to_o demonstration_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n not_o to_o note_v the_o unconsonancy_n of_o this_o carriage_n i_o shall_v yield_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o profess_v he_o have_v no_o demonstration_n but_o only_a probability_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o he_o and_o to_o make_v this_o serious_a protestation_n for_o myself_o that_o i_o shall_v esteem_v myself_o very_o dishonest_a do_v i_o assert_v and_o press_v on_o other_o any_o argument_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n which_o i_o judge_v not_o evident_a that_o be_v demonstrative_a this_o i_o hope_v will_v secure_v the_o honesty_n of_o my_o intention_n however_o my_o weakness_n may_v permit_v i_o to_o fail_v in_o my_o performance_n after_o this_o he_o endeavour_v to_o forestall_v my_o reason_n for_o the_o point_n in_o these_o word_n they_o have_v understanding_n of_o another_o mould_n from_o other_o who_o can_v conceive_v it_o impossible_a that_o man_n shall_v not_o think_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o 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production_n be_v make_v general_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o some_o note_n collect_v from_o some_o historical_a book_n unobserved_a by_o other_o which_o what_o satisfactory_a evidence_n it_o be_v like_a to_o bring_v with_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v guess_v 6._o now_o all_o this_o happen_v through_o not_o first_o settle_v and_o agree_v in_o some_o first_o principle_n not_o only_o for_o the_o reason_n give_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o preface_n but_o also_o because_o as_o will_v be_v show_v hereafter_o without_o thiâ—_n the_o validity_n of_o any_o testimony_n from_o father_n or_o council_n can_v be_v weigh_v understand_v or_o press_v with_o force_n upon_o the_o adversary_n for_o if_o these_o be_v but_o part_n of_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o church_n essential_a of_o their_o time_n that_o be_v of_o christian_a tradition_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o till_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n be_v evidence_v they_o will_v not_o be_v clear_o know_v again_o tradition_n once_o evidence_v will_v give_v principle_n to_o distinguish_v those_o citation_n by_o and_o to_o secure_v as_o far_o as_o be_v needful_a and_o interpret_v scripture_n letter_n whence_o clear_a victory_n will_v accrue_v to_o truth_n and_o full_a satisfaction_n to_o her_o ingenuous_a seeker_n not_o that_o i_o at_o all_o doubt_n but_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o catholic_n writer_n of_o the_o testimonial_a strain_n carry_z 4_o strong_a force_n of_o conviction_n with_o they_o but_o i_o see_v thâ—â—â—_n while_o the_o solid_a testimony_n be_v not_o distinguish_v and_o sole_o insist_v on_o but_o run_v mix_v with_o other_o of_o less_o force_n by_o such_o a_o mixture_n they_o weaken_v their_o own_o i_o see_v also_o that_o they_o want_v their_o effect_n upon_o the_o protestant_n by_o reason_n he_o be_v not_o first_o press_v to_o admit_v that_o evident_a principle_n on_o which_o their_o strength_n be_v build_v and_o which_o once_o settle_v they_o be_v irresistible_a 7._o the_o settle_v then_o the_o
overstrain_v fancy_n to_o contend_v there_o be_v any_o great_a evidence_n to_o ascertain_v the_o conveyance_n of_o our_o faith_n from_o christ_n time_n to_o we_o but_o whoever_o reflect_v on_o the_o reason_n of_o those_o word_n sic_fw-la deus_fw-la dilexit_fw-la mundum_fw-la ut_fw-la filium_fw-la suum_fw-la vnigenitum_fw-la daret_fw-la john_n 3._o 16._o or_o for_o those_o nunquid_fw-la de_fw-la bobus_fw-la cura_fw-la est_fw-la deo_fw-la 1_o cor._n 9_o 9_o nun_n vos_fw-la magis_fw-la pluris_fw-la estis_fw-la volatilibus_fw-la caeli_fw-la mat._n 6._o 26._o and_o such_o like_a or_o on_o what_o metaphysic_n demonstrate_v concern_v the_o perfect_a method_n and_o way_n of_o essential_a wisdom_n will_v easy_o be_v convince_v that_o if_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n be_v the_o end_n of_o this_o material_a world_n creation_n the_o providence_n to_o bring_v about_o this_o end_n ought_v in_o true_a wisdom_n be_v so_o particular_a and_o so_o sublime_o efficacious_a that_o the_o mean_v lay_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o any_o other_o species_n in_o nature_n will_v scarce_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o providence_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o whence_o follow_v that_o the_o mean_n which_o be_v main_o influential_a to_o promote_v man_n towards_o bliss_n such_o as_o be_v faith_n the_o rule_n of_o that_o life_n by_o which_o he_o tend_v to_o heaven_n and_o the_o substance_n of_o his_o hope_n which_o give_v the_o vigour_n to_o that_o life_n must_v be_v certain_a its_o efficacy_n depend_v on_o this_o certainty_n beyond_o any_o evidence_n mere_a nature_n can_v compass_v which_o that_o great_a mèditater_n on_o god_n law_n day_n and_o night_n well_o comprehend_v when_o out_o of_o the_o full_a sight_n of_o this_o truth_n he_o burst_v out_o into_o that_o expression_n of_o wonderment_n testimonia_fw-la tua_fw-la domine_fw-la credibilia_fw-la facta_fw-la suut_n nimis_fw-la 5._o we_o will_v brief_o touch_v at_o some_o of_o the_o advantage_n which_o those_o assistance_n superad_v to_o nature_n give_v the_o church_n and_o leave_v they_o to_o be_v scan_v by_o the_o leisurely_o thought_n of_o attentive_a considerer_n 6._o first_o then_o we_o find_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o every_o man_n that_o his_o phantasm_n shall_v be_v such_o as_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o object_n be_v apt_a to_o make_v they_o his_o thought_n appropriate_v to_o his_o phantasm_n and_o his_o outward_a expression_n concern_v the_o thing_n and_o among_o they_o his_o word_n conformable_a to_o his_o thought_n so_o that_o true_a word_n and_o sincere_a action_n be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o other_o cause_n and_o necessary_o produce_v by_o they_o if_o design_v hinder_v not_o which_o amount_v to_o this_o that_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o every_o man_n to_o speak_v truth_n and_o that_o whenever_o one_o speak_v false_a witting_o artifice_n make_v he_o cast_v about_o to_o contrive_v a_o lie_n fitting_o to_o the_o end_n he_o aim_v at_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o fool_n and_o drunken_a man_n who_o be_v incapable_a of_o such_o artifice_n use_v to_o tell_v the_o plain_a truth_n if_o this_o be_v so_o in_o nature_n and_o that_o grace_n be_v to_o perfect_a nature_n in_o whatever_o be_v good_a in_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o one_o true_o christian_a heart_n be_v far_o more_o fix_v to_o veracity_n than_o other_o not_o imbue_v with_o those_o heavenly_a tenet_n and_o consequent_o that_o a_o multitude_n of_o such_o incomparable_o exceed_v in_o point_n of_o testify_v the_o same_o number_n of_o other_o unfortify_v by_o christ_n doctrine_n 7._o this_o will_v be_v clear_a if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o way_n by_o which_o original_a corruption_n violate_v frequent_o in_o execution_n this_o natural_a veracity_n and_o it_o be_v this_o that_o incline_v and_o transport_v they_o to_o the_o undue_a love_n of_o creature_n even_o to_o the_o injure_v know_v rational_a order_n lay_v in_o the_o world_n and_o most_o necessary_a for_o the_o subsistence_n or_o universal_a well-being_n of_o mankind_n which_o we_o call_v the_o commandment_n hence_o afraid_a to_o own_o such_o a_o enormous_a procedure_n they_o cast_v about_o to_o cloak_v it_o with_o seek_v pretence_n the_o sum_n therefore_o of_o christianity_n tend_v to_o implant_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a a_o overpower_v love_n of_o supreme_a spiritual_a good_n attainable_a in_o the_o next_o life_n and_o by_o consequence_n to_o take_v off_o their_o extravagant_a affection_n to_o earthly_a thing_n it_o leave_v man_n natural_a disposition_n to_o truth_n free_a to_o do_v its_o effect_n and_o render_v needless_a that_o crafty_a way_n of_o design_n only_o which_o can_v bias_n and_o pervert_v the_o will_n from_o pursue_v the_o way_n of_o nature_n 8._o compare_v we_o now_o the_o positive_a motive_n natural_a and_o supernatural_a oblige_v to_o veracity_n and_o we_o find_v the_o hope_n and_o fear_n which_o christianity_n propose_v to_o make_v and_o keep_v man_n good_a as_o infinite_o exceed_v the_o natural_a one_o as_o eternity_n do_v a_o moment_n abate_v the_o intenseness_n of_o the_o good_n and_o harm_n hope_v for_o and_o fear_v nay_o hold_v firm_o by_o all_o and_o conceit_a lively_a by_o many_o to_o be_v beyond_o all_o imaginable_a comparison_n great_a than_o the_o other_o yet_o experience_n tell_v we_o and_o none_o doubt_v but_o that_o these_o transitory_a and_o incomparably-less_a good_n and_o harm_n be_v sufficient_a motive_n to_o oblige_v body_n of_o man_n to_o deliver_v down_o politic_a or_o natural_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o former_a king_n to_o blunder_v which_o truth_n there_o want_v not_o high_a interest_n be_v it_o conceive_v feisible_a such_o eclipse_n war_n etc._n etc._n inconcievable_o more_o powerful_a than_o must_v the_o other_o motive_n be_v to_o oblige_v they_o to_o veracity_n in_o such_o narration_n on_o which_o the_o destroy_n or_o preserve_v those_o high_a concern_v depend_v and_o what_o prevalency_n eternal_a motive_n have_v over_o temporal_a one_o when_o they_o come_v to_o clash_v so_o near_o as_o one_o must_v forego_v one_o hope_n or_o the_o other_o be_v see_v by_o the_o perpetual_a and_o constant_a suffering_n of_o the_o martyr_n in_o all_o age_n and_o the_o many_o persecution_n daily_a and_o glad_o undergo_v every_o day_n in_o many_o place_n for_o conscience-sake_n 9_o in_o the_o natural_a commonwealth_n there_o be_v multitude_n of_o man_n depute_v particular_o to_o great_a trust_n and_o some_o extraordinary_a ceremony_n do_v upon_o they_o to_o make_v they_o true_a to_o such_o trust_n nay_o oath_n by_o thing_n they_o high_o reverence_v take_v not_o only_o by_o those_o officer_n but_o sometime_o though_o rare_o by_o the_o generality_n to_o secure_v their_o fidelity_n but_o what_o proportion_n can_v those_o ceremony_n bear_v be_v but_o of_o human_a institution_n to_o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o church_n hold_v to_o have_v be_v institute_v by_o christ_n himself_o many_o of_o which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n some_o to_o initiate_v they_o most_o solemn_o at_o first_o or_o to_o rivet_v that_o initiation_n with_o a_o new_a military_a tessera_fw-la some_o to_o strengthen_v and_o cure_v the_o languish_a some_o to_o win_v to_o love_n by_o act_n of_o great_a bounty_n other_o be_v proper_a to_o empower_v some_o as_o officer_n to_o oversee_v the_o common_a affair_n of_o faith_n all_o tend_v to_o strengthen_v powerful_o the_o generality_n not_o to_o prevaricate_v from_o the_o faith_n hold_v ever_o true_o receive_v down_o and_o particular_o to_o oblige_v governor_n not_o to_o bely_v themselves_o or_o connive_v at_o other_o gross_o belie_v their_o forefather_n and_o betray_v their_o depositum_fw-la 10._o though_o nature_n teach_v the_o rude_a that_o they_o shall_v not_o do_v to_o another_o what_o they_o will_v â—ot_n have_v do_v to_o themselves_o yet_o original_a corâ—â—ption_n too_o often_o make_v we_o prevaricate_v in_o praâ—ice_n from_o that_o evident_a rule_n and_o the_o reason_n because_o while_o man_n affection_n be_v chief_o â—tched_v on_o temporal_a good_n hence_o in_o regard_n â—hey_n be_v finite_a that_o be_v such_o that_o if_o one_o have_v â—ore_o another_o have_v less_o of_o they_o such_o man_n be_v â—t_a envious_o to_o deprive_v their_o partake_a neighbour_n of_o they_o that_o so_o the_o great_a part_n may_v â—ll_o to_o their_o own_o share_n but_o such_o a_o action_n can_v ever_o proceed_v from_o nor_o think_v enter_v into_o the_o â—ost_o deprave_a nature_n as_o to_o harm_v another_o without_o â—y_a good_a to_o himself_o now_o this_o in_o our_o case_n â—ust_z be_v put_v if_o we_o put_v christian_a father_n misâ—aching_v their_o child_n unreceive_v doctrine_n for_o â—â—ceived_a contrary_n to_o their_o own_o knowledge_n for_o suppose_v sanctity_n in_o the_o church_n that_o be_v that_o â—ultitudes_n in_o it_o make_v heaven_n their_o first_o love_n â—nd_v look_v on_o spiritual_a good_n as_o their_o main_n concern_v which_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o none_o have_v â—ess_n for_o another_o have_n more_o but_o on_o the_o conâ—â—ary_a
none_o of_o the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o faith_n all_o of_o they_o building_n on_o scripture_n letter_n be_v certain_a disc._n 2._o 3_o 4._o without_o tradition_n it_o follow_v that_o no_o other_o company_n have_v any_o principle_n of_o distinction_n from_o other_o that_o be_v either_o of_o constitution_n or_o self-preservation_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n but_o that_o which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n all_o the_o loud_a outcry_n then_o make_v common_o against_o that_o body_n which_o adhere_v to_o tradition_n callâ—d_n roman-catholick_n for_o account_v itself_o only_o the_o universal_a church_n and_o exclude_v all_o other_o be_v but_o empty_a noise_n and_o her_o claim_n rational_a and_o wellgrounded_n till_o it_o be_v show_v by_o evident_a discourse_n that_o the_o other_o pretender_n have_v some_o other_o more_o evident_a and_o certain_a rule_n to_o know_v who_o be_v of_o the_o church_n who_o not_o than_o this_o of_o tradition_n now_o produce_v and_o explicate_v upon_o which_o she_o proceed_v and_o by_o which_o she_o consist_v 12._o there_o be_v no_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o scripture_n for_o since_o as_o we_o have_v prove_v disc._n 4._o there_o can_v be_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n without_o tradition_n this_o must_v first_o be_v suppose_v certain_a ere_o the_o scripture_n letter_n can_v be_v rational_o hold_v such_o and_o consequent_o aught_o in_o reason_n to_o be_v hold_v uncertain_a while_o tradition_n be_v think_v â—it_n to_o be_v argue_v against_o that_o be_v while_o its_o certainty_n be_v doubt_v of_o wherefore_o since_o none_o can_v argue_v solid_o upon_o uncertain_a ground_n none_o ought_v to_o argue_v against_o tradition_n out_o of_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n 13._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o any_o church_n against_o tradition_n first_o because_o in_o reality_n tradition_n right_o understand_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n material_o with_o the_o live_a voice_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n essential_a consist_v of_o pastor_n and_o laity_n which_o be_v so_o ample_a that_o it_o include_v all_o imaginable_a authority_n which_o can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v in_o a_o church_n second_o because_o in_o the_o way_n of_o generate_a faith_n tradition_n formal_o take_v be_v antecedent_n to_o disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o and_o so_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n work_v by_o formal_a and_o abstract_a notion_n its_o notion_n must_v be_v presuppose_v and_o its_o certainty_n establish_v before_o the_o notion_n and_o certainty_n of_o faith_n consequent_o of_o faithful_a and_o consequent_o of_o church_n which_o must_v necessary_o be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a whence_o they_o will_v argue_v very_o preposterous_o who_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o oppose_v church_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o think_v to_o establish_v the_o house_n by_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n 14._o none_o can_v in_o reason_n oppose_v the_o authority_n of_o father_n or_o council_n against_o tradition_n this_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o former_a corol._n 13._o in_o regard_n neither_o of_o these_o have_v any_o authority_n but_o as_o representative_n of_o the_o church_n or_o eminent_a member_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o can_v any_o determine_v certain_o what_o be_v a_o father_n or_o council_n disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o till_o the_o notion_n of_o church_n that_o be_v of_o faithful_a that_o be_v of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o tradition_n be_v certain_o establish_v 15._o no_o disacknowledger_n of_o tradition_n be_v in_o due_a of_o reason_n but_o in_o courtesy_n only_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o argue_v out_o of_o scripture_n letter_n father_n or_o council_n for_o since_o want_v tradition_n they_o have_v certainty_n of_o none_o of_o those_o as_o be_v prove_v disc._n 2._o §_o 11._o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o disacknowledge_v tradition_n while_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o these_o they_o allege_v and_o talk_v of_o thing_n themselves_o do_v not_o know_v to_o be_v certain_a wherefore_o it_o be_v too_o great_a a_o condescendence_n and_o courtesy_n in_o catholics_n to_o let_v they_o run_v forward_o descant_v with_o wordish_a discourse_n on_o those_o testimony_n after_o their_o raw_a manner_n since_o they_o may_v just_o take_v their_o advantage_n against_o they_o and_o show_v they_o have_v no_o right_a to_o make_v use_n of_o principle_n which_o their_o own_o ground_n can_v never_o make_v good_a to_o they_o as_o be_v tertullian_n smart_n and_o solid_a way_n de_fw-fr praescr_n haeret._n c._n 15_o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20_o 21._o deny_v they_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n who_o deny_v the_o church_n which_o will_v save_v many_o a_o airy_a confuse_a discourse_n about_o word_n unapt_a to_o evidence_n any_o thing_n satisfactory_o nor_o can_v the_o right_a of_o a_o opponent_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la licence_n they_o to_o claim_v this_o favour_n from_o our_o controvertist_n in_o regard_n we_o never_o hold_v that_o scripture_n letter_n hammer_v upon_o by_o criticism_n and_o such_o pretty_a knack_n of_o human_a learning_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o the_o way_n to_o establish_v it_o but_o only_o as_o interpret_v by_o the_o language_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o consequent_o can_v we_o hold_v it_o capable_a to_o be_v prejudice_v by_o such_o endeavour_n of_o private_a wit_n though_o then_o we_o shall_v allow_v they_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o consequent_o so_o far_o a_o liberty_n to_o argue_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la against_o we_o yet_o we_o never_o allow_v their_o method_n of_o argue_v from_o it_o as_o efficacious_a either_o to_o build_v or_o evert_v faith_n but_o our_o learned_a controvertist_n ever_o hold_v direct_a contrary_n whence_o in_o case_n they_o clamour_v that_o in_o not_o follow_v their_o wild_a method_n we_o desert_n scripture_n to_o avoid_v which_o calumny_n with_o the_o vulgar_a i_o conceive_v one_o reason_n our_o controvertist_n general_o be_v so_o civil_a to_o they_o as_o to_o cope_v with_o they_o in_o their_o fleight_n way_n the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o calumny_n be_v to_o be_v make_v appear_v which_o be_v quick_o do_v not_o their_o unreasonable_a expectation_n to_o be_v satisfy_v 16._o no_o authority_n from_o any_o history_n or_o testimonial_a write_n be_v valid_a against_o the_o force_n of_o tradition_n for_o since_o falsehood_n be_v as_o easy_a to_o be_v write_v or_o print_v as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_a those_o book_n can_v give_v no_o testimony_n to_o themselves_o that_o what_o they_o express_v be_v certain_o true_a and_o if_o we_o say_v they_o be_v abet_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o book_n the_o same_o question_n recurr_v concern_v they_o in_o what_o age_n soever_o they_o be_v write_v it_o remain_v then_o that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o acceptation_n of_o man_n or_o sense_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o so_o convey_v down_o from_o father_n to_o son_n that_o these_o book_n be_v true_a history_n and_o not_o fable_n which_o give_v they_o any_o authority_n but_o this_o have_v plain_o the_o nature_n of_o tradition_n they_o have_v therefore_o no_o authority_n but_o by_o force_n of_o tradition_n therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o possible_a force_n against_o tradition_n since_o if_o tradition_n or_o the_o convey_n down_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n sense_n write_v thus_o universal_o in_o man_n heart_n can_v deceive_v we_o no_o such_o book_n can_v have_v any_o authority_n at_o all_o wherefore_o not_o the_o book_n but_o the_o sense_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n of_o the_o goodness_n and_o skill_n of_o the_o author_n of_o those_o book_n upon_o which_o qualification_n the_o truth_n of_o each_o passage_n contain_v in_o those_o book_n be_v build_v be_v to_o be_v allege_v against_o christian_a tradition_n since_o it_o be_v that_o sense_n which_o authorise_v those_o book_n and_o give_v credibility_n to_o those_o passage_n and_o so_o be_v strong_a than_o any_o dead_a testimony_n from_o the_o book_n themselves_o which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o only_o some_o great_a tradition_n or_o live_a testimony_n for_o thing_n past_a can_v in_o point_n of_o authority_n be_v pretend_v a_o equal_a match_n to_o christian_a tradition_n or_o competent_a to_o be_v alledgâ—d_v against_o it_o 17._o no_o tradition_n be_v allege_v or_o alledgeable_a in_o reason_n against_o christian_a tradition_n that_o none_o be_v alledgâ—d_v be_v evident_a from_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o the_o adversary_n of_o catholic_n tradition_n never_o pretend_v the_o consent_n or_o constant_a sense_n of_o great_a multitude_n derive_v from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o live_a voice_n that_o at_o such_o a_o time_n former_a tradition_n be_v relinquish_v new_a faith_n introduce_v or_o the_o old_a faith_n change_v or_o abolish_v but_o only_o odd_a end_n or_o scrap_n of_o history_n or_o other_o dead_a testimony_n according_a as_o they_o light_v on_o some_o passage_n which_o seem_v favourable_a to_o they_o or_o may_v