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of_o faith_n the_o definition_n and_o conclusion_n of_o council_n thus_o hypothetical_o draw_v be_v not_o less_o certain_a because_o they_o be_v such_o see_v the_o antecedent_n of_o their_o proposition_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o holy_a scripture_n and_o those_o who_o discourse_n have_v divine_a assistance_n in_o discern_v the_o connexion_n and_o infer_v the_o consequence_n now_o the_o connexion_n and_o sequel_n be_v true_a because_o of_o the_o divine_a direction_n as_o be_v already_o prove_v and_o the_o antecedent_n viz._n matter_n of_o fact_n be_v so_o as_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o miracle_n which_o confirm_v their_o truth_n which_o be_v such_o as_o reason_n may_v discern_v to_o be_v divine_a for_o reason_n may_v be_v allow_v a_o judge_n in_o this_o case_n though_o not_o in_o all_o doubt_n which_o come_v under_o debate_n in_o a_o council_n the_o reason_n of_o which_o be_v this_o
miracle_n be_v work_n which_o exceed_v mere_a natural_a power_n or_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v furnish_v with_o faculty_n which_o can_v discern_v what_o be_v natural_a and_o what_o not_o but_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n in_o high_a mystery_n this_o assertion_n perhaps_o may_v be_v check_v by_o a_o instance_n in_o conciliary_a proceed_n in_o discern_a canonical_a book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n from_o apocryphal_a or_o any_o false_o so_o call_v in_o which_o judgement_n be_v pass_v by_o mere_a rational_a evidence_n whilst_o it_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o by_o their_o content_n this_o must_v not_o be_v grant_v for_o though_o the_o content_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o good_a argument_n of_o their_o truth_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o the_o only_a characteristic_n to_o distinguish_v they_o from_o other_o which_o be_v not_o canonical_a when_o there_o be_v any_o debate_n in_o a_o council_n concern_v any_o part_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v admit_v into_o canon_n appeal_n be_v not_o make_v to_o mere_a reason_n to_o judge_n of_o its_o content_n any_o further_a than_o by_o comparison_n of_o they_o with_o those_o of_o other_o book_n which_o be_v receive_v without_o any_o controversy_n it_o be_v the_o council_n business_n to_o argue_v as_o the_o apostolical_a canon_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n conclude_v the_o definition_n of_o council_n deduction_n of_o reason_n artic._n 21_o which_o admit_v of_o this_o limitation_n or_o rather_o interpretation_n that_o though_o reason_n draw_v the_o conclussion_n yet_o their_o truth_n be_v not_o measure_v by_o a_o bare_a congruity_n to_o it_o but_o the_o reception_n of_o it_o in_o the_o primitive_a church_n or_o the_o most_o free_a and_o unbiased_a council_n and_o so_o much_o of_o its_o as_o belong_v to_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o the_o jewish_a catalogue_n and_o by_o several_a other_o rule_n which_o be_v as_o a_o touchstone_n to_o discover_v gold_n and_o distinguish_v it_o from_o base_a metal_n to_o speak_v all_o conciliary_a discussion_n in_o this_o case_n do_v not_o inquire_v how_o revelation_n be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n but_o what_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v as_o revelation_n and_o what_o to_o be_v reject_v and_o when_o that_o be_v do_v compare_v one_o text_n with_o another_o till_o they_o agree_v which_o consent_n be_v the_o most_o infallible_a evidence_n of_o truth_n however_o it_o be_v scarce_o probable_a that_o the_o reasoner_n will_v be_v persuade_v or_o argue_v out_o of_o his_o pretend_a private_a infallibility_n whilst_o he_o conclude_v every_o individual_a man_n may_v proceed_v on_o the_o same_o ground_n which_o council_n do_v because_o each_o rational_a man_n be_v in_o some_o degree_n more_o or_o less_o able_a to_o draw_v conclusion_n by_o analogy_n or_o compare_v the_o several_a content_n of_o holy_a scripture_n wherefore_o let_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o each_o reasonable_a man_n be_v natural_o qualify_v to_o find_v truth_n yet_o see_v the_o promise_n of_o divine_a assistance_n which_o be_v the_o most_o sure_a foundation_n on_o which_o infallibility_n can_v rest_v be_v not_o to_o a_o single_a person_n those_o natural_a qualification_n can_v assure_v they_o of_o find_v it_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o the_o reasoner_n may_v take_v occasion_n from_o what_o be_v say_v of_o urge_v a_o question_n whether_o the_o former_a assertion_n do_v take_v the_o privilege_n from_o every_o private_a person_n so_o that_o in_o any_o case_n he_o can_v interpret_v scripture_n the_o affirmative_a of_o this_o question_n may_v be_v safe_o maintain_v as_o it_o have_v respect_n to_o private_a person_n who_o be_v know_v member_n of_o the_o church_n and_o have_v opportunity_n of_o be_v acquaint_v with_o and_o to_o be_v inform_v what_o be_v the_o interpretation_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n which_o must_v be_v a_o direction_n to_o those_o who_o pass_v judgement_n in_o particular_a case_n for_o they_o may_v not_o appeal_v from_o synod_n to_o their_o own_o private_a reason_n and_o because_o truth_n be_v certain_o to_o be_v find_v in_o council_n and_o there_o be_v rule_n of_o find_v it_o if_o it_o be_v further_o demand_v whether_o a_o private_a person_n who_o have_v neither_o learning_n or_o opportunity_n to_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n may_v not_o be_v a_o safe_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n in_o order_n to_o his_o own_o satisfaction_n and_o salvation_n as_o this_o propose_v a_o extraordinary_a case_n so_o the_o answer_n may_v be_v dubious_o return_v however_o it_o may_v be_v say_v to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o question_n that_o it_o can_v be_v well_o suppose_v that_o any_o illiterate_a person_n shall_v of_o necessity_n be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n see_v he_o be_v a_o know_a member_n of_o the_o same_o and_o the_o pastor_n be_v as_o mouth_n to_o declare_v it_o to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o question_n which_o suppose_v a_o christian_a so_o unfortunate_o among_o the_o infidel_n place_v that_o he_o can_v have_v access_n to_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o propose_v another_o question_n viz._n whether_o the_o thief_n on_o the_o cross_n who_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o want_v time_n though_o nothingmore_o can_v be_v want_v whilst_o christ_n be_v with_o he_o do_v give_v assent_n to_o all_o fundamental_o of_o religion_n by_o faith_n as_o explicit_a as_o be_v require_v of_o other_o christian_o who_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o more_o time_n and_o other_o circumstance_n the_o answer_n give_v to_o this_o will_v help_v the_o solution_n of_o the_o other_o doubt_n the_o manner_n of_o conciliary_a proceed_n be_v consider_v and_o the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o mere_a reasoner_n for_o such_o debate_n in_o he_o next_o place_n the_o necessity_n of_o council_n shall_v be_v prove_v by_o which_o the_o other_o part_n of_o the_o disquisition_n will_v be_v better_o understand_v such_o sacred_a assembly_n be_v necessary_a though_o not_o at_o all_o time_n for_o some_o age_n pass_v without_o they_o for_o the_o exigency_n of_o the_o church_n require_v such_o supply_n to_o imagine_v it_o can_v always_o be_v without_o they_o be_v to_o conclude_v it_o exempt_a from_o all_o possibility_n of_o err_a and_o independent_a as_o to_o the_o divine_a conduct_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o lead_v it_o and_o continue_v it_o in_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n the_o former_a can_v be_v grant_v for_o heresy_n must_v be_v and_o then_o there_o be_v as_o great_a necessity_n of_o their_o condemnation_n the_o latter_a can_v be_v allow_v for_o as_o it_o intrenche_n on_o the_o divine_a dominion_n so_o it_o do_v equalise_v the_o church_n militant_a with_o the_o triumphant_a who_o great_a trimuph_n be_v our_o error_n this_o necessity_n of_o council_n be_v confirm_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o different_a opinion_n concern_v matter_n of_o faith_n which_o equal_o commend_v themselves_o to_o the_o christian_a and_o render_v his_o will_n so_o indifferent_a that_o he_o know_v not_o to_o which_o part_n to_o incline_v till_o determine_v by_o authority_n it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n to_o meet_v with_o two_o opinion_n in_o other_o case_n which_o plead_v for_o themselves_o with_o such_o equal_a probability_n that_o the_o most_o accurate_a judgement_n will_v rather_o suspend_v its_o belief_n than_o give_v assent_v to_o either_o neither_o let_v it_o appear_v a_o prodigy_n if_o religion_n afford_v such_o case_n as_o will_v render_v its_o proselyte_n or_o professor_n sceptical_o puzzle_v without_o a_o more_o infallible_a guide_n than_o their_o own_o reason_n but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o in_o other_o case_n the_o wise_a man_n do_v not_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o a_o sect_n or_o council_n of_o philosopher_n to_o be_v vmpire_n in_o dubious_a matter_n this_o be_v grant_v for_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a that_o they_o shall_v deliver_v up_o their_o reason_n to_o the_o most_o fame_a sophy_n but_o the_o reason_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o religious_a debate_n for_o a_o single_a person_n may_v be_v qualify_v for_o find_v truth_n in_o philosophy_n with_o such_o certainty_n as_o may_v vie_v with_o the_o numerous_a sect_n but_o no_o private_a member_n of_o the_o church_n may_v pretend_v to_o that_o cretainty_n which_o must_v be_v allow_v in_o council_n it_o be_v possible_a that_o one_o man_n may_v be_v master_n of_o more_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n than_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o all_o the_o world_n at_o that_o time_n and_o one_o walk_v library_n more_o valuable_a than_o a_o vatican_n but_o religious_a knowledge_n be_v not_o design_v to_o be_v so_o monastical_a as_o to_o live_v in_o solitude_n or_o a_o single_a person_n beside_o if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o philosopher_n have_v the_o same_o assurance_n of_o a_o true_a conduct_n in_o their_o doubt_n by_o reason_n which_o the_o council_n have_v by_o divine_a supply_n he_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a
sub_fw-la orcum_fw-la the_o oracle_n be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v such_o confession_n it_o be_v one_o part_n of_o their_o penance_n to_o proclaim_v their_o own_o weakness_n and_o necessary_a subjection_n to_o that_o supreme_a be_v of_o who_o they_o so_o prophetical_o speak_v as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o answer_n give_v by_o apollo_n oracle_n to_o one_o demand_v what_o god_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o author_n of_o this_o almost_o sacred_a verse_n be_v it_o not_o consider_v that_o god_n lay_v a_o necessity_n on_o the_o evil_a angel_n that_o they_o shall_v proclaim_v his_o power_n for_o the_o devil_n in_o the_o cave_n and_o grove_n as_o well_o as_o those_o among_o the_o tomb_n do_v speak_v truth_n concern_v christ_n though_o it_o add_v to_o their_o torment_n this_o be_v enough_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o those_o true_a say_n when_o speak_v by_o they_o be_v extort_a and_o they_o as_o much_o as_o spiritual_a being_n be_v capable_a of_o put_v on_o the_o rack_n by_o such_o confession_n this_o oracular_a cunning_n which_o will_v not_o confess_v christ_n but_o when_o force_v occasion_n a_o remark_n on_o the_o devil_n subtlety_n who_o be_v necessitate_v to_o acknowledge_v he_o insinuate_v this_o to_o his_o votary_n that_o oracle_n be_v god_n nuncio_n and_o ally_v to_o a_o deity_n as_o ambassador_n whilst_o the_o lie_n be_v mince_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o the_o reasoner_n take_v advantage_n from_o this_o citation_n of_o refute_v the_o former_a position_n by_o say_v that_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o aim_v at_o adoration_n as_o infinite_a being_n neither_o be_v they_o esteem_v by_o wise_a man_n as_o any_o other_o than_o angel_n as_o appear_v from_o heathen_a compellation_n which_o speak_v they_o minister_n beside_o the_o oracle_n more_o plain_a confession_n who_o will_v have_v prayer_n direct_v to_o he_o in_o this_o language_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o it_o must_v be_v observe_v though_o the_o devil_n call_v himself_o daemon_n or_o angel_n yet_o he_o call_v himself_o omniscient_a and_o own_v universal_a wisdom_n which_o can_v be_v allow_v any_o creature_n and_o see_v he_o enjoin_v a_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o be_v direct_v to_o he_o he_o tacit_o insinuate_v to_o his_o votary_n that_o he_o be_v god_n for_o he_o to_o who_o prayer_n be_v make_v must_v be_v god_n according_a to_o heathen_n religion_n which_o own_v no_o invocation_n of_o creature_n as_o mediator_n but_o let_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o oracle_n be_v angel_n and_o only_a jupiter_n apollo_n which_o some_o other_o be_v adore_v as_o deity_n this_o concession_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o destroy_v the_o former_a position_n that_o it_o rather_o confirm_v it_o by_o allow_v adoration_n to_o finite_a being_n such_o as_o jupiter_n and_o apollo_n and_o many_o other_o who_o must_v be_v in_o the_o catalogue_n of_o man_n who_o make_v use_v of_o dream_n and_o oracle_n to_o promote_v their_o apotheosis_n as_o lactant._n cap._n 8._o de_fw-fr origine_fw-la erroris_fw-la argue_v eos_n ipsos_fw-la quos_fw-la docuimus_fw-la deos_fw-la non_fw-la esse_fw-la majestatem_fw-la svam_fw-la ostendisse_fw-la prodigijs_fw-la insomniis_fw-la auguriis_fw-la &_o oraculis_fw-la etc._n etc._n more_o may_v be_v cite_v out_o of_o that_o chapter_n as_o pertinent_a the_o design_n of_o which_o as_o well_o as_o of_o this_o tract_n be_v to_o show_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n and_o how_o much_o the_o natural_a man_n be_v guilty_a of_o folly_n who_o entire_o resign_v himself_o to_o its_o conduct_n but_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o i_o must_v appear_v tedious_a in_o this_o first_o disquisition_n and_o inexcusable_a too_o do_v not_o the_o subject_n treat_v off_o exact_a the_o most_o strict_a examination_n and_o start_v all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v against_o the_o former_a position_n wherefore_o let_v the_o reasoner_n object_n in_o another_o way_n of_o heathen_n practice_n in_o show_v that_o they_o do_v not_o always_o terminate_v their_o devotion_n in_o that_o be_v in_o which_o they_o find_v a_o specimen_fw-la of_o divine_a power_n or_o knowledge_n which_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o sibylls_n who_o appear_v no_o less_o divine_a than_o the_o oracle_n yet_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v adore_v that_o they_o scarce_o find_v civil_a entertainment_n from_o the_o great_a personage_n in_o the_o world_n to_o this_o objection_n i_o will_v only_o suggest_v these_o consideration_n as_o a_o answer_n that_o the_o disregard_n and_o little_a estimation_n they_o have_v in_o the_o world_n proceed_v from_o the_o different_a manner_n and_o matter_n of_o prediction_n of_o the_o sibylls_n and_o oracle_n the_o former_a be_v to_o come_v to_o pass_v after_o many_o revolution_n of_o year_n and_o age_n the_o latter_a as_o ex_fw-la tempore_fw-la prophet_n speak_v to_o every_o particular_a question_n and_o their_o mouth_n open_a to_o each_o votary_n now_o see_v the_o sibylls_n prophecy_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v not_o until_o some_o age_n be_v pass_v it_o may_v be_v easy_o imagine_v that_o active_a mind_n will_v be_v more_o prone_a to_o adore_v the_o oracle_n who_o be_v as_o tutelar_a angel_n to_o advise_v in_o every_o particular_a case_n than_o those_o who_o speak_v more_o general_o of_o what_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v at_o further_a distance_n another_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v why_o the_o sibylls_n be_v not_o adore_v because_o their_o birth_n and_o lineage_n be_v but_o humane_a it_o be_v not_o probable_a they_o shall_v purchase_v adoration_n for_o the_o know_a humanity_n be_v a_o obstacle_n which_o hinder_v worship_n due_a to_o he_o to_o who_o all_o oracle_n and_o angel_n submit_v with_o fear_n of_o that_o power_n which_o be_v able_a to_o silence_v they_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o answer_n can_v remove_v the_o objection_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n will_v destroy_v heathenish_a devotion_n to_o jupiter_n and_o other_o repute_a deity_n who_o be_v only_a man_n deify_v by_o opinion_n of_o some_o fond_a votary_n it_o must_v be_v answer_v that_o they_o be_v esteem_v as_o eternal_a though_o real_o they_o be_v mortal_n which_o opinion_n be_v enough_o to_o denominate_v they_o god_n for_o in_o heathen_n devotion_n to_o be_v and_o to_o be_v believe_v to_o be_v so_o be_v the_o same_o as_o alexander_n think_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o his_o purpose_n that_o the_o barbarian_n be_v persuade_v he_o be_v a_o god_n though_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v but_o mortal_a as_o he_o glory_v in_o the_o delusion_n whilst_o he_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o idiot_n conquer_v themselves_o by_o their_o false_a zeal_n and_o persuasion_n so_o it_o answer_v diabolical_a design_n if_o devil_n be_v mistake_v for_o go_n beside_o the_o sibylls_n be_v so_o much_o like_o apostl_n that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o worship_n due_a to_o they_o but_o another_o of_o who_o they_o prophesy_v neither_o do_v they_o as_o the_o devilish_a oracle_n require_v any_o form_n of_o worship_n or_o prayer_n to_o be_v direct_v to_o they_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o they_o aim_v at_o if_o they_o be_v think_v according_a to_o the_o etymology_n of_o their_o name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v of_o the_o heavenly_a counsel_n if_o that_o age_n have_v be_v so_o zealous_o incline_v to_o adore_v their_o wisdom_n and_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o have_v consider_v their_o prophecy_n as_o fulfil_v yet_o the_o matter_n of_o what_o be_v foretell_v will_v convince_v the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v not_o god_n nor_o claim_v adoration_n these_o circumstance_n consider_v will_v give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o question_n how_o it_o happen_v that_o sibylls_n be_v not_o adore_v as_o oracle_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o confirm_v the_o former_a position_n viz._n that_o devotion_n may_v be_v terminate_v in_o some_o finite_a be_v as_o supreme_a though_o not_o in_o all_o appearance_n of_o extraordinary_a power_n these_o obstacle_n be_v remove_v the_o next_o argument_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n shall_v be_v examine_v which_o be_v take_v from_o that_o prevailling_a topick_n of_o paternal_a love_n and_o care_n which_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o deceive_v his_o son_n by_o a_o successive_a tradition_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n which_o be_v so_o universal_a that_o barbarian_n be_v not_o without_o it_o which_o if_o false_a will_v be_v such_o a_o unnatural_a deceit_n that_o stage_n nor_o history_n can_v parallel_v this_o argument_n have_v more_o strength_n from_o this_o consideration_n that_o as_o the_o father_n will_v not_o be_v so_o unnatural_a to_o deceive_v their_o son_n so_o will_v they_o not_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o matter_n of_o great_a moment_n this_o be_v so_o probable_a
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