first_o principle_n in_o controversy_n be_v so_o supreme_o important_a i_o have_v attempt_v it_o put_v this_o dilemma_n to_o the_o protestant_n either_o controversy_n or_o the_o skill_n which_o enable_v we_o to_o conclude_v certain_o what_o be_v faith_n be_v a_o science_n or_o not_o if_o not_o why_o do_v we_o meddle_v with_o it_o since_o without_o science_n or_o knowledge_n all_o be_v mere_a beat_v the_o air_n and_o empty_a ignorant_a talk_n if_o it_o be_v common_a seuse_n tell_v we_o it_o must_v be_v ground_v on_o some_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n let_v we_o to_o work_n then_o and_o settle_v this_o principle_n that_o so_o we_o may_v have_v something_o to_o agree_v in_o and_o proceed_v upon_o that_o be_v be_v able_a to_o discourse_v together_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v the_o first_o principle_n we_o catholic_n proceed_v on_o establish_v on_o rational_a ground_n and_o self-evident_a let_v the_o protestant_n either_o agree_v with_o we_o in_o it_o or_o settle_v some_o other_o able_a to_o render_v his_o citation_n certain_a without_o which_o they_o ought_v allege_v nothing_o nor_o be_v it_o enough_o for_o they_o to_o catch_v at_o single_a word_n or_o little_a parcel_n of_o my_o discourse_n as_o their_o way_n be_v but_o it_o be_v connect_v they_o must_v overthrow_v the_o main_a of_o it_o nor_o that_o but_o they_o must_v lay_v some_o first_o principle_n of_o their_o own_o else_o they_o ought_v affirm_v nothing_o nor_o speak_v for_o why_o shall_v any_o one_o say_v what_o he_o know_v not_o or_o how_o can_v he_o know_v without_o principle_n especial_o the_o protestant_n be_v oblige_v to_o do_v this_o who_o can_v stand_v on_o possession_n but_o on_o his_o reason_n why_o he_o move_v what_o he_o find_v settle_v this_o principle_n than_o they_o be_v tie_v by_o all_o honest_a consideration_n to_o produce_v and_o till_o they_o do_v so_o i_o must_v frank_o declare_v what_o reason_n tell_v ever_o intelligent_a man_n that_o those_o many_o flashy_a book_n of_o late_a against_o catholic_n by_o whosoever_o write_v deserve_v not_o a_o word_n in_o answer_n first_o discourse_n show_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n what_o property_n belong_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 1._o as_o common_a reason_n give_v it_o evident_a that_o no_o satisfaction_n at_o all_o can_v be_v have_v in_o any_o point_n whatever_o without_o know_v first_o the_o mean_v of_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n under_o debate_n since_o without_o this_o the_o discourser_n must_v talk_v of_o they_o know_v not_o what_o so_o the_o art_n of_o logic_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o mean_v of_o those_o word_n exact_o know_v a_o ready_a way_n be_v open_v to_o a_o clear_a decision_n of_o the_o most_o perplex_v difficulty_n for_o see_v the_o mean_v of_o a_o word_n include_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o signify_v by_o that_o word_n in_o regard_n it_o can_v not_o mean_v that_o thing_n unless_o it_o also_o mean_v it_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n which_o constitute_v that_o thing_n so_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n once_o know_v perfect_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o signify_v by_o that_o word_n must_v be_v know_v likewise_o wherefore_o since_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n bear_v along_o with_o it_o all_o those_o consideration_n and_o attribute_n which_o intrinsical_o belong_v to_o such_o a_o nature_n and_o exclude_v all_o those_o which_o be_v incompetent_a to_o the_o same_o nature_n it_o acquaint_v we_o with_o what_o can_v be_v both_o say_v and_o deny_v of_o the_o thing_n as_o far_o as_o express_v by_o that_o word_n the_o perfect_a knowledge_n then_o of_o the_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n afford_v we_o the_o certain_a solution_n of_o all_o question_n whether_o affirmative_a or_o negative_a and_o be_v the_o most_o compendious_a way_n to_o settle_v all_o controversy_n let_v we_o therefore_o apply_v this_o method_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n and_o examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v discuss_v namely_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o we_o may_v with_o good_a ground_n expect_v a_o solid_a clear_a and_o brief_a satisfaction_n both_o of_o what_o be_v not_o that_o rule_n and_o what_o be_v it._n 2._o to_o begin_v then_o with_o what_o be_v most_o evident_a see_v a_o rule_n signify_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v able_a to_o regulate_v or_o guide_v he_o who_o use_v it_o it_o must_v consequent_o have_v in_o it_o all_o those_o quality_n by_o which_o it_o be_v able_a to_o do_v that_o it_o be_v proper_a effect_n otherwise_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n that_o be_v it_o be_v not_o apt_a or_o able_a to_o do_v what_o a_o rule_n shall_v do_v 3._o it_o must_v then_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n unto_o the_o sense_n if_o it_o be_v to_o guide_v it_o or_o to_o the_o understanding_n if_o it_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n for_o how_o shall_v either_o of_o these_o be_v guide_v by_o what_o they_o neither_o see_v nor_o know_v 4._o whence_o follow_v that_o it_o must_v be_v evident_a to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n otherwise_o it_o can_v be_v to_o they_o no_o rule_n since_o be_v unknown_a it_o reach_v not_o or_o affect_v not_o those_o person_n who_o be_v to_o be_v rule_v by_o it_o that_o be_v reach_v not_o those_o thing_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v to_o do_v its_o effect_n and_o so_o can_v rule_v they_o or_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o they_o 5._o moreover_o to_o those_o who_o can_v raise_v doubt_n or_o can_v have_v doubt_n raise_v in_o they_o that_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n all_o mankind_n even_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a it_o must_v be_v knowable_a that_o the_o intellectual_a rule_n they_o be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o have_v in_o itself_o a_o virtue_n to_o rule_v or_o guide_v their_o understanding_n right_a that_o be_v they_o must_v be_v capable_a to_o know_v that_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v rely_v on_o as_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o this_o must_v either_o be_v evident_a by_o its_o own_o light_n or_o at_o least_o easy_o evidenceable_a by_o other_o knowledge_n or_o skill_v presuppose_v in_o those_o user_n of_o reason_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o that_o rule_n otherwise_o it_o be_v against_o sense_n and_o reason_n to_o yield_v over_o one_o understanding_n to_o be_v guide_v by_o that_o which_o he_o can_v never_o come_v to_o understand_v that_o it_o have_v in_o it_o any_o ability_n or_o power_n to_o guide_v he_o 6._o and_o because_o nothing_o can_v be_v evident_a to_o be_v what_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v not_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o thing_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n must_v also_o be_v certain_a in_o its_o self_n or_o establish_v on_o secure_a ground_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a that_o can_v in_o true_a sense_n be_v call_v a_o rule_n which_o one_o may_v follow_v and_o yet_o go_v wrong_n or_o be_v miss_v the_o directive_n power_n then_o which_o it_o have_v must_v not_o be_v waver_v wherefore_o also_o the_o cause_n which_o conserve_v it_o so_o constant_o able_a to_o perform_v that_o effect_n must_v be_v establish_v too_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o keep_v it_o fit_v to_o do_v the_o effect_n proper_a to_o its_o nature_n which_o be_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o its_o self_n 7._o thus_o much_o be_v evident_o gather_v out_o of_o the_o common_a notion_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v out_o of_o the_o genuine_a and_o proper_a meaning_n of_o that_o single_a word_n we_o be_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n by_o which_o we_o intend_v not_o to_o give_v rigorous_a school-definition_n of_o either_o this_o or_o the_o former_a word_n but_o only_o to_o reflect_v on_o and_o make_v use_n of_o some_o attribute_n predicate_v or_o property_n which_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o who_o intelligent_o use_v those_o word_n be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v involve_v in_o or_o true_o appertain_v to_o their_o signification_n this_o caution_n give_v to_o avoid_v mistake_n or_o cavil_v let_v we_o inquire_v of_o what_o kind_n of_o nature_n that_o thing_n be_v which_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o word_n faith_n and_o then_o reflect_v what_o further_a qualification_n it_o require_v in_o its_o rule_n that_o be_v in_o the_o certain_a mean_n which_o be_v to_o guide_v we_o to_o that_o knowledge_n call_v faith_n 8._o faith_n then_o in_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o same_o with_o believe_v and_o divine_a faith_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n from_o who_o as_o be_v the_o intelligent_a user_n of_o that_o word_n the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o be_v take_v the_o believe_a god_n in_o reveal_v truth_n which_o necessary_o import_v some_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n of_o
as_o it_o be_v the_o flower_n of_o mankind_n which_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n can_v hold_v nothing_o or_o have_v no_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o church_n must_v only_o be_v make_v up_o of_o ignorant_a and_o undiscerning_a person_n which_o will_v make_v her_o little_a better_o than_o a_o congregation_n of_o fanatic_n 15._o especial_o the_o church_n have_v many_o adversary_n skill_v in_o natural_a science_n who_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o oppose_v she_o all_o they_o can_v and_o conquer_v she_o too_o can_v they_o take_v any_o just_a advantage_n against_o she_o and_o no_o great_a advantage_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v gain_v or_o more_o deadly_a wound_n to_o be_v give_v she_o than_o to_o prove_v her_o faith_n uncertain_a which_o be_v do_v by_o show_v the_o ground_n of_o it_o as_o far_o as_o concern_v our_o knowledge_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o this_o at_o once_o enervate_v her_o government_n vilify_v her_o sacrament_n weaken_v all_o the_o motive_n to_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n which_o she_o propose_v and_o by_o consequence_n quite_o enfeeble_v the_o vigour_n of_o christian_a life_n or_o rather_o this_o make_v manifest_a by_o reason_n of_o temptation_n to_o the_o love_n of_o creature_n perpetual_o and_o on_o all_o side_n besiege_v we_o endanger_v to_o extinguish_v it_o utter_o and_o last_o make_v christian_n the_o most_o ridiculous_a people_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v such_o high_a mystery_n above_o their_o reason_n upon_o uncertain_a ground_n it_o be_v manifest_a therefore_o that_o the_o only_a safeguard_n and_o all_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o church_n and_o christian_a religion_n be_v place_v in_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v make_v therefore_o and_o ordain_v to_o ascertain_v faith_n that_o it_o it_o have_v in_o it_o what_o be_v fit_a for_o this_o end_n that_o be_v it_o be_v of_o its_o own_o nature_n absolute_o certain_a that_o be_v absolute_a certainty_n be_v find_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v signify_v or_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n thorough_o understand_v 16._o and_o last_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n main_o conduce_v to_o bliss_n as_o be_v see_v §_o 8._o and_o its_o influence_n towards_o bliss_n which_o we_o call_v its_o merit_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o make_v we_o submit_v our_o understanding_n to_o the_o divine_a veracity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n adhere_v unwaver_o to_o such_o truth_n as_o raise_v we_o to_o heaven_n so_o that_o the_o divine_a authority_n apply_v be_v the_o principal_a cause_n or_o motive_n of_o this_o submission_n assent_n or_o adhesion_n and_o every_o cause_n produce_v its_o effect_n better_o and_o strongly_a by_o how_o much_o the_o near_o and_o close_o it_o be_v apply_v and_o all_o the_o application_n of_o it_o to_o we_o consist_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o derive_v down_o to_o we_o those_o doctrine_n christ_n teach_v and_o to_o assure_v we_o that_o christ_n say_v they_o and_o the_o application_n of_o a_o thing_n close_o to_o a_o judge_a power_n be_v perform_v by_o certify_v it_o which_o make_v it_o sink_v into_o it_o &_o become_v a_o intimate_a act_n of_o that_o power_n whereas_o uncertainty_n can_v only_o admit_v it_o to_o swim_v as_o it_o be_v upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o soul_n much_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o a_o bare_a proposal_n or_o simple_a apprehension_n or_o at_o best_a as_o a_o probability_n not_o have_v weight_n enough_o of_o motive_n to_o settle_v deep_a into_o its_o solid_a substance_n which_o be_v cognoscitive_a and_o so_o become_v there_o a_o fix_a judgement_n it_o follow_v that_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o merit_n be_v incomparable_o advantage_v by_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o very_o feeble_a and_o inefficacious_a without_o it_o this_o rule_n then_o must_v be_v absolutely-certain_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o absolutely-certain_a be_v involve_v in_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 17._o sum_v up_o then_o the_o full_a account_n of_o our_o discourse_n hitherto_o it_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o out_o of_o the_o genuine_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n rule_v which_o as_o use_v by_o we_o denote_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n &_o much_o more_o out_o of_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n it_o be_v clear_o evince_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v have_v these_o several_a condition_n namely_o it_o must_v be_v plain_a and_o self-evident_a as_o to_o its_o existence_n to_o all_o §_o 3_o 4_o 9_o &_o 10._o &_o evidenceable_a as_o to_o its_o rule_v power_n to_o enquirer_n even_o the_o rude_a vulgar_a §_o 5._o &_o 11._o apt_a to_o settle_v &_o justify_v undoubting_a person_n §_o 12._o to_o satisfy_v full_o the_o most_o sceptical_a dissenter_n §_o 13._o and_o rational_a doubter_n §_o 14._o and_o to_o convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a and_o acute_a adversary_n §_o 15._o build_v upon_o unmoveable_a ground_n that_o be_v certain_a in_o itself_o §_o 6._o 15_o 16._o and_o absolute_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o §_o 5_o 11_o 13_o 14._o second_o discourse_n show_v the_o two_o first_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n utter_o incompetent_a to_o scripture_n 1._o have_v attain_v so_o clear_a a_o description_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o acquaintance_n with_o it_o by_o particular_a mark_n we_o may_v with_o reason_n conceive_v good_a hope_n of_o know_v it_o when_o we_o meet_v it_o especial_o not_o have_v a_o great_a crowd_n from_o which_o we_o be_v to_o single_a it_o out_o the_o pretender_n to_o that_o title_n be_v very_o few_o and_o indeed_o but_o two_o be_v own_v namely_o tradition_n and_o scripture_n though_o if_o we_o look_v narrow_o into_o it_o the_o private_a spirit_n private_a reason_n testimony_n of_o father_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o be_v hold_v the_o ascertainer_n of_o scripture_n sense_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o place_n among_o the_o pretender_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o it_o be_v those_o which_o be_v think_v to_o give_v the_o relier_n on_o they_o all_o the_o security_n they_o have_v of_o god_n sense_n that_o be_v of_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o be_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v to_o they_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 2._o but_o to_o speak_v to_o they_o in_o their_o own_o language_n who_o say_v scripture_n be_v their_o rule_n we_o must_v premise_v this_o note_n that_o they_o can_v mean_v by_o scripture_n the_o sense_n of_o it_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v know_v for_o those_o they_o confess_v be_v the_o very_a point_n of_o faith_n of_o which_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o ascertain_v we_o when_o they_o say_v then_o that_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o can_v only_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n scripture_n that_o book_n not_o yet_o sence_v or_o interpret_v but_o as_o yet_o to_o be_v sence_v that_o be_v such_o and_o such_o character_n in_o a_o book_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v to_o they_o assure_o god_n mind_n or_o ascertain_v they_o of_o their_o faith_n for_o abstract_v from_o the_o sense_n or_o actual_a signification_n of_o those_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o imaginable_a leave_v but_o those_o character_n with_o their_o aptness_n to_o signify_v it_o this_o understand_v let_v we_o apply_v now_o the_o property_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o scripture_n letter_n that_o we_o may_v see_v how_o they_o will_v fit_v 3._o and_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o occurr_n be_v its_o existence_n or_o a_o est_fw-la that_o be_v whether_o those_o book_n pretend_v to_o be_v god_n word_n be_v indeed_o scripture_n that_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v of_o which_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a the_o very_o rude_a sort_n can_v be_v certain_a by_o self-evidence_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v easy_o evidenceable_a to_o those_o doubter_n that_o be_v the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o the_o vulgar_a by_o any_o skill_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o nor_o even_o to_o more_o curious_a and_o speculative_a scarcher_n but_o by_o so_o deep_a a_o inspection_n into_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o shall_v discover_v such_o secret_n that_o philosophy_n and_o human_a industry_n can_v never_o have_v arrive_v to_o beside_o all_o the_o seem_a contradiction_n must_v be_v solve_v ere_o they_o can_v out_o of_o the_o bare_a nature_n of_o the_o letter_n conclude_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v of_o god_n endite_v and_o so_o worthy_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o solve_v which_o literal_o plain_o and_o satisfactory_o the_o memory_n of_o so_o many_o particular_n which_o make_v they_o clear_a to_o those_o of_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v and_o the_o matter_n know_v must_v needs_o be_v so_o wear_v out_o by_o tract_n of_o time_n that_o it_o be_v
blot_v wear_v out_o etc._n etc._n which_o though_o it_o seem_v a_o remote_a and_o impertinent_a exception_n yet_o to_o one_o who_o consider_v the_o wise_a disposition_n of_o divine_a providence_n it_o will_v deserve_v a_o deep_a consideration_n for_o see_v the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o end_n of_o god_n make_v nature_n the_o mean_n to_o it_o shall_v be_v more_o settle_v strong_a and_o unalterable_a than_o any_o other_o piece_n of_o nature_n whatever_o put_v then_o scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v this_o rule_n and_o that_o all_o its_o significativeness_n of_o god_n sense_n that_o be_v all_o its_o virtue_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v lose_v if_o the_o material_a character_n its_o basis_n be_v destroy_v or_o alter_v who_o see_v not_o a_o very_a disorderly_a proceed_n in_o lay_v so_o weak_a mean_n in_o such_o immediateness_n to_o so_o main_a a_o end_n and_o conclude_v not_o thence_o that_o faith_n rule_n ought_v in_o right_a reason_n have_v a_o better_a basis_n than_o such_o perishable_a and_o alterable_a element_n 3._o reflect_v next_o on_o those_o material_a character_n in_o complexion_n with_o the_o cause_n actual_o lay_v in_o the_o world_n to_o preserve_v they_o entire_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o either_o those_o cause_n be_v material_a and_o then_o themselves_o be_v also_o liable_a to_o continual_a alteration_n and_o innumerable_a contingency_n or_o spiritual_a that_o be_v man_n mind_n now_o these_o be_v the_o noble_a piece_n in_o nature_n and_o free_v in_o part_n from_o physical_a mutability_n by_o their_o immateriality_n we_o may_v with_o good_a reason_n hope_n for_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o constancy_n from_o they_o than_o from_o any_o other_o and_o indeed_o for_o a_o perfect_a unalterableness_n from_o their_o nature_n and_o this_o be_v to_o conceive_v truth_n a_o inerrableness_n if_o due_a circumstance_n be_v observe_v that_o be_v if_o due_a proposal_n be_v make_v to_o beget_v certain_a knowledge_n and_o due_a care_n use_v to_o attend_v to_o such_o proposal_n otherwise_o their_o very_a createdness_n and_o finitness_n entitle_v they_o to_o defectibility_n beside_o their_o obnoxiousness_n to_o mutation_n and_o perpetual_a alteration_n through_o the_o alloy_n of_o their_o material_a compart_n i_o call_v it_o due_a proposal_n when_o it_o must_v necessary_o affect_v the_o sense_n and_o so_o beget_v natural_a knowledge_n or_o when_o unequivocal_a term_n be_v so_o immediate_o and_o orderly_o lay_v that_o the_o conclusion_n must_v as_o necessary_o be_v see_v in_o the_o premise_n as_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n can_v both_o be_v and_o notbe_a at_o once_o by_o a_o mind_n inure_v to_o reflection_n and_o speculation_n and_o i_o call_v that_o due_a care_n which_o preserve_v the_o soul_n in_o such_o temper_n as_o permit_v the_o object_n impression_n to_o be_v heed_v and_o the_o mind_n to_o be_v affect_v by_o it_o 4._o this_o premise_a we_o may_v reflect_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v proud_a disc._n 1._o §_o 4_o 5_o 10_o 11._o must_v be_v obvious_a to_o man_n of_o ordinary_a sense_n and_o not_o only_o to_o speculator_n as_o also_o that_o object_n of_o the_o sense_n may_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o the_o the_o first_o be_v thing_n in_o nature_n or_o else_o simple_a vulgar_a action_n and_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o if_o oft_o repeat_v and_o familiarize_v be_v unmistakable_a and_o consequent_o the_o perceiver_n inerrable_a in_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o second_o be_v such_o action_n as_o be_v compound_v and_o make_v up_o of_o a_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o several_a particularity_n to_o be_v observe_v every_o of_o which_o may_v be_v mistake_v apart_o each_o be_v a_o distinct_a little_a action_n in_o its_o single_a self_n such_o as_o be_v the_o transcribe_v a_o whole_a book_n consist_v of_o such_o miriads_o of_o word_n single_a letter_n and_o tittle_n or_o stop_v and_o the_o several_a action_n of_o write_v over_o each_o of_o these_o so_o short_a and_o cursory_a that_o it_o prevent_v 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or_o exactness_n be_v ever_o hear_v of_o especial_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o who_o letter_n they_o build_v christian_a faith_n if_o the_o multitude_n of_o letter_n commaes_n blotting_n or_o illegibleness_n of_o the_o original_n like-appearance_n of_o letter_n and_o even_o whole_a word_n in_o in_o the_o book_n like-sounding_a in_o the_o ear_n or_o fancy_n of_o the_o transcriber_n possibility_n of_o misplace_v omit_v insert_v etc._n etc._n do_v administer_v very_o fruitful_a occasion_n to_o human_a overâ—ight_n if_o the_o more_o copy_n be_v take_v the_o more_o the_o error_n be_v like_a to_o grow_v and_o the_o far_o from_o correct_v if_o experience_n testify_v no_o such_o exact_a diligence_n have_v be_v former_o use_v by_o the_o diverse_a readins_n of_o several_a copy_n now_o extant_a and_o thousand_o of_o correction_n which_o have_v late_o be_v make_v of_o the_o vulgar_a edition_n the_o most_o universal_o currant_n perhaps_o of_o any_o other_o what_o can_v we_o say_v but_o that_o for_o any_o thing_n these_o principle_n afford_v scripture_n letter_n may_v be_v uncertain_a in_o every_o tittle_n not_o withstand_v the_o diligence_n which_o have_v de_fw-la facto_fw-la be_v use_v to_o preserve_v it_o uncorrupted_a in_o the_o way_n of_o those_o who_o hold_v it_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n in_o their_o way_n i_o say_v who_o will_v not_o have_v the_o sense_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n write_v in_o christian_n heart_n the_o rule_n for_o the_o corrector_n of_o the_o letter_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o but_o the_o mere_a letter_n of_o a_o formeâ—_n and_o god_n know_v controvertible_a copy_n out_o of_o which_o the_o transcription_n and_o by_o which_o only_a the_o examination_n be_v make_v what_o certainty_n accrue_v to_o scripture_n letter_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o tradition_n or_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o present_a church_n in_o each_o age_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o another_o enquiry_n 6._o now_o as_o for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n significativeness_n which_o be_v the_o other_o branch_n nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o this_o be_v quite_o lose_v to_o all_o in_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o 〈◊〉_d evident_a that_o it_o be_v unattainable_a by_o the_o vulgar_a that_o be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o mankind_n since_o they_o be_v unfurnish_a of_o those_o art_n and_o skill_n as_o language_n grammar_n logic_n history_n metaphysic_n divinity_n etc._n etc._n requisite_a to_o establish_v and_o render_v certain_a the_o sense_n they_o conceive_v the_o letter_n ought_v to_o bear_v without_o which_o they_o can_v never_o make_v such_o a_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o a_o acute_a scholar_n skilled_a in_o those_o mean_n will_v be_v able_a to_o blunder_v they_o and_o make_v a_o seem_n clear_a one_o of_o his_o own_o in_o a_o word_n if_o we_o see_v eminent_a wit_n of_o the_o protestant_n and_o the_o socinian_o make_v use_n of_o the_o selfsame_a and_o as_o they_o conceive_v the_o best_a
multitude_n of_o knower_n if_o no_o possible_a consideration_n can_v awaken_v in_o our_o reason_n a_o doubt_n that_o they_o conspire_v to_o deceive_v we_o now_o in_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n all_o deliverer_n or_o immediate_a forefather_n be_v knower_n as_o appear_v in_o those_o who_o immediate_o hear_v the_o apostle_n all_o the_o knowledge_n requisite_a be_v of_o what_o they_o be_v teach_v and_o practise_v it_o according_o all_o their_o life_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o rude_a person_n shall_v be_v ignorant_a who_o ever_o have_v any_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o teach_v wrought_v upon_o he_o nor_o can_v any_o unless_o their_o brain_n rove_v wild_o or_o be_v unsettled_a even_o to_o the_o degree_n of_o madness_n suspect_v deceit_n where_o such_o multitude_n unanimous_o agree_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n look_v serious_o when_o they_o speak_v act_n themselves_o and_o practice_n according_o and_o show_v in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o carriage_n that_o they_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v themselves_o and_o to_o save_v other_o who_o they_o thus_o instruct_v by_o rely_v on_o this_o truth_n that_o their_o forefather_n thus_o teach_v they_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o nature_n or_o common_a reason_n at_o unaware_o steal_v into_o they_o a_o solid_a apprehension_n that_o tradition_n be_v of_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o nature_n and_o so_o that_o while_o father_n thus_o teach_v child_n it_o be_v ever_o such_o that_o be_v that_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o convey_v down_o faith_n which_o be_v all_o we_o study_v to_o evince_v at_o present_a i_o may_v add_v that_o nature_n tell_v they_o by_o their_o own_o experience_n that_o parent_n general_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o teach_v their_o child_n what_o themselves_o have_v be_v teach_v and_o believe_v to_o be_v good_a and_o true_a &_o needful_a to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n their_o natural_a thought_n will_v lead_v they_o by_o a_o downright_a procedure_n to_o judge_v that_o tradition_n be_v ever_o in_o some_o considerable_a body_n of_o deliverer_n who_o stick_v to_o it_o and_o own_a it_o and_o that_o those_o have_v true_a faith_n or_o true_o that_o doctrine_n which_o christ_n and_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o christianity_n teach_v but_o of_o this_o point_n more_o hereafter_o 10._o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o this_o multitude_n of_o plain_a honest-meaning_n soul_n be_v as_o much_o justify_v for_o believe_a scripture_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o you_o mean_v their_o faith_n conceive_v to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n or_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n letter_n it_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o they_o be_v as_o much_o justifiable_a for_o believe_v any_o set_v aside_o tradition_n help_n for_o without_o this_o it_o total_o depend_v on_o the_o inward_a judgement_n fancy_n or_o skill_n of_o man_n which_o they_o be_v unqualify_v to_o judge_v of_o not_o on_o open_a verdict_n of_o sense_n to_o wield_v the_o certainty_n or_o uncertainty_n of_o which_o lie_v clear_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o their_o common_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o scripture_n letter_n they_o can_v possible_o be_v justify_v in_o reason_n for_o believe_v even_o the_o substantial_a truth_n of_o it_o without_o tradition_n assist_v hand_n and_o preserve_a care_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o because_o the_o common_a course_n of_o human_a experience_n tell_v they_o that_o judgement_n or_o opinion_n often_o disagree_v but_o their_o plain_a sensation_n especial_o if_o frequent_o repeat_v never_o whence_o a_o jury_n of_o the_o plain_a high-shoe_n will_v upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o sight_n of_o six_o witness_n without_o more_o ado_n condemn_v a_o malefactor_n but_o not_o upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o thousand_o man_n if_o a_o testimony_n ground_v on_o sense_n be_v not_o bring_v now_o take_v away_o tradition_n and_o all_o ground_n from_o certain_a sense_n fail_v we_o either_o for_o the_o meaning_n or_o even_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o all_o be_v leave_v to_o man_n judgement_n build_v on_o latent_fw-la skill_n or_o fancy_n or_o at_o least_o on_o sense_n liable_a to_o great_a and_o numerous_a mistake_n as_o have_v be_v show_v disc._n 4._o §_o 3._o again_o see_v every_o one_o apprehend_v the_o most_o vulgar_a have_v reason_n enough_o to_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o k._n james_n and_o q._n elizabeth_n of_o which_o they_o be_v no_o otherwise_o ascertain_v but_o by_o tradition_n why_o be_v not_o they_o as_o much_o or_o more_o justify_v for_o believe_a point_n of_o faith_n receive_v down_o by_o the_o same_o tenor_n whereas_o if_o you_o go_v about_o to_o pump_v their_o common_a reason_n about_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o statute-book_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o its_o letter_n you_o shall_v find_v they_o blunder_v and_o at_o a_o â—oss_n be_v pose_v beyond_o their_o sphere_n of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n by_o a_o question_n entrench_v upon_o skill_n to_o which_o they_o can_v never_o answer_v with_o a_o steady_a assuredness_n inward_o and_o if_o they_o do_v so_o outward_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o some_o passion_n and_o not_o their_o reason_n breed_v that_o irrational_a profession_n the_o three_o condition_n then_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v apt_a to_o settle_v and_o justify_v unreflect_v and_o undoubt_v vulgar_a be_v manifest_o find_v agree_v to_o tradition_n 11._o i_o put_v next_o the_o 6_o condition_n because_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o evident_o prove_v the_o four_o five_o and_o seven_o for_o what_o be_v build_v on_o immovable_a ground_n or_o certain_a in_o its_o self_n have_v in_o it_o wherewith_o to_o settle_v and_o satisfy_v the_o most_o pierce_a witâ—_n convince_v the_o most_o obstinate_a adversary_n and_o to_o ascertain_v we_o absolute_o to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n have_v certain_a and_o infallible_a ground_n it_o may_v suffiâ—â—_n to_o note_v that_o disc._n 1._o §_o 13_o 14_o 15._o it_o be_v evident_o prove_v faith_n must_v be_v infallible_a to_o we_o anâ—_n no_o less_o evident_a that_o it_o can_v be_v such_o without_o have_v infallibly-câ—â—tain_a ground_n since_o nothing_o can_v be_v firm_a to_o we_o than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o now_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v its_o ground_n it_o follow_v evident_o that_o this_o must_v likewise_o be_v infallibâ—â—_n certain_a there_o be_v then_o only_o two_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n own_v namely_o deliver_v of_o it_o down_o by_o write_v and_o by_o word_n anâ—_n practice_n which_o we_o call_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n it_o be_v leave_v avoidable_o out_o of_o the_o imposibility_n that_o scripture_n shall_v be_v infallible_a as_o rule_v that_o tradition_n must_v be_v such_o 12._o though_o this_o conclusion_n suppose_v thâ—_n truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n i_o assume_v as_o already_o prove_v be_v sufficient_o consequent_a to_o those_o adversary_n against_o who_o i_o contest_v at_o present_a thâ—_n certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o regard_n they_o do_v 〈◊〉_d stick_v to_o grant_v that_o either_o scripture_n or_o tradition_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o i_o foresee_v more_o will_n be_v expect_v from_o a_o pretender_n to_o demonstrate_v its_o certainty_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v frame_v his_o discourse_n from_o intrinsical_v medium_n reflect_v then_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n as_o before_o explicate_v we_o shall_v observe_v that_o it_o have_v for_o its_o basis_n the_o best_a nature_n in_o the_o universe_n that_o be_v man_n the_o flower_n and_o end_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o this_o not_o according_a to_o his_o moral_a part_n defectible_a by_o reason_n of_o original_a corruption_n nor_o yet_o his_o intellectual_n dark_o grope_v in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o science_n by_o reflect_a thought_n or_o speculation_n amid_o the_o misty_a vapour_n exhale_v by_o his_o passion_n predominant_a over_o his_o rational_a will_n but_o according_a to_o those_o faculty_n in_o he_o perfect_o and_o necessary_o 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that_o be_v be_v ever_o or_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n however_o they_o blind_v their_o own_o conscience_n with_o glance_n of_o fancy_n from_o private_a interpretation_n of_o god_n word_n and_o deaf_a their_o own_o and_o other_o ear_n with_o empty_a sound_n rebound_v with_o false_a echo_n from_o those_o sacred_a oracle_n 3._o now_o though_o it_o seem_v a_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o require_v that_o a_o rule_n shall_v not_o only_o be_v able_a to_o rule_v those_o who_o will_v follow_v it_o but_o also_o shall_v have_v power_n to_o oblige_v the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o actual_o do_v follow_v it_o not_o to_o desert_v it_o yet_o such_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o our_o saviour_n towards_o his_o church_n to_o order_v that_o the_o rule_n which_o bring_v down_o faith_n to_o we_o shall_v both_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n in_o which_o it_o be_v graft_v and_o much_o more_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o doctrine_n it_o recommend_v be_v of_o so_o wonderful_a a_o efficacy_n 4._o 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