be_v this_o there_o be_v no_o medium_n between_o man_n judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o give_v up_o their_o judgement_n to_o other_o we_o grant_v it_o but_o what_o then_o his_o inference_n be_v this_o if_o the_o first_o be_v their_o duty_n the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v but_o why_o not_o his_o reason_n be_v again_o the_o same_o because_o it_o debar_v man_n from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o inform_v their_o judgement_n that_o be_v his_o argument_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o we_o must_v distinguish_v betwixt_o man_n and_o man_n betwixt_o such_o as_o can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o and_o such_o as_o can_v where_o the_o scripture_n be_v express_v the_o word_n plain_a and_o the_o sense_n easy_a every_o man_n who_o have_v a_o competent_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o can_v read_v his_o bible_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o but_o when_o several_a interpretation_n be_v give_v of_o any_o text_n when_o doubt_n be_v raise_v when_o argument_n be_v produce_v to_o defend_v both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n there_o be_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o man_n who_o be_v no_o more_o able_a to_o judge_v which_o be_v true_a and_o which_o be_v false_a than_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o a_o good_a colour_n and_o a_o bad_a one_o it_o be_v the_o great_a unhappiness_n of_o such_o person_n that_o in_o matter_n of_o controversy_n they_o can_v rely_v upon_o their_o own_o weak_a reason_n but_o must_v either_o suspend_v their_o judgement_n or_o else_o give_v it_o up_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o some_o other_o person_n and_o who_o be_v so_o fit_a to_o be_v trust_v with_o it_o as_o their_o own_o minister_n provide_v they_o be_v as_o every_o minister_n shall_v be_v man_n of_o piety_n and_o part_n able_a to_o satisfy_v doubt_n remove_v scruple_n and_o convince_v gainsayer_n but_o if_o man_n give_v up_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o clergy_n this_o author_n who_o vilifi_v our_o clergy_n as_o much_o as_o possible_a he_o can_v gives_z our_o people_n a_o intimation_n that_o by_o so_o do_v they_o make_v we_o the_o lord_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o how_o do_v that_o follow_v suppose_v two_o person_n be_v engage_v in_o a_o doubtful_a controversy_n about_o a_o estate_n claim_v by_o both_o these_o person_n be_v of_o themselves_o unable_a to_o determine_v the_o case_n appeal_v to_o the_o king_n judge_n but_o do_v they_o thereby_o make_v those_o judge_n the_o lord_n of_o that_o estate_n which_o be_v contend_v for_o sure_o no_o the_o judge_n do_v no_o more_o than_o according_a to_o evidence_n and_o law_n declare_v to_o which_o person_n that_o estate_n do_v just_o belong_v so_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n several_a party_n of_o man_n lay_v claim_n to_o truth_n as_o they_o and_o produce_v evidence_n for_o it_o now_o a_o man_n unable_a to_o satisfy_v himself_o which_o side_n truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v consult_v his_o minister_n who_o by_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n which_o in_o this_o case_n be_v the_o only_a 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controvert_v point_n can_v judge_v for_o themselves_o there_o be_v some_o other_o of_o clear_a head_n and_o more_o improve_v understanding_n that_o can_v and_o for_o their_o sake_n this_o author_n say_v that_o the_o press_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v and_o his_o reason_n be_v this_o because_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n debar_v they_o from_o see_v those_o allegation_n by_o which_o they_o be_v to_o confirm_v their_o judgement_n this_o argument_n in_o effect_n have_v already_o be_v offer_v once_o and_o again_o and_o have_v as_o often_o be_v reply_v to_o but_o for_o the_o great_a satisfaction_n of_o my_o reader_n i_o shall_v again_o consider_v and_o enlarge_v my_o answer_n to_o it_o and_o this_o it_o be_v not_o know_v and_o intelligent_a christian_a who_o be_v well_o able_a to_o judge_v for_o himself_o can_v want_v any_o new_a allegation_n from_o the_o press_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o any_o dispute_v point_n of_o faith_n or_o worship_n because_o we_o have_v already_o sufficient_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o for_o 1._o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n preach_v in_o our_o public_a church_n and_o if_o we_o please_v we_o may_v read_v and_o consider_v they_o in_o our_o private_a family_n and_o closet_n and_o here_o i_o do_v again_o affirm_v that_o all_o matter_n of_o reveal_v religion_n must_v be_v examine_v prove_v and_o determine_v by_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a balance_n to_o weigh_v and_o touch_v stone_n to_o try_v all_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n to_o 39_o this_o our_o lord_n send_v his_o hearer_n search_v the_o scripture_n and_o again_o how_o read_v thou_o and_o which_o be_v remarkable_a the_o ignorance_n 29._o of_o scripture_n do_v he_o make_v the_o only_a occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o error_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n so_o he_o tell_v the_o sadducee_n you_o err_v but_o why_o not_o know_v the_o scripture_n by_o which_o our_o lord_n himself_o prove_v that_o great_a doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n which_o they_o deny_v and_o when_o our_o lord_n will_v prove_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o great_a person_n than_o david_n he_o do_v it_o by_o that_o 1._o text_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n etc._n etc._n this_o course_n take_v our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o so_o do_v his_o apostle_n too_o and_o so_o must_v we_o we_o must_v take_v the_o scripture_n for_o our_o guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v the_o only_a and_o infallible_a rule_n and_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o measure_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o church_n do_v teach_v recommend_v or_o require_v from_o we_o but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v again_o demand_v who_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n whether_o among_o different_a interpretation_n of_o holy_a writ_n this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o true_a one_o whether_o in_o controvert_v point_n such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n do_v certain_o warrant_v such_o or_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o be_v ground_v thereon_o i_o answer_v again_o 2._o we_o have_v the_o unite_a judgement_n and_o decree_n of_o several_a council_n those_o i_o mean_v that_o be_v convene_v in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n before_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o rome_n have_v creep_v in_o by_o degree_n through_o carelessness_n vice_n and_o ignorance_n and_o overspread_v the_o church_n the_o grand_a controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n among_o we_o concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n the_o personality_n and_o deity_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o christ_n in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o proper_a sense_n of_o that_o notion_n be_v true_o god_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v a_o person_n and_o a_o divine_a person_n we_o affirm_v but_o our_o socinian_n who_o be_v the_o spawn_n of_o old_a arius_n make_v bold_a to_o deny_v to_o justify_v our_o doctrine_n we_o cite_v such_o and_o such_o text_n and_o to_o establish_v their_o opinion_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v they_o do_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o for_o the_o scripture_n which_o we_o produce_v to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n because_o humane_a reason_n can_v comprehend_v it_o they_o do_v either_o question_v the_o authority_n of_o such_o text_n or_o else_o they_o wrest_v they_o to_o such_o a_o intolerable_a sense_n as_o every_o sober_a man_n reason_n may_v just_o abhor_v now_o the_o question_n be_v who_o must_v judge_v betwixt_o we_o and_o they_o who_o must_v determine_v whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v on_o their_o side_n or_o we_o i_o answer_v that_o heterodox_n opinion_n now_o much_o contend_v for_o which_o we_o call_v socinian_n do_v appear_v under_o some_o other_o name_n very_o early_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n be_v deny_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o particular_o by_o ebion_n in_o the_o three_o century_n by_o
world_n and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v the_o trial_n of_o religion_n depend_v upon_o the_o press_n in_o those_o early_a day_n when_o as_o yet_o it_o have_v no_o be_v and_o because_o the_o true_a christian_a faith_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o the_o apostle_n day_n we_o must_v measure_v our_o own_o religion_n by_o the_o same_o rule_n by_o which_o the_o primitive_a saint_n measure_v they_o and_o what_o be_v they_o not_o the_o voluminous_a write_n of_o man_n which_o the_o press_n have_v now_o bring_v forth_o but_o the_o sacred_a oracle_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o course_n to_o which_o the_o prophet_n direct_v we_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n this_o course_n do_v the_o berean_o take_v when_o to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n even_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o and_o for_o their_o do_v so_o they_o be_v high_o commend_v and_o indeed_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o lapis_fw-la lydius_n the_o touchstone_n the_o canon_n the_o only_a authentic_a rule_n of_o manner_n faith_n and_o religious_a worship_n a_o rule_n so_o plain_a and_o easy_a in_o all_o necessary_a point_n that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o trial_n of_o our_o religion_n we_o have_v no_o absolute_a need_n of_o any_o book_n but_o god_n though_o other_o good_a book_n do_v well_o towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o some_o passage_n in_o this_o it_o be_v the_o great_a privilege_n of_o our_o church_n that_o we_o have_v this_o rule_n of_o scripture_n in_o such_o great_a quantity_n that_o every_o man_n who_o can_v and_o will_v may_v at_o a_o easy_a rate_n have_v it_o in_o his_o custody_n and_o thereby_o examine_v his_o religion_n when_o he_o please_v nor_o can_v we_o just_o blame_v the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o print_v our_o bibles_n and_o prohibit_v to_o publish_v no_o man_n book_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v contrary_a to_o go_n indeed_o be_v the_o press_n in_o england_n restrain_v as_o it_o be_v in_o popish_a kingdom_n from_o print_v the_o bible_n in_o our_o vulgar_a tongue_n this_o author_n argument_n will_v have_v have_v much_o strength_n in_o it_o but_o since_o it_o be_v otherwise_o since_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n those_o test_n and_o standard_n of_o our_o religion_n preach_v in_o our_o public_a church_n and_o easy_o to_o be_v have_v and_o read_v as_o oft_o as_o we_o please_v in_o our_o private_a family_n this_o author_n argument_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v invalid_a and_o unconclude_a for_o it_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o for_o which_o he_o plead_v it_o but_o to_o proceed_v sect_n iv._o ii_o the_o second_o allegation_n which_o this_o author_n urge_v as_o a_o grand_a inconvenience_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v this_o such_o a_o restraint_n say_v he_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o best_a mean_n to_o discover_v truth_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o there_o be_v a_o very_a close_a connexion_n betwixt_o this_o argument_n and_o the_o former_a a_o connexion_n as_o between_o a_o antecedent_n and_o a_o consequent_a or_o between_o the_o premise_n and_o the_o conclusion_n in_o the_o former_a argument_n he_o mention_n the_o examination_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o this_o as_o the_o end_n and_o consequence_n of_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v any_o religion_n be_v impartial_o examine_v be_v it_o not_o to_o discover_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a and_o for_o this_o reason_n the_o same_o answer_n which_o i_o have_v give_v to_o the_o former_a argument_n may_v serve_v well_o enough_o for_o this_o for_o since_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n do_v not_o as_o i_o have_v there_o prove_v prevent_v the_o due_a examination_n of_o religion_n it_o can_v prevent_v the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n but_o that_o so_o it_o do_v our_o author_n be_v very_o positive_a yea_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o mean_v it_o do_v so_o namely_o by_o hinder_v man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n allege_v for_o they_o but_o let_v this_o author_n tell_v we_o how_o this_o can_v be_v true_a can_v a_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n for_o time_n to_o come_v hinder_v any_o man_n from_o see_v and_o examine_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n and_o their_o argument_n for_o they_o be_v there_o not_o already_o great_a number_n of_o print_a book_n expose_v to_o common_a sale_n wherein_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v thorough_o discuss_v may_v not_o every_o man_n that_o will_v and_o can_v sufficient_o inform_v himself_o by_o book_n already_o extant_a what_o argument_n have_v be_v plead_v by_o all_o sect_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o respective_a profession_n and_o since_o the_o press_n have_v already_o bring_v forth_o such_o a_o numerous_a issue_n of_o this_o kind_n methinks_v every_o future_a birth_n of_o the_o same_o sort_n will_v be_v but_o a_o superfetation_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o shall_v all_o the_o press_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v to_o print_v any_o more_o new_a book_n of_o controversy_n and_o polemic_a divinity_n it_o will_v be_v no_o injury_n to_o the_o catholic_n church_n nor_o to_o any_o one_o member_n of_o it_o for_o nihil_fw-la dici_fw-la potest_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la est_fw-la priùs_fw-la print_v indeed_o may_v be_v new_a but_o argument_n either_o for_o old_a truth_n or_o against_o old_a error_n can_v hardly_o be_v so_o but_o when_o all_o be_v do_v religious_a truth_n can_v be_v discover_v by_o humane_a argument_n any_o further_a than_o those_o argument_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n in_o mathematics_n rectum_fw-la est_fw-la index_n svi_fw-la &_o obliqui_fw-la he_o that_o will_v discover_v the_o rectitude_n or_o obliquity_n of_o a_o line_n must_v bring_v it_o to_o and_o compare_v it_o with_o such_o a_o rule_n as_o be_v already_o find_v to_o be_v exact_o straight_a so_o in_o our_o present_a case_n he_o who_o will_v discover_v the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v apply_v they_o to_o and_o judge_v they_o by_o that_o infallible_a rule_n which_o st._n james_n very_o deserve_o styles_n the_o 18._o word_n of_o truth_n and_o this_o rule_n in_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a that_o every_o man_n who_o have_v not_o lose_v the_o use_n of_o common_a reason_n may_v thereby_o judge_v for_o himself_o there_o be_v indeed_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v some_o thing_n 1_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o in_o what_o text_n do_v these_o difficulty_n lie_v st._n austin_n answer_v non_fw-la quoad_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la necessaria_fw-la saluti_fw-la â—_o etc._n etc._n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o difficult_a in_o any_o of_o those_o point_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o man_n salvation_n so_o think_v st._n chrysostom_n who_o thus_o demand_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 244_o what_o man_n be_v there_o to_o who_o all_o the_o necessary_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o clear_a and_o manifest_v he_o say_v elsewhere_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 5._o the_o husbandman_n the_o servant_n the_o widow_n the_o boy_n person_n of_o very_a mean_a capacity_n may_v easy_o understand_v what_o the_o scripture_n teach_v about_o such_o point_n as_o be_v fundamental_a that_o this_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n before_o st._n chrysostom_n time_n be_v evident_a from_o that_o testimony_n of_o irenaeus_n â—_o universae_fw-la scripturae_fw-la &_o propheticae_fw-la &_o evangelicae_fw-la in_o aperto_fw-la &_o sine_fw-la ambiguitate_fw-la &_o similiter_fw-la ab_fw-la omnibus_fw-la audiri_fw-la possunt_fw-la the_o whole_a scripture_n the_o prophet_n the_o evangelist_n in_o such_o point_n as_o most_o concern_v we_o be_v so_o plain_a express_a and_o open_a that_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n may_v equal_o apprehend_v they_o now_o if_o a_o man_n may_v discover_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n by_o scripture_n rule_n if_o his_o faith_n be_v ground_v on_o they_o and_o his_o practice_n be_v suitable_a to_o they_o what_o hazard_n will_v that_o man_n run_v shall_v he_o never_o see_v the_o different_a opinion_n of_o man_n about_o they_o nor_o weigh_v their_o argument_n against_o they_o suppose_v a_o man_n be_v well_o inform_v by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o god_n do_v steadfast_o believe_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a what_o be_v this_o man_n the_o worse_o shall_v he_o never_o see_v nor_o examine_v the_o reason_n of_o pagan_n and_o sadducee_n against_o this_o great_a article_n of_o our_o creed_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v
convince_v as_o well_o he_o may_v be_v by_o such_o text_n of_o scripture_n as_o can_v with_o any_o tolerable_a sense_n be_v otherwise_o interpete_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v true_o god_n and_o true_o man_n what_o need_v such_o a_o person_n to_o see_v the_o opinion_n and_o weigh_v the_o argument_n of_o arian_n and_o socinian_o against_o this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n to_o he_o who_o belief_n be_v already_o ground_v upon_o the_o infallible_a word_n of_o god_n be_v right_o understand_v the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o they_o signify_v nothing_o such_o a_o man_n do_v not_o need_v the_o confutation_n of_o heretical_a cavil_n to_o confirm_v that_o faith_n of_o he_o which_o be_v already_o bottom_v upon_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v immovable_a and_o as_o the_o sight_n of_o different_a opinion_n and_o the_o examination_n of_o argument_n plead_v for_o they_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o confirm_v a_o strong_a and_o well_o ground_a faith_n so_o it_o be_v dangerous_a and_o tend_v to_o impair_v and_o shake_v a_o weak_a one_o for_o well_o meaning_n christian_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v of_o too_o easy_a belief_n of_o slender_a judgement_n and_o not_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v probable_o be_v pervert_v by_o heretical_a book_n as_o be_v unable_a to_o discern_v the_o fallacy_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o to_o cite_v such_o text_n as_o may_v confute_v they_o but_o here_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v who_o must_v judge_v whether_o such_o or_o such_o a_o opinion_n be_v justify_v or_o condemn_v by_o such_o or_o such_o a_o text_n i_o answer_v where_o text_n be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a every_o discreet_a and_o intelligent_a person_n may_v judge_v for_o himself_o but_o when_o text_n be_v somewhat_o abstruse_a and_o difficult_a when_o knotty_a question_n and_o controversy_n be_v raise_v about_o they_o than_o the_o judge_n must_v be_v no_o single_a person_n no_o nor_o any_o small_a party_n of_o man_n who_o be_v bias_v prejudice_v and_o wed_v to_o their_o own_o opinion_n but_o the_o judge_n must_v be_v the_o catholic_n church_n i_o mean_v its_o representative_a in_o the_o four_o first_o general_a council_n which_o consist_v of_o man_n not_o overawe_v by_o authority_n nor_o tempt_v by_o interest_n but_o man_n as_o religious_a as_o they_o be_v learned_a as_o well_o verse_v in_o holy_a writ_n as_o able_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n as_o any_o sort_n of_o man_n bear_v since_o those_o early_a day_n and_o this_o i_o think_v to_o be_v the_o great_a human_a authority_n to_o warrant_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o text_n and_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n ground_v on_o they_o now_o since_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v blessed_v with_o the_o free_a use_n of_o our_o bibles_n and_o favour_v with_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a expositor_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n which_o tend_v most_o to_o determine_v those_o dispute_n which_o have_v arise_v betwixt_o protestant_n and_o papist_n betwixt_o trinitarian_n and_o anti-trinitarians_a we_o can_v have_v no_o need_n of_o any_o search_n for_o truth_n to_o consult_v the_o print_a paper_n of_o this_o age_n many_o of_o which_o do_v tend_v to_o promote_v error_n much_o rather_o than_o discover_v truth_n and_o very_o when_o the_o licenser_n of_o book_n do_v reject_v and_o suppress_v heretical_a paper_n he_o do_v good_a service_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o if_o such_o paper_n chance_v to_o steal_v the_o press_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v treat_v like_o other_o thief_n who_o to_o prevent_v their_o do_v any_o future_a mischief_n be_v apprehend_v condemn_v and_o execute_v and_o so_o i_o quit_v this_o argument_n and_o proceed_v to_o the_o next_o sect_n v._o 3._o this_o author_n three_o allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n run_v thus_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n hinder_v truth_n from_o have_v any_o great_a influence_n on_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n which_o be_v owe_v chief_o to_o examination_n because_o that_o which_o do_v not_o convince_v the_o understanding_n will_v have_v but_o little_a or_o no_o effect_n upon_o the_o will._n i_o answer_v thus_o what_o this_o author_n do_v here_o assert_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o understanding_n upon_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n be_v true_a in_o general_a nor_o can_v it_o be_v just_o deny_v that_o a_o strict_a examination_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o proper_a mean_n to_o convince_v the_o understanding_n of_o its_o truth_n but_o although_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o this_o allegation_n be_v true_a in_o the_o general_a yet_o here_o it_o be_v misapply_v and_o very_o impertinent_a to_o the_o case_n now_o in_o hand_n for_o this_o argument_n as_o the_o former_a do_v do_v proceed_v upon_o a_o false_a hypothesis_n for_o it_o suppose_v that_o if_o the_o press_n shall_v chance_v to_o be_v restrain_v for_o time_n to_o come_v man_n will_v be_v deprive_v of_o all_o sufficient_a mean_n for_o the_o due_a examination_n of_o their_o religion_n it_o be_v st._n paul_n command_n prove_v all_o thing_n it_o be_v st._n john_n command_n try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n these_o command_n must_v needs_o suppose_v that_o in_o those_o day_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n by_o which_o religion_n may_v be_v try_v and_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o virtue_n be_v stand_v still_o tell_v i_o then_o be_v our_o bibles_n out_o of_o print_n or_o take_v from_o we_o have_v we_o no_o catechism_n no_o system_n of_o divinity_n leave_v among_o we_o nay_o be_v there_o not_o book_n of_o controversy_n expose_v to_o sale_n in_o our_o city_n great_a town_n and_o both_o our_o university_n nay_o more_o be_v there_o not_o popish_a and_o socinian_n catechism_n to_o be_v have_v in_o england_n do_v not_o these_o book_n already_o extant_a contain_v the_o strong_a argument_n which_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n of_o all_o party_n be_v able_a to_o urge_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o respective_a opinion_n and_o may_v not_o man_n by_o weigh_v these_o reason_n which_o be_v already_o make_v public_a give_v a_o judgement_n which_o religion_n be_v true_a and_o which_o be_v false_a as_o well_o as_o by_o any_o new_a paper_n yet_o to_o be_v print_v but_o although_o there_o be_v a_o great_a variety_n of_o book_n which_o may_v help_v to_o guide_v we_o in_o our_o search_n after_o truth_n yet_o i_o must_v still_o mind_v my_o reader_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a adequate_a and_o authentic_a rule_n whereby_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o any_o religion_n must_v be_v determine_v and_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o those_o conviction_n of_o man_n understanding_n which_o arise_v from_o the_o immediate_a word_n of_o god_n be_v like_a to_o have_v a_o more_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n than_o any_o other_o conviction_n arise_v from_o any_o such_o argument_n as_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o dictate_v and_o collection_n of_o humane_a reason_n which_o be_v fallible_a and_o may_v deceive_v we_o whereas_o the_o word_n of_o god_n well_o understand_v can_v do_v so_o and_o this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o this_o author_n three_o allegation_n sect_n vi_o 4._o the_o four_o be_v this_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v that_o which_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n hold_v the_o truth_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o light_v on_o any_o guilty_a and_o the_o reason_n which_o he_o give_v be_v this_o because_o that_o will_v not_o be_v accept_v if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o impartial_a examination_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v thus_o i_o can_v pass_v by_o this_o without_o observe_v that_o this_o author_n have_v hitherto_o much_o harp_v upon_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o have_v hitherto_o bottom_v all_o his_o argument_n upon_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o a_o very_a slippery_a one_o too_o he_o have_v propose_v his_o allegation_n as_o distinct_a in_o their_o number_n but_o in_o their_o proof_n there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o difference_n to_o be_v find_v for_o he_o tell_v first_o that_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n tend_v to_o make_v man_n blind_o submit_v to_o the_o religion_n they_o chance_v to_o be_v educate_v in_o second_o that_o it_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o best_a mean_n to_o discover_v truth_n three_o that_o it_o hinder_v truth_n from_o have_v any_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n four_o that_o it_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n hold_v the_o truth_n if_o they_o chance_v to_o light_v on_o any_o guilty_o these_o indeed_o be_v very_o considerable_a objection_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n be_v they_o true_a but_o how_o do_v our_o author_n prove_v they_o so_o to_o be_v to_o prove_v they_o all_o he_o have_v yet_o make_v use_n
to_o obey_v one_o command_n as_o well_o as_o another_o one_o command_n be_v this_o prove_v all_o thing_n another_o immediate_o follow_v hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a now_o if_o one_o man_n obey_v the_o first_o of_o these_o command_v only_o and_o another_o obey_v they_o both_o they_o do_v not_o equal_o do_v what_o god_n require_v nor_o consequent_o be_v they_o equal_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o two_o person_n who_o after_o a_o equal_a examination_n hold_v two_o different_a religion_n the_o one_o a_o true_a and_o the_o other_o a_o false_a one_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o one_o be_v only_o secundùm_fw-la quid_fw-la he_o obey_v but_o this_o single_a command_n prove_v all_o thing_n but_o the_o other_o obey_v this_o and_o that_o too_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a which_o a_o false_a religion_n can_v never_o be_v and_o if_o so_o how_o can_v two_o such_o person_n be_v in_o a_o equal_a capacity_n of_o salvation_n except_o a_o wrong_a way_n do_v as_o direct_o lead_v to_o heaven_n as_o the_o right_a one_o there_o be_v another_o assertion_n in_o the_o same_o paragraph_n which_o i_o can_v pass_v over_o without_o some_o reflection_n upon_o it_o and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o perverse_a hold_v of_o religion_n i._n e._n take_v it_o up_o on_o trust_n whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a be_v heresy_n this_o definition_n of_o heresy_n be_v to_o i_o a_o new_a one_o and_o repugnant_a to_o many_o old_a one_o which_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o it_o be_v true_a the_o different_a opinion_n of_o the_o old_a philosopher_n whether_o true_a or_o false_a be_v indifferent_o style_v by_o epiphanius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o heresy_n of_o the_o philosopher_n but_o in_o 8._o matter_n of_o religion_n this_o word_n heresy_n be_v very_o seldom_o if_o ever_o use_v in_o any_o sense_n but_o a_o bad_a one_o the_o evangelist_n mention_n the_o sect_n in_o the_o greek_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o heresy_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o the_o sadducee_n a_o expression_n which_o do_v no_o way_n commend_v they_o nor_o do_v the_o jew_n intend_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n when_o they_o call_v it_o this_o sect_n or_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o original_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d this_o heresy_n and_o as_o for_o the_o pagan_n many_o of_o they_o have_v as_o bad_a a_o opinion_n of_o it_o and_o style_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o atheistical_a heresy_n so_o 18._o eusebius_n sure_o it_o be_v the_o word_n be_v now_o general_o use_v in_o a_o ill_a sense_n and_o do_v necessary_o imply_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o unsoundness_n and_o tenacity_n of_o opinion_n about_o matter_n of_o religion_n according_o velandis_fw-la the_o old_a canon_n law_n of_o the_o greek_a church_n define_v a_o heretic_n thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o be_v not_o right_a in_o his_o judgement_n the_o council_n of_o carthage_n describe_v they_o thus_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d heretic_n be_v they_o who_o have_v wrong_a apprehension_n about_o the_o christian_a faith_n tertullian_n define_v heresy_n thus_o quodcunque_fw-la adversùs_fw-la veritatem_fw-la sapit_fw-la whatsoever_o make_v against_o not_o the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o his_o truth_n according_o a_o heretic_n in_o the_o language_n of_o hesychius_n be_v this_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o that_o choose_v some_o opinion_n beside_o or_o against_o the_o truth_n these_o definition_n of_o ancient_a divine_n inform_v we_o what_o their_o thought_n be_v concern_v heresy_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o opinion_n hold_v against_o some_o truth_n but_o this_o late_a author_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o take_n up_o a_o religion_n on_o trust_n though_o the_o true_a one_o be_v heresy_n and_o according_a as_o man_n be_v more_o or_o less_o partial_a in_o examine_v they_o be_v more_o or_o less_o heretical_a but_o if_o this_o be_v so_o then_o must_v the_o nature_n and_o essence_n of_o truth_n depend_v on_o the_o bare_a act_n of_o examination_n which_o can_v be_v because_o truth_n will_v remain_v truth_n whether_o it_o be_v examine_v or_o not_o the_o strict_a examination_n do_v not_o constitute_v truth_n but_o only_o make_v it_o evident_a indeed_o he_o who_o take_v up_o a_o true_a religion_n bare_o upon_o trust_n may_v be_v to_o blame_v but_o his_o fault_n be_v not_o heresy_n but_o negligence_n and_o disobedience_n it_o be_v not_o as_o heresy_n be_v a_o error_n in_o point_n of_o judgement_n but_o a_o sin_n in_o point_n of_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o the_o violation_n of_o a_o doctrine_n but_o the_o transgression_n of_o a_o command_n so_o that_o whatever_o title_n we_o may_v give_v such_o a_o man_n we_o can_v just_o brand_v he_o with_o the_o name_n of_o heretic_n but_o yet_o our_o author_n from_o these_o forego_n premise_n infer_v this_o as_o a_o epiphonema_n or_o grant_v conclusion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o what_o a_o man_n profess_v but_o how_o that_o justify_v or_o condemn_v he_o before_o god_n no._n be_v the_o what_o exclude_v and_o be_v the_o how_o all_o suppose_v a_o man_n profess_v the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n with_o the_o great_a devotion_n that_o can_v be_v will_v not_o the_o what_o condemn_v he_o or_o will_v the_o how_o excuse_v he_o suppose_v a_o jew_n with_o the_o high_a reverence_n shall_v have_v offer_v up_o a_o swine_n instead_o of_o a_o lamb_n will_v not_o the_o what_o the_o matter_n of_o his_o sacrifice_n notwithstanding_o its_o exact_a manner_n have_v render_v it_o abominable_a the_o truth_n be_v god_n consider_v both_o the_o what_o and_o the_o how_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o worship_n and_o its_o circumstance_n too_o and_o if_o so_o why_o do_v this_o man_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v not_o the_o what_o but_o the_o how_o and_o now_o be_v weary_v with_o pursue_v this_o author_n through_o so_o many_o impertinent_a allegation_n against_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o press_n i_o shall_v take_v my_o leave_n of_o he_o when_o i_o have_v propound_v two_o argument_n against_o that_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n for_o which_o he_o be_v so_o zealous_a a_o advocate_n and_o and_o that_o i_o fear_v upon_o a_o ill_a design_n and_o my_o first_o argument_n be_v this_o 1._o since_o this_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n will_v certain_o be_v as_o this_o author_n himself_o do_v not_o deny_v a_o inlet_n to_o schism_n heresy_n and_o a_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n and_o practice_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n the_o allowance_n of_o it_o can_v never_o consist_v with_o that_o command_n of_o god_n contend_v earnest_o 3_o for_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n this_o text_n suppose_v that_o the_o true_a faith_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v but_o one_o and_o that_o for_o that_o one_o we_o be_v to_o contend_v and_o that_o earnest_o too_o now_o to_o allow_v a_o unlimited_a liberty_n to_o the_o press_n which_o will_v open_v a_o wide_a gap_n to_o introduce_v false_a religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o a_o contend_v for_o the_o one_o true_a faith_n that_o it_o be_v indeed_o a_o contend_v against_o it_o and_o therefore_o such_o a_o allowance_n be_v a_o direct_a breach_n of_o this_o command_n 2._o since_o this_o unlimited_a liberty_n of_o the_o press_n will_v certain_o prove_v a_o inlet_n to_o schism_n heresy_n and_o false_a religion_n the_o allowance_n of_o it_o will_v be_v contradictory_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o age_n it_o be_v true_a the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n have_v not_o the_o use_n of_o a_o press_n but_o if_o the_o late_a art_n of_o printing_n without_o any_o due_a restraint_n shall_v prove_v a_o mean_n to_o introduce_v a_o inundation_n of_o heresy_n the_o allowance_n of_o such_o a_o liberty_n and_o those_o numerous_a error_n with_o which_o it_o will_v be_v attend_v will_v be_v diametrical_o opposite_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o now_o the_o question_n which_o relate_v to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n be_v this_o how_o do_v the_o primitive_a saint_n deal_v with_o those_o man_n who_o differ_v in_o opinion_n from_o the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o followed_z st._n paul_n rule_n 2_o tim._n 2._o 25._o in_o meekness_n instruct_v those_o that_o oppose_v themselves_o they_o do_v so_o they_o use_v all_o gentle_a and_o rational_a mean_n to_o reduce_v they_o but_o when_o this_o will_v not_o do_v what_o course_n take_v they_o then_o do_v they_o indulge_v they_o do_v they_o give_v they_o a_o universal_a liberty_n of_o conscience_n sure_o no_o and_o to_o prove_v this_o three_o thing_n shall_v be_v show_v first_o that_o a_o unlimited_a toleration_n