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observe_v in_o his_o book_n give_v his_o reason_n and_o argument_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o the_o light_n in_o every_o conscience_n and_o have_v show_v the_o weakness_n yea_o the_o falsity_n of_o they_o i_o think_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o his_o enlargement_n and_o amplification_n on_o his_o several_a argument_n but_o answer_n to_o the_o argument_n itself_o wherein_o its_o strength_n seem_v to_o lie_v i_o shall_v be_v brief_a in_o my_o examination_n and_o answer_n to_o his_o second_o part_n to_o wit_n concern_v the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n for_o because_o it_o have_v such_o a_o necessary_a connexion_n with_o the_o former_a the_o former_a be_v clear_o discuss_v the_o latter_a will_v easy_o be_v determine_v page_n 39_o he_o give_v we_o his_o explanation_n what_o he_o mean_v by_o these_o term_n judge_n and_o controversy_n a_o judge_n say_v he_o be_v one_o that_o have_v not_o only_a power_n to_o determine_v 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precept_n of_o reveal_v and_o institute_v religion_n by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n or_o whither_o the_o spirit_n give_v this_o judgement_n not_o by_o the_o doctrine_n and_o precept_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n but_o by_o the_o common_a discovery_n and_o dictate_v of_o the_o light_n within_o every_o man_n conscience_n which_o be_v common_o the_o same_o and_o of_o the_o same_o extent_n in_o all_o mankind_n be_v they_o jew_n and_o mahometan_n and_o paynim_n abroad_o or_o deist_n at_o home_n here_o in_o england_n or_o elsewhere_o or_o last_o whither_o by_o any_o new_a particular_a discovery_n revelation_n or_o dictate_v and_o new_a precept_n of_o the_o spirit_n not_o former_o give_v either_o to_o mankind_n in_o general_n or_o to_o the_o church_n in_o particular_a to_o the_o first_o all_o sound_a christian_n agree_v the_o second_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o w.p._n and_o those_o of_o his_o brethren_n of_o the_o second_o day_n meet_v that_o have_v 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to_o every_o man_n to_o who_o he_o speak_v and_o not_o to_o put_v off_o his_o hat_n to_o any_o also_o the_o set_n up_o of_o woman_n government_n in_o their_o meeting_n distinct_a from_o the_o man_n by_o the_o more_o devout_a sort_n who_o do_v think_v and_o still_o think_v that_o g.f._n be_v a_o prophet_n as_o immediate_o send_v as_o moses_n or_o any_o other_o be_v judge_v to_o have_v be_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n and_o power_n in_o g.f._n without_o any_o dependence_n on_o scripture_n rule_n or_o seek_v to_o fish_v it_o by_o consequence_n from_o scripture_n and_o pray_v what_o need_n be_v there_o to_o bring_v scripture_n proof_n for_o any_o thing_n that_o man_n either_o believe_v or_o practice_v either_o by_o consequence_n or_o express_a word_n see_v that_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o either_o faith_n or_o practice_n but_o
need_v only_o pretend_v a_o revelation_n for_o that_o and_o all_o the_o other_o matter_n in_o controversy_n betwixt_o protestant_n and_o papist_n to_o justify_v he_o and_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v no_o changeling_n and_o at_o this_o rate_n of_o w._n p_n argue_v not_o only_o all_o the_o peculiar_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v whole_o uncertain_a and_o papist_n socinian_o and_o arian_n and_o other_o the_o worst_a of_o heretic_n that_o oppugn_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o faith_n may_v happen_v to_o be_v in_o the_o right_n and_o these_o call_v the_o orthodox_n to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n but_o the_o great_a fundamental_a of_o the_o quaker_n be_v overthrow_v and_o render_v uncertain_a also_o yea_o this_o very_a position_n that_o he_o labour_v so_o much_o to_o establish_v that_o not_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n to_o every_o man._n for_o this_o position_n of_o he_o be_v not_o literal_o and_o express_o in_o the_o scripture_n so_o that_o according_a to_o w.p._n not_o the_o scripture_n but_o he_o and_o his_o brethren_n interpretation_n must_v determine_v this_o controversy_n and_o this_o can_v be_v do_v without_o extraordinary_a revelation_n it_o be_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n that_o fall_v within_o the_o ordinary_a discovery_n of_o man_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v christ_n and_o god_n for_o then_o christ_n will_v be_v god_n and_o the_o socinian_o will_v be_v blasphemer_n that_o deny_v he_o so_o to_o be_v by_o all_o which_o it_o evident_o appear_v that_o this_o argument_n of_o w.p._n not_o only_o render_v all_o the_o peculiar_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n mere_a scepticism_n and_o uncertainty_n but_o the_o great_a fundamental_a of_o the_o quaker_n as_o concern_v the_o light_n be_v christ_n in_o they_o and_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o be_v equal_o scepticism_n and_o uncertainty_n but_o that_o he_o say_v christ_n divinity_n be_v leave_v undetermined_a in_o scripture_n literal_o and_o express_o be_v false_a for_o it_o be_v in_o several_a place_n literal_o and_o express_o affirm_v that_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o that_o and_o many_o other_o truth_n suppose_v not_o literal_o and_o express_o mention_v in_o scripture_n yet_o by_o good_a and_o necessary_a consequence_n without_o all_o extraordinary_a revelation_n from_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n can_v be_v certain_o infer_v and_o if_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v any_o certainty_n by_o argue_v from_o the_o scripture_n by_o consequence_n of_o true_a reason_n his_o whole_a discourse_n in_o this_o his_o book_n that_o i_o be_o now_o answer_v be_v disallowable_a for_o he_o have_v not_o bring_v one_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o literal_o and_o express_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n or_o that_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v and_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o extraordinary_a revelation_n in_o the_o case_n and_o if_o he_o do_v of_o shall_v he_o must_v give_v we_o leave_v to_o distrust_v he_o until_o he_o bring_v sufficient_a evidence_n for_o it_o which_o i_o believe_v he_o will_v never_o be_v able_a to_o do_v yea_o the_o falsity_n of_o his_o reason_n by_o way_n of_o consequence_n to_o prove_v his_o position_n that_o not_o the_o scripture_n but_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n be_v evident_o apparent_a from_o the_o answer_v already_o give_v and_o suppose_v he_o shall_v pretend_v to_o extraordinary_a revelation_n in_o the_o case_n and_o that_o that_o be_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o certainty_n and_o rule_n of_o his_o faith_n even_o that_o pretence_n destroy_v his_o fabric_n for_o see_v all_o man_n have_v not_o that_o extraordinary_a revelation_n it_o can_v be_v a_o general_a rule_n if_o he_o say_v the_o common_a discovery_n that_o every_o man_n have_v teach_v he_o sufficient_o without_o either_o scripture_n or_o extraordinary_a revelation_n that_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o answer_v how_o can_v that_o be_v unless_o it_o be_v a_o self-evident_a proposition_n as_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o self-evident_a proposition_n why_o have_v w.p._n take_v so_o great_a pain_n to_o prove_v it_o man_n common_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o prove_v any_o self-evident_a proposition_n and_o proper_o speak_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v prove_v but_o if_o his_o say_a position_n have_v no_o self-evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o how_o shall_v it_o be_v prove_v not_o from_o scripture_n for_o that_o will_v make_v the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n nor_o from_o humane_a reason_n for_o that_o will_v make_v humane_a reason_n the_o rule_n which_o w.p._n seem_v not_o to_o set_v up_o for_o the_o rule_n it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n in_o respect_n of_o some_o moral_a principle_n of_o justice_n and_o temperance_n have_v a_o self_n evidence_n and_o so_o far_o be_v a_o rule_n but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o christian_n be_v deny_v and_o by_o whatever_o medium_fw-la he_o prove_v it_o that_o must_v be_v his_o rule_n by_o his_o manner_n of_o argue_v which_o run_v he_o into_o the_o like_a vicious_a circle_n as_o the_o papist_n be_v run_v into_o when_o they_o prove_v the_o certainty_n of_o tradition_n by_o the_o church_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o church_n by_o tradition_n so_o w.p._n prove_v that_o the_o light_n within_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o light_n within_o section_n 20._o his_o proposal_n of_o the_o way_n to_o determine_v all_o controversy_n destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n le_fw-fr we_o in_o deism_n and_o heathenism_n to_o overspread_v the_o world_n a_o remedy_n worse_o than_o the_o disease_n his_o misrepresentation_n of_o sound_a protestant_n and_o false_a and_o uncharitable_a judgement_n of_o they_o several_a scripture_n place_n that_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n to_o all_o christian_a people_n i_o confess_v he_o have_v one_o very_o notable_a and_o plausible_a answer_n to_o a_o objection_n make_v by_o himself_o p._n 44._o be_v it_o as_o true_a as_o seem_o fair_a and_o plausible_a the_o objection_n be_v this_o how_o will_v this_o determine_v controversy_n viz_o to_o cast_v away_o the_o scripture_n from_o be_v the_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n and_o to_o set_v up_o the_o light_n in_o every_o man_n conscience_n according_a to_o the_o general_a discovery_n it_o give_v to_o all_o mankind_n and_o allay_v the_o fury_n of_o debate_n that_o be_v on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n he_o answer_v roundly_o nothing_o like_o it_o if_o man_n adhere_v to_o it_o but_o first_o be_v it_o true_a it_o will_v have_v this_o mischievous_a and_o yet_o most_o necessary_a consequence_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v utter_o lose_v so_o far_o as_o it_o have_v any_o peculiarity_n or_o peculiar_a dignity_n worth_a and_o advantage_n above_o deism_n or_o paganism_n a_o rare_a cure_n indeed_o that_o w.p._n here_o prescribe_v to_o all_o christendom_n to_o heal_v their_o breach_n and_o end_v the_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n betwixt_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o heretic_n and_o the_o most_o orthodox_n christian_n and_o betwixt_o papist_n and_o protestant_n such_o a_o remedy_n here_o prescribe_v by_o he_o be_v worse_a than_o the_o disease_n he_o say_v most_o persuasion_n he_o shall_v have_v come_v out_o more_o plain_o with_o his_o expedient_a say_v most_o heretic_n arian_n nestorian_n sabellian_n eutychian_o and_o they_o of_o the_o oppose_a side_n call_v orthodox_n yea_o papist_n and_o protestant_n agree_o in_o his_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n that_o be_v they_o own_o the_o common_a and_o general_a dictate_v of_o the_o light_n in_o the_o conscience_n and_o so_o do_v the_o civilise_a part_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n of_o mankind_n and_o agree_v about_o what_o he_o make_v the_o absolute_a necessary_n viz_o that_o god_n be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o that_o the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v a_o way_n of_o purity_n patience_n meekness_n etc._n etc._n without_o which_o no_o man_n shall_v see_v the_o lord_n now_o all_o heretic_n common_o few_o i_o think_v except_v own_o these_o general_n and_o many_o of_o they_o have_v moral_a life_n be_v this_o enough_o to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n though_o they_o deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o with_o his_o precious_a blood_n as_o he_o outward_o suffer_v on_o the_o cross_n on_o this_o pretence_n that_o their_o general_a rule_n set_v up_o here_o by_o w.p._n teach_v they_o nothing_o of_o any_o such_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o
whereas_o the_o best_a skilful_a in_o the_o method_n of_o teach_v both_o pious_a and_o learned_a have_v not_o only_o great_o esteem_v but_o high_o admire_v the_o method_n of_o the_o scripture_n even_o when_o it_o seem_v least_o to_o have_v method_n and_o most_o especial_o the_o method_n of_o our_o saviour_n sermon_n record_v in_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o of_o that_o most_o excellent_a form_n of_o prayer_n he_o teach_v his_o disciple_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v reject_v from_o be_v not_o only_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o a_o write_a rule_n as_o his_o express_a word_n above_o note_a be_v though_o in_o contradiction_n to_o himself_o who_o elsewhere_o call_v they_o a_o rule_n but_o not_o the_o rule_n now_o he_o will_v neither_o have_v they_o to_o be_v the_o rule_n nor_o a_o write_a rule_n for_o want_v of_o the_o method_n of_o a_o rule_n he_o may_v quarrel_v against_o diverse_a part_n of_o god_n creation_n as_o not_o be_v place_v in_o that_o method_n and_o order_n that_o his_o wisdom_n think_v meet_v sure_o i_o be_o some_o atheist_n have_v argue_v at_o such_o like_a rate_n against_o the_o world_n be_v create_v by_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n because_o as_o they_o imagine_v thing_n lie_v in_o great_a disorder_n throughout_o the_o visible_a world_n here_o a_o spot_n of_o the_o earth_n fruitful_a there_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o unfruitful_a and_o uninhabitable_a some_o part_n have_v too_o much_o water_n that_o drown_v the_o dry_a land_n overflow_v city_n fruitful_a field_n and_o pleasant_a meadow_n other_o part_n be_v scorch_v with_o drought_n and_o uninhabitable_a for_o want_v of_o water_n other_o large_a part_n not_o fit_a for_o habitation_n for_o cold._n also_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n towards_o mankind_n be_v great_o dispute_v by_o atheist_n because_o of_o that_o seem_a disorder_n and_o want_v of_o method_n in_o thing_n and_o event_n that_o happen_v to_o man_n of_o all_o sort_n virtuous_a man_n neglect_v oppress_a afflict_a and_o vicious_a man_n exalt_v honour_a and_o praise_v it_o be_v a_o great_a default_n in_o w.p._n thus_o to_o argue_v against_o the_o scripture_n for_o want_v of_o method_n as_o be_v the_o rule_n wherein_o he_o too_o much_o resemble_v the_o atheist_n argue_v against_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o divine_a providence_n from_o thence_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o rule_n of_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o world_n as_o w.p._n conclude_v there_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n section_n 15._o whither_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n as_o write_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v bind_v the_o faithful_a to_o obedience_n w.p._n his_o absolute_a necessary_n of_o religion_n no_o other_o but_o what_o be_v general_o own_v by_o infidel_n jew_n mahomitan_n deist_n and_o the_o great_a heretic_n have_v thus_o finish_v my_o answer_n to_o his_o argument_n against_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n yea_o not_o only_o against_o be_v the_o rule_n but_o a_o rule_n as_o above_o note_v in_o contradiction_n to_o himself_o who_o sometime_o call_v they_o a_o rule_n to_o wit_n a_o subordinate_a secondary_a and_o declaratory_a rule_n but_o yet_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v this_o to_o the_o whole_a scripture_n but_o that_o several_a part_n of_o it_o be_v so_o that_o be_v so_o much_o of_o it_o as_o heathen_n and_o deist_n have_v teach_v they_o by_o the_o light_n within_o to_o wit_n precept_n of_o moral_a honesty_n etc._n etc._n but_o salvation_n by_o christ_n crucify_a and_o remission_n of_o sin_n by_o his_o blood_n be_v not_o teach_v they_o by_o their_o light_n within_o therefore_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o a_o secondary_a rule_n to_o w.p._n and_o his_o deist_n brethren_n the_o unsoundness_n of_o which_o distinction_n i_o have_v above_o show_v i_o shall_v now_o brief_o point_v at_o some_o other_o impertinency_n in_o his_o book_n now_o before_o i_o and_o so_o conclude_v page_n 25._o we_o confess_v say_v he_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o obedience_n viz._n to_o the_o precept_n write_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o mere_o because_o they_o be_v write_v for_o that_o be_v legal_a but_o because_o they_o be_v the_o eternal_a precept_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o man_n conscience_n here_o divers_a thing_n need_v correction_n first_o i_o know_v none_o that_o ever_o say_v that_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o obedience_n to_o those_o precept_n be_v mere_o because_o they_o be_v write_v but_o chief_o and_o principal_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v and_o obey_v they_o be_v the_o command_v of_o god_n but_o though_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o obedience_n to_o they_o be_v not_o mere_o that_o they_o be_v write_v yet_o be_v now_o write_v and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n have_v so_o appoint_v it_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v write_v and_o the_o writer_n be_v inspire_v to_o that_o very_a purpose_n to_o write_v they_o for_o our_o instruction_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v believe_v they_o and_o obey_v they_o we_o ought_v both_o to_o believe_v they_o and_o obey_v they_o as_o they_o be_v outward_o write_v otherwise_o if_o their_o deliverance_n to_o we_o by_o writing_n have_v no_o influence_n on_o we_o to_o believe_v they_o and_o obey_v they_o we_o may_v whole_o disregard_n they_o as_o such_o and_o only_a mind_n those_o eternal_a precept_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o he_o term_v they_o in_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o wit_n jew_n mahometan_n heathen_n deist_n again_o that_o he_o say_v it_o be_v legal_a to_o obey_v they_o mere_o because_o write_v i_o see_v not_o how_o it_o be_v legal_a for_o the_o law_n do_v not_o command_v they_o to_o obey_v they_o mere_o as_o write_v but_o because_o they_o be_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n but_o to_o reject_v they_o as_o have_v any_o influence_n on_o we_o or_o lay_v any_o obligation_n on_o we_o as_o write_v be_v to_o reject_v christ_n prophetical_a and_o kingly_a office_n a_o part_n of_o which_o be_v to_o inspire_v his_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n to_o commit_v they_o to_o writing_n but_o again_o that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v obey_v for_o a_o rule_n or_o the_o rule_n but_o the_o eternal_a precept_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o man_n conscience_n as_o he_o affirm_v this_o indeed_o make_v a_o very_a short_a and_o near_a way_n to_o heaven_n be_v it_o as_o true_a as_o short_a and_o near_o he_o seem_v to_o give_v we_o a_o account_n what_o these_o eternal_a precept_n be_v page_z 44._o but_o most_o persuasion_n say_v he_o be_v agree_v about_o the_o absolute_a necessary_n in_o religion_n from_o that_o light_n and_o witness_v god_n have_v place_v in_o man_n conscience_n viz._n that_o god_n be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o that_o the_o way_n of_o god_n be_v a_o way_n of_o purity_n patience_n meekness_n etc._n etc._n without_o which_o no_o man_n can_v see_v the_o lord_n answ_n note_v well_o reader_n these_o few_o thing_n that_o every_o deist_n jew_n and_o mahometan_n that_o be_v sober_a and_o rational_a will_v acknowledge_v be_v all_o the_o absolute_a necessary_n in_o religion_n that_o he_o lay_v down_o but_o how_o false_o do_v he_o allege_v that_o most_o persuasion_n be_v agree_v that_o these_o without_o all_o the_o article_n peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a faith_n as_o concern_v the_o holy_a trinity_n the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o word_n the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n by_o his_o sacrifice_n on_o the_o cross_n to_o divine_a justice_n etc._n etc._n in_o a_o word_n all_o the_o twelve_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n be_v all_o the_o absolute_a necessary_n in_o religion_n be_v the_o whole_a christian_a catholic_n church_n of_o christ_n throughout_o the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n no_o considerable_a part_n of_o mankind_n have_v religious_a persuasion_n or_o if_o they_o be_v let_v he_o tell_v we_o what_o part_n of_o christ_n catholic_n church_n ever_o hold_v or_o do_v now_o hold_v that_o none_o of_o all_o the_o twelve_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n or_o few_o of_o they_o be_v the_o absolute_a necessary_n in_o religion_n together_o with_o other_o moral_a part_n relate_v to_o moral_a virtue_n i_o think_v he_o can_v tell_v we_o scarce_o any_o but_o such_o as_o may_v be_v just_o doubt_v or_o disow_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n if_o he_o bring_v in_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n and_o deist_n brethren_n he_o but_o beg_v the_o question_n to_o say_v they_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n while_o they_o deny_v the_o great_a fundamental_o of_o her_o religion_n to_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a but_o let_v we_o hear_v he_o further_o in_o the_o same_o page_n he_o say_v nay_o they_o accord_n in_o some_o considerable_a matter_n super_fw-la add_v as_o some_o of_o