will_v believe_v he_o that_o my_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a &_o unchristian_a all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o my_o ground_n and_o nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o to_o prove_v it_o in_o his_o way_n it_o be_v but_o mistake_v again_o the_o notion_n of_o school-divines_a for_o the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o school_n for_o church_n as_o he_o do_v late_o and_o the_o deed_n be_v do_v immediate_o without_o any_o more_o trouble_n he_o be_v the_o happy_a man_n in_o his_o first_o principle_n and_o his_o method_n that_o i_o ever_o meet_v with_o the_o part_n of_o the_o former_a need_v not_o hang_v together_o at_o all_o but_o be_v allow_v to_o be_v incoherent_a and_o the_o late_a be_v a_o build_n upon_o false_a pretence_n and_o wrong_a supposition_n and_o then_o what_o may_v not_o he_o prove_v or_o what_o conquest_n can_v he_o obtain_v by_o such_o powerful_a stratagem_n he_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v not_o make_v oral_a tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o she_o faith_n possible_o i_o be_o not_o so_o lucky_a as_o to_o light_v on_o this_o large_a proof_n of_o he_o all_o i_o can_v find_v with_o a_o ordinary_a search_n be_v four_o or_o five_o line_n rule_v of_o faith_n pag._n 280._o where_o after_o a_o commonly-objected_n &_o often-answered_a citation_n from_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n declare_v that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o write_a book_n &_o unwritten_a tradition_n &_o therefore_o that_o they_o receive_v &_o honour_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n &_o also_o tradition_n with_o equal_a pious_a affection_n and_o reverence_n he_o add_v which_o i_o understand_v not_o how_o those_o do_v who_o set_v aside_o the_o scripture_n and_o make_v tradition_n the_o sole_a rule_n of_o their_o faith_n now_o i_o have_v put_v this_o very_a objection_n against_o myself_o suref_a pag._n 346._o and_o proceed_v to_o clear_v it_o to_o the_o end_n of_o pag._n 150._o particular_o pag._n 147.149_o upon_o this_o reason_n because_o take_v the_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o tradition_n as_o the_o council_n express_v itself_o to_o do_v and_o forbid_v any_o man_n to_o interpret_v it_o otherwise_o it_o have_v the_o full_a authority_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o equal_o to_o be_v reverence_v whereas_o take_v it_o interpret_v by_o private_a head_n which_o only_o will_v serve_v dr_n t_n turn_n it_o be_v nothing_o less_o as_o not_o engage_v the_o divine_a authority_n at_o all_o but_o now_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o rule_n there_o be_v more_o require_v as_o dr._n t._n himself_o grant_v and_o contend_v it_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v so_o evident_a that_o every_o sensible_a may_v understand_v it_o as_o to_z matter_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o build_v on_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n authority_n and_o judgement_n i_o deny_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o bare_a letter_n of_o scripture_n and_o hence_o say_v it_o be_v no_o rule_n i_o omit_v the_o repeat_n very_o many_o argument_n from_o the_o council_n for_o that_o point_n deduce_v from_o pag._n 141._o to_o pag._n 146._o never_o touch_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o that_o mock-answ_a of_o he_o §_o 16._o but_o that_o he_o may_v not_o mistake_v i_o i_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o declare_v who_o i_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n at_o least_o from_o the_o way_n to_o it_o who_o not_o and_o upon_o what_o ground_n speak_v of_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o god_n providence_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o to_o do_v throughout_o this_o whole_a treatise_n i_o make_v account_v that_o perfect_a charity_n or_o love_n of_o god_n above_o and_o in_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o immediate_a disposition_n to_o bliss_n or_o vnitive_a of_o a_o soul_n to_o god_n also_o that_o this_o virtue_n can_v with_o a_o due_a heartiness_n be_v connatural_o or_o rational_o wrought_v in_o soul_n if_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o of_o christian_a faith_n be_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o ly._n hence_o i_o be_o oblige_v by_o my_o reason_n to_o hold_v that_o those_o who_o judge_v there_o be_v no_o absolueely-conclusive_a reason_n for_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n nor_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v as_o such_o out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o salvation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n those_o who_o hold_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n they_o profess_v infallible_a and_o by_o consequence_n their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o all_o catholic_n do_v though_o as_o divine_n they_o fail_v in_o make_v out_o how_o and_o by_o what_o particular_a mean_n it_o come_v to_o be_v infallible_a yet_o through_o the_o virtue_n of_o this_o firm_a and_o steady_a adhesion_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v because_o they_o be_v truth_n apt_a to_o beget_v solid_a and_o wellgrounded_n that_o be_v indeed_o true_a virtue_n such_o as_o be_v a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a and_o all-oure-powering_a charity_n hence_o they_o possess_v the_o connatural_a mean_n or_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o for_o this_o reason_n i_o esteem_v dr._n it_o be_v way_n of_o discourse_v concern_v a_o deity_n and_o faith_n in_o his_o sermon_n most_o pestilent_a and_o mischievous_a to_o soul_n as_o be_v apt_a of_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o incline_v they_o if_o they_o have_v wit_n to_o discern_v its_o shallowness_n first_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o scepticism_n in_o religion_n and_o at_o next_o to_o carelessness_n irreligion_n and_o atheism_n though_o true_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o his_o intention_n to_o do_v so_o but_o that_o his_o shortness_n in_o understanding_n the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o christianity_n make_v he_o conceit_n he_o do_v excellent_o even_o to_o admiration_n all_o the_o while_o he_o commit_v such_o well-meaning_a folly_n nor_o do_v i_o think_v the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v upon_o second_o thought_n think_v fit_a to_o patronize_v principle_n so_o destructive_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n find_v in_o the_o breast_n of_o every_o protestant_n i_o ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o who_o all_o with_o one_o mouth_n will_v own_o that_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a christian_a faith_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o abhor_v the_o contrary_a position_n as_o wicked_a and_o damnable_a how_o dr._n t._n may_v have_v season_v some_o of_o his_o own_o auditor_n by_o preach_v controversy_n to_o they_o which_o he_o extreme_o affect_v i_o can_v tell_v it_o be_v according_a as_o they_o incline_v to_o believe_v he_o more_o than_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n who_o sentiment_n he_o oppose_v in_o his_o discourse_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n discourse_n viii_o with_o what_o be_v dr._n t._n answer_v my_o method_n a_o present_v make_v to_o his_o credulous_a friend_n show_v how_o solid_o he_o confute_v sure-footing_a by_o ready_o grant_v the_o main_a of_o the_o book_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o tradition_n that_o j._n s._n be_v not_o singular_a in_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n §_o 1._o he_o make_v a_o pass_n or_o two_o at_o my_o method_n and_o that_o i_o conceive_v must_v serve_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o it_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o hear_v be_v threaten_v will_v appear_v very_o short_o but_o this_o pleasant_a preface_n be_v the_o only_a thing_n which_o appear_v and_o all_o that_o appear_v like_o answer_n in_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v make_v it_o believe_v he_o ought_v not_o answer_v at_o all_o and_o this_o he_o do_v very_o neat_o and_o like_o a_o master_n for_o let_v no_o man_n think_v i_o have_v a_o mean_a opinion_n of_o dr._n t._n but_o every_o one_o be_v not_o good_a at_o all_o thing_n some_o be_v good_a at_o prove_v some_o at_o disprove_v some_o at_o shift_v of_o the_o question_n without_o either_o prove_v or_o disprove_v every_o one_o in_o his_o way_n and_o in_o his_o way_n i_o know_v no_o man_n live_v a_o great_a master_n nor_o so_o great_a as_o the_o dr._n two_o thing_n he_o do_v and_o both_o of_o they_o strange_a one_o first_o he_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n be_v found_v on_o the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oraâ—_n tradition_n next_o that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o point_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o surefoot_v the_o first_o of_o they_o will_v make_v the_o reader_n apprehend_v i_o there_o suppose_v oral_a tradition_n self-evident_o infallible_a and_o then_o run_v on_o all_o the_o way_n upon_o that_o supposition_n which_o if_o it_o obtain_v belief_n as_o from_o his_o credit_n he_o hope_v it_o may_v since_o every_o scholar_n know_v all_o discourse_n must_v be_v found_v either_o on_o first_o principle_n or_o at_o least_o on_o such_o as_o be_v grant_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o
and_o divine_o assist_v be_v no_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n this_o way_n of_o divinity_n or_o resolution_n of_o faith_n which_o i_o take_v make_v every_o man_n both_o those_o in_o the_o church_n and_o those_o out_o of_o it_o rely_v on_o the_o church_n authority_n or_o testimony_n diverse_o consider_v in_o order_n to_o their_o respective_a capacity_n and_o so_o still_o make_v the_o church_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n which_o all_o catholic_n in_o the_o world_n not_o so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o school-divine_a except_v hold_v the_o secure_a way_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o shall_v any_o one_o dislike_v it_o i_o see_v not_o what_o he_o can_v with_o any_o show_n pretend_v he_o must_v allow_v some_o natural_a motive_n antecedent_n to_o faith_n and_o what_o be_v know_v by_o mean_n of_o it_o that_o be_v he_o must_v grant_v some_o motive_n antecedent_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o supernatural_a assistance_n and_o where_o he_o will_v find_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n 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that_o the_o church_n give_v we_o knowledge_n of_o the_o first_o deliver_v faith_n rather_o than_o that_o tradition_n do_v so_o see_v none_o can_v have_v scruple_v or_o except_v against_o the_o former_a manner_n of_o expression_n whereas_o this_o give_v occasion_n of_o misapprehension_n to_o some_o unattentive_a reader_n i_o answer_v i_o use_v on_o that_o occasion_n the_o word_n tradition_n rather_o than_o the_o word_n church_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n the_o geometrician_n use_v the_o word_n line_n or_o surface_n when_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o express_v body_n as_o long_o or_o broad_a for_o these_o be_v in_o reality_n the_o same_o thing_n with_o body_n but_o in_o regard_n body_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o many_o other_o consideration_n as_o well_o as_o these_o and_o these_o speak_v body_n precise_o according_a to_o the_o consideration_n of_o length_n and_o breadth_n to_o which_o only_o it_o be_v intend_v to_o speak_v hence_o it_o be_v better_o both_o for_o succinctness_n of_o expression_n and_o exactness_n of_o science_n which_o be_v build_v on_o the_o perfect_a distinction_n of_o our_o conception_n to_o use_v the_o abstract_n or_o distinguish_a word_n line_n and_o surface_n rather_o than_o the_o concrete_a or_o confuse_a word_n body_n which_o involve_v much_o more_o than_o the_o discourser_n in_o that_o circumstance_n intend_v to_o consider_v or_o speak_v to_o now_o this_o be_v the_o very_a method_n observe_v in_o that_o science_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n for_o the_o great_a exactness_n in_o discourse_n i_o much_o fear_v the_o objecter_n mistake_n proceed_v from_o not_o reflect_v that_o whoever_o pretend_v to_o a_o accurate_a and_o connected_a way_n of_o discourse_n and_o rigorous_o to_o conclude_v what_o he_o intend_v must_v either_o follow_v that_o best_a of_o method_n or_o he_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o duty_n and_o wrong_v his_o cause_n §_o 9_o to_o clear_v this_o a_o little_a better_o and_o withal_o to_o apply_v it_o i_o shall_v make_v choice_n 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countenance_n signify_v man_n as_o look_v or_o according_a to_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o that_o part_n in_o he_o call_v the_o face_n also_o carriage_n signify_v he_o as_o bear_v or_o demeaning_a himself_o and_o last_o genius_n as_o have_v such_o a_o peculiarity_n of_o humour_n or_o nature_n in_o he_o hence_o these_o word_n the_o speech_n countenance_n and_o carriage_n of_o a_o man_n discover_v his_o genius_n amount_v to_o this_o the_o man_n according_a to_o his_o speech_n countenance_n or_o carriage_n which_o be_v visible_a and_o more_o intelligible_a consideration_n belong_v to_o he_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o notify_v himself_o to_o we_o according_a to_o something_o in_o he_o which_o be_v latent_fw-la and_o less_o manifest_a viz._n his_o genius_n this_o i_o say_v be_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o other_o word_n only_o this_o late_a manner_n of_o speak_v be_v prolix_a and_o troublesome_a the_o other_o short_a and_o yet_o full_o expressive_a of_o the_o speaker_n intention_n again_o the_o other_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v proper_a and_o apt_a whereas_o shall_v one_o put_v it_o thus_o the_o man_n make_v know_v the_o man_n beside_o the_o confusedness_n of_o the_o expression_n since_o man_n signify_v the_o whole_a entire_a thing_n without_o distinguish_v any_o particular_a respect_n it_o will_v make_v the_o whole_a or_o the_o selfsame_a thing_n abstract_v from_o all_o different_a respect_n to_o be_v before_o and_o after_o more_o know_v and_o less_o know_v than_o it_o selâ—_n which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n §_o 10._o apply_v then_o this_o discourse_n the_o word_n church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o man_n answer_n in_o its_o way_n of_o express_v to_o the_o word_n man_n in_o the_o example_n now_o give_v and_o involve_v confuse_o in_o its_o notion_n innumerable_a consideration_n belong_v to_o that_o body_n of_o which_o true_a faith_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o genius_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o true_a church_n be_v of_o itself_o latent_fw-la unknown_a and_o far_o from_o self-discoverable_a other_o such_o as_o be_v the_o humane_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v in_o those_o circumstance_n by_o the_o word_n tradition_n in_o regard_n it_o depend_v on_o testify_a authority_n be_v more_o know_v and_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a fit_o correspond_v to_o speech_n countenance_n carriage_n and_o suchlike_a it_o be_v know_v then_o by_o this_o mean_n that_o such_o a_o body_n have_v in_o it_o the_o first-delivered_a or_o true_a faith_n it_o be_v know_v immediate_o that_o have_v in_o it_o the_o genius_n or_o nature_n of_o a_o true_a church_n it_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a church_n again_o it_o be_v know_v likewise_o and_o conceive_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n that_o true_a faith_n be_v a_o firm_a adhesion_n to_o christ_n doctrine_n also_o it_o be_v apprehend_v by_o those_o against_o who_o we_o dispute_v nay_o demonstrable_a out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o doctrine_n that_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o thing_n hence_o it_o be_v just_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o generality_n or_o in_o great_a multitude_n of_o this_o body_n a_o due_a love_n of_o heaven_n call_v sanctity_n or_o charity_n which_o be_v the_o gift_n peculiar_o attribute_v to_o the_o h._n ghost_n and_o it_o be_v know_v and_o experience_v by_o those_o already_o in_o the_o church_n that_o this_o love_n of_o heaven_n or_o sanctity_n give_v the_o faithful_a a_o particular_a strength_n and_o power_n to_o perform_v all_o good_a duty_n and_o this_o of_o preserve_v uncorrupted_a the_o deliver_v faith_n be_v one_o and_o that_o a_o most_o concern_v one_o hence_o they_o come_v to_o know_v that_o the_o church_n be_v assist_v by_o the_o h._n ghost_n as_o in_o all_o other_o good_a duty_n so_o especial_o in_o this_o of_o deliver_v and_o continual_o propose_v right_a faith_n so_o that_o as_o reason_n require_v
and_o the_o book_n itself_o to_o merit_v no_o reply_n you_o see_v here_o gentlemen_z how_o great_a stress_n i_o lay_v upon_o dr._n t.'s_n confession_n that_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o consequent_o his_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o real_o if_o he_o clear_v himself_o of_o it_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o suffer_v a_o very_a great_a defeat_n because_o i_o so_o much_o build_v upon_o it_o if_o he_o do_v not_o he_o be_v utter_o overthrow_v as_o to_o all_o intent_n and_o purpose_n either_o of_o be_v a_o good_a writer_n or_o a_o solid_a christian_a divine_a and_o he_o will_v owe_v the_o world_n satisfaction_n for_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o faith_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o who_o his_o doctrine_n have_v pervert_v by_o turn_v their_o faith_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o assent_n who_o ground_n and_o consequent_o itself_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n or_o false_a into_o opinion_n who_o ground_n and_o by_o consequence_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v such_o and_o last_o unless_o he_o avoid_v or_o râ—â—ants_v this_o error_n object_v all_o he_o have_v write_v 〈◊〉_d convince_v without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o be_v againâ—â—â—ith_n and_o its_o true_a ground_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v quite_o overthrow_v in_o the_o esteem_n of_o all_o those_o who_o have_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a a_o act_n of_o right_a faith_n that_o be_v a_o asseâ—â—_n build_v on_o those_o ground_n god_n have_v leave_v in_o the_o church_n for_o mankind_n to_o embrace_v faith_n and_o command_v they_o to_o believe_v upon_o those_o ground_n whether_o scripture_n letter_n or_o the_o church_n voice_n shall_v be_v a_o error_n or_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o a_o lie_n which_o all_o sober_a protestant_n presbyterian_o nay_o almost_o all_o sect_n except_o some_o few_o witty_a man_n incline_v much_o by_o read_v such_o author_n to_o scepticism_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o be_v nothing_o at_o all_o &_o perhaps_o some_o socinian_o reject_v abominate_a and_o hate_v with_o all_o their_o heart_n the_o charge_n be_v lay_v and_o the_o case_n be_v put_v now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n which_o ere_o we_o do_v i_o desire_v those_o reader_n who_o have_v dr._n t.'s_n preface_n by_o they_o to_o read_v his_o 9_o the_o page_n or_o else_o his_o whole_a page_n 118._o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n lest_o either_o of_o we_o may_v injure_v he_o by_o a_o wrong_a apprehension_n i_o discourse_v thus_o §_o 2._o first_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o he_o who_o make_v the_o ground_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a make_v faith_n itself_o such_o likewise_o since_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v strong_a than_o the_o ground_n it_o stand_v on_o next_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o dr._n t._n be_v the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v god_n sense_n or_o faith_n last_o that_o in_o the_o place_n now_o cite_v and_o relate_v by_o he_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o of_o its_o sense_n as_o he_o acknowledge_v here_o page_z 15._o these_o thing_n thus_o premise_v i_o put_v he_o this_o dilemma_n either_o he_o hold_v what_o he_o conceive_v to_o to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v his_o faith_n true_a or_o he_o do_v not_o if_o he_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a he_o must_v hold_v it_o at_o least_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a if_o not_o actual_o such_o but_o if_o he_o say_v he_o hold_v it_o to_o be_v true_a then_o since_o after_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o security_n he_o have_v or_o have_v not_o of_o the_o book_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o immediate_o subjoin_v these_o very_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o â—ay_v be_v otherwise_o he_o as_o evident_o say_v that_o what_o he_o conceive_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n and_o sense_n of_o such_o or_o such_o passage_n in_o it_o that_o be_v his_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o it_o be_v that_o what_o be_v otherwise_o than_o true_a be_v false_a i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o dr._n t._n can_v possible_o speak_v more_o plain_o what_o i_o charge_v he_o with_o than_o he_o have_v do_v in_o those_o word_n unless_o he_o shall_v use_v the_o word_n false_a which_o too_o candid_a and_o rude_a expression_n will_v expose_v he_o open_o to_o the_o dislike_n of_o all_o sober_a mâ—n_z and_o therefore_o he_o disguise_v it_o in_o its_o more_o moderate_a equivalent_a otherwise_o i_o say_v equivalent_a and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v of_o he_o what_o the_o word_n otherwise_o relate_v too_o human_a language_n forbid_v that_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v otherwise_o unless_o it_o be_v otherwise_o than_o something_o i_o ask_v then_o otherwise_o than_o what_o do_v he_o mean_v when_o be_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o discourse_v what_o security_n he_o have_v of_o the_o antiquity_n writer_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o may_v be_v otherwise_o be_v it_o not_o as_o evident_a as_o word_n can_v express_v he_o must_v mean_v it_o be_v possible_a the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o ancient_a as_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v possible_a it_o be_v not_o write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n it_o be_v possible_a this_o be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o such_o passage_n as_o concern_v faith_n for_o to_o these_o and_o these_o only_a our_o discourse_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o title_n of_o his_o book_n determine_v it_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o none_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o his_o faith_n in_o case_n it_o be_v sole_o ground_v upon_o that_o as_o he_o profess_v see_v reader_n how_o all_o truth_n even_o the_o most_o sacred_a one_o go_v to_o wrack_n when_o man_n frame_v only_o for_o fine_a talk_v undertake_v to_o prove_v and_o how_o parallel_a his_o defence_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n be_v to_o that_o he_o give_v we_o late_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o so_o prove_v a_o god_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a there_o may_v be_v none_o and_o now_o he_o so_o prove_v scripture_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a it_o may_v be_v no_o rule_n since_o common_a sense_n tell_v we_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o follow_v may_v lead_v into_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v dr._n t._n need_v here_o the_o blessing_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n else_o he_o will_v not_o write_v a_o book_n to_o prove_v scripture_n a_o rule_n and_o then_o ever_o and_o anon_o in_o equivalent_a language_n tell_v we_o it_o be_v none_o i_o wish_v he_o will_v now_o and_o then_o reflect_v upon_o such_o evident_a truth_n and_o not_o out_o of_o a_o openly-declared_a feud_n against_o those_o first_o principle_n fall_v thus_o perpetual_o into_o manifest_a contradiction_n §_o 3._o but_o how_o do_v dr._n t._n clear_a himself_o of_o this_o charge_n of_o i_o or_o how_o come_v he_o off_o from_o his_o own_o word_n first_o he_o again_o put_v down_o those_o very_a word_n which_o say_v over_o and_o over_o what_o i_o charge_v upon_o he_o and_o then_o ask_v very_o confident_o where_o he_o say_v any_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v just_a as_o wise_a a_o craft_n as_o child_n use_v when_o they_o hoodwink_v themselves_o and_o then_o tell_v the_o bystander_n they_o shall_v not_o see_v they_o next_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o he_o say_v be_v that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a in_o judge_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n or_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o mean_v that_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v these_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o to_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n but_o yet_o etc._n etc._n be_v this_o all_o he_o say_v what_o then_o be_v become_v of_o those_o famous_a word_n it_o be_v possible_a all_o this_o may_v be_v otherwise_o which_o be_v only_o object_v but_o let_v we_o examine_v what_o he_o do_v acknowledge_v whether_o he_o be_v infallible_o certain_a or_o no_o it_o matter_n not_o but_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v why_o if_o scripture_n be_v the_o sole_a ground_n of_o faith_n some_o at_o least_o in_o the_o world_n who_o be_v to_o govern_v and_o instruct_v the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v thus_o certain_a of_o both_o in_o case_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o assent_v and_o as_o we_o questionless_a be_v die_v to_o attest_v the_o point_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o be_v absolutely-certain_a truth_n again_o if_o dr._n t._n be_v not_o infallible_o certain_a
right_a that_o be_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n must_v be_v true_a if_o dr._n t_n faith_n be_v true_a build_v only_o on_o moral_a certainty_n which_o will_v utter_o destroy_v his_o enemy_n identical_a proposition_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v at_o least_o why_o these_o two_o equal_o match_v moral_a certainty_n shall_v not_o make_v a_o draw_v battle_n of_o it_o or_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v determine_v on_o who_o side_n the_o certain_a truth_n stand_v i_o doubt_v it_o will_v be_v the_o hard_a task_n that_o ever_o be_v for_o he_o to_o make_v it_o even_o moral_o certain_a there_o be_v a_o trinity_n for_o this_o can_v be_v do_v but_o by_o manifest_v the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n bear_v no_o shadow_n of_o reason_n on_o the_o socinian_o side_n otherwise_o that_o seem_a reason_n may_v be_v a_o just_a cause_n for_o a_o protestant_n to_o suspend_v perhaps_o doubt_v of_o it_o and_o so_o not_o be_v morally-certain_a §_o 15._o the_o meaning_n then_o of_o these_o word_n moral_a certainty_n be_v so_o indeterminate_v that_o dr._n t._n himself_o can_v tell_v what_o to_o make_v of_o it_o no_o wonder_n our_o divine_n can_v agree_v about_o it_o if_o he_o say_v he_o understand_v it_o very_o well_o i_o desire_v to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o trial_n by_o produce_v any_o one_o proposition_n hold_v by_o he_o to_o be_v but_o morally-certain_a and_o show_v we_o logical_o art_n be_v the_o test_n of_o nature_n how_o or_o by_o virtue_n of_o what_o its_o term_n hang_v together_o or_o to_o make_v out_o according_a to_o his_o own_o notion_n of_o moral_a certainty_n that_o not_o one_o prudent_a man_n in_o the_o world_n do_v or_o can_v be_v dissatisfy_v with_o it_o what_o i_o conceive_v be_v mean_v general_o by_o moral_a certainty_n be_v a_o high_a probability_n or_o some_o great_a likelihood_n which_o be_v a_o insufficient_a ground_n for_o faith_n for_o we_o be_v to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o not_o for_o its_o likelihood_n only_o â—_o judge_v the_o name_n of_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o certainty_n due_a to_o faith_n and_o itâ—_n ground_n unless_o it_o be_v signify_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o be_v use_v catachrestical_o or_o abusive_o to_o mean_v absolute_a certainty_n §_o 16._o i_o expect_v d._n t._n will_n instead_o of_o make_v out_o the_o nature_n of_o this_o chimerical_a certainty_n run_v to_o instance_n for_o example_n that_o of_o our_o be_v moral_o certain_a of_o the_o sun_n be_v rise_v to_o morrow_n and_o such_o like_a but_o first_o i_o contend_v he_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o this_o his_o own_o instance_n if_o he_o be_v let_v he_o give_v his_o ground_n of_o certainty_n for_o it_o and_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v or_o conclude_v the_o night_n before_o that_o it_o will_n i_o doubt_v much_o he_o will_v when_o he_o come_v to_o try_v it_o find_v himself_o gravel_v and_o confess_v with_o i_o that_o it_o be_v only_o high_o likely_a it_o be_v well_o he_o do_v not_o live_v in_o joshuah_n or_o ezekiah_n time_n and_o tell_v they_o the_o day_n before_o that_o moses_n his_o law_n be_v only_o as_o certain_a as_o that_o the_o sun_n will_v not_o stand_v still_o or_o go_v backward_o the_o next_o day_n for_o if_o so_o i_o doubt_v much_o those_o who_o have_v hear_v and_o believe_v he_o will_v have_v take_v a_o just_a scandal_n at_o their_o faith_n see_v point_n hold_v equal_o certain_a as_o it_o prove_v actual_o false_a again_o what_o more_o certainty_n have_v he_o now_o of_o the_o sun_n rise_v again_o within_o 18_o hour_n after_o his_o set_n than_o they_o in_o those_o day_n be_v the_o day_n before_o that_o it_o will_v not_o go_v back_o or_o stand_v still_o and_o yet_o we_o see_v they_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o it_o for_o we_o know_v they_o have_v be_v mistake_v in_o it_o and_o that_o judgement_n a_o error_n by_o which_o we_o see_v that_o d._n t_n moral_a certainty_n mean_v such_o a_o certainty_n w_o ch_z as_o appear_v by_o this_o event_n be_v uncertain_a or_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v certain_a peradventure_o now_o this_o nonsense_n have_v no_o harm_n in_o it_o but_o that_o it_o be_v opposite_a to_o a_o identical_a proposition_n what_o be_v certain_a be_v certain_a which_o weigh_v not_o with_o dr._n t._n who_o have_v renounce_v all_o first_o principle_n in_o a_o word_n our_o b._n saviour_n have_v beforehand_o prevent_v all_o such_o instance_n by_o â—elling_v we_o that_o heaven_n and_o earth_n shall_v fail_v but_o his_o word_n shall_v not_o fail_v intimate_v that_o the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n much_o more_o some_o one_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v totter_v and_o unstable_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o unchangeable_a nature_n of_o truth_n and_o such_o all_o good_a christian_n be_v to_o profess_v their_o faith_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v to_o attest_v it_o §_o 17._o have_v thus_o do_v more_o than_o miracle_n and_o establish_v moral_a certainty_n which_o be_v not_o its_o self_n be_v it_o not_o unestablisht_v â—e_n proccee_v p._n 18._o to_o overthrow_v infallibility_n allege_v that_o the_o understanding_n can_v be_v absolute_o secure_v from_o all_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n but_o either_o by_o the_o perfection_n of_o its_o own_o nature_n which_o he_o think_v all_o mankind_n but_o mr._n s._n have_v hitherto_o grant_v that_o it_o can_v not_o or_o by_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o desire_v he_o will_v not_o stretch_v my_o tenet_n beyond_o the_o bound_n myself_o give_v it_o i_o never_o say_v that_o human_a understanding_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v mistake_v in_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o but_o only_o in_o knowledge_n build_v on_o sensation_n in_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o first_o principle_n in_o know_v while_o leave_v to_o nature_n till_o speculation_n for_o which_o they_o be_v too_o weak_a put_v they_o into_o a_o puzzle_n by_o practical_a self-evidence_n confuse_o and_o in_o common_a something_o belong_v to_o some_o nature_n daily_o converse_v with_o and_o last_o some_o learned_a man_n in_o diverse_a deduction_n of_o evident_a reason_n for_o example_n in_o diverse_a proposition_n in_o euclid_n but_o that_o which_o our_o subject_n restrain_v it_o to_o be_v about_o the_o infallible_a conveyance_n down_o of_o faith_n be_v the_o first_o of_o those_o viz._n infallibility_n of_o our_o sensation_n for_o once_o put_v this_o tradition_n be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n speak_v then_o of_o this_o which_o be_v all_o my_o present_a purpose_n require_v i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o only_a man_n who_o hold_v it_o that_o dr._n t._n except_v sceptic_n if_o perhaps_o he_o be_v not_o one_o of_o that_o sect_n be_v i_o think_v the_o only_a man_n that_o ever_o deny_v it_o be_v not_o both_o of_o we_o infallible_o certain_a that_o we_o eat_v drink_v write_v and_o live_v or_o do_v any_o but_o a_o madman_n ever_o think_v serious_o that_o sober_a mankind_n abstract_v from_o disease_n in_o some_o particular_n may_v possible_o be_v deceive_v in_o such_o knowledge_n as_o these_o be_v not_o our_o sense_n contrive_v natural_o as_o apt_a to_o convey_v impression_n from_o the_o object_n to_o the_o know_v power_n i_o speak_v not_o of_o the_o different_a degree_n of_o perfection_n necessary_o annex_v to_o each_o but_o as_o to_o the_o main_a so_o as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o use_v and_o needful_a speculation_n as_o any_o other_o cause_n in_o nature_n be_v to_o do_v their_o proper_a effect_n have_v they_o not_o also_o as_o little_a contingency_n in_o they_o and_o that_o contingency_n as_o easy_o discoverable_a by_o the_o standard_n of_o circumstant_fw-la mankind_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v as_o in_o icterical_a person_n and_o such_o like_a this_o be_v so_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o basis_n on_o which_o our_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v build_v viz._n natural_a knowledge_n be_v more_o secure_a than_o any_o part_n of_o nature_n since_o natural_o it_o be_v impossible_a mankind_n can_v err_v in_o these_o and_o whereas_o we_o be_v not_o certain_a but_o it_o may_v in_o some_o conjuncture_n become_v god_n infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o exert_v his_o divine_a omnipotence_n and_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n even_o in_o considerable_a portion_n of_o it_o as_o in_o the_o instance_n give_v of_o the_o sun_n be_v stand_v still_o and_o go_v back_o the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o such_o like_a yet_o in_o our_o case_n it_o be_v impossible_a because_o the_o alter_a nature_n course_n in_o such_o as_o these_o be_v direct_o to_o create_v false_a judgement_n or_o error_n in_o mankind_n of_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a essential_a wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n shall_v be_v the_o immediate_a and_o peculiar_a cause_n natural_o therefore_o it_o can_v happen_v nor_o yet_o supernatural_o for_o though_o take_v the_o proportion_n between_o god_n omnipotence_n single_o consider_v and_o the_o
say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o humane_a certitude_n of_o which_o it_o may_v simple_o or_o absolute_o be_v say_v non_fw-la posse_fw-la illi_fw-la falsum_fw-la subesse_fw-la that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a can_v any_o thing_n be_v produce_v more_o express_o abet_v my_o way_n of_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n nothing_o certain_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o which_o immediate_o follow_v contain_v the_o reason_n why_o tradition_n be_v by_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o it_o simple_o infallible_a for_o say_v he_o tradition_n be_v full_a report_n about_o what_o be_v evident_a unto_o sense_n to_o wit_n what_o doctrine_n and_o scripture_n the_o apostle_n public_o deliver_v unto_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v false_a world_n of_o man_n can_v be_v uniform_o mistake_v and_o deceive_v about_o a_o matter_n evident_a to_o sense_n and_o not_o be_v deceive_v be_v so_o many_o in_o number_n so_o divide_v in_o place_n of_o so_o different_a affection_n and_o condition_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v so_o have_v agree_v in_o their_o tale_n have_v they_o so_o malicious_o resolve_v to_o deceive_v the_o world_n observe_v here_o 1._o that_o he_o allege_v only_o natural_a motive_n or_o speak_v only_o of_o tradition_n as_o it_o signify_v the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v as_o take_v in_o the_o same_o sense_n wherein_o i_o take_v it_o in_o my_o method_n 2._o he_o go_v about_o to_o show_v out_o of_o its_o very_a nature_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a 3._o he_o make_v this_o tradition_n or_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n a_o infallible_a deriver_n down_o or_o ascertainer_n that_o what_o be_v now_o hold_v upon_o that_o tenure_n be_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n or_o the_o first-taught_a faith_n which_o once_o know_v those_o who_o be_v yet_o unbeliever_n may_v infallible_o know_v that_o body_n that_o proceed_v upon_o it_o to_o possess_v the_o true_a faith_n and_o consequent_o infallible_o know_v the_o true_a church_n which_o be_v the_o very_a way_n i_o take_v in_o my_o method_n and_o other_o tâ—eatises_n it_o may_v hence_o be_v discern_v with_o how_o little_a reason_n dr._n t._n except_v against_o it_o as_o so_o superlative_o singular_a but_o to_o proceed_v hence_o p._n 40._o he_o aver_v that_o the_o proof_n of_o tradition_n be_v so_o full_a and_o sufficient_a that_o it_o convince_v infidel_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v only_o natural_a reason_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o for_o though_o say_v he_o they_o be_v blind_a not_o to_o see_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o be_v divine_a yet_o be_v they_o not_o so_o void_a of_o common_a sense_n impudent_a and_o obstinate_a as_o to_o deny_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christian_n catholic_n tradition_n to_o be_v true_o christian_n and_o apostolical_a and_o p._n 41._o the_o only_a mean_n whereby_o man_n succeed_v the_o apostle_n may_v know_v assure_o what_o scripture_n and_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v to_o the_o primitive_a catholic_n church_n be_v the_o catholic_n tradition_n by_o world_n of_o christian_a father_n and_o pastor_n unto_o world_n of_o christian_a child_n and_o faithful_a people_n which_o word_n as_o full_o express_v that_o tradition_n be_v the_o only_a or_o sole_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o whereas_o some_o hold_n that_o a_o inward_a work_n of_o god_n spirit_n supply_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o the_o motive_n this_o learned_a writer_n p._n 46_o on_o the_o contrary_n affirm_v that_o inward_a assurance_n without_o any_o external_n infallible_a ground_n to_o assure_v man_n of_o truth_n be_v proper_a unto_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o first_o publisher_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o last_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 47._o he_o discourse_v thus_o if_o any_o object_n that_o the_o sense_n of_o man_n in_o this_o search_n may_v be_v deceive_v through_o natural_a invincible_a fallibility_n of_o their_o organ_n and_o so_o no_o ground_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v altogether_o infallible_a i_o answer_v that_o evidence_n have_v by_o sense_n be_v but_o the_o private_a of_o one_o man_n be_v natural_o and_o physical_o infallible_a but_o when_o the_o same_o be_v also_o public_a and_o catholic_n that_o be_v when_o a_o whole_a world_n of_o man_n concur_v with_o he_o than_o his_o evidence_n be_v altogether_o infallible_a and_o now_o i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o my_o book_n touch_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v not_o either_o the_o selfsame_a or_o else_o necessary_o consequent_a or_o at_o least_o very_a consonant_n to_o what_o i_o have_v here_o cite_v from_o this_o judicious_a author_n and_o great_a champion_n of_o truth_n in_o his_o day_n who_o coincidency_n with_o other_o divine_n into_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o explication_n argue_v strong_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o same_o unanimous_a notion_n and_o conceit_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o true_a catholic_n ground_n which_o can_v breed_v this_o conspire_v into_o the_o same_o way_n of_o discourse_v and_o almost_o the_o selfsame_a word_n §_o 13._o hence_o be_v see_v how_o just_o d._n t._n when_o he_o want_v something_o else_o to_o say_v still_o tax_v i_o with_o singularity_n in_o accept_v of_o nothing_o but_o infallibility_n build_v on_o absolutely-conclusive_a motive_n with_o talk_v such_o paradox_n as_o he_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o they_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n that_o all_o mankind_n except_v j._n saint_n have_v hitherto_o grant_v that_o no_o humane_a understanding_n be_v secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n from_o its_o own_o nature_n that_o my_o ground_n exclude_v from_o salvation_n and_o excommunicate_v the_o generality_n of_o our_o own_o church_n that_o no_o man_n before_o j._n s._n be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o maintain_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o fallible_a man_n which_o word_n fallible_a be_v of_o his_o own_o add_v i_o be_v of_o mankind_n rely_v on_o sensation_n be_v infallible_a that_o this_o be_v a_o new_a way_n and_o twenty_o such_o insignificant_a cavil_n but_o the_o thing_n which_o breed_v his_o vexation_n be_v that_o as_o my_o reason_n incline_v i_o i_o join_v with_o those_o who_o be_v the_o most_o solid_a and_o intelligent_a party_n of_o divine_n that_o be_v indeed_o i_o stick_v to_o and_o pursue_v and_o explain_v and_o endeavour_v to_o advance_v far_o those_o ground_n which_o i_o see_v be_v build_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v i_o only_o talk_v of_o moral_a certainty_n probability_n and_o such_o wise_a stuff_n when_o i_o be_o settle_v faith_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o he_o will_v like_v i_o exceed_o for_o than_o his_o own_o side_n may_v be_v probable_a too_o which_o sandy_a foundation_n be_v enough_o for_o such_o a_o mercurial_a faith_n as_o nothing_o but_o interest_n be_v apt_a to_o fix_v discourse_n viii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n answer_v my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o his_o attempt_n to_o clear_v object_v fault_n by_o commit_v new_a one_o §_o 1._o my_o confuter_n have_v at_o length_n do_v with_o my_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o my_o methed_a and_o have_v not_o he_o do_v well_o think_v you_o and_o approve_v himself_o a_o excellent_a confuter_n he_o only_o break_v his_o jest_n upon_o every_o passage_n he_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o former_a except_o one_o without_o ever_o hee_v or_o consider_v much_o less_o attempt_v to_o answer_v any_o one_o single_a reason_n of_o those_o many_o there_o allege_v and_o as_o for_o that_o one_o passage_n in_o which_o he_o seem_v serious_a viz._n how_o the_o faithful_a be_v hold_v by_o i_o infallible_a in_o their_o faith_n he_o quite_o mistake_v it_o throughout_o again_o as_o for_o my_o method_n he_o first_o give_v a_o wrong_a character_n of_o it_o and_o next_o pretend_v it_o whole_o to_o rely_v upon_o a_o point_n which_o he_o have_v sufficient_o consider_v that_o be_v which_o he_o have_v ready_o grant_v but_o offer_v not_o one_o syllable_n of_o answer_n to_o any_o one_o reason_n in_o it_o neither_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o be_v to_o be_v overthrow_v next_o and_o first_o he_o say_v he_o will_v whole_o pass_v by_o the_o passion_n of_o it_o and_o i_o assure_v the_o reader_n so_o he_o do_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o too_o for_o he_o speak_v not_o a_o word_n to_o any_o one_o piece_n of_o it_o next_o he_o complain_v of_o the_o ill-language_n which_o he_o say_v proceed_v from_o a_o gall_v and_o uneasy_a mind_n he_o say_v partly_o true_a for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o uneasy_a to_o i_o than_o when_o i_o expect_v a_o sober_a and_o scholarlike_o answer_v to_o find_v only_o a_o prettily-worded_n fardel_n of_o drollery_n and_o insincerity_n i_o wonder_v what_o gall_v he_o when_o he_o lavish_v out_o so_o much_o ill-language_n in_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n in_o which_o treatise_n there_o be_v not_o one_o passionate_a word_n not_o one_o syllable_n
another_o aught_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o liberty_n of_o take_v those_o word_n which_o express_v his_o sentiment_n without_o put_v they_o always_o in_o the_o very_a method_n and_o posture_n in_o which_o they_o be_v find_v in_o the_o author_n while_o there_o be_v no_o ambiguity_n or_o doubt_n of_o the_o author_n sense_n in_o that_o place_n yet_o where_o it_o be_v at_o lest_o doubtful_a that_o the_o sense_n be_v otherwise_o as_o be_v manifest_a to_o any_o one_o who_o read_v that_o preface_n which_o as_o i_o allege_v though_o dr._n t._n never_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o be_v whole_o intend_v to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v not_o so_o fair_o and_o clear_o candid_a to_o introduce_v it_o as_o a_o most_o express_a say_n of_o a_o author_n and_o put_v it_o direct_o upon_o he_o as_o his_o say_v whereas_o there_o at_o least_o need_v a_o discourse_n and_o the_o draw_v some_o consequence_n to_o prove_v it_o his_o sense_n and_o doctrine_n as_o will_v appear_v short_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a strain_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o treatise_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v thus_o far_o then_o i_o conceive_v myself_o in_o rigorous_a truth_n justifiable_a namely_o for_o impute_v to_o dr._n t._n that_o he_o leave_v out_o the_o word_n some_o understand_v for_o he_o do_v so_o and_o by_o so_o do_v put_v that_o say_n direct_o upon_o the_o prefacer_n himself_o and_o express_v not_o that_o himself_o only_o gather_v it_o by_o consequence_n from_o his_o word_n §_o 8._o the_o chief_a and_o main_a part_n of_o the_o charge_n be_v that_o the_o impute_a tenet_n be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o prefacers_n word_n in_o that_o place_n and_o since_o he_o do_v not_o direct_o say_v it_o but_o it_o be_v infer_v only_o from_o his_o approve_v a_o other_o tenet_n either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o part_n the_o point_n be_v to_o be_v decide_v by_o such_o reflection_n as_o give_v we_o best_o light_n of_o his_o sense_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o allege_v 1._o that_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o treatise_n be_v aim_v to_o prove_v the_o quite_o contrary_a position_n which_o consideration_n be_v confess_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o any_o author_n to_o neglect_v that_o and_o catch_v at_o any_o little_a semblance_n in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_a word_n and_o then_o force_v upon_o that_o author_n a_o tenet_n perfect_o contrary_a to_o what_o his_o whole_a discourse_n be_v bend_v to_o prove_v favour_v too_o strong_a of_o a_o wit_n resolve_v to_o cavil_v this_o i_o object_v in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o and_o this_o dr._n t._n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n not_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o here_o for_o it_o be_v unanswerable_a and_o too_o evident_o conclude_v he_o injurious_a to_o the_o prefacer_n first_o then_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o reflect_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o show_n of_o relate_v the_o possibility_n there_o speak_v of_o to_o the_o divine_a omnipotence_n but_o only_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o second_o cause_n next_o that_o since_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v make_v to_o be_v if_o those_o cause_n can_v possible_o work_v otherwise_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v otherwise_o these_o due_a reflection_n make_v and_o settle_v to_o those_o who_o have_v not_o leisure_n to_o read_v the_o whole_a preface_n i_o offer_v these_o particularity_n p._n 6._o he_o blame_v those_o who_o bring_v not_o a_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o coactive_a of_o the_o understanding_n and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o that_o §_o he_o press_v those_o who_o say_v those_o moral_a motive_n be_v such_o as_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o yield_v to_o to_o show_v how_o all_o can_v be_v bind_v to_o believe_v that_o which_o they_o evident_o see_v may_v be_v false_a and_o which_o be_v remarkable_a these_o expression_n be_v find_v in_o the_o §_o immediate_o before_o the_o citation_n d.t._n so_o misrepresent_v whence_o it_o be_v likely_a he_o can_v not_o but_o see_v and_o reflect_v on_o they_o again_o p._n 10._o else_o you_o will_v be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o the_o very_a way_n god_n himself_o have_v show_v to_o heaven_n may_v possible_o lead_v to_o hell_n p._n 13._o the_o formal_a part_n of_o our_o action_n unless_o it_o carry_v evidence_n and_o certainty_n with_o it_o can_v be_v venture_v on_o without_o reproach_n now_o as_o appear_v p._n 12_o he_o aim_v this_o discourse_n at_o action_n belong_v to_o faith_n and_o answer_n that_o be_v oppose_v those_o who_o say_v the_o reason_n or_o ground_n of_o our_o action_n need_v be_v no_o more_o but_o a_o high_a probability_n or_o contingent_a as_o a_o thousand_o to_o one_o etc._n etc._n p._n 14._o this_o necessity_n bind_v god_n to_o put_v a_o inevitable_a certitude_n in_o the_o motive_n of_o faith_n p._n 16._o there_o be_v nothing_o advance_v towards_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o assent_n since_o this_o remain_v know_v that_o the_o position_n may_v be_v false_a etc._n etc._n and_o to_o omit_v other_o p._n 20._o he_o put_v the_o question_n whether_o a_o desultory_a assent_n which_o so_o agree_v to_o this_o side_n that_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o fallible_a be_v sufficient_a for_o christian_a life_n and_o action_n and_o come_v in_o the_o next_o §_o to_o answer_v it_o he_o call_v this_o a_o incertitude_n or_o defect_n of_o certitude_n and_o declare_v that_o it_o make_v a_o religion_n either_o absolute_o none_o or_o not_o a_o rational_a one_o but_o a_o mere_a folly_n these_o citation_n due_o reflect_v on_o it_o will_v appear_v very_o strange_a to_o any_o ingenuous_a man_n that_o dr._n t._n can_v easy_o imagine_v a_o author_n never_o note_v till_o now_o to_o be_v give_v to_o contradict_v himself_o who_o so_o express_o in_o such_o and_o so_o many_o signal_n passage_n and_o in_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o that_o discourse_n nay_o the_o very_a immediate_o forego_v §_o manifest_v himself_o to_o hold_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n the_o wrong_a way_n that_o they_o must_v be_v evident_a and_o inevitable_o certain_a that_o if_o it_o may_v be_v false_a we_o can_v assent_v to_o it_o at_o all_o as_o a_o truth_n that_o if_o the_o believer_n see_v it_o be_v fallible_a it_o be_v irrational_a a_o mere_a folly_n to_o hold_v it_o or_o else_o destructive_a of_o religion_n it_o be_v strange_a i_o say_v to_o imagine_v that_o a_o writer_n who_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o his_o wit_n shall_v put_v forth_o a_o treatise_n purpose_o to_o evince_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o the_o ground_n and_o motive_n to_o faith_n and_o in_o it_o so_o often_o and_o so_o particular_o avow_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o same_o treatise_n confess_v that_o what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v true_a certainty_n and_o so_o a_o competent_a ground_n to_o establish_v faith_n on_o that_o be_v maintain_v the_o contrary_a position_n to_o what_o he_o intend_v or_o pretend_v §_o 9_o have_v thus_o ample_o make_v good_a this_o part_n of_o my_o charge_n lay_v against_o dr._n t._n letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 63._o viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o plain_a tenor_n of_o the_o prefacers_n discourse_n and_o the_o whole_a scope_n of_o that_o preface_n to_o force_v the_o direct_a contrary_a position_n to_o what_o dr._n t._n will_v so_o disingenuous_o have_v put_v upon_o he_o of_o which_o he_o here_o take_v no_o notice_n nor_o give_v account_n why_o he_o happen_v not_o to_o mind_n or_o regard_v that_o best_a way_n of_o interpret_n a_o author_n word_n or_o not_o to_o see_v so_o many_o clear_a expression_n against_o his_o interest_n rather_o than_o one_o obscure_v one_o seem_o for_o it_o we_o come_v next_o to_o consider_v the_o particular_a word_n in_o the_o place_n cite_v and_o see_v whaâ—_n strong_a temptation_n they_o can_v give_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v he_o in_o a_o sense_n never_o intend_v notwithstanding_o so_o many_o pregnant_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a §_o 10._o the_o prefacer_n say_v that_o some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherways_o he_o add_v afterward_o that_o this_o aught_o absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o the_o author_n consider_v as_o mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o and_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o to_o one_o who_o light_v by_o accident_n on_o this_o single_a passage_n take_v abstract_o from_o the_o rest_n and_o can_v reach_v no_o deep_o than_o the_o grammar_n or_o superficial_a place_n of_o word_n it_o bear_v at_o first_o sight_n a_o show_n as_o if_o the_o prefacer_n have_v approve_v that_o to_o be_v a_o true_a certainty_n not_o only_a when_o the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n as_o i_o
discover_v to_o i_o that_o i_o can_v not_o bestow_v my_o pain_n better_a on_o any_o subject_n than_o in_o make_v know_v what_o be_v the_o right_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o evidence_v to_o man_n capable_a of_o evidence_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n that_o it_o have_v indeed_o the_o quality_n proper_a to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v virtue_n or_o power_n to_o acquaint_v we_o that_o live_v now_o without_o the_o least_o danger_n of_o error_n what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v at_o first_o to_o this_o end_n i_o show_v first_o in_o sure-footing_a that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n have_v not_o this_o virtue_n and_o by_o consequence_n can_v not_o be_v the_o rule_n intend_v and_o leave_v we_o by_o christ._n many_o argument_n i_o use_v from_o p._n 1._o to_o p._n 41._o though_o these_o two_o short_a discourse_n be_v sufficient_a to_o evince_v the_o point_n to_o any_o who_o be_v not_o beforehand_o resolve_v he_o will_v not_o be_v convince_v first_o that_o that_o can_v never_o be_v a_o rule_n or_o way_n to_o faith_n which_o many_o follow_v to_o their_o power_n yet_o be_v mislead_v and_o this_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n as_o we_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o for_o i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o charity_n or_o even_o with_o humanity_n to_o think_v that_o none_o among_o the_o socinian_o or_o other_o err_a sect_n endeavour_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a nor_o how_o it_o can_v be_v make_v out_o that_o all_o without_o exception_n either_o wilful_o or_o negligent_o pervert_v it_o and_o yet_o unless_o it_o be_v show_v rational_a to_o believe_v this_o it_o can_v never_o be_v rational_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n as_o useful_a and_o as_o excellent_a as_o it_o be_v in_o other_o respect_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o all_o want_v to_o themselves_o and_o their_o rule_n it_o be_v unavoidable_a that_o their_o rule_n be_v want_v to_o they_o next_o they_o who_o affirm_v the_o letter_n be_v the_o rule_n must_v either_o say_v that_o the_o bare_a letter_n as_o it_o lie_v antecedent_o to_o and_o abstract_n from_o all_o interpretation_n whatsoever_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o this_o can_v be_v with_o any_o sense_n maintain_v for_o so_o god_n must_v be_v hold_v to_o have_v hand_n foot_n passion_n etc._n etc._n or_o else_o that_o the_o letter_n alone_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o give_v as_o assurance_n of_o god_n sense_n in_o dogmatical_a point_n of_o high_a concern_v as_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n etc._n etc._n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o interpretation_n and_o to_o say_v this_o be_v to_o say_v as_o express_o as_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n alone_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o it_o give_v not_o the_o certain_a sense_n of_o christ_n without_o that_o interpretation_n adjoin_v nay_o more_o since_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o interpretation_n to_o give_v the_o sense_n of_o word_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o give_v we_o the_o sense_n of_o christ_n this_o interpretation_n manifest_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o revelation_n to_o we_o who_o live_v now_o of_o what_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n i_o know_v it_o be_v sometime_o say_v that_o the_o letter_n may_v be_v interpret_v by_o itself_o a_o clear_a place_n afford_v light_n to_o one_o more_o obscure_a but_o take_v the_o letter_n as_o antecedent_n to_o all_o interpretation_n as_o in_o this_o case_n it_o ought_v i_o can_v see_v no_o reason_n for_o this_o pretence_n for_o let_v we_o take_v two_o such_o place_n e._n g._n it_o repent_v god_n that_o he_o have_v make_v man_n and_o god_n be_v not_o as_o man_n that_o he_o shall_v repent_v abstract_a from_o all_o interpretation_n and_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o that_o can_v of_o the_o two_o place_n take_v alone_o which_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o which_o be_v the_o obscure_a one_o atheist_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o take_v such_o pretence_n to_o reject_v the_o scripture_n and_o impious_o accuse_v it_o of_o contradiction_n but_o how_o that_o method_n can_v assist_v a_o sincere_a man_n who_o hope_v by_o the_o mere_a letter_n to_o find_v his_o faith_n and_o hinder_v the_o obscure_a place_n from_o darken_n the_o clear_a place_n as_o much_o as_o the_o clear_a one_o enlighten_v the_o obscure_a one_o i_o understand_v not_o in_o fine_a it_o expose_v a_o man_n to_o the_o scandal_n and_o temptation_n of_o think_v there_o be_v no_o truth_n in_o scripture_n but_o absolute_a assurance_n of_o truth_n it_o give_v no_o man_n beside_o the_o former_a of_o the_o reason_n late_o give_v return_v again_o for_o the_o socinian_o compare_v place_n to_o place_n as_o well_o as_o other_o other_o sect_n do_v so_o too_o and_o yet_o all_o err_v and_o some_o in_o most_o fundamental_a point_n wherefore_o it_o must_v be_v either_o presume_v they_o all_o err_v wilful_o or_o the_o way_n can_v be_v presume_v a_o right_a way_n far_o it_o may_v be_v ask_v when_o one_o pitch_v upon_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o any_o place_n beyond_o what_o the_o letter_n enforce_v by_o what_o light_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o that_o determination_n and_o then_o show_v that_o that_o light_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o not_o the_o letter_n be_v indeed_o the_o formal_a revealer_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v on_o this_o occasion_n but_o my_o business_n now_o be_v to_o state_n my_o case_n not_o to_o plead_v it_o the_o letter_n rule_v seclude_v i_o advance_v to_o prove_v that_o tradition_n or_o that_o body_n call_v the_o church_n which_o christ_n by_o himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n constitute_v take_v as_o deliver_v her_o thought_n by_o a_o constant_a tenor_n of_o live_a voice_n and_o practise_v visible_a to_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v the_o absolutely-certain_a way_n of_o convey_v down_o the_o doctrine_n teach_v at_o first_o from_o age_n to_o age_n nay_o year_n to_o year_n and_o so_o to_o our_o time_n which_o be_v in_o other_o term_n to_o say_v that_o pastor_n and_o father_n and_o the_o conversant_a faithful_a by_o discourse_v preach_v teach_v and_o catechise_v and_o live_v and_o practise_v can_v from_o the_o very_a first_o and_o so_o all_o along_o better_a and_o more_o certain_o make_v their_o thought_n or_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o they_o instruct_v than_o a_o book_n which_o lie_v before_o they_o and_o can_v accommodate_v itself_o to_o the_o arise_v difficulty_n of_o the_o reader_n i_o be_o not_o here_o to_o repeat_v my_o reason_n they_o be_v contain_v in_o my_o book_n which_o i_o call_v sure_a foot_n in_o christianity_n and_o because_o i_o observe_v our_o improve_n age_n have_v in_o this_o last_o half_a century_n exceed_o ripen_v and_o advance_v in_o manly_a reason_n strain_v towards_o perfect_a satisfaction_n and_o unwilling_o rest_v on_o any_o thing_n in_o which_o appear_v a_o possibility_n to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o to_o express_v the_o same_o in_o other_o word_n bend_v their_o thought_n and_o hopeful_a endeavour_n to_o perfect_a science_n i_o endeavour_v in_o that_o treatise_n rigorous_o to_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o science_n both_o in_o disprove_v the_o letter-rule_n and_o prove_v the_o live_a rule_n of_o faith_n beginning_n with_o some_o plain_a attribute_n belong_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n and_o build_v my_o whole_a discourse_n upon_o they_o with_o care_v not_o to_o swerve_v from_o they_o in_o the_o least_o and_o be_v conscious_a to_o myself_o that_o i_o have_v as_o i_o propose_v to_o do_v close_o hold_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n in_o hand_n i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o hold_v my_o first_o five_o discourse_n demonstrative_a which_o be_v all_o i_o need_v have_v do_v as_o appear_v p._n 57_o and_o 58._o the_o rest_n that_o follow_v be_v add_v ex_fw-la abundanti_fw-la and_o express_v by_o i_o a_o endeavour_n to_o demonstrate_v as_o by_o the_o title_n of_o the_o six_o and_o eight_o discourse_n be_v manifest_a though_o i_o do_v not_o perceive_v by_o the_o opposition_n of_o my_o answerer_n why_o i_o shall_v not_o have_v better_a thought_n of_o they_o than_o at_o first_o i_o pretend_v this_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n concern_v that_o book_n as_o far_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o i_o and_o a_o true_a account_n why_o i_o write_v on_o that_o subject_a and_o in_o that_o manner_n what_o thought_n i_o have_v of_o its_o usefulness_n and_o hope_v it_o may_v prove_v serviceable_a towards_o compose_v the_o difference_n in_o religion_n of_o which_o the_o world_n have_v so_o long_o complain_v though_o from_o the_o long_a and_o deep_a meditation_n i_o must_v necessary_o have_v make_v upon_o those_o principle_n i_o may_v reasonable_o be_v judge_v to_o
earnest_o with_o i_o to_o surcease_v they_o allege_v that_o unpassionate_a examiner_n might_n easy_o discover_v by_o what_o have_v be_v do_v already_o how_o frivolous_a and_o insignificant_a the_o whole_a way_n be_v which_o my_o adversary_n take_v and_o that_o another_o and_o more_o convictive_a reply_n may_v possible_o heighten_v the_o anger_n to_o fatal_a extremity_n that_o if_o i_o be_v less_o sensible_a of_o my_o own_o safety_n i_o shall_v yet_o have_v regard_n to_o my_o friend_n and_o all_o catholic_n that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o a_o exception_n against_o a_o particular_a person_n may_v in_o that_o juncture_n be_v enhance_v to_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o the_o cross_v the_o humour_n or_o interest_n of_o that_o implacable_a party_n raise_v the_o storm_n of_o the_o great_a diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o give_v the_o gospel-trumpeter_n occasion_n to_o sound_v out_o aloud_o papa_n ad_fw-la portas_fw-la to_o this_o be_v join_v for_o why_o shall_v i_o be_v ashamed_a to_o acknowledge_v my_o poverty_n into_o which_o that_o persecution_n have_v drive_v i_o that_o i_o have_v write_v more_o than_o i_o be_v able_a to_o print_v in_o fine_a authority_n and_o reason_n and_o necessity_n prevail_v with_o i_o and_o i_o forbear_v to_o finish_v what_o i_o have_v begin_v and_o to_o publish_v what_o i_o have_v finish_v but_o yet_o the_o desire_n i_o have_v to_o be_v instrumental_a in_o settle_v so_o important_a a_o truth_n suggest_v to_o i_o a_o middle_a way_n which_o as_o i_o hope_v will_v be_v incapable_a to_o be_v wrest_v into_o offence_n so_o i_o see_v plain_o will_v be_v much_o more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o world_n and_o to_o the_o learned_a more_o satisfactory_a i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o sermon_n which_o dr._n t._n call_v the_o wisdom_n of_o be_v religious_a a_o concession_n which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o the_o very_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a i_o see_v the_o same_o sense_n often_o imply_v in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o p._n 1â—8_n plain_o own_a i_o perceive_v and_o know_v all_o man_n of_o insight_n must_v needs_o perceive_v with_o i_o that_o as_o this_o be_v the_o only_a material_a so_o it_o be_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o my_o book_n and_o render_v the_o disquisition_n whether_o this_o or_o that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n very_o superfluous_a if_o it_o may_v be_v maintain_v it_o have_v no_o rule_n at_o all_o nor_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o for_o a_o rule_n speak_v of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n as_o both_o of_o we_o do_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o make_v we_o certain_o know_v something_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n he_o who_o say_v that_o thing_n may_v possible_o be_v false_a or_o not_o be_v a_o truth_n say_v it_o neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v any_o rule_n i_o resolve_v therefore_o to_o write_v a_o treatise_n in_o behalf_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o common_a in_o which_o i_o endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v from_o all_o head_n i_o can_v invent_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n or_o those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o common_a motive_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o the_o church_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n the_o assent_n call_v faith_n must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o erroneous_a and_o apply_v this_o to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o adherent_n who_o as_o i_o show_v from_o his_o own_o word_n grant_v his_o assent_n build_v on_o that_o which_o he_o esteem_v his_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o conclude_v they_o beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o evasion_n not_o to_o have_v true_a faith_n nor_o be_v true_o faithful_a and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v to_o follow_v on_o my_o blow_n as_o i_o have_v promise_v it_o be_v unimaginable_a how_o the_o controversy_n can_v be_v press_v more_o home_n than_o to_o conclude_v my_o adversary_n and_o his_o whole_a cause_n from_o the_o very_a a_o est_fw-la of_o faith_n the_o subject_a of_o our_o dispute_n nor_o how_o his_o whole_a book_n which_o he_o call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v more_o fundamental_o overthrow_v than_o by_o show_v from_o his_o own_o word_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o his_o miscalled_n faith_n have_v no_o rule_n at_o all_o nor_o can_v have_v any_o i_o conceive_v too_o that_o this_o be_v to_o make_v good_a the_o engagement_n into_o which_o i_o have_v enter_v to_o force_v they_o either_o to_o lay_v principle_n which_o will_v bear_v the_o test_n or_o let_v all_o the_o world_n see_v they_o have_v none_o for_o in_o case_n they_o do_v manifest_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a they_o must_v of_o necessity_n build_v it_o upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v sustain_v such_o a_o building_n if_o they_o do_v not_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o judge_v by_o their_o silence_n that_o they_o have_v none_o and_o that_o they_o know_v and_o confess_v they_o can_v not_o evidence_n themselves_o true_o faithful_a and_o right_a christian_n i_o see_v beside_o that_o this_o method_n permit_v i_o to_o pursue_v a_o rational_a close_a way_n of_o discourse_n without_o the_o continual_a interruption_n which_o the_o insist_v upon_o my_o adversary_n mistake_n must_v needs_o occasion_n which_o as_o it_o be_v more_o satisfactory_a to_o i_o and_o more_o creditable_a to_o my_o cause_n so_o i_o judge_v it_o more_o beneficial_a to_o the_o intelligent_a reader_n for_o a_o particular_a answer_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v make_v up_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o accusation_n where_o the_o answerer_n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n to_o mistake_v all_o along_o instead_o of_o direct_a confute_v i_o can_v say_v i_o be_o in_o the_o right_n but_o i_o must_v say_v likewise_o that_o who_o say_v otherwise_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o that_o he_o either_o misunderstand_v or_o misrepresent_v and_o this_o either_o ignorant_o or_o wilful_o to_o show_v which_o be_v a_o task_n no_o more_o pleasant_a to_o the_o reader_n than_o the_o writer_n people_n be_v of_o opinion_n and_o i_o think_v they_o have_v great_a reason_n that_o the_o time_n and_o pain_n spend_v in_o such_o wrangling_n may_v with_o much_o more_o advantage_n be_v employ_v in_o convince_a the_o truth_n in_o question_n last_o my_o aim_n be_v from_o the_o beginning_n to_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o conclusion_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o have_v propose_v a_o conclusive_a method_n my_o adversary_n neither_o accept_v of_o i_o nor_o propose_v any_o other_o of_o his_o own_o as_o i_o have_v desire_v and_o i_o see_v that_o by_o proceed_v with_o he_o in_o his_o talk_a fashion_n the_o point_n may_v come_v to_o be_v lose_v in_o a_o wilderness_n of_o unconnected_a word_n wherefore_o i_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o pursue_v my_o design_n more_o close_o and_o by_o the_o bare_a state_v the_o nature_n of_o christian_a faith_n to_o reduce_v all_o dispute_n to_o this_o short_a period_n either_o produce_v and_o vouch_v such_o ground_n for_o your_o faith_n as_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o it_o be_v evident_a you_o have_v 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whole_a cause_n depend_v upon_o one_o single_a proposition_n by_o the_o sole_a examination_n of_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v decide_v thus_o stand_v the_o controversy_n and_o thus_o for_o some_o year_n it_o rest_v for_o the_o future_a i_o intend_v when_o it_o may_v be_v seasonable_a to_o write_v only_o such_o ground_n as_o i_o judge_v may_v be_v a_o solid_a foundation_n for_o union_n which_o as_o i_o have_v always_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o best_a of_o work_n so_o i_o know_v it_o be_v impossible_a till_o order_v be_v first_o take_v to_o secure_v the_o absolute_a and_o immovable_a certainty_n of_o faith_n itself_o which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o otherwise_o to_o be_v do_v then_o by_o show_v how_o and_o which_o way_n it_o come_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o this_o calm_a i_o hear_v several_a report_n that_o the_o
two_o doctor_n wonder_v at_o my_o silence_n which_o they_o interpret_v weakness_n and_o despair_v of_o a_o unmaintainable_a cause_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o pretend_v want_n of_o mean_n for_o my_o disability_n some_o of_o their_o friend_n offer_v to_o get_v any_o thing_n print_v which_o shall_v concern_v either_o of_o they_o but_o i_o be_v not_o stir_v till_o a_o gentleman_n of_o quality_n and_o worth_n who_o for_o his_o friendship_n as_o i_o conceive_v to_o dr._n t._n believe_v his_o book_n true_o unanswerable_a offer_v a_o friend_n of_o i_o to_o prevail_v with_o he_o to_o get_v licence_n for_o i_o to_o print_v a_o answer_n if_o i_o will_v or_o can_v make_v any_o so_o fair_a a_o invitation_n move_v i_o to_o accept_v of_o it_o and_o i_o solicit_v with_o as_o much_o earnestness_n as_o i_o can_v the_o performance_n but_o the_o gentleman_n it_o seem_v mistake_v the_o doctor_n humour_n as_o much_o as_o his_o book_n for_o his_o credit_n prevail_v not_o all_o seem_v bush_v and_o quiet_a 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dr._n st._n will_v deserve_v wonderful_o of_o learning_n and_o the_o world_n if_o he_o will_v please_v to_o teach_v we_o this_o admirable_a new_a logic_n of_o conclude_v without_o demonstrate_v and_o demonstrate_v without_o principle_n for_o in_o the_o dull_a way_n of_o learn_v hitherto_o in_o use_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o shameful_a in_o a_o scholar_n to_o own_o he_o have_v demonstrate_v what_o he_o pretend_v shall_v be_v assent_v to_o that_o it_o be_v unpardonable_o shameful_a to_o pretend_v another_o man_n assent_n to_o that_o which_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v and_o judge_v to_o have_v demonstrate_v i_o have_v not_o time_n to_o settle_v the_o thought_n which_o these_o and_o the_o like_a passage_n stir_v up_o when_o i_o meet_v with_o the_o preface_n to_o dr._n t_o be_v sermon_n direct_v particular_o to_o i_o and_o mean_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v guess_v for_o a_o answer_n to_o two_o or_o three_o book_n i_o must_v confess_v the_o bitter_a smartness_n i_o find_v there_o and_o the_o piquant_a upbraid_v i_o with_o desert_v the_o defence_n of_o sure-footing_a though_o all_o man_n that_o care_v to_o consider_v any_o thing_n see_v i_o have_v already_o write_v two_o book_n in_o defence_n of_o it_o stir_v i_o sufficient_o but_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o all_o this_o provoke_a raillery_n will_v have_v prevail_v with_o i_o to_o answer_v particular_o if_o i_o have_v not_o think_v they_o will_v not_o have_v urge_v i_o so_o press_o if_o their_o friend_n have_v not_o indeed_o desire_v i_o shall_v write_v and_o that_o certain_o i_o shall_v not_o offend_v sober_a man_n of_o what_o persuasion_n soever_o by_o do_v only_o what_o themselves_o so_o press_v wary_a people_n have_v indeed_o suggest_v to_o i_o that_o the_o desire_n of_o adversary_n be_v suspicious_a and_o the_o more_o because_o of_o the_o time_n they_o have_v both_o choose_v since_o they_o can_v not_o but_o foresee_v i_o and_o other_o answer_n will_v in_o likelihood_n come_v out_o about_o the_o time_n when_o the_o parliament_n be_v design_v to_o sit_v which_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o proper_a season_n to_o inflame_v the_o mind_n of_o such_o as_o be_v apt_a to_o believe_v they_o and_o stir_v up_o a_o new_a persecution_n by_o make_v those_o answer_n which_o themselves_o have_v so_o provokingly_a and_o peremptory_o press_v for_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o insolency_n of_o papist_n and_o the_o growth_n of_o popery_n at_o least_o i_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o great_a security_n for_o one_o in_o my_o circumstance_n than_o to_o mean_v upright_o and_o i_o hope_v every_o body_n will_v see_v by_o my_o long_a silence_n i_o have_v use_v all_o the_o caution_n i_o can_v not_o to_o give_v just_a cause_n of_o offence_n and_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v none_o to_o write_v when_o i_o be_o press_o and_o public_o solicit_v and_o this_o with_o no_o other_o design_n than_o to_o contribute_v if_o i_o can_v to_o the_o long_o desire_a happiness_n of_o bring_v dispute_n and_o disagreement_n in_o religion_n to_o a_o period_n if_o this_o be_v insolence_n or_o crime_n i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o honest_a man_n in_o this_o nation_n or_o world_n who_o be_v innocent_a once_o more_o than_o i_o take_v my_o pen_n in_o hand_n with_o this_o promise_n to_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n that_o if_o it_o be_v not_o stop_v again_o by_o their_o indirect_a proceed_n as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o judge_v the_o print_n of_o this_o have_v be_v already_o by_o the_o diligent_a search_v for_o it_o they_o shall_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v of_o any_o arrear_n of_o i_o but_o what_o need_v any_o apologize_n at_o present_a to_o prevent_v a_o sinister_a character_n of_o my_o write_n the_o point_n in_o hand_n now_o be_v neither_o the_o defend_v any_o tenet_n of_o protestant_n or_o presbyterian_a on_o dr._n t_n side_n nor_o the_o impugn_v they_o on_o i_o the_o main_a business_n controvert_v between_o he_o and_o i_o at_o present_a be_v whether_o faith_n be_v absolutely-certain_a or_o rather_o as_o he_o call_v it_o only_a moral_o such_o in_o which_o point_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o to_o have_v all_o unprejudiced_a conscientious_a man_n of_o both_o those_o party_n now_o name_v on_o my_o side_n and_o against_o he_o there_o be_v creep_v into_o tho_o world_n insensible_o and_o scepticism_n be_v now_o hatch_n it_o a_o sect_n more_o dangerous_a than_o any_o that_o have_v hitherto_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n in_o particular_a point_n they_o go_v as_o yet_o under_o the_o name_n of_o christian_n because_o they_o profess_v many_o perhaps_o most_o point_v of_o christianity_n but_o yet_o if_o we_o may_v trust_v their_o own_o expression_n so_o as_o thence_o to_o frame_v a_o judgement_n of_o they_o have_v notwithstanding_o no_o faith_n at_o all_o or_o no_o hearty_a firm_a immovable_a assent_n to_o those_o point_n or_o any_o of_o they_o as_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o dwindle_a apprehension_n or_o at_o most_o a_o good_a lusty_a hope_n that_o by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n they_o be_v true_a or_o at_o least_o may_v be_v true_a now_o these_o man_n on_o the_o one_o side_n own_v no_o infallible_a or_o absolutely-certain_a authority_n so_o to_o preserve_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a or_o defend_v it_o from_o the_o weakness_n of_o their_o speculation_n that_o be_v to_o protect_v it_o from_o possibility_n of_o be_v a_o error_n on_o the_o other_o side_n rely_v either_o on_o some_o authority_n hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la fallible_a that_o be_v which_o they_o see_v may_v perhaps_o be_v actual_o deceive_v in_o all_o it_o propose_v or_o else_o on_o their_o own_o speculation_n and_o wit_n whether_o exercise_v in_o argue_v from_o thing_n or_o in_o interpret_n scripture_n letter_n and_o withal_o be_v man_n of_o some_o part_n and_o so_o see_v it_o impossible_a to_o make_v out_o that_o either_o those_o reason_n be_v conclusive_a or_o demonstrative_a or_o that_o their_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o possible_o a_o mistake_n hence_o they_o be_v force_v to_o confess_v in_o equivalent_a term_n all_o christian_a faith_n may_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_n though_o they_o express_v it_o wary_o and_o crafty_o because_o they_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o conceit_n of_o the_o generality_n who_o use_v that_o word_n and_o the_o whole_a genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v opposite_a to_o their_o sentiment_n in_o that_o point_n nature_n therefore_o stand_v against_o they_o necessitate_v they_o contrary_a perhaps_o to_o their_o intention_n take_v they_o in_o other_o circumstance_n to_o pursue_v indirect_a way_n and_o so_o at_o unaware_o though_o certain_o not_o without_o some_o mixture_n of_o carelessness_n and_o precipitant_a passion_n to_o undermine_v the_o solid_a foundation_n of_o faith_n the_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o work_v this_o mischief_n be_v first_o to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n
and_o demonstration_n that_o be_v at_o all_o absolutely-certain_a ground_n and_o conclusion_n which_o if_o they_o can_v bring_v into_o disgrace_n and_o contempt_n as_o they_o hope_v they_o may_v because_o such_o reflection_n be_v unusual_a and_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o fancy_n of_o the_o generality_n they_o see_v plain_o their_o work_n be_v do_v and_o that_o all_o infallibility_n and_o absolute_a certainty_n which_o stand_v against_o they_o because_o they_o can_v with_o no_o show_n of_o reason_n pretend_v to_o it_o must_v be_v quite_o overthrow_v the_o next_o way_n they_o take_v be_v to_o abuse_v with_o ironies_n any_o man_n who_o offer_v or_o attempt_n to_o settle_v faith_n on_o immovable_o certain_a ground_n as_o confident_a swagger_a man_n or_o vapour_a dogmatist_n as_o if_o it_o be_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o confidence_n to_o say_v and_o go_v about_o to_o maintain_v that_o christian_a faith_n can_v possible_o be_v a_o lie_a imposture_n or_o that_o god_n can_v deceive_v we_o in_o the_o ground_n he_o have_v lay_v for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n a_o three_o mean_v they_o use_v be_v to_o abuse_v and_o baffle_v the_o nature_n of_o true_a certainty_n by_o clap_v to_o it_o the_o epithet_n of_o moral_a and_o then_o propose_v that_o to_o the_o world_n dilate_v upon_o it_o and_o fit_v it_o to_o faith_n as_o well_o as_o they_o be_v able_a which_o conception_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o fancy_n even_o of_o the_o weak_a they_o hope_v it_o will_v take_v with_o those_o who_o reflect_v not_o that_o the_o basis_n of_o mankind_n salvation_n must_v be_v incomparable_o more_o secure_a than_o that_o which_o we_o usual_o have_v for_o the_o attainment_n of_o a_o bag_n of_o money_n a_o place_n at_o court_n merchandise_n from_o the_o indies_n and_o such_o like_a trivial_a concern_v four_o they_o avoid_v by_o all_o mean_n look_v narrow_o into_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n truth_n assent_n demonstration_n principle_n or_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o consequence_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o produce_v and_o above_o all_o settle_v themselves_o or_o yield_v to_o any_o conclusive_a method_n of_o discourse_v propose_v by_o other_o or_o any_o other_o thing_n equivalent_a to_o these_o and_o in_o their_o stead_n they_o be_v give_v to_o talk_v much_o of_o probability_n fair_a proof_n great_a likelihood_n more_o credible_a opinion_n prudential_n reason_n or_o such_o as_o be_v fit_a to_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n of_o not-doubting_a see_v no_o just_a cause_n of_o doubt_n and_o suchlike_a bashful_a and_o feeble_a expression_n which_o they_o dress_v up_o plausible_o and_o talk_v pretty_o and_o doubt_v not_o but_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o find_v understanding_n enough_o so_o shallow_a as_o to_o admire_v their_o superficial_a gayness_n this_o be_v the_o character_n of_o this_o dangerous_a sect_n of_o which_o what_o opinion_n we_o be_v to_o have_v or_o by_o what_o name_n to_o to_o call_v they_o this_o short_a discourse_n will_v inform_v we_o if_o we_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o christianity_n or_o have_v any_o notion_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o that_o word_n it_o be_v questionless_a this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o attain_v bliss_n or_o heaven_n by_o nor_o do_v any_o christian_a doubt_n but_o that_o it_o perform_v this_o by_o raise_v we_o to_o a_o vigorous_a hope_n of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n attainable_a and_o to_o a_o ardent_a and_o over_o pour_a love_n of_o it_o in_o christian_a language_n call_v charity_n as_o also_o that_o both_o these_o excellent_a virtue_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o basis_n of_o faith_n this_o be_v as_o s._n paul_n call_v it_o the_o substance_n of_o thing_n to_o be_v hope_v for_o the_o argument_n that_o be_v the_o conviction_n of_o thing_n unseen_a again_o common_a reason_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o assent_n of_o faith_n depend_v on_o its_o ground_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v strong_a than_o they_o be_v these_o thing_n understand_v let_v we_o consider_v how_o impossible_a it_o be_v that_o any_o one_o shall_v have_v a_o efficacious_a hope_n and_o a_o love_n of_o heaven_n while_o he_o judge_v himself_o capable_a to_o understand_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n and_o yet_o see_v they_o may_v be_v all_o false_a and_o consequent_o that_o perhaps_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o this_o thing_n call_v heaven_n can_v any_o one_o that_o be_v not_o frantic_a connatural_o hope_v for_o and_o love_v effectual_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o see_v perhaps_o be_v not_o or_o have_v not_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o its_o existence_n a_o merchant_n hope_n and_o desire_v wealth_n from_o the_o indies_n but_o then_o he_o hold_v it_o absolute_o true_a that_o there_o be_v in_o nature_n such_o a_o thing_n as_o wealth_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o chimaera_n else_o he_o be_v mad_a either_o to_o hope_v or_o desire_v it_o and_o stark_o mad_a to_o love_v it_o above_o all_o thing_n as_o we_o must_v do_v heaven_n even_o above_o the_o dear_a good_n he_o at_o present_a see_v experience_n possess_v and_o actual_o enjoy_v wherefore_o to_o omit_v diverse_a argument_n produce_v for_o this_o point_n in_o faith_n vindicate_v from_o p._n 144._o to_o p._n 164._o it_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o deny_v any_o ground_n for_o faith_n but_o what_o we_o see_v be_v onely-moral_o certain_a that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v unable_a to_o breed_v that_o disposition_n in_o the_o soul_n as_o fit_v it_o for_o heaven_n and_o so_o as_o far_o as_o be_v on_o its_o part_n destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o christianity_n or_o the_o mean_n to_o carry_v soul_n to_o heaven_n in_o those_o man_n who_o see_v that_o what_o they_o be_v to_o love_v above_o all_o thing_n be_v perhaps_o a_o chimaera_n wherefore_o be_v by_o this_o mean_v destitute_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o christianity_n they_o be_v conclude_v take_v they_o precise_o as_o hold_v this_o tenet_n of_o faith_n possible_a falsehood_n to_o be_v in_o reality_n no_o christian_n though_o they_o shall_v profess_v all_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v how_o catholic_n that_o speculate_v amiss_o become_v not_o liable_a to_o this_o note_n i_o have_v show_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n p._n 129_o 130._o and_o elsewhere_o in_o this_o present_a treatise_n if_o these_o man_n than_o be_v not_o indeed_o or_o in_o true_a speech_n christian_n what_o must_v we_o call_v they_o seeker_n no_o for_o these_o though_o they_o judge_v they_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v out_o certain_o what_o be_v truth_n yet_o they_o hold_v it_o be_v to_o be_v find_v and_o thence_o continue_v to_o inquire_v after_o it_o whereas_o these_o man_n be_v double_o irrational_a first_o in_o rest_v satisfy_v when_o as_o they_o see_v they_o have_v not_o yet_o find_v out_o certain_o that_o what_o they_o hold_v to_o be_v truth_n and_o which_o be_v much_o worse_o equivalent_o say_v that_o it_o can_v be_v find_v out_o to_o be_v truth_n by_o say_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v bear_v it_o atheist_n or_o jew_n they_o be_v not_o because_o they_o deny_v not_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o christianity_n though_o they_o do_v not_o hold_v they_o absolute_o certain_a nor_o yet_o be_v they_o take_v under_o this_o notion_n heretic_n for_o those_o deny_v still_o some_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o other_o whereas_o these_o man_n may_v deny_v none_o but_o hold_v all_o and_o yet_o be_v what_o they_o be_v their_o error_n consist_v in_o a_o wrong_a apprehension_n concern_v the_o ground_n or_o certainty_n of_o faith_n which_o render_v all_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n ineffectual_a for_o for_o what_o they_o be_v intend_v whence_o the_o malice_n of_o this_o tenet_n be_v something_o above_o that_o of_o heresy_n as_o not_o destroy_v some_o one_o or_o a_o few_o point_n but_o quite_o enervate_v all_o faith_n nor_o yet_o be_v they_o mere_a sceptic_n in_o religion_n or_o hover_v indifferent_o between_o the_o opposite_a side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n but_o they_o bend_v strong_o towards_o think_v it_o true_a they_o be_v therefore_o certain_a incliner_n to_o christianity_n or_o deemer_n that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o not_o of_o the_o faithful_a that_o be_v holder_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o christs-doctrine_n but_o rather_o of_o the_o hopeful_a for_o whereas_o faith_n be_v a_o firm_a belief_n or_o assent_n that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v true_a and_o so_o settle_v the_o existence_n of_o of_o it_o and_o particular_o of_o a_o heaven_n in_o our_o mind_n antecedent_o to_o hope_n of_o attain_v heaven_n these_o man_n substitute_v hope_n to_o faith_n and_o only_o hope_v those_o point_n be_v true_a or_o in_o all_o likelihood_n may_v be_v true_a whence_o though_o this_o be_v a_o good_a name_n i_o must_v not_o say_v to_o christen_v they_o but_o to_o call_v they_o by_o yet_o perhaps_o their_o own_o dear_a word_n moral_a will_v best_a suit_n with_o their_o genius_n
to_o viz._n to_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o other_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o certain_a truth_n nay_o lay_v down_o their_o lâ—ves_n upon_o occasion_n to_o attest_v they_o be_v such_o and_o what_o be_v it_o to_o assent_v it_o be_v to_o say_v interior_o or_o judge_v very_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o and_o can_v a_o motive_n or_o reason_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a ever_o induce_v in_o true_a reason_n such_o a_o obligation_n or_o work_v rational_o such_o a_o effect_n how_o shall_v it_o be_v since_o in_o that_o case_n a_o man_n must_v on_o the_o one_o side_n judge_v the_o thing_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o he_o be_v to_o assent_v to_o it_o as_o a_o truth_n and_o yet_o must_v at_o the_o same_o tâ—me_n necessary_o judge_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o he_o see_v the_o motive_n he_o have_v offer_v he_o raise_v it_o no_o high_o that_o be_v he_o must_v hold_v both_o side_n of_o the_o contradiction_n which_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a now_o true_a evidence_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o take_v away_o all_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o oblige_v to_o assent_v and_o if_o dr._n t._n produce_v such_o proof_n as_o make_v the_o point_n true_o evident_a a_o atheist_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o obstinate_a if_o he_o do_v not_o assent_v to_o it_o but_o if_o by_o those_o word_n atheism_n be_v unreasonable_a because_o it_o require_v more_o evidence_n than_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o thing_n afford_v no_o true_a evidence_n at_o all_o and_o judge_n atheist_n unreasonable_a for_o not_o assent_v without_o true_a evidence_n because_o the_o thing_n afford_v none_o he_o in_o effect_n tell_v they_o they_o must_v forfeit_v their_o manhood_n ere_o they_o can_v be_v christian_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v more_o reflect_v on_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n or_o be_v more_o unworthy_a a_o christian_a divine_a to_o propose_v let_v we_o â—ee_n how_o far_o dr._n t._n be_v unblamable_a in_o this_o particular_a he_o discourse_v thus_o and_o since_o he_o so_o earnest_o press_v it_o we_o will_v take_v his_o word_n in_o order_n §_o 8._o aristotle_n say_v he_o have_v long_o since_o observe_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o expect_v the_o same_o kind_n of_o proof_n for_o every_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v for_o same_o thing_n aristotle_n say_v very_o well_o for_o speak_v of_o proof_n in_o common_a and_o at_o large_a those_o we_o have_v for_o success_n in_o our_o exterior_a action_n on_o the_o hope_n of_o which_o we_o proceed_v to_o act_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_v but_o probable_a but_o this_o reach_v not_o our_o present_a business_n about_o a_o deity_n in_o order_n to_o which_o this_o preamble_n be_v frame_v where_o exterior_a act_n will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n but_o a_o interior_a act_n of_o assent_v to_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o sovereign_n be_v be_v necessary_o require_v the_o question_n than_o be_v whether_o aristotle_n do_v or_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n say_v that_o a_o rational_a creature_n that_o be_v a_o creature_n who_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o deduce_v conclusion_n by_o discourse_n from_o premise_n or_o build_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o those_o upon_o the_o certain_a truth_n of_o these_o can_v be_v oblige_v in_o true_a reason_n or_o act_v according_a to_o right_a nature_n to_o assent_v judge_n or_o conclude_v a_o thing_n true_a without_o such_o motive_n or_o proof_n which_o do_v conclude_v it_o true_a or_o that_o what_o conclude_v a_o thing_n true_a do_v not_o also_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v grant_v then_o that_o in_o our_o exterior_a operation_n exercise_v upon_o particular_n where_o contingency_n rule_v we_o must_v rest_v content_v with_o probability_n of_o the_o event_n and_o proceed_v to_o act_v upon_o they_o the_o necessity_n of_o act_v oblige_v we_o for_o shall_v all_o the_o world_n surcease_v from_o action_n till_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o good_a success_n of_o it_o all_o commerce_n and_o negotiation_n must_v be_v leave_v off_o nay_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o live_v must_v be_v lay_v aside_o but_o then_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o assent_v or_o judge_v absolute_o that_o the_o thing_n will_v succeed_v well_o because_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a ground_n or_o conclusive_a reason_n for_o it_o but_o only_o that_o it_o be_v best_a to_o act_v though_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n of_o the_o success_n for_o which_o assent_n also_o we_o have_v absolute_a evidence_n from_o the_o necessity_n of_o act_v now_o speak_v of_o whereas_o on_o the_o other_o side_n where_o the_o whole_a business_n of_o our_o christian_a life_n which_o as_o such_o be_v spiritual_a be_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n or_o approach_v to_o he_o by_o ascend_v from_o virtue_n to_o virtue_n that_o be_v from_o faith_n to_o hope_n from_o hope_n to_o charity_n the_o top_n of_o all_o perfection_n the_o whole_a interior_a fabric_n be_v build_v on_o a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n which_o ground_n our_o profession_n wherefore_o if_o the_o foundation_n for_o this_o assent_n be_v not_o well_o lay_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o religion_n be_v ruinous_a now_o nature_n have_v frame_v thing_n so_o and_o the_o maxim_n of_o our_o understanding_n give_v it_o that_o those_o who_o guide_v themselves_o by_o perfect_a reason_n that_o be_v the_o strong_a and_o wise_a soul_n be_v unapt_a to_o assent_v but_o upon_o evidence_n whereas_o the_o weak_a sort_n as_o experience_n teach_v we_o be_v apt_a to_o assent_v upon_o any_o silly_a probability_n hence_o unless_o such_o man_n see_v proof_n absolute_o conclude_v those_o point_n true_a they_o be_v unapt_a to_o be_v draw_v to_o yield_v to_o they_o and_o embrace_v they_o as_o certain_a truth_n especial_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o to_o assent_v as_o there_o be_v to_o act_v outward_o in_o regard_n nature_n have_v furnish_v we_o with_o a_o faculty_n of_o suspending_a which_o nothing_o can_v subdue_v rational_o in_o such_o man_n at_o least_o but_o true_a evidence_n have_v from_o the_o object_n work_v this_o clear_a sight_n in_o they_o either_o by_o itself_o or_o else_o by_o effect_n or_o cause_n necessary_o connect_v with_o it._n other_o evidence_n i_o know_v none_o it_o may_v be_v dr._n t._n do_v let_v we_o see_v §_o 8._o mathematical_a thing_n say_v he_o be_v of_o a_o abstract_a nature_n be_v only_o capable_a of_o clear_a demonstration_n but_o conclusion_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o a_o sufficient_a induction_n of_o experiment_n thing_n of_o a_o moral_a nature_n by_o moral_a argument_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o credible_a testimony_n and_o though_o none_o of_o these_o be_v strict_a demonstration_n yet_o have_v we_o a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v prove_v by_o the_o best_a argument_n that_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v this_o discourse_n deserve_v deep_a consideration_n and_o first_o it_o will_v be_v askâ—_n why_o metaphysic_n be_v omit_v here_o which_o of_o all_o other_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v mention_v and_o that_o in_o the_o first_o place_n since_o its_o proper_a subject_n be_v those_o notion_n which_o concern_v be_v and_o to_o give_v be_v or_o create_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o he_o who_o be_v essential_a be_v whence_o it_o seem_v the_o proper_a science_n that_o be_v to_o demonstrate_v a_o deity_n in_o case_n metaphysical_a thing_n be_v demonstrable_a and_o that_o they_o be_v such_o dr._n t._n himself_o can_v deny_v for_o if_o as_o he_o say_v here_o thing_n be_v therefore_o demonstrable_a because_o they_o be_v of_o a_o abstract_a nature_n the_o object_n of_o metaphysic_n which_o be_v be_v be_v far_o more_o abstract_v from_o matter_n and_o so_o from_o motion_n and_o its_o necessary_a concomitant_a uncertainty_n or_o contingency_n than_o be_v quantity_n the_o subject_n of_o mathematics_n for_o this_o primary_n affection_n of_o body_n be_v the_o ground_n and_o proper_a cause_n of_o of_o all_o variation_n and_o unsteadiness_n since_o all_o natural_a motion_n or_o mutation_n arise_v from_o divisibility_n yet_o because_o all_o science_n be_v take_v from_o the_o thing_n as_o stand_v under_o our_o notion_n or_o conception_n and_o not_o according_a as_o they_o exist_v in_o themselves_o where_o thousand_o of_o considerability_n be_v confuse_o jumble_v into_o one_o common_a stock_n of_o existence_n or_o one_o thing_n also_o because_o we_o can_v abstract_n by_o our_o consideration_n the_o notion_n or_o nature_n of_o quantity_n nay_o consider_v the_o same_o quantity_n mere_o as_o affect_v body_n as_o it_o be_v steady_o or_o extend_v it_o without_o consider_v the_o same_o quantity_n as_o the_o proper_a cause_n or_o source_n of_o motion_n hence_o the_o mathematics_n have_v title_n to_o be_v true_o and_o
all_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o lie_n that_o they_o proceed_v on_o all_o their_o religion_n for_o all_o this_o be_v wicked_a and_o the_o the_o most_o zealous_a devotion_n to_o dame_n juno_n and_o the_o rest_n nay_o die_a for_o their_o sake_n be_v notwithstanding_o their_o good_a meaning_n in_o common_a dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n and_o firm_a principle_n a_o diabolical_a and_o mischievous_a action_n not_o a_o jot_n better_o as_o to_o the_o effect_n of_o gain_v heaven_n than_o the_o make_v their_o child_n pass_v through_o the_o fire_n to_o moloch_n pervert_v and_o destroy_v the_o soul_n that_o perform_v it_o nay_o die_v for_o it_o by_o addict_v it_o to_o what_o be_v not_o its_o true_a last_o end_n or_o eternal_a good_a and_o all_o this_o because_o there_o want_v truth_n at_o the_o bottom_n to_o render_v those_o action_n and_o suffering_n virtuous_a wherefore_o unless_o dr._n t._n produce_v some_o immovable_a ground_n to_o establish_v christianity_n to_o be_v most_o certain_o true_a especial_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n which_o enfeeble_v all_o the_o rest_n fall_v down_o to_o the_o ground_n he_o can_v never_o convince_v that_o either_o act_n or_o suffer_v for_o it_o be_v a_o virtue_n any_o more_o than_o it_o be_v in_o heathenism_n when_o the_o same_o be_v do_v for_o their_o false_a god_n and_o so_o he_o can_v never_o with_o reason_n persuade_v his_o auditory_a to_o it_o but_o have_v once_o prove_v that_o it_o matter_n less_o whether_o all_o the_o assenter_n penetrate_v the_o full_a force_n of_o the_o motive_n or_o no_o for_o if_o once_o it_o be_v put_v to_o be_v true_a all_o action_n and_o suffering_n proceed_v from_o those_o truth_n shall_v connatural_o addict_v those_o soul_n to_o their_o true_a last_o end_n and_o dispose_v they_o for_o it_o though_o their_o understanding_n be_v never_o so_o imperfect_a and_o their_o good_a or_o well-meaning_a will_n certain_o bring_v they_o to_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v because_o their_o will_n and_o its_o affection_n be_v good_a which_o they_o can_v not_o be_v as_o be_v prove_v be_v they_o not_o build_v upon_o some_o truth_n §_o 9_o again_o dr._n t._n discourse_v all_o along_o as_o if_o all_o be_v well_o when_o one_o be_v free_a from_o all_o doubt_n but_o i_o will_v desire_v his_o friend_n serious_o to_o ask_v he_o one_o question_n which_o be_v whether_o though_o his_o ground_n exclude_v all_o doubt_n from_o his_o mind_n at_o present_a yet_o he_o see_v any_o certain_a reason_n why_o he_o may_v not_o perhaps_o come_v to_o doubt_v of_o all_o his_o faith_n and_o even_o of_o a_o godhead_n too_o to_o morrow_n if_o he_o say_v he_o see_v not_o but_o he_o may_v he_o must_v say_v withal_o that_o he_o see_v it_o not_o and_o consequent_o hold_v it_o not_o to_o be_v true_a for_o if_o he_o once_o see_v it_o to_o be_v truth_n he_o can_v not_o hold_v it_o possible_a ever_o to_o be_v doubt_v of_o with_o reason_n if_o he_o affirm_v that_o he_o see_v he_o can_v never_o come_v with_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o than_o he_o see_v his_o ground_n for_o hold_v it_o can_v possible_o be_v show_v false_a else_o it_o may_v both_o be_v doubt_v and_o what_o be_v more_o deny_v and_o if_o he_o hold_v his_o ground_n can_v possible_o be_v make_v out_o to_o be_v false_a than_o he_o must_v say_v they_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o if_o they_o be_v humane_a authority_n infallible_a which_o yet_o he_o stiff_o deny_v but_o the_o plain_a truth_n be_v he_o hold_v not_o by_o virtue_n of_o any_o ground_n he_o lay_v his_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a but_o only_o a_o plausible_a likelihood_n else_o common_a sense_n will_v force_v he_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o stand_v to_o it_o that_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o he_o build_v his_o assent_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o not_o to_o palliate_v his_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o with_o such_o raw_a principle_n and_o petty_a craft_n to_o avoid_v a_o honest_a downright_a procedure_n which_o be_v to_o say_v plain_o my_o ground_n can_v fail_v of_o conclude_v the_o thing_n absolute_o true_a i_o will_v justify_v they_o to_o be_v such_o and_o here_o they_o be_v but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o this_o that_o the_o best_a word_n he_o afford_v they_o who_o do_v this_o right_n to_o christianity_n be_v to_o call_v they_o vapour_a and_o swagger_a man_n with_o all_o the_o disgraceful_a irony_n he_o can_v put_v upon_o they_o §_o 10._o by_o this_o time_n my_o last_o charge_n that_o this_o firm_a principle_n of_o he_o betray_v all_o religion_n into_o the_o possibility_n i_o may_v have_v say_v likelihood_n of_o be_v a_o lie_n instead_o of_o establish_v it_o be_v already_o make_v good_a and_o needs_o only_o a_o short_a rehearsal_n for_o 1._o he_o assert_n that_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o a_o deity_n unless_o we_o entertain_v his_o firm_a principle_n which_o be_v so_o full_o stuff_v with_o nonsense_n and_o folly_n that_o unlesâ—_n it_o be_v in_o bedlam_n i_o know_v no_o place_n in_o england_n where_o it_o be_v like_a to_o find_v entertainment_n that_o the_o evidence_n or_o visibleness_n of_o a_o object_n beget_v certainty_n in_o we_o be_v that_o which_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n ever_o teach_v i_o and_o all_o mankind_n hitherto_o but_o that_o the_o obscurity_n of_o a_o object_n or_o its_o afford_v we_o no_o true_a evidence_n ground_v our_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o it_o nay_o that_o even_o its_o incapableness_n to_o afford_v we_o any_o in_o our_o circumstance_n and_o consequent_o our_o despair_n of_o see_v any_o such_o evidence_n for_o it_o shall_v contribute_v to_o make_v we_o certain_a of_o it_o nay_o more_o that_o this_o must_v be_v entertain_v as_o a_o firm_a principle_n and_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o be_v obtrude_v upon_o all_o mankind_n under_o such_o a_o unmerciful_a penalty_n that_o unless_o they_o entertain_v this_o as_o honourable_o as_o a_o firm_a principle_n not_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v certain_a of_o any_o thing_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v such_o a_o super-transcendent_a absurdity_n as_o surpass_v all_o belief_n or_o even_o imagination_n but_o a_o rhetorician_n may_v say_v any_o thing_n when_o talk_v pretty_a plausibility_n be_v only_o in_o vogue_n and_o a_o melodious_a gingle_n to_o please_v the_o ear_n be_v more_o modish_a than_o solid_a reason_n to_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n next_o he_o vouch_v not_o any_o reason_n he_o bring_v to_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a and_o consequent_o own_v not_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n no_o not_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a which_o not_o to_o assert_v but_o as_o have_v be_v show_v from_o his_o firm_a principle_n equivalent_o to_o deny_v even_o then_o when_o he_o be_v maintain_v it_o be_v a_o intolerable_a prejudice_n to_o that_o weighty_a and_o excellent_a cause_n he_o have_v undertake_v and_o so_o be_v engage_v to_o defend_v 3._o he_o wave_v the_o conclusiveness_n of_o his_o reason_n that_o the_o thing_n be_v true_a and_o content_v himself_o that_o it_o keep_v we_o free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n which_o reach_v not_o assent_v for_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n be_v to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a and_o so_o not_o to_o doubt_v be_v bare_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o be_v far_o short_a of_o hold_v it_o true_a and_o consequent_o from_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n beside_o our_o not_o doubt_v may_v be_v in_o many_o regard_v faulty_a and_o spring_n from_o surprise_n passion_n and_o ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o from_o ignorance_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v but_o a_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v faulty_a wherefore_o to_o relinquish_v the_o patronage_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o validity_n that_o be_v absolute_a conclusiveness_n of_o christian_a proof_n of_o which_o there_o be_v good_a store_n for_o this_o point_n defend_v only_o their_o plausibility_n and_o instead_o of_o that_o victorious_a way_n of_o convince_a the_o understanding_n into_o assent_n require_v only_o a_o feeble_a not_o doubt_v be_v in_o plain_a term_n to_o betray_v his_o cause_n and_o tacit_o or_o rather_o indeed_o too_o open_o to_o accuse_v christianity_n of_o a_o infirmity_n in_o its_o ground_n as_o be_v incapable_a to_o effect_v what_o they_o ought_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o to_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n 4._o by_o make_v our_o certainty_n of_o it_o or_o the_o adequate_a effect_n of_o its_o motive_n consist_v mere_o in_o our_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o he_o make_v its_o effect_n and_o consequent_o the_o efficacy_n of_o those_o motive_n themselves_o no_o better_a than_o those_o which_o heathen_n turk_n and_o heretic_n have_v for_o these_o also_o exclude_v actual_a doubt_n from_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o these_o respective_a sect_n if_o he_o say_v christian_n have_v no_o just_a reason_n
whatever_o be_v good_a in_o those_o act_n of_o faith_n be_v refund_v into_o god_n the_o author_n of_o every_o good_a gift_n as_o its_o original_a cause_n what_o defective_a into_o the_o limitedness_n and_o imperfection_n of_o creature_n §_o 5._o this_o tenet_n of_o infallibility_n which_o unprejudiced_a nature_n teach_v even_o the_o rude_a in_o thing_n subject_a to_o sense_n and_o common_a reason_n and_o learned_a man_n in_o thing_n provable_a by_o exact_a art_n the_o adversary_n of_o true_a certainty_n our_o sceptic_n in_o religion_n endeavour_v to_o render_v ridiculous_a and_o cast_v a_o mist_n about_o it_o by_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a pretence_n that_o ever_o be_v invent_v which_o be_v to_o affirm_v that_o a_o man_n can_v be_v infallible_a in_o one_o thing_n but_o he_o must_v be_v so_o in_o all_o as_o if_o i_o can_v not_o infallible_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o my_o chamber_n or_o practise_v open_o among_o those_o i_o converse_v with_o but_o i_o must_v be_v likewise_o infallible_a in_o know_v what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o moon_n and_o dr._n t._n be_v one_o of_o these_o for_o contradiction_n be_v as_o natural_a to_o he_o as_o it_o be_v to_o a_o fish_n to_o swim_v who_o tell_v we_o here_o pag._n 19_o that_o omniscience_n within_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n be_v a_o infinite_a within_o a_o finite_a sphere_n as_o if_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o to_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v to_o know_v infinite_a or_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n or_o so_o hard_a to_o comprehend_v that_o one_o may_v know_v all_o the_o money_n in_o one_o purse_n without_o know_v all_o the_o money_n that_o be_v extant_a or_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o room_n without_o know_v all_o mankind_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v show_v we_o why_o know_v all_o in_o such_o a_o particular_a matter_n must_v needs_o argue_v a_o infinite_a knowledge_n or_o why_o the_o know_v all_o thing_n in_o a_o determinate_a sphere_n which_o last_o word_n when_o he_o come_v to_o answer_v that_o be_v break_v his_o jest_n our_o prevaricator_n prudent_o omit_v may_v not_o consist_v with_o a_o ignorance_n of_o many_o thing_n out_o of_o that_o sphere_n must_v the_o word_n all_o in_o such_o a_o matter_n need_v signify_v infinite_a or_o do_v the_o common_a reason_n ever_o thus_o go_v wrack_n i_o suppose_v my_o friend_n resolute_a hazard_n against_o identical_a proposition_n make_v he_o fall_v into_o this_o more_o than_o childish_a mistake_n for_o this_o plain_a truth_n what_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o be_v all_o but_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o have_v preserve_v he_o from_o this_o nonsense_n but_o he_o take_v this_o for_o his_o ground_n to_o proceed_v upon_o that_o all_o in_o one_o matter_n only_o 〈◊〉_d all_o in_o every_o matter_n or_o which_o be_v more_o be_v infinite_a and_o so_o still_o he_o continue_v most_o learned_o to_o lay_v contradiction_n for_o his_o first_o principle_n because_o their_o interest_n and_o his_o be_v inseparable_o linkâ—_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n identical_a proposition_n this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v a_o very_a smart_n and_o ingenious_a kind_n of_o reason_v and_o proper_a to_o dr._n t._n unless_o perhaps_o his_o swear_a brother_n at_o hate_v first_a principle_n and_o papist_n put_v in_o for_o a_o share_n it_o appear_v by_o a_o certain_a paper_n call_v dr._n stillingfleet_n against_o dr._n stillingfleet_n he_o be_v a_o strong_a pretender_n and_o will_v cry_v half_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o examine_v his_o answer_n §_o 6._o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a indeed_o to_o truth_n that_o every_o one_o shall_v demonstrate_v a_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v â—_o contradiction_n for_o the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v know_v also_o through_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o those_o who_o can_v demonstrate_v but_o yet_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v demonstrable_a else_o it_o be_v not_o knowable_a or_o ascertainable_a for_o demonstrable_a be_v a_o plain_a honest_a word_n what_o game_n soever_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n make_v at_o it_o and_o import_v no_o more_o abstract_n from_o subtle_a quirk_n but_o only_o capable_a to_o be_v know_v or_o intellectual_o see_v by_o way_n of_o proof_n whence_o a_o learned_a man_n who_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o strength_n of_o severe_a reason_n ought_v either_o to_o demonstrate_v it_o or_o he_o fall_v short_a of_o his_o dâ—â—y_n once_o more_o i_o desire_v dr._n t._n to_o take_v i_o right_n and_o to_o reflect_v that_o when_o i_o say_v the_o thing_n be_v demonstrable_a or_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v i_o do_v not_o take_v the_o word_n demonstration_n with_o all_o those_o many_o subtlety_n and_o perquisit_n the_o school_n require_v i_o as_o little_a love_n nicety_n as_o any_o man_n live_v and_o can_v as_o easy_o dispense_v with_o they_o so_o the_o solid_a part_n be_v well_o provide_v for_o and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n establish_v which_o if_o it_o be_v not_o do_v i_o make_v account_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o these_o case_n in_o which_o assent_n &_o die_v to_o attest_v thing_n to_o be_v truth_n be_v require_v i_o only_o mean_v then_o by_o demonstration_n such_o a_o proof_n as_o be_v take_v not_o from_o any_o exrinsecal_n consideration_n as_o be_v authority_n which_o ground_n belief_n but_o from_o the_o intrinsical_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o subject_n in_o dispute_n and_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o necessary_o conclude_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v which_o can_v be_v possible_o do_v without_o engage_v final_o some_o identical_a proposition_n or_o that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v on_o which_o all_o be_v build_v now_o this_o be_v evident_o so_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o let_v dr._n t._n show_v the_o contrary_a i_o will_v ask_v our_o verbal_a divine_a why_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o be_v prove_v by_o necessary_a conclude_a argument_n both_o the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o will_v have_v man_n assent_v most_o firm_o to_o faith_n build_v according_a to_o he_o sole_o upon_o their_o certainty_n be_v it_o not_o his_o intent_n in_o his_o discourse_n to_o conclude_v what_o he_o speak_v of_o how_o can_v he_o do_v this_o unless_o he_o show_v the_o conclusion_n necessary_o follow_v again_o do_v he_o not_o intend_v to_o conclude_v it_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o this_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n he_o must_v do_v so_o or_o else_o he_o can_v never_o pretend_v that_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v truth_n and_o if_o he_o prove_v it_o truâ—_n must_v he_o not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n prove_v its_o contradictory_n false_a and_o be_v any_o thing_n false_a but_o what_o say_v a_o thing_n be_v so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o so_o or_o be_v not_o so_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n can_v never_o conclude_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a unless_o he_o bring_v a_o proof_n necessary_o engage_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v unless_o according_a to_o my_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n he_o both_o demonstrate_v and_o also_o show_v the_o contrary_a necessary_o to_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n both_o these_o satisfactory_a certainty_n my_o ground_n attribute_v to_o scripture_n letter_n and_o sense_n see_v surâ—f_n pag._n 116_o 117_o in_o point_n appertain_v to_o faith_n and_o he_o here_o deny_v both_o pag._n 10._o whence_o be_v see_v which_o of_o we_o two_o have_v more_o real_a honour_n and_o respect_n for_o scripture_n he_o who_o make_v neither_o its_o letter_n or_o sense_n to_o have_v any_o ground_n able_a to_o ascertain_v they_o that_o be_v as_o to_o our_o purpose_n make_v they_o good_a for_o nothing_o or_o i_o who_o grant_v and_o prove_v both_o §_o 7._o i_o suppose_v dr._n t_n will_n say_v again_o as_o he_o do_v in_o that_o point_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v a_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v true_a to_o his_o firm_a principle_n and_o make_v all_o faith_n alike_o uncertain_a i_o answer_v the_o more_o blame_n will_v fall_v to_o their_o share_n who_o take_v away_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o way_n of_o authority_n or_o first_o authority_n namely_o tradition_n which_o and_o only_o which_o can_v authenticate_v book_n and_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o high_a concern_v practical_o carry_v down_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o so_o easy_o preserve_v the_o book_n significative_a of_o the_o same_o sense_n noâ—_n doubt_v i_o but_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a that_o the_o practice_n of_o england_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o the_o thing_n join_v with_o the_o necessary_a evidence_n of_o any_o alteration_n in_o a_o matter_n daily_o so_o nice_o canvas_v and_o continual_o use_v can_v and_o
more_o blasphemous_a against_o essential_a truth_n and_o goodness_n farther_o i_o declare_v it_o be_v my_o tenet_n that_o notwithstanding_o this_o failure_n in_o some_o particular_n yet_o i_o hold_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v so_o familiar_o acquaint_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o testify_v authority_n as_o to_o know_v gross_o and_o confuse_o by_o mean_n of_o practical_a self-evidence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o proceed_v upon_o and_o thence_o either_o discern_v themselves_o if_o they_o be_v very_o prudential_a or_o else_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v make_v discern_v who_o proceed_v upon_o that_o rule_n who_o not_o hence_o also_o i_o hold_v that_o tradition_n or_o testify_a authority_n be_v the_o best_a provision_n that_o can_v be_v make_v for_o all_o mankind_n to_o receive_v faith_n upon_o it_o be_v the_o most_o familiar_o and_o most_o obvious_o knowable_a and_o penetrable_a by_o all_o sort_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v and_o far_o more_o than_o language_n translation_n &_o transcription_n on_o which_o the_o letter-rule_n depend_v last_o i_o hold_v that_o what_o be_v thus_o practical_o self-evident_a that_o be_v know_v in_o gross_a and_o confuse_o by_o the_o vulgar_a be_v demonstrable_a to_o the_o learned_a who_o scan_v with_o exact_a art_n the_o nature_n of_o those_o cause_n which_o wrought_v constant_o that_o certify_a effect_n in_o the_o generality_n and_o find_v out_o according_a to_o what_o precise_o they_o have_v that_o certify_a virtue_n which_o find_v it_o will_v be_v the_o proper_a medium_fw-la to_o demonstrate_v the_o certainty_n of_o that_o authority_n by_o this_o be_v my_o true_a tenet_n which_o my_o prevaricate_a adversary_n perpetual_o mistake_v because_o he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o he_o therefore_o will_v do_v it_o because_o it_o must_v be_v do_v in_o mala_fw-la causa_fw-la as_o st._n austin_n say_v non_fw-la possunt_fw-la aliter_fw-la §_o 12._o he_o go_v about_o to_o argue_v pag._n 15._o from_o the_o end_n of_o faith_n and_o allege_v that_o a_o freedom_n from_o see_v just_a cause_n of_o doubt_v the_o authority_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n may_v make_v one_o believe_v or_o real_o assent_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o live_v according_o and_o be_v save_v by_o which_o i_o conceive_v he_o judge_v a_o christian_n life_n consist_v in_o move_v one_o leg_n arm_n or_o hand_n for_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o stir_v we_o up_o to_o external_n action_n that_o the_o motive_n be_v only_o probable_a but_o if_o a_o christian_n life_n be_v spiritual_a consist_v in_o interior_a act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_n as_o a_o vigorous_a hope_n and_o a_o fervent_a love_n of_o unseen_a and_o unconceivable_a good_n with_o other_o virtue_n subservient_fw-fr to_o these_o and_o all_o these_o depend_v on_o faith_n as_o their_o basis_n and_o faith_n depend_v for_o its_o truth_n which_o give_v it_o all_o its_o efficacy_n on_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o doubt_v it_o will_v scarce_o suffice_v to_o work_v these_o effect_n hearty_o if_o learned_a man_n speak_v out_o candid_o and_o tell_v the_o christian_n they_o be_v to_o govern_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o they_o can_v discern_v they_o can_v see_v absolute_o speak_v that_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o certain_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o high_a likelihood_n a_o more_o credible_a opinion_n or_o a_o fair_a probability_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v beyond_o all_o these_o and_o so_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o main_a point_n then_o that_o dr._n t._n ever_o miss_v in_o be_v this_o that_o he_o still_o omit_v to_o state_n what_o certainty_n be_v due_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o its_o ground_n per_fw-la se_fw-la loquendo_fw-la or_o according_a to_o its_o own_o nature_n and_o the_o interior_a act_n it_o must_v produce_v and_o the_o difficulty_n it_o must_v struggle_v through_o and_o overcome_v even_o in_o the_o wise_a and_o most_o rational_a person_n who_o be_v to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o its_o verity_n and_o so_o embrace_v it_o 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as_o it_o be_v sink_v it_o deep_o in_o the_o know_a power_n than_o another_o do_v which_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o several_a disposition_n of_o the_o subject_a or_o the_o antecedent_n love_n of_o god_n which_o when_o it_o be_v great_a it_o more_o intimate_o and_o close_o apply_v the_o divine_a object_n to_o the_o ferventlyâ—addicted_v power_n again_o on_o the_o object_n side_n there_o may_v be_v in_o some_o sense_n several_a degree_n even_o of_o absolute_a impossibility_n first_o because_o of_o the_o great_a disproportion_n of_o the_o object_n to_o the_o power_n as_o put_v case_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o twenty_o man_n shall_v lift_v such_o a_o weight_n it_o be_v good_a sense_n to_o say_v if_o twenty_o man_n can_v lift_v it_o much_o less_o can_v two_o or_o if_o ten_o man_n can_v possible_o resist_v the_o force_n of_o five_o hundred_o much_o less_o can_v they_o resist_v ten_o thousand_o of_o equal_a strength_n next_o because_o one_o of_o the_o impossibles_fw-fr depend_v upon_o another_o aâ—_n if_o be_v impossible_a the_o conclusion_n shall_v be_v false_a it_o be_v more_o impossible_a the_o premise_n shall_v be_v so_o and_o yet_o more_o that_o the_o very_o first_o principle_n shall_v or_o thus_o it_o be_v impossible_a 2_o and_o 3_o shall_v not_o make_v â—_o yet_o it_o be_v more_o impossible_a god_n who_o be_v self-existence_n shall_v not_o be_v because_o in_o these_o the_o late_a impossibility_n which_o depend_v on_o the_o formeâ—_n be_v only_o impossible_a by_o consequence_n though_o still_o absolute_o such_o that_o be_v be_v not_o at_o all_o impossible_a if_o that_o which_o ground_n it_o be_v not_o so_o whence_o be_v see_v that_o unless_o dr._n t._n will_v say_v that_o all_o create_a understanding_n be_v of_o the_o selfsame_a pitch_n of_o excellence_n he_o must_v say_v that_o even_o suppose_v â—he_v selfsame_o object_n or_o motive_n apt_a to_o assure_v infallible_o one_o may_v better_o penetrate_v it_o and_o so_o be_v more_o
object_n it_o be_v possible_a or_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o god_n power_n to_o make_v all_o mankind_n err_v yet_o take_v in_o his_o other_o attribute_n which_o determine_v his_o omnipoence_n to_o do_v only_o what_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a and_o according_a to_o truth_n it_o can_v be_v god_n shall_v either_o will_n or_o do_v it_o and_o so_o it_o can_v be_v effective_o do_v at_o all_o §_o 18._o he_o object_n that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n challenge_v infallibility_n upon_o no_o other_o account_n but_o that_o of_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o answer_v the_o church_n have_v her_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v to_o her_o hand_n by_o jesus_n châ—ist_v who_o found_v and_o constitute_v she_o and_o find_v it_o not_o out_o by_o speculative_a reason_n whence_o it_o be_v not_o the_o proper_a concern_v of_o a_o church_n to_o discourse_v very_o particular_o about_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o of_o speculative_a divine_n who_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o there_o find_v the_o reason_n of_o those_o truth_n god_n have_v bare_o tell_v we_o next_o it_o be_v only_o of_o faith_n that_o christ_n have_v promise_v to_o assist_v his_o church_n but_o whether_o supernatural_o only_a or_o also_o by_o natural_a mean_n be_v no_o where_o define_v my_o tenet_n be_v that_o he_o assist_v his_o church_n both_o way_n as_o i_o at_o large_a defend_v in_o surefoot_v and_o that_o the_o best_a strength_n of_o nature_n and_o grace_n be_v both_o of_o they_o exert_v to_o their_o utmost_a to_o ascertain_v the_o infallible_a authority_n on_o who_o testimony_n we_o receive_v our_o faith_n but_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o supernatural_a assistance_n exceed_o comfort_n faith_n in_o those_o who_o be_v true_a believer_n already_o and_o the_o natural_a assistance_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v the_o due_a satisfaction_n of_o reason_n inform_v the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o yet_o discern_v no_o supernaturality_n at_o all_o 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of_o this_o point_n when_o i_o come_v to_o defend_v my_o method_n §_o 19_o hitherto_o then_o dr._n t._n have_v give_v we_o no_o absolute_a certainty_n either_o of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n oâ—_n of_o christian_n faith_n as_o far_o as_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o miscall_v certainty_n as_o mean_n uncertainty_n whence_o his_o pretend_a certainty_n of_o its_o sense_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o let_v we_o see_v how_o he_o vindicate_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n and_o himself_z not_o to_o hold_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a by_o ascertain_v at_o least_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o suppose_v the_o letter_n be_v right_a he_o tell_v we_o pag._n 20._o that_o as_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o book_n it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a any_o thing_n shall_v be_v deliver_v in_o such_o clear_a and_o certain_a word_n as_o be_v absolute_o incapable_a of_o any_o other_o sense_n and_o what_o be_v the_o natural_a sequel_n of_o this_o apply_v to_o scripture_n but_o that_o it_o be_v plain_o impossible_a faith_n build_v on_o thaâ—_n sense_n or_o rather_o which_o be_v that_o sense_n shall_v not_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o consequent_o the_o letter_n can_v never_o be_v a_o competent_a rule_n of_o faith_n whereas_o in_o this_o way_n of_o convey_v iâ—_n down_o by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n that_o be_v â—y_a catechise_n public_a preach_a private_a discourse_v &_o consonant_a live_n it_o be_v make_v so_o manifest_a to_o the_o generality_n what_o be_v hold_v in_o each_o year_n immemediate_o before_o that_o no_o prejudice_n can_v make_v they_o all_o so_o mad_a as_o either_o to_o mistake_v or_o misrepresent_v it_o as_o it_o be_v for_o example_n in_o england_n for_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_n to_o err_v or_o impose_v this_o this_o year_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o england_n that_o last_o year_n they_o hold_v and_o practise_a prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a or_o assist_v at_o the_o christian_a sacrifice_n by_o which_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o see_v whether_o of_o we_o two_o make_v better_a provision_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n he_o proceed_v yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o may_v be_v so_o plain_a as_o that_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o reasonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v they_o let_v he_o apply_v this_o to_o scripture_n &_o the_o discourse_n stand_v thus_o all_o man_n be_v unreasonable_a and_o prejudice_v who_o take_v not_o scripture_n in_o my_o sense_n if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o word_n let_v he_o tell_v we_o by_o what_o other_o maxim_n he_o guide_v himself_o in_o judge_v who_o be_v such_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o any_o unprejudiced_a and_o rersonable_a man_n may_v certain_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n if_o he_o can_v assign_v no_o other_o reason_n of_o those_o man_n faultiness_n but_o their_o disagree_v with_o he_o in_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n i_o doubt_v his_o reader_n will_v scarce_o believe_v he_o that_o all_o socinian_o and_o other_o sect_n who_o differ_v from_o he_o in_o main_a point_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v if_o a_o indifferent_a man_n stand_v by_o while_n d._n t._n and_o a_o socinian_n dispute_v and_o hear_v one_o of_o they_o cite_v place_n after_o place_n compare_v one_o place_n to_o another_o and_o use_v all_o the_o mean_n he_o can_v to_o make_v out_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o other_o use_v the_o selfsame_a method_n and_o yet_o nothing_o conclude_v decisive_o as_o it_o never_o be_v in_o this_o way_n of_o manage_v dispute_n i_o fear_v he_o will_v be_v little_a the_o near_a satisfaction_n and_o embrace_v dr._n t_n tenet_n upon_o his_o say_n that_o his_o adversary_n be_v passionate_a and_o prejudice_v he_o parallel_v the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n sense_n to_o that_o of_o euclid_n definition_n and_o axiom_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o which_o man_n be_v universal_o agree_v and_o think_v themselves_o undoubted_o certain_a of_o it_o and_o yet_o the_o word_n in_o which_o they_o be_v express_v may_v possible_o bear_v another_o sense_n he_o trifle_n let_v he_o show_v i_o the_o generality_n of_o scripturist_n as_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o geometrician_n do_v in_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n or_o let_v he_o leave_v of_o bring_v such_o disagree_a parallel_n import_v that_o there_o be_v not_o man_n of_o all_o side_n and_o sect_n as_o willing_a to_o see_v truth_n in_o thing_n belong_v to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n as_o to_o see_v the_o truth_n in_o mathematics_n how_o many_o interpretation_n be_v there_o of_o this_n be_v my_o body_n and_o of_o those_o many_o text_n which_o signify_v christ_n to_o be_v true_a god_n both_o of_o main_n concern_v the_o understanding_n they_o wrong_n be_v on_o one_o side_n idolatry_n on_o the_o other_o blasphemy_n yet_o we_o have_v eminent_a learned_a man_n acute_a wit_n excellent_a linguist_n good_a logician_n and_o historian_n and_o last_o very_o great_a scripturist_n who_o compare_v also_o place_n to_o place_n yet_o all_o this_o notwithstanding_o nothing_o be_v decide_v final_o still_o they_o debate_v write_v quote_v interpret_v and_o will_v do_v while_o this_o method_n be_v take_v to_o the_o world_n end_n do_v dr._n t._n find_v such_o a_o disagreement_n among_o man_n learned_a in_o the_o mathematics_n in_o the_o understanding_n the_o axiom_n and_o definition_n of_o euclid_n add_v that_o those_o man_n in_o other_o matter_n be_v not_o passionate_a or_o prejudice_v but_o be_v hold_v prudent_a and_o sober_a by_o great_a portion_n of_o mankind_n nor_o do_v they_o lose_v their_o repute_n among_o indifferent_a judge_n as_o renounce_v their_o manhood_n or_o perfect_o desert_v reason_n that_o be_v they_o be_v not_o hold_v madman_n for_o not_o adhere_v to_o such_o a_o determinate_a sense_n of_o those_o place_n which_o argue_v
evident_o that_o they_o renounce_v not_o evidence_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n letter_n thus_o manage_v be_v not_o apt_a to_o ascertain_v they_o at_o all_o and_o so_o no_o rule_n yet_o he_o give_v we_o one_o great_a reason_n as_o he_o call_v it_o why_o man_n do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o because_o their_o interest_n and_o lust_n and_o passion_n be_v more_o concern_v so_o that_o according_a to_o dr._n t._n a_o man_n who_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o his_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n nor_o consequent_o of_o faith_n unless_o he_o can_v look_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o god_n alone_o and_o discern_v who_o be_v passionate_a prejudice_v interest_v and_o lustful_a again_o this_o reason_n be_v find_v on_o either_o side_n to_o a_o great_a degree_n for_o be_v not_o those_o axiom_n and_o definition_n so_o evident_a that_o absurd_a man_n will_v incur_v the_o shame_n of_o mankind_n to_o deny_v they_o there_o want_v no_o temptation_n of_o interest_n and_o passion_n to_o make_v author_n go_v about_o to_o control_v and_o contradict_v the_o write_n of_o other_o to_o gain_v themselves_o applause_n and_o credit_n but_o if_o this_o be_v one_o great_a reason_n of_o disagreement_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o be_v the_o other_o great_a reason_n but_o of_o these_o we_o hear_v nothing_o and_o there_o be_v good_a reason_n why_o for_o since_o his_o one_o great_a reason_n be_v the_o ill-disposedness_a of_o the_o person_n the_o other_o great_a reason_n must_v be_v the_o defectiveness_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v the_o inability_n of_o scripture_n letter_n by_o reason_n of_o its_o inevidence_n to_o private_a understanding_n to_o make_v they_o agree_v in_o one_o sense_n of_o it_o which_o manifest_o make_v it_o unfit_a to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n §_o 20._o to_o conclude_v the_o sum_n of_o dr._n t_n vindication_n of_o himself_o from_o make_v according_a to_o his_o ground_n faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a amount_v to_o this_o he_o produce_v word_n to_o disprove_v it_o which_o manifold_o confess_v it_o he_o endeavour_v all_o along_o to_o show_v that_o infallible_a certainty_n can_v be_v have_v of_o either_o scripture_n letter_n or_o sense_n that_o be_v he_o grant_v that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v deceive_v though_o all_o the_o cause_n be_v put_v to_o secure_v they_o in_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n or_o deny_v that_o absolute_o speak_v faith_n be_v certainlytrue_a again_o loath_a to_o speak_v out_o to_o that_o point_n candid_o he_o shuffle_n about_o and_o put_v upon_o his_o adversary_n divers_a odd_a and_o ridiculous_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n omit_v the_o right_a one_o which_o be_v give_v to_o his_o hand_n last_o be_v to_o give_v account_n what_o kind_n of_o certainty_n he_o allow_v to_o faith_n he_o give_v such_o a_o notion_n of_o it_o as_o signify_v nothing_o and_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n of_o uncertainty_n imaginable_a take_v his_o measure_n of_o certainty_n which_o ought_v to_o proceed_v from_o the_o object_n or_o proof_n from_o the_o subject_n persuasion_n or_o adhesion_n to_o it_o which_o common_a experience_n testify_v may_v indifferent_o be_v find_v in_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o common_a sense_n confute_v nature_n tell_v every_o man_n that_o my_o assent_n be_v not_o therefore_o certain_a because_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v it_o see_v not_o the_o least_o cause_n of_o doubt_n be_o full_o persuade_v and_o very_o think_v so_o but_o because_o the_o thing_n be_v see_v indeed_o to_o be_v so_o or_o because_o the_o proof_n be_v conclusive_a either_o then_o let_v he_o bring_v such_o proof_n and_o own_o and_o show_v they_o to_o be_v such_o or_o he_o leave_v his_o cause_n in_o the_o lurch_n and_o his_o credit_n which_o he_o be_v here_o defend_v unclear_v by_o yield_a faith_n possible_a to_o be_v absolute_o false_a that_o be_v for_o any_o thing_n any_o man_n live_v know_v actual_o such_o discourse_n vii_o in_o what_o manner_n dr._n t._n reply_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 1._o dr_n t._n have_v no_o fellow_n nor_o his_o way_n of_o confute_v any_o parallel_n not_o to_o provoke_v the_o peevishness_n of_o malice_n too_o far_o and_o yet_o follow_v home_o my_o blow_n more_o full_o and_o yet_o withal_o to_o uphold_v the_o efficacy_n of_o faith_n ground_v on_o the_o just_a conceit_n of_o its_o absolute_a certainty_n i_o write_v a_o a_o book_n call_v faith_n vindicated_n in_o behalf_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o common_a show_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n or_o security_n from_o error_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o assent_n provide_v it_o be_v ground_v on_o those_o motive_n god_n have_v leave_v to_o settle_v his_o church_n and_o by_o it_o mankind_n in_o faith_n as_o i_o declare_v myself_o in_o my_o introduction_n it_o pretend_v demonstration_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o have_v not_o one_o drollish_a or_o unsober_a expression_n in_o it_o take_v a_o map_n of_o it_o in_o a_o few_o word_n i_o conceive_v myself_o debtor_n both_o sapientibus_fw-la and_o insipientibus_fw-la and_o hence_o the_o concern_v be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n among_o the_o rest_n to_o speculative_a divine_n i_o resolve_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o argument_n suitable_a to_o every_o capacity_n to_o the_o more_o intelligent_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o eviction_n to_o the_o middle_a or_o prudential_n sort_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o fifth·_n and_o to_o they_o of_o the_o low_a capacity_n in_o the_o last_o every_o one_o be_v enable_v by_o tradition_n or_o education_n to_o comprehend_v what_o the_o common_a language_n and_o practice_n of_o christianity_n teach_v they_o as_o to_z speechee_n and_o carriage_n appertain_v to_o faith_n i_o begin_v after_o i_o have_v put_v two_o postulatum_fw-la grant_v by_o all_o christian_n with_o logical_a argument_n which_o i_o pursue_v at_o large_a because_o as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a trick_n in_o sophister_n and_o half_a logician_n to_o abuse_v that_o excellent_a art_n to_o elude_v the_o clear_a evidendence_n so_o it_o become_v a_o more_o necessary_a duty_n in_o i_o to_o prevent_v by_o the_o close_a proof_n fetch_v it_o from_o almost_o all_o head_n imaginable_a that_o belong_v to_o that_o skill_n any_o misusage_n of_o its_o maxim_n to_o patronize_v falsehood_n this_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o very_o speculative_a and_o according_o i_o declare_v in_o my_o introduction_n what_o my_o reader_n be_v to_o expect_v in_o discourse_n of_o that_o kind_n nor_o will_v any_o man_n endue_v with_o common_a sense_n wonder_n that_o i_o shall_v use_v logical_a expression_n when_o i_o make_v logical_a discourse_n or_o term_n of_o art_n when_o i_o speak_v to_o scholar_n these_o thing_n reflect_v on_o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o a_o dextrous_a way_n our_o learned_a confuter_n take_v to_o answer_v that_o whole_a book_n for_o he_o manifest_v here_o a_o intention_n to_o give_v it_o no_o other_o and_o to_o overthrow_v so_o many_o demonstration_n §_o 2._o his_o first_o way_n of_o confute_v be_v to_o pick_v out_o a_o leaf_n or_o two_o of_o the_o most_o speculative_a part_n of_o that_o treatise_n only_o intend_v for_o scholar_n and_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o understanding_n of_o those_o who_o be_v only_a sermon-pitch_n to_o who_o because_o such_o discourse_n be_v unsuitable_a and_o withal_o too_o hard_o for_o he_o to_o answer_v hence_o he_o very_o politic_o both_o gratify_v the_o fancy_n of_o those_o reader_n and_o avoid_v himself_o the_o difficult_a task_n of_o answer_v the_o press_a reason_n in_o it_o by_o play_v the_o wit_n when_o it_o be_v dangerous_a to_o act_v the_o scholar_n and_o make_v use_n of_o his_o constant_a friend_n at_o a_o dead_a lift_n drollery_n in_o stead_n of_o rely_v on_o the_o patronage_n of_o reason_n which_o as_o he_o experience_n so_o often_o betray_v and_o expose_v hss_a weakness_n he_o run_v on_o therefore_o a_o whole_a leaf_n or_o two_o in_o this_o jovial_a career_n ere_o he_o can_v recover_v himself_o till_o even_o his_o own_o friend_n who_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o the_o necessity_n admire_v at_o his_o endless_a raillery_n and_o true_a to_o his_o method_n neglect_v whole_o the_o sense_n and_o except_v mighty_o against_o five_o or_o six_o hard_a word_n namely_o potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n determinative_a supervene_v and_o subsume_v which_o it_o seem_v puzzle_v he_o exceed_o for_o he_o profess_v to_o think_v they_o mystical_a he_o call_v the_o discourse_n jargon_fw-la foolish_a and_o nonsense_n which_o two_o last_o word_n he_o be_v ever_o most_o free_a of_o when_o his_o reason_n be_v most_o at_o a_o loss_n he_o liken_n it_o to_o the_o coptick_n and_o slavonian_a language_n talk_v of_o astrology_n palmistry_n chemistry_n and_o what_o not_o and_o with_o such_o kind_n of_o stuff_n confute_v it_o
the_o former_a proof_n as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 24._o be_v to_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a that_o these_o point_n of_o faith_n shall_v be_v false_a that_o be_v such_o point_n as_o express_v only_o the_o a_o est_fw-fr of_o a_o thing_n and_o so_o have_v for_o their_o predicate_a existent_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o that_o argument_n and_o my_o conclusion_n of_o the_o 2_o d._n proof_n be_v this_o as_o put_v down_o by_o himself_o here_o pag._n 25._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 that_o be_v in_o such_o word_n as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n 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_a lie_v exclude_v here_o all_o possibility_n of_o diverse_a respect_n be_v this_o bare_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a or_o rather_o that_o no_o different_a regard_n or_o respect_n can_v in_o such_o faith-proposition_n as_o these_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o elude_v or_o diminish_v the_o grant_v their_o entire_a truth_n the_o proposition_n a_o ethiopian_a be_v black_a be_v but_o in_o part_n true_a because_o it_o can_v bear_v diverse_a respect_n or_o regard_v to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o viz._n according_a to_o his_o tooth_n and_o his_o skin_n but_o in_o those_o proposition_n which_o have_v existent_a for_o their_o predicate_v no_o imaginable_a regard_n can_v be_v find_v appliable_a to_o it_o so_o to_o distinguish_v it_o pertinent_o the_o next_o falsification_n of_o my_o intention_n be_v to_o pretend_v that_o i_o argue_v bare_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o subject_a copula_fw-la and_o predicate_v whereas_o by_o my_o whole_a discourse_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o i_o argue_v precise_o from_o their_o be_v such_o subject_n and_o predicate_v that_o be_v such_o as_o can_v bear_v no_o pertinent_a distinction_n diminish_v the_o integrity_n of_o their_o truth_n in_o a_o word_n the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o truth_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith-proposition_n and_o i_o be_v there_o treat_v it_o logical_o i_o will_v glad_o then_o have_v any_o sober_a and_o intelligent_a man_n inform_v i_o why_o it_o be_v not_o as_o proper_a and_o pertinent_a for_o i_o to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o proposition_n in_o which_o only_a truth_n be_v find_v and_o particular_o out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o proposition_n that_o be_v those_o who_o have_v such_o subject_n &_o such_o predicate_v in_o they_o as_o it_o be_v for_o a_o mathematician_n write_v a_o discourse_n of_o trigonometry_n to_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o angle_n or_o a_o triangular_a figure_n or_o why_o in_o so_o do_v i_o can_v just_o be_v think_v to_o have_v deflect_v from_o the_o rule_n or_o method_n of_o exact_a art_n §_o 8._o in_o a_o word_n have_v i_o in_o a_o christian_a english_a sermon_n stand_v very_o grave_o repeat_v sixteen_o verse_n out_o of_o a_o heathenish_a latin_a poet_n or_o have_v i_o after_o i_o have_v so_o often_o mock_v at_o other_o for_o bombast_n rhetoric_n and_o so_o indirect_o extol_v myself_o for_o my_o smooth_a style_n talk_v of_o person_n of_o a_o profligate_n temper_v as_o do_v dr._n t._n here_o pag._n 33._o and_o pag._n 163._o some_o idle_a wit_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v may_v perhaps_o have_v take_v just_a occasion_n to_o sport_n himself_o with_o my_o imperfection_n but_o to_o mock_v at_o a_o writer_n for_o use_v the_o term_n proper_a to_o the_o be_v he_o be_v discourse_v in_o seem_v to_o argue_v a_o very_o profligate_v temper_n of_o levity_n at_o least_o that_o i_o may_v say_v no_o worse_o §_o 9_o thus_o much_o for_o his_o first_o answer_n to_o faith_n vindicated_n consist_v whole_o of_o drollery_n neglect_v and_o other_o worse_a fault_n his_o second_o be_v that_o the_o main_a of_o that_o book_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a i_o oppose_v no_o body_n that_o â—e_n know_v of_o in_o this_o matter_n i_o answer_v whoever_o please_v to_o run_v over_o the_o several_a head_n from_o which_o i_o argue_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n hint_v brief_o in_o the_o margin_n will_v see_v that_o that_o which_o he_o pretend_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o only_a point_n be_v but_o once_o design_o make_v use_v of_o and_o very_o rare_o touch_v at_o in_o other_o place_n and_o that_o there_o be_v near_o forty_o proof_n of_o another_o nature_n though_o sometime_o all_o truth_n be_v connect_v they_o happen_v to_o be_v partly_o coincident_a into_o the_o same_o sometime_o also_o i_o suppose_v it_o but_o it_o bear_v no_o show_n of_o reason_n that_o most_o of_o my_o book_n be_v spend_v in_o prove_v it_o but_o be_v it_o so_o clear_a that_o i_o oppose_v no_o body_n he_o know_v of_o in_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a do_v not_o he_o know_v one_o dr._n t._n that_o same_o person_n i_o suppose_v will_v tell_v we_o sober_o that_o he_o can_v prove_v his_o faith_n true_a rely_v on_o what_o he_o conceive_v to_o be_v the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o yet_o speak_v of_o the_o certainty_n he_o have_v of_o both_o these_o he_o tell_v we_o express_o rale_n of_o faith_n pag._n 118._o all_o this_o may_v possible_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v that_o possible_o he_o have_v neither_o right_a letter_n nor_o right_a sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o that_o what_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v his_o faith_n and_o true_a be_v notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o same_o man_n be_v to_o vindicate_v himself_o in_o this_o pref._n pag._n 10._o explain_v his_o meaning_n to_o be_v that_o he_o can_v not_o demonstrate_v those_o thing_n so_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n now_o if_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o contrary_a to_o any_o thing_n involve_v a_o contradiction_n he_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o contrary_a to_o be_v false_a nothing_o be_v false_a which_o clash_v not_o by_o consequence_n at_o least_o with_o some_o first_o principle_n or_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n and_o as_o long_o as_o he_o can_v prove_v it_o false_a it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v and_o if_o the_o contrary_a to_o faith_n be_v affirm_v possible_a to_o be_v true_a faith_n itself_o must_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o though_o his_o discourse_n make_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a the_o obligation_n incumbent_a on_o he_o as_o a_o christian_a force_v he_o 〈◊〉_d affirm_v that_o it_o be_v notwithstanding_o true_a so_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o christianity_n join_v with_o the_o badness_n of_o his_o ground_n oblige_v he_o to_o grant_v equivalent_o though_o he_o be_v wary_a than_o to_o do_v it_o direct_o that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 10._o now_o because_o it_o be_v against_o the_o very_a grain_n of_o rational_a nature_n to_o admire_v of_o such_o a_o palpable_a contradiction_n if_o the_o word_n truth_n be_v right_o and_o proper_o understand_v hence_o i_o be_o certain_a he_o and_o such_o as_o he_o be_v provide_v with_o a_o distinction_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o only_o hold_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v moral_o true_a that_o be_v some_o great_a likelihood_n or_o as_o true_a as_o many_o thing_n be_v of_o which_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o moral_o certain_a and_o do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o yet_o oftentimes_o upon_o clear_a information_n have_v find_v ourselves_o deceive_v in_o our_o opinion_n of_o they_o and_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v false_a and_o that_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sentiment_n in_o this_o matter_n appear_v far_a beside_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v from_o his_o own_v such_o a_o moral_a certainty_n only_o for_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o faith_n as_o free_v one_o from_o doubt_n from_o his_o feeble_a and_o dwindling_n expression_n of_o his_o certainty_n of_o a_o godhead_n and_o last_o from_o his_o blame_v i_o pag._n 29._o for_o râ—sting_v content_v with_o no_o less_o certain_a ground_n than_o such_o as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o how_o one_o who_o rely_v on_o his_o speculative_a proof_n for_o the_o renouncer_n of_o tradition_n can_v have_v no_o claim_n to_o practical_a self-evidence_n can_v be_v think_v to_o hold_v faith_n absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o disclaim_v himself_o and_o blame_v in_o other_o the_o pretend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o absolute_o conclude_v or_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v true_a or_o how_o a_o man_n can_v with_o honesty_n affirm_v a_o thing_n be_v absolute_o true_a and_o yet_o deny_v he_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o it_o i_o must_v confess_v
both_o pass_v my_o imagination_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a every_o man_n living_n who_o consider_v well_o what_o he_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a then_o from_o dr._n t_n whole_a carriage_n in_o this_o business_n that_o unless_o perhaps_o the_o natural_a force_n of_o tradition_n work_v a_o practical-self_n evidence_n in_o he_o of_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o who_o hold_v to_o tradition_n and_o he_o agree_v which_o he_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o dr._n t._n do_v not_o hold_v his_o faith_n absolute_o but_o moral_o true_a which_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n as_o be_v show_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n and_o will_v be_v see_v hereafter_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v but_o â—itting_v and_o necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v clear_v the_o word_n truth_n from_o a_o ridiculous_a equivocation_n or_o impertinent_a distinction_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o such_o sceptical_a pretender_n to_o christianity_n and_o manifest_a that_o the_o word_n truth_n in_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v the_o a_o est_fw-la of_o a_o thing_n speak_v be_v and_o so_o necessary_o involve_v impossibility_n of_o not_o be_v or_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o its_o notion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o material_o though_o formal_o it_o be_v different_a that_o what_o be_v true_a must_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a §_o 11._o hence_o will_v appear_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o affirm_v that_o discourse_n more_o than_o mathematically-demonstrative_a because_o it_o be_v immediate_o build_v on_o that_o first_o principle_n in_o metaphysic_n it_o be_v impossible_a the_o same_o thing_n shall_v be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o once_o which_o be_v superior_a to_o and_o clear_a than_o any_o mathematical_a principle_n since_o the_o verity_n of_o all_o the_o maxim_n of_o this_o depend_v on_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o other_o or_o to_o explain_v myself_o more_o full_o because_o it_o be_v entire_o build_v on_o the_o notion_n or_o nature_n of_o be_v which_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o any_o mathematical_a one_o if_o he_o deny_v it_o he_o be_v desire_v to_o produce_v any_o mathematical_a notion_n which_o be_v of_o equal_a clearness_n which_o do_v a_o little_a reflection_n will_v teach_v he_o that_o that_o mathematical_a notion_n whatever_o it_o be_v can_v bear_v a_o definition_n that_o be_v can_v be_v represent_v or_o make_v clear_a than_o it_o be_v while_n express_v by_o that_o single_a word_n define_v whereas_o the_o notion_n of_o be_v can_v possible_o bear_v any_o but_o while_o we_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v it_o better_o we_o be_v force_v to_o put_v its_o own_o notion_n in_o its_o definition_n and_o other_o notion_n beside_o less_o evident_a than_o itself_o and_o so_o while_o we_o go_v about_o to_o explicate_v it_o better_o we_o explain_v it_o worse_o whence_o it_o will_v appear_v evident_o by_o our_o defeat_n when_o we_o attempt_v to_o clear_v it_o better_o that_o it_o be_v the_o clear_a notion_n that_o be_v or_o clear_a than_o mathematical_a one_o and_o 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that_o because_o we_o be_v inure_v by_o custom_n to_o make_v definition_n or_o explication_n of_o what_o we_o be_v discourse_v about_o and_o here_o the_o subject_a not_o need_v nor_o bear_v it_o we_o can_v make_v none_o of_o be_v which_o be_v the_o principal_a object_n in_o that_o science_n hence_o be_v put_v out_o of_o our_o road_n we_o be_v at_o a_o puzzle_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v lose_v our_o way_n through_o too_o much_o light_n but_o it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o return_v to_o his_o confutation_n of_o faith_n vindicated_n §_o 12._o his_o next_o answer_n be_v that_o in_o assert_v infallibility_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n i_o have_v the_o generality_n of_o my_o own_o church_n my_o profess_a adversary_n that_o be_v dr._n t._n will_v say_v any_o thing_n let_v he_o show_v i_o i_o will_v not_o say_v the_o generality_n or_o any_o great_a number_n but_o even_o any_o one_o particular_a catholic_n profess_v either_o that_o he_o rely_v not_o on_o the_o church_n for_o his_o faith_n or_o that_o the_o church_n he_o rely_v on_o be_v not_o infallible_a and_o i_o here_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v no_o catholic_n and_o doubt_v not_o but_o â—ll_o good_a son_n of_o the_o church_n will_v join_v with_o i_o in_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o such_o i_o hope_v those_o reader_n who_o be_v scholar_n will_v by_o the_o way_n reflect_v how_o solid_a a_o method_n dr._n t._n still_o take_v to_o confute_v my_o discourse_n which_o be_v to_o let_v all_o my_o proof_n or_o premise_n alone_o untouched_a and_o fall_v to_o combat_v my_o conclusion_n with_o extrinsecal_n medium_n next_o he_o tell_v â—s_a the_o church_n of_o rome_n pretend_v only_o to_o infallibility_n found_v on_o christ_n promise_n to_o secure_v the_o church_n from_o error_n by_o a_o supernatural_a assistance_n which_o be_v evident_o different_a from_o mr._n s_o '_o s._n rational_a infallibility_n of_o tradition_n in_o which_o discourse_n be_v almost_o as_o many_o fault_n as_o word_n for_o 1._o it_o suppose_v the_o church_n exclude_v the_o concurrence_n of_o natural_a mean_n to_o her_o infallibility_n which_o he_o shall_v never_o show_v next_o it_o suppose_v i_o exclude_v supernatural_a assistance_n and_o admit_v only_o natural_a whereas_o i_o express_o include_v and_o open_o vouch_v it_o in_o sure_a foot_n from_o pag._n 85._o to_o pag._n 93._o and_o 3_o lie_n he_o suppose_v that_o supernatural_a and_o rational_a be_v inconsistent_a whereas_o in_o the_o place_n now_o cite_v and_o never_o speak_v to_o in_o his_o much_o applaud_a rule_n of_o faith_n i_o all_o a_o long_o prove_v the_o supernatural_a mean_n to_o be_v very_o rational_a and_o have_v so_o good_a a_o opinion_n of_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n as_o to_o make_v account_n that_o supernatural_a thing_n have_v far_o more_o excellent_a reason_n for_o they_o than_o natural_a one_o and_o that_o god_n do_v not_o envious_o hide_v from_o we_o the_o sight_n of_o those_o reason_n but_o permit_v and_o will_v they_o shall_v be_v see_v and_o penetrate_v by_o those_o who_o be_v dispose_v and_o capable_a by_o the_o antecedent_n illumination_n of_o faith_n assist_v by_o other_o natural_a knowledge_n to_o look_v into_o they_o §_o 13._o after_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o our_o church_n before_o this_o new_a way_n be_v find_v out_o do_v general_o resolve_v faith_n into_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o into_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o â—rue_a church_n into_o motive_n only_a prudential_n so_o that_o what_o he_o late_o put_v upon_o our_o church_n be_v now_o come_v to_o signify_v divine_n of_o oâ—a_n church_n which_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v dr._n t._n make_v account_v that_o faith_n and_o school-divinity_n church_n and_o school_n humane_a deduction_n and_o divine_a revelation_n signify_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n next_o he_o acquaint_v we_o that_o this_o new_a way_n of_o we_o be_v the_o old_a way_n in_o case_n the_o divine_n do_v general_o before_o this_o new_a way_n be_v find_v out_o resolve_v faith_n into_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o all_o the_o late_a explicaters_n of_o tradition_n make_v it_o the_o same_o with_o the_o attestation_n or_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n in_o that_o which_o follow_v i_o partly_o agree_v with_o that_o other_o sort_n of_o divine_n partly_o i_o dissent_v from_o they_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o our_o saviour_n promise_v infallibility_n to_o his_o church_n as_o also_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o promise_n have_v by_o faith_n be_v a_o excellent_a satisfaction_n to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o faithful_a but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n it_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o so_o the_o same_o thing_n will_v in_o the_o same_o respect_n be_v
before_o and_o after_o itself_o as_o also_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_v it_o can_v have_v no_o force_n upon_o one_o not_o yet_o arrive_v at_o faith_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ought_v to_o have_v because_o it_o be_v as_o yet_o unknown_a to_o he_o §_o 14._o again_o i_o agree_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v &_o aught_o to_o be_v many_o several_a prudential_n reason_n suit_v to_o man_n of_o several_a capacity_n and_o circumstance_n move_v they_o to_o disquisition_n and_o incline_v they_o to_o embrace_v the_o right_a faith_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o true_a church_n but_o i_o say_v withal_o that_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o move_v a_o man_n to_o inquire_v and_o incline_v he_o to_o assent_v another_o thing_n to_o settle_v he_o in_o a_o most_o firm_a assent_n to_o such_o and_o such_o point_n as_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n which_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n hereupon_o i_o affirm_v that_o this_o late_a effect_n can_v be_v wrought_v rational_o without_o ground_n true_o evident_a and_o absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n and_o knowable_a either_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n to_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n or_o also_o to_o the_o learned_a by_o a_o certain_o conclude_v proof_n which_o i_o call_v a_o demonstration_n i_o affirm_v moreover_o with_o due_a respect_n to_o those_o divine_n that_o motive_n only_a prudential_n seem_v improper_a to_o be_v name_v in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o they_o must_v be_v principia_fw-la sapientiae_fw-la and_o not_o prudentiae_fw-la which_o can_v rational_o make_v we_o absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o be_v or_o not-being_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o its_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n the_o object_n of_o prudence_n be_v agibilia_fw-la and_o not_o intelligibilia_fw-la as_o such_o and_o its_o proper_a exercise_n and_o use_v be_v to_o determine_v a_o man_n to_o act_v exterior_o or_o to_o act_v thus_o in_o circumstance_n where_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n be_v find_v and_o not_o to_o act_v interior_o or_o meddle_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o intellectual_a certainty_n or_o truth_n depend_v sole_o on_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o therefore_o place_v beyond_o all_o contingency_n and_o hazard_n in_o a_o word_n i_o shall_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v think_v singular_a in_o my_o principle_n while_o i_o ground_n myself_o on_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n which_o both_o all_o catholic_n and_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n hold_n and_o st._n thomas_n of_o aquin_n the_o prince_n of_o school-divines_a assert_n as_o i_o show_v faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 130._o §_o 14._o as_o for_o all_o objection_n of_o this_o nature_n once_o more_o i_o request_v dr._n t._n to_o make_v good_a this_o consequence_n that_o my_o discourse_n can_v be_v true_a unless_o all_o our_o divine_n even_o of_o the_o same_o way_n in_o common_a agree_v with_o i_o and_o i_o promise_v he_o this_o do_v to_o reply_v distinct_o to_o all_o his_o extrinsecal_n and_o impertinent_a exception_n which_o wave_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n my_o premise_n he_o so_o constant_o lelevel_v against_o my_o conclusion_n and_o whereas_o he_o say_v i_o can_v reasonable_o charge_v he_o with_o those_o thing_n till_o i_o have_v vindicate_v our_o own_o divine_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v that_o i_o can_v not_o be_v i_o their_o adversary_n charge_v they_o with_o what_o i_o can_v just_o charge_v he_o they_o all_o to_o a_o man_n hold_v the_o catholic_n church_n on_o which_o they_o rely_v infallible_a and_o hold_v this_o more_o firm_o than_o they_o do_v any_o of_o their_o speculation_n and_o consequent_o they_o hold_v their_o faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o so_o preserve_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n inviolate_a whereas_o what_o he_o be_v to_o hold_v to_o most_o firm_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n be_v his_o own_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o he_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o see_v and_o hold_v to_o be_v fallible_a and_o so_o he_o must_v say_v that_o all_o his_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o know_v by_o which_o mean_n he_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n as_o far_o as_o god_n goodness_n will_v give_v he_o leave_v in_o himself_o and_o other_o and_o corrupt_v it_o into_o opinion_n they_o produce_v motive_n which_o though_o they_o call_v they_o prudential_n be_v indeed_o some_o of_o they_o demonstrative_a and_o coincident_a in_o part_n with_o tradition_n whereas_o dr._n t._n have_v nothing_o at_o all_o in_o his_o ground_n take_v he_o as_o oppose_a catholic_n or_o stand_v to_o his_o own_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o right_o state_v have_v even_o the_o least_o shâ—w_n of_o prudential_n to_o a_o unbyast_a man_n much_o less_o of_o demonstrative_a last_o be_v it_o a_o proper_a place_n to_o handle_v the_o point_n at_o large_a it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v they_o differ_v only_o in_o a_o word_n but_o dr._n t._n err_v in_o the_o whole_a thing_n though_o indeed_o in_o most_o of_o our_o divine_n here_o cite_v he_o mistake_v they_o and_o not_o they_o the_o main_a point_n whatever_o he_o pretend_v for_o however_o they_o make_v prudential_n motive_n sufficient_a to_o find_v the_o church_n yet_o not_o one_o of_o they_o but_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n when_o find_v on_o which_o they_o ground_n their_o faith_n of_o far_o great_a weight_n than_o such_o a_o evidence_n as_o do_v ordinary_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n since_o they_o all_o hold_v it_o infallible_a which_o be_v vast_o more_o than_o dr._n t._n hold_v to_o ground_v his_o faith_n §_o 15._o his_o three_o answer_n be_v that_o this_o principle_n of_o i_o make_v every_o true_a believer_n infallible_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o say_v he_o be_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o i_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o it_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n now_o this_o charge_n of_o he_o join_v with_o my_o true_a tenet_n that_o true_a believer_n be_v those_o who_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n or_o mean_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n in_o their_o way_n to_o faith_n signify_v thus_o much_o that_o it_o be_v a_o wonderful_a and_o strange_a paradox_n that_o those_o that_o follow_v and_o rely_v on_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o direct_v they_o to_o truth_n shall_v in_o so_o do_v not_o possible_o be_v lead_v into_o error_n that_o be_v it_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a paradox_n to_o say_v that_o essential_a truth_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o immediate_a and_o proper_a cause_n of_o falsehood_n but_o he_o discourse_v still_o upon_o this_o point_n as_o if_o i_o have_v hold_v that_o the_o vulgar_a be_v preserve_v from_o possibility_n of_o error_n or_o be_v infallible_a not_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o ground_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o err_v but_o from_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o understanding_n which_o i_o do_v not_o remember_v i_o ever_o think_v or_o say_v even_o of_o the_o most_o learned_a he_o ask_v if_o this_o be_v true_a what_o need_v then_o of_o my_o infallibility_n of_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o need_v governor_n when_o people_n know_v their_o duty_n or_o judge_n see_v the_o main_a of_o the_o common_a law_n be_v traditionary_a &_o to_o man_n verse_v in_o such_o affair_n self-known_a practical_o let_v he_o but_o assure_v the_o world_n that_o no_o upstart_n shall_v have_v a_o humour_n to_o rebel_n and_o innovate_v but_o that_o all_o christian_n shall_v practise_v and_o hold_v to_o what_o they_o know_v evident_o be_v practise_v and_o hold_v by_o the_o immediate_o forego_v church_n and_o i_o will_v assure_v he_o there_o will_v need_v no_o infallible_a desiner_n not_o any_o at_o all_o as_o to_o such_o point_n but_o dr._n t._n discourse_n still_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o the_o rude_a dim_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n in_o the_o vulgar_a and_o the_o accurate_a exact_a and_o oft-reflâ—cting_a knowledge_n of_o those_o who_o by_o their_o great_a learning_n their_o education_n their_o posture_n and_o office_n be_v particular_o verse_v and_o most_o deep_o insighted_a into_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o that_o belong_v to_o the_o right_n explain_v or_o word_v it_o &_o thence_o declare_v it_o authentical_o so_o to_o keep_v its_o distinct_a sense_n clear_a in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o faithful_a which_o the_o equivocate_a witty_a heretic_n endeavour_v to_o render_v confuse_v and_o obscure_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v study_v our_o tenet_n a_o while_n and_o understand_v they_o ere_o he_o undertake_v to_o confute_v we_o he_o be_v very_o raw_a in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n §_o 16._o his_o next_o error_n be_v worse_a than_o the_o former_a he_o will_v fain_o persuade_v catholic_n if_o any_o
do_v that_o which_o before_o he_o come_v to_o he_o make_v such_o a_o pother_n and_o still_o hang_v back_o and_o pretend_v to_o hold_v the_o contrary_a even_o there_o where_o he_o grant_v it_o as_o be_v see_v in_o his_o title_n but_o i_o be_o not_o so_o peevish_a and_o so_o the_o truth_n be_v agree_v mean_v not_o to_o fall_v out_o about_o the_o word_n let_v he_o use_v what_o he_o please_v in_o god_n name_n marry_o i_o suspect_v his_o friend_n will_v not_o so_o easy_o be_v satisfy_v &_o perhaps_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v that_o this_o be_v a_o more_o speedy_a way_n of_o answer_v than_o a_o good_a way_n of_o confute_v for_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v a_o odd_a way_n of_o show_v that_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o 〈◊〉_d do_v not_o belong_v to_o oral_a tradition_n which_o he_o undertake_v in_o his_o title_n to_o grant_v etc._n etc._n that_o it_o can_v do_v what_o a_o rule_n shall_v do_v that_o be_v have_v all_o the_o property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n all_o i_o have_v to_o complain_v of_o be_v he_o recal_v his_o grant_n and_o will_v not_o stand_v to_o his_o word_n give_v public_o and_o after_o sufficient_a consideration_n but_o after_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o truth_n continue_v still_o to_o contradict_v it_o and_o bear_v other_o in_o hand_n that_o he_o have_v sufficient_o answer_v what_o he_o have_v plain_o grant_v this_o cross_a proceed_n be_v a_o thing_n which_o as_o well_o as_o he_o have_v deserve_v of_o truth_n and_o i_o i_o can_v approve_v and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v for_o his_o own_o and_o the_o world_n sake_n he_o will_v stedy_o own_v at_o least_o his_o own_o concession_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n let_v we_o see_v if_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o as_o plain_a as_o plain_o may_v be_v in_o stead_n of_o sâ—ven_n property_n prove_v in_o my_o discourse_n to_o belong_v to_o tradition_n he_o put_v two_o of_o his_o own_o first_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a and_o this_o he_o grant_v here_o pag._n 149._o be_v find_v in_o tradition_n his_o second_o be_v that_o we_o must_v be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o change_n in_o the_o conveyance_n and_o here_o he_o say_v be_v the_o difficulty_n where_o good_a dr_n we_o be_v inquire_v which_o be_v the_o rule_n must_v we_o before_o we_o can_v find_v it_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n when_o the_o rule_n be_v the_o very_a thing_n which_o give_v we_o this_o assurance_n if_o we_o must_v beforehand_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o need_v a_o rule_n no_o more_o for_o the_o business_n be_v do_v already_o or_o if_o we_o do_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v one_o for_o assurance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o rule_n we_o make_v the_o rule_n the_o effect_n of_o this_o assurance_n and_o so_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n till_o we_o have_v a_o rule_n and_o no_o rule_n till_o we_o have_v this_o assurance_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o difficulty_n and_o i_o think_v a_o insuperable_a one_o but_o all_o proceed_v from_o his_o jumble_a two_o distinct_a question_n and_o confound_v the_o first_o which_o alone_o i_o treat_v and_o he_o pretend_v to_o answer_v there_o namely_o which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n with_o the_o other_o which_o i_o treat_v afterward_o and_o examine_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v always_o follow_v for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o two_o way_n by_o which_o christiâ—â—_n doctrine_n may_v have_v receive_v corruption_n or_o change_n be_v these_o either_o a_o defect_n of_o power_n or_o aptitude_n in_o the_o rule_n to_o convey_v it_o or_o defect_n of_o will_n in_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o have_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o make_v use_n of_o the_o power_n it_o have_v and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o plain_a that_o in_o case_n we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o tradition_n have_v power_n and_o be_v apt_a to_o convey_v it_o uncorrupted_a down_o we_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o it_o have_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o a_o rule_n and_o since_o dr._n t._n grant_v it_o be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a he_o must_v grant_v the_o person_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n or_o tradition_n be_v to_o blame_v if_o it_o have_v not_o do_v what_o it_o be_v qualify_v to_o do_v to_o have_v a_o will_v to_o follow_v tradition_n be_v the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n or_o good_a christian_n and_o not_o of_o the_o thing_n they_o be_v to_o follow_v or_o of_o the_o rule_n which_o if_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o may_v have_v follow_v it_o if_o they_o will_v a_o sword_n be_v a_o sword_n whether_o man_n cut_v with_o it_o or_o no_o and_o a_o pen_n be_v a_o pen_n though_o no_o man_n write_v with_o it_o distinguish_v then_o the_o property_n of_o of_o a_o rule_n from_o the_o property_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v to_o use_v it_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o his_o second_o qualification_n sufficient_o certain_a agree_v no_o less_o to_o tradition_n than_o his_o first_o sufficient_o plain_a for_o what_o can_v sufficient_o certain_a signify_v more_o than_o that_o in_o case_n it_o have_v be_v use_v christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n both_o these_o he_o grant_v and_o plain_o and_o ready_o and_o these_o two_o be_v all_o himself_o require_v wherefore_o it_o be_v as_o plain_a as_o can_v be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n about_o the_o point_n i_o there_o treat_v whether_o tradition_n have_v all_o the_o property_n belong_v to_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n &_o dr._n t._n his_o difficulty_n be_v this_o whether_o 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v follow_v which_o belong_v to_o the_o person_n who_o shall_v be_v guide_v by_o it_o and_o be_v whole_o extrinsical_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o a_o rule_n §_o 3._o the_o dr._n than_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o say_v she_o be_v not_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o this_o point_n so_o when_o a_o thing_n be_v grant_v there_o be_v in_o truth_n little_o more_o to_o be_v say_v to_o it_o i_o for_o my_o part_n find_v some_o difficulty_n how_o to_o reconcile_v his_o difficulty_n and_o his_o ready_a grant_n and_o make_v they_o hang_v together_o with_o sense_n the_o difficulty_n be_v say_v he_o whether_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n that_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v down_o by_o oral_a tradition_n have_v receive_v no_o corruption_n or_o change_n in_o its_o conveyance_n he_o put_v it_o then_o deliver_v by_o tradition_n that_o be_v he_o put_v this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v and_o before_o he_o say_v that_o if_o this_o rule_n have_v be_v follow_v christian_a doctrine_n neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v receive_v any_o change_n and_o then_o make_v a_o difficulty_n whether_o there_o have_v be_v a_o change_n where_o there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v something_a difficult_a to_o apprehend_v otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n at_o all_o in_o conceive_v that_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o change_n in_o christian_a doctrine_n this_o must_v have_v happen_v not_o by_o defect_n of_o the_o rule_n which_o if_o follow_v he_o say_v leave_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o possibility_n of_o it_o but_o of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v deficient_a in_o their_o duty_n and_o will_v not_o follow_v it_o he_o may_v perhaps_o say_v that_o by_o deliver_v down_o he_o mean_v no_o more_o but_o pretend_v to_o be_v deliver_v down_o but_o to_o omit_v that_o by_o deliver_v to_o mean_v not_o deliver_v be_v something_o uncouth_a this_o be_v plain_o to_o fasten_v the_o difficulty_n upon_o the_o doctrine_n not_o the_o rule_n and_o â—o_o doubt_v whether_o it_o have_v be_v follow_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n and_o so_o we_o have_v sufficient_a assurance_n at_o least_o as_o far_o as_o the_o dr._n can_v give_v it_o we_o that_o tradition_n be_v as_o well_o sufficient_o certain_a as_o sufficient_o plain_a since_o he_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o it_o be_v follow_v no_o change_n in_o the_o doctrine_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v which_o be_v all_o the_o certainty_n can_v possible_o be_v expect_v from_o or_o desire_v in_o a_o rule_n his_o difficulty_n such_o as_o it_o be_v belong_v to_o another_o place_n where_o it_o be_v express_o treat_v and_o this_o be_v dr._n t_n sufficient_a consideration_n of_o the_o point_n §_o 4._o what_o pretty_a fantastical_a thing_n these_o word_n be_v and_o how_o apt_a they_o be_v to_o trapan_n a_o man_n who_o look_v not_o narrow_o into_o their_o sense_n one_o will_v have_v think_v &_o i_o imagine_v the_o dr._n intend_v man_n shall_v think_v that_o his_o sufficient_o consider_v mean_v sufficient_o confute_v when_o alas_o they_o signify_v plain_o and_o ready_o grant_v it_o be_v a_o neat_a and_o a_o
by_o some_o natural_a and_o therefore_o more_o easily-known_a assistance_n belong_v to_o the_o church_n those_o out_o of_o she_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o knowledge_n that_o she_o be_v supernatural_o assist_v this_o be_v the_o method_n i_o take_v in_o resolve_v faith_n if_o any_o man_n can_v show_v i_o any_o other_o that_o be_v either_o more_o solid_a more_o orderly_a more_o connatural_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n or_o more_o honourable_a to_o god_n church_n i_o shall_v as_o willing_o and_o easy_o quit_v it_o as_o i_o now_o out_o of_o long_a and_o serious_a consideration_n embrace_v and_o firm_o adhere_v to_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v plain_a to_o i_o that_o whoever_o contradict_v this_o especial_o as_o to_o that_o point_n which_o occasion_v this_o discourse_n must_v withal_o contradict_v a_o maxim_n on_o which_o all_o science_n be_v principal_o build_v namely_o that_o the_o definition_n be_v more_o know_v than_o the_o notion_n define_v which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o only_o of_o the_o whole_a definition_n but_o of_o each_o single_a part_n of_o it_o for_o if_o any_o one_o part_n be_v more_o obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v the_o whole_a definition_n as_o have_v that_o obscure_a part_n in_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v more_o obscure_a likewise_o wherefore_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a etc._n etc._n the_o notion_n of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o faith_n must_v either_o be_v more_o know_v and_o knowable_a than_o that_o of_o church_n and_o consequent_o antecedent_n to_o it_o in_o right_a method_n of_o discourse_n or_o the_o definition_n will_v be_v obscure_a than_o the_o thing_n define_v which_o if_o it_o be_v say_v i_o must_v confess_v i_o know_v not_o to_o what_o end_n definition_n be_v or_o why_o they_o do_v not_o rather_o conduce_v to_o ignorance_n than_o to_o science_n add_v that_o true_a faith_n be_v most_o intrinsical_a and_o essential_a to_o a_o church_n it_o be_v by_o consequence_n a_o more_o forcible_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n to_o convince_v inevitable_o that_o such_o a_o body_n in_o which_o it_o be_v find_v be_v the_o true_a church_n than_o be_v any_o extrinsecal_n mark_v whatsoever_o and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o extrinsical_a mark_n be_v more_o easy_o knowable_a i_o doubt_v not_o but_o in_o those_o who_o be_v lead_v away_o by_o superficial_a appearance_n there_o be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n in_o this_o objection_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o if_o we_o go_v to_o the_o bottom_n to_o settle_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o any_o of_o these_o mark_n any_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v at_o all_o much_o less_o more_o easy_o know_v if_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n in_o visible_a and_o practical_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v questionable_a and_o that_o neither_o scripture_n father_n council_n history_n monument_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v pretend_v to_o absolute_a certainty_n if_o tradition_n be_v uncertain_a or_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v know_v unless_o tradition_n be_v first_o that_o be_v more_o know_v as_o be_v show_v particular_o in_o the_o corollary_n to_o sure-footing_a §_o 11._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o word_n tradition_n be_v take_v in_o a_o threefold_a sense_n for_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n or_o delivery_n take_v at_o large_a for_o the_o humane_a or_o natural_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o deliver_v and_o last_o for_o its_o divinely-assisted_n or_o supernatural_a authority_n call_v proper_o christian._n when_o it_o be_v take_v in_o one_o fence_n when_o in_o another_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n and_o the_o concomitant_a circumstance_n will_v evident_o determine_v only_o we_o must_v note_v that_o these_o three_o notion_n be_v not_o adequate_o contradistinct_a the_o late_a still_o include_v the_o former_a as_o length_n breadth_n and_o depth_n do_v in_o continue_v quantity_n for_o the_o humane_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n include_v tradition_n take_v at_o large_a and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v show_v suref_a p._n 82_o 83._o the_o supernatural_a authority_n include_v all_o find_v in_o the_o other_o two_o and_o add_v to_o it_o the_o best_a assistance_n of_o grace_n as_o be_v particular_o declare_v there_o from_o p._n 84._o to_o p._n 93._o so_o that_o all_o the_o perfection_n of_o tradition_n that_o be_v imaginable_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o that_o which_o we_o call_v christian_n or_o in_o the_o testify_a authority_n of_o christ_n church_n §_o 12._o but_o because_o it_o be_v still_o d._n it_o be_v best_a play_n to_o make_v use_n of_o extrinsecal_n exception_n so_o to_o divert_v the_o reader_n eye_n and_o avoid_v answer_v my_o intrinsecal_n reason_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n with_o which_o he_o be_v loath_a to_o grapple_v and_o since_o among_o the_o rest_n he_o be_v very_o frequent_a at_o this_o impertinent_a topick_n of_o my_o discourse_v the_o ground_n of_o faith_n after_o a_o different_a manner_n than_o other_o divine_n do_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o omit_v many_o pregnant_a instance_n which_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o dr._n stratford_n the_o learned_a author_n of_o protestancy_n without_o principle_n and_o many_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n to_o show_v how_o far_o he_o mistake_v in_o this_o point_n by_o instance_v in_o one_o controvertist_n of_o eminent_a both_o fame_n and_o learning_n as_o any_o in_o his_o time_n one_o who_o write_v before_o rushworth_n dialogue_n appear_v or_o perhaps_o be_v think_v of_o and_o so_o can_v be_v suspect_v a_o follower_n of_o that_o new_a way_n as_o dr._n t._n call_v it_o i_o mean_v mr._n fisher._n this_o able_a controvertist_n in_o his_o censure_n of_o dr._n white_n be_v reply_n p._n 83_o 84_o maintain_v that_o unwritten_a that_o be_v oral_a and_o practical_a tradition_n be_v the_o prime_a ground_n of_o faith_n more_o fundamental_a than_o scripture_n and_o show_v how_o his_o adversary_n mr._n white_a the_o minister_n grant_v in_o effect_n the_o same_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o nine_o point_n p._n 27._o he_o conclude_v strong_o that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n suppose_v before_o faith_n which_o infidel_n see_v to_o be_v true_a resolve_v to_o believe_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o be_v secondary_a truth_n dark_a and_o obscure_a in_o themselves_o believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n of_o faith_n which_o word_n as_o ample_o and_o full_o express_v that_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o express_a rule_n of_o faith_n as_o can_v be_v imagine_v for_o how_o shall_v that_o have_v in_o itself_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o intellectual_a rule_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v dark_a and_o obscure_a or_o how_o can_v that_o which_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o prime_a principle_n that_o be_v partly_o at_o least_o upon_o the_o ground_n or_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v any_o part_n of_o that_o rule_n since_o what_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n and_o so_o presuppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n also_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o argument_n he_o make_v the_o primâ—_n principle_n of_o faith_n or_o unwritten_a tradition_n as_o he_o elsewhere_o call_v it_o that_o be_v the_o same_o we_o mean_v by_o oral_n and_o practical_a evident_a in_o itself_o and_o p._n 40._o he_o put_v the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o protestant_n to_o be_v what_o be_v the_o external_a infallible_a ground_n unto_o which_o divine_a inspiration_n move_v man_n to_o adhere_v that_o they_o may_v be_v settle_v in_o the_o true_a save_a faith_n where_o first_o beside_o god_n grace_n move_v we_o to_o every_o good_a act_n which_o all_o catholic_n hold_v to_o be_v necessary_a there_o be_v requisite_a according_a to_o he_o a_o external_n infallible_a ground_n next_o that_o without_o such_o a_o ground_n a_o man_n can_v be_v settle_v in_o true_a save_a faith_n again_o p._n 38_o come_n to_o lay_v the_o ground_n of_o know_v any_o doctrine_n to_o be_v apostolical_a he_o mention_n none_o but_o only_o public_a catholic_n tradition_n teach_v unanimous_o and_o perpetual_o by_o pastor_n which_o p._n 37._o he_o call_v a_o rule_n infallible_a and_o say_v that_o only_a heretic_n charge_v it_o to_o be_v fallible_a where_o also_o he_o explain_v the_o meaning_n of_o his_o principle_n that_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n be_v the_o catholic_n after_o this_o manner_n the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o tradition_n of_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o father_n unto_o whole_a christian_a world_n of_o child_n etc._n etc._n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o by_o the_o word_n now_o cite_v appear_v to_o be_v evident_o the_o same_o i_o defend_v he_o affirm_v p._n 38._o that_o it_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v simple_o infallible_a by_o the_o very_a nature_n thereof_o and_o quote_v suarez_n to_o
of_o irony_n or_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o least_o of_o a_o impertinent_a nature_n but_o a_o serious_a pursuit_n of_o the_o point_n by_o way_n of_o reason_n from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v in_o it_o no_o show_n of_o passion_n it_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o which_o gall_v and_o be_v so_o uneasy_a to_o he_o what_o need_n be_v there_o to_o fall_v into_o such_o down_o right_a rudeness_n as_o to_o call_v a_o proposition_n of_o i_o for_o which_o i_o offer_v my_o reason_n most_o impudent_a as_o do_v dr._n t._n rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 173._o and_o in_o forty_o other_o place_n to_o make_v the_o droll_fw-fr supplier_fw-fr the_o divine_a be_v it_o not_o enough_o to_o answer_v the_o reason_n and_o let_v the_o world_n judge_n if_o he_o can_v show_v any_o such_o rude_a language_n in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o i_o here_o blame_v myself_o for_o it_o though_o it_o be_v responsum_fw-la non_fw-la dictum_fw-la the_o worst_a word_n i_o use_v be_v charge_v hâ—m_n with_o falsify_v my_o word_n and_o sense_n and_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o but_o hard_a law_n if_o he_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o commit_v such_o fault_n frequent_o and_o i_o may_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v his_o fault_n when_o it_o be_v my_o duty_n as_o his_o answerer_n to_o discover_v they_o §_o 2._o he_o will_v clear_v himself_o of_o some_o fault_n object_v to_o do_v which_o he_o summon_v together_o all_o his_o best_a art_n first_o he_o pick_v out_o general_o what_o can_v best_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o reply_n next_o he_o counterfeit_v a_o wrong_a objection_n and_o last_o conceal_v in_o what_o manner_n and_o for_o what_o reason_n it_o be_v press_v against_o he_o and_o by_o this_o mean_v he_o hope_v to_o escape_v blame_n §_o 3._o first_o he_o will_v justify_v himself_o for_o say_v i_o go_v about_o to_o explain_v word_n because_o myself_o say_v i_o will_v examine_v well_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o they_o which_o seem_v equivalent_a to_o explain_v they_o but_o he_o conceal_v what_o 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use_v to_o escape_v the_o duty_n of_o reply_v just_o wonder_v but_o i_o shall_v easy_o satisfy_v our_o reader_n what_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o this_o carriage_n he_o think_v it_o not_o fit_a to_o give_v one_o word_n of_o a_o sober_a and_o solid_a reply_n to_o any_o one_o of_o thoâ—e_a many_o reason_n in_o that_o first_o discourse_n of_o i_o build_v all_o upon_o those_o affirmation_n or_o predication_n now_o speak_v of_o though_o this_o be_v the_o substantial_a part_n of_o my_o book_n and_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o rest_n on_o whâ—ch_n i_o ground_n rhe_n property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n import_v its_o absolute_a certainty_n but_o neglect_v all_o my_o premise_n and_o proof_n he_o fall_v to_o deny_v my_o conclusion_n and_o talk_v something_o against_o it_o in_o his_o own_o way_n so_o that_o it_o be_v evident_a these_o jest_n be_v to_o divert_v the_o reader_n from_o the_o point_n and_o so_o serve_v instead_o of_o a_o confute_v to_o that_o whole_a discourse_n a_o rare_a 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or_o property_n to_o the_o respective_a nature_n of_o rule_n and_o faith_n as_o their_o subject_n also_o he_o may_v please_v to_o reflect_v that_o these_o be_v involve_v in_o the_o signification_n of_o those_o word_n by_o discover_v and_o then_o dilate_v upon_o each_o of_o those_o single_o i_o declare_v by_o consequence_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o word_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v my_o present_a purpose_n without_o compile_v explication_n or_o frame_v definition_n which_o only_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o deny_v last_o i_o charge_v this_o insincerity_n far_o more_o home_n upon_o he_o now_o than_o ever_o that_o whereas_o in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o from_o p._n 5._o to_o p_o 9_o i_o have_v at_o large_a refute_v these_o ridiculous_a exception_n of_o he_o he_o in_o this_o very_a place_n where_o he_o pretend_v to_o speak_v particular_o to_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o one_o word_n there_o allege_v but_o conceal_v all_o that_o have_v be_v produce_v to_o answer_v those_o exception_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o no_o such_o answer_n have_v be_v give_v this_o i_o must_v confess_v fall_v much_o short_a of_o either_o nibble_a or_o gnaw_v and_o i_o be_o force_v to_o declare_v that_o this_o constant_a carriage_n of_o he_o discover_v too_o open_o a_o perfect_a disregard_n of_o truth_n abate_v in_o i_o much_o of_o that_o respect_n which_o otherwise_o his_o good_a endowment_n will_v natural_o give_v i_o §_o 4._o his_o second_o remembrance_n of_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o for_o though_o he_o say_v here_o p._n 32._o he_o must_v not_o forget_v it_o yet_o he_o haâ—_n be_v perfect_o unmindful_a of_o it_o hitherto_o be_v that_o i_o say_v my_o testimony_n be_v not_o intend_v against_o the_o protestant_n whereas_o my_o book_n be_v write_v
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which_o so_o abound_v in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n whole_o compose_v this_o preface_n be_v total_o supersede_v and_o only_o serious_a reason_n make_v use_v of_o to_o oblige_v he_o to_o which_o sober_a demand_n i_o promise_v on_o my_o part_n that_o though_o these_o be_v here_o my_o only_a confuter_n i_o be_v force_v at_o present_a to_o give_v they_o sometime_o their_o proper_a answer_n by_o retort_v now_o and_o then_o his_o own_o language_n only_o better_o apply_v yet_o in_o my_o future_a write_n i_o shall_v serious_o pursue_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o point_n without_o mind_v at_o all_o his_o impertinency_n that_o be_v i_o shall_v rigorous_o observe_v the_o same_o sober_a strain_n which_o as_o my_o own_o inclination_n lead_v i_o i_o follow_v in_o sure-footing_a faith_n vindicated_n and_o my_o method_n till_o dr._n t._n see_v it_o his_o interest_n to_o avoid_v answer_v in_o a_o solid_a manner_n or_o close_v by_o way_n of_o rigorous_a discourse_n with_o my_o 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produce_v any_o thing_n of_o a_o inferior_a strength_n in_o case_n i_o aim_v at_o win_v other_o to_o assent_v to_o my_o say_n but_o above_o all_o i_o request_v that_o none_o of_o these_o trifle_a way_n be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o pertinent_a reason_n or_o make_v up_o the_o whole_a confute_v as_o be_v practise_v throughout_o this_o preface_n but_o that_o reason_n wherever_o it_o be_v find_v may_v have_v its_o due_a and_o proper_a return_n reason_n 4._o that_o while_o he_o go_v about_o to_o reply_v to_o my_o argument_n he_o will_v please_v to_o use_v my_o word_n and_o not_o insert_v other_o of_o his_o own_o and_o then_o combat_v they_o instead_o of_o i_o or_o if_o he_o undertake_v to_o speak_v to_o my_o reason_n themselves_o that_o he_o will_v take_v the_o full_a import_n of_o they_o and_o not_o still_o catch_v at_o and_o then_o play_v upon_o some_o word_n or_o two_o which_o
he_o can_v most_o easy_o seem_v to_o misunderstand_v so_o to_o divert_v the_o discourse_n a_o method_n so_o constant_o observe_v in_o his_o reply_n to_o sure-footing_a where_o he_o make_v witty_a dexterity_n still_o supply_v the_o place_n of_o pertinent_a solidity_n that_o instead_o of_o rule_n of_o faith_n it_o aught_o more_o just_o have_v be_v entitle_v sure-footing_a travesty_n 5._o and_o since_o all_o discourse_n be_v ineffectual_a which_o be_v not_o ground_v on_o some_o certain_a truth_n and_o consequent_o not_o only_a he_o who_o settle_v or_o build_v but_o also_o he_o who_o aim_v to_o overthrow_v or_o the_o objecter_n must_v ground_v his_o discourse_n on_o some_o certain_a principle_n if_o he_o intend_v to_o convince_v the_o other_o teneâ—_n of_o falsehood_n that_o dr._n t._n will_v therefore_o esteem_v it_o his_o duty_n even_o when_o he_o object_n to_o ground_v his_o opposition_n upon_o some_o firm_a principle_n and_o since_o no_o pretend_a principle_n can_v be_v firm_a but_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o first_o principle_n and_o that_o dr._n t._n have_v disclaim_v here_o identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v such_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o he_o either_o confute_v my_o discourse_n produce_v in_o this_o treatise_n prove_v first_a principle_n to_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n and_o show_v some_o other_o way_n by_o which_o the_o term_n of_o those_o he_o assign_v for_o such_o do_v better_o cohere_v or_o he_o be_v convince_v to_o have_v none_o at_o all_o and_o so_o all_o he_o write_v or_o discourse_n must_v be_v groundless_a and_o insignificant_a 6._o thus_o much_o in_o common_a for_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o write_n as_o for_o his_o matter_n i_o request_v he_o will_v not_o in_o the_o subject_n of_o this_o present_a discourse_n about_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o christian_a faith_n hover_v with_o ambiguous_a gloss_n between_o certainty_n and_o uncertainty_n that_o be_v between_z be_v and_o be_v not_o but_o speak_v out_o categorical_o and_o plain_o declare_v whether_o he_o hold_v those_o point_n absolute_o true_a that_o be_v whether_o they_o be_v absolute_o true_a to_o we_o or_o whether_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v with_o reason_n say_v he_o see_v they_o be_v true_a or_o have_v any_o reason_n or_o argument_n to_o conclude_v they_o true_a if_o not_o then_z â—et_z he_o show_v how_o it_o be_v avoidable_o but_o all_o the_o world_n must_v with_o truth_n say_v both_o these_o may_v be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o can_v discern_v than_o which_o nothing_o sound_v more_o horrid_a and_o blasphemous_a to_o a_o christian_a ear._n if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v such_o reason_n extant_a but_o he_o have_v they_o not_o then_o let_v he_o leave_v off_o attempt_v to_o settle_v those_o tenet_n or_o write_v on_o those_o subject_n since_o he_o confess_v himself_o unqualify_v and_o unfurnish_a with_o mean_n to_o manage_v they_o if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v such_o proof_n and_o that_o he_o have_v they_o let_v he_o produce_v they_o and_o stand_v by_o they_o and_o not_o blame_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n for_o bear_v no_o more_o and_o other_o for_o say_v they_o have_v more_o and_o that_o the_o thing_n do_v bear_v more_o to_o express_v myself_o close_o and_o more_o particular_o let_v he_o speak_v out_o ingenuous_o and_o candid_o to_o these_o query_n whether_o be_v hold_v that_o god_n church_n or_o any_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v furnish_v with_o better_a ground_n for_o the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n or_o for_o christian_a faith_n or_o any_o strong_a reason_n to_o prove_v these_o point_n true_a than_o those_o in_o joshua_n and_o hezekiah_n time_n have_v or_o can_v have_v the_o day_n before_o that_o the_o sun_n shall_v not_o stand_v still_o or_o go_v back_o the_o next_o day_n than_o that_o person_n who_o throw_v a_o glass_n on_o the_o ground_n which_o break_v not_o have_v or_o can_v have_v that_o it_o will_v not_o break_v â—han_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o divers_a house_n have_v that_o they_o will_v not_o sudden_o fall_v which_o yet_o do_v so_o or_o last_o to_o use_v his_o own_o word_n than_o those_o reason_n be_v which_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n in_o which_o notwithstanding_o they_o experience_v themselves_o often_o mistake_v if_o he_o say_v he_o have_v let_v he_o produce_v they_o and_o hearty_o maintain_v they_o and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v they_o out_o and_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o express_v as_o much_o honour_n for_o he_o as_o i_o have_v do_v here_o of_o resentment_n and_o dislike_n for_o advance_v the_o contrary_a position_n but_o if_o he_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o better_a or_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n not_o bear_v it_o there_o can_v no_o better_o be_v give_v then_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a first_o that_o the_o most_o sacred_a tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v existence_n and_o all_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a faith_n may_v be_v now_o actual_o false_a since_o point_n which_o have_v reason_n for_o they_o of_o equivalent_a strength_n do_v prove_v actual_o such_o next_o that_o no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n be_v in_o true_a speech_n certain_a there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o that_o the_o least_o word_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v true_a since_o it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v any_o of_o those_o person_n in_o those_o former_a instance_n of_o equivalent_a strength_n be_v or_o can_v be_v true_o certain_a of_o point_n which_o prove_v actual_o false_a and_o in_o which_o themselves_o be_v mistake_v in_o a_o word_n i_o will_v have_v he_o without_o disguise_n let_v the_o world_n know_v whether_o as_o there_o be_v contingency_n in_o those_o cause_n and_o so_o the_o imagine_a or_o hope_v effect_n in_o the_o former_a instance_n miscarry_v and_o prove_v otherwise_o than_o be_v expect_v so_o there_o be_v not_o also_o contingency_n in_o the_o motive_n for_o those_o two_o most_o sacred_a tenet_n upon_o who_o certainty_n the_o eternal_a good_a of_o mankind_n depend_v so_o as_o they_o may_v perhaps_o not_o conclude_v and_o so_o both_o those_o tenet_n may_v perhaps_o be_v real_o and_o actual_o otherwise_o than_o we_o christian_n now_o hold_v if_o he_o profess_v to_o embrace_v this_o wicked_a tenet_n and_o his_o word_n be_v too_o express_v for_o it_o ever_o to_o be_v deny_v though_o upon_o second_o thought_n i_o hope_v they_o may_v be_v retract_v he_o owe_v i_o a_o answer_n to_o my_o faith_n vindicated_n which_o hitherto_o he_o have_v shuffle_v off_o without_o any_o at_o all_o and_o to_o my_o reason_n allege_v in_o this_o treatise_n for_o the_o same_o point_n faith_n absolute_a certainty_n now_o gentleman_n since_o nothing_o conduce_v more_o to_o knowledge_n in_o any_o kind_n than_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o dispute_v be_v unambiguous_o state_v and_o clear_o understand_v and_o that_o a_o solid_a method_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o manage_n it_o i_o become_v a_o humble_a petitioner_n to_o yourselves_o as_o you_o tender_v that_o excellent_a concern_v of_o mankind_n and_o that_o most_o sacred_a one_o of_o christianity_n to_o use_v your_o best_a interest_n with_o dr._n t._n that_o he_o will_v please_v to_o yield_v to_o these_o duty_n here_o express_v and_o i_o oblige_v myself_o inviolable_o to_o observe_v the_o same_o carriage_n towards_o he_o which_o i_o here_o propose_v and_o press_v he_o will_v use_v towards_o i_o which_o if_o he_o refuse_v i_o declare_v i_o shall_v leave_v he_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o all_o truly-learned_n and_o ingenuous_a person_n however_o he_o triumph_v among_o those_o who_o be_v great_a admirer_n of_o pretty_a expression_n rest_v assure_v that_o yourselves_o will_v not_o only_o hold_v i_o unblameable_a but_o also_o high_o commendable_a for_o noâ—_n lose_v my_o precious_a time_n in_o reciprocate_a his_o trifle_a and_o insignificant_a drollery_n your_o true_a honourer_n and_o humble_a servant_n j._n s._n finis_fw-la amendment_n page_n 1._o line_n 21._o read_v that_o both_o first_o p._n 47._o l._n 3._o self_n possible_a to_o p._n 50._o l._n 20._o solid_a p._n 101._o l._n 6_o 7._o possible_a all_o this_o may_v p._n 115_o l._n 12_o judgement_n in_o which_o it_o be_v l._n 25._o can_v never_o p._n 118._o l._n 26._o resolute_a hatred_n p._n 121._o l._n 23._o do_v equivalent_o p._n 124._o l._n 21._o &_o 28._o speculater_n p._n 127._o l._n 17._o nay_o more_o p._n 135._o l._n 7._o to_o be_v p._n 139._o l._n 18._o great_a degree_n p._n 142._o l._n 2._o be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o to_o dare_v p._n 146._o l._n 14._o chimerical_a p_o 157._o l._n 16._o four_o eviction_n l._n 18._o of_o the_o six_o p._n 162._o l._n 16._o sermon_n equal_o p._n 163._o l_o 27._o parallelepipe_v p._n 166._o l._n 30._o predicate_v p._n 176._o l._n ult_n all_o good_a p._n 183._o l._n 28_o sensible_a man_n may_v p._n 184._o l._n 2._o deduce_v there_o p._n 186._o l._n 12._o of_o discourse_v the_o p._n 199._o l._n 25._o it_o be_v be_v not_o more_o p._n 200._o l._n 16._o of_o its_o own_o p._n 212._o l._n 24._o not_o the_o rule_n deal_n express_v p._n 218._o discourse_n ix_o p._n 219_o l_o 13_o 14._o reason_n in_o it_o p_o 229._o l._n 28_o 29._o the_o author_n mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o p._n 234._o l._n 17._o i_o do_v non_fw-fr stand_n p._n 239._o l._n 5._o apply_v l._n 6._o i_o have_v
the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n or_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a as_o if_o the_o simple_a can_v not_o nay_o be_v not_o most_o likely_a of_o all_o other_o to_o believe_v upon_o weak_a and_o incompetent_a motive_n which_o therefore_o can_v never_o have_v be_v lay_v by_o god_n for_o his_o church_n to_o embrace_v her_o faith_n upon_o or_o as_o if_o the_o most_o simple_a that_o be_v can_v not_o rational_o believe_v the_o church_n and_o so_o become_v infallible_a in_o their_o assent_n by_o adhere_v to_o she_o though_o their_o weak_a understanding_n do_v not_o penetrate_v or_o comprehend_v how_o the_o church_n or_o themselves_o come_v to_o be_v so_o nay_o perhaps_o have_v not_o a_o clear_a sight_n of_o what_o the_o word_n infallible_a mean_n till_o some_o discourse_n awaken_v the_o apprehension_n of_o it_o in_o they_o §_o 10._o have_v thus_o act_v the_o disputant_n exit_fw-la theologus_fw-la intrat_fw-la scuâ—ra_fw-la and_o pag._n 13.14_o play_v the_o old_a trick_n of_o legerdemain_n over_o again_o that_o be_v leave_v out_o half_a a_o argument_n of_o i_o and_o playâ—_n upon_o the_o other_o half_a with_o all_o the_o disingenuous_a craft_n a_o wit_n bend_v that_o way_n can_v invent_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 89._o and_o 90._o i_o discourse_v thus_o the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o faith_n will_v seem_v to_o a_o heathen_a impossible_a to_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o motive_n must_v at_o least_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o dr._n t._n confess_v both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v his_o rule_n of_o faith_n possible_a to_o be_v false_a nor_o it_o be_v a_o object_n proportion_v to_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 that_o be_v to_o make_v it_o seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o he_o it_o will_v be_v against_o all_o reason_n to_o believe_v have_v view_v 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ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la and_o contend_v that_o against_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a nothing_o but_o motive_n seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v hold_v convictive_a but_o he_o have_v no_o motive_n even_o seem_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a but_o confess_o possible_a to_o be_v such_o therefore_o they_o have_v no_o imaginable_a show_n of_o convictiveness_n i_o grant_v then_o it_o be_v asleep_o draw_v match_n as_o he_o call_v it_o between_o equally-seeming_a impossibility_n and_o because_o it_o be_v so_o therefore_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o object_n be_v by_o much_o a_o overmatch_n to_o what_o be_v less_o than_o a_o seem_a impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a in_o the_o motive_n or_o ground_n but_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n his_o ground_n of_o faith_n be_v confess_o possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v false_a and_o so_o be_v less_o than_o seem_o even_o to_o himself_o 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which_o if_o he_o show_v i_o in_o any_o thing_n hold_v of_o faith_n by_o catholic_n in_o that_o point_n i_o will_v become_v dr._n t_n convert_v and_o obedient_a auditor_n but_o alas_o how_o will_v he_o prove_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o contradiction_n since_o those_o faulty_a proposition_n be_v as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2.3_o therefore_o such_o because_o they_o be_v opposite_a to_o identical_a one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v see_v then_o dr._n t._n have_v long_o since_o renounce_v all_o those_o from_o be_v first_o principles_n for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v discern_v he_o must_v either_o hold_v there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n at_o all_o or_o else_o which_o come_v to_o the_o same_o hold_v that_o contradiction_n be_v truth_n §_o 11._o but_o he_o go_v forward_o amain_o in_o confute_v a_o point_n which_o no_o man_n live_v ever_o maintain_v viz._n that_o every_o single_a christian_a must_v be_v infallible_a that_o be_v as_o dr._n t._n will_v needs_o take_v 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