o can_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n that_o be_v partly_o at_o least_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n since_o what_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o presuppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o argument_n he_o make_v the_o primâ—_n principle_n of_o faith_n or_o unwritten_a tradition_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o that_o be_v the_o same_o we_o mean_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a evident_a in_o itself_o and_o p._n 40._o he_o put_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o protestant_n to_o be_v what_o be_v the_o external_a infallible_a ground_n unto_o which_o divine_a inspiration_n move_v man_n to_o adhere_v that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n where_o first_o beside_o god_n grace_n move_v we_o to_o every_o good_a act_n which_o all_o catholic_n hold_v to_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o he_o a_o external_n infallible_a ground_n next_o that_o without_o such_o a_o ground_n a_o man_n can_v be_v settle_v in_o true_a save_a faith_n again_o p._n 38_o come_n to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o know_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v apostolical_a he_o mention_n none_o but_o only_o public_a catholic_n tradition_n teach_v unanimous_o and_o perpetual_o by_o pastor_n which_o p._n 37._o he_o call_v a_o rule_n infallible_a and_o say_v that_o only_a heretic_n charge_v it_o to_o be_v fallible_a where_o also_o he_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v the_o catholic_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o tradition_n of_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o father_n unto_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o child_n etc._n etc._n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o by_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v appear_v to_o be_v evident_o the_o same_o i_o defend_v he_o affirm_v p._n 38._o that_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v simple_o infallible_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n thereof_o and_o quote_v suarez_n to_o
say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o humane_a certitude_n of_o which_o it_o may_v simple_o or_o absolute_o be_v say_v non_fw-la posse_fw-la illi_fw-la falsum_fw-la subesse_fw-la that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v produce_v more_o express_o abet_v my_o way_n of_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n nothing_o certain_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o which_o immediate_o follow_v contain_v the_o reason_n why_o tradition_n be_v by_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o it_o simple_o infallible_a for_o say_v he_o tradition_n be_v full_a report_n about_o what_o be_v evident_a unto_o sense_n to_o wit_n what_o doctrine_n and_o scripture_n the_o apostle_n public_o deliver_v unto_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a world_n of_o man_n can_v be_v uniform_o mistake_v and_o deceive_v about_o a_o matter_n evident_a to_o sense_n and_o not_o be_v deceive_v be_v so_o many_o in_o number_n so_o divide_v in_o place_n of_o so_o different_a affection_n and_o condition_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v so_o have_v agree_v in_o their_o tale_n have_v they_o so_o malicious_o resolve_v to_o deceive_v the_o world_n observe_v here_o 1._o that_o he_o allege_v only_o natural_a motive_n or_o speak_v only_o of_o tradition_n as_o it_o signify_v the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v as_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n wherein_o i_o take_v it_o in_o my_o method_n 2._o he_o go_v about_o to_o show_v out_o of_o its_o very_a nature_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a 3._o he_o make_v this_o tradition_n or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a deriver_n down_o or_o ascertainer_n that_o what_o be_v now_o hold_v upon_o that_o tenure_n be_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n or_o the_o first-taught_a faith_n which_o once_o know_v those_o who_o be_v yet_o unbeliever_n may_v infallible_o know_v that_o body_n that_o proceed_v upon_o it_o to_o possess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o consequent_o infallible_o know_v the_o true_a church_n which_o be_v the_o very_a way_n i_o take_v in_o my_o method_n and_o other_o tâ—eatises_n it_o may_v hence_o be_v discern_v with_o how_o little_a reason_n dr._n t._n except_v against_o it_o as_o so_o superlative_o singular_a but_o to_o proceed_v hence_o p._n 40._o he_o aver_v that_o the_o proof_n of_o tradition_n be_v so_o full_a and_o sufficient_a that_o it_o convince_v infidel_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v only_o natural_a reason_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o for_o though_o say_v he_o they_o be_v blind_a not_o to_o see_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v divine_a yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o void_a of_o common_a sense_n impudent_a and_o obstinate_a as_o to_o deny_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_n catholic_n tradition_n to_o be_v true_o christian_n and_o apostolical_a and_o p._n 41._o the_o only_a mean_n whereby_o man_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n may_v know_v assure_o what_o scripture_n and_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v to_o the_o primitive_a catholic_n church_n be_v the_o catholic_n tradition_n by_o world_n of_o christian_a father_n and_o pastor_n unto_o world_n of_o christian_a child_n and_o faithful_a people_n which_o word_n as_o full_o express_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only_a or_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o whereas_o some_o hold_n that_o a_o inward_a work_n of_o god_n spirit_n supply_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o motive_n this_o learned_a writer_n p._n 46_o on_o the_o contrary_n affirm_v that_o inward_a assurance_n without_o any_o external_n infallible_a ground_n to_o assure_v man_n of_o truth_n be_v proper_a unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o first_o publisher_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o last_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 47._o he_o discourse_v thus_o if_o any_o object_n that_o the_o sense_n of_o man_n in_o this_o search_n may_v be_v deceive_v through_o natural_a invincible_a fallibility_n of_o their_o organ_n and_o so_o no_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v altogether_o infallible_a i_o answer_v that_o evidence_n have_v by_o sense_n be_v but_o the_o private_a of_o one_o man_n be_v natural_o and_o physical_o infallible_a but_o when_o the_o same_o be_v also_o public_a and_o catholic_n that_o be_v when_o a_o whole_a world_n of_o man_n concur_v with_o he_o than_o his_o evidence_n be_v altogether_o infallible_a and_o now_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o my_o book_n touch_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v not_o either_o the_o selfsame_a or_o else_o necessary_o consequent_a or_o at_o least_o very_a consonant_n to_o what_o i_o have_v here_o cite_v from_o this_o judicious_a author_n and_o great_a champion_n of_o truth_n in_o his_o day_n who_o coincidency_n with_o other_o divine_n into_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o explication_n argue_v strong_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o same_o unanimous_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o true_a catholic_n ground_n which_o can_v breed_v this_o conspire_v into_o the_o same_o way_n of_o discourse_v and_o almost_o the_o selfsame_a word_n §_o 13._o hence_o be_v see_v how_o just_o d._n t._n when_o he_o want_v something_o else_o to_o say_v still_o tax_v i_o with_o singularity_n in_o accept_v of_o nothing_o but_o infallibility_n build_v on_o absolutely-conclusive_a motive_n with_o talk_v such_o paradox_n as_o he_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o they_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n that_o all_o mankind_n except_v j._n saint_n have_v hitherto_o grant_v that_o no_o humane_a understanding_n be_v secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n from_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o my_o ground_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n and_o excommunicate_v the_o generality_n of_o our_o own_o church_n that_o no_o man_n before_o j._n s._n be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o maintain_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o fallible_a man_n which_o word_n fallible_a be_v of_o his_o own_o add_v i_o be_v of_o mankind_n rely_v on_o sensation_n be_v infallible_a that_o this_o be_v a_o new_a way_n and_o twenty_o such_o insignificant_a cavil_n but_o the_o thing_n which_o breed_v his_o vexation_n be_v that_o as_o my_o reason_n incline_v i_o i_o join_v with_o those_o who_o be_v the_o most_o solid_a and_o intelligent_a party_n of_o divine_n that_o be_v indeed_o i_o stick_v to_o and_o pursue_v and_o explain_v and_o endeavour_v to_o advance_v far_o those_o ground_n which_o i_o see_v be_v build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v i_o only_o talk_v of_o moral_a certainty_n probability_n and_o such_o wise_a stuff_n when_o i_o be_o settle_v faith_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o will_v like_v i_o exceed_o for_o than_o his_o own_o side_n may_v be_v probable_a too_o which_o sandy_a foundation_n be_v enough_o for_o such_o a_o mercurial_a faith_n as_o nothing_o but_o interest_n be_v apt_a to_o fix_v discourse_n viii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n answer_v my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o his_o attempt_n to_o clear_v object_v fault_n by_o commit_v new_a one_o §_o 1._o my_o confuter_n have_v at_o length_n do_v with_o my_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o my_o methed_a and_o have_v not_o he_o do_v well_o think_v you_o and_o approve_v himself_o a_o excellent_a confuter_n he_o only_o break_v his_o jest_n upon_o every_o passage_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o former_a except_o one_o without_o ever_o hee_v or_o consider_v much_o less_o attempt_v to_o answer_v any_o one_o single_a reason_n of_o those_o many_o there_o allege_v and_o as_o for_o that_o one_o passage_n in_o which_o he_o seem_v serious_a viz._n how_o the_o faithful_a be_v hold_v by_o i_o infallible_a in_o their_o faith_n he_o quite_o mistake_v it_o throughout_o again_o as_o for_o my_o method_n he_o first_o give_v a_o wrong_a character_n of_o it_o and_o next_o pretend_v it_o whole_o to_o rely_v upon_o a_o point_n which_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o be_v which_o he_o have_v ready_o grant_v but_o offer_v not_o one_o syllable_n of_o answer_n to_o any_o one_o reason_n in_o it_o neither_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o be_v to_o be_v overthrow_v next_o and_o first_o he_o say_v he_o will_v whole_o pass_v by_o the_o passion_n of_o it_o and_o i_o assure_v the_o reader_n so_o he_o do_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o too_o for_o he_o speak_v not_o a_o word_n to_o any_o one_o piece_n of_o it_o next_o he_o complain_v of_o the_o ill-language_n which_o he_o say_v proceed_v from_o a_o gall_v and_o uneasy_a mind_n he_o say_v partly_o true_a for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o uneasy_a to_o i_o than_o when_o i_o expect_v a_o sober_a and_o scholarlike_o answer_v to_o find_v only_o a_o prettily-worded_n fardel_n of_o drollery_n and_o insincerity_n i_o wonder_v what_o gall_v he_o when_o he_o lavish_v out_o so_o much_o ill-language_n in_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n in_o which_o treatise_n there_o be_v not_o one_o passionate_a word_n not_o one_o syllable_n
of_o irony_n or_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o least_o of_o a_o impertinent_a nature_n but_o a_o serious_a pursuit_n of_o the_o point_n by_o way_n of_o reason_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v in_o it_o no_o show_n of_o passion_n it_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o which_o gall_v and_o be_v so_o uneasy_a to_o he_o what_o need_n be_v there_o to_o fall_v into_o such_o down_o right_a rudeness_n as_o to_o call_v a_o proposition_n of_o i_o for_o which_o i_o offer_v my_o reason_n most_o impudent_a as_o do_v dr._n t._n rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 173._o and_o in_o forty_o other_o place_n to_o make_v the_o droll_fw-fr supplier_fw-fr the_o divine_a be_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o answer_v the_o reason_n and_o let_v the_o world_n judge_n if_o he_o can_v show_v any_o such_o rude_a language_n in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o i_o here_o blame_v myself_o for_o it_o though_o it_o be_v responsum_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la the_o worst_a word_n i_o use_v be_v charge_v hâ—m_n with_o falsify_v my_o word_n and_o sense_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o but_o hard_a law_n if_o he_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o commit_v such_o fault_n frequent_o and_o i_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v his_o fault_n when_o it_o be_v my_o duty_n as_o his_o answerer_n to_o discover_v they_o §_o 2._o he_o will_v clear_v himself_o of_o some_o fault_n object_v to_o do_v which_o he_o summon_v together_o all_o his_o best_a art_n first_o he_o pick_v out_o general_o what_o can_v best_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o reply_n next_o he_o counterfeit_v a_o wrong_a objection_n and_o last_o conceal_v in_o what_o manner_n and_o for_o what_o reason_n it_o be_v press_v against_o he_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o hope_v to_o escape_v blame_n §_o 3._o first_o he_o will_v justify_v himself_o for_o say_v i_o go_v about_o to_o explain_v word_n because_o myself_o say_v i_o will_v examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o they_o which_o seem_v equivalent_a to_o explain_v they_o but_o he_o conceal_v what_o kind_n of_o explication_n i_o deny_v myself_o to_o mean_v and_o what_o he_o unjust_o impute_v twice_o in_o one_o page_n p._n 3_o namely_o definition_n he_o conceal_v how_o he_o will_v needs_o make_v i_o intend_v to_o define_v and_o yet_o most_o disingenuous_o put_v down_o himself_o at_o the_o same_o time_n my_o very_a word_n in_o which_o i_o disclaim_v any_o pretence_n to_o define_v but_o only_o to_o reflect_v on_o some_o attribute_n predicate_v or_o property_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o be_v some_o pertinent_a and_o true_a say_n concern_v rule_n and_o faith_n which_o though_o they_o in_o part_n explicate_v they_o which_o i_o never_o deny_v yet_o they_o be_v far_o from_o look_v like_o those_o complete_a explication_n call_v definition_n or_o even_o like_o those_o less_o artificial_a one_o call_v description_n or_o like_o those_o explication_n industrious_o compile_v which_o be_v the_o word_n i_o use_v to_o adequate_v the_o entire_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n under_o consideration_n for_o example_n faith_n be_v there_o take_v for_o believe_v i_o come_v to_o discover_v it_o import_v some_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n and_o then_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o such_o §_o 8._o again_o i_o affirm_v §_o 12._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n bear_v that_o it_o be_v a_o perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o a_o virtue_n and_o thence_o discourse_v from_o it_o as_o it_o import_v a_o virtue_n also_o §_o 16._o i_o affirm_v that_o faith_n main_o conduce_v to_o bliss_n or_o salvation_n etc._n etc._n and_o thereupon_o frame_v such_o a_o discourse_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o spring_v out_o of_o such_o a_o consideration_n now_o all_o these_o in_o part_n explicate_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v disclose_v or_o say_v some_o truth_n that_o belong_v to_o its_o nature_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o those_o say_n look_v like_o a_o explication_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n for_o this_o speak_v a_o entireness_n and_o a_o adequateness_n to_o the_o notion_n explicate_v which_o it_o be_v evident_a not_o one_o of_o these_o particular_a affirmation_n or_o say_n have_v the_o least_o show_n of_o he_o conceal_v also_o what_o be_v allege_v letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 6._o for_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o creditable_a that_o candid_a scholar_n shall_v reflect_v on_o it_o viz._n that_o the_o word_n faith_n be_v equivocal_a and_o sometime_o signify_v conscience_n sometime_o fidelity_n or_o honesty_n etc._n etc._n i_o be_v necessary_o to_o explain_v myself_o in_o what_o sense_n i_o understand_v it_o there_o and_o to_o declare_v that_o i_o take_v it_o for_o belief_n and_o according_o say_v faith_n be_v the_o same_o with_o believe_v which_o no_o soon_o do_v but_o my_o pleasant_a confuter_n will_v needs_o have_v that_o express_v or_o clear_v its_o distinct_a sense_n in_o one_o single_a word_n to_o be_v a_o definition_n too_o and_o play_v upon_o it_o p._n 3._o with_o such_o affect_a raillery_n as_o will_v make_v any_o sober_a man_n unacquainted_a with_o the_o art_n he_o use_v to_o escape_v the_o duty_n of_o reply_v just_o wonder_v but_o i_o shall_v easy_o satisfy_v our_o reader_n what_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o this_o carriage_n he_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o give_v one_o word_n of_o a_o sober_a and_o solid_a reply_n to_o any_o one_o of_o thoâ—e_a many_o reason_n in_o that_o first_o discourse_n of_o i_o build_v all_o upon_o those_o affirmation_n or_o predication_n now_o speak_v of_o though_o this_o be_v the_o substantial_a part_n of_o my_o book_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o rest_n on_o whâ—ch_n i_o ground_n rhe_n property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n import_v its_o absolute_a certainty_n but_o neglect_v all_o my_o premise_n and_o proof_n he_o fall_v to_o deny_v my_o conclusion_n and_o talk_v something_o against_o it_o in_o his_o own_o way_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o jest_n be_v to_o divert_v the_o reader_n from_o the_o point_n and_o so_o serve_v instead_o of_o a_o confute_v to_o that_o whole_a discourse_n a_o rare_a method_n signify_v thus_o much_o if_o candidly_n and_o plain_o lay_v open_a and_o bring_v to_o termâ—_n of_o reason_n because_o i_o can_v pretend_v any_o thing_n and_o play_n upon_o it_o with_o ironies_n pretty_o express_v therefore_o my_o kind_n unexamine_v friend_n be_v inure_v to_o believe_v all_o i_o say_v to_o be_v gospel_n let_v my_o adversary_n say_v what_o he_o will_v he_o shall_v never_o be_v hold_v to_o discourse_v solid_o i_o charge_v he_o then_o afresh_o with_o a_o affect_a disingenuity_n design_v to_o palliate_v hâ—s_a neglect_n of_o answer_v and_o let_v he_o know_v that_o as_o it_o be_v manifest_a out_o of_o my_o book_n i_o build_v not_o there_o those_o seven_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n â—he_n reason_n for_o which_o he_o no_o where_o refute_v on_o the_o exactness_n entireness_n or_o goodness_n of_o any_o falsely-pretended_n definition_n or_o explication_n but_o on_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o proposition_n or_o the_o agreement_n of_o those_o attribute_n or_o property_n to_o the_o respective_a nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n as_o their_o subject_n also_o he_o may_v please_v to_o reflect_v that_o these_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o signification_n of_o those_o word_n by_o discover_v and_o then_o dilate_v upon_o each_o of_o those_o single_o i_o declare_v by_o consequence_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v my_o present_a purpose_n without_o compile_v explication_n or_o frame_v definition_n which_o only_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o deny_v last_o i_o charge_v this_o insincerity_n far_o more_o home_n upon_o he_o now_o than_o ever_o that_o whereas_o in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o from_o p._n 5._o to_o p_o 9_o i_o have_v at_o large_a refute_v these_o ridiculous_a exception_n of_o he_o he_o in_o this_o very_a place_n where_o he_o pretend_v to_o speak_v particular_o to_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o one_o word_n there_o allege_v but_o conceal_v all_o that_o have_v be_v produce_v to_o answer_v those_o exception_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o no_o such_o answer_n have_v be_v give_v this_o i_o must_v confess_v fall_v much_o short_a of_o either_o nibble_a or_o gnaw_v and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o constant_a carriage_n of_o he_o discover_v too_o open_o a_o perfect_a disregard_n of_o truth_n abate_v in_o i_o much_o of_o that_o respect_n which_o otherwise_o his_o good_a endowment_n will_v natural_o give_v i_o §_o 4._o his_o second_o remembrance_n of_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o for_o though_o he_o say_v here_o p._n 32._o he_o must_v not_o forget_v it_o yet_o he_o haâ—_n be_v perfect_o unmindful_a of_o it_o hitherto_o be_v that_o i_o say_v my_o testimony_n be_v not_o intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n whereas_o my_o book_n be_v write_v
another_o aught_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o take_v those_o word_n which_o express_v his_o sentiment_n without_o put_v they_o always_o in_o the_o very_a method_n and_o posture_n in_o which_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o author_n while_o there_o be_v no_o ambiguity_n or_o doubt_n of_o the_o author_n sense_n in_o that_o place_n yet_o where_o it_o be_v at_o lest_o doubtful_a that_o the_o sense_n be_v otherwise_o as_o be_v manifest_a to_o any_o one_o who_o read_v that_o preface_n which_o as_o i_o allege_v though_o dr._n t._n never_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o be_v whole_o intend_v to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v not_o so_o fair_o and_o clear_o candid_a to_o introduce_v it_o as_o a_o most_o express_a say_n of_o a_o author_n and_o put_v it_o direct_o upon_o he_o as_o his_o say_v whereas_o there_o at_o least_o need_v a_o discourse_n and_o the_o draw_v some_o consequence_n to_o prove_v it_o his_o sense_n and_o doctrine_n as_o will_v appear_v short_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a strain_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o treatise_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v thus_o far_o then_o i_o conceive_v myself_o in_o rigorous_a truth_n justifiable_a namely_o for_o impute_v to_o dr._n t._n that_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o word_n some_o understand_v for_o he_o do_v so_o and_o by_o so_o do_v put_v that_o say_n direct_o upon_o the_o prefacer_n himself_o and_o express_v not_o that_o himself_o only_o gather_v it_o by_o consequence_n from_o his_o word_n §_o 8._o the_o chief_a and_o main_a part_n of_o the_o charge_n be_v that_o the_o impute_a tenet_n be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o prefacers_n word_n in_o that_o place_n and_o since_o he_o do_v not_o direct_o say_v it_o but_o it_o be_v infer_v only_o from_o his_o approve_v a_o other_o tenet_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n the_o point_n be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o such_o reflection_n as_o give_v we_o best_o light_n of_o his_o sense_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o allege_v 1._o that_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o treatise_n be_v aim_v to_o prove_v the_o quite_o contrary_a position_n which_o consideration_n be_v confess_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o any_o author_n to_o neglect_v that_o and_o catch_v at_o any_o little_a semblance_n in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_a word_n and_o then_o force_v upon_o that_o author_n a_o tenet_n perfect_o contrary_a to_o what_o his_o whole_a discourse_n be_v bend_v to_o prove_v favour_v too_o strong_a of_o a_o wit_n resolve_v to_o cavil_v this_o i_o object_v in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o and_o this_o dr._n t._n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o here_o for_o it_o be_v unanswerable_a and_o too_o evident_o conclude_v he_o injurious_a to_o the_o prefacer_n first_o then_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o show_n of_o relate_v the_o possibility_n there_o speak_v of_o to_o the_o divine_a omnipotence_n but_o only_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o second_o cause_n next_o that_o since_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v make_v to_o be_v if_o those_o cause_n can_v possible_o work_v otherwise_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v otherwise_o these_o due_a reflection_n make_v and_o settle_v to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o read_v the_o whole_a preface_n i_o offer_v these_o particularity_n p._n 6._o he_o blame_v those_o who_o bring_v not_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o coactive_a of_o the_o understanding_n and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o that_o §_o he_o press_v those_o who_o say_v those_o moral_a motive_n be_v such_o as_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o yield_v to_o to_o show_v how_o all_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o they_o evident_o see_v may_v be_v false_a and_o which_o be_v remarkable_a these_o expression_n be_v find_v in_o the_o §_o immediate_o before_o the_o citation_n d.t._n so_o misrepresent_v whence_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o can_v not_o but_o see_v and_o reflect_v on_o they_o again_o p._n 10._o else_o you_o will_v be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o the_o very_a way_n god_n himself_o have_v show_v to_o heaven_n may_v possible_o lead_v to_o hell_n p._n 13._o the_o formal_a part_n of_o our_o action_n unless_o it_o carry_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n with_o it_o can_v be_v venture_v on_o without_o reproach_n now_o as_o appear_v p._n 12_o he_o aim_v this_o discourse_n at_o action_n belong_v to_o faith_n and_o answer_n that_o be_v oppose_v those_o who_o say_v the_o reason_n or_o ground_n of_o our_o action_n need_v be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o high_a probability_n or_o contingent_a as_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o etc._n etc._n p._n 14._o this_o necessity_n bind_v god_n to_o put_v a_o inevitable_a certitude_n in_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n p._n 16._o there_o be_v nothing_o advance_v towards_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o assent_n since_o this_o remain_v know_v that_o the_o position_n may_v be_v false_a etc._n etc._n and_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 20._o he_o put_v the_o question_n whether_o a_o desultory_a assent_n which_o so_o agree_v to_o this_o side_n that_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o fallible_a be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_a life_n and_o action_n and_o come_v in_o the_o next_o §_o to_o answer_v it_o he_o call_v this_o a_o incertitude_n or_o defect_n of_o certitude_n and_o declare_v that_o it_o make_v a_o religion_n either_o absolute_o none_o or_o not_o a_o rational_a one_o but_o a_o mere_a folly_n these_o citation_n due_o reflect_v on_o it_o will_v appear_v very_o strange_a to_o any_o ingenuous_a man_n that_o dr._n t._n can_v easy_o imagine_v a_o author_n never_o note_v till_o now_o to_o be_v give_v to_o contradict_v himself_o who_o so_o express_o in_o such_o and_o so_o many_o signal_n passage_n and_o in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o that_o discourse_n nay_o the_o very_a immediate_o forego_v §_o manifest_v himself_o to_o hold_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n the_o wrong_a way_n that_o they_o must_v be_v evident_a and_o inevitable_o certain_a that_o if_o it_o may_v be_v false_a we_o can_v assent_v to_o it_o at_o all_o as_o a_o truth_n that_o if_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o be_v fallible_a it_o be_v irrational_a a_o mere_a folly_n to_o hold_v it_o or_o else_o destructive_a of_o religion_n it_o be_v strange_a i_o say_v to_o imagine_v that_o a_o writer_n who_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o his_o wit_n shall_v put_v forth_o a_o treatise_n purpose_o to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n to_o faith_n and_o in_o it_o so_o often_o and_o so_o particular_o avow_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o same_o treatise_n confess_v that_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v true_a certainty_n and_o so_o a_o competent_a ground_n to_o establish_v faith_n on_o that_o be_v maintain_v the_o contrary_a position_n to_o what_o he_o intend_v or_o pretend_v §_o 9_o have_v thus_o ample_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o my_o charge_n lay_v against_o dr._n t._n letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 63._o viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a tenor_n of_o the_o prefacers_n discourse_n and_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o preface_n to_o force_v the_o direct_a contrary_a position_n to_o what_o dr._n t._n will_v so_o disingenuous_o have_v put_v upon_o he_o of_o which_o he_o here_o take_v no_o notice_n nor_o give_v account_n why_o he_o happen_v not_o to_o mind_n or_o regard_v that_o best_a way_n of_o interpret_n a_o author_n word_n or_o not_o to_o see_v so_o many_o clear_a expression_n against_o his_o interest_n rather_o than_o one_o obscure_v one_o seem_o for_o it_o we_o come_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a word_n in_o the_o place_n cite_v and_o see_v whaâ—_n strong_a temptation_n they_o can_v give_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v he_o in_o a_o sense_n never_o intend_v notwithstanding_o so_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a §_o 10._o the_o prefacer_n say_v that_o some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherways_o he_o add_v afterward_o that_o this_o aught_o absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o the_o author_n consider_v as_o mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o and_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o to_o one_o who_o light_v by_o accident_n on_o this_o single_a passage_n take_v abstract_o from_o the_o rest_n and_o can_v reach_v no_o deep_o than_o the_o grammar_n or_o superficial_a place_n of_o word_n it_o bear_v at_o first_o sight_n a_o show_n as_o if_o the_o prefacer_n have_v approve_v that_o to_o be_v a_o true_a certainty_n not_o only_a when_o the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n as_o i_o
of_o these_o thing_n then_o let_v he_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o which_o do_v nature_n will_v show_v he_o how_o perfect_a nonsense_n he_o speak_v whence_o the_o same_o nature_n will_v tell_v he_o with_o a_o little_a reflection_n that_o since_o the_o word_n infallible_o can_v with_o good_a sense_n be_v join_v with_o the_o word_n certain_a either_o it_o be_v adeqaate_a to_o that_o word_n and_o extend_v its_o sense_n as_o far_o as_o the_o other_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n where_o there_o be_v not_o infallibility_n or_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v as_o far_o as_o the_o word_n certain_a and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n yet_o not-infallible_o certain_a which_o since_o not-infallible_o mean_n fallible_o signify_v clear_o we_o may_v be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o those_o thing_n but_o common_a sense_n teach_v we_o how_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o say_v we_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a therefore_o and_o demonstrable_a that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n but_o where_o there_o be_v infallibility_n and_o that_o we_o can_v never_o be_v say_v to_o be_v true_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n till_o all_o circumstance_n consider_v we_o see_v ourselves_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o that_o very_a thing_n whence_o dr._n t._n deny_v infallible_a assurance_n of_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v convince_v to_o deny_v all_o true_a certainty_n of_o either_o and_o so_o to_o render_v all_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o uncertain_a that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o can_v he_o with_o sense_n take_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o distinction_n and_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o yet_o the_o guilt_n of_o the_o same_o position_n will_v still_o remain_v with_o he_o this_o logical_a demonstration_n i_o produce_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 37._o of_o which_o dr_n t._n take_v notice_n here_o pag._n 17_o thus_o mr._n s._n be_v please_v to_o say_v that_o certainty_n and_o infallibility_n be_v all_o one_o conceal_v thus_o from_o his_o reader_n i_o have_v ever_o prove_v it_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v oblige_v â—o_o speak_v to_o my_o proof_n which_o he_o neither_o like_v nor_o use_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o i_o have_v only_o say_v it_o which_o suppose_v then_o indeed_o his_o bare_a say_v the_o contrary_n be_v a_o competent_a answer_n this_o do_v he_o confute_v it_o manful_o with_o tell_v his_o reader_n i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_v say_v it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v foolish_a i_o beseech_v you_o gentlemen_z be_v it_o the_o fashion_n in_o the_o univeesity_n to_o solve_v argument_n on_o this_o manner_n that_o be_v to_o neglect_v the_o premise_n call_v the_o conclusion_n foolish_a and_o think_v to_o overthrow_v the_o reason_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o reader_n because_o it_o be_v not_o some_o hackney_n argument_n bring_v into_o play_n perhaps_o a_o hundred_o time_n over_o and_o ninety_o nine_o time_n answer_v but_o now_o produce_v first_o certain_o one_o will_v think_v in_o reason_n that_o what_o have_v be_v many_o time_n allege_v shall_v rather_o be_v slight_v because_o it_o may_v have_v receive_v already_o many_o answer_n and_o not_o such_o pcoof_n as_o first_o appear_v because_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o never_o yet_o have_v any_o at_o all_o nor_o do_v i_o conceive_v that_o the_o noble_a and_o learned_a virtuoso_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n use_v to_o reject_v any_o production_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v the_o first_o that_o invent_v it_o but_o they_o allow_v it_o examination_n and_o if_o it_o hold_v the_o trial_n approve_v it_o and_o commend_v the_o author_n §_o 4._o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v he_o another_o argument_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n though_o i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o fear_n he_o will_v afford_v it_o again_o no_o other_o answer_v but_o only_o this_o that_o i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_o produce_v it_o it_o be_v this_o take_v the_o word_n false_a or_o falsus_fw-la subjectively_o or_o as_o in_o the_o subject_a that_o be_v as_o make_v the_o jugment_v false_a or_o erroneous_a it_o be_v a_o participle_n of_o the_o verb_n fallor_fw-la and_o signify_v deceive_v actual_o to_o which_o correspond_v as_o its_o proper_a power_n fallible_a or_o capable_a to_o be_v deceive_v now_o the_o contrary_a to_o false_a thus_o understand_v be_v true_a take_v also_o subjective_o or_o as_o make_v the_o judgement_n which_o in_o it_o be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a in_o that_o its_o act._n wherefore_o the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o that_o act_n must_v necessary_o be_v that_o which_o be_v oppose_v to_o fallible_a that_o be_v infallible_a again_o take_v the_o word_n false_a objective_o or_o as_o find_v in_o the_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o object_n or_o cause_n of_o our_o judgement_n as_o it_o be_v false_a or_o actual_o deceive_v it_o be_v proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o deceive_v wherefore_o also_o take_v its_o opposite_a truth_n objectively_o or_o for_o the_o object_n of_o our_o judgement_n when_o it_o be_v true_a the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o must_v be_v incapable_a to_o deceive_v it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o both_o these_o consideration_n that_o we_o can_v neither_o affirm_v point_n or_o propositiont_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o object_n of_o such_o act_n true_a but_o we_o must_v affirm_v withal_o that_o they_o be_v incapable_a to_o make_v we_o judge_v erroneous_o while_o we_o assent_v to_o they_o nor_o that_o our_o judgement_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a but_o we_o must_v be_v infallible_a in_o so_o judge_v thus_o far_o concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n if_o we_o once_o put_v our_o assent_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a judgement_n from_o which_o it_o be_v a_o different_a question_n to_o ask_v how_o we_o become_v thus_o infallible_a only_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o case_n the_o former_a proposition_n be_v put_v viz_o that_o we_o must_v affirm_v our_o act_n of_o faith_n true_a infallible_a we_o must_v be_v or_o impossible_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n when_o we_o make_v those_o acts._n but_o now_o to_o this_o infallibility_n in_o those_o act_v god_n providence_n lead_v man_n diverse_o according_a to_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o capacity_n those_o who_o be_v arrive_v to_o a_o great_a pitch_n of_o learn_v come_v to_o it_o by_o absolutely-concluding_a proof_n call_v demonstration_n that_o be_v by_o penetrate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o authority_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v and_o such_o man_n can_v make_v out_o clear_o and_o distinct_o to_o their_o own_o thought_n the_o certainty_n of_o that_o authority_n by_o discourse_v it_o to_o themselves_o &_o other_o they_o can_v resolve_v it_o into_o its_o ground_n meet_v with_o and_o answer_v objection_n and_o in_o a_o word_n see_v themselves_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o it_o in_o these_o man_n therefore_o though_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o tenet_n be_v indeed_o take_v from_o the_o object_n as_o it_o be_v always_o yet_o the_o clearness_n distinctness_n and_o firm_a strength_n of_o it_o spring_v from_o the_o perfection_n of_o their_o well-cultivated_n understanding_n those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o weak_a pitch_n be_v lead_v to_o it_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o authority_n and_o of_o the_o way_n in_o common_a by_o which_o they_o receive_v faith_n which_o dim_a rude_a sight_n even_o in_o the_o simple_a serve_v to_o carry_v they_o on_o to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a nature_n when_o they_o assent_v but_o they_o can_v discourse_v their_o thought_n nor_o resolve_v they_o into_o principle_n nor_o answer_v objection_n nor_o see_v themselves_o clear_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a nay_o more_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o especial_o if_o very_o simple_a do_v by_o some_o lucky_a chance_n or_o rather_o by_o a_o particular_a disposition_n of_o god_n good_a providence_n light_n upon_o this_o right_a way_n more_o than_o by_o any_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n look_v into_o ground_n but_o be_v in_o it_o once_o they_o find_v that_o which_o satisfy_v they_o according_a to_o knowledge_n familiarize_v to_o they_o by_o converse_n with_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v of_o themselves_o solid_a and_o satisfactory_a in_o a_o word_n it_o become_v god_n goodness_n so_o to_o order_v thing_n that_o the_o act_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_n may_v be_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a in_o man_n of_o every_o pitch_n and_o capacity_n rational_a or_o virtuous_a whatever_o contingency_n may_v happen_v in_o some_o particular_n original_a sin_n and_o by_o it_o passion_n ignorance_n or_o interest_n sometime_o byass_v they_o and_o make_v they_o act_n with_o precipitancy_n in_o which_o case_n