Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n faith_n ground_n pillar_n 2,365 5 9.9071 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59221 Faith vindicated from possibility of falshood, or, The immovable firmness and certainty of the motives to Christian faith asserted against that tenet, which, denying infallibility of authority, subverts its foundation, and renders it uncertain Sergeant, John, 1622-1707. 1667 (1667) Wing S2566; ESTC R783 77,674 212

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natural_a and_o proper_a sense_n in_o which_o all_o mankind_n take_v it_o for_o what_o in_o reality_n and_o indeed_o be_v so_o which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n or_o to_o ground_v all_o those_o argument_n which_o i_o bring_v thence_o to_o evince_v the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n but_o i_o fear_v the_o objecter_n confound_v the_o first_o operation_n of_o our_o understanding_n with_o the_o second_o that_o be_v our_o simple_a apprehension_n or_o mean_v of_o the_o word_n truth_n or_o true_a with_o the_o proposition_n or_o judgement_n make_v concern_v it_o for_o not_o only_o weak_a people_n judge_v many_o thing_n true_a which_o stand_v under_o no_o certain_a ground_n but_o even_o solid_a man_n when_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o point_n be_v sleight_n and_o no_o circumstance_n awake_v they_o into_o a_o heedfulness_n and_o as_o it_o be_v engage_v their_o honesty_n to_o speak_v rigorous_a truth_n oftentimes_o careless_o and_o unconcerned_o admit_v thing_n for_o truth_n which_o be_v far_o short_a of_o have_v ground_n elevate_a they_o to_o a_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o indeed_o be_v far_o from_o be_v judge_v truth_n even_o by_o themselves_o while_o they_o seem_v to_o admit_v they_o for_o such_o nay_o more_o though_o they_o sometime_o use_v they_o as_o truth_n when_o the_o weight_n be_v not_o much_o whether_o they_o be_v so_o or_o no_o as_o when_o in_o a_o rhetorical_a discourse_n or_o even_o in_o a_o solid_a one_o for_o illustration_n sake_n we_o make_v use_v of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o phoenix_n or_o such_o like_a or_o when_o in_o ordinary_a conversation_n we_o relate_v many_o passage_n abet_v by_o no_o certain_a authority_n but_o take_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o rumour_n perhaps_o invent_v by_o witty_a humour_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o it_o be_v in_o those_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o impertinent_a to_o discountenance_v but_o to_o let_v they_o go_v with_o a_o kind_n of_o transeat_fw-la or_o a_o valeant_fw-la quantum_fw-la valere_fw-la possunt_fw-la yet_o in_o both_o case_n what_o the_o solid_a man_n out_o of_o unconcernedness_n pass_v and_o what_o the_o vulgar_a man_n out_o of_o weakness_n judge_n as_o a_o truth_n both_o the_o one_o pass_v the_o other_o judge_n to_o be_v in_o reality_n and_o indeed_o so_o whence_o both_o of_o they_o have_v the_o genuine_a simple_a apprehension_n or_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n truth_n and_o the_o same_o all_o other_o man_n have_v however_o the_o one_o misapply_v it_o the_o other_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v misapply_v in_o proposition_n nor_o will_v any_o distinction_n of_o truth_n moral_o speak_v probable_o truth_n etc._n etc._n serve_v the_o turn_n for_o truth_n as_o be_v say_v speak_v the_o conformity_n of_o the_o judge_a power_n to_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v a_o real_a disposition_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o therefore_o either_o be_v or_o be_v not_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o wall_n be_v either_o white_a or_o not_o white_a not_o admit_v for_o its_o difference_n probable_o or_o not-probable_o any_o more_o than_o be_v do_v but_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o wall_n if_o it_o be_v not_o white_a must_v necessary_o be_v not-white_a or_o have_v some_o other_o disposition_n in_o it_o which_o be_v not-whiteness_n so_o it_o be_v impossible_a but_o the_o mind_n if_o not_o conformable_a to_o the_o thing_n or_o true_a must_v be_v un-conformable_a or_o not-true_a mean_v not-true_a negative_o not_o privative_o so_o as_o to_o signify_v false_a and_o consequent_o in_o stead_n of_o that_o conformity_n it_o must_v have_v some_o other_o disposition_n in_o it_o whatever_o that_o disposition_n be_v objection_n ii_o in_o some_o place_n of_o this_o forego_n treatise_n objective_a truth_n be_v confound_v with_o that_o disposition_n of_o the_o understanding_n or_o conformity_n of_o it_o to_o the_o thing_n call_v formal_a truth_n or_o truth_n in_o we_o answer_n the_o clear_v this_o require_v the_o make_v a_o exacter_n discovery_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n to_o do_v which_o we_o will_v begin_v our_o explication_n with_o note_v that_o our_o understanding_n have_v two_o operation_n omit_v the_o three_o discourse_v as_o not_o pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n viz._n simple_a apprehension_n and_o judgement_n the_o result_n or_o effect_n of_o the_o first_o be_v call_v a_o notion_n concern_v which_o philosopher_n discourse_v thus_o that_o when_o i_o apprehend_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n man_n or_o have_v that_o notion_n in_o i_o man_n nature_n be_v both_o in_o the_o thing_n and_o in_o my_o conception_n for_o it_o be_v impossiole_n my_o conception_n be_v a_o imminent_a act_n i_o shall_v conceive_v what_o be_v not_o in_o my_o conception_n or_o that_o my_o act_n of_o conceive_v shall_v be_v intrinsical_o determine_v to_o be_v this_o but_o by_o what_o be_v intrinsical_v or_o in_o it_o what_o be_v mean_v then_o by_o the_o word_n man_n be_v two_o state_n one_o in_o the_o thing_n as_o existent_a out_o of_o i_o the_o other_o in_o the_o thing_n as_o existent_a in_o i_o as_o the_o selfsame_a figure_n be_v in_o the_o seal_n and_o the_o wax_n yet_o neither_o of_o these_o different_a state_n enter_v into_o the_o notion_n i_o have_v of_o man_n but_o mere_o what_o be_v common_a to_o the_o thing_n under_o either_o state_n which_o be_v what_o answer_v to_o the_o definition_n for_o both_o man_n take_v as_o in_o himself_o be_v a_o rational_a creature_n and_o also_o what_o i_o conceive_v or_o mean_v by_o the_o word_n man_n be_v rational_a creature_n though_o the_o word_n rational_a creature_n express_v neither_o the_o be_v in_o my_o mind_n nor_o out_o of_o it_o but_o abstract_n from_o either_o by_o this_o mean_v my_o mind_n concieve_v man_n gain_v a_o unity_n of_o form_n with_o the_o thing_n out_o of_o it_o or_o a_o conformity_n to_o it_o which_o disposition_n want_v nothing_o to_o be_v call_v truth_n but_o that_o it_o be_v incapable_a of_o ground_v affirmation_n or_o negation_n the_o bare_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n man_n neither_o imply_v be_v nor_o be_v not_o whence_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n be_v usual_a say_v to_o be_v incompetent_a to_o the_o first_o operation_n of_o our_o understanding_n we_o will_v make_v way_n to_o the_o second_o operation_n of_o our_o understanding_n by_o another_o instance_n of_o the_o first_o imagine_v then_o there_o be_v propose_v to_o my_o eye_n a_o round_a pillar_n which_o it_o affect_v and_o by_o it_o my_o brain_n and_o so_o my_o understanding_n it_o can_v fail_v to_o beget_v there_o a_o simple_a apprehension_n and_o consequent_o a_o notion_n of_o what_o be_v direct_o imprint_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n with_o as_o many_o of_o its_o qualification_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v convey_v in_o by_o mean_n of_o that_o sense_n confuse_o blend_v together_o as_o also_o by_o my_o experience_n that_o it_o affect_v or_o be_v affect_v i_o of_o its_o existence_n moreover_o as_o occasion_n or_o indeed_o nature_n guide_v i_o i_o may_v have_v distinct_a or_o abstract_a notion_n of_o pillar_n roundness_n and_o existence_n nay_o more_o of_o pillar_n and_o roundness_n as_o exercise_v or_o actual_o have_v the_o same_o existence_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o proposition_n the_o pillar_n be_v round_a that_o be_v of_o what_o correspond_v to_o those_o three_o distinct_a notion_n put_v now_o in_o a_o frame_n of_o a_o proposition_n and_o so_o immediate_o apt_a to_o express_v truth_n or_o falsehood_n and_o yet_o not_o proceed_v to_o behave_v myself_o affirm_o or_o deny_o or_o judge_v any_o thing_n concern_v they_o but_o mere_o to_o conceive_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n way_n be_v thus_o orderly_o make_v towards_o the_o second_o operation_n of_o the_o understanding_n by_o dispose_v the_o separate_a notion_n in_o a_o fit_a posture_n by_o the_o first_o nature_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o shall_v supervene_v and_o so_o the_o understanding_n set_v itself_o to_o judge_n whether_o those_o extreme_a or_o distant_a notion_n exhibit_v by_o the_o first_o in_o the_o posture_n of_o connexion_n be_v indeed_o connect_v or_o no_o the_o standard_n or_o measure_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o thing_n now_o in_o self-evident_a proposition_n and_o first_o principle_n the_o understanding_n guide_v itself_o by_o that_o imbred_a or_o nature-taught_a principium_fw-la intellectûs_fw-la the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o self_n in_o deduce_v proposition_n by_o the_o same_o principle_n fundamental_o or_o original_o and_o immediate_o by_o this_o those_o notion_n which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o three_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o butler_n in_o our_o present_a instance_n experience_v alone_o suffice_v to_o inform_v the_o understanding_n suppose_v the_o obvious_a knowledge_n of_o what_o pillar_n and_o roundness_n be_v and_o that_o a_o pillar_n be_v a_o thing_n whereas_o roundness_n without_o pillar_n be_v
faith_n vindicated_n from_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o the_o immovable_a firmness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o christian_a faith_n asserted_n against_o that_o tenet_n which_o deny_v infallibility_n of_o authority_n subvert_v its_o foundation_n and_o render_v it_o uncertain_a desistes_fw-la adversus_fw-la alios_fw-la dicere_fw-la caeterùm_fw-la ita_fw-la pro_fw-la veritate_fw-la loquêris_fw-la ut_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la dicuntur_fw-la argui_fw-la refellique_n non_fw-la possint_fw-la dionys._n areopag_n epist._n 6._o louvain_n a._n d._n mdclxvii_o introduction_n though_o nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a than_o that_o all_o who_o deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n shall_v deny_v also_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n itself_o since_o the_o certainty_n of_o this_o late_a depend_v on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o former_a and_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o conclusion_n shall_v be_v hold_v certain_a unless_o the_o premise_n be_v hold_v so_o too_o yet_o the_o conceit_n which_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o call_v themselv'_v faithful_a or_o christian_n have_v of_o their_o faith_n and_o consequent_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n be_v such_o that_o nothing_o can_v sound_v more_o horrid_o and_o blasphemous_o to_o their_o ear_n than_o blunt_o and_o without_o disguise_n to_o say_v that_o all_o their_o faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v absolute_o know_v for_o a_o certain_a goodness_n of_o rational_a nature_n have_v fix_v this_o apprehension_n in_o they_o that_o since_o the_o world_n be_v make_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o providence_n which_o have_v furnish_v we_o with_o mean_n of_o certainty_n for_o our_o inferior_a concern_v that_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o eternity_n depend_v shall_v fall_v short_a of_o that_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o of_o strength_n and_o efficacy_n to_o move_v &_o carry_v we_o on_o to_o a_o steady_a pursuit_n of_o that_o great_a and_o in_o comparison_n only_a interest_n notwithstanding_o so_o unresistible_a be_v the_o force_n of_o this_o evident_a truth_n that_o whoever_o have_v desert_v the_o catholic_n church_n and_o her_o rule_n of_o faith_n tradition_n can_v have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v indeed_o no_o true_a faith_n for_o that_o true_o be_v faith_n which_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o use_v the_o word_n mean_v by_o it_o that_o the_o more_o intelligent_a among_o they_o conscious_a of_o the_o manifest_a weakness_n of_o their_o ground_n be_v necessitate_v in_o their_o controversy_n when_o they_o shall_v defend_v their_o faith_n in_o plain_a term_n to_o disgrace_n and_o betray_v it_o choose_v rather_o candid_o to_o confess_v it_o to_o be_v all_o a_o possible_a falsehood_n than_o to_o undertake_v that_o impossible_a performance_n to_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v a_o absolute_a truth_n i_o can_v resemble_v this_o natural_a conceit_n of_o the_o perfect_a certainty_n of_o faith_n inbred_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v have_v even_o a_o glimmer_n of_o christianity_n to_o any_o thing_n so_o well_o as_o to_o the_o apprehension_n the_o former_a world_n have_v of_o a_o godhead_n for_o as_o natural_a instinct_n force_v those_o who_o have_v not_o light_a to_o know_v the_o true_a god_n to_o affix_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o some_o false_a one_o as_o some_o eminent_a hero_n the_o sun_n thunder_n fire_n nay_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o ridiculous_a but_o they_o will_v make_v a_o god_n of_o it_o rather_o than_o forgo_v the_o tenet_n of_o a_o sovereign_a power_n so_o deep_o root_v in_o they_o by_o nature_n so_o our_o modern_a misbeliever_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v relinquish_v their_o opinion_n that_o faith_n and_o the_o mean_n to_o know_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n be_v absolutely-certain_a spring_v natural_o from_o the_o conceit_n they_o have_v that_o god_n have_v a_o providence_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n choose_v to_o misplace_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o certain_a mean_n to_o know_v god_n will_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o most_o unlikely_a thing_n imaginable_a as_o in_o a_o ridiculous_a whimsy_n of_o fancy_n little_o better_o than_o a_o dream_n nay_o sometime_o in_o a_o dream_n itself_o or_o in_o the_o motion_n of_o some_o hypocondriacal_a vapour_n as_o do_v the_o fanatic_n other_o in_o other_o thing_n seem_o wise_a as_o in_o their_o opinion_n of_o some_o man_n they_o esteem_v good_a and_o learned_a in_o mere_o their_o be_v educate_v thus_o by_o parent_n who_o confess_v they_o have_v relinquish_v what_o themselves_o have_v be_v educate_v to_o in_o interpretation_n of_o word_n by_o grammatical_a skill_n which_o be_v write_v long_o ago_o and_o in_o dogmatical_a point_n where_o every_o word_n be_v capable_a of_o equivocalness_n nay_o which_o be_v indeed_o as_o mad_a as_o the_o most_o extatick_a of_o they_o all_o to_o affirm_v that_o such_o word_n be_v so_o plain_a to_o every_o reader_n that_o none_o can_v miss_v the_o right_a sense_n of_o they_o all_o which_o though_o plain_o confute_v by_o this_o principle_n which_o nature_n teach_v the_o rude_a that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o way_n which_o many_o follow_v to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o the_o great_a part_n be_v mislead_v join_v to_o their_o plain_a experience_n that_o many_o follower_n of_o these_o way_n exceed_o differ_v yet_o so_o prevalent_a be_v the_o force_n of_o the_o other_o truth_n that_o they_o will_v wink_v at_o this_o late_a to_o embrace_v that_o insomuch_o that_o none_o of_o those_o i_o except_a seeker_n by_o what_o name_n soever_o they_o be_v call_v as_o not_o be_v pretender_n to_o faith_n but_o be_v they_o ask_v whether_o they_o be_v not_o as_o certain_a of_o their_o faith_n as_o that_o they_o live_v will_v ready_o and_o hearty_o answer_v affirmative_o i_o mean_v those_o of_o every_o sort_n who_o follow_v mere_o the_o guidance_n of_o uncorrupted_a nature_n in_o this_o affair_n notwithstanding_o as_o in_o the_o pa_n begin_v world_n there_o be_v find_v many_o witty_a man_n who_o out_o of_o unacquaintance_n with_o the_o true_a godhead_n and_o the_o unworthiness_n of_o the_o false_a god_n then_o in_o vogue_n or_o out_o of_o a_o conceit_n of_o many_o misgovernment_n in_o the_o world_n speculate_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o natural_a notion_n and_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v absolute_o there_o be_v any_o god_n at_o all_o so_o it_o happen_v that_o among_o those_o who_o have_v desert_v the_o catholic_n church_n there_o be_v find_v diverse_a man_n of_o speculative_a and_o search_a brain_n who_o out_o of_o unacquaintance_n with_o or_o at_o least_o their_o slight_o penetrate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n rule_n of_o faith_n the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n or_o tradition_n and_o withal_o see_v the_o vanity_n and_o manifest_a inability_n of_o their_o own_o pretend_a rule_n to_o ascertain_v they_o absolute_o their_o faith_n be_v true_a join_v with_o the_o experience_a disagreement_n in_o faith_n among_o diverse_a pretender_n to_o it_o will_v speculate_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o natural_a christianity_n and_o deny_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n at_o all_o of_o faith_n or_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o probability_n in_o the_o ground_n it_o be_v build_v on_o miscall_v by_o they_o moral_a certainty_n confess_o consistent_a with_o a_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o kind_n of_o ground_n permit_v that_o perhaps_o all_o may_v chance_v to_o be_v show_v to_o morrow_n a_o mere_a illusion_n and_o a_o bold_a lie_n and_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n hitherto_o to_o have_v be_v possible_o lead_v by_o the_o nose_n by_o a_o false_a impostùre_n nay_o to_o have_v hold_v that_o imposture_n most_o sacred_a and_o prefer_v the_o adhere_n to_o it_o before_o all_o the_o good_n life_n or_o nature_n 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break_v from_o the_o church_n their_o faith_n
have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o its_o basis_n which_o they_o honest_o understand_v to_o have_v the_o same_o certainty_n as_o if_o god_n himself_o have_v speak_v it_o yet_o be_v dress_v up_o by_o their_o plausible_a rhetoric_n and_o advance_v in_o a_o circumstance_n when_o they_o be_v confute_v the_o papist_n the_o middle_a sort_n of_o protestant_a reader_n at_o unaware_o let_v it_o pass_v as_o meritorious_a to_o their_o party_n and_o the_o wise_a sort_n embrace_v it_o both_o as_o a_o real_a truth_n and_o also_o as_o make_v best_o for_o the_o interest_n of_o their_o cause_n when_o they_o will_v oppugn_v we_o what_o disservice_n soever_o it_o do_v tot_fw-mi he_o common_a cause_n of_o religionor_n christianity_n for_o they_o be_v not_o at_o all_o solicitous_a so_o strange_o do_v faction_n transport_v they_o so_o they_o can_v in_o their_o conceit_n overthrow_v the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n though_o they_o reduce_v all_o faith_n into_o incertainty_n and_o all_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v into_o a_o totter_a contingency_n it_o seem_v to_o threaten_v a_o mischief_n considerable_a enough_o to_o christianity_n that_o such_o a_o pernicious_a tenet_n shall_v be_v public_o own_a in_o controversy_n to_o taint_v the_o wise_a sort_n of_o reader_n with_o atheism_n in_o which_o it_o have_v be_v too_o successful_a but_o it_o grow_v intolerable_a when_o it_o dare_v take_v the_o boldness_n to_o appear_v in_o sermon_n pronounce_v in_o very_o honourable_a assembly_n and_o afterward_o publish_v in_o print_n where_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a and_o a_o great_a many_o seem_a show_n and_o i_o hearty_o think_v very_o real_a intention_n of_o impugn_a atheism_n by_o a_o ill-principled_n and_o in_o that_o circumstance_n imprudent_a and_o unnecessary_a confession_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n nay_o even_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n religion_n receive_v a_o deep_a wound_n and_o atheism_n a_o especial_a advantage_n as_o may_v perhaps_o more_o particular_o be_v show_v hereafter_o i_o envy_v not_o that_o sermon_n and_o some_o other_o production_n of_o mr._n tillotson_n their_o author_n their_o due_a commendation_n though_o he_o be_v my_o adversary_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o his_o clear_a method_n or_o disposition_n of_o his_o matter_n and_o the_o cleanness_n of_o his_o style_n which_o fit_v he_o for_o a_o excellency_n in_o preach_v he_o have_v few_o equal_n and_o that_o have_v he_o good_a principle_n he_o will_v deliver_v they_o as_o intelligible_o as_o any_o man_n i_o know_v only_o i_o can_v wish_v he_o have_v right_a principle_n to_o ground_n his_o discourse_n without_o which_o he_o can_v never_o make_v a_o controvertist_n but_o must_v needs_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o christianity_n if_o he_o undertake_v to_o meddle_v with_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o even_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v it_o what_o i_o be_o on_o this_o occasion_n chief_o to_o reflect_v on_o be_v my_o own_o obligation_n which_o be_v the_o boldness_n of_o own_v and_o publish_v the_o incertainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v come_v to_o the_o height_n to_o assert_v its_o absolute_a firmness_n and_o certainty_n in_o the_o best_a manner_n god_n shall_v enable_v i_o and_o his_o providence_n seem_v to_o require_v it_o of_o i_o at_o present_a in_o regard_n it_o be_v expect_v i_o shall_v reply_v to_o mr._n tillotson_n be_v pretend_a answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n who_o first_o principle_n in_o that_o reply_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o what_o he_o deem_v the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o consequent_o that_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o position_n which_o he_o defend_v p._n 118_o and_o in_o diverse_a other_o place_n imply_v and_o build_v on_o he_o more_o oppugn_v my_o discourse_n than_o by_o any_o other_o thesis_n whatever_o the_o contrary_a to_o which_o if_o i_o evince_v than_o the_o protestant_n own_o confession_n that_o they_o have_v no_o absolutely-certain_a ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n confute_v they_o without_o more_o ado_n and_o conclude_v they_o to_o have_v relinquish_v its_o only_a right_n because_o its_o only_a true_o certain_a rule_n tradition_n yet_o be_v it_o not_o my_o chief_a design_n to_o establish_v the_o absolute_a truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o itself_o by_o all_o the_o argument_n i_o can_v imagine_v and_o not_o mere_o to_o confute_v protestant_a controvertist_n i_o need_v not_o take_v the_o pain_n thus_o to_o multiply_v demonstration_n or_o even_o allege_v so_o much_o as_o one_o for_o since_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v seem_o to_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n of_o father_n by_o their_o voluminous_a quotation_n yet_o they_o will_v final_o and_o hearty_o stand_v to_o nothing_o in_o contest_v about_o faith_n as_o conclusive_a but_o their_o own_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v so_o weak_a a_o ground_n that_o every_o day_n experience_n show_v its_o fail_n a_o ordinary_a probability_n be_v abundant_o enough_o to_o overthrow_v their_o discourse_n who_o very_a principle_n be_v not_o only_o improbable_a but_o evident_o a_o false_a one_o whence_o the_o mean_a catholic_n writer_n can_v fail_v to_o have_v the_o advantage_n over_o their_o best_a in_o a_o prudential_n man_n esteem_n because_o he_o can_v possible_o miss_v of_o a_o medium_fw-la more_o probable_a than_o be_v their_o main_a ground_n i_o declare_v then_o that_o my_o chief_a end_n in_o this_o treatise_n be_v to_o settle_v christian_a faith_n or_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o it_o must_v be_v true_o or_o absolute_o certain_a and_o that_o my_o apply_v it_o now_o and_o then_o to_o my_o opposer_n be_v only_o a_o secundary_a intention_n and_o mere_o occasional_a ere_o i_o fall_v close_o to_o my_o proof_n that_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a to_o avoid_v equivocation_n in_o the_o word_n i_o declare_v that_o by_o the_o word_n faith_n i_o be_o not_o solicitous_a whether_o be_v mean_v our_o act_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o object_n of_o that_o act_n but_o judge_v that_o distinction_n whole_o impertinent_a in_o this_o present_a discourse_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o i_o can_v affirm_v a_o point_n true_a or_o false_a but_o as_o it_o stand_v under_o motive_n able_a to_o make_v i_o judge_v assent_n or_o believe_v it_o be_v such_o or_o such_o which_o motive_n if_o they_o be_v such_o as_o be_v able_a to_o convince_v that_o the_o point_n can_v but_o be_v so_o than_o my_o judgement_n or_o assent_n tothose_n point_n thusconclude_v that_o be_v my_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v but_o be_v true_a because_o it_o depend_v entire_o on_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a viz._n those_o motive_n but_o if_o those_o motive_n be_v not_o of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a the_o thing_n be_v than_o both_o the_o thing_n object_n point_n or_o proposition_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v only_o knowable_a by_o virtue_n of_o they_o may_v be_v otherwise_o and_o also_o my_o act_n of_o faith_n or_o belief_n of_o those_o point_n may_v be_v a_o wrong_n or_o erroneous_a judgement_n that_o be_v both_o of_o they_o may_v be_v false_a to_o ask_v then_o if_o faith_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a be_v to_o ask_v whether_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v christian_a faith_n must_v be_v such_o as_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n can_v fail_v to_o conclude_v those_o point_n true_a and_o to_o affirm_v that_o faith_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v equivalent_o to_o assert_v that_o those_o motive_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v thus_o absolute_o conclusive_a firm_a and_o immovable_a hence_o be_v see_v that_o i_o concern_v not_o myself_o in_o this_o discourse_n with_o how_o perfect_o or_o imperfect_o diverse_a person_n penetrate_v those_o motive_n or_o how_o they_o satisfy_v or_o dissatisfy_v some_o particular_a person_n since_o i_o only_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o motive_n in_o themselves_o and_o as_o lay_v in_o second_o cause_n by_o god_n providence_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n to_o which_o the_o dimness_n of_o eyesight_n neglect_v to_o look_v at_o all_o or_o look_v the_o wrong_a way_n even_o in_o many_o particular_a man_n be_v extrinsecal_n and_o contingent_a last_o to_o avoid_v mistake_n and_o confusion_n i_o declare_v that_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o question_n one_o concern_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n call_v a_o est_fw-la viz._n whether_o there_o be_v any_o certainly-conclusive_a rule_n of_o faith_n or_o no_o and_o the_o other_o about_o what_o be_v the_o certain_a or_o truely-conclusive_a rule_n of_o faith_n call_v quid_fw-la est_fw-la i_o be_o not_o now_o discourse_v about_o the_o late_a that_o be_v the_o work_n
vast_a ocean_n on_o either_o side_n america_n to_o overswell_v the_o continent_n and_o so_o destroy_v it_o they_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v interiorly_a america_n may_v for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v possible_o not_o be_v whence_o they_o be_v force_v to_o suspend_v as_o to_o its_o existence_n and_o only_o assent_v to_o its_o extreme_a likelihood_n of_o exist_v §_o 4._o the_o use_n i_o make_v of_o this_o discourse_n assent_n at_o present_a be_v this_o that_o though_o likelihood_n have_v a_o great_a latitude_n yet_o assent_n be_v the_o terminus_fw-la of_o those_o inclination_n towards_o it_o which_o gradual_o exceed_v one_o another_o consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a as_o do_v the_o notion_n of_o be_v on_o which_o either_o see_v or_o deem_v to_o be_v see_v it_o be_v build_v and_o to_o which_o it_o go_v parallel_v that_o all_o act_n fall_v short_a of_o assent_n to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o thing_n advance_v no_o far_o than_o great_a assent_n to_o its_o likelihood_n and_o fall_v under_o the_o head_n of_o suspensive_a act_n as_o to_o that_o thing_n existence_n as_o the_o soul_n will_v discover_v upon_o reflection_n and_o that_o when_o we_o mistake_v one_o for_o the_o other_o it_o be_v for_o not_o distinguish_v well_o the_o great_a resemblance_n between_o assent_v as_o to_o outward_a action_n and_o as_o to_o the_o speculative_a truth_n as_o also_o between_o assent_v to_o the_o extreme_a likelihood_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o assent_v to_o its_o existence_n that_o whensoever_o we_o see_v the_o possibility_n of_o a_o thing_n be_v false_a or_o not-existent_a which_o in_o our_o case_n be_v all_o one_o we_o can_v have_v a_o assent_n to_o its_o existence_n but_o to_o the_o likelihood_n of_o it_o only_o and_o suspend_v as_o to_o its_o existence_n or_o actual_a be_v and_o that_o therefore_o they_o who_o acknowledge_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_v use_v and_o all_o the_o ground_n it_o have_v faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a to_o we_o can_v be_v hold_v to_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n or_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n but_o to_o suspend_v concern_v their_o truth_n and_o to_o assent_v only_o to_o their_o likelihood_n to_o be_v true_a which_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a disposition_n to_o denominate_v such_o person_n christian_n will_v easy_o and_o best_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o vulgar_a of_o christianity_n who_o possess_v the_o genuine_a and_o natural_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n untainted_a with_o the_o frantic_a conceit_n spring_v from_o such_o speculation_n as_o be_v take_v out_o of_o fancy_n not_o as_o they_o ought_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n §_o 5._o the_o same_o argument_n may_v be_v hold_v make_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o firm_o hold_v as_o be_v from_o assent_n and_o the_o selfsame_a discourse_n mutatis_fw-la mutandis_fw-la since_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a none_o can_v firm_o hold_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o he_o see_v and_o acknowledge_v that_o be_v holds_z may_v be_v false_a however_o he_o may_v hold_v it_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a §_o 6._o the_o same_o be_v evince_v from_o the_o know_v notion_n of_o know_v which_o word_n i_o take_v here_o abstract_o unconcern_v what_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n it_o be_v provide_v it_o be_v true_a and_o proper_a knowledge_n and_o not_o abusive_o so_o call_v for_o since_o nothing_o can_v be_v know_v to_o be_v but_o what_o be_v nor_o know_v to_o be_v such_o but_o what_o be_v such_o again_o since_o christian_n if_o they_o have_v either_o honesty_n or_o wit_n in_o they_o must_v some_o way_n or_o other_o know_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a who_o truth_n they_o esteem_v themselves_o bind_v to_o profess_v and_o stand_v to_o even_o with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n it_o follow_v those_o point_n must_v be_v what_o they_o be_v know_v to_o be_v that_o be_v true_a and_o consequent_o unless_o knowledge_n can_v be_v ignorance_n impossible_a not_o to_o be_v or_o to_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o assent_n and_o hold_v and_o know_v may_v also_o be_v discourse_v regard_n from_o the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n for_o this_o have_v the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o former_a as_o it_o be_v a_o determination_n of_o the_o understanding_n i_o mean_v intellectual_a determination_n be_v the_o common_a genus_fw-la to_o they_o all_o and_o they_o differ_v only_o in_o this_o that_o knowledge_n and_o certainty_n be_v proper_a effect_n of_o evidence_n whether_o spring_v from_o the_o thing_n or_o from_o the_o attester_n nor_o can_v they_o be_v where_o there_o be_v want_v the_o intellectual_a light_n issue_v from_o that_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o evidence_n so_o oft_o speak_v of_o whereas_o h●lding_v or_o assent_v can_v proceed_v from_o the_o blindness_n of_o passion_n or_o from_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o clear_a sight_n of_o the_o understanding_n now_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n consist_v in_o a_o intellectual_a determination_n thus_o originize_v and_o consequent_o when_o put_v exclude_v all_o possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v the_o point_n i_o aim_n to_o evince_v appear_v partly_o from_o the_o etymology_n and_o most_o evident_o from_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n for_o certus_n signify_v determinate_a as_o then_o when_o the_o matter_n speak_v of_o restrain_v that_o word_n to_o volition_n it_o signify_v a_o absolute_a determination_n of_o will_n or_o resolution_n as_o certus_fw-la ●undi_fw-la so_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n and_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v certain_a we_o intend_v to_o express_v full_a as_o much_o as_o when_o we_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v which_o speak_v ultimate_a determination_n and_o actuality_n in_o the_o object_n consider_v in_o itself_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o the_o same_o word_n be_v intend_v to_o signify_v formal_a certainty_n in_o we_o or_o that_o disposition_n of_o the_o understanding_n whereby_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v certain_a it_o must_v necessary_o signify_v unless_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o word_n its_o most_o formal_a notion_n be_v less_o rigorous_a than_o those_o which_o be_v less_o formal_a a_o determinate_a state_n of_o the_o understanding_n or_o a_o intellectual_a determination_n whence_o as_o a_o thing_n be_v then_o certain_a or_o determinate_a when_o it_o be_v so_o the_o understanding_n be_v then_o determine_v according_a to_o its_o nature_n or_o certain_a when_o the_o thing_n be_v see_v to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v which_o immediate_a effect_n of_o the_o other_o be_v impossible_a but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o evidence_n make_v that_o clear_a discovery_n and_o this_o engage_v all_o intellectual_a potentiality_n or_o possibility_n of_o not_o be_v see_v to_o be_v be_v total_o and_o formal_o that_o be_v most_o absolute_o exclude_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a notion_n then_o of_o certainty_n import_v a_o absolute_a impossibility_n that_o that_o judgement_n which_o so_o fix_v and_o determine_v the_o understanding_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a since_o nothing_o can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v but_o what_o real_o be_v §_o 8._o again_o since_o determination_n in_o any_o kind_n be_v the_o terminus_n of_o all_o indetermination_n in_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o so_o beyond_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o certainty_n or_o intellectual_a determination_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o possible_a degree_n of_o indetermination_n of_o the_o mind_n or_o uncertainty_n certainty_n therefore_o be_v not_o attain_v till_o all_o possible_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n and_o consequent_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n to_o we_o or_o error_n be_v transcend_v and_o overcome_v i'faith_o then_o must_v be_v deny_v to_o be_v certain_a if_o it_o be_v put_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §9_n and_o as_o my_o former_a discourse_n have_v endeavour_v to_o display_v the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n from_o its_o genus_fw-la and_o difference_n which_o compound_v its_o definition_n so_o the_o same_o will_v be_v still_o more_o satisfactory_o evince_v from_o observe_v the_o language_n of_o mankind_n when_o they_o use_v the_o word_n certain_a for_o that_o be_v most_o evident_o the_o signification_n of_o a_o word_n which_o the_o intelligent_a user_n of_o that_o word_n intend_v to_o express_v by_o it_o if_o by_o divers_a say_n of_o they_o we_o can_v manifest_v that_o they_o mean_v to_o signify_v such_o a_o conception_n by_o that_o word_n that_o will_v infallible_o be_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o it_o and_o that_o conception_n will_v have_v in_o it_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o certainty_n let_v we_o observe_v then_o attentive_o what_o be_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n when_o they_o use_v these_o and_o the_o like_a familiar_a discourse_n which_o natural_o break_v from_o they_o how_o frequent_a be_v it_o when_o any_o one_o ask_v another_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n true_a and_o the_o other_o reply_n i_o very_o think_v it_o be_v he_o return_v
can_v be_v see_v to_o be_v unless_o it_o be_v we_o can_v frame_v a_o inerrable_a judgement_n that_o when_o we_o see_v that_o first_o principle_n engage_v for_o the_o identity_n of_o those_o two_o notion_n it_o be_v engage_v for_o it_o and_o so_o they_o identify_v that_o be_v we_o must_v know_v infallible_o that_o that_o proposition_n be_v true_a this_o i_o say_v in_o case_n it_o be_v a_o true_a certainty_n and_o not_o a_o only_o deem_v or_o mistake_v one_o yet_o even_o then_o there_o be_v a_o deem_v infallibility_n and_o the_o person_n that_o mistake_o judge_v himself_o certain_a of_o a_o thing_n judge_n withal_o that_o he_o can_v be_v mistake_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o that_o particular_a which_o manifest_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o certainty_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o infallibility_n however_o it_o may_v be_v misapply_v again_o since_o the_o natural_a use_n of_o word_n give_v it_o not_o to_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v i_o be_o infallible_o certain_a of_o such_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o notion_n of_o infallible_o be_v not_o disparate_a from_o the_o notion_n of_o certain_a or_o incompetent_a to_o it_o it_o must_v then_o be_v either_o tautological_a or_o else_o be_v a_o different_a yet_o appliable_a notion_n and_o so_o apt_a to_o difference_n or_o distinguish_v it_o but_o it_o can_v be_v this_o late_a for_o then_o the_o notion_n of_o certain_a aught_o in_o all_o reason_n and_o logic_n admit_v with_o equal_a sense_n the_o opposite_a difference_n fallible_o which_o we_o experience_v it_o do_v not_o nothing_o be_v more_o absurd_a and_o foolish_a than_o to_o say_v i_o be_o fallible_o certain_a of_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v clear_a then_o that_o infallible_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o difference_n the_o notion_n of_o certain_a or_o not_o a_o different_a notion_n from_o it_o but_o the_o same_o sense_n reiterated_a in_o another_o word_n for_o aggravation_n sake_n as_o when_o we_o say_v i_o see_v it_o with_o my_o own_o eye_n or_o such_o like_a that_o be_v if_o we_o consider_v it_o calm_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o that_o malignant_a word_n infallibility_n which_o so_o bewonder_v our_o opposer_n amount_n to_o no_o more_o but_o true_a certainty_n and_o have_v the_o selfsame_a notion_n with_o it_o §_o 16._o four_o it_o appear_v that_o see_v contingency_n what_o may_v be_v otherwise_o how_o unlikely_a soever_o needs_o but_o a_o lucky_a chance_n to_o be_v so_o they_o who_o say_v faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a instead_o of_o establish_v it_o subject_n it_o to_o chance_n and_o contingency_n and_o confess_v it_o have_v no_o ground_n so_o to_o secure_v it_o but_o a_o great_a wit_n than_o have_v be_v former_o may_v possible_o show_v it_o to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v may_v subvert_v all_o the_o ground_n it_o now_o stand_v on_o so_o that_o these_o man_n be_v convince_v not_o to_o settle_v faith_n upon_o any_o firm_a ground_n or_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o to_o hang_v it_o on_o humane_a wit_n that_o be_v on_o the_o wit_n of_o the_o present_a christian_n maintain_v its_o plausibility_n and_o possible_o on_o the_o fortunate_a want_n of_o a_o acuter_n wit_n than_o any_o now_o extant_a who_o when_o he_o shall_v arise_v may_v perhaps_o outwit_v they_o and_o show_v all_o their_o faith_n to_o be_v a_o ridiculous_a foolery_n §_o 17._o last_o speak_v of_o truth_n it_o be_v falsehood_n perfect_a nonsense_n to_o say_v they_o can_v possible_o be_v false_a since_o it_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n truth_n shall_v be_v falsehood_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o predication_n of_o past_a or_o future_a thing_n viz._n in_o these_o christ_n have_v die_v the_o resurrection_n will_v be_v the_o former_a of_o which_o if_o once_o true_a have_v be_v and_o so_o can_v have_v not_o be_v the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n be_v go_v in_o which_o only_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v and_o the_o late_a if_o once_o put_v to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v to_o stand_v under_o certain_a or_o unimpedible_a cause_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o not_o to_o succeed_v so_o that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a madness_n and_o folly_n in_o the_o world_n to_o put_v either_o of_o these_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o they_o be_v once_o right_o judge_v truth_n and_o indeed_o i_o fear_v rather_o that_o they_o who_o judge_v the_o late_a possible_a not_o to_o be_v subject_n they_o to_o impedible_a cause_n and_o so_o make_v they_o or_o at_o least_o their_o ground_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n future_a contingent_n which_o have_v neither_o determinate_a truth_n nor_o falsehood_n speak_v then_o of_o those_o proposition_n or_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o predicate_v de_fw-fr praesenti_fw-la it_o will_v be_v find_v by_o the_o considerer_n that_o they_o be_v all_o in_o a_o matter_n which_o be_v unalterable_a and_o above_o contingency_n and_o in_o case_n this_o be_v not_o their_o very_a determination_n to_o the_o present_a free_v they_o from_o be_v other_o than_o they_o be_v for_o the_o present_a every_o thing_n while_o it_o be_v be_v necessary_o what_o it_o be_v there_o be_v no_o shadow_n therefore_o of_o ground_n for_o a_o man_n who_o affirm_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n to_o affirm_v withal_o they_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a all_o i_o can_v imagine_v in_o their_o behalf_n to_o excuse_v they_o from_o speak_v palpable_a contradiction_n be_v this_o that_o perhaps_o they_o may_v mean_v our_o discourse_n while_o in_o viâ_fw-la to_o find_v out_o these_o truth_n be_v impedible_a and_o so_o there_o be_v then_o a_o possibility_n they_o may_v not_o become_v see_v to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v may_v be_v no_o truth_n to_o we_o but_o the_o question_n return_v whether_o in_o the_o end_n of_o our_o weigh_v their_o motive_n we_o discover_v they_o to_o be_v truth_n or_o no_o if_o not_o why_o do_v we_o so_o asseverant_o affirm_v they_o be_v and_o why_o be_v we_o bind_v by_o religion_n to_o profess_v they_o to_o be_v so_o or_o if_o we_o come_v to_o discover_v they_o be_v truth_n how_o be_v we_o so_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o discover_v withal_o that_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v falsehood_n §_o 18._o my_o last_o argument_n from_o logic_n faith_n shall_v be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n leave_v to_o prove_v faith_n or_o persuade_v it_o to_o another_o that_o act_n according_a to_o perfect_a reason_n in_o case_n it_o that_o be_v its_o ground_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n can_v possible_o be_v false_a and_o that_o this_o be_v so_o be_v not_o so_o much_o evident_a from_o any_o particular_a consideration_n in_o logic_n as_o from_o the_o whole_a nature_n of_o artificial_a discourse_n or_o disputation_n for_o in_o case_n the_o premise_n be_v but_o moral_o certain_a as_o they_o call_v it_o or_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v if_o the_o two_o term_n be_v not_o see_v to_o be_v connect_v these_o proposition_n may_v nay_o aught_o to_o be_v deny_v by_o the_o respondent_fw-la who_o office_n and_o right_o it_o be_v to_o grant_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v evident_a lest_o he_o ensnare_v himself_o but_o to_o put_v the_o arguer_n to_o prove_v they_o what_o then_o must_v the_o opponent_n or_o arguer_n do_v must_v he_o bring_v a_o syllogism_n consist_v of_o premise_n only_o moral_o certain_a or_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o make_v the_o other_o good_a what_o will_v it_o avail_v since_o these_o premise_n be_v also_o deniable_a for_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o so_o in_o infinitum_fw-la that_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o can_v possible_o be_v conclude_v final_o till_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v produce_v which_o put_v the_o conclusion_n may_v be_v such_o also_o wherefore_o unless_o faith_n have_v ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o able_a to_o show_v it_o such_o also_o none_o can_v rationem_fw-la reddere_fw-la fidei_fw-la give_v a_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o such_o a_o one_o at_o best_a as_o in_o due_a right_n of_o dispute_n be_v ●●deniable_a at_o pleasure_n whence_o faith_n be_v render_v both_o unmaintainable_a or_o indefensible_a in_o itself_o and_o unperswadable_a to_o other_o that_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n for_o however_o all_o who_o discourse_n of_o religion_n when_o they_o will_v convert_v any_o to_o faith_n use_v not_o to_o pin_v their_o motive_n to_o syllogistical_a form_n yet_o since_o no_o reason_n in_o the_o case_n of_o convince_a the_o understanding_n be_v allowable_a but_o what_o will_v bear_v the_o test_n of_o true_a logic_n and_o this_o assure_v we_o there_o be_v no_o conclude_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o without_o rely_v final_o on_o premise_n or_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o follow_v that_o how_o fine_o and_o quaint_o soever_o these_o man_n talk_v unless_o they_o produce_v such_o ground_n they_o can_v conclude_v nothing_o at_o all_o and_o all_o their_o importunate_a persuasion_n which_o
come_v afterward_o through_o consideration_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o object_n to_o judge_n it_o true_a it_o become_v determine_v and_o how_o but_o by_o a_o notion_n the_o most_o determinative_a of_o any_o other_o viz._n that_o of_o be_v or_o be_v wherefore_o since_o to_o put_v in_o she_o at_o the_o same_o time_n a_o judgement_n of_o its_o possibility_n to_o be_v false_a put_v she_o to_o be_v indetermine_v and_o this_o in_o order_n to_o the_o same_o this_o position_n put_v the_o soul_n to_o be_v at_o once_o determinate_a and_o indeterminate_a as_o to_o the_o same_o which_o state_n be_v as_o vast_o distant_a as_o actual_a be_v and_o not-actual_a be_v can_v remove_v they_o nay_o this_o monstrous_a thesis_n make_v the_o soul_n indeterminate_v to_o either_o side_n that_o be_v to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o to_o falsehood_n even_o after_o it_o have_v suppose_v she_o determine_v to_o truth_n for_o to_o judge_v a_o point_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a put_v the_o judgement_n potential_a or_o indetermine_v as_o to_o the_o falsehood_n of_o it_o and_o false_a signify_v not-true_a possible_a to_o be_v false_a must_v signify_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a and_o so_o include_v potentiality_n or_o indetermination_n to_o truth_n also_o in_o regard_n be_v it_o actual_o true_a it_o can_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o itself_o the_o soul_n must_v then_o be_v indeterminate_a to_o either_o that_o be_v neither_o judge_v it_o true_a nor_o false_a even_o after_o she_o be_v suppose_v to_o judge_n it_o true_a in_o case_n she_o can_v then_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o this_o position_n of_o faith_n possibility_n to_o be_v false_a can_v without_o high_a contradiction_n stand_v with_o a_o hearty_a conceit_n that_o faith_n be_v true_a to_o think_v to_o escape_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n by_o allege_v the_o respect_n to_o different_a motive_n or_o that_o the_o understanding_n be_v not_o perfect_o but_o partly_o determine_v be_v in_o our_o case_n frivolous_a for_o i_o ask_v be_v it_o determine_v enough_o by_o any_o intellectual_a or_o rational_a motive_n to_o judge_v the_o thing_n be_v if_o not_o what_o make_v it_o judge_v so_o when_o those_o motive_n can_v not_o be_v it_o not_o evident_a it_o must_v be_v some_o weakness_n or_o some_o blind_a motive_n in_o the_o will_n not_o light_n of_o understanding_n but_o if_o it_o be_v determine_v enough_o to_o judge_v the_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v true_a it_o be_v also_o enough_o for_o my_o argument_n and_o purpose_n §_o 8._o especial_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n falsehood_n will_v be_v better_o penetrate_v when_o it_o shall_v be_v well_o consider_v in_o what_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n formal_o consist_v and_o that_o take_v right_o they_o be_v certain_a affection_n or_o disposition_n of_o our_o understanding_n for_o that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v call_v true_a by_o i_o which_o be_v not_o true_a to_o i_o not_o be_v any_o thing_n true_a to_o i_o but_o when_o it_o be_v see_v by_o i_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o object_n and_o to_o be_v thus_o see_v by_o i_o be_v the_o object_n to_o inform_v and_o actuate_v my_o understanding_n power_n as_o it_o be_v judicative_a whence_o that_o power_n as_o it_o be_v thus_o actuate_v gain_v a_o conformity_n to_o the_o thing_n itself_o in_o which_o consist_v the_o precise_a nature_n of_o truth_n however_o than_o truth_n come_v from_o the_o object_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n or_o cause_n of_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v formal_o no_o where_o but_o in_o the_o understanding_n or_o judgement_n as_o appear_v evident_o from_o this_o that_o truth_n be_v find_v in_o proposition_n now_o proposition_n be_v not_o in_o the_o thing_n formal_o though_o when_o true_a they_o be_v derive_v hence_o but_o in_o the_o mind_n only_o and_o significative_o in_o word_n truth_n then_o be_v that_o whereby_o i_o be_o true_a or_o veracious_a when_o i_o say_v interior_o the_o thing_n be_v or_o be_v thus_o and_o thus_o wherefore_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o point_n be_v not_o have_v till_o this_o actuation_n or_o determination_n of_o my_o power_n by_o the_o object_n which_o as_o its_o formal_a cause_n make_v this_o conformity_n to_o it_o be_v put_v and_o this_o put_v to_o think_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n or_o at_o once_o the_o mind_n can_v be_v unactuate_v undetermined_a potential_a or_o disconformable_a to_o it_o be_v too_o gross_a a_o conceit_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o head_n of_o any_o man_n endue_v with_o the_o common_a light_n of_o reason_n whoever_o than_o affirm_n faith_n or_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a he_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o reason_n in_o case_n the_o desperation_n of_o maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n for_o want_v of_o ground_n drive_v he_o not_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n but_o that_o he_o speak_v candid_o what_o he_o think_v not_o to_o judge_n or_o say_v from_o his_o heart_n his_o faith_n be_v indeed_o true_a have_v never_o experience_v in_o his_o soul_n for_o want_v of_o principle_n to_o put_v it_o there_o that_o the_o object_n or_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n have_v wrought_v in_o it_o that_o conformity_n to_o the_o thing_n in_o which_o truth_n consist_v and_o consequent_o that_o when_o he_o profess_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n he_o either_o by_o a_o fortunate_a piece_n of_o folly_n understand_v not_o what_o he_o say_v or_o collogue_n and_o dissemble_v with_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o honour_n or_o some_o other_o interest_n §_o 9_o it_o be_v hence_o far_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o position_n we_o impugn_v destroy_v unity_n the_o notion_n of_o metaphysical_a unity_n consist_v in_o a_o indivision_n or_o indistinction_n of_o any_o notion_n nature_n or_o thing_n in_o itself_o and_o a_o division_n or_o distinction_n of_o it_o from_o all_o other_o for_o according_a to_o this_o tenet_n truth_n or_o the_o conformity_n of_o our_o understanding_n to_o the_o object_n put_v by_o our_o joint_a supposition_n that_o the_o proposition_n of_o faith_n be_v true_a may_v possible_o be_v disconformity_n or_o falsehood_n and_o this_o determinate_a state_n indeterminate_a which_o make_v the_o mind_n as_o have_v in_o it_o one_o notion_n that_o be_v indeed_o that_o one_o notion_n capable_a to_o admit_v into_o its_o bowel_n another_o not_o only_o disparate_a but_o opposite_a that_o be_v one_o possible_a to_o be_v not_o one_o but_o another_o §_o 10._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v concern_v verity_n metaphysical_a verity_n for_o this_o position_n make_v the_o selfsame_a mental_a proposition_n or_o disposition_n of_o the_o understanding_n we_o call_v truth_n possible_a to_o be_v falsehood_n that_o be_v possible_a not_o to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o subvert_v all_o metaphysical_a verity_n that_o be_v the_o foundation_n or_o ground_n of_o all_o formal_a verity_n or_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 11._o the_o same_o injury_n demonstrative_o goodness_n accrue_v to_o metaphysical_a bonity_n or_o goodness_n for_o it_o make_v that_o conformity_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v truth_n and_o so_o the_o good_a or_o perfection_n of_o the_o understanding_n to_o be_v at_o once_o possible_a to_o be_v falsehood_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o good_a but_o harmful_a and_o destructive_a to_o it_o §_o 12._o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o my_o adversary_n will_v think_v to_o elude_v the_o force_n of_o these_o three_o last_o demonstration_n and_o perhaps_o of_o some_o other_o by_o allege_v that_o they_o deny_v absolute_o truth_n can_v possible_o be_v falsehood_n and_o that_o they_o mean_v only_o that_o though_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n appear_v now_o upon_o considerable_a motive_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o those_o motive_n secure_v it_o not_o from_o be_v absolute_o false_a but_o not_o so_o that_o they_o can_v real_o be_v both_o and_o i_o grant_v this_o will_v be_v a_o good_a answer_n in_o case_n they_o do_v not_o affirm_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v real_o true_a upon_o which_o supposition_n take_v from_o the_o common_a language_n and_o sentiment_n of_o all_o that_o profess_v christianity_n even_o they_o too_o as_o christian_n i_o proceed_v but_o only_o profess_v they_o be_v likely_a to_o be_v true_a for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o follow_v that_o truth_n can_v be_v falsehood_n or_o that_o the_o same_o point_n can_v be_v both_o true_a and_o not_o true_a at_o once_o that_o in_o that_o case_n it_o will_v follow_v they_o ought_v to_o affirm_v they_o be_v neither_o true_a nor_o false_a since_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o true_a indeed_o be_v no_o more_o the_o same_o than_o a_o statue_n which_o be_v like_o a_o man_n be_v the_o same_o with_o a_o man_n but_o if_o all_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o profess_v and_o themselves_o actual_o do_v so_o that_o their_o faith_n be_v indeed_o
true_a then_o let_v we_o see_v how_o they_o will_v avoid_v the_o consequence_n of_o my_o former_a discourse_n when_o they_o assert_v it_o withal_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v that_o very_o individual_a judgement_n they_o make_v concern_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o must_v affirm_v to_o be_v true_a or_o a_o truth_n that_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v of_o the_o selfsame_a judgement_n though_o call_v by_o they_o a_o truth_n of_o which_o they_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o disconformable_a to_o the_o object_n and_o this_o be_v not_o so_o mean_v as_o if_o it_o shall_v become_v so_o afterward_o either_o by_o some_o alteration_n of_o that_o judgement_n into_o another_o or_o of_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o it_o be_v conformable_a but_o that_o even_o that_o very_o selfsame_a judgement_n while_o they_o speak_v and_o hold_v it_o after_o their_o fashion_n true_a may_v even_o then_o possible_o be_v false_a from_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o for_o want_v of_o solid_a ground_n to_o settle_v point_n of_o faith_n in_o their_o soul_n as_o truth_n they_o hold_v they_o indeed_o only_a likelihood_n who_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v f●lse_o and_o yet_o force_v by_o the_o natural_a sense_n and_o language_n of_o christianity_n which_o it_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o they_o too_o palpable_o to_o contradict_v they_o become_v oblige_v to_o profess_v they_o truth_n who_o firm_a ground_n make_v they_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a though_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o affix_v to_o they_o the_o proper_a badge_n of_o likelihood_n possibility_n of_o falsehood_n whence_o by_o confound_v the_o pure_a and_o solid_a nature_n of_o truth_n be_v gold_n with_o other_o notion_n of_o so_o base_a a_o alloy_n that_o it_o can_v admit_v any_o mixture_n with_o they_o all_o principle_n which_o be_v to_o support_v the_o true_a nature_n or_o being_n of_o thing_n be_v by_o consequence_n attack_v and_o can_v their_o position_n stand_v will_v quite_o be_v overthrow_v four_o eviction_n §_o 1._o the_o very_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o truth_n can_v escape_v the_o pernicious_a metaphysic_n attempt_n of_o this_o erroneous_a tenet_n it_o be_v this_o quicquid_fw-la est_fw-la dum_fw-la est_fw-la impossibile_fw-it est_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la or_o the_o same_o thing_n can_v both_o be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o once_o for_o in_o faith-proposition_n especial_o those_o in_o which_o existent_n be_v the_o predicate_a as_o the_o trinity_n be_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v the_o same_o to_o say_v the_o proposition_n be_v true_a as_o to_o say_v the_o subject_n be_v existent_a and_o the_o same_o to_o say_v it_o may_v be_v false_a as_o to_o say_v it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o existent_a or_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v and_o our_o adversary_n relate_v not_o this_o to_o a_o several_a circumstance_n of_o time_n in_o which_o they_o may_v be_v conceive_v to_o agree_v to_o the_o subject_a successive_o for_o their_o sense_n be_v that_o this_o proposition_n a_o trinity_n be_v etc._n etc._n may_v for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v even_o now_o possible_o be_v false_a while_o they_o pronounce_v it_o true_a since_o then_o to_o affirm_v a_o thing_n existent_a and_o yet_o possible_a to_o be_v not_o existent_a at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v to_o say_v direct_o that_o it_o may_v be_v and_o may_v not_o be_v at_o once_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o either_o they_o must_v not_o say_v a_o trinity_n be_v existent_a or_o else_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a not_o to_o be_v existent_a at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o be_v if_o indeed_o that_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v true_a they_o must_v withal_o affirm_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o also_o that_o they_o who_o affirm_v both_o profess_v to_o hold_v direct_a contradictory_n so_o that_o while_o these_o man_n go_v about_o to_o violate_v the_o sanctuary_n of_o faith_n who_o solid_a nature_n be_v so_o build_v that_o it_o be_v intrinsical_o repugnant_a to_o falsity_n they_o by_o consequence_n subvert_v the_o groundwork_n and_o bottom-principle_n of_o all_o truth_n so_o wise_o do_v that_o best_a master_n of_o mankind_n settle_v his_o doctrine_n that_o we_o can_v call_v into_o question_n that_o which_o make_v we_o christian_n without_o renounce_v all_o that_o make_v we_o men._n §_o 2._o i_o foresee_v my_o adversary_n will_v still_o false_a object_v that_o i_o mistake_v they_o and_o impose_v upon_o they_o to_o relate_v their_o discourse_n to_o the_o real_a be_v of_o the_o thing_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o thing_n itself_o whereas_o they_o intend_v it_o only_o to_o mean_v the_o thing_n as_o stand_v under_o notion_n or_o consider_v according_a to_o divers_a motive_n they_o either_o have_v or_o may_v have_v to_o persuade_v or_o dissuade_v they_o as_o to_o the_o verity_n of_o it_o and_o in_o plain_a term_n that_o they_o mean_v only_o this_o that_o faith_n be_v not_o so_o convenient_o propose_v to_o they_o but_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v evident_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o answer_v that_o i_o also_o speak_v of_o the_o thing_n as_o stand_v under_o notion_n else_o how_o can_v i_o put_v it_o in_o proposition_n and_o discourse_n from_o the_o nature_n and_o contradictoriness_n of_o those_o proposition_n as_o i_o do_v all_o along_o but_o yet_o lest_o my_o notion_n shall_v be_v airy_a and_o empty_a i_o be_o careful_a to_o take_v they_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o to_o rate_v the_o truth_n of_o my_o proposition_n from_o the_o conformity_n they_o have_v to_o the_o object_n as_o in_o itself_o and_o the_o force_n of_o my_o motive_n from_o the_o relation_n they_o have_v to_o first_o principle_n and_o then_o i_o be_o sure_a to_o discourse_v and_o speak_v solid_o the_o same_o i_o expect_v from_o they_o whence_o i_o ask_v they_o whether_o they_o assent_v to_o this_o proposition_n a_fw-la trinity_n be_v existent_a that_o be_v judge_v it_o real_o and_o indeed_o true_a or_o not_o if_o not_o i_o argue_v not_o against_o they_o at_o present_a but_o leave_v they_o to_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o natural_a sentiment_n and_o punsh_v by_o the_o abhorrence_n of_o all_o that_o profess_v themselves_o christian_n even_o their_o own_o party_n of_o who_o i_o have_v so_o good_a a_o opinion_n that_o they_o will_v hearty_o abominate_a that_o man_n who_o shall_v make_v any_o difficulty_n to_o profess_v and_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v indeed_o a_o trinity_n or_o that_o his_o faith_n be_v true_a but_o in_o case_n they_o do_v assent_v indeed_o to_o this_o proposition_n a_fw-la trinity_n be_v or_o judge_v it_o true_a than_o i_o contend_v far_o that_o they_o must_v be_v force_v likewise_o to_o affirm_v it_o to_o be_v so_o in_o the_o thing_n in_o itself_o as_o they_o predicate_v that_o be_v there_o be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n or_o be_v what_o correspond_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o trinity_n and_o the_o notion_n of_o existent_n which_o put_v and_o that_o they_o thus_o judge_v it_o to_o pass_v in_o the_o thing_n i_o affirm_v that_o out_o of_o the_o formal_a opposition_n between_o existent_n and_o not-existent_a and_o their_o incompossibility_n in_o the_o same_o subject_n which_o they_o can_v but_o know_v it_o follow_v necessary_o that_o they_o must_v judge_v it_o impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v not-existent_a or_o that_o that_o proposition_n shall_v be_v false_a at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o judge_v it_o true_a and_o the_o thing_n existent_a nor_o ever_o afterward_o unless_o the_o thing_n whence_o it_o be_v truth_n be_v take_v be_v alterable_a i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v myself_o a_o little_o clear_a if_o i_o can_v as_o real_a existence_n so_o ultimate_o determine_v and_o actuate_v the_o thing_n in_o which_o it_o be_v that_o it_o exclude_v while_o there_o all_o possibility_n of_o real_a nonexistence_n so_o intellectual_a or_o judge_v existence_n express_v by_o the_o word_n be_v so_o ultimate_o determine_v and_o actuate_v the_o soul_n as_o to_o its_o judge_a power_n that_o it_o exclude_v while_o there_o all_o possibility_n of_o judge_v nonexistence_n in_o such_o sort_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v by_o nature_n frame_v a_o capacity_n of_o truth_n it_o be_v no_o less_o impossible_a it_o can_v judge_v a_o thing_n may_v be_v and_o may_v not_o be_v at_o once_o than_o it_o be_v that_o a_o thing_n shall_v at_o once_o be_v and_o not_o be_v in_o reality_n again_o i_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a the_o motive_n which_o in_o case_n she_o act_v rational_o convince_v the_o soul_n the_o thing_n be_v shall_v consist_v with_o a_o possibility_n of_o it_o be_v not_o be_v as_o it_o be_v that_o the_o soul_n can_v at_o once_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v and_o not_o to_o be_v or_o that_o the_o thing_n can_v both_o be_v and_o not_o be_v
to_o the_o other_o immediate_o forego_v induce_v all_o the_o absurdity_n mention_v in_o my_o former_a discourse_n and_o pin_n they_o upon_o the_o deity_n as_o on_o their_o first_o cause_n so_o horrible_a and_o diabolical_a a_o tenet_n be_v this_o of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o calumniate_v heaven_n itself_o nor_o can_v any_o thing_n but_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n in_o the_o maintainer_n of_o it_o excuse_v they_o from_o high_a blasphemy_n &_o from_o make_v the_o unenvious_a fountain_n of_o all_o goodness_n like_o our_o own_o narrow_a and_o crooked_a self_n five_o eviction_n §_o 1._o let_v we_o hear_v next_o what_o the_o science_n of_o divinity_n both_o speculative_a and_o moral_a will_v award_v concern_v the_o point_n in_o question_n §_o 2._o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o eternal_a father_n mankind_n have_v be_v please_v to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o and_o among_o his_o other_o office_n he_o perform_v towards_o mankind_n that_o of_o a_o master_n be_v manifest_o one_o we_o can_v doubt_v but_o that_o he_o both_o will_v and_o can_v that_o be_v do_v accomplish_v what_o belong_v to_o that_o office_n again_o true_a divinity_n assign_v one_o main_a if_o not_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o the_o second_o person_n be_v make_v man_n to_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v requisite_a god_n shall_v come_v and_o converse_v with_o we_o visible_o to_o cause_v in_o we_o knowledge_n of_o his_o heavenly_a doctrine_n or_o be_v our_o master_n and_o knowledge_n or_o wisdom_n be_v appropriate_v to_o the_o second_o person_n it_o be_v therefore_o most_o fit_a that_o person_n shall_v be_v incarnate_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o office_n of_o a_o master_n in_o our_o saviour_n christ_n spring_v peculiar_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o divine_a personality_n and_o not_o of_o his_o humanity_n precise_o as_o do_v his_o suffer_v and_o die_v for_o we_o etc._n etc._n wherefore_o the_o proper_a agent_n of_o instruct_v and_o teach_v mankind_n be_v as_o such_o infinite_o perfect_a it_o be_v evident_o consequent_a christ_n perform_v the_o office_n of_o a_o master_n or_o wrought_v the_o effect_n proper_a to_o a_o teacher_n as_o such_o with_o all_o imaginable_a perfection_n §_o 3._o it_o be_v then_o the_o proper_a office_n or_o effect_n of_o a_o master_n or_o teacher_n to_o make_v his_o scholar_n know_v his_o doctrine_n be_v true_a we_o can_v think_v but_o that_o this_o divine_a or_o infinitely-perfect_a master_n make_v they_o absolute_o or_o perfect_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n §_o 4._o and_o because_o the_o end_n of_o this_o teach_v be_v not_o terminate_v in_o those_o few_o himself_o converse_v with_o nor_o in_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n but_o be_v principal_o intend_v for_o the_o body_n of_o mankind_n which_o be_v future_a in_o respect_n of_o they_o it_o follow_v that_o this_o enlighten_v and_o instruct_v now_o speak_v of_o be_v to_o be_v equal_o extend_v to_o the_o follow_a world_n of_o christian_n they_o be_v all_o sectator_n or_o follower_n of_o his_o doctrine_n that_o be_v his_o scholar_n and_o he_o their_o master_n unless_o then_o he_o have_v take_v order_n that_o succeed_a age_n also_o shall_v have_v perfect_a assurance_n or_o know_v his_o doctrine_n be_v absolute_o true_a he_o will_v have_v set_v up_o a_o school_n and_o lay_v no_o mean_n to_o preserve_v the_o far_o great_a part_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o his_o scholar_n or_o christian_n from_o ignorance_n and_o error_n §_o 5._o all_o christian_n then_o both_o the_o primitive_a and_o their_o successor_n have_v and_o will_v have_v mean_n to_o know_v absolute_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v true_a this_o mean_n we_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n both_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n then_o must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v veracious_a and_o faith_n which_o be_v build_v on_o it_o to_o be_v absolute_o true_a and_o by_o consequence_n to_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 6._o beside_o man_n be_v a_o intellectual_a instruct_v creature_n it_o be_v evident_a the_o true_a perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n consist_v in_o know_v and_o this_o whether_o we_o consider_v he_o as_o a_o speculater_n or_o as_o a_o actor_n for_o if_o the_o thing_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v than_o he_o be_v most_o evident_o ignorant_a whether_o it_o be_v false_a or_o no_o that_o be_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o which_o speak_v imperfection_n in_o his_o nature_n as_o it_o be_v a_o capacity_n of_o knowledge_n and_o if_o he_o be_v to_o act_n about_o it_o it_o be_v evident_o a_o less_o perfection_n and_o worse_a for_o mankind_n to_o go_v to_o work_v unassured_o than_o assure_o faith_n then_o be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o mankind_n it_o follow_v faith_n be_v perfect_o secure_a to_o he_o that_o be_v he_o must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o consequent_o it_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o contingency_n of_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o but_o leave_v man_n the_o subject_a of_o virtue_n faith_n and_o reflect_v upon_o faith_n itself_o in_o we_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o offer_v itself_o to_o our_o consideration_n be_v that_o its_o habit_n be_v a_o virtue_n and_o consequent_o rational_a also_o that_o its_o act_n be_v a_o assent_n upon_o authority_n since_o then_o it_o be_v demonstrate_v former_o that_o there_o can_v be_v in_o reason_n no_o assent_n without_o certain_a ground_n and_o that_o what_o be_v certain_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o follow_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 8._o next_o faith_n be_v a_o intellectual_a virtue_n virtue_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o perfect_a man_n understanding_n as_o such_o that_o be_v it_o be_v to_o he_o a_o knowledge_n and_o so_o inform_v his_o mind_n with_o truth_n the_o nature_n of_o faith_n than_o force_v that_o point_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v truth_n and_o so_o as_o be_v manifold_o demonstrate_v faith_n itself_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 9_o again_o this_o intellectual_a virtue_n virtue_n call_v faith_n be_v also_o a_o supernatural_a one_o and_o therefore_o as_o such_o proceed_v from_o a_o agent_n infinite_o more_o perfect_a than_o any_o can_v be_v find_v in_o nature_n therefore_o the_o immediate_a effect_n aim_v at_o by_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o inform_v the_o understanding_n will_v be_v perform_v with_o infinite_a advantage_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v that_o supernatural_a agent_n be_v or_o god_n part_n and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o exquisite_o perform_v it_o must_v spring_v from_o some_o incapacity_n in_o the_o subject_a there_o be_v then_o in_o this_o effect_n of_o inform_v the_o understanding_n two_o consideration_n viz._n evidence_n which_o be_v have_v either_o by_o experience_n of_o our_o sense_n of_o which_o spiritual_a nature_n the_o chief_a object_n of_o faith_n be_v incapable_a or_o by_o intrinsical_v medium_n that_o be_v demonstration_n of_o those_o spiritual_a thing_n of_o which_o take_v the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n the_o subject_a of_o faith_n very_o few_o be_v capable_a and_o that_o other_o of_o certainty_n attainable_a both_o by_o those_o intrinsecal_n and_o also_o extrinsical_a medium_n or_o authority_n which_o authority_n by_o mean_n of_o the_o practicableness_n of_o its_o nature_n all_o be_v to_o a_o great_a degree_n able_a to_o understand_v it_o follow_v that_o here_o be_v no_o violence_n or_o unsuitableness_n to_o humane_a nature_n consider_v in_o its_o generality_n the_o supernatural_a agent_n or_o cause_n of_o faith_n will_v effect_v here_o a_o great_a certainty_n than_o mere_a natural_a impression_n can_v produce_v that_o be_v all_o extrinsical_a argument_n be_v final_o resolve_v into_o intrinsecal_n one_o the_o best_a and_o chief_a nature_n in_o the_o world_n will_v be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o most_o strong_o support_v to_o make_v up_o the_o great_a authority_n that_o be_v possible_a and_o so_o to_o establish_v this_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o principle_n beyond_o that_o of_o any_o humane_a science_n but_o divers_a piece_n of_o humane_a science_n nay_o the_o least_o particle_n of_o true_a science_n be_v acknowledge_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n therefore_o à_fw-la fortiori_fw-la must_v be_v such_o also_o §_o 10._o this_o supernaturality_n of_o faith_n by_o natural_a which_o word_n we_o mean_v divine_a faith_n convince_v that_o it_o ought_v to_o exceed_v all_o other_o faith_n be_v according_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n in_o common_a that_o be_v it_o ought_v to_o partake_v whatever_o perfection_n true_o belong_v to_o faith_n or_o belief_n as_o such_o in_o a_o especial_a manner_n and_o far_o above_o what_o be_v find_v in_o humane_a faith_n in_o a_o word_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v as_o much_o in_o it_o as_o can_v elevate_v it_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n without_o
or_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o proposal_n of_o it_o which_o only_o can_v oblige_v connatural_o the_o understanding_n to_o conceit_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v and_o consequent_o the_o will_n to_o love_v it_o according_o in_o which_o conceit_v and_o hearty_o love_a not_o only_o the_o intend_v and_o command_v part_n of_o the_o action_n be_v place_v in_o our_o case_n as_o it_o happen_v in_o our_o act_n for_o material_a good_n but_o also_o the_o executive_a and_o assecutive_a part_n of_o it_o not_o the_o same_o sleightness_n of_o motive_n therefore_o or_o moral_a certainty_n will_v here_o serve_v the_o turn_n but_o true_a certainty_n or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n be_v require_v this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o proper_a to_o beget_v a_o hearty_a lively_a steady_a and_o all-over-powering_a affection_n for_o heaven_n and_o such_o as_o may_v as_o it_o ought_v make_v christian_n practical_o repute_v all_o other_o thing_n as_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o that_o §_o 9_o but_o the_o main_a consideration_n false_a which_o force_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o beget_v it_o that_o be_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n above_o those_o which_o ground_n our_o action_n of_o pursue_v temporary_a good_n be_v the_o unconceivable_a mysteriousness_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n truth_n exalt_v above_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n as_o far_o as_o heaven_n be_v above_o the_o earth_n many_o of_o they_o look_v so_o odd_a and_o uncouth_a to_o our_o course_n humane_a reason_n unrefined_a by_o faith_n that_o as_o they_o seem_v of_o old_a to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n so_o still_o they_o be_v acknowledged_o most_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o grossness_n of_o fancy_n by_o which_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o unelevate_v by_o christian_a principle_n be_v lead_v and_o confess_o above_o reason_n insomuch_o as_o it_o cost_v the_o best_a wit_n of_o christianity_n no_o small_a pain_n to_o maintain_v they_o not_o to_o be_v contradictory_n or_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a put_v then_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o only_a seem_a certainty_n i_o may_v say_v the_o confess_a want_n of_o certainty_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o believe_v will_v be_v so_o counterballance_v by_o the_o incredibleness_n and_o seem_a contradictoriness_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o object_n or_o rather_o indeed_o overballance_v in_o the_o conceit_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o overplus_n of_o weight_n leave_v to_o incline_v they_o to_o hold_v those_o point_n true_a rather_o than_o false_a much_o less_o to_o make_v they_o absolute_o hold_v they_o be_v certain_a truth_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v assert_v the_o contrary_a i_o wonder_v how_o he_o will_v go_v about_o to_o prove_v it_o or_o by_o what_o standard_n he_o will_v measure_v whether_o be_v the_o great_a of_o the_o two_o counterposed_a unlikelihood_n viz._n that_o the_o possible_o false_a motive_n of_o faith_n shall_v hap_v to_o be_v actual_o such_o or_o that_o the_o seeming-impossibility_n in_o the_o object_n shall_v chance_v to_o be_v a_o real_a one_o for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o say_v here_o that_o we_o be_v in_o reason_n to_o expect_v the_o divine_a nature_n shall_v be_v exceed_o exalt_v above_o its_o creature_n and_o incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o measure_v his_o perfection_n by_o the_o ordinary_a rule_n find_v in_o creature_n but_o think_v it_o reasonable_a he_o shall_v infinite_o exceed_v they_o for_o however_o this_o have_v weight_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o concern_v the_o divine_a nature_n and_o its_o perfection_n as_o in_o itself_o yet_o here_o it_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n in_o regard_n faith_n teach_v we_o many_o other_o point_v seem_o repugnant_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n itself_o and_o most_o strange_o debase_v and_o vilify_a it_o as_o that_o god_n infinite_o happy_a in_o himself_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o injurious_a buffering_n scourge_n and_o a_o ignominious_a death_n for_o a_o creature_n sake_n that_o in_o comparison_n of_o he_o be_v a_o mere_a nothing_o and_o that_o omniscience_n and_o omnipotence_n can_v not_o invent_v and_o practise_v some_o easy_a and_o more_o honourable_a way_n to_o work_v the_o end_n they_o intend_v and_o last_o that_o it_o shall_v beseem_v infinite_a goodness_n that_o a_o person_n superlative_o innocent_a shall_v be_v so_o severe_o punish_v to_o do_v a_o undue_a favour_n to_o those_o who_o be_v enormous_o wicked_a this_o consideration_n then_o necessitate_v plain_o the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n be_v false_a for_o else_o it_o will_v be_v irrational_a to_o believe_v it_o and_o last_o it_o show_v the_o case_n of_o christian_a interior_a act_n utter_o unparallel_a to_o that_o of_o act_v exterior_o for_o sensible_a and_o material_a good_n which_o one_o may_v apprehend_v to_o be_v attainable_a and_o also_o comprehend_v the_o way_n to_o attain_v they_o without_o puzz'le_v his_o understanding_n with_o any_o unconceivable_a mysteriousness_n in_o the_o business_n to_o check_v his_o assent_n ere_o i_o leave_v this_o point_n i_o must_v desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v well_o on_o the_o condition_n those_o person_n be_v in_o who_o be_v yet_o to_o embrace_v faith_n they_o have_v no_o light_n but_o their_o pure_a natural_a reason_n and_o to_o this_o be_v propose_v for_o object_n to_o the_o one_o side_n the_o motive_n to_o faith_n or_o the_o authority_n in_o our_o case_n that_o god_n have_v speak_v it_o on_o the_o other_o the_o strangeness_n of_o the_o mystery_n let_v then_o those_o person_n understanding_n no_o better_a elevate_v go_v about_o to_o scan_v the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v clear_a and_o i_o think_v confess_v by_o all_o they_o must_v needs_o seem_v to_o they_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a which_o therefore_o nothing_o but_o a_o motive_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v conquer_v so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o conceit_n they_o real_o true_a but_o this_o motive_n or_o this_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_v by_o our_o adversary_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o fit_a and_o proportion_v object_n for_o humane_a reason_n be_v there_o any_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o seem_v better_a than_o it_o be_v or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v then_o against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v be_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o motive_n of_o dissent_n be_v in_o that_o case_n evident_o great_a than_o be_v the_o motive_n of_o assent_n §_o 10._o again_o since_o it_o be_v incomparable_o faith_n more_o easy_a to_o throw_v down_o than_o to_o build_v or_o less_o difficult_a for_o the_o understanding_n to_o comprehend_v a_o objection_n than_o it_o be_v to_o lay_v orderly_o in_o the_o soul_n a_o severely-connected_n frame_v of_o discourse_n force_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o point_n particular_o when_o those_o point_n be_v utter_o unsuitable_a to_o fancy_n and_o even_o exalt_v above_o reason_n and_o so_o lie_v open_a to_o very_o plausible_a and_o easy_o penetrable_a objection_n on_o which_o disadvantage_n or_o disproportion_n to_o weak_a judgement_n that_o be_v indeed_o a_o high_a excellency_n on_o the_o object_n be_v side_n atheist_n ground_v their_o drollery_n against_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o follow_v that_o be_v not_o the_o chief_a motive_n to_o faith_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n practical_o self-evident_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a there_o will_v be_v consider_v the_o rudeness_n and_o unelevatedness_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o unsuitableness_n of_o the_o mystery_n to_o their_o fancyled_a understanding_n great_a temptation_n and_o more_o plausible_a that_o be_v to_z they_o strong_a motive_n lay_v to_o make_v they_o dissent_v to_o those_o mystery_n than_o to_o make_v they_o assent_v the_o motive_n to_o faith_n then_o must_v be_v practical_o self-evident_a and_o so_o faith_n itself_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a seven_o eviction_n §_o 1._o perhaps_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n express_v most_o manifest_o their_o sentiment_n may_v give_v to_o some_o a_o more_o natural_a and_o penetrable_a satisfaction_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a faith_n shall_v be_v false_a than_o all_o the_o speculative_a and_o scientifical_a proof_n hitherto_o deduce_v §_o 2._o for_o their_o language_n then_o i_o only_o will_n hint_n to_o the_o memory_n of_o my_o prudential_a reader_n for_o to_o transcribe_v they_o be_v endless_a all_o those_o expression_n so_o frequent_a in_o scripture_n father_n council_n and_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o faithful_a to_o these_o very_a day_n viz._n that_o faith_n be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n his_o will_n and_o of_o reveal_v truth_n nor_o will_v i_o straighten_v the_o signification_n
of_o the_o mysterye_n themselves_o exceed_o enhaunce_v the_o other_o it_o be_v manifest_a there_o will_v be_v a_o high_a disadvantage_n on_o faith_n side_n nay_o grant_v a_o pretty_a high_a probability_n which_o be_v perhaps_o as_o much_o as_o they_o care_v for_o yet_o the_o notone_o improbability_n but_o seeming-impossibility_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n if_o take_v not_o as_o stand_n under_o authority_n but_o as_o object_n of_o our_o humane_a reason_n as_o in_o this_o counterballancing_a case_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v will_v quite_o overpoise_v the_o probable_a motive_n and_o incline_v the_o soul_n strong_o towards_o dissent_n unless_o interest_n custom_n or_o some_o other_o affection_n come_v in_o to_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o weak_a motive_n print_v it_o in_o a_o big_a letter_n and_o diminish_v the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o object_n by_o not_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v or_o penetrate_v that_o be_v by_o hinder_v the_o work_n of_o right_a reason_n now_o in_o this_o case_n if_o this_o discourse_n hold_v a_o protestant_n may_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n lay_v odds_o and_o wager_v two_o to_o one_o at_o least_o his_o faith_n be_v all_o a_o falsehood_n a_o strange_a impiety_n but_o yet_o the_o natural_a consequence_n of_o that_o impious_a tenet_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o this_o be_v the_o genuine_a sequel_n of_o deny_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 10._o the_o same_o be_v deduce_v from_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o martyr_n and_o the_o proper_a signification_n of_o that_o word_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o witness_n and_o this_o as_o appear_v by_o his_o circumstance_n of_o all_o witness_n the_o most_o solemn_a and_o serious_a and_o the_o perfect_a under_o that_o notion_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v as_o engage_v not_o only_a his_o word_n but_o his_o life_n and_o dear_a blood_n for_o what_o he_o testify_v now_o all_o witness_v or_o attestation_n be_v most_o evident_o of_o what_o the_o witnesser_n know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o nothing_o sound_v more_o unnatural_o or_o be_v more_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o action_n than_o to_o have_v a_o likelihood_n for_o its_o object_n or_o to_o witness_v what_o he_o know_v not_o as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o it_o in_o all_o other_o occasion_n it_o follow_v that_o a_o martyr_n or_o witness_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n faith_n must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v he_o must_v know_v it_o to_o be_v more_o than_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o consequent_o nothing_o be_v more_o impossible_a than_o that_o one_o can_v know_v what_o be_v not_o impossible_a not_o to_o be_v true_a or_o to_o be_v false_a §_o 11._o no_o less_o unnatural_o will_v it_o false_a sound_v shall_v we_o gather_v together_o and_o make_v use_n of_o all_o the_o equivalent_a speech_n to_o this_o proposition_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a such_o as_o be_v there_o be_v no_o certain_a way_n to_o heaven_n no_o man_n know_v there_o be_v a_o heaven_n a_o hell_n a_o jesus_n christ_n a_o trinity_n etc._n etc._n no_o man_n see_v any_o reason_n secure_v faith_n from_o be_v a_o lie_n the_o ground_n of_o all_o our_o hope_n be_v unstable_a and_o may_v be_v overthrow_v absolute_o speak_v it_o may_v be_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o that_o which_o christian_n be_v to_o profess_v and_o aught_o to_o die_v for_o it_o may_v be_v point_n of_o faith_n be_v so_o many_o lie_v and_o false_a as_o so_o many_o oldwife_n tale_n the_o light_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v spiritual_a darkness_n and_o error_n what_o we_o hold_v to_o come_v from_o god_n the_o author_n of_o all_o truth_n may_v perhaps_o come_v from_o the_o devil_n the_o author_n of_o all_o lie_n all_o our_o supernatural_a truth_n may_v be_v diabolical_a falsehood_n faith_n have_v no_o principle_n the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o truth_n but_o likelihood_n only_o these_o and_o innumerable_a such_o other_o be_v all_o equivalent_a periphrasis_n to_o this_o proposition_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o in_o this_o treatise_n have_v be_v manifest_v but_o how_o horrid_a and_o blasphemous_a needs_o no_o proof_n but_o thebare_a rehearse_n of_o they_o §_o 12._o from_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n faith_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a profess_v faith_n we_o come_v next_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o wit_n of_o christianity_n not_o proceed_v as_o speculater_n and_o scholar_n a_o most_o trifle_a impertinent_a topick_n when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o faith_n yet_o most_o frequent_o use_v by_o our_o adversary_n especial_o mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o mr._n pool_n who_o be_v obstinate_o bend_v to_o practice_v that_o wilful_a mistake_n but_o as_o christian_n or_o faithful_a and_o this_o not_o only_o act_v or_o speak_v in_o abstraction_n from_o humane_a knowledge_n but_o as_o in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o defiance_n and_o despite_n of_o it_o now_o with_o these_o intelligent_a person_n it_o be_v very_o solemn_a after_o by_o penetrate_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n they_o have_v come_v to_o embrace_v faith_n itself_o immediate_o to_o discard_v &_o renounce_v all_o tenet_n opposite_a to_o the_o say_a faith_n how_o certain_a soever_o they_o hold_v they_o former_o nay_o to_o stand_v with_o a_o mind_n prepare_v to_o disassent_v to_o anypiece_n of_o humane_a learning_n how_o scientifical_a soever_o it_o look_v which_o they_o see_v evident_o to_o thwart_v any_o of_o those_o believe_v truth_n make_v account_n it_o be_v their_o duty_n captivare_fw-la intellectum_fw-la in_o obsequium_fw-la fidei_fw-la to_o captivate_v their_o understanding_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n or_o to_o yield_v they_o total_o up_o by_o a_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o mystery_n and_o not_o to_o heed_n or_o credit_v any_o objection_n or_o proposal_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o the_o contrary_a when_o once_o the_o stable_n and_o immovable_a ground_n or_o motive_n of_o divine_a belief_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v subdue_v their_o judgement_n to_o that_o invincible_a assent_n but_o to_o rest_v well_o assure_v that_o all_o reason_n be_v fallacious_a and_o all_o position_n false_a which_o go_v against_o those_o sacred_a and_o establish_v truth_n this_o be_v ever_o their_o unanimous_a and_o constant_a profession_n particular_o the_o father_n be_v full_a of_o expression_n of_o that_o kind_n a_o evident_a argument_n that_o as_o christian_n they_o ever_o hold_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o otherwise_o they_o have_v be_v oblige_v by_o honesty_n and_o their_o love_n of_o truth_n not_o to_o have_v so_o ready_o reject_v their_o formerly-conceited_n truth_n nor_o to_o have_v stop_v their_o ear_n so_o obstinate_o to_o new_a reason_n against_o faith_n but_o as_o long_o as_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a they_o ought_v in_o due_a candour_n to_o have_v still_o weigh_v the_o opposite_a thesis_n and_o the_o objection_n perpetual_o allege_v against_o the_o strength_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n and_o consider_v which_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a and_o not_o have_v still_o conclude_v so_o partial_o on_o faith_n side_n and_o obstinate_o resolve_v to_o hear_v nothing_o against_o it_o bear_v themselves_o as_o if_o all_o must_v needs_o be_v true_a which_o faith_n rule_n teach_v we_o that_o be_v indeed_o as_o if_o faith_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v false_a §_o 13._o whence_o follow_v that_o all_o who_o life_n hold_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a aught_o in_o conscience_n and_o their_o natural_a duty_n or_o love_n to_o truth_n remain_v seeker_n all_o their_o life_n for_o however_o they_o may_v hope_v at_o present_a that_o what_o they_o adhere_v to_o be_v true_a yet_o since_o they_o hold_v it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v they_o ought_v the_o affair_n and_o its_o concern_n be_v so_o weighty_a to_o be_v still_o examine_v its_o ground_n and_o cast_v about_o to_o see_v whether_o this_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o they_o already_o see_v be_v not_o indeed_o actual_o such_o though_o as_o yet_o they_o see_v it_o not_o or_o at_o least_o whether_o some_o other_o profession_n may_v not_o after_o long_a consideration_n appear_v less_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o another_o still_o less_o than_o that_o that_o so_o they_o may_v go_v as_o near_a truth_n as_o they_o can_v weigh_v discreet_o and_o impartial_o what_o deism_n paganism_n turcism_n and_o such_o other_o wise_o represent_v without_o their_o poetical_a fancy_n and_o foolery_n can_v say_v for_o themselves_o or_o last_o if_o they_o come_v to_o such_o a_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n which_o i_o doubt_v be_v the_o true_a case_n as_o to_o judge_n such_o a_o quest_n lose_v labour_n because_o when_o all_o be_v do_v the_o sullen_a dame_n truth_n
none_o have_v the_o least_o actual_a doubt_n or_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n of_o it_o else_o sure_o they_o will_v never_o have_v stay_v in_o they_o inform_v we_o sufficient_o to_o what_o a_o changeable_a totter_a and_o ruinous_a condition_n christian_a faith_n will_v be_v reduce_v by_o these_o principle_n and_o parallel_n no_o few_o than_o three_o house_n fall_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o short_a time_n and_o none_o have_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n beforehand_o of_o such_o a_o event_n therefore_o may_v a_o atheist_n say_v down_o fall_v christian_a faith_n too_o who_o foundation_n be_v by_o this_o doctrine_n but_o parallel_n for_o strength_n to_o the_o other_o or_o if_o it_o fall_v not_o in_o so_o long_a time_n it_o have_v only_o something_o better_a luck_n not_o better_a ground_n than_o have_v the_o three_o house_n as_o for_o the_o object_v unsuitableness_n of_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o i_o require_v it_o be_v reply_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o natural_a for_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n than_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o authority_n nothing_o more_o penetrable_a by_o those_o of_o all_o sort_n than_o the_o infallibleness_n and_o veracity_n of_o exceed_o vast_a and_o grave_a authority_n relate_v matter_n of_o fact_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o their_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v a_o q._n elizabeth_n and_o such_o like_a to_o comprehend_v and_o assent_v immovable_o to_o which_o cost_v they_o not_o the_o least_o over_o strain_v as_o the_o obiecter_n imagine_v which_o be_v so_o i_o make_v account_n that_o god_n both_o in_o his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n can_v &_o in_o his_o goodness_n will_v render_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o church_n the_o ground_n and_o pillar_n of_o truth_n as_o evident_a to_o all_o her_o child_n both_o as_o to_o its_o inerrableness_n and_o veracity_n as_o the_o other_o nay_o incomparable_o more_o it_o be_v in_o every_o regard_n so_o requisite_a objection_n vi._n if_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o they_o will_v necessary_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n wherefore_o they_o will_v of_o themselves_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v and_o so_o there_o will_v need_v no_o precedent_n pious_a affection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o yet_o both_o council_n father_n and_o catholic_n divine_v with_o one_o consent_n require_v nay_o more_o be_v not_o such_o a_o pious_a affection_n put_v act_n of_o faith_n will_v not_o be_v free_n answer_n if_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o even_o assent_v to_o humane_a science_n though_o evident_a from_o intrinsecal_n reason_n comprehensible_a by_o our_o understanding_n and_o pure_o speculative_a be_v not_o to_o be_v acquire_v without_o a_o affection_n to_o see_v truth_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o carriage_n of_o mere_a sceptic_n who_o have_v entertain_v a_o conceit_n of_o its_o hopelesness_n come_v thence_o to_o want_v love_n or_o affection_n for_o it_o and_o so_o never_o come_v to_o see_v it_o how_o conclusive_a soever_o the_o reason_n be_v much_o more_o by_o far_o must_v some_o good_a affection_n be_v pre-requisit_a to_o assent_v to_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a truth_n which_o be_v obscure_a in_o themselves_o as_o depend_v upon_o authority_n incomprehensible_a to_o our_o natural_a reason_n and_o practical_a that_o be_v obligingly-efficacious_a to_o break_v out_o into_o christian_a action_n or_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o sublunary_a thing_n as_o true_a faith_n must_v be_v the_o first_o obstacle_n of_o the_o three_o mention_v have_v this_o difficulty_n that_o the_o beam_n of_o truth_n which_o come_v direct_o from_o the_o thing_n themselves_o be_v general_o apt_a to_o strike_v our_o understanding_n more_o natural_o penetrate_v it_o more_o deep_o and_o to_o stick_v in_o it_o more_o immovable_o than_o those_o which_o be_v reflect_v to_o we_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o another_o such_o as_o be_v point_n of_o faith_n beside_o the_o new_a difficulty_n of_o see_v the_o veracity_n of_o the_o attester_n which_o how_o evident_a soever_o it_o be_v yet_o it_o put_v the_o understanding_n to_o double_a pain_n whereas_o evidence_n have_v from_o the_o thing_n be_v but_o a_o single_a labour_n and_o so_o less_o confound_v and_o distract_n the_o thought_n the_o second_o obstacle_n incomprehensibleness_n be_v apt_a to_o stupify_v the_o understanding_n and_o retard_v assent_n nay_o even_o to_o deter_v it_o from_o consider_v they_o as_o truth_n the_o atheistical_a temper_n of_o the_o world_n which_o can_v not_o subsist_v be_v metaphysic_n due_o advance_v sufficient_o inform_v we_o how_o difficult_a it_o be_v for_o man_n to_o apply_v and_o fix_v their_o thought_n upon_o those_o considerability_n in_o thing_n and_o those_o nature_n which_o be_v abstract_v from_o matter_n the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v because_o it_o be_v natural_a that_o our_o fancy_n be_v in_o act_n while_o our_o understanding_n be_v so_o and_o there_o be_v not_o proper_a phantasm_n the_o only_a agreeable_a one_o to_o material_a man_n who_o be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o guide_v their_o judgement_n pure_o by_o principle_n and_o connexion_n of_o term_n which_o suit_n to_o such_o abstract_a conception_n but_o metaphorical_a one_o only_o which_o the_o understanding_n must_v in_o rigour_n deny_v to_o be_v right_a one_o even_o while_o by_o necessity_n it_o be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o hence_o the_o life_n of_o a_o christian_a as_o such_o be_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o so_o the_o object_n and_o principle_n of_o his_o new_a life_n for_o the_o most_o part_n and_o principal_o spiritual_a one_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o for_o this_o very_a regard_n alone_o there_o will_v need_v a_o great_a love_n of_o truth_n and_o spiritual_a good_n to_o make_v the_o understanding_n appliable_a to_o they_o or_o even_o admit_v a_o consideration_n of_o they_o i_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o worthy_a friend_n of_o i_o that_o discourse_v with_o a_o acute_a man_n but_o a_o great_a hater_n of_o metaphysic_n and_o mention_v a_o spirit_n he_o in_o a_o disgust_n break_v out_o into_o these_o word_n let_v we_o talk_v of_o what_o we_o know_v by_o which_o expression_n it_o be_v manifest_a that_o he_o mistake_v the_o question_n an_fw-mi est_fw-la for_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la but_o what_o make_v for_o my_o purpose_n be_v that_o the_o unknowableness_n of_o the_o essence_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o spirit_n to_o we_o in_o this_o state_n obstruct_v even_o his_o desire_n to_o consider_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n or_o no_o &_o consequent_o that_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a desire_n or_o affection_n to_o know_v spiritual_a thing_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a even_o to_o entertain_v a_o thought_n of_o their_o be_v much_o more_o to_o conceit_v it_o but_o incomparable_o more_o needful_a be_v such_o a_o affection_n when_o to_o the_o spirituality_n of_o those_o point_n there_o shall_v be_v add_v a_o incomprehensibleness_n nay_o if_o only_o those_o point_n be_v consider_v a_o incredibleness_n when_o no_o parallel_n can_v be_v find_v in_o nature_n nor_o scarce_o any_o similitude_n weak_o to_o shadow_v out_o the_o thing_n and_o its_o possibility_n nay_o when_o some_o of_o those_o point_n direct_o thwart_v the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n whence_o all_o our_o other_o knowledge_n have_v their_o stability_n then_o i_o say_v if_o ever_o there_o be_v requisite_a a_o affection_n for_o the_o nobleness_n and_o excellency_n of_o those_o high_a spiritual_a object_n to_o make_v we_o willing_a to_o hearken_v to_o any_o authority_n propose_v they_o how_o evident_a soever_o the_o motive_n be_v for_o the_o credibleness_n of_o that_o authority_n the_o three_o obstacle_n follow_v take_v from_o the_o end_n for_o which_o faith_n be_v essential_o ordain_v that_o be_v from_o what_o it_o essential_o be_v viz._n a_o mover_n of_o the_o will_n to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n or_o a_o practical_a principle_n now_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o this_o truth_n that_o by-affection_n and_o contrary_a inclination_n be_v apt_a to_o hinder_v the_o understanding_n from_o assent_v or_o even_o attend_v candid_o and_o calm_o to_o these_o reason_n how_o clear_a soever_o they_o be_v which_o make_v against_o any_o belove_a interest_n whence_o there_o need_v a_o contrary_a affection_n to_o these_o other_o to_o remove_v the_o mist_n those_o passion_n have_v raise_v and_o purge_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o mind_n that_o so_o it_o may_v become_v capable_a of_o discern_v what_o it_o can_v not_o before_o though_o in_o itself_o most_o visible_a how_o much_o more_o not_o only_o requisite_a but_o even_o necessary_a must_v some_o pious_a affection_n be_v to_o permit_v the_o mind_n free_o to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_a faith_n contain_v principle_n which_o enjoin_v a_o disregard_n and_o posthabition_n of_o all_o that_o be_v sweet_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n nay_o even_o of_o livelihood_n and_o life_n itself_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a than_o that_o a_o plough_v
affection_n pre-requisit_a to_o faith_n derogate_v nothing_o from_o its_o certainty_n but_o be_v perfect_o consistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v to_o generate_v it_o and_o that_o the_o governor_n and_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n though_o propose_v the_o most_o convince_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o authority_n convey_v down_o faith_n to_o we_o can_v prevail_v nothing_o unless_o the_o great_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n by_o his_o peculiar_a power_n plant_v antecedent_o in_o their_o heart_n this_o good_a disposition_n and_o prepare_v terram_fw-la bonam_fw-la that_o their_o endeavour_n may_v take_v effect_n and_o the_o sower_n seed_n take_v root_n no_o more_o than_o paul_n though_o miraculous_a can_v convert_v all_o that_o see_v his_o miracle_n or_o hear_v his_o preach_a but_o only_o such_o who_o heart_n god_n open_v as_o he_o do_v lydia_n it_o appear_v also_o by_o the_o same_o discourse_n how_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v free_a that_o be_v as_o depend_v on_o this_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n which_o set_v the_o understanding_n on_o work_n to_o consider_v the_o motive_n and_o so_o produce_v they_o the_o whole_a humane_a action_n be_v free_a because_o the_o will_n order_v it_o though_o she_o do_v not_o produce_v it_o all_o or_o though_o freedom_n be_v not_o formal_o in_o the_o body_n so_o the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v free_a because_o it_o be_v order_v by_o the_o will_n which_o be_v free_a though_o no_o freedom_n be_v find_v in_o the_o understanding_n which_o be_v incapable_a of_o such_o a_o qualification_n but_o pure_a necessity_n of_o assent_v when_o the_o motive_n be_v see_v to_o be_v conclusive_a no_o need_n then_o be_v there_o upon_o any_o account_n of_o a_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n to_o piece_n out_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o reason_n why_o we_o believe_v and_o to_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v beyond_o the_o motive_n that_o be_v assent_n to_o a_o degree_n beyond_o what_o it_o have_v reason_n to_o do_v a_o impossibility_n in_o humane_a nature_n right_o and_o connatural_o govern_v and_o i_o much_o fear_v no_o small_a disgrace_n to_o christian_a faith_n consider_v the_o obstinate_a bent_n of_o the_o church_n adversary_n to_o confound_v the_o speculative_a thought_n of_o divine_n explain_v faith_n and_o its_o ground_n less_o careful_o with_o their_o sentiment_n issue_v natural_o from_o they_o as_o christian_n nay_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n itself_o what_o can_v revince_o be_v reply_v to_o a_o atheist_n object_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o christian_n make_v the_o evidence_n of_o faith_n ground_n stand_v need_v to_o be_v pec_v out_o by_o obscurity_n our_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o ignorance_n and_o the_o rationality_n of_o they_o by_o will_n without_o reason_n that_o be_v wilfulness_n wherefore_o i_o carnest_o obtest_v and_o beseech_v even_o per_fw-la viscera_fw-la christi_fw-la all_o who_o shall_v read_v this_o treatise_n and_o yet_o have_v speculative_o hold_v and_o maintain_v this_o opinion_n i_o here_o impugn_v for_o practical_o and_o as_o christian_n they_o hold_v the_o contrary_a conclusion_n serious_o to_o weigh_v the_o point_n once_o more_o and_o not_o to_o obstruct_v the_o resolve_v christian_a faith_n into_o immovable_a principle_n or_o absolute_o certain_a ground_n by_o a_o opinion_n only_o spring_v from_o the_o conceit_a difficulty_n in_o make_v out_o those_o ground_n to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a which_o yet_o themselves_o to_o a_o man_n profess_v and_o hold_v as_o they_o be_v christian_n i_o humble_o beg_v leave_v to_o propose_v to_o they_o these_o few_o consideration_n first_o it_o be_v certain_a faith_n be_v no_o less_o faith_n or_o a_o assent_n upon_o authority_n though_o that_o authority_n be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v infallible_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v both_o firm_a and_o more_o rational_a even_o for_o that_o very_a regard_n second_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n hold_v their_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v it_o be_v true_a to_o we_o and_o withal_o perfect_o rational_a and_o consequent_o that_o its_o ground_n or_o principle_n be_v so_o able_a to_o ascertain_v it_o that_o they_o place_v it_o beyond_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n three_o it_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a that_o a_o inclination_n or_o motion_n of_o the_o will_n be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o it_o can_v have_v neither_o truth_n nor_o falsehood_n in_o it_o can_v be_v no_o rational_a principle_n or_o ground_n of_o our_o assent_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o or_o indeed_o apt_a to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o tenet_n four_o that_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a from_o my_o forego_n discourse_n that_o a_o antecedent_n pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n be_v still_o requisite_a to_o faith_n notwithstanding_o the_o perfect_a conclusiveness_n of_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v and_o that_o all_o act_n of_o faith_n depend_v on_o this_o quoad_fw-la exercitium_fw-la at_o least_o as_o the_o school_n speak_v which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o many_o divine_n be_v sufficient_a five_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o the_o solid_a divine_n that_o faith_n consist_v with_o evidence_n in_o the_o attester_n six_o that_o faith_n or_o a_o firm_a and_o immovable_a assent_n upon_o authority_n be_v not_o thorough_o rational_a and_o by_o consequence_n partly_o faulty_a if_o the_o motive_n be_v not_o alone_o able_a to_o convince_v a_o understanding_n right_o dispose_v without_o the_o will_v his_o assistance_n for_o what_o can_v be_v say_v for_o that_o degree_n of_o assent_n which_o be_v beyond_o the_o motive_n or_o reason_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a from_o the_o very_a term_n that_o it_o be_v irrational_a or_o without_o any_o reason_n but_o the_o worst_a be_v that_o whereas_o all_o good_a christian_n hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o judge_v their_o act_n of_o faith_n immovable_a assent_n these_o author_n as_o speculater_n put_v all_o the_o reason_n for_o faith_n to_o leave_v it_o still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o make_v this_o pious_a affection_n the_o only_a thing_n which_o elevate_v it_o to_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n which_o be_v vast_o high_a in_o point_n of_o certainty_n as_o if_o a_o rational_a creature_n not_o deviate_a total_o from_o its_o nature_n but_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n ought_v therefore_o to_o hold_v a_o point_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o itself_o have_v a_o affection_n or_o as_o we_o say_v a_o great_a mind_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o seven_o this_o assertion_n render_v the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n not_o only_o unmaintainable_a as_o have_v be_v now_o show_v but_o also_o unperswadable_a to_o other_o for_o how_o shall_v i_o be_v able_a to_o give_v account_n to_o other_o that_o my_o affection_n which_o work_v this_o persuasion_n in_o i_o be_v rational_a and_o not_o apt_a to_o mislead_v i_o when_o as_o the_o very_a position_n oblige_v i_o to_o profess_v the_o contrary_a and_o to_o grant_v that_o this_o affection_n push_v forward_o my_o understanding_n to_o assent_v beyond_o the_o reason_n it_o have_v that_o be_v as_o to_o this_o degree_n in_o my_o assent_n which_o be_v no_o small_a one_o since_o it_o raise_v it_o from_o judge_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o judge_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v such_o without_o reason_n or_o will_v not_o this_o speculative_a tenet_n seem_v to_o force_v this_o inference_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o its_o most_o intrinsical_a consideration_n viz._n the_o impossibility_n of_o its_o falsehood_n be_v make_v by_o this_o doctrine_n full_a as_o dark_a a_o hole_n as_o it_o be_v to_o allege_v the_o private_a spirit_n nor_o can_v the_o reverence_n due_a to_o the_o divine_a authority_n suffice_v for_o such_o a_o effect_n both_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a god_n shall_v will_v that_o mankind_n for_o his_o sake_n shall_v act_v irrational_o as_o also_o because_o there_o be_v no_o poison_n in_o the_o world_n so_o pestilent_a as_o a_o error_n abet_v by_o the_o most_o sacred_a patronage_n of_o god_n authority_n as_o the_o history_n of_o the_o fanatic_n in_o all_o age_n and_o our_o homebred_a experience_n testify_v whence_o that_o very_a reverence_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n oblige_v we_o to_o be_v so_o sure_a it_o be_v engage_v for_o a_o truth_n ere_o we_o admit_v it_o for_o such_o that_o we_o may_v secure_o though_o with_o a_o humble_a truth_n say_v with_o richardus_fw-la de_fw-la sancto_fw-la victore_fw-la domine_fw-la si_fw-la error_n est_fw-la quod_fw-la credimus_fw-la à_fw-la te_fw-la decepti_fw-la sumus_fw-la so_o that_o there_o be_v indeed_o no_o great_a injury_n and_o abuse_n to_o the_o divine_a name_n imaginable_a than_o to_o hazard_v the_o make_v it_o
of_o sure_a foot_n but_o the_o former_a only_o indeed_o in_o my_o first_o discourse_n there_o i_o endeavour_v to_o evince_v this_o truth_n from_o par_fw-fr 1._o to_o par_fw-fr 17._o by_z diverse_a argument_n but_o because_o mr._n t._n wave_v the_o speak_n to_o those_o premise_n as_o they_o tend_v to_o infer_v my_o conclusion_n and_o only_o discourse_v a_o little_a mistake_o against_o the_o conclusion_n themselves_o therefore_o be_v resolve_v to_o write_v a_o treatise_n to_o establish_v christian_a faith_n i_o think_v fit_a to_o apply_v it_o to_o his_o proceedure_n there_o that_o so_o i_o may_v both_o more_o forcible_o invite_v he_o to_o that_o necessary_a though_o neglect_a duty_n and_o withal_o that_o by_o settle_v the_o existence_n &_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o its_o rule_n first_o i_o may_v clear_v the_o way_n methodical_o to_o discover_v what_o and_o only_o what_o can_v be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o possible_o in_o my_o next_o treatise_n if_o mr._n t._n and_o mr._n st._n think_v fit_a to_o continue_v on_o this_o discourse_n forward_o by_o answer_v this_o they_o may_v by_o deny_v that_o in_o true_a speech_n the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n or_o faith_n be_v true_a oblige_v i_o to_o begin_v yet_o high_o and_o make_v use_n of_o such_o medium_n as_o be_v more_o direct_a and_o immediate_o fit_a to_o confute_v atheism_n the_o understand_a reader_n will_v easy_o pardon_v the_o speculativeness_n of_o this_o treatise_n in_o great_a part_n of_o it_o if_o he_o reflect_v that_o discourse_n build_v on_o intrinsecal_n medium_n and_o manage_v in_o the_o way_n of_o severe_a reason_n do_v natural_o nay_o most_o necessary_o bear_v up_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n yet_o by_o the_o harmony_n and_o connexion_n of_o truth_n with_o one_o another_o there_o will_v be_v find_v also_o very_a many_o proof_n fair_o intelligible_a by_o the_o middle_a sort_n of_o prudential_n man_n especial_o in_o those_o argument_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o practice_n and_o if_o i_o flatter_v not_o myself_o some_o proof_n and_o those_o convince_v one_o too_o suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n this_o comfort_n my_o reader_n may_v expect_v to_o reap_v by_o this_o procedure_n that_o it_o must_v forcible_o shorten_v dispute_n and_o bring_v controversy_n after_o a_o while_n to_o a_o period_n unless_o our_o adversary_n be_v still_o obstinate_o bend_v to_o play_v the_o droll_n instead_o of_o sober_o and_o pertinent_o dispute_v for_o hardly_o can_v error_n hide_v her_o deformity_n when_o she_o be_v expose_v naked_a to_o the_o view_n of_o rational_a nature_n in_o the_o noon-day-light_n of_o first-principle_n faith_n vindicated_n from_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n first_o eviction_n §_o 1._o i_o lay_v for_o the_o basis_n of_o my_o present_a discourse_n these_o two_o proposition_n 1._o christian_n be_v oblige_v to_o hold_v firm_o profess_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o even_o with_o postulata_fw-la the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n that_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n 2._o none_o can_v be_v thus_o oblige_v to_o hold_v profess_v and_o maintain_v that_o to_o be_v truth_n which_o they_o know_v not_o to_o be_v so_o the_o late_a of_o these_o be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o god_n the_o imposer_n of_o this_o obligation_n be_v good_a for_o how_o unworthy_a his_o infinite_a goodness_n be_v it_o to_o will_v that_o rational_a nature_n or_o mankind_n shall_v act_v irrational_o by_o hold_v firm_o what_o it_o have_v no_o firm_a ground_n to_o hold_v that_o be_v what_o it_o know_v not_o to_o be_v so_o or_o to_o sacrifice_v its_o very_a be_v to_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o those_o point_n concern_v which_o if_o it_o work_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n the_o nature_n god_n have_v give_v it_o and_o deviate_v not_o from_o that_o by_o a_o weak_a credulity_n it_o can_v never_o be_v perfect_o satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o truth_n which_o it_o can_v never_o be_v if_o notwithstanding_o all_o it_o know_v they_o yet_o may_v possible_o be_v falsehood_n no_o man_n in_o true_a morality_n ought_v to_o say_v what_o he_o know_v not_o much_o less_o so_o asseverant_o as_o to_o seal_v it_o with_o his_o blood_n as_o for_o the_o former_a proposition_n which_o i_o account_v most_o fundamental_a to_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n i_o be_o to_o declare_v that_o by_o hold_v etc._n etc._n a_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o truth_n i_o understand_v the_o hold_v that_o the_o thing_n absolute_o in_o reality_n or_o indeed_o be_v so_o as_o i_o judge_v whence_o to_o this_o hold_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v truth_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o a_o man_n hold_v it_o be_v so_o to_o the_o best_a of_o his_o judgement_n but_o it_o be_v require_v moreover_o that_o he_o hold_v he_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o make_v such_o a_o judgement_n and_o this_o because_o he_o hold_v his_o thought_n conformable_a to_o the_o thing_n for_o this_o settle_v verity_n or_o truth_n on_o its_o proper_a and_o firm_a foundation_n the_o thing_n and_o not_o on_o the_o unstable_a motion_n of_o his_o judgement_n as_o do_v the_o other_o my_o first_o and_o chief_a postulatum_fw-la thus_o understand_v i_o esteem_v to_o be_v self-evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o christianity_n take_v in_o its_o large_a sense_n as_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n set_v aside_o that_o sort_n of_o speculater_n i_o mean_v those_o of_o our_o modern_a adversary_n against_o who_o i_o dispute_v at_o present_a and_o of_o who_o the_o question_n be_v now_o agitate_a whether_o they_o be_v indeed_o to_o be_v hold_v right_a christian_n or_o no._n and_o i_o conceive_v that_o he_o who_o shall_v deny_v it_o must_v be_v bind_v to_o put_v the_o contradictory_n position_n and_o to_o affirm_v that_o christian_n be_v not_o bind_v firm_o to_o hold_v profess_v and_o maintain_v with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o life_n the_o truth_n of_o their_o faith_n but_o its_o likelihood_n only_o he_o that_o affirm_v this_o if_o he_o will_v be_v hold_v a_o christian_a be_v to_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o contrary_a sentiment_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n from_o who_o he_o dissent_v in_o so_o fundamental_a a_o point_n as_o be_v the_o right_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o they_o profess_v and_o which_o it_o so_o high_o import_v they_o to_o know_v that_o be_v indeed_o in_o right_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n if_o he_o be_v no_o christian_n yet_o hold_v the_o godhead_n it_o be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v partly_o from_o the_o proper_a effect_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n both_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a which_o it_o be_v ordain_v to_o master_n partly_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n oblige_v he_o to_o lay_v mean_v proportion_v to_o a_o intend_a end_n or_o to_o establish_v every_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o concern_v that_o depend_v on_o it_o which_o concern_v in_o our_o case_n be_v the_o high_a imaginable_a to_o wit_n the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n the_o end_n of_o create_v those_o very_a entity_n on_o which_o the_o certitude_n of_o science_n be_v build_v or_o last_o if_o he_o be_v a_o atheist_n the_o deity_n and_o its_o attribute_n be_v first_o to_o be_v demonstrate_v as_o also_o what_o be_v man_n summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la and_o the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o it_o and_o then_o the_o nature_n and_o certitude_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o of_o its_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v demonstrate_v suppose_v then_o my_o late_a postulatum_fw-la to_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o that_o know_v there_o be_v a_o wise_a and_o good_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o who_o understand_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o morality_n and_o my_o former_a postulatum_fw-la to_o be_v clear_a and_o undeniable_a matter_n of_o fact_n to_o those_o who_o converse_v with_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o to_o have_v unavoidable_a force_n upon_o all_o that_o will_v be_v hold_v professor_n thereof_o i_o shall_v be_v bold_a to_o proceed_v upon_o they_o and_o first_o logic_n who_o proper_a office_n it_o be_v to_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n and_o action_n of_o our_o soul_n as_o rational_a and_o as_o it_o be_v to_o anatomize_v her_o thought_n take_v up_o the_o discourse_n and_o proceed_v thus_o §_o 2._o truth_n be_v find_v in_o proposition_n evidence_n a_o proposition_n consist_v of_o two_o notion_n call_v subject_a and_o predicate_v and_o a_o three_o who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o connect_v they_o whence_o to_o know_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v truth_n or_o true_a be_v to_o see_v the_o connexion_n between_o the_o two_o notion_n speak_v of_o or_o to_o see_v that_o the_o three_o true_o connect_v they_o now_o there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n imaginable_a abstract_v from_o experience_n how_o this_o may_v be_v see_v either_o by_o see_v immediate_o that_o those_o two_o notion_n be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o out_o of_o the_o very_a notion_n themselves_o or_o
else_o by_o see_v that_o they_o be_v each_o of_o they_o the_o same_o with_o a_o three_o whence_o follow_v that_o unless_o that_o three_o notion_n can_v fail_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o those_o two_o notion_n which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o it_o can_v possible_o fail_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o the_o former_a be_v call_v self-evidence_n this_o late_a evidence_n by_o deduction_n both_o be_v build_v immediate_o upon_o this_o grand_a verity_n that_o the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o wherefore_o unless_o it_o be_v see_v that_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o most_o self-evident_a axiom_n be_v engage_v in_o their_o patronage_n they_o can_v be_v even_o know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o if_o it_o be_v see_v that_o it_o be_v thus_o engage_v they_o must_v needs_o be_v know_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_o impossible_a that_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v false_a or_o that_o the_o same_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o wherefore_o either_o point_n of_o faith_n need_v not_o be_v know_v to_o be_v truth_n or_o else_o they_o must_v by_o reflecte●s_n at_o least_o be_v know_v impossible_a to_o he_o false_a §_o 3._o the_o same_o be_v evince_v from_o the_o nature_n faith-proposition_n of_o the_o subject_a in_o those_o proposition_n which_o affirm_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o we_o look_v narrow_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o subject_a in_o those_o be_v either_o formal_o or_o in_o effect_n a_o proposition_n itself_o as_o when_o we_o say_v this_o proposition_n christ_n be_v real_o in_o the_o sacrament_n be_v true_a that_o god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o be_v true_a etc._n etc._n where_o the_o subject_n be_v manifest_o these_o christ_n be_v real_o in_o the_o sacrament_n god_n be_v one_o and_o three_o or_o a_o trinity_n be_v a_o proposition_n then_o be_v a_o speech_n apt_a to_o express_v truth_n or_o falsehood_n nay_o necessary_o determine_v to_o do_v the_o one_o except_v those_o which_o speak_v of_o a_o future_a contingent_a it_o follow_v that_o who_o ever_o be_v bind_v in_o reason_n to_o affirm_v that_o the_o proposition_n express_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v true_a be_v bind_v likewise_o to_o affirm_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o mean_v it_o that_o be_v indeed_o if_o take_v for_o the_o same_o proposition_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a truth_n shall_v be_v falsehood_n either_o then_o christ_n follower_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o affirm_v the_o point_n they_o profess_v be_v true_a which_o thwart_v the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o christian_a part_n of_o mankind_n or_o else_o they_o must_v necessary_o be_v oblige_v withal_o to_o affirm_v they_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 4._o the_o same_o be_v conclude_v from_o the_o copula_fw-la nature_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v who_o office_n be_v to_o connect_n or_o identify_v the_o notion_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v that_o be_v to_o express_v that_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o two_o notion_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n or_o that_o they_o have_v one_o common_a stock_n of_o be_v its_o proper_a signification_n be_v be_v or_o existence_n not_o absolute_o as_o if_o it_o mean_v that_o either_o of_o the_o term_n exist_v in_o thing_n but_o comparative_o or_o conditional_o as_o it_o be_v that_o that_o be_v which_o belong_v to_o one_o of_o the_o term_n be_v the_o same_o be_v with_o that_o which_o belong_v to_o the_o other_o or_o that_o by_o the_o same_o be_v whereby_o one_o of_o the_o term_n be_v the_o other_o be_v also_o now_o then_o this_o kind_n of_o expression_n or_o signification_n be_v such_o as_o have_v no_o latitude_n between_o it_o and_o its_o utmost_a opposite_a or_o contradictory_n be_v not_o it_o be_v the_o most_o uncompounded_a notion_n that_o be_v and_o not_o capable_a to_o be_v mingle_v with_o any_o alloy_n or_o participation_n of_o its_o opposite_a as_o it_o happen_v in_o contrary_n it_o follow_v that_o who_o hold_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o identification_n of_o the_o two_o term_n express_v by_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v must_v hold_v it_o absolute_o and_o the_o opposite_a to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a nothing_o be_v more_o impossible_a than_o that_o be_v and_o be_v not_o shall_v both_o be_v true_a at_o once_o or_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o and_o not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o same_o respect_n that_o be_v shall_v be_v true_a and_o not_o be_v true_a and_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o though_o distinction_n use_v to_o fall_v upon_o the_o equivocalness_n of_o the_o two_o term_n yet_o no_o man_n that_o know_v what_o logic_n mean_v ever_o distinguish_v the_o mere_a copula_fw-la its_o simple_a notion_n not_o admit_v any_o possible_a division_n §_o 5._o our_o argument_n from_o the_o copula_fw-la proposition_n be_v particular_o strengthen_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o predicate_v in_o the_o proposition_n we_o speak_v of_o i_o mean_v in_o such_o speech_n as_o affirm_v such_o and_o such_o point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a for_o true_a mean_n existent_a in_o proposition_n which_o express_v only_o the_o a_o est_fw-fr of_o a_o thing_n as_o most_o point_n of_o faith_n do_v which_o speak_v abstract_o and_o tell_v notwherein_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a it_o speak_v of_o consist_v or_o the_o quid_fw-la est_fw-la so_o that_o most_o of_o the_o proposition_n christian_n be_v bind_v to_o profess_v be_v full_o express_v thus_o a_o trinity_n be_v existent_a a_o christ_n god-and-man_n be_v existent_a etc._n etc._n and_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o those_o point_n which_o belong_v to_o a_o thing_n or_o action_n past_a as_o creation_n be_v christ_n crucify_a be_v etc._n etc._n for_o existent_n be_v the_o predicate_a in_o these_o too_o only_o affix_v to_o another_o difference_n of_o time_n and_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a such_o subject_n shall_v neither_o have_v be_v nor_o not_o have_v be_v or_o have_v be_v and_o have_v not_o be_v at_o once_o as_o it_o be_v that_o a_o thing_n shall_v neither_o be_v nor_o not_o be_v at_o present_a or_o both_o be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o present_a regard_v then_o steadfast_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o predicate_a existent_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o it_o express_v the_o utmost_a actuality_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o as_o take_v in_o the_o posture_n it_o bear_v in_o those_o proposition_n that_o actuality_n exercise_v that_o be_v the_o utmost_a actuality_n in_o its_o most_o actual_a state_n that_o be_v as_o absolute_o exclude_v all_o manner_n or_o least_o degree_n of_o potentiality_n and_o confequent_o all_o possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v radical_o destroy_v when_o all_o potentiality_n be_v take_v away_o this_o discourse_n hold_v which_o in_o right_a to_o truth_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o affirm_v unconcern_v in_o the_o drollery_n of_o any_o opposer_n to_o be_v more_o than_o mathematical_o demonstrative_a as_o shall_v be_v show_v more_o particular_o hereafter_o it_o follow_v inevitable_o that_o who_o so_o be_v bind_v to_o profess_v a_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n be_v or_o be_v existent_a be_v also_o bind_v to_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v not-existent_a or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a these_o point_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a §_o 6._o the_o same_o appear_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n predicate_a of_o distinction_n or_o division_n apply_v to_o our_o predicate_a existent_n as_o find_v in_o these_o proposition_n for_o can_v that_o predicate_v bear_v a_o pertinent_a distinction_n express_v this_o and_o the_o other_o respect_n or_o thus_o and_o thus_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v according_a to_o one_o of_o those_o respect_n or_o thus_o consider_v and_o not_o be_v according_a to_o another_o that_o be_v another_o way_n consider_v but_o this_o evasion_n be_v here_o impossible_a for_o either_o those_o distinguish_a notion_n must_v be_v more_o potential_a or_o antecedent_n to_o the_o notion_n of_o existent_n and_o then_o they_o neither_o reach_v existent_a nor_o supervene_v to_o it_o as_o its_o determination_n or_o actuation_n which_o difference_n ought_v to_o do_v nor_o can_v any_o notion_n be_v more_o actual_a or_o determinative_a in_o the_o line_n of_o substance_n or_o be_v than_o existent_n be_v and_o so_o fit_a to_o distinguish_v it_o in_o that_o line_n nor_o last_o can_v any_o determination_n in_o the_o line_n of_o accident_n serve_v the_o turn_n for_o these_o suppose_v existence_n already_o put_v and_o so_o the_o whole_a truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n entire_a and_o complete_a antecedent_o to_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a therefore_o that_o what_o be_v thus_o affirm_v to_o be_v true_a shall_v in_o any_o regard_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o
impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o predicate_a pertinent_o exclude_v here_o all_o possibility_n of_o divers_a respect_n faith-proposition_n §_o 7._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o subject_n of_o those_o faith-proposition_n for_o those_o subject_n be_v proposition_n themselves_o as_o be_v show_v §_o 3._o and_o accept_v for_o truth_n as_o be_v suppose_v they_o be_v incapable_a of_o distinction_n as_o shall_v be_v particular_o show_v hereafter_o evict_v 3._o §_o 5._o beside_o those_o subject_n be_v point_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o stand_v in_o the_o abstract_n that_o be_v not_o descend_v to_o subsume_v respect_n even_o in_o that_o regard_n too_o they_o be_v free_v from_o all_o pertinent_a distinguishableness_n §_o 8._o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n which_o consist_v in_o indivisible_a a_o indivisible_a whence_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o truth_n have_v how_o great_a soever_o the_o conceive_a approach_n towards_o it_o be_v till_o all_o may-not-bee_n or_o potentiality_n to_o be_v otherwise_o be_v utter_o exclude_v by_o the_o actuality_n of_o be_v or_o existence_n which_o put_v or_o discover_v the_o light_n of_o truth_n break_v forth_o and_o the_o dim_a twilight_n of_o may-not-bee_n vanish_v and_o disappear_v §_o 9_o the_o same_o be_v demonstrate_v out_o of_o connexion_n the_o nature_n of_o connexion_n find_v in_o the_o aforesaid_a proposition_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a their_o truth_n consist_v in_o the_o connexion_n of_o those_o notion_n which_o make_v the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v whoever_o therefore_o see_v not_o the_o connexion_n between_o those_o notion_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n see_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o of_o those_o proposition_n that_o be_v those_o proposition_n be_v not_o to_o such_o a_o man_n true_a wherefore_o connexion_n exclude_v formal_o inconnexion_n so_o that_o it_o be_v clear_o impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v find_v together_o in_o the_o selfsame_a subject_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o such_o proposition_n consist_v in_o the_o unconnectedness_n of_o their_o term_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o who_o be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v those_o faith-proposition_n true_a must_v see_v the_o connexion_n between_o their_o term_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v inconnect_v or_o false_a again_o since_o all_o approach_n or_o vicinity_n to_o connexion_n by_o how_o near_a degree_n soever_o they_o be_v make_v be_v not_o connexion_n it_o follow_v that_o all_o connexion_n consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a and_o can_v admit_v no_o latitude_n for_o a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o to_o be_v ground_v on_o last_o all_o connexion_n be_v necessary_o immediate_a or_o see_v by_o virtue_n of_o immediateness_n and_o to_o see_v immediate_a connexion_n be_v the_o producer_n of_o certain_a knowledge_n or_o of_o assurance_n the_o thing_n can_v but_o be_v so_o it_o follow_v that_o to_o see_v the_o truth_n of_o such_o proposition_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o the_o immediate_a connexion_n of_o their_o term_n be_v to_o see_v they_o can_v but_o be_v so_o or_o that_o they_o be_v absolute_o void_a of_o all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n §_o 10._o by_o this_o time_n we_o be_v bring_v opinion_n orderly_o to_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n which_o word_n i_o take_v not_o here_o in_o a_o large_a sense_n for_o any_o kind_n of_o assent_n however_o produce_v it_o but_o for_o a_o assent_n or_o adhesion_n to_o a_o tenet_n without_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o evince_v the_o thing_n be_v so_o as_o the_o opine_a judge_n as_o it_o be_v take_v in_o that_o proverb_n turpe_fw-la est_fw-la opinari_fw-la now_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o there_o will_v be_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o convince_v in_o case_n the_o term_n or_o point_n be_v see_v to_o be_v deduce_v by_o immediate_a step_n or_o a_o train_n of_o immediate_a connexion_n to_o that_o very_a conclusion_n it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o it_o be_v therefore_o opinion_n and_o blame-worthy_a because_o its_o ground_n as_o they_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o assenter_n want_n or_o fall_v short_a of_o this_o immediate_a connexion_n so_o that_o opinion_n be_v a_o judgement_n upon_o remote_a or_o unimmediate_a consideration_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o most_o necessary_a verity_n of_o that_o grand_a principle_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o upon_o which_o all_o certainty_n both_o of_o first_o principle_n and_o of_o deduction_n be_v build_v and_o who_o perfect_a self-evidence_n and_o interessedness_n in_o whatever_o belong_v to_o right_a discourse_n seem_v to_o make_v the_o very_a light_n of_o reason_n consist_v original_o in_o it_o be_v not_o engage_v in_o the_o opiner_n discourse_n whence_o want_v immediateness_n it_o become_v unconnect_v incoherent_a weak_a and_o slack_a or_o rather_o indeed_o null_a no_o wonder_n then_o if_o all_o opinion_n how_o near_o soever_o it_o approach_v seem_o to_o immediate_a connexion_n and_o how_o strong_o soever_o it_o be_v support_v by_o a_o experience_a seldomness_n of_o such_o effect_n or_o the_o conceive_a unaptness_n and_o fewness_n of_o cause_n fit_a to_o produce_v they_o yet_o it_o admit_v possibility_n of_o be_v otherwise_o in_o regard_v it_o fail_v in_o its_o very_a root_n and_o basis_n by_o not_o rely_v on_o the_o main_a principle_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o steadiness_n in_o humane_a discourse_n and_o which_o be_v of_o so_o necessary_a a_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o falter_v or_o give_v way_n to_o uphold_v and_o exempt_v it_o from_o a_o liableness_n to_o disconnexion_n of_o those_o notion_n which_o it_o pretend_v and_o aught_o to_o identify_v that_o be_v from_o a_o liableness_n to_o error_n §_o 11._o from_o this_o declaration_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n it_o be_v render_v manifest_a out_o of_o what_o fountainhead_n all_o rational_a assent_v flow_v namely_o from_o see_v the_o immediate_a connexion_n of_o one_o term_n with_o another_o or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o this_o principle_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o stand_v engage_v for_o their_o verity_n also_o that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n consist_v fundamental_o in_o this_o and_o formal_o in_o derive_v the_o perfect_a visibleness_n of_o this_o to_o make_v other_o proposition_n also_o visible_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n likewise_o that_o assent_v not_o spring_v from_o this_o light_n of_o reason_n must_v be_v as_o such_o irrational_a and_o arise_v necessary_o from_o the_o will_n take_v as_o not_o follow_v the_o light_n of_o understanding_n but_o as_o prompt_v and_o put_v forward_o by_o some_o passion_n viz._n some_o irrational_a desire_n or_o inclination_n the_o thing_n shall_v be_v so_o which_o press_v and_o precipitate_v the_o understanding_n into_o assent_n before_o due_a motive_n force_v it_o as_o likewise_o that_o since_o none_o can_v be_v bind_v constant_o to_o profess_v what_o he_o can_v steady_o see_v to_o be_v true_a a_o christian_n who_o be_v thus_o bind_v to_o profess_v his_o faith_n true_a must_v see_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n now_o speak_v of_o which_o give_v all_o steadiness_n to_o our_o intellectual_a sight_n be_v interest_v in_o the_o patronage_n of_o the_o proposition_n he_o assent_v to_o whence_o true_a faith_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o immovable_a ground_n can_v bear_v a_o assert_v the_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o its_o be_v false_a whereas_o who_o ever_o affirm_v faith_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a make_v it_o build_v upon_o remote_a medium_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v either_o not_o immediate_a or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o not_o see_v to_o be_v immediate_a to_o the_o two_o term_n of_o the_o proposition_n assent_v to_o and_o so_o they_o become_v destitute_a of_o the_o invincible_a strength_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n which_o establish_v all_o deduce_v truth_n and_o legitimate_v all_o assent_n to_o they_o whence_o follow_v inevitable_o that_o he_o turn_v all_o faith_n into_o opinion_n make_v faith_n absurd_a preternatural_a and_o irrational_a import_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o man_n must_v assent_v to_o or_o say_v interior_o it_o be_v so_o and_o yet_o see_v no_o solid_a ground_n why_o it_o must_v be_v so_o profess_v stout_o it_o be_v true_a and_o that_o they_o be_v sure_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o if_o they_o will_v speak_v true_o profess_v with_o all_o that_o it_o may_v be_v false_a and_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v mistake_v in_o it_o and_o last_o he_o leave_v all_o christ_n doctrine_n indefensible_a and_o utter_o unmaintainable_a to_o have_v absolute_o speak_v either_o any_o solidity_n or_o steadiness_n in_o its_o ground_n or_o one_o true_a word_n in_o itself_o second_o eviction_n §_o 1._o from_o this_o notseeing_a the_o connexion_n of_o the_o two_o term_n in_o assent_n the_o conclusion_n by_o a_o medium_fw-la immediate_o connect_v to_o they_o both_o but_o by_o distant_a glance_n only_o which_o have_v not_o
be_v not_o reducible_a to_o these_o ground_n nay_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o person_n who_o declare_v against_o have_v any_o such_o ground_n for_o faith_n signify_v just_a as_o much_o as_o if_o they_o shall_v say_v i_o beseech_v you_o sir_n be_v so_o good_a nature_a as_o to_o believe_v i_o though_o to_o tell_v you_o true_a i_o acknowledge_v sincere_o neither_o can_v i_o bring_v nor_o can_v there_o possible_o be_v bring_v any_o ground_n able_a to_o make_v good_a what_o i_o say_v or_o any_o undeniable_a premise_n to_o force_v my_o conclusion_n three_o eviction_n §_o 1._o thus_o far_o logic_n let_v we_o see_v next_o subject_a what_o nature_n and_o metaphysic_n say_v to_o the_o point_n in_o which_o quest_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o leave_v logick_n assistance_n and_o first_o these_o science_n assure_v we_o that_o as_o all_o capacity_n of_o different_a being_n spring_n from_o first_o matter_n so_o all_o capacity_n of_o contrary_a determination_n arise_v from_o what_o we_o call_v potentiality_n or_o indifferency_n in_o the_o subject_a now_o the_o subject_a in_o our_o present_a case_n be_v not_o so_o much_o our_o mere_a faculty_n of_o understanding_n as_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n itself_o in_o our_o soul_n or_o the_o judge_a power_n of_o our_o soul_n consider_v precise_o as_o affect_v with_o these_o point_n for_o it_o be_v these_o or_o our_o judge_a power_n take_v mere_o as_o conversant_a about_o these_o that_o be_v our_o judgement_n which_o our_o opponent_n must_v affirm_v true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o therefore_o both_o the_o point_n themselves_o and_o our_o judgement_n consist_v formal_o in_o affirmation_n and_o negation_n that_o be_v in_o be_v and_o be_v not_o which_o be_v indivisible_a and_o constitute_v such_o by_o a_o formality_n the_o most_o formal_a and_o actual_a that_o can_v be_v as_o have_v be_v show_v they_o can_v have_v as_o such_o no_o indifferency_n or_o potentiality_n in_o they_o to_o the_o contrary_a neither_o natural_a nor_o metaphysical_a nor_o consequent_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n §_o 2._o the_o position_n of_o our_o adversary_n falsehood_n be_v still_o render_v more_o absurd_a by_o this_o consideration_n that_o even_o in_o nature_n where_o there_o be_v the_o great_a potentiality_n that_o be_v viz._n first_o matter_n the_o subject_n be_v not_o yet_o capable_a of_o opposite_a quality_n at_o once_o but_o successive_o at_o least_o in_o the_o same_o part_n whereas_o their_o position_n be_v not_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v now_o true_a be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a afterward_o upon_o the_o alteration_n of_o some_o contingent_a matter_n but_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a now_o to_o be_v false_a or_o possible_a to_o be_v now_o false_a for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n know_v that_o be_v the_o understanding_n may_v have_v possible_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o it_o at_o once_o and_o as_o to_o the_o same_o part_n or_o point_n §_o 3._o but_o it_o be_v still_o far_o more_o irrational_a true_a in_o regard_n these_o seem_a contrary_n true_a and_o false_a apply_v to_o the_o proposition_n we_o speak_v of_o have_v in_o they_o the_o perfect_a nature_n of_o contradictory_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o in_o those_o which_o speak_v de_fw-la praesenti_fw-la one_o shall_v be_v express_v by_o be_v existent_a the_o other_o by_o be_v not_o existent_a as_o it_o be_v in_o those_o which_o speak_v preterit_o and_o future_o that_o one_o shall_v be_v express_v by_o have_v be_v or_o shall_v be_v the_o other_o by_o have_v not_o be_v or_o shall_v not_o be_v to_o think_v than_o they_o can_v at_o once_o be_v true_a and_o false_a be_v to_o judge_v that_o contradictory_n may_v be_v verify_v of_o the_o same_o or_o that_o both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n may_v be_v true_a §_o 4._o again_o truth_n be_v a_o conformity_n thing_n of_o the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n and_o falsehood_n a_o disconformity_n to_o say_v a_o proposition_n be_v true_a and_o yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v to_o say_v that_o the_o mind_n consider_v as_o judge_o conversant_a about_o that_o proposition_n may_v be_v at_o once_o conformable_a and_o disconformable_a to_o the_o same_o thing_n too_o wild_a a_o position_n to_o be_v introduce_v into_o a_o rational_a nature_n by_o any_o thing_n but_o such_o a_o wilful_a and_o blind_a passion_n as_o must_v first_o actual_o corrupt_a and_o in_o fine_a tend_v to_o destroy_v the_o very_a nature_n itself_o §_o 5._o and_o to_o void_a this_o thesis_n from_o all_o contradiction_n possible_a evasion_n here_o can_v be_v no_o different_a respect_n according_a to_o which_o these_o affirmation_n and_o negation_n may_v be_v make_v so_o to_o avoid_v contradiction_n but_o all_o such_o respect_n be_v exclude_v both_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o predicate_v in_o most_o of_o those_o proposition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v evict_v 1._o §_o 5._o as_o also_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o stand_v in_o the_o abstract_n descend_v nor_o to_o nor_o meddle_v with_o subsume_a respect_n but_o have_v their_o notion_n complete_v in_o the_o common_a word_n which_o express_v they_o and_o last_o because_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o distinction_n and_o respect_n for_o however_o a_o proposition_n take_v into_o consideration_n and_o scan_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o may_v admit_v respect_n and_o distinction_n and_o so_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v in_o this_o regard_n true_a in_o that_o false_a yet_o what_o be_v once_o accept_v to_o be_v true_a can_v in_o any_o respect_n afterward_o be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v not_o true_a or_o false_a for_o example_n this_o proposition_n a_o ethiopian_a be_v white_a be_v distinguish_v by_o respect_n to_o several_a part_n and_o in_o regard_n to_o his_o tooth_n it_o be_v true_a to_o his_o skin_n it_o be_v false_a but_o after_o those_o respect_n have_v distinguish_v the_o ambiguity_n of_o it_o and_o so_o by_o divide_v it_o into_o two_o proposition_n settle_v one_o to_o be_v true_a the_o other_o to_o be_v false_a there_o can_v be_v no_o further_o use_v of_o respect_n or_o distinction_n which_o be_v to_o antecede_v to_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n by_o clear_v the_o doubtfulness_n of_o proposition_n and_o can_v have_v no_o place_n after_o the_o truth_n be_v once_o acknowledge_v or_o supervene_v to_o it_o he_o than_o that_o once_o acknowledge_v point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n can_v have_v no_o assistance_n from_o recourse_n to_o this_o and_o the_o other_o respect_n to_o evade_v a_o contradiction_n when_o he_o affirm_v they_o may_v be_v false_a §_o 6._o again_o it_o be_v particular_o opposite_a soul_n to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o soul_n to_o have_v such_o a_o act_n in_o she_o as_o to_o judge_n a_o thing_n true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o our_o soul_n as_o to_o her_o judge_a power_n be_v essential_o a_o capacity_n of_o truth_n whence_o the_o first_o principle_n which_o ground_n all_o truth_n be_v so_o connatural_a to_o she_o that_o she_o can_v but_o embrace_v they_o and_o judge_v they_o true_a nothing_o therefore_o be_v more_o opposite_a to_o truth_n than_o a_o contradiction_n it_o follow_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o impossible_a to_o be_v receive_v or_o subject_v in_o the_o soul_n according_a to_o her_o judge_a power_n than_o a_o contradiction_n that_o be_v no_o implicatory_a or_o contradictory_n act_n can_v settle_v there_o now_o to_o judge_v a_o proposition_n or_o point_n to_o be_v true_a be_v to_o judge_v the_o thing_n to_o exist_v just_a as_o it_o affirm_v and_o to_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v to_o judge_v it_o possible_a not_o to_o exist_v as_o it_o affirm_v and_o this_o not_o in_o order_n to_o different_a time_n but_o the_o same_o that_o be_v to_o judge_v a_o proposition_n or_o point_n true_a yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v the_o same_o as_o to_z judge_v the_o thing_n actual_o be_v and_o yet_o perhaps_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o this_o as_o appear_v by_o our_o former_a discourse_n not_o to_o be_v avoid_v in_o our_o case_n by_o difference_n or_o diversity_n of_o respect_n wherefore_o since_o such_o a_o act_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v in_o the_o judge_a power_n of_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o he_o who_o hold_v one_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n can_v possible_o hold_v the_o other_o that_o be_v he_o who_o hold_v faith_n may_v be_v false_a can_v hold_v that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v hold_v and_o profess_v to_o be_v true_a it_o ought_v also_o to_o be_v hold_v and_o profess_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 7._o moreover_o the_o soul_n antecedent_o point_n to_o its_o be_v inform_v by_o the_o object_n be_v indifferent_a and_o undetermined_a to_o judge_v it_o true_a or_o false_a that_o be_v to_o be_v or_o not_o to_o be_v but_o when_o it_o
real_o since_o this_o motive_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o other_o judgement_n and_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v be_v so_o in_o reality_n and_o depend_v on_o the_o same_o incompossibility_n of_o be_v and_o not-being_n or_o on_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o notion_n be_v and_o last_o on_o a_o maxim_n as_o evident_a as_o what_o be_v most_o namely_o that_o the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o whence_o i_o make_v account_n whoever_o have_v sufficient_a ground_n to_o affirm_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v or_o be_v true_a that_o be_v be_v more_o than_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a have_v withal_o true_a ground_n to_o affirm_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o who_o confess_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a disclaim_v any_o true_a ground_n of_o judge_v or_o profess_v it_o be_v or_o be_v true_a and_o so_o judge_v it_o in_o his_o heart_n to_o be_v but_o a_o high_a probability_n or_o a_o good_a likelihood_n at_o most_o which_o be_v enough_o for_o plausible_a talker_n but_o fall_v far_o short_a of_o make_v a_o man_n a_o true_a christian._n §_o 3._o and_o hence_o we_o may_v with_o horror_n and_o pity_n reflect_v upon_o the_o perniciousness_n of_o heresy_n in_o corrupt_v the_o understanding_n that_o eye_n who_o defect_n fill_v as_o our_o saviour_n discourse_v it_o the_o whole_a body_n with_o darkness_n by_o subvert_v fundamental_o all_o those_o principle_n in_o which_o the_o common_a light_n of_o all_o knowledge_n consist_v and_o pervert_v as_o much_o as_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n establish_v by_o our_o creator_n will_v suffer_v it_o that_o very_a faculty_n which_o make_v we_o man_n in_o what_o be_v most_o intrinsical_v and_o essential_a to_o it_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n that_o be_v despoil_v it_o quite_o of_o all_o intellectual_a perfection_n due_a to_o its_o nature_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o argument_n §_o 4._o can_v any_o discourse_n be_v take_v high_a than_o from_o first_o principles_n yes_o in_o some_o sort_n there_o can_v that_o be_v from_o the_o first_o cause_n or_o be_v or_o à_fw-la patre_fw-la luminum_fw-la the_o father_n of_o light_n from_o who_o all_o create_a nature_n whence_o those_o principle_n be_v borrow_v and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o our_o understanding_n itself_o where_o they_o be_v find_v derive_v their_o origin_n this_o first_o be_v metaphysic_n demonstrate_v to_o be_v self_n existent_a that_o be_v infinite_a and_o unlimited_a in_o existence_n and_o consequent_o in_o all_o perfection_n among_o which_o since_o to_o be_v a_o self-determination_n to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n be_v one_o god_n have_v or_o rather_o be_v that_o too_o it_o be_v then_o according_a to_o right_a reason_n to_o do_v what_o be_v see_v clear_o to_o be_v best_a all_o thing_n consider_v god_n see_v what_o be_v absolute_o best_a must_v therefore_o be_v self-determined_a to_o do_v still_o what_o be_v best_a this_o put_v look_v into_o the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o best_a we_o find_v they_o to_o be_v both_o relative_a and_o that_o what_o be_v good_a to_o none_o be_v be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o apply_v which_o to_o god_n perfection_n every_o way_n infinite_a and_o no_o way_n far_o perfectible_a it_o be_v see_v manifest_o that_o when_o he_o be_v say_v to_o operate_v exterior_o in_o this_o world_n what_o be_v best_a it_o can_v mean_v what_o be_v good_a or_o best_a to_o himself_o or_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v his_o own_o good_a or_o perfection_n but_o what_o be_v good_a or_o best_a to_o his_o creature_n and_o hence_o we_o settle_v this_o most_o comfortable_a most_o evident_a and_o most_o enlighten_v conclusion_n that_o god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o his_o creature_n and_o it_o be_v evident_o best_o for_o they_o to_o be_v guide_v or_o govern_v according_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o it_o follow_v also_o that_o god_n govern_v his_o creature_n connatural_o or_o suitable_o to_o their_o right_a nature_n §_o 5_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o we_o can_v once_o demonstrate_v that_o to_o act_n thus_o or_o thus_o be_v most_o connatural_a to_o such_o a_o species_n or_o nature_n we_o can_v demonstrate_v from_o the_o high_a first_o best_a and_o most_o immutable_a cause_n that_o however_o contingency_n find_v place_n in_o divers_a particular_n yet_o that_o kind_n as_o it_o be_v subject_v to_o god_n guidance_n be_v govern_v most_o agreeable_o to_o its_o true_a and_o right_a nature_n which_o his_o creative_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v at_o first_o give_v it_o §_o 6_o particular_o it_o be_v consequent_a that_o it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v command_v or_o expect_v from_o his_o creature_n what_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n he_o have_v give_v they_o for_o since_o their_o be_v what_o they_o be_v or_o their_o metaphysical_a verity_n be_v fix_v by_o the_o idea_n in_o his_o own_o divine_a understanding_n from_o which_o in_o their_o creation_n they_o uner_o flow_v hence_o as_o to_o put_v they_o at_o first_o be_v to_o act_v conformable_o to_o himself_o or_o his_o own_o wisdom_n so_o to_o violate_v they_o be_v to_o work_v disconformable_o and_o unlike_a to_o himself_o which_o it_o can_v be_v think_v god_n shall_v do_v through_o inclination_n or_o choice_n and_o as_o little_o be_v make_v to_o do_v it_o through_o force_n §_o 7._o again_o since_o we_o can_v no_o otherwise_o discourse_n of_o god_n but_o by_o such_o notion_n as_o we_o gather_v here_o from_o creature_n which_o however_o improper_a yet_o all_o grant_n to_o be_v true_o pronounce_v of_o he_o if_o they_o signify_v perfection_n hence_o if_o we_o can_v demonstrative_o evince_v that_o such_o a_o action_n be_v true_o agreeable_a to_o wisdom_n goodness_n mercy_n etc._n etc._n and_o such_o other_o disagreeable_a we_o can_v know_v demonstrative_o that_o those_o be_v worthy_a to_o proceed_v from_o he_o these_o impossible_a to_o have_v so_o infinite_o perfect_v a_o author_n §_o 8._o what_o use_n may_v be_v make_v of_o this_o deity_n principle_n of_o supreme_a wisdom_n god_n do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o his_o creature_n will_v be_v see_v hereafter_o the_o use_n we_o make_v of_o it_o at_o present_a be_v to_o add_v a_o new_a degree_n of_o establishment_n to_o our_o former_a discourse_n by_o apply_v it_o to_o they_o i_o argue_v then_o thus_o since_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o rational_a nature_n or_o rather_o since_o it_o be_v the_o very_a nature_n itself_o not_o to_o hold_v any_o thing_n but_o upon_o the_o tenure_n of_o immediate_a connexion_n or_o see_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o rational_a discourse_n the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o be_v engage_v for_o the_o truth_n both_o of_o the_o premise_n and_o consequence_n since_o assent_v not_o thus_o abet_v be_v but_o opinion_n and_o as_o such_o deprave_v humane_a nature_n since_o nothing_o but_o true_a certainty_n can_v fix_v the_o understanding_n in_o a_o steadness_n of_o judgement_n since_o it_o be_v connatural_a to_o rational_a nature_n to_o proceed_v upon_o principle_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v where_o there_o be_v possibility_n of_o falsehood_n since_o this_o possibility_n render_v faith_n unmaintainable_a and_o so_o contrary_a to_o rational_a nature_n make_v christian_n hold_v and_o profess_v what_o they_o can_v make_v good_a since_o the_o put_a point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n yet_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a put_v the_o soul_n in_o violent_a and_o incompossible_a state_n as_o of_o indetermination_n and_o determination_n conformity_n and_o disconformity_n to_o the_o object_n nay_o subject_n she_o to_o the_o judge_a contradiction_n true_a which_o be_v most_o repugnant_a to_o her_o nature_n since_o it_o subvert_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n both_o logical_o and_o metaphysical_o consider_v that_o be_v radical_o and_o fundamental_o destroy_v all_o possible_a rationality_n since_o it_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o by_o consequence_n the_o stability_n of_o all_o the_o nature_n in_o the_o world_n since_o i_o say_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o as_o have_v be_v particular_o prove_v in_o my_o precedent_a discourse_n it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v the_o great_a impossibility_n that_o god_n who_o do_v the_o best_a for_o his_o creature_n can_v govern_v or_o manage_v his_o darling-creature_n mankind_n on_o this_o preternatural_a fashion_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o way_n to_o arrive_v at_o faith_n be_v particular_o lay_v by_o god_n providence_n and_o so_o be_v a_o especial_a part_n of_o his_o government_n of_o mankind_n it_o be_v know_v also_o and_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o have_v command_v we_o to_o profess_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o due_a occasion_n therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o mean_n ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o shall_v be_v capable_a to_o be_v false_a see_v this_o last_o position_n join_v
wrong_v that_o notion_n or_o nature_n faith_n then_o in_o common_a as_o distinguish_v from_o science_n and_o opinion_n be_v a_o assent_n upon_o authority_n and_o firmness_n be_v evident_o a_o perfection_n in_o a_o assent_n divine_a faith_n ought_v to_o have_v a_o far_o great_a degree_n of_o firmness_n in_o it_o than_o any_o humane_a faith_n whatsoever_o wherefore_o since_o humane_a faith_n can_v rise_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o stability_n that_o mankind_n will_v think_v he_o mad_a that_o be_v a_o renouncer_n of_o evident_a reason_n who_o can_v think_v serious_o it_o can_v be_v a_o error_n or_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o example_n the_o belief_n of_o this_o present_a age_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o france_n or_o k._n james_n divine_a faith_n be_v supernatural_a aught_o to_o be_v more_o firm_o ground_v and_o consequent_o more_o high_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 11._o again_o we_o find_v that_o the_o more_o head_n we_o be_v ascertain_v '_o that_z a_o convictive_a authority_n be_v engage_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n the_o more_o strong_o that_o authority_n be_v apply_v to_o our_o understanding_n and_o consequent_o more_o forcible_o work_v its_o effect_n there_o or_o subduc_n it_o to_o assent_v whence_o this_o certitude_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v against_o the_o nature_n of_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a it_o strengthen_v and_o perfect_v it_o under_o that_o notion_n divine_a faith_n then_o be_v supernatural_a have_v a_o peculiar_a right_n to_o have_v such_o a_o application_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n to_o the_o understanding_n as_o may_v be_v true_o certain_a or_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o by_o such_o a_o application_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o not_o less_o but_o more_o belief_n be_v give_v to_o the_o say_a authority_n and_o the_o understanding_n become_v more_o humble_v and_o subject_v to_o it_o that_o be_v by_o such_o a_o application_n how_o scientifical_o evident_a soever_o it_o be_v the_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v never_o the_o near_o be_v a_o act_n of_o science_n but_o be_v perfect_a under_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v still_o a_o steady_a hearty_o and_o firm_a assent_n for_o the_o authority_n sake_n which_o be_v thus_o strong_o and_o close_o apply_v and_o a_o great_a reliance_n on_o it_o §_o 12._o moreover_o faith_n be_v to_o work_v through_o charity_n and_o to_o guide_v our_o action_n manner_n as_o we_o be_v christian_n and_o rational_a action_n be_v so_o much_o more_o perfect_a by_o how_o much_o more_o know_o they_o proceed_v from_o the_o agent_n unless_o faith_n be_v true_o certain_a that_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a christian_a action_n will_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o perfection_n find_v in_o most_o ordinary_a humane_a action_n of_o a_o inferior_a and_o in_o comparison_n trifle_v concern_n and_o a_o christian_a will_v go_v to_o work_v with_o less_o assuredness_n and_o steadiness_n than_o a_o carpenter_n and_o cobbler_n and_o this_o not_o out_o of_o the_o impediment_n of_o original_a sin_n which_o be_v contingent_a and_o extrinsical_a to_o faith_n or_o religion_n but_o mere_o out_o of_o a_o defect_n of_o certainty_n in_o the_o intrinsecal_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o its_o ground_n which_o beyond_o all_o evasion_n affix_n the_o imperfection_n upon_o christianity_n itself_o §_o 13._o i_o may_v add_v that_o art_n and_o science_n science_n even_o the_o most_o slight_a and_o inconsiderable_a one_o and_o which_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o contingency_n in_o their_o effect_n or_o the_o action_n spring_v from_o they_o have_v yet_o all_o of_o they_o certainty_n in_o their_o principle_n religion_n then_o be_v the_o art_n of_o carry_v or_o guide_v soul_n to_o bliss_n and_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n its_o principle_n in_o virtue_n of_o which_o it_o be_v to_o perform_v this_o effect_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n the_o main_a and_o supreme_a principle_n who_o firmness_n be_v to_o establish_v the_o rest_n and_o so_o render_v they_o efficacious_a unless_o faith_n itself_o and_o its_o ground_n be_v true_o certain_a the_o principle_n of_o all_o religion_n will_v be_v exceed_o more_a defective_a and_o inefficacious_a than_o those_o of_o any_o petty_a mechanical_a trade_n and_o indeed_o no_o principle_n six_o eviction_n §_o 1._o the_o forego_v consideration_n be_v more_o enforce_v by_o this_o that_o it_o faith_n be_v the_o light_n which_o discover_v to_o we_o our_o last_o end_n and_o the_o way_n to_o it_o that_o be_v which_o be_v to_o guide_v we_o in_o that_o to_o which_o all_o our_o other_o concern_v be_v subservient_fw-fr and_o all_o our_o action_n direct_v unless_o therefore_o this_o knowledge_n or_o light_n of_o faith_n be_v steady_a and_o firm_a all_o our_o whole_a life_n as_o christian_n will_v be_v feeble_a totter_a and_o uneven_a as_o want_v certainty_n of_o the_o first_o practical_a principle_n which_o be_v to_o ground_v our_o christian_a behaviour_n nay_o certainty_n of_o the_o end_n we_o shall_v aim_v at_o without_o which_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n must_v needs_o be_v stagger_v and_o inconstant_a and_o itself_o but_o a_o blind_a grope_v in_o the_o dark_a §_o 2._o moreover_o since_o all_o mankind_n morality_n even_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o have_v perfect_a evidence_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o practical_a principle_n of_o natural_a morality_n which_o ground_v their_o moral_n seem_v virtue_n as_o be_v confess_v which_o virtue_n yet_o for_o want_v of_o the_o light_n of_o faith_n teach_v they_o to_o know_v their_o true_a last_o end_n and_o so_o perform_v the_o act_n of_o those_o virtue_n for_o its_o sake_n or_o order_v they_o to_o heaven_n fall_v short_a of_o elevate_a they_o towards_o it_o and_o bring_v they_o thither_o it_o follow_v that_o have_v there_o not_o be_v provision_n make_v that_o point_n of_o faith_n the_o principle_n of_o christian_a morality_n shall_v be_v as_o certain_a as_o be_v the_o other_o thing_n will_v have_v be_v perverse_o order_v that_o be_v great_a care_n will_v have_v be_v take_v to_o create_v those_o imperfect_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o alone_o be_v not_o able_a to_o secure_v one_o man_n from_o the_o state_n of_o eternal_a misery_n than_o for_o those_o sublime_a perfection_n call_v christian_a virtue_n which_o be_v the_o direct_a step_n for_o man_n to_o arrive_v at_o eternal_a bliss_n and_o the_o immediate_a mean_n to_o attain_v the_o end_n he_o be_v create_v for_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n §_o 3._o especial_o since_o this_o last_o end_n mean_n and_o chief_a good_a of_o mankind_n be_v not_o attainable_a by_o external_n action_n or_o local_a motion_n but_o intellectual_o or_o by_o interior_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n by_o which_o he_o be_v promote_v forward_o even_o to_o the_o very_a assecution_n of_o it_o that_o be_v by_o force_n of_o knowledge_n or_o truth_n exciting_a he_o to_o act_v and_o guide_v he_o in_o those_o action_n it_o be_v manifest_a the_o point_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v truth_n and_o so_o as_o have_v be_v manifold_o prove_v above_o impissible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 4._o again_o virtue_n spring_v connatural_o falsehood_n from_o truth_n and_o vice_n from_o falsehood_n if_o faith_n then_o be_v possible_o false_a the_o practice_n spring_v thence_o be_v possible_o no_o virtue_n but_o vice_n and_o so_o they_o and_o consequent_o faith_n whence_o they_o proceed_v possible_o will_v not_o dispose_v but_o indispose_v we_o towards_o our_o last_o end_n which_o destroy_v perfect_o the_o notion_n of_o faith_n and_o virtue_n too_o i'faith_o therefore_o will_v be_v no_o faith_n be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 5._o you_o will_v object_v a_o reason_n mere_o probable_a or_o morally-certain_a be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v we_o act_v for_o a_o temporal_a good_a much_o more_o then_o for_o a_o eternal_a and_o infinite_a one_o since_o the_o great_a goodness_n be_v in_o the_o object_n the_o less_o be_v the_o hazard_n and_o consequent_o the_o more_o the_o reasonableness_n to_o act_v for_o it_o i_o answer_v though_o if_o all_o other_o thing_n correspond_v the_o objection_n will_v be_v valid_a and_o the_o reason_n give_v for_o it_o speak_v abstract_o be_v real_o conclusive_a yet_o in_o our_o present_a case_n there_o be_v so_o many_o thing_n which_o make_v it_o unparallel_n that_o no_o shadow_n of_o consequence_n can_v be_v make_v from_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o first_o for_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v viz._n because_o our_o last_o end_n be_v in_o itself_o spiritual_a and_o most_o perfect_a be_v not_o attainable_a but_o by_o mean_n of_o best_a spiritual_a perfection_n or_o virtue_n and_o the_o more_o know_o these_o proceed_v from_o we_o the_o better_a they_o be_v according_a to_o that_o say_n none_o be_v cordial_o and_o solid_o good_a who_o know_v not_o why_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v good_a whence_o they_o can_v be_v best_o in_o their_o kind_n nor_o consequent_o mean_v fit_a to_o
attain_v that_o end_n unless_o they_o proceed_v at_o least_o from_o true_a knowledge_n which_o can_v be_v have_v by_o a_o mere_a probability_n how_o high_a soever_o it_o be_v whereas_o material_a and_o temporary_a good_n depend_v not_o on_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o cause_n or_o disposition_n towards_o they_o knowable_a by_o we_o but_o very_o frequent_o if_o not_o equal_o on_o a_o chanceable_a or_o contingent_a cast_n of_o thing_n whence_o we_o use_v to_o say_v fool_n have_v the_o best_a fortune_n hence_o the_o intend_v and_o direct_v part_n in_o such_o action_n depend_v on_o the_o knowledge_n of_o some_o particular_n but_o the_o attainment_n be_v carry_v on_o by_o material_a mean_n nay_o very_o frequent_o there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n at_o all_o requisite_a in_o any_o respect_n for_o example_n he_o that_o by_o the_o death_n of_o a_o hundred_o relation_n in_o a_o plague-time_n shall_v alone_o survive_v and_o so_o inherit_v their_o estate_n will_v be_v real_o rich_a whither_o any_o interior_a act_n of_o his_o mind_n in_o the_o least_o contribute_v to_o it_o or_o not_o that_o be_v though_o he_o never_o desire_v aim_v at_o or_o even_o think_v of_o it_o but_o if_o a_o man_n in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o martyrdom_n shall_v say_v within_o himself_o i_o can_v believe_v there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o a_o next_o world_n yet_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o die_v rather_o than_o deny_v they_o in_o hope_n that_o if_o perhaps_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n or_o state_n he_o will_v give_v i_o a_o far_o great_a reward_n such_o a_o man_n i_o dare_v affirm_v to_o be_v no_o near_a gain_n heaven_n by_o this_o act_n no_o better_o principled_a than_o if_o he_o have_v never_o have_v any_o such_o act_n at_o all_o in_o regard_n he_o want_v that_o first_o necessary_a disposition_n which_o st._n paul_n and_o connaturality_n require_v accedentem_fw-la ad_fw-la deum_fw-la oportet_fw-la credere_fw-la quia_fw-la deus_fw-la est_fw-la heb._n 11._o v_o 6._o 6._o again_o faith_n be_v intend_v for_o a_o temptation_n spiritual_a armour_n to_o rebeat_fw-la all_o the_o assault_n and_o temptation_n of_o our_o three_o ghostly_a enemy_n original_a corruption_n in_o we_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n about_o we_o and_o the_o cruelty_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o wicked_a man_n over_o we_o hence_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o apostle_n cui_fw-la resistite_fw-la fortes_fw-la in_o fide_fw-la hence_o his_o recommend_v to_o we_o above_o all_o thing_n to_o take_v scutum_fw-la fidei_fw-la hence_o the_o contempt_n of_o all_o worldly_a honour_n pleasure_n and_o riches_n in_o god_n choice_n saint_n and_o their_o suffer_a persecution_n glad_o for_o conscience_n sake_n hence_o last_o their_o embrace_v and_o even_o court_v torment_n and_o death_n itself_o with_o such_o alacrity_n and_o constancy_n but_o alas_o how_o unactive_a have_v their_o charity_n and_o zeal_n be_v how_o dull_a their_o desire_n to_o forego_v all_o present_a good_n even_o life_n too_o among_o the_o rest_n if_o this_o wicked_a doctrine_n have_v be_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o perhaps_o all_o be_v a_o lie_n which_o they_o profess_v suff'r_v and_o die_v for_o and_o how_o cold_o and_o timorous_o will_v they_o have_v look_v death_n in_o the_o face_n have_v perfect_a certainty_n on_o one_o side_n that_o they_o be_v about_o to_o lose_v all_o the_o know_v good_n they_o possess_v for_o other_o unknown_a and_o uncertain_a well_o may_v a_o natural_a sincerity_n preserve_v diverse_a person_n who_o be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n moral_o honest_a and_o innocent_a but_o we_o must_v not_o hope_v for_o any_o eminent_a sanctity_n or_o heroic_a act_n of_o virtue_n from_o any_o professor_n of_o such_o a_o faith_n if_o they_o follow_v their_o teacher_n maintain_v there_o be_v no_o strong_a motive_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n to_o comfort_v and_o establish_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o though_o their_o highly-conceited_n probability_n or_o moral_a certainty_n as_o they_o call_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n while_o man_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o security_n and_o all_o thing_n go_v well_o with_o they_o yet_o it_o will_v scarce_o be_v able_a to_o preserve_v they_o from_o doubt_v actual_o when_o they_o be_v upon_o the_o point_n of_o forego_v all_o the_o good_n they_o at_o present_a enjoy_v and_o be_v so_o high_o concern_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o existence_n of_o those_o future_a one_o they_o hope_v for_o in_o lieu_n of_o they_o §_o 7._o moreover_o we_o be_v perfect_o certain_a otherwise_o by_o manifest_a experience_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o temporal_a good_n viz._n honour_n life_n pleasure_n riches_n etc._n etc._n or_o that_o such_o thing_n be_v in_o the_o world_n whereas_o unless_o faith_n be_v true_o certain_a that_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v perfect_o assure_v even_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o heaven_n or_o those_o future_a good_n for_o which_o they_o be_v to_o relinquish_v all_o present_a one_o wherefore_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v the_o first_o and_o main_a basis_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n and_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o the_o other_o motive_n it_o be_v clear_a there_o be_v a_o manifest_a difference_n between_o act_v for_o heaven_n and_o for_o temporal_a good_n even_o in_o this_o respect_n whatever_o parallel_n may_v be_v pretend_v in_o some_o other_o consideration_n beside_o all_o act_n even_o for_o temporal_a good_n be_v unjustifyable_a unless_o those_o good_n be_v hold_v attainable_a and_o de_fw-la facto_fw-la we_o be_v perfect_o certain_a that_o honour_n pleasure_n riches_n etc._n etc._n not_o only_o exist_v but_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n also_o as_o they_o may_v be_v attain_v to_o due_a mean_n use_v since_o we_o experience_v multitude_n of_o man_n have_v and_o do_v daily_o arrive_v at_o they_o but_o even_o though_o heaven_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v yet_o it_o can_v be_v hold_v to_o be_v attainable_a unless_o the_o proposal_n of_o faith_n be_v certain_a since_o neither_o have_v those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o faith_n see_v nor_o experience_v any_o man_n get_v heaven_n nor_o discourse_v with_o any_o who_o they_o know_v to_o have_v come_v thence_o and_o see_v it_o so_o that_o i_o fear_v be_v the_o objection_n concern_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o probable_a motive_n to_o make_v we_o act_v for_o inferior_a or_o humane_a good_n distinct_o clear_v it_o will_v be_v find_v not_o to_o mean_v that_o probability_n of_o those_o humane_a good_a be_v existence_n or_o attainableness_n suffice_v for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v riches_n in_o common_a or_o that_o they_o may_v be_v get_v one_o way_n or_o other_o both_o which_o be_v presuppose_v to_o the_o action_n as_o certain_o know_v but_o it_o seem_v to_o mean_v only_o this_o that_o man_n ought_v to_o proceed_v to_o action_n though_o there_o be_v but_o moral_a certainty_n or_o great_a likelihood_n that_o those_o good_n be_v actual_o to_o be_v attain_v in_o this_o or_o that_o circumstance_n of_o time_n or_o place_n or_o by_o such_o or_o such_o mean_n as_o by_o send_v ship_n to_o the_o indies_n invent_v water-work_n husbandry_n soldiery_n and_o the_o like_a which_o assertion_n hold_v within_o its_o bound_n will_v break_v no_o square_n see_v even_o in_o the_o actual_a attainment_n of_o heaven_n by_o i_o or_o by_o this_o particular_a way_n or_o mean_n when_o those_o mean_n depend_v on_o material_a circumstance_n there_o be_v find_v the_o same_o room_n for_o failure_n and_o contingency_n notwithstanding_o the_o certainty_n of_o heaven_n existence_n and_o attainableness_n in_o common_a secure_v to_o we_o perfect_o by_o faith_n for_o though_o virtue_n practise_v be_v a_o infallible_a way_n to_o bring_v soul_n to_o bliss_n yet_o no_o man_n have_v certainty_n that_o any_o extrinsical_a state_n he_o put_v himself_o into_o or_o material_a mean_n he_o use_v will_v make_v he_o true_o virtuous_a or_o final_o get_v he_o the_o end_n he_o aim_v at_o but_o must_v content_v himself_o with_o likelihood_n or_o the_o seeming-betterness_n of_o his_o put_a himself_o in_o that_o state_n or_o circumstance_n or_o his_o use_v this_o or_o that_o mean_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o happen_v when_o he_o act_n for_o temporary_a good_n and_o for_o the_o success_n leave_v it_o humble_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o divine_a providence_n or_o miserentis_fw-la dei_fw-la acknowledge_v with_o david_n that_o in_o manibus_fw-la tuis_fw-la domine_fw-la sort_n meae_fw-la and_o work_v out_o his_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a §_o 8._o beside_o to_o act_v external_o be_v in_o heaven_n the_o power_n of_o the_o will_n but_o to_o act_v internal_o at_o least_o as_o be_v requisite_a for_o each_o effect_n be_v not_o so_o for_o however_o the_o will_n may_v set_v the_o understanding_n to_o consider_v the_o motive_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o object_n be_v goodness_n
the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o proportion_n of_o its_o fail_v to_o its_o stand_n and_o all_o degree_n of_o contingency_n that_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 6._o moreover_o to_o say_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o faith_n to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n be_v not_o to_o say_v it_o be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v a_o trinity_n christian_n therefore_o aught_o in_o due_a candour_n then_o when_o they_o be_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n express_v only_o how_o much_o over-proportion_n in_o a_o moral_a estimation_n its_o likelihood_n bear_v to_o its_o unlikelihood_n and_o not_o to_o stand_v tell_v a_o lie_n when_o they_o be_v to_o make_v profession_n of_o their_o faith_n say_v it_o be_v true_a when_o it_o be_v only_o to_o such_o a_o degree_n likely_a to_o be_v true_a that_o be_v lie_v when_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v a_o chief_a duty_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o be_v worst_a of_o all_o as_o be_v not_o only_o most_o unwise_a and_o imprudent_a but_o most_o diabolical_o wicked_a and_o impudent_a to_o stand_v stiff_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o that_o lie_n though_o they_o hazard_v the_o loss_n of_o their_o estate_n and_o even_o live_v too_o by_o the_o bargain_n yet_o this_o imputation_n of_o such_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o most_o damnably-dishone_a obstinacy_n be_v unavoidable_o to_o be_v affix_v upon_o christian_n if_o they_o thus_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a in_o case_n it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v in_o case_n it_o be_v only_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o for_o example_n that_o it_o be_v true_a if_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v not_o perhaps_o this_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o act_v virtuous_o in_o that_o absolute_a profession_n of_o its_o truth_n because_o of_o their_o good_a meaning_n the_o answer_n be_v ready_a first_o that_o mr._n tillotson_n mr._n stillingfleet_n and_o such_o who_o maintain_v and_o so_o if_o they_o write_v what_o they_o think_v see_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v bind_v not_o to_o profess_v faith_n to_o be_v true_a and_o to_o forewarn_v other_o not_o to_o make_v such_o a_o lie_a profession_n next_o that_o if_o god_n have_v command_v we_o to_o make_v such_o a_o profession_n as_o all_o christian_n grant_v he_o have_v then_o not_o only_o their_o mean_v but_o the_o act_n itself_o be_v good_a and_o laudable_a which_o join_v to_o these_o man_n principle_n and_o their_o natural_a consequence_n lay_v open_a in_o our_o former_a discourse_n signify_v that_o dishonesty_n be_v honesty_n and_o a_o most_o foolish_a and_o wicked_a obstinacy_n a_o high_a virtue_n as_o be_v command_v by_o god_n nay_o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n command_v they_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n in_o profess_v their_o faith_n true_a position_n most_o abominable_a as_o well_o as_o contradictory_n but_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a the_o nature_n of_o all_o goodness_n shall_v go_v to_o wrack_n when_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n be_v once_o violate_v §_o 7._o again_o if_o contingency_n have_v place_n in_o faith_n basis_n there_o must_v be_v some_o stint_n of_o ly._n this_o contingency_n according_a to_o the_o moral_a estimation_n of_o thing_n be_v it_o then_o for_o example_n a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o what_o other_o proportion_n you_o please_v for_o it_o alter_v not_o the_o present_a case_n if_o then_o it_o be_v but_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o faith_n be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v not-true_a that_o be_v it_o will_v bear_v a_o wager_n that_o faith_n be_v a_o lie_n and_o a_o christian_a according_a to_o these_o principle_n may_v without_o injury_n to_o his_o faith_n or_o its_o ground_n and_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o honesty_n lay_v a_o wager_n that_o his_o faith_n be_v actual_o false_a nay_o if_o he_o get_v any_o one_o to_o cope_v with_o he_o at_o excessive_a odds_o he_o be_v bind_v in_o reason_n and_o prudence_n to_o undertake_v he_o and_o lay_v a_o wager_n all_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o ly._n which_o sound_v high_a impiety_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o repute_a christian_n of_o what_o sect_n soever_o that_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o natural_a conceit_n they_o have_v of_o faith_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n of_o fail_v that_o be_v all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n if_o it_o be_v object_v such_o a_o wager_n can_v never_o be_v try_v and_o so_o it_o can_v never_o in_o prudence_n come_v to_o be_v lay_v i_o reply_v my_o discourse_n be_v unconcern_v how_o able_a or_o unable_a man_n understanding_n be_v to_o decide_v it_o and_o only_o contend_v that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o faith_n no_o better_o settle_v will_v bear_v or_o justify_v it_o which_o be_v unavoidable_o consequent_a §_o 8._o particular_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o prudent_a none_o of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n who_o from_o time_n to_o time_n have_v die_v for_o their_o faith_n shall_v when_o their_o life_n lie_v at_o stake_n endeavour_v to_o mitigate_v the_o fury_n of_o their_o persecutor_n with_o such_o like_a language_n i_o beseech_v you_o great_a nero_n or_o dioclesian_n understand_v we_o christian_n right_a we_o deny_v not_o absolute_o the_o possibility_n of_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n be_v true_a nor_o assert_v our_o own_o faith_n so_o far_o as_o to_o say_v it_o may_v not_o possible_o be_v false_a what_o we_o profess_v be_v only_o this_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o we_o so_o high_o probable_a or_o morally-certain_a that_o we_o have_v no_o actual_a doubt_n of_o it_o at_o present_a though_o we_o can_v absolute_o say_v but_o we_o may_v come_v to_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v false_a hereafter_o and_o your_o opposite_a tenet_n true_a and_o so_o renounce_v christianity_n and_o join_v with_o you_o indeed_o we_o dare_v venture_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o or_o perhaps_o something_o more_o that_o our_o faith_n be_v true_a yet_o for_o all_o that_o we_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o lay_v one_o to_o a_o thousand_o it_o be_v false_a these_o have_v be_v moderate_a and_o mollify_a expression_n and_o questionless_a may_v have_v save_v the_o life_n of_o very_a many_o which_o why_o they_o shall_v not_o have_v use_v they_o be_v according_a to_o our_o adversary_n principle_n true_a and_o honest_a to_o profess_v they_o and_o high_o prudent_a to_o do_v it_o their_o life_n be_v concern_v nay_o conscientious_a too_o for_o there_o be_v none_o but_o hold_v it_o high_o sinful_a to_o conceal_v any_o truth_n which_o may_v save_v another_o man_n life_n no_o other_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o this_o that_o the_o possibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n have_v never_o enter_v into_o their_o heart_n but_o they_o hold_v god_n promise_n of_o a_o better_a life_n full_a as_o certain_a as_o be_v their_o present_a possession_n of_o this_o or_o present_a determination_n of_o lose_v it_o for_o christ_n name_n all_o their_o expression_n sound_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v and_o their_o most_o comfortable_a hope_n ground_v upon_o that_o certainty_n nor_o do_v any_o of_o the_o circumstant_fw-la faithful_a ever_n judge_v they_o too_o lavish_a of_o their_o blood_n for_o stand_v so_o stiff_o upon_o their_o avow_v the_o rigorous_a truth_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o its_o contradictory_n but_o always_o esteem_v their_o action_n no_o less_o wise_a and_o honest_a than_o it_o be_v undaunted_a what_o kind_n of_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n a_o protestant_n thus_o principled_a will_v make_v in_o case_n of_o imminent_a martyrdom_n i_o know_v not_o but_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o the_o foolish_a knave_n live_v to_o tell_v aly_a to_o hang_v myself_o by_o profess_v my_o faith_n true_a which_o i_o can_v never_o hearty_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v whilst_o i_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o at_o best_a only_o likely_a to_o be_v true_a §_o 9_o note_v here_o that_o i_o have_v concede_v very_o much_o in_o yield_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o of_o the_o likelihood_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o protestant_a ground_n without_o tradition_n certainty_n which_o they_o deny_v rather_o take_v in_o the_o incredibleness_n of_o the_o mystery_n it_o will_v be_v in_o that_o hypothesis_n above_o five_o to_o one_o speak_v modest_o that_o all_o faith_n be_v false_a for_o since_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o certainty_n of_o book_n can_v be_v have_v at_o all_o without_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o protestant_n deny_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n and_o bring_v multitude_n of_o exception_n against_o it_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o mr._n tillotson_n answer_n or_o rather_o abuse_v of_o sure_a foot_n there_o be_v some_o degree_n of_o incredibleness_n in_o the_o right_a conveyance_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n hitherto_o to_o which_o difficulty_n add_v the_o incredibleness_n
will_v never_o the_o soon_o discover_v her_o face_n nothing_o be_v to_o be_v find_v but_o what_o will_v still_o appear_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o practical_a conclusion_n natural_o follow_v hence_o will_v be_v this_o to_o fix_v there_o where_o it_o light_v most_o advantageous_a to_o their_o temporal_a interest_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o man_n addict_v themselves_o to_o this_o or_o that_o trade_n cry_v it_o up_o and_o maintain_v it_o stout_o to_o be_v truth_n because_o it_o be_v creditable_a to_o the_o profession_n though_o they_o judge_v all_o the_o while_o it_o may_v be_v a_o falsehood_n and_o because_o they_o see_v their_o faith_n can_v have_v no_o certain_a or_o firm_a ground_n undertake_v to_o make_v it_o good_a that_o faith_n itself_o need_v have_v none_o by_o the_o best_a assistance_n plausible_a rhetoric_n seemingly-probable_a reason_n weak_a or_o misuse_v testimony_n and_o voluntary_a cavil_n and_o mistake_v can_v lend_v they_o and_o in_o a_o word_n since_o they_o be_v not_o in_o circumstance_n to_o settle_v any_o thing_n to_o laugh_v hearty_o at_o those_o who_o go_v about_o it_o and_o to_o endeavour_v very_o politic_o to_o pull_v down_o every_o thing_n which_o any_o intelligent_a reader_n will_v manifest_o see_v by_o this_o establish_n treatise_n compare_v to_o their_o performance_n to_o have_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o my_o adversary_n labour_n §_o 14._o the_o unnaturalness_n of_o this_o tenet_n exhortation_n will_v perhaps_o be_v bring_v near_a home_n and_o so_o be_v better_o penetrate_v even_o by_o our_o opposer_n themselves_o if_o we_o reflect_v how_o wicked_o it_o will_v sound_v from_o the_o mouth_n of_o preacher_n if_o after_o a_o sermon_n exhort_v and_o press_v the_o faithful_a to_o the_o love_n of_o heaven_n or_o particular_o to_o stand_v steadfast_a in_o their_o faith_n they_o shall_v in_o the_o close_a to_o prevent_v in_o their_o auditor_n the_o misunderstanding_n some_o overstrain_v expression_n add_v a_o ingenuous_a caution_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o for_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o faith_n as_o if_o it_o can_v not_o be_v false_a nor_o work_v for_o heaven_n as_o if_o there_o be_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o the_o be_v of_o any_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v it_o not_o manifest_a this_o in_o our_o case_n honest-dealing_a profession_n will_v enervate_v the_o force_n of_o all_o the_o motive_n they_o have_v propose_v and_o press_v and_o if_o so_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a that_o all_o the_o efficacy_n of_o christian_a preach_v spring_n natural_o from_o the_o impossibility_n that_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o unseasonableness_n of_o this_o profession_n but_o the_o impiousness_n of_o it_o which_o will_v so_o scandalize_v the_o hearer_n and_o either_o avert_v they_o from_o the_o preacher_n or_o make_v they_o cold_a in_o virtue_n it_o be_v clear_a then_o that_o all_o the_o forceable_a application_n of_o christian_a motive_n to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v ground_v on_o the_o impossibility_n of_o faith_n falsehood_n and_o that_o therefore_o he_o who_o hold_v the_o opposite_a tenet_n and_o will_v be_v honest_a shall_v either_o leave_v off_o preach_v for_o which_o this_o tenet_n make_v he_o unfit_a or_o else_o use_v much_o caution_n while_o he_o preach_v lest_o by_o imply_v the_o perfect_a certainty_n of_o faith_n while_o he_o practise_v assentation_n to_o that_o he_o become_v injurious_a to_o truth_n and_o consequent_o to_o it_o too_o if_o it_o be_v true_a §_o 15._o but_o to_o conclude_v it_o have_v be_v belief_n no_o less_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n or_o ecclesia_fw-la docens_fw-la to_o oblige_v the_o faithful_a to_o believe_v what_o they_o recommend_v to_o they_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n nay_o mr._n whitby_o in_o his_o late_a treatise_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d page_v 53_o 54._o assert_n the_o same_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n as_o to_o their_o creed_n or_o fundamental_o which_o have_v faith_n be_v hold_v by_o the_o governor_n and_o the_o govern_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a have_v signify_v just_a thus_o much_o as_o if_o the_o governor_n shall_v say_v you_o shall_v believe_v it_o though_o we_o know_v it_o may_v be_v false_a or_o you_o shall_v believe_v we_o tell_v you_o the_o apostle_n teach_v it_o though_o both_o we_o and_o the_o authority_n we_o trust_v for_o it_o may_v be_v deceive_v for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v and_o as_o if_o the_o person_n govern_v shall_v answer_v we_o will_v believe_v you_o though_o we_o know_v you_o may_v be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o the_o point_n itself_o false_a which_o be_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o as_o if_o they_o shall_v profess_v they_o be_v resolve_v to_o believe_v they_o let_v it_o prove_v what_o it_o will_v right_a or_o wrong_n true_a or_o false_a so_o strange_a a_o tyranny_n in_o the_o imposer_n or_o commander_n and_o slavery_n in_o the_o believer_n or_o obeyer_n as_o be_v impossible_a in_o either_o to_o consist_v with_o humane_a nature_n have_v not_o both_o of_o they_o the_o obeyer_n at_o least_o be_v very_o persuade_v those_o commander_n have_v such_o motive_n to_o propose_v as_o shall_v have_v be_v able_a to_o oblige_v assent_n without_o which_o all_o command_n of_o a_o interior_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v nonsense_n and_o folly_n oh_o but_o will_n a_o witty_a atheist_n say_v humane_a policy_n may_v have_v make_v the_o governor_n conceal_v the_o cheat_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o ignorant_a govern_v be_v fright_v into_o a_o belief_n of_o any_o thing_n very_o likely_a indeed_o that_o among_o so_o many_o million_o and_o of_o those_o many_o saint_n by_o our_o adversary_n own_o confession_n all_o shall_v persist_v and_o be_v true_a conspirator_n in_o so_o unnatural_a a_o confederacy_n or_o that_o in_o so_o free_a a_o admission_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o prudent_a people_n to_o any_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n as_o be_v practise_v in_o christendom_n insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v find_v many_o thousand_o of_o the_o govern_v equal_a in_o part_n and_o learning_n to_o divers_a of_o the_o chief_a governor_n and_o superior_a to_o very_o many_o of_o they_o all_o shall_v so_o come_o permit_v themselves_o and_o the_o world_n to_o be_v abuse_v in_o a_o point_n no_o less_o important_a than_o their_o very_a manhood_n it_o be_v then_o above_o policy_n and_o force_n and_o only_o atchievable_a by_o the_o natural_a strength_n of_o the_o motive_n to_o oblige_v such_o multitude_n and_o so_o qualify_v to_o christian_a faith_n and_o these_o motive_n must_v have_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a none_o else_o be_v able_a to_o subdue_v the_o understanding_n of_o such_o a_o great_a portion_n of_o mankind_n to_o hold_v their_o proposal_n true_a or_o justify_v all_o the_o church-governor_n in_o all_o age_n from_o a_o most_o unjust_a and_o most_o unnatural_a tyranny_n divers_a principal_a objection_n answer_v to_o mistake_v every_o passage_n voluntary_o be_v so_o in_o fashion_n and_o so_o continual_o pursue_v as_o the_o best_a method_n to_o answer_v discourse_n which_o proceed_v by_o the_o way_n of_o principle_n that_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o imprudent_a to_o forestall_v such_o blind_v and_o prevent_v such_o misrepresenters_a from_o raise_v their_o light_n and_o airy_a dust_n by_o act_v ourselves_o if_o we_o can_v the_o part_n of_o a_o opponent_n after_o a_o solider_fw-la manner_n than_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v from_o those_o prevaricate_a discourser_n beside_o nothing_o more_o clear_v a_o point_n than_o to_o manifest_v that_o such_o objection_n which_o aim_v at_o the_o root_n of_o it_o quite_o lose_v their_o force_n while_o level_v against_o it_o i_o recommend_v this_o forego_v discourse_n when_o i_o have_v finish_v it_o to_o the_o perusal_n of_o divers_a of_o the_o most_o judicious_a and_o impartial_a friend_n i_o can_v pick_v out_o court_v their_o severe_a candour_n to_o acquaint_v i_o with_o its_o defect_n their_o most_o pertinent_a and_o most_o fundamental_a exception_n i_o present_v the_o reader_n with_o which_o i_o have_v strengthen_v as_o well_o as_o i_o can_v and_o add_v divers_a of_o my_o own_o protest_v that_o do_v i_o know_v myself_o or_o know_v where_o to_o learn_v of_o other_o more_o forcible_a and_o efficacious_a one_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v decline_v the_o propose_v they_o nor_o have_v fear_v to_o oppose_v the_o invincibleness_n of_o the_o truth_n i_o here_o defend_v against_o the_o strong_a assault_n of_o the_o most_o ingenious_a most_o rational_a and_o most_o acute_a discourser_n objection_n i._n the_o word_n truth_n be_v both_o in_o the_o postulata_fw-la and_o all_o over_o this_o treatise_n take_v in_o too_o metaphysical_a a_o rigour_n in_o which_o sense_n it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v deny_v that_o faith_n be_v true_a or_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n do_v so_o esteem_v it_o answer_n i_o take_v that_o word_n in_o the_o plain_a
none_o but_o only_o a_o affection_n or_o determination_n of_o a_o thing_n both_o know_v by_o plain_a nature_n whatever_o some_o schoolman_n speculate_v for_o these_o put_v mere_a experience_n teach_v we_o that_o that_o thing_n which_o be_v call_v pillar_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n which_o be_v call_v round_o or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o in_o this_o proposition_n the_o pillar_n be_v round_a the_o two_o extreme_a notion_n be_v indeed_o that_o be_v with_o a_o conformity_n to_o the_o thing_n identify_v or_o that_o that_o proposition_n be_v true_a but_o to_o return_v home_o to_o our_o purpose_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o pillar_n and_o roundness_n exist_v by_o the_o same_o existence_n or_o in_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v find_v in_o the_o thing_n after_o its_o manner_n and_o in_o my_o judgement_n or_o soul_n as_o apt_a to_o judge_n after_o it_o be_v that_o be_v judge_o but_o truth_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o either_o of_o these_o manner_n of_o be_v as_o be_v discourse_v 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overthrow_v or_o show_v false_a by_o any_o reason_n bring_v against_o it_o both_o which_o equivalent_o imply_v impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n again_o it_o be_v deny_v that_o catholic_n divine_n even_o as_o speculater_n hold_v faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a since_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n whatever_o they_o hold_v beside_o hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n infallible_a and_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o receive_v our_o faith_n from_o her_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n now_o the_o tenet_n of_o infallibility_n in_o the_o proposer_n necessary_o draw_v after_o it_o the_o tenet_n of_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o what_o be_v propose_v that_o be_v in_o faith_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v say_v this_o be_v their_o sentiment_n as_o catholic_n not_o as_o schoolman_n let_v the_o angel_n of_o the_o school_n speak_v for_o the_o school_n themselves_o his_o expression_n be_v common_a and_o so_o reach_v all_o scientia_fw-la say_v he_o sum._n theol._n 2â_fw-la 2e_n q._n 1â_fw-la a._n 50_o ad_fw-la 4m_fw-la cum_fw-la opinion_n simul_fw-la esse_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la simpliciter_fw-la de_fw-la eodem_fw-la quia_fw-la de_fw-la ratione_fw-la scientiae_fw-la est_fw-la quòd_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la scitur_fw-la ex_fw-la ●stimetur_fw-la impossibile_fw-it esse_fw-la aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la de_fw-la ratione_fw-la autem_fw-la opinionis_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la est_fw-la opinatum_fw-la existimetur_fw-la possibile_fw-la aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la sed_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la fide_fw-la ten●tur_fw-la propter_fw-la fidei_fw-la certitudinem_fw-la existimatur_fw-la etiam_fw-la impossibile_fw-it aliter_fw-la se_fw-la habere_fw-la and_o again_o in_o the_o same_o question_n ao_o 4o._o ad_fw-la 2o._o ea_fw-la quae_fw-la subsunt_fw-la fidei_fw-la dupliciter_fw-la considerari_fw-la possunt_fw-la uno_fw-la modo_fw-la in_o speciali_fw-la &_o sic_fw-la non_fw-la possunt_fw-la esse_fw-la simul_fw-la visa_fw-la &_o credita_fw-la alio_fw-la 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at_o present_a whence_o the_o arguer_n will_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v also_o at_o present_a false_a which_o be_v true_a if_o it_o be_v mean_v of_o objective_a truth_n but_o than_o it_o seem_v to_o miss_v the_o question_n but_o the_o consequence_n hold_v not_o in_o case_n the_o discourse_n be_v of_o formal_a truth_n that_o be_v of_o truth_n in_o we_o or_o of_o truth_n to_o we_o that_o be_v of_o certainty_n for_o none_o pretend_v that_o his_o judgement_n can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v conformable_a and_o disconformable_a to_o the_o thing_n which_o speak_v those_o inrintsecall_a disposition_n call_v truth_n and_o falsehood_n in_o we_o or_o that_o himself_o can_v be_v cetrain_n or_o uncertain_a of_o it_o at_o once_o which_o express_v truth_n and_o falsehood_n to_o we_o this_o be_v put_v those_o motive_n which_o only_o he_o have_v at_o present_a in_o his_o understanding_n able_a to_o prove_v the_o point_n true_a and_o false_a both_o or_o 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he_o put_v in_o one_o motive_n sufficient_a to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o other_o possible_a one_o to_o conclude_v its_o falsehood_n for_o our_o question_n be_v not_o to_o what_o degree_n weak_a soul_n can_v miscarry_v in_o assent_v but_o what_o degree_n of_o strength_n be_v find_v in_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n which_o the_o objecter_n as_o a_o christian_a that_o be_v as_o a_o holder_n that_o point_v of_o faith_n be_v truth_n must_v affirm_v to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v it_o true_a and_o yet_o as_o himself_o contend_v leave_v it_o still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v provable_a by_o other_o ground_n to_o be_v so_o for_o else_o the_o word_n false_a can_v mean_v false_a to_o we_o or_o in_o the_o subject_a as_o be_v pretend_v that_o be_v he_o must_v make_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v just_o or_o in_o right_a reason_n hold_v by_o one_o true_a by_o the_o other_o false_a now_o it_o be_v the_o impossibility_n of_o such_o opposite_a ground_n i_o constant_o maintain_v or_o that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a three_o hence_o i_o go_v far_o and_o urge_v that_o if_o those_o different_a motive_n can_v oblige_v just_o one_o man_n to_o hold_v faith_n true_a the_o other_o to_o hold_v it_o false_a then_o put_v they_o in_o the_o same_o man_n it_o ought_v to_o oblige_v he_o to_o hold_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n and_o this_o enforce_v my_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o my_o three_o eviction_n i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v ready_o answe'rd_v that_o this_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o the_o motive_n be_v disparate_a the_o more_o probable_a one_o will_v when_o in_o the_o same_o subject_n overpower_v the_o other_o and_o so_o hinder_v the_o opposite_a assent_n but_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o intellectual_a motive_n or_o reason_n have_v their_o power_n to_o
bind_v the_o understanding_n to_o assent_v not_o from_o their_o relation_n to_o other_o extrinsecall_v proof_n correspond_v or_o discorrespond_v with_o they_o but_o from_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n on_o which_o they_o intrinsical_o depend_v and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o consequence_n and_o final_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o be_v build_v on_o first_o or_o self-evident_a principle_n if_o then_o the_o motive_n one_o man_n have_v at_o present_a be_v sufficient_a of_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o oblige_v he_o act_v according_a to_o right_a reason_n to_o judge_v faith_n true_a who_o ever_o have_v humane_a reason_n ought_v to_o assent_v upon_o they_o and_o if_o faith_n be_v still_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v false_a to_o we_o that_o be_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v show_v false_a or_o possible_a that_o other_o may_v have_v just_a ground_n to_o hold_v it_o so_o put_v those_o ground_n also_o in_o the_o same_o man_n and_o since_o they_o must_v be_v convictive_a of_o 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hazard_v his_o credit_n with_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n who_o sentiment_n he_o contradict_v so_o express_o objection_n vii_o it_o be_v enough_o that_o faith_n be_v as_o certain_a as_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v rise_v to_o morrow_n that_o america_n will_v not_o be_v drown_v as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o henry_n the_o eight_o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v only_o moral_o certain_a and_o enough_o for_o humane_a action_n since_o they_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n or_o leave_v no_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n behind_o they_o which_o as_o mr._n still_v fleet_n tell_v we_o app._n p._n 76._o be_v the_o high_a actual_a certainty_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v certainty_n enough_o for_o i_o to_o use_v my_o house_n that_o i_o be_o moral_o certain_a it_o will_v not_o fall_v on_o my_o head_n though_o i_o have_v no_o absolute_a security_n but_o it_o may_v and_o this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n seem_v more_o suitable_a to_o mankind_n be_v more_o easy_o penetrable_a by_o the_o generality_n than_o the_o other_o rigorous_a and_o over-straining_a certainty_n which_o seem_v more_o fit_a and_o proper_a for_o the_o high_a sort_n of_o speculater_n than_o for_o a_o world_n of_o man_n which_o comprehend_v capacity_n of_o all_o degree_n and_o sort_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o perhaps_o of_o little_a learning_n answer_n the_o objecter_n must_v prove_v that_o all_o those_o instance_n be_v only-morally-certain_a or_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a ere_o he_o allege_v they_o for_o such_o that_o of_o henry_n the_o eight_o which_o do_v indeed_o oblige_v the_o understanding_n to_o belief_n i_o affirm_v to_o be_v practical_o self_n evident_a and_o demonstrable_a and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o for_o the_o rest_n they_o be_v utter_o unfit_a to_o parallel_v faith_n certitude_n be_v all_o of_o material_a thing_n who_o very_a essence_n be_v to_o be_v mutable_a whereas_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v 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fall_v if_o so_o than_o the_o stand_v of_o the_o sun_n in_o ioshuah_n time_n and_o its_o retrogradation_n in_o ezekiah_n show_v the_o unparallelness_n of_o these_o instance_n you_o will_v say_v these_o be_v both_o miraculous_a but_o this_o alter_v not_o the_o case_n first_o because_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v hold_v by_o any_o sober_a man_n that_o even_o miracle_n can_v make_v such_o truth_n falsehood_n or_o those_o motive_n which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n able_a to_o conclude_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o such_o point_n inconclusive_a or_o invalid_n next_o because_o if_o the_o motive_n to_o faith_n and_o so_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n we_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v a_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o a_o deist_n demand_v how_o in_o case_n they_o shall_v prove_v indeed_o false_a we_o can_v be_v assure_v god_n goodness_n to_o mankind_n will_v not_o step_v in_o even_o miraculous_o to_o discover_v the_o vanity_n of_o so_o universal_a a_o illusion_n and_o the_o abuse_n of_o falsehood_n so_o absurd_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n as_o to_o obtain_v the_o high_a repute_n of_o sacred_a and_o divine_a truth_n concern_v the_o last_o instance_n of_o the_o moral_a certainty_n of_o a_o house_n stand_v which_o have_v be_v object_v to_o i_o by_o learned_a protestant_n as_o sufficient_a to_o make_v i_o act_v as_o steady_o and_o hearty_o as_o if_o i_o have_v a_o demonstration_n that_o it_o will_v not_o possible_o fall_v beside_o the_o general_n answer_v that_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v truth_n which_o render_v the_o case_n unparallel_a i_o reply_v that_o the_o two_o house_n the_o one_o in_o holborn_n the_o other_o in_o king_n street_n which_o of_o late_a year_n &_o a_o three_o in_o cock_n lane_n which_o of_o late_a day_n fall_v when_o
patronize_v falsehood_n against_o this_o deceit_n our_o saviour_n have_v forearm_v we_o by_o his_o forewarn_v we_o with_o a_o nolite_fw-la credere_fw-la when_o any_o one_o pretend_v loe_o here_o be_v christ_n or_o there_o be_v christ._n last_o it_o be_v visible_a to_o any_o indifferent_a understanding_n that_o those_o divine_n who_o defend_v this_o influence_n of_o the_o pious_a affection_n upon_o the_o settle_n of_o faith_n certainty_n though_o in_o other_o point_n very_o rational_a and_o acute_a yet_o when_o they_o come_v to_o this_o they_o be_v at_o a_o utter_a loss_n and_o can_v make_v nothing_o cohere_v philippus_n de_fw-fr sancta_fw-la trinitate_fw-la contradict_v himself_o twice_o or_o thrice_o in_o one_o leaf_n while_o he_o attempt_v to_o defend_v it_o but_o i_o instance_n in_o one_o for_o all_o that_o be_v father_n vincentius_n baronius_n a_o doctor_n of_o tholouse_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a order_n of_o s._n dominick_n a_o person_n of_o as_o much_o eminency_n gravity_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o of_o late_a day_n this_o great_a writer_n in_o his_o manuductio_fw-la ad_fw-la moralem_fw-la theologiam_fw-la p._n 130_o 131._o fall_n upon_o caramuel_n in_o these_o word_n distinguit_fw-la caramuel_n duplicem_fw-la honestatis_fw-la certitudinem_fw-la seu_fw-la veritatem_fw-la formalem_fw-la unam_fw-la vocat_fw-la alteram_fw-la objectivam_fw-la istam_fw-la negat_fw-la cuilibet_fw-la opinioni_fw-la probabili_fw-la ill_a be_o concedit_fw-la etc._n etc._n sed_fw-la hoc_fw-la nobis_fw-la ignorantiae_fw-la prodiglum_fw-la est_fw-la aut_fw-la temeritatis_fw-la dari_fw-la veritatem_fw-la aut_fw-la falsitatem_fw-la certitudinemque_fw-la cui_fw-la nulla_fw-la objectiva_fw-la correspondeat_fw-la hoc_fw-la ne_fw-la deo_fw-la quidem_fw-la concessum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la scientiam_fw-la habeat_fw-la rei_fw-la non_fw-la scibilis_fw-la i._n e._n veritatem_fw-la formalem_fw-la rei_fw-la quae_fw-la objectiuâ_fw-la careat_fw-la yet_o the_o same_o author_n p._n 271_o be_v force_v by_o the_o defence_n of_o this_o ill_a ground_a tenet_n which_o he_o have_v espouse_v into_o the_o same_o paralogysm_n which_o he_o have_v so_o grave_o severe_o and_o learned_o reprehend_v in_o another_o where_o put_v the_o objection_n very_a home_n he_o ask_v si_fw-la praevium_fw-la illud_fw-la ad_fw-la fidem_fw-la judicium_fw-la sit_fw-la intra_fw-la probabilitatis_fw-la fine_n quâ_fw-la ratione_fw-la poterit_fw-la mens_fw-la assurgere_fw-la in_o assensum_fw-la illo_fw-la seu_fw-la opinion_n firmiorem_fw-la ergo_fw-la fidei_fw-la certitudo_fw-la nutlat_fw-la si_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la judicio_fw-la quod_fw-la prudenter_fw-la probabile_fw-la dixi_fw-la pendeat_fw-la nec_fw-la aliunde_fw-la repetatur_fw-la this_o do_v acknowledge_v that_o tota_fw-la controversia_fw-la &_o fidei_fw-la summa_fw-la be_v contain_v as_o indeed_o it_o be_v in_o this_o argument_n he_o address_v himself_o to_o answer_v it_o first_o slight_o by_o a_o example_n that_o this_o precedent_a judgement_n be_v to_o faith_n as_o accidental_a alteration_n to_o the_o substantial_a form_n and_o so_o be_v only_o a_o disposition_n to_o it_o may_v be_v less_o noble_a or_o certain_a than_o faith_n be_v itself_o whereas_o if_o our_o assent_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v thorough_o rational_a this_o previous_a judgement_n be_v that_o on_o which_o this_o assent_n be_v build_v as_o to_o we_o or_o as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n must_v at_o least_o be_v firm_a and_o immovable_a itself_o since_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n build_v on_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v such_o and_o consequent_o beyond_o probability_n whence_o the_o example_n be_v most_o unsuitable_a signify_v that_o as_o nature_n dispose_v matter_n by_o imperfect_a degree_n towards_o a_o perfect_a and_o ultimate_a effect_n so_o infirm_a principle_n may_v rational_o beget_v a_o firm_a assent_n after_o this_o he_o allege_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v it_o from_o god_n the_o author_n of_o it_o who_o infuse_v light_a and_o give_v most_o efficacious_a strength_n to_o believe_v but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o god_n ordinary_o and_o abstract_v from_o miracle_n infuse_v light_a into_o rational_a creature_n but_o by_o mean_n of_o motive_n or_o reason_n and_o whether_o it_o require_v such_o strength_n or_o rather_o be_v not_o a_o unwise_a credulousness_n that_o be_v a_o great_a weakness_n to_o believe_v beyond_o what_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o do_v and_o so_o unworthy_a god_n the_o giver_n of_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n last_o he_o affirm_v that_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v fetch_v it_o from_o the_o pious_a affection_n of_o the_o will_n qui_fw-la mentem_fw-la rebus_fw-la credendis_fw-la indubitato_fw-la &_o immoto_fw-la assensu_fw-la alligat_fw-la quasi_fw-la nodo_fw-la indissolubili_fw-la which_o as_o it_o be_v by_o a_o indissoluble_a knot_n tie_v the_o mind_n to_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v with_o a_o undoubted_a and_o unmoved_a assent_n but_o the_o question_n be_v how_o this_o knot_n be_v indissoluble_a in_o case_n the_o probable_a reason_n prove_v false_a unless_o the_o soul_n be_v wilful_o blind_a or_o why_o a_o resolvedness_n in_o the_o will_n can_v rational_o establish_v a_o true_a intellectual_a certainty_n what_o i_o chief_o conclude_v from_o these_o answer_n of_o he_o be_v that_o he_o perpetual_o wave_v certainty_n have_v from_o the_o object_n and_o so_o unavoidable_o be_v force_v to_o put_v a_o formal_a certainty_n in_o as_o to_o which_o no_o objective_a certainty_n correspond_v which_o his_o excellent_a wit_n in_o another_o circumstance_n see_v to_o be_v prodigious_o faulty_a and_o a_o certainty_n that_o be_v a_o perfection_n not_o competent_a even_o to_o god_n himself_o so_o impossible_a it_o be_v that_o error_n prejudice_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n shall_v not_o either_o by_o opposition_n to_o first_o principle_n be_v discover_v to_o be_v falsehood_n or_o by_o self-contradiction_n in_o their_o maintainer_n confess_v it_o themselves_o objection_n vii_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o diverse_a weak_a people_n assent_v upon_o very_o inconclusive_a nay_o silly_a or_o less_o than_o probable_a motive_n who_o yet_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v deny_v have_v save_v faith_n the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n than_o require_v not_o necessary_o motive_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o that_o faith_n be_v true_a to_o we_o but_o may_v be_v without_o any_o such_o qualification_n answer_n when_o we_o say_v faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a we_o take_v the_o word_n faith_n in_o its_o proper_a and_o primary_n signification_n now_o that_o be_v the_o proper_a signification_n of_o a_o word_n that_o be_v most_o usual_a and_o that_o most_o usual_a which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o user_n of_o it_o the_o proper_a signification_n that_o be_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n be_v that_o which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v evident_o a_o assent_n to_o be_v adhere_v to_o all_o one_o life_n to_o be_v die_v in_o and_o die_v for_o and_o the_o object_n or_o form_n of_o that_o assent_n be_v truth_n and_o so_o itself_o true_a it_o be_v most_o manifest_o in_o each_o of_o those_o regard_n imply_v that_o it_o must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o or_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n that_o be_v it_o must_v have_v ground_n able_a to_o show_v it_o nay_o actual_o show_v it_o so_o to_o they_o whatever_o contingency_n may_v happen_v in_o a_o few_o particular_n for_o want_n of_o apply_v to_o they_o the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n beside_o faith_n must_v be_v a_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n a_o virtuous_a act_n and_o so_o rational_a and_o a_o most_o efficacious_a cause_n of_o work_v for_o heaven_n also_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v apt_a to_o establish_v the_o most_o speculative_a faithful_a to_o convert_v or_o confound_v the_o most_o acute_a wit_n deny_v or_o oppose_v it_o etc._n etc._n all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o discourse_n of_o sure_a foot_n by_o argument_n as_o yet_o not_o attempt_v to_o be_v invalidate_v by_o any_o however_o something_o have_v be_v offer_v against_o those_o conclusion_n which_o attribute_n it_o can_v possible_o justify_v nor_o yet_o perform_v those_o office_n without_o be_v true_a to_o we_o or_o have_v ground_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o word_n faith_n then_o apply_v to_o those_o weak_a person_n now_o speak_v of_o signify_v not_o the_o same_o as_o when_o it_o be_v find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o assenter_n but_o mere_o a_o simple_a credulity_n of_o any_o thing_n tell_v they_o by_o a_o person_n that_o look_v serious_o when_o he_o speak_v it_o and_o be_v conceit_v by_o the_o believer_n to_o be_v wise_a or_o to_o have_v hear_v more_o than_o himself_o which_o kind_n of_o assent_n if_o it_o be_v second_v by_o favourable_a circumstance_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n especial_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v find_v in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o it_o beget_v a_o love_n of_o heaven_n above_o all_o thing_n may_v suffice_v to_o save_v those_o weak_a and_o well_o meaning_n catholic_n but_o how_o incompetent_a a_o assent_n no_o better_o ground_v be_v
for_o the_o establishment_n or_o propagation_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v how_o insufficient_a for_o the_o body_n of_o the_o faithful_a or_o the_o church_n how_o unfit_a for_o the_o end_n and_o unable_a to_o produce_v the_o effect_n true_a faith_n or_o the_o faith_n find_v in_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a ought_v to_o do_v need_v no_o declaration_n to_o manifest_v it_o since_o no_o person_n of_o ordinary_a capacity_n can_v without_o difficulty_n refrain_v from_o smile_v at_o the_o ridiculous_a levity_n of_o such_o kind_n of_o assenter_n inference_n from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n conclude_v all_o controversy_n 1._o it_o rest_v then_o evince_v and_o demonstrative_o conclude_v with_o as_o great_a firmness_n as_o first_o principle_n make_v use_v of_o for_o premise_n and_o immediate_a consequence_n from_o those_o principle_n can_v establish_v it_o that_o that_o most_o firm_a or_o unchangeable_a assent_n call_v christian_a faith_n lay_v a_o obligation_n on_o its_o professor_n to_o assert_v it_o with_o the_o great_a seriousness_n constancy_n and_o pledge_n imaginable_a to_o be_v true_a and_o its_o object_n point_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v truth_n be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o that_o be_v to_o be_v a_o erroneous_a judgement_n or_o a_o mistake_n of_o our_o understanding_n 2._o it_o be_v with_o the_o same_o certainty_n conclude_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n and_o so_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v likewise_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o since_o nothing_o can_v or_o ought_v in_o true_a reason_n be_v strong_a than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o if_o this_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o can_v be_v no_o rule_n of_o faith_n because_o it_o will_v weaken_v faith_n itself_o which_o be_v build_v on_o it_o into_o a_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n inconsistent_a with_o its_o nature_n 3._o it_o follow_v with_o the_o same_o clearness_n that_o if_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o immediate_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n to_o we_o be_v any_o live_a authority_n that_o authority_n must_v be_v infallible_a as_o to_o that_o effect_n for_o if_o fallible_a faith_n which_o be_v build_v on_o it_o will_v still_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o likewise_o that_o if_o it_o be_v any_o book_n both_o the_o letter_n of_o that_o book_n must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v be_v corrupt_v as_o to_o what_o concern_v faith_n build_v on_o it_o and_o withal_o the_o sense_n know_v to_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v mistake_v for_o in_o case_n either_o of_o these_o all_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v to_o preserve_v they_o such_o as_o we_o have_v say_v be_v true_o judge_v or_o find_v to_o be_v possible_a faith_n which_o be_v to_o depend_v on_o they_o will_v still_o be_v leave_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a 4._o it_o follow_v immediate_o that_o those_o pretend_v faithful_a who_o have_v not_o ground_n of_o faith_n thus_o qualify_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n that_o be_v no_o act_n of_o belief_n but_o what_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o they_o know_v or_o can_v know_v of_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a nor_o consequent_o be_v they_o to_o be_v account_v true_o faithful_a as_o not_o have_v true_a faith_n that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n a_o assent_n build_v either_o on_o infallible_a live_a authority_n or_o on_o unmistakeable_a letter_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o book_n §_o 3._o but_o opinion_n only_o 5._o it_o follow_v with_o like_a evidence_n that_o a_o controvertist_n be_v one_o who_o be_v to_o assert_v faith_n not_o by_o look_v into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o explain_v they_o this_o be_v the_o office_n of_o a_o school-divine_a but_o into_o the_o motive_n to_o it_o or_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o he_o go_v not_o about_o to_o bring_v proof_n which_o he_o judge_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o maintain_v nay_o which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n apt_a to_o show_v faith_n and_o its_o rule_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a he_o do_v not_o the_o duty_n he_o owe_v to_o faith_n nor_o behave_v himself_o like_o a_o controvertist_n but_o he_o betray_v faith_n by_o his_o ineffectual_a and_o probable_a managery_n of_o it_o make_v it_o seem_v a_o sleight_n opinion_n or_o light_o ground_v credulity_n especial_o if_o he_o profess_v that_o all_o proof_n which_o can_v be_v produce_v in_o this_o matter_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o then_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o open_a confession_n all_o his_o endeavour_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n because_o he_o be_v to_o show_v faith_n the_o subject_a of_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v what_o in_o reality_n it_o be_v that_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a nay_o since_o faith_n must_v be_v thus_o certain_a he_o manifest_o destroy_v faith_n when_o he_o shall_v defend_v and_o establish_v it_o by_o profess_v all_o its_o proof_n or_o ground_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a 6._o it_o follow_v immediate_o that_o unless_o some_o other_o medium_fw-la can_v be_v find_v or_o way_n take_v in_o that_o skill_n or_o science_n call_v controversy_n which_o be_v able_a to_o show_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o what_o be_v lay_v down_o in_o sure-footing_a which_o partly_o by_o our_o adversary_n confession_n of_o the_o inability_n of_o they_o to_o reach_v infallible_a certainty_n partly_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n as_o be_v see_v sure-footing_a corol._n 16_o and_o 40._o be_v evident_o impossible_a nor_o be_v it_o ever_o yet_o attempt_v by_o any_o other_o mean_n except_o by_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n it_o follow_v i_o say_v that_o as_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o faith_n and_o its_o ground_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a that_o be_v false_a to_o we_o or_o may_v be_v show_v thus_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a so_o it_o be_v by_o consequence_n certain_a likewise_o that_o the_o main_a doctrine_n there_o deliver_v will_v stand_v whatever_o particular_a miscarriage_n may_v have_v happen_v in_o the_o manage_n it_o which_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o my_o reason_n there_o give_v and_o the_o force_n of_o my_o adversary_n objection_n 7._o it_o be_v necessary_o consequent_a from_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n that_o if_o i_o have_v discourse_v right_a in_o this_o small_a treatise_n of_o i_o and_o have_v prove_v that_o faith_n and_o consequent_o its_o ground_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a then_o mr._n tillotson_n confession_n p._n 118._o to_o which_o m._n stillingfleet_n doctrine_n be_v consonant_a that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v to_o be_v false_a that_o any_o book_n be_v so_o ancient_a as_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v or_o that_o it_o be_v write_v by_o he_o who_o name_n it_o bear_v or_o that_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o such_o and_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o be_v a_o clear_a conviction_n that_o neither_o be_v the_o book-rule_n he_o maintain_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 3._o nor_o have_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n true_a faith_n §_o 4._o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o other_o rule_n own_v take_v away_o private_a spirit_n but_o tradition_n that_o tradition_n be_v the_o onely-true-rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 6._o and_o so_o the_o main_a of_o sure-footing_a stand_v yet_o firm_a and_o last_o it_o be_v evince_v that_o his_o own_o book_n which_o oppose_v it_o oppose_v the_o onety-true_a because_o the_o onely-impossible-to-be-false_a ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v he_o be_v convince_v in_o that_o supposition_n to_o go_v about_o to_o undermine_v all_o christian_a faith_n whence_o the_o title_n of_o his_o probable-natured_a book_n be_v manifest_v to_o be_v a_o improper_a faith_n nickname_n and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n 8._o this_o last_o point_n be_v hence_o far_o confirm_v because_o mr_n t._n and_o mr._n st._n can_v claim_v no_o admittance_n into_o a_o dispute_n whether_o this_o or_o the_o other_o be_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n till_o they_o approve_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n and_o show_v they_o hold_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o faith_n or_o that_o it_o can_v bear_v the_o have_v any_o rule_n at_o all_o since_o a_o assent_n to_o a_o point_n see_v and_o acknowledge_v possible_a to_o to_o be_v false_a can_v never_o rise_v to_o be_v more_o than_o a_o opinion_n nor_o can_v the_o motive_n of_o assent_v to_o what_o may_v possible_o be_v false_a in_o true_a speech_n be_v call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n both_o because_o there_o be_v in_o that_o case_n no_o faith_n infer_v 1._o and_o so_o it_o can_v be_v a_o rule_n to_o what_o be_v not_o as_o also_o because_o what_o we_o see_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o propriety_n be_v call_v a_o rule_n to_o the_o understanding_n direct_v it_o to_o truth_n in_o regard_n for_o any_o thing_n it_o see_v it_o
be_v a_o crooked_a path_n and_o a_o false_a light_n lead_v it_o into_o error_n what_o therefore_o they_o be_v to_o do_v in_o the_o circumstance_n they_o have_v bring_v themselves_o into_o be_v to_o show_v that_o they_o destroy_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o way_n to_o that_o truth_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o put_v they_o both_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o see_v they_o do_v and_o therefore_o be_v oblige_v to_o begin_v my_o discourse_n high_o and_o to_o settle_v the_o existence_n of_o faith_n by_o remove_v the_o possibility_n of_o its_o falsehood_n that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v show_v able_a to_o bear_v the_o have_v a_o rule_n which_o while_o it_o be_v in_o the_o totter_a and_o uncertain_a condition_n to_o which_o mr._n t._n and_o mr._n st._n have_v reduce_v it_o that_o be_v in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v all_o a_o lie_n and_o indeed_o be_v a_o actuality_n of_o be_v as_o to_o we_o 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the_o whole_a party_n if_o they_o write_v thing_n deniable_a by_o that_o party_n in_o case_n any_o such_o party_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o disclaim_v such_o writer_n as_o private_a discourser_n and_o their_o tenet_n of_o christian_a faith_n not_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v and_o set_v some_o other_o writer_n to_o maintain_v the_o opposite_a thesis_n it_o will_v quick_o be_v see_v whether_o they_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v infallible_a ground_n of_o faith_n i_o mean_v any_o authority_n convey_v christ_n faith_n down_o to_o we_o infallible_o which_o they_o must_v bring_v 2._o if_o they_o will_v prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a distinct_a from_o what_o the_o catholic_a church_n hold_v to_o and_o which_o themselves_o renounce_v when_o they_o forsake_v her_o communion_n but_o that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o ground_n as_o these_o that_o be_v ground_n inerrable_o bring_v down_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n faith_n to_o we_o that_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a to_o we_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o discern_v by_o the_o carriage_n write_n or_o discourse_n of_o any_o party_n that_o dissent_v from_o the_o catholic_n church_n to_o be_v their_o tenet_n if_o then_o it_o be_v a_o most_o certain_a truth_n that_o faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v abundant_o conclude_v it_o be_v also_o most_o certain_a that_o those_o who_o deny_v they_o have_v such_o a_o faith_n do_v by_o that_o very_a denial_n confess_v they_o have_v no_o true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a nor_o of_o the_o true_a catholic_n church_n postscript_n thus_o reader_n thou_o see_v i_o still_o endeavour_v candid_o to_o put_v controversy_n home_o as_o far_o as_o my_o discourse_n can_v carry_v it_o and_o that_o i_o have_v resume_v here_o all_o the_o scatter_a end_n of_o voluminous_a dispute_n into_o one_o point_n by_o which_o mean_v the_o sincere_a protestant_n and_o all_o other_o out_o of_o the_o church_n may_v see_v at_o a_o short_a view_n what_o they_o be_v to_o do_v if_o they_o look_v into_o their_o own_o breast_n as_o they_o be_v professor_n of_o christianity_n they_o will_v find_v it_o write_v there_o in_o capital_n that_o christian_a faith_n can_v be_v a_o illusion_n '_o or_o falsehood_n also_o that_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o true_a and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o suffer_v all_o persecution_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o the_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v such_o this_o find_v and_o due_o reflect_v on_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v be_v that_o they_o press_v their_o learned_a man_n by_o who_o they_o be_v lead_v to_o show_v they_o by_o such_o ground_n as_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n permit_v they_o to_o hold_v that_o be_v by_o their_o ground_n that_o christian_a faith_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o they_o can_v as_o hitherto_o they_o have_v tell_v we_o they_o can_v than_o their_o adherent_n may_v in_o reason_n hope_v well_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n till_o they_o see_v those_o attempt_n evident_o show_v invalid_a but_o if_o they_o profess_v still_o they_o can_v and_o that_o faith_n need_v no_o such_o certainty_n then_o not_o only_o the_o natural_a dictamen_fw-la of_o christianity_n in_o their_o own_o breast_n ought_v to_o make_v they_o distrust_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o party_n find_v to_o be_v so_o destructive_a to_o christian_a faith_n but_o also_o i_o shall_v hope_v there_o be_v some_o proof_n in_o this_o forego_n treatise_n which_o they_o will_v judge_n require_v a_o answer_n i_o expect_v my_o answerer_n will_v sow_v together_o many_o thin_a rhetorical_a figleaf_n to_o cover_v the_o deformity_n of_o that_o abominable_a thesis_n that_o faith_n may_v be_v false_a which_o to_o propose_v undisguised_a be_v too_o open_o shameful_a but_o i_o hope_v thou_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discern_v their_o sense_n through_o their_o rhetoric_n and_o heedful_o to_o mark_v with_o a_o steadfast_a eye_n that_o in_o how_o quaint_a and_o elegant_a phrase_n soever_o they_o cloak_n their_o tenet_n yet_o the_o genuine_a downright_a and_o natural_a sense_n of_o the_o position_n they_o go_v about_o to_o defend_v will_v still_o be_v this_o the_o mystery_n of_o christian_a faith_n may_v all_o be_v so_o many_o lie_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v absolute_o know_v and_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n a_o bundle_n of_o falsehood_n i_o expect_v also_o many_o plausible_a instance_n and_o pretend_a parallel_n of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o inferior_a degree_n of_o certitude_n for_o such_o and_o such_o particular_a end_n but_o what_o thou_o be_v to_o consider_v be_v whether_o those_o end_n be_v parallel_n or_o equal_v to_o that_o high_a end_n and_o concern_v of_o christian_a faith_n these_o thing_n i_o expect_v but_o i_o expect_v not_o that_o so_o much_o as_o one_o principle_n that_o will_v be_v find_v to_o deserve_v that_o name_n will_v ever_o be_v think_v prudent_a to_o be_v produce_v to_o justify_v a_o tenet_n every_o way_n so_o irrational_a and_o unprincipled_a or_o rather_o destroy_v the_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o the_o essence_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o best_a body_n of_o principle_n that_o either_o nature_n or_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n himself_o ever_o instill_a into_o mankind_n last_o i_o beseech_v thou_o to_o obtain_v for_o i_o if_o thou_o can_v that_o if_o any_o think_v fit_a to_o reply_v to_o this_o treatise_n they_o will_v be_v persuade_v to_o set_v aside_o all_o witty_a prevarication_n and_o elegant_a drollery_n the_o two_o chief_a and_o in_o a_o manner_n only_o stickler_n in_o the_o pretend_a answer_n to_o sure-footing_a and_o begin_v with_o first_o principle_n to_o draw_v thence_o immediate_a consequence_n as_o i_o have_v constant_o endeavour_v in_o this_o discourse_n by_o
their_o attempt_n or_o neglect_v to_o do_v this_o and_o only_o by_o that_o test_n it_o will_v be_v see_v whether_o my_o eviction_n stand_v or_o fall_v whereas_o from_o flashy_a wit_n so_o little_a be_v gain_v that_o even_o what_o be_v solid_a suffer_v disgrace_n by_o such_o a_o managery_n and_o i_o here_o very_o penitent_o beg_v pardon_n of_o my_o reader_n that_o i_o have_v sometime_o heretofore_o spend_v my_o precious_a time_n and_o less-fruitful_a labour_n which_o may_v have_v be_v better_o employ_v in_o pursue_v that_o way_n of_o folly_n for_o such_o my_o more_o deliberate_a thought_n now_o discover_v it_o however_o the_o repute_a profoundness_n but_o indeed_o real_a shallowness_n of_o my_o adversary_n make_v it_o at_o that_o season_n seem_v most_o convenient_a finis_fw-la correction_n of_o the_o press_n page_n 6._o line_n 5._o build_v upon_o p._n 14._o l._n 13._o the_o ten_o et_fw-fr p._n 25._o l._n 10._o acts._n as_o p._n 33._o l_o 5._o not_o be_v be_v p._n 43._o l._n 9_o be_v deniable_a p._n 89._o l_o 25._o object_n on_o p._n 112._o l._n ult_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 121._o l._n 2._o it_o be_v neither_o affirmation_n nor_o l._n 9_o usual_o p._n 126._o l._n 26._o such_o truth_n p._n 128._o l._n 9_o their_o power_n l._n 18._o at_o all_o p._n 130._o l._n 25._o of_o the_o school_n p._n 134._o l._n 26._o find_v p._n 139._o l._n 18._o be_v to_o l._n 21._o both_o at_o p._n 149._o objection_n viii_o p._n 161._o l._n 13._o parologysm_n l_o 21_o nut_n at_o p._n 164_o l._n 1._o objection_n ix_o l._n 5._o to_o have_v p._n 171._o l._n 22._o onely-true_a postulata_fw-la the_o thesis_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o evidence_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a in_o faith-proposition_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o predicate_v in_o most_o of_o those_o proposition_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o distinction_n as_o apply_v to_o the_o predicate_a from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o distinguish_v the_o subject_n of_o faith-proposition_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n consist_v in_o a_o indivisible_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o connexion_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o opinion_n the_o origin_n and_o nature_n of_o suspense_n and_o assent_n the_o point_n evince_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o suspense_n and_o assent_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o hold_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o know_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o certainty_n in_o many_o regard_n from_o the_o impossibility_n that_o what_o may_v be_v false_a can_v have_v any_o principle_n from_o the_o identity_n of_o certainty_n with_o infallibility_n from_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n unavoidable_o subject_v faith_n to_o chance_n and_o contingency_n from_o the_o incompossibility_n of_o truth_n with_o falsehood_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o disputation_n and_o the_o impossibility_n otherwise_o to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o faith_n the_o main_a thesis_n demonstrate_v from_o the_o want_n of_o potentiality_n in_o the_o subject_a from_o the_o otherwise_o necessity_n of_o put_v a_o consistency_n of_o truth_n with_o falsehood_n from_o the_o otherwise_o necessity_n of_o put_v contradictory_n to_o be_v true_a from_o the_o otherwise_o necessity_n of_o put_v it_o possible_a the_o mind_n shall_v be_v at_o once_o conformable_a and_o disconformable_a to_o the_o thing_n from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o different_a respect_n here_o so_o to_o avoid_v a_o contradiction_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o necessity_n of_o put_v the_o soul_n at_o once_o determine_v and_o indetermine_v in_o order_n to_o the_o same_o point_n from_o the_o formal_a nature_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n from_o the_o notion_n of_o metaphysical_a unity_n from_o the_o notion_n of_o metaphysical_a verity_n from_o the_o notion_n of_o metaphysical_a bonity_n or_o goodness_n from_o the_o contrary_a thesis_n be_v destructive_a to_o the_o fi●st_a principle_n in_o all_o metaphysic_n from_o the_o impossibility_n of_o a_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o judge_n a_o thing_n true_a with_o a_o motive_n to_o judge_n it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n or_o the_o deity_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o proper_a agent_n in_o instruct_v mankind_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o person_n instruct_v from_o faith_n be_v a_o virtue_n from_o faith_n be_v a_o intellectu_fw-la all_o virtue_n from_o faith_n be_v a_o supernatural_a virtue_n from_o the_o firmness_n supernatural_a faith_n ought_v to_o h●u●●bove_o natural_a another_o proof_n from_o the_o same_o head_n from_o the_o requisiteness_n that_o christian_a action_n shall_v proceed_v from_o the_o actor_n in_o the_o perfect_a manner_n that_o otherwise_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v more_o defective_a in_o point_n of_o principle_n than_o any_o other_o art_n or_o science_n from_o faith_n be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o last_o end_n and_o of_o the_o way_n to_o it_o from_o the_o certainty_n the_o heathen_n have_v of_o the_o principle_n of_o their_o imperfect_a morality_n from_o man_n last_o end_n be_v only_o attainable_a by_o intellectual_a mean_n from_o virtue_n be_v being_n the_o connatural_a effect_n of_o truth_n and_o vice_n of_o falsehood_n from_o the_o otherwise_o inability_n of_o faith_n to_o resist_v &_o overcome_v temptation_n from_o the_o otherwise_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o spiritual_a good_n or_o the_o attainableness_n of_o they_o in_o the_o next_o life_n from_o the_o otherwise_o preternaturality_o in_o produce_v a_o due_a love_n of_o heaven_n from_o the_o incredibleness_n of_o the_o mystery_n nor_o superable_a by_o any_o motive_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a from_o the_o otherwise_o great_a plausibility_n of_o objection_n against_o faith_n from_o faith_n be_v a_o knowledge_n of_o god_n &_o of_o his_o will_n from_o faith_n be_v place_v beyond_o contingencie_n from_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o christian_n express_v themselves_o when_o they_o profess_v their_o faith_n from_o this_o that_o otherwise_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o lay_v a_o wager_n christian_n faith_n be_v a_o ly._n from_o the_o carriage_n of_o the_o martyr_n if_o suppose_v honest_a &_o prudent_a from_o the_o blasphemousnes_n of_o the_o equivalency_n to_o this_o proposition_n faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a from_o the_o practice_n of_o learn_a christian_n in_o captivate_v their_o understanding_n to_o faith_n from_o the_o duty_n incumbent_a on_o the_o maintainer_n of_o the_o impugned_a tenet_n to_o remain_v seeker_n all_o their_o life_n from_o the_o inefficaciousness_n it_o bring_v to_o christian_a preach_v and_o exhortation_n from_o the_o church_n constant_a practice_n of_o oblige_v to_o belief_n belief_n rule_n of_o faith_n faith_n infer_v 4_o 4_o infer_v 2._o