Its I know undoubted with you, that Conclusio sequitur partem debiliorem. Now though Gods Word in it self is most infallible, yet in respect of the evidence to us, it is generally acknowledged that it is far short of natural principles, and objects of sense, in so much that men have taken it for granted, that the objects of faith are not evident (of which I will not now stand to speak what I think, but touch it anon). Therefore it being more evident that you are a man, then it is that all men shall rise, it is fittest to say the Conclusion is de fide as the more debile part. But can we say so of the present Conclusion in question? Have you a fuller evidence that you are a sincere Believer, then you have that, All sincere Believers are Justified? I have not for my part: But it seems by your following words that you have, or suppose others to have; to which I say▪ 3. If you have as evidently concluded that Faith is in your heart, (saving Faith) as that Reason is in your Soul, & know your self to be a Believer as evidently as you know your self to be a man, then your Conclusion may be denominated to be de fide, as a part delibiore. But if this be not your case, it is most fit (for all the mixed interest of the Premises) to say that it is not de fide, but from the knowledge of your sincerity in the Faith, as a part debiliore. And if it be your case indeed, you are the happiest man that ever I yet spake with. But I know that no man ordinarily can have such evidence of his sincerity; yet because I will not speak of you or others by my self, nor judge others hearts to be as bad as my own, or as all those that I have conversed with, we will if you please thus compromise the difference: All those whose evidence of sincerity is as clear as the evidence of their Reason and manhood, yea or more then Scripture evidence, so that Gods Testimony is pars debilior in the Syllogism; these shall take the Conclusion, that they are Justified, to be de fide: and all the rest shall take the Conclusion to be not de fide, but from the knowledge of themselves: and then let the issue show whether more will be of your mind or of mine. I think this a fair Agreement.
Its I know undoubted with you, that Conclusio sequitur partem debiliorem. Now though Gods Word in it self is most infallible, yet in respect of the evidence to us, it is generally acknowledged that it is far short of natural principles, and objects of sense, in so much that men have taken it for granted, that the objects of faith are not evident (of which I will not now stand to speak what I think, but touch it anon). Therefore it being more evident that you are a man, then it is that all men shall rise, it is fittest to say the Conclusion is de fide as the more debile part. But can we say so of the present Conclusion in question? Have you a fuller evidence that you are a sincere Believer, then you have that, All sincere Believers are Justified? I have not for my part: But it seems by your following words that you have, or suppose others to have; to which I say▪ 3. If you have as evidently concluded that Faith is in your heart, (saving Faith) as that Reason is in your Soul, & know your self to be a Believer as evidently as you know your self to be a man, then your Conclusion may be denominated to be de fide, as a parte delibiore. But if this be not your case, it is most fit (for all the mixt interest of the Premises) to say that it is not de fide, but from the knowledge of your sincerity in the Faith, as a parte debiliore. And if it be your case indeed, you are the happiest man that ever I yet spake with. But I know that no man ordinarily can have such evidence of his sincerity; yet because I will not speak of you or others by my self, nor judge others hearts to be as bad as my own, or as all those that I have conversed with, we will if you please thus comprimize the difference: All those whose evidence of sinceritie is as cleer as the evidence of their Reason and manhood, yea or more then Scripture evidence, so that Gods Testimony is pars debilior in the Syllogism; these shall take the Conclusion, that they are Justified, to be de fide: and all the rest shall take the Conclusion to be not de fide, but from the knowledge of themselves: and then let the issue shew whether more will be of your mind or of mine. I think this a fair Agreement.
