Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	believe_v	faith_n	reveal_v	5,457	5	8.8529	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A25846	Logic, or, The art of thinking in which, besides the common, are contain'd many excellent new rules, very profitable for directing of reason and acquiring of judgment in things as well relating to the instruction of for the excellency of the matter printed many times in French and Latin, and now for publick good translated into English by several hands.; Logique. English. 1685	Arnauld, Antoine, 1612-1694.; Nicole, Pierre, 1625-1695.	1685 (1685)	Wing A3723; ESTC R7858	106,112	258

false_a though_o we_o may_v oppose_v certain_a instance_n wherein_o they_o may_v stray_v from_o the_o truth_n but_o to_o be_v satisfy_v if_o they_o may_v be_v extend_v from_o other_o beyond_o their_o just_a limit_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v take_v too_o rigorous_o according_a to_o the_o letter_n 2._o observation_n there_o be_v some_o proposition_n that_o ought_v to_o pass_v for_o metaphysical_o universal_a though_o they_o may_v admit_v of_o exception_n that_o be_v when_o those_o exception_n be_v exotic_a and_o such_o as_o according_a to_o common_a use_n be_v not_o comprehend_v in_o those_o universal_a term_n as_o when_o i_o say_v all_o man_n have_v two_o arms._n this_o proposition_n ought_v to_o pass_v for_o true_a according_a to_o ordinary_a use_n and_o it_o will_v be_v but_o mere_a brangle_v to_o oppose_v against_o it_o that_o there_o have_v be_v monster_n who_o be_v man_n though_o they_o have_v four_o arms._n it_o being_n plain_a that_o there_o be_v nothing_o intend_v concern_v monster_n in_o these_o general_a proposition_n and_o that_o the_o only_a meaning_n of_o the_o assertion_n be_v that_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n all_o man_n have_v two_o arms._n in_o like_a manner_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o all_o man_n make_v use_v of_o word_n to_o express_v their_o thought_n but_o that_o all_o man_n do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o writing_n nor_o will_v it_o be_v a_o rational_a objection_n to_o contradict_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n by_o instance_v dumb_a people_n because_o it_o be_v evident_a though_o the_o sense_n be_v not_o express_v in_o word_n that_o it_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o such_o as_o have_v a_o natural_a impediment_n to_o make_v use_n of_o sound_n either_o clude_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o speak_v of_o another_o sort_n of_o knowledge_n which_o ofttimes_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a nor_o less_o evident_a in_o its_o manner_n then_o that_o which_o we_o draw_v from_o authority_n for_o there_o be_v two_o general_a way_n by_o which_o we_o know_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a the_o first_o be_v the_o knowledge_n which_o we_o have_v by_o ourselves_o whether_o we_o have_v attain_v it_o by_o observation_n or_o ratiocination_n whether_o by_o our_o sense_n or_o by_o our_o reason_n which_o may_v be_v general_o term_v reason_n in_o regard_n the_o sense_n themselves_o depend_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o reason_n or_o knowledge_n the_o word_n be_v here_o more_o general_o take_v than_o in_o the_o school_n for_o all_o manner_n of_o knowledge_n of_o a_o object_n draw_v from_o the_o same_o object_n the_o other_o way_n be_v the_o authority_n of_o person_n worthy_a of_o credit_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o a_o thing_n be_v so_o though_o of_o ourselves_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o it_o which_o be_v call_v faith_n or_o belief_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o st._n austin_n for_o what_o we_o know_v we_o owe_v to_o reason_n for_o what_o we_o believe_v to_o authority_n but_o as_o this_o authority_n may_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o from_o god_n or_o man_n so_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o faith_n divine_a and_o human._n divine_a faith_n can_v be_v subject_a to_o error_n because_o that_o god_n can_v neither_o deceive_v we_o nor_o be_v deceive_v human_a faith_n be_v of_o its_o self_n subject_n to_o error_n for_o all_o man_n be_v liar_n according_a to_o scripture_n and_o because_o it_o may_v happen_v that_o he_o who_o shall_v assure_v we_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v deceive_v himself_o nevertheless_o as_o we_o have_v already_o observe_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v not_o but_o by_o a_o human_a faith_n which_o nevertheless_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v for_o as_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a as_o if_o they_o be_v mathematical_o demonstrate_v as_o that_o which_o be_v know_v by_o the_o constant_a relation_n of_o so_o many_o person_n that_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a they_o shall_v ever_o have_v conspire_v to_o affirm_v the_o same_o thing_n if_o they_o be_v not_o true_a for_o example_n man_n have_v be_v natural_o most_o averse_a from_o conceive_v any_o antipode_n nevertheless_o though_o we_o never_o be_v in_o those_o place_n and_o know_v nothing_o of_o any_o antipode_n but_o by_o human_a faith_n he_o must_v be_v a_o fool_n that_o do_v not_o believe_v '_o they_o and_o he_o must_v be_v out_o of_o his_o wit_n who_o question_n whether_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o such_o person_n as_o caesar_n pompey_n cicero_n or_o virgil_n or_o whether_o they_o be_v not_o feign_a name_n as_o amadis_n de_fw-fr gaul_n true_a it_o be_v that_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a thing_n to_o know_v when_o human_a faith_n have_v attain_v to_o this_o same_o assurance_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o lead_v man_n astray_o into_o two_o such_o opposite_a deviation_n so_o that_o some_o believe_v too_o slight_o upon_o the_o least_o report_n other_o ridiculous_o make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o force_n of_o their_o wit_n to_o annul_v the_o belief_n of_o thing_n attest_v by_o the_o great_a authority_n when_o it_o thwart_v the_o prejudice_n of_o their_o understanding_n and_o therefore_o certain_a limit_n be_v to_o be_v assign_v which_o faith_n must_v exceed_v to_o obtain_v this_o assurance_n and_o other_o beyond_o which_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o uncertainty_n leave_v in_o the_o middle_a a_o certain_a space_n where_o we_o shall_v meet_v with_o certainty_n or_o uncertainty_n as_o we_o approach_v near_o to_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o bound_n now_o than_o if_o we_o do_v but_o compare_v the_o two_o general_a way_n by_o which_o we_o believe_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a reason_n and_o faith_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o faith_n always_o suppose_v some_o reason_n for_o as_o st._n austin_n say_v in_o his_o 122._o epistle_n and_o in_o several_a other_o place_n we_o can_v never_o bring_v ourselves_o to_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n if_o reason_n itself_o have_v not_o persuade_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v well_o to_o believe_v though_o we_o be_v not_o capable_a to_o apprehend_v they_o which_o be_v principal_o true_a in_o respect_n of_o divine_a faith_n for_o true_a reason_n teach_v we_o that_o god_n be_v truth_n itself_o he_o can_v deceive_v we_o in_o what_o he_o reveal_v to_o we_o concern_v his_o nature_n and_o his_o mystery_n whence_o it_o appear_v that_o though_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o captivate_v our_o understanding_n in_o obedience_n to_o faith_n as_o say_v st._n paul_n yet_o we_o do_v it_o neither_o blind_o nor_o unreasonable_o which_o be_v the_o original_n of_o all_o false_a religion_n but_o with_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o for_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o reasonable_a act_n to_o captivate_v ourselves_o to_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n when_o he_o have_v give_v we_o sufficient_a proof_n such_o as_o be_v his_o miracle_n and_o other_o prodigious_a accident_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o himself_o have_v discover_v to_o man_n the_o truth_n which_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v as_o certain_a it_o be_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o divine_a faith_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o great_a power_n over_o our_o understanding_n then_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o that_o upon_o this_o dictate_v of_o reason_n itself_o that_o the_o more_o certain_a be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o the_o less_o certain_a and_o that_o be_v more_o certain_a which_o god_n assure_v we_o to_o be_v true_a then_o that_o which_o reason_n persuade_v we_o when_o it_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o deceive_v we_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n to_o be_v deceive_v chap._n xiii_o certain_a rule_n for_o the_o guidance_n of_o reason_n the_o belief_n of_o event_n that_o depend_v upon_o human_a faith_n the_o most_o customary_a use_n of_o sound_a judgement_n and_o that_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n by_o which_o we_o discern_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n be_v not_o employ_v in_o speculative_a science_n about_o which_o so_o few_o person_n be_v oblige_v to_o spend_v their_o time_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n wherein_o it_o be_v more_o frequent_o to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o where_o it_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o in_o that_o judgement_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o what_o pass_v every_o day_n among_o men._n i_o do_v not_o speak_v of_o judge_v whether_o a_o action_n be_v good_a or_o bad_a worthy_a of_o applause_n or_o reproof_n for_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o regulation_n of_o morality_n but_o of_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o human_a event_n which_o may_v only_o be_v refer_v to_o logic_n whether_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o past_a as_o when_o we_o only_o endeavour_v to_o know_v whether_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v they_o or_o not_o or_o whether_o we_o consider_v they_o as_o be_v to_o come_v

as_o when_o we_o fear_v or_o hope_v they_o will_v come_v to_o pass_v which_o regulate_v our_o hope_n and_o our_o fear_n certain_a it_o be_v that_o some_o reflection_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o this_o subject_a which_o perhaps_o may_v not_o be_v altogether_o unprofitable_a or_o rather_o may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o certain_a error_n into_o which_o most_o people_n fall_v because_o they_o do_v not_o sufficient_o study_v the_o rule_n of_o reason_n the_o first_o reflection_n be_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n to_o be_v make_v between_o two_o sort_n of_o truth_n the_o one_o that_o only_o relate_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o their_o immutable_a essence_n abstract_v from_o their_o existence_n the_o other_o that_o relate_v to_o thing_n existent_a that_o relate_v to_o human_a and_o contingent_a event_n which_o may_v or_o may_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o future_a and_o may_v probable_o never_o have_v be_v when_o we_o talk_v of_o what_o be_v past_a i_o speak_v this_o with_o reference_n to_o their_o next_o cause_n make_v a_o abstraction_n of_o their_o immutable_a order_n in_o divine_a providence_n because_o on_o the_o one_o side_n it_o do_v not_o hinder_v contingence_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n be_v unknown_a to_o we_o it_o contribute_v nothing_o to_o make_v we_o believe_v the_o thing_n themselves_o now_o as_o all_o thing_n be_v requisite_a in_o truth_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n there_o be_v nothing_o sure_a which_o be_v not_o universal_o true_a and_o so_o we_o must_v conclude_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v false_a in_o any_o case_n but_o if_o we_o think_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o rule_n in_o human_a event_n we_o shall_v always_o judge_v false_o and_o make_v a_o thousand_o false_a argument_n for_o these_o event_n be_v natural_o contingent_a it_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o seek_v out_o in_o they_o for_o a_o necessary_a truth_n and_o so_o that_o person_n will_v be_v altogether_o void_a of_o reason_n who_o will_v believe_v nothing_o of_o such_o thing_n unless_o it_o be_v make_v out_o to_o he_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a they_o shall_v be_v so_o now_o will_v he_o less_o deviate_v from_o reason_n that_o will_v require_v i_o to_o believe_v any_o particular_a event_n suppose_v it_o be_v the_o conversion_n of_o the_o king_n of_o china_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o this_o only_a ground_n because_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v so_o for_o see_v that_o another_o who_o shall_v assure_v i_o to_o the_o contrary_n may_v make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o that_o reason_n alone_o can_v determine_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o one_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o we_o must_v therefore_o lay_v it_o down_o for_o a_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a maxim_n upon_o this_o occasion_n that_o the_o possibillity_n alone_o of_o a_o event_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v i_o believe_v it_o and_o that_o i_o may_v have_v reason_n also_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n though_o i_o judge_v it_o not_o impossible_a but_o that_o the_o contrary_n may_v have_v come_v to_o pass_v so_o that_o of_o the_o two_o event_n i_o may_v rational_o believe_v the_o one_o and_o not_o the_o other_o though_o i_o believe_v they_o both_o possible_a how_o then_o shall_v we_o resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o one_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o if_o we_o judge_v they_o both_o possible_a observe_v the_o follow_a rule_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o event_n and_o to_o persuade_v myself_o into_o a_o resolution_n to_o believe_v or_o not_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n it_o must_v not_o be_v consider_v naked_o and_o in_o itself_o like_o a_o proposition_n in_o geometry_n but_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o accompany_v it_o as_o well_o internal_a as_o external_a be_v to_o be_v weigh_v with_o the_o same_o consideration_n i_o call_v internal_a circumstance_n such_o as_o belong_v to_o the_o fact_n itself_o and_o external_a those_o that_o relate_v to_o the_o person_n who_o testimony_n induce_v we_o believe_v it_o this_o be_v do_v if_o all_o the_o circumstance_n be_v such_o that_o it_o never_o or_o very_o rare_o happen_v that_o the_o same_o circumstance_n be_v accompany_v with_o falsehood_n our_o understanding_n natural_o carry_v to_o believe_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a and_o there_o be_v a_o reason_n for_o so_o do_v especial_o in_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o action_n of_o our_o life_n that_o never_o require_v a_o great_a assurance_n than_o a_o moral_a certainty_n and_o which_o be_v satisfy_v upon_o most_o occasion_n with_o a_o great_a probability_n but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o these_o circumstance_n be_v such_o as_o be_v frequent_o accompany_v with_o falsehood_n reason_n require_v we_o to_o suspend_v our_o belief_n or_o that_o we_o shall_v look_v upon_o as_o false_a what_o be_v tell_v we_o when_o we_o see_v no_o likelihood_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v true_a though_o we_o do_v not_o find_v any_o absolute_a impossibility_n for_o example_n we_o demand_v whether_o the_o history_n of_o the_o baptism_n of_o constantine_n by_o silvester_n be_v true_a or_o false_a baronius_n believe_v it_o true_a but_o cardinal_n perron_n bishop_n spondanus_n petavius_n morinus_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o the_o roman_a church_n believe_v it_o false_a now_o if_o we_o insist_v upon_o the_o sole_a possibility_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o reject_v baronius_n for_o his_o opinion_n contain_v nothing_o absolute_o impossible_a and_o to_o speak_v absolute_o it_o be_v also_o possible_a that_o eusebius_n who_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a affirm_v a_o untruth_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o arrian_n and_o that_o the_o father_n that_o follow_v he_o be_v deceive_v by_o his_o testimony_n but_o if_o we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o rule_n already_o lay_v down_o which_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o circumstance_n both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o baptism_n of_o constantine_n and_o which_o be_v those_o that_o carry_v the_o great_a mark_n of_o truth_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o to_o be_v the_o latter_a for_o on_o the_o one_o side_n there_o be_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o writer_n as_o fabulous_a as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o act_n of_o sylvester_n who_o be_v the_o only_a person_n of_o antiquity_n who_o have_v speak_v of_o constantin_n be_v baptize_v at_o rome_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v no_o liklihood_n that_o a_o person_n so_o serious_a and_o learned_a as_o eusebius_n shall_v presume_v to_o report_v a_o untruth_n relate_v to_o a_o thing_n so_o remarkable_a as_o the_o baptism_n of_o the_o first_o emperor_n that_o restore_v the_o church_n to_o her_o liberty_n and_o which_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v spread_v over_o all_o the_o world_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o write_v which_o be_v not_o above_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o say_a emperor_n nevertheless_o there_o be_v a_o exception_n to_o this_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o possibillity_n or_o likelihood_n that_o be_v when_o a_o action_n which_o be_v otherwise_o sufficient_o attest_v be_v contradict_v by_o incongruity_n and_o apparent_a contrariety_n with_o other_o history_n for_o than_o it_o suffice_v that_o the_o solution_n bring_v to_o enervate_a these_o repugnancy_n be_v possible_a and_o probable_a and_o it_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a to_o require_v other_o positive_a proof_n for_o that_o the_o act_n itself_o be_v sufficient_o prove_v it_o be_v not_o equitable_a to_o require_v that_o we_o shall_v prove_v all_o the_o circumstance_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n otherwise_o we_o may_v call_v in_o question_n a_o thousand_o most_o certain_a history_n which_o we_o can_v make_v agree_v with_o other_o of_o less_o authority_n but_o by_o conjecture_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o prove_v positive_o for_o example_n we_o can_v bring_v to_o a_o agreement_n what_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o king_n and_o chronicle_n concern_v the_o year_n of_o the_o reign_v of_o several_a of_o the_o king_n of_o juda_n and_o israel_n but_o by_o assign_v to_o some_o of_o the_o king_n two_o beginning_n of_o their_o reign_n the_o one_o during_o the_o life_n of_o the_o reign_v prince_n and_o the_o other_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o their_o parent_n now_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v what_o proof_n we_o have_v that_o such_o a_o prince_n reign_v for_o some_o time_n with_o his_o father_n we_o must_v confess_v there_o be_v none_o positive_a but_o it_o suffice_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n possible_a and_o which_o have_v often_o come_v to_o pass_v at_o other_o time_n to_o make_v it_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o suppose_v it_o as_o a_o cicumstance_n necessary_a to_o reconcile_v history_n otherwise_o certain_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o ridiculous_a

than_o the_o endeavour_n of_o some_o person_n of_o this_o latter_a age_n to_o prove_v that_o st._n peter_n never_o be_v at_o rome_n they_o can_v deny_v this_o truth_n to_o be_v attest_v by_o all_o the_o ecclesiastic_a writer_n and_o those_o the_o most_o ancient_a as_o papias_n dionysius_n of_o corinth_n caius_n irenaeus_n tertullian_n against_o who_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o that_o have_v make_v the_o the_o least_o contradiction_n nevertheless_o they_o imagine_v they_o can_v ruin_v this_o truth_n by_o conjecture_n for_o example_n because_o st._n paul_n make_v no_o mention_n of_o st._n peter_n in_o his_o epistle_n write_v to_o rome_n and_o when_o they_o be_v answer_v that_o st._n peter_n may_v be_v then_o absent_a from_o rome_n in_o regard_n he_o be_v not_o say_v to_o have_v fix_v his_o seat_n there_o as_o be_v one_o that_o often_o travail_a abroad_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n in_o other_o place_n they_o reply_v that_o this_o be_v urge_v without_o any_o proof_n which_o be_v impertinent_a because_o the_o act_n which_o they_o oppose_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o confirm_a truth_n in_o ecclesiastical_a history_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o those_o that_o uphold_v it_o to_o reconcile_v these_o pretend_a contrariety_n as_o they_o do_v those_o of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o for_o which_o as_o we_o have_v show_v possibillity_n be_v sufficient_a chap._n vii_o a_o application_n of_o the_o precede_a rule_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o miracle_n the_o rule_n which_o we_o have_v explain_v be_v without_o doubt_n of_o great_a importance_n for_o the_o well_o regulate_v our_o reason_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o particular_a acts._n for_o want_v of_o the_o due_a observation_n of_o which_o we_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o fall_v into_o the_o two_o dangerous_a extremity_n of_o credulity_n and_o incredulity_n for_o example_n there_o be_v some_o who_o make_v a_o conscience_n of_o question_v any_o miracle_n because_o they_o have_v a_o fancy_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o question_v all_o shall_v they_o question_v any_o and_o for_o that_o they_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o they_o by_o know_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a with_o god_n to_o believe_v whatever_o be_v tell_v they_o touch_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o omnipotency_n other_o as_o ridiculous_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o the_o understanding_n to_o call_v all_o miracle_n in_o question_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n because_o so_o many_o have_v be_v relate_v that_o have_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o first_o be_v much_o more_o tolerable_a than_o that_o of_o the_o latter_a though_o true_a it_o be_v that_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o argue_v equal_o amiss_o they_o both_o depend_v upon_o common_a place_n the_o first_o upon_o the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n upon_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a miracle_n which_o they_o bring_v for_o proof_n of_o those_o that_o be_v call_v in_o question_n and_o upon_o the_o blindness_n of_o libertine_n who_o will_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v proportionable_a to_o their_o reason_n all_o this_o be_v very_o good_a in_o its_o self_n but_o very_o weak_a to_o convince_v we_o of_o a_o particular_a miracle_n for_o god_n do_v not_o always_o act_v according_a to_o his_o power_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o argument_n that_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v because_o other_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n have_v be_v wrought_v and_o we_o may_v do_v well_o to_o believe_v what_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n without_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v all_o that_o man_n be_v please_v to_o obtrude_v upon_o we_o as_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n the_o latter_a make_v use_n of_o common_a place_n of_o another_o sort_n truth_n say_v one_o of_o they_o and_o falsehood_n appear_v with_o countenance_n alike_o the_o same_o gate_n the_o same_o step_v we_o behold_v with_o the_o same_o eye_n i_o have_v see_v the_o rise_n of_o several_a miracle_n in_o my_o time_n and_o though_o they_o vanish_v in_o the_o birth_n yet_o we_o can_v but_o foresee_v the_o train_n they_o will_v have_v gather_v have_v they_o live_v to_o their_o full_a age._n for_o it_o be_v but_o to_o find_v out_o the_o end_n of_o the_o thread_n and_o to_o cut_v it_o into_o as_o many_o piece_n as_o we_o please_v and_o there_o be_v not_o a_o great_a distance_n between_o nothing_o and_o the_o small_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n than_o there_o be_v between_o this_o and_o the_o great_a now_o the_o first_o that_o be_v intoxicate_v with_o this_o begin_n of_o novelty_n come_v to_o spread_v their_o history_n find_v by_o the_o opposition_n which_o they_o meet_v with_o where_o the_o difficulty_n of_o persuasion_n lodge_v and_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o fucus_n over_o that_o part_n of_o a_o false_a piece_v particular_a error_n first_o cause_v public_a mistake_n and_o afterward_o public_a mistake_n cause_v particular_a error_n thus_o the_o whole_a structure_n of_o the_o miracle_n by_o some_o pull_v down_o by_o other_o uphold_v and_o by_o addition_n enlarge_v at_o length_n grow_v up_o to_o a_o considerable_a pile_n so_o that_o the_o most_o remote_a witness_n be_v better_a instruct_v than_o he_o that_o live_v close_o by_o and_o the_o last_o that_o hear_v of_o it_o better_o confirm_v then_o the_o first_o publisher_n this_o discourse_n be_v ingenious_a and_o may_v be_v profitable_a to_o prevent_v we_o from_o be_v lead_v away_o with_o every_o idle_a report_n but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o extravagance_n from_o hence_o to_o conclude_v general_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o suspect_v whatever_o be_v say_v of_o miracle_n for_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o what_o be_v here_o allege_v relate_v only_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v take_v up_o upon_o common_a fame_n without_o inquire_v into_o the_o original_a cause_n of_o the_o report_n and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v confident_a of_o what_o we_o know_v upon_o no_o better_a ground_n but_o who_o so_o blind_a as_o not_o to_o see_v that_o we_o may_v make_v a_o common_a place_n opposite_a to_o this_o and_o that_o at_o least_o upon_o as_o good_a a_o foundation_n for_o as_o there_o be_v some_o miracle_n that_o will_v deserve_v but_o little_a credit_n shall_v we_o inquire_v into_o their_o original_a so_o there_o be_v other_o that_o vanish_v out_o of_o the_o memory_n of_o man_n or_o which_o find_v but_o little_a credit_n in_o their_o judgement_n because_o they_o will_v not_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o inform_v themselves_o our_o understanding_n be_v not_o subject_a only_o to_o one_o sort_n of_o distemper_n but_o several_a and_o those_o quite_o contrary_a there_o be_v a_o sottish_a stupidity_n that_o believe_v all_o thing_n the_o least_o probable_a but_o there_o be_v a_o conceit_a presumption_n that_o condemn_v for_o false_a whatever_o surpase_v the_o narrow_a limit_n of_o the_o understanding_n sometime_o we_o hunt_v after_o trifle_n and_o neglect_v thing_n of_o great_a moment_n false_a story_n spread_v themselves_o every_o where_o while_o true_a one_o can_v hardly_o get_v liberty_n to_o creep_v abroad_o few_o person_n have_v hear_v of_o the_o miracle_n that_o happen_v in_o our_o time_n at_o faramonsty_a in_o the_o person_n of_o a_o nun_n so_o blind_a that_o hardly_o the_o ball_n of_o her_o eye_n be_v leave_v in_o her_o head_n who_o recover_v her_o sight_n by_o touch_v the_o relic_n of_o st._n fara_fw-mi as_o i_o be_o assure_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o person_n that_o see_v she_o in_o both_o condition_n st._n austin_n affirm_v that_o many_o real_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o his_o time_n that_o be_v know_v but_o to_o few_o and_o which_o though_o most_o remarkable_a and_o wonderful_a spread_v no_o far_o then_o from_o one_o end_n of_o the_o town_n to_o the_o other_o which_o induce_v he_o to_o write_v and_o relate_v in_o his_o sermon_n to_o the_o people_n such_o as_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o he_o observe_v in_o his_o twenty_o second_o book_n of_o the_o city_n of_o god_n that_o in_o the_o single_a city_n of_o hippo_n near_o seventy_o miracle_n be_v wr●●●●●_n within_o two_o year_n after_o the_o building_n of_o a_o chapel_n in_o honour_n of_o st._n stephen_n beside_o a_o great_a number_n of_o other_o which_o he_o do_v not_o commit_v to_o writing_n which_o however_o he_o testify_v to_o be_v true_a upon_o his_o knowledge_n we_o therefore_o see_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o irrational_a then_o to_o guide_v ourselves_o by_o common_a place_n upon_o these_o occasion_n whether_o it_o be_v in_o reject_v all_o miracle_n or_o embrace_v all_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v examine_v they_o by_o their_o particular_a circumstance_n and_o by_o the_o credit_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o reporter_n piety_n do_v not_o not_o oblige_v a_o man_n of_o sense_n to_o believe_v all_o the_o miracle_n

in_o the_o golden_a legend_n or_o the_o metaphra_v in_o regard_v those_o book_n be_v so_o full_a of_o fable_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v credit_v upon_o their_o authority_n as_o cardinal_n bellarmin_n have_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o confess_v of_o the_o last_o but_o i_o affirm_v that_o every_o man_n of_o sense_n bate_v his_o piety_n aught_o to_o acknowledge_v for_o true_a the_o miracle_n which_o st_n austin_n recite_v in_o his_o confession_n and_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la some_o of_o which_o he_o see_v and_o other_o of_o which_o he_o be_v inform_v by_o the_o person_n themselves_o in_o who_o sight_n they_o be_v wrought_v as_o of_o the_o blind_a man_n cure_v at_o milan_n before_o all_o the_o people_n by_o touch_v the_o relic_n of_o st._n gervace_n and_o protasius_n which_o he_o report_v in_o his_o confession_n and_o of_o which_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o 22d_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la cap._n 8._o a_o certain_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v at_o milan_n when_o we_o be_v there_o when_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v restore_v to_o his_o sight_n which_o can_v not_o be_v unknown_a to_o thousand_o for_o it_o be_v a_o large_a city_n and_o there_o be_v then_o the_o emperor_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v do_v before_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o people_n crowd_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o martyr_n st._n gervase_n and_o protasius_n of_o a_o woman_n cure_v in_o africa_n by_o flower_n that_o have_v touch_v the_o relic_n of_o st._n stephen_n as_o he_o testify_v in_o the_o same_o book_n of_o a_o lady_n of_o quality_n cure_v of_o a_o cancer_n by_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n which_o she_o cause_v to_o be_v make_v upon_o the_o soar_n by_o one_o that_o be_v new_o baptise_a according_o to_o a_o revelation_n which_o she_o have_v have_v of_o a_o child_n that_o die_v unbaptise_v who_o restoration_n to_o life_n the_o mother_n obtain_v by_o her_o prayer_n to_o st._n peter_n in_o the_o strength_n of_o her_o faith_n invoke_v he_o in_o these_o word_n holy_a martyr_n restore_v i_o my_o son_n thou_o know_v i_o ask_v his_o life_n for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v eternal_o separate_v from_o god_n now_o if_o these_o thing_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v happen_v as_o they_o be_v relate_v there_o be_v no_o rational_a person_n but_o must_v acknowledge_v these_o thing_n to_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n so_o that_o all_o their_o incredulity_n can_v do_v will_v be_v to_o doubt_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o st._n austin_n and_o to_o believe_v he_o a_o falsifyer_n of_o the_o truth_n to_o gain_v a_o veneration_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n among_o the_o pagan_n which_o be_v that_o which_o they_o have_v no_o colour_n to_o imagine_v first_o because_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o a_o person_n of_o his_o judgement_n will_v have_v tell_v a_o untruth_n in_o thing_n so_o public_a wherein_o he_o may_v have_v be_v convince_v of_o falsehood_n by_o infinite_a number_n of_o testimony_n which_o will_v have_v redound_v to_o the_o ignominy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n second_o because_o there_o be_v never_o any_o person_n more_o a_o profess_a enemy_n of_o falsehood_n than_o this_o holy_a man_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v make_v it_o the_o work_n of_o entire_a treatise_n to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o unlawful_a to_o tell_v a_o lie_n but_o a_o thing_n so_o detestable_a that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o though_o for_o the_o conversion_n of_o man_n to_o the_o christian_a faith_n i_o have_v the_o more_o enlarge_v myself_o upon_o this_o remarkable_a example_n of_o the_o judgement_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o action_n to_o serve_v as_o a_o rule_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n because_o we_o most_o common_o deviate_v in_o those_o thing_n for_o every_o one_o think_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o decision_n of_o these_o to_o make_v a_o common_a place_n which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v only_o compose_v of_o maxim_n which_o not_o only_o be_v not_o universal_o true_a but_o not_o so_o much_o as_o probable_a when_o they_o be_v join_v with_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o action_n that_o fall_v under_o examination_n and_o therefore_o circumstance_n be_v to_o be_v compare_v and_o consider_v together_o not_o consider_v a_o part_n for_o it_o often_o happen_v that_o a_o act_n which_o be_v not_o very_o probable_a in_o one_o circumstance_n aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v and_o take_v for_o certain_a according_a to_o other_o circumstance_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n a_o action_n which_o appear_v to_o we_o true_a according_a to_o one_o circumstance_n which_o be_v usual_o join_v with_o truth_n aught_o to_o be_v deem_v false_a according_a to_o other_o weaken_v circumstance_n as_o we_o shall_v make_v out_o in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n chap._n xv._n other_o remark_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a of_o the_o beleif_n of_o event_n there_o be_v yet_o one_o other_o remark_n of_o great_a moment_n to_o make_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o event_n which_o be_v that_o among_o those_o circumstance_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o consider_v that_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o fact_n or_o no_o there_o be_v some_o which_o we_o may_v call_v common_a circumstance_n because_o they_o frequent_o occur_v and_o be_v far_o often_o join_v to_o truth_n then_o falsehood_n and_o then_o if_o they_o be_v not_o counterbalanced_a by_o other_o particular_a circumstance_n that_o ruin_n the_o motive_n of_o belief_n draw_v from_o common_a circumstance_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v those_o event_n if_o not_o to_o be_v certain_a yet_o at_o least_o to_o be_v probable_a which_o probability_n be_v sufficient_a when_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o pronounce_v our_o opinion_n in_o such_o case_n for_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v satisfy_v with_o a_o moral_a assurance_n in_o thing_n not_o capable_a of_o metaphysical_a certainty_n so_o when_o we_o can_v obtain_v a_o full_a moral_a assurance_n the_o best_a we_o can_v do_v when_o we_o be_v to_o resolve_v be_v to_o embrace_v the_o most_o probable_a for_o it_o will_v be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n to_o embrace_v the_o least_o probable_a but_o if_o on_o the_o other_o side_n these_o common_a circumstance_n which_o will_v have_v induce_v we_o to_o believe_v a_o thing_n be_v join_v with_o other_o particular_a circumstance_n that_o ruin_v the_o motive_n of_o belief_n draw_v from_o common_a circumstance_n or_o be_v such_o as_o be_v rare_o find_v without_o falsehood_n we_o be_v not_o then_o any_o long_a to_o believe_v that_o event_n but_o either_o we_o remain_v in_o suspense_n if_o the_o particular_a circumstance_n enfeeble_v the_o weight_n of_o common_a circumstance_n or_o we_o believe_v the_o action_n to_o be_v false_a if_o the_o circumstance_n be_v such_o as_o be_v usual_o the_o mark_n of_o falsehood_n for_o example_n it_o be_v a_o common_a circumstance_n for_o many_o contract_n to_o be_v sign_v by_o two_o public_a notary_n that_o be_v by_o two_o public_a person_n who_o chief_a interest_n it_o be_v to_o be_v just_a and_o true_a in_o their_o employment_n because_o not_o only_o their_o conscience_n and_o reputation_n but_o their_o life_n and_o estate_n lie_v at_o stake_n this_o consideration_n alone_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o know_v no_o other_o particularity_n of_o the_o contract_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v that_o the_o contract_n be_v not_o antedate_v not_o but_o that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o but_o because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o of_o a_o thousand_o contract_n nine_o hundred_o ninety_o nine_o be_v not_o so_o that_o it_o be_v infinite_o more_o probable_a that_o this_o contract_n be_v one_o of_o the_o nine_o hundred_o ninety_o nine_o than_o the_o only_o antedate_v contract_n of_o a_o thousand_o so_o that_o if_o withal_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o notary_n that_o sign_v it_o be_v know_v to_o i_o i_o shall_v most_o certain_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o foul_a play_n in_o the_o write_n but_o if_o to_o this_o common_a circumstance_n of_o be_v sign_v by_o two_o notary_n there_o be_v join_v other_o particular_a circumstance_n as_o that_o the_o notary_n be_v person_n of_o no_o conscience_n or_o reputation_n so_o that_o they_o may_v be_v instrumental_a in_o falsify_v the_o deed_n yet_o shall_v not_o this_o make_v i_o conclude_v that_o the_o deed_n be_v antedate_v but_o if_o beside_o all_o these_o i_o can_v discover_v other_o proof_n of_o the_o antedate_n either_o by_o witness_n or_o convince_a argument_n as_o the_o inability_n of_o the_o person_n to_o lend_v twenty_o thousand_o crown_n at_o a_o time_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v demonstrable_a that_o he_o have_v not_o a_o hundred_o in_o cash_n i_o will_v then_o resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o contract_n to_o be_v falsify_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a for_o any_o person_n to_o