attain_v that_o end_n unless_o they_o proceed_v at_o least_o from_o true_a knowledge_n which_o can_v be_v have_v by_o a_o mere_a probability_n how_o high_a soever_o it_o be_v whereas_o material_a and_o temporary_a good_n depend_v not_o on_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o cause_n or_o disposition_n towards_o they_o knowable_a by_o we_o but_o very_o frequent_o if_o not_o equal_o on_o a_o chanceable_a or_o contingent_a cast_n of_o thing_n whence_o we_o use_v to_o say_v fool_n have_v the_o best_a fortune_n hence_o the_o intend_v and_o direct_v part_n in_o such_o action_n depend_v on_o the_o knowledge_n of_o some_o particular_n but_o the_o attainment_n be_v carry_v on_o by_o material_a mean_n nay_o very_o frequent_o there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n at_o all_o requisite_a in_o any_o respect_n for_o example_n he_o that_o by_o the_o death_n of_o a_o hundred_o relation_n in_o a_o plague-time_n shall_v alone_o survive_v and_o so_o inherit_v their_o estate_n will_v be_v real_o rich_a whither_o any_o interior_a act_n of_o his_o mind_n in_o the_o least_o contribute_v to_o it_o or_o not_o that_o be_v though_o he_o never_o desire_v aim_v at_o or_o even_o think_v of_o it_o but_o if_o a_o man_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n shall_v say_v within_o himself_o i_o can_v believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o a_o next_o world_n yet_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o die_v rather_o than_o deny_v they_o in_o hope_n that_o if_o perhaps_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o state_n he_o will_v give_v i_o a_o far_o great_a reward_n such_o a_o man_n i_o dare_v affirm_v to_o be_v no_o near_a gain_n heaven_n by_o this_o act_n no_o better_o principled_a than_o if_o he_o have_v never_o have_v any_o such_o act_n at_o all_o in_o regard_n he_o want_v that_o first_o necessary_a disposition_n which_o st._n paul_n and_o connaturality_n require_v accedentem_fw-la ad_fw-la deum_fw-la oportet_fw-la credere_fw-la quia_fw-la deus_fw-la est_fw-la heb._n 11._o v_o 6._o 6._o again_o faith_n be_v intend_v for_o a_o temptation_n spiritual_a armour_n to_o rebeat_fw-la all_o the_o assault_n and_o temptation_n of_o our_o three_o ghostly_a enemy_n original_a corruption_n in_o we_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n about_o we_o and_o the_o cruelty_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n over_o we_o hence_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o apostle_n cui_fw-la resistite_fw-la fortes_fw-la in_o fide_fw-la hence_o his_o recommend_v to_o we_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o take_v scutum_fw-la fidei_fw-la hence_o the_o contempt_n of_o all_o worldly_a honour_n pleasure_n and_o riches_n in_o god_n choice_n saint_n and_o their_o suffer_a persecution_n glad_o for_o conscience_n sake_n hence_o last_o their_o embrace_v and_o even_o court_v torment_n and_o death_n itself_o with_o such_o alacrity_n and_o constancy_n but_o alas_o how_o unactive_a have_v their_o charity_n and_o zeal_n be_v how_o dull_a their_o desire_n to_o forego_v all_o present_a good_n even_o life_n too_o among_o the_o rest_n if_o this_o wicked_a doctrine_n have_v be_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o perhaps_o all_o be_v a_o lie_n which_o they_o profess_v suff'r_v and_o die_v for_o and_o how_o cold_o and_o timorous_o will_v they_o have_v look_v death_n in_o the_o face_n have_v perfect_a certainty_n on_o one_o side_n that_o they_o be_v about_o to_o lose_v all_o the_o know_v good_n they_o possess_v for_o other_o unknown_a and_o uncertain_a well_o may_v a_o natural_a sincerity_n preserve_v diverse_a person_n who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n moral_o honest_a and_o innocent_a but_o we_o must_v not_o hope_v for_o any_o eminent_a sanctity_n or_o heroic_a act_n of_o virtue_n from_o any_o professor_n of_o such_o a_o faith_n if_o they_o follow_v their_o teacher_n maintain_v there_o be_v no_o strong_a motive_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n to_o comfort_v and_o establish_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o though_o their_o highly-conceited_n probability_n or_o moral_a certainty_n as_o they_o call_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n while_o man_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o security_n and_o all_o thing_n go_v well_o with_o they_o yet_o it_o will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o preserve_v they_o from_o doubt_v actual_o when_o they_o be_v upon_o the_o point_n of_o forego_v all_o the_o good_n they_o at_o present_a enjoy_v and_o be_v so_o high_o concern_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o existence_n of_o those_o future_a one_o they_o hope_v for_o in_o lieu_n of_o they_o §_o 7._o moreover_o we_o be_v perfect_o certain_a otherwise_o by_o manifest_a experience_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o temporal_a good_n viz._n honour_n life_n pleasure_n riches_n etc._n etc._n or_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v in_o the_o world_n whereas_o unless_o faith_n be_v true_o certain_a that_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v perfect_o assure_v even_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o heaven_n or_o those_o future_a good_n for_o which_o they_o be_v to_o relinquish_v all_o present_a one_o wherefore_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v the_o first_o and_o main_a basis_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o the_o other_o motive_n it_o be_v clear_a there_o be_v a_o manifest_a difference_n between_o act_v for_o heaven_n and_o for_o temporal_a good_n even_o in_o this_o respect_n whatever_o parallel_n may_v be_v pretend_v in_o some_o other_o consideration_n beside_o all_o act_n even_o for_o temporal_a good_n be_v unjustifyable_a unless_o those_o good_n be_v hold_v attainable_a and_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la we_o be_v perfect_o certain_a that_o honour_n pleasure_n riches_n etc._n etc._n not_o only_o exist_v but_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n also_o as_o they_o may_v be_v attain_v to_o due_a mean_n use_v since_o we_o experience_v multitude_n of_o man_n have_v and_o do_v daily_o arrive_v at_o they_o but_o even_o though_o heaven_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v yet_o it_o can_v be_v hold_v to_o be_v attainable_a unless_o the_o proposal_n of_o faith_n be_v certain_a since_o neither_o have_v those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o faith_n see_v nor_o experience_v any_o man_n get_v heaven_n nor_o discourse_v with_o any_o who_o they_o know_v to_o have_v come_v thence_o and_o see_v it_o so_o that_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o objection_n concern_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o probable_a motive_n to_o make_v we_o act_v for_o inferior_a or_o humane_a good_n distinct_o clear_v it_o will_v be_v find_v not_o to_o mean_v that_o probability_n of_o those_o humane_a good_a be_v existence_n or_o attainableness_n suffice_v for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v riches_n in_o common_a or_o that_o they_o may_v be_v get_v one_o way_n or_o other_o both_o which_o be_v presuppose_v to_o the_o action_n as_o certain_o know_v but_o it_o seem_v to_o mean_v only_o this_o that_o man_n ought_v to_o proceed_v to_o action_n though_o there_o be_v but_o moral_a certainty_n or_o great_a likelihood_n that_o those_o good_n be_v actual_o to_o be_v attain_v in_o this_o or_o that_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o place_n or_o by_o such_o or_o such_o mean_n as_o by_o send_v ship_n to_o the_o indies_n invent_v water-work_n husbandry_n soldiery_n and_o the_o like_a which_o assertion_n hold_v within_o its_o bound_n will_v break_v no_o square_n see_v even_o in_o the_o actual_a attainment_n of_o heaven_n by_o i_o or_o by_o this_o particular_a way_n or_o mean_n when_o those_o mean_n depend_v on_o material_a circumstance_n there_o be_v find_v the_o same_o room_n for_o failure_n and_o contingency_n notwithstanding_o the_o certainty_n of_o heaven_n existence_n and_o attainableness_n in_o common_a secure_v to_o we_o perfect_o by_o faith_n for_o though_o virtue_n practise_v be_v a_o infallible_a way_n to_o bring_v soul_n to_o bliss_n yet_o no_o man_n have_v certainty_n that_o any_o extrinsical_a state_n he_o put_v himself_o into_o or_o material_a mean_n he_o use_v will_v make_v he_o true_o virtuous_a or_o final_o get_v he_o the_o end_n he_o aim_v at_o but_o must_v content_v himself_o with_o likelihood_n or_o the_o seeming-betterness_n of_o his_o put_a himself_o in_o that_o state_n or_o circumstance_n or_o his_o use_v this_o or_o that_o mean_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o happen_v when_o he_o act_n for_o temporary_a good_n and_o for_o the_o success_n leave_v it_o humble_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n or_o miserentis_fw-la dei_fw-la acknowledge_v with_o david_n that_o in_o manibus_fw-la tuis_fw-la domine_fw-la sort_n meae_fw-la and_o work_v out_o his_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a §_o 8._o beside_o to_o act_v external_o be_v in_o heaven_n the_o power_n of_o the_o will_n but_o to_o act_v internal_o at_o least_o as_o be_v requisite_a for_o each_o effect_n be_v not_o so_o for_o however_o the_o will_n may_v set_v the_o understanding_n to_o consider_v the_o motive_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o object_n be_v goodness_n
none_o have_v the_o least_o actual_a doubt_n or_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n of_o it_o else_o sure_o they_o will_v never_o have_v stay_v in_o they_o inform_v we_o sufficient_o to_o what_o a_o changeable_a totter_a and_o ruinous_a condition_n christian_a faith_n will_v be_v reduce_v by_o these_o principle_n and_o parallel_n no_o few_o than_o three_o house_n fall_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o short_a time_n and_o none_o have_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n beforehand_o of_o such_o a_o event_n therefore_o may_v a_o atheist_n say_v down_o fall_v christian_a faith_n too_o who_o foundation_n be_v by_o this_o doctrine_n but_o parallel_n for_o strength_n to_o the_o other_o or_o if_o it_o fall_v not_o in_o so_o long_a time_n it_o have_v only_o something_o better_a luck_n not_o better_a ground_n than_o have_v the_o three_o house_n as_o for_o the_o object_v unsuitableness_n of_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o i_o require_v it_o be_v reply_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a for_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n than_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o authority_n nothing_o more_o penetrable_a by_o those_o of_o all_o sort_n than_o the_o infallibleness_n and_o veracity_n of_o exceed_o vast_a and_o grave_a authority_n relate_v matter_n of_o fact_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o their_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v a_o q._n elizabeth_n and_o such_o like_a to_o comprehend_v and_o assent_v immovable_o to_o which_o cost_v they_o not_o the_o least_o over_o strain_v as_o the_o obiecter_n imagine_v which_o be_v so_o i_o make_v account_n that_o god_n both_o in_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n can_v &_o in_o his_o goodness_n will_v render_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o church_n the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n as_o evident_a to_o all_o her_o child_n both_o as_o to_o its_o inerrableness_n and_o veracity_n as_o the_o other_o nay_o incomparable_o more_o it_o be_v in_o every_o regard_n so_o requisite_a objection_n vi._n if_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o they_o will_v necessary_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n wherefore_o they_o will_v of_o themselves_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v and_o so_o there_o will_v need_v no_o precedent_n pious_a affection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o yet_o both_o council_n father_n and_o catholic_n divine_v with_o one_o consent_n require_v nay_o more_o be_v not_o such_o a_o pious_a affection_n put_v act_n of_o faith_n will_v not_o be_v free_n answer_n if_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o even_o assent_v to_o humane_a science_n though_o evident_a from_o intrinsecal_n reason_n comprehensible_a by_o our_o understanding_n and_o pure_o speculative_a be_v not_o to_o be_v acquire_v without_o a_o affection_n to_o see_v truth_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o carriage_n of_o mere_a sceptic_n who_o have_v entertain_v a_o conceit_n of_o its_o hopelesness_n come_v thence_o to_o want_v love_n or_o affection_n for_o it_o and_o so_o never_o come_v to_o see_v it_o how_o conclusive_a soever_o the_o reason_n be_v much_o more_o by_o far_o must_v some_o good_a affection_n be_v pre-requisit_a to_o assent_v to_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n which_o be_v obscure_a in_o themselves_o as_o depend_v upon_o authority_n incomprehensible_a to_o our_o natural_a reason_n and_o practical_a that_o be_v obligingly-efficacious_a to_o break_v out_o into_o christian_a action_n or_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o sublunary_a thing_n as_o true_a faith_n must_v be_v the_o first_o obstacle_n of_o the_o three_o mention_v have_v this_o difficulty_n that_o the_o beam_n of_o truth_n which_o come_v direct_o from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v general_o apt_a to_o strike_v our_o understanding_n more_o natural_o penetrate_v it_o more_o deep_o and_o to_o stick_v in_o it_o more_o immovable_o than_o those_o which_o be_v reflect_v to_o we_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o another_o such_o as_o be_v point_n of_o faith_n beside_o the_o new_a difficulty_n of_o see_v the_o veracity_n of_o the_o attester_n which_o how_o evident_a soever_o it_o be_v yet_o it_o put_v the_o understanding_n to_o double_a pain_n whereas_o evidence_n have_v from_o the_o thing_n be_v but_o a_o single_a labour_n and_o so_o less_o confound_v and_o distract_n the_o thought_n the_o second_o obstacle_n incomprehensibleness_n be_v apt_a to_o stupify_v the_o understanding_n and_o retard_v assent_n nay_o even_o to_o deter_v it_o from_o consider_v they_o as_o truth_n the_o atheistical_a temper_n of_o the_o world_n which_o can_v not_o subsist_v be_v metaphysic_n due_o advance_v sufficient_o inform_v we_o how_o difficult_a it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o apply_v and_o fix_v their_o thought_n upon_o those_o considerability_n in_o thing_n and_o those_o nature_n which_o be_v abstract_v from_o matter_n the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o it_o be_v natural_a that_o our_o fancy_n be_v in_o act_n while_o our_o understanding_n be_v so_o and_o there_o be_v not_o proper_a phantasm_n the_o only_a agreeable_a one_o to_o material_a man_n who_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o guide_v their_o judgement_n pure_o by_o principle_n and_o connexion_n of_o term_n which_o suit_n to_o such_o abstract_a conception_n but_o metaphorical_a one_o only_o which_o the_o understanding_n must_v in_o rigour_n deny_v to_o be_v right_a one_o even_o while_o by_o necessity_n it_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o hence_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o so_o the_o object_n and_o principle_n of_o his_o new_a life_n for_o the_o most_o part_n and_o principal_o spiritual_a one_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o for_o this_o very_a regard_n alone_o there_o will_v need_v a_o great_a love_n of_o truth_n and_o spiritual_a good_n to_o make_v the_o understanding_n appliable_a to_o they_o or_o even_o admit_v a_o consideration_n of_o they_o i_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o worthy_a friend_n of_o i_o that_o discourse_v with_o a_o acute_a man_n but_o a_o great_a hater_n of_o metaphysic_n and_o mention_v a_o spirit_n he_o in_o a_o disgust_n break_v out_o into_o these_o word_n let_v we_o talk_v of_o what_o we_o know_v by_o which_o expression_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o mistake_v the_o question_n an_fw-mi est_fw-la for_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la but_o what_o make_v for_o my_o purpose_n be_v that_o the_o unknowableness_n of_o the_o essence_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o spirit_n to_o we_o in_o this_o state_n obstruct_v even_o his_o desire_n to_o consider_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o no_o &_o consequent_o that_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a desire_n or_o affection_n to_o know_v spiritual_a thing_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a even_o to_o entertain_v a_o thought_n of_o their_o be_v much_o more_o to_o conceit_v it_o but_o incomparable_o more_o needful_a be_v such_o a_o affection_n when_o to_o the_o spirituality_n of_o those_o point_n there_o shall_v be_v add_v a_o incomprehensibleness_n nay_o if_o only_o those_o point_n be_v consider_v a_o incredibleness_n when_o no_o parallel_n can_v be_v find_v in_o nature_n nor_o scarce_o any_o similitude_n weak_o to_o shadow_v out_o the_o thing_n and_o its_o possibility_n nay_o when_o some_o of_o those_o point_n direct_o thwart_v the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n whence_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n have_v their_o stability_n then_o i_o say_v if_o ever_o there_o be_v requisite_a a_o affection_n for_o the_o nobleness_n and_o excellency_n of_o those_o high_a spiritual_a object_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a to_o hearken_v to_o any_o authority_n propose_v they_o how_o evident_a soever_o the_o motive_n be_v for_o the_o credibleness_n of_o that_o authority_n the_o three_o obstacle_n follow_v take_v from_o the_o end_n for_o which_o faith_n be_v essential_o ordain_v that_o be_v from_o what_o it_o essential_o be_v viz._n a_o mover_n of_o the_o will_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n or_o a_o practical_a principle_n now_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o this_o truth_n that_o by-affection_n and_o contrary_a inclination_n be_v apt_a to_o hinder_v the_o understanding_n from_o assent_v or_o even_o attend_v candid_o and_o calm_o to_o these_o reason_n how_o clear_a soever_o they_o be_v which_o make_v against_o any_o belove_a interest_n whence_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a affection_n to_o these_o other_o to_o remove_v the_o mist_n those_o passion_n have_v raise_v and_o purge_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o so_o it_o may_v become_v capable_a of_o discern_v what_o it_o can_v not_o before_o though_o in_o itself_o most_o visible_a how_o much_o more_o not_o only_o requisite_a but_o even_o necessary_a must_v some_o pious_a affection_n be_v to_o permit_v the_o mind_n free_o to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a faith_n contain_v principle_n which_o enjoin_v a_o disregard_n and_o posthabition_n of_o all_o that_o be_v sweet_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n nay_o even_o of_o livelihood_n and_o life_n itself_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a than_o that_o a_o plough_v
be_v a_o crooked_a path_n and_o a_o false_a light_n lead_v it_o into_o error_n what_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o do_v in_o the_o circumstance_n they_o have_v bring_v themselves_o into_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o destroy_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o way_n to_o that_o truth_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o put_v they_o both_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o see_v they_o do_v and_o therefore_o be_v oblige_v to_o begin_v my_o discourse_n high_o and_o to_o settle_v the_o existence_n of_o faith_n by_o remove_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o falsehood_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v show_v able_a to_o bear_v the_o have_v a_o rule_n which_o while_o it_o be_v in_o the_o totter_a and_o uncertain_a condition_n to_o which_o mr._n t._n and_o mr._n st._n have_v reduce_v it_o that_o be_v in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v all_o a_o lie_n and_o indeed_o be_v a_o actuality_n of_o be_v as_o to_o we_o not-truth_n but_o at_o most_o a_o great_a likelihood_n it_o be_v utter_o incapable_a of_o since_o therefore_o in_o the_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_v a_o est_fw-fr ought_v to_o antecede_v quid_fw-la ests_n they_o have_v lose_v their_o right_n to_o be_v discourse_v with_o about_o the_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o what_o be_v that_o rule_n till_o they_o can_v justify_v themselves_o not_o to_o have_v destroy_v the_o very_a a_o est_fw-la or_o existence_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n both_o with_o which_o mr._n t._n be_v now_o challenge_v from_o his_o own_o word_n and_o mr._n st._n from_o his_o abet_v he_o and_o espouse_v his_o patronage_n both_o nature_n therefore_o and_o be_v excuse_v i_o from_o reply_v to_o mr_n t._n and_o mr._n st._n where_o the_o just_a law_n of_o severe_a and_o rigorous_a reason_n exact_o observe_v and_o so_o it_o be_v only_o a_o voluntary_a courtesy_n not_o a_o obligatory_a duty_n to_o afford_v they_o or_o any_o other_o writer_n thus_o principled_a any_o answer_n at_o all_o or_o to_o admit_v they_o to_o a_o dispute_n about_o this_o point_n what_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n last_o hence_o be_v infer_v that_o a_o conclusive_a method_n or_o short_a way_n of_o end_v all_o controversy_n between_o the_o catho_n like_o church_n and_o all_o her_o relinquisher_n be_v settle_v by_o this_o doctrine_n for_o if_o right_a faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o or_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v if_o the_o motive_n to_o embrace_v christianity_n must_v be_v thus_o firm_a then_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o that_o party_n who_o writer_n renounce_v the_o have_v any_o such_o motive_n in_o case_n those_o writer_n speak_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o party_n be_v not_o right_o christian_n or_o true_o faithful_a 4_o but_o a_o distinct_a sect_n from_o the_o body_n of_o right_n christian_n or_o it_o be_v most_o unjust_a that_o the_o discourse_n of_o private_a speculater_n shall_v be_v pin_v upon_o the_o whole_a party_n if_o they_o write_v thing_n deniable_a by_o that_o party_n in_o case_n any_o such_o party_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o disclaim_v such_o writer_n as_o private_a discourser_n and_o their_o tenet_n of_o christian_a faith_n not_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v and_o set_v some_o other_o writer_n to_o maintain_v the_o opposite_a thesis_n it_o will_v quick_o be_v see_v whether_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v infallible_a ground_n of_o faith_n i_o mean_v any_o authority_n convey_v christ_n faith_n down_o to_o we_o infallible_o which_o they_o must_v bring_v 2._o if_o they_o will_v prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a distinct_a from_o what_o the_o catholic_a church_n hold_v to_o and_o which_o themselves_o renounce_v when_o they_o forsake_v her_o communion_n but_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o ground_n as_o these_o that_o be_v ground_n inerrable_o bring_v down_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n faith_n to_o we_o that_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o discern_v by_o the_o carriage_n write_n or_o discourse_n of_o any_o party_n that_o dissent_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v their_o tenet_n if_o then_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n that_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v abundant_o conclude_v it_o be_v also_o most_o certain_a that_o those_o who_o deny_v they_o have_v such_o a_o faith_n do_v by_o that_o very_a denial_n confess_v they_o have_v no_o true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a nor_o of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n postscript_n thus_o reader_n thou_o see_v i_o still_o endeavour_v candid_o to_o put_v controversy_n home_o as_o far_o as_o my_o discourse_n can_v carry_v it_o and_o that_o i_o have_v resume_v here_o all_o the_o scatter_a end_n of_o voluminous_a dispute_n into_o one_o point_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o sincere_a protestant_n and_o all_o other_o out_o of_o the_o church_n may_v see_v at_o a_o short_a view_n what_o they_o be_v to_o do_v if_o they_o look_v into_o their_o own_o breast_n as_o they_o be_v professor_n of_o christianity_n they_o will_v find_v it_o write_v there_o in_o capital_n that_o christian_a faith_n can_v be_v a_o illusion_n '_o or_o falsehood_n also_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o true_a and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o suffer_v all_o persecution_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o the_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v such_o this_o find_v and_o due_o reflect_v on_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v be_v that_o they_o press_v their_o learned_a man_n by_o who_o they_o be_v lead_v to_o show_v they_o by_o such_o ground_n as_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n permit_v they_o to_o hold_v that_o be_v by_o their_o ground_n that_o christian_a faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o they_o can_v as_o hitherto_o they_o have_v tell_v we_o they_o can_v than_o their_o adherent_n may_v in_o reason_n hope_v well_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n till_o they_o see_v those_o attempt_n evident_o show_v invalid_a but_o if_o they_o profess_v still_o they_o can_v and_o that_o faith_n need_v no_o such_o certainty_n then_o not_o only_o the_o natural_a dictamen_fw-la of_o christianity_n in_o their_o own_o breast_n ought_v to_o make_v they_o distrust_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o party_n find_v to_o be_v so_o destructive_a to_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o i_o shall_v hope_v there_o be_v some_o proof_n in_o this_o forego_n treatise_n which_o they_o will_v judge_n require_v a_o answer_n i_o expect_v my_o answerer_n will_v sow_v together_o many_o thin_a rhetorical_a figleaf_n to_o cover_v the_o deformity_n of_o that_o abominable_a thesis_n that_o faith_n may_v be_v false_a which_o to_o propose_v undisguised_a be_v too_o open_o shameful_a but_o i_o hope_v thou_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v their_o sense_n through_o their_o rhetoric_n and_o heedful_o to_o mark_v with_o a_o steadfast_a eye_n that_o in_o how_o quaint_a and_o elegant_a phrase_n soever_o they_o cloak_n their_o tenet_n yet_o the_o genuine_a downright_a and_o natural_a sense_n of_o the_o position_n they_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v will_v still_o be_v this_o the_o mystery_n of_o christian_a faith_n may_v all_o be_v so_o many_o lie_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v absolute_o know_v and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n a_o bundle_n of_o falsehood_n i_o expect_v also_o many_o plausible_a instance_n and_o pretend_a parallel_n of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o inferior_a degree_n of_o certitude_n for_o such_o and_o such_o particular_a end_n but_o what_o thou_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v whether_o those_o end_n be_v parallel_n or_o equal_v to_o that_o high_a end_n and_o concern_v of_o christian_a faith_n these_o thing_n i_o expect_v but_o i_o expect_v not_o that_o so_o much_o as_o one_o principle_n that_o will_v be_v find_v to_o deserve_v that_o name_n will_v ever_o be_v think_v prudent_a to_o be_v produce_v to_o justify_v a_o tenet_n every_o way_n so_o irrational_a and_o unprincipled_a or_o rather_o destroy_v the_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o best_a body_n of_o principle_n that_o either_o nature_n or_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n himself_o ever_o instill_a into_o mankind_n last_o i_o beseech_v thou_o to_o obtain_v for_o i_o if_o thou_o can_v that_o if_o any_o think_v fit_a to_o reply_v to_o this_o treatise_n they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o set_v aside_o all_o witty_a prevarication_n and_o elegant_a drollery_n the_o two_o chief_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n only_o stickler_n in_o the_o pretend_a answer_n to_o sure-footing_a and_o begin_v with_o first_o principle_n to_o draw_v thence_o immediate_a consequence_n as_o i_o have_v constant_o endeavour_v in_o this_o discourse_n by_o
upon_o he_o with_o this_o press_a demand_n i_o but_o be_v you_o certain_a of_o it_o may_v not_o you_o be_v mistake_v which_o clear_o intimate_v that_o that_o disposition_n call_v certainty_n be_v beyond_o all_o inclination_n motion_n or_o indeterminate_a tendency_n of_o the_o understanding_n make_v it_o very_o think_v it_o be_v true_a which_o speak_v the_o next_o remove_n as_o it_o be_v from_o a_o certain_a assent_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a determination_n and_o fixure_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o it_o be_v true_a as_o also_o that_o certainty_n elevate_v the_o soul_n beyond_o hazard_n of_o mistake_n again_o many_o time_n when_o one_o be_v smart_o question_v if_o he_o be_v certain_a of_o a_o thing_n not_o dare_v upon_o better_a reflection_n pretend_v to_o certainty_n he_o reply_v wary_o in_o a_o moderate_a word_n which_o diminish_v and_o fall_v short_a of_o the_o other_o that_o he_o be_v moral_o certain_a of_o it_o which_o evidence_n that_o the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n be_v in_o point_n of_o fix_v or_o determine_v the_o understanding_n beyond_o that_o counterfeit_a certainty_n call_v moral_a certainty_n wherefore_o since_o all_o moral_a certainty_n as_o they_o call_v it_o how_o great_a soever_o though_o it_o be_v penetrate_v perfect_o according_a as_o it_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v see_v to_o consist_v with_o a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o true_a certainty_n which_o exceed_v it_o must_v needs_o include_v a_o impossibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o i'faith_o then_o be_v not_o in_o true_a speech_n certain_a unless_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 10._o again_o let_v a_o overween_a after_o his_o mistake_n become_v visible_a be_v challenge_v with_o it_o we_o find_v that_o in_o common_a speech_n we_o use_v these_o or_o the_o like_a word_n you_o say_v or_o thought_n you_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o but_o you_o see_v you_o be_v mistake_v be_v it_o not_o evident_a that_o the_o word_n certain_a exclude_v a_o possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o since_o his_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o former_o be_v deny_v pure_o upon_o this_o score_n because_o he_o be_v mistake_v which_o show_v that_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o certain_a be_v inconsistent_a with_o mistake_n that_o be_v that_o certainty_n imply_v unmistakableness_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o inerrability_n hîc_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o the_o present_a affair_n whereas_o have_v the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n admit_v a_o possibility_n not_o to_o be_v as_o he_o judge_v he_o have_v not_o be_v so_o mistake_v in_o judge_v that_o certain_a which_o by_o actual_o happen_v not_o to_o be_v be_v show_v afterward_o possible_a not_o to_o be_v to_o think_v to_o evade_v by_o allege_v that_o it_o be_v not_o mean_v his_o mistake_n consist_v in_o judge_v that_o certain_a or_o impossible_a not_o to_o be_v which_o be_v possible_a not_o to_o be_v but_o in_o judge_v that_o will_v be_v which_o afterward_o hap_v not_o to_o be_v be_v mere_o childishness_n and_o folly_n among_o man_n who_o hold_v that_o thing_n be_v carry_v on_o by_o the_o course_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_v and_o that_o thing_n therefore_o happen_v because_o a_o cause_n put_v they_o or_o not_o happen_v because_o no_o cause_n put_v they_o to_o judge_n then_o a_o thing_n will_v not_o be_v be_v the_o same_o among_o intelligent_a man_n as_o to_z judge_v there_o will_v be_v no_o cause_n to_o make_v it_o be_v and_o if_o there_o will_v be_v none_o such_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a it_o can_v not_o be_v or_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v in_o this_o order_n of_o the_o world_n such_o answer_n be_v fit_a for_o man_n who_o be_v lead_v more_o by_o sound_n than_o sense_n and_o who_o think_v a_o different_a word_n will_v gain_v they_o a_o escape_n though_o that_o word_n signify_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o the_o former_a 11._o the_o same_o will_v appear_v from_o the_o absurdity_n which_o palpable_o discover_v itself_o in_o any_o expression_n that_o modify_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o certain_a with_o a_o contingency_n as_o if_o one_o shall_v say_v it_o be_v certain_a per_fw-la adventure_n or_o it_o be_v fallible_o certain_a the_o nonsense_n of_o which_o show_v that_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o certainty_n imply_v a_o oppositness_n to_o all_o contingency_n or_o a_o impossibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o you_o will_v ask_v what_o then_o must_v be_v say_v of_o the_o phrase_n moral_a certainty_n where_o certainty_n seem_v to_o admit_v a_o allay_n of_o contingency_n i_o answer_v it_o be_v evident_a even_o hence_o and_o from_o all_o my_o former_a discourse_n that_o the_o word_n certainty_n be_v there_o use_v catachrestical_o or_o abusive_o for_o some_o great_a likelihood_n and_o its_o epithet_n mean_v such_o a_o degree_n of_o it_o as_o be_v find_v general_o in_o humane_a exterior_a action_n which_o depend_v on_o freewill_n and_o be_v contingent_a as_o be_v particular_n and_o speak_v not_o proper_a certainty_n as_o it_o be_v mean_v to_o signify_v that_o perfect_a intellectual_a determination_n who_o principle_n and_o cause_n be_v high_a truth_n be_v unalterable_a whence_o moral_a certainty_n how_o high_a soever_o it_o be_v exalt_v and_o triumph_v in_o a_o empty_a name_n be_v in_o reality_n uncertainty_n and_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o moral_a certainty_n be_v the_o low_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n true_o so_o call_v that_o be_v of_o that_o which_o express_v a_o intellectual_a indetermination_n §_o 12._o thus_o much_o from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n which_o when_o it_o fall_v natural_o and_o affect_o from_o the_o tongue_n of_o the_o speaker_n be_v a_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o notion_n or_o meaning_n in_o their_o soul_n that_o be_v of_o the_o signification_n of_o that_o word_n whence_o it_o be_v a_o apt_a medium_fw-la to_o demonstrate_v that_o notion_n its_o proper_a cause_n à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la §_o 13._o from_o this_o discourse_n follow_v first_o that_o since_o speak_v of_o the_o present_a and_o the_o same_o in_o proportion_n hold_v of_o other_o difference_n of_o time_n it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v certain_a as_o to_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v and_o to_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v speak_v indivisibility_n the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n too_o consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a by_o which_o be_v not_o mean_v that_o one_o certainty_n may_v not_o be_v great_a than_o another_o both_o from_o a_o great_a perfection_n in_o the_o subject_a and_o a_o great_a certify_a power_n in_o the_o object_n but_o that_o certainty_n in_o the_o way_n of_o be_v generate_v in_o the_o soul_n be_v either_o there_o all_o at_o once_o or_o not_o at_o all_o in_o the_o same_o sort_n as_o there_o be_v no_o middle_n between_o be_v and_o be_v not_o or_o half-being_n of_o they_o which_o be_v the_o formal_a expresser_n of_o certainty_n whence_o again_o appear_v that_o what_o we_o abusive_o call_v moral_a certainty_n be_v indeed_o none_o at_o all_o because_o it_o reach_v not_o that_o indivisible_a or_o determinative_a point_n in_o which_o true_a certainty_n consist_v §_o 14._o second_o since_o true_a certainty_n principle_n be_v cause_v in_o we_o by_o see_v the_o thing_n be_v and_o this_o can_v be_v see_v but_o by_o virtue_n of_o principle_n especial_o that_o chief_a one_o a_o thing_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o principle_n be_v truth_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a it_o follow_v both_o that_o what_o be_v certain_a can_v possible_o be_v false_a and_o that_o what_o can_v possible_o be_v false_a subsist_v upon_o no_o principle_n whence_o all_o moral_a certainty_n as_o they_o call_v it_o as_o also_o all_o high_a probability_n which_o confess_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o subsist_v upon_o no_o principle_n and_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v they_o have_v but_o moral_a certainty_n and_o high_a probability_n for_o their_o faith_n or_o opinion_n confess_v they_o have_v no_o principle_n which_o in_o true_a language_n deserve_v that_o name_n to_o ground_v they_o but_o at_o best_a certain_a likely_a topical_a medium_n that_o oft_o prove_v true_a or_o hold_v for_o the_o most_o part_n which_o may_v serve_v for_o a_o talk_a kind_n of_o discourse_n or_o exterior_a action_n but_o be_v flat_a thing_n and_o useless_a when_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v conclude_v §_o 15._o three_o it_o follow_v that_o true_a infallibility_n certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v the_o selfsame_a with_o infallibility_n or_o inerrability_n as_o to_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o certainty_n be_v not_o have_v till_o it_o be_v see_v that_o that_o first_o principle_n a_fw-la thing_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o be_v engage_v for_o the_o identification_n of_o the_o two_o notion_n which_o make_v up_o the_o proposition_n we_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o be_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o proposition_n wherefore_o since_o we_o can_v have_v infallible_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n as_o also_o of_o this_o that_o nothing_o