_Deliberation_ is when we do every now and then ask, as it were, reasons of our consultation, whereby the mind of the hearers wavering in doubt, doth set down some great thing. This deliberation is either in _doubting_, or in _communication_. A _doubting_ is a deliberating with ourselves, as Paul (1 Philipp. i. 23, 24), doubting whether it were better to die than to live, he garnisheth his speech in this manner: _For I am greatly in doubt on both sides, desiring to be loosed, and to be with Christ, which is best of all: nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you_. _Communication_ is a deliberation with others. As, Galatians iii. 1, 2: _O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, &c._ And hitherto of the figure of speech between two, called _deliberation_. Now followeth the figure of speech between two, called the _preventing of an objection_, or _occupation_. _Occupation_ is, when we do bring an objection, and yield an answer unto it. Therefore this speech between two, in the first part, is called the setting down of the objection or occupation: in the latter part, an answering of the objection or the subjection: as Rom. vi. 1: _What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound?_ In which words is set down the objection: the answering in these words, _God forbid_. And here this must be marked, that the objection is many times wanting, which must be wisely supplied by considering the occasion and answer of it: as 1 Tim. v. 11, 12: _They will marry, having condemnation_. Now lest any might say, what, _for marrying?_ He answereth: _No, for denying their first faith_. Hitherto of the figures of _asking_. Now followeth the figures of _answering_. They are either in _suffering_ of a deed, called _permission_; or, _granting_ of an argument, called _concession_. _Suffering_ of a deed or permission is, when mockingly we give liberty to any deed, being never so filthy; as Rev. xxii. 11: _Let him that is filthy, be filthy still_. And 1 Cor. xiv. 38: _If any be ignorant, let him be ignorant_. Concession or granting of an argument is, when an argument is mockingly yielded unto, as Ecclesiastes xi. 9: _Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee, &c._ THE ART OF SOPHISTRY. ========== Although the rules of Sophistry be needless for them that be perfect in logic; yet because the knowledge of them bringeth some profit to the young beginners, both for the ready answering of the subtle arguments, and the better practising of logic and rhetoric, we have thought good to turn it into the English tongue. _Sophistry_ is the feigned art of _elenches_, or coloured reasons. A coloured reason, or _elench_, is a show of reason to deceive withal. It is either when the deceit lieth in the _words_; or in the default of logic, called a _sophism_.