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several_a part_n centre_n in_o one_o point_n or_o tend_v to_o one_o end_n wherefore_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v antecedent_o establish_v to_o be_v incapable_a to_o bear_v more_o definition_n than_o one_o else_o no_o right_a definition_n can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o nor_o any_o thing_n be_v know_v concern_v it_o now_o that_o which_o establish_v the_o thing_n in_o a_o impossibility_n to_o bear_v but_o one_o true_a definition_n be_v its_o metaphysical_a verity_n and_o unity_n or_o its_o be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o free_v its_o nature_n from_o chimericalness_n and_o division_n in_o its_o self_n whence_o it_o become_v intelligible_a or_o capable_a to_o be_v know_v express_v define_v and_o discourse_v of_o wherefore_o the_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v be_v that_o which_o not_o only_o ground_n all_o definition_n but_o even_o all_o possibility_n of_o define_v and_o this_o it_o participate_v as_o be_v say_v from_o its_o essential_a relation_n and_o dependence_n on_o the_o immutable_a idea_n or_o form_n in_o his_o divine_a understanding_n who_o be_v unchangeable_a truth_n itself_o it_o be_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o express_v a_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v be_v antecedent_n in_o priority_n of_o nature_n to_o definition_n and_o consequent_o the_o very_a bottom_n principles_n of_o all_o science_n nay_o definition_n themselves_o which_o all_o the_o world_n admit_v for_o principle_n of_o our_o discourse_n about_o the_o thing_n define_v be_v in_o reality_n nothing_o else_o set_v apart_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n but_o identical_a proposition_n for_o it_o be_v the_o selfsame_a sense_n to_o say_v a_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n as_o to_o say_v a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n nor_o be_v the_o definition_n as_o it_o shall_v be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o identical_a in_o sense_n so_o that_o if_o he_o quarrel_n with_o first_o principle_n for_o be_v identical_a or_o for_o have_v a_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o notion_n and_o not_o for_o be_v word_v alike_o the_o reason_n of_o which_o shall_v be_v give_v anon_o he_o must_v deny_v the_o use_n of_o definition_n too_o and_o by_o so_o do_v oppose_v all_o the_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 3._o thus_o far_o metaphysic_n let_v we_o see_v next_o what_o logic_n say_v to_o the_o point_n to_o conclude_v be_v to_o show_v evident_o that_o two_o notion_n we_o call_v the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v identify_v or_o true_o connect_v in_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n to_o do_v this_o we_o find_v a_o three_o notion_n call_v a_o middle_a term_n to_o be_v identify_v with_o those_o two_o in_o the_o premise_n whence_o we_o infer_v they_o to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o and_o consequent_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o conclusion_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v that_o three_o notion_n to_o be_v tru_o connect_v with_o those_o two_o other_o that_o be_v how_o shall_v we_o know_v the_o major_a and_o minor_a proposition_n to_o be_v true_a by_o find_v if_o they_o need_v proof_n another_o medium_fw-la connect_v with_o the_o two_o term_n find_v in_o each_o of_o them_o and_o how_o far_o must_v this_o go_v on_o endless_o or_o no_o if_o endless_o then_o since_o every_o follow_a connexion_n be_v prove_v by_o some_o forego_n one_o in_o case_n we_o can_v come_v to_o see_v some_o first_o connexion_n or_o first_o principle_n we_o can_v conclude_v or_o evidence_n nothing_o and_o how_o must_v we_o evidence_n the_o connexion_n of_o the_o term_n or_o of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_a in_o these_o first_o principle_n by_o another_o antecedent_n connexion_n of_o their_o term_n with_o a_o three_o no_o for_o these_o be_v suppose_v the_o first_o connexion_n wherefore_o since_o they_o can_v be_v evidence_v by_o any_o thing_n out_o of_o themselves_o and_o yet_o must_v be_v evident_a else_o nothing_o can_v be_v evidence_v by_o they_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v evident_a of_o themselves_o or_o self-evident_a and_o in_o what_o consist_v this_o self-evidence_n manifest_o in_o this_o that_o no_o middle_a term_n can_v come_v between_o the_o notion_n of_o their_o subject_a and_o predicate_a which_o devolve_v final_o into_o this_o that_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v the_o selfsame_a notion_n or_o that_o the_o proposition_n be_v identical_a and_o this_o not_o only_o material_o or_o find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o so_o be_v the_o term_n of_o every_o remote_a conclusion_n if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o formal_o and_o this_o either_o simple_o in_o notion_n only_o as_o be_v the_o definition_n and_o the_o thing_n define_v or_o else_o most_o formal_o and_o in_o expression_n also_o as_o in_o those_o i_o allege_v §_o 4._o again_o we_o experience_n that_o the_o most_o immediate_a notion_n if_o they_o in_o the_o least_o differ_v such_o be_v proper_a cause_n and_o effect_n can_v be_v connect_v with_o the_o subject_a to_o which_o they_o belong_v in_o
it_o be_v the_o first_o create_v one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o discourse_v about_o creature_n as_o to_o their_o nature_n or_o essâ—nces_n that_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v therefore_o true_a because_o god_n be_v what_o he_o be_v or_o because_o self-existence_n be_v self-existence_n as_o be_v explicate_v above_o §_o 1._o &_o 2._o which_o i_o hope_v dr._n t_n goodness_n will_v so_o much_o prevail_v above_o his_o ignorance_n as_o not_o to_o judge_v ridiculous_a whatever_o he_o think_v of_o the_o first_o create_v truth_n which_o immediate_o depend_v on_o the_o other_o §_o 13._o but_o why_o must_v first_o principles_n be_v necessary_o express_v with_o that_o most_o perfectly-formal_a identity_n or_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v put_v in_o the_o selfsame_a word_n be_v it_o not_o enough_o the_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o as_o be_v find_v in_o definition_n but_o the_o word_n must_v be_v the_o same_o also_o which_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o ridiculousness_n and_o seem_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o possibility_n of_o advance_v towards_o new_a knowledge_n why_o can_v then_o the_o definition_n serve_v to_o principle_n all_o our_o discourse_n about_o the_o thing_n define_v without_o recur_v to_o such_o proposition_n as_o appear_v little_o better_o than_o flâ—t_n and_o insignificant_a as_o to_o that_o purpose_n i_o answer_v the_o objection_n in_o great_a part_n demand_v what_o use_v can_v be_v make_v of_o first_o principle_n which_o shall_v be_v speak_v to_o in_o the_o next_o discourse_n but_o that_o definition_n be_v not_o the_o very_a prime_a verity_n of_o all_o appear_v evident_o already_o because_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n possibility_n to_o be_v define_v must_v necessary_o antecede_v the_o definition_n and_o the_o same_o will_v be_v far_o clear_v by_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o definition_n be_v often_o liable_a to_o dispute_v but_o identical_a proposition_n never_o i_o have_v hear_v a_o certain_a learned_a and_o ingenuous_a person_n disallow_v he_o rational_a creature_n to_o be_v a_o right_a definition_n of_o a_o man_n and_o discourse_v very_o sober_o how_o proud_a a_o thing_n mankind_n be_v to_o arrogate_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o himself_o whereas_o diverse_a bird_n and_o beast_n in_o their_o several_a sphere_n have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o reason_n than_o he._n and_o yet_o i_o dare_v say_v the_o same_o gentleman_n will_v hearty_o allow_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n nay_o indeed_o all_o the_o sceptic_n in_o the_o world_n admit_v identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o the_o same_o man_n quarrel_v every_o definition_n extant_a since_o then_o it_o be_v direct_o against_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n to_o be_v dlsputable_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o definition_n can_v be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o all_o 2._o first_o principles_n ought_v to_o be_v principia_fw-la intellectus_fw-la and_o natural_o ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o so_o they_o may_v oblige_v all_o under_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o nature_n to_o acquiesce_v to_o their_o verity_n whereas_o definition_n be_v not_o such_o but_o acquire_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n for_o example_n by_o a_o long_a course_n of_o observation_n heedful_o attend_v to_o the_o action_n of_o man_n as_o man_n and_o thence_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o first_o principle_n evidence_v so_o constant_a a_o hit_v in_o so_o many_o particular_n to_o be_v beyond_o chance_n or_o accident_n gather_v his_o primary_n and_o proper_a operation_n we_o come_v to_o know_v the_o definition_n of_o man_n none_o of_o which_o need_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o nature-taught_a proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o man_n or_o a_o rational_a creature_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n moreover_o definition_n general_o need_v some_o skill_n of_o art_n to_o make_v they_o and_o all_o art_n presuppose_v some_o first_o principle_n whence_o it_o be_v impossible_a definition_n shall_v be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o 3._o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o word_n be_v liable_a to_o equivocation_n where_o there_o be_v few_o word_n there_o be_v less_o room_n for_o equivocate_a wherefore_o since_o first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o consequent_o the_o most_o unequivocal_a that_o can_v be_v imagine_v definition_n which_o explicate_v the_o notion_n in_o more_o word_n afford_v more_o room_n for_o equivocation_n and_o consequent_o be_v even_o in_o this_o regard_n less_o fit_a to_o be_v first_o principles_n 4._o last_o logical_a trick_n of_o nice_o distinguish_v sometime_o elude_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o proposition_n at_o least_o darken_v it_o from_o which_o inconvenience_n first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o most_o free_a that_o may_v be_v now_o definition_n yield_v more_o room_n for_o equivocalness_n do_v by_o consequence_n give_v more_o occasion_n of_o distinguish_v whereas_o identical_a proposition_n afford_v not_o the_o least_o for_o example_n this_o proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n bear_v this_o distinction_n a_o man_n be_v rational_a in_o some_o thing_n as_o in_o discourse_v those_o notion_n that_o concern_v quantity_n but_o not_o in_o other_o e._n g._n those_o which_o concern_v be_v or_o rational_a that_o be_v capable_a to_o discourse_v right_o the_o nature_n of_o some_o body_n but_o not_o of_o spirit_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a hence_o that_o this_o definition_n of_o man_n be_v by_o this_o mean_v render_v in_o show_n ambiguous_a and_o i_o wish_v there_o be_v not_o too_o many_o in_o the_o world_n who_o out_o of_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a method_n to_o science_n think_v this_o distinction_n both_o wellgrounded_n and_o very_o pertinent_a now_o this_o be_v so_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o true_a limit_n of_o the_o definition_n of_o man_n become_v doubtful_a by_o such_o kind_n of_o distinction_n and_o consequent_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o definition_n itself_o unknown_a whereas_o nothing_o of_o this_o can_v possible_o happen_v in_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n since_o whatever_o distinction_n affect_v the_o predicate_v must_v also_o affect_v the_o subject_a and_o so_o the_o proposition_n remain_v still_o entire_o identical_a and_o perfect_o true_a and_o not_o in_o part_n only_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o other_o it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o all_o imaginable_a consideration_n that_o can_v belong_v to_o this_o peculiar_a matter_n that_o the_o very_o first_o principle_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o identical_a proposition_n §_o 14._o as_o for_o their_o seem_a ridiculous_a to_o some_o person_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o those_o man_n of_o mirth_n be_v lead_v much_o by_o fancy_n and_o inure_v all_o their_o life_n to_o pretty_a plausibility_n and_o seldom_o or_o never_o reflect_v on_o or_o discourse_v orderly_o from_o such_o ground_n be_v hence_o apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o first_o principle_n aâ—e_v certain_a great_a rarity_n or_o production_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a height_n of_o wit_n when_o therefore_o they_o come_v to_o hear_v identical_a proposition_n allege_v for_o first_o principle_n see_v their_o high_a expectation_n so_o strange_o disappoint_v they_o hereupon_o grow_v pleasant_a at_o the_o defeat_n of_o their_o fancy_n never_o consider_v that_o because_o first_o principle_n ground_n all_o possible_a discourse_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o and_o therefore_o be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n even_o the_o rude_a in_o the_o world_n and_o inbred_a in_o they_o they_o must_v therefore_o be_v the_o far_a from_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o wit_n and_o the_o most_o plain_o down_o right_a say_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v whence_o they_o be_v better_o learn_v from_o the_o vulgar_a than_o they_o be_v from_o great_a scholar_n and_o therefore_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v go_v to_o work_v solid_o ought_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o result_v of_o pure_a natural_a knowledge_n attend_v to_o such_o as_o speak_v mere_a nature_n rather_o than_o to_o those_o who_o mingle_v and_o perhaps_o corrupt_v it_o with_o airy_a speculation_n which_o have_v not_o that_o firm_a basis_n to_o ground_v their_o discourse_n now_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o nature-instructed_n vulgar_a be_v apt_a to_o deliver_v themselves_o in_o such_o kind_n of_o plain_a speech_n in_o due_a occasion_n and_o make_v use_n of_o they_o as_o truth_n which_o fix_v their_o judgement_n in_o a_o unalterableness_n for_o example_n if_o a_o man_n will_v force_v one_o of_o they_o to_o forgo_v what_o be_v very_o evident_a he_o will_v stick_v firm_o to_o the_o point_n and_o tell_v you_o sober_o that_o truth_n be_v truth_n or_o that_o he_o be_v sure_a a_o spade_n be_v a_o spade_n or_o that_o he_o know_v what_o he_o know_v or_o if_o it_o be_v in_o a_o point_n belong_v to_o justice_n that_o right_o be_v right_o and_o bring_v in_o these_o as_o evidence_n from_o
side_n he_o who_o discourse_v ill_a violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o run_v into_o contradiction_n absurdity_n and_o what_o mean_v violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o speak_v contradiction_n but_o the_o make_v the_o thing_n not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o so_o falsify_v by_o his_o discourse_n that_o principle_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a in_o this_o circumstance_n to_o the_o contradiction_n he_o sustain_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v for_o example_n dr._n t._n put_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o unless_o he_o will_v be_v strange_o uncharitable_a must_v grant_v convince_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o that_o many_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o judge_v not_o right_a concern_v what_o be_v true_a faith_n what_o not_o which_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o make_v a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o that_o affair_n for_o he_o put_v it_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n ex_fw-la suppositâ—one_fw-la and_o yet_o put_v it_o to_o be_v no_o rule_n because_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o power_n be_v mislead_v which_o argue_v there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n no_o fault_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o regulative_a virtue_n in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n §_o 11._o hence_o be_v easy_o understand_v what_o use_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n viz._n not_o to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o such_o a_o affair_n one_o of_o the_o premise_n in_o a_o syllogism_n much_o less_o to_o make_v that_o one_o single_a identical_a proposition_n both_o the_o premise_n or_o two_o proposition_n as_o our_o shallow_a logician_n in_o his_o wild_a rant_v of_o drollery_n will_v persuade_v the_o reader_n but_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n have_v a_o far_o more_o sovereign_a influence_n over_o the_o discourse_n than_o any_o of_o those_o particular_a proposition_n decisive_o as_o it_o be_v abet_v or_o dis-approving_a the_o whole_a it_o be_v therefore_o to_o stand_v fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o discourser_n and_o be_v heedful_o attend_v to_o so_o to_o give_v a_o steadiness_n to_o all_o his_o ratiocination_n it_o be_v its_o office_n to_o be_v the_o test_n or_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n or_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v right_a what_o crooked_a oblique_a or_o deviate_a from_o true_a nature_n if_o in_o dispute_n one_o hold_v firm_o to_o that_o it_o authenticate_v his_o discourse_n to_o be_v the_o solid_a gold_n of_o truth_n if_o any_o plausible_a talk_v make_v a_o mock-show_a of_o connexion_n or_o truth_n it_o discover_v the_o cheat_n show_v by_o its_o own_o most_o evident_a connexion_n the_o unconnectedness_n or_o looseness_n of_o the_o other_o empty_a babble_n and_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mere_a dross_n of_o falsehood_n how_o fair_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o eye_n at_o first_o and_o how_o pretty_o soever_o it_o be_v superficial_o gild_v with_o sophisticate_a rhetoric_n or_o other_o artificial_a trick_n of_o counterfeit_a truth_n it_o be_v like_o a_o immovable_a basis_n that_o sustain_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o truth_n though_o itself_o rise_v not_o above_o its_o own_o firm_a level_n or_o like_o a_o rock_n which_o by_o its_o rigid_a hardness_n dash_v asunder_o into_o contradiction_n and_o folly_n the_o ill-coherent_a and_o weak_a production_n of_o witty_a ignorance_n no_o wonder_n then_o dr._n t._n abuse_v so_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o good_a for_o nothing_o for_o he_o perceive_v they_o dispose_v to_o abuse_v he_o by_o show_v all_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o well-clad_a nonsense_n and_o though_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n or_o his_o cause_n not_o bear_v it_o he_o can_v work_v with_o they_o yet_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v they_o will_v make_v work_n with_o he_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o instance_n §_o 12._o i'faith_o meaning_n by_o it_o a_o believe_v upon_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o his_o truth_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o preface_n to_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o elsewhere_o be_v a_o assent_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o be_v find_v in_o its_o definition_n as_o its_o difference_n essential_o distinguish_v it_o from_o opinion_n which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o be_v prove_v by_o more_o than_o forty_o demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o least_o reply_v to_o wherefore_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n it_o engage_v that_o first_o verity_n on_o which_o the_o definition_n itself_o be_v ground_v that_o be_v if_o faith_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n be_v not_o faith_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n who_o for_o all_o his_o shuffle_n make_v faith_n thus_o understand_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o clash_v with_o that_o self-evident_a identical_a proposition_n by_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v not_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o pretend_a demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n or_o any_o of_o they_o stand_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n dr._n st._n if_o they_o true_o say_v what_o they_o think_v be_v as_o certain_o conclude_v to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a as_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 13._o also_o tradition_n be_v a_o delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sense_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o child_n or_o to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v by_o catechise_v preach_a converse_v practise_v and_o all_o the_o way_n thâ—t_o can_v be_v possible_o find_v in_o education_n it_o follow_v that_o if_o mankind_n can_v express_v what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o thought_n to_o other_o at_o long_o run_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v so_o as_o to_o make_v generality_n at_o least_o the_o wise_a understand_v they_o we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n since_o to_o do_v this_o require_v little_o more_o than_o eye_n ear_n power_n of_o speak_v and_o common_a sense_n wherefore_o let_v this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v and_o it_o will_v convey_v the_o first-taught_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o belong_v intrinsical_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o but_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n it_o will_v infallible_o derive_v down_o the_o first_o that_o be_v right_o faâ—th_v since_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v by_o its_o have_v such_o a_o nature_n in_o it_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v indeed_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o he_o who_o deny_v that_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n §_o 14_o my_o last_o instance_n show_v withal_o more_o ample_o the_o use_n of_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o ground_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o discourse_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o be_v thus_o make_v use_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v the_o identity_n or_o as_o we_o may_v say_v the_o sameness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o it_o connect_v and_o it_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v these_o two_o term_n identify_v in_o the_o concsusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n be_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v this_o be_v prove_v a_o three_o term_n be_v seek_v for_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o two_o other_o and_o thence_o '_o tâ—s_v evince_v that_o those_o two_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o why_o because_o otherwise_o that_o three_o term_n will_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o be_v what_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o two_o other_o and_o yet_o those_o two_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o one_o another_o but_o it_o will_v have_v division_n in_o its_o very_a nature_n or_o not_o be_v its_o self_n be_v in_o that_o case_n distract_v into_o more_o essential_a nature_n that_o be_v be_v chimerical_a and_o consequent_o two_o thing_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o of_o those_o term_n according_a to_o the_o other_o the_o
same_o with_o the_o other_o which_o be_v impossible_a in_o regard_n every_o thing_n be_v precise_o what_o it_o be_v or_o the_o same_o with_o itself_o it_o follow_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o conclusion_n thus_o deduce_v shall_v not_o be_v true_a or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o the_o extreme_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o selfsame_a as_o far_o as_o concern_v verify_v or_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n for_o example_n in_o this_o syllogism_n virtue_n be_v laudable_a courtesy_n be_v a_o virtue_n therefore_o courtesy_n be_v laudable_a the_o two_o first_o proposition_n be_v true_a and_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v identity_n of_o the_o extreme_n we_o see_v that_o laudable_a and_o courtesy_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o same_o with_o virtue_n wherefore_o also_o either_o they_o must_v forcible_o be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o conclusion_n or_o else_o virtue_n must_v be_v not_o one_o but_o two_o that_o be_v must_v involve_v in_o its_o self_n two_o dis-agreeing_a nature_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o laudable_a and_o according_a to_o the_o other_o with_o courtesy_n by_o which_o mean_v courtesy_n and_o laudable_a become_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o conclusion_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a virtue_n shall_v have_v intrinsecal_n disagreement_n or_o division_n within_o its_o own_o self_n or_o not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v not-it-self_n wherefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a those_o two_o term_n true_o express_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o virtue_n in_o the_o premise_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o conclusion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a §_o 15._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o light_n by_o which_o we_o draw_v new_a knowledge_n out_o of_o foregoing_a one_o be_v that_o very_a light_n which_o shine_v in_o thâ—s_n self-evident_a proposition_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o will_v make_v one_o think_v very_o this_o identical_a proposition_n be_v neither_o ridiculous_a nor_o good_a for_o nothing_o as_o also_o which_o our_o great_a doctor_n will_v wonder_v at_o that_o if_o the_o term_n be_v free_v from_o ambiguity_n and_o a_o middle_a term_n be_v right_o choose_v a_o man_n who_o understand_v logic_n may_v come_v to_o be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o his_o conclusision_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o mathematician_n may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o omne_fw-la triangulum_fw-la habet_fw-la tres_fw-la angulos_fw-la aequales_fw-la duobus_fw-la rectis_fw-la and_o upon_o this_o assurance_n give_v he_o by_o these_o ridiculous_a first_o principle_n as_o our_o ridiculous_a logician_n call_v they_o grow_v so_o hard_o heart_v in_o hold_v to_o his_o conclusion_n thus_o demonstrative_o deduce_v that_o he_o will_v not_o forgo_v it_o though_o two_o admirable_a vndemonstrate_v doctor_n of_o no_o principle_n dr._n st._n and_o dr._n t._n break_v jest_n after_o jest_n which_o my_o friend_n call_v here_o fair_a admonition_n upon_o principle_n demonstration_n rule_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o i_o for_o hold_v they_o even_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v good_a dr._n t._n quite_o despair_n of_o convince_a i_o as_o he_o here_o sober_o and_o sad_o complain_v to_o his_o reader_n pref._n p._n 3._o §_o 16._o last_o hence_o be_v see_v in_o what_o way_n we_o make_v use_v of_o this_o first_o principle_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o and_o the_o like_a be_v to_o be_v â—aid_v of_o other_o of_o this_o nature_n to_o wit_n thus_o that_o if_o the_o discourse_n be_v so_o frame_v as_o necessary_o to_o engage_v the_o verity_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n it_o must_v most_o inevitable_o and_o infallible_o be_v certain_a and_o demonstrative_a but_o if_o the_o discourse_n clash_n with_o it_o and_o thwart_v it_o it_o be_v as_o certain_o contradictory_n absurd_a and_o false_a §_o 17._o i_o foresee_v this_o first_o principle_n now_o speak_v of_o which_o ground_n all_o reason_n will_v even_o for_o that_o regard_n incur_v dr._n t_n high_a disfavour_n as_o well_o as_o its_o fellow_n for_o a_o very_a small_a stock_n of_o reason_n will_v serve_v to_o set_a up_o a_o talk_v divine_a and_o too_o much_o will_v quite_o break_v he_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n to_o reconcile_v they_o by_o let_v he_o see_v that_o himself_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n be_v force_v to_o guide_v himself_o by_o those_o first_o principle_n though_o he_o strive_v all_o he_o can_v to_o pervert_v nature_n and_o slight_v they_o nay_o that_o himself_o must_v grant_v that_o identical_a proposition_n deserve_v to_o be_v call_v and_o esteem_v first_o principle_n after_o all_o this_o rant_a and_o swagger_a noise_n against_o they_o to_o do_v this_o i_o will_v put_v they_o on_o his_o side_n hope_v his_o own_o interest_n passion_n and_o partiality_n to_o whâ—ch_v his_o reason_n seem_v a_o swear_a slave_n will_v invite_v he_o to_o see_v that_o truth_n which_o in_o other_o circumstance_n he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 183_o 184._o he_o combat_n sure_a foot_n as_o make_v moral_a motive_n and_o argument_n necessary_o produce_v their_o effect_n upon_o a_o free_a agent_n the_o will_n of_o man_n and_o argue_v pretty_a well_o against_o it_o if_o he_o be_v not_o mistake_v all_o the_o while_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o free_a and_o certain_o he_o must_v see_v it_o be_v his_o own_o best_a and_o close_a play_n to_o contend_v that_o i_o subvert_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n as_o such_o by_o my_o discourse_n and_o what_o mean_v this_o but_o that_o my_o discourse_n make_v that_o which_o be_v free_a to_o be_v not-free_a and_o be_v not_o this_o as_o plain_o to_o say_v that_o i_o wrong_v that_o principle_n what_o be_v free_a be_v free_a as_o man_n can_v speak_v if_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o first_o truth_n or_o principle_n i_o wrong_v by_o make_v that_o which_o be_v free_a to_o be_v not_o free_a if_o i_o wrong_v no_o principle_n my_o discourse_n will_v be_v unblameable_a if_o any_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v assign_v none_o but_o that_o identical_a proposition_n what_o be_v free_a be_v free_a this_o and_o only_o this_o be_v formal_o oppose_v to_o that_o other_o in_o which_o he_o must_v contend_v my_o discourse_n be_v faulty_a namely_o the_o sustain_a that_o what_o be_v free_a be_v not_o free_a again_o as_o be_v say_v a_o contradiction_n be_v the_o chief_a of_o falsehood_n and_o be_v faulty_a in_o point_n of_o truth_n and_o all_o fault_n or_o defect_n be_v as_o such_o a_o negative_a or_o privative_a its_o malice_n can_v only_o be_v know_v by_o the_o positive_a good_a which_o it_o violate_v or_o exclude_v that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n by_o the_o opposite_a truth_n which_o it_o destroy_v but_o the_o proper_a opposite_a to_o a_o contradiction_n be_v a_o identical_a proposition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v also_o it_o be_v proper_a opposite_a it_o be_v a_o chief_a falsehood_n be_v a_o chief_a truâ—h_n or_o first_o principle_n therefore_o not_o only_o all_o first_o principle_n be_v identical_a proposition_n but_o in_o case_n those_o be_v not_o establish_v first_o contradiction_n will_v be_v harmless_a innocent_a fool_n hurt_v no_o truth_n or_o principle_n in_o the_o world_n and_o even_o though_o they_o be_v establish_v dr._n t._n tell_v we_o very_o serious_o pref._n p._n 38._o they_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o and_o so_o still_o he_o plead_v for_o the_o innocency_n of_o contradiction_n and_o disgrace_n their_o enemy_n first_o principle_n one_o will_v guess_v he_o have_v far_o more_o of_o those_o on_o his_o side_n than_o of_o these_o as_o it_o will_v appear_v when_o his_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n come_v to_o be_v scan_v and_o particular_o in_o that_o passage_n i_o late_o cite_v where_o though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a part_n of_o his_o book_n yet_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v partly_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n partly_o more_o in_o the_o next_o that_o he_o mistake_v the_o nature_n of_o necessity_n liberty_n will_n and_o even_o manhood_n or_o else_o when_o he_o hap_v to_o hit_v right_a misapplies_a his_o objection_n to_o the_o wrong_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n §_o 18._o if_o after_o all_o this_o dr._n t._n can_v conceive_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n be_v identical_a proposition_n let_v he_o imagine_v a_o man_n divest_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o identical_a proposition_n and_o then_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o how_o or_o in_o virtue_n of_o what_o such_o a_o man_n can_v either_o judge_n know_v or_o discourse_n or_o let_v he_o show_v i_o what_o can_v hâ—nder_v such_o a_o soul_n from_o take_v direct_a contradiction_n to_o be_v first_o principle_n
principle_n examine_v of_o suspense_n and_o assent_n of_o great_a likelihood_n freedom_n from_o actual_a doubt_n fair_a probability_n and_o other_o mock-certainty_n §_o 1._o he_o introduce_v his_o discourse_n thus_o so_o that_o this_o be_v to_o be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n by_o all_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o that_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v by_o as_o good_a argument_n as_o that_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v as_o we_o can_v possible_o have_v suppose_v it_o be_v we_o ought_v not_o in_o reason_n to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o that_o thing_n this_o be_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o first_o principle_n too_o be_v so_o universal_o necessary_a that_o without_o admit_v this_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o nor_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o be_v certain_a to_o any_o man_n you_o see_v gentleman_n how_o much_o depend_v upon_o it_o and_o i_o conceive_v you_o will_v easy_o conclude_v it_o ought_v to_o be_v as_o evident_a and_o as_o firm_a as_o any_o first_o principle_n extant_a since_o according_a to_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o precious_a concern_v in_o the_o world_n particular_o the_o possibility_n of_o prove_v a_o deity_n must_v run_v its_o fate_n and_o be_v establish_v or_o ruin_v by_o its_o stand_n or_o fall_v now_o my_o judgement_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a piece_n of_o folly_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a abstract_n of_o pithy_a nonsense_n that_o ever_o be_v lay_v down_o since_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n by_o any_o sober_a man_n for_o such_o a_o principle_n without_o which_o no_o certainty_n at_o all_o can_v be_v have_v no_o not_o even_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n i_o charge_v it_o therefore_o with_o four_o fault_n first_o that_o it_o be_v unprove_v next_o it_o be_v unevident_a of_o itself_o and_o so_o no_o principle_n three_o that_o be_v it_o evident_a it_o be_v impertinent_a to_o the_o end_n it_o be_v produce_v for_o and_o last_o it_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o §_o 2._o and_o first_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o conclusion_n by_o his_o introduce_v it_o with_o so_o that_o etc._n etc._n after_o his_o former_a discourse_n but_o as_o i_o have_v already_o confute_v that_o so_o i_o discern_v not_o any_o title_n it_o have_v to_o be_v sequel_n from_o those_o premise_n in_o case_n they_o be_v true_a for_o what_o a_o mad_a consequence_n be_v this_o diverse_a thing_n bear_v diverse_a kind_n of_o proof_n some_o weak_a some_o strong_a therefore_o when_o we_o have_v the_o best_a the_o object_n can_v afford_v we_o we_o be_v to_o rest_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v how_o i_o say_v do_v this_o follow_v unless_o he_o have_v first_o maâ—e_n out_o or_o at_o least_o supposed_a that_o the_o least_o of_o those_o proof_n be_v satisfactory_a or_o that_o there_o be_v no_o object_n in_o the_o world_n but_o be_v capable_a of_o yield_a light_n enough_o to_o satisfy_v which_o position_n every_o day_n experience_n convince_v of_o falsehood_n indeed_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o word_n that_o upon_o our_o see_v the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o conclusive_a proof_n it_o be_v wisdom_n in_o we_o to_o sit_v down_o satisfy_v that_o no_o more_o be_v to_o be_v have_v and_o so_o surcease_v our_o far_a quest_n i_o understand_v he_o very_o well_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v be_v satisfy_v the_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o acquiesce_v to_o its_o truth_n as_o he_o must_v mean_v to_o make_v it_o 〈◊〉_d for_o his_o purpose_n not_o from_o the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v under_o or_o the_o prevalence_n of_o the_o object_n upon_o my_o understanding_n subdue_a it_o to_o assent_n but_o because_o that_o object_n be_v capable_a to_o bear_v no_o more_o or_o to_o discover_v itself_o no_o better_o to_o my_o sight_n be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o say_v that_o because_o the_o object_n afford_v i_o no_o certain_a light_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v or_o no_o therefore_o i_o will_v hold_v myself_o well_o apay_v and_o think_v it_o be_v certain_a or_o thus_o though_o i_o see_v absolute_o speak_v it_o be_v uncertain_a yet_o as_o long_o as_o i_o see_v withal_o the_o object_n can_v bear_v no_o more_o or_o can_v be_v make_v absolute_o certain_a i_o will_v therefore_o rest_v satisfy_v or_o judge_v it_o be_v absolute_o certain_a if_o this_o be_v not_o his_o meaning_n i_o desire_v himself_o to_o inform_v i_o better_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o i_o it_o can_v be_v no_o other_o if_o he_o mean_v anything_o at_o all_o his_o intent_n be_v to_o evince_v a_o deity_n and_o i_o declare_v hearty_o i_o have_v that_o good_a opinion_n of_o he_o as_o to_o hope_v that_o settle_v perhaps_o in_o that_o assent_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n as_o be_v the_o vulgar_a and_o not_o by_o skill_n or_o principle_n as_o scholar_n be_v for_o his_o speculation_n make_v it_o absolute_o uncertain_a he_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a either_o than_o he_o judge_v his_o motive_n he_o have_v to_o evince_v it_o conclusive_a or_o no_o if_o conclusive_a there_o need_v no_o run_v about_o the_o bush_n to_o tell_v we_o of_o several_a kind_n of_o proof_n or_o lay_v such_o whimsical_a principle_n fit_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o make_v the_o witty_a atheist_n laugh_v at_o christianity_n but_o it_o have_v be_v enough_o to_o stand_v to_o it_o hearty_o that_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v so_o because_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v so_o but_o in_o case_n he_o fear_v his_o motive_n be_v not_o absolute_o conclusive_a or_o able_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n and_o that_o this_o be_v his_o sentiment_n appear_v by_o his_o blame_v i_o here_o p._n 20._o for_o pretend_v to_o such_o to_o ground_n faith_n then_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o good_a policy_n or_o rather_o plain_a necessity_n to_o lay_v some_o principle_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o he_o may_v compound_v the_o business_n between_o the_o object_n and_o the_o understanding_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n though_o this_o seem_v but_o a_o odd_a method_n of_o prove_v as_o friend_n take_v up_o difference_n between_o good_a nature_a creditor_n and_o the_o debtor_n when_o he_o that_o owe_v be_v williâ—â—_n to_o do_v his_o utmost_a but_o yet_o be_v not_o solvent_a and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v say_v before_o so_o to_o accord_v the_o business_n to_o avoid_v rigorous_a dispute_n that_o though_o the_o understanding_n see_v absolute_o speak_v the_o thing_n be_v uncertain_a and_o more_o light_a if_o it_o can_v be_v have_v be_v in_o reality_n due_a ere_o it_o can_v be_v satisfy_v of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n yet_o because_o the_o object_n be_v able_a to_o afford_v no_o more_o it_o be_v award_v by_o their_o umpire_n dr._n t._n that_o the_o kind-hearted_a understanding_n be_v to_o be_v content_a to_o rest_v apay_v and_o hold_v it_o notwithstanding_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o say_v that_o though_o i_o do_v not_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v so_o yet_o because_o the_o thing_n itself_o can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v so_o i_o will_v fancy_v strong_o or_o judge_v i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v so_o let_v we_o parallel_v it_o by_o analogy_n to_o our_o corporal_a sight_n and_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o though_o i_o see_v not_o the_o wall_n to_o be_v white_a because_o it_o be_v so_o far_o distant_a or_o the_o air_n dusky_a yet_o because_o i_o can_v see_v it_o no_o better_o the_o wall_z thus_o circumstance_v not_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v my_o eye_n clear_o therefore_o despair_v of_o the_o wall_n afford_v i_o any_o better_a sight_n of_o itself_o i_o will_v piece_v out_o that_o degree_n of_o obscurity_n in_o the_o object_n with_o a_o strong_a bend_v my_o eye_n till_o i_o fancy_v very_o i_o see_v it_o to_o be_v white_a or_o rather_o out_o of_o a_o civil_a compliance_n with_o its_o defect_n of_o visibleness_n i_o will_v very_o judge_v and_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v indeed_o of_o such_o a_o colour_n and_o than_o if_o any_o object_n folly_n to_o i_o for_o assent_v upon_o infirm_a ground_n i_o will_v tell_v he_o he_o be_v ill-natured_a and_o unmerciful_a the_o poor_a wall_n have_v do_v alas_o all_v it_o can_v and_o who_o can_v in_o reason_n desire_v more_o §_o 3._o i_o expect_v dr._n t._n will_v pretend_v degree_n of_o intellectual_a sight_n and_o that_o by_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o evidence_n he_o see_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v though_o it_o be_v not_o manifest_v to_o he_o by_o the_o great_a but_o it_o be_v impossible_a and_o even_a contradictory_n
god_n holy_a disposition_n than_o they_o will_v have_v have_v have_v they_o keep_v awake_v that_o degree_n of_o suspense_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o right_a reason_n the_o nature_n god_n have_v give_v they_o require_v they_o shall_v §_o 8._o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o dr._n t_n performance_n it_o appear_v hence_o that_o one_o may_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o a_o thing_n and_o yet_o withal_o have_v no_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o assent_v firm_o to_o it_o as_o a_o most_o certain_a truth_n which_o only_o be_v to_o his_o purpose_n and_o this_o may_v be_v do_v two_o way_n either_o by_o perfect_o suspend_v and_o incline_v to_o neither_o side_n as_o we_o experience_v our_o understanding_n now_o bear_v itself_o in_o order_n to_o the_o star_n be_v even_o or_o odd_a or_o by_o strong_o hope_v or_o incline_v to_o assent_v the_o thing_n be_v true_a as_o when_o we_o expect_v a_o friend_n such_o a_o time_n at_o london_n who_o never_o use_v to_o break_v his_o word_n which_o expectation_n though_o one_o may_v have_v very_o great_a ground_n to_o hope_n will_v not_o deceive_v we_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o mad_a thing_n to_o assent_v to_o it_o as_o firm_o as_o i_o do_v to_o my_o faith_n or_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god._n but_o what_o i_o most_o admire_v be_v that_o dr._n t._n can_v think_v a_o actual_a not_o doubt_v or_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v be_v a_o competent_a assurance_n of_o the_o ground_n for_o christian_a faith_n as_o he_o all_o over_o inculcate_n for_o not_o to_o repeat_v over_o again_o what_o have_v be_v late_o prove_v that_o a_o bear_v not_o doubt_v be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christianâ—_n it_o be_v evident_a first_fw-mi that_o turk_n jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o generality_n at_o least_o be_v full_o persuade_v what_o they_o hold_v be_v â—rue_a and_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o doubt_v it_o whence_o by_o this_o kind_n of_o argue_v if_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_a faith_n to_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o exclude_v doubt_n in_o its_o adherent_n turcism_n judaisme_n and_o perhaps_o paganism_n too_o may_v claim_v to_o be_v true_a religion_n by_o the_o same_o title_n and_o if_o the_o certainty_n or_o security_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o freedom_n from_o doubt_n all_o those_o wicked_a sect_n have_v good_a reason_n to_o be_v hold_v certain_a too_o and_o so_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n may_v become_v certain_a by_o which_o stratagem_n dr._n t._n be_v as_o complete_o revenge_v of_o his_o enemy_n identical_a proposition_n as_o his_o own_o heart_n can_v wish_v and_o reward_v his_o dear_a friend_n and_o faithful_a abetter_n direct_a contradiction_n very_o honourable_o advance_v they_o to_o be_v first_o principle_n and_o even_o as_o certain_a as_o faith_n itself_o second_o passion_n and_o vice_n can_v breed_v in_o a_o man_n a_o full_a persuasion_n that_o a_o error_n be_v true_a and_o such_o a_o apprehension_n as_o shall_v take_v away_o all_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o the_o more_o passion_n a_o man_n be_v in_o and_o the_o more_o obstinate_a he_o be_v in_o that_o passion_n the_o less_o still_o he_o doubt_v so_o that_o by_o dr._n t_n logic_n no_o man_n can_v tell_v whether_o christianity_n be_v indeed_o rationally-wise_a or_o passionately-foolish_a in_o caâ—e_a the_o test_n of_o its_o certainty_n or_o the_o adequate_a effect_n of_o its_o ground_n be_v not_o a_o steady_a assent_n that_o it_o be_v true_a that_o be_v if_o the_o motive_n to_o embrace_v it_o be_v not_o conclusive_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o doctrine_n but_o oneâ—y_o exclusive_a of_o doubt_n three_o ignorance_n and_o dull_a rudeness_n be_v easy_o apay_v with_o any_o silly_a reason_n and_o so_o a_o most_o excellent_a way_n to_o be_v void_a of_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n those_o who_o be_v perfect_o ignorant_a see_v the_o least_o cause_n of_o doubt_v be_v least_o able_a to_o raise_v any_o wherefore_o if_o be_v free_a from_o see_v any_o just_a cause_n of_o doubt_n be_v the_o utmost_a effect_n of_o christian_a ground_n let_v all_o christian_n be_v but_o gross_o ignorant_a and_o they_o shall_v immediate_o without_o more_o ado_n become_v as_o free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n as_o may_v be_v and_o by_o that_o mean_n be_v the_o best_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o ignorance_n be_v fundamental_o establish_v by_o dr._n t._n the_o mother_n of_o all_o true_a devotion_n four_o though_o out_o of_o a_o stupid_a carelessness_n man_n use_v to_o take_v many_o thing_n for_o grant_v upon_o slight_a ground_n while_o it_o be_v cheap_a to_o admit_v they_o and_o no_o danger_n accrue_v upon_o the_o own_v they_o yet_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o when_o any_o great_a inconvenience_n press_v as_o the_o loss_n of_o friend_n livelihood_n or_o life_n reason_v our_o true_a nature_n teach_v man_n to_o study_v their_o careless_a thought_n over_o again_o by_o which_o mean_n they_o begin_v now_o to_o doubt_v of_o that_o which_o before_o they_o take_v for_o grant_v if_o they_o have_v not_o certain_a motive_n to_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o to_o ascertain_v to_o they_o some_o equivalent_a good_a at_o least_o to_o what_o they_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o forego_v in_o which_o case_n i_o fear_v it_o will_v yield_v small_a strength_n to_o a_o man_n put_v in_o such_o a_o strong_a temptation_n to_o find_v upon_o review_n of_o his_o ground_n that_o they_o be_v only_o able_a to_o make_v he_o let_v they_o pass_v for_o good_a one_o while_o the_o concern_v be_v remote_a and_o less_o but_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o he_o see_v they_o may_v perhaps_o be_v false_a and_o himself_o a_o great_a fool_n for_o hold_v they_o true_a without_o reason_n convince_a they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o foolish_a perhaps_o wicked_a to_o boot_v for_o suffer_v so_o deep_o to_o attest_v they_o if_o dr._n t._n reply_n that_o such_o man_n die_v for_o what_o they_o conceive_v truth_n mean_v well_o and_o consequent_o act_v virtuous_o i_o must_v ask_v he_o how_o he_o know_v that_o or_o can_v make_v they_o know_v it_o unless_o he_o propose_v motive_n to_o conclude_v those_o tenet_n true_a for_o as_o error_n be_v the_o parent_n and_o origin_n of_o all_o vice_n so_o be_v truth_n of_o all_o virtue_n nor_o be_v virtue_n any_o thing_n but_o a_o disposition_n of_o the_o will_v to_o follow_v reason_n or_o truth_n whence_o if_o we_o can_v be_v absolute_o certain_a any_o tenet_n we_o follow_v be_v truth_n we_o can_v be_v absolutely-certain_a any_o action_n be_v virtuous_a and_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o make_v a_o man_n virtuous_a to_o mean_v well_o in_o common_a or_o intend_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o be_v only_o free_a from_o doubt_n all_o the_o while_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o substantial_a truth_n to_o proceed_v upon_o which_o render_v their_o meaning_n and_o particular_a action_n good_a as_o to_o the_o main_a by_o direct_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v man_n true_a happiness_n for_o it_o be_v questionless_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o worship_v juno_n venus_n vulcan_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o rabble_n mean_v well_o in_o common_a be_v free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o have_v dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n too_o that_o be_v have_v a_o firm_a and_o undoubted_a assent_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v full_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n for_o many_o of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o great_a natural_a prudence_n and_o be_v actual_o satisfy_v with_o the_o motive_n they_o have_v for_o polytheism_n last_o they_o have_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n too_o on_o their_o side_n for_o they_o have_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v discern_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n round_o about_o they_o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v give_v they_o though_o it_o be_v for_o have_v there_o be_v indeed_o such_o god_n and_o goddess_n yet_o be_v in_o heaven_n they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o light_n concern_v they_o than_o by_o authority_n of_o other_o relate_v also_o as_o doubtless_o they_o do_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n conceive_v to_o be_v do_v by_o their_o mean_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o have_v all_o the_o authority_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n for_o they_o and_o what_o doubt_v soever_o a_o few_o speculative_a and_o learned_a man_n raise_v concern_v they_o yet_o the_o generality_n who_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o their_o thought_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o raise_v any_o at_o all_o these_o advantage_n i_o say_v the_o heathen_n have_v parallel_n within_o a_o very_a little_a if_o not_o altogether_o to_o dr._n t_n ground_n and_o principle_n that_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v a_o equal_a effect_n viz._n not-doubting_a yet_o because_o
the_o small_a strength_n they_o have_v when_o they_o do_v their_o utmost_a be_v not_o earnest_o and_o hearty_o engage_v neither_o in_o the_o patronage_n of_o our_o cause_n or_o in_o prove_v it_o probable_a there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o only_o incline_v favourable_o towards_o we_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o beside_o those_o who_o be_v of_o moderate_a temper_n use_v to_o be_v favourable_a to_o every_o body_n and_o there_o be_v not_o in_o the_o whole_a world_n such_o sweet_a soft-natured_a melt_a pliable_a tender-hearted_a compassionate_a and_o indulgent_a thing_n as_o these_o same_o probability_n they_o be_v ever_o at_o hand_n to_o lend_v their_o weak_a help_n to_o any_o body_n that_o want_v a_o good_a argument_n and_o will_v fit_v any_o cause_n in_o the_o world_n good_a or_o bad_a yet_o for_o all_o their_o kind_n and_o gentle_a behaviour_n in_o oblige_v none_o to_o assent_v to_o they_o or_o say_v as_o they_o do_v as_o your_o rude_a demonstration_n use_v i_o have_v notwithstanding_o a_o kind_n of_o prejudice_n against_o they_o which_o be_v that_o they_o be_v false_a heart_a and_o use_v to_o play_v jack-a-both-side_n most_o egregious_o for_o scarce_o be_v there_o ever_o any_o tenet_n in_o the_o world_n so_o absurd_a but_o when_o not_o one_o good_a reason_n dare_v appear_v for_o it_o this_o tattle_a gossip_n dame_n probability_n will_v for_o all_o that_o undertake_v it_o and_o let_v she_o have_v but_o her_o neat_a chambermaid_n rhetoric_n to_o trick_n she_o up_o with_o lace_n spangle_n curl_n patch_n and_o other_o such_o pretty_a bauble_n she_o will_v dare_v to_o encounter_v with_o any_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n or_o maintain_v the_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n imaginable_a as_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n well_o know_v else_o they_o will_v be_v out_o of_o heart_n ever_o to_o write_v more_o and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n i_o conceive_v why_o p._n 22._o he_o call_v they_o fair_a say_v if_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n and_o no_o less_o than_o thrice_o in_o the_o same_o page_n he_o make_v mention_n of_o fair_a proof_n he_o say_v not_o good_a proof_n or_o conclusive_a that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n no_o take_v heed_n of_o that_o this_o will_v quite_o take_v the_o business_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o probability_n which_o a_o rhetorical_a divine_a ought_v not_o to_o do_v for_o nothing_o suit_v with_o rhetoric_n humour_n so_o well_o as_o probability_n do_v and_o demonstration_n care_v not_o one_o straw_n for_o she_o but_o he_o give_v they_o their_o just_a due_n and_o call_v they_o only_o fair_a proof_n and_o fair_a probability_n that_o be_v pretty_a plausible_a and_o take_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o of_o themselves_o what_o be_v there_o which_o a_o little_a daub_v with_o rhetorical_a varnish_n will_v not_o make_v fair_a but_o the_o upshot_n oâ—_n sum_n total_a of_o his_o proof_n be_v the_o best_a sport_n if_o it_o be_v not_o most_o pernicious_a it_o be_v this_o that_o these_o fair_a probability_n take_v together_o and_o in_o their_o unite_a force_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o conviction_n in_o they_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o plain_a confession_n though_o couch_v in_o wary_a term_n that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o good_a proof_n among_o they_o all_o yet_o many_o bad_a one_o put_v together_o will_v make_v a_o good_a one_o i_o know_v indeed_o that_o a_o concurrence_n of_o many_o likelihood_n render_v a_o thing_n more_o probable_a and_o encourage_v we_o to_o outward_a action_n but_o to_o think_v that_o many_o probability_n will_v reach_v that_o indivisible_a point_n in_o which_o truth_n and_o consequent_o our_o assent_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o truth_n be_v find_v be_v quite_o to_o mistake_v the_o nature_n of_o truth_n and_o assent_n too_o which_o consist_v in_o be_v or_o be_v not_o and_o since_o to_o convince_v rational_o be_v to_o conclude_v the_o thing_n be_v i_o desire_v dr._n t_n logic_n to_o inform_v the_o world_n how_o since_o a_o probable_a proof_n be_v that_o which_o only_o conclude_v the_o thing_n probable_a and_o consequent_o many_o probable_a one_o be_v terminate_v in_o render_v it_o more_o probable_a how_o i_o say_v many_o proof_n only_o probable_a can_v conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o be_v to_o be_v certain_o or_o convince_v the_o understanding_n that_o it_o be_v unless_o they_o happen_v to_o engage_v some_o nature_n or_o other_o and_o consequent_o some_o identical_a proposition_n which_o dr._n t._n neither_o pretend_v nor_o go_v about_o to_o show_v but_o on_o the_o other_o side_n declare_v himself_o a_o utter_a enemy_n to_o such_o principle_n and_o consequent_o to_o such_o a_o way_n of_o discourse_n §_o 12._o in_o a_o word_n dr._n t_n positive_a proof_n of_o a_o godhead_n be_v reducible_a to_o these_o two_o head_n humane_a testimony_n and_o probability_n of_o reason_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o own_o word_n serm._n p._n 22_o 23._o and_o testimony_n which_o p._n 22._o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o principal_a argument_n in_o a_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n he_o divide_v into_o universal_a tradition_n and_o write_a history_n now_o write_a history_n be_v not_o therefore_o true_a because_o it_o be_v write_v but_o depend_v upon_o live_v authority_n or_o tradition_n to_o authenticate_v it_o and_o how_o ridiculous_a he_o will_v make_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n even_o that_o which_o be_v confess_o ground_v on_o the_o sensation_n of_o great_a multitude_n which_o be_v vast_o above_o this_o here_o speak_v of_o be_v see_v in_o hâ—s_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o here_o again_o he_o tell_v we_o pref._n p._n 16._o all_o humane_a testimony_n be_v fallible_a and_o so_o all_o build_v on_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o plain_a reason_n because_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a wherefore_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n it_o be_v conclude_v there_o may_v possible_o be_v no_o god_n for_o any_o thing_n humane_a testimony_n say_v to_o the_o point_n and_o it_o be_v as_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a word_n that_o probability_n of_o reason_n though_o never_o such_o fair_a one_o conclude_v as_o little_a last_o he_o tell_v we_o serm._n p_o 22._o that_o fair_a probability_n of_o reason_n concur_v with_o testimony_n this_o argument_n have_v all_o the_o strength_n it_o can_v have_v and_o thus_o dr._n t._n instead_o of_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o very_o learned_o that_o it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o neither_o reason_n nor_o authority_n can_v evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 13._o i_o omit_v his_o abuse_v the_o word_n testimony_n which_o be_v build_v on_o sensation_n in_o allege_v it_o to_o prove_v a_o creation_n which_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o mankind_n nor_o consequent_o can_v the_o persuasion_n of_o future_a deliverer_n and_o writer_n have_v for_o its_o source_n attestation_n or_o testimony_n i_o omit_v also_o his_o neglect_v to_o make_v use_n of_o testimony_n to_o prove_v miracle_n god_n proper_a effect_n which_o be_v subject_a to_o sense_n and_o which_o both_o christian_n jew_n and_o heathen_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o time_n both_o unanimous_o have_v and_o the_o first_o seer_n can_v proper_o attest_v i_o suppose_v his_o confidence_n in_o his_o rhetoric_n make_v he_o choose_v the_o worse_a argument_n to_o show_v how_o pretty_o he_o can_v make_v they_o look_v or_o perhaps_o the_o genius_n of_o thing_n lie_v so_o that_o the_o slight_a argument_n most_o need_v and_o so_o best_a suit_n with_o rhetorical_a discourser_n §_o 14._o by_o this_o time_n i_o suppose_v gentleman_n there_o will_v appear_v just_a reason_n for_o that_o moderate_a and_o civil_a hint_n i_o give_v dr._n t._n in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n of_o the_o weakness_n of_o his_o ground_n in_o these_o word_n in_o which_o sermon_n under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a and_o a_o great_a many_o seem_a show_n and_o i_o hearty_o think_v very_o real_a intention_n of_o impugn_a atheism_n by_o a_o ill-principled_n and_o in_o that_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o unnecessary_a confession_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n nay_o even_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n religion_n receive_v a_o deep_a wound_n and_o atheism_n a_o especial_a advantage_n as_o may_v perhaps_o be_v more_o particular_o show_v hereafter_o after_o which_o i_o give_v his_o sermon_n all_o its_o due_a commendation_n and_o then_o subjoin_v only_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v right_a principle_n to_o ground_n his_o discourse_n without_o which_o he_o can_v never_o make_v a_o controvertist_n but_o must_v needs_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o undertake_v to_o meddle_v with_o
the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o these_o be_v my_o word_n then_o and_o i_o be_o sorry_a he_o will_v needs_o dare_v and_o provoke_v i_o to_o make_v they_o good_a in_o which_o if_o i_o have_v justify_v myself_o too_o particular_o let_v he_o blame_v himself_o all_o this_o while_n i_o serious_o declare_v that_o i_o be_o far_o from_o think_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o be_v not_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o far_a yet_o from_o imagine_v that_o already_o hold_v one_o he_o shall_v hold_v it_o possible_a afterward_o god_n shall_v cease_v to_o be_v which_o ridiculous_a folly_n constant_a to_o his_o prevaricate_a humour_n he_o put_v upon_o i_o p._n 8._o what_o i_o affirm_v be_v that_o his_o ill_a principle_n do_v equivalent_o confess_v it_o possible_a there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v a_o god_n and_o this_o i_o have_v abundant_o show_v out_o of_o his_o own_o word_n yet_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o himself_o through_o god_n goodness_n have_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v no_o speculater_n or_o scholar_n also_o have_v it_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n in_o despite_n of_o his_o weak_a speculation_n nay_o that_o in_o this_o very_a sermon_n he_o have_v one_o or_o two_o proof_n which_o have_v in_o they_o the_o force_n of_o a_o demonstration_n though_o his_o not_o understand_v and_o so_o ill-managing_a of_o they_o and_o then_o call_v they_o probability_n have_v endeavour_v all_o that_o may_v be_v to_o render_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o i_o end_v with_o some_o of_o his_o own_o word_n pref._n p._n 37._o that_o if_o dr._n t._n do_v in_o truth_n believe_v that_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o a_o creation_n be_v as_o he_o say_v serm._n p._n 20_o so_o evident_a that_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v make_v plain_a than_o they_o be_v of_o themselves_o he_o shall_v by_o all_o mean_n have_v let_v they_o alone_o for_o they_o be_v in_o a_o very_a good_a condition_n to_o shift_v for_o themselves_o but_o his_o blind_a and_o sceptical_a way_n of_o prove_v they_o be_v enough_o to_o cast_v a_o mist_n about_o the_o clear_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n and_o i_o must_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o admonish_v he_o that_o it_o lie_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o all_o the_o enemy_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v it_o half_a that_o mischief_n as_o one_o christian_a divine_n may_v who_o by_o his_o earnestness_n manifest_v a_o desire_n to_o do_v the_o best_a he_o can_v by_o the_o vogue_n he_o bear_v seem_v able_a to_o do_v the_o best_a that_o may_v be_v do_v yet_o produce_v not_o any_o one_o proof_n which_o he_o vouch_v to_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o truth_n either_o of_o christianity_n or_o a_o deity_n but_o rather_o by_o his_o carriage_n deny_v there_o be_v any_o such_o while_o he_o talk_v of_o likelihood_n probability_n more_o credible_a opinion_n moral_a certainty_n and_o suchlike_a who_o very_a name_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v or_o endure_v in_o a_o discourse_n aim_v to_o settle_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n let_v he_o consider_v that_o he_o must_v take_v his_o measure_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o ground_n from_o the_o object_n or_o thing_n not_o from_o our_o freedom_n from_o doubt_n and_o suchlike_a for_o these_o may_v be_v light_a and_o silly_a whereas_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v â—aid_v by_o god_n must_v necessary_o be_v wise_a and_o solid_a and_o so_o when_o look_v into_o absolutely-conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n let_v we_o then_o who_o hold_v a_o god_n leave_v creature_n to_o their_o weakness_n vindicate_v our_o maker_n from_o the_o scandalous_a imputation_n of_o govern_v mankind_n tyrannical_o by_o command_v we_o to_o assent_v thâ—t_v a_o thing_n be_v which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n we_o see_v may_v not_o be_v so_o oblige_v we_o to_o hold_v contrary_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n which_o himself_o have_v ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o what_o be_v be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n possible_a not_o to_o be_v and_o to_o profess_v a_o point_n true_a nay_o die_v to_o attest_v its_o truth_n which_o may_v perhaps_o be_v show_v false_a to_o morrow_n nay_o which_o ourselves_o see_v may_v be_v now_o false_a he_o tell_v we_o here_o in_o common_a p._n 90_o and_o he_o tell_v we_o true_o that_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o turn_v our_o selus_fw-la we_o be_v encounter_v with_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o a_o deity_n why_o do_v he_o then_o come_v to_o make_v out_o that_o point_n say_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v clear_a demonstration_n and_o that_o only_a mathematical_a matter_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o why_o pursue_v he_o not_o such_o proof_n as_o these_o and_o make_v they_o out_o and_o stand_v by_o they_o and_o reduce_v they_o to_o first_o principle_n and_o so_o oblige_v humane_a nature_n to_o assent_v to_o they_o under_o evident_a forfeiture_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o even_a manhood_n be_v he_o afraid_a clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n will_v not_o necessary_o conclude_v why_o do_v he_o put_v supposition_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v and_o then_o argue_v thus_o blind_o that_o since_o suppose_v it_o be_v it_o will_v give_v no_o more_o light_n of_o itself_o than_o it_o do_v therefore_o it_o be_v be_v there_o any_o necessity_n for_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a perplex_v and_o inconclusive_a method_n when_o we_o may_v vouch_v we_o have_v clear_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n last_o why_o do_v he_o distrust_v the_o object_n strength_n and_o explain_v our_o assurance_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o faith_n by_o moral_a certainty_n or_o such_o as_o will_v satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n probability_n amass_v together_o not_o doubt_v and_o other_o suchlike_a feeble_a diminutive_a expression_n be_v not_o clear_a evidence_n and_o sensible_a demonstration_n that_o be_v demonstration_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la in_o point_n of_o certainty_n incomparable_o beyond_o such_o quiver_a ground_n and_o such_o dwindle_a adhesion_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v take_v these_o thing_n into_o his_o better_a thought_n and_o at_o least_o by_o amend_v his_o expression_n and_o reason_n hereafter_o make_v some_o tolerable_a satisfaction_n for_o this_o intolerable_a injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o god_n church_n discourse_n vi._n that_o dr._n t._n make_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a of_o infallibility_n demonstration_n and_o moral_a certainty_n §_o 1._o thus_o much_o to_o justify_v my_o first_o charge_n that_o dr._n t._n make_v that_o fundamental_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o consequent_o all_o religion_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a my_o second_o charge_n be_v that_o he_o particular_o make_v all_o christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o it_o be_v find_v faith_n vindicated_n p._n 171._o where_o i_o put_v down_o his_o own_o word_n which_o concern_v that_o purpose_n though_o he_o who_o presume_v on_o the_o partiality_n of_o his_o friend_n take_v the_o liberty_n to_o say_v any_o thing_n which_o even_o eyesight_n may_v confute_v assure_v his_o reader_n pag._n 5._o that_o i_o dare_v not_o cite_v they_o i_o lay_v my_o charge_n in_o this_o tenor_n it_o be_v necessary_o consequent_a from_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n that_o if_o i_o have_v discourse_v right_a in_o this_o small_a treatise_n of_o i_o and_o have_v prove_v that_o faith_n and_o consequent_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o mr._n t.'s_n confession_n p._n 118._o to_o which_o mr._n st.'s_n doctrine_n be_v consonant_a that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v to_o be_v false_a that_o any_o book_n be_v so_o ancient_a as_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v or_o that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o name_n it_o bear_v or_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o be_v a_o clear_a conviction_n that_o neither_o be_v the_o book-rule_n he_o maintain_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 3._o nor_o have_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n true_a faith_n §_o 4._o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n own_v take_v away_o private_a spirit_n but_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only-true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 6._o and_o so_o the_o main_a of_o sure-footing_a stand_v yet_o firm_a and_o last_o it_o be_v evince_v that_o his_o own_o book_n which_o oppose_v it_o oppose_v the_o only-true_a because_o the_o only_a impossible-to-be-false_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v convince_v in_o that_o supposition_n to_o go_v about_o to_o undermine_v all_o christian_a faith_n whence_o the_o title_n of_o his_o probable-natured_a book_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v manifest_v to_o be_v a_o improper_a nickname_n
tell_v he_o the_o firmness_n of_o a_o rational_a assent_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v from_o principle_n or_o the_o object_n not_o from_o the_o subject_n firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o and_o admonish_v he_o that_o this_o late_a sort_n of_o firmness_n without_o the_o other_o signify_v nothing_o but_o a_o irrational_a resolution_n to_o hold_v a_o thing_n right_a or_o wrong_n he_o cut_v you_o off_o short_a and_o blame_v the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n tell_v you_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v no_o more_o at_o which_o if_o your_o reason_n repine_v and_o begin_v to_o despair_v of_o satisfaction_n he_o tell_v you_o smart_o that_o you_o contradict_v a_o first_o and_o firm_a principle_n that_o to_o have_v as_o much_o assurance_n as_o the_o thing_n afford_v you_o be_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o prodigious_a folly_n not_o to_o distinguish_v between_o these_o two_o most_o evident_a notion_n i_o be_o full_o persuade_v and_o the_o thing_n be_v certain_o so_o and_o allege_v our_o not_o doubt_v or_o strong_a adhesion_n to_o a_o thing_n for_o a_o competent_a explication_n of_o that_o certainty_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o great_a in_o the_o whole_a world_n since_o more_o sacred_a concern_v than_o any_o the_o world_n can_v show_v be_v build_v upon_o it_o which_o adhesion_n also_o as_o nature_n teach_v we_o be_v very_o frequent_o a_o effect_n of_o passion_n common_a experience_n manifest_v it_o to_o be_v a_o fault_n annex_v to_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o man_n that_o his_o understanding_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v bias_v by_o his_o will_n where_o his_o very_a essence_n be_v not_o concern_v so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o may_v more_o oftentimes_o to_o hold_v firm_o whatever_o habitual_a prejudice_n affection_n to_o friend_n precipitate_a haste_n or_o sullen_a ignorance_n have_v once_o addict_v he_o to_o all_o i_o can_v imagine_v in_o dr._n t_n behalf_n be_v this_o that_o he_o must_v allege_v he_o conceive_v this_o assurance_n or_o 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nature_n be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o assent_v firm_o to_o it_o as_o a_o truth_n and_o not_o only_o incline_v we_o towards_o it_o as_o a_o likelihood_n let_v he_o go_v to_o work_v logical_o that_o be_v the_o proper_a science_n in_o this_o case_n and_o show_v we_o how_o and_o by_o what_o virtue_n any_o proof_n of_o he_o be_v able_a to_o effect_v this_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o faithful_o to_o respect_n and_o treat_v he_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o honour_n though_o his_o performance_n come_v off_o never_o so_o short_a but_o i_o foresee_v three_o insuperable_a difficulty_n lie_v in_o his_o way_n first_o that_o he_o see_v his_o cause_n can_v bear_v it_o for_o which_o he_o still_o blame_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n next_o that_o the_o deep_a study_n or_o the_o most_o learned_a science_n of_o elegant_a expression_n so_o total_o possess_v his_o mind_n it_o will_v not_o let_v logic_n have_v any_o part_n in_o his_o thought_n and_o last_o if_o it_o do_v yet_o he_o may_v hap_v to_o meet_v there_o with_o some_o unelegant_a term_n of_o art_n which_o will_v quite_o fright_v he_o from_o his_o business_n and_o make_v he_o forswear_v the_o most_o evident_a truth_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 9_o but_o he_o have_v only_o skirmish_v hitherto_o now_o â—he_n come_v to_o close_a dispute_n and_o will_v prove_v that_o take_v faith_n how_o i_o will_v he_o do_v not_o in_o these_o word_n avow_v the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o he_o may_v not_o fail_v to_o hit_v right_a on_o my_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n he_o divide_v the_o text_n and_o give_v we_o many_o sense_n of_o that_o word_n &_o those_o as_o ridiculous_a as_o he_o can_v imagine_v which_o will_v make_v the_o unexamine_v reader_n judge_v very_o that_o i_o be_v out_o of_o my_o wit_n to_o take_v the_o word_n faith_n in_o such_o absurd_a meaning_n and_o then_o hold_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a this_o do_v he_o show_v himself_o a_o most_o victorious_a conqueror_n and_o confute_v i_o powerful_o from_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 13._o at_o least_o will_v not_o dr._n t_n best_a friend_n so_o he_o be_v but_o any_o thing_n ingenuous_a think_v he_o may_v safe_o swear_v that_o either_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n faith_n when_o i_o say_v faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o else_o candid_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v strange_o insincere_a to_o counterfeit_v so_o many_o imaginary_a tenet_n and_o then_o one_o by_o one_o confute_v they_o read_v they_o here_o from_o the_o middle_n of_o pag._n 10._o to_o pag._n 12._o and_o then_o reflect_v on_o my_o word_n find_v in_o my_o introduction_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 17_o which_o be_v these_o to_o ask_v then_o if_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v to_o ask_v whether_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v christian_a faith_n must_v be_v such_o as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n can_v fail_v to_o conclude_v those_o point_n true_a and_o to_o affirm_v that_o faith_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v equivalent_o to_o assert_v that_o those_o motive_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v thus_o absolute_o conclusive_a firm_a and_o immovable_a hence_o be_v see_v that_o i_o concern_v not_o myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n with_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o divers_a person_n penetrate_v those_o motive_n or_o how_o they_o satisfy_v or_o dissatisfie_v some_o particular_a person_n since_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o motive_n in_o themselves_o and_o as_o lay_v in_o second_o cause_n by_o god_n providence_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n to_o which_o the_o dimness_n of_o eyesight_n neglect_v to_o look_v at_o all_o or_o look_v the_o wrong_a way_n even_o in_o many_o particular_a man_n be_v extrinsecal_n and_o contingent_a observe_v gentleman_n what_o exquisite_a care_n i_o take_v to_o declare_v my_o meaning_n so_o perfect_o that_o the_o common_a regard_n to_o reader_n and_o his_o own_o reputation_n may_v restrain_v dr._n t._n from_o impose_v wilful_o a_o wrong_a sense_n to_o which_o habitual_a fault_n i_o know_v he_o have_v otherwise_o most_o strong_a inclination_n observe_v next_o that_o all_o his_o confute_v be_v whole_o build_v on_o this_o know_a mistake_n hence_o his_o object_v the_o weak_a understanding_n of_o some_o believer_n which_o be_v both_o forestal_a by_o the_o woâ—ds_v now_o cite_v declare_v that_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o motive_n to_o light_a mankind_n or_o the_o church_n to_o faith_n and_o what_o they_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o in_o themselves_o not_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o other_o penetrate_v they_o beside_o i_o put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o faith_n vindicated_n p._n 164._o and_o answer_v it_o which_o he_o never_o acknowledge_v it_o be_v i_o put_v here_o as_o his_o own_o against_o i_o without_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n of_o my_o answer_n there_o give_v the_o last_o meaning_n he_o give_v of_o the_o word_n faith_n which_o be_v the_o mean_n and_o motive_n to_o faith_n be_v near_o to_o i_o but_o because_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o be_v ordain_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n as_o also_o of_o what_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o object_n and_o speak_v of_o they_o only_o as_o in_o the_o worst_a subject_n viz._n in_o weak_a person_n which_o penetrate_v they_o very_o little_a he_o miss_v whole_o my_o sense_n and_o so_o impugn_v i_o nor_o at_o all_o but_o skirmish_n with_o his_o own_o shadow_n for_o what_o kind_n of_o consequence_n be_v this_o st._n austin_n say_v some_o person_n be_v save_v not_o by_o the_o quickness_n of_o their_o understand_n but_o by_o the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o belief_n therefore_o
do_v that_o which_o before_o he_o come_v to_o he_o make_v such_o a_o pother_n and_o still_o hang_v back_o and_o pretend_v to_o hold_v the_o contrary_a even_o there_o where_o he_o grant_v it_o as_o be_v see_v in_o his_o title_n but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o peevish_a and_o so_o the_o truth_n be_v agree_v mean_v not_o to_o fall_v out_o about_o the_o word_n let_v he_o use_v what_o he_o please_v in_o god_n name_n marry_o i_o suspect_v his_o friend_n will_v not_o so_o easy_o be_v satisfy_v &_o perhaps_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o more_o speedy_a way_n of_o answer_v than_o a_o good_a way_n of_o confute_v for_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o odd_a way_n of_o show_v that_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n which_o he_o undertake_v in_o his_o title_n to_o grant_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o can_v do_v what_o a_o rule_n shall_v do_v that_o be_v have_v all_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n all_o i_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o be_v he_o recal_v his_o grant_n and_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o his_o word_n give_v public_o and_o after_o sufficient_a consideration_n but_o after_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n continue_v still_o to_o contradict_v it_o and_o bear_v other_o in_o hand_n that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o answer_v what_o he_o have_v plain_o grant_v this_o cross_a proceed_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v deserve_v of_o truth_n and_o i_o i_o can_v approve_v and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v for_o his_o own_o and_o the_o world_n sake_n he_o will_v stedy_o own_v at_o least_o his_o own_o concession_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o see_v if_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_o may_v be_v in_o stead_n of_o sâ—ven_n property_n prove_v in_o my_o discourse_n to_o belong_v to_o tradition_n he_o put_v two_o of_o his_o own_o first_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a and_o this_o he_o grant_v here_o pag._n 149._o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n his_o second_o be_v that_o we_o must_v be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o change_n in_o the_o conveyance_n and_o here_o he_o say_v be_v the_o difficulty_n where_o good_a dr_n we_o be_v inquire_v which_o be_v the_o rule_n must_v we_o before_o we_o can_v find_v it_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n when_o the_o rule_n be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o give_v we_o this_o assurance_n if_o we_o must_v beforehand_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o need_v a_o rule_n no_o more_o for_o the_o business_n be_v do_v already_o or_o if_o we_o do_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v one_o for_o assurance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o rule_n we_o make_v the_o rule_n the_o effect_n of_o this_o assurance_n and_o so_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n till_o we_o have_v a_o rule_n and_o no_o rule_n till_o we_o have_v this_o assurance_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o difficulty_n and_o i_o think_v a_o insuperable_a one_o but_o all_o proceed_v from_o his_o jumble_a two_o distinct_a question_n and_o confound_v the_o first_o which_o alone_o i_o treat_v and_o he_o pretend_v to_o answer_v there_o namely_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o which_o i_o treat_v afterward_o and_o examine_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v always_o follow_v for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o two_o way_n by_o which_o christiâ—â—_n doctrine_n may_v have_v receive_v corruption_n or_o change_n be_v these_o either_o a_o defect_n of_o power_n or_o aptitude_n in_o the_o rule_n to_o convey_v it_o or_o defect_n of_o will_n in_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o have_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n it_o have_v and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o plain_a that_o in_o case_n we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o tradition_n have_v power_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o convey_v it_o uncorrupted_a down_o we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o it_o have_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o a_o rule_n and_o since_o dr._n t._n grant_v it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a he_o must_v grant_v the_o person_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n or_o tradition_n be_v to_o blame_v if_o it_o have_v not_o do_v what_o it_o be_v qualify_v to_o do_v to_o have_v a_o will_v to_o follow_v tradition_n be_v the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n or_o good_a christian_n and_o not_o of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o follow_v or_o of_o the_o rule_n which_o if_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o may_v have_v follow_v it_o if_o they_o will_v a_o sword_n be_v a_o sword_n whether_o man_n cut_v with_o it_o or_o no_o and_o a_o pen_n be_v a_o pen_n though_o no_o man_n write_v with_o it_o distinguish_v then_o the_o property_n of_o of_o a_o rule_n from_o the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o use_v it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o his_o second_o qualification_n sufficient_o certain_a agree_v no_o less_o to_o tradition_n than_o his_o first_o sufficient_o plain_a for_o what_o can_v sufficient_o certain_a signify_v more_o than_o that_o in_o case_n it_o have_v be_v use_v christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n both_o these_o he_o grant_v and_o plain_o and_o ready_o and_o these_o two_o be_v all_o himself_o require_v wherefore_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n about_o the_o point_n i_o there_o treat_v whether_o tradition_n have_v all_o the_o property_n belong_v to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n &_o dr._n t._n his_o difficulty_n be_v this_o whether_o 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v follow_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o person_n who_o shall_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o be_v whole_o extrinsical_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o rule_n §_o 3._o the_o dr._n than_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o say_v she_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o point_n so_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v grant_v there_o be_v in_o truth_n little_o more_o to_o be_v say_v to_o 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or_o can_v be_v which_o be_v all_o the_o certainty_n can_v possible_o be_v expect_v from_o or_o desire_v in_o a_o rule_n his_o difficulty_n such_o as_o it_o be_v belong_v to_o another_o place_n where_o it_o be_v express_o treat_v and_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sufficient_a consideration_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 4._o what_o pretty_a fantastical_a thing_n these_o word_n be_v and_o how_o apt_a they_o be_v to_o trapan_n a_o man_n who_o look_v not_o narrow_o into_o their_o sense_n one_o will_v have_v think_v &_o i_o imagine_v the_o dr._n intend_v man_n shall_v think_v that_o his_o sufficient_o consider_v mean_v sufficient_o confute_v when_o alas_o they_o signify_v plain_o and_o ready_o grant_v it_o be_v a_o neat_a and_o a_o
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 any_o such_o motive_n strong_a than_o be_v the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n i_o profess_v i_o know_v not_o nor_o i_o be_o confident_a can_v any_o man_n live_v imagine_v if_o this_o than_o be_v absolute_o speak_v the_o secure_a way_n that_o be_v it_o be_v secure_a or_o firm_a than_o be_v the_o way_n of_o proceed_v upon_o motive_n of_o credibility_n and_o incomparable_o more_o secure_a than_o be_v that_o of_o resolve_v faith_n into_o motive_n only_a prudential_n though_o indeed_o thing_n right_o state_v and_o understand_v the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n be_v some_o of_o they_o coincident_a with_o tradition_n and_o the_o rest_n which_o can_v lay_v just_a claim_n to_o certainty_n depend_v on_o it_o take_v at_o large_a as_o their_o ground_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a it_o may_v be_v ask_v why_o since_o tradition_n and_o church_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o do_v not_o choose_v to_o say_v that_o the_o church_n give_v we_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o deliver_v faith_n rather_o than_o that_o tradition_n do_v so_o see_v none_o can_v have_v scruple_v or_o except_v against_o the_o former_a manner_n of_o expression_n whereas_o this_o give_v occasion_n of_o misapprehension_n to_o some_o unattentive_a reader_n i_o answer_v i_o use_v on_o that_o occasion_n the_o word_n tradition_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n church_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o geometrician_n use_v the_o word_n line_n or_o surface_n when_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o express_v body_n as_o long_o or_o broad_a for_o these_o be_v in_o reality_n the_o same_o thing_n with_o body_n but_o in_o regard_n body_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o many_o other_o consideration_n as_o well_o as_o these_o and_o these_o speak_v body_n precise_o according_a to_o the_o consideration_n of_o length_n and_o breadth_n to_o which_o only_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o speak_v hence_o it_o be_v better_o both_o for_o succinctness_n of_o 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latent_fw-la unknown_a and_o far_o from_o self-discoverable_a other_o such_o as_o be_v the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v in_o those_o circumstance_n by_o the_o word_n tradition_n in_o regard_n it_o depend_v on_o testify_a authority_n be_v more_o know_v and_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a fit_o correspond_v to_o speech_n countenance_n carriage_n and_o suchlike_a it_o be_v know_v then_o by_o this_o mean_n that_o such_o a_o body_n have_v in_o it_o the_o first-delivered_a or_o true_a faith_n it_o be_v know_v immediate_o that_o have_v in_o it_o the_o genius_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o true_a church_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a church_n again_o it_o be_v know_v likewise_o and_o conceive_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n that_o true_a faith_n be_v a_o firm_a adhesion_n to_o christ_n doctrine_n also_o it_o be_v apprehend_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o dispute_v nay_o demonstrable_a out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o doctrine_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o thing_n hence_o it_o be_v just_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o generality_n or_o in_o great_a multitude_n of_o this_o body_n a_o due_a love_n of_o heaven_n call_v sanctity_n or_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o gift_n peculiar_o attribute_v to_o the_o h._n ghost_n and_o it_o be_v know_v and_o experience_v by_o those_o already_o in_o the_o church_n that_o this_o love_n of_o heaven_n or_o sanctity_n give_v the_o faithful_a a_o particular_a strength_n and_o power_n to_o perform_v all_o good_a duty_n and_o this_o of_o preserve_v uncorrupted_a the_o deliver_v faith_n be_v one_o and_o that_o a_o most_o concern_v one_o hence_o they_o come_v to_o know_v that_o the_o church_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n as_o in_o all_o other_o good_a duty_n so_o especial_o in_o this_o of_o deliver_v and_o continual_o propose_v right_a faith_n so_o that_o as_o reason_n require_v
by_o some_o natural_a and_o therefore_o more_o easily-known_a assistance_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n those_o out_o of_o she_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o she_o be_v supernatural_o assist_v this_o be_v the_o method_n i_o take_v in_o resolve_v faith_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o other_o that_o be_v either_o more_o solid_a more_o orderly_a more_o connatural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o more_o honourable_a to_o god_n church_n i_o shall_v as_o willing_o and_o easy_o quit_v it_o as_o i_o now_o out_o of_o long_a and_o serious_a consideration_n embrace_v and_o firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o whoever_o contradict_v this_o especial_o as_o to_o that_o point_n which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n must_v withal_o contradict_v a_o maxim_n on_o which_o all_o science_n be_v principal_o build_v namely_o that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o notion_n define_v which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a definition_n but_o of_o each_o single_a part_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o one_o part_n be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v the_o whole_a definition_n as_o have_v that_o obscure_a part_n in_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o obscure_a likewise_o wherefore_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v more_o know_v and_o knowable_a than_o that_o of_o church_n and_o consequent_o antecedent_n to_o it_o in_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n or_o the_o definition_n will_v be_v obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o if_o it_o be_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o to_o what_o end_n definition_n be_v or_o why_o they_o do_v not_o rather_o conduce_v to_o ignorance_n than_o to_o science_n add_v that_o true_a faith_n be_v most_o intrinsical_a and_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n it_o be_v by_o consequence_n a_o more_o forcible_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o convince_v inevitable_o that_o such_o a_o body_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o be_v any_o extrinsecal_n mark_v whatsoever_o and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o extrinsical_a mark_n be_v more_o easy_o knowable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o superficial_a appearance_n there_o be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o objection_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n to_o settle_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o any_o of_o these_o mark_n any_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v at_o all_o much_o less_o more_o easy_o know_v if_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o visible_a and_o practical_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v questionable_a and_o that_o neither_o scripture_n father_n council_n history_n monument_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v pretend_v to_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a or_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v know_v unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o that_o be_v more_o know_v as_o be_v show_v particular_o in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a §_o 11._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v take_v in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n take_v at_o large_a for_o the_o humane_a or_o natural_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o deliver_v and_o last_o for_o its_o divinely-assisted_n or_o supernatural_a authority_n call_v proper_o christian._n when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o one_o fence_n when_o in_o another_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o the_o concomitant_a circumstance_n will_v evident_o determine_v only_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o three_o notion_n be_v not_o adequate_o contradistinct_a the_o late_a still_o include_v the_o former_a as_o length_n breadth_n and_o depth_n do_v in_o continue_v quantity_n for_o the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n include_v tradition_n take_v at_o large_a and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v show_v suref_a p._n 82_o 83._o the_o supernatural_a authority_n include_v all_o find_v in_o the_o other_o two_o and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v particular_o declare_v there_o from_o p._n 84._o to_o p._n 93._o so_o that_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v imaginable_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v christian_n or_o in_o the_o testify_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n §_o 12._o but_o because_o it_o be_v still_o d._n it_o be_v best_a play_n to_o make_v use_n of_o extrinsecal_n exception_n so_o to_o divert_v the_o reader_n eye_n and_o avoid_v answer_v my_o intrinsecal_n reason_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o grapple_v and_o since_o among_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v very_o frequent_a at_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n of_o my_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n after_o a_o different_a manner_n than_o other_o divine_n do_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o omit_v many_o pregnant_a instance_n which_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o dr._n stratford_n the_o learned_a author_n of_o protestancy_n without_o principle_n and_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o show_v how_o far_o he_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n by_o instance_v in_o one_o controvertist_n of_o eminent_a both_o fame_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o in_o his_o time_n one_o who_o write_v before_o rushworth_n dialogue_n appear_v or_o perhaps_o be_v think_v of_o and_o so_o can_v be_v suspect_v a_o follower_n of_o that_o new_a way_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v it_o i_o mean_v mr._n fisher._n this_o able_a controvertist_n in_o his_o censure_n of_o dr._n white_n be_v reply_n p._n 83_o 84_o maintain_v that_o unwritten_a that_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v the_o prime_a ground_n of_o faith_n more_o fundamental_a than_o scripture_n and_o show_v how_o his_o adversary_n mr._n white_a the_o minister_n grant_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o point_n p._n 27._o he_o conclude_v strong_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n suppose_v before_o faith_n which_o infidel_n see_v to_o be_v true_a resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o be_v secondary_a truth_n dark_a and_o obscure_a in_o themselves_o believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n which_o word_n as_o ample_o and_o full_o express_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o express_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v for_o how_o shall_v that_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a or_o how_o can_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n that_o be_v partly_o at_o least_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n since_o what_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o presuppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o argument_n he_o make_v the_o primâ—_n principle_n of_o faith_n or_o unwritten_a tradition_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o that_o be_v the_o same_o we_o mean_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a evident_a in_o itself_o and_o p._n 40._o he_o put_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o protestant_n to_o be_v what_o be_v the_o external_a infallible_a ground_n unto_o which_o divine_a inspiration_n move_v man_n to_o adhere_v that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n where_o first_o beside_o god_n grace_n move_v we_o to_o every_o good_a act_n which_o all_o catholic_n hold_v to_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o he_o a_o external_n infallible_a ground_n next_o that_o without_o such_o a_o ground_n a_o man_n can_v be_v settle_v in_o true_a save_a faith_n again_o p._n 38_o come_n to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o know_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v apostolical_a he_o mention_n none_o but_o only_o public_a catholic_n tradition_n teach_v unanimous_o and_o perpetual_o by_o pastor_n which_o p._n 37._o he_o call_v a_o rule_n infallible_a and_o say_v that_o only_a heretic_n charge_v it_o to_o be_v fallible_a where_o also_o he_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v the_o catholic_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o tradition_n of_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o father_n unto_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o child_n etc._n etc._n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o by_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v appear_v to_o be_v evident_o the_o same_o i_o defend_v he_o affirm_v p._n 38._o that_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v simple_o infallible_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n thereof_o and_o quote_v suarez_n to_o