A26886:135
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…
Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending them against several sorts of opponents, especially against the second assault of that pious, reverend and dear brother Mr. Thomas Blake / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Moreover, if there be such a thing as fides humana due among men, then there is such a thing as Evidence of Credibility. But the Antecedent is true: Therefore so is the Consequent. He that denieth the Antecedent, 1. I suppose will consent that no man believes him. 2. And would not sure have any more converse used in the world. 3. And I would put it to the consideration of the contrary-minded, whether, if ordinarily there be no Evidence of Credibility in mens word, and Professions be not to be taken as signs of the thing professed, it were not best, either to cut out mens tongues, or else forbear teaching our children to speak, and so let language perish from the earth. For, if it be ordinarily understood as mere lying, it would seem the best way to extirpate it by this means.
Moreover, if there be such a thing as fides humana due among men, then there is such a thing as Evidence of Credibility. But the Antecedent is true: Therefore so is the Consequent. He that denyeth the Antecedent, 1. I suppose will consent that no man believes him. 2. And would not sure have any more converse used in the world. 3. And I would put it to the consideration of the contrary-minded, whether, if ordinarily there be no Evidence of Credibility in mens word, and Professions be not to be taken as signs of the thing professed, it were not best, either to cut out mens tongues, or else forbear teaching our children to speak, and so let language perish from the earth. For, if it be ordinarily understood as meer lying, it would seem the best way to extirpate it by this means.
2. And I have also the consent and experience of the world on my side, of the Credibility of the words even of common men in general. 1. All Societies are established on the credit of mens words. Princes and people enter their Covenants upon the credit and confidence in each others words. 2. All affairs are managed on this Supposition. The freest men in England do hold all their Estates and Lives upon the credit of the words, and common fidelity, that it is even in unregenerate men. They are sufficient Witnesses at any Bar. Two of these by a false oath, might put a man to death; and yet how seldom are such things done?