christianity_n yet_o for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v or_o these_o crafty_a common_a word_n inform_v we_o they_o have_v still_o all_o that_o be_v needful_a to_o save_v they_o that_o be_v though_o they_o go_v wrong_v all_o their_o life_n they_o be_v still_o all_o the_o while_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o i_o suppose_v dr._n st._n mean_n that_o no_o more_o be_v necessary_a for_o any_o one_o salvation_n than_o just_a as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v understand_v in_o scripture_n which_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v once_o begin_v to_o set_v himself_o to_o prove_v &_o make_v out_o by_o some_o convince_a argument_n i_o be_o hearty_o weary_a of_o speak_v still_o to_o his_o unproved_a and_o voluntary_a assertion_n 14._o to_o suppose_v the_o book_n so_o write_v to_o be_v imperfect_a i._n e._n that_o any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o practise_v be_v not_o contain_v in_o they_o be_v either_o to_o charge_v the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o with_o fraud_n and_o not_o deliver_v his_o 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god_n to_o set_v down_o his_o whole_a mind_n but_o only_o write_v the_o several_a piece_n of_o it_o occasional_o nor_o do_v the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n ever_o attribute_v to_o scripture_n such_o a_o intelligibleness_n as_o that_o private_a person_n shall_v ground_v their_o faith_n upon_o their_o evidence_n without_o need_v the_o church_n interpretation_n if_o we_o speak_v of_o all_o point_n necessary_a to_o mankind_n salvation_n as_o he_o seem_v and_o aught_o to_o do_v and_o here_o i_o desire_v to_o enter_v this_o declaration_n to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o i_o attribute_v not_o the_o least_o imperfection_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n every_o thing_n have_v all_o the_o perfection_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v if_o it_o can_v do_v what_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o do_v and_o in_o the_o manner_n it_o be_v intend_v treatise_n of_o deep_a philosophy_n be_v not_o imperfect_a if_o they_o be_v not_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_a narrative_n history_n no_o not_o if_o they_o be_v ita_fw-la editi_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la editi_fw-la in_o case_n they_o be_v mean_v as_o a_o matter_n for_o the_o author_n to_o explain_v and_o dilate_v upon_o to_o his_o scholar_n nor_o be_v the_o law_n imperfect_a though_o they_o often_o need_v learned_a judge_n to_o interpret_v they_o nor_o be_v we_o to_o expect_v that_o the_o prophecy_n of_o isaiah_n shall_v be_v as_o plain_a as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n the_o immediate_a end_n of_o write_v each_o piece_n as_o far_o as_o appear_v to_o we_o be_v occasional_a st._n paul_n epistle_n be_v evident_o so_o nor_o can_v i_o doubt_v but_o they_o be_v perfect_a in_o their_o kind_n and_o apt_a to_o signify_v competent_o to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v what_o he_o intend_v so_o that_o if_o they_o have_v any_o far_a doubt_n they_o may_v send_v to_o ask_v he_o or_o do_v it_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-mi and_o yet_o we_o see_v that_o even_o in_o those_o day_n when_o the_o complexion_n of_o all_o the_o circumstance_n be_v fresh_a and_o near_o than_o now_o some_o unlearned_a person_n err_v damnable_o in_o mistake_v and_o misconceive_a they_o that_o be_v while_o they_o go_v about_o to_o frame_v their_o faith_n out_o of_o they_o it_o be_v questionless_a also_o they_o rely_v upon_o they_o as_o god_n word_n or_o dictate_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n else_o they_o have_v not_o so_o build_v upon_o they_o or_o adhere_v to_o they_o they_o may_v sincere_o endeavour_v too_o to_o know_v their_o meaning_n yet_o if_o the_o write_n be_v disproportion_v to_o their_o pitch_n they_o may_v err_v damnable_o for_o all_o that_o what_o far_a end_n god_n intend_v the_o h._n scripture_n for_o appear_v not_o by_o any_o express_v either_o promise_n or_o declaration_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o out_o of_o the_o knowledge_n that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o person_n divine_o inspire_v and_o the_o experience_n the_o church_n have_v of_o their_o vsefulness_n towards_o instruction_n and_o good_a life_n join_v with_o the_o common_a knowledge_n we_o have_v that_o all_o good_n that_o come_v to_o the_o church_n happen_v through_o the_o order_n of_o god_n providence_n hence_o we_o just_o conclude_v as_o dr._n st._n well_o say_v that_o they_o be_v intend_v and_o write_v also_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o future_a age_n and_o from_o their_o vsefulness_n and_o the_o success_n of_o their_o use_n we_o may_v gather_v how_o god_n intend_v they_o for_o the_o church_n the_o learned_a and_o stable_a son_n of_o the_o church_n read_v they_o with_o much_o fruit_n to_o excite_v their_o will_n to_o goodness_n the_o pastore_n of_o the_o church_n make_v excellent_a use_n of_o they_o in_o exhort_v preach_v catchise_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o many_o other_o use_n of_o this_o sort_n they_o be_v excellent_o beneficial_a which_o be_v so_o many_o that_o be_v it_o now_o seasonable_a for_o i_o to_o lay_v they_o open_v at_o large_a as_o i_o true_o hold_v they_o none_o will_v think_v i_o have_v little_a reverence_n for_o scripture_n but_o in_o decide_v controversy_n or_o final_o silence_v heretic_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o do_v by_o the_o unavoidable_a evidence_n of_o the_o text_n to_o private_a person_n no_o use_n be_v ever_o make_v of_o they_o alone_o with_o any_o success_n as_o the_o father_n also_o complain_v unless_o the_o the_o church_n authority_n go_v along_o animate_v the_o dead_a letter_n in_o dogmatical_a passage_n and_o show_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o place_n to_o have_v be_v perpetual_o hold_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o so_o give_v it_o the_o sense_n majesty_n authority_n and_o force_n of_o god_n word_n elevate_a it_o thus_o above_o the_o repute_n of_o be_v some_o private_a conceit_n or_o production_n of_o skill_n and_o wit_n interpret_n the_o letter_n scripture_n then_o be_v perfect_a or_o have_v all_o due_a to_o the_o nature_n god_n intend_v it_o if_o due_o make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o church_n best_a instrument_n it_o be_v able_a to_o work_v those_o effect_n speak_v of_o though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o evident_a or_o self-authorized_a as_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o give_v it_o absolute_a pre-eminence_n in_o its_o kind_n that_o be_v above_o all_o other_o write_n that_o ever_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n but_o we_o prefer_v before_o it_o tradition_n or_o god_n church_n which_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n and_o consist_v of_o the_o live_a temple_n of_o the_o h._n ghost_n for_o who_o sole_a good_a as_o its_o final_a end_n scripture_n itself_o be_v intend_v and_o write_v 15._o these_o write_n be_v own_v as_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n so_o plain_o reveal_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n suppose_v of_o any_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n either_o
divinity_n p._n 191._o 192._o in_o logic_n p._n 228._o 236._o 237._o his_o performance_n reduce_v to_o their_o proper_a principle_n contradiction_n p._n 236._o tradition_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 45._o 46._o 141._o 142._o union_n how_o to_o be_v hope_v p._n 51._o 52._o write_v how_o capable_a to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 36._o 37._o 38._o errata_fw-la page_n 2._o line_n 4._o receive_v p._n 11._o l._n 21._o perfect_o p._n 15._o l_o 2._o disparate_a p._n 32._o l._n 1â—_n than_o we_o can_v p._n 45._o l._n 12._o again_o p._n 67._o l._n 27._o deal_n and_o this_o as_o far_o etc._n etc._n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o four_o line_n after_o p._n 81._o l._n 29._o deal_n of_o p._n 84._o l._n 2._o endeavorer_n l._n 29._o endeavorer_n p._n 104._o l._n 4._o deal_n we_o p._n 100l_n l._n 5._o his_fw-la p._n 124._o l._n 5._o and._n p._n 131._o l._n 30._o deal_n in_o the._n p._n â—_o 2._o l._n 11._o infallible_o l._n 23._o then_o p._n 834._o l._n 17._o be_v false_a l._n 20._o about_o p._n 159._o l._n 22._o if_o p._n 100l_n l._n 14._o as_o l._n 15._o deal_n be_v p._n 167._o l._n 11._o deal_n if_o p_o 173._o l._n 18._o to_o a_o high_a degree_n p._n 177._o l._n 23._o which_o be_v p._n 181._o l._n 2._o degree_n p._n 184._o l._n 24._o ground_n p._n 185._o l._n 15._o reason_n give_v l._n 18._o keep_v man_n p._n 187._o l._n 14._o be_v p._n 188._o l._n 14._o dissatisfaction_n l._n 21._o some_o p._n 192._o l._n 5._o conformable_a l._n 16._o it_o l._n 26._o by_o she_o all_o p._n 193._o l._n 17._o our_o p._n 198._o l._n 2._o receive_v p._n 199._o l._n 14._o in_o wiseman_n in_o this_o point_n p._n 202._o l._n ult_n the_o 5_o and_o 6_o p._n 214._o l._n 3._o deal_n to_o p._n 216._o l._n 12._o be_v p_o 221._o l._n 18._o dr._n st._n p._n 234._o l._n 18._o apply_v it_o p._n 235._o l._n 23._o produce_v one_o p._n 250._o l._n 9_o not_o the_o first_o examen_fw-la concern_v dr._n stillingfleet_n design_n in_o this_o discourse_n as_o express_v in_o his_o title_n 1._o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o title_n superscribe_v to_o this_o discourse_n and_o signify_v to_o we_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v well_o weigh_v that_o so_o we_o may_v make_v a_o right_a conceit_n of_o what_o we_o be_v just_o to_o expect_v from_o dr._n st._n in_o this_o occasion_n it_o be_v this_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n reduce_v to_o principle_n 2._o now_o principle_n as_o we_o have_v discourse_v in_o the_o preface_n must_v either_o be_v evident_a to_o both_o party_n or_o at_o least_o hold_v and_o grant_v by_o both_o else_o no_o discourse_n can_v proceed_v for_o want_v of_o agreement_n in_o that_o on_o which_o all_o rational_a process_n be_v ground_v also_o they_o must_v be_v proper_a for_o the_o end_v intend_v or_o influential_a upon_o the_o conclusion_n which_o the_o arguer_n aim_v to_o evince_v otherwise_o if_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n deceive_v not_o its_o evidence_n and_o truth_n from_o they_o though_o those_o proposition_n be_v never_o so_o evident_a in_o 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occasion_n any_o more_o than_o one_o can_v be_v a_o father_n who_o have_v no_o offspring_n or_o than_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v a_o ground_n which_o have_v no_o superstructure_n 3._o next_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v what_o dr._n st._n mean_n by_o the_o word_n faith_n in_o this_o place_n and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o think_v i_o injure_v he_o in_o suppose_v he_o have_v so_o good_a thought_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n as_o to_o hold_v it_o be_v more_o than_o a_o bare_a opinion_n who_o ground_n may_v all_o be_v false_a for_o if_o so_o the_o assent_n of_o protestant_n as_o faithful_a may_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n and_o all_o the_o tenet_n they_o profess_v to_o be_v truth_n and_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v by_o believe_v they_o liable_a to_o be_v prove_v nothing_o perhaps_o in_o reality_n but_o a_o company_n of_o lie_n if_o then_o as_o in_o this_o supposition_n he_o must_v he_o holâ—s_v the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o protestant_n impossible_a to_o be_v faâ—â—e_n he_o be_v 〈◊〉_d to_o reduce_v it_o into_o 〈◊〉_d ground_n and_o principle_n as_o be_v likewise_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o if_o it_o rely_v on_o authority_n he_o be_v to_o bring_v infallible_a authority_n for_o it_o all_o that_o be_v fallible_a as_o common_a sense_n teach_v admit_v possibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o whatever_o be_v ground_v on_o it_o such_o ground_n then_o or_o principle_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o produce_v for_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n in_o case_n he_o hold_v it_o may_v not_o perhaps_o be_v a_o error_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o or_o his_o church_n know_v but_o in_o case_n he_o judge_v this_o assent_n or_o belief_n of_o protestant_n may_v be_v true_a faith_n though_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o may_v be_v false_a than_o he_o owe_v i_o a_o answer_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n where_o the_o contrary_a be_v prove_v by_o multitude_n of_o argument_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o receive_v one_o word_n of_o sober_a reply_n from_o he_o or_o dr._n tillotson_n though_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o inference_n at_o the_o end_n of_o that_o book_n it_o most_o high_o concern_v they_o both_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o several_a reason_n it_o contain_v 4._o in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o be_v to_o reflect_v what_o may_v be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n reduce_v in_o the_o say_a title_n and_o since_o all_o truth_n not_o self-evident_a nor_o know_v by_o immediate_a impression_n on_o sense_n be_v at_o first_o derive_v or_o deduce_v from_o principle_n this_o word_n reduce_v have_v a_o signification_n direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o dr._n st._n make_v account_v he_o have_v begin_v by_o put_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n which_o be_v the_o conclusion_n and_o bring_v it_o back_o for_o so_o the_o word_n reduce_v import_v to_o principle_n whereas_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o every_o scholar_n he_o proceed_v in_o a_o way_n quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o he_o here_o pretend_v first_o lay_v six_o principle_n agree_v on_o than_o thirty_o other_o which_o since_o they_o go_v before_o his_o conclusion_n we_o be_v to_o think_v he_o mean_v for_o principle_n too_o and_o thence_o draw_v in_o the_o close_a six_o inference_n or_o sequels_fw-fr which_o be_v most_o manifest_o to_o deduce_v from_o principle_n not_o to_o reduce_v to_o they_o 5._o but_o however_o it_o be_v unblamable_a in_o one_o who_o own_v himself_o a_o scholar_n especial_o pretend_v the_o rigorous_a and_o learned_a way_n of_o proceed_v by_o principle_n not_o to_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o way_n himself_o take_v yet_o let_v we_o kind_o suppose_v that_o dr._n st._n out_o of_o a_o unwariness_n only_o make_v use_v by_o chance_n of_o a_o improper_a word_n which_o be_v but_o a_o human_a lapse_n be_v more_o easy_o pardonable_a especial_o since_o the_o method_n he_o here_o undertake_v viz._n to_o begin_v with_o principle_n be_v if_o right_o manage_v and_o perform_v the_o most_o honourable_a for_o a_o scholar_n and_o the_o most_o satisfactory_a 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insignificant_a word_n inquiry_n it_o be_v so_o very_o safe_a that_o it_o be_v absolute_o inconfutable_a have_v he_o say_v candid_o and_o plain_o hear_v follow_v the_o principle_n not_o agree_v on_o voluntary_o which_o therefore_o i_o will_v make_v evident_a that_o my_o adversary_n reason_n may_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v their_o verity_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v my_o discourse_n proceed_v and_o way_n be_v make_v towards_o some_o conclusion_n he_o have_v offer_v i_o some_o play_n for_o than_o i_o may_v possible_o have_v discover_v the_o weakness_n or_o inevidence_n of_o his_o principle_n or_o the_o slackness_n of_o his_o consequence_n but_o now_o all_o my_o attempt_n be_v defeat_v by_o this_o one_o pretty_a word_n inquiry_n for_o though_o i_o shall_v hap_v to_o confute_v every_o line_n in_o all_o the_o thirty_o paragraph_n yet_o still_o after_o all_o this_o none_o can_v deny_v but_o he_o have_v inquire_v into_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n whether_o he_o have_v produce_v one_o 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to_o attest_v or_o explain_v these_o write_n among_o christian_n any_o more_o than_o there_o be_v for_o some_o age_n before_o christ_n of_o such_o a_o body_n of_o man_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o attest_v or_o explain_v to_o they_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n he_o that_o own_v this_o must_v own_v it_o without_o reason_n for_o any_o thing_n appear_v yet_o for_o dr._n st._n have_v afford_v we_o hitherto_o nothing_o to_o prove_v this_o point_n but_o a_o few_o word_n crafty_o lay_v together_o which_o when_o look_v into_o have_v not_o a_o jot_n of_o reason_n in_o they_o and_o the_o like_a empty_a inside_n we_o find_v in_o this_o present_a principle_n for_o if_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n be_v plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n then_o in_o case_n nothing_o else_o be_v requisite_a to_o understand_v god_n will_v but_o the_o disposition_n of_o sober_o inquire_v as_o he_o put_v no_o other_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o know_v there_o 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witness_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n be_v right_a this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o follow_v out_o of_o the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o the_o contrary_a aught_o to_o follow_v 〈…〉_z prejudice_a his_o own_o pretence_n that_o 〈◊〉_d conduce_v exceed_o to_o it_o for_o certainâ—y_o his_o sober_a enquirer_n will_v less_o be_v in_o doubt_n to_o miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n in_o case_n the_o letter_n on_o which_o all_o depend_v be_v well_o attest_v than_o if_o it_o be_v not_o and_o most_o certain_o a_o infallible_a society_n of_o man_n can_v better_o attest_v that_o letter_n than_o a_o fallible_a one_o and_o those_o write_n can_v with_o better_a show_n of_o reason_n be_v own_v to_o contain_v in_o they_o the_o will_n of_o god_n if_o their_o letter_n be_v attest_v beyond_o possibility_n of_o be_v wrong_n than_o if_o leave_v in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v such_o for_o if_o the_o letter_n be_v wrong_a all_o be_v wrong_a in_o this_o case_n it_o may_v seem_v wonderful_a then_o what_o it_o be_v that_o thus_o byass_n dr._n st._n against_o his_o own_o interest_n and_o i_o wish_v i_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v it_o be_v not_o a_o kind_n of_o innate_a antipathy_n against_o not_o only_o our_o church_n but_o church_n in_o common_a and_o a_o desire_n to_o attribute_v as_o little_a to_o it_o as_o he_o can_v possible_o though_o he_o hazard_v some_o prejudice_n to_o his_o own_o cause_n and_o even_o all_o christian_a faith_n into_o the_o bargain_n his_o whole_a way_n of_o discourse_n here_o bend_v strong_o towards_o the_o take_n away_o all_o divine_a institution_n of_o pastor_n for_o this_o will_v oblige_v the_o people_n to_o hear_v they_o and_o level_v all_o into_o a_o fanatic_a anarchy_n i_o will_v glad_o interpret_v he_o otherwise_o and_o imagine_v that_o perhaps_o he_o mean_v that_o since_o it_o be_v own_a the_o scripture_n thus_o contain_v god_n will_n therefore_o there_o need_v not_o be_v suppose_v any_o infallible_a society_n 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the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v first_o not_o prove_v and_o yet_o dr._n st._n build_v upon_o it_o as_o confident_o as_o if_o it_o be_v evident_o conclude_v or_o else_o self-evident_a next_o what_o mean_v those_o word_n for_o some_o age_n before_o christ_n if_o the_o whole_a time_n of_o the_o mosaical_a law_n then_o it_o be_v evident_o false_a since_o deut._n 17._o v_o 10_o 11_o etc._n etc._n god_n command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n to_o do_v according_a as_o some_o person_n he_o have_v appoint_v for_o that_o end_n shall_v explain_v the_o write_n belong_v to_o that_o law_n and_o if_o these_o man_n have_v not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n god_n by_o command_v the_o subject_a laity_n under_o so_o heavy_a a_o penalty_n to_o
to_o infallible_a assent_n that_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v infallible_o assist_v in_o judge_v of_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o he_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o the_o 22d_o in_o consonancy_n to_o it_o mention_n the_o infallibility_n of_o particular_a person_n in_o the_o assent_n they_o give_v to_o matter_n propose_v by_o other_o to_o they_o which_o clear_o signify_v that_o faith_n can_v be_v infallible_a unless_o we_o have_v infallibility_n or_o infallible_a knowledge_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o what_o can_v matter_n propose_v to_o we_o to_o be_v believe_v signify_v else_o on_o the_o other_o side_n in_o the_o 21_o princ._n he_o seem_v only_o to_o aim_v at_o prove_v there_o must_v be_v infallibility_n in_o we_o that_o the_o proponent_n be_v infallible_a also_o princ._n 22._o he_o conclude_v that_o to_o our_o infallible_a assurance_n there_o be_v require_v equal_a infallibility_n in_o ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o church_n infallibility_n and_o last_o princ._n 23._o he_o conclude_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o no_o effect_n if_o every_o person_n be_v not_o infallible_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o which_o expression_n be_v of_o quite_o different_a sense_n from_o the_o former_a and_o require_v not_o infallibility_n in_o the_o in_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o believe_v as_o do_v the_o other_o but_o only_o in_o know_v the_o proponent_n to_o be_v infallible_a now_o because_o i_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o cavil_n but_o be_o hearty_o glad_a when_o he_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o handle_v any_o good_a point_n i_o will_v not_o take_v he_o as_o his_o former_a word_n sound_v it_o be_v perfect_a nonsense_n to_o require_v evidence_n of_o the_o point_n propose_v ere_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o authority_n that_o proposes_n they_o for_o what_o need_n can_v there_o be_v either_o of_o any_o proposer_n or_o of_o know_v he_o infallible_a if_o we_o be_v infallible_a certain_a antecedent_o of_o the_o point_n themselves_o but_o i_o shall_v willing_o pass_v by_o those_o expression_n as_o effect_n either_o of_o a_o strange_a unwariness_n or_o of_o a_o crafty_a prepare_v for_o future_a evasion_n and_o discourse_n of_o the_o late_a thesis_n for_o in_o truth_n it_o hint_n at_o a_o very_a excellent_a difficulty_n though_o he_o propose_v it_o but_o ill_o and_o pursue_v it_o worse_o i_o will_v therefore_o clear_v his_o discourse_n from_o his_o contradictory_n expression_n and_o put_v it_o home_o and_o close_o as_o well_o as_o i_o can_v and_o so_o as_o i_o hope_v himself_o will_v not_o say_v i_o at_o all_o wrong_n it_o he_o seem_v they_o to_o argue_v thus_o objective_a infallibility_n in_o another_o viz._n the_o proponent_n avail_v nothing_o to_o make_v my_o faith_n or_o assent_n infallible_a unless_o i_o be_v also_o infallible_o certain_a that_o the_o proponent_n be_v infallible_a wherefore_o in_o case_n infallibility_n be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n every_o one_o of_o the_o faithful_a must_v be_v also_o infallible_a but_o this_o render_v both_o these_o infallibility_n useless_a and_o insignificant_a for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n be_v of_o no_o effect_n if_o every_o person_n be_v not_o infallible_a and_o if_o every_o person_n be_v infallible_a what_o need_v any_o church_n representative_a or_o council_n be_v so_o therefore_o this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o infallible_a proponent_n be_v frivolous_a and_o inconsistent_a to_o make_v way_n towards_o the_o clear_n this_o considerable_a difficulty_n i_o premise_v these_o few_o note_n 1._o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v infallible_a or_o out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o be_v deceive_v in_o some_o particular_a thing_n two_o manner_n of_o way_n either_o from_o his_o penetrate_v the_o reason_n which_o conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v as_o he_o judge_n that_o be_v from_o his_o knowledge_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o which_o we_o may_v fit_o term_v formal_o infallible_a or_o else_o by_o adhere_v not_o through_o knowledge_n but_o accidental_o as_o it_o be_v to_o some_o thing_n which_o be_v a_o real_a truth_n though_o he_o penetrate_v not_o the_o ground_n why_o it_o be_v true_a or_o by_o adhere_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o another_o person_n in_o some_o thing_n or_o tenet_n who_o judgement_n be_v indeed_o well_o ground_v and_o certain_a as_o to_o that_o thing_n though_o he_o see_v not_o it_o be_v so_o and_o such_o a_o man_n may_v fit_o be_v say_v to_o be_v material_o infallible_a both_o of_o they_o be_v absolute_o secure_v from_o error_n or_o infallible_a fundamental_o by_o the_o thing_n be_v be_v such_o as_o they_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n by_o rely_v on_o a_o proponent_n which_o be_v infallible_a and_o they_o differ_v only_o in_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o come_v to_o rely_v upon_o that_o proponent_n the_o one_o be_v lead_v to_o it_o by_o perfect_a sight_n that_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v so_o or_o that_o the_o proponent_n must_v be_v infallible_a the_o other_o perhaps_o blind_o at_o best_a not_o out_o of_o clear_a discernment_n embrace_v that_o judgement_n yet_o as_o long_o as_o he_o adhere_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o another_o man_n who_o can_v be_v deceive_v or_o in_o a_o error_n as_o to_o that_o thing_n himself_o be_v actual_o secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o err_a and_o so_o infallible_a or_o incapable_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n likewise_o to_o this_o difficulty_n i_o have_v regard_n in_o my_o faith_n vindicate_v when_o i_o distinguish_v between_o faith_n be_v true_a in_o we_o and_o true_a to_o we_o for_o the_o blind_a assenter_n that_o be_v though_o he_o stumble_v upon_o a_o truth_n yet_o if_o he_o real_o hold_v it_o his_o judgement_n be_v true_o and_o real_o conformable_a to_o the_o thing_n or_o object_n and_o consequent_o true_a or_o impossible_a to_o false_a and_o so_o himself_o undeceivable_a or_o uncapable_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n in_o hold_v thus_o yet_o if_o we_o go_v about_o to_o relate_v that_o truth_n which_o be_v in_o he_o to_o evident_a reason_n or_o ground_n in_o his_o mind_n connatural_o breed_v that_o conformity_n of_o his_o judgement_n to_o the_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n perhaps_o to_o be_v find_v whence_o it_o be_v not_o true_a to_o he_o or_o evident_a to_o he_o it_o be_v true_a since_o he_o see_v not_o or_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v true_a yet_o still_o as_o i_o say_v before_o he_o be_v infallible_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n while_o he_o adhere_v to_o it_o as_o true_a because_o that_o judgement_n of_o he_o be_v in_o reality_n comformable_a to_o the_o thing_n 2._o it_o be_v requisite_a and_o necessary_a that_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n in_o every_o particular_a beleeyer_n be_v at_o least_o material_o infallible_a provide_v it_o be_v build_v as_o it_o ought_v upon_o the_o mean_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n that_o be_v upon_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n for_o omit_v many_o other_o mischief_n and_o inonveniency_n otherwise_o as_o be_v late_o prove_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n who_o be_v essential_a truth_n do_v lead_v mankind_n into_o error_n in_o case_n rely_v sincere_o on_o what_o god_n order_v they_o to_o rely_v on_o their_o judgement_n by_o so_o do_v do_v become_v erroneous_a 3._o it_o be_v requisite_a and_o necessary_a that_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n in_o diverse_a particular_a believer_n be_v formal_o infallible_a or_o that_o those_o person_n be_v infallible_o certain_a by_o evident_a reason_n that_o the_o authority_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o rely_v on_o can_v herein_o deceive_v they_o else_o great_a wit_n and_o acute_a reflecter_n who_o pierce_a understanding_n require_v convictive_a ground_n for_o their_o faith_n will_v remain_v for_o ever_o unsatisfy_a nor_o can_v the_o wise_a christian_n sincere_o and_o hearty_o assent_v to_o nor_o with_o honesty_n profess_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n nor_o can_v any_o prove_v it_o true_a to_o establish_v rational_a doubter_n in_o it_o or_o convert_v man_n of_o exact_a knowledge_n to_o it_o or_o convince_v heretic_n call_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o question_n nor_o can_v governor_n and_o lead_a person_n with_o any_o conscience_n or_o credit_n propose_v and_o preach_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o generality_n also_o it_o be_v truth_n be_v otherwise_o unmaintainable_a the_o best_a vigour_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o efficacy_n to_o work_v through_o charity_n must_v needs_o be_v exceed_o enfeeble_v &_o deaden_v it_o be_v necessary_a then_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v both_o conclusive_a of_o its_o truth_n and_o also_o penetrable_a by_o those_o who_o proper_a work_n it_o be_v to_o make_v deep_a inspection_n into_o they_o whence_o they_o will_v become_v formal_o or_o knowingly-infallible_a that_o the_o authority_n they_o rely_v on_o for_o faith_n conveyance_n can_v possible_o deceive_v they_o 4._o beside_o these_o man_n who_o be_v to_o
be_v formal_o infallible_a in_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o able_a to_o discourse_v of_o those_o ground_n and_o make_v out_o their_o absolute_a certainty_n by_o way_n of_o skill_n or_o art_n there_o ought_v to_o be_v moreover_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o church_n formally-infallible_a in_o discern_v the_o true_a and_o distinct_a notion_n of_o each_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a work_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n for_o these_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o state_n of_o life_n which_o be_v to_o meditate_v on_o god_n law_n day_n and_o night_n their_o perpetual_a converse_n with_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n by_o preach_v teach_v catechise_v exhort_v their_o concern_v to_o overlook_v their_o flock_n lest_o any_o innovatour_n shall_v infect_v they_o with_o novelty_n their_o constant_a addiction_n to_o observe_v exact_o their_o rule_n tradition_n the_o standard_n by_o which_o they_o govern_v themselves_o in_o distinguish_v the_o true_a faithful_a from_o revolt_a apostat_n or_o heretic_n their_o duty_n to_o be_v well_o verse_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o father_n and_o act_n of_o former_a council_n and_o according_a to_o these_o sober_o and_o grave_o not_o quirkingly_a and_o with_o witty_a trick_n to_o understand_v and_o interpret_v holy_a scripture_n these_o eminent_a personage_n and_o chief_a magistrate_n and_o master_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v tâ—us_o furnish_v with_o all_o requisite_a endowment_n to_o give_v they_o a_o most_o distinct_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n descend_v to_o they_o by_o tradition_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o case_n any_o heretic_n revolt_v open_o from_o the_o former_o deliver_v faith_n these_o man_n i_o say_v be_v by_o the_o majesty_n and_o sway_n of_o their_o moâ—t_o venerable_a and_o most_o ample_a authority_n to_o quash_n and_o subdue_v his_o petty_a party_n new_o spring_v up_o and_o either_o reduce_v he_o to_o his_o duty_n by_o wholesome_a advice_n and_o discipline_n or_o if_o he_o persist_v in_o his_o obstinacy_n to_o cut_v he_o off_o solemn_o from_o the_o church_n by_o excommunication_n that_o so_o the_o sound_a faithful_a may_v look_v upon_o he_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n command_n as_o on_o a_o heathen_a or_o a_o publican_n it_o be_v thus_o make_v evident_a that_o he_o stand_v against_o all_o his_o superiors_n and_o rebel_n against_o the_o most_o sacred_a authority_n upon_o earth_n or_o in_o case_n that_o heretic_n cloak_n his_o poisonous_a doctrine_n in_o ambiguous_a expression_n or_o go_v about_o to_o pervert_v the_o word_n use_v former_o by_o the_o church_n by_o draw_v they_o to_o a_o sinister_a sense_n never_o intend_v by_o she_o they_o be_v perfect_o acquaint_v with_o the_o language_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o invent_v and_o assign_v proper_a word_n to_o express_v the_o church_n sense_n and_o such_o as_o be_v pertinent_a and_o effectual_a for_o the_o present_a juncture_n and_o exigency_n to_o defeat_v the_o crafty_a attempt_n of_o those_o quibble_v underminer_n of_o faith_n or_o else_o they_o be_v to_o clear_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o former_a word_n use_v by_o the_o church_n by_o declare_v in_o what_o meaning_n the_o church_n take_v and_o ever_o take_v they_o and_o sometime_o too_o beat_v the_o heretic_n at_o his_o own_o weapon_n scripture_n letter_n by_o avow_v this_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n in_o which_o the_o church_n ever_o take_v such_o and_o such_o place_n hence_o they_o be_v say_v to_o define_v faith_n that_o be_v to_o express_v in_o distinct_a word_n it_o be_v precise_a limit_n and_o bound_n that_o so_o no_o leaven_n of_o error_n may_v possible_o intermingle_v itself_o and_o to_o seal_v and_o recommend_v their_o act_n by_o stamp_v on_o they_o the_o most_o grave_a most_o venerable_a and_o most_o sacred_a authority_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n now_o that_o this_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n representative_a be_v infallible_a in_o know_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o on_o the_o best_a manner_n be_v prove_v hence_o because_o if_o such_o a_o learned_a body_n consist_v of_o the_o most_o eminent_a and_o know_v personage_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v deceive_v while_o they_o rely_v on_o the_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o preserve_v mankind_n from_o error_n in_o understand_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v evident_a no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v be_v â—â—cured_v thereby_o from_o error_n and_o so_o the_o mean_n will_v be_v no_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o truth_n but_o rather_o a_o mean_n to_o lead_v man_n into_o error_n since_o they_o err_v rely_v sole_o on_o that_o which_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o god_n for_o a_o contrary_a end_n be_v absolute_o impossible_a 5._o though_o the_o substance_n or_o essence_n of_o faith_n consist_v in_o believe_v what_o be_v true_a upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n certain_o engage_v for_o those_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o formal_a motive_n of_o believe_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o trne_v faith_n that_o the_o â—generality_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o vulgar_a be_v material_o infallible_a in_o their_o faith_n yet_o it_o add_v evident_o a_o great_a perfection_n to_o faith_n that_o they_o be_v formal_o infallible_a and_o that_o the_o faithful_a see_v with_o infallible_a certainty_n that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v actual_o engage_v when_o they_o believe_v first_o because_o faith_n be_v a_o intellectual_a virtue_n and_o so_o to_o proceed_v know_o upon_o its_o ground_n make_v it_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o understanding_n and_o perfective_a of_o it_o 2._o because_o the_o more_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v the_o more_o hearty_o those_o who_o reverence_v it_o be_v dispose_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n by_o believe_v whence_o faith_n in_o such_o person_n be_v more_o lively_a firm_a and_o immovable_a also_o more_o efficacious_a and_o if_o other_o consideration_n be_v equal_a more_o apt_a to_o work_v through_o charity_n than_o it_o be_v in_o other_o moreover_o such_o faithful_a be_v incomparable_o more_o able_a to_o satisfy_v and_o convert_v other_o being_z able_a as_o be_v suppose_v to_o make_v â—ut_v evident_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n wherefore_o every_o thing_n be_v then_o in_o its_o perfect_a state_n when_o it_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v its_o like_a or_o another_o of_o it_o be_v own_o kind_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o faith_n in_o such_o man_n be_v ripe_a manly_n and_o perfect_a since_o it_o be_v able_a to_o propagate_v it_o sâ—lf_o to_o other_o or_o as_o s._n paul_n phrase_n it_o gignere_fw-la in_fw-la evangelio_n whence_o those_o who_o be_v to_o convert_v soul_n and_o propagate_v faith_n be_v oblige_v to_o labour_v all_o that_o may_v be_v to_o accomplish_v themselves_o in_o this_o particular_a lest_o they_o fall_v short_a of_o this_o perfection_n which_o seem_v proper_o and_o peculiar_o due_a to_o their_o state_n for_o it_o be_v not_o so_o opprobrious_a to_o the_o laity_n to_o be_v unable_a to_o perform_v this_o but_o it_o be_v high_o so_o to_o they_o because_o they_o be_v lame_a without_o it_o 6._o notwithstanding_o this_o it_o be_v god_n will_n that_o all_o the_o faithful_n shall_v be_v formal_o infallible_a in_o their_o faith_n or_o know_v infallible_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v false_a as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v capable_a for_o this_o be_v as_o be_v late_o show_v a_o perfection_n in_o faith_n and_o god_n who_o be_v essential_a goodness_n not_o be_v envious_a but_o desirous_a his_o creature_n shall_v have_v all_o the_o good_a they_o be_v capable_a to_o receive_v especial_o such_o good_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o better_n their_o soul_n and_o promote_a they_o towards_o heaven_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o will_v they_o this_o perfection_n in_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o can_v stand_v with_o the_o universal_a order_n of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o particular_a nature_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v capable_a to_o receive_v it_o 7._o he_o have_v therefore_o ordain_v such_o a_o mean_n by_o which_o to_o know_v his_o will_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v our_o belief_n or_o what_o he_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v that_o be_v he_o have_v constitute_v such_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o its_o certainty_n may_v be_v most_o easy_o penetrable_a by_o all_o degree_n and_o sort_n of_o the_o faithful_a whence_o follow_v most_o evident_o that_o tradition_n and_o not_o scripture_n be_v that_o rule_n for_o of_o all_o way_n of_o know_v and_o ascertain_v imaginable_a nothing_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o be_v comprehend_v or_o to_o satisfy_v people_n of_o all_o sort_n than_o be_v that_o of_o witness_v authority_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o their_o perfect_a belief_n of_o k._n james_n or_o k._n h._n 8th_n existence_n and_o such_o like_a the_o ground_n of_o which_o truth_n not_o need_v to_o be_v
learn_v at_o school_n but_o be_v either_o inbred_a or_o by_o a_o ordinary_a converse_n with_o the_o world_n instil_v into_o they_o nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o for_o the_o wise_a sort_n of_o they_o to_o fall_v into_o the_o account_n of_o it_o of_o themselves_o occasion_n be_v give_v as_o also_o to_o awaken_v as_o it_o be_v those_o dormant_a knowledge_n in_o the_o vulgar_a and_o make_v they_o reflect_v and_o see_v not_o with_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a sight_n as_o do_v the_o wise_a portion_n of_o the_o church_n but_o with_o a_o grâ—sse_n and_o confuse_a yet_o solid_a knowledge_n and_o suitable_a to_o their_o pitch_n that_o a_o rule_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n be_v certain_a and_o so_o those_o who_o profess_o own_o and_o proceed_v upon_o it_o be_v in_o the_o truth_n they_o who_o reject_v it_o in_o a_o error_n whereas_o yet_o they_o be_v utter_o incapable_a by_o any_o maxim_n in_o their_o rude_a understanding_n either_o to_o know_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n on_o the_o rightness_n of_o which_o all_o depend_v be_v preserve_v from_o error_n among_o so_o many_o translatious_a and_o transcription_n or_o that_o the_o sense_n be_v necessary_o such_o as_o they_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v amid_o such_o multitude_n of_o commentator_n and_o sect_n wrangle_v about_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o letter_n nor_o yet_o be_v they_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o skill_n of_o all_o those_o several_a sect_n and_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v differ_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o tradition_n then_o of_o the_o church_n be_v thus_o prove_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v both_o far_a show_v how_o unreasonable_a unnatural_a and_o unsafe_a dr._n st_n private-spirited_n rule_n of_o faith_n be_v and_o also_o even_o hence_o demonstrate_v against_o he_o here_o that_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a since_o be_v by_o this_o moan_n prove_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n appoint_v by_o god_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o their_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o those_o who_o rely_v and_o proceed_v upon_o it_o shall_v be_v lead_v into_o error_n and_o also_o impossible_a that_o faith_n itself_o thus_o ground_v shall_v be_v false_a but_o i_o need_v not_o have_v go_v thus_o far_o to_o confute_v d._n st_n four_o principle_n now_o under_o hand_n the_o four_o first_o note_n have_v abundant_o give_v they_o their_o answer_n and_o it_o be_v time_n we_o now_o begin_v to_o apply_v they_o to_o that_o purpose_n whereas_o then_o he_o ground_n they_o all_o on_o our_o tenet_n that_o no_o divine_a faith_n can_v be_v without_o a_o infallible_a assent_n he_o may_v please_v to_o know_v that_o we_o only_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n there_o material_o infallible_a or_o so_o as_o can_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o own_o the_o position_n and_o so_o must_v he_o too_o unless_o he_o will_v speak_v open_a blasphemy_n for_o divine_a faith_n be_v a_o believe_v upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o as_o we_o both_o suppose_v upon_o some_o mean_v lay_v by_o god_n himself_o by_o which_o he_o propose_v to_o we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v by_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v say_v it_o in_o case_n a_o assent_n thus_o ground_v can_v possible_o be_v a_o errouâ—_n it_o will_v follow_v necessary_o that_o god_n himself_o will_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o error_n the_o substance_n then_o of_o faith_n can_v be_v preserve_v and_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o faith_n our_o salvation_n on_o some_o fashion_n attain_v be_v there_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o be_v though_o never_o a_o man_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v know_v or_o can_v come_v to_o know_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v infallible_a provide_v none_o in_o the_o church_n do_v speculate_v and_o so_o look_v into_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o find_v they_o as_o far_o as_o he_o can_v see_v inconclusive_a do_v begin_v to_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o nor_o any_o out_o of_o the_o church_n do_v oppose_v faith_n for_o the_o faithful_n will_v in_o that_o case_n be_v in_o actual_a possession_n of_o those_o excellent_a truth_n call_v point_n of_o faith_n firm_o assent_v to_o by_o their_o understanding_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o produce_v thoâ—e_o good_a disposition_n of_o their_o will_n call_v virtue_n in_o the_o same_o sort_n though_o not_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o do_v now_o and_o by_o mean_n of_o they_o they_o may_v arrive_v at_o heaven_n thus_o the_o dr._n may_v see_v that_o all_o he_o build_v on_o be_v a_o pure_a mistake_n and_o that_o all_o the_o faithful_a may_v be_v thus_o infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n and_o thus_o infallible_a in_o judge_v the_o proposer_n do_v not_o nay_o can_v deceive_v we_o nay_o infallible_a in_o judge_v thus_o of_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o we_o to_o believe_v and_o yet_o not_o one_o man_n be_v infallible_o sure_a by_o way_n of_o evident_a knowledge_n that_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a because_o all_o this_o proceed_v not_o in_o the_o least_o in_o this_o supposition_n from_o the_o reach_n of_o any_o man_n intellective_a faculty_n but_o pure_o from_o the_o goodness_n and_o conclusivenesse_n of_o the_o ground_n lay_v by_o god_n and_o his_o good_a providence_n which_o lead_v those_o man_n to_o embrace_v they_o though_o they_o neither_o penetrate_v nor_o go_v about_o to_o discourse_v they_o but_o simple_o to_o believe_v they_o on_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o our_o rude_a unreflect_v vulgar_a be_v lead_v now_o but_o in_o this_o case_n be_v all_o the_o world_n no_o wise_a the_o wise_a in_o the_o church_n will_v be_v no_o wise_a than_o the_o weak_a and_o rude_a vulgar_a now_o mention_v wherefore_o both_o for_o that_o reason_n and_o many_o other_o '_o assign_v in_o my_o 3d_o and_o four_o note_n it_o be_v absolute_o requisite_a to_o the_o church_n and_o so_o become_a god_n providence_n to_o order_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o and_o that_o the_o conclusiveness_n of_o those_o infallible_a ground_n on_o which_o god_n have_v found_v our_o faith_n shall_v be_v penetrable_a by_o those_o who_o set_v themselves_o to_o such_o speculation_n or_o fall_v into_o doubt_n concern_v they_o according_a as_o the_o exigency_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v find_v to_o need_v such_o help_n if_o this_o will_v not_o serve_v dr._n st._n i_o be_o sure_a it_o will_v serve_v to_o defeat_v all_o his_o argument_n i_o shall_v far_o tell_v he_o that_o the_o generality_n or_o main_a body_n in_o the_o church_n be_v formal_o infallible_a in_o judge_v the_o church_n to_o be_v such_o in_o deliver_v down_o the_o first-taught_a faith_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v in_o my_o 6_o and_o seven_o note_n and_o elsewhere_o beside_o my_o reason_n give_v there_o and_o in_o other_o place_n i_o must_v desire_v he_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o my_o reader_n that_o in_o conceive_v how_o this_o may_v be_v they_o will_v take_v their_o measure_n from_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n such_o people_n be_v capable_a of_o in_o parallel_n matter_n and_o not_o from_o their_o ability_n to_o explain_v or_o defend_v this_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o their_o constancy_n in_o adhere_v to_o it_o if_o combat_v by_o plausible_a reason_n for_o he_o be_v a_o very_a mean_a reflecter_n upon_o nature_n who_o observe_v not_o that_o the_o vulgar_a have_v absolute_a natural_a evidence_n of_o many_o truth_n which_o yet_o they_o can_v neither_o give_v reason_n for_o declare_v defend_v nor_o perhaps_o through_o levity_n incident_a to_o such_o weak_a soul_n do_v very_o firm_o adhere_v to_o and_o no_o wonder_n since_o so_o great_a a_o man_n as_o sextus_n empiricus_n speculate_v himself_o out_o of_o the_o conceit_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o sense_n of_o which_o yet_o none_o doubt_v but_o nature_n till_o he_o begin_v to_o pervert_v it_o by_o wrong_a speculation_n have_v give_v he_o as_o infallible_a certainty_n as_o to_o any_o other_o also_o they_o be_v to_o reflect_v how_o infallibility_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o certainty_n may_v be_v in_o a_o thousand_o different_a degree_n according_a to_o the_o great_a or_o lesser_a capacity_n of_o the_o subject_n which_o they_o will_v best_o comprehend_v by_o reflect_v with_o how_o different_a a_o clearness_n many_o thing_n appear_v to_o we_o now_o we_o be_v at_o age_n and_o how_o dim_o when_o we_o be_v young_a which_o yet_o we_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o at_o that_o time_n nor_o yet_o do_v one_o of_o those_o infallibility_n speak_v of_o render_v the_o other_o vseless_a for_o they_o may_v either_o be_v about_o different_a object_n as_o if_o the_o church_n officer_n be_v formal_o infallible_a in_o know_v what_o particular_a point_n come_v down_o from_o christ_n time_n and_o penetrate_v the_o distinct_a limit_n of_o each_o point_n and_o those_o other_o particular_a person_n be_v only_o infallible_a in_o judge_v the_o church_n to_o
as_o well_o as_o a_o private_a man_n to_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v also_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o as_o much_o concern_v she_o and_o so_o the_o church_n or_o as_o he_o call_v it_o a_o society_n of_o man_n may_v also_o be_v infallible_a in_o understanding_n and_o explain_v scripture_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n we_o be_v come_v about_o again_o to_o a_o infallible_a proponent_n which_o we_o have_v so_o zealous_o labour_v to_o avoid_v in_o a_o word_n after_o he_o have_v put_v all_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o be_v certain_a of_o our_o faith_n and_o all_o the_o diligence_n and_o care_n possible_a to_o be_v use_v by_o man_n to_o lay_v hold_n on_o those_o mean_n let_v he_o either_o acknowledge_v that_o any_o particular_a man_n in_o the_o world_n and_o so_o a_o fortiori_fw-la god_n church_n or_o any_o sâ—ciety_n of_o man_n exact_o follow_v &_o rely_v on_o those_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o right_a faith_n be_v by_o so_o do_v infallible_a in_o that_o thing_n or_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o by_o consequence_n that_o christian_a faith_n be_v infallible_o certain_a or_o else_o confess_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o mean_n use_v all_o christian_a faith_n be_v still_o either_o not_o certain_a at_o all_o or_o else_o fallible_o certain_a which_o be_v a_o piece_n of_o most_o profound_a nonsense_n and_o be_v it_o sense_n signify_v plain_a all_o may_v be_v false_a the_o late_a half_n of_o this_o principle_n be_v still_o more_o admirable_a nonsense_n than_o the_o former_a and_o show_v how_o mean_o he_o be_v verse_v in_o solid_a divinity_n he_o conterpose_v there_o the_o certainty_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o that_o which_o god_n have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n as_o if_o faith_n be_v not_o intend_v by_o god_n to_o make_v man_n virtuous_a and_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n the_o most_o effectual_a part_n of_o those_o mean_n but_o because_o i_o see_v dr._n st._n though_o he_o have_v a_o very_a good_a wit_n yet_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o sole_a application_n to_o verbal_a divinity_n which_o never_o reach_v the_o ground_n or_o bottom_n of_o any_o thing_n it_o talk_v of_o be_v very_o ignorant_a of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o christian_a life_n and_o its_o opposite_a vice_n or_o sin_n i_o will_v take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o inform_v he_o better_o he_o may_v please_v then_o to_o know_v that_o it_o suit_v best_o with_o god_n wisdom_n to_o govern_v the_o world_n by_o way_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n he_o carry_v on_o the_o course_n of_o his_o ordinary_a providence_n even_o in_o supernatural_n by_o mean_n of_o disposition_n the_o whole_a design_n then_o of_o his_o goodness_n be_v to_o plant_v those_o disposition_n in_o our_o soul_n by_o mean_n of_o religion_n as_o may_v make_v we_o most_o comfortable_a to_o himself_o that_o so_o ascensiones_fw-la in_o cord_n nostro_fw-la disponendo_fw-la asceendamus_fw-la de_fw-la virtute_fw-la in_o virtutem_fw-la donec_fw-la videatur_fw-la deus_fw-la deorum_fw-la in_o zion_n that_o be_v by_o order_v those_o rise_a step_n in_o our_o heart_n we_o may_v ascend_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n till_o the_o god_n of_o god_n be_v see_v in_o zion_n hence_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v spiritual_a and_o the_o proper_a way_n for_o he_o to_o worship_n god_n be_v in_o spirit_n that_o be_v by_o spiritual_a act_n or_o habit_n to_o perfect_v his_o soul_n or_o that_o part_n in_o we_o which_o be_v spiritual_a and_o dispose_n be_v for_o heaven_n but_o error_n be_v also_o spiritual_a and_o yet_o be_v far_o from_o perfect_v our_o soul_n therefore_o truth_n must_v go_v along_o with_o it_o and_o so_o we_o be_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n hence_o the_o first_o of_o virtue_n in_o priority_n of_o nature_n be_v true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o motive_n or_o mean_n to_o attain_v he_o and_o the_o only_a way_n for_o the_o generality_n to_o arrive_v at_o these_o be_v by_o believe_v his_o divine_a authority_n upon_o some_o way_n of_o revelation_n which_o give_v his_o church_n and_o by_o she_o and_o all_o other_o absolute_a certainty_n it_o be_v engage_v by_o which_o mean_n we_o be_v perfect_o secure_a that_o what_o we_o proceed_v upon_o be_v god_n sense_n or_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o our_o spiritual_a building_n out_o of_o these_o knowledge_n be_v apt_a to_o spring_v adoration_n reverence_n hope_n and_o love_n of_o he_o above_o all_o thing_n in_o christian_a language_n call_v charity_n the_o queen_n of_o all_o virtue_n major_a autem_fw-la horuni_fw-la charitas_fw-la say_v st._n paul_n and_o out_o of_o this_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o thing_n love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o in_o the_o heartiness_n of_o which_o or_o the_o have_v that_o rational_a disposition_n in_o our_o heart_n to_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v to_o consist_v the_o keep_n all_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o second_o table_n which_o be_v also_o our_o good_a for_o so_o more_o undisturbed_a by_o passion_n or_o vexation_n from_o the_o exterior_a world_n who_o order_n we_o violate_v in_o transgress_v against_o these_o we_o be_v more_o free_a to_o practise_v those_o other_o virtue_n which_o be_v to_o elevate_v we_o towards_o heaven_n and_o fit_v we_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o out_o pitch_v appoint_v by_o god_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o bliss_n hence_o be_v see_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o sin_n or_o vice_n for_o this_o be_v formal_o a_o defect_n be_v only_o a_o want_n of_o the_o opposite_a good_a disposition_n or_o virtue_n the_o chief_a vice_n then_o be_v hatred_n of_o god_n or_o a_o very_a slight_v and_o perfect_o deliberate_a disregard_n &_o posthabition_n of_o his_o incomparable_a self_n our_o final_a bliss_n to_o a_o creature_n next_o despair_n irreverence_n infidelity_n total_o as_o in_o heathenism_n or_o in_o some_o particular_a as_o turâ—ism_n judaism_n heresy_n in_o the_o last_o place_n come_v the_o want_n of_o that_o due_a love_n of_o our_o neighbour_n for_o god_n sake_n as_o leave_v our_o will_n dispose_v as_o far_o as_o that_o motive_n carry_v we_o to_o do_v he_o any_o injury_n for_o our_o own_o temporal_a convenience_n in_o which_o consist_v the_o violation_n of_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o second_o table_n insomuch_o as_o though_o a_o man_n commit_v not_o one_o of_o those_o act_n there_o forbid_v out_o of_o the_o motive_n of_o worldly_a honour_n civility_n fear_v or_o any_o other_o such_o like_a yet_o if_o he_o want_v that_o rightly-grounded_n interior_a love_n of_o his_o neighbour_n and_o build_v not_o his_o avoidance_n of_o harm_v he_o on_o that_o motive_n that_o be_v if_o he_o be_v dispose_v to_o commit_v they_o all_o for_o any_o thing_n that_o motive_n will_v hinder_v he_o however_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n or_o exterior_o he_o keep_v those_o commandment_n yet_o be_v he_o guilty_a of_o they_o all_o interiorly_a or_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o apply_v this_o then_o to_o our_o present_a purpose_n it_o be_v see_v hence_o that_o faith_n be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o virtuous_a life_n and_o consequent_o the_o want_n of_o it_o the_o ruin_n of_o all_o virtue_n and_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o all_o vice_n and_o sin_n for_o external_a act_v or_o avoid_v be_v nothing_o to_o christian_a virtue_n unless_o they_o spring_v from_o a_o christian_a motive_n and_o it_o be_v only_a faith_n which_o give_v we_o those_o motive_n and_o the_o stability_n well-groundedness_a or_o truth_n of_o faith_n which_o render_v those_o motive_n effectual_a wherefore_o unless_o the_o faithful_a be_v material_o infallible_a while_o they_o believe_v god_n have_v reveal_v such_o and_o fuch_o thing_n that_o be_v unless_o god_n do_v indeed_o reveal_v they_o and_o so_o their_o faith_n be_v real_o true_a all_o god_n worship_n and_o good_a life_n be_v ill-built_a ruinous_a and_o false_a to_o the_o ground_n and_o unless_o some_o of_o they_o or_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a to_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v true_a be_v formal_o infallible_a it_o will_v work_v less_o effectual_o in_o all_o those_o who_o shall_v reâ—lect_v that_o they_o see_v not_o but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a or_o be_v make_v so_o reflect_v by_o other_o who_o be_v enemy_n to_o faith_n nor_o can_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v defend_v or_o make_v out_o or_o be_v justifiable_o recommend_v to_o other_o as_o true_a nor_o with_o wisdom_n and_o honesty_n be_v profess_v true_a by_o those_o who_o judge_v themselves_o capable_a to_o look_v through_o its_o ground_n and_o yet_o see_v nothing_o conclusive_a of_o truth_n in_o they_o wherefore_o this_o fallible_a certainty_n of_o he_o destroy_v all_o efficacy_n all_o defence_n and_o even_a essence_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o radical_o subvert_v and_o overthrow_v all_o christian_a virtue_n and_o all_o true_a goodness_n which_o i_o attest_v
the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o i_o with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n oppose_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n for_o advance_v uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o scepticism_n in_o faith_n however_o they_o and_o their_o angry_a passionate_a party_n be_v please_v to_o apprehend_v i_o i_o perceive_v dr._n st._n will_v hope_v to_o evade_v by_o say_v that_o christian_a virtue_n may_v be_v uphold_v by_o the_o certainty_n we_o have_v of_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n though_o other_o be_v uncertain_a which_o point_n to_o make_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o faith_n go_v down_o the_o better_a he_o call_v here_o opinion_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o opinion_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o trinity_n christ_n godhead_n and_o presence_n in_o the_o b._n sacrament_n all_o most_o high_o concern_v christian_n life_n one_o way_n or_o other_o in_o which_o we_o discern_v great_a party_n differ_v who_o all_o admit_v the_o scripture_n and_o use_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o interpret_v it_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v perceive_v nay_o and_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v too_o which_o he_o make_v the_o very_o best_a mean_n of_o all_o if_o i_o say_v these_o and_o such_o as_o these_o be_v the_o opinion_n he_o speak_v of_o and_o counterpose_v they_o to_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n he_o assign_v leaf_n whole_a body_n of_o relier_n on_o it_o in_o actual_a error_n in_o such_o fundamental_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o most_o high_a concernment_n to_o good_a life_n as_o have_v be_v show_v even_o while_o they_o proceed_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v evident_a it_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n god_n intend_v his_o church_n and_o mankind_n to_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o and_o so_o none_o can_v presume_v of_o security_n of_o mistake_n by_o rely_v pure_o upon_o it_o but_o all_o of_o concern_v not_o know_v before_o by_o some_o other_o mean_n that_o be_v all_o which_o it_o alone_o hold_v forth_o may_v be_v also_o liable_a to_o be_v a_o mistake_n likewise_o unless_o some_o other_o authority_n more_o ascertainable_a to_o we_o than_o it_o abet_n its_o letter_n in_o such_o passage_n as_o be_v plain_a because_o they_o be_v either_o mere_o moral_a or_o narrative_n or_o explain_v its_o sense_n in_o other_o which_o be_v more_o spiritual_a and_o supernatural_a and_o so_o more_o peculiar_a and_o fundamental_a to_o christianity_n recapitulation_n to_o meet_v with_o the_o absurd_a position_n express_v or_o else_o imply_v in_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v here_o by_o dr._n st._n in_o these_o last_o eleven_o principle_n of_o he_o i_o take_v leave_n to_o remind_n the_o reader_n of_o these_o few_o opposite_a truth_n establish_v in_o my_o former_a discourse_n 1._o that_o assent_n call_v faith_n take_v as_o build_v on_o the_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o will_n that_o be_v take_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v and_o as_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n be_v for_o that_o reason_n absolute_o that_o be_v more_o than_o moral_o certain_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a 2._o though_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n depend_v immediate_o on_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n when_o it_o be_v rational_a yet_o in_o case_n it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v it_o must_v necessary_o be_v build_v and_o depend_v fundamental_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n since_o without_o dependence_n on_o it_o this_o evidence_n itself_o can_v possible_o be_v have_v 3._o a_o man_n may_v be_v material_o infallible_a or_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v by_o adhere_v to_o another_o judgement_n who_o be_v infallible_a or_o in_o the_o right_n in_o thus_o judge_v though_o he_o penetrate_v not_o the_o reason_n why_o that_o other_o man_n come_v to_o be_v infallible_a also_o he_o who_o be_v thus_o infallible_a be_v in_o possession_n of_o those_o truth_n relieve_v upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n as_o the_o formal_a motive_n of_o believe_v they_o which_o truth_n as_o principle_n beget_v those_o good_a affection_n in_o he_o in_o which_o consist_v our_o christian_a life_n such_o a_o man_n i_o say_v have_v consequent_o enough_o speak_v abstract_o for_o the_o essence_n of_o save_v faith_n though_o he_o be_v not_o formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a by_o penetrate_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n 4._o to_o be_v thus_o material_o infallible_a or_o thus_o in_o the_o right_n in_o judge_v the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v be_v requisite_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o essence_n of_o faith_n otherwise_o the_o believe_v upon_o the_o divin_n authority_n when_o it_o be_v not_o engage_v and_o so_o perhaps_o the_o believe_a and_o hold_v firm_o to_o abominable_a error_n and_o heretical_a tenet_n may_v be_v a_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o assert_v which_o be_v both_o absurd_a and_o most_o impious_a 5._o it_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o perfection_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o since_o it_o hazard_v heresy_n and_o error_n to_o judge_v that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o any_o point_n when_o it_o be_v not_o it_o ought_v to_o breed_v suspense_n and_o caution_n in_o reflecter_n till_o they_o see_v it_o engage_v &_o consequent_o the_o better_a they_o see_v this_o the_o more_o hearty_a they_o be_v apt_a to_o assent_v to_o the_o point_n upon_o the_o divine_a authority_n so_o that_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n which_o conclude_v the_o divine_a authority_n engage_v better_n and_o strengthen_v the_o act_n of_o faith_n 6._o however_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o downright_a rudeness_n let_v they_o not_o reflect_v at_o all_o to_o be_v only_o material_o infallible_a that_o god_n authority_n be_v engage_v yet_o it_o be_v beside_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o reflecter_n who_o raise_v doubt_n especial_o for_o those_o who_o be_v very_o acute_a to_o discern_v some_o reason_n which_o can_v deceive_v they_o or_o to_o be_v formal_o or_o know_o infallible_a that_o it_o be_v indeed_o actual_o engage_v for_o those_o point_n otherwise_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o provision_n enough_o have_v be_v make_v by_o god_n to_o satisfy_v or_o cause_n save_v faith_n in_o fool_n and_o none_o at_o all_o to_o breed_v faith_n wise_a man_n which_o without_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o in_o point_n be_v in_o possible_a to_o be_v expect_v in_o such_o through-sighted_n reflecter_n the_o same_o formal_a infallibility_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o wise_a sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o church_n both_o to_o deâ—end_v faith_n and_o establish_v its_o ground_n in_o a_o scholarlike_o way_n as_o also_o for_o their_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n and_o other_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o they_o as_o faithful_a and_o last_o for_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v to_o be_v breed_v in_o they_o by_o faith_n certainty_n 7._o though_o then_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n need_v not_o to_o be_v actual_o penetrate_v by_o all_o the_o faithful_a while_o they_o proceed_v unreflect_o yet_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v so_o qualify_v that_o it_o may_v satisfy_v all_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o reflect_v and_o so_o to_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n that_o be_v it_o be_v ruling_n power_n ought_v to_o be_v penetrable_a or_o evidenceable_a to_o they_o if_o they_o come_v to_o doubt_v and_o also_o so_o connatural_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o unelevated_a and_o unreflect_a thought_n of_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n that_o it_o be_v the_o most_o apt_a that_o maybe_o to_o establish_v the_o faithful_a in_o the_o mean_a time_n and_o preserve_v they_o from_o doubt_v of_o their_o faith_n both_o these_o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n or_o testify_a authority_n and_o not_o in_o scripture_n letter_n that_o therefore_o and_o not_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 8._o infallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v reject_v the_o moral_a certainâ—y_n he_o substitute_n must_v either_o be_v a_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o none_o this_o late_a be_v impious_a the_o former_a be_v nonsense_n wherefore_o all_o dr._n st_n discourse_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o reject_v infallibility_n must_v forcible_o have_v the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o of_o these_o qualification_n 9_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a render_v no_o man_n certain_a of_o what_o he_o thus_o assent_v to_o for_o so_o heretic_n may_v be_v true_o certain_a of_o all_o the_o pestilent_a error_n they_o hold_v so_o they_o but_o firm_o assent_v they_o be_v true_a 10._o faith_n be_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o christian_a virtue_n on_o which_o all_o our_o spiritual_a edifice_n be_v build_v and_o from_o whence_o we_o derive_v all_o the_o
agree_v to_o by_o all_o the_o world_n at_o what_o time_n all_o deserter_n of_o our_o church_n of_o what_o name_n soever_o break_v from_o we_o as_o also_o who_o be_v the_o author_n and_o abettor_n and_o who_o the_o impugner_n of_o such_o new_a doctrine_n beside_o in_o what_o place_n they_o first_o begin_v and_o be_v thence_o propagate_v to_o other_o but_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v know_v of_o we_o even_o by_o our_o adversary_n who_o it_o concern_v to_o be_v most_o diligent_a searcher_n after_o it_o see_v they_o be_v in_o a_o hundred_o mind_n about_o the_o time_n when_o and_o the_o person_n who_o introduce_v these_o pretend_a new_a doctrine_n of_o we_o which_o they_o say_v vary_v from_o scripture_n as_o may_v be_v see_v by_o their_o own_o word_n in_o several_a book_n and_o among_o other_o one_o call_v the_o progeny_n of_o protestant_n and_o this_o for_o every_o point_n in_o which_o they_o pretend_v we_o have_v innovate_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o we_o charge_v they_o with_o deserttng_a the_o know_a doctrine_n of_o the_o former_a church_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n we_o speak_v open_a and_o acknowledge_v evidence_n when_o they_o accuse_v we_o of_o the_o same_o their_o charge_n be_v obscure_a and_o unknown_a even_o to_o the_o very_a accuser_n nay_o plain_o prove_v false_a by_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v notorious_a if_o it_o happen_v and_o the_o constant_a disagreement_n of_o those_o who_o allege_v it_o when_o or_o how_o it_o happen_v 16._o i_o say_v notorious_a for_o since_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o ground_n all_o christian_a practice_n be_v the_o most_o concern_v truth_n in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v but_o the_o denial_n of_o such_o truth_n must_v needs_o raise_v great_a commotion_n before_o the_o opposite_a truth_n can_v be_v nniversal_o spread_v and_o the_o change_n of_o christian_a practice_n and_o manner_n which_o depend_v on_o those_o truth_n must_v be_v wonderful_o manifest_a and_o know_v to_o every_o body_n wherefore_o have_v we_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o change_n and_o introduce_v new_a tenet_n and_o propagate_v they_o over_o the_o christian_a world_n as_o be_v pretend_v it_o must_v needs_o be_v manifest_o and_o universal_o know_v that_o we_o do_v so_o neither_o be_v it_o possible_a the_o change_n shall_v be_v so_o insensible_a and_o invisible_a that_o our_o very_a adversary_n can_v find_v it_o out_o especial_o this_o alone_a make_v their_o victory_n over_o we_o so_o certain_a and_o perfect_a for_o see_v we_o own_o tradition_n as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n we_o be_v irrecoverable_o overthrow_v if_o they_o make_v out_o that_o we_o ever_o desert_v it_o and_o sure_o nothing_o shall_v be_v more_o easy_a than_o to_o make_v out_o that_o than_o which_o if_o true_a nothing_o can_v possible_o be_v more_o notorious_a 17._o moreover_o since_o it_o can_v be_v that_o multitude_n of_o man_n shall_v profess_v to_o hold_v point_n both_o infinite_o concern_v and_o strange_o difficult_a to_o believe_v and_o yet_o own_v no_o ground_n upon_o which_o they_o hold_v they_o if_o we_o ever_o as_o it_o be_v say_v we_o have_v desert_a tradition_n we_o must_v till_o the_o time_n we_o take_v it_o up_o again_o have_v proceed_v upon_o some_o other_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o because_o none_o ever_o charge_v â—s_n with_o proceed_v upon_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n or_o phanaticism_n and_o beside_o thâ—se_a there_o be_v no_o other_o but_o tradition_n it_o be_v plain_a we_o never_o desert_v but_o always_o stick_v to_o tradition_n 18._o beside_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o that_o body_n of_o man_n which_o claim_v for_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n a_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n day_n shall_v not_o have_v hold_v to_o that_o rule_n of_o faith_n from_o the_o beginning_n for_o otherwise_o they_o must_v have_v take_v it_o up_o at_o some_o timâ—_n 〈◊〉_d other_o and_o by_o do_v so_o profess_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v of_o faith_n but_o what_o descend_v by_o a_o uninterrnpt_v delivery_n from_o the_o beginning_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n acknowledge_v that_o all_o they_o then_o hold_v be_v not_o so_o descend_v but_o receive_v by_o another_o rule_n this_o of_o tradition_n or_o uninterrupted_a delivery_n be_v then_o new_o take_v up_o which_o be_v so_o palpable_a a_o contradiction_n that_o as_o humane_a nature_n can_v not_o fall_v into_o it_o so_o if_o it_o can_v the_o very_a pretence_n will_v have_v overthrow_v itself_o and_o need_v no_o other_o confutation_n 19_o add_v to_o this_o that_o none_o of_o tbose_v many_o sect_n who_o from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v desert_v our_o church_n faith_n and_o discipline_n and_o so_o become_v her_o adversary_n ever_o yet_o pretend_v to_o assign_v the_o time_n when_o we_o take_v up_o this_o rule_n of_o tradition_n and_o yet_o a_o change_n in_o that_o on_o which_o we_o profess_v to_o build_v all_o the_o rest_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o all_o change_v the_o most_o visible_a and_o most_o apt_a to_o justify_v the_o carriage_n of_o those_o revolter_n wherefore_o it_o be_v demonstrable_o evident_a on_o all_o side_n that_o as_o this_o present_a body_n of_o man_n call_v the_o roman-catholick_n church_n do_v now_o hold_v to_o tradition_n so_o their_o predecessor_n uninterrupted_o from_o the_o apostle_n day_n do_v the_o same_o that_o be_v do_v hold_v to_o it_o ever_o and_o since_o it_o be_v show_v before_o §_o 11._o that_o this_o rule_n if_o hold_v to_o will_v certain_o convey_v down_o the_o true_a faith_n unchanged_a to_o all_o after_o age_n it_o be_v likewise_o demonstrable_a that_o they_o have_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o be_v the_o true_o faithful_a or_o true_a church_n 20._o and_o hence_o by_o the_o way_n be_v clear_o see_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o universal_a tradition_n and_o where_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o and_o find_v which_o puzzle_v many_o man_n otherwise_o very_o judicious_a and_o sincere_a who_o profess_v a_o readiness_n nay_o a_o duty_n to_o follow_v universal_a tradition_n but_o they_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n how_o we_o may_v certain_o know_v which_o be_v je._n for_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o to_o complete_a the_o notion_n of_o the_o universality_n of_o mankind_n for_o example_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o think_v we_o must_v take_v in_o brute_n too_o which_o be_v of_o a_o opposite_a nature_n to_o mankind_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o include_v all_o in_o who_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n be_v find_v so_o to_o make_v np_v the_o notion_n of_o universal_a tradition_n it_o be_v equal_o absurd_a to_o think_v we_o ought_v to_o take_v in_o those_o in_o who_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n be_v not_o find_v but_o its_o opposite_a that_o be_v deserter_n of_o tradition_n or_o their_o follower_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o include_v those_o in_o who_o tradition_n be_v find_v as_o in_o its_o subject_a that_o be_v adherer_n to_o traedition_n or_o traditionary_a christian_n all_o therefore_o that_o have_v at_o any_o time_n desert_v the_o teoch_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o immediate_o foregoing_a church_n how_o numerous_a and_o of_o what_o name_n soever_o they_o behave_v no_o show_n of_o title_n to_o be_v part_n of_o universal_a tradition_n and_o only_o they_o who_o themselves_o do_v and_o who_o ancestor_n do_v ever_o adhere_v to_o it_o how_o few_o soever_o they_o seem_v be_v the_o only_a person_n who_o can_v with_o any_o sense_n pretend_v to_o be_v those_o of_o who_o as_o part_n universal_a tradition_n consist_v whence_o also_o that_o rule_n of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n direct_v we_o to_o hold_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v in_o all_o place_n all_o time_n and_o by_o all_o which_o be_v so_o misapprehended_n by_o our_o modern_a dissenter_n be_v clear_o understand_v viz._n by_o take_v it_o with_o restriction_n to_o all_o those_o who_o hold_v to_o tradition_n for_o otherwise_o shall_v we_o not_o restrain_v it_o to_o those_o only_o who_o have_v adhere_v to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o enlarge_v it_o to_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o the_o word_n so_o as_o to_o comprehend_v also_o those_o who_o have_v desert_v that_o rule_n nothing_o can_v possible_o be_v hold_v of_o faith_n whlch_v any_o heretic_n have_v ever_o deny_v and_o so_o in_o stead_n of_o be_v a_o rule_n to_o distinguish_v or_o know_v what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v it_o will_v by_o thus_o confound_v right_a faith_n with_o all_o the_o heresy_n in_o the_o world_n render_v it_o utter_o impossible_a ever_o to_o know_v what_o be_v faith_n what_o not_o or_o discern_v christ_n true_a doctrine_n from_o diabolical_a error_n but_o to_o return_v whence_o we_o digress_v 21._o it_o follow_v from_o the_o former_a discourse_n that_o those_o man_n who_o stick_v to_o tradition_n can_v by_o apply_v that_o their_o rule_n certain_o know_v who_o have_v true_a faith_n and_o which_o body_n of_o man_n be_v
the_o twelve_o have_v nothing_o new_a but_o what_o be_v build_v on_o this_o manifest_a truth_n none_o can_v be_v assure_v without_o mean_n to_o assure_v which_o since_o mean_v speak_v that_o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o as_o a_o necessary_a requisite_a a_o end_n s_o to_o be_v compass_v that_o be_v without_o which_o it_o can_v be_v compass_v amount_v to_o this_o self-evident_a truth_n that_o can_v be_v do_v which_o can_v be_v do_v §_o 13._o the_o thirteen_o have_v for_o its_o basis_n this_o undeniable_a verity_n it_o be_v presumable_a that_o they_o who_o constant_o maintain_v a_o tenet_n do_v hold_v the_o same_o tenet_n and_o judge_v it_o available_a to_o their_o cause_n or_o for_o their_o purpose_n and_o that_o they_o who_o write_v against_o it_o and_o vilify_v it_o do_v not_o hold_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n nor_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v available_a to_o their_o cause_n both_o which_o be_v perfect_o the_o same_o with_o this_o proposition_n which_o practice_n make_v self-evident_a man_n not_o frantic_a or_o in_o some_o high_a passion_n will_v not_o act_v direct_o against_o their_o own_o interest_n or_o to_o their_o own_o overthrow_n or_o too_o this_o which_o be_v self-evident_a speculative_o rational_a agent_n leave_v to_o their_o nature_n will_v act_v as_o they_o be_v that_o be_v rational_o the_o rest_n of_o this_o §_o be_v show_v to_o be_v self-evident_a in_o our_o discussion_n of_o the_o 11_o §_o 14._o the_o fourteen_o suppose_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o 11_o 13_o and_o 10_o be_v reduce_v to_o this_o clear_a truth_n they_o act_v irrational_o and_o unjustifiable_o who_o relinquish_v a_o rule_n infallibly-certain_a upon_o uncertain_a ground_n or_o that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o proceed_v upon_o certainty_n than_o uncertainty_n which_o nature_n teach_v all_o mankind_n §_o 15._o the_o fifteen_o contain_v these_o two_o truth_n for_o its_o supporter_n both_o of_o they_o self-evident_a practical_o that_o charge_n be_v irrational_a which_o be_v ground_v on_o a_o thing_n unknown_a to_o the_o accuser_n and_o that_o rational_a which_o be_v ground_v on_o matter_n of_o fact_n notorious_a to_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n §_o 16._o the_o sixteen_o subsist_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o evident_a truth_n a_o universal_a change_n in_o matter_n both_o manifest_a to_o sense_n and_o most_o concern_v must_v needs_o be_v notorious_a which_o engage_v that_o principle_n man_n be_v sensitive_a or_o a_o animal_n whence_o this_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n of_o man_n it_o be_v consequent_o self-evident_a §_o 17._o the_o seventeen_o be_v reduce_v to_o this_o plain_a proposition_n men_n of_o reason_n can_v hold_v and_o own_v themselves_o and_o propose_v to_o other_o point_n most_o difficult_a to_o believe_v upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o come_v from_o christ_n and_o yet_o yield_v nor_o own_o any_o reason_n why_o they_o hold_v they_o come_v from_o christ_n or_o thus_o man_n either_o have_v or_o else_o yield_v no_o reason_n where_o there_o be_v most_o need_n of_o both_o which_o come_v to_o this_o that_o he_o press_v necessity_n which_o be_v the_o most_o violent_a of_o cause_n &_o which_o in_o our_o case_n strain_v humane_a nature_n &_o if_o it_o act_n nor_o frustrate_v it_o of_o its_o end_n have_v no_o effect_n at_o all_o which_o destroy_v all_o causality_n and_o consequent_o all_o science_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 18._o the_o eighteen_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o it_o be_v that_o mankind_n among_o which_o be_v in_o all_o age_n person_n of_o great_a wit_n &_o goodness_n in_o matter_n of_o high_a moment_n and_o which_o require_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a ground_n can_v continue_v to_o hold_v such_o thing_n and_o yet_o confess_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o hold_v it_o naught_o and_o insufficient_a or_o upon_o second_o thought_n go_v about_o to_o settle_v a_o better_a palpable_o and_o direct_o contradict_v their_o own_o pretence_n which_o be_v to_o say_v where_o there_o be_v most_o need_n of_o reason_n man_n do_v not_o use_v it_o at_o all_o and_n since_o effect_n be_v not_o do_v without_o cause_n which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v motive_n and_o the_o great_a necessity_n be_v the_o most_o powerful_a of_o motive_n or_o cause_n if_o that_o move_v they_o not_o to_o act_v rational_o nothing_o will_v do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o imply_v by_o consequence_n the_o contradictory_n to_o this_o identical_a proposition_n rational_a agent_n be_v capable_a to_o act_v rational_o §_o 19_o the_o nineteen_o have_v the_o same_o basis_n with_o the_o 16_o and_o 17_o §_o 20._o the_o 20_o be_v mere_o this_o identical_a proposition_n dilate_a all_n in_o any_o kind_n be_v the_o universality_n or_o all_o in_o that_o kind_n §_o 21_o the_o twenty_o first_o and_o second_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o evident_a truth_n those_o who_o have_v mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o a_o end_n can_v arrive_v at_o that_o end_n and_o those_o who_o have_v not_o mean_n can_v and_o since_o mean_v speak_v that_o which_o make_v a_o end_n compassable_a they_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o whâ—â—â—câ—â—_n be_v do_v can_v be_v do_v and_o that_o which_o can_v can_v §_o 22._o the_o last_o paragraph_n suppose_v the_o foregoing_a one_o true_a be_v of_o the_o same_o strain_n and_o full_a as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o none_o can_v arrive_v at_o a_o end_n without_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o arrive_v at_o that_o end_n or_o that_o that_o can_v be_v do_v which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v postscript_n have_v thus_o attempt_v to_o reduce_v the_o main_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n concern_v the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n to_o first_o principle_n it_o be_v require_v of_o dr._n st._n that_o in_o maintain_v he_o he_o will_v not_o decline_v the_o same_o test_n this_o if_o he_o think_v it_o safe_a to_o undertake_v it_o will_v quick_o and_o evident_o appear_v on_o who_o side_n truth_n stand_v and_o this_o be_v mainfest_o his_o task_n who_o pretend_v to_o principle_n for_o he_o must_v either_o vouch_v those_o he_o produce_v to_o be_v first_o principle_n or_o reducible_a to_o the_o first_o else_o he_o must_v confess_v they_o to_o be_v none_o at_o all_o i_o have_v little_a hope_n he_o will_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o expose_v his_o discourse_n to_o this_o noon-day-evidence_n nor_o indeed_o will_v the_o genius_n of_o error_n endure_v such_o a_o trial_n as_o the_o go_n about_o to_o connect_v it_o with_o first_o and_o self-evident_a truth_n for_o what_o communication_n can_v that_o darkness_n have_v with_o this_o clear_a light_n and_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v clearness_n of_o style_n that_o be_v a_o grammatical_a or_o rhetorical_a clearness_n and_o not_o a_o logical_a or_o rational_a one_o which_o consist_v in_o resolve_v his_o discourse_n into_o first_o principle_n that_o dr._n tillotson_n boast_o attribute_v to_o he_o in_o his_o sermon-preface_n for_o himself_o as_o be_v evident_a by_o his_o whole_a way_n of_o writing_n never_o dream_v of_o any_o other_o it_o be_v more_o to_o dr._n st_n purpose_n which_o be_v to_o keep_v thing_n from_o be_v understand_v to_o avoid_v by_o all_o mean_v this_o discover_v method_n and_o all_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n whence_o he_o foresee_v no_o small_a danger_n of_o too_o great_a evidence_n be_v likely_a to_o spring_v and_o to_o lead_v his_o reader_n into_o a_o wilderness_n of_o word_n whole_a library_n of_o author_n where_o by_o his_o way_n of_o manage_v citation_n which_o be_v by_o criticise_v upon_o ambiguous_a word_n and_o phrase_n they_o may_v dance_v in_o the_o maze_n till_o they_o be_v weary_a i_o hear_v he_o be_v about_o this_o stratagem_n and_o that_o he_o aim_v out_o of_o some_o high_a expression_n of_o the_o father_n concern_v the_o excellency_n and_o selfsufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o prove_v the_o vselesness_n of_o the_o church_n to_o ascertain_v faith_n but_o alas_o how_o he_o will_v be_v defeat_v not_o one_o testimony_n of_o any_o authority_n will_v be_v find_v which_o come_v home_o to_o his_o purpose_n or_o prove_v that_o private_a man_n need_v not_o the_o church_n interpretation_n ere_o they_o can_v secure_o build_v their_o faith_n on_o it_o to_o save_v he_o therefore_o the_o labour_n of_o collect_v and_o print_v multitude_n of_o these_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o his_o reader_n from_o the_o fruitless_a toil_n of_o trouble_v themselves_o with_o impertinence_n i_o produce_v he_o one_o out_o of_o vincentius_n lirinensis_n worth_n thousand_o for_o it_o speak_v with_o as_o high_a reverence_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o fullness_n perfection_n and_o selfsufficiency_n as_o any_o perhaps_o more_o and_o so_o he_o can_v not_o with_o any_o reason_n except_o against_o it_o and_o be_v intend_v purposely_o to_o speak_v to_o this_o point_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o apposite_a decider_n of_o the_o question_n that_o can_v be_v not_o to_o add_v the_o acceptation_n and_o esteem_n that_o excellent_a treatise_n
particular_o whence_o each_o deduction_n follow_v we_o may_v be_v better_o enable_v to_o discover_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o consequence_n and_o thence_o discern_v clear_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o conclusion_n which_o we_o be_v to_o suppose_v his_o intention_n in_o make_v those_o discourse_n 6._o in_o the_o last_o place_n we_o be_v to_o weigh_v very_o well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o signal_n and_o particularise_v word_n protestant_n for_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o these_o and_o these_o only_a which_o he_o undertake_v here_o to_o reduce_v to_o principle_n and_o i_o will_v have_v the_o kindness_n for_o he_o as_o to_z suppose_v he_o so_o much_o zeal_n the_o purity_n of_o the_o protestant_a church_n as_o not_o to_o defile_v she_o with_o the_o mixture_n of_o anabaptist_n independent_o quaker_n and_o such_o like_a much_o less_o the_o most_o abominable_a socinian_o who_o deny_v the_o trinity_n and_o the_o godhead_n of_o christ._n therefore_o these_o be_v seclude_v from_o the_o notion_n and_o name_n of_o protestant_n we_o be_v encourage_v by_o this_o title_n to_o expect_v such_o a_o discourse_n as_o be_v not_o proper_a for_o socinian_o or_o any_o of_o those_o other_o sect_n to_o allege_v for_o themselves_o otherwise_o it_o may_v and_o ought_v with_o as_o much_o right_a be_v entitle_v the_o faith_n of_o socinian_o quaker_n etc._n etc._n as_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n reduce_v to_o principle_n the_o sum_n then_o of_o what_o we_o be_v by_o this_o title_n to_o expect_v from_o dr._n st._n be_v this_o viz._n to_o show_v we_o such_o ground_n for_o our_o assent_n to_o point_n as_o divine_o reveal_v as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v erroneous_a and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o competent_a allegation_n for_o socinian_o arian_n etc._n etc._n but_o proper_a to_o protestant_n only_o also_o that_o these_o ground_n or_o principle_n be_v such_o as_o be_v either_o self-evident_a or_o make_v evident_a and_o this_o he_o be_v oblige_v necessary_o to_o do_v unless_o he_o will_v sustain_v either_o that_o socinian_o fift-monarchists_a etc._n etc._n be_v protestant_n or_o that_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n be_v but_o opinion_n or_o that_o there_o can_v be_v any_o principle_n which_o be_v neither_o evident_a of_o themselves_o nor_o by_o mean_n of_o other_o that_o be_v no_o way_n evident_a or_o not_o evident_a at_o all_o or_o last_o that_o he_o can_v show_v we_o any_o conclusion_n reduce_v to_o principle_n or_o deduce_v from_o they_o without_o show_v we_o that_o it_o be_v connect_v with_o they_o this_o then_o be_v what_o dr._n st_n word_n bid_v we_o expect_v from_o he_o let_v we_o see_v now_o how_o he_o answer_v this_o expectation_n second_o examen_fw-la six_o principle_n agree_v on_o by_o both_o side_n examine_v and_o their_o import_n and_o use_v weigh_v 1._o he_o begin_v with_o lay_v down_o six_o principle_n agree_v on_o by_o both_o side_n and_o they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o main_a all_o of_o they_o very_o true_a and_o grant_v by_o we_o if_o right_o understand_v wherefore_o in_o case_n any_o ambiguous_a word_n do_v occur_v i_o be_o to_o explain_v it_o that_o so_o our_o perfect_a concurrence_n with_o he_o in_o admit_v they_o may_v be_v right_o apprehend_v and_o the_o discourse_n more_o unoffensive_o proceed_v in_o case_n these_o principle_n shall_v come_v hereafter_o to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o they_o be_v these_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n from_o who_o man_n and_o all_o other_o creature_n have_v their_o be_v 2._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n do_v imply_v that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o therefore_o justice_n goodness_n wisdom_n and_o truth_n must_v be_v in_o he_o to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n these_o two_o first_o be_v rigorous_o and_o literal_o true_a and_o word_v very_o exact_o 3._o that_o man_n receive_v his_o be_v from_o god_n be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o obey_v his_o will_n and_o consequent_o be_v liable_a to_o punishment_n in_o case_n of_o disobedience_n this_o proposition_n be_v also_o most_o true_a yet_o that_o it_o may_v more_o thorough_o be_v penetrate_v and_o right_o apprehend_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o note_v that_o though_o the_o word_n obey_v general_o among_o we_o signify_v do_v some_o outward_a action_n will_v by_o another_o yet_o in_o this_o occasion_n it_o be_v to_o signify_v also_o nay_o principal_o the_o exercise_v interior_a act_n of_o our_o soul_n viz._n of_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n in_o which_o kind_n of_o act_n consist_v our_o spiritual_a life_n as_o we_o be_v christian_n that_o then_o this_o principle_n may_v be_v better_o understand_v i_o discourse_v it_o thus_o that_o because_o god_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v his_o own_o inclination_n or_o rather_o nature_n precise_o out_o of_o his_o overflow_a goodness_n will_v all_o good_a and_o among_o the_o rest_n the_o mean_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n to_o his_o creature_n and_o the_o believe_v in_o he_o hope_v all_o good_a from_o he_o and_o love_v he_o be_v such_o virtue_n or_o perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o be_v apt_a and_o connatural_a mean_n to_o raise_v and_o dispose_v it_o towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o bliss_n or_o fruition_n of_o the_o deity_n hence_o he_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v believe_v on_o he_o hope_v in_o he_o and_o love_v he_o whence_o be_v apt_a to_o follow_v the_o outward_a observance_n of_o his_o law_n and_o if_o they_o follow_v not_o out_o of_o these_o motive_n they_o be_v not_o proper_o virtue_n or_o true_o perfective_a of_o the_o soul_n in_o order_n to_o its_o last_o end_n nor_o available_a in_o the_o least_o to_o the_o attainment_n of_o bliss_n nor_o act_v of_o obedience_n to_o god_n will_n nor_o in_o true_a speech_n the_o keep_v his_o commandment_n god_n therefore_o will_v we_o happiness_n to_o be_v attain_v through_o the_o proper_a mean_n to_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o those_o who_o disobey_v this_o holy_a will_n of_o he_o that_o be_v those_o who_o do_v not_o cultivate_v their_o mind_n with_o the_o say_a virtue_n of_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n become_v liable_a by_o such_o their_o disobedience_n to_o eternal_a misery_n as_o want_v through_o this_o neglect_n the_o proper_a mean_n which_o be_v to_o elevate_v they_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o attain_v heaven_n 4._o that_o in_o order_n to_o man_n obey_v the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o be_v necessary_a he_o know_v what_o it_o be_v for_o which_o some_o manifestation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v necessary_a both_o that_o man_n may_v know_v what_o he_o have_v to_o do_v and_o that_o god_n may_v just_o punish_v he_o if_o he_o do_v it_o not_o 5._o whatever_o god_n reveal_v to_o man_n be_v infallible_o true_a and_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o man_n obedience_n may_v be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v his_o will._n i_o approve_v very_o well_o of_o these_o two_o principle_n and_o to_o this_o end_n i_o make_v it_o my_o request_n to_o the_o proposer_n of_o they_o that_o the_o word_n manifestation_n and_o certain_o know_a may_v be_v understand_v in_o their_o proper_a signification_n for_o that_o which_o be_v true_a or_o absolute_a certainty_n and_o not_o be_v take_v abusive_o as_o dr._n t._n still_o take_v it_o for_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v indeed_o incertainty_n as_o be_v show_v at_o large_a in_o reason_n against_o raillery_n and_o faith_n vindicate_v again_o that_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o this_o be_v a_o principle_n agree_v to_o by_o both_o side_n as_o dr._n st._n pretend_v i_o shall_v first_o put_v down_o our_o tenet_n which_o be_v that_o at_o least_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o faithful_a convert_v unbeliever_n among_o who_o be_v many_o acute_a wit_n as_o also_o to_o defend_v their_o faith_n and_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o may_v nay_o must_v have_v infallible_a ground_n and_o so_o be_v infallible_o or_o know_o certain_a of_o what_o god_n reveal_v to_o man_n that_o be_v of_o their_o faith_n if_o then_o dr._n st._n grant_v the_o wise_a portion_n in_o god_n church_n to_o be_v thus_o infallible_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n we_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o this_o proposition_n but_o if_o he_o deny_v this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n to_o they_o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o middle_n between_o infallible_a and_o fallible_a say_v they_o and_o so_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v only_o fallibly-certain_a of_o what_o they_o believe_v he_o both_o speak_v nonsense_n and_o lay_v for_o a_o principle_n agree_v on_o by_o both_o side_n that_o which_o be_v absolute_o deny_v by_o we_o and_o indeed_o the_o main_a point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o 6._o god_n can_v act_v contrary_a to_o those_o essential_a attribute_n of_o justice_n wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n in_o any_o way_n which_o he_o make_v choice_n of_o to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n unto_o man_n by_o this_o principle_n be_v absolute_o grant_v have_v
no_o fault_n in_o it_o but_o that_o it_o express_v not_o all_o the_o truth_n it_o ought_v for_o god_n not_o only_o can_v act_v contrary_a to_o those_o essential_a attribute_n but_o he_o be_v oblige_v by_o his_o very_a nature_n to_o act_v perfect_o according_a to_o they_o in_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o a_o way_n or_o rule_n to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n unto_o man_n by_o as_o shall_v be_v all_o thing_n consider_v most_o proper_a for_o mankind_n that_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o respective_a capacity_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v lead_v by_o it_o that_o so_o their_o act_n of_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o they_o spring_v from_o the_o provision_n of_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n may_v be_v pefect_o rational_a and_o also_o most_o effectual_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o god_n intend_v that_o rule_n and_o faith_n which_o depend_v on_o it_o these_o be_v the_o six_o principle_n dr._n st._n propose_v as_o agree_v to_o by_o both_o side_n which_o in_o the_o main_a and_o thus_o understand_v be_v of_o so_o universal_a a_o nature_n and_o such_o sacred_a truth_n that_o if_o he_o draw_v any_o necessary_a consequence_n from_o they_o to_o the_o establish_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n or_o overthrow_v that_o of_o catholic_n which_o latter_a seem_v chief_o intend_v his_o victory_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v very_o complete_a if_o he_o do_v not_o but_o rather_o make_v no_o use_n at_o all_o of_o they_o in_o conclude_v from_o they_o what_o he_o pretend_v and_o his_o title_n import_v it_o must_v needs_o be_v understand_v that_o they_o be_v only_o produce_v to_o make_v a_o plausible_a show_n and_o to_o prepare_v the_o reader_n mind_n to_o apprehend_v he_o must_v necessary_o conquer_v all_o before_o he_o have_v such_o sacred_a principle_n engage_v in_o his_o patronage_n one_o thing_n more_o i_o be_o to_o add_v on_o this_o occasion_n which_o be_v that_o no_o discourse_n at_o all_o can_v proceed_v unless_o all_o the_o principle_n be_v agree_v to_o by_o both_o side_n for_o if_o the_o person_n against_o who_o we_o argue_v deny_v our_o principle_n it_o be_v a_o folly_n to_o hope_v by_o mean_n of_o they_o to_o force_v he_o to_o admit_v of_o the_o conclusion_n depend_v sole_o on_o those_o principle_n for_o its_o truth_n and_o evidence_n but_o we_o be_v to_o reflect_v that_o a_o adversary_n may_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n grant_v we_o our_o principle_n either_o voluntary_o and_o of_o his_o own_o accord_n or_o else_o forcible_o that_o be_v convince_v by_o strength_n of_o argument_n if_o the_o principle_n be_v subordinate_a one_o and_o so_o can_v admit_v proof_n or_o for_o fear_n of_o shame_n from_o human_a nature_n if_o they_o either_o be_v first_o principle_n or_o that_o the_o controversy_n by_o discourse_n be_v reduce_v to_o that_o most_o evident_a test._n since_o then_o dr._n st._n make_v account_v we_o yield_v he_o but_o these_o six_o voluntary_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o he_o such_o manifest_a proof_n for_o the_o other_o thirty_o as_o may_v make_v we_o by_o the_o clearness_n of_o their_o evidence_n or_o under_o the_o penalty_n of_o have_v mankind_n our_o enemy_n for_o desert_v rational_a nature_n assent_n to_o their_o verity_n otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n for_o he_o to_o conclude_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o while_o we_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o deny_v every_o thing_n he_o build_v on_o but_o alas_o how_o far_o be_v it_o from_o such_o talk_v disputant_n even_o to_o think_v of_o such_o performance_n though_o the_o necessity_n of_o his_o duty_n if_o he_o pretend_v to_o principle_n oblige_v he_o unavoidable_o to_o it_o three_o examen_fw-la sift_v the_o first_o nine_o principle_n that_o seem_v to_o concern_v the_o nature_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o common_a and_o its_o several_a way_n after_o these_o six_o principle_n agree_v on_o follow_v thirty_o other_o paragraph_n or_o whatever_o else_o we_o may_v guess_v it_o fit_a to_o call_v they_o and_o they_o be_v introduce_v by_o this_o transition_n these_o thing_n be_v agree_v 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and_o ground_v upon_o they_o hope_n and_o this_o all-over-powering_a love_n of_o heaven_n the_o main_a part_n of_o our_o obedience_n be_v true_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o then_o dr._n st._n take_v the_o word_n know_v in_o this_o signification_n this_o principle_n be_v grant_v if_o in_o any_o other_o or_o for_o a_o great_a hope_n only_o that_o they_o be_v true_a as_o i_o fear_v when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o point_n he_o intend_v no_o more_o i_o must_v for_o the_o reason_n here_o give_v and_o many_o more_o allege_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o reason_n against_o raillery_n deny_v that_o no_o other_o way_n of_o revelation_n be_v necessary_a and_o put_v he_o to_o prove_v it_o which_o he_o neither_o have_v do_v nor_o can_v do_v 2._o man_n be_v frame_v a_o rational_a creature_n capable_a of_o reflect_v upon_o himself_o may_v antecedent_o to_o any_o external_n revelation_n certain_o know_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o his_o dependence_n upon_o he_o and_o those_o thing_n 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be_v so_o here_o be_v many_o quaint_a thing_n to_o be_v consider_v for_o if_o dr._n st._n mean_n that_o we_o can_v judge_v of_o truth_n without_o a_o faculty_n to_o judge_v of_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o 〈…〉_z principle_n though_o very_a littâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d his_o purpose_n but_o it_o be_v most_o 〈◊〉_d paradoxical_a to_o say_v that_o no_o other_o mean_n can_v be_v imagine_v to_o judge_v of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o such_o a_o faculty_n for_o if_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o mean_n imagine_v but_o this_o faculty_n than_o this_o be_v all_o the_o mean_n and_o so_o those_o knowledge_n which_o be_v to_o inform_v and_o direct_v this_o faculty_n be_v no_o mean_n at_o all_o whence_o all_o motive_n to_o faith_n rule_n of_o faith_n all_o teach_v nay_o scripture_n itself_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o none_o of_o these_o be_v our_o faculty_n of_o
discern_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n again_o what_o be_v mean_v here_o by_o divine_v revelation_n if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o the_o formal_a act_n of_o reveal_v then_o it_o be_v false_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o mean_n to_o judge_v of_o its_o truth_n but_o a_o faculty_n in_o we_o of_o discern_a truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o matter_n propose_v to_o our_o belief_n for_o these_o matter_n be_v point_n of_o faith_n and_o it_o be_v a_o madness_n to_o think_v we_o must_v begin_v with_o examine_v their_o truth_n ere_o we_o can_v know_v that_o god_n have_v true_o or_o indeed_o reveal_v they_o since_o the_o knowledge_n that_o god_n have_v reveal_v or_o speak_v be_v have_v ordinary_o by_o natural_a mean_n antecedent_n even_o to_o the_o revelation_n itself_o much_o more_o antecedent_n to_o those_o point_n viz._n by_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o show_v the_o divine_a authority_n engage_v for_o their_o truth_n but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o divine_a revelation_n the_o thing_n or_o 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only_o in_o the_o word_n it_o be_v agree_v then_o among_o we_o all_o that_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v be_v god_n word_n or_o his_o will_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o salvation_n all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o we_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o know_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n what_o be_v the_o first_o teach_v doctrine_n or_o christ_n sense_n and_o whatever_o can_v thus_o assure_v we_o of_o that_o be_v deserve_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n now_o the_o word_n rule_v make_v use_n of_o to_o mean_v a_o spiritual_a or_o intellectual_a direction_n be_v metaphorical_a or_o translate_v from_o some_o material_a thing_n as_o most_o word_n that_o express_v spiritual_a notion_n be_v and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o those_o kind_n of_o metaphor_n which_o be_v transfer_v from_o one_o thing_n to_o another_o for_o some_o proportion_n or_o resemblance_n between_o they_o for_o as_o a_o material_a rule_n be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o if_o one_o endeavour_n to_o go_v according_a to_o it_o and_o decline_v not_o from_o it_o preserve_v one_o from_o go_v crooked_a so_o this_o intellectual_a rule_n call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o if_o one_o go_v according_a to_o it_o and_o swerve_v not_o from_o it_o it_o preserve_v one_o from_o go_v wrong_a or_o from_o err_v in_o his_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v true_a or_o first-delivered_a faith_n and_o faith_n be_v intend_v for_o person_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o capacity_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v able_a to_o preserve_v even_o those_o of_o the_o mean_a capacity_n from_o err_v in_o faith_n while_o they_o rely_v upon_o it._n agian_a this_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o primary_n effect_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o every_o nature_n that_o be_v have_v essential_o in_o itself_o a_o power_n to_o produce_v of_o its_o self_n and_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o its_o primary_n effect_v or_o rather_o be_v itself_o that_o power_n as_o man_n to_o discourse_n fire_v to_o burn_v etc._n etc._n it_o follow_v that_o since_o to_o preserve_v all_o that_o rely_v on_o it_o in_o right_a faith_n be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n what_o have_v not_o in_o itself_o the_o power_n to_o do_v this_o and_o this_o of_o its_o self_n independent_o on_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o on_o god_n who_o establish_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v certain_a power_n to_o produce_v their_o proper_a effect_n be_v not_o in_o true_a speech_n a_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o than_o not_o one_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n of_o itself_o and_o independent_o on_o something_o else_o viz_o thâ—_n church_n tradition_n attest_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o same_o letter_n and_o interpret_n it_o have_v in_o itself_o power_n thus_o to_o certify_v person_n of_o all_o capacity_n of_o christian_a faith_n without_o possibility_n of_o err_v nor_o any_o one_o but_o hold_v the_o church_n authority_n be_v able_a alone_o to_o do_v this_o effect_n since_o it_o be_v know_v and_o confess_v it_o actual_o perform_v this_o in_o the_o beginning_n there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n that_o i_o know_v of_o who_o hold_v either_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n take_v the_o word_n in_o this_o sense_n or_o that_o any_o thing_n but_o the_o church_n live_v voice_n and_o practice_n or_o tradition_n be_v it_o and_o so_o take_v the_o word_n proper_o as_o i_o do_v they_o all_o agree_v with_o i_o on_o the_o other_o side_n take_v those_o word_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o contain_v faith_n or_o that_o may_v signify_v it_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n to_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n not_o of_o itself_o but_o mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o another_o who_o power_n of_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o letter_n in_o those_o passage_n at_o least_o that_o concern_v christian_a faith_n and_o of_o uner_o interpret_n it_o lend_v it_o to_o be_v thus_o certain_o significative_a of_o god_n will_n take_z i_o say_v rule_v of_o faith_n in_o this_o sense_n as_o some_o of_o we_o do_v i_o grant_v with_o they_o that_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n so_o that_o still_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o the_o thing_n only_o i_o dissent_v from_o they_o in_o the_o word_n and_o judge_v that_o this_o container_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n as_o now_o describe_v be_v but_o improper_o call_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o not_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n that_o be_v not_o have_v a_o power_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o its_o self_n thus_o to_o ascertain_v faith_n by_o absolute_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n this_o distinction_n now_o give_v i_o learn_v from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n which_o no_o where_o say_v that_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o it_o do_v express_o of_o tradition_n sess._n 5._o but_o only_a that_o it_o contain_v faith_n as_o also_o tradition_n do_v but_o whether_o it_o contain_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o all_o those_o who_o be_v to_o have_v faith_n by_o rely_v on_o it_o may_v by_o so_o do_v be_v absolute_o secure_v from_o err_a which_o be_v requisite_a over_o and_o above_o to_o make_v it_o in_o true_a speech_n deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o rule_n the_o council_n say_v nothing_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v far_o from_o say_v that_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n read_v the_o scripture_n and_o attend_v sole_o to_o the_o letter_n as_o interpret_v and_o understand_v by_o their_o private_a self_n shall_v be_v sure_a never_o to_o err_v in_o right_a faith_n nay_o it_o engage_v not_o for_o their_o security_n from_o err_v so_o much_o as_o in_o any_o one_o point_n which_o yet_o ought_v to_o be_v say_v if_o scripture_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o itself_o have_v the_o power_n of_o regulate_v they_o in_o their_o faith_n or_o be_v a_o rule_n rather_o the_o council_n by_o its_o carriage_n say_v the_o direct_a contrary_n for_o though_o be_v about_o to_o define_v against_o heretic_n it_o profess_v to_o follow_v in_o its_o definition_n the_o write_a word_n yet_o it_o be_v observable_a 146._o that_o it_o no_o where_o build_v on_o any_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o it_o profess_v at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o build_v its_o interpretation_n of_o that_o place_n on_o tradition_n which_o evident_o argue_v that_o though_o scripture_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o council_n contain_v the_o point_n yet_o that_o which_o indeed_o regulate_v the_o council_n in_o its_o definition_n be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o also_o express_o declare_v where_o ever_o it_o define_v and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n who_o think_v the_o council_n know_v not_o both_o what_o and_o how_o to_o define_v against_o luther_n and_o calvin_n at_o that_o time_n without_o need_v to_o seek_v its_o faith_n anew_o in_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o plain_o conclude_v that_o the_o council_n be_v not_o regulate_v by_o it_o or_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o her_o rule_n but_o only_o consider_v it_o as_o of_o a_o sacred_a authority_n and_o available_a against_o heretic_n profess_v to_o rely_v on_o scripture_n and_o accuse_v the_o church_n for_o go_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n nay_o the_o council_n define_v that_o none_o shall_v dare_v to_o interpret_v scripture_n contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n which_o our_o h._n mother_n the_o catholic_n church_n have_v hold_v and_o do_v hold_v which_o clear_o take_v it_o out_o of_o private_a hand_n and_o make_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n ever_o hold_v the_o only_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o extend_v to_o all_o scripture_n which_o unavoidable_o make_v it_o no_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o distinction_n now_o give_v show_v my_o sentiment_n consistent_a if_o not_o perfect_o agree_v with_o that_o common_a opinion_n of_o our_o divine_n that_o scripture_n be_v a_o partial_a rule_n or_o that_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n integrate_a one_o complete_a rule_n for_o they_o clear_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o faith_n be_v partly_o contain_v in_o scripture_n partly_o in_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o what_o they_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o in_o so_o do_v be_v not_o the_o evidence_n requisite_a to_o a_o rule_n but_o only_o the_o degree_n of_o extent_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o it_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o mean_v only_o that_o scripture_n contain_v some_o part_n of_o faith_n which_o i_o perfect_o allow_v to_o it_o and_o perhaps_o more_o this_o be_v my_o judgement_n concern_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v such_o a_o rule_n and_o these_o my_o reason_n for_o that_o judgement_n if_o any_o one_o think_v
such_o person_n be_v know_v to_o be_v lose_v it_o may_v be_v doubt_v nay_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o present_a write_a rule_n be_v defective_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n unless_o it_o be_v well_o make_v out_o that_o those_o divinely-inspired_a write_n which_o be_v lose_v be_v of_o another_o nature_n than_o these_o extant_a and_o therefore_o that_o they_o have_v no_o part_n in_o be_v a_o rule_n the_o proof_n for_o which_o point_n ought_v to_o be_v very_o pregnant_a and_o convince_a otherwise_o it_o may_v be_v question_v whether_o any_o book_n write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v have_v in_o they_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o be_v intend_v for_o that_o end_n by_o god_n and_o this_o be_v particular_o enforce_v because_o dr._n sâ—_n here_o princ._n 28._o make_v scripture_n the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o if_o the_o measure_n fall_v short_a it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v the_o thing_n measure_v or_o faith_n will_v fall_v short_a likewise_o but_o if_o he_o say_v only_o some_o of_o those_o divinely-inspired_a write_n be_v sufficient_a it_o be_v very_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v make_v out_o how_o many_o be_v needful_a that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v thorough_o understand_v what_o be_v the_o precise_a ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n concern_v which_o yet_o there_o be_v much_o difference_n in_o opinion_n among_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o letter-rule_n which_o signify_v that_o none_o of_o they_o know_v distinct_o what_o themselves_o assign_v or_o hold_v to_o be_v that_o rule_n or_o if_o he_o say_v that_o only_a those_o which_o god_n providence_n have_v preserve_v be_v that_o rule_n then_o he_o must_v either_o say_v that_o god_n providence_n therefore_o preserve_v these_o because_o they_o contain_v holy_a doctrine_n and_o be_v write_v by_o man_n divinely-inspired_a or_o be_v apt_a to_o benefit_v future_a mankind_n and_o then_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n those_o which_o perish_v shall_v have_v be_v preserve_v too_o or_o else_o that_o god_n preserve_v these_o in_o particular_a because_o these_o which_o remain_v be_v beside_o those_o qualification_n proper_a and_o sufficient_a to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o then_o he_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o suppose_v his_o own_o tenet_n true_a even_o while_o he_o be_v prove_v it_o so_o nexâ—_n suppose_v the_o original_n of_o these_o book_n now_o extant_a to_o have_v be_v once_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v requisite_a the_o church_n in_o the_o beginning_n shall_v have_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o such_o and_o consequent_o have_v make_v account_n for_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n till_o when_o they_o be_v not_o collect_v or_o universal_o propose_v it_o have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o entire_a body_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o of_o this_o we_o hear_v not_o that_o any_o have_v the_o least_o jealousy_n or_o that_o they_o look_v after_o book_n of_o scripture_n as_o thing_n without_o which_o the_o church_n be_v not_o either_o absolute_o certain_a of_o its_o faith_n or_o have_v not_o all_o its_o faith_n again_o have_v those_o book_n be_v then_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o consider_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v unacknowledged_a one_o scatter_v here_o another_o there_o accidental_o be_v senseless_a to_o imagine_v yet_o how_o can_v we_o â—ow_o or_o future_a age_n hereafter_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n that_o some_o substantial_a word_n or_o other_o be_v not_o alter_v omit_v or_o insert_v in_o those_o place_n that_o concern_v the_o main_a point_n of_o faith_n for_o example_n the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o real_a presence_n in_o case_n there_o be_v no_o infallible_a authority_n to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o which_o dr._n st._n deny_v here_o princ._n 15._o it_o be_v not_o evident_a he_o must_v say_v that_o none_o of_o these_o can_v be_v make_v out_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n and_o consequent_o confess_v with_o 118._o dr._n t._n that_o all_o this_o may_v be_v otherwise_o unless_o he_o have_v recourse_n to_o god_n extraordinary_a assistance_n to_o the_o multitude_n of_o transcriber_n and_o translator_n because_o of_o the_o necessity_n the_o letter_n shall_v be_v thus_o preserve_v still_o unchanged_a in_o regard_n otherwise_o none_o can_v say_v his_o faith_n be_v true_a which_o again_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o suppose_v it_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n instead_o of_o prove_v it_o so_o far_o let_v the_o letter_n be_v suppose_v exact_o like_o the_o original_a how_o will_v that_o letter_n secure_a from_o all_o possible_a error_n all_o that_o rely_v on_o it_o as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v or_o to_o use_v dr._n st_n word_n princ._n 15._o reveal_v so_o plain_o the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n that_o no_o sober_a enquirer_n can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n now_o if_o they_o can_v miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n they_o must_v needs_o hit_v on_o it_o and_o so_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n infallible_a as_o to_o that_o point_n while_o they_o rely_v thereon_o to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o trial_n let_v we_o consider_v what_o dispute_v there_o be_v out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n between_o socinian_o and_o their_o opposer_n about_o a_o trinity_n and_o the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o what_o between_o catholic_n and_o their_o adversary_n about_o the_o real_a presence_n how_o many_o interpretation_n of_o this_n be_v my_o body_n how_o many_o allusion_n of_o one_o place_n to_o another_o in_o both_o those_o point_n to_o hammer_v out_o the_o truth_n and_o these_o agitate_a on_o both_o side_n by_o body_n of_o eminent_a man_n excellent_a scholar_n acute_a scripturist_n must_v every_o sober_a enquirer_n and_o every_o private_a ignorant_a person_n who_o sincere_o endeavour_v needs_o hit_v on_o the_o right_n and_o judge_v better_o of_o these_o point_n than_o all_o those_o learned_a man_n or_o must_v we_o needs_o conclude_v that_o all_o those_o learned_a enquirer_n find_v in_o each_o of_o those_o vast_a different_a party_n be_v mad_a or_o insincere_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v prove_v this_o it_o be_v his_o best_a interest_n and_o will_v give_v his_o argument_n some_o likelihood_n which_o till_o then_o have_v none_o for_o the_o fact_n be_v so_o notorious_a how_o earnest_o they_o all_o endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o point_n by_o the_o letter_n none_o will_v judge_v but_o that_o if_o their_o head_n or_o heart_n be_v not_o strange_o disorder_v by_o folly_n or_o insincerity_n the_o letter_n which_o shall_v inform_v they_o be_v strange_o incompetent_a for_o that_o end_n but_o it_o be_v remarkable_a how_o neat_o dr._n st._n skip_v aside_o from_o the_o point_n he_o undertake_v not_o to_o give_v we_o any_o assurance_n that_o his_o sober_a or_o sincere_a enquirer_n shall_v by_o virtue_n of_o this_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n find_v out_o that_o any_o one_o point_n of_o his_o faith_n be_v a_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o miss_v of_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o salvation_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o err_v or_o at_o least_o not_o be_v damn_v for_o it_o so_o that_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v by_o his_o discourse_n let_v he_o but_o read_v the_o scripture_n though_o he_o hold_v nothing_o but_o error_n by_o so_o do_v yet_o he_o be_v still_o in_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n by_o the_o very_a read_n and_o run_v into_o error_n but_o this_o deserve_v a_o particular_a reflection_n hereafter_o last_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o now_o be_v shows_z that_o however_o it_o be_v excellent_o useful_a for_o perfect_v the_o life_n of_o the_o faithful_a in_o many_o regard_n yet_o it_o be_v never_o intend_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o to_o omit_v innumerable_a other_o reason_n frequent_o allege_v by_o our_o author_n its_o several_a part_n be_v evident_o write_v on_o several_a emergent_a occasion_n and_o have_v not_o the_o least_o semblance_n as_o if_o the_o whole_a have_v be_v purposely_o compile_v to_o deliver_v a_o entire_a body_n of_o faith_n nor_o do_v it_o observe_v any_o method_n tend_v to_o clear_v each_o several_a point_n for_o it_o neither_o begin_v with_o define_v or_o explain_v every_o word_n make_v use_v of_o in_o signify_v those_o point_n which_o be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o avoid_v equivocation_n the_o ground_n of_o all_o mistake_n nor_o do_v it_o pursue_v home_o the_o evidence_a any_o one_o point_n by_o make_v we_o aware_a of_o the_o sinister_a sense_n in_o which_o each_o word_n express_v that_o point_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v take_v nor_o do_v it_o put_v objection_n against_o each_o tenet_n and_o establish_v we_o in_o the_o right_a apprehension_n of_o it_o by_o solve_v they_o nor_o distinguish_v by_o lay_v common_a rule_n to_o know_v when_o the_o word_n be_v to_o be_v take_v proper_o when_o metaphorical_o much_o less_o tell_v we_o particular_o in_o
position_n abate_v the_o degree_n of_o it_o for_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v equal_o or_o more_o absurd_a not_o to_o assent_v to_o the_o infallibility_a of_o a_o great_a body_n of_o man_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v pretend_v whatever_o reason_n or_o tradition_n appear_v for_o it_o without_o a_o evident_a miracle_n the_o second_o part_n be_v likewise_o grant_v in_o case_n it_o suppose_v as_o it_o seem_v to_o do_v the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o infallibility_n derive_v only_o from_o those_o very_a book_n which_o they_o recommend_v and_o in_o passage_n which_o they_o be_v to_o explicate_v ere_o they_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o such_o a_o infallibility_n otherwise_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o book_n obscure_a in_o multitude_n of_o other_o passage_n may_v be_v clear_a in_o that_o one_o which_o relate_v they_o to_o the_o church_n or_o that_o body_n which_o they_o be_v to_o hear_v and_o obey_v as_o to_o the_o proper_a interpreter_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o dogmatical_a and_o controvert_v 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aught_o they_o will_v as_o god_n command_n the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n and_o common_a reason_n oblige_v they_o be_v rather_o willing_a to_o trust_v their_o pastor_n who_o be_v better_a qualify_v for_o such_o knowledge_n and_o who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o they_o to_o instruct_v they_o what_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n than_o trust_v their_o own_o private_a shallow_a judgement_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o dr._n st_n discourse_v all_o along_o concern_v this_o point_n be_v a_o plain_a beg_v the_o question_n for_o if_o god_n have_v leave_v a_o church_n and_o command_v the_o faithful_a to_o hear_v it_o and_o conform_v to_o its_o faith_n and_o consequent_o to_o receive_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o point_n of_o faith_n from_o it_o than_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o scripture_n be_v intend_v to_o be_v plain_a to_o all_o capacity_n of_o itself_o nor_o of_o think_v man_n may_v sincere_o desire_v to_o know_v god_n will_n in_o scripture_n and_o use_v 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and_o unproved_a supposition_n and_o be_v the_o supposition_n grant_v and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v fallible_a still_o it_o be_v false_a that_o his_o faithful_a will_v have_v great_a assurance_n of_o their_o faith_n than_o we_o as_o have_v be_v partly_o now_o show_v and_o more_o ample_o in_o my_o reply_n to_o the_o forego_n principle_n recapitulation_n the_o sum_n then_o of_o dr._n st_n performance_n in_o these_o ten_o principle_n of_o he_o which_o most_o fundamental_o concern_v his_o faith_n and_o the_o pretend_a reduction_n of_o it_o to_o principle_n be_v brief_o this_o that_o he_o have_v not_o bring_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a argument_n prove_v either_o that_o scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n nor_o that_o tradition_n or_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o god_n church_n be_v not_o it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o particular_a maxim_n or_o say_n of_o he_o on_o which_o he_o chief_o rely_v they_o have_v be_v one_o by_o one_o disprove_v and_o the_o opposite_a truth_n establish_v as_o 1._o that_o faith_n be_v such_o a_o assent_n as_o when_o build_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v on_o the_o mean_v leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o rely_v ou_fw-fr be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o that_o mean_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v necessary_o such_o as_o while_o man_n rely_v upon_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v err_v these_o thing_n i_o say_v be_v so_o as_o i_o have_v large_o prove_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o the_o introductory_n discourse_n to_o this_o present_a examine_v dr._n st._n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o make_v a_o offer_n or_o attempt_v to_o show_v that_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 2._o that_o since_o it_o be_v agree_v god_n can_v contrive_v write_n sufficient_o intelligible_a for_o that_o end_n or_o sufficient_o clear_a to_o ascertain_v those_o who_o rely_v upon_o they_o of_o their_o faith_n and_o yet_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v evident_a god_n have_v not_o the_o facto_fw-la do_v this_o or_o contrive_v such_o method_n and_o way_n as_o our_o reason_n tell_v we_o evident_o be_v proper_a mean_n to_o keep_v those_o write_n call_v the_o scripture_n from_o be_v thus_o misunderstand_a by_o several_a party_n even_o in_o fundamental_a point_n as_o we_o experience_v they_o be_v it_o follow_v hence_o most_o manifest_o that_o god_n never_o intend_v the_o way_n of_o write_v for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 3._o since_o several_a party_n of_o excellent_a capacity_n in_o understand_a word_n aright_o and_o both_o own_n scripture_n for_o their_o rule_n and_o apply_v themselves_o with_o great_a diligence_n to_o know_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o do_v notwithstanding_o differ_v in_o those_o fundamental_a point_n of_o a_o trinity_n and_o the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o scripture_n be_v not_o able_a so_o secure_a those_o who_o rely_v on_o it_o to_o their_o power_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o so_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 4._o again_o since_o in_o passage_n that_o concern_v faith_n the_o know_v whether_o the_o word_n be_v take_v proper_o or_o improper_o be_v that_o which_o determine_v what_o be_v faith_n what_o not_o and_o this_o knowledge_n be_v not_o have_v from_o scripture_n it_o follow_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 5._o god_n have_v no_o where_o promise_v that_o he_o will_v still_o assist_v those_o who_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o compass_v a_o end_n in_o case_n they_o take_v a_o way_n disproportion_v to_o attain_v that_o end_n and_o which_o way_n be_v consequent_o never_o intend_v by_o he_o for_o such_o a_o end_n for_o this_o be_v to_o engage_v himself_o to_o do_v perpetual_a miracle_n when_o ever_o any_o one_o shall_v act_v irrational_o wherefore_o unless_o it_o be_v first_o solid_o prove_v that_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o give_v those_o who_o rely_v on_o it_o inerrable_a security_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n while_o they_o thus_o rely_v on_o it_o and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v intend_v by_o god_n for_o such_o a_o end_n none_o can_v just_o lay_v claim_n to_o god_n assistance_n or_o tax_v his_o justice_n or_o veracity_n if_o they_o fall_v into_o error_n much_o less_o if_o they_o neglect_v those_o duty_n which_o nature_n make_v evident_a to_o they_o and_o common_a christianity_n teach_v viz._n to_o obey_v and_o hear_v their_o governor_n pastor_n and_o teacher_n ordain_v by_o god_n and_o rely_v on_o their_o own_o private_a wit_n or_o god_n immediate_a assistance_n to_o their_o single_a self_n rather_o than_o to_o those_o public_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n god_n have_v appoint_v to_o govern_v and_o direct_v they_o for_o this_o intolerable_a spiritual_a pride_n be_v so_o odious_a and_o pernicious_a that_o it_o most_o just_o entitle_v they_o to_o delusion_n error_n and_o heresy_n 6._o hence_o since_o god_n have_v leave_v some_o mean_n for_o faith_n and_o it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v that_o those_o who_o rely_v according_a to_o their_o utmost_a power_n on_o the_o mean_v leave_v and_o intend_v by_o god_n to_o lead_v man_n into_o truth_n can_v while_o they_o do_v so_o run_v into_o error_n which_o yet_o private_a understanding_n as_o be_v see_v may_v rely_v on_o the_o write_a word_n it_o follow_v 〈◊〉_d unavoidable_o that_o some_o other_o way_n be_v leave_v which_o be_v not_o write_v to_o secure_v the_o relyer_n on_o it_o from_o error_n in_o faith_n or_o to_o be_v to_o they_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n 7._o scripture_n not_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v once_o settle_v and_o accept_v in_o the_o christian_a part_n of_o the_o world_n by_o mean_n of_o miracle_n there_o need_v no_o more_o but_o to_o derive_v it_o down_o to_o future_a age_n and_o this_o doctrine_n be_v practical_a and_o so_o object_v
bide_v by_o we_o and_o we_o by_o it_o all_o our_o whole_a life_n till_o we_o arrive_v at_o our_o future_a state_n the_o region_n of_o light_n where_o we_o shall_v see_v fancy_n ad_fw-la faciem_fw-la who_o see_v not_o that_o it_o must_v be_v hold_v and_o so_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessity_n to_o hold_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v what_o it_o be_v not_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o otherwise_o be_v we_o to_o hold_v it_o that_o be_v be_v itself_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o ought_v to_o be_v hold_v alterable_a when_o ever_o more_o light_n shall_v appear_v discover_v it_o to_o be_v a_o error_n to_o evince_v this_o truth_n i_o have_v produce_v multitude_n of_o argument_n in_o faith_n vindicate_v none_o of_o which_o have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v reply_v to_o though_o i_o and_o faith_n opposer_n still_o crafty_o persist_v to_o insinuate_v the_o contrary_a error_n but_o i_o will_v at_o present_a make_v use_v only_o of_o one_o which_o will_v i_o conceive_v best_a conclude_v the_o point_n between_o we_o for_o dr._n st._n make_v scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o speak_v of_o faith_n as_o stand_v under_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o firm_a and_o clear_a ground_n and_o which_o be_v leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n i_o do_v the_o same_o when_o i_o assert_v the_o church_n testimony_n or_o tradition_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n so_o that_o neither_o of_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o particular_a odd_a way_n by_o which_o some_o person_n casual_o come_v to_o have_v faith_n nor_o of_o faith_n as_o have_v by_o such_o mean_n but_o of_o the_o common_a roadway_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o attain_v to_o faith_n and_o of_o faith_n as_o stand_v under_o such_o a_o mean_n or_o rule_n upon_o this_o agreement_n if_o we_o join_v issue_n and_o proceed_v it_o seem_v that_o nothing_o but_o evident_a obstinacy_n against_o manifest_a truth_n can_v hinder_v we_o from_o agree_v in_o our_o conclusion_n for_o since_o if_o we_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o believe_v even_o while_o we_o follow_v the_o direction_n of_o that_o rule_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v appoint_v to_o light_v we_o to_o faith_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o mean_n imaginable_a likely_a to_o do_v that_o effect_n as_o also_o that_o god_n himself_o have_v deceive_v we_o which_o be_v both_o blasphemous_a and_o impossible_a it_o must_v follow_v that_o faith_n build_v upon_o the_o rule_n leave_v by_o god_n whether_o scripture_n or_o tradition_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n and_o consequent_o its_o ground_n or_o rule_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o erroneous_a wherefore_o dr._n st._n be_v oblige_v as_o well_o as_o i_o be_o to_o hold_v hearty_o this_o double_a conclusion_n and_o if_o he_o attempt_v to_o discourse_v of_o that_o point_n to_o make_v it_o out_o that_o the_o rule_n he_o assign_v be_v such_o as_o can_v leave_v we_o in_o error_n and_o our_o infinitely-perfect_a god_n in_o the_o blame_n how_o far_o short_a he_o have_v fall_v hitherto_o of_o make_v out_o his_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n viz._n scripture_n as_o stand_v under_o the_o judgement_n of_o every_o private_a person_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o suffer_v man_n to_o err_v while_o adhere_v to_o that_o way_n be_v already_o show_v how_o hearty_o now_o he_o assert_v faith_n itself_o build_v on_o the_o mean_n or_o rule_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v erroneous_a or_o false_a come_v next_o to_o be_v examine_v 20._o no_o man_n faith_n can_v therefore_o be_v infallible_a mere_o because_o the_o proponent_n be_v say_v to_o be_v infallible_a because_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n do_v not_o depend_v upon_o the_o objective_a infallibility_n of_o any_o thing_n without_o we_o but_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o â—_z for_o assent_n be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o their_o evidence_n to_o we_o this_o principle_n begin_v with_o a_o fallacy_n of_o non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la for_o what_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n ever_o say_v or_o hold_v that_o faith_n must_v therefore_o be_v infallible_a mere_o because_o the_o proponent_n be_v say_v to_o be_v infallible_a must_v a_o mere_a say_n that_o be_v a_o say_v neither_o self-evident_a nor_o prove_v be_v hold_v a_o competent_a ground_n to_o build_v the_o existence_n of_o any_o thing_n upon_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o dr._n st._n by_o the_o word_n be_v say_v to_o be_v mean_v be_v or_o prove_v to_o be_v as_o be_v indeed_o our_o true_a tenet_n let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o confute_v we_o our_o tenet_n be_v that_o in_o case_n the_o proposer_n of_o faith_n be_v infallible_a all_o that_o rely_v on_o it_o for_o that_o particular_a be_v by_o so_o do_v infallible_a likewise_o he_o argue_v against_o we_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n which_o he_o say_v depend_v not_o on_o the_o objective_a infallibility_n of_o any_o thing_n without_o we_o but_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o it_o in_o our_o mind_n if_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n depend_v not_o such_o a_o dependence_n as_o be_v immediate_a i_o grant_v it_o for_o our_o assent_n be_v a_o effect_n wrought_v in_o our_o soul_n and_o a_o result_n of_o some_o forego_v knowledge_n notion_n or_o nature_n of_o thing_n within_o we_o which_o produce_v that_o assent_n if_o it_o be_v a_o conclusion_n or_o compound_v it_o if_o a_o first_o principle_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o thing_n without_o we_o and_o stay_v there_o without_o evidence_v itself_o to_o our_o mind_n or_o breed_v some_o interior_a discovery_n of_o itself_o there_o shall_v beget_v any_o assent_n at_o all_o concern_v it_o but_o if_o he_o mean_v by_o those_o word_n that_o our_o assent_n depend_v not_o mediate_o or_o depend_v not_o at_o all_o on_o the_o object_n without_o we_o as_o his_o large_a expression_n seem_v to_o signify_v then_o it_o be_v absolute_o deny_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o we_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n without_o we_o nor_o can_v evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o we_o cause_n assent_n without_o such_o dependence_n on_o the_o object_n or_o thing_n without_o we_o for_o unless_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o object_n and_o dependence_n on_o it_o this_o evidence_n itself_o can_v not_o be_v the_o last_o word_n for_o assent_n be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o their_o evidence_n to_o we_o be_v but_o a_o tautology_n or_o short_a rehearsal_n of_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v and_o so_o need_v no_o new_a answer_n yet_o however_o d._n st._n for_o want_n of_o logic_n express_v himself_o ill_a &_o confuse_o there_o be_v notwithstanding_o a_o kind_n of_o knot_n in_o in_o his_o discourse_n and_o i_o shall_v lend_v my_o best_a assistance_n to_o loose_v it_o but_o first_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o put_v down_o his_o three_o next_o principle_n since_o they_o all_o seem_v to_o club_n into_o one_o dilemma_n against_o infallibility_n 〈◊〉_d proponent_n 21._o it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o a_o 〈◊〉_d assent_n that_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v infallible_o assist_v in_o judge_v of_o the_o matter_n propose_v to_o he_o to_o be_v believe_v so_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o a_o necessity_n of_o some_o external_a infallible_a proponent_n be_v assert_v must_v rather_o make_v every_o particular_a person_n infallible_a if_o no_o divin_n faith_n can_v be_v without_o a_o infallible_a assent_n and_o so_o render_v any_o other_o infallibility_n useless_a 22._o if_o no_o particular_a person_n be_v infallible_a in_o the_o assent_n he_o give_v to_o matter_n propose_v by_o other_o to_o he_o than_o no_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_o sure_a that_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a and_o so_o the_o church_n infallibility_n can_v signify_v nothing_o to_o our_o infallible_a assurance_n without_o a_o equal_a infallibility_n in_o ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o 23._o the_o infallibility_n of_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v not_o assert_v by_o those_o who_o plead_v for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o a_o church_n and_o the_o one_o render_v the_o other_o useless_a for_o if_o every_o person_n be_v infallible_a what_o need_v any_o representative_a church_n to_o be_v so_o and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o a_o church_n be_v of_o no_o effect_n if_o every_o person_n be_v not_o infallible_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o we_o be_v far_o to_o inquire_v what_o certainty_n man_n may_v have_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n suppose_v no_o external_a proponent_n to_o be_v infallible_a ere_o i_o begin_v my_o discourse_n i_o be_o to_o note_v dr._n st_n shuffle_a way_n of_o contrive_v his_o sentence_n here_o or_o of_o pen_v his_o principle_n as_o he_o call_v they_o his_o 21_o contend_v it_o be_v necessary_a
be_v so_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o many_o controvertist_n who_o be_v well_o instruct_v in_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n yet_o not_o so_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o particular_a point_n but_o believe_v they_o only_o by_o implicit_a faith_n or_o else_o one_o of_o their_o knowledge_n may_v be_v more_o clear_a and_o distinct_a than_o the_o other_o and_o so_o serve_v to_o perfect_a and_o advance_v it_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o art_n do_v nature_n lest_o of_o all_o can_v it_o follow_v that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n representative_a be_v needless_a for_o this_o be_v not_o intend_v to_o teach_v the_o faithful_a their_o faith_n at_o first_o nor_o do_v i_o remember_v ever_o to_o have_v see_v a_o general_n council_n cite_v in_o a_o catechism_n but_o this_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o church_n diffusive_a by_o her_o practice_n and_o language_n and_o by_o her_o pastor_n in_o their_o catechism_n and_o instruction_n but_o it_o be_v use_n be_v to_o secure_v and_o preserve_v faith_n already_o teach_v and_o know_v from_o receive_v any_o taint_n by_o the_o equivocate_a heretic_n and_o to_o recommend_v it_o more_o authoritative_o to_o the_o faithful_a when_o clear_v and_o whoever_o read_v my_o four_o note_n will_v see_v so_o many_o particularity_n in_o the_o member_n which_o compound_v a_o representative_a church_n above_o other_o who_o be_v pure_o part_v of_o ecclesia_fw-la credens_fw-fr that_o he_o can_v in_o any_o reason_n judge_v they_o vseless_a though_o those_o other_o be_v in_o a_o inferior_a degree_n certain_a of_o their_o faith_n too_o for_o all_o this_o while_n the_o word_n infallible_a which_o seem_v to_o have_v so_o loud_a a_o sound_n and_o be_v make_v such_o a_o monstrous_a piece_n of_o business_n by_o the_o denier_n of_o it_o be_v in_o plain_a term_n no_o more_o but_o just_o bare_o certain_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v faith_n vind._n p._n 37._o 38._o and_o reason_n against_o rail_n p._n 113._o to_o come_v close_o up_o then_o to_o my_o adversary_n his_o 20_o principle_n which_o speak_v of_o assent_n in_o common_a be_v whole_o build_v upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n that_o it_o can_v only_o be_v ground_v upon_o evidence_n for_o however_o indeed_o in_o perfect_a reflecter_n that_o be_v unbya_v evidence_n of_o the_o object_n or_o of_o the_o credibleness_n of_o the_o authority_n be_v always_o requisite_a to_o breed_v assent_n yet_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o assent_n in_o weak_a and_o unreflect_a person_n be_v frequent_o build_v on_o a_o great_a probability_n sometime_o a_o very_a little_a one_o and_o sometime_o man_n assent_v upon_o little_a or_o no_o reason_n at_o all_o their_o passion_n or_o interest_n byass_v their_o will_n and_o by_o it_o their_o understanding_n and_o this_o many_o time_n even_o against_o such_o reason_n as_o will_v be_v evident_a to_o another_o again_o material_a infallibility_n which_o be_v enough_o to_o that_o assent_n we_o speak_v of_o precise_o and_o sole_o consider_v depend_v sole_o at_o least_o principal_o on_o the_o object_n contrary_a to_o what_o be_v there_o assert_v and_o whereas_o he_o say_v princ._n 29._o that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v not_o assert_v by_o those_o who_o plead_v for_o the_o infallibility_n of_o a_o church_n he_o see_v by_o this_o discourse_n it_o both_o be_v and_o must_v be_v assert_v and_o that_o we_o maintain_v that_o every_o particular_a person_n must_v be_v material_o infallible_a or_o incapable_a of_o err_v while_o he_o rely_v on_o the_o ground_n lay_v and_o recommend_v by_o god_n that_o be_v while_o he_o believe_v the_o church_n which_o yet_o be_v far_o from_o render_v the_o formal_a infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n useless_a unless_o he_o will_v say_v that_o because_o it_o suffice_v for_o the_o pitch_n of_o weak_a people_n who_o duty_n it_o be_v not_o to_o maintain_v and_o make_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o they_o be_v simple_o in_o the_o right_n or_o void_a of_o error_n and_o that_o they_o see_v after_o a_o gross_a manner_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o though_o they_o can_v defend_v it_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o those_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o do_v so_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o penetrate_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o explicate_v prove_v and_o maintain_v it_o to_o be_v true_a nor_o will_v it_o follow_v that_o though_o the_o generality_n be_v after_o a_o rude_a and_o gross_a manner_n formal_o infallible_a in_o their_o belief_n that_o the_o church_n be_v infallible_a and_o therefore_o that_o the_o point_n she_o propose_v be_v all_o likewise_o infallibly-true_a it_o will_v not_o follow_v i_o say_v hence_o that_o a_o great_a and_o clear_a and_o more_o penetrative_a degree_n of_o formal_a infallibility_n be_v useless_a in_o church-governor_n for_o as_o appear_v by_o my_o four_o note_n there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n for_o the_o church_n which_o far_o exceed_v the_o pitch_n and_o posture_n of_o those_o dull_a knower_n of_o the_o low_a class_n which_o be_v the_o next_o degree_n above_o ignorance_n and_o be_v unauthorise_v to_o meddle_v in_o such_o affair_n unless_o he_o will_v say_v that_o art_n be_v needless_a because_o there_o be_v nature_n or_o that_o there_o need_v no_o judge_n to_o decide_v such_o case_n in_o which_o the_o law_n seem_v plain_a and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o clear_n this_o concern_v point_n in_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o principle_n i_o shall_v be_v brief_a but_o i_o must_v not_o pass_v over_o his_o transition_n to_o they_o which_o be_v this_o we_o be_v further_a to_o inquire_v what_o certainty_n man_n may_v have_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n suppose_v no_o external_n proponent_a to_o be_v infallible_a and_o he_o need_v not_o go_v far_o to_o satisfy_v his_o enquiry_n for_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a by_o the_o dispute_n between_o the_o protestant_n and_o socinian_o that_o scripture_n need_v some_o external_n proposer_n of_o its_o true_a meaning_n in_o such_o kind_n of_o point_n as_o also_o some_o external_n proposer_n or_o attester_n that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a text_n of_o it_o on_o which_o all_o be_v build_v also_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o dr._n st._n princ._n 15._o deny_v any_o infallible_a proposer_n of_o either_o of_o these_o and_o that_o here_o again_o he_o pursue_v close_o the_o same_o doctrine_n last_o this_o proposer_n be_v such_o that_o however_o we_o can_v have_v certainty_n without_o it_o that_o the_o divine_a authority_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v yet_o we_o must_v depend_v on_o it_o for_o the_o knowledge_n when_o and_o where_o it_o be_v engage_v that_o be_v we_o must_v depend_v on_o it_o for_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o in_o case_n this_o proponent_n be_v not_o infallible_a it_o can_v never_o be_v make_v out_o with_o infallible_a certainty_n that_o the_o divine_a authority_n stand_v engage_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o one_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o certainty_n man_n have_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o infallilible_n one_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n which_o faith_n have_v as_o he_o no_o where_o challenge_n but_o very_o laborious_o disprove_v it_o he_o need_v not_o go_v far_o to_o inquire_v or_o learn_v what_o certainty_n it_o must_v have_v for_o common_a sense_n tell_v he_o and_o every_o man_n who_o have_v the_o least_o spark_n of_o natural_a logic_n that_o if_o faith_n must_v have_v certainty_n as_o he_o grant_v and_o have_v not_o infallible_a certainty_n it_o must_v either_o have_v fallible_a certainty_n or_o none_o at_o all_o there_o be_v no_o middle_a between_o they_o and_o so_o we_o must_v make_v account_n that_o because_o it_o overstrain_v d._n st_n weak_a ground_n to_o assert_v faith_n to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a therefore_o his_o next_o attempt_n must_v be_v to_o overstrain_v common_a sense_n and_o to_o the_o inestimable_a honour_n of_o 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different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o measure_n of_o divine_a assistance_n but_o every_o christian_a by_o the_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n may_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n from_o the_o convince_v argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o on_o the_o same_o ground_n on_o which_o man_n doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o they_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o judge_v to_o be_v most_o evident_a to_o sense_n &_o reason_n i_o wish_v d._n s._n have_v explain_v himself_o here_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o different_a degree_n of_o evidence_n whither_o some_o glance_n or_o likely_a appearance_n of_o truth_n call_v great_a or_o lesser_a probability_n or_o such_o intellectual_a sight_n at_o the_o least_o of_o they_o discover_v the_o thâ—ng_n thâ—â—_n evidence_v to_o â—e_v be_v indeed_o so_o or_o true_a i_o suspect_v much_o he_o mean_v the_o former_a because_o thâ—se_a be_v the_o most_o proper_a ground_n for_o fallible_a certainty_n which_o he_o be_v now_o go_v to_o establish_v whereas_o the_o latter_a sort_n of_o evidence_n will_v hazard_v to_o carry_v too_o far_o and_o to_o beget_v infallible_a certainty_n which_o will_v quite_o spoil_v his_o most_o excellent_a design_n of_o settle_v the_o fallible_a certainty_n of_o faith_n for_o those_o evidence_n which_o show_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a show_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a whence_o it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o such_o evidence_n as_o these_o will_v utter_o destroy_v his_o belove_a fallible_a certainty_n and_o endanger_v to_o introduce_v again_o by_o necessary_a and_o enforce_v consequence_n that_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n which_o he_o have_v new_o discard_v when_o he_o add_v that_o every_o christian_a may_v by_o the_o mean_n here_o assign_v attain_v to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o certainty_n etc._n etc._n i_o have_v think_v he_o have_v mean_v certainty_n of_o the_o point_n of_o his_o faith_n but_o my_o hope_n be_v much_o defeat_v when_o come_v to_o the_o point_n he_o fly_v off_o to_o his_o christian_n not_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o this_o be_v far_o wide_a of_o our_o purpose_n and_o his_o promise_n which_o be_v to_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n to_o principle_n whereas_o these_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o christianity_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n or_o scripture_n be_v god_n word_n but_o reach_v not_o to_o what_o be_v those_o point_n of_o christianity_n or_o determinate_a sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o particular_a which_o constitute_v protestantism_n and_o only_o concern_v our_o debate_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o roman-catholic_n profess_v not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o convince_a 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then_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o socinian_n who_o he_o will_v not_o deny_v to_o have_v both_o use_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o common_a help_n of_o grace_n and_o both_o the_o convince_a argument_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o authority_n of_o scripture_n to_o make_v use_n of_o how_o i_o say_v he_o come_v so_o to_o fall_v short_a of_o evidence_n and_o consequent_o certainty_n spring_v from_o that_o evidence_n concern_v christ_n godhead_n which_o be_v a_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christian_a faith_n that_o he_o doubt_v it_o nay_o utter_o deny_v it_o whereas_o yet_o the_o protestant_a have_v the_o same_o mean_n to_o work_v with_o judges_z he_o have_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n ground_v on_o that_o evidence_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n yet_o all_o this_o while_n they_o dissent_v not_o at_o all_o in_o thing_n most_o evident_a to_o sense_n or_o reason_n i_o much_o fear_v our_o drs._n big_a word_n concern_v his_o degree_n of_o evidence_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o faith_n build_v on_o those_o degree_n will_v when_o examine_v amount_v to_o a_o very_a obscure_a evidence_n and_o a_o problematical_a kind_n of_o assuredness_n much_o like_o those_o comfortable_a light_n which_o both_o party_n have_v when_o they_o lie_v even_o wager_n at_o cockfighting_n &_o such_o game_n give_v good_a hope_n to_o both_o side_n but_o good_a security_n to_o neither_o but_o so_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v if_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o infallible_o but_o only_o fallibly-certain_a which_o be_v all_o he_o be_v bend_v to_o prove_v 25._o no_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n it_o be_v therefore_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o these_o who_o be_v certain_a of_o what_o they_o believe_v may_v at_o the_o same_o time_n not_o know_v but_o it_o may_v be_v false_a which_o be_v a_o apparent_a contradiction_n and_o overthrow_v any_o faculty_n in_o we_o of_o judge_v of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n this_o principle_n and_o the_o next_o be_v i_o conceive_v intend_v to_o preserve_v the_o dr_n and_o his_o friend_n credit_v against_o the_o inference_n at_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o diverse_a other_o passage_n show_v they_o either_o to_o be_v far_o from_o good_a christian_n in_o hold_v that_o all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o error_n and_o lie_v imposture_n or_o else_o very_o bad_a discourser_n of_o their_o own_o thought_n whilst_o they_o equivalent_o express_v themselves_o in_o divers_a place_n to_o be_v possible_o in_o a_o error_n in_o all_o they_o believe_v nay_o more_o all_o christian_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n this_o if_o justify_v can_v but_o reflect_v on_o they_o be_v so_o concern_v a_o lapse_n and_o i_o have_v at_o dr._n st_n brisk_a instigation_n charge_v it_o home_o in_o reason_n against_o raillery_n though_o i_o still_o express_v myself_o to_o incline_v to_o the_o more_o civil_a and_o more_o charitable_a side_n and_o rather_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o their_o understanding_n then_o on_o their_o will_n and_o intention_n which_o book_n have_v dr._n st._n see_v when_o he_o write_v this_o he_o will_v have_v discern_v the_o triflingness_n of_o these_o weak_a excuse_n but_o let_v we_o see_v what_o he_o say_v his_o firâ—t_o part_n be_v build_v on_o a_o most_o gross_a and_o senseless_a error_n which_o be_v that_o he_o who_o firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a be_v certain_a of_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o those_o word_n for_o this_o be_v to_o make_v he_o certain_a and_o uncertain_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o wonder_v exceed_o where_o the_o dr._n â—earned_v this_o notion_n of_o certainty_n not_o from_o mankind_n i_o be_o sure_a at_o least_o not_o from_o those_o who_o have_v the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n for_o all_o these_o already_o know_v it_o to_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o man_n may_v firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a and_o yet_o that_o thing_n be_v false_a must_v that_o man_n therefore_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o falsehood_n and_o that_o it_o be_v though_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v not_o we_o experience_n that_o opposite_a party_n firm_o assent_v to_o contrary_a tenet_n as_o true_a for_o example_n the_o socinian_o firm_o assent_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n we_o and_o the_o protestant_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n catholic_n assent_v firm_o that_o they_o be_v not_o idolater_n when_o they_o make_v use_v of_o holy_a image_n in_o divine_a worship_n d._n st._n firm_o assent_v they_o be_v at_o least_o he_o will_v persuade_v his_o 〈◊〉_d by_o his_o book_n he_o do_v so_o be_v all_o these_o opposite_a side_n certain_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n because_o each_o side_n firm_o assent_v to_o they_o as_o true_a
it_o be_v a_o excellent_a world_n for_o heretic_n if_o this_o notion_n of_o certainty_n will_v take_v for_o these_o be_v obstinate_a in_o their_o error_n no_o man_n more_o firm_o assent_v to_o falsehood_n than_o they_o and_o questionless_a the_o generality_n of_o they_o judge_v what_o they_o hold_v true_a too_o nay_o they_o must_v all_o do_v so_o if_o they_o once_o be_v put_v firm_o assent_v as_o in_o our_o case_n for_o to_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n be_v to_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v indeed_o true_a by_o which_o mean_v all_o heretic_n in_o the_o world_n be_v certain_a of_o their_o error_n and_o if_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o they_o common_a sense_n tell_v they_o they_o ought_v to_o hold_v what_o they_o be_v certain_a of_o again_o â—light_a probability_n make_v many_o weak_a people_n firm_o assent_v so_o do_v passion_n and_o interest_n yet_o they_o be_v all_o by_o this_o new_a doctrine_n certain_a of_o what_o they_o hold_v and_o so_o all_o be_v well_o it_o be_v now_o come_v to_o light_v what_o kind_n of_o certainty_n d._n st._n intend_v to_o prâ—scribe_v for_o faith_n after_o he_o have_v reject_v infallibility_n namely_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o one_o may_v have_v whether_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a or_o no_o mere_o by_o virtue_n of_o firm_o assent_v to_o it_o as_o true_a and_o in_o this_o sense_n i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v he_o be_v certain_a of_o his_o faith_n and_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v be_v so_o civil_a as_o to_o requite_v i_o with_o maintain_v that_o i_o be_o certain_a of_o my_o faith_n too_o for_o we_o â—oth_v firm_o assent_v to_o they_o as_o truth_n and_o so_o we_o be_v both_o very_a good_a friend_n and_o by_o the_o same_o method_n so_o be_v turk_n and_o jew_n atone_v to_o christian_n nothing_o be_v so_o proper_a to_o reconcile_v contradiction_n as_o a_o chimaera_n viz._n a_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v none_o identical_a proposition_n be_v mere_a toy_n to_o they_o or_o as_o dr._n t._n say_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o certainty_n that_o be_v no_o certainty_n can_v work_v wonder_n and_o even_o do_v more_o than_o miracle_n ridiculous_a folly_n not_o to_o see_v that_o when_o any_o one_o say_v i_o be_o certain_a of_o such_o a_o thing_n all_o mankind_n understand_v he_o to_o mean_v he_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o infer_v that_o thing_n be_v as_o he_o say_v and_o not_o only_o that_o he_o have_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o it_o as_o true_a without_o intend_v that_o he_o have_v any_o ground_n to_o enforce_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o be_v what_o i_o often_o reflect_v upon_o in_o dr._n t._n reason_n against_o raillery_n that_o his_o discourse_n still_o aim_v to_o take_v the_o business_n of_o certainty_n out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o object_n and_o put_v it_o constant_o upon_o the_o subject_a and_o to_o make_v account_n he_o be_v sure_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o because_o he_o very_o judge_v it_o or_o do_v not_o doubt_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o dr._n st._n be_v here_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o wise_a plot_n to_o which_o he_o begin_v to_o make_v way_n in_o his_o 20_o princip_n where_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o assent_n be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n but_o their_o evidence_n to_o we_o '_o indeed_o if_o he_o speak_v of_o a_o assent_n which_o it_o matter_n not_o whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a or_o rather_o which_o be_v or_o may_v be_v false_a it_o be_v mere_o build_v on_o our_o own_o fancy_n and_o conceit_n which_o i_o suppose_v he_o must_v mean_v there_o by_o the_o word_n evidence_n but_o if_o the_o assent_n we_o speak_v of_o and_o to_o which_o himself_o apply_v it_o be_v that_o of_o faith_n which_o must_v necessary_o be_v true_a both_o it_o and_o the_o evidence_n which_o immediate_o breed_v it_o must_v forcible_o either_o be_v build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n or_o else_o on_o nothing_o and_o so_o both_o the_o pretend_a evidence_n be_v a_o false_a light_n and_o the_o assent_n itself_o false_a and_o chimerical_a on_o the_o other_o side_n in_o case_n if_o the_o evidence_n and_o consequent_o the_o assent_n be_v build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v footstep_n of_o god_n infinite_a wisdom_n in_o which_o he_o have_v imprint_v all_o create_a truth_n and_o establish_v they_o under_o penalty_n of_o the_o high_a folly_n and_o contradiction_n to_o be_v inerrable_o what_o they_o be_v it_o follow_v that_o in_o case_n the_o evidence_n have_v from_o those_o thing_n be_v indeed_o a_o true_a evidence_n or_o a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o their_o nature_n our_o understand_a power_n will_v be_v the_o same_o within_o as_o they_o be_v without_o and_o so_o inerrable_a in_o its_o assent_n and_o it_o certainty_n build_v on_o those_o nature_n so_o that_o as_o their_o metaphysical_a verity_n immediate_o depend_v on_o god_n be_v fix_v by_o that_o essential_o unchangeable_a be_v in_o a_o participate_v but_o yet_o absolute_a unchangeableness_n in_o be_v what_o they_o be_v so_o formal_a verity_n or_o truth_n in_o we_o be_v a_o immediate_a effect_n of_o those_o nature_n thus_o establish_v work_v upon_o our_o understanding_n transfuse_v into_o it_o that_o be_v into_o our_o knowledge_n and_o consequent_o our_o assent_n anâ—_n certainty_n such_o a_o proper_a effect_n of_o themselves_o as_o suit_n with_o the_o subject_a in_o which_o it_o be_v receive_v viz._n a_o intellectual_a unchangeableness_n or_o a_o unchangeableness_n build_v on_o knowledge_n of_o those_o nature_n that_o be_v a_o infallibleness_n no_o wonder_n then_o both_o our_o drs._n in_o their_o weak_a discourse_n fly_v off_o so_o from_o depend_v for_o their_o assent_n or_o faith_n on_o the_o object_n or_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o recur_n still_o to_o the_o subject_a for_o by_o this_o mean_v common_a sense_n be_v drive_v out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n grow_v in_o great_a request_n and_o first_o infallibility_n or_o true_a certainty_n be_v radical_o destroy_v which_o otherwise_o according_a to_o the_o discourse_n now_o make_v must_v forcible_o be_v admit_v then_o fallible_a certainty_n come_v into_o great_a credit_n or_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a whether_o â—t_a be_v true_a or_o no_o that_o be_v such_o certainty_n as_o be_v no_o certainty_n but_o wilful_a adhesion_n such_o a_o faith_n as_o be_v no_o faith_n but_o fancy_n such_o a_o religion_n as_o be_v no_o religion_n but_o folly_n or_o interest_n and_o such_o truth_n as_o be_v no_o truth_n but_o possible_a falsehood_n in_o a_o word_n the_o object_n set_v aside_o and_o the_o dependence_n of_o our_o assent_n upon_o thing_n without_o we_o as_o the_o dr._n will_v have_v it_o the_o subject_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o hold_v and_o say_v what_o best_o like_v the_o spirit_n within_o they_o or_o their_o voluntary_a fancy_n in_o which_o consist_v the_o glorious_a liberty_n of_o d._n st_n bless_a reformation_n i_o grant_v he_o then_o â—hat_n no_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o its_o falsehood_n but_o i_o deny_v that_o this_o plea_n will_v either_o acquit_v he_o or_o dr._n t._n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o make_v christian_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a which_o be_v object_v for_o why_o may_v not_o this_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a now_o or_o to_o day_n both_o suspect_n and_o see_v it_o to_o be_v false_a to_o morrow_n unless_o he_o can_v show_v that_o that_o assent_n of_o he_o depend_v on_o the_o object_n or_o be_v build_v on_o the_o unchangeably-fixt_a nature_n of_o thing_n which_o dr._n st._n deny_v in_o express_a term_n princ._n 20._o or_o what_o can_v establish_v he_o in_o his_o assent_n of_o faith_n if_o that_o do_v not_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a he_o may_v change_v if_o he_o may_v see_v true_a reason_n may_v be_v bring_v against_o it_o what_o will_v do_v he_o credit_v in_o this_o case_n be_v to_o offer_v to_o make_v it_o out_o that_o assent_n require_v evidence_n and_o so_o firm_a assent_n clear_a evidence_n he_o have_v this_o clear_a evidence_n from_o the_o object_n to_o ground_v this_o firm_a assent_n for_o than_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a his_o assent_n will_v be_v unalterable_a and_o solidly-grounded_n or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o become_v faith_n not_o desultory_n inconstant_a and_o weakly-built_a as_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n but_o this_o my_o two_o adversary_n must_v not_o do_v for_o how_o can_v they_o pretend_v to_o a_o unalterable_a assent_n if_o assent_n be_v not_o build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n only_o which_o be_v unchangeable_a or_o how_o to_o clear_a evidence_n if_o they_o may_v notwithstanding_o that_o evidence_n be_v still_o deceive_v as_o they_o must_v say_v all_o
some_o certainty_n without_o any_o kind_n of_o nature_n of_o proof_n that_o be_v without_o any_o regard_n have_v to_o the_o object_n after_o this_o he_o acquaint_v we_o with_o one_o kind_n of_o morâ—l_v certainty_n watch_v he_o say_v be_v oppose_v to_o mathematical_a evidence_n now_o i_o neither_o discern_v how_o moral_a and_o mathematical_a come_v to_o be_v opposite_a to_o one_o another_o more_o than_o moral_a or_o physical_a and_o metaphysical_a or_o theological_a less_o do_v i_o see_v how_o certainty_n anâ—_n evidence_n have_v such_o a_o opposition_n and_o antipathy_n i_o think_v they_o may_v have_v be_v both_o on_o the_o same_o side_n but_o i_o conceive_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o natural_a reason_n make_v he_o at_o unaware_o join_v certainty_n to_o moral_a and_o evidence_n to_o mathematical_a thereby_o confess_v that_o this_o moral_a certainty_n as_o he_o apprehend_v it_o be_v indeed_o the_o issue_n of_o no_o kind_n of_o evidence_n at_o all_o but_o of_o mere_a obscurity_n or_o at_o best_o of_o some_o conjectural_a glance_n of_o likelihood_n but_o he_o describe_v or_o give_v we_o some_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o this_o moral_a certainty_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o imply_v a_o firm_a assent_n upon_o the_o high_a evidence_n that_o moral_a thing_n can_v receive_v and_o this_o he_o assign_v to_o christian_a faith_n where_o first_o i_o will_v know_v whether_o this_o moral_a certainty_n here_o mention_v be_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n or_o a_o fallible_a one_o and_o i_o presume_v he_o will_v answer_v it_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o for_o infallible_a and_o moral_a certainty_n be_v opposite_a which_o be_v a_o fair_a beginning_n towards_o the_o ascertaning_n faith_n next_o i_o will_v desire_v he_o to_o speak_v out_o candid_o and_o tell_v i_o whether_o this_o moral_a certainty_n put_v faith_n absolute_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v false_a or_o whither_o notwithstanding_o this_o certainty_n it_o may_v with_o truth_n be_v say_v that_o still_o absolute_o speak_v all_o christian_a faith_n may_v be_v a_o error_n or_o mistake_n of_o the_o world_n i_o presume_v he_o will_v not_o say_v it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v all_o a_o mistake_v because_o it_o be_v so_o protect_v by_o this_o moral_a certainty_n for_o he_o make_v this_o a_o less_o degree_n of_o certainty_n than_o mathematical_a certainty_n be_v and_o dr._n t._n have_v tell_v we_o there_o can_v be_v no_o degree_n in_o absolute_a impossibility_n beside_o i_o see_v not_o how_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n can_v establish_v any_o tenet_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n which_o be_v incomparable_o above_o that_o can_v do_v no_o more_o and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o his_o credit_n for_o it_o be_v indeed_o blasphemous_a to_o say_v that_o all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_a imposture_n for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v or_o that_o all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n though_o rely_v and_o proceed_v to_o their_o power_n on_o the_o mean_n god_n have_v appoint_v to_o establish_v they_o in_o true_a faith_n may_v notwithstanding_o be_v possible_o in_o a_o error_n i_o suppose_v than_o he_o will_v recur_v to_o his_o late_a excuse_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o no_o man_n who_o firm_o assent_v to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n entertain_v any_o suspicion_n of_o its_o falsehood_n but_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o our_o purpose_n it_o be_v not_o his_o judgement_n but_o his_o doctrine_n which_o stand_v impeach_v not_o his_o thought_n but_o his_o word_n and_o discourse_n let_v he_o clear_v those_o to_o the_o world_n and_o i_o be_o to_o remit_v secret_a thing_n to_o god_n and_o his_o own_o conscience_n i_o leave_v then_o he_o and_o his_o frâ—end_n to_o shuffâ—le_v about_o for_o better_a evasion_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a can_v never_o be_v candid_a and_o scholarlike_o but_o some_o learned_a quirk_n and_o jeer_n and_o address_v myself_o to_o a_o far_a examination_n of_o this_o worthy_a principle_n 3_o than_o i_o will_v ask_v whether_o the_o firmness_n of_o this_o assent_n which_o he_o say_v here_o moral_a certainty_n imply_v be_v take_v from_o the_o object_n or_o from_o the_o subject_a i_o suppose_v he_o will_v say_v here_o from_o the_o object_n because_o he_o say_v it_o be_v upon_o the_o high_a evidence_n moral_a thing_n can_v receive_v but_o i_o perceive_v he_o dispose_v even_o while_o he_o say_v so_o to_o blame_v the_o thing_n for_o receive_v no_o more_o i_o doubt_v he_o shall_v rather_o blame_v himself_o for_o receive_v no_o more_o from_o those_o moral_a object_n who_o be_v both_o as_o able_a and_o as_o ready_a to_o afford_v he_o perfect_a evidence_n as_o perhaps_o any_o other_o thing_n in_o nature_n do_v he_o dispose_v himself_o to_o receive_v it_o for_o be_v not_o moral_a thing_n as_o firm_o establish_v in_o their_o respective_a determinate_a nature_n as_o natural_a and_o mathematical_a thing_n from_o which_o establishment_n all_o our_o science_n be_v take_v be_v not_o a_o will_v as_o certain_o a_o will_n and_o liberty_n as_o necessary_o liberty_n as_o a_o triangle_n be_v a_o triangle_n again_o be_v not_o voluntary_a liberty_n virtue_n vice_n and_o such_o like_a very_o intelligible_a word_n and_o consequent_o the_o nature_n of_o moral_a thing_n knowable_a as_o well_o as_o other_o in_o other_o science_n i_o wonder_v then_o why_o the_o evidence_n of_o moral_a thing_n can_v be_v as_o high_a as_o that_o of_o mathematical_a thing_n since_o the_o nature_n of_o both_o be_v equal_o firm_a both_o nature_n can_v be_v know_v and_o so_o engage_v in_o our_o discourse_n of_o they_o and_o from_o they_o and_o all_o science_n or_o evidence_n spring_v from_o engage_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n the_o sum_n than_o be_v dr._n st._n have_v give_v faith_n excellent_a good_a word_n in_o tell_v we_o its_o moral_a certainty_n imply_v a_o firm_a assent_n upon_o the_o high_a evidence_n moral_a thing_n can_v receive_v but_o look_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o his_o meaning_n he_o intend_v it_o only_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n or_o such_o as_o may_v still_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o the_o right_a descant_n upon_o his_o fine_a word_n be_v in_o true_a construction_n this_o he_o allow_v faith_n such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v uncertain_a such_o a_o firmness_n as_o may_v both_o bow_n and_o break_v such_o a_o evidence_n in_o its_o ground_n as_o be_v obscure_a and_o consequent_o make_v it_o such_o a_o assent_n as_o be_v irrational_a all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o must_v needs_o follow_v from_o this_o reject_v infallible_a certainty_n in_o the_o gronnd_n of_o faith_n if_o he_o think_v i_o wrong_v he_o let_v we_o put_v it_o to_o the_o test_n let_v he_o take_v the_o best_a of_o those_o evidence_n or_o proof_n which_o ground_n his_o moral_a certainty_n and_o put_v it_o with_o the_o help_n of_o a_o little_a logic_n into_o a_o syllogism_n or_o two_o and_o then_o tell_v i_o whether_o it_o do_v necessary_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n or_o no._n if_o it_o conclude_v why_o do_v he_o not_o say_v faith_n be_v absolute_o certain_a but_o mince_v it_o with_o moral_a if_o it_o conclude_v not_o how_o can_v all_o the_o world_n avoid_v but_o his_o pretend_a evidence_n be_v obscure_a his_o pretend_a certainty_n build_v on_o that_o evidence_n uncertain_a the_o firmness_n of_o that_o assent_n infirm_a and_o the_o assent_n itself_o to_o a_o conclusion_n thus_o unprove_v and_o no_o way_n evident_a in_o a_o man_n capable_a to_o comprehend_v what_o ought_v in_o due_a of_o right_a reason_n cause_n assent_v privative_o irrational_a or_o faulty_a 28._o a_o christian_a be_v thus_o certain_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o a_o firm_a assent_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n his_o faith_n be_v thereby_o resolve_v into_o the_o scripture_n as_o into_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o believe_v as_o it_o be_v into_o that_o veracity_n of_o god_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o believe_v what_o be_v therein_o contain_v a_o christian_n who_o be_v no_o better_o certain_a then_o thus_o that_o be_v by_o ground_n allow_v only_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v not_o absolute_o or_o true_o conclusive_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n as_o dr._n st._n intend_v no_o more_o by_o his_o moral_a certainty_n be_v not_o certain_a at_o all_o as_o appear_v far_a by_o the_o next_o word_n certain_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o a_o firm_a assent_n the_o meaning_n of_o which_o must_v be_v that_o this_o high_a degree_n of_o a_o firm_a assent_n either_o be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o certainty_n he_o intend_v his_o faith_n according_a to_o his_o former_a doctrine_n and_o constitute_v or_o explicate_v it_o or_o else_o that_o at_o least_o it_o help_v to_o make_v up_o this_o certainty_n that_o be_v perfect_a it_o within_o its_o notion_n and_o
be_v concern_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o that_o may_v not_o serve_v in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v make_v use_n of_o as_o the_o mean_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n unless_o any_o imagine_v that_o error_n in_o opinion_n be_v far_o more_o dangerous_a to_o man_n soul_n then_o a_o vicious_a life_n be_v and_o therefore_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o take_v more_o care_n to_o prevent_v the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o the_o dr._n be_v conscious_a to_o himself_o that_o he_o have_v notwithstanding_o all_o his_o promise_n to_o reduce_v faith_n to_o principle_n and_o to_o prove_v its_o certainty_n leave_v it_o still_o uncertain_a think_v it_o his_o best_a expedient_a to_o close_v his_o blind_a principle_n with_o a_o speed_a one_o which_o to_o the_o shame_n of_o all_o principle_n shall_v maintain_v that_o it_o need_v not_o be_v certain_a though_o he_o couch_v this_o sense_n wary_o as_o it_o behoove_v he_o he_o seem_v to_o ground_v his_o sceptical_a discourse_n on_o this_o that_o man_n be_v fallible_a and_o so_o subject_a to_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o wish_v he_o will_v speak_v out_o once_o in_o his_o life_n and_o tell_v we_o plain_o whether_o all_o mankind_n be_v fallible_a in_o every_o thing_n or_o only_o in_o some_o thing_n and_o in_o some_o circumstance_n again_o whether_o he_o mean_v that_o man_n be_v natural_o fallible_a or_o supernatural_o that_o be_v by_o mean_n of_o god_n infinite_a power_n if_o it_o shall_v set_v it_o â—elf_n to_o deceive_v they_o if_o the_o late_a it_o be_v not_o nor_o aught_o to_o be_v our_o question_n for_o no_o man_n who_o have_v any_o reverence_n for_o god_n or_o his_o attribute_n will_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o will_v do_v miracle_n still_o to_o lead_v mankind_n into_o error_n but_o rather_o judge_v it_o become_v his_o goodness_n to_o provide_v in_o case_n the_o good_a of_o the_o world_n or_o the_o church_n shall_v require_v that_o some_o extraordinary_a thing_n be_v do_v that_o mankind_n shall_v have_v notice_n of_o it_o by_o some_o certain_a way_n to_o prevent_v his_o err_v as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o eucharist_n take_v he_o then_o to_o mean_v that_o man_n be_v natural_o fallible_a we_o inquire_v further_o be_v all_o mankind_n however_o one_o sense_n or_o another_o accidental_o may_v be_v insincere_a in_o one_o or_o another_o particular_a yet_o be_v all_o mankind_n natural_o fallible_a in_o their_o daily_a sensation_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o all_o mankind_n so_o frame_v as_o to_o convey_v wrong_a impression_n into_o his_o know_a power_n if_o not_o they_o can_v err_v natural_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v dr._n st._n will_v say_v our_o sense_n thus_o and_o in_o this_o be_v fallible_a if_o he_o do_v i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o say_v of_o he_o which_o be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o perfect_a pyrrhonian_n and_o unworthy_a of_o mankind_n conversation_n or_o discourse_n with_o he_o for_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v man_n discourse_v with_o he_o if_o all_o his_o sense_n be_v fallible_a himself_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o discourse_n or_o no_o i_o ask_v still_o further_o be_v man_n natural_o fallible_a in_o some_o thing_n not_o have_v immediate_o from_o sense_n for_o example_n in_o know_v that_o the_o world_n be_v on_o foot_n a_o year_n before_o we_o be_v bear_v or_o in_o first_o principle_n as_o aequale_fw-la est_fw-la aequale_fw-la sibi_fw-la a_o equal_a equal_a to_o itself_o or_o in_o a_o conclusion_n immediate_o depend_v on_o such_o principle_n as_o that_o therefore_o three_o line_n draw_v from_o the_o centre_n to_o the_o circumference_n be_v equal_a and_o such_o like_a i_o think_v he_o will_v not_o say_v it_o we_o see_v then_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o infallibility_n or_o certainty_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n wherefore_o they_o can_v aim_v at_o it_o and_o desire_v it_o especial_o in_o faith_n which_o be_v of_o so_o high_a a_o concern_v to_o their_o soul_n and_o the_o basis_n of_o all_o their_o spiritual_a building_n therefore_o both_o for_o that_o reason_n and_o very_o many_o other_o recount_v and_o enforce_v by_o i_o in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o elsewhere_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v this_o certainty_n especial_o since_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n be_v neither_o provable_a maintainable_a nor_o professible_a without_o it_o in_o case_n such_o a_o certainty_n be_v not_o in_o itself_o impossible_a and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o i_o have_v say_v something_o both_o in_o my_o reason_n against_o raillery_n p._n 64._o to_o 67._o and_o p._n 112._o to_o p._n 116._o as_o also_o in_o this_o present_a treatise_n in_o my_o answer_n to_o the_o 27._o principle_n but_o set_v this_o aside_o we_o will_v proceed_v and_o demand_v still_o far_o be_v man_n deceivable_a in_o know_v what_o one_o another_o mean_n in_o ordinary_a conversation_n or_o domestic_a affair_n can_v the_o maâ—â—er_n and_o the_o man_n the_o mistress_n and_o her_o maid_n understand_v one_o another_o or_o in_o case_n some_o ambiguous_a expression_n intermingle_v itself_o can_v the_o speaker_n upon_o the_o other_o be_v signify_v his_o dissatisfaction_n absolute_o clear_v his_o doubt_n and_o make_v himself_o be_v thorough_o understand_v experience_n tell_v we_o they_o can_v and_o that_o they_o may_v as_o easy_o be_v mistake_v in_o their_o sensation_n as_o in_o such_o kind_n of_o expression_n we_o see_v then_o man_n be_v infallible_a in_o many_o thing_n and_o even_o in_o understand_v word_n aright_o in_o same_o case_n if_o then_o they_o be_v fallible_a in_o understand_a scripture_n and_o this_o in_o the_o main_a and_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christianity_n as_o be_v show_v above_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o fallibility_n be_v not_o to_o be_v refund_v total_o into_o the_o subject_a or_o man_n since_o he_o be_v capable_a of_o infallible_a certainty_n in_o other_o thing_n but_o into_o the_o want_n of_o clearness_n in_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o such_o point_n in_o proportion_n to_o private_a understanding_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v never_o intend_v by_o god_n for_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o though_o both_o side_n rely_v on_o this_o yet_o one_o even_o while_o do_v thus_o be_v still_o in_o a_o error_n and_o such_o a_o error_n as_o be_v a_o heresy_n since_o than_o what_o we_o hold_v be_v that_o man_n be_v infallible_a in_o affair_n belong_v to_o faith_n and_o this_o while_o they_o rely_v on_o the_o ground_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o they_o to_o embrace_v faith_n i_o will_v ask_v he_o in_o a_o word_n whether_o he_o hold_v all_o man_n may_v be_v deceive_v in_o that_o very_a affair_n even_o while_o they_o do_v this_o to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o power_n if_o he_o say_v they_o can_v it_o be_v unavoidable_a all_o the_o christian_a world_n may_v possible_o be_v now_o in_o a_o error_n and_o all_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o mere_a lie_n as_o also_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o that_o case_n god_n will_v have_v leave_v no_o ordinary_a mean_n to_o secure_v his_o church_n or_o any_o man_n in_o it_o from_o error_n &_o last_o that_o god_n lead_v man_n into_o error_n sâ—nce_o they_o act_v to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o power_n as_o be_v suppose_v their_o error_n can_v be_v refund_v into_o they_o but_o into_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o those_o mean_n that_o be_v their_o want_n of_o perspicuity_n or_o sufficient_a plainness_n to_o their_o addict_v and_o faithfully-endeavouring_a understanding_n even_o as_o to_o those_o main_a point_n thus_o much_o to_o show_v how_o crafty_o dr._n st._n to_o avoid_v reflection_n on_o the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o rule_n he_o assign_v put_v it_o only_o upon_o man_n being_n fallible_a and_o how_o unreasonable_o he_o behave_v himself_o in_o so_o do_v let_v we_o now_o see_v how_o he_o provide_v against_o this_o fallibility_n lest_o otherwise_o all_o mankind_n shall_v err_v in_o their_o faith_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o better_a way_n to_o prevent_v man_n mistake_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o man_n be_v fallible_a be_v subject_a to_o than_o the_o consider_v the_o consequence_n of_o mistake_v in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o their_o salvation_n be_v concern_v well_o put_v this_o consideration_n in_o man_n be_v any_o of_o they_o by_o virtue_n thereof_o yet_o infallible_a or_o secure_v from_o err_v in_o understand_a scripture_n if_o not_o all_o mankind_n may_v yet_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n be_v in_o a_o error_n in_o matter_n belong_v to_o faith_n and_o so_o all_o christian_a faith_n may_v still_o possible_o be_v false_a notwithstanding_o all_o the_o provision_n put_v by_o he_o to_o secure_v they_o and_o it._n but_o if_o this_o render_v they_o absolute_o secure_v from_o err_v than_o we_o may_v hope_v god_n church_n too_o may_v have_v the_o grace_n give_v she_o by_o god_n
certainty_n we_o have_v of_o all_o that_o concern_v it_o aught_o by_o consequence_n be_v better_a ground_v and_o firm_a than_o any_o or_o all_o its_o superstructure_n also_o it_o be_v ill_a divinity_n to_o counterpose_v matter_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o mean_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o their_o life_n since_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v the_o very_o best_a of_o those_o mean_n or_o to_o pretend_v that_o error_n in_o opinion_n i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v in_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o point_n be_v not_o more_o dangerous_a to_o man_n soul_n than_o a_o vicious_a life_n for_o this_o suppose_v faith_n no_o part_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n nor_o infide_o heresy_n judaism_n or_o turcism_n to_o be_v vice_n which_o by_o consequence_n degrade_n christian_a faith_n from_o be_v a_o virtue_n contrary_a to_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o christianity_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n i_o shall_v hope_v from_o any_o impartial_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n who_o be_v a_o christian_n that_o he_o will_v acknowledge_v these_o posiâ—ions_n of_o my_o bear_n a_o clear_a evidence_n either_o in_o theâ—_n sâ—lves_n or_o in_o their_o proof_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o opposite_a one_o advance_v either_o explicitly_a or_o implicit_o by_o dr._n st._n be_v both_o obscure_a and_o which_o be_v worse_o untrue_a the_o total_a account_v of_o dr._n st_n principle_n thus_o have_v i_o speak_v distinct_o and_o full_o to_o dr._n st_n principle_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o sum_v up_o their_o merit_n in_o brief_a and_o give_v a_o short_a character_n of_o they_o that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v see_v how_o infinite_o short_a they_o fall_v of_o deserve_v so_o honourable_a a_o name_n but_o first_o we_o be_v to_o speak_v a_o word_n or_o two_o to_o the_o principle_n agree_v on_o by_o both_o side_n of_o which_o the_o first_o and_o three_o be_v great_a truth_n and_o the_o word_n god_n and_o obedience_n due_a to_o god_n now_o &_o then_o bare_o name_v but_o no_o kind_n of_o conclusion_n be_v draw_v from_o those_o two_o particular_a proposition_n influential_a to_o the_o end_n intend_v viz._n to_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o protestant_n to_o principle_n whence_o though_o they_o be_v most_o certain_a truth_n yet_o as_o stand_v here_o they_o be_v no_o principle_n the_o 2d_o and_o four_o which_o concern_v god_n attribute_n be_v not_o at_o all_o use_v neither_o for_o he_o can_v use_v they_o alone_o to_o evince_v scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o rule_n unless_o he_o first_o prove_v that_o scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o fit_a for_o that_o end_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o become_v gods_n attribute_n to_o choose_v it_o which_o he_o no_o where_o do_v and_o whereas_o he_o will_v argue_v thus_o princ._n 7._o god_n have_v choose_v it_o for_o a_o rule_n therefore_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o attribute_n it_o be_v both_o frivolous_a because_o all_o be_v already_o conclude_v between_o we_o if_o he_o prove_v god_n have_v choose_v scripture_n for_o that_o end_n for_o then_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o it_o must_v be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o attribute_n and_o also_o preposterous_a for_o he_o make_v that_o the_o conclusion_n which_o shall_v be_v in_o case_n he_o argue_v from_o god_n attribute_n the_o principle_n for_o his_o argument_n ought_v in_o that_o case_n to_o run_v thus_o god_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v choose_v that_o for_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v wise_a and_o best_a to_o be_v choose_v but_o scripture_n letter_n be_v such_o therefore_o he_o have_v choose_v it_o for_o a_o rule_n the_o four_o and_o 5_o be_v either_o never_o make_v use_n of_o by_o he_o as_o principle_n or_o else_o they_o make_v direct_o against_o himself_o for_o fallible_a certainty_n only_o which_o have_v discard_v that_o which_o be_v infallible_a he_o sustain_v can_v never_o make_v any_o one_o know_v what_o be_v god_n will_n this_o be_v a_o ill_a beginning_n and_o a_o very_a slender_a success_n hitherto_o let_v we_o see_v next_o whether_o he_o have_v better_a luck_n with_o his_o own_o principle_n the_o first_o take_v the_o word_n literal_o and_o proper_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v in_o principle_n be_v against_o himself_o for_o he_o confess_v there_o that_o such_o a_o way_n of_o revelation_n be_v in_o itself_o neccessary_a to_o our_o entire_a obedience_n to_o god_n will_n as_o may_v make_v we_o know_v what_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v but_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o that_o fallible_a certainty_n which_o only_o have_v reject_v infallible_a certainty_n he_o can_v maintain_v be_v far_o from_o make_v we_o know_v this_o principle_n therefore_o be_v either_o against_o himself_o or_o if_o he_o mean_v to_o go_v less_o by_o the_o word_n know_v than_o what_o be_v apt_a absolute_o and_o true_o to_o ascertain_v it_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n for_o so_o it_o can_v only_o settle_v opinion_n and_o not_o faith_n the_o second_o be_v useless_a impertinent_a and_o in_o part_n false_a the_o three_o be_v false_a and_o impertinent_a to_o boot_v the_o four_o be_v ambiguous_a and_o take_v in_o that_o sense_n when_o distinguish_v which_o he_o seem_v to_o aim_n at_o it_o be_v absolute_o false_a the_o 5_o be_v absurd_a preposterous_a and_o against_o all_o art_n in_o put_v we_o to_o argue_v from_o what_o be_v less_o know_v to_o what_o be_v more_o know_v and_o withal_o total_o false_a the_o 6_o be_v sophistical_o ambiguous_a and_o in_o great_a part_n false_a the_o seven_o build_v on_o a_o groundless_a pretence_n and_o contain_v a_o notorious_a 〈…〉_z the_o 8_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n or_o sinâ—â—_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o process_n of_o his_o discourse_n he_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n certain_o and_o know_v only_a fallible_a certainty_n which_o be_v none_o at_o all_o he_o can_v possible_o advance_v by_o such_o a_o discourse_n towards_o the_o settle_v we_o a_o certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n beside_o he_o either_o suppose_v scripture_n as_o it_o now_o stand_v sufficient_a which_o be_v to_o beg_v the_o question_n or_o else_o he_o confound_v god_n ordinary_a power_n work_v with_o the_o cause_n now_o on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n which_o only_o concern_v the_o present_a point_n with_o his_o extraordinary_n or_o what_o he_o can_v possible_o effect_v by_o his_o divine_a omnipitence_n the_o 9th_o only_o enumerate_v the_o several_a way_n how_o god_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o make_v know_v his_o will_n and_o in_o do_v so_o either_o mince_v or_o else_o quite_o leave_v out_o the_o tradition_n of_o god_n church_n as_o if_o it_o be_v vnconceivable_a god_n shall_v speak_v to_o man_n by_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n in_o the_o church_n whereas_o yet_o himself_o must_v confess_v that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n faith_n either_o be_v signify_v and_o certify_v by_o that_o or_o no_o way_n the_o 10_o go_v upon_o a_o false_a supposition_n and_o include_v two_o fallace_n call_v by_o logician_n non_fw-la causa_fw-la pro_fw-la causa_fw-la or_o assign_v a_o wrong_a cause_n and_o omit_v the_o true_a one_o also_o it_o be_v in_o part_n false_a in_o say_v word_n be_v equal_o oapable_a of_o be_v understand_v speak_v or_o write_v and_o last_o it_o confound_v again_o god_n ordinary_a power_n with_o his_o extraordinary_a the_o 11_o make_v account_n there_o be_v no_o benefit_n of_o divine_a write_n but_o in_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v against_o common_a sense_n and_o daily_a experience_n the_o 12_o come_v home_n to_o the_o point_n but_o it_o be_v perfect_o groundless_a unproved_a false_a and_o as_o full_a of_o absurdity_n of_o several_a sort_n as_o it_o can_v well_o â—old_a the_o 13_o begin_v with_o a_o false_a position_n proceed_v with_o a_o false_a and_o unproved_a supposition_n and_o endeavour_n to_o induce_v a_o most_o extravagant_a conclusion_n only_o from_o premise_n grant_v kind_o by_o himself_o to_o himself_o without_o the_o least_o proof_n the_o 14tb_n contain_v three_o false_a and_o unproved_a supposition_n viz._n that_o god_n promise_v his_o church_n to_o deliver_v his_o whole_a will_n in_o write_n or_o that_o the_o writer_n of_o scripture_n have_v any_o order_n from_o god_n to_o write_v his_o whole_a will_n explicit_o or_o that_o the_o primitive_a church_n believe_v it_o to_o have_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o to_o signify_v without_o need_v the_o church_n all_o save_a truth_n to_o every_o sincere_a reader_n with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n the_o 15_o begin_v again_o with_o a_o false_a and_o unproved_a supposition_n and_o draw_v thence_o a_o consequence_n not_o contain_v in_o the_o proof_n and_o in_o part_n against_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o own_o tenet_n and_o last_o bring_v in_o confirmation_n of_o it_o a_o instance_n which_o make_v against_o himself_o the_o 16_o putt_n upon_o catholic_n a_o tenet_n they_o never_o hold_v and_o be_v whole_o false_a irrational_a and_o absurd_a assume_v
gratis_o this_o position_n that_o nothing_o but_o miracle_n ought_v to_o serve_v whether_o there_o be_v other_o mean_v lay_v or_o no_o or_o that_o no_o proof_n but_o miracle_n can_v possible_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v man_n reason_n in_o a_o thing_n subject_a to_o reason_n for_o the_o natural_a assistance_n of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o of_o itself_o and_o the_o suppernatural_a suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o sanctity_n in_o the_o church_n be_v as_o plain_a reason_n as_o that_o the_o great_a motive_n to_o goodness_n and_o interior_a goodness_n cause_v by_o those_o motive_n will_v make_v those_o good_a man_n who_o have_v it_o act_n as_o good_a man_n ought_v and_o be_v apt_a to_o do_v the_o 17_o proceed_v whole_o upon_o a_o false_a imputation_n lay_v on_o our_o church_n and_o on_o his_o confound_a most_o absurd_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o church_n with_o that_o of_o the_o school_n or_o rather_o take_v a_o few_o speculative_a divine_n and_o those_o the_o weak_a to_o be_v the_o church_n the_o 18_o be_v again_o build_v on_o a_o unproved_a supposition_n of_o which_o kind_n of_o ground_n he_o be_v still_o very_o free_a and_o on_o a_o false_o pretend_a promise_n from_o god_n so_o to_o secure_v any_o private-spirited_n contemner_n of_o the_o church_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n whether_o he_o errâ—_n or_o no_o though_o as_o common_a sense_n and_o the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n give_v it_o he_o forfeit_v both_o his_o reason_n and_o his_o virtue_n by_o not_o hear_v his_o lawful_a and_o learned_a pastor_n rather_o than_o his_o self-conceited_a ignorant_a self_n the_o 19_o have_v the_o same_o fault_n with_o the_o former_a and_o be_v whole_o false_a even_o though_o his_o own_o supposition_n mention_v in_o the_o close_a be_v free_o grant_v he_o which_o it_o be_v not_o the_o four_o principle_n follow_v be_v make_v up_o of_o these_o error_n 1._o that_o we_o hold_v that_o no_o man_n can_v have_v a_o true_a and_o save_a faith_n unless_o he_o see_v and_o know_v that_o the_o proponent_n be_v infallible_a 2._o that_o the_o nature_n of_o assent_n when_o rational_a depend_v not_o on_o the_o object_n 3._o that_o one_o can_v have_v a_o infallible_a assent_n in_o faith_n without_o infallible_a assistance_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n themselves_o 4._o that_o there_o be_v no_o middle_n between_o no_o particular_a person_n and_o every_o particular_a person_n be_v formal_o infallible_a whereas_o my_o tenet_n be_v that_o some_o must_v be_v so_o most_o may_v be_v so_o and_o all_o need_v not_o be_v so_o 5._o that_o because_o all_o must_v be_v material_o infallible_a or_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n but_o know_v not_o how_o they_o be_v so_o therefore_o it_o be_v useless_a that_o any_o shall_v know_v how_o to_o make_v out_o those_o ground_n to_o settle_v explain_v and_o defend_v faith_n and_o its_o certainty_n these_o with_o his_o self-contradiction_n be_v the_o jar_a element_n which_o compound_v these_o four_o terrible_a principle_n with_o which_o he_o hope_v to_o undermine_v and_o blow_v up_o the_o church_n infallibility_n and_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n the_o 24_o give_v good_a word_n in_o common_a of_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n but_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o former_a fallible_a certainty_n by_o the_o late_a only_o some_o probability_n or_o improbability_n so_o it_o but_o appear_v so_o to_o the_o subject_a and_o be_v a_o total_a prevarication_n from_o settle_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n to_o not_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o question_n the_o 25_o hold_v forth_o a_o most_o wicked_a and_o gross_a absurdity_n destructive_a of_o all_o certainty_n evidence_n faith_n christianity_n and_o even_o manhood_n viz._n that_o to_o assent_v firm_o to_o any_o thing_n as_o true_a be_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o it_o and_o intimate_v two_o other_o viz._n that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v now_o certain_a of_o a_o thing_n may_v at_o another_o time_n know_v that_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a though_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n as_o also_o that_o such_o a_o certainty_n be_v competent_a for_o belief_n or_o faith_n the_o 26._o speak_v evident_a truth_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o but_o be_v nothing_o available_a to_o his_o cause_n but_o rather_o against_o he_o the_o inference_n thence_o be_v false_a be_v defective_o express_v and_o when_o rectify_v be_v also_o a_o clear_a truth_n but_o high_o prejudices_fw-la himself_o the_o 27._o be_v utter_o 〈◊〉_d of_o common_a sense_n certainty_n faith_n and_o christianity_n the_o 28._o principle_n be_v a_o weak_a and_o inconsistent_a discourse_n the_o 29._o suppose_n scripture_n intelligible_a enough_o in_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n without_o the_o church_n and_o to_o contain_v express_o god_n whole_a will_n oâ—_n every_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o at_o least_o with_o such_o a_o ground_n of_o it_o there_o as_o that_o it_o be_v deducible_a thence_o by_o private_a understanding_n with_o 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examine_v as_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v which_o be_v so_o evident_a to_o all_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n that_o it_o can_v need_v proof_n and_o can_v scarce_o admit_v any_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v never_o prove_v by_o he_o that_o be_v it_o be_v no_o conclusion_n draw_v from_o any_o of_o his_o principle_n but_o put_v in_o stead_n of_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o trial_n and_o motive_n these_o word_n the_o same_o way_n which_o include_v they_o both_o equivalent_o it_o be_v only_o a_o repetition_n of_o his_o 5_o and_o 6_o principle_n and_o continue_v the_o same_o affect_a ambiguity_n in_o the_o word_n revelation_n as_o he_o use_v former_o nay_o and_o be_v the_o same_o nonsense_n too_o in_o case_n he_o take_v revelation_n in_o either_o place_n for_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n reveal_v and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n for_o that_o only_a which_o be_v build_v on_o natural_a assistance_n that_o be_v for_o it_o be_v human_a testimony_n for_o so_o it_o be_v 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in_o this_o proposition_n which_o he_o pretend_v follow_v from_o they_o as_o a_o conclusion_n 5._o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n be_v not_o to_o question_v the_o veracity_n of_o god_n but_o so_o firm_o to_o adhere_v to_o that_o in_o what_o he_o have_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o man_n dare_v not_o out_o of_o love_n to_o their_o soul_n reject_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o former_a for_o the_o word_n such_o a_o church_n and_o so_o teach_v mean_v absurd_o and_o repugnant_o to_o first_o principle_n the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v full_a as_o self-evident_a to_o all_o christian_n who_o hold_v god_n the_o author_n of_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o author_n of_o truth_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o lie_n the_o rest_n of_o it_o which_o will_v seem_v to_o put_v the_o opposite_a to_o the_o forego_n part_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n be_v firm_o to_o adhere_v to_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n be_v absolute_o false_a for_o to_o disow_v what_o be_v so_o teach_v by_o such_o a_o church_n amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o to_o hold_v to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n in_o point_n conrrary_a to_o those_o principle_n obtrude_v by_o that_o church_n which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o be_v a_o atheist_n for_o any_o thing_n dr._n st._n have_v bring_v to_o make_v he_o adhere_v to_o scripture_n for_o i_o much_o doubt_n that_o a_o profess_a fallible_a certainty_n for_o such_o wonderful_a &_o extraordinary_a point_n as_o he_o will_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v if_o he_o become_v a_o christian_n will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o give_v he_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o their_o truth_n if_o he_o guide_v himself_o by_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o reason_n as_o dr._n st._n pretend_v he_o shall_v nor_o be_v it_o in_o dr._n st_n love_n of_o his_o soul_n as_o he_o like_v a_o saint_n pretend_v here_o but_o humour_n and_o interest_n to_o adhere_v so_o firm_o to_o his_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n for_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o he_o can_v but_o see_v have_v not_o in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o rule_n nor_o consequent_o be_v ever_o intend_v by_o god_n for_o such_o a_o end_n since_o renounce_v infallibility_n in_o man_n he_o must_v confess_v that_o all_o possible_a mean_n be_v use_v to_o find_v out_o truth_n by_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n no_o better_o ground_v it_o still_o leave_v all_o the_o relier_n on_o it_o in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v mistake_v as_o himself_o also_o confess_v princ._n 30._o that_o be_v insecure_a that_o their_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o only_o fallible_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o his_o six_o and_o last_o conclusion_n it_o be_v not_o amiss_o to_o examine_v these_o according_a to_o the_o noâ—es_v put_v down_o former_o contain_v some_o qualification_n necessary_o belong_v to_o all_o conclusion_n and_o to_o show_v by_o their_o want_n of_o all_o those_o how_o utter_o unlike_o these_o five_o last_o be_v to_o what_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v and_o first_o not_o one_o of_o they_o follow_v out_o of_o his_o principle_n as_o from_o their_o premise_n as_o i_o show_v in_o each_o of_o they_o 2._o their_o verity_n be_v know_v and_o evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n independent_o on_o those_o principle_n of_o he_o 3._o their_o verity_n be_v more_o know_v than_o be_v that_o of_o those_o principle_n for_o speak_v of_o the_o main_a import_n and_o weight_n of_o they_o abstract_v from_o some_o particular_a word_n and_o phrase_v his_o notion_n they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o manner_n self-evident_a and_o unexceptionable_a whereas_o his_o thirty_o principle_n be_v liable_a to_o
church-authority_n and_o if_o she_o have_v none_o herself_o it_o be_v evident_a she_o can_v give_v none_o whence_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o reform_a church_n derive_v nothing_o which_o be_v constitutive_a of_o a_o church_n from_o any_o forego_v one_o but_o be_v whole_o erect_v anew_o and_o then_o i_o will_v know_v what_o authority_n under_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o constitute_v the_o church_n at_o first_o have_v power_n to_o constitute_v it_o anew_o but_o if_o dr._n st._n say_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n rely_v on_o the_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o ascertâ—â—_n faith_n then_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o do_v so_o she_o can_v not_o err_v in_o faith_n and_o so_o be_v as_o sound_a as_o may_v be_v whatever_o our_o talk_v disputant_n say_v since_o than_o there_o be_v no_o middle_n between_o rely_v on_o the_o mean_v leave_v by_o god_n to_o ascertain_v faith_n and_o not_o rely_v on_o it_o and_o so_o that_o body_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a church_n must_v necessary_o do_v one_o of_o they_o and_o if_o she_o do_v rely_v on_o it_o she_o must_v needs_o have_v all_o true_a faith_n and_o so_o be_v very_o healthful_a or_o sound_a if_o she_o do_v not_o she_o mâ—st_v needs_o have_v no_o true_a faith_n at_o all_o and_o so_o not_o only_o lose_v her_o health_n but_o her_o essence_n too_o which_o by_o consequence_n unchurche_n the_o reformer_n also_o it_o be_v good_a dr._n st._n will_v consider_v the_o point_n over_o again_o and_o not_o talk_v thus_o any_o thing_n at_o random_n without_o proof_n as_o for_o his_o say_n for_o say_v thing_n crafty_o and_o pretty_o be_v his_o only_a talon_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n by_o which_o i_o presume_v he_o mean_v as_o we_o do_v those_o church_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a be_v not_o the_o catholic_n church_n this_o will_v be_v best_a decide_v by_o settle_v the_o certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o then_o by_o apply_v of_o it_o to_o consider_v whether_o any_o body_n out_o of_o her_o communion_n have_v not_o desert_v that_o rule_n which_o if_o they_o have_v they_o will_v be_v prove_v thence_o to_o have_v no_o faith_n nor_o consequent_o to_o have_v in_o they_o the_o essence_n of_o a_o church_n and_o so_o if_o this_o defect_n appear_v in_o they_o all_o they_o can_v be_v in_o true_a speech_n no_o part_n of_o the_o church_n in_o which_o case_n it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o those_o in_o communion_n with_o the_o roman_a be_v the_o catholic_n church_n let_v we_o begin_v with_o ground_n and_o pursue_v they_o by_o close_o discourse_v and_o thing_n will_v easy_o be_v decide_v but_o this_o talk_v voluntary_n this_o countersfeitiâ—g_n and_o pretend_v to_o principle_n and_o conclusion_n when_o there_o be_v in_o reality_n neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o empty_a show_n these_o excellent_a performance_n have_v emboldend_v this_o man_n of_o confidence_n to_o conceit_n he_o have_v do_v wonder_n he_o sound_v the_o triumph_n of_o his_o own_o victory_n in_o these_o word_n this_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n stand_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n these_o word_n give_v we_o occasion_n to_o reflect_v back_o on_o his_o promise_n and_o his_o performance_n his_o promise_n be_v to_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n to_o principle_n what_o he_o have_v perform_v be_v this_o he_o have_v not_o yet_o lay_v one_o proposition_n which_o be_v to_o he_o a_o principle_n that_o be_v which_o he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o conclude_v what_o he_o design_n but_o what_o be_v both_o obscure_a and_o false_a he_o have_v settle_v no_o faith_n at_o all_o but_o bring_v all_o into_o opinion_n by_o discard_n infallible_a and_o maintain_v only_o fallible_a certainty_n and_o have_v he_o indeed_o settle_v any_o faith_n yet_o he_o have_v not_o produce_v own_o word_n to_o settle_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n in_o particular_a but_o all_o will_v equal_o fit_v a_o socinian_n or_o a_o quaker_n and_o his_o way_n of_o manage_v his_o rule_n will_v much_o better_a suit_n with_o a_o quaker_n or_o any_o fanatic_a than_o with_o a_o protestant_n also_o in_o stead_n of_o reduce_v to_o principle_n he_o at_o first_o begin_v to_o deduce_v from_o principle_n and_o in_o the_o process_n of_o his_o discourse_n he_o put_v conclusion_n for_o principle_n and_o principle_n for_o conclusion_n and_o so_o reduce_v and_o deduce_v that_o be_v draw_v backward_o and_o forward_o blow_n and_o sup_v both_o at_o once_o in_o a_o word_n the_o total_a sum_n of_o his_o heroic_a achievement_n amount_v to_o this_o he_o have_v lay_v thirty_o principle_n which_o want_v either_o evidence_n or_o else_o necessary_a influence_n upon_o what_o he_o pretend_v to_o prove_v be_v no_o principle_n he_o have_v so_o reduce_v to_o those_o principle_n that_o he_o make_v six_o conclusion_n follow_v that_o be_v he_o deduce_v from_o they_o and_o so_o he_o have_v so_o reduce_v to_o principle_n that_o he_o have_v not_o reduce_v to_o they_o he_o have_v put_v that_o for_o a_o rule_n which_o want_v power_n to_o direct_v aright_o those_o who_o be_v ro_o rely_v on_o it_o be_v evident_o no_o rule_n he_o have_v attribute_v such_o a_o certainty_n to_o his_o faith_n as_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o that_o be_v no_o certainty_n but_o a_o chimaera_n and_o consequent_o he_o have_v so_o principled_a faith_n as_o make_v it_o no_o faith_n but_o opinion_n only_o he_o have_v make_v six_o proposition_n so_o follow_v out_o the_o thirty_o which_o for_o want_v of_o necessary_a coherence_n with_o they_o do_v not_o follow_v last_o he_o have_v make_v those_o to_o be_v conclusion_n which_o for_o want_n of_o premise_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o great_a evidence_n than_o be_v fonnd_v in_o his_o principle_n and_o for_o many_o other_o regard_v be_v not_o conclusion_n but_o rather_o principle_n all_o which_o be_v show_v in_o their_o proper_a place_n so_o that_o his_o perplex_v intricacy_n in_o contrive_v and_o posture_v his_o word_n odd_o be_v once_o unravel_v their_o affect_a ambiguity_n clear_v and_o his_o insignificance_n and_o incoherence_n lay_v open_a the_o common_a light_n of_o nature_n will_v inform_v any_o attentive_a and_o intelligent_a reader_n that_o dr._n st._n have_v not_o reduce_v the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n to_o principle_n but_o that_o his_o whole_a discourse_n attempt_v it_o be_v reduce_v to_o contradiction_n yet_o in_o confidence_n of_o his_o vast_a performance_n he_o venture_v upon_o this_o grand_a conclusion_n that_o shall_v strike_v all_o dead_a from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o wilful_a ignorance_n weakness_n of_o judgement_n strength_n of_o prejudice_n or_o some_o sinful_a passion_n which_o make_v any_o one_o forsake_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n to_o embrace_v that_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o with_o how_o much_o great_a reason_n may_v i_o conclude_v that_o in_o case_n the_o church_n of_o england_n own_v his_o way_n of_o discourse_v herâ—_n and_o hold_v not_o that_o the_o tradition_n practice_n and_o sense_n of_o god_n church_n be_v to_o give_v we_o that_o assurance_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n as_o to_o build_v faith_n on_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v leave_v to_o every_o private_a man_n fancy_n to_o be_v his_o own_o judge_n in_o that_o affair_n nothing_o but_o either_o a_o invincibly-weak_a ignorance_n or_o the_o wicked_a sin_n of_o spiritual_a pride_n make_v private_a man_n scorn_v to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n to_o person_n wise_a than_o themselves_o or_o to_o be_v teach_v by_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n who_o god_n have_v appoint_v for_o that_o end_n can_v make_v any_o man_n remain_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o not_o unite_v himself_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n especial_o since_o they_o all_o hold_v that_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a &_o so_o must_v hold_v that_o the_o mean_n to_o faith_n can_v possible_o lead_v the_o relier_n on_o it_o into_o error_n and_o yet_o if_o but_o mean_o verse_v in_o the_o world_n they_o must_v needs_o experience_n that_o those_o who_o do_v rely_v on_o their_o own_o sense_n of_o scripture_n differ_v in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n of_o christianity_n and_o so_o oneside_n necessary_o err_v in_o so_o do_v finis_fw-la transition_n to_o the_o follow_v discourse_n have_v thus_o total_o defeat_v dr._n st_n attempt_v to_o reduce_v his_o faith_n to_o principle_n and_o show_v that_o in_o stead_n of_o perform_v this_o all_o the_o most_o substantial_a part_n of_o his_o discourse_n be_v reduce_v to_o so_o many_o contradictious_a it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v expect_v i_o shall_v assert_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o own_o by_o show_v that_o it_o be_v build_v on_o
the_o true_a church_n likewise_o that_o a_o representative_a of_o that_o body_n be_v a_o true_a council_n and_o that_o a_o eminent_a member_n of_o it_o deliver_v down_o to_o the_o next_o age_n the_o doctrine_n believe_v in_o his_o whether_o by_o express_o avouch_v it_o the_o chnrches_n sense_n or_o confute_v heretic_n be_v a_o true_a father_n last_o they_o can_v have_v infallible_a certainty_n both_o of_o the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v faith_n for_o if_o any_o fault_n which_o shock_n their_o faith_n whether_o of_o translator_n or_o transcriber_n creep_v into_o any_o passage_n or_o if_o the_o text_n be_v indeed_o right_a but_o yet_o ambiguous_a they_o can_v rectify_v the_o letter_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o assign_v it_o a_o sense_n agreeable_a to_o the_o faith_n which_o they_o find_v there_o between_o which_o and_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a writer_n they_o be_v sure_o there_o can_v be_v no_o disagreement_n as_o be_v both_o inspire_v by_o the_o same_o unerring_a light_n 22._o contrariwise_o those_o that_o follow_v not_o this_o rule_n and_o so_o be_v out_o of_o this_o church_n of_o what_o denomination_n soever_o first_o can_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n themselves_o it_o be_v possible_a indeed_o and_o usual_a that_o some_o and_o not_o seldom_o many_o of_o the_o point_n to_o which_o they_o assent_n be_v true_a and_o the_o same_o the_o true_o faithful_a assent_n to_o yet_o their_o assent_n to_o they_o be_v not_o faith_n for_o faith_n speak_v of_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o assent_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o point_n assent_v to_o but_o the_o assent_n itself_o must_v have_v that_o distance_n from_o falsehood_n as_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o faith_n vindicate_v else_o it_o be_v not_o faith_n but_o degenerate_v into_o a_o low_a act_n and_o be_v call_v opinion_n now_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o assent_n rational_o make_v depend_v upon_o the_o strength_n of_o its_o ground_n &_o all_o ground_n of_o that_o assent_n call_v faith_n i_o mean_v such_o ground_n as_o tell_v we_o what_o christ_n teach_v beside_o tradition_n be_v prove_v §_o 10._o weak_a and_o none_o without_o it_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a faith_n next_o for_o want_v of_o that_o only_a infallble_a ground_n they_o can_v have_v certainty_n which_o be_v true_a faith_n who_o true_o faithful_a which_o the_o true_a church_n which_o a_o true_a council_n who_o a_o true_a father_n nor_o last_o which_o be_v either_o the_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n in_o dogmatical_a passage_n that_o concern_v faith_n and_o since_o they_o have_v no_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n they_o have_v no_o right_n nor_o ought_v in_o a_o discourse_n about_o faith_n be_v admit_v to_o quote_v any_o of_o they_o but_o be_v themselves_o and_o the_o whole_a cause_n conclude_v in_o this_o single_a inquiry_n who_o have_v a_o competent_a that_o be_v a_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o infallible_a rule_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n 23._o the_o solid_a satisfaction_n therefore_o of_o those_o who_o inquire_v after_o true_a faith_n be_v only_o to_o be_v gain_v by_o examine_v who_o have_v or_o who_o have_v not_o such_o a_o rule_n this_o method_n be_v short_a and_o easy_a and_o yet_o alone_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n all_o other_o till_o this_o be_v have_v be_v superficial_a tedious_a and_o for_o want_v of_o ground_n insignificant_a the_o former_a discourse_n reduce_v to_o principle_n to_o show_v the_o precedent_n discourse_v build_v on_o most_o firm_a and_o most_o evident_a principle_n and_o such_o as_o i_o have_v describe_v in_o my_o preface_n i_o request_v the_o reader_n to_o look_v back_o with_o attentive_a consideration_n upon_o its_o several_a part_n and_o he_o will_v discern_v that_o §_o 1._o the_o first_o paragraph_n be_v only_o a_o descant_n upon_o this_o proposition_n the_o ground_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v before_o the_o superstructure_n or_o which_o come_v to_o the_o same_o that_o he_o who_o build_v must_v build_v upon_o something_o or_o to_o put_v it_o in_o more_o immediate_a term_n what_o be_v first_o be_v to_o be_v begin_v with_o that_o be_v what_o be_v first_o be_v to_o be_v first_o which_o be_v resolve_v final_o into_o this_o proposition_n supreme_o identical_a a_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v what_o it_o be_v §_o 2._o the_o second_o rely_v on_o that_o famous_a maxim_n of_o logician_n that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o be_v self-evident_a speculative_o for_o the_o word_n once_o understand_v it_o come_v to_o this_o that_o what_o clear_v another_o thing_n must_v be_v clear_a itself_o that_o what_o explain_v must_v explain_v the_o latter_a part_n of_o it_o imply_v that_o in_o plain_a thing_n depend_v on_o authority_n honest_a man_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v before_o knave_n which_o be_v self-evident_a practical_o §_o 3._o the_o three_o be_v but_o a_o inference_n from_o the_o two_o foregoing_a one_o and_o manifest_o depend_v on_o the_o same_o self-evident_a principle_n §_o 4._o the_o four_o be_v a_o far_a deduction_n and_o since_o to_o satisfy_v rational_o be_v to_o make_v man_n know_v one_o way_n or_o other_o plain_o amount_v to_o this_o what_o be_v to_o be_v know_v by_o all_o must_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v know_v by_o all_o which_o be_v as_o self-evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o that_o can_v or_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v do_v which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v â—tne_n §_o 5._o the_o five_o be_v only_o a_o short_a descant_n upon_o the_o foregoing_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n and_o so_o be_v reduce_v into_o the_o same_o ground_n with_o they_o §_o 6._o the_o six_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o man_n be_v not_o to_o assent_v upon_o authority_n or_o believe_v if_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n for_o it_o or_o that_o rational_a agent_n be_v to_o act_v rational_o §_o 7._o the_o seven_o state_n the_o question_n concern_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o show_v the_o way_n to_o look_v after_o it_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o plain_a truth_n the_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n signify_v any_o natune_n be_v the_o nature_n signify_v by_o that_o word_n or_o which_o be_v the_o very_a same_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o any_o word_n be_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n §_o 8._o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o 8_o be_v resume_v into_o this_o clear_a truth_n what_o leave_v we_o in_o need_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n or_o a_o rule_n be_v able_a to_o regulate_v which_o be_v perfect_o equivalent_a to_o this_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n the_o second_o part_n averr_v that_o faith_n take_v it_o for_o a_o assent_n upon_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n which_o can_v lead_v into_o error_n be_v not_o its_o opposite_a opinion_n which_o be_v equivalent_a to_o this_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 9_o the_o nine_o only_o direct_v our_o application_n of_o the_o two_o precede_a paragraph_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n §_o 10._o the_o former_a part_n of_o the_o ten_o be_v full_a as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o be_v not_o scholar_n as_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v not_o can_v be_v satisfy_v d_o rational_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o require_v scholarship_n which_o since_o to_o be_v satisfy_v rational_o signify_v to_o know_v import_v thus_o much_o that_o those_o who_o can_v know_v can_v know_v and_o the_o second_o part_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o it_o be_v that_o that_o be_v not_o the_o way_n which_o multitude_n take_v &_o yet_o go_v wrong_v which_o since_o a_o way_n be_v that_o which_o be_v to_o carry_v one_o right_a be_v as_o palpable_o self-evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o a_o way_n be_v a_o way_n §_o 11._o the_o eleven_o which_o contain_v the_o main_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o only_a point_n have_v two_o part_n one_o that_o mankind_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o they_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o do_v for_o since_o both_o reason_n and_o experience_n tell_v we_o that_o sense_n in_o man_n be_v conveyer_n of_o outward_a impression_n to_o the_o know_v power_n shall_v impression_n upon_o those_o part_v not_o be_v convey_v thither_o they_o will_v in_o that_o case_n not_o be_v sensitive_a or_o animal_n and_o so_o no_o man_n and_o do_v they_o not_o perceive_v when_o such_o impression_n be_v convey_v as_o they_o ought_v they_o will_v be_v destitute_a of_o a_o power_n receive_v knowledge_n by_o sense_n and_o so_o again_o no_o men._n so_o that_o this_o first_o part_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o §_o direct_o engage_v this_o identical_a proposition_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o self_n that_o be_v both_o of_o they_o be_v self-evident_a or_o immediate_o imply_v what_o be_v so_o §_o 12._o