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now_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o this_o opinion_n shall_v be_v believe_v or_o entertain_v in_o the_o church_n if_o not_o why_o may_v not_o this_o opinion_n be_v general_o receive_v if_o it_o be_v so_o do_v it_o not_o unavoidable_o follow_v that_o the_o faith_n of_o man_n must_v alter_v according_a to_o the_o church_n definition_n and_o thus_o private_a opinion_n may_v be_v believe_v as_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o corrupt_a practice_n be_v establish_v as_o laudable_a piece_n of_o devotion_n and_o yet_o no_o one_o age_n of_o the_o church_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v another_o thus_o i_o hope_v mr._n s._n may_v see_v how_o far_o it_o be_v from_o be_v a_o self-evident_a principle_n that_o no_o error_n can_v come_v into_o the_o church_n unless_o one_o age_n conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n evident_a in_o a_o manner_n to_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o be_v so_o wild_a a_o apprehension_n that_o i_o believe_v the_o jesuit_n can_v entertain_v themselves_o without_o smile_n to_o see_v their_o domestic_a adversary_n expose_v themselves_o to_o contempt_n with_o so_o much_o confidence_n thus_o i_o come_v to_o the_o reason_n i_o give_v 8._o why_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n my_o word_n be_v for_o i_o see_v the_o roman_a church_n assert_n that_o thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n which_o be_v not_o in_o another_o at_o least_o pope_n and_o council_n challenge_v this_o and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a doctrine_n maintain_v there_o and_o other_o be_v look_v on_o as_o no_o member_n of_o their_o church_n who_o assert_v the_o contrary_a but_o as_o pâ—rsons_n at_o least_o meritorious_o if_o not_o actual_o excommunicate_v where_o then_o shall_v i_o satisfy_v myself_o what_o the_o sense_n of_o your_o church_n be_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a must_v i_o believe_v a_o very_a few_o person_n who_o the_o rest_n disow_v as_o heretical_a and_o soditious_a or_o aught_o i_o not_o rather_o to_o take_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o approve_a person_n of_o that_o church_n and_o these_o disown_n any_o such_o doctrine_n but_o assert_v that_o the_o church_n may_v determine_v thing_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la which_o be_v not_o before_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o mr._n s._n beg_v leave_v to_o distinguish_v the_o word_n de_fw-fr fide_fw-la which_o may_v either_o mean_a 05._o christian_a faith_n or_o point_v of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n and_o then_o he_o grant_v it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o say_v they_o can_v be_v in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o or_o de_fw-fr fide_fw-la may_v mean_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o this_o latter_a sense_n none_o i_o think_v say_v he_o deny_v thing_n may_v be_v de_fw-fr fide_fw-la in_o one_o age_n and_o not_o in_o another_o in_o the_o former_a sense_n none_o hold_v it_o upon_o which_o very_o triumphant_o he_o conclude_v whatrs_v now_o become_v of_o your_o difficulty_n i_o believe_v you_o be_v in_o some_o wonderment_n and_o think_v i_o elude_v it_o rather_o than_o answer_v it_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o unperplex_v you_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o a_o fault_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o admire_v thing_n which_o man_n understand_v not_o on_o which_o account_n i_o can_v free_v myself_o from_o some_o temptation_n to_o that_o he_o call_v wonderment_n but_o i_o be_o present_o cure_v of_o it_o when_o i_o endeavour_v to_o reduce_v his_o distinction_n to_o reason_n for_o instead_o of_o explain_v his_o term_n he_o shall_v have_v show_v how_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v obligatory_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o any_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n teach_v by_o christ_n which_o notwithstanding_o his_o endeavour_n to_o unperplex_v i_o be_v a_o thing_n as_o yet_o i_o apprehend_v not_o because_o i_o understand_v no_o obligation_n to_o faith_n to_o arise_v from_o any_o thing_n but_o divine_a revelation_n and_o i_o do_v not_o yet_o believe_v any_o thing_n in_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v but_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n and_o my_o wonderment_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o great_a because_o i_o suppose_v this_o inconsistent_a with_o mr._n s_n principle_n for_o oral_a tradition_n do_v necessary_o imply_v that_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v first_o teach_v by_o christ_n and_o convey_v by_o tradition_n to_o we_o but_o if_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v the_o side_n in_o this_o latter_a sense_n which_o be_v not_o before_o what_o become_v of_o resolve_v faith_n whole_o into_o oral_a tradition_n for_o faitb_n be_v resolve_v into_o that_o from_o whence_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v come_v but_o here_o mr._n s._n confess_v that_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v do_v arise_v from_o something_o quite_o different_a from_o oral_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o faith_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o it_o beside_o all_o the_o sense_n i_o can_v find_v in_o that_o distinction_n be_v that_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v something_o in_o one_o age_n which_o they_o be_v not_o in_o another_o and_o if_o so_o i_o shall_v desire_v mr._n s._n to_o unperplex_v i_o in_o this_o how_o every_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_n do_v and_o yet_o one_o age_n be_v bind_v to_o believe_v more_o than_o the_o precedent_n but_o however_o i_o be_o much_o oblige_v to_o he_o for_o his_o endeavour_n to_o unperplex_v i_o as_o he_o speak_v for_o real_o i_o look_v on_o no_o civility_n to_o be_v great_a than_o those_o which_o be_v design_v for_o clear_v our_o understanding_n so_o great_a a_o adorer_n be_o i_o of_o true_a reason_n and_o a_o intelligible_a religion_n and_o therefore_o i_o perfect_o agree_v with_o he_o in_o his_o say_n that_o christianity_n 206._o aim_v not_o to_o make_v we_o beast_n but_o more_o perfect_o man_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o manhood_n consist_v in_o the_o use_n of_o our_o reason_n from_o whence_o he_o infer_v that_o it_o be_v reasonable_a consequence_n shall_v be_v draw_v from_o principle_n of_o faith_n which_o he_o say_v be_v of_o two_o sort_n first_o such_o as_o need_v no_o more_o but_o common_a sense_n to_o deduce_v they_o the_o other_o be_v such_o as_o need_v the_o maxim_n of_o some_o science_n get_v by_o speculation_n to_o infer_v they_o and_o these_o be_v theological_a conclusion_n the_o former_a sort_n he_o tell_v we_o the_o church_n be_v necessitate_v to_o make_v use_n of_o upon_o occasion_n i._n e._n when_o any_o heretic_n question_n those_o and_o eadem_fw-la opera_fw-la the_o whole_a point_n of_o faith_n itself_o of_o which_o they_o be_v a_o part_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o monothelite_n about_o christ_n baving_n two_o will_n but_o all_o this_o while_n i_o be_o far_o enough_o from_o be_v unperplex_v nay_o by_o this_o discourse_n i_o see_v every_o one_o who_o offer_v to_o unperplex_v another_o be_v not_o very_o clear_v himself_o for_o since_o he_o make_v no_o theological_a conclusion_n to_o be_v the_o side_n but_o only_o such_o consequence_n as_o common_a sense_n draw_v i_o will_v willing_o understand_v how_o common_a sense_n receive_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o faith_n for_o to_o my_o apprehension_n the_o deduce_n of_o consequence_n from_o principle_n by_o common_a sense_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o believe_v but_o of_o knowledge_n consequent_a upon_o a_o principle_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o meaning_n be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o man_n when_o they_o say_v they_o believe_v thing_n shall_v not_o contradict_v themselves_o as_o certain_o they_o will_v do_v if_o they_o deny_v those_o consequence_n which_o common_a sense_n draw_v from_o they_o as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o monothelite_n for_o man_n to_o assert_v that_o christ_n have_v two_o nature_n and_o yet_o not_o two_o will_n when_o the_o will_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o nature_n to_o that_o good_a which_o belong_v to_o it_o so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o distinct_a obligation_n to_o believe_v such_o consequence_n as_o be_v draw_v by_o common_a sense_n but_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v the_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v draw_v be_v thereby_o bind_v to_o believe_v all_o the_o consequence_n which_o immediate_o follow_v from_o they_o indeed_o the_o church_n when_o people_n will_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a to_o deny_v such_o thing_n may_v explain_v her_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o those_o term_n which_o may_v best_o prevent_v dispute_n but_o this_o be_v only_o to_o discriminate_a the_o person_n who_o true_o believe_v this_o article_n from_o such_o as_o do_v not_o not_o that_o any_o new_a obligation_n to_o faith_n result_v from_o this_o act_n of_o the_o church_n but_o the_o better_a to_o prevent_v cavil_n she_o explain_v her_o sense_n of_o the_o article_n itself_o in_o more_o explicit_a term_n
234._o i_o can_v yet_o see_v but_o that_o therein_o i_o argue_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o that_o which_o â—_o look_v for_o be_v a_o demonstration_n which_o i_o suppose_a can_v not_o be_v unless_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_n be_v demonstrate_v but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n christian_n nay_o romanist_n to_o believe_v on_o other_o account_n then_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o precedent_a age_n i_o pray_v what_o demonstration_n can_v there_o be_v that_o man_n must_v 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 sure_o if_o mr._n s_n fancy_n have_v not_o be_v very_o extravagant_a he_o can_v never_o have_v think_v here_o of_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o cut_v their_o beard_n or_o wear_v such_o garter_n and_o hatband_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v for_o do_v i_o not_o mention_v believe_v first_o and_o then_o do_v by_o which_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o i_o mean_v matter_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o flow_v from_o they_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o such_o crafty_a and_o sophistical_a deal_n as_o he_o charge_v i_o with_o for_o 235._o i_o be_o content_a his_o doctrine_n be_v take_v in_o his_o own_o term_n and_o i_o have_v now_o give_v a_o large_a and_o full_a account_n why_o i_o be_o far_o from_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o way_n he_o have_v use_v for_o resolve_v faith_n pass_v by_o therefore_o his_o challenge_n which_o i_o accept_v of_o as_o long_o as_o he_o hold_v to_o the_o weapon_n of_o reason_n and_o civility_n i_o come_v to_o consider_v his_o last_o enquiry_n why_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o doubt_v of_o such_o a_o obligation_n 236._o in_o posterity_n to_o believe_v their_o ancestor_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o he_o judicious_o resolve_v it_o into_o a_o strange_a distortion_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o such_o as_o it_o seem_v be_v the_o proper_a effect_n of_o the_o protestant_n temper_n 237._o which_o be_v say_v he_o to_o choose_v every_o one_o his_o faith_n by_o his_o private_a judgement_n or_o wit_n work_v upon_o disputable_a word_n which_o as_o far_o as_o we_o own_v it_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o and_o if_o this_o be_v such_o a_o distortion_n of_o humane_a nature_n i_o envy_v not_o mr._n s_n uprightness_n and_o perfection_n if_o he_o mean_v that_o we_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o our_o private_a judgement_n in_o opposition_n to_o scripture_n or_o the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n let_v he_o prove_v it_o evident_o in_o one_o particular_a and_o i_o engage_v for_o myself_o and_o all_o true_a protestant_n we_o will_v renounce_v the_o belief_n of_o it_o if_o he_o have_v any_o thing_n further_o to_o object_n against_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o know_v where_o to_o attaque_fw-la i_o let_v he_o undertake_v the_o whole_a or_o else_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o most_o unreasonable_a thing_n thus_o to_o charge_v falsity_n upon_o we_o and_o then_o say_v we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o say_v for_o ourselves_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o choose_v our_o faith_n but_o hearty_o embrace_v whatever_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n but_o we_o know_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n too_o well_o to_o believe_v all_o which_o she_o will_v impose_v upon_o we_o and_o be_v loath_a to_o have_v she_o choose_v our_o religion_n for_o we_o since_o we_o know_v she_o have_v choose_v so_o ill_o for_o herself_o but_o if_o mr._n s._n will_v not_o believe_v i_o in_o say_v thus_o what_o reason_n have_v i_o to_o believe_v he_o in_o say_v otherwise_o such_o general_a charge_n than_o signify_v nothing_o but_o every_o one_o must_v judge_v according_a to_o the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n i_o now_o come_v to_o the_o last_o part_n of_o my_o 17._o task_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o this_o way_n be_v repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o experience_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v apparent_o alter_v from_o what_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o former_a age_n to_o which_o purpose_n my_o word_n be_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o prove_v the_o impossibility_n of_o motion_n when_o i_o see_v man_n move_v no_o more_o be_v it_o to_o prove_v that_o no_o age_n of_o the_o church_n can_v vary_v from_o the_o precede_a when_o we_o can_v evident_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v do_v it_o and_o therefore_o this_o argument_n be_v intend_v only_o to_o catch_v easy_a mind_n that_o care_v not_o for_o a_o search_n into_o the_o history_n of_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o church_n but_o have_v rather_o sit_v down_o with_o a_o superficial_a subtlety_n then_o spend_v time_n in_o further_a inquiry_n but_o two_o thing_n mr._n s._n tell_v i_o be_v require_v ere_o i_o can_v see_v that_o their_o faith_n vary_v 238._o from_o the_o former_a first_o to_o see_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v now_o and_o then_o to_o see_v what_o the_o former_a church_n hold_v before_o and_o he_o kind_o tell_v i_o if_o he_o see_v any_o thing_n i_o see_v neither_o well_o it_o seem_v i_o want_v mr._n s_n spectacle_n of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o see_v with_o but_o as_o yet_o i_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o complain_v of_o the_o want_n of_o they_o but_o â—_o see_v much_o better_a without_o they_o theâ—_n with_o they_o he_o tell_v i_o i_o can_v see_v what_o their_o present_a church_n hold_v anâ—_n therefore_o i_o can_v assure_v any_o what_o wâ—_n hold_v before_o because_o if_o i_o renounce_v tradition_n i_o take_v away_o all_o mean_n of_o know_v the_o reason_n why_o i_o can_v candid_o see_v as_o he_o phrase_n it_o what_o their_o church_n hold_v now_o be_v because_o i_o can_v distinguish_v between_o faith_n and_o its_o explication_n some_o schoolman_n and_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o know_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v concern_v invocation_n of_o saint_n worship_n of_o image_n communion_n in_o one_o kind_n for_o those_o be_v the_o point_v i_o there_o mention_v wherein_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v recede_v from_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n or_o be_v these_o only_o the_o opinion_n and_o practice_n of_o some_o schoolman_n among_o they_o and_o not_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o church_n but_o that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o some_o full_a state_n of_o these_o controversy_n i_o wish_v m._n s._n will_v settle_v some_o sure_a way_n whereby_o we_o may_v know_v distinct_o what_o be_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o their_o church_n if_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o roman-catechism_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o doctrine_n i_o desire_v no_o other_o so_o that_o those_o may_v be_v interpret_v by_o practice_n universal_o allow_v among_o they_o as_o when_o that_o council_n only_o define_v that_o due_a honour_n be_v give_v to_o saint_n the_o general_a practice_n of_o that_o church_n may_v tell_v we_o what_o they_o mean_v by_o that_o due_a honour_n and_o if_o that_o be_v not_o fair_a i_o know_v not_o what_o be_v but_o i_o see_v all_o the_o shift_n mr._n s._n have_v be_v when_o he_o be_v pinch_v to_o say_v those_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o schoolman_n and_o private_a speculator_n and_o not_o the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n and_o if_o such_o shift_n as_o these_o be_v must_v serve_v the_o turn_n i_o shall_v wonder_v if_o ever_o he_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o a_o answer_n but_o the_o short_a answer_n of_o all_o will_v be_v that_o none_o but_o those_o of_o their_o church_n can_v know_v what_o she_o hold_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o protestant_n to_o write_v against_o she_o or_o it_o may_v be_v that_o none_o but_o mr._n s._n and_o one_o or_o two_o more_o can_v tell_v for_o many_o among_o they_o say_v those_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n which_o they_o deny_v to_o be_v so_o that_o except_o mr._n white_a and_o mr._n s._n and_o some_o very_o few_o demonstrator_n more_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v schoolman_n private_a opinator_n and_o not_o to_o be_v rely_v on_o but_o i_o can_v see_v what_o their_o church_n hold_v former_o neither_o 239._o no_o wonder_n at_o all_o of_o that_o for_o if_o i_o can_v see_v a_o object_n so_o near_o i_o as_o the_o present_a church_n how_o can_v it_o be_v expect_v i_o shall_v see_v one_o so_o much_o further_o off_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o former_a age_n and_o his_o reason_n be_v so_o strong_a as_o may_v well_o persuade_v i_o out_o of_o one_o at_o least_o of_o my_o five_o sense_n for_o say_v he_o if_o i_o question_v tradition_n i_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o doctrine_n deliver_v and_o so_o any_o father_n and_o be_v not_o this_o argue_v
that_o because_o â—e_v speak_v not_o as_o big_a as_o mr._n s._n do_v we_o â—ust_z be_v censure_v present_o to_o have_v nothing_o but_o probability_n for_o our_o faith_n be_v â—hose_v bare_a probability_n which_o leave_v no_o suspicion_n of_o doubt_n behind_o they_o and_o â—uch_o we_o free_o assert_v the_o ground_n of_o â—ur_n religion_n to_o do_v i._n e._n i_o assert_v that_o we_o have_v the_o high_a actual_a certainty_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o reasonable_a man_n can_v desire_v and_o if_o mr._n s_n demonstration_n can_v do_v any_o more_o than_o this_o let_v he_o tell_v we_o what_o it_o be_v for_o my_o part_n i_o know_v nothing_o high_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n then_o a_o certain_a assent_n and_o if_o i_o do_v not_o think_v there_o be_v the_o great_a ground_n in_o religion_n for_o that_o i_o abhor_v dissimulation_n so_o much_o that_o i_o shall_v leave_v off_o persuade_v man_n to_o embrace_v it_o and_o if_o any_o man_n have_v make_v we_o shy_a of_o the_o word_n demonstration_n and_o infallibility_n they_o be_v such_o man_n as_o mr._n s._n have_v do_v it_o who_o talk_v of_o these_o thing_n when_o their_o argument_n fall_v beneath_o some_o of_o the_o remote_a probability_n we_o insist_v on_o nay_o if_o there_o be_v any_o force_n in_o his_o demonstration_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n it_o have_v be_v use_v by_o we_o long_o before_o his_o book_n see_v the_o light_n but_o we_o love_v to_o give_v the_o true_a name_n to_o thing_n and_o not_o to_o lose_v our_o credit_n with_o all_o intelligent_a person_n by_o play_v mountebank_n in_o religion_n cry_v 〈◊〉_d those_o thing_n for_o infallible_a cure_n which_o a_o ordinary_a capacity_n may_v discern_v the_o insufficiency_n of_o but_o be_v it_o any_o thinâ—_n but_o justice_n and_o reason_n in_o i_o to_o expeâ—â—_n and_o call_v for_o a_o demonstration_n from_o they_o who_o talk_v of_o nothing_o under_o it_o and_o therefore_o i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o demonstrate_v this_o way_n of_o oral_a tradition_n unless_o it_o be_v prove_v impossible_a for_o man_n not_o to_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 for_o where_o the_o contrary_a be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o easy_o supposable_a â—s_v that_o man_n may_v believe_v those_o thing_n as_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v define_v by_o pope_n and_o council_n i_o wonder_v how_o mr._n s._n will_v demonstrate_v that_o man_n must_v â—ook_v on_o themselves_o as_o oblige_v to_o beâ—â—eve_v just_a as_o their_o predecessor_n do_v for_o i_o have_v think_v demonstration_n have_v â—ever_o place_n in_o contingent_a proposition_n but_o it_o seem_v mr._n s._n who_o tell_v i_o logic_n will_v unblunder_v my_o thought_n intend_v to_o make_v a_o new_a one_o for_o i_o and_o â—_o assure_v you_o so_o he_o have_v need_n before_o i_o â—hall_v ever_o call_v his_o argument_n demonâ—trations_n and_o although_o he_o think_v himself_o very_o honest_a in_o call_v they_o so_o yet_o â—_o shall_v think_v he_o much_o wise_a if_o he_o do_v not_o but_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a 14._o debate_n of_o these_o thing_n i_o free_o tell_v he_o that_o i_o grant_v all_o he_o request_v â—_o shall_v take_v along_o with_o i_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n the_o doctrine_n anâ—_n 236._o practise_v speak_v of_o the_o manner_n of_o deliver_v they_o the_o necessary_a circumstanceâ—_n which_o give_v weight_n to_o both_o yet_o for_o alâ—_n these_o i_o can_v look_v on_o his_o way_n as_o demonstrative_a and_o that_o both_o our_o meaning_n may_v be_v better_o understand_v it_o iâ—_n very_o necessary_a the_o reader_n shall_v hauâ—_n a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n between_o we_o and_o if_o he_o will_v believe_v i_o i_o never_o intend_v to_o dispute_v with_o he_o or_o any_o one_o else_o whether_o meâ—_n be_v bind_v to_o wear_v their_o clothes_n or_o builâ—_n house_n or_o manage_v estate_n just_a as_o theiâ—_n 217._o predecessor_n do_v but_o whether_o eveâ—_n age_n be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o practic_n just_a as_o the_o precedent_n do_v by_o virtue_n oâ—_n mere_a oral_a tradition_n for_o about_o that_o iâ—_n all_o the_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o dâ—_n not_o deny_v but_o that_o a_o succeed_a agâ—_n may_v look_v on_o itself_o as_o bound_v to_o believe_v what_o the_o precedent_n do_v buâ—_n whether_o that_o obligation_n do_v ariâ—_n pure_o from_o the_o delivery_n of_o that_o doctrine_n by_o the_o precedent_n in_o the_o way_n oâ—_n of_o tradition_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o dispute_n between_o we_o for_o in_o case_n the_o ground_n â—_o faith_n be_v whole_o the_o write_a word_n convey_v from_o age_n to_o age_n i_o deny_v not_o but_o a_o obligation_n to_o believe_v descend_v with_o the_o doctrine_n to_o every_o succeed_a age_n but_o that_o which_o mr._n s._n be_v to_o prove_v be_v that_o abstract_o from_o scripture_n every_o age_n be_v absolute_o bind_v to_o believe_v just_a as_o the_o precedent_n do_v without_o any_o enquiry_n whether_o that_o doctrine_n do_v agree_v with_o scripture_n or_o no_o but_o that_o he_o be_v therefore_o bind_v to_o believe_v all_o which_o be_v propose_v to_o he_o because_o it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o immediate_o precede_v age_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o i_o deny_v and_o desire_v mr._n s._n to_o prove_v for_o which_o he_o first_o give_v we_o a_o large_a instance_n in_o historical_a matter_n and_o then_o come_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o christian_a say_v his_o instance_n be_v in_o alexander_n conquest_n of_o asia_n as_o to_o which_o he_o say_v that_o the_o memory_n of_o it_o be_v fresh_a and_o lively_a though_o some_o thousand_o 218._o year_n since_o and_o that_o the_o universal_a and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o this_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o cause_v by_o book_n as_o curtius_n his_o history_n but_o by_o humane_a tradition_n that_o the_o continuance_n of_o this_o persuasion_n be_v the_o notoriety_n of_o the_o fact_n to_o the_o then_o liver_n which_o oblige_v they_o to_o relate_v it_o to_o their_o posterity_n and_o that_o this_o testify_v by_o the_o forefather_n be_v that_o which_o oblige_a posterity_n to_o believe_v thing_n as_o true_a because_o there_o can_v be_v no_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 deceivable_a in_o their_o sensation_n on_o which_o principle_n it_o pass_v to_o the_o next_o age_n and_o so_o come_v down_o by_o way_n of_o tradition_n to_o our_o day_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o believe_v in_o every_o age_n depend_v upon_o this_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o first_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v and_o have_v this_o security_n in_o every_o age_n that_o no_o one_o will_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v the_o next_o it_o follow_v that_o no_o age_n can_v say_v a_o former_a age_n testify_v so_o unless_o it_o do_v so_o therefore_o say_v he_o it_o follow_v demonstrative_o that_o it_o be_v 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believe_v to_o have_v be_v always_o what_o we_o see_v it_o be_v this_o aâ—_n far_o as_o i_o can_v apprehend_v be_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a ratiocination_n and_o purposely_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o we_o must_v admit_v oâ—_n other_o rule_n to_o judge_v of_o alteration_n iâ—_n the_o church_n by_o beside_o oral_a tradition_n but_o mr._n s._n in_o his_o own_o expression_n strange_o rove_a from_o the_o mark_n i_o aimeâ—_n at_o profess_v there_o be_v not_o a_o tittle_n in_o iâ—_n 241._o parallel_v to_o his_o medium_n nay_o that_o he_o never_o see_v in_o his_o life_n more_o absurdity_n coucheâ—_n in_o few_o word_n but_o i_o must_v take_v alâ—_n patient_o from_o a_o man_n who_o still_o percheâ—_n on_o the_o specifical_a nature_n of_o thing_n and_o never_o flag_n below_o the_o sphere_n of_o science_n yet_o by_o his_o good_a leave_n he_o either_o apprehend_v not_o or_o wilful_o mistake_v my_o meaning_n for_o my_o argument_n do_v noâ—_n proceed_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o worldâ—_n eternity_n which_o in_o his_o answer_n he_o runâ—_n whole_o upon_o as_o far_o as_o eighthly_a and_o last_o 242._o but_o upon_o the_o evidence_n of_o oral_a tradition_n as_o to_o no_o discernible_a alteration_n in_o anâ—_n age_n of_o it_o for_o the_o question_n between_o usâ—_n be_v whether_o in_o matter_n of_o alteration_n iâ—_n the_o faâ—_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n we_o be_v bind_v to_o rely_v only_o on_o the_o testimony_n of_o oral_a tradition_n so_o that_o if_o no_o age_n can_v be_v instance_a in_o wherein_n any_o alteration_n be_v make_v and_o this_o deliver_v by_o that_o age_n than_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v there_o have_v be_v no_o alteraration_n since_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n time_n now_o i_o say_v if_o this_o â—old_a good_a i_o will_v prove_v the_o world_n eternal_a by_o the_o same_o argument_n take_v this_o for_o our_o principle_n that_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o rely_v only_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o the_o case_n original_o derive_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n see_v by_o those_o of_o the_o first_o age_n for_o that_o which_o never_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v be_v eternal_a but_o we_o can_v know_v by_o oral_a tradition_n that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v otherwise_o then_o it_o be_v for_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n can_v be_v instance_a in_o wherein_o we_o have_v any_o testimony_n of_o any_o alteration_n that_o be_v in_o it_o either_o then_o we_o must_v believe_v that_o the_o world_n ever_o be_v what_o it_o be_v i._n e._n eternal_a or_o else_o we_o must_v say_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o rely_v bare_o on_o oral_a tradition_n in_o this_o case_n but_o we_o must_v judge_v whether_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o no_o by_o other_o medium_n of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o aim_v at_o viz._n to_o show_v that_o where_o there_o be_v no_o evidence_n from_o oral_a tradition_n yet_o if_o there_o be_v scripture_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v sufficient_a ground_n for_o our_o faith_n to_o stand_v upon_o and_o so_o i_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o present_a case_n though_o we_o can_v not_o prove_v bare_o from_o the_o tradition_n of_o any_o one_o age_n that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o alteration_n in_o the_o faith_n or_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o if_o i_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o from_o scripture_n and_o reason_n this_o be_v sufficient_a for_o i_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o now_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o the_o indifferent_a reader_n â—ether_o thiâ—_n be_v so_o full_a of_o absurdity_n or_o it_o bâ—_n such_o a_o ramble_a chimerical_a argument_n as_o he_o call_v it_o no_o two_o piece_n â—_o which_o hang_v together_o with_o themselves_o 〈◊〉_d 243._o any_o thing_n else_o which_o