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	save_v	4,872	5	7.1588	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59221	Faith vindicated from possibility of falshood, or, The immovable firmness and certainty of the motives to Christian faith asserted against that tenet, which, denying infallibility of authority, subverts its foundation, and renders it uncertain	Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.	1667 (1667)	Wing S2566; ESTC R783	77,674	212

or_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o proposal_n of_o it_o which_o only_o can_v oblige_v connatural_o the_o understanding_n to_o conceit_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v and_o consequent_o the_o will_n to_o love_v it_o according_o in_o which_o conceit_v and_o hearty_o love_a not_o only_o the_o intend_v and_o command_v part_n of_o the_o action_n be_v place_v in_o our_o case_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o our_o act_n for_o material_a good_n but_o also_o the_o executive_a and_o assecutive_a part_n of_o it_o not_o the_o same_o sleightness_n of_o motive_n therefore_o or_o moral_a certainty_n will_v here_o serve_v the_o turn_n but_o true_a certainty_n or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n be_v require_v this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o proper_a to_o beget_v a_o hearty_a lively_a steady_a and_o all-over-powering_a affection_n for_o heaven_n and_o such_o as_o may_v as_o it_o ought_v make_v christian_n practical_o repute_v all_o other_o thing_n as_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o §_o 9_o but_o the_o main_a consideration_n false_a which_o force_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o beget_v it_o that_o be_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n above_o those_o which_o ground_n our_o action_n of_o pursue_v temporary_a good_n be_v the_o unconceivable_a mysteriousness_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n truth_n exalt_v above_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n as_o far_o as_o heaven_n be_v above_o the_o earth_n many_o of_o they_o look_v so_o odd_a and_o uncouth_a to_o our_o course_n humane_a reason_n unrefined_a by_o faith_n that_o as_o they_o seem_v of_o old_a to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n so_o still_o they_o be_v acknowledged_o most_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o grossness_n of_o fancy_n by_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o unelevate_v by_o christian_a principle_n be_v lead_v and_o confess_o above_o reason_n insomuch_o as_o it_o cost_v the_o best_a wit_n of_o christianity_n no_o small_a pain_n to_o maintain_v they_o not_o to_o be_v contradictory_n or_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a put_v then_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o only_a seem_a certainty_n i_o may_v say_v the_o confess_a want_n of_o certainty_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o believe_v will_v be_v so_o counterballance_v by_o the_o incredibleness_n and_o seem_a contradictoriness_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o object_n or_o rather_o indeed_o overballance_v in_o the_o conceit_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o overplus_n of_o weight_n leave_v to_o incline_v they_o to_o hold_v those_o point_n true_a rather_o than_o false_a much_o less_o to_o make_v they_o absolute_o hold_v they_o be_v certain_a truth_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v assert_v the_o contrary_a i_o wonder_v how_o he_o will_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v it_o or_o by_o what_o standard_n he_o will_v measure_v whether_o be_v the_o great_a of_o the_o two_o counterposed_a unlikelihood_n viz._n that_o the_o possible_o false_a motive_n of_o faith_n shall_v hap_v to_o be_v actual_o such_o or_o that_o the_o seeming-impossibility_n in_o the_o object_n shall_v chance_v to_o be_v a_o real_a one_o for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v here_o that_o we_o be_v in_o reason_n to_o expect_v the_o divine_a nature_n shall_v be_v exceed_o exalt_v above_o its_o creature_n and_o incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o measure_v his_o perfection_n by_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n find_v in_o creature_n but_o think_v it_o reasonable_a he_o shall_v infinite_o exceed_v they_o for_o however_o this_o have_v weight_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o concern_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o its_o perfection_n as_o in_o itself_o yet_o here_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n in_o regard_n faith_n teach_v we_o many_o other_o point_v seem_o repugnant_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o and_o most_o strange_o debase_v and_o vilify_a it_o as_o that_o god_n infinite_o happy_a in_o himself_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o injurious_a buffering_n scourge_n and_o a_o ignominious_a death_n for_o a_o creature_n sake_n that_o in_o comparison_n of_o he_o be_v a_o mere_a nothing_o and_o that_o omniscience_n and_o omnipotence_n can_v not_o invent_v and_o practise_v some_o easy_a and_o more_o honourable_a way_n to_o work_v the_o end_n they_o intend_v and_o last_o that_o it_o shall_v beseem_v infinite_a goodness_n that_o a_o person_n superlative_o innocent_a shall_v be_v so_o severe_o punish_v to_o do_v a_o undue_a favour_n to_o those_o who_o be_v enormous_o wicked_a this_o consideration_n then_o necessitate_v plain_o the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n be_v false_a for_o else_o it_o will_v be_v irrational_a to_o believe_v it_o and_o last_o it_o show_v the_o case_n of_o christian_a interior_a act_n utter_o unparallel_a to_o that_o of_o act_v exterior_o for_o sensible_a and_o material_a good_n which_o one_o may_v apprehend_v to_o be_v attainable_a and_o also_o comprehend_v the_o way_n to_o attain_v they_o without_o puzz'le_v his_o understanding_n with_o any_o unconceivable_a mysteriousness_n in_o the_o business_n to_o check_v his_o assent_n ere_o i_o leave_v this_o point_n i_o must_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v well_o on_o the_o condition_n those_o person_n be_v in_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n they_o have_v no_o light_n but_o their_o pure_a natural_a reason_n and_o to_o this_o be_v propose_v for_o object_n to_o the_o one_o side_n the_o motive_n to_o faith_n or_o the_o authority_n in_o our_o case_n that_o god_n have_v speak_v it_o on_o the_o other_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o mystery_n let_v then_o those_o person_n understanding_n no_o better_a elevate_v go_v about_o to_o scan_v the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o i_o think_v confess_v by_o all_o they_o must_v needs_o seem_v to_o they_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a which_o therefore_o nothing_o but_o a_o motive_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v conquer_v so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o conceit_n they_o real_o true_a but_o this_o motive_n or_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_v by_o our_o adversary_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o fit_a and_o proportion_v object_n for_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v then_o against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v be_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o motive_n of_o dissent_n be_v in_o that_o case_n evident_o great_a than_o be_v the_o motive_n of_o assent_n §_o 10._o again_o since_o it_o be_v incomparable_o faith_n more_o easy_a to_o throw_v down_o than_o to_o build_v or_o less_o difficult_a for_o the_o understanding_n to_o comprehend_v a_o objection_n than_o it_o be_v to_o lay_v orderly_o in_o the_o soul_n a_o severely-connected_n frame_v of_o discourse_n force_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o point_n particular_o when_o those_o point_n be_v utter_o unsuitable_a to_o fancy_n and_o even_o exalt_v above_o reason_n and_o so_o lie_v open_a to_o very_o plausible_a and_o easy_o penetrable_a objection_n on_o which_o disadvantage_n or_o disproportion_n to_o weak_a judgement_n that_o be_v indeed_o a_o high_a excellency_n on_o the_o object_n be_v side_n atheist_n ground_v their_o drollery_n against_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o be_v not_o the_o chief_a motive_n to_o faith_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n practical_o self-evident_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a there_o will_v be_v consider_v the_o rudeness_n and_o unelevatedness_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o unsuitableness_n of_o the_o mystery_n to_o their_o fancyled_a understanding_n great_a temptation_n and_o more_o plausible_a that_o be_v to_z they_o strong_a motive_n lay_v to_o make_v they_o dissent_v to_o those_o mystery_n than_o to_o make_v they_o assent_v the_o motive_n to_o faith_n then_o must_v be_v practical_o self-evident_a and_o so_o faith_n itself_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a seven_o eviction_n §_o 1._o perhaps_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n express_v most_o manifest_o their_o sentiment_n may_v give_v to_o some_o a_o more_o natural_a and_o penetrable_a satisfaction_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a faith_n shall_v be_v false_a than_o all_o the_o speculative_a and_o scientifical_a proof_n hitherto_o deduce_v §_o 2._o for_o their_o language_n then_o i_o only_o will_n hint_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o my_o prudential_a reader_n for_o to_o transcribe_v they_o be_v endless_a all_o those_o expression_n so_o frequent_a in_o scripture_n father_n council_n and_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o faithful_a to_o these_o very_a day_n viz._n that_o faith_n be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n his_o will_n and_o of_o reveal_v truth_n nor_o will_v i_o straighten_v the_o signification_n

the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o proportion_n of_o its_o fail_v to_o its_o stand_n and_o all_o degree_n of_o contingency_n that_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 6._o moreover_o to_o say_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o faith_n to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n be_v not_o to_o say_v it_o be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n christian_n therefore_o aught_o in_o due_a candour_n then_o when_o they_o be_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n express_v only_o how_o much_o over-proportion_n in_o a_o moral_a estimation_n its_o likelihood_n bear_v to_o its_o unlikelihood_n and_o not_o to_o stand_v tell_v a_o lie_n when_o they_o be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n say_v it_o be_v true_a when_o it_o be_v only_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n likely_a to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v lie_v when_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v a_o chief_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o as_o be_v not_o only_o most_o unwise_a and_o imprudent_a but_o most_o diabolical_o wicked_a and_o impudent_a to_o stand_v stiff_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o lie_n though_o they_o hazard_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o even_o live_v too_o by_o the_o bargain_n yet_o this_o imputation_n of_o such_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o most_o damnably-dishone_a obstinacy_n be_v unavoidable_o to_o be_v affix_v upon_o christian_n if_o they_o thus_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a in_o case_n it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v in_o case_n it_o be_v only_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o for_o example_n that_o it_o be_v true_a if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v not_o perhaps_o this_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o act_v virtuous_o in_o that_o absolute_a profession_n of_o its_o truth_n because_o of_o their_o good_a meaning_n the_o answer_n be_v ready_a first_o that_o mr._n tillotson_n mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o such_o who_o maintain_v and_o so_o if_o they_o write_v what_o they_o think_v see_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v bind_v not_o to_o profess_v faith_n to_o be_v true_a and_o to_o forewarn_v other_o not_o to_o make_v such_o a_o lie_a profession_n next_o that_o if_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o make_v such_o a_o profession_n as_o all_o christian_n grant_v he_o have_v then_o not_o only_o their_o mean_v but_o the_o act_n itself_o be_v good_a and_o laudable_a which_o join_v to_o these_o man_n principle_n and_o their_o natural_a consequence_n lay_v open_a in_o our_o former_a discourse_n signify_v that_o dishonesty_n be_v honesty_n and_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o wicked_a obstinacy_n a_o high_a virtue_n as_o be_v command_v by_o god_n nay_o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n command_v they_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n in_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a position_n most_o abominable_a as_o well_o as_o contradictory_n but_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a the_o nature_n of_o all_o goodness_n shall_v go_v to_o wrack_n when_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n be_v once_o violate_v §_o 7._o again_o if_o contingency_n have_v place_n in_o faith_n basis_n there_o must_v be_v some_o stint_n of_o ly._n this_o contingency_n according_a to_o the_o moral_a estimation_n of_o thing_n be_v it_o then_o for_o example_n a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o what_o other_o proportion_n you_o please_v for_o it_o alter_v not_o the_o present_a case_n if_o then_o it_o be_v but_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v not-true_a that_o be_v it_o will_v bear_v a_o wager_n that_o faith_n be_v a_o lie_n and_o a_o christian_a according_a to_o these_o principle_n may_v without_o injury_n to_o his_o faith_n or_o its_o ground_n and_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o honesty_n lay_v a_o wager_n that_o his_o faith_n be_v actual_o false_a nay_o if_o he_o get_v any_o one_o to_o cope_v with_o he_o at_o excessive_a odds_o he_o be_v bind_v in_o reason_n and_o prudence_n to_o undertake_v he_o and_o lay_v a_o wager_n all_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o ly._n which_o sound_v high_a impiety_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o repute_a christian_n of_o what_o sect_n soever_o that_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o natural_a conceit_n they_o have_v of_o faith_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n of_o fail_v that_o be_v all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n if_o it_o be_v object_v such_o a_o wager_n can_v never_o be_v try_v and_o so_o it_o can_v never_o in_o prudence_n come_v to_o be_v lay_v i_o reply_v my_o discourse_n be_v unconcern_v how_o able_a or_o unable_a man_n understanding_n be_v to_o decide_v it_o and_o only_o contend_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o faith_n no_o better_o settle_v will_v bear_v or_o justify_v it_o which_o be_v unavoidable_o consequent_a §_o 8._o particular_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o prudent_a none_o of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n who_o from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v die_v for_o their_o faith_n shall_v when_o their_o life_n lie_v at_o stake_n endeavour_v to_o mitigate_v the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n with_o such_o like_a language_n i_o beseech_v you_o great_a nero_n or_o dioclesian_n understand_v we_o christian_n right_a we_o deny_v not_o absolute_o the_o possibility_n of_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n be_v true_a nor_o assert_v our_o own_o faith_n so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v it_o may_v not_o possible_o be_v false_a what_o we_o profess_v be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o we_o so_o high_o probable_a or_o morally-certain_a that_o we_o have_v no_o actual_a doubt_n of_o it_o at_o present_a though_o we_o can_v absolute_o say_v but_o we_o may_v come_v to_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v false_a hereafter_o and_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n true_a and_o so_o renounce_v christianity_n and_o join_v with_o you_o indeed_o we_o dare_v venture_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o perhaps_o something_o more_o that_o our_o faith_n be_v true_a yet_o for_o all_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o lay_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v false_a these_o have_v be_v moderate_a and_o mollify_a expression_n and_o questionless_a may_v have_v save_v the_o life_n of_o very_a many_o which_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v use_v they_o be_v according_a to_o our_o adversary_n principle_n true_a and_o honest_a to_o profess_v they_o and_o high_o prudent_a to_o do_v it_o their_o life_n be_v concern_v nay_o conscientious_a too_o for_o there_o be_v none_o but_o hold_v it_o high_o sinful_a to_o conceal_v any_o truth_n which_o may_v save_v another_o man_n life_n no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o this_o that_o the_o possibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n have_v never_o enter_v into_o their_o heart_n but_o they_o hold_v god_n promise_n of_o a_o better_a life_n full_a as_o certain_a as_o be_v their_o present_a possession_n of_o this_o or_o present_a determination_n of_o lose_v it_o for_o christ_n name_n all_o their_o expression_n sound_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v and_o their_o most_o comfortable_a hope_n ground_v upon_o that_o certainty_n nor_o do_v any_o of_o the_o circumstant_fw-la faithful_a ever_n judge_v they_o too_o lavish_a of_o their_o blood_n for_o stand_v so_o stiff_o upon_o their_o avow_v the_o rigorous_a truth_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o its_o contradictory_n but_o always_o esteem_v their_o action_n no_o less_o wise_a and_o honest_a than_o it_o be_v undaunted_a what_o kind_n of_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n a_o protestant_n thus_o principled_a will_v make_v in_o case_n of_o imminent_a martyrdom_n i_o know_v not_o but_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o the_o foolish_a knave_n live_v to_o tell_v aly_a to_o hang_v myself_o by_o profess_v my_o faith_n true_a which_o i_o can_v never_o hearty_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v whilst_o i_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o at_o best_a only_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a §_o 9_o note_v here_o that_o i_o have_v concede_v very_o much_o in_o yield_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o of_o the_o likelihood_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o protestant_a ground_n without_o tradition_n certainty_n which_o they_o deny_v rather_o take_v in_o the_o incredibleness_n of_o the_o mystery_n it_o will_v be_v in_o that_o hypothesis_n above_o five_o to_o one_o speak_v modest_o that_o all_o faith_n be_v false_a for_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o certainty_n of_o book_n can_v be_v have_v at_o all_o without_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o protestant_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o bring_v multitude_n of_o exception_n against_o it_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o mr._n tillotson_n answer_n or_o rather_o abuse_v of_o sure_a foot_n there_o be_v some_o degree_n of_o incredibleness_n in_o the_o right_a conveyance_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n hitherto_o to_o which_o difficulty_n add_v the_o incredibleness_n

of_o the_o mysterye_n themselves_o exceed_o enhaunce_v the_o other_o it_o be_v manifest_a there_o will_v be_v a_o high_a disadvantage_n on_o faith_n side_n nay_o grant_v a_o pretty_a high_a probability_n which_o be_v perhaps_o as_o much_o as_o they_o care_v for_o yet_o the_o notone_o improbability_n but_o seeming-impossibility_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n if_o take_v not_o as_o stand_n under_o authority_n but_o as_o object_n of_o our_o humane_a reason_n as_o in_o this_o counterballancing_a case_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v will_v quite_o overpoise_v the_o probable_a motive_n and_o incline_v the_o soul_n strong_o towards_o dissent_n unless_o interest_n custom_n or_o some_o other_o affection_n come_v in_o to_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o weak_a motive_n print_v it_o in_o a_o big_a letter_n and_o diminish_v the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o object_n by_o not_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v or_o penetrate_v that_o be_v by_o hinder_v the_o work_n of_o right_a reason_n now_o in_o this_o case_n if_o this_o discourse_n hold_v a_o protestant_n may_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n lay_v odds_o and_o wager_v two_o to_o one_o at_o least_o his_o faith_n be_v all_o a_o falsehood_n a_o strange_a impiety_n but_o yet_o the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o that_o impious_a tenet_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o this_o be_v the_o genuine_a sequel_n of_o deny_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 10._o the_o same_o be_v deduce_v from_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o martyr_n and_o the_o proper_a signification_n of_o that_o word_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o witness_n and_o this_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o circumstance_n of_o all_o witness_n the_o most_o solemn_a and_o serious_a and_o the_o perfect_a under_o that_o notion_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v as_o engage_v not_o only_a his_o word_n but_o his_o life_n and_o dear_a blood_n for_o what_o he_o testify_v now_o all_o witness_v or_o attestation_n be_v most_o evident_o of_o what_o the_o witnesser_n know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o nothing_o sound_v more_o unnatural_o or_o be_v more_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o action_n than_o to_o have_v a_o likelihood_n for_o its_o object_n or_o to_o witness_v what_o he_o know_v not_o as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o it_o in_o all_o other_o occasion_n it_o follow_v that_o a_o martyr_n or_o witness_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n faith_n must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v he_o must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v more_o than_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o consequent_o nothing_o be_v more_o impossible_a than_o that_o one_o can_v know_v what_o be_v not_o impossible_a not_o to_o be_v true_a or_o to_o be_v false_a §_o 11._o no_o less_o unnatural_o will_v it_o false_a sound_v shall_v we_o gather_v together_o and_o make_v use_n of_o all_o the_o equivalent_a speech_n to_o this_o proposition_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a such_o as_o be_v there_o be_v no_o certain_a way_n to_o heaven_n no_o man_n know_v there_o be_v a_o heaven_n a_o hell_n a_o jesus_n christ_n a_o trinity_n etc._n etc._n no_o man_n see_v any_o reason_n secure_v faith_n from_o be_v a_o lie_n the_o ground_n of_o all_o our_o hope_n be_v unstable_a and_o may_v be_v overthrow_v absolute_o speak_v it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o that_o which_o christian_n be_v to_o profess_v and_o aught_o to_o die_v for_o it_o may_v be_v point_n of_o faith_n be_v so_o many_o lie_v and_o false_a as_o so_o many_o oldwife_n tale_n the_o light_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v spiritual_a darkness_n and_o error_n what_o we_o hold_v to_o come_v from_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o truth_n may_v perhaps_o come_v from_o the_o devil_n the_o author_n of_o all_o lie_n all_o our_o supernatural_a truth_n may_v be_v diabolical_a falsehood_n faith_n have_v no_o principle_n the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o truth_n but_o likelihood_n only_o these_o and_o innumerable_a such_o other_o be_v all_o equivalent_a periphrasis_n to_o this_o proposition_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o in_o this_o treatise_n have_v be_v manifest_v but_o how_o horrid_a and_o blasphemous_a needs_o no_o proof_n but_o thebare_a rehearse_n of_o they_o §_o 12._o from_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n faith_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a profess_v faith_n we_o come_v next_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o wit_n of_o christianity_n not_o proceed_v as_o speculater_n and_o scholar_n a_o most_o trifle_a impertinent_a topick_n when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o faith_n yet_o most_o frequent_o use_v by_o our_o adversary_n especial_o mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o mr._n pool_n who_o be_v obstinate_o bend_v to_o practice_v that_o wilful_a mistake_n but_o as_o christian_n or_o faithful_a and_o this_o not_o only_o act_v or_o speak_v in_o abstraction_n from_o humane_a knowledge_n but_o as_o in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o defiance_n and_o despite_n of_o it_o now_o with_o these_o intelligent_a person_n it_o be_v very_o solemn_a after_o by_o penetrate_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n they_o have_v come_v to_o embrace_v faith_n itself_o immediate_o to_o discard_v &_o renounce_v all_o tenet_n opposite_a to_o the_o say_a faith_n how_o certain_a soever_o they_o hold_v they_o former_o nay_o to_o stand_v with_o a_o mind_n prepare_v to_o disassent_v to_o anypiece_n of_o humane_a learning_n how_o scientifical_a soever_o it_o look_v which_o they_o see_v evident_o to_o thwart_v any_o of_o those_o believe_v truth_n make_v account_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n captivare_fw-la intellectum_fw-la in_o obsequium_fw-la fidei_fw-la to_o captivate_v their_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n or_o to_o yield_v they_o total_o up_o by_o a_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o mystery_n and_o not_o to_o heed_n or_o credit_v any_o objection_n or_o proposal_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a when_o once_o the_o stable_n and_o immovable_a ground_n or_o motive_n of_o divine_a belief_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v subdue_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o invincible_a assent_n but_o to_o rest_v well_o assure_v that_o all_o reason_n be_v fallacious_a and_o all_o position_n false_a which_o go_v against_o those_o sacred_a and_o establish_v truth_n this_o be_v ever_o their_o unanimous_a and_o constant_a profession_n particular_o the_o father_n be_v full_a of_o expression_n of_o that_o kind_n a_o evident_a argument_n that_o as_o christian_n they_o ever_o hold_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o otherwise_o they_o have_v be_v oblige_v by_o honesty_n and_o their_o love_n of_o truth_n not_o to_o have_v so_o ready_o reject_v their_o formerly-conceited_n truth_n nor_o to_o have_v stop_v their_o ear_n so_o obstinate_o to_o new_a reason_n against_o faith_n but_o as_o long_o as_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a they_o ought_v in_o due_a candour_n to_o have_v still_o weigh_v the_o opposite_a thesis_n and_o the_o objection_n perpetual_o allege_v against_o the_o strength_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n and_o consider_v which_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o not_o have_v still_o conclude_v so_o partial_o on_o faith_n side_n and_o obstinate_o resolve_v to_o hear_v nothing_o against_o it_o bear_v themselves_o as_o if_o all_o must_v needs_o be_v true_a which_o faith_n rule_n teach_v we_o that_o be_v indeed_o as_o if_o faith_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v false_a §_o 13._o whence_o follow_v that_o all_o who_o life_n hold_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a aught_o in_o conscience_n and_o their_o natural_a duty_n or_o love_n to_o truth_n remain_v seeker_n all_o their_o life_n for_o however_o they_o may_v hope_v at_o present_a that_o what_o they_o adhere_v to_o be_v true_a yet_o since_o they_o hold_v it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v they_o ought_v the_o affair_n and_o its_o concern_n be_v so_o weighty_a to_o be_v still_o examine_v its_o ground_n and_o cast_v about_o to_o see_v whether_o this_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o they_o already_o see_v be_v not_o indeed_o actual_o such_o though_o as_o yet_o they_o see_v it_o not_o or_o at_o least_o whether_o some_o other_o profession_n may_v not_o after_o long_a consideration_n appear_v less_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o another_o still_o less_o than_o that_o that_o so_o they_o may_v go_v as_o near_a truth_n as_o they_o can_v weigh_v discreet_o and_o impartial_o what_o deism_n paganism_n turcism_n and_o such_o other_o wise_o represent_v without_o their_o poetical_a fancy_n and_o foolery_n can_v say_v for_o themselves_o or_o last_o if_o they_o come_v to_o such_o a_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n which_o i_o doubt_v be_v the_o true_a case_n as_o to_o judge_n such_o a_o quest_n lose_v labour_n because_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o sullen_a dame_n truth_n