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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n authority_n church_n pillar_n 1,970 5 10.4442 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59241 Reason against raillery, or, A full answer to Dr. Tillotson's preface against J.S. with a further examination of his grounds of religion. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1672 (1672) Wing S2587; ESTC R10318 153,451 304

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and_o divine_o assist_v be_v no_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n this_o way_n of_o divinity_n or_o resolution_n of_o faith_n which_o i_o take_v make_v every_o man_n both_o those_o in_o the_o church_n and_o those_o out_o of_o it_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n authority_n or_o testimony_n diverse_o consider_v in_o order_n to_o their_o respective_a capacity_n and_o so_o still_o make_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n which_o all_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n not_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o school-divine_a except_v hold_v the_o secure_a way_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o shall_v any_o one_o dislike_v it_o i_o see_v not_o what_o he_o can_v with_o any_o show_n pretend_v he_o must_v allow_v some_o natural_a motive_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v know_v by_o mean_n of_o it_o that_o be_v he_o must_v grant_v some_o motive_n antecedent_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a assistance_n and_o where_o he_o will_v find_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n 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ashamed_a to_o acknowledge_v my_o poverty_n into_o which_o that_o persecution_n have_v drive_v i_o that_o i_o have_v write_v more_o than_o i_o be_v able_a to_o print_v in_o fine_a authority_n and_o reason_n and_o necessity_n prevail_v with_o i_o and_o i_o forbear_v to_o finish_v what_o i_o have_v begin_v and_o to_o publish_v what_o i_o have_v finish_v but_o yet_o the_o desire_n i_o have_v to_o be_v instrumental_a in_o settle_v so_o important_a a_o truth_n suggest_v to_o i_o a_o middle_a way_n which_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v incapable_a to_o be_v wrest_v into_o offence_n so_o i_o see_v plain_o will_v be_v much_o more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o learned_a more_o satisfactory_a i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o sermon_n which_o dr._n t._n call_v the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a a_o concession_n which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o the_o very_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a i_o see_v the_o same_o sense_n often_o imply_v in_o his_o rule_n 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christian_n or_o those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o common_a motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o the_o church_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n the_o assent_n call_v faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o erroneous_a and_o apply_v this_o to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o adherent_n who_o as_o i_o show_v from_o his_o own_o word_n grant_v his_o assent_n build_v on_o that_o which_o he_o esteem_v his_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o conclude_v they_o beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o evasion_n not_o to_o have_v true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v to_o follow_v on_o my_o blow_n as_o i_o have_v promise_v it_o be_v unimaginable_a how_o the_o controversy_n can_v be_v press_v more_o home_n than_o to_o conclude_v my_o adversary_n and_o his_o whole_a cause_n from_o the_o very_a a_o est_fw-la of_o faith_n the_o subject_a of_o our_o dispute_n nor_o how_o his_o whole_a book_n which_o he_o call_v the_o 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pursue_v a_o rational_a close_a way_n of_o discourse_n without_o the_o continual_a interruption_n which_o the_o insist_v upon_o my_o adversary_n mistake_n must_v needs_o occasion_n which_o as_o it_o be_v more_o satisfactory_a to_o i_o and_o more_o creditable_a to_o my_o cause_n so_o i_o judge_v it_o more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n for_o a_o particular_a answer_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v make_v up_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o accusation_n where_o the_o answerer_n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n to_o mistake_v all_o along_o instead_o of_o direct_a confute_v i_o can_v say_v i_o be_o in_o the_o right_n but_o i_o must_v say_v likewise_o that_o who_o say_v otherwise_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o that_o he_o either_o misunderstand_v or_o misrepresent_v and_o this_o either_o ignorant_o or_o wilful_o to_o show_v which_o be_v a_o task_n no_o more_o pleasant_a to_o the_o reader_n than_o the_o writer_n people_n be_v of_o opinion_n and_o i_o think_v they_o have_v great_a reason_n that_o the_o time_n and_o pain_n spend_v in_o such_o wrangling_n may_v with_o much_o more_o advantage_n be_v employ_v in_o convince_a the_o truth_n in_o question_n last_o my_o aim_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n to_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o conclusion_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v a_o conclusive_a method_n my_o adversary_n neither_o accept_v of_o i_o nor_o propose_v any_o other_o of_o his_o own_o as_o i_o have_v desire_v and_o i_o see_v that_o by_o proceed_v with_o he_o in_o his_o talk_a fashion_n the_o point_n may_v come_v to_o be_v lose_v in_o a_o wilderness_n of_o unconnected_a word_n wherefore_o i_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o pursue_v my_o design_n more_o close_o and_o by_o the_o bare_a state_v the_o nature_n of_o christian_a faith_n to_o reduce_v all_o dispute_n to_o this_o short_a period_n either_o produce_v and_o vouch_v such_o ground_n for_o your_o faith_n as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o it_o be_v evident_a you_o have_v none_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o event_n the_o way_n i_o take_v be_v not_o ill_o choose_v dr._n t._n be_v still_o able_a to_o boast_v his_o book_n be_v not_o particular_o answer_v and_o so_o uphold_v his_o credit_n with_o those_o who_o look_v not_o deep_o into_o thing_n seem_v by_o his_o silence_n well-appayed_a and_o i_o hear_v of_o no_o more_o extraordinary_a anger_n against_o i_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_v content_v that_o superficial_a people_n shall_v judge_v as_o their_o wit_n serve_v they_o it_o be_v abundant_a satisfaction_n to_o my_o labour_n that_o intelligent_a and_o insighted_a person_n may_v perceive_v by_o they_o how_o matter_n stand_v and_o into_o how_o narrow_a a_o compass_n controversy_n be_v reduce_v and_o of_o this_o i_o have_v ample_a experience_n from_o the_o most_o judicious_a of_o our_o nation_n who_o unanimous_o assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o carry_v thing_n far_o or_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o short_a method_n since_o now_o the_o whole_a cause_n depend_v upon_o one_o single_a proposition_n by_o the_o sole_a examination_n of_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v decide_v thus_o stand_v the_o controversy_n and_o thus_o for_o some_o year_n it_o rest_v for_o the_o future_a i_o intend_v when_o it_o may_v be_v seasonable_a to_o write_v only_o such_o ground_n as_o i_o judge_v may_v be_v a_o solid_a foundation_n for_o union_n which_o as_o i_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o best_a of_o work_n so_o i_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a till_o order_v be_v first_o take_v to_o secure_v the_o absolute_a and_o immovable_a certainty_n of_o faith_n itself_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o otherwise_o to_o be_v do_v then_o by_o show_v how_o and_o which_o way_n it_o come_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o this_o calm_a i_o hear_v several_a report_n that_o the_o
all_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o lie_n that_o they_o proceed_v on_o all_o their_o religion_n for_o all_o this_o be_v wicked_a and_o the_o the_o most_o zealous_a devotion_n to_o dame_n juno_n and_o the_o rest_n nay_o die_a for_o their_o sake_n be_v notwithstanding_o their_o good_a meaning_n in_o common_a dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n and_o firm_a principle_n a_o diabolical_a and_o mischievous_a action_n not_o a_o jot_n better_o as_o to_o the_o effect_n of_o gain_v heaven_n than_o the_o make_v their_o child_n pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o moloch_n pervert_v and_o destroy_v the_o soul_n that_o perform_v it_o nay_o die_v for_o it_o by_o addict_v it_o to_o what_o be_v not_o its_o true_a last_o end_n or_o eternal_a good_a and_o all_o this_o because_o there_o want_v truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n to_o render_v those_o action_n and_o suffering_n virtuous_a wherefore_o unless_o dr._n t._n produce_v some_o immovable_a ground_n to_o establish_v christianity_n to_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a especial_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n which_o enfeeble_v all_o the_o rest_n fall_v down_o to_o the_o ground_n he_o can_v never_o convince_v that_o either_o act_n or_o suffer_v for_o it_o be_v a_o virtue_n any_o more_o than_o it_o be_v in_o heathenism_n when_o the_o same_o be_v do_v for_o their_o false_a god_n and_o so_o he_o can_v never_o with_o reason_n persuade_v his_o auditory_a to_o it_o but_o have_v once_o prove_v that_o it_o matter_n less_o whether_o all_o the_o assenter_n penetrate_v the_o full_a force_n of_o the_o motive_n or_o no_o for_o if_o once_o it_o be_v put_v to_o be_v true_a all_o action_n and_o suffering_n proceed_v from_o those_o truth_n shall_v connatural_o addict_v those_o soul_n to_o their_o true_a last_o end_n and_o dispose_v they_o for_o it_o though_o their_o understanding_n be_v never_o so_o imperfect_a and_o their_o good_a or_o well-meaning_a will_n certain_o bring_v they_o to_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v because_o their_o will_n and_o its_o affection_n be_v good_a which_o they_o can_v not_o be_v as_o be_v prove_v be_v they_o not_o build_v upon_o some_o truth_n §_o 9_o again_o dr._n t._n discourse_v all_o along_o as_o if_o all_o be_v well_o when_o one_o be_v free_a from_o all_o doubt_n but_o i_o will_v desire_v his_o friend_n serious_o to_o ask_v he_o one_o question_n which_o be_v whether_o though_o his_o ground_n exclude_v all_o doubt_n from_o his_o mind_n at_o present_a yet_o he_o see_v any_o certain_a reason_n why_o he_o may_v not_o perhaps_o come_v to_o doubt_v of_o all_o his_o faith_n and_o even_o of_o a_o godhead_n too_o to_o morrow_n if_o he_o say_v he_o see_v not_o but_o he_o may_v he_o must_v say_v withal_o that_o he_o see_v it_o not_o and_o consequent_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a for_o if_o he_o once_o see_v it_o to_o be_v truth_n he_o can_v not_o hold_v it_o possible_a ever_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o with_o reason_n if_o he_o affirm_v that_o he_o see_v he_o can_v never_o come_v with_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o than_o he_o see_v his_o ground_n for_o hold_v it_o can_v possible_o be_v show_v false_a else_o it_o may_v both_o be_v doubt_v and_o what_o be_v more_o deny_v and_o if_o he_o hold_v his_o ground_n can_v possible_o be_v make_v out_o to_o be_v false_a than_o he_o must_v say_v they_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o if_o they_o be_v humane_a authority_n infallible_a which_o yet_o he_o stiff_o deny_v but_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v he_o hold_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o ground_n he_o lay_v his_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a but_o only_o a_o plausible_a likelihood_n else_o common_a sense_n will_v force_v he_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o he_o build_v his_o assent_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o not_o to_o palliate_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o with_o such_o raw_a principle_n and_o petty_a craft_n to_o avoid_v a_o honest_a downright_a procedure_n which_o be_v to_o say_v plain_o my_o ground_n can_v fail_v of_o conclude_v the_o thing_n absolute_o true_a i_o will_v justify_v they_o to_o be_v such_o and_o here_o they_o be_v but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o the_o best_a word_n he_o afford_v they_o who_o do_v this_o right_n to_o christianity_n be_v to_o call_v they_o vapour_a and_o swagger_a man_n with_o all_o the_o disgraceful_a irony_n he_o can_v put_v upon_o they_o §_o 10._o by_o this_o time_n my_o last_o charge_n that_o this_o firm_a principle_n of_o he_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n i_o may_v have_v say_v likelihood_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o be_v already_o make_v good_a and_o needs_o only_o a_o short_a rehearsal_n for_o 1._o he_o assert_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o a_o deity_n unless_o we_o entertain_v his_o firm_a principle_n which_o be_v so_o full_o stuff_v with_o nonsense_n and_o folly_n that_o unles●_n it_o be_v in_o bedlam_n i_o know_v no_o place_n in_o england_n where_o it_o be_v like_a to_o find_v entertainment_n that_o the_o evidence_n or_o visibleness_n of_o a_o object_n beget_v certainty_n in_o we_o be_v that_o which_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n ever_o teach_v i_o and_o all_o mankind_n hitherto_o but_o that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o a_o object_n or_o its_o afford_v we_o no_o true_a evidence_n ground_v our_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o it_o nay_o that_o even_o its_o incapableness_n to_o afford_v we_o any_o in_o our_o circumstance_n and_o consequent_o our_o despair_n of_o see_v any_o such_o evidence_n for_o it_o shall_v contribute_v to_o make_v we_o certain_a of_o it_o nay_o more_o that_o this_o must_v be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o be_v obtrude_v upon_o all_o mankind_n under_o such_o a_o unmerciful_a penalty_n that_o unless_o they_o entertain_v this_o as_o honourable_o as_o a_o firm_a principle_n not_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v such_o a_o super-transcendent_a absurdity_n as_o surpass_v all_o belief_n or_o even_o imagination_n but_o a_o rhetorician_n may_v say_v any_o thing_n when_o talk_v pretty_a plausibility_n be_v only_o in_o vogue_n and_o a_o melodious_a gingle_n to_o please_v the_o ear_n be_v more_o modish_a than_o solid_a reason_n to_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n next_o he_o vouch_v not_o any_o reason_n he_o bring_v to_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a and_o consequent_o own_v not_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n no_o not_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o not_o to_o assert_v but_o as_o have_v be_v show_v from_o his_o firm_a principle_n equivalent_o to_o deny_v even_o then_o when_o he_o be_v maintain_v it_o be_v a_o intolerable_a prejudice_n to_o that_o weighty_a and_o excellent_a cause_n he_o have_v undertake_v and_o so_o be_v engage_v to_o defend_v 3._o he_o wave_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o his_o reason_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o content_v himself_o that_o it_o keep_v we_o free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n which_o reach_v not_o assent_v for_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n be_v to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a and_o so_o not_o to_o doubt_v be_v bare_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o be_v far_o short_a of_o hold_v it_o true_a and_o consequent_o from_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n beside_o our_o not_o doubt_v may_v be_v in_o many_o regard_v faulty_a and_o spring_n from_o surprise_n passion_n and_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o from_o ignorance_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v but_o a_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v faulty_a wherefore_o to_o relinquish_v the_o patronage_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o validity_n that_o be_v absolute_a conclusiveness_n of_o christian_a proof_n of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a store_n for_o this_o point_n defend_v only_o their_o plausibility_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o victorious_a way_n of_o convince_a the_o understanding_n into_o assent_n require_v only_o a_o feeble_a not_o doubt_v be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o betray_v his_o cause_n and_o tacit_o or_o rather_o indeed_o too_o open_o to_o accuse_v christianity_n of_o a_o infirmity_n in_o its_o ground_n as_o be_v incapable_a to_o effect_v what_o they_o ought_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o to_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n 4._o by_o make_v our_o certainty_n of_o it_o or_o the_o adequate_a effect_n of_o its_o motive_n consist_v mere_o in_o our_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o he_o make_v its_o effect_n and_o consequent_o the_o efficacy_n of_o those_o motive_n themselves_o no_o better_a than_o those_o which_o heathen_n turk_n and_o heretic_n have_v for_o these_o also_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n from_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o respective_a sect_n if_o he_o say_v christian_n have_v no_o just_a reason_n
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 o●_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 h●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
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 ●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 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which_o so_o abound_v in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n whole_o compose_v this_o preface_n be_v total_o supersede_v and_o only_o serious_a reason_n make_v use_v of_o to_o oblige_v he_o to_o which_o sober_a demand_n i_o promise_v on_o my_o part_n that_o though_o these_o be_v here_o my_o only_a confuter_n i_o be_v force_v at_o present_a to_o give_v they_o sometime_o their_o proper_a answer_n by_o retort_v now_o and_o then_o his_o own_o language_n only_o better_o apply_v yet_o in_o my_o future_a write_n i_o shall_v serious_o pursue_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n without_o mind_v at_o all_o his_o impertinency_n that_o be_v i_o shall_v rigorous_o observe_v the_o same_o sober_a strain_n which_o as_o my_o own_o inclination_n lead_v i_o i_o follow_v in_o sure-footing_a faith_n vindicated_n and_o my_o method_n till_o dr._n t._n see_v it_o his_o interest_n to_o avoid_v answer_v in_o a_o solid_a manner_n or_o close_v by_o way_n of_o rigorous_a discourse_n with_o my_o argument_n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n to_o bring_v the_o controversy_n 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n into_o that_o of_o burlesque_fw-la also_o that_o all_o childish_a cavil_v at_o inelegancy_n or_o hard_a word_n at_o want_n of_o rhetoric_n in_o a_o circumstance_n where_o none_o be_v intend_v or_o needful_a at_o my_o be_v the_o first_o that_o say_v he_o shall_v have_v say_v prove_v this_o or_o that_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n lay_v aside_o as_o thing_n perfect_o useless_a towards_o the_o clear_v of_o truth_n as_o likewise_o that_o it_o be_v not_o hold_v and_o impute_v as_o confidence_n to_o maintain_v faith_n absolute_a certainty_n or_o any_o point_n else_o for_o which_o i_o offer_v my_o reason_n nor_o to_o pretend_v to_o self_n evident_a principle_n and_o absolutely-conclusive_a proof_n or_o demonstration_n whenas_o the_o circumstance_n and_o matter_n to_o be_v prove_v nay_o the_o very_a name_n of_o a_o scholar_n render_v it_o shameful_a to_o pretend_v or_o 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