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doubt_v of_o that_o which_o before_o they_o take_v for_o grant_v if_o they_o have_v not_o certain_a motive_n to_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o to_o ascertain_v to_o they_o some_o equivalent_a good_a at_o least_o to_o what_o they_o be_v in_o danger_n to_o forego_v in_o which_o case_n i_o fear_v it_o will_v yield_v small_a strength_n to_o a_o man_n put_v in_o such_o a_o strong_a temptation_n to_o find_v upon_o review_n of_o his_o ground_n that_o they_o be_v only_o able_a to_o make_v he_o let_v they_o pass_v for_o good_a one_o while_o the_o concern_v be_v remote_a and_o less_o but_o that_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o he_o see_v they_o may_v perhaps_o be_v false_a and_o himself_o a_o great_a fool_n for_o hold_v they_o true_a without_o reason_n convince_a they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o foolish_a perhaps_o wicked_a to_o boot_v for_o suffer_v so_o deep_o to_o attest_v they_o if_o dr._n t._n reply_n that_o such_o man_n die_v for_o what_o they_o conceive_v truth_n mean_v well_o and_o consequent_o act_v virtuous_o i_o must_v ask_v he_o how_o he_o know_v that_o or_o can_v make_v they_o know_v it_o unless_o he_o propose_v motive_n to_o conclude_v those_o tenet_n true_a for_o as_o error_n be_v the_o parent_n and_o origin_n of_o all_o vice_n so_o be_v truth_n of_o all_o virtue_n nor_o be_v virtue_n any_o thing_n but_o a_o disposition_n of_o the_o will_v to_o follow_v reason_n or_o truth_n whence_o if_o we_o can_v be_v absolute_o certain_a any_o tenet_n we_o follow_v be_v truth_n we_o can_v be_v absolutely-certain_a any_o action_n be_v virtuous_a and_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o make_v a_o man_n virtuous_a to_o mean_v well_o in_o common_a or_o intend_v to_o do_v his_o duty_n and_o be_v only_o free_a from_o doubt_n all_o the_o while_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o substantial_a truth_n to_o proceed_v upon_o which_o render_v their_o meaning_n and_o particular_a action_n good_a as_o to_o the_o main_a by_o direct_v it_o to_o that_o which_o be_v man_n true_a happiness_n for_o it_o be_v questionless_a that_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o heathen_n who_o worship_v juno_n venus_n vulcan_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o rabble_n mean_v well_o in_o common_a be_v free_a from_o actual_a doubt_n nay_o have_v dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n too_o that_o be_v have_v a_o firm_a and_o undoubted_a assent_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o will_v full_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n for_o many_o of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o great_a natural_a prudence_n and_o be_v actual_o satisfy_v with_o the_o motive_n they_o have_v for_o polytheism_n last_o they_o have_v dr._n t_n firm_a principle_n too_o on_o their_o side_n for_o they_o have_v as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v discern_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n round_o about_o they_o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v give_v they_o though_o it_o be_v for_o have_v there_o be_v indeed_o such_o god_n and_o goddess_n yet_o be_v in_o heaven_n they_o can_v have_v no_o more_o light_n concern_v they_o than_o by_o authority_n of_o other_o relate_v also_o as_o doubtless_o they_o do_v many_o wonderful_a thing_n conceive_v to_o be_v do_v by_o their_o mean_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n they_o have_v all_o the_o authority_n extant_a at_o that_o time_n for_o they_o and_o what_o doubt_v soever_o a_o few_o speculative_a and_o learned_a man_n raise_v concern_v they_o yet_o the_o generality_n who_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o their_o thought_n have_v no_o occasion_n to_o raise_v any_o at_o all_o these_o advantage_n i_o say_v the_o heathen_n have_v parallel_n within_o a_o very_a little_a if_o not_o altogether_o to_o dr._n t_n ground_n and_o principle_n that_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v a_o equal_a effect_n viz._n not-doubting_a yet_o because_o
will_v with_o infallible_a certainty_n bring_v down_o the_o letter_n of_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la the_o statute_n book_n and_o some_o act_n of_o parliament_n the_o selfsame_a from_o year_n to_o year_n at_o least_o in_o matter_n of_o high_a consequence_n and_o by_o mean_n of_o the_o sense_n write_v traditional_o in_o some_o man_n â—_z correct_v the_o letter_n if_o printer_n or_o copier_n shall_v mistake_v if_o dr._n t._n ask_v how_o i_o prove_v it_o i_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n must_v make_v it_o notorious_a if_o alter_v be_v cause_n great_a multitude_n be_v conversant_a in_o it_o and_o it_o be_v esteem_v of_o a_o kind_n of_o sacred_a nature_n weigh_v every_o tittle_n of_o it_o wary_o especial_o those_o passage_n that_o immediate_o touch_v some_o weighty_a point_n whence_o shall_v some_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o alter_v it_o go_v about_o such_o a_o action_n it_o can_v appear_v a_o good_a to_o the_o generality_n who_o concern_v be_v high_o 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who_o think_v it_o their_o best_a play_n to_o laugh_v at_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n because_o they_o know_v in_o their_o conscience_n they_o be_v perfect_a stranger_n to_o both_o §_o 8._o well_o but_o though_o dr._n t._n deny_v any_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christian_a faith_n let_v we_o see_v at_o lest_o what_o other_o certainty_n he_o afford_v we_o and_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n any_o honest_a man_n may_v safe_o swear_v it_o must_v be_v if_o any_o a_o fallible_a certainty_n that_o be_v a_o very_a fair_a piece_n of_o nonsense_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o all_o mankind_n the_o abhorrer_n of_o first_o principle_n always_o except_v that_o if_o any_o certainty_n be_v infallible_a and_o there_o be_v any_o other_o beside_o this_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o fallible_a one_o since_o there_o can_v be_v no_o middle_n between_o contradictary_n so_o that_o dr._n t._n be_v put_v to_o this_o hard_a choice_n either_o to_o bring_v such_o a_o certainty_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o christianity_n which_o be_v no_o certainty_n or_o else_o such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v perfect_a nonsense_n if_o it_o be_v name_v by_o its_o proper_a name_n lâ—t's_n see_v what_o choice_n he_o make_v we_o be_v not_o say_v he_o infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o book_n etc._n etc._n but_o yet_o observe_v now_o the_o opposite_a kind_n of_o certainty_n deliver_v here_o pag._n 9_o we_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n concern_v these_o matter_n so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o i_o marry_v this_o be_v a_o rare_a certainty_n indeed_o we_o have_v not_o infallible_a certainty_n say_v dr._n t._n of_o either_o letter_n or_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o only_o such_o a_o one_o as_o keep_v we_o from_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o now_o since_o a_o very_a easy_a reflection_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o have_v no_o doubt_n of_o many_o thing_n be_v true_a nay_o more_o have_v strong_a hope_n they_o be_v true_a and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o hold_v they_o notwithstanding_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o be_v a_o strange_a argument_n to_o prove_v he_o avow_v not_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n to_o allege_v that_o he_o declare_v himself_o he_o have_v only_o such_o a_o assurance_n as_o not_o at_o all_o to_o doubt_v it_o for_o not_o to_o doubt_v a_o thing_n signify_v no_o more_o but_o not_o to_o incline_v to_o think_v it_o false_a which_o a_o man_n may_v do_v and_o yet_o not_o at_o all_o hope_n it_o be_v true_a see_v he_o who_o suspend_v indifferent_o from_o both_o side_n and_o incline_v to_o neither_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n a_o thing_n or_o fear_v it_o be_v false_a have_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n to_o ground_n the_o least_o degree_n of_o any_o such_o fear_n more_o than_o he_o have_v to_o ground_v any_o hope_n of_o its_o truth_n again_o those_o speculator_n who_o attend_v not_o to_o principle_n be_v oftentimes_o in_o a_o perplex_a case_n and_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n hold_v a_o thing_n absolute_o true_a while_o they_o attend_v to_o such_o motive_n as_o connatural_o breed_v that_o persuasion_n which_o thing_n notwithstanding_o come_v to_o make_v it_o out_o as_o scholar_n and_o unable_a to_o perform_v it_o hereupon_o consider_v as_o speculator_n they_o must_v hold_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v dr._n t_n condition_n regard_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o common_a conceit_n of_o christianity_n he_o can_v but_o see_v he_o must_v if_o he_o will_v be_v a_o christian_n profess_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o doubles_o he_o will_v avow_v it_o such_o as_o long_o as_o he_o speak_v nature_n and_o avoid_v reflect_v on_o his_o speculative_a thought_n but_o come_v once_o to_o consider_v the_o point_n of_o faith_n as_o stand_v under_o such_o proof_n as_o his_o unskilful_a art_n afford_v he_o and_o conscious_a to_o himself_o as_o he_o needs_o must_v who_o sleight_n first_o principle_n and_o all_o method_n to_o knowledge_n that_o he_o have_v never_o a_o argument_n that_o be_v absolute_o or_o true_o conclusive_a he_o be_v force_v again_o take_v in_o these_o unlucky_a circumstance_n to_o avow_v faith_n ground_n and_o consequent_o its_o self_n to_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o or_o false_a be_v willing_a to_o lay_v the_o blame_n on_o the_o ground_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o say_v they_o can_v bear_v absolutely-conclusive_a proof_n rather_o than_o on_o the_o defectiveness_n of_o his_o own_o skill_n and_o to_o represent_v they_o as_o unworthy_a to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o stable_a ground_n rather_o than_o he_o will_v lose_v a_o tittle_n of_o the_o fame_n of_o be_v a_o able_a divine_a yet_o i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o the_o christian_a in_o dr._n t._n may_v overcome_v the_o speculator_n at_o least_o balance_v he_o in_o a_o equal_a suspense_n or_o beget_v in_o he_o a_o pretty_a good_a conceit_n of_o faith_n impossibility_n to_o be_v false_a but_o then_o when_o he_o once_o reflect_v that_o this_o can_v be_v maintain_v without_o admit_v infallibility_n which_o be_v the_o word_n the_o abominable_a papist_n use_v nor_o make_v out_o without_o use_v first_a principle_n or_o identical_a proposition_n which_o that_o malignant_a man_n i._n s._n pretend_v to_o build_v on_o immediate_o the_o bias_n prevail_v and_o the_o idea_n of_o popery_n once_o stir_v up_o which_o haunt_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n fancy_n day_n and_o night_n in_o a_o thousand_o hideous_a shape_n â—_o he_o run_v in_o a_o fright_n so_o far_o from_o impossibility_n of_o falsehood_n in_o faith_n that_o he_o come_v to_o a_o very_a easy_a possibility_n of_o its_o be_v all_o a_o plain_a imposture_n or_o lie_n for_o any_o thing_n he_o absolute_o know_v since_o ground_n prevail_v only_o to_o make_v he_o not_o doubt_v of_o it_o can_v raise_v it_o no_o high_o moreover_o if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n i_o declare_v myself_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o a_o thing_n therefore_o i_o can_v not_o avow_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a it_o must_v be_v allow_v argumentative_a to_o say_v i_o be_o so_o assure_v as_o not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o doubt_v of_o it_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a dull_a university_n that_o have_v not_o the_o wit_n to_o light_v all_o this_o while_n on_o dr._n t_n principles_n and_o way_n of_o argue_v they_o ascertain_v all_o thing_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n without_o more_o ado_n i_o have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n so_o as_o not_o to_o doubt_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n therefore_o by_o this_o new_a logic_n they_o be_v conclude_v certain_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a in_o opposition_n to_o which_o if_o you_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
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 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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 none_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o event_n the_o way_n i_o take_v be_v not_o ill_o choose_v dr._n t._n be_v still_o able_a to_o boast_v his_o book_n be_v not_o particular_o answer_v and_o so_o uphold_v his_o credit_n with_o those_o who_o look_v not_o deep_o into_o thing_n seem_v by_o his_o silence_n well-appayed_a and_o i_o hear_v of_o no_o more_o extraordinary_a anger_n against_o i_o and_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_v content_v that_o superficial_a people_n shall_v judge_v as_o their_o wit_n serve_v they_o it_o be_v abundant_a satisfaction_n to_o my_o labour_n that_o intelligent_a and_o insighted_a person_n may_v perceive_v by_o they_o how_o matter_n stand_v and_o into_o how_o narrow_a a_o compass_n controversy_n be_v reduce_v and_o of_o this_o i_o have_v ample_a experience_n from_o the_o most_o judicious_a of_o our_o nation_n who_o unanimous_o assure_v i_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o carry_v thing_n far_o or_o bring_v controversy_n to_o a_o short_a method_n since_o now_o the_o 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
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several_a part_n centre_n in_o one_o point_n or_o tend_v to_o one_o end_n wherefore_o the_o thing_n must_v be_v antecedent_o establish_v to_o be_v incapable_a to_o bear_v more_o definition_n than_o one_o else_o no_o right_a definition_n can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o nor_o any_o thing_n be_v know_v concern_v it_o now_o that_o which_o establish_v the_o thing_n in_o a_o impossibility_n to_o bear_v but_o one_o true_a definition_n be_v its_o metaphysical_a verity_n and_o unity_n or_o its_o be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o free_v its_o nature_n from_o chimericalness_n and_o division_n in_o its_o self_n whence_o it_o become_v intelligible_a or_o capable_a to_o be_v know_v express_v define_v and_o discourse_v of_o wherefore_o the_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v be_v that_o which_o not_o only_o ground_n all_o definition_n but_o even_o all_o possibility_n of_o define_v and_o this_o it_o participate_v as_o be_v say_v from_o its_o essential_a relation_n and_o dependence_n on_o the_o immutable_a idea_n or_o form_n in_o his_o divine_a understanding_n who_o be_v unchangeable_a truth_n itself_o it_o be_v conclude_v therefore_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o express_v a_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v be_v antecedent_n in_o priority_n of_o nature_n to_o definition_n and_o consequent_o the_o very_a bottom_n principles_n of_o all_o science_n nay_o definition_n themselves_o which_o all_o the_o world_n admit_v for_o principle_n of_o our_o discourse_n about_o the_o thing_n define_v be_v in_o reality_n nothing_o else_o set_v apart_o the_o manner_n of_o expression_n but_o identical_a proposition_n for_o it_o be_v the_o selfsame_a sense_n to_o say_v a_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n as_o to_o say_v a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n nor_o be_v the_o definition_n as_o it_o shall_v be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o identical_a in_o sense_n so_o that_o if_o he_o quarrel_n with_o first_o principle_n for_o be_v identical_a or_o for_o have_v a_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o be_v of_o the_o same_o notion_n and_o not_o for_o be_v word_v alike_o the_o reason_n of_o which_o shall_v be_v give_v anon_o he_o must_v deny_v the_o use_n of_o definition_n too_o and_o by_o so_o do_v oppose_v all_o the_o learned_a man_n in_o the_o world_n §_o 3._o thus_o far_o metaphysic_n let_v we_o see_v next_o what_o logic_n say_v to_o the_o point_n to_o conclude_v be_v to_o show_v evident_o that_o two_o notion_n we_o call_v the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v identify_v or_o true_o connect_v in_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n to_o do_v this_o we_o find_v a_o three_o notion_n call_v a_o middle_a term_n to_o be_v identify_v with_o those_o two_o in_o the_o premise_n whence_o we_o infer_v they_o to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o and_o consequent_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o conclusion_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o know_v that_o three_o notion_n to_o be_v tru_o connect_v with_o those_o two_o other_o that_o be_v how_o shall_v we_o know_v the_o major_a and_o minor_a proposition_n to_o be_v true_a by_o find_v if_o they_o need_v proof_n another_o medium_fw-la connect_v with_o the_o two_o term_n find_v in_o each_o of_o them_o and_o how_o far_o must_v this_o go_v on_o endless_o or_o no_o if_o endless_o then_o since_o every_o follow_a connexion_n be_v prove_v by_o some_o forego_n one_o in_o case_n we_o can_v come_v to_o see_v some_o first_o connexion_n or_o first_o principle_n we_o can_v conclude_v or_o evidence_n nothing_o and_o how_o must_v we_o evidence_n the_o connexion_n of_o the_o term_n or_o of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_a in_o these_o first_o principle_n by_o another_o antecedent_n connexion_n of_o their_o term_n with_o a_o three_o no_o for_o these_o be_v suppose_v the_o first_o connexion_n wherefore_o since_o they_o can_v be_v evidence_v by_o any_o thing_n out_o of_o themselves_o and_o yet_o must_v be_v evident_a else_o nothing_o can_v be_v evidence_v by_o they_o it_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v evident_a of_o themselves_o or_o self-evident_a and_o in_o what_o consist_v this_o self-evidence_n manifest_o in_o this_o that_o no_o middle_a term_n can_v come_v between_o the_o notion_n of_o their_o subject_a and_o predicate_a which_o devolve_v final_o into_o this_o that_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v the_o selfsame_a notion_n or_o that_o the_o proposition_n be_v identical_a and_o this_o not_o only_o material_o or_o find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o so_o be_v the_o term_n of_o every_o remote_a conclusion_n if_o it_o be_v true_a but_o formal_o and_o this_o either_o simple_o in_o notion_n only_o as_o be_v the_o definition_n and_o the_o thing_n define_v or_o else_o most_o formal_o and_o in_o expression_n also_o as_o in_o those_o i_o allege_v §_o 4._o again_o we_o experience_n that_o the_o most_o immediate_a notion_n if_o they_o in_o the_o least_o differ_v such_o be_v proper_a cause_n and_o effect_n can_v be_v connect_v with_o the_o subject_a to_o which_o they_o belong_v in_o
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
of_o these_o thing_n then_o let_v he_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o which_o do_v nature_n will_v show_v he_o how_o perfect_a nonsense_n he_o speak_v whence_o the_o same_o nature_n will_v tell_v he_o with_o a_o little_a reflection_n that_o since_o the_o word_n infallible_o can_v with_o good_a sense_n be_v join_v with_o the_o word_n certain_a either_o it_o be_v adeqaate_a to_o that_o word_n and_o extend_v its_o sense_n as_o far_o as_o the_o other_o and_o then_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n where_o there_o be_v not_o infallibility_n or_o it_o do_v not_o extend_v as_o far_o as_o the_o word_n certain_a and_o then_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a of_o some_o thing_n yet_o not-infallible_o certain_a which_o since_o not-infallible_o mean_n fallible_o signify_v clear_o we_o may_v be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o those_o thing_n but_o common_a sense_n teach_v we_o how_o ridiculous_a it_o be_v to_o say_v we_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a therefore_o and_o demonstrable_a that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n but_o where_o there_o be_v infallibility_n and_o that_o we_o can_v never_o be_v say_v to_o be_v true_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n till_o all_o circumstance_n consider_v we_o see_v ourselves_o out_o of_o possibility_n of_o be_v deceive_v hic_fw-la &_o nunc_fw-la in_o that_o very_a thing_n whence_o dr._n t._n deny_v infallible_a assurance_n of_o both_o letter_n and_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v convince_v to_o deny_v all_o true_a certainty_n of_o either_o and_o so_o to_o render_v all_o faith_n build_v upon_o it_o uncertain_a that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o can_v he_o with_o sense_n take_v the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o distinction_n and_o say_v he_o be_v fallible_o certain_a of_o it_o yet_o the_o guilt_n of_o the_o same_o position_n will_v still_o remain_v with_o he_o this_o logical_a demonstration_n i_o produce_v in_o faith_n vindicated_n pag._n 37._o of_o which_o dr_n t._n take_v notice_n here_o pag._n 17_o thus_o mr._n s._n be_v please_v to_o say_v that_o certainty_n and_o infallibility_n be_v all_o one_o conceal_v thus_o from_o his_o reader_n i_o have_v ever_o prove_v it_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v oblige_v â—o_o speak_v to_o my_o proof_n which_o he_o neither_o like_v nor_o use_n and_o bear_v himself_o as_o if_o i_o have_v only_o say_v it_o which_o suppose_v then_o indeed_o his_o bare_a say_v the_o contrary_n be_v a_o competent_a answer_n this_o do_v he_o confute_v it_o manful_o with_o tell_v his_o reader_n i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_v say_v it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v foolish_a i_o beseech_v you_o gentlemen_z be_v it_o the_o fashion_n in_o the_o univeesity_n to_o solve_v argument_n on_o this_o manner_n that_o be_v to_o neglect_v the_o premise_n call_v the_o conclusion_n foolish_a and_o think_v to_o overthrow_v the_o reason_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o his_o reader_n because_o it_o be_v not_o some_o hackney_n argument_n bring_v into_o play_n perhaps_o a_o hundred_o time_n over_o and_o ninety_o nine_o time_n answer_v but_o now_o produce_v first_o certain_o one_o will_v think_v in_o reason_n that_o what_o have_v be_v many_o time_n allege_v shall_v rather_o be_v slight_v because_o it_o may_v have_v receive_v already_o many_o answer_n and_o not_o such_o pcoof_n as_o first_o appear_v because_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o never_o yet_o have_v any_o at_o all_o nor_o do_v i_o conceive_v that_o the_o noble_a and_o learned_a virtuoso_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n use_v to_o reject_v any_o production_n because_o the_o author_n of_o it_o be_v the_o first_o that_o invent_v it_o but_o they_o allow_v it_o examination_n and_o if_o it_o hold_v the_o trial_n approve_v it_o and_o commend_v the_o author_n §_o 4._o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v he_o another_o argument_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n though_o i_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o fear_n he_o will_v afford_v it_o again_o no_o other_o answer_v but_o only_o this_o that_o i_o be_o the_o first_o man_n that_o ever_o produce_v it_o it_o be_v this_o take_v the_o word_n false_a or_o falsus_fw-la subjectively_o or_o as_o in_o the_o subject_a that_o be_v as_o make_v the_o jugment_v false_a or_o erroneous_a it_o be_v a_o participle_n of_o the_o verb_n fallor_fw-la and_o signify_v deceive_v actual_o to_o which_o correspond_v as_o its_o proper_a power_n fallible_a or_o capable_a to_o be_v deceive_v now_o the_o contrary_a to_o false_a thus_o understand_v be_v true_a take_v also_o subjective_o or_o as_o make_v the_o judgement_n which_o in_o it_o be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a in_o that_o its_o act._n wherefore_o the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o that_o act_n must_v necessary_o be_v that_o which_o be_v oppose_v to_o fallible_a that_o be_v infallible_a again_o take_v the_o word_n false_a objective_o or_o as_o find_v in_o the_o proposition_n which_o be_v the_o object_n or_o cause_n of_o our_o judgement_n as_o it_o be_v false_a or_o actual_o deceive_v it_o be_v proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o be_v capable_a to_o deceive_v wherefore_o also_o take_v its_o opposite_a truth_n objectively_o or_o for_o the_o object_n of_o our_o judgement_n when_o it_o be_v true_a the_o proper_a power_n correspond_v to_o it_o must_v be_v incapable_a to_o deceive_v it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o both_o these_o consideration_n that_o we_o can_v neither_o affirm_v point_n or_o propositiont_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o object_n of_o such_o act_n true_a but_o we_o must_v affirm_v withal_o that_o they_o be_v incapable_a to_o make_v we_o judge_v erroneous_o while_o we_o assent_v to_o they_o nor_o that_o our_o judgement_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v true_a or_o un-erroneous_a but_o we_o must_v be_v infallible_a in_o so_o judge_v thus_o far_o concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o admit_v infallibility_n if_o we_o once_o put_v our_o assent_n or_o act_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v true_a judgement_n from_o which_o it_o be_v a_o different_a question_n to_o ask_v how_o we_o become_v thus_o infallible_a only_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o case_n the_o former_a proposition_n be_v put_v viz_o that_o we_o must_v affirm_v our_o act_n of_o faith_n true_a infallible_a we_o must_v be_v or_o impossible_a to_o be_v in_o a_o error_n when_o we_o make_v those_o acts._n but_o now_o to_o this_o infallibility_n in_o those_o act_v god_n providence_n lead_v man_n diverse_o according_a to_o their_o several_a degree_n of_o capacity_n those_o who_o be_v arrive_v to_o a_o great_a pitch_n of_o learn_v come_v to_o it_o by_o absolutely-concluding_a proof_n call_v demonstration_n that_o be_v by_o penetrate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o authority_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v and_o such_o man_n can_v make_v out_o clear_o and_o distinct_o to_o their_o own_o thought_n the_o certainty_n of_o that_o authority_n by_o discourse_v it_o to_o themselves_o &_o other_o they_o can_v resolve_v it_o into_o its_o ground_n meet_v with_o and_o answer_v objection_n and_o in_o a_o word_n see_v themselves_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o it_o in_o these_o man_n therefore_o though_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o tenet_n be_v indeed_o take_v from_o the_o object_n as_o it_o be_v always_o yet_o the_o clearness_n distinctness_n and_o firm_a strength_n of_o it_o spring_v from_o the_o perfection_n of_o their_o well-cultivated_n understanding_n those_o who_o be_v of_o a_o weak_a pitch_n be_v lead_v to_o it_o by_o practical_a self-evidence_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o authority_n and_o of_o the_o way_n in_o common_a by_o which_o they_o receive_v faith_n which_o dim_a rude_a sight_n even_o in_o the_o simple_a serve_v to_o carry_v they_o on_o to_o act_v according_a to_o right_a nature_n when_o they_o assent_v but_o they_o can_v discourse_v their_o thought_n nor_o resolve_v they_o into_o principle_n nor_o answer_v objection_n nor_o see_v themselves_o clear_o to_o be_v infallible_o certain_a nay_o more_o the_o great_a part_n of_o these_o especial_o if_o very_o simple_a do_v by_o some_o lucky_a chance_n or_o rather_o by_o a_o particular_a disposition_n of_o god_n good_a providence_n light_n upon_o this_o right_a way_n more_o than_o by_o any_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n look_v into_o ground_n but_o be_v in_o it_o once_o they_o find_v that_o which_o satisfy_v they_o according_a to_o knowledge_n familiarize_v to_o they_o by_o converse_n with_o the_o world_n and_o which_o be_v of_o themselves_o solid_a and_o satisfactory_a in_o a_o word_n it_o become_v god_n goodness_n so_o to_o order_v thing_n that_o the_o act_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_n may_v be_v as_o much_o as_o be_v possible_a in_o man_n of_o every_o pitch_n and_o capacity_n rational_a or_o virtuous_a whatever_o contingency_n may_v happen_v in_o some_o particular_n original_a sin_n and_o by_o it_o passion_n ignorance_n or_o interest_n sometime_o byass_v they_o and_o make_v they_o act_n with_o precipitancy_n in_o which_o case_n
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 my_o discourse_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o peruse_v the_o answer_n here_o give_v by_o my_o confuter_n he_o name_v the_o word_n argument_n say_v two_o pretty_a word_n upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v pleasant_a and_o surprise_v leaf_n out_o better_a half_n of_o it_o conceal_v perfect_o all_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o conclude_v strong_o against_o his_o own_o insufficient_a ground_n catch_n at_o a_o word_n and_o will_v make_v my_o discouse_n and_o argument_n aim_v to_o prove_v faith_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o motive_n be_v only_a seem_o such_o whereas_o every_o page_n in_o that_o book_n and_o its_o whole_a design_n show_v i_o mean_v and_o prove_v they_o to_o be_v actual_o real_o and_o indeed_o such_o have_v i_o a_o mind_n to_o evade_v such_o petty_a cavil_n i_o can_v allege_v that_o both_o may_v seem_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a yet_o one_o more_o seem_v so_o than_o the_o other_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v advancing_z to_o confute_v he_o i_o argue_v 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 impossible_a to_o be_v false_a therefore_o his_o motive_n to_o believe_v be_v incomparable_o overmatcht_v by_o the_o difficulty_n of_o the_o mystery_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v rational_o according_a to_o his_o ground_n no_o faith_n at_o all_o this_o be_v my_o true_a argument_n which_o perhaps_o may_v be_v surprise_v to_o he_o which_o make_v he_o thus_o start_v aside_o from_o put_v or_o answer_v it_o though_o we_o may_v perceive_v by_o his_o carriage_n he_o esteem_v not_o it_o and_o other_o such_o like_a very_o pleasant_a indeed_o he_o still_o put_v on_o a_o pleasant_a look_v when_o he_o shall_v be_v sober_a and_o be_v ever_o most_o merry_a when_o it_o become_v he_o to_o be_v the_o most_o serious_a but_o this_o be_v long_o since_o understand_v to_o be_v a_o necessary_a policy_n not_o a_o genuine_a effect_n of_o nature_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o transubstantiation_n be_v evident_o impossible_a to_o be_v true_a if_o so_o than_o it_o imply_v some_o contradiction_n 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 it_o must_v so_o penetrate_v his_o ground_n and_o what_o relate_v to_o they_o as_o to_o see_v clear_o he_o can_v be_v deceiuâ—d_v in_o judge_v his_o ground_n of_o faith_n conclusive_a whereas_o my_o tenet_n be_v that_o let_v any_o man_n though_o of_o the_o acute_a understanding_n and_o great_a learning_n that_o may_v be_v entertain_v any_o tenet_n as_o faith_n oâ—_n reveal_v by_o god_n upon_o any_o other_o motive_n than_o what_o god_n have_v lose_v to_o his_o church_n this_o man_n however_o thus_o endow_v not_o only_o may_v but_o in_o likelihood_n will_v be_v deceive_v not_o for_o want_v of_o wit_n but_o for_o want_v of_o ground_n ascertain_v and_o infallible_o engage_v the_o divine_a revelation_n on_o the_o other_o side_n let_v the_o simple_a and_o weak_a understanding_n that_o be_v happen_v to_o embrace_v faith_n upon_o the_o motive_n lay_v by_o god_n and_o leave_v in_o his_o church_n he_o be_v infallible_o secure_a from_o be_v in_o a_o error_n not_o through_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o understanding_n perfect_o discern_v and_o penetrate_v the_o conclusive_a nature_n of_o his_o ground_n but_o though_o the_o strength_n of_o those_o ground_n themselves_o or_o of_o the_o cause_n lay_v by_o god_n providence_n to_o plant_v and_o continue_v right_a faith_n in_o the_o church_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o what_o he_o have_v thus_o more_a by_o the_o peculiar_a disposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a providence_n than_o any_o reach_n of_o his_o own_o wit_n or_o judgement_n fortunate_o embrace_v be_v preserve_v impossible_a to_o false_a and_o consequent_o his_o assent_n to_o it_o impossible_a to_o be_v a_o error_n because_o the_o church_n authority_n upon_o which_o he_o receive_v it_o be_v infallible_a and_o sure_o it_o be_v but_o fit_v that_o all_o who_o believe_v upon_o that_o rule_n god_n have_v leave_v and_o command_v we_o to_o follow_v shall_v be_v thus_o secure_v from_o possibility_n of_o mistake_n for_o otherwise_o since_o a_o power_n be_v relative_a to_o its_o proper_a act_n what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a may_v actual_o be_v so_o and_o so_o we_o may_v come_v to_o be_v lead_v actual_o into_o error_n by_o obey_v god_n command_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o apply_v thâ—s_n if_o dr._n t._n therefore_o make_v scripture_n letter_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n leave_v by_o god_n for_o mankind_n to_o receive_v their_o faith_n upon_o and_o by_o do_v so_o have_v command_v they_o to_o believe_v it_o he_o must_v either_o say_v that_o its_o sense_n and_o letter_n take_v they_o as_o he_o build_v his_o faith_n on_o they_o have_v no_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n or_o beside_o the_o many_o absurdity_n already_o mention_v grant_v that_o our_o alwise_a and_o good_a god_n can_v possible_o lead_v man_n into_o actual_a error_n nay_o command_v they_o to_o profess_v and_o die_v for_o a_o lie_n than_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v
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 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my_o discourse_n and_o pick_v out_o here_o and_o there_o something_o from_o its_o fellow_n pervert_v and_o make_v it_o fit_a to_o be_v laugh_v at_o and_o then_o laugh_v exquisite_o at_o it_o as_o if_o any_o degree_n of_o wit_n will_v not_o serve_v to_o abuse_v and_o find_v fault_n and_o a_o little_a wit_n furnish_v a_o man_n for_o satyr_n as_o he_o have_v since_o teach_v the_o world_n himself_o serm._n p._n 123._o it_o be_v common_a with_o he_o to_o deny_v the_o conclusion_n and_o allege_v some_o pretty_a plausible_a thing_n against_o it_o and_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o premise_n or_o attempt_v the_o proof_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v a_o method_n against_o which_o euclid_n himself_o have_v say_v nothing_o strong_a enough_o to_o be_v secure_a near_o three_o part_n of_o his_o book_n impose_v wrong_a tenet_n on_o i_o change_v constant_o my_o sense_n and_o sometime_o my_o word_n and_o whereas_o in_o thing_n subject_a to_o reason_n no_o scholar_n be_v bind_v to_o defend_v 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book_n alone_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la be_v use_v of_o a_o temper_n much_o strong_a than_o those_o which_o be_v forge_v in_o the_o school_n i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o suggestion_n but_o i_o know_v without_o other_o demerit_n more_o than_o i_o have_v here_o express_v a_o order_n be_v procure_v by_o his_o best_a friend_n to_o seize_v upon_o my_o person_n and_o my_o friend_n be_v inform_v by_o some_o great_a man_n that_o if_o i_o be_v apprehend_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o save_v my_o life_n to_o enforce_v this_o project_n beside_o divers_a extravagant_a calumny_n information_n be_v give_v to_o magistrate_n make_v i_o guilty_a of_o do_v more_o good_a than_o it_o be_v almost_o possible_a any_o one_o single_a man_n shall_v commit_v i_o can_v accuse_v dr._n t._n of_o have_v a_o particular_a hand_n in_o this_o unhandsome_a malice_n only_o i_o can_v with_o truth_n aver_v that_o the_o lay_v open_a in_o my_o letter_n of_o thanks_o his_o fault_n as_o a_o writer_n be_v as_o appear_v by_o the_o circumstance_n the_o immediate_a occasion_n of_o it_o and_o that_o about_o that_o time_n i_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o honest_a protestant_a who_o converse_v with_o all_o three_o that_o he_o judge_v in_o his_o conscience_n d._n w._n be_v civil_a than_o to_o take_v such_o ungentile_a way_n and_o dr._n st._n sober_a or_o wary_a but_o that_o i_o shall_v have_v a_o care_n of_o dr._n t._n for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v by_o his_o word_n that_o if_o it_o lay_v in_o his_o power_n to_o ruin_v i_o he_o will_v do_v it_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o which_o information_n his_o know_a genius_n and_o humour_n contribute_v too_o much_o which_o be_v poor_a man_n to_o be_v a_o great_a papist-hater_n so_o that_o have_v rome_n but_o one_o neck_n i_o know_v no_o man_n live_v more_o fit_a to_o be_v the_o executioner_n and_o strike_v a_o speed_a blow_n against_o this_o storm_n i_o have_v no_o shelter_n but_o a_o lurk_a hole_n into_o which_o i_o retire_v the_o second_o time_n and_o place_v strict_a sentinel_n of_o care_n upon_o my_o security_n in_o this_o confinement_n i_o begin_v to_o write_v a_o very_a particular_a answer_n to_o dr._n t_n book_n intend_v when_o the_o conjuncture_n be_v more_o seasonable_a and_o my_o ability_n sufficient_a to_o publish_v it_o but_o no_o favourable_a crisis_n of_o this_o morbus_fw-la animi_fw-la appear_v time_n have_v not_o its_o usual_a influence_n upon_o spirit_n implacable_o exulcerate_v and_o the_o motion_n continue_v very_o violent_a though_o the_o first_o impulse_n be_v long_o pass_v when_o my_o person_n appear_v not_o my_o friend_n be_v find_v out_o and_o a_o family_n with_o which_o it_o be_v suspect_v i_o converse_v design_v for_o ruin_n so_o exemplary_a virtuous_a and_o in_o all_o respect_v worthy_a that_o shall_v i_o speak_v what_o i_o know_v i_o may_v perhaps_o be_v think_v to_o flatter_v against_o these_o while_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o nation_n sit_v quiet_a in_o the_o undisturbed_a comfort_n of_o the_o general_a mercy_n the_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n be_v prosecute_v and_o urge_v almost_o to_o the_o extremity_n before_o they_o can_v find_v out_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o partiality_n use_v to_o they_o for_o they_o be_v very_o far_o from_o give_v particular_a offence_n at_o last_o upon_o strict_a inquiry_n they_o find_v that_o all_o this_o anger_n spring_v from_o my_o be_v see_v at_o their_o house_n though_o that_o be_v both_o a_o very_a little_a space_n and_o long_o before_o and_o that_o the_o same_o be_v intend_v against_o all_o who_o shall_v entertain_v i_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o like_a inconvenience_n drive_v i_o from_o the_o circumstance_n in_o which_o i_o be_v and_o which_o be_v all_o my_o livelihood_n nor_o can_v i_o easy_o find_v admittance_n any_o where_o i_o understand_v this_o to_o signify_v i_o be_v to_o be_v awe_v at_o least_o by_o the_o apprehension_n of_o my_o friend_n danger_n if_o i_o be_v more_o careless_a of_o myself_o from_o print_v the_o answer_n i_o have_v promise_v 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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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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 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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
it_o be_v the_o first_o create_v one_o or_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o discourse_v about_o creature_n as_o to_o their_o nature_n or_o essâ—nces_n that_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v therefore_o true_a because_o god_n be_v what_o he_o be_v or_o because_o self-existence_n be_v self-existence_n as_o be_v explicate_v above_o §_o 1._o &_o 2._o which_o i_o hope_v dr._n t_n goodness_n will_v so_o much_o prevail_v above_o his_o ignorance_n as_o not_o to_o judge_v ridiculous_a whatever_o he_o think_v of_o the_o first_o create_v truth_n which_o immediate_o depend_v on_o the_o other_o §_o 13._o but_o why_o must_v first_o principles_n be_v necessary_o express_v with_o that_o most_o perfectly-formal_a identity_n or_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v be_v put_v in_o the_o selfsame_a word_n be_v it_o not_o enough_o the_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o as_o be_v find_v in_o definition_n but_o the_o word_n must_v be_v the_o same_o also_o which_o bear_v a_o show_n of_o ridiculousness_n and_o seem_v to_o admit_v of_o no_o possibility_n of_o advance_v towards_o new_a knowledge_n why_o can_v then_o the_o definition_n serve_v to_o principle_n all_o our_o discourse_n about_o the_o thing_n define_v without_o recur_v to_o such_o proposition_n as_o appear_v little_o better_o than_o flâ—t_n and_o insignificant_a as_o to_o that_o purpose_n i_o answer_v the_o objection_n in_o great_a part_n demand_v what_o use_v can_v be_v make_v of_o first_o principle_n which_o shall_v be_v speak_v to_o in_o the_o next_o discourse_n but_o that_o definition_n be_v not_o the_o very_a prime_a verity_n of_o all_o appear_v evident_o already_o because_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v the_o thing_n possibility_n to_o be_v define_v must_v necessary_o antecede_v the_o definition_n and_o the_o same_o will_v be_v far_o clear_v by_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o definition_n be_v often_o liable_a to_o dispute_v but_o identical_a proposition_n never_o i_o have_v hear_v a_o certain_a learned_a and_o ingenuous_a person_n disallow_v he_o rational_a creature_n to_o be_v a_o right_a definition_n of_o a_o man_n and_o discourse_v very_o sober_o how_o proud_a a_o thing_n mankind_n be_v to_o arrogate_v all_o the_o reason_n to_o himself_o whereas_o diverse_a bird_n and_o beast_n in_o their_o several_a sphere_n have_v as_o much_o or_o more_o reason_n than_o he._n and_o yet_o i_o dare_v say_v the_o same_o gentleman_n will_v hearty_o allow_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n nay_o indeed_o all_o the_o sceptic_n in_o the_o world_n admit_v identical_a proposition_n to_o be_v true_a yet_o the_o same_o man_n quarrel_v every_o definition_n extant_a since_o then_o it_o be_v direct_o against_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n to_o be_v dlsputable_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o definition_n can_v be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o all_o 2._o first_o principles_n ought_v to_o be_v principia_fw-la intellectus_fw-la and_o natural_o ingraft_v in_o we_o that_o so_o they_o may_v oblige_v all_o under_o forfeiture_n of_o their_o nature_n to_o acquiesce_v to_o their_o verity_n whereas_o definition_n be_v not_o such_o but_o acquire_v by_o practical_a self-evidence_n for_o example_n by_o a_o long_a course_n of_o observation_n heedful_o attend_v to_o the_o action_n of_o man_n as_o man_n and_o thence_o by_o mean_n of_o some_o first_o principle_n evidence_v so_o constant_a a_o hit_v in_o so_o many_o particular_n to_o be_v beyond_o chance_n or_o accident_n gather_v his_o primary_n and_o proper_a operation_n we_o come_v to_o know_v the_o definition_n of_o man_n none_o of_o which_o need_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o nature-taught_a proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o man_n or_o a_o rational_a creature_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n moreover_o definition_n general_o need_v some_o skill_n of_o art_n to_o make_v they_o and_o all_o art_n presuppose_v some_o first_o principle_n whence_o it_o be_v impossible_a definition_n shall_v be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o 3._o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o word_n be_v liable_a to_o equivocation_n where_o there_o be_v few_o word_n there_o be_v less_o room_n for_o equivocate_a wherefore_o since_o first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o clear_a and_o consequent_o the_o most_o unequivocal_a that_o can_v be_v imagine_v definition_n which_o explicate_v the_o notion_n in_o more_o word_n afford_v more_o room_n for_o equivocation_n and_o consequent_o be_v even_o in_o this_o regard_n less_o fit_a to_o be_v first_o principles_n 4._o last_o logical_a trick_n of_o nice_o distinguish_v sometime_o elude_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o proposition_n at_o least_o darken_v it_o from_o which_o inconvenience_n first_o principle_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o most_o free_a that_o may_v be_v now_o definition_n yield_v more_o room_n for_o equivocalness_n do_v by_o consequence_n give_v more_o occasion_n of_o distinguish_v whereas_o identical_a proposition_n afford_v not_o the_o least_o for_o example_n this_o proposition_n a_fw-la man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n bear_v this_o distinction_n a_o man_n be_v rational_a in_o some_o thing_n as_o in_o discourse_v those_o notion_n that_o concern_v quantity_n but_o not_o in_o other_o e._n g._n those_o which_o concern_v be_v or_o rational_a that_o be_v capable_a to_o discourse_v right_o the_o nature_n of_o some_o body_n but_o not_o of_o spirit_n be_v it_o not_o evident_a hence_o that_o this_o definition_n of_o man_n be_v by_o this_o mean_v render_v in_o show_n ambiguous_a and_o i_o wish_v there_o be_v not_o too_o many_o in_o the_o world_n who_o out_o of_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a method_n to_o science_n think_v this_o distinction_n both_o wellgrounded_n and_o very_o pertinent_a now_o this_o be_v so_o who_o see_v not_o that_o the_o true_a limit_n of_o the_o definition_n of_o man_n become_v doubtful_a by_o such_o kind_n of_o distinction_n and_o consequent_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o definition_n itself_o unknown_a whereas_o nothing_o of_o this_o can_v possible_o happen_v in_o that_o identical_a proposition_n a_o man_n be_v a_o man_n since_o whatever_o distinction_n affect_v the_o predicate_v must_v also_o affect_v the_o subject_a and_o so_o the_o proposition_n remain_v still_o entire_o identical_a and_o perfect_o true_a and_o not_o in_o part_n only_o as_o it_o happen_v in_o the_o other_o it_o be_v conclude_v then_o from_o all_o imaginable_a consideration_n that_o can_v belong_v to_o this_o peculiar_a matter_n that_o the_o very_o first_o principle_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n else_o but_o identical_a proposition_n §_o 14._o as_o for_o their_o seem_a ridiculous_a to_o some_o person_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o those_o man_n of_o mirth_n be_v lead_v much_o by_o fancy_n and_o inure_v all_o their_o life_n to_o pretty_a plausibility_n and_o seldom_o or_o never_o reflect_v on_o or_o discourse_v orderly_o from_o such_o ground_n be_v hence_o apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o first_o principle_n aâ—e_v certain_a great_a rarity_n or_o production_n of_o some_o extraordinary_a height_n of_o wit_n when_o therefore_o they_o come_v to_o hear_v identical_a proposition_n allege_v for_o first_o principle_n see_v their_o high_a expectation_n so_o strange_o disappoint_v they_o hereupon_o grow_v pleasant_a at_o the_o defeat_n of_o their_o fancy_n never_o consider_v that_o because_o first_o principle_n ground_n all_o possible_a discourse_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o and_o therefore_o be_v common_a to_o all_o mankind_n even_o the_o rude_a in_o the_o world_n and_o inbred_a in_o they_o they_o must_v therefore_o be_v the_o far_a from_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o wit_n and_o the_o most_o plain_o down_o right_a say_n that_o can_v be_v conceive_v whence_o they_o be_v better_o learn_v from_o the_o vulgar_a than_o they_o be_v from_o great_a scholar_n and_o therefore_o the_o most_o learned_a man_n that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v go_v to_o work_v solid_o ought_v in_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o result_v of_o pure_a natural_a knowledge_n attend_v to_o such_o as_o speak_v mere_a nature_n rather_o than_o to_o those_o who_o mingle_v and_o perhaps_o corrupt_v it_o with_o airy_a speculation_n which_o have_v not_o that_o firm_a basis_n to_o ground_v their_o discourse_n now_o it_o be_v obvious_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o nature-instructed_n vulgar_a be_v apt_a to_o deliver_v themselves_o in_o such_o kind_n of_o plain_a speech_n in_o due_a occasion_n and_o make_v use_n of_o they_o as_o truth_n which_o fix_v their_o judgement_n in_o a_o unalterableness_n for_o example_n if_o a_o man_n will_v force_v one_o of_o they_o to_o forgo_v what_o be_v very_o evident_a he_o will_v stick_v firm_o to_o the_o point_n and_o tell_v you_o sober_o that_o truth_n be_v truth_n or_o that_o he_o be_v sure_a a_o spade_n be_v a_o spade_n or_o that_o he_o know_v what_o he_o know_v or_o if_o it_o be_v in_o a_o point_n belong_v to_o justice_n that_o right_o be_v right_o and_o bring_v in_o these_o as_o evidence_n from_o
side_n he_o who_o discourse_v ill_a violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o run_v into_o contradiction_n absurdity_n and_o what_o mean_v violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o speak_v contradiction_n but_o the_o make_v the_o thing_n not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v and_o so_o falsify_v by_o his_o discourse_n that_o principle_n which_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a in_o this_o circumstance_n to_o the_o contradiction_n he_o sustain_v which_o be_v that_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v for_o example_n dr._n t._n put_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o unless_o he_o will_v be_v strange_o uncharitable_a must_v grant_v convince_v by_o experience_n in_o the_o socinian_o and_o other_o that_o many_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n and_o yet_o judge_v not_o right_a concern_v what_o be_v true_a faith_n what_o not_o which_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n or_o make_v a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n contrary_a to_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n in_o that_o affair_n for_o he_o put_v it_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n ex_fw-la suppositâ—one_fw-la and_o yet_o put_v it_o to_o be_v no_o rule_n because_o the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o power_n be_v mislead_v which_o argue_v there_o be_v in_o this_o case_n no_o fault_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o a_o regulative_a virtue_n in_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n §_o 11._o hence_o be_v easy_o understand_v what_o use_n be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n viz._n not_o to_o make_v that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o principle_n in_o such_o a_o affair_n one_o of_o the_o premise_n in_o a_o syllogism_n much_o less_o to_o make_v that_o one_o single_a identical_a proposition_n both_o the_o premise_n or_o two_o proposition_n as_o our_o shallow_a logician_n in_o his_o wild_a rant_v of_o drollery_n will_v persuade_v the_o reader_n but_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n have_v a_o far_o more_o sovereign_a influence_n over_o the_o discourse_n than_o any_o of_o those_o particular_a proposition_n decisive_o as_o it_o be_v abet_v or_o dis-approving_a the_o whole_a it_o be_v therefore_o to_o stand_v fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o discourser_n and_o be_v heedful_o attend_v to_o so_o to_o give_v a_o steadiness_n to_o all_o his_o ratiocination_n it_o be_v its_o office_n to_o be_v the_o test_n or_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n or_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v right_a what_o crooked_a oblique_a or_o deviate_a from_o true_a nature_n if_o in_o dispute_n one_o hold_v firm_o to_o that_o it_o authenticate_v his_o discourse_n to_o be_v the_o solid_a gold_n of_o truth_n if_o any_o plausible_a talk_v make_v a_o mock-show_a of_o connexion_n or_o truth_n it_o discover_v the_o cheat_n show_v by_o its_o own_o most_o evident_a connexion_n the_o unconnectedness_n or_o looseness_n of_o the_o other_o empty_a babble_n and_o demonstrate_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mere_a dross_n of_o falsehood_n how_o fair_a soever_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o eye_n at_o first_o and_o how_o pretty_o soever_o it_o be_v superficial_o gild_v with_o sophisticate_a rhetoric_n or_o other_o artificial_a trick_n of_o counterfeit_a truth_n it_o be_v like_o a_o immovable_a basis_n that_o sustain_v all_o the_o superstructure_n of_o truth_n though_o itself_o rise_v not_o above_o its_o own_o firm_a level_n or_o like_o a_o rock_n which_o by_o its_o rigid_a hardness_n dash_v asunder_o into_o contradiction_n and_o folly_n the_o ill-coherent_a and_o weak_a production_n of_o witty_a ignorance_n no_o wonder_n then_o dr._n t._n abuse_v so_o the_o first_o principle_n as_o good_a for_o nothing_o for_o he_o perceive_v they_o dispose_v to_o abuse_v he_o by_o show_v all_o his_o discourse_n to_o be_v nothing_o but_o well-clad_a nonsense_n and_o though_o his_o way_n of_o discourse_n or_o his_o cause_n not_o bear_v it_o he_o can_v work_v with_o they_o yet_o if_o i_o be_v not_o much_o mistake_v they_o will_v make_v work_n with_o he_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o instance_n §_o 12._o i'faith_o meaning_n by_o it_o a_o believe_v upon_o motive_n leave_v by_o god_n in_o his_o church_n to_o light_a mankind_n to_o his_o truth_n as_o i_o express_v myself_o in_o my_o preface_n to_o faith_n vindicate_v and_o elsewhere_o be_v a_o assent_n impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o this_o be_v find_v in_o its_o definition_n as_o its_o difference_n essential_o distinguish_v it_o from_o opinion_n which_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o be_v prove_v by_o more_o than_o forty_o demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n not_o one_o of_o which_o have_v yet_o be_v in_o the_o least_o reply_v to_o wherefore_o be_v a_o direct_a part_n of_o the_o definition_n it_o engage_v that_o first_o verity_n on_o which_o the_o definition_n itself_o be_v ground_v that_o be_v if_o faith_n be_v not_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a faith_n be_v not_o faith_n wherefore_o dr._n t._n who_o for_o all_o his_o shuffle_n make_v faith_n thus_o understand_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a be_v convince_v to_o clash_v with_o that_o self-evident_a identical_a proposition_n by_o make_v faith_n to_o be_v not_o faith_n and_o if_o the_o pretend_a demonstration_n in_o faith_n vindicated_n or_o any_o of_o they_o stand_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n dr._n st._n if_o they_o true_o say_v what_o they_o think_v be_v as_o certain_o conclude_v to_o be_v none_o of_o the_o faithful_a as_o it_o be_v that_o faith_n be_v faith_n §_o 13._o also_o tradition_n be_v a_o delivery_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o sense_n of_o immediate_a forefather_n to_o their_o child_n or_o to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o age_n by_o live_v voice_n and_o practice_n that_o be_v by_o catechise_v preach_a converse_v practise_v and_o all_o the_o way_n thâ—t_o can_v be_v possible_o find_v in_o education_n it_o follow_v that_o if_o mankind_n can_v express_v what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o thought_n to_o other_o at_o long_o run_v as_o we_o use_v to_o say_v so_o as_o to_o make_v generality_n at_o least_o the_o wise_a understand_v they_o we_o have_v lose_v mankind_n since_o to_o do_v this_o require_v little_o more_o than_o eye_n ear_n power_n of_o speak_v and_o common_a sense_n wherefore_o let_v this_o way_n of_o tradition_n be_v follow_v and_o it_o will_v convey_v the_o first-taught_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n that_o be_v true_a faith_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n therefore_o it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o belong_v intrinsical_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v if_o man_n be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o but_o follow_v it_o to_o their_o power_n it_o will_v infallible_o derive_v down_o the_o first_o that_o be_v right_o faâ—th_v since_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v what_o it_o be_v by_o its_o have_v such_o a_o nature_n in_o it_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v indeed_o a_o rule_n wherefore_o he_o who_o deny_v that_o tradition_n have_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n that_o mankind_n be_v mankind_n and_o he_o who_o deny_v it_o have_v in_o it_o all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n deny_v by_o consequence_n a_o rule_n to_o be_v a_o rule_n §_o 14_o my_o last_o instance_n show_v withal_o more_o ample_o the_o use_n of_o first_o principle_n shall_v be_v of_o that_o identical_a proposition_n which_o ground_n the_o whole_a nature_n of_o discourse_n and_o it_o be_v this_o the_o same_n be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o be_v thus_o make_v use_n of_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v the_o identity_n or_o as_o we_o may_v say_v the_o sameness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o predicate_v which_o it_o connect_v and_o it_o be_v the_o aim_n of_o reason_n to_o prove_v these_o two_o term_n identify_v in_o the_o concsusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o that_o proposition_n we_o call_v the_o conclusion_n be_v true_a but_o how_o shall_v this_o be_v prove_v a_o three_o term_n be_v seek_v for_o which_o be_v the_o same_o with_o those_o two_o other_o and_o thence_o '_o tâ—s_v evince_v that_o those_o two_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n and_o why_o because_o otherwise_o that_o three_o term_n will_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o be_v what_o it_o be_v if_o it_o be_v true_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o two_o other_o and_o yet_o those_o two_o be_v not_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o one_o another_o but_o it_o will_v have_v division_n in_o its_o very_a nature_n or_o not_o be_v its_o self_n be_v in_o that_o case_n distract_v into_o more_o essential_a nature_n that_o be_v be_v chimerical_a and_o consequent_o two_o thing_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o of_o those_o term_n according_a to_o the_o other_o the_o
same_o with_o the_o other_o which_o be_v impossible_a in_o regard_n every_o thing_n be_v precise_o what_o it_o be_v or_o the_o same_o with_o itself_o it_o follow_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o conclusion_n thus_o deduce_v shall_v not_o be_v true_a or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o that_o the_o extreme_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o selfsame_a as_o far_o as_o concern_v verify_v or_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o proposition_n for_o example_n in_o this_o syllogism_n virtue_n be_v laudable_a courtesy_n be_v a_o virtue_n therefore_o courtesy_n be_v laudable_a the_o two_o first_o proposition_n be_v true_a and_o the_o copula_fw-la be_v express_v identity_n of_o the_o extreme_n we_o see_v that_o laudable_a and_o courtesy_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o same_o with_o virtue_n wherefore_o also_o either_o they_o must_v forcible_o be_v the_o same_o in_o the_o conclusion_n or_o else_o virtue_n must_v be_v not_o one_o but_o two_o that_o be_v must_v involve_v in_o its_o self_n two_o dis-agreeing_a nature_n according_a to_o one_o of_o which_o it_o be_v the_o same_o with_o laudable_a and_o according_a to_o the_o other_o with_o courtesy_n by_o which_o mean_v courtesy_n and_o laudable_a become_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o conclusion_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a virtue_n shall_v have_v intrinsecal_n disagreement_n or_o division_n within_o its_o own_o self_n or_o not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o its_o own_o self_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o be_v not-it-self_n wherefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a those_o two_o term_n true_o express_v to_o be_v the_o same_o with_o virtue_n in_o the_o premise_n shall_v not_o be_v the_o same_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o conclusion_n or_o which_o be_v all_o one_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o conclusion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a §_o 15._o hence_o be_v see_v that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o light_n by_o which_o we_o draw_v new_a knowledge_n out_o of_o foregoing_a one_o be_v that_o very_a light_n which_o shine_v in_o thâ—s_n self-evident_a proposition_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o which_o will_v make_v one_o think_v very_o this_o identical_a proposition_n be_v neither_o ridiculous_a nor_o good_a for_o nothing_o as_o also_o which_o our_o great_a doctor_n will_v wonder_v at_o that_o if_o the_o term_n be_v free_v from_o ambiguity_n and_o a_o middle_a term_n be_v right_o choose_v a_o man_n who_o understand_v logic_n may_v come_v to_o be_v infallible_o assure_v of_o his_o conclusision_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n a_o mathematician_n may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o omne_fw-la triangulum_fw-la habet_fw-la tres_fw-la angulos_fw-la aequales_fw-la duobus_fw-la rectis_fw-la and_o upon_o this_o assurance_n give_v he_o by_o these_o ridiculous_a first_o principle_n as_o our_o ridiculous_a logician_n call_v they_o grow_v so_o hard_o heart_v in_o hold_v to_o his_o conclusion_n thus_o demonstrative_o deduce_v that_o he_o will_v not_o forgo_v it_o though_o two_o admirable_a vndemonstrate_v doctor_n of_o no_o principle_n dr._n st._n and_o dr._n t._n break_v jest_n after_o jest_n which_o my_o friend_n call_v here_o fair_a admonition_n upon_o principle_n demonstration_n rule_n etc._n etc._n and_o upon_o i_o for_o hold_v they_o even_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v good_a dr._n t._n quite_o despair_n of_o convince_a i_o as_o he_o here_o sober_o and_o sad_o complain_v to_o his_o reader_n pref._n p._n 3._o §_o 16._o last_o hence_o be_v see_v in_o what_o way_n we_o make_v use_v of_o this_o first_o principle_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o and_o the_o like_a be_v to_o be_v â—aid_v of_o other_o of_o this_o nature_n to_o wit_n thus_o that_o if_o the_o discourse_n be_v so_o frame_v as_o necessary_o to_o engage_v the_o verity_n of_o that_o first_o principle_n it_o must_v most_o inevitable_o and_o infallible_o be_v certain_a and_o demonstrative_a but_o if_o the_o discourse_n clash_n with_o it_o and_o thwart_v it_o it_o be_v as_o certain_o contradictory_n absurd_a and_o false_a §_o 17._o i_o foresee_v this_o first_o principle_n now_o speak_v of_o which_o ground_n all_o reason_n will_v even_o for_o that_o regard_n incur_v dr._n t_n high_a disfavour_n as_o well_o as_o its_o fellow_n for_o a_o very_a small_a stock_n of_o reason_n will_v serve_v to_o set_a up_o a_o talk_v divine_a and_o too_o much_o will_v quite_o break_v he_o and_o therefore_o i_o have_v a_o great_a desire_n to_o reconcile_v they_o by_o let_v he_o see_v that_o himself_o through_o the_o goodness_n of_o nature_n be_v force_v to_o guide_v himself_o by_o those_o first_o principle_n though_o he_o strive_v all_o he_o can_v to_o pervert_v nature_n and_o slight_v they_o nay_o that_o himself_o must_v grant_v that_o identical_a proposition_n deserve_v to_o be_v call_v and_o esteem_v first_o principle_n after_o all_o this_o rant_a and_o swagger_a noise_n against_o they_o to_o do_v this_o i_o will_v put_v they_o on_o his_o side_n hope_v his_o own_o interest_n passion_n and_o partiality_n to_o whâ—ch_v his_o reason_n seem_v a_o swear_a slave_n will_v invite_v he_o to_o see_v that_o truth_n which_o in_o other_o circumstance_n he_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o in_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n p._n 183_o 184._o he_o combat_n sure_a foot_n as_o make_v moral_a motive_n and_o argument_n necessary_o produce_v their_o effect_n upon_o a_o free_a agent_n the_o will_n of_o man_n and_o argue_v pretty_a well_o against_o it_o if_o he_o be_v not_o mistake_v all_o the_o while_n out_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o free_a and_o certain_o he_o must_v see_v it_o be_v his_o own_o best_a and_o close_a play_n to_o contend_v that_o i_o subvert_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n as_o such_o by_o my_o discourse_n and_o what_o mean_v this_o but_o that_o my_o discourse_n make_v that_o which_o be_v free_a to_o be_v not-free_a and_o be_v not_o this_o as_o plain_o to_o say_v that_o i_o wrong_v that_o principle_n what_o be_v free_a be_v free_a as_o man_n can_v speak_v if_o he_o say_v it_o be_v not_o i_o ask_v he_o what_o first_o truth_n or_o principle_n i_o wrong_v by_o make_v that_o which_o be_v free_a to_o be_v not_o free_a if_o i_o wrong_v no_o principle_n my_o discourse_n will_v be_v unblameable_a if_o any_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n can_v assign_v none_o but_o that_o identical_a proposition_n what_o be_v free_a be_v free_a this_o and_o only_o this_o be_v formal_o oppose_v to_o that_o other_o in_o which_o he_o must_v contend_v my_o discourse_n be_v faulty_a namely_o the_o sustain_a that_o what_o be_v free_a be_v not_o free_a again_o as_o be_v say_v a_o contradiction_n be_v the_o chief_a of_o falsehood_n and_o be_v faulty_a in_o point_n of_o truth_n and_o all_o fault_n or_o defect_n be_v as_o such_o a_o negative_a or_o privative_a its_o malice_n can_v only_o be_v know_v by_o the_o positive_a good_a which_o it_o violate_v or_o exclude_v that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n by_o the_o opposite_a truth_n which_o it_o destroy_v but_o the_o proper_a opposite_a to_o a_o contradiction_n be_v a_o identical_a proposition_n as_o have_v be_v show_v also_o it_o be_v proper_a opposite_a it_o be_v a_o chief_a falsehood_n be_v a_o chief_a truâ—h_n or_o first_o principle_n therefore_o not_o only_o all_o first_o principle_n be_v identical_a proposition_n but_o in_o case_n those_o be_v not_o establish_v first_o contradiction_n will_v be_v harmless_a innocent_a fool_n hurt_v no_o truth_n or_o principle_n in_o the_o world_n and_o even_o though_o they_o be_v establish_v dr._n t._n tell_v we_o very_o serious_o pref._n p._n 38._o they_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o and_o so_o still_o he_o plead_v for_o the_o innocency_n of_o contradiction_n and_o disgrace_n their_o enemy_n first_o principle_n one_o will_v guess_v he_o have_v far_o more_o of_o those_o on_o his_o side_n than_o of_o these_o as_o it_o will_v appear_v when_o his_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n come_v to_o be_v scan_v and_o particular_o in_o that_o passage_n i_o late_o cite_v where_o though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o plausible_a part_n of_o his_o book_n yet_o it_o shall_v be_v show_v partly_o hereafter_o in_o this_o treatise_n partly_o more_o in_o the_o next_o that_o he_o mistake_v the_o nature_n of_o necessity_n liberty_n will_n and_o even_o manhood_n or_o else_o when_o he_o hap_v to_o hit_v right_a misapplies_a his_o objection_n to_o the_o wrong_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n §_o 18._o if_o after_o all_o this_o dr._n t._n can_v conceive_v that_o the_o first_o principle_n be_v identical_a proposition_n let_v he_o imagine_v a_o man_n divest_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o identical_a proposition_n and_o then_o let_v he_o tell_v i_o how_o or_o in_o virtue_n of_o what_o such_o a_o man_n can_v either_o judge_n know_v or_o discourse_n or_o let_v he_o show_v i_o what_o can_v hâ—nder_v such_o a_o soul_n from_o take_v direct_a contradiction_n to_o be_v first_o principle_n
infallible_o certain_a on_o the_o subject_n side_n than_o another_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o same_o person_n his_o faith_n may_v be_v come_v more_o lively_a than_o former_o according_a as_o he_o render_v it_o more_o express_a to_o his_o thought_n and_o better_a dint_a or_o imprint_v in_o they_o which_o be_v do_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n habitual_o by_o often_o think_v on_o the_o point_n which_o way_n be_v proper_a to_o the_o vulgar_a or_o know_o by_o penetrate_v its_o ground_n still_o better_a and_o better_o and_o so_o make_v those_o judgement_n solider_fw-la and_o firm_a it_o be_v see_v also_o that_o one_o object_n maybe_o just_o say_v to_o be_v more_o impossible_a to_o be_v false_a than_o another_o because_o that_o other_o be_v not_o at_o all_o such_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o it_o and_o dependence_n on_o it_o according_a to_o that_o axiom_n quod_fw-la per_fw-la se_fw-la est_fw-la tale_n est_fw-la magis_fw-la tale_n what_o be_v so_o of_o itself_o be_v more_o or_o more_o perfect_o such_o than_o what_o be_v such_o by_o mean_n of_o another_o and_o with_o good_a reason_n for_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a sole_o by_o dependence_n on_o another_o it_o be_v consequent_o of_o itself_o possible_a to_o â—e_v false_a yet_o this_o possibility_n can_v never_o be_v reduce_v into_o act_n because_o that_o object_n or_o truth_n be_v never_o find_v unconnect_v with_o that_o other_o on_o which_o it_o depend_v but_o ever_o most_o intimate_o unite_v with_o it_o and_o so_o engage_v its_o verity_n §_o 14._o pag._n 18._o dr._n t._n endeavour_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o notion_n of_o moral_a certainty_n which_o i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o learn_v for_o i_o be_o not_o ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o i_o never_o understand_v it_o perfect_o in_o my_o life_n some_o mean_v one_o thing_n by_o it_o another_o mean_v another_o thing_n as_o their_o fancy_n lead_v they_o now_o i_o for_o my_o part_n declare_v that_o i_o have_v no_o distinct_a notion_n or_o knowledge_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o i_o can_v define_v nor_o can_v i_o define_v that_o the_o limit_n or_o bound_n of_o who_o nature_n i_o see_v not_o nor_o i_o be_o confident_a any_o man_n live_v i_o wish_v dr._n t._n better_a success_n moral_a certainty_n say_v he_o be_v sometime_o take_v for_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o probability_n which_o can_v only_o produce_v a_o doubtful_a assent_n he_o mean_v i_o suppose_v such_o a_o assent_n as_o be_v a_o doubt_n or_o suspend_v of_o assent_n that_o be_v such_o a_o assent_n as_o be_v no_o assent_n i_o wish_v dr._n t._n will_v go_v to_o school_v a_o while_n to_o honest_a dame_n nature_n and_o learn_v his_o hornbook_n of_o first_o principle_n and_o not_o thus_o ever_o and_o anon_o commit_v such_o banger_n to_o doubt_n signify_v to_o fear_v a_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a or_o not_o not_o to_o dare_v to_o assent_v to_o it_o that_o be_v not_o to_o assent_v and_o so_o a_o doubtful_a assent_n be_v not_o assent_v assent_n that_o be_v a_o assent_n which_o be_v not_o a_o assent_n he_o proceed_v yet_o it_o be_v also_o frequent_o use_v for_o a_o firm_a and_o undoubted_a assent_n to_o a_o thing_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o be_v fit_a full_o to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n here_o be_v many_o thing_n worth_a remark_n if_o one_o have_v leisure_n and_o first_o what_o mean_v a_o undoubted_a assent_n it_o be_v the_o thing_n proper_o speak_v be_v undoubted_a or_o not-doubted_n of_o and_o not_o the_o assent_n but_o that_o be_v but_o a_o slip_n of_o word_n i_o conceive_v by_o the_o word_n yet_o which_o introduce_v it_o he_o mean_v a_o undoubtful_a assent_n only_o he_o fear_v the_o inelegancy_n of_o the_o word_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o doubtful_a assent_n here_o speak_v of_o and_o because_o speak_v proper_o the_o opposite_a to_o doubt_n be_v hope_n a_o vndoubtful_a assent_n mean_v a_o hopeful_a assent_n which_o since_o doubt_v speak_v a_o disincline_n to_o assent_n or_o judge_v the_o thing_n so_o and_o hope_v a_o incline_n to_o it_o very_o fair_o give_v we_o a_o second_o dish_n of_o a_o assent_n which_o be_v no_o assent_n for_o incline_v only_o to_o be_v be_v not_o be_v such_o and_o so_o incline_v to_o assent_v how_o strong_a soever_o it_o be_v be_v in_o reality_n no_o assent_n well_o dr._n t_n resolution_n against_o identical_a proposition_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o fatal_a bolt_n that_o ever_o be_v shoot_v make_v he_o discourse_n like_o the_o man_n that_o say_v he_o have_v three_o light_n in_o he_o a_o great_a light_n a_o little_a light_n and_o no_o light_n at_o all_o next_o i_o will_v know_v what_o ground_n be_v full_o fit_a to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n one_o man_n like_v some_o ground_n other_o like_o other_o a_o sleight_n proof_n from_o scripture_n like_v some_o man_n better_o than_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n or_o the_o clear_a demonstration_n another_o i_o mean_v the_o atheist_n like_v a_o plausible_a reason_n that_o suit_n with_o and_o take_v fancy_n better_o than_o all_o of_o they_o together_o a_o three_o like_v nonsense_n pretty_o express_v better_a than_o the_o clear_a truth_n unelegant_o deliver_v a_o four_o value_v nothing_o that_o be_v produce_v to_o ground_n assent_n but_o what_o when_o examine_v subsist_v by_o engage_v first_a principle_n and_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o right_a logic_n my_o friend_n on_o the_o other_o side_n bid_v defiance_n to_o first_o principle_n and_o logic_n too_o and_o be_v all_o for_o likelihood_n more_o credible_a proof_n fair_a probability_n doubtful_a or_o rather_o hopeful_a assent_n yet_o there_o want_v note_n now_o in_o the_o world_n esteem_v sober_a person_n who_o judge_v all_o these_o to_o be_v prudent_a men._n where_o then_o be_v this_o prudent_a man_n that_o we_o may_v take_v measure_n of_o his_o pitch_n and_o fit_v he_o with_o ground_n for_o any_o thing_n yet_o appear_v it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o fit_v the_o moon_n with_o a_o coat_n there_o be_v many_o prudent_a man_n among_o the_o protestant_n who_o judge_n the_o scripture_n letter_n interpret_v by_o private_a wit_n be_v a_o competent_a ground_n for_o faith_n there_o be_v other_o prudent_a man_n among_o catholic_n who_o judge_v the_o contrary_a nay_o more_o there_o be_v questionless_a among_o turk_n and_o even_a heathen_n divers_a man_n of_o grert_n natural_a prudence_n and_o we_o can_v only_o mean_v such_o a_o prudence_n antecedent_o to_o the_o illumination_n of_o faith_n and_o they_o too_o have_v ground_n fit_v full_o to_o satisfy_v they_o for_o they_o do_v actual_o satisfy_v they_o so_o that_o they_o see_v not_o the_o least_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o what_o they_o profess_v and_o so_o according_a to_o dr._n t_n discourse_n these_o too_o have_v moral_a certainty_n of_o what_o they_o hold_v wherefore_o unless_o we_o can_v state_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o a_o prudent_a man_n we_o can_v never_o come_v to_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n nor_o consequent_o when_o faith_n be_v certain_a when_o not_o nay_o which_o be_v worse_o if_o moral_a certainty_n be_v that_o which_o he_o appoint_v as_o sufficient_a for_o faith_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v by_o his_o word_n turk_n heathen_n and_o all_o heretic_n have_v the_o same_o since_o they_o have_v such_o ground_n as_o do_v full_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o they_o may_v have_v as_o good_a ground_n as_o christian_n have_v at_o least_o that_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v who_o have_v right_a ground_n of_o faith_n who_o not_o since_o this_o notion_n of_o what_o be_v fit_a full_o to_o satisfy_v a_o prudent_a man_n have_v no_o determinate_a limit_n to_o state_n the_o nature_n of_o this_o mock-certainty_n beside_o it_o be_v common_a in_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o i_o have_v divers_a time_n observe_v it_o myself_o that_o two_o person_n may_v contest_v about_o some_o passage_n even_o in_o humane_a affair_n as_o when_o any_o thing_n be_v by_o a_o strange_a surprise_n or_o forgetfulness_n lose_v or_o to_o seek_v each_o of_o they_o may_v serious_o protest_v they_o be_v moral_o certain_a of_o it_o each_o may_v allege_v reason_n they_o may_v be_v both_o prudent_a man_n too_o and_o both_o be_v full_o satisfy_v with_o their_o reason_n and_o yet_o the_o plain_a discovery_n of_o the_o thing_n may_v show_v afterward_o that_o one_o of_o they_o prove_v to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n now_o if_o this_o happen_v in_o a_o controversy_n for_o example_n between_o a_o prudent_a socinian_n and_o a_o prudent_a protestant_n how_o must_v it_o be_v decide_v both_o allege_v scripture_n each_o see_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o his_o own_o interpretation_n and_o both_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o be_v both_o have_v dr._n t_n moral_a certainty_n and_o so_o both_o must_v be_v in_o the_o right_n if_o his_o ground_n be_v in_o the_o
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
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 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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
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 consequent_o the_o discourse_n ground_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o be_v be_v more_o than_o mathematical_o demonstrative_a but_o i_o pardon_v this_o mistake_n to_o dr._n t._n who_o i_o very_o judge_v to_o be_v sincere_o ignorant_a in_o such_o kind_n of_o speculation_n and_o not_o affect_o only_a as_o he_o discover_v himself_o to_o be_v in_o multitude_n of_o other_o hence_o by_o the_o way_n be_v see_v also_o how_o strange_o the_o world_n be_v mistake_v in_o metaphysic_n esteem_v that_o high_a science_n intolerable_o obscure_a and_o impenetrable_o difficult_a whereas_o its_o object_n be_v those_o notion_n that_o concern_v be_v all_o its_o obscurity_n and_o hardness_n to_o one_o who_o right_a logic_n have_v teach_v accurate_o to_o distinguish_v and_o steady_o to_o keep_v distinct_a his_o notion_n consist_v only_o in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v too_o luminous_a and_o intelligible_a in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o the_o sun_n be_v hard_o to_o be_v see_v at_o noonday_n whence_o it_o happen_v 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
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
little_a after_o that_o historian_n write_v of_o king_n pepin_n must_v i_o needs_o mean_v by_o historian_n only_o plural_o express_v when_o i_o come_v to_o name_v they_o the_o second_o time_n all_o historian_n noâ—_n one_o except_v write_v of_o king_n pepin_n what_o logic_n but_o dr._n t_n who_o defy_v all_o principle_n can_v ever_o stumble_v upon_o such_o a_o paradox_n §_o 15._o to_o conclude_v this_o matter_n all_o these_o particularity_n here_o relate_v be_v well_o examine_v by_o eyesight_n and_o weigh_v by_o reason_n it_o be_v impossible_a any_o candid_a considerer_n however_o he_o may_v favourable_o judge_v dr._n t._n mistake_v in_o word_n which_o at_o first_o sight_n bear_v such_o a_o semblance_n to_o one_o who_o read_v but_o half_a the_o discourse_n can_v for_o all_o that_o excuse_v he_o from_o great_a rashness_n and_o strong_a inclination_n to_o draw_v every_o thing_n in_o his_o adversary_n to_o a_o sinister_a sense_n and_o to_o take_v he_o up_o before_o he_o be_v down_o but_o i_o must_v far_o say_v that_o the_o constancy_n he_o show_v in_o this_o kind_n of_o carriage_n and_o the_o interest_n which_o evident_o accrue_v by_o it_o to_o his_o cause_n and_o himself_o as_o a_o writer_n which_o be_v at_o once_o to_o make_v his_o adversary_n talk_v like_o a_o madman_n and_o self-contradictor_a both_o and_o divert_v the_o reader_n attention_n from_o the_o true_a point_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v avoâ—d_v the_o duty_n of_o answer_v discover_v too_o palpable_o it_o be_v a_o willing_a and_o design_a mistake_n what_o that_o signify_v let_v other_o judge_n without_o put_v i_o still_o to_o name_v it_o i_o be_o hearty_o weary_a of_o such_o drudgery_n §_o 16._o and_o so_o i_o take_v my_o leave_n of_o this_o pretty_a preface_n which_o have_v not_o one_o word_n of_o reason_n in_o it_o but_o build_v on_o mistake_n nor_o one_o good_a excuse_n for_o so_o many_o bad_a faults·_n but_o pretend_v to_o speak_v to_o three_o treatise_n of_o i_o without_o take_v notice_n candid_o of_o so_o much_o as_o one_o argument_n in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o be_v a_o mere_a endeavour_n by_o multitude_n of_o impertinent_a and_o insignificant_a scoff_v to_o make_v some_o plausible_a show_n of_o a_o answer_n for_o those_o merrily-conceited_n reader_n to_o sport_n at_o who_o fancy_n such_o frothy_a talk_n far_o above_o solid_a reason_v in_o which_o pleasant_a strain_n consist_v also_o his_o friend_n dr._n st_n great_a talon_n whence_o the_o comedian_n in_o their_o performance_n supply_v the_o divine_a and_o plautus_n with_o his_o fellow_n be_v by_o far_o more_o propitious_a useful_a and_o influential_a to_o their_o imaginary_a victory_n than_o aristotle_n and_o all_o the_o learned_a author_n in_o the_o world_n who_o write_v sense_n or_o logic_n and_o as_o these_o comic_a controvertist_n affect_v the_o same_o manner_n of_o write_v which_o those_o stager_n do_v so_o their_o end_n and_o aymer_n be_v the_o same_o too_o viz._n not_o to_o propose_v any_o thing_n like_o exact_a knowledge_n to_o man_n true_o learned_a but_o mere_o populo_fw-la â—t_z placerent_fw-la quas_fw-la fecissent_fw-la fabulas_fw-la the_o conclusion_n contain_v the_o author_n request_n to_o the_o know_v candid_a wit_n of_o this_o nation_n this_o be_v the_o genius_n of_o my_o adversary_n such_o his_o method_n of_o answer_v my_o book_n and_o yet_o his_o numerous_a party_n hazard_v to_o over-bear_a reason_n with_o noise_n at_o least_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o vulgar_a scholar_n make_v up_o the_o generality_n who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o weigh_v either_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o argument_n or_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o authority_n engage_v for_o either_o party_n but_o only_o to_o number_v they_o or_o scan_v their_o multitude_n i_o be_o force_v to_o appeal_v to_o you_o our_o learned_a umpire_n offer_v you_o these_o few_o proposal_n with_o my_o humble_a request_n that_o if_o you_o find_v they_o reasonable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o maxim_n of_o learning_n or_o the_o clear_n of_o truth_n mankind_n best_a interest_n you_o will_v be_v please_v in_o all_o handsome_a occasion_n to_o use_v your_o power_n with_o dr._n t._n and_o his_o friend_n and_o solicit_v a_o due_a compliance_n with_o they_o 1._o that_o this_o extrinsical_a and_o ignoble_a way_n of_o answer_v argument_n with_o persecution_n and_o rail_a may_v be_v leave_v off_o and_o that_o when_o the_o reason_n too_o much_o press_v it_o may_v not_o be_v hold_v supplemental_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o reply_v to_o cry_v out_o popery_n particular_o that_o they_o will_v please_v to_o consider_v how_o improper_a this_o carriage_n be_v on_o this_o occasion_n in_o case_n it_o have_v be_v otherwise_o laudable_a in_o itself_o see_v the_o only_a point_n maintain_v by_o i_o here_o be_v this_o that_o christian_a faith_n be_v absolute_o or_o true_o certain_a 2._o that_o when_o the_o point_n depend_v entire_o on_o reason_n and_o not_o on_o the_o miscall_v authority_n of_o speculater_n it_o may_v not_o be_v hold_v a_o just_a disproof_n of_o my_o argument_n to_o allege_v the_o different_a sentiment_n of_o some_o speculative_a divine_n since_o that_o carriage_n suppose_v as_o its_o maxim_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n that_o can_v be_v true_a which_o all_o school-divines_a do_v not_o agree_v to_o wherefore_o unless_o he_o first_o make_v out_o this_o to_o be_v a_o truth_n to_o be_v proceed_v and_o rely_v on_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v which_o take_v up_o no_o small_a part_n of_o dr._n t_n controversial_a write_n be_v convince_v to_o be_v altogether_o impertinent_a 3._o that_o dr._n t._n will_v himself_n please_v to_o follow_v that_o doctrine_n which_o in_o his_o sermon_n he_o so_o oft_o and_o so_o press_o inculcate_n to_o other_o and_o that_o in_o handle_v this_o grave_n and_o important_a point_n all_o raillery_n drollery_n irony_n scoff_v jeer_n rude_a and_o bitter_a sarcasm_n break_v of_o jest_n and_o suchlike_a attempt_n of_o vain_a and_o frothy_a wit_n or_o splendid_a effort_n of_o peevish_a zeal_n 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 argument_n think_v it_o his_o best_a play_n to_o bring_v the_o controversy_n 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o way_n of_o reason_n into_o that_o of_o burlesque_fw-la also_o that_o all_o childish_a cavil_v at_o inelegancy_n or_o hard_a word_n at_o want_n of_o rhetoric_n in_o a_o circumstance_n where_o none_o be_v intend_v or_o needful_a at_o my_o be_v the_o first_o that_o say_v he_o shall_v have_v say_v prove_v this_o or_o that_o be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n lay_v aside_o as_o thing_n perfect_o useless_a towards_o the_o clear_v of_o truth_n as_o likewise_o that_o it_o be_v not_o hold_v and_o impute_v as_o confidence_n to_o maintain_v faith_n absolute_a certainty_n or_o any_o point_n else_o for_o which_o i_o offer_v my_o reason_n nor_o to_o pretend_v to_o self_n evident_a principle_n and_o absolutely-conclusive_a proof_n or_o demonstration_n whenas_o the_o circumstance_n and_o matter_n to_o be_v prove_v nay_o the_o very_a name_n of_o a_o scholar_n render_v it_o shameful_a to_o pretend_v or_o 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
a_o conclusion_n of_o a_o syllogism_n that_o be_v they_o can_v be_v conclude_v or_o admit_v of_o proof_n wherefore_o since_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o the_o prime_a verity_n can_v admit_v proof_n their_o term_n must_v be_v far_a from_o have_v any_o middle_a term_n come_v between_o they_o that_o be_v imaginable_a that_o be_v must_v be_v of_o the_o selfsame_a notion_n and_o so_o they_o must_v be_v identical_a proposition_n the_o former_a of_o these_o discourse_n be_v put_v down_o by_o i_o letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 10_o 11_o 12._o which_o one_o will_v think_v it_o become_v a_o logician_n to_o speak_v to_o but_o my_o adversary_n be_v of_o another_o metal_n not_o the_o very_a same_o but_o near_o akin_a to_o aes_fw-la sonans_fw-la aut_fw-la cymbalum_fw-la tinniens_fw-la he_o never_o meddle_v willing_o with_o premise_n or_o proof_n but_o deny_v the_o conclusion_n stout_o never_o acknowledge_v what_o be_v say_v in_o its_o behalf_n and_o tinkle_v a_o little_a rhetoric_n against_o it_o which_o do_v who_o will_v think_v it_o immediate_o as_o with_o some_o charm_n the_o term_n unconnect_v of_o themselves_o and_o miraculous_o fly_v asunder_o and_o though_o before_o it_o look_v like_o good_a honest_a reason_n yet_o by_o his_o give_v it_o a_o disguise_n instead_o of_o a_o confute_v it_o be_v turn_v perfect_a nonsense_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o argument_n §_o 5._o logic_n tell_v we_o moreover_o that_o whatever_o accidental_a consideration_n may_v enhance_v opposition_n it_o be_v agree_v by_o all_o that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v formal_o and_o intrinsical_o the_o great_a or_o first_o of_o falsehood_n also_o that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v a_o affirm_v and_o deny_v the_o same_o of_o the_o same_o according_a to_o all_o the_o same_o respect_n wherefore_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n be_v the_o first_o of_o truth_n aught_o to_o be_v diametrical_o opposite_a to_o those_o that_o be_v a_o affirm_v or_o deny_v the_o same_o of_o the_o same_o according_a to_o all_o the_o same_o respect_n which_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v express_v but_o by_o a_o identical_a proposition_n §_o 6._o add_v that_o since_o contradiction_n be_v faulty_a and_o all_o fault_n be_v a_o privation_n of_o the_o opposite_a good_a which_o it_o violate_v it_o follow_v that_o a_o contradiction_n be_v innocent_a do_v it_o not_o violate_v some_o opposite_a truth_n since_o then_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v every_o reflect_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o assign_v any_o truth_n opposite_a to_o a_o contradiction_n but_o a_o identical_a proposition_n it_o follow_v that_o first_o truth_n or_o first_o principle_n must_v be_v identical_a proposition_n §_o 7._o to_o explain_v this_o better_a we_o shall_v find_v by_o reflection_n that_o two_o contradictory_n proposition_n be_v comprisable_v into_o one_o equivalent_a to_o both_o who_o subject_a and_o predicate_v contradict_v one_o another_o as_o peter_n here_o and_o now_o run_v peter_z here_o and_o now_o run_v not_o be_v necessary_o equivalent_a to_o this_o what_o here_o and_o now_o run_v here_o and_o now_o run_v not_o so_o likewise_o scripture's_n letter_n be_v a_o rule_n scripture_n letter_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n be_v equivalent_a to_o this_o something_o which_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n and_o so_o of_o the_o rest_n by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v how_o clear_a a_o truth_n it_o be_v that_o identical_a proposition_n be_v the_o proper_a opposite_n to_o contradiction_n or_o the_o truth_n they_o direct_o and_o immediate_o violate_v and_o consequent_o first_o principles_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a man_n wit_n rack_v to_o its_o utmost_a can_v invent_v any_o opposite_a to_o what_o run_v run_v not_o but_o what_o run_v run_n or_o to_o what_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n but_o what_o be_v a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n last_o the_o nature_n of_o contradiction_n in_o common_a put_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v and_o not_o be_v at_o once_o and_o consequent_o put_v this_o proposition_n what_o be_v not_o be_v to_o which_o the_o only_a opposite_a truth_n be_v what_o be_v be_v which_o be_v therefore_o the_o first_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n and_o all_o other_o first_o principle_n as_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n a_o man_n a_o man_n etc._n etc._n be_v but_o particular_n subsume_v under_o it_o and_o partake_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a manner_n of_o its_o clear_a light_n §_o 8._o far_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o more_o remote_a the_o term_n of_o a_o proposition_n be_v from_o formal_a identity_n the_o less_o evident_a they_o be_v and_o the_o more_o proof_n they_o require_v as_o also_o that_o they_o still_o grow_v near_o and_o near_o to_o evidence_n according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o their_o approach_n towards_o the_o say_a identity_n wherefore_o since_o all_o approach_n of_o distant_a thing_n if_o pursue_v end_v in_o a_o conjoin_v and_o centre_v in_o the_o same_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o all_o distance_n in_o notion_n among_o term_n end_n in_o their_o be_v the_o same_o in_o notion_n that_o be_v in_o a_o identical_a proposition_n as_o also_o that_o such_o proposition_n be_v for_o the_o reason_n give_v the_o most_o evident_a that_o may_v be_v and_o so_o in_o both_o regard_v the_o very_a first_o principles_n §_o 9_o far_o all_o proposition_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o proof_n or_o all_o conclusion_n must_v have_v their_o term_n material_o identical_a that_o be_v what_o correspond_v to_o both_o their_o notion_n must_v be_v find_v in_o the_o same_o thing_n else_o they_o can_v not_o be_v true_a nor_o capable_a to_o be_v prove_v wherefore_o the_o term_n in_o first_o principle_n must_v be_v formal_o such_o nay_o the_o most_o formal_o that_o be_v possible_a but_o nothing_o be_v or_o can_v be_v more_o formal_o identical_a than_o to_o have_v the_o predicate_v and_o subject_a every_o way_n the_o same_o such_o therefore_o the_o very_a first_o principle_n ought_v necessary_o to_o be_v §_o 10._o there_o be_v also_o in_o logic_n a_o way_n of_o argue_v by_o bring_v one_o to_o a_o absurdity_n or_o contradiction_n and_o this_o be_v perform_v two_o manner_n of_o way_n one_o by_o force_v the_o defendant_n to_o contradict_v himself_o the_o other_o by_o oblige_v he_o to_o contradict_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v available_a as_o a_o argument_n ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la but_o the_o latter_a attempt_n if_o bring_v to_o effect_v be_v a_o perfect_a conquest_n and_o why_o but_o because_o it_o put_v the_o defendant_n to_o violate_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n under_o debate_n that_o be_v to_o thwart_v this_o first_o principle_n the_o same_o be_v the_o same_o with_o itself_o for_o example_n to_o make_v quantity_n not_o to_o be_v quantity_n a_o rule_n not_o to_o be_v a_o rule_n faith_n not_o to_o be_v faith_n as_o shall_v be_v show_v hereafter_o more_o clear_o when_o we_o come_v to_o see_v the_o use_n of_o the_o first_o principle_n in_o particular_a instance_n §_o 11._o moreover_o if_o it_o be_v well_o examine_v it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o all_o efficiency_n and_o passiveness_n that_o be_v all_o kind_n of_o operation_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n exerting_fw-mi or_o as_o it_o be_v imprint_v itself_o upon_o the_o subject_a in_o which_o it_o work_v its_o effect_n for_o example_n when_o a_o brass_n seal_n make_v a_o impression_n upon_o soft_a wax_n no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o this_o effect_n abstract_v from_o motion_n which_o be_v cause_v by_o a_o nature_n superior_a to_o body_n but_o only_o this_o that_o the_o agent_n be_v of_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o density_n or_o hardness_n as_o if_o move_v or_o apply_v to_o that_o matter_n be_v apt_a to_o alter_v the_o figure_n of_o its_o part_n according_a to_o its_o own_o mould_n and_o the_o patient_n of_o such_o a_o yield_a nature_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o as_o to_o receive_v its_o impression_n and_o yet_o not_o to_o that_o degree_n rare_a as_o to_o lose_v it_o again_o by_o the_o action_n of_o the_o common_a cause_n in_o nature_n till_o some_o more_o particular_a agent_n come_v to_o efface_v it_o it_o be_v manifest_a then_o that_o all_o causality_n essential_o depend_v on_o and_o be_v final_o resolve_v into_o this_o truth_n that_o thing_n be_v such_o as_o they_o be_v which_o be_v their_o be_v in_o part_n what_o they_o be_v all_o knowledge_n then_o of_o cause_n and_o effect_v and_o consequent_o all_o demonstration_n be_v ultimate_o refund_v that_o be_v primary_o build_v on_o those_o proposition_n which_o express_v thing_n be_v what_o they_o be_v that_o be_v into_o identical_a one_o §_o 12._o last_o he_o who_o be_v essential_a wisdom_n and_o truth_n itself_o have_v propose_v to_o we_o a_o identical_a proposition_n in_o those_o word_n i_o be_o what_o i_o be_o which_o be_v the_o first_o increated_a truth_n as_o