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scripture_n apostle_n contain_v doctrine_n 2,322 5 6.1087 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59222 Five Catholick letters concerning the means of knowing with absolute certainty what faith now held was taught by Jesus Christ written by J. Sergeant upon occasion of a conference between Dr. Stillingfleet and Mr. Peter Gooden. Sergeant, John, 1622-1707.; Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.; Gooden, Peter, d. 1695. 1688 (1688) Wing S2568; ESTC R28132 302,336 458

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be_v so_o strong_o support_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v a_o parallel_n to_o equal_a or_o come_v nigh_o it_o and_o unless_o this_o be_v do_v all_o his_o argument_n against_o it_o stand_v thus_o a_o lesser_a force_n can_v do_v a_o effect_n therefore_o a_o great_a can_v a_o odd_a piece_n of_o logic_n but_o suitable_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n rest_n 25._o his_o four_o reason_n represent_v tradition_n to_o be_v mere_o verbal_a and_o not_o practical_a 28._o that_o it_o alone_o be_v to_o bring_v down_o particular_a matter_n of_o fact_n or_o historical_a passage_n nay_o the_o speculative_a whimsy_n of_o the_o old_a heathen_a philosopher_n none_o of_o which_o be_v ever_o pretend_v and_o so_o all_o his_o discourse_n run_v upon_o his_o old_a and_o oft-repeated_n error_n in_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o tradition_n tradition_n 26._o the_o reason_n he_o give_v for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n we_o allow_v to_o a_o tittle_n and_o we_o add_v to_o they_o one_o 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against_o heretic_n who_o have_v reject_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n even_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n do_v so_o another_o to_o say_v they_o have_v no_o firm_a ground_n for_o their_o faith_n but_o their_o own_o private_a judgement_n of_o its_o sense_n it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o give_v it_o high_a commendation_n for_o its_o excellency_n divine_a doctrine_n usefulness_n and_o sufficiency_n for_o the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v ordain_v by_o god_n it_o be_v another_o to_o say_v that_o in_o those_o place_n which_o relate_v to_o spiritual_a point_n and_o high_a mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o be_v so_o clear_a that_o private_a fancy_n can_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n fix_v upon_o its_o true_a sense_n and_o on_o that_o ground_n their_o faith._n it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o say_v sometime_o it_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a when_o they_o be_v argue_v against_o heretic_n this_o be_v a_o thing_n not_o unusual_a even_o among_o we_o when_o we_o be_v dispute_v and_o have_v a_o opinion_n that_o what_o we_o allege_v be_v manifest_a and_o those_o father_n or_o council_n which_o insist_v on_o it_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o have_v that_o opinion_n of_o what_o they_o allege_v have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n scripture_n best_a interpreter_n in_o their_o heart_n beside_o when_o there_o be_v full_a assurance_n of_o its_o sense_n who_o doubt_v but_o it_o be_v of_o a_o vast_a authority_n too_o be_v in_o that_o case_n the_o same_o as_o if_o the_o apostle_n or_o christ_n himself_o be_v there_o and_o speak_v his_o mind_n in_o the_o point_n under_o debate_n whence_o they_o confute_v heretic_n with_o define_v from_o scripture_n upon_o the_o assurance_n that_o they_o have_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o another_o way_n than_o the_o heretic_n have_v by_o his_o private_a interpretation_n but_o it_o be_v another_o thing_n to_o say_v that_o as_o manage_v by_o private_a judgement_n work_v on_o the_o bare_a letter_n or_o rely_v on_o fallible_a interpreter_n it_o be_v so_o unavoidable_o convictive_a beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o give_v it_o another_o plausible_a sense_n that_o all_o mankind_n must_v think_v he_o a_o renouncer_n of_o the_o clear_a light_n of_o reason_n or_o stark_o blind_a with_o passion_n and_o interest_n and_o abhor_v he_o as_o such_o who_o shall_v interpret_v it_o after_o another_o manner_n and_o such_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v otherwise_o none_o can_v with_o conscience_n think_v or_o say_v any_o heretic_n be_v obstinate_a nor_o any_o man_n no_o not_o the_o church_n itself_o condemn_v he_o much_o less_o abhor_v he_o for_o be_v such_o as_o be_v ever_o her_o custom_n all_o the_o former_a perfection_n we_o as_o hearty_o full_o and_o constant_o ascribe_v to_o scripture_n as_o any_o protestant_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o we_o say_v moreover_o that_o this_o want_n of_o clearness_n which_o unqualify_v it_o for_o be_v a_o rule_n spring_v from_o a_o very_a high_a perfection_n in_o it_o viz._n it_o be_v deep_a sense_n only_o this_o one_o of_o give_v every_o particular_a man_n who_o by_o his_o private_a judgement_n interpret_v it_o such_o assurance_n of_o its_o sense_n as_o be_v competent_a to_o ground_n his_o faith_n on_o we_o can_v grant_v this_o be_v no_o less_o contrary_a to_o common_a reason_n than_o it_o be_v even_o to_o experience_n also_o to_o return_v then_o to_o your_o objection_n you_o see_v sect._n 10._o that_o the_o ancient_a father_n be_v not_o such_o stranger_n to_o this_o method_n of_o tradition_n we_o follow_v and_o explicate_v and_o you_o may_v have_v observe_v many_o other_o both_o name_v and_o cite_v surefoot_v p._n 131._o to_o 137._o what_o matter_n it_o that_o they_o do_v not_o express_v that_o our_o tenet_n or_o dilate_v upon_o it_o in_o such_o term_n as_o we_o do_v now_o so_o they_o teach_v other_o to_o hold_v to_o what_o be_v deliver_v and_o not_o to_o rely_v on_o their_o own_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n against_o the_o present_a church_n doctrine_n since_o in_o do_v this_o they_o hold_v the_o substance_n of_o that_o which_o we_o have_v since_o more_o diffuse_o explain_v and_o reduce_v our_o discourse_n to_o more_o methodical_a and_o formal_a resolution_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v not_o so_o much_o in_o fashion_n in_o former_a age_n beside_o you_o be_v not_o to_o be_v tell_v we_o both_o have_v &_o can_v allege_v father_n enough_o for_o our_o tenet_n and_o the_o obligation_n to_o hold_v to_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v from_o father_n that_o be_v to_o tradition_n and_o how_o smart_o and_o unanswerable_o they_o press_v it_o against_o heretic_n as_o a_o certain_a determiner_n of_o the_o controversy_n between_o the_o catholic_n and_o them._n on_o the_o other_o side_n how_o often_o they_o complain_v of_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o private_a man_n as_o ground_v all_o heresy_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o mysterious_a obscurity_n of_o the_o letter_n and_o its_o liableness_n to_o be_v misinterpret_v and_o misunderstand_v whereas_o it_o be_v never_o hear_v that_o the_o rule_n of_o tradition_n take_v in_o the_o sense_n in_o which_o we_o hold_v it_o viz._n for_o a_o delivery_n of_o a_o practical_a doctrine_n public_o preach_v to_o great_a multitude_n at_o first_o practise_v by_o they_o and_o hold_v and_o recommend_v as_o divine_a and_o the_o way_n to_o salvation_n do_v ever_o give_v rise_v to_o any_o heresy_n and_o impossible_a it_o shall_v which_o one_o reflection_n to_o a_o considerate_a man_n be_v sufficient_a to_o conclude_v the_o whole_a present_a controversy_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith._n 30._o from_o the_o quality_n requisite_a to_o make_v scripture_n letter_n a_o rule_n of_o your_o faith_n we_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o quantity_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v or_o the_o number_n of_o book_n which_o you_o tell_v we_o p._n 19_o mr._n m._n suggest_v in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o have_v only_o two_o thing_n to_o ask_v you_o 1._o whether_o as_o i_o say_v former_o you_o have_v any_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o there_o be_v never_o a_o book_n lose_v that_o be_v write_v by_o some_o who_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o consequent_o do_v contain_v some_o divine_a revelation_n or_o if_o you_o can_v prove_v but_o there_o be_v how_o do_v you_o know_v but_o those_o divine_a revelation_n which_o that_o book_n or_o book_n contain_v be_v not_o different_a from_o or_o to_o be_v superad_v to_o those_o contain_v in_o the_o canon_n we_o have_v now_o if_o you_o can_v prove_v these_o two_o point_n then_o it_o be_v manifest_a you_o can_v prove_v with_o absolute_a certainty_n that_o the_o book_n we_o have_v now_o contain_v all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n 2._o you_o insist_v only_o on_o this_o universal_a testimony_n for_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o will_v know_v whether_o this_o testimony_n reach_v to_o each_o chapter_n and_o every_o verse_n of_o those_o chapter_n nay_o each_o material_a word_n in_o those_o verse_n if_o it_o do_v not_o as_o you_o neither_o say_v nor_o with_o any_o reason_n can_v say_v for_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o prove_v the_o former_a &_o impossible_a to_o prove_v the_o late_a but_o by_o our_o rule_n than_o you_o be_v as_o far_o from_o your_o faith_n as_o ever_o unless_o you_o bring_v some_o other_o testimony_n that_o be_v absolute_o certain_a to_o assure_v you_o that_o such_o and_o such_o a_o verse_n which_o you_o will_v quote_v and_o rely_v on_o for_o such_o and_o such_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n nay_o the_o main_a and_o most_o significant_a word_n in_o that_o verse_n be_v true_a scripture_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a you_o can_v for_o what_o testimony_n else_o can_v be_v invent_v to_o do_v this_o if_o the_o other_o which_o be_v of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n can_v reach_v it_o be_v there_o any_o possible_a way_n to_o ascertain_v this_o but_o by_o our_o doctrin-rule_n upon_o this_o occasion_n pray_v inform_v i_o with_o what_o reason_n you_o can_v reflect_v so_o severe_o pag._n 15._o on_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o not_o receive_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o st._n hierom_n time_n assoon_o as_o other_o church_n and_o not_o on_o the_o greek_a church_n which_o you_o use_v to_o prefer_v before_o the_o latin_a who_o in_o the_o same_o father_n time_n refuse_v to_o admit_v the_o apocalypse_n the_o accept_n or_o not_o accept_v such_o book_n even_o according_a to_o your_o own_o doctrine_n depend_v on_o their_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o evidence_n produce_v for_o their_o apostolical_a authority_n and_o so_o be_v a_o act_n of_o prudence_n antecedent_n to_o the_o judgement_n or_o determination_n of_o any_o church_n whether_o greek_n or_o latin._n but_o so_o unreasonable_a be_v your_o pique_n against_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o she_o can_v act_v prudent_o without_o forfeit_v her_o infallibility_n though_o another_o man_n will_v have_v
acknowledge_v it_o be_v rather_o a_o very_a commendable_a cautiousness_n in_o the_o latin_a &_o greek_a church_n too_o not_o to_o admit_v into_o such_o a_o sacred_a roll_n book_n that_o be_v not_o yet_o clear_o prove_v to_o be_v authentical_o such_o than_o a_o unblamable_a lapse_n or_o so_o heinous_a a_o crime_n that_o for_o commit_v it_o she_o must_v needs_o lose_v all_o her_o title_n to_o christ_n promise_a assistance_n 31._o this_o give_v i_o occasion_n to_o ask_v you_o what_o become_v of_o your_o rule_n and_o consequent_o of_o your_o faith_n all_o that_o while_n if_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o canonical_a book_n that_o be_v of_o the_o whole_a canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v your_o rule_n and_o those_o book_n be_v part_n of_o this_o canon_n they_o must_v necessary_o be_v part_n of_o your_o rule_n too_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o your_o rule_n be_v not_o entire_a but_o deficient_a for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o the_o whole_a canon_n be_v collect_v and_o acknowledge_v i_o see_v you_o do_v but_o compliment_v with_o the_o primitive_a church_n of_o the_o first_o 300_o year_n and_o that_o you_o only_o cry_v it_o up_o to_o avoid_v the_o unkindness_n which_o the_o succeed_a age_n show_v to_o your_o cause_n for_o by_o your_o doctrine_n you_o can_v but_o hold_v that_o the_o age_n which_o follow_v it_o be_v to_o be_v prefer_v since_o these_o have_v your_o entire_a rule_n the_o other_o want_v some_o part_n of_o it_o and_o sometime_o hold_v but_o three_o part_n of_o it_o half_a of_o it_o or_o less_o and_o so_o by_o your_o principle_n be_v but_o three_o quarter_n or_o half_a christian_n according_a as_o the_o several_a piece_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v acknowledge_v and_o universal_o accept_v i_o doubt_v mr._n m_n discourse_n about_o the_o number_n of_o book_n more_o perplex_v you_o than_o your_o be_v willing_a to_o make_v show_n of_o for_o pray_v how_o many_o of_o these_o book_n go_v to_o make_v up_o your_o rule_n of_o faith_n if_o any_o one_o or_o some_o few_o than_o you_o shall_v not_o have_v stand_v upon_o the_o canon_n we_o have_v now_o that_o be_v all_o the_o apostolical_a book_n or_o scripture_n in_o general_n if_o all_o the_o canonical_a write_n be_v your_o rule_n than_o perhaps_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v but_o half_o their_o faith_n or_o less_o it_o may_v be_v none_o at_o all_o because_o want_v yet_o those_o other_o book_n they_o want_v necessary_a place_n to_o compare_v those_o text_n with_o they_o already_o have_v which_o be_v a_o great_a part_n of_o your_o method_n to_o find_v out_o your_o faith_n in_o scripture_n pray_v satisfy_v we_o about_o this_o exact_a number_n of_o book_n and_o how_o many_o will_v just_o serve_v the_o turn_n and_o make_v something_o cohere_v for_o i_o can_v for_o my_o heart_n as_o yet_o find_v any_o thing_n that_o do_v you_o talk_v to_o we_o of_o a_o purse_n and_o say_v it_o must_v be_v full_a but_o when_o we_o come_v to_o look_v at_o it_o more_o narrow_o it_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n but_o half_a a_o purse_n and_o want_v one_o side_n of_o it_o at_o least_o have_v a_o great_a hole_n in_o it_o so_o that_o you_o put_v we_o into_o a_o apprehension_n that_o many_o of_o the_o gold_n and_o silver_n point_n may_v have_v drop_v out_o of_o it_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n by_o which_o church_n notwithstanding_o and_o no_o other_o in_o our_o dispute_n about_o faith_n you_o seem_v hearty_o willing_a to_o be_v judge_v but_o 31._o let_v we_o examine_v a_o little_a the_o consent_n of_o all_o your_o christian_n church_n for_o scripture_n you_o make_v such_o brag_n of_o 7._o in_o the_o first_o place_n march_n and_o lead_v the_o van_n your_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o noble_a arch-heretick_n marciou_n who_o blot_v out_o of_o the_o canon_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o 9_o hebrew_n that_o to_o titus_n and_o both_o those_o to_o timothy_n who_o admit_v only_o st._n luke_n gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o 3._o reject_v all_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n as_o a_o apostate_n from_o the_o law._n in_o the_o next_o rank_n go_v abreast_o those_o three_o famous_a christian_a church_n of_o ebion_n valentinus_n and_o cerinthus_n of_o which_o 1._o the_o first_o admit_v only_o st._n matthews_n gospel_n the_o 26._o second_o only_a st._n john_n and_o the_o three_o only_a st._n mark_n be_v after_o they_o come_v other_o mention_v by_o st._n hierom_n and_o epiphanius_n who_o in_o a_o manner_n bring_v all_o into_o doubt_n 76._o especial_o if_o faith_n depend_v in_o those_o day_n on_o the_o compare_v of_o place_n for_o they_o hold_v that_o diverse_a thing_n both_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o new_a be_v not_o inspire_v by_o god_n but_o write_v by_o a_o human_a spirit_n i_o need_v not_o acquaint_v you_o that_o luther_n brentius_n &_o chemnitius_n do_v revive_v the_o old_a doubt_n about_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n of_o late_a day_n nor_o need_v it_o be_v recount_v how_o many_o orthodox_n christian_n church_n do_v not_o accept_v diverse_a book_n former_o and_o though_o afterward_o as_o you_o say_v well_o they_o come_v by_o degree_n to_o fix_v on_o the_o certain_a canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n yet_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o judge_v that_o this_o be_v not_o perform_v by_o immediate_a testimony_n 15._o for_o the_o witness_n be_v long_o ago_o dead_a and_o their_o grandfather_n too_o who_o can_v attest_v that_o such_o a_o book_n be_v indeed_o to_o their_o knowledge_n write_v by_o such_o a_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n it_o descend_v then_o by_o oral_a tradition_n in_o those_o respective_a church_n whence_o as_o that_o tradition_n be_v not_o so_o practical_a so_o it_o be_v restrain_v to_o some_o few_o in_o each_o church_n and_o be_v withal_o very_o narrow_a at_o first_o in_o comparison_n of_o our_o tradition_n for_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n universal_o and_o public_o preach_v and_o practise_v now_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o 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irregular_o he_o hinder_v any_o conclusion_n from_o follow_v false_a because_o no_o two_o man_n can_v differ_v in_o a_o sum_n unless_o they_o wrong_v or_o abuse_v the_o rule_n of_o computation_n irregular_a because_o instead_o of_o the_o word_n who_o take_v that_o way_n find_v in_o his_o second_o proposition_n and_o in_o our_o discourse_n he_o cog_v in_o the_o word_n make_v use_n of_o that_o way_n which_o be_v not_o so_o express_v in_o sense_n as_o the_o word_n take_v be_v which_o import_v follow_v whither_o it_o lead_v or_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o it_o and_o it_o will_v have_v be_v too_o palpable_o absurd_a to_o say_v a_o man_n take_v a_o way_n who_o leave_v it_o as_o a_o ill-reckone_a must_v needs_o leave_v the_o true_a rule_n of_o arithmetic_n but_o those_o who_o both_o take_v and_o follow_v all_o along_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n interpret_v by_o their_o private_a self_n and_o this_o to_o their_o power_n and_o be_v skilful_a in_o language_n &_o in_o compare_v place_n 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be_v not_o this_o mighty_a learned_a i_o wonder_v how_o he_o can_v pretend_v to_o convert_v any_o man_n to_o christ_n true_a doctrine_n by_o these_o principle_n all_o he_o can_v do_v be_v to_o allege_v and_o compare_v text_n to_o prove_v it_o certain_o christ_n doctrine_n i_o but_o sir_n say_v the_o other_o how_o shall_v i_o be_v satisfy_v you_o have_v humility_n of_o mind_n purity_n of_o heart_n etc._n etc._n without_o which_o yourself_o confess_v you_o can_v be_v certain_a of_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n at_o all_o what_o be_v the_o doctor_n have_v to_o satisfy_v he_o in_o this_o hard_a point_n i_o know_v not_o but_o set_v the_o doctor_n be_v faith_n aside_o what_o provision_n have_v he_o make_v for_o the_o stand_a visible_a body_n of_o the_o church_n to_o defend_v and_o maintain_v she_o have_v christ_n true_a faith_n none_o in_o the_o world_n by_o his_o principle_n unless_o she_o can_v prove_v she_o have_v all_o these_o moral_a qualification_n so_o that_o all_o be_v 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but_o opinion_n with_o he_o nay_o he_o ought_v to_o doubt_v they_o be_v or_o may_v be_v worse_o than_o opinion_n viz._n heretical_a falsehood_n unless_o he_o think_v himself_o absolute_o certain_a of_o his_o moral_a qualification_n for_o it_o be_v those_o it_o seem_v must_v do_v the_o deed_n when_o all_o argument_n fail_v as_o for_o infallibility_n there_o be_v no_o such_o word_n in_o my_o discourse_n and_o he_o ought_v to_o answer_v my_o argument_n in_o the_o word_n i_o put_v it_o and_o not_o to_o start_v into_o such_o evasion_n and_o logomachy_n though_o the_o allow_v of_o natural_a infallibility_n have_v be_v prove_v against_o he_o by_o reason_n and_o authority_n of_o those_o even_o of_o his_o own_o church_n he_o never_o answer_v it_o but_o bare_o say_v over_o again_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o infallibility_n in_o
mind_n of_o intellectual_a being_n whereas_o it_o be_v only_o in_o word_n write_v as_o in_o a_o sign_n that_o be_v no_o more_o proper_o than_o wine_n be_v in_o a_o bush_n and_o that_o therefore_o the_o former_a have_v incomparable_o better_a title_n to_o be_v the_o purse_n if_o no_o metaphor_n else_o will_v serve_v his_o turn_n but_o such_o a_o odd_a one_o at_o least_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v be_v quite_o set_v aside_o but_o the_o dr._n without_o trouble_v himself_o much_o to_o mind_n what_o any_o body_n say_v but_o himself_o by_o which_o method_n of_o answer_v he_o have_v leave_v above_o forty_o part_n for_o one_o of_o my_o several_a discourse_n unanswered_a will_v needs_o have_v scripture_n to_o be_v the_o only_a purse_n &_o contain_v faith_n shall_v be_v enough_o for_o his_o purpose_n ay_o that_o it_o shall_v though_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n and_o so_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o if_o all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v there_o we_o must_v be_v certain_a we_o have_v all_o 76._o if_o we_o have_v the_o scripture_n that_o contain_v all_o and_o i_o tell_v he_o what_o common_a sense_n tell_v all_o mankind_n that_o a_o man_n may_v have_v all_o aristotle_n work_n which_o contain_v all_o his_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o not_o know_v or_o have_v one_o tittle_n of_o his_o doctrine_n nor_o by_o consequence_n have_v the_o dr._n one_o jot_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n by_o have_v mere_o the_o book_n that_o contain_v it_o shall_v we_o never_o have_v do_v with_o this_o ridiculous_a and_o palpable_a nonsense_n how_o often_o have_v it_o be_v prove_v against_o he_o in_o my_o catholic_n letter_n that_o the_o have_v a_o book_n which_o contain_v all_o faith_n as_o in_o a_o sign_n for_o word_n be_v no_o more_o argue_v not_o his_o have_v any_o faith_n at_o all_o unless_o he_o know_v the_o signification_n of_o that_o sign_n let_v we_o examine_v then_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n have_v a_o trunk_n have_v the_o book_n of_o scripture_n when_o that_o book_n be_v lay_v up_o in_o it_o and_o that_o book_n contain_v all_o faith_n and_o so_o that_o trunk_n may_v by_o his_o logic_n have_v all_o faith._n dr._n sy_n have_v the_o same_o book_n and_o by_o have_v it_o have_v according_a to_o he_o all_o faith_n too_o i_o ask_v have_v he_o all_o faith_n by_o have_v the_o book_n any_o other_o way_n then_o the_o senseless_a trunk_n have_v it_o if_o he_o have_v than_o he_o have_v it_o in_o his_o intellectual_a faculty_n as_o a_o know_a creature_n shall_v have_v it_o and_o if_o so_o he_o know_v it_o that_o be_v he_o know_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o to_o determinate_a point_n in_o it_o for_o all_o christ_n faith_n consist_v of_o those_o determinate_a point_n but_o he_o still_o wave_v his_o have_a knowledge_n of_o determinate_a point_n and_o talk_v still_o of_o faith_n only_o as_o contain_v in_o scripture_n in_o the_o lump_n and_o it_o be_v in_o the_o lump_n in_o the_o book_n too_o lie_v in_o the_o trunk_n whence_o abstract_v from_o his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o particular_n of_o faith_n the_o wooden_a trunk_n have_v all_o faith_n as_o much_o as_o he._n he_o will_v say_v he_o believe_v implicit_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o scripture_n whether_o he_o know_v the_o particular_a point_n or_o no_o but_o be_v not_o this_o to_o profess_v he_o believe_v he_o know_v not_o what_o or_o be_v implicit_a belief_n of_o all_o in_o the_o book_n save_v faith_n when_o it_o be_v the_o virtue_n of_o the_o particular_a point_n apply_v to_o the_o soul_n be_v know_v power_n and_o thence_o affect_v and_o move_v she_o which_o be_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n he_o tell_v we_o indeed_o for_o he_o must_v still_o cast_v in_o some_o good_a word_n that_o he_o pretend_v not_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o person_n to_o say_v their_o faith_n be_v in_o such_o a_o book_n 76._o but_o now_o do_v i_o very_o think_v that_o the_o adversative_a particular_a but_o will_v have_v be_v follow_v with_o they_o must_v be_v sure_a it_o be_v in_o it_o but_o this_o will_v have_v make_v too_o good_a sense_n and_o have_v be_v too_o much_o to_o the_o point_n he_o but_o only_o bring_v in_o a_o few_o of_o his_o customary_a lukewarm_a word_n which_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n viz._n that_o they_o ought_v to_o read_v and_o search_v and_o actual_o believe_v whatever_o they_o find_v in_o that_o book_n he_o mean_v whatever_o they_o fancy_v they_o have_v find_v in_o it_o for_o he_o give_v neither_o his_o reader_n nor_o they_o any_o security_n but_o that_o after_o their_o read_n and_o search_v they_o may_v still_o believe_v wrong_a he_o skip_v over_o that_o consideration_n as_o not_o worthy_a or_o else_o as_o too_o hard_a to_o be_v make_v out_o and_o run_v to_o talk_v of_o thing_n necessary_a and_o not_o necessary_a i_o wish_v he_o will_v once_o in_o his_o life_n speak_v out_o and_o tell_v we_o how_o many_o point_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o whether_o god_n die_v for_o their_o sin_n be_v one_o and_o then_o satisfy_v the_o world_n that_o the_o socinian_o who_o deny_v that_o point_n do_v not_o read_v search_n and_o actual_o believe_v what_o their_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n tell_v they_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o do_v actual_o believe_v a_o most_o damnable_a heresy_n but_o still_o he_o say_v if_o a_o man_n read_v and_o consider_v scripture_n as_o he_o ought_v and_o pray_v for_o wisdom_n he_o shall_v not_o miss_v of_o know_v all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o his_o salvation_n so_o that_o unless_o we_o know_v that_o he_o and_o his_o party_n do_v pray_v for_o wisdom_n and_o not_o pray_v amiss_o and_o consider_v scripture_n as_o they_o ought_v none_o can_v be_v certain_a by_o his_o own_o ground_n that_o he_o and_o his_o good_a folk_n have_v any_o faith_n at_o all_o or_o that_o their_o rule_n direct_v they_o right_o he_o will_v make_v a_o rare_a converter_n of_o unbeliever_n to_o christ_n doctrine_n who_o instead_o of_o bring_v any_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o what_o his_o church_n believe_v be_v true_o such_o tell_v they_o very_o sad_o and_o sober_o he_o have_v right_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o be_v sure_a of_o it_o because_o he_o have_v consider_v scripture_n as_o he_o ought_v and_o beg_v wisdom_n of_o god._n but_o if_o this_o sincere_a seeker_n hap_v to_o reflect_v that_o these_o pretence_n be_v thing_n he_o can_v never_o come_v to_o know_v and_o that_o socinian_o and_o all_o other_o sect_n equal_o profess_v to_o consider_v scripture_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o to_o pray_v for_o wisdom_n too_o and_o yet_o all_o contradict_v one_o another_o he_o must_v if_o he_o have_v wit_n in_o he_o and_o light_n upon_o no_o better_a controvertist_n think_v christian_n a_o company_n of_o fop_n who_o can_v show_v he_o no_o assure_a ground_n of_o faith_n but_o such_o a_o blind_a one_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o see_v and_o will_v have_v he_o believe_v that_o that_o be_v a_o certain_a mean_n for_o he_o to_o arrive_v at_o christ_n faith_n which_o every_o side_n as_o far_o as_o he_o can_v discern_v do_v equal_o make_v use_n of_o and_o yet_o be_v in_o perpetual_a variance_n and_o contention_n with_o one_o another_o about_o it_o so_o that_o our_o doctor_n get_v deep_a into_o his_o old_a fanaticism_n again_o and_o which_o be_v yet_o something_o worse_o will_v have_v pure_a nonsense_n pass_v for_o a_o principle_n to_o secure_a man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n we_o believe_v and_o be_v take_v for_o a_o good_a argument_n in_o controversy_n certain_o never_o be_v weak_a writer_n or_o else_o a_o weak_a cause_n 60._o i_o be_o glad_a he_o confess_v that_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v plain_a and_o easy_a and_o that_o otherwise_o 77._o it_o can_v not_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o all_o person_n let_v he_o then_o apply_v this_o to_o the_o dogmatical_a point_n which_o be_v only_o in_o question_n and_o show_v it_o thus_o easy_a to_o all_o person_n in_o those_o text_n that_o contain_v those_o article_n and_o his_o work_n be_v at_o a_o end._n but_o alas_o that_o work_v though_o it_o be_v his_o only_a task_n be_v not_o yet_o begin_v nor_o for_o any_o thing_n appear_v ever_o will._n for_o it_o be_v a_o desperate_a undertake_n to_o go_v about_o to_o confute_v daily_a experience_n what_o new_a stratagem_n must_v be_v invent_v then_o to_o avoid_v it_o why_o he_o must_v slip_v the_o true_a point_n again_o and_o alter_v it_o to_o a_o enquiry_n whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v leave_v only_o to_o the_o church_n to_o interpret_v it_o to_o the_o people_n in_o all_o point_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o general_n good_a of_o the_o church_n so_o as_o to_o direct_v themselves_o in_o their_o way_n
yet_o for_o all_o his_o flourish_n about_o criterion_n he_o have_v say_v nothing_o to_o those_o reason_n only_o he_o have_v make_v a_o sleight_n discourse_n of_o his_o own_o p._n 53.54_o but_o never_o show_v any_o particular_a mean_n secure_v his_o party_n from_o err_v more_o than_o the_o vile_a heretic_n use_v why_o little_a or_o no_o regard_n to_o my_o reason_n show_v that_o scripture_n interpretable_a by_o their_o private_a judgement_n of_o discretion_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n which_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_n rely_v on_o 26.27.28.29_o which_o if_o true_a utter_o overthrow_v his_o whole_a pretence_n to_o that_o for_o his_o rule_n he_o blunder_v indeed_o about_o it_o in_o clear_a word_n and_o tell_v his_o own_o tale_n very_o pretty_o but_o he_o have_v not_o answer_v my_o reason_n as_o the_o reader_n may_v discern_v who_o be_v please_v to_o compare_v they_o with_o his_o reply_n last_o why_o no_o answer_n to_o each_o particular_a proposition_n of_o my_o short_a discourse_n 30.31_o or_o show_v it_o inconnect_v demonstrate_v that_o none_o who_o follow_v his_o rule_n can_v have_v assurance_n that_o what_o they_o believe_v be_v christ_n doctrine_n but_o instead_o of_o this_o duty_n bring_v pretend_v false_a supposition_n against_o the_o whole_a which_o suppose_v nothing_o but_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o judge_v the_o socinian_o insincere_a or_o careless_a or_o less_o skilful_a in_o the_o sense_n of_o word_n than_o we_o have_v to_o think_v he_o be_v 86._o these_o be_v his_o omission_n in_o answer_v my_o first_o catholic_n letter_n as_o for_o my_o second_o since_o his_o title_n pretend_v a_o answer_n to_o they_o all_o in_o general_n and_o he_o refer_v we_o to_o another_o able_a to_o speak_v for_o himself_o mean_v his_o reflecter_n we_o be_v to_o imagine_v he_o make_v account_v he_o have_v answer_v they_o all_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o his_o proxy_n but_o good_a god_n what_o a_o answer_n have_v that_o weak_a man_n give_v we_o his_o discourse_n be_v a_o chain_n of_o sand._n it_o be_v a_o mess_n of_o controversy_n dish_v up_o in_o sippet_n a_o mere_a hash_n of_o repartees_n or_o reason_n tear_v into_o rag_n a_o discourse_n as_o every_o man_n know_v have_v its_o true_a force_n by_o the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o it_o and_o this_o tenor_n be_v shatter_v all_o to_o piece_n by_o a_o new_a invent_a method_n of_o short_a dialogue_n where_o he_o make_v i_o at_o his_o pleasure_n say_v as_o little_a at_o a_o time_n as_o he_o list_v and_o he_o play_v upon_o it_o as_o much_o as_o he_o please_v i_o must_v break-off_a just_a where_o he_o think_v fit_v and_o he_o enlarge_v against_o a_o imperfect_a discourse_n unassisted_a by_o its_o compart_n as_o long_o as_o he_o judge_n convenient_a now_o he_o be_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o my_o book_n and_o immediate_o at_o the_o middle_a or_o end_n of_o it_o gather_v thrums-end_n of_o little_a sentence_n which_o he_o patch_n together_o so_o aukward_o that_o they_o have_v no_o connexion_n at_o all_o but_o what_o his_o unskillful_a or_o partial_a hand_n bestow_v upon_o they_o if_o we_o expect_v reason_n from_o he_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o never_o undertake_v to_o prove_v but_o to_o reflect_v a_o very_a pretty_a come_v off_o p._n i_o wonder_v what_o answer_n be_v proper_a to_o a_o man_n who_o prove_v nothing_o nay_o not_o so_o much_o as_o undertake_v it_o thus_o much_o for_o his_o method_n but_o the_o trick_n and_o shift_n in_o manage_v it_o be_v innumerable_a it_o be_v almost_o as_o easy_a to_o determine_v how_o many_o word_n may_v be_v make_v of_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o letter_n as_o to_o trace_v all_o the_o anagram_n he_o make_v of_o my_o sense_n by_o weave_v it_o in_o his_o loom_n to_o suit_v his_o own_o fancy_n or_o interest_n when_o our_o question_n be_v only_o about_o a_o certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n he_o alter_v it_o when_o he_o list_v to_o a_o certain_a rule_n of_o life_n p._n 33._o as_o if_o we_o pretend_v scripture_n not_o clear_a in_o moral_a point_n by_o which_o mean_n he_o turn_v the_o whole_a question_n to_o a_o quite_o different_a subject_n his_o contradiction_n be_v frequent_a for_o he_o never_o speak_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o concern_v our_o dispute_n but_o he_o constant_o fall_v into_o that_o irrecoverable_a lapse_n as_o he_o turn_v the_o precise_a duty_n of_o prove_v into_o the_o needless_a impertinency_n of_o reflect_v so_o tell_v he_o of_o falsification_n he_o tell_v you_o p._n 52._o he_o mean_v they_o for_o ironies_n and_o indeed_o his_o whole_a reflexionary_n if_o i_o may_v call_v it_o so_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o continue_a irony_n it_o be_v very_o hard_o to_o know_v when_o he_o be_v in_o jest_n when_o in_o earnest_a only_o he_o garnish_n his_o scorn_n with_o demure_a pretence_n of_o charity_n and_o civility_n that_o so_o he_o may_v affront_v his_o adversary_n with_o a_o more_o plausible_a garb_n of_o affect_a gravity_n and_o godliness_n 87._o as_o for_o the_o strength_n of_o his_o reason_n since_o one_o instance_n be_v hold_v by_o dr_n st._n and_o he_o a_o competent_a answer_n to_o a_o pretend_a demonstration_n i_o hope_v one_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o he_o quite_o miss_v the_o whole_a matter_n in_o hand_n may_v be_v allow_v sufficient_a to_o render_v insignificant_a his_o hopping_n and_o skip_a dialogue_n by_o show_v plain_o that_o his_o ill-levelled_a reflection_n hit_v not_o i_o but_o squint_a aside_o to_o other_o subject_n ere_o i_o come_v to_o my_o instance_n i_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o bear_v in_o remembrance_n for_o i_o can_v repeat_v it_o too_o often_o because_o my_o adversary_n be_v resolve_v never_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o that_o our_o controversy_n suppose_n as_o agree_v to_o by_o both_o party_n that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v divine_a and_o that_o our_o whole_a question_n be_v about_o the_o mean_n to_o bring_v down_o to_o we_o those_o sublime_a spiritual_a article_n of_o christian_a faith_n with_o such_o a_o certainty_n and_o clearness_n as_o may_v 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rational_a creature_n can_v possible_o act_v without_o a_o motive_n or_o a_o reason_n and_o be_v withal_o endow_v with_o such_o and_o such_o faculty_n belong_v to_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o also_o from_o the_o practical_a nature_n &_o high_a import_n of_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v deliver_v and_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o most_o powerful_a motive_n oblige_v the_o generality_n to_o who_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o transmit_v down_o faithful_o a_o doctrine_n hold_v divine_a and_o last_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o divers_a circumstance_n of_o the_o universe_n all_o which_o be_v lay_v out_o in_o my_o second_o cath._n letter_n p._n 57.58.59.60_o to_o which_o nothing_o but_o a_o very_a sleight_n return_v with_o many_o omission_n have_v be_v give_v we_o by_o he_o and_o nothing_o at_o all_o by_o dr_n st._n though_o these_o as_o the_o reader_n may_v see_v if_o he_o please_v to_o review_v they_o be_v the_o most_o forcible_a part_n of_o that_o treatise_n to_o prove_v the_o uninterrupted_a 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your_o infallibility_n 15._o to_o contradict_v my_o 15_o the_o principle_n for_o the_o faith_n of_o protestant_n and_o full_a at_o unaware_o into_o the_o snare_n lay_v for_o i_o in_o error_n nonplus_v from_o p._n 90_o to_o p._n 96_o which_o i_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o come_v near_o but_o whatever_o reason_n you_o have_v to_o make_v this_o proposal_n i_o see_v none_o that_o mr._n g._n have_v to_o accept_v it_o do_v you_o prove_v if_o you_o please_v that_o you_o have_v absolute_a certainty_n you_o who_o bear_v those_o in_o hand_n who_o consult_v you_o that_o you_o have_v and_o absolute_a certainty_n too_o of_o that_o of_o which_o you_o profess_v yourself_o absolute_o certain_a copy_n viz._n that_o you_o now_o hold_v all_o the_o same_o doctrine_n that_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o by_o your_o own_o confession_n there_o be_v the_o true_a point_n for_o you_o know_v very_o well_o one_o be_v not_o certain_a of_o his_o faith_n by_o be_v certain_a of_o scripture_n 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pelagianism_n to_o conclude_v that_o human_a motive_n which_o be_v preliminary_n to_o faith_n and_o on_o which_o the_o assuredness_n of_o faith_n itself_o depend_v as_o to_o we_o be_v true_o certain_a and_o may_v you_o not_o with_o as_o much_o reason_n say_v the_o same_o if_o one_o shall_v maintain_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o our_o sense_n which_o be_v one_o of_o those_o preliminary_n how_o strange_o do_v you_o misrepresent_v every_o thing_n you_o be_v to_o meddle_v with_o how_o constant_o do_v you_o make_v your_o voluntary_a mistake_n of_o every_o point_n serve_v for_o a_o confutation_n of_o it_o it_o be_v confess_v &_o ever_o be_v that_o the_o human_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n or_o tradition_n beget_v only_o human_a faith_n as_o its_o immediate_a effect_n but_o by_o bring_v it_o up_o to_o christ_n it_o lead_v we_o to_o what_o be_v divine_a yet_o not_o by_o its_o own_o force_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o supposition_n agree_v upon_o that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v 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this_o occasion_n i_o ask_v you_o a_o plain_a downright_a question_n be_v it_o not_o equal_o blamable_a to_o falsify_v your_o adversary_n tenet_n perpetual_o as_o it_o be_v to_o falsify_v his_o word_n nay_o be_v it_o not_o worse_o be_v less_o liable_a to_o discovery_n and_o so_o more_o certain_o and_o more_o pernicious_o injurious_a and_o can_v any_o thing_n excuse_v you_o from_o be_v thus_o faulty_a but_o ignorance_n of_o our_o tenet_n i_o fear_v that_o plea_n will_v utter_o sail_v you_o too_o and_o leave_v you_o expose_v to_o the_o censure_n of_o every_o sincere_a reader_n when_o i_o show_v he_o to_o his_o eye_n that_o you_o can_v not_o but_o know_v all_o this_o before_o for_o in_o error_n nonplus_v p._n 121._o sect._n 8._o you_o must_v needs_o have_v read_v the_o quite_o contrary_a doctrine_n and_o how_o those_o who_o maintain_v tradition_n do_v resolve_v their_o faith._n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n then_o of_o prove_v this_o infallibility_n viz._n of_o the_o church_n mere_o by_o 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be_v remove_v from_o it_o even_o into_o heathenism_n or_o judaism_n if_o they_o desert_v it_o he_o expect_v too_o it_o shall_v secure_v man_n from_o 21._o danger_n of_o be_v deceive_v whereas_o suppose_v they_o once_o well-instructed_n in_o faith_n and_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o our_o tradition_n the_o church_n be_v so_o it_o be_v 5._o self-evident_a they_o can_v never_o be_v deceive_v while_o they_o hold_v to_o that_o certain_a rule_n because_o that_o be_v to_o hold_v the_o same_o they_o be_v instruct_v in_o at_o first_o but_o if_o all_o be_v not_o well_o instruct_v at_o first_o as_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v than_o they_o may_v be_v deceive_v either_o by_o desert_v tradition_n or_o even_o by_o hold_v to_o such_o a_o tradition_n if_o for_o want_v of_o perfect_a instruction_n in_o that_o raw_a and_o unsettled_a state_n of_o christianity_n that_o which_o they_o hold_v at_o first_o be_v not_o perfect_o christ_n doctrine_n nay_o he_o will_v have_v it_o keep_v even_a heretic_n 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the_o other_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n all_o this_o while_n what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o tradition_n we_o assert_v which_o begin_v afterward_o afterward_o 20._o from_o these_o impertinent_a premise_n he_o infer_v as_o impertinent_a a_o conclusion_n viz._n that_o 22._o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n contain_v a_o complete_a rule_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a faith_n as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n now_o that_o what_o be_v signify_v by_o scripture_n be_v the_o same_o the_o apostle_n signify_v by_o their_o preach_v be_v plain_a sense_n and_o never_o deny_v and_o so_o he_o need_v not_o have_v make_v all_o this_o clutter_v to_o prove_v it_o but_o plain_a sense_n will_v do_v he_o no_o service_n who_o best_a play_n it_o be_v to_o blunder_v and_o confound_v every_o thing_n let_v we_o see_v then_o what_o it_o be_v that_o will._n his_o first_o word_n what_o they_o have_v therein_o deliver_v can_v mean_v nothing_o but_o the_o sense_n 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therefore_o whatever_o often_o happen_v through_o the_o imperfection_n of_o creature_n such_o a_o irrational_a assent_n can_v never_o have_v be_v intend_v by_o god._n whence_o as_o it_o belong_v to_o infinite_a goodness_n to_o give_v those_o who_o sincere_o seek_v for_o truth_n the_o grace_n to_o embrace_v it_o so_o it_o belong_v to_o infinite_a wisdom_n to_o lay_v such_o mean_n to_o arrive_v at_o truth_n that_o be_v in_o our_o case_n such_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n as_o both_o evince_n it_o be_v truth_n to_o those_o who_o be_v capable_a according_a to_o the_o most_o exact_a method_n of_o true_a reason_n and_o withal_o perfect_o 135._o secure_v those_o from_o error_n who_o follow_v that_o rule_n let_v they_o be_v as_o weak_a as_o they_o will._n if_o then_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o embrace_v christian_a faith_n as_o a_o truth_n and_o profess_v it_o to_o be_v so_o it_o must_v be_v indeed_o such_o and_o therefore_o the_o ground_n leave_v we_o by_o god_n must_v be_v of_o that_o nature_n as_o to_o prove_v or_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o if_o dr._n st._n have_v no_o such_o ground_n that_o what_o he_o hold_v be_v real_o christ_n doctrine_n he_o ought_v not_o to_o handle_v or_o preach_v controversy_n since_o he_o must_v necessary_o disgrace_v and_o weaken_v christian_a faith_n when_o he_o be_v to_o credit_n and_o establish_v it_o nay_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o pretend_v he_o have_v that_o most_o firm_a and_o most_o strongly-supported_n assent_v call_v faith_n which_o depend_v necessary_o on_o the_o certainty_n that_o it_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n but_o candid_o yield_v he_o have_v opinion_n only_o in_o that_o point_n not_o a_o unalterable_a belief_n it_o be_v true_a but_o only_o a_o good_a conceit_n or_o hope_n that_o it_o be_v so_o or_o may_v be_v so_o too_o weak_a a_o prop_n to_o sustain_v its_o truth_n as_o it_o lean_v on_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n have_v teach_v it_o or_o to_o settle_v the_o basis_n of_o all_o our_o spiritual_a life_n life_n 28._o and_o now_o let_v we_o apply_v this_o discourse_n to_o his_o ground_n or_o rule_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o he_o be_v to_o be_v thus_o assure_v or_o able_a to_o assure_v you_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o controvert_v point_n which_o you_o hear_v so_o warm_o dispute_v in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o it_o so_o much_o import_v you_o to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o it_o be_v scripture_n letter_n in_o text_n that_o be_v think_v to_o relate_v to_o those_o point_n as_o understand_v or_o interpret_v by_o himself_o or_o any_o other_o private_a judgement_n what_o he_o have_v then_o to_o do_v be_v to_o make_v out_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n that_o this_o method_n of_o arrive_v at_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n true_a doctrine_n as_o to_o those_o point_n can_v be_v deceitful_a and_o erroneous_a otherwise_o it_o be_v unavoidable_a his_o faith_n and_o all_o christian_a faith_n no_o better_o ground_v may_v be_v false_a and_o by_o consequence_n be_v not_o true._n he_o will_v tell_v you_o twenty_o fine_a story_n and_o give_v you_o many_o pretty_a word_n of_o its_o be_v sufficient_o certain_a moral_o certain_a that_o it_o have_v such_o assurance_n as_o man_n accept_v for_o other_o matter_n etc._n etc._n but_o ask_v he_o smart_o and_o close_o if_o any_o of_o these_o certainty_n or_o assurance_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o he_o must_v not_o nor_o will_v deny_v it_o for_o shall_v he_o say_v it_o he_o must_v pretend_v he_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o his_o understanding_n those_o text_n right_a which_o he_o can_v not_o do_v without_o profess_v infallibility_n in_o that_o particular_a observe_v i_o beseech_v you_o where_o the_o stress_n of_o the_o whole_a question_n lie_v it_o be_v in_o this_o whether_o this_o ground_n or_o method_n of_o he_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o faith_n be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o to_o have_v be_v true_o and_o indeed_o teach_v by_o christ_n so_o as_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o by_o this_o test_n if_o you_o examine_v the_o very_a good-ground_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o protestant_a faith_n which_o he_o promise_v you_o here_o in_o his_o preface_n you_o will_v find_v evident_o he_o only_o give_v you_o very_o good_a word_n instead_o of_o very_a good_a ground_n and_o that_o whatever_o he_o produce_v whether_o he_o quote_v or_o argue_v he_o will_v never_o vouch_v they_o to_o be_v so_o certain_a but_o deceit_n and_o error_n may_v possible_o consist_v with_o they_o he_o will_v complain_v that_o it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a expectation_n because_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v not_o bear_v it_o and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o tell_v you_o in_o other_o term_n that_o there_o neither_o be_v any_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o faith_n nor_o can_v be_v any_o which_o bid_v fair_a for_o atheism_n unless_o interest_n satisfy_v the_o will_n and_o by_o it_o the_o reason_n by_o his_o speak_v there_o of_o the_o main_a point_n in_o controversy_n between_o we_o i_o perceive_v he_o be_v run_v from_o the_o whole_a business_n in_o hand_n and_o seek_v to_o shelter_v himself_o and_o hide_v his_o head_n in_o a_o wilderness_n but_o he_o shall_v not_o shift_v the_o question_n thus_o and_o fall_v to_o ramble_v into_o endless_a dispute_n himself_o confess_v second_a letter_n p._n 20._o our_o question_n be_v about_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o not_o the_o particular_a certainty_n as_o to_o this_o or_o that_o doctrine_n and_o i_o join_v issue_n with_o he_o upon_o the_o same_o to_o run_v to_o particular_a point_n while_n that_o be_v a_o settle_v be_v to_o put_v the_o conclusion_n before_o the_o premise_n and_o to_o go_v about_o to_o ascertain_v thing_n depend_v entire_o on_o a_o method_n or_o rule_n without_o ascertain_v that_o method_n or_o rule_n first_o be_v to_o begin_v at_o the_o wrong_a end_n and_o make_v the_o cart_n draw_v the_o horse_n horse_n 29._o i_o owe_v he_o yet_o a_o answer_n to_o st._n austin_n he_o allege_v that_o father_n p._n 16._o who_o testimony_n say_v only_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o christ_n own_o handwriting_n and_o that_o he_o direct_v the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o evangelist_n write_v which_o only_o signify_v they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v in_o both_o which_o none_o deny_v nor_o have_v this_o any_o influence_n upon_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n he_o can_v have_v quote_v you_o other_o place_n out_o of_o he_o if_o he_o have_v please_v which_o come_v up_o to_o it_o full_o and_o i_o shall_v supply_v his_o backwardness_n with_o do_v it_o myself_o quaerendi_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la etc._n etc._n 1._o say_v that_o learned_a and_o holy_a father_n the_o doubt_n of_o enquiry_n ought_v not_o to_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o catholic_n faith._n and_o because_o many_o heretic_n use_v to_o draw_v the_o exposition_n of_o the_o divine_a scripture_n to_o their_o own_o opinion_n which_o be_v against_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n discipline_n therefore_o ante_fw-la tractationem_fw-la huius_fw-la 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letter_n than_o against_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o catholic_n discipline_n beside_o if_o catholic_n faith_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v before_o they_o come_v to_o handle_v scripture_n how_o be_v scripture_n the_o rule_n for_o all_o to_o come_v to_o faith_n when_o as_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v have_v nay_o well_o understand_v by_o the_o explanation_n of_o it_o antecedent_o lest_o they_o may_v otherwise_o fall_v into_o heresy_n and_o in_o another_o place_n speak_v of_o a_o false_a point_v of_o the_o letter_n make_v by_o the_o arian_n to_o abet_v their_o heresy_n he_o confute_v they_o thus_o 1._o sed_fw-la hoc_fw-la but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v refute_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n by_o which_o we_o be_v instruct_v beforehand_o in_o the_o equality_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v this_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v hold_v by_o he_o to_o
truth_n be_v behalf_n i_o be_o engage_v with_o a_o adversary_n to_o who_o no_o personal_a insufficiency_n can_v be_v object_v nothing_o can_v make_v the_o victory_n come_v more_o clear_a to_o the_o cause_n i_o be_o defend_v and_o the_o more_o dr_n st._n be_v raise_v above_o the_o common_a level_n of_o writer_n the_o more_o evident_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o nothing_o but_o the_o pure_a force_n of_o truth_n can_v drive_v a_o man_n of_o his_o ability_n to_o such_o unparalleled_a shift_n and_o subterfuge_n to_o palliate_v that_o error_n the_o patronage_n of_o which_o he_o have_v so_o unfortunate_o espouse_v nor_o be_v it_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o even_o the_o best_a wit_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v baffle_v while_o it_o maintain_v such_o a_o cause_n for_o be_v it_o some_o error_n of_o a_o ordinary_a size_n that_o he_o defend_v or_o be_v the_o truth_n which_o he_o oppose_v of_o a_o trivial_a importance_n rhetoric_n and_o misuse_v wit_n may_v perhaps_o bear_v it_o down_o 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reveal_v be_v true._n who_o deny_v it_o or_o what_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o god_n reveal_v to_o the_o certainty_n of_o his_o believe_a right_n unless_o he_o be_v absolute_o certain_a that_o the_o particular_a point_n he_o hold_v be_v indeed_o reveal_v by_o god_n or_o to_o speak_v more_o pertinent_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v teach_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n 2._o he_o be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o his_o rule_n and_o it_o be_v contain_v all_o necessary_a point_n and_o what_o be_v he_o the_o better_a for_o certainty_n of_o this_o if_o still_o he_o remain_v uncertain_a of_o all_o the_o particular_a article_n he_o be_v to_o believe_v by_o it_o 3._o that_o god_n grace_n be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n formal_o divine_a which_o be_v grant_v but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o prove_v it_o by_o a_o natural_a medium_fw-la to_o have_v come_v from_o christ_n as_o he_o must_v do_v to_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o way_n to_o faith_n conclusive_a evidence_n must_v be_v produce_v for_o 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christ._n 4._o therefore_o scripture_n letter_n interpretable_a by_o private_a judgement_n be_v not_o the_o way_n leave_v by_o god_n to_o know_v sure_o what_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v or_o sure_o to_o arrive_v at_o right_a faith._n 5._o therefore_o they_o who_o take_v only_o that_o way_n can_v by_v it_o arrive_v sure_o at_o right_a faith_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o arrive_v at_o the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n or_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o it_o the_o reader_n may_v know_v that_o this_o very_a discourse_n in_o substance_n be_v propose_v to_o he_o many_o year_n ago_o by_o a_o worthy_a lady_n of_o who_o sincerity_n i_o believe_v himself_o do_v not_o doubt_n he_o make_v a_o ramble_a discourse_n of_o his_o own_o against_o it_o unappliable_a to_o any_o proposition_n
in_o it_o the_o lady_n have_v a_o high_a opinion_n of_o dr._n st_n part_n judge_v it_o impossible_a a_o man_n of_o his_o learning_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o a_o few_o line_n in_o so_o long_a a_o time_n not_o reflect_v how_o connected_a truth_n hamper_v a_o adversary_n and_o be_v perfect_o unanswerable_a so_o she_o press_v vehement_o for_o a_o second_o &_o a_o distinct_a answer_n after_o some_o tedious_a expectation_n he_o send_v another_o more_o insignificant_a if_o possible_a than_o the_o former_a which_o see_v and_o the_o lady_n now_o satisfy_v that_o he_o upon_o who_o she_o most_o rely_v have_v do_v his_o utmost_a she_o alter_v her_o judgement_n upon_o no_o other_o inducement_n than_o the_o see_v plain_o that_o his_o principle_n resolve_v all_o certainty_n of_o faith_n final_o into_o the_o private_a spirit_n the_o drs_n reflecter_n be_v set_v on_o like_o a_o unexperienced_a perdu_fw-fr soldier_n to_o combat_v it_o with_o a_o distinct_a answer_n but_o alas_o etc._n he_o be_v show_v to_o falter_v or_o falsify_v in_o every_o particular_a this_o ill_a success_n make_v the_o dr._n grow_v wary_a in_o speak_v to_o any_o particular_a part_n of_o it_o but_o think_v it_o safe_a here_o to_o stand_v aloof_o and_o throw_v stone_n at_o distance_n instead_o of_o grapple_v with_o it_o near_a hand_n his_o answer_n be_v that_o it_o proceed_v upon_o two_o false_a supposition_n and_o overthrow_v the_o possibility_n of_o any_o rule_n of_o faith._n my_o first_o false_a supposition_n be_v 34._o that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n without_o infallibility_n no_o true_a or_o absolute_a certainty_n good_a dr._n for_o as_o for_o your_o moral_a certainty_n it_o may_v be_v fallible_a enough_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o hate_v such_o nonsense_n as_o to_o say_v i_o be_o perfect_o certain_a of_o a_o thing_n yet_o peradventure_o i_o be_o deceive_v the_o word_n absolute_a signify_v perfect_a and_o certainty_n if_o true_a be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n or_o thing_n without_o we_o and_o if_o they_o stand_v perfect_o engage_v by_o a_o true_a knowledge_n of_o they_o they_o will_v not_o be_v what_o they_o be_v if_o when_o we_o true_o conceive_v they_o as_o they_o be_v our_o conception_n or_o judgement_n of_o they_o can_v be_v false_a that_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o that_o particular_a infallible_a this_o be_v plain_a sense_n and_o tell_v he_o long_o ago_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v also_o in_o 36.37_o faith_n vindicated_n that_o true_a certainty_n &_o infallibility_n be_v all_o one_o what_o answer_v he_o why_o he_o make_v as_o if_o he_o have_v never_o know_v or_o hear_v of_o our_o argument_n for_o it_o but_o fall_v to_o talk_v of_o the_o 36._o stoic_n mark_v epicurus_n his_o foolery_n he_o learned_o mistake_v the_o definition_n man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n for_o a_o demonstration_n and_o dislike_v it_o at_o the_o same_o time_n last_o he_o tell_v we_o many_o other_o thing_n the_o ancient_n hold_v or_o say_v which_o be_v nothing_o to_o i_o who_o judge_n i_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o certainty_n and_o resolve_v of_o truth_n into_o their_o principle_n as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v and_o do_v think_v they_o very_o weak_a to_o stand_v dispute_v with_o the_o perfect_a sceptic_n or_o convince_a they_o by_o criterion_n because_o all_o discourse_n suppose_v something_o certain_a to_o build_v upon_o otherwise_o it_o may_v go_v on_o endless_o that_o be_v will_v be_v to_o no_o end_n and_o the_o sceptic_n admit_v no_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o 40._o his_o application_n of_o those_o preparative_n be_v that_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n in_o prove_v the_o present_a faith_n to_o be_v christ_n doctrine_n and_o so_o he_o hope_v to_o save_v his_o own_o credit_n for_o produce_v none_o let_v the_o credit_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o repute_n of_o its_o be_v a_o absolute_o certain_a truth_n go_v where_o it_o will_v for_o he_o however_o to_o avoid_v the_o shame_n just_o due_a to_o such_o a_o position_n he_o must_v cast_v in_o some_o good_a word_n to_o fool_v his_o reader_n and_o so_o he_o grant_v that_o they_o who_o use_v due_a care_n and_o diligence_n may_v attain_v to_o a_o true_a certainty_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o mind_n as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n but_o he_o never_o attempt_v to_o show_v that_o possible_o they_o may_v not_o do_v so_o 36._o but_o may_v hap_v to_o fall_v into_o damnable_a heresy_n as_o the_o socinian_o do_v who_o for_o aught_o he_o or_o i_o know_v use_v as_o much_o care_n and_o diligence_n as_o he_o and_o his_o party_n use_v again_o what_o mean_v satisfaction_n of_o mind_n be_v faith_n ever_o a_o jot_n more_o certain_a or_o true_a because_o some_o may_v be_v satisfy_v it_o be_v be_v not_o the_o socinian_o as_o well_o satisfy_v in_o mind_n that_o christ_n be_v not_o god_n as_o the_o dr._n be_v that_o he_o be_v god_n moreover_o if_o the_o argument_n he_o bring_v to_o prove_v his_o faith_n to_o be_v christ_n true_a doctrine_n do_v not_o conclude_v it_o be_v a_o thousand_o to_o one_o that_o acute_a and_o intelligent_a man_n will_v find_v the_o flaw_n in_o it_o and_o what_o can_v those_o man_n do_v in_o that_o case_n so_o they_o be_v true_a to_o their_o reason_n the_o only_a light_n they_o can_v yet_o guide_v themselves_o by_o must_v they_o assent_v that_o his_o faith_n come_v from_o christ_n when_o they_o see_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o proof_n he_o bring_v for_o it_o it_o may_v not_o be_v christ_n and_o hazard_v to_o embrace_v that_o doctrine_n for_o his_o faith_n which_o may_v for_o any_o thing_n they_o know_v have_v the_o father_n of_o lie_n for_o its_o author_n they_o must_v suspend_v then_o in_o that_o case_n and_o justify_v themselves_o by_o allege_v that_o the_o best_a argument_n the_o most_o learned_a christian_n bring_v to_o prove_v it_o conclude_v nothing_o nay_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v they_o will_v disgrace_v the_o faithful_a as_o a_o company_n of_o fop_n for_o believe_v upon_o weak_a ground_n and_o by_o show_v they_o such_o lay_v a_o just_a scandal_n upon_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o pretend_v to_o hold_v what_o christ_n teach_v when_o as_o yet_o none_o in_o it_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o be_v his_o doctrine_n and_o how_o will_v they_o laugh_v christian_n out_o of_o countenance_n if_o proceed_v on_o dr_n st_n short_a ground_n they_o shall_v only_o show_v they_o a_o well-attested_n book_n contain_v those_o doctrine_n without_o ascertain_v absolute_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o when_o as_o only_o that_o sense_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o be_v worse_o when_o they_o see_v multitude_n of_o numerous_a sect_n at_o perpetual_a and_o irreconcilable_a variance_n about_o that_o sense_n the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n then_o must_v be_v such_o as_o set_v faith_n above_o any_o peradventure_o of_o not_o be_v christ_n true_a doctrine_n and_o so_o secure_v all_o who_o rely_v on_o it_o how_o weak_a soever_o from_o be_v deceive_v or_o in_o a_o error_n and_o withal_o it_o must_v be_v such_o as_o intelligent_a man_n seek_v for_o assurance_n of_o christ_n faith_n may_v be_v satisfy_v it_o be_v able_a to_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v such_o and_o the_o more_o learned_a faithful_a evince_n to_o doubter_n and_o convince_v opposer_n that_o the_o faith_n hold_v now_o by_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n be_v the_o selfsame_a that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v at_o first_o but_o dr_n st._n dare_v not_o affirm_v any_o of_o this_o of_o his_o rule_n of_o faith_n therefore_o his_o pretend_a rule_n be_v none_o his_o instance_n of_o true_a certainty_n attainable_a without_o infallibility_n in_o that_o point_n of_o faith_n viz._n 36._o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n 25.26_o be_v partly_o answer_v in_o my_o four_o catholic_n letter_n and_o his_o allege_v it_o have_v one_o strange_a inadvertence_n in_o it_o which_o i_o wonder_v he_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o which_o be_v that_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n he_o have_v it_o seem_v forget_v that_o to_o manifest_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v the_o main_a point_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o that_o he_o do_v miracle_n to_o attest_v that_o doctrine_n and_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o be_v that_o person_n which_o miracle_n be_v infallible_a mark_n that_o that_o doctrine_n of_o he_o in_o that_o point_n be_v true._n and_o when_o the_o dr._n produce_v miracle_n to_o abet_v his_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n than_o he_o may_v have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n to_o lay_v aside_o the_o public_a interpretation_n of_o the_o church_n again_o he_o be_v quite_o out_o as_o to_o the_o subject_a of_o his_o discourse_n for_o though_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o
faith_n in_o the_o jewish_a law_n that_o a_o messiah_n be_v to_o come_v yet_o that_o this_o very_a person_n jesus_n christ_n be_v to_o be_v that_o messiah_n be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n among_o they_o and_o god_n providence_n we_o see_v take_v a_o far_o better_a way_n to_o make_v it_o out_o than_o private_a interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n unless_o he_o think_v miracle_n no_o more_o effectual_a nor_o more_o certain_a than_o private_a interpretation_n be_v what_o insignificant_a nothing_o this_o man_n bring_v for_o his_o choice_a argument_n and_o what_o pain_n he_o take_v in_o the_o worst_a cause_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n to_o maintain_v that_o christian_a faith_n need_v not_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a and_o this_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v every_o christian_n interest_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o because_o his_o bad_a principle_n can_v afford_v he_o no_o argument_n to_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v such_o 41._o his_o pretence_n of_o my_o second_o false_a supposition_n viz._n that_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n 37._o according_a to_o i_o must_v be_v a_o mechanical_a rule_n and_o not_o a_o rational_a be_v weak_a beyond_o expression_n every_o scholar_n know_v his_o friend_n dr._n t._n particular_o who_o take_v the_o same_o way_n and_o use_v the_o same_o expression_n rule_n of_o faith._n p._n 4._o that_o metaphor_n be_v translate_v from_o material_a to_o intellectual_a thing_n in_o regard_n we_o have_v no_o genuine_a conception_n of_o these_o late_a and_o indeed_o most_o of_o the_o language_n of_o christianity_n be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o expression_n whence_o we_o can_v argue_v by_o analogy_n from_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o the_o word_n rule_n be_v one_o of_o those_o metaphorical_a word_n and_o hence_o we_o say_v that_o as_o a_o material_a rule_n be_v that_o by_o which_o if_o we_o draw_v our_o pen_n it_o direct_v we_o to_o make_v a_o right_a line_n so_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v intend_v by_o god_n to_o direct_v we_o to_o truth_n will_v lead_v those_o right_n who_o follow_v it_o and_o regulate_v themselves_o by_o it_o do_v not_o this_o metaphor_n look_v a_o little_a more_o proper_a and_o the_o discourse_n upon_o it_o hang_v better_a together_o than_o his_o liken_v scripture_n to_o a_o purse_n yet_o he_o utter_o dislike_v it_o and_o tell_v the_o reader_n i_o false_o suppose_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n must_v be_v a_o mechanical_a or_o carpenter_n rule_n with_o all_o its_o dimension_n fix_v 37._o and_o deny_v that_o himself_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v such_o a_o material_a or_o mechanical_a rule_n nor_o any_o man_n sure_a that_o be_v not_o stark_a mad._n 38._o again_o do_v we_o here_o meddle_v with_o its_o dimension_n or_o how_o much_o be_v of_o faith_n as_o he_o do_v when_o he_o speak_v of_o his_o rule_n the_o straightness_n of_o the_o draught_n preserve_v we_o from_o the_o obliquity_n of_o error_n be_v the_o only_a point_n we_o aim_v at_o next_o he_o deny_v there_o be_v any_o such_o intellectual_a rule_n 38._o because_o there_o may_v be_v mistake_v in_o the_o understanding_n and_o apply_v it_o and_o therefore_o care_n and_o diligence_n and_o impartiality_n be_v require_v else_o man_n may_v miss_v how_o miss_v though_o they_o follow_v it_o then_o itself_o be_v not_o straight_o and_o so_o no_o rule_n for_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o have_v a_o power_n to_o regulate_v or_o direct_v we_o right_o or_o keep_v the_o understanding_n that_o follow_v it_o from_o miss_v and_o to_o follow_v it_o be_v all_o the_o application_n it_o can_v need_v to_o do_v its_o effect_n whence_o all_o the_o care_n and_o diligence_n and_o impartiality_n he_o speak_v of_o must_v be_v employ_v in_o see_v they_o do_v indeed_o follow_v it_o for_o none_o of_o these_o can_v help_v or_o hinder_v the_o rule_n in_o its_o power_n of_o direct_v since_o it_o have_v this_o of_o it_o self_n independent_o of_o the_o person_n but_o his_o rule_n though_o all_o these_o as_o far_o as_o we_o mortal_n can_v discern_v be_v use_v by_o the_o socinian_o in_o the_o follow_v it_o still_o suffer_v those_o careful_a and_o diligent_a and_o impartial_a follower_n of_o it_o to_o err_v in_o faith_n therefore_o it_o be_v no_o rule_n of_o faith._n but_o it_o be_v mighty_a pretty_a to_o observe_v that_o when_o he_o be_v pinch_v with_o plain_a sense_n he_o ever_o and_o anon_o run_v to_o the_o old_a philosopher_n 37._o who_o he_o say_v will_v have_v laugh_v at_o i_o for_o apply_v a_o material_a rule_n to_o intellectual_a thing_n sure_o he_o be_v not_o well_o awake_a i_o draw_v a_o metaphor_n indeed_o from_o a_o material_a rule_n to_o a_o intellectual_a one_o and_o then_o apply_v that_o intellectual_a rule_n to_o intellectual_a thing_n but_o i_o know_v none_o so_o mad_a as_o to_o apply_v a_o material_a rule_n to_o intellectual_a thing_n unless_o he_o think_v i_o be_o measure_v faith_n by_o a_o tailor_n yard_n or_o find_v out_o the_o right_a sense_n of_o scripture_n by_o a_o ruler_n and_o a_o rule_v pen._n 38._o 42._o but_o why_o presbyterian_o and_o socinian_o this_o insinuation_n say_v he_o have_v as_o much_o folly_n as_o malice_n in_o it_o and_o make_v as_o though_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v socinian_n in_o those_o point_n viz._n the_o trinity_n and_o godhead_n of_o christ._n god_n forbid_v i_o shall_v be_v so_o injurious_a to_o they_o i_o do_v assure_v he_o and_o they_o faithful_o i_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o piece_n of_o justice_n to_o they_o and_o put_v in_o presbyterian_o instead_o of_o protestant_n because_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o hope_v those_o private-spirited_n principle_n be_v none_o of_o they_o and_o that_o divers_a of_o their_o eminent_a writer_n have_v own_a the_o universal_a tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n for_o their_o rule_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o i_o have_v some_o ground_n to_o think_v they_o may_v in_o time_n have_v profess_v it_o public_o have_v not_o dr._n st_n irenicum-doctrine_n 6._o fill_v that_o church_n with_o man_n of_o no_o steady_a principle_n and_o make_v luke_o warm_a person_n flock_v into_o it_o corrupt_v its_o body_n by_o which_o mean_v there_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o few_o church-of-england_n men._n but_o why_o so_o choleric_a why_o such_o wince_a and_o kick_v i_o do_v assure_v he_o i_o do_v not_o think_v i_o have_v in_o the_o least_o touch_v he_o if_o he_o be_v so_o over-apprehensive_a and_o angry_a withal_o i_o fear_v he_o have_v do_v himself_o more_o wrong_a in_o take_v it_o to_o himself_o than_o i_o ever_o intend_v he_o again_o what_o mean_v he_o by_o we_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n i_o be_o tell_v by_o a_o hearty_a member_n of_o it_o and_o one_o who_o own_v his_o name_n too_o how_o true_a it_o be_v let_v the_o dr_n conscience_n look_v to_o it_o that_o 13._o he_o be_v content_v to_o sit_v and_o sing_v in_o the_o bear_a branch_n of_o that_o church_n so_o long_o as_o he_o fill_v his_o pocket_n but_o when_o the_o gather_a time_n be_v over_o it_o be_v to_o be_v cut_v down_o as_o that_o which_o cumber_v the_o ground_n by_o which_o he_o see_v that_o he_o must_v either_o clear_v himself_o by_o a_o candid_a and_o full_a retractation_n of_o his_o ill_a principle_n or_o he_o will_v have_v no_o title_n to_o the_o word_n we_o but_o we_o be_v come_v forward_o to_o his_o far_a defence_n of_o his_o rule_n 39_o or_o rather_o to_o his_o overthrow_v the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n in_o order_n to_o which_o he_o ask_v how_o can_v reason_n be_v certain_a in_o any_o thing_n if_o man_n follow_v their_o reason_n can_v mistake_v very_o easy_o because_o reason_n be_v a_o faculty_n or_o a_o power_n apt_a to_o be_v actuate_v by_o true_a or_o false_a principle_n and_o according_o it_o be_v determinable_a to_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n but_o if_o reason_n follow_v any_o maxim_n take_v it_o to_o be_v a_o principle_n to_o such_o a_o thing_n and_o yet_o err_v in_o that_o thing_n than_o that_o pretend_a principle_n be_v no_o true_a principle_n yet_o say_v he_o ibid._n man_n following_z the_o rule_n of_o arithmetic_n may_v mistake_v in_o cast_v up_o a_o summ._n and_o can_v he_o serious_o think_v that_o a_o man_n who_o cast_v it_o up_o false_a do_v not_o decline_v while_o he_o thus_o mistake_v from_o arithmetical_a rule_n may_v he_o not_o with_o as_o good_a sense_n say_v that_o two_o and_o three_o do_v not_o make_v five_o for_o all_o rule_n of_o computation_n hang_v together_o by_o the_o same_o necessity_n in_o a_o word_n his_o instance_n falter_v in_o the_o three_o proposition_n viz._n that_o two_o who_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o same_o way_n differ_v at_o least_o a_o hundred_o in_o cast_v up_o the_o sum._n which_o be_v false_a and_o by_o alter_v the_o term_n
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st._n but_o that_o when_o he_o be_v most_o high_o engage_v to_o produce_v his_o proof_n for_o that_o most_o important_a point_n he_o recurr_v still_o to_o hole_n as_o dark_a as_o the_o private_a spirit_n what_o can_v they_o do_v other_o be_v there_o no_o better_a ground_n than_o his_o producible_a but_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certainty_n of_o christian_a faith_n at_o all_o and_o that_o the_o great_a professor_n and_o writer_n do_v by_o their_o carriage_n confess_v as_o much_o and_o thence_o come_v to_o apprehend_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o mere_a cheat_n to_o keep_v up_o the_o interest_n and_o ambition_n of_o those_o who_o look_v for_o rich_a live_n and_o affect_v to_o have_v many_o follower_n which_o will_v bring_v they_o to_o a_o mepris_n of_o religion_n itself_o and_o so_o dwindle_v into_o atheism_n this_o be_v the_o natural_a progress_n of_o dr_n st_n principle_n from_o which_o ill_a consequence_n he_o shall_v never_o clear_v himself_o till_o he_o show_v we_o the_o 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then_o call_v it_o a_o easy_a answer_n and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o answer_n at_o all_o i_o must_v confess_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a one_o for_o any_o man_n may_v with_o ease_n answer_v a_o thousand_o objection_n in_o a_o trice_n at_o that_o rate_n nothing_o be_v easy_a than_o to_o omit_v all_o that_o be_v object_v but_o i_o dare_v undertake_v that_o whoever_o read_v my_o three_o catholic_n letter_n p._n 37.38.39.40_o where_o four_o several_a prevarication_n be_v charge_v upon_o he_o in_o give_v one_o single_a answer_n to_o mr._n g_n question_n will_v judge_v it_o so_o far_o from_o easy_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o answer_v even_o with_o any_o degree_n of_o plausibility_n but_o with_o this_o sleightness_n he_o slip_v over_o most_o of_o my_o objection_n in_o my_o letter_n and_o supply_v the_o defect_n with_o confident_a talk_n or_o a_o scornful_a jest._n but_o because_o his_o main_a shuffle_n be_v his_o alter_v those_o word_n of_o the_o question_n all_o the_o divine_a 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and_o silver_n of_o faith_n out_o thence_o with_o absolute_a certainty_n and_o how_o to_o secure_v those_o that_o aim_v to_o enrich_v themselves_o by_o it_o that_o instead_o of_o extract_v the_o pure_a gold_n of_o truth_n by_o understanding_n right_o those_o high_a and_o most_o inestimable_a article_n the_o ransacker_n of_o it_o do_v not_o draw_v out_o thence_o the_o impure_a dross_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n last_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v put_v two_o purse_n one_o the_o head_n and_o heart_n of_o the_o faithful_a into_o which_o the_o apostle_n put_v this_o heavenly_a treasure_n of_o faith_n by_o their_o preach_a the_o other_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n into_o which_o they_o put_v it_o by_o write_v and_o that_o faith_n be_v proper_o in_o the_o former_a only_o in_o regard_n truth_n be_v no_o where_o formal_o but_o in_o the_o
to_o heaven_n and_o consequent_o whether_o it_o may_v not_o be_v open_v and_o understand_v by_o all_o person_n in_o matter_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o salvation_n what_o a_o ramble_a what_o a_o clutter_v of_o question_n be_v here_o when_o he_o know_v and_o it_o have_v be_v repeat_v near_o a_o hundred_o a_o time_n over_o that_o our_o only_a question_n be_v whether_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n be_v intelligible_a by_o all_o sort_n come_v to_o faith_n in_o those_o reveal_v article_n which_o be_v proper_o christian_n with_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o be_v fit_a to_o build_v faith_n upon_o but_o this_o be_v one_o main_a part_n of_o his_o confute_v talon_n to_o throw_v in_o twenty_o question_n so_o none_o of_o they_o be_v the_o right_a one_o however_o though_o he_o will_v not_o keep_v the_o way_n he_o will_v triumph_v unless_o we_o follow_v he_o out_o of_o the_o way_n to_o his_o question_n than_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o none_o but_o madman_n ever_o think_v or_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v to_o interpret_v it_o as_o obscure_v to_o the_o people_n in_o all_o point_n for_o ordinary_a moral_a passage_n such_o as_o the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v plain_a enough_o of_o themselves_o why_o do_v he_o not_o instance_n in_o the_o trinity_n the_o godhead_n of_o christ_n and_o such_o like_a which_o and_o only_o which_o we_o say_v be_v obscure_a because_o that_o have_v be_v to_o speak_v to_o our_o purpose_n and_o he_o think_v it_o safe_o for_o he_o to_o suggest_v other_o matter_n which_o be_v not_o all_o to_o purpose_n 2._o they_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o general_n good_a of_o the_o church_n to_o direct_v they_o in_o their_o life_n and_o so_o in_o their_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o to_o that_o end_n be_v free_o read_v by_o all_o that_o can_v understand_v latin_a and_o may_v likely_o have_v continue_v permit_v to_o all_o even_a of_o the_o most_o vulgar_a capacity_n have_v not_o man_n of_o his_o principle_n make_v they_o think_v themselves_o when_o they_o 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plain_a and_o easy_a as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v guess_v by_o a_o man_n word_n who_o whole_a discourse_n be_v make_v up_o of_o reserve_v he_o mistake_v the_o rule_n of_o manner_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o thus_o mean_v it_o be_v indeed_o plain_a and_o easy_a but_o as_o it_o be_v such_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o question_n in_o debate_n which_o be_v of_o christian_a faith_n &_o so_o it_o be_v nothing_o to_o our_o purpose_n ay_o but_o bellarmin_n say_v scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n and_o that_o a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a one_o but_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o proof_n he_o speak_v only_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n 78._o and_o this_o as_o to_o the_o law_n testimony_n or_o commandment_n which_o be_v easy_o intelligible_a as_o be_v either_o levitical_a ordinance_n or_o moral_a precept_n ay_o but_o christ_n prove_v his_o doctrine_n by_o the_o scripture_n and_o confute_v the_o sadducee_n from_o they_o well_o give_v we_o such_o a_o interpreter_n of_o scripture_n as_o christ_n be_v and_o we_o shall_v not_o doubt_v but_o they_o will_v prove_v his_o doctrine_n and_o confute_v all_o the_o heretic_n in_o the_o world._n his_o refer_v the_o pharisee_n to_o scripture_n be_v ad_fw-la hominem_fw-la for_o they_o allow_v the_o scripture_n yet_o will_v not_o believe_v his_o miracle_n though_o sure_a dr_n st._n will_v not_o say_v but_o christ_n miracle_n be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n more_o convince_a argument_n than_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n make_v or_o allow_v by_o the_o pharisee_n but_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o our_o purpose_n i_o give_v three_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n rule_n in_o my_o three_o catholic_n letter_n 82.83_o and_o show_v he_o in_o which_o of_o those_o sense_n it_o be_v and_o can_v only_o be_v call_v a_o rule_n in_o our_o circumstance_n but_o i_o may_v as_o well_o have_v speak_v to_o a_o deaf_a man_n he_o must_v either_o counterfeit_n he_o never_o hear_v of_o it_o or_o he_o see_v he_o must_v be_v baffle_v common_a word_n be_v his_o constant_a refuge_n and_o to_o speak_v distinct_o expose_v he_o to_o be_v nonplus_v his_o friend_n 40._o dr_n tillotson_n maintain_v that_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o next_o and_o immediate_a mean_n whereby_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v convey_v to_o we_o do_v he_o pretend_v that_o learned_a cardinal_n hold_v scripture_n letter_n to_o be_v such_o a_o rule_n for_o all_o people_n come_v to_o christian_a faith_n to_o know_v certain_o its_o sense_n in_o these_o high_a mystery_n without_o the_o church_n interpretation_n the_o dr_n know_v he_o abhor_v the_o tenet_n as_o the_o source_n of_o all_o heresy_n yet_o he_o quote_v he_o on_o to_o say_v that_o nihil_fw-la est_fw-la notius_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la certius_fw-la nothing_o be_v more_o know_v nothing_o more_o certain_a than_o the_o scripture_n 78._o and_o immediate_o apply_v it_o against_o i_o for_o say_v that_o the_o 43.44.45_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o understanding_n the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v get_v out_o of_o the_o letter_n but_o where_o be_v his_o sincerity_n not_o a_o syllable_n have_v bellarmin_n of_o scripture_n be_v so_o know_v as_o to_o its_o sense_n nor_o any_o thing_n that_o look_v that_o way_n 1.2_o he_o speak_v only_o of_o the_o canon_n or_o book_n be_v most_o know_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n who_o for_o so_o many_o age_n acknowledge_v its_o high_a authority_n and_o that_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a and_o true_a in_o its_o self_n as_o not_o contain_v humane_a invention_n but_o divine_a oracle_n so_o that_o our_o learned_a dr_n be_v exceed_o brisk_a when_o he_o get_v the_o sound_n of_o any_o word_n on_o his_o side_n no_o matter_n whether_o the_o sense_n be_v for_o he_o or_o against_o he_o if_o he_o can_v but_o gull_v his_o reader_n dextrous_o his_o work_n be_v do_v for_o a_o transition_n to_o treat_v of_o a_o rule_n he_o tell_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o have_v spend_v twenty_o year_n hard_a labour_n about_o it_o i_o have_v indeed_o employ_v some_o year_n and_o much_o pain_n in_o write_v several_a treatise_n to_o settle_v christian_a faith_n as_o to_o our_o knowledge_n of_o it_o on_o a_o sure_a basis_n which_o he_o and_o his_o copartner_n be_v still_o undermine_v and_o i_o glory_n in_o the_o performance_n in_o return_n i_o will_v not_o tell_v the_o dr_n that_o mr_n lowth_n say_v he_o spend_v a_o long_a time_n that_o be_v 17._o full_a five_o and_o twenty_o year_n in_o a_o worse_a employment_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o i_o have_v through_o god_n blessing_n in_o less_o than_o two_o month_n time_n write_v a_o little_a treatise_n against_o his_o principle_n call_v error_n nonplus_v which_o he_o have_v be_v fifteen_o year_n in_o answer_v and_o all_o his_o quirk_n will_v never_o enable_v he_o to_o give_v it_o even_o a_o plausible_a reply_n in_o fifteen_o more_o 61._o and_o now_o we_o be_v come_v to_o scan_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n which_o be_v a_o point_n to_o be_v manage_v mere_o by_o reason_n the_o reader_n must_v expect_v that_o one_o of_o we_o must_v necessary_o speak_v perfect_a nonsense_n for_o however_o both_o side_n may_v talk_v pretty_o &_o plausible_o when_o the_o business_n be_v handle_v in_o a_o wordish_a way_n of_o gloze_a citation_n &_o such_o knack_n of_o superficial_a knowledge_n where_o the_o waxen_a ambiguous_a expression_n may_v be_v make_v pliable_a to_o the_o writer_n fancy_n yet_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v not_o brook_v they_o shall_v be_v injure_v but_o will_v revenge_v themselves_o upon_o he_o that_o wrong_v they_o by_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o shame_n of_o speak_v perfect_a contradiction_n i_o 81._o allege_v that_o the_o word_n rule_n speak_v rectitude_n and_o that_o such_o a_o evident_a one_o as_o preserve_v those_o who_o regulate_v
letter_n or_o right_a sense_n of_o scripture_n or_o that_o no_o book_n be_v lose_v etc._n etc._n and_o so_o there_o be_v a_o end_n of_o his_o problematical_a faith._n i_o must_v confess_v that_o to_o prove_v first_o principle_n false_a be_v something_o difficult_a but_o i_o have_v reduce_v the_o business_n to_o as_o narrow_a a_o compass_n as_o i_o can_v that_o he_o may_v make_v short_a work_n of_o it_o he_o recurr_v at_o present_a for_o want_v of_o some_o clear_a proof_n 93._o to_o god_n providence_n concern_v in_o preserve_a book_n write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n of_o which_o none_o doubt_v but_o why_o shall_v not_o god_n providence_n be_v as_o much_o concern_v in_o preserve_v his_o church_n from_o err_v in_o faith_n that_o so_o both_o all_o those_o book_n their_o letter_n and_o sense_n may_v be_v keep_v right_a as_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a or_o why_o be_v god_n providence_n the_o less_o for_o make_v the_o church_n care_n and_o help_v the_o mean_n to_o preserve_v both_o the_o book_n and_o letter_n of_o scripture_n from_o suffer_a detriment_n last_o why_o must_v his_o providence_n be_v confine_v to_o only_a translator_n and_o transcriber_n 68_o dr_n st._n in_o his_o second_o letter_n to_o mr._n g._n p._n 32._o make_v the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o rule_n of_o his_o faith._n to_o show_v the_o inconsistency_n of_o his_o tenet_n and_o utter_o overthrow_v his_o pretence_n of_o that_o rule_n i_o 58.59_o allege_v that_o if_o the_o whole_a canon_n be_v his_o rule_n than_o his_o rule_n be_v deficient_a for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n till_o the_o whole_a canon_n be_v collect_v and_o acknowledge_v i_o press_v far_o that_o since_o it_o must_v take_v up_o some_o time_n ere_o those_o several_a book_n be_v spread_v and_o accept_v sometime_o the_o primitive_a church_n have_v according_a to_o his_o principle_n but_o three_o quarter_n of_o their_o faith_n half_o of_o their_o faith_n or_o less_o and_o so_o be_v but_o three-quarters_o or_o half-christians_a according_a as_o the_o several_a piece_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v universal_o accept_v for_o no_o man_n of_o sense_n can_v doubt_v but_o that_o it_o cost_v some_o time_n ere_o the_o church_n so_o diffuse_v hear_v of_o all_o those_o book_n and_o much_o more_o ere_o they_o can_v be_v perfect_o satisfy_v of_o the_o universal_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n ascertain_v they_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n divine_o inspire_v in_o regard_v it_o be_v of_o most_o dangerous_a consequence_n to_o accept_v that_o for_o god_n word_n which_o be_v not_o beyond_o all_o doubt_n such_o so_o that_o we_o may_v with_o reason_n imagine_v that_o some_o church_n have_v at_o first_o but_o two_o or_o three_o book_n of_o scripture_n other_o but_o four_o or_o five_o that_o be_v well_o attest_v or_o can_v be_v rely_v on_o in_o such_o a_o high_a concern_v add_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a false_a gospel_n and_o spacious_a book_n give_v out_o under_o the_o name_n of_o have_v the_o 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best_a arbitrator_n between_o we_o in_o all_o our_o controversy_n about_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o doubtful_a that_o be_v controvert_v place_n of_o scripture_n now_o one_o will_v very_o think_v this_o press_a discourse_n follow_v the_o point_n in_o question_n so_o close_a and_o pursue_v it_o so_o home_o be_v exceed_o worth_a his_o while_n to_o answer_n if_o he_o can_v since_o it_o touch_v his_o rule_n and_o his_o cause_n to_o the_o quick_a now_o le_fw-fr we_o see_v what_o he_o say_v in_o their_o defence_n the_o substance_n of_o his_o answer_n for_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v impertinent_a be_v a_o most_o doughty_a and_o most_o weighty_a word_n if_o if_o god_n say_v he_o have_v so_o abundant_o provide_v for_o his_o church_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o full_a revelation_n of_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o rest_n 95._o than_o the_o dispute_v the_o authority_n of_o such_o a_o epistle_n meaning_n that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v not_o derogate_v from_o the_o compleatness_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith._n what_o be_v become_v of_o his_o sincerity_n and_o moral_a honesty_n which_o he_o so_o profess_v to_o love_n do_v i_o speak_v of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v not_o i_o not_o only_o speak_v of_o but_o most_o express_o discourse_v all_o along_o of_o those_o many_o or_o most_o book_n of_o scripture_n not_o universal_o know_v and_o accept_v at_o the_o very_a first_o but_o by_o degree_n spread_v and_o gain_v in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o credit_n of_o be_v authentic_a do_v not_o my_o discourse_n that_o by_o his_o principle_n the_o primitive_a church_n have_v but_o three_o quarter_n of_o her_o faith_n half_a her_o faith_n or_o less_o bar_v this_o sham_a pretence_n that_o i_o speak_v only_o of_o that_o epistle_n or_o do_v he_o think_v i_o mean_v that_o that_o single_a epistle_n be_v half_a or_o three_o quarter_n of_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n and_o now_o reader_n i_o beg_v thy_o leave_n to_o insist_v here_o upon_o this_o prevarication_n as_o a_o 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a_o act_n of_o prudence_n antecedent_n to_o the_o judgement_n or_o determination_n of_o any_o church_n 57_o and_o so_o can_v not_o make_v or_o mar_v the_o latin_a church_n infallibility_n in_o her_o judgement_n or_o decree_n he_o fall_v into_o a_o gross_a mistake_n of_o the_o word_n antecedent_n and_o erect_v a_o trophy_n of_o victory_n upon_o his_o own_o error_n to_o clear_v which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o our_o divine_n admit_v prudentiall_a consideration_n in_o any_o church_n even_o though_o hold_v infallible_a previous_a to_o her_o decree_n &_o yet_o do_v not_o hold_v that_o church_n be_v infallible_a in_o those_o act_n of_o prudence_n which_o be_v thus_o antecedent_n now_o though_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o my_o discourse_n there_o show_v clear_o that_o i_o speak_v of_o a_o antecedency_n in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a action_n or_o of_o a_o prudentiall_a deliberation_n antecedent_n to_o a_o absolute_a decision_n he_o turn_v it_o to_o a_o antecedency_n in_o chronology_n or_o of_o more_o ancient_a writer_n 96._o and_o when_o he_o have_v apply_v that_o word_n to_o a_o wrong_a matter_n he_o have_v the_o vanity_n to_o insult_v but_o he_o say_v i_o say_v not_o a_o syllable_n to_o his_o prove_v hence_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v not_o then_o believe_v infallible_a sure_o he_o never_o consider_v what_o he_o pretend_v to_o answer_v for_o by_o say_v it_o be_v not_o only_o a_o act_n of_o prudence_n antecedent_n to_o any_o degree_n i_o show_v there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o show_v what_o be_v then_o believe_v of_o her_o infallibility_n or_o not_o believe_v again_o since_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n depend_v on_o testimony_n other_o church_n may_v perhaps_o know_v that_o better_a for_o some_o time_n than_o she._n but_o the_o worst_a be_v he_o be_v prepare_v
weak_o and_o insincere_o object_v last_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o if_o divine_a faith_n fix_v not_o on_o the_o infallibility_n of_o tradition_n than_o we_o may_v have_v divine_a faith_n without_o it_o yes_o by_o his_o enthusiastic_a principle_n but_o not_o by_o connatural_a way_n since_o himself_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o neither_o the_o letter_n nor_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v absolute_o certain_a without_o it_o 79._o it_o will_v be_v very_o pleasant_a to_o see_v how_o this_o gallant_a caviller_n will_v prove_v st._n paul_n a_o pelagian_a heretic_n that_o bless_a apostle_n affirm_v that_o fides_n per_fw-la auditum_fw-la faith_n come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n by_o hear_v for_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o primitive_a faith_n be_v resolve_v into_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o sense_n as_o the_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o first_o knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o of_o that_o sense_n more_o particular_o because_o preach_v be_v the_o way_n of_o instil_a faith_n then_o now_o come_v dr_n st._n and_o have_v pray_v i_o suppose_v for_o wisdom_n beforehand_o tell_v that_o holy_a apostle_n that_o divine_a faith_n must_v have_v infallible_a ground_n but_o that_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o sense_n be_v mere_o natural_a that_o he_o run_v from_o divine_a motive_n to_o humane_a one_o he_o ask_v he_o smart_o what_o infallible_a ground_n be_v there_o for_o this_o divine_a faith_n and_o where_o it_o fix_v if_o not_o on_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o sense_n than_o we_o may_v have_v divine_a faith_n without_o they_o if_o it_o do_v fix_v on_o their_o certainty_n then_o divine_a faith_n be_v to_o be_v resolve_v into_o natural_a mean_n and_o what_o be_v this_o but_o pelagianism_n thus_o the_o stupendious_o learned_a and_o more_o than_o supernatural_o enlighten_v dean_n of_o st._n paul_n have_v clear_o prove_v st._n paul_n himself_o a_o arrant_a pelagian_a but_o if_o st._n paul_n shall_v answer_v as_o i_o do_v that_o he_o speak_v not_o of_o divine_a faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o as_o in_o it_o self_n or_o as_o it_o be_v formal_o supernatural_a but_o only_o of_o divine_a faith_n as_o stand_v under_o natural_a mean_n for_o we_o to_o come_v to_o know_v it_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o it_o will_v require_v high_a ground_n to_o be_v resolve_v into_o as_o it_o be_v divine_a &_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o that_o he_o can_v have_v no_o faith_n at_o all_o nor_o certainty_n of_o it_o unless_o by_o miracle_n but_o by_o virtue_n of_o these_o natural_a mean_n to_o give_v he_o knowledge_n of_o it_o but_o our_o verbal_a controvertist_n never_o reflect_v that_o there_o may_v be_v divers_a resolution_n make_v of_o faith_n as_o it_o be_v controvert_v according_a to_o the_o nature_n or_o exigency_n of_o the_o dispute_n against_o a_o deist_n that_o hold_v it_o not_o divine_a it_o be_v to_o be_v resolve_v into_o the_o divine_a authority_n and_o this_o must_v be_v show_v to_o be_v engage_v for_o it_o by_o those_o motive_n of_o credibility_n which_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v such_o but_o this_o be_v quite_o beside_o our_o present_a dispute_n since_o both_o party_n grant_v it_o and_o consequent_o all_o his_o discourse_n here_o be_v quite_o beside_o the_o purpose_n 80._o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o dr_n will_v have_v have_v another_o fling_n at_o st._n paul_n for_o pelagianism_n in_o case_n he_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o a_o pious_a disposition_n of_o the_o will_n do_v make_v the_o verdict_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o hear_v certain_a and_o piece_n out_o the_o deafishness_n of_o the_o auditor_n when_o that_o sense_n have_v some_o imperfection_n as_o he_o do_v here_o by_o make_v i_o a_o pelagian_a for_o say_v the_o will_v his_o assistance_n can_v make_v a_o argument_n if_o it_o be_v defective_a 114._o especial_o shall_v we_o both_o say_v that_o dr_n st'_v moral_a qualification_n purity_n of_o heart_n humility_n of_o mind_n and_o prayer_n for_o wisdom_n will_v not_o make_v a_o deaf_a ear_n hear_v well_o or_o a_o bad_a argument_n conclude_v for_o both_o our_o case_n be_v perfect_o parallel_v since_o we_o both_o speak_v of_o the_o way_n to_o come_v at_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a faith._n but_o his_o logic_n i_o see_v will_v have_v his_o reader_n when_o a_o argument_n draw_v from_o mere_a nature_n be_v propose_v which_o be_v short_a of_o conclude_v let_v it_o be_v in_o physics_n metaphysic_n or_o what_o he_o will_v for_o it_o alter_v not_o our_o case_n shake_v their_o head_n very_o pious_o and_o answer_v truly_n sir_n though_o i_o see_v your_o reason_n do_v not_o conclude_v or_o satisfy_v my_o understanding_n that_o the_o thing_n you_o will_v prove_v be_v true_a yet_o out_o of_o a_o pious_a inclination_n to_o the_o cause_n i_o will_v call_v in_o my_o will_n assistance_n and_o out_o of_o pure_a goodness_n think_v it_o do_v conclude_v and_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v for_o all_o that_o real_o true._n i_o will_v wish_v he_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o maintain_v still_o that_o it_o be_v pelagianism_n to_o deny_v that_o the_o inconclusiveness_n of_o a_o argument_n be_v supply_v by_o the_o kindheartedness_n of_o the_o will._n nothing_o in_o the_o world_n but_o this_o can_v justify_v all_o his_o insignificant_a proof_n &_o make_v they_o pass_v for_o valid_a &_o good_a one_o 114._o it_o be_v ridiculous_a he_o say_v to_o allege_v that_o i_o resolve_v all_o into_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n teach_v why_o be_v it_o not_o agree_v on_o between_o we_o that_o christ_n be_v god_n and_o his_o doctrine_n divine_a and_o be_v not_o this_o to_o bring_v we_o to_o divine_a faith_n if_o we_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v his_o doctrine_n or_o be_v it_o not_o enough_o for_o our_o purpose_n when_o it_o be_v confess_v on_o both_o side_n that_o christ_n doctrine_n be_v divine_a why_o be_v it_o then_o ridiculous_a to_o profess_v we_o do_v this_o because_o caelestius_n &_o pelagius_n do_v the_o very_a same_o ibid._n and_o so_o i_o must_v be_v a_o pelagian_a still_o that_o be_v resolve_v on_o those_o heretic_n do_v indeed_o pretend_v their_o heresy_n be_v christ_n doctrine_n but_o this_o be_v no_o particularity_n in_o they_o for_o every_o heretic_n since_o christ_n time_n do_v the_o same_o else_o they_o have_v not_o be_v heretic_n but_o pagan_n jew_n turk_n or_o deist_n but_o we_o go_v no_o further_o upon_o this_o principle_n than_o they_o do_v why_o do_v they_o ever_o allege_v ibid_fw-la that_o the_o tradition_n or_o immediate_a testimony_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n deliver_v down_o their_o doctrine_n for_o christ_n or_o dare_v they_o disgrace_v themselves_o by_o go_v about_o to_o avail_v themselves_o of_o such_o a_o open_a and_o notorious_a lie_n this_o he_o shall_v have_v prove_v solid_o and_o clear_o but_o instead_o of_o prove_v it_o he_o bare_o say_v it_o and_o who_o will_v at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n believe_v his_o word_n and_o yet_o if_o he_o do_v not_o this_o every_o sincere_a reader_n must_v see_v that_o he_o have_v sacrifice_v his_o sincerity_n to_o his_o spite_n against_o catholic_n and_o judge_n slander_n and_o calumny_n no_o sin._n observe_v here_o by_o the_o way_n his_o consistency_n with_o himself_o in_o his_o second_o letter_n to_o mr_n g._n p._n 9_o he_o affirm_v that_o we_o resolve_v all_o into_o mere_a humane_a faith_n and_o here_o he_o confess_v we_o resolve_v all_o into_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n teach_v have_v not_o i_o then_o good_a reason_n to_o ask_v he_o if_o christ_n be_v a_o mere_a man_n it_o fall_v in_o so_o natural_o yet_o he_o be_v mighty_a angry_a at_o those_o word_n and_o say_v he_o give_v no_o occasion_n for_o they_o and_o impute_v it_o to_o malice_n i_o do_v assure_v he_o that_o i_o use_v those_o word_n to_o show_v that_o by_o resolve_v all_o into_o christ_n teach_v i_o resolve_v faith_n final_o into_o what_o be_v confess_o divine_a why_o he_o shall_v take_v it_o so_o to_o heart_n or_o apply_v it_o to_o himself_o when_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o intend_a his_o conscience_n best_o know_v however_o it_o put_v he_o to_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o that_o point_n which_o i_o hearty_o pray_v may_v be_v sincere_a 82._o the_o last_o point_n which_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o 115._o omit_v by_o his_o favour_n many_o which_o be_v more_o concern_v be_v that_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n 23._o disow_v a_o power_n of_o make_v implicit_a article_n of_o faith_n contain_v in_o scripture_n to_o become_v explicit_fw-la by_o its_o explain_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o he_o prove_v this_o because_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o make_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n whereas_o to_o make_v implicit_a doctrine_n to_o become_v explicit_fw-la be_v real_o so_o to_o do_v this_o a_o little_a vary_v from_o what_o he_o say_v in_o his_o second_o letter_n nor_o can_v i_o find_v a_o
into_o certainty_n of_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v scripture_n to_o contain_v the_o word_n of_o god._n 30.31_o why_o not_o a_o word_n of_o reply_n to_o my_o discourse_n there_o and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n show_v that_o scripture_n contain_v faith_n be_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o our_o purpose_n but_o the_o get_v out_o from_o scripture_n it_o be_v true_a mean_v or_o sense_n this_o only_o be_v our_o faith_n and_o that_o his_o faith_n be_v still_o uncertain_a unless_o there_o be_v certainty_n that_o such_o and_o such_o article_n be_v contain_a there_o which_o point_n though_o it_o be_v of_o the_o high_a consequence_n yet_o he_o never_o set_v himself_o to_o solve_n our_o argument_n against_o it_o in_o his_o whole_a pretend_a answer_n but_o he_o run_v on_o still_o in_o the_o same_o error_n as_o if_o nothing_o have_v be_v allege_v to_o show_v his_o discourse_n insignificant_a and_o frivolous_a why_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o discourse_n prove_v that_o a_o rule_n or_o ground_n be_v none_o if_o it_o carry_v not_o thorough_a to_o the_o particular_a point_n especial_o to_o those_o which_o be_v most_o fundamental_a unless_o grant_v it_o in_o effect_n p._n 36._o and_o allow_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n to_o any_o particular_a point_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v call_v a_o answer_n 32._o why_o no_o excuse_n for_o his_o skew_a comment_n upon_o his_o own_o answer_n which_o speak_v of_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o all_o christ_n doctrine_n which_o consist_v of_o such_o and_o such_o particular_a tenet_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n whereas_o there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o write_v in_o mr._n g_n question_n or_o in_o his_o own_o answer_n either_o nor_o any_o notice_n take_v of_o my_o argument_n 32.33_o manifest_v that_o a_o resolution_n of_o faith_n speak_v connexion_n of_o the_o motive_n that_o be_v to_o prove_v it_o christ_n doctrine_n to_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n lay_v home_o to_o he_o in_o a_o close_a discourse_n demonstrate_v the_o necessity_n it_o shall_v be_v such_o 33.34_o why_o no_o account_n of_o his_o distinguish_n between_o christ_n doctrine_n and_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o so_o he_o may_v misrepresent_v tradition_n and_o alter_v the_o question_n from_o a_o public_a to_o a_o private_a delivery_n why_o no_o reason_n give_v of_o his_o not_o resolve_v his_o faith_n into_o the_o apostle_n preach_v but_o only_o into_o their_o write_n i_o mean_v 34.35_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o reason_n why_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v resolve_v it_o into_o the_o former_a at_o least_o equal_o 35._o why_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o reason_n show_v from_o his_o ill-laid_a principle_n that_o perfect_a contradictory_n point_n of_o faith_n and_o wicked_a heresy_n opposite_a to_o they_o be_v both_o equal_o certain_a why_o no_o excuse_n for_o his_o shuffle_n from_o the_o new_a testament_n contain_v all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n 36.37_o to_o the_o church_n make_v man_n fix_v by_o degree_n upon_o the_o certain_a canon_n of_o it_o which_o be_v there_o show_v and_o indeed_o appear_v of_o itself_o to_o be_v a_o quite_o disparate_a business_n why_o not_o the_o least_o excuse_v for_o his_o most_o abominable_a fourfold_a prevarication_n in_o answer_v to_o one_o single_a question_n expose_v there_o at_o large_a 37.38.39.40_o and_o why_o no_o defence_n or_o particular_a explication_n of_o his_o belove_a sufficient_a certainty_n nor_o any_o application_n of_o it_o to_o the_o nature_n end_n and_o use_v of_o a_o firm_a faith_n that_o any_o point_n be_v christ_n true_a doctrine_n show_v that_o his_o feeble_a motive_n be_v sufficient_a for_o those_o particular_a purpose_n 42.43.44.45_o why_o to_o make_v his_o odd_a similitude_n of_o scripture_n be_v a_o purse_n apposite_a do_v he_o not_o show_v we_o some_o certain_a way_n how_o the_o gold_n and_o silver_n point_v of_o faith_n as_o he_o call_v they_o may_v be_v get_v out_o of_o it_o without_o danger_n of_o extract_v thence_o the_o impure_a dross_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n instead_o of_o true_a faith_n again_o to_o make_v it_o square_n why_o do_v he_o not_o rather_o make_v the_o head_n and_o heart_n of_o the_o first_o faithful_a the_o purse_n since_o as_o be_v show_v he_o faith_n be_v more_o proper_o contain_a there_o then_o in_o a_o book_n 45.46.47_o or_o if_o he_o will_v needs_o make_v use_n of_o a_o improper_a container_n of_o faith_n too_o why_o do_v not_o he_o put_v two_o purse_n viz._n the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o the_o scripture_n and_o why_o not_o a_o word_n of_o reply_n to_o my_o plain_a reason_n why_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v both_o these_o 48.49_o why_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o reason_n prove_v that_o all_o the_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n and_o for_o the_o church_n otherwise_o than_o by_o ramble_v to_o transubstantiation_n p._n 84._o and_o that_o he_o see_v no_o necessity_n of_o it_o which_o make_v his_o often-alledged_a distinction_n of_o necessary_a &_o unnecessary_a point_n bring_v to_o avoid_v the_o question_n perfect_o frivolous_a and_o why_o run_v he_o still_o on_o with_o the_o same_o distinction_n in_o this_o pretend_a answer_n without_o take_v off_o the_o exception_n against_o it_o by_o only_a cry_n alas_o for_o he_o when_o i_o ask_v he_o if_o christ_n teach_v any_o unnecessary_a article_n 49._o and_o by_o say_v they_o be_v not_o equal_o necessary_a p._n 33._o why_o nothing_o to_o justify_v that_o his_o assent_n of_o faith_n may_v not_o be_v false_a and_o so_o no_o faith_n why_o no_o reply_n to_o my_o reason_n that_o notwithstanding_o his_o pretend_a ground_n he_o have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n that_o even_o the_o letter_n of_o scripture_n be_v right_o whereas_o if_o it_o be_v not_o he_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n but_o all_o be_v wrong_a that_o be_v ground_v upon_o it_o since_o in_o that_o case_n he_o may_v embrace_v a_o grand_a heresy_n for_o true_a faith_n 51.52.53_o why_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o plain_a argument_n show_v how_o christ_n doctrine_n continue_v all_o along_o in_o the_o breast_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n to_o correct_v the_o letter_n in_o text_n that_o contain_v faith_n why_o no_o reply_n to_o my_o many_o reason_n 53.54.55.56_o show_v that_o the_o ancient_a church_n allow_v our_o way_n of_o tradition_n and_o disallow_v his_o of_o scripture_n private_o interpret_v why_o do_v he_o not_o confute_v my_o discourse_n 56._o manifest_v that_o he_o can_v have_v no_o absolute_a certainty_n by_o his_o principle_n of_o the_o number_n of_o book_n or_o of_o each_o chapter_n verse_n 57_o and_o material_a word_n in_o each_o verse_n that_o concern_v any_o point_n of_o faith_n without_o do_v which_o he_o can_v pretend_v to_o have_v certainty_n of_o the_o letter_n nor_o consequent_o of_o any_o one_o of_o those_o point_n 58.59_o why_o no_o reply_n to_o that_o important_a objection_n that_o if_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o primitive_a church_n have_v for_o some_o time_n but_o half_a or_o three-quarters_n of_o their_o faith_n or_o less_o and_o so_o by_o his_o principle_n be_v but_o three-quarters_o or_o half_a christian_n according_a as_o the_o several_a piece_n come_v by_o degree_n to_o be_v spread_v accept_v or_o universal_o acknowledge_v nay_o perhaps_o no_o faith_n at_o all_o as_o be_v there_o show_v and_o why_o do_v he_o instead_o of_o reply_v above_o turn_v it_o off_o to_o the_o single_a epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o to_o a_o insignificant_a if_o why_o when_o it_o be_v object_v that_o divers_a of_o his_o christian_a church_n doubt_v of_o divers_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o some_o late_a brethren_n of_o his_o of_o some_o other_o do_v he_o again_o turn_v it_o off_o as_o to_o the_o former_a to_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n make_v afterward_o 59_o and_o to_o the_o late_a say_v nothing_o 60._o why_o not_o a_o word_n to_o my_o clear_a proof_n that_o our_o tradition_n or_o testimony_n for_o doctrine_n be_v incomparable_o more_o large_a in_o its_o source_n which_o give_v it_o its_o chief_a force_n than_o his_o be_v for_o scripture_n letter_n why_o do_v he_o not_o clear_v himself_o of_o his_o prefer_v his_o sober_a enquirer_n before_o the_o church_n 61.62.23.64.65_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o which_o be_v urge_v home_o against_o he_o nor_o justify_v his_o weak_a discourse_n in_o some_o sleigter_n passage_n lay_v open_a p._n 64.65_o why_o not_o a_o syllable_n of_o answer_n to_o that_o most_o highly-concerning_a discourse_n and_o which_o if_o it_o stand_v in_o its_o full_a force_n overthrow_v all_o the_o whole_a fabric_n of_o his_o doctrine_n viz._n that_o a_o rule_n or_o ground_n be_v relative_n word_n and_o therefore_o scripture_n letter_n can_v be_v a_o absolute_a certain_a rule_n or_o ground_n unless_o its_o ascertain_a virtue_n affect_v the_o article_n know_v by_o it_o this_o point_n have_v be_v press_v upon_o he_o so_o vigorous_o 66.67.68.69.70.71_o
and_o pursue_v with_o so_o many_o forcible_a argument_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o plain_a confession_n that_o his_o cause_n be_v lose_v than_o not_o to_o attempt_v to_o answer_v they_o especial_o since_o the_o hinge_n of_o the_o whole_a controversy_n depend_v upon_o it_o it_o be_v his_o concern_v too_o to_o avow_v or_o disavow_v his_o dear_a friend_n dr._n burnet_n position_n make_v his_o sober_a enquirer_n judge_v of_o council_n but_o he_o will_v not_o be_v so_o candid_a why_o decline_v he_o the_o give_v we_o satisfaction_n that_o he_o do_v indeed_o hold_v the_o testimony_n for_o scripture_n absolute_o certain_a by_o make_v out_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n why_o it_o must_v be_v so_o 71.72.73.74_o see_v reader_n how_o it_o be_v there_o demand_v of_o he_o and_o urge_v upon_o he_o to_o do_v himself_o and_o his_o faith_n that_o honour_n and_o credit_n yet_o he_o be_v perfect_o deaf_a to_o all_o solicitation_n of_o that_o kind_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o shall_v shall_v he_o do_v this_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v he_o must_v necessary_o make_v the_o church_n infallible_a and_o rely_v upon_o her_o infallibility_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n letter_n and_o shall_v it_o come_v to_o be_v prove_v that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o transmit_v down_o the_o same_o doctrine_n than_o a_o exact_a copy_n this_o will_v oblige_v his_o sober_a enquirer_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o she_o in_o matter_n of_o faith._n a_o condescendence_n not_o to_o be_v submit_v to_o by_o his_o fanatic_a friend_n both_o because_o their_o first_o principle_n be_v to_o think_v themselves_o wise_a than_o the_o church_n as_o also_o because_o to_o prove_v this_o will_v make_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n too_o strong_a by_o proof_n and_o outward_a mean_n which_o their_o gift_a and_o inspire_a genius_n impossible_a ever_o to_o be_v prove_v but_o by_o do_v miracle_n can_v away_o with_o to_o proceed_v why_o clear_v he_o not_o himself_o from_o be_v oblige_v by_o his_o principle_n to_o own_o a_o brotherhood_n with_o all_o heretic_n who_o profess_v to_o follow_v scripture_n as_o much_o as_o he_o do_v 75._o by_o show_v some_o absolute_o certain_a mean_n to_o distinguish_v his_o faith_n from_o they_o do_v not_o the_o do_v this_o main_o concern_v his_o credit_n when_o it_o be_v severe_o object_v and_o show_v that_o he_o have_v give_v just_a occasion_n for_o this_o suspicion_n of_o all_o comprehend_v principle_n why_o no_o account_n give_v of_o the_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o particular_a text_n and_o the_o most_o significant_a word_n in_o each_o of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o canon_n or_o number_n of_o book_n 76._o without_o which_o let_v the_o canon_n be_v as_o certain_a as_o it_o will_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o know_v assure_o whether_o what_o he_o hold_v be_v true_a faith_n or_o heresy_n why_o no_o answer_n to_o my_o objection_n that_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o make_v scripture_n a_o rule_n 77._o unless_o it_o have_v withal_o perspicuity_n or_o clearness_n to_o give_v those_o who_o read_v it_o and_o rely_v on_o it_o absolute_a certainty_n of_o its_o true_a sense_n or_o faith_n in_o those_o high_a mystery_n and_o spiritual_a point_n controvert_v between_o the_o church_n and_o her_o deserter_n 78.79.80_o why_o no_o reply_n to_o my_o confutation_n of_o his_o smart_a or_o rather_o only_a argument_n to_o prove_v scripture_n a_o rule_n give_v by_o i_o particular_o to_o every_o branch_n of_o it_o be_v not_o a_o business_n of_o such_o high_a consequence_n worth_a his_o defence_n his_o whole_a cause_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v manage_v by_o he_o standing_z or_o fall_v by_o his_o maintain_n or_o desert_v that_o main_a proof_n for_o it_o why_o do_v he_o give_v we_o no_o ground_n that_o elevate_v faith_n as_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o rule_n ascertain_v we_o it_o come_v from_o christ_n above_o opinion_n 81.82_o whenas_o it_o be_v charge_v upon_o he_o that_o he_o have_v no_o such_o ground_n and_o he_o be_v loud_o call_v upon_o to_o produce_v they_o but_o to_o aggravate_v the_o fault_n to_o call_v here_o p._n 41._o all_o the_o point_n of_o christian_a faith_n there_o speak_v of_o particular_a opinion_n why_o take_v he_o no_o notice_n of_o the_o several_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n rule_n and_o in_o which_o of_o those_o sense_n it_o be_v take_v proper_o 82.83_o and_o why_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v take_v in_o such_o a_o sense_n in_o our_o controversy_n but_o instead_o of_o do_v this_o run_v on_o wilful_o mistake_v it_o still_o why_o not_o a_o word_n in_o confutation_n of_o a_o infallible_a judge_n 84.85_o as_o that_o point_n be_v state_v by_o i_o 85._o why_o do_v he_o not_o accept_v my_o challenge_n that_o he_o can_v not_o show_v i_o any_o one_o solid_a proof_n in_o his_o whole_a treatise_n that_o he_o can_v maintain_v since_o the_o do_v this_o have_v be_v a_o great_a blurr_n to_o i_o and_o a_o high_a credit_n to_o himself_o nay_o the_o very_a offering_n at_o it_o may_v have_v keep_v our_o reader_n in_o some_o suspense_n whether_o he_o be_v perfect_o baffle_v or_o no_o whenas_o his_o total_a decline_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a confession_n he_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o stand_v to_o any_o one_o proof_n he_o have_v produce_v 86.87.88_o why_o no_o reply_n to_o my_o discourse_n demonstrate_v that_o a_o rule_n must_v be_v the_o immediate_a light_n to_o know_v the_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o which_o it_o be_v to_o regulate_v we_o and_o therefore_o that_o however_o he_o pretend_v to_o scripture_n yet_o his_o own_o interpretation_n or_o the_o mean_v he_o use_v to_o interpret_v it_o be_v unavoidable_o his_o rule_n as_o also_o that_o the_o testimony_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n do_v not_o recommend_v to_o he_o such_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o a_o testimony_n for_o the_o letter_n confess_v by_o himself_o to_o be_v fallible_a stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o his_o logic_n to_o make_v what_o be_v build_v on_o it_o to_o be_v absolute_o certain_a 89.90_o why_o not_o a_o word_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o that_o ancient_n and_o holy_a father_n and_o most_o solid_a controvertist_n st._n athanasius_n which_o quite_o overthrow_v the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o make_v all_o his_o sober_a enquirer_n unbeliever_n or_o infidel_n and_o why_o no_o excuse_n for_o his_o not_o put_v among_o his_o help_n the_o judgement_n of_o the_o present_a church_n at_o least_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n this_o be_v both_o a_o easy_a help_n than_o it_o be_v to_o use_v his_o other_o painful_a method_n to_o understand_v scripture_n right_a &_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o world_n especial_o since_o he_o stand_v impeach_v of_o destroy_a church-government_n as_o to_o any_o thing_n belong_v to_o faith_n why_o do_v not_o he_o show_v we_o how_o mr_n t._n can_v be_v a_o sober_a enquirer_n who_o he_o defend_v for_o so_o sudden_o settle_v his_o enquiry_n and_o resolve_v 90.91_o though_o he_o do_v not_o use_v those_o mean_n which_o the_o dr_n himself_o affirm_v his_o sober_a enquirer_n be_v bind_v to_o use_v especial_o since_o this_o carriage_n of_o the_o dr_n show_v he_o very_o willing_a to_o contradict_v at_o pleasure_n even_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o to_o dispense_v with_o those_o obligation_n he_o himself_o have_v impose_v when_o it_o suit_v with_o his_o interest_n whence_o every_o consider_a man_n must_v necessary_o conclude_v he_o hold_v not_o hearty_o and_o steady_o to_o any_o principle_n at_o all_o 93.94_o why_o shall_v not_o his_o sober_a enquirer_n trust_v the_o church_n rather_o than_o themselves_o and_o why_o no_o answer_n to_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v why_o do_v not_o he_o confute_v my_o discourse_n 95.96.97.98_o prove_v that_o a_o judge_n proceed_v upon_o a_o inerrable_a rule_n be_v infallible_a and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o church_n that_o those_o who_o she_o have_v cast_v out_o or_o be_v her_o enemy_n deny_v she_o to_o be_v such_o why_o answer_v he_o not_o my_o particular_a reason_n against_o his_o kind_n of_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n 99.100.101.102.103_o or_o the_o reason_n give_v for_o we_o but_o make_v impertinent_a discourse_n of_o his_o own_o at_o random_n without_o regard_v either_o our_o objection_n or_o our_o proof_n nay_o when_o he_o have_v occasion_n without_o acknowledge_v their_o distinction_n 70._o but_o most_o unconscionable_o pretend_v they_o to_o be_v the_o same_o whereas_o their_o difference_n and_o perfect_a opposition_n to_o one_o another_o be_v lay_v out_o there_o very_o large_o and_o particular_o and_o now_o gentleman_n i_o request_v even_o those_o who_o be_v the_o most_o partial_a of_o his_o friend_n to_o count_v over_o the_o page_n cite_v in_o the_o margin_n and_o if_o you_o find_v by_o a_o exact_a review_n that_o i_o have_v neither_o misreckon_v