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perishable_a and_o alterable_a element_n 3._o reflect_v next_o on_o those_o material_a character_n in_o complexion_n with_o the_o cause_n actual_o lay_v in_o the_o world_n to_o preserve_v they_o entire_a we_o shall_v find_v that_o either_o those_o cause_n be_v material_a and_o then_o themselves_o be_v also_o liable_a to_o continual_a alteration_n and_o innumerable_a contingency_n or_o spiritual_a that_o be_v man_n mind_n now_o these_o be_v the_o noble_a piece_n in_o nature_n and_o free_v in_o part_n from_o physical_a mutability_n by_o their_o immateriality_n we_o may_v with_o good_a reason_n hope_n for_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o constancy_n from_o they_o than_o from_o any_o other_o and_o indeed_o for_o a_o perfect_a unalterableness_n from_o their_o nature_n and_o this_o be_v to_o conceive_v truth_n a_o inerrableness_n if_o due_a circumstance_n be_v observe_v that_o be_v if_o due_a proposal_n be_v make_v to_o beget_v certain_a knowledge_n and_o due_a care_n use_v to_o attend_v to_o such_o proposal_n otherwise_o their_o very_a createdness_n and_o finitness_n entitle_v they_o to_o defectibility_n beside_o their_o obnoxiousness_n to_o mutation_n and_o perpetual_a alteration_n through_o the_o alloy_n of_o their_o material_a compart_n i_o call_v it_o due_a proposal_n when_o it_o must_v necessary_o affect_v the_o sense_n and_o so_o beget_v natural_a knowledge_n or_o when_o unequivocal_a term_n be_v so_o immediate_o and_o orderly_o lay_v that_o the_o conclusion_n must_v as_o necessary_o be_v see_v in_o the_o premise_n as_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n can_v both_o be_v and_o notbe_a at_o once_o by_o a_o mind_n inure_v to_o reflection_n and_o speculation_n and_o i_o call_v that_o due_a care_n which_o preserve_v the_o soul_n in_o such_o temper_n as_o permit_v the_o object_n impression_n to_o be_v heed_v and_o the_o mind_n to_o be_v affect_v by_o it_o 4._o this_o premise_a we_o may_v reflect_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v proud_a disc._n 1._o §_o 4_o 5_o 10_o 11._o must_v be_v obvious_a to_o man_n of_o ordinary_a sense_n and_o not_o only_o to_o speculator_n as_o also_o that_o object_n of_o the_o sense_n may_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n of_o the_o the_o first_o be_v thing_n in_o nature_n or_o else_o simple_a vulgar_a action_n and_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o if_o oft_o repeat_v and_o familiarize_v be_v unmistakable_a and_o consequent_o the_o perceiver_n inerrable_a in_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o the_o second_o be_v such_o action_n as_o be_v compound_v and_o make_v up_o of_o a_o innumerable_a multitude_n of_o several_a particularity_n to_o be_v observe_v every_o of_o which_o may_v be_v mistake_v apart_o each_o be_v a_o distinct_a little_a action_n in_o its_o single_a self_n such_o as_o be_v the_o transcribe_v a_o whole_a book_n consist_v of_o such_o miriads_o of_o word_n single_a letter_n and_o tittle_n or_o stop_v and_o the_o several_a action_n of_o write_v over_o each_o of_o these_o so_o short_a and_o cursory_a that_o it_o prevent_v 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their_o well-testifyed_a consent_n 5._o to_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n if_o we_o be_v certain_a there_o have_v be_v ancient_o a_o multitude_n of_o examiner_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n in_o each_o copy_n take_v from_o the_o first_o original_a or_o the_o next_o copy_n from_o these_o and_o so_o forward_o with_o the_o exact_a care_n we_o have_v define_v the_o single_a examination_n of_o each_o and_o the_o amendment_n of_o the_o copy_n according_a to_o their_o examination_n convince_o testify_v and_o that_o by_o excommunication_n or_o heavy_a ecclesiastical_a prohibition_n and_o mulct_n it_o have_v be_v provide_v for_o from_o the_o beginning_n that_o none_o shall_v presume_v to_o take_v a_o copy_n of_o it_o and_o that_o copy_n be_v permit_v to_o be_v read_v or_o see_v till_o it_o be_v thus_o examine_v much_o may_v have_v be_v say_v for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n upon_o these_o man_n principle_n but_o if_o no_o such_o order_n or_o exactness_n be_v ever_o hear_v of_o especial_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o who_o letter_n they_o build_v christian_a faith_n if_o the_o multitude_n of_o letter_n commaes_n blotting_n or_o illegibleness_n of_o the_o original_n like-appearance_n of_o letter_n and_o even_o whole_a word_n in_o in_o the_o book_n like-sounding_a in_o the_o ear_n or_o fancy_n of_o the_o transcriber_n possibility_n of_o misplace_v omit_v insert_v etc._n etc._n do_v administer_v very_o fruitful_a occasion_n to_o human_a overâ—ight_n if_o the_o more_o copy_n be_v take_v the_o more_o the_o error_n be_v like_a to_o grow_v and_o the_o far_o from_o correct_v if_o experience_n testify_v no_o such_o exact_a diligence_n have_v be_v former_o use_v by_o the_o diverse_a readins_n of_o several_a copy_n now_o extant_a and_o thousand_o of_o correction_n which_o have_v late_o be_v make_v of_o the_o vulgar_a edition_n the_o most_o universal_o currant_n perhaps_o of_o any_o other_o what_o can_v we_o say_v but_o that_o for_o any_o thing_n these_o principle_n afford_v scripture_n letter_n may_v be_v uncertain_a in_o every_o tittle_n not_o withstand_v the_o diligence_n which_o have_v de_fw-la facto_fw-la be_v use_v to_o preserve_v it_o uncorrupted_a in_o the_o way_n of_o those_o who_o hold_v it_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n in_o their_o way_n i_o say_v who_o will_v not_o have_v the_o sense_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n write_v in_o christian_n heart_n the_o rule_n for_o the_o corrector_n of_o the_o letter_n to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o but_o the_o mere_a letter_n of_o a_o formeâ—_n and_o god_n know_v controvertible_a copy_n out_o of_o which_o the_o transcription_n and_o by_o which_o only_a the_o examination_n be_v make_v what_o certainty_n accrue_v to_o scripture_n letter_n by_o the_o mean_n of_o tradition_n or_o the_o live_a voice_n of_o the_o present_a church_n in_o each_o age_n be_v the_o subject_a of_o another_o enquiry_n 6._o now_o as_o for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n significativeness_n which_o be_v the_o other_o branch_n nothing_o be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o this_o be_v quite_o lose_v to_o all_o in_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o 〈◊〉_d evident_a that_o it_o be_v unattainable_a by_o the_o vulgar_a that_o be_v the_o better_a half_n of_o mankind_n since_o they_o be_v unfurnish_a of_o those_o art_n and_o skill_n as_o language_n grammar_n logic_n history_n metaphysic_n divinity_n etc._n etc._n requisite_a to_o establish_v and_o render_v certain_a the_o sense_n they_o conceive_v the_o letter_n ought_v to_o bear_v without_o which_o they_o can_v never_o make_v such_o a_o interpretation_n of_o it_o but_o a_o acute_a scholar_n skilled_a in_o those_o mean_n will_v be_v able_a to_o blunder_v they_o and_o make_v a_o seem_n clear_a one_o of_o his_o own_o in_o a_o word_n if_o we_o see_v eminent_a wit_n of_o the_o protestant_n and_o the_o socinian_o make_v use_n of_o the_o selfsame_a and_o as_o they_o conceive_v the_o best_a
blaze_v up_o and_o down_o to_o the_o commendation_n of_o themselves_o and_o perversion_n of_o other_o but_o a_o company_n which_o make_v such_o a_o bustle_n can_v long_o want_v a_o name_n wherefore_o the_o traditionary_a christian_a have_v ever_o enjoy_v the_o appellation_n of_o catholic_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a their_o adversary_n shall_v by_o any_o design_n or_o craft_n after_o the_o common_a language_n of_o mankind_n hopeless_a to_o attain_v the_o name_n of_o catholic_n they_o be_v force_v to_o content_v themselves_o though_o unwilling_a with_o some_o other_o new_a one_o which_o nature_n work_v upon_o their_o own_o comportment_n determine_v to_o be_v either_o from_o their_o author_n as_o lutheran_n zuingliaus_fw-la or_o their_o new_a tenet_n as_o tritheits_fw-mi sacramentarian_n or_o some_o combination_n among_o themselves_o as_o protestant_n or_o last_o some_o particular_a carriage_n as_o quaker_n dipper_n etc._n etc._n 3._o these_o first_o adherent_n to_o the_o upstart_n novellist_n be_v cling_v into_o a_o body_n after_o a_o while_o young_a understanding_n ripen_v to_o a_o capacity_n of_o faith_n thing_n be_v present_o alter_v the_o pretend_a rule_n of_o scripture_n letter_n selfsufficiency_n be_v immediate_o throw_v by_o as_o useless_a any_o far_o design_n have_v get_v its_o end_n already_o and_o the_o natural_a way_n of_o of_o tradition_n begin_v to_o take_v place_n again_o and_o recover_v its_o self_n nay_o the_o reformer_n themselves_o be_v force_v to_o crave_v help_n of_o it_o to_o keep_v their_o company_n together_o child_n be_v teach_v that_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v their_o pastor_n and_o father_n and_o though_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n when_o they_o come_v at_o age_n yet_o they_o be_v tell_v they_o be_v to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o sense_n their_o pastor_n and_o father_n give_v it_o which_o be_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o guide_v themselves_o by_o the_o faith_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o teacher_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n the_o very_a way_n catholic_n ever_o take_v in_o that_o particular_a and_o if_o any_o company_n of_o man_n though_o now_o mature_a to_o judge_v presume_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o judgement_n in_o interpret_n it_o and_o differ_v from_o those_o first_o reformer_n these_o if_o they_o get_v the_o power_n in_o their_o hand_n will_v present_o fall_v to_o oblige_v they_o by_o force_n to_o act_v that_o be_v if_o they_o will_v have_v they_o do_v it_o conscientious_o which_o else_o be_v to_o force_v they_o to_o sin_n to_o hold_v as_o they_o do_v and_o persecute_v or_o punish_v they_o if_o they_o do_v not_o whereas_o they_o guide_v themselves_o to_o their_o best_a capacity_n by_o the_o scripture_n letter_n which_o be_v the_o very_a rule_n of_o faith_n their_o persecutor_n teach_v they_o and_o make_v use_n of_o themselves_o when_o they_o break_v from_o the_o church_n which_o evident_o show_v that_o a_o new_a rule_n be_v introduce_v and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o indeed_o the_o letter_n of_o god_n word_n which_o be_v now_o think_v fit_a to_o guide_v the_o reader_n of_o it_o to_o faith_n but_o those_o man_n interpretation_n of_o it_o so_o that_o the_o break_n from_o tradition_n and_o consequent_o the_o church_n cast_v they_o most_o inevitable_o upon_o these_o self-contradiction_n first_o to_o reform_v npon_n pretence_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o afterward_o in_o practice_n to_o desert_n that_o rule_n in_o their_o carriage_n towards_o other_o second_o to_o disallow_v to_o other_o those_o ground_n themselves_o proceed_v upon_o three_o to_o pretend_v first_o the_o scripture_n letter_n clear_a of_o itself_o without_o need_v the_o church_n to_o interpret_v it_o so_o to_o avoid_v condemnation_n from_o the_o former_a church_n yet_o afterward_o to_o judge_v the_o follower_n of_o it_o to_o their_o best_a power_n to_o go_v wrong_n that_o be_v to_o confess_v it_o obscure_v and_o to_o need_v their_o new_a church_n interpretation_n 4_o to_o persecute_v other_o for_o take_v that_o way_n which_o they_o hold_v at_o least_o pretend_a meritorious_a in_o themselves_o 5_o to_o oblige_v other_o to_o relinquish_v the_o sole_a guidance_n of_o the_o scripture_n letter_n and_o to_o rule_v themselves_o by_o their_o tradition_n and_o yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o they_o write_v and_o dispute_v against_o catholic_n to_o impugn_v tradition_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o forefather_n as_o unfitting_a to_o sense_n it_o and_o abet_v only_o the_o selfsufficiency_n of_o scripture_n letter_n and_o last_o to_o impute_v that_o carriage_n to_o our_o church_n as_o a_o fault_n which_o themselves_o practise_v upon_o their_o own_o subject_n and_o which_o be_v most_o material_a our_o church_n punish_v none_o but_o such_o as_o desert_v the_o rule_n she_o recommend_v whereas_o they_o punish_v those_o under_o they_o for_o follow_v too_o close_o that_o rule_n which_o themselves_o recommend_v and_o applaud_v as_o the_o whole_a and_o sole_a bafis_n of_o their_o reformation_n 4._o now_o what_o can_v follow_v hence_o but_o that_o their_o ecclesiastical_a subject_n who_o common_a sense_n can_v but_o make_v exceed_o sensible_a of_o such_o their_o unreasonable_a carriage_n in_o persecute_v they_o pure_o for_o follow_v god_n word_n or_o the_o scripture_n letter_n to_o their_o best_a power_n which_o themselves_o have_v teach_v they_o may_v secure_o nay_o aught_o in_o conscience_n be_v follow_v let_v the_o consent_n of_o forefather_n and_o the_o present_a church_n make_v up_o of_o meeâ—_n man_n say_v what_o they_o will_v what_o follow_v we_o i_o say_v but_o that_o exasperate_v beyond_o patience_n by_o this_o procedure_n which_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o conceive_v to_o be_v a_o most_o senseless_a and_o self-condemning_a tyranny_n over_o their_o conscience_n they_o will_v unless_o governor_n be_v vigilant_a strive_v to_o wreak_v their_o malice_n against_o their_o persecutor_n and_o if_o they_o be_v numerous_a and_o powerful_a endeavour_v to_o involve_v whole_a nation_n in_o war_n and_o blood_n which_o god_n of_o his_o mercy_n avert_v from_o our_o distract_a country_n of_o so_o main_a consequence_n it_o be_v both_o for_o church_n and_o state_n that_o man_n mind_n be_v right_o set_v in_o the_o fundamental_a ground_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o the_o principle_n they_o build_v religion_n on_o be_v evident_a that_o be_v apt_a to_o unite_v their_o understanding_n and_o by_o it_o their_o affection_n not_o uncertain_a and_o vertible_a which_o must_v needs_o lead_v if_o pursue_v by_o a_o earnest_a zeal_n to_o nothing_o but_o diversity_n in_o opinion_n about_o faith_n thence_o to_o dissension_n and_o feud_n in_o the_o will_n which_o upon_o any_o great_a pressure_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o break_v forth_o into_o action_n of_o high_a enmity_n and_o by_o the_o irreconcileableness_n of_o such_o interest_n neither_o side_n be_v able_a to_o yield_v to_o the_o other_o in_o what_o each_o of_o 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considerer_n on_o the_o by_o how_o much_o it_o conduce_v to_o state-unity_n and_o peace_n that_o the_o principle_n of_o convey_v faith_n to_o we_o be_v build_v on_o sensible_a evidence_n acknowledgable_a by_o all_o mankind_n when_o right_o understand_v and_o not_o leave_v to_o giddy_a interpretation_n of_o private_a fancy_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o run_v so_o eccentrical_o to_o one_o another_o that_o we_o can_v never_o expect_v they_o shall_v have_v any_o common_a point_n where_o to_o fix_v and_o unite_v man_n mind_n and_o afflection_n 5._o the_o usefulness_n of_o this_o parergon_n serve_v to_o elucidate_v as_o it_o be_v ptactical_o and_o experimental_o the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n the_o particular_a use_n we_o make_v of_o it_o in_o this_o present_a discourse_n whence_o we_o digress_v into_o it_o be_v to_o conclude_v as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v of_o thing_n at_o a_o common_a view_n which_o yet_o be_v no_o less_o certain_a that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o actual_a deserter_n of_o the_o natural_a way_n of_o tradition_n have_v be_v but_o few_o to_o wit_v the_o
first_o revolter_n a_o small_a handful_n compare_v to_o all_o christianity_n beside_o and_o only_o occasional_o not_o constant_o happen_v that_o the_o descendants_n of_o these_o revolter_n be_v teach_v by_o they_o to_o believe_v they_o in_o the_o right_n in_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o not_o their_o own_o judgement_n that_o be_v follow_v the_o way_n of_o tradition_n however_o misplace_v to_o which_o if_o we_o compare_v the_o numerous_a contingency_n both_o in_o man_n nature_n and_o other_o circumstance_n hinder_v propagation_n every_o day_n happen_v we_o shall_v find_v much_o reason_n to_o prefer_v the_o multitude_n of_o the_o other_o before_o this_o but_o if_o we_o add_v to_o this_o consideration_n the_o daily_a decay_n of_o innumerable_a particular_n upon_o who_o the_o continuation_n of_o mankind_n depend_v by_o natural_a or_o accidental_a death_n and_o reflect_v on_o the_o innumerable_a new_a subject_n and_o even_o whole_a nation_n into_o which_o tradition_n have_v and_o do_v daily_o propagate_v itself_o and_o those_o uninfected_a by_o new_a heresy_n for_o whole_a age_n that_o be_v without_o any_o one_o deserter_n of_o tradition_n among_o they_o and_o none_o of_o those_o behold_n to_o progenitor_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o to_o extern_n who_o convert_v they_o whereas_o propagate_a their_o kind_a can_v only_o be_v by_o those_o of_o the_o same_o race_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o cause_n lay_v to_o propagate_v &_o preserve_v a_o body_n of_o traditionary_a christian_n look_v far_o more_o steady_o and_o less_o need_v a_o recourse_n to_o any_o particular_a providence_n than_o those_o which_o we_o can_v discover_v lay_v for_o the_o keep_n on_o foot_n a_o body_n of_o men._n whence_o if_o any_o as_o the_o common_a fashion_n be_v bring_v against_o the_o perpetuation_n of_o tradition_n such_o wildrove_a argument_n as_o will_v equal_o strike_v at_o the_o certainty_n of_o perpetuate_a mankind_n or_o continue_v any_o species_n in_o nature_n the_o ready_a answer_n be_v to_o show_v they_o do_v so_o and_o then_o to_o tell_v they_o we_o intend_v not_o tradition_n shall_v last_v long_o than_o the_o only_a species_n capable_a of_o faith_n will_v that_o be_v long_o than_o mankind_n be_v to_o stand_v who_o only_o can_v have_v it_o or_o need_v it_o eight_o discourse_n endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la the_o vninterruptedness_n of_o tradition_n hitherto_o 1._o have_v see_v and_o weigh_v the_o strength_n of_o those_o cause_n which_o preserve_v and_o continue_v tradition_n on_o foot_n and_o thence_o endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v its_o indefectibleness_n as_o the_o proper_a and_o necessary_a effect_n of_o those_o cause_n we_o will_v now_o begin_v our_o discourse_n at_o the_o other_o end_n and_o try_v if_o we_o can_v conclude_v the_o same_o from_o some_o proper_a effect_n that_o be_v from_o such_o a_o effect_n as_o can_v only_o have_v spring_v from_o the_o actual_a indeficiency_n of_o tradition_n as_o its_o cause_n that_o so_o we_o may_v show_v the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n conveyance_n to_o we_o double_o guard_v and_o on_o all_o side_n evident_a 2_o though_o indeed_o this_o seem_v a_o needless_a endeavour_n against_o the_o protestant_n who_o yield_v that_o those_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o which_o we_o agree_v come_v dowâ—_n by_o this_o way_n of_o tradition_n whence_o he_o be_v to_o be_v press_v to_o answer_v candid_o these_o queres_fw-la wâ—_n not_o the_o trinity_n incarnation_n and_o other_o point_v 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o agree_v hold_v in_o all_o age_n since_o christ_n by_o god_n church_n he_o must_v yield_v it_o no_o protestaâ—â—_n ever_o deny_v it_o beside_o that_o we_o both_o agree_v to_o call_v that_o god_n church_n which_o hold_v those_o maiâ—_n point_v of_o faith_n next_o he_o be_v to_o be_v ask_v whether_o see_v those_o point_n be_v hold_v ever_o of_o faith_n father_n do_v not_o actual_o teach_v child_n so_o or_o the_o former_a age_n the_o late_a common_a reason_n will_v teach_v he_o they_o do_v which_o devolve_v into_o this_o that_o a_o protestant_n must_v confess_v those_o point_n come_v down_o by_o tradition_n and_o that_o tradition_n have_v not_o fail_v to_o bring_v they_o down_o to_o we_o ask_v he_o next_o by_o what_o virtue_n tradition_n perform_v this_o and_o whether_o the_o same_o virtue_n be_v not_o powerful_a to_o bring_v down_o other_o as_o well_o as_o these_o have_v any_o such_o be_v and_o when_o he_o assign_v this_o virtue_n i_o can_v suspect_v he_o negative_a in_o so_o plain_a a_o point_n ask_v he_o far_o be_v there_o not_o a_o necessary_a connexion_n and_o relation_n between_o such_o a_o constant_a cause_n and_o its_o formal_a effect_n so_o that_o if_o its_o formal_a effect_n be_v those_o point_n receive_v as_o deliver_v ever_o the_o proper_a cause_n must_v be_v a_o ever-delivery_n whence_o we_o can_v argue_v from_o such_o a_o effect_n to_o its_o cause_n for_o any_o particular_a point_n and_o consequen_o for_o any_o point_n that_o be_v in_o controversy_n between_o they_o and_o we_o in_o case_n it_o be_v a_o point_n we_o hold_v ever_o deliver_v and_o if_o so_o as_o manifest_a reason_n evince_v it_o our_o now-held_a faith_n be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o our_o dispute_n be_v at_o a_o end_n but_o because_o i_o rather_o suspect_v the_o protestant_n see_v his_o cause_n and_o interest_n too_o deep_o engage_v and_o himself_o straighten_v by_o such_o strict_a connexion_n of_o term_n will_v fly_v of_o and_o deny_v tradition_n to_o be_v a_o necessary_a cause_n notwithstanding_o its_o constant_a tenor_n of_o have_v wrought_v this_o its_o effect_n million_o of_o time_n or_o from_o step_n to_o step_v during_o so_o many_o age_n and_o will_v not_o care_v to_o allege_v that_o all_o this_o be_v pure_a chance_n and_o contingency_n i_o shall_v pursue_v the_o design_n and_o method_n i_o at_o first_o intend_v 3._o the_o effect_n than_o we_o will_v pitch_v upon_o and_o avow_v to_o be_v the_o proper_a one_o of_o such_o a_o cause_n be_v the_o present_a persuasion_n of_o traditionary-christians_a or_o catholic_n that_o their_o faith_n have_v descend_v from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n uninterrupted_o which_o we_o find_v most_o firm_o root_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o this_o persuasion_n we_o affirm_v to_o be_v impossible_a without_o the_o existence_n of_o tradition_n ever-indeficiency_a to_o beget_v it_o 4._o to_o prove_v this_o i_o lay_v this_o first_o principle_n that_o age_n which_o hold_v her_o faith_n deliver_v thus_o from_o the_o apostle_n neither_o can_v itself_o have_v change_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o nor_o know_v or_o doubt_n that_o any_o age_n since_o the_o apostle_n have_v change_v or_o innovate_v any_o thing_n therein_o this_o proposition_n need_v no_o proof_n to_o evidence_n it_o but_o only_o a_o explication_n for_o since_o no_o man_n can_v hold_v contrary_a to_o his_o knowledge_n or_o doubt_v of_o what_o he_o hold_v nor_o change_v or_o innovate_v in_o the_o case_n propose_v without_o know_v he_o do_v so_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a impossibility_n a_o whole_a age_n shall_v fall_v into_o a_o absurdity_n so_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o one_o single_a man_n 5._o the_o second_o principle_n shall_v be_v this_o no_o age_n can_v innovate_v any_o thing_n and_o withal_o deliver_v that_o very_a thing_n to_o posterity_n as_o receiuâ—d_v from_o christ_n by_o continual_a succession_n for_o since_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n he_o must_v have_v some_o reason_n or_o motive_n good_a or_o bad_a which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o as_o a_o eudina_n to_o be_v achieve_v by_o his_o action_n and_o whatever_o his_o remote_a end_n be_v his_o immediate_a end_n in_o tell_v posterity_n a_o late_o invent_v thing_n be_v hold_v immediate_o before_o be_v to_o make_v they_o believe_v it_o wherefore_o since_o a_o see_v impossibility_n can_v be_v a_o motive_n to_o one_o not_o frantic_a and_o that_o it_o be_v evident_o impossible_a they_o shall_v make_v posterity_n believe_v a_o thing_n so_o universal_o know_v to_o be_v false_a as_o this_o must_v needs_o be_v because_o be_v it_o possible_a the_o whole_a age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o tell_v such_o a_o lie_n the_o whole_a i_o say_v otherwise_o the_o refuser_n will_v easy_o discover_v the_o cheat_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_o impossible_a all_o at_o age_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n shall_v conspire_v from_o so_o many_o several_a and_o so_o far_o distant_a place_n in_o the_o precise_a time_n to_o deceive_v the_o new_a offspring_n every_o month_n ripen_v to_o a_o capacity_n of_o such_o knowledge_n or_o blot_v out_o all_o the_o monument_n which_o will_v evident_o undeceive_v their_o abuse_a posterity_n it_o be_v then_o as_o impossible_a this_o principle_n shall_v falter_v as_o that_o the_o forego_n age_n shall_v conspire_v to_o act_v without_o a_o motive_n or_o that_o the_o succeed_a age_n shall_v believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v otherwise_o that_o be_v shall_v hold_v both_o side_n
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 do_v all_o just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v which_o word_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o review_v and_o note_n for_o thence_o my_o discourse_n take_v its_o rise_n 13._o what_o be_v it_o then_o that_o we_o affirm_v the_o late_a age_n oblige_v to_o hold_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n hold_v and_o act_v wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o build_v their_o house_n no_o for_o both_o those_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v of_o trivial_a concern_v and_o the_o fashion_n of_o both_o depend_v on_o fancy_n which_o be_v too_o sleight_v a_o principle_n to_o oblige_v to_o a_o constancy_n what_o be_v it_o then_o to_o manage_v their_o estate_n thus_o or_o thus_o no_o for_o the_o inconvenience_n or_o convenience_n of_o the_o different_a way_n be_v perhaps_o hold_v not_o very_o material_a and_o the_o judge_v which_o be_v best_a depend_v upon_o prudential_n principles_n which_o be_v of_o their_o own_o nature_n variable_a and_o accommodable_a to_o circumstance_n and_o therefore_o not_o oblige_v they_o to_o think_v and_o act_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v let_v we_o proceed_v be_v it_o some_o piece_n of_o skill_n or_o a_o speculative_a opinion_n depend_v on_o the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o the_o ancestor_n knowledge_n no_o for_o experience_n teach_v that_o man_n differ_v in_o such_o judgement_n and_o be_v errable_a it_o can_v never_o oblige_v posterity_n to_o believe_v unalterable_o as_o they_o do_v be_v it_o then_o some_o historical_a passage_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o great_a note_n and_o as_o such_o apt_a to_o strike_v their_o fancy_n strong_o yet_o still_o such_o as_o the_o succeed_a age_n be_v not_o high_o concern_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o for_o example_n that_o of_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n to_o the_o asian_a and_o grecian_a offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age_n after_o no_o yet_o experience_n tell_v we_o the_o memory_n of_o this_o be_v fresh_a and_o lively_a even_o among_o we_o who_o be_v not_o the_o immediate_a descendants_n of_o those_o where_o he_o conquer_v though_o some_o thousand_o of_o year_n since_o 14._o before_o we_o go_v any_o further_a let_v we_o examine_v how_o this_o history_n come_v to_o obtain_v so_o firm_a and_o unshaken_a a_o belief_n from_o the_o whole_a world_n to_o this_o very_a day_n and_o first_o he_o must_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a speculater_n that_o can_v think_v the_o universal_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v cause_v by_o book_n curtius_n his_o history_n for_o example_n for_o since_o all_o mankind_n know_v natural_o that_o falsehood_n may_v as_o easy_o be_v character_v in_o letter_n as_o truth_n it_o be_v evident_o the_o continue_a belief_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o sense_n in_o man_n heart_n of_o its_o truth_n that_o be_v human_a tradition_n which_o give_v that_o book_n all_o its_o authority_n and_o secure_v its_o strange_a content_n from_o be_v hold_v romanical_a which_o the_o very_a being-writ_a can_v never_o have_v do_v let_v we_o see_v next_o whence_o this_o human_a tradition_n have_v its_o force_n to_o continue_v hitherto_o so_o settle_v and_o unalterable_a a_o persuasion_n of_o alexander_n conquest_n and_o look_v into_o the_o thing_n for_o proper_a cause_n that_o be_v the_o best_a demonstrative_a medium_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o object_n itself_o be_v very_o universal_a strange_a notorious_a and_o hold_v of_o concern_v to_o the_o then_o liver_n which_o make_v their_o heart_n and_o fancy_n full_a of_o it_o and_o so_o oblige_v they_o to_o burst_v out_o into_o expression_n of_o it_o and_o relate_v it_o to_o their_o offspring_n of_o the_o next_o age._n i_o but_o what_o oblige_v the_o offspring_n to_o believe_v their_o forefather_n tell_v it_o and_o to_o act_v or_o talk_v of_o it_o again_o to_o their_o child_n as_o the_o father_n do_v without_o which_o obligation_n it_o can_v not_o have_v descend_v to_o we_o regard_v once_o more_o the_o thing_n we_o shall_v discover_v that_o it_o be_v imprint_v into_o the_o offspring_n by_o the_o forefather_n testify_v what_o their_o sense_n have_v tell_v they_o which_o put_v common_a sense_n inform_v they_o the_o thing_n be_v infallibly-true_a and_o as_o certain_a as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v it_o with_o their_o own_o eye_n for_o no_o reach_n of_o reason_n but_o only_a extravagance_n of_o madness_n can_v have_v furnish_v they_o with_o any_o imaginable_a motive_n why_o the_o whole_a world_n shall_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v they_o or_o be_v decievable_a in_o their_o sensation_n by_o this_o mean_v the_o conceit_n of_o the_o thing_n or_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o to_o the_o main_a for_o circumstantial_a consideration_n be_v not_o so_o evident_a to_o all_o at_o first_o and_o so_o can_v not_o be_v universal_o deliver_v as_o ascertain_v by_o sense_n be_v in_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o firmness_n and_o certainty_n rivet_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o next_o age_n and_o so_o there_o be_v necessary_o in_o the_o rational_a part_n of_o the_o world_n some_o curious_a person_n who_o nature_n herself_o can_v not_o but_o incline_v to_o a_o inquisitiveness_n of_o what_o be_v do_v former_o and_o other_o too_o natural_o incline_v to_o tell_v it_o child_n who_o be_v capable_a of_o it_o and_o delight_v with_o hear_v such_o strange-true_a story_n it_o go_v down_o continue_v by_o the_o way_n of_o tradition_n to_o our_o very_a day_n 15._o but_o we_o have_v over-shot_a our_o mark_n the_o question_n be_v of_o the_o obligation_n not_o to_o believe_v contrary_a to_o forefather_n from_o age_n to_o age._n and_o it_o be_v already_o evident_a that_o the_o second_o age_n after_o alexander_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o first_o because_o they_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n what_o be_v do_v but_o how_o can_v those_o in_o the_o three_o age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o second_o who_o see_v it_o not_o to_o answer_v this_o we_o must_v ask_v whether_o the_o three_o age_n can_v be_v certain_a that_o the_o second_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o what_o the_o first_o age_n tell_v they_o and_o the_o notoriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n be_v no_o speculation_n but_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n secure_v that_o or_o conspire_v to_o bely_v the_o second_o age_n authority_n and_o common_a reason_n satisfy_v they_o by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o honesty_n of_o the_o person_n their_o consent_n and_o the_o disinteressedness_n of_o the_o position_n that_o they_o can_v not_o thus_o conspire_v even_o the_o rude_a have_v a_o demonstration_n the_o second_o age_n true_o testify_v what_o the_o first_o say_v and_o so_o those_o of_o the_o three_o age_n have_v the_o first_o age_n authority_n certain_o apply_v to_o they_o and_o by_o mean_n of_o its_o authority_n its_o sensation_n too_o and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n spring_v from_o that_o experimential_a perception_n which_o therefore_o must_v needs_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n upon_o the_o three_o age_n as_o it_o do_v upon_o the_o second_o and_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n upon_o the_o the_o four_o five_o and_o five_o hundred_o while_o it_o be_v know_v to_o have_v come_v down_o by_o the_o way_n of_o testification_n and_o this_o be_v know_v by_o its_o be_v receive_v in_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n as_o testify_v for_o if_o the_o second_o age_n can_v not_o tell_v the_o three_o it_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o first_o unless_o it_o have_v be_v so_o testify_v the_o same_o reason_n i_o have_v assign_v for_o the_o impossibility_n of_o that_o will_v hold_v for_o each_o age_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n that_o be_v it_o will_v follow_v no_o age_n can_v say_v a_o former_a age_n testifyd_v so_o unless_o they_o do_v so_o whence_o nothing_o can_v come_v in_o as_o testify_v by_o a_o former_a age_n unless_o thus_o testifyd_v if_o therefore_o the_o five-hundredth_a age_n receive_v a_o thing_n as_o testify_v suppose_v the_o notoreity_n of_o it_o secure_v the_o thing_n