a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o divine_a dominion_n &_o goodness_n especial_o as_o they_o refer_v to_o the_o origenian_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n together_o with_o a_o special_a account_n of_o the_o vanity_n and_o groundlesness_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o be_v a_o second_o letter_n write_v to_o his_o much_o honour_a friend_n and_o kinsman_n mr._n nath._n bisbie_n by_o sam_n parker_n a._n m._n c._n t._n and_o fellow_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n oxford_z print_v by_o w._n hall_n for_o r._n davis_n 1666._o imprimatur_fw-la robertus_fw-la say_v vice-cancellarius_a oxon_n sir_n i_o have_v now_o satisfy_v and_o perhaps_o surprise_v you_o too_o for_o i_o question_v not_o but_o these_o paper_n will_v more_o prevent_v then_o answer_v your_o expectation_n for_o when_o you_o remit_v i_o to_o my_o own_o leisure_n to_o satisfy_v your_o demand_n the_o true_a import_n of_o a_o friend_n desire_n i_o be_o confident_a you_o believe_v i_o will_v as_o well_o use_v as_o acknowledge_v your_o favour_n and_o i_o real_o think_v my_o next_o to_o you_o shall_v have_v be_v a_o letter_n of_o thanks_o for_o your_o forbearance_n and_o not_o a_o final_a discharge_n of_o my_o obligation_n but_o be_v short_o to_o bid_v adieu_o to_o my_o retirement_n here_o and_o fear_v i_o shall_v no_o where_o else_o enjoy_v so_o much_o privacy_n and_o leisure_n i_o can_v not_o satisfy_v myself_o till_o i_o have_v gratify_v your_o expectation_n and_o put_v myself_o past_o all_o hazard_n of_o disobey_v your_o command_n for_o methinks_v sir_n nothing_o concern_v i_o so_o much_o as_o those_o design_n that_o aspire_v to_o serve_v my_o dear_a but_o my_o business_n be_v not_o to_o compliment_v and_o i_o foresee_v how_o exceed_o i_o shall_v be_v straighten_v in_o time_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v without_o the_o ceremony_n of_o any_o far_a preface_n immediate_o apply_v myself_o to_o the_o serious_a discharge_n of_o my_o task_n which_o i_o shall_v follow_v the_o method_n your_o injunction_n have_v prescribe_v i_o perform_v in_o three_o part_n 1._o by_o give_v you_o a_o account_n of_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o extent_n of_o god_n dominion_n 2._o by_o lay_v down_o a_o right_a notion_n of_o his_o goodness_n 3._o by_o prove_v the_o groundlesness_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o origenian_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n of_o each_o in_o their_o order_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o god_n dominion_n by_o god_n dominion_n i_o mean_v that_o sovereign_n right_a and_o authority_n reside_v in_o he_o in_o reference_n to_o his_o creature_n or_o that_o power_n and_o prerogative_n which_o he_o have_v to_o dispose_v of_o they_o according_a to_o his_o own_o goodwill_n and_o pleasure_n and_o this_o be_v indifferent_o express_v by_o these_o three_o term_n of_o ius_n potestas_fw-la and_o dominium_fw-la the_o minute_n and_o precise_a difference_n whereof_o seem_v to_o lie_v herein_o that_o ius_n naked_o signify_v a_o right_a or_o freedom_n to_o act_n whereas_o the_o two_o latter_a imply_v together_o with_o this_o a_o power_n or_o strength_n of_o act_v and_o then_o that_o power_n which_o god_n have_v in_o himself_o antecedent_o to_o the_o existence_n of_o any_o create_v be_v be_v in_o rigidness_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n call_v potestas_fw-la but_o that_o which_o he_o have_v and_o exercise_n since_o the_o creation_n dominium_fw-la but_o not_o to_o insist_v upon_o such_o nicety_n they_o all_o promiscuous_o import_v dominion_n and_o sovereignty_n of_o which_o many_o definition_n have_v be_v attempt_v but_o none_o of_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o more_o accurate_a and_o comprehensive_a then_o mr._n hobs_n when_o he_o define_v it_o to_o be_v libertas_n propriis_fw-la facultatibus_fw-la secundum_fw-la rectam_fw-la rationem_fw-la utendi_fw-la 1._o though_o what_o exercise_n of_o power_n be_v consistent_a with_o right_a reason_n and_o what_o not_o i_o shall_v discourse_v anon_o but_o if_o you_o fancy_v short_a definition_n it_o be_v the_o lawful_a use_n of_o power_n and_o so_o imply_v two_o thing_n first_o it_o suppose_v a_o power_n or_o strength_n to_o act_n and_o then_o it_o import_v the_o legitimate_a extent_n and_o use_n of_o it_o now_o as_o for_o the_o extent_n of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v infinite_a and_o unconfined_a as_o well_o as_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o therefore_o it_o warrant_v god_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o will_v comply_v with_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o other_o attribute_n whence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o being_n and_o subsistency_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v entire_o at_o his_o disposal_n it_o be_v at_o his_o choice_n whether_o he_o will_v ever_o or_o never_o create_v any_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v still_o in_o his_o power_n either_o to_o continue_v the_o frame_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o state_n they_o be_v in_o or_o to_o erect_v a_o new_a one_o and_o that_o better_a or_o worse_o than_o the_o present_a and_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o attribute_n but_o for_o a_o full_a evidence_n hereof_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a acceptation_n of_o right_n either_o more_o loose_a when_o it_o signify_v a_o licence_n &_o freedom_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n or_o more_o restrain_v when_o it_o signify_v a_o obligation_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n the_o difference_n between_o they_o be_v this_o that_o the_o former_a signify_v liberty_n and_o the_o latter_a duty_n that_o be_v extend_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o unlawful_a this_o only_a extend_v to_o thing_n due_a and_o require_v by_o justice_n and_o equity_n for_o instance_n there_o be_v a_o right_a to_o demand_v debt_n and_o a_o right_a to_o pay_v they_o the_o former_a may_v be_v do_v because_o no_o equity_n forbid_v it_o but_o the_o latter_a must_v be_v do_v because_o justice_n require_v it_o upon_o this_o account_n to_o give_v you_o this_o notion_n by_o the_o way_n every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o make_v good_a his_o promise_n though_o not_o his_o threaten_n and_o punishment_n because_o promise_n make_v we_o debtor_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o threaten_a penalty_n we_o be_v creditor_n for_o the_o offender_n owe_v the_o punishment_n to_o the_o person_n offend_v but_o though_o every_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o pay_v his_o debt_n yet_o he_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o demand_v they_o for_o he_o have_v a_o right_a to_o relax_v as_o well_o as_o challenge_v his_o due_n the_o reward_n therefore_o consequent_a upon_o promise_n be_v debt_n due_a from_o i_o i_o be_o bind_v by_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o right_a to_o pay_v they_o but_o the_o penalty_n consequent_a upon_o threaten_n be_v debt_n owe_v to_o i_o i_o be_o permit_v by_o the_o second_o sort_n of_o right_n either_o to_o demand_v or_o remit_v they_o and_o thus_o there_o be_v a_o twofold_a right_n in_o god_n the_o one_o whereof_o refer_v to_o his_o sovereignty_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o absolute_a liberty_n to_o act_n or_o not_o to_o act_v as_o himself_o shall_v see_v cause_n the_o other_o to_o his_o justice_n and_o holiness_n whereby_o god_n be_v oblige_v to_o act_v suitable_o to_o the_o essential_a rule_n of_o justice_n and_o equity_n for_o the_o divine_a justice_n be_v exercise_v only_o about_o thing_n good_a and_o just_a but_o his_o dominion_n about_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o evil_a or_o unjust_a thing_n therefore_o be_v the_o object_n of_o god_n dominion_n not_o because_o they_o be_v just_o but_o because_o they_o be_v not_o unjust_a it_o be_v extend_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o justice_n i._n e._n to_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o evil._n but_o i_o shall_v wave_v all_o general_a consideration_n and_o only_o consider_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o divine_a prerogative_n in_o reference_n to_o mankind_n not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v most_o pertinent_a to_o our_o present_a design_n but_o also_o because_o what_o i_o shall_v discourse_v concern_v the_o extent_n and_o latitude_n of_o god_n power_n over_o man_n may_v by_o analogy_n of_o reason_n be_v apply_v to_o all_o other_o creature_n endue_v with_o sense_n and_o perception_n now_o in_o treat_v of_o this_o matter_n propose_v i_o shall_v only_o consider_v 1._o what_o god_n can_v do_v 2._o what_o he_o can_v not_o do_v 1._o first_o then_o god_n have_v power_n to_o take_v back_o from_o we_o all_o or_o part_n of_o what_o he_o have_v give_v we_o i_o e._n he_o can_v either_o utter_o destroy_v our_o being_n or_o take_v from_o we_o so_o many_o comfort_n of_o life_n and_o inflict_v upon_o we_o so_o many_o calamity_n as_o shall_v leave_v we_o in_o a_o condition_n only_o preferable_a to_o that_o of_o nonexistence_n for_o all_o that_o we_o have_v to_o render_v our_o condition_n more_o valuable_a than_o not_o be_v be_v the_o free_a product_n of_o the_o
and_o almighty_a sovereign_n so_o that_o the_o scripture_n represent_v god_n under_o no_o other_o notion_n then_o as_o the_o supreme_a lord_n and_o sovereign_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v be_v wary_a of_o attribute_v any_o thing_n to_o he_o that_o either_o lessen_v or_o quite_o destroy_v the_o freedom_n and_o uncontroulableness_n of_o his_o dominion_n and_o may_v withal_o conclude_v that_o no_o property_n which_o comply_v not_o with_o it_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o he_o and_o consequent_o that_o that_o be_v a_o false_a notion_n of_o his_o goodness_n that_o interfere_n with_o his_o dominion_n and_o therefore_o they_o that_o assert_v god_n goodness_n to_o be_v a_o necessary_a agent_n that_o can_v but_o do_v that_o which_o be_v best_a and_o so_o make_v all_o the_o divine_a action_n the_o necessary_a result_v of_o his_o goodness_n direct_o supplant_v and_o destroy_v all_o the_o right_n of_o his_o power_n and_o dominion_n for_o if_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o god_n power_n be_v the_o natural_a emanation_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o depend_v not_o upon_o the_o free_a determination_n of_o his_o will_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n can_v have_v no_o liberty_n or_o dominion_n in_o relation_n to_o they_o because_o necessity_n be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o liberty_n or_o freedom_n of_o sovereign_a power_n sovereignty_n bottome_v upon_o a_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n of_o act_v for_o how_o can_v he_o that_o have_v no_o power_n and_o dominion_n over_o his_o own_o action_n have_v power_n over_o any_o one_o else_o for_o in_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o power_n without_o a_o liberty_n to_o use_v and_o exercise_v it_o nor_o any_o exercise_n of_o power_n but_o by_o act_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o that_o agent_n that_o have_v no_o liberty_n or_o freedom_n of_o act_v be_v utter_o uncapable_a of_o any_o power_n or_o dominion_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o god_n action_n be_v the_o necessary_a emanation_n of_o his_o goodness_n it_o must_v necessary_o destroy_v all_o the_o right_n and_o liberty_n of_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n the_o platonist_n assert_v that_o god_n infinite_a goodness_n necessitate_v he_o to_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v best_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o timaeo_n say_v plato_n and_o therefore_o that_o all_o the_o divine_a work_n be_v produce_v by_o a_o irresistible_a necessity_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o more_o power_n not_o to_o do_v what_o he_o have_v do_v than_o the_o sun_n have_v to_o withhold_v his_o influence_n or_o a_o overflow_a fountain_n to_o keep_v back_o its_o stream_n and_o upon_o this_o foundation_n they_o erect_v any_o hypothesis_n that_o suit_n with_o their_o own_o fancy_n but_o chief_o that_o of_o the_o pre-existence_n of_o soul_n because_o say_v they_o it_o be_v better_a they_o shall_v pre-exist_a and_o therefore_o divine_a goodness_n which_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v best_a must_v of_o necessity_n have_v give_v they_o a_o better_a and_o happy_a state_n of_o life_n and_o self-enjoyment_n before_o they_o descend_v into_o these_o body_n but_o these_o man_n mind_n be_v so_o excessive_o possess_v with_o thought_n of_o god_n goodness_n as_o to_o neglect_v all_o his_o other_o attribute_n advance_v it_o to_o such_o a_o exorbitant_a pre-eminence_n as_o to_o make_v it_o not_o only_o usurp_v upon_o and_o invade_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o other_o attribute_n but_o also_o to_o banish_v all_o other_o perfection_n from_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o engross_v the_o deity_n whole_o to_o itself_o for_o this_o notion_n of_o god_n goodness_n be_v most_o apparent_o inconsistent_a not_o only_o with_o his_o power_n and_o dominion_n but_o with_o all_o his_o other_o moral_a perfection_n but_o in_o order_n to_o a_o further_a satisfaction_n herein_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o a_o brief_a account_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o show_v it_o to_o be_v not_o a_o necessary_a but_o a_o free_a and_o selfmoving_a agent_n the_o divine_a goodness_n then_o be_v of_o three_o sort_n either_o as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o for_o the_o sanctity_n and_o holiness_n of_o his_o mind_n or_o for_o the_o free_a bounty_n and_o beneficence_n of_o his_o will_n though_o the_o two_o latter_a be_v proper_o but_o branch_n of_o the_o former_a justice_n and_o beneficence_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o infinite_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n the_o first_o sort_n i_o shall_v omit_v to_o discourse_v of_o as_o be_v impertinent_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n and_o only_o account_v for_o the_o two_o last_o and_o first_o of_o the_o former_a god_n sanctity_n or_o holiness_n be_v that_o natural_a or_o essential_a goodness_n whereby_o he_o can_v but_o act_v suitable_o to_o the_o excellence_n and_o dignity_n of_o his_o rational_a nature_n for_o the_o dignity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n consist_v in_o reason_n and_o wisdom_n this_o be_v prefer_v the_o measure_n and_o rule_v of_o his_o action_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o natural_a justice_n equity_n and_o rectitude_n which_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o all_o god_n transaction_n with_o his_o creature_n and_o consist_v in_o do_v every_o thing_n that_o right_a reason_n require_v and_o not_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o it_o forbid_v now_o the_o relation_n this_o goodness_n have_v to_o the_o divine_a dominion_n be_v to_o bound_v and_o regulate_v it_o in_o the_o exercise_n of_o its_o right_n and_o liberty_n because_o god_n have_v power_n to_o do_v any_o thing_n not_o inconsistent_a with_o it_o so_o that_o the_o true_a way_n to_o find_v out_o how_o far_o the_o divine_a prerogative_n extend_v be_v to_o discover_v what_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o goodness_n and_o equity_n for_o every_o thing_n beside_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o free_a disposal_n of_o the_o divine_a will._n thus_o god_n can_v delight_v in_o the_o eternal_a misery_n and_o calamity_n of_o innocent_a creature_n he_o can_v secret_o resolve_v and_o take_v care_n that_o his_o creature_n shall_v act_v those_o impiety_n which_o himself_o open_o hate_v forbid_v and_o threaten_v he_o can_v lay_v upon_o we_o impossible_a commandment_n he_o can_v violate_v his_o faith_n and_o not_o perform_v his_o promise_n oath_n and_o covenant_n because_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o essential_o evil_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a and_o eternal_a law_n of_o equity_n and_o right_a reason_n but_o goodness_n as_o its_o equivalent_a with_o benignity_n bounty_n or_o beneficence_n be_v a_o free_a constant_a and_o habitual_a propension_n of_o will_n to_o do_v good_n and_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o divine_a will_n as_o one_o of_o its_o main_a property_n it_o must_v not_o be_v suppose_v to_o destroy_v the_o freedom_n of_o its_o nature_n but_o rather_o to_o participate_v of_o it_o for_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v endue_v with_o the_o high_a kind_n of_o liberty_n as_o it_o import_v a_o freedom_n not_o only_o from_o foreign_a violence_n but_o also_o from_o inward_a necessity_n for_o spontaneity_n or_o immunity_n from_o coaction_n without_o indifferency_n carry_v in_o it_o as_o great_a necessity_n as_o those_o motion_n that_o proceed_v from_o violence_n or_o mechanism_n and_o a_o beast_n that_o of_o its_o own_o accord_n go_v to_o pasture_n will_v have_v as_o much_o freedom_n as_o god_n have_v if_o his_o action_n be_v only_o spontaneous_a and_o proceed_v not_o from_o a_o choose_n and_o self-determining_a principle_n and_o therefore_o when_o i_o assert_v the_o divine_a will_n to_o be_v free_a i_o mean_v that_o it_o be_v a_o rational_a and_o active_a faculty_n that_o have_v power_n and_o dominion_n over_o its_o own_o action_n and_o that_o can_v be_v determine_v only_o by_o its_o own_o intrinsic_a energy_n in_o so_o much_o that_o all_o the_o external_a incentives_n requisite_a to_o its_o act_v be_v suppose_v it_o yet_o remain_v so_o indifferent_a and_o undetermined_a in_o itself_o as_o that_o it_o be_v able_a either_o to_o exert_v or_o suspend_v its_o action_n for_o unless_o the_o divine_a will_v enjoy_v this_o kind_n of_o freedom_n it_o have_v as_o good_a have_v none_o at_o all_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o liberty_n be_v fetter_v and_o determine_v by_o fatal_a necessity_n and_o the_o fatalist_n do_v but_o loose_v their_o labour_n when_o they_o endeavour_v to_o invent_v way_n of_o reconcile_a liberty_n with_o necessity_n unless_o they_o can_v also_o make_v indifferency_n consistent_a with_o it_o because_o all_o necessity_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o imply_v a_o detemined_a and_o unavoidable_a fatality_n which_o apparent_o destroy_v all_o the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o morality_n for_o necessity_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o moral_a goodness_n because_o it_o be_v of_o this_o or_o that_o sort_n but_o simple_o because_o it_o be_v necessity_n for_o the_o only_a cause_n why_o a_o necessary_a agent_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o morality_n be_v because_o it_o be_v not_o able_a
to_o determine_v itself_o to_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o consequent_o not_o capable_a of_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v by_o law_n reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o what_o other_o reason_n can_v there_o be_v imagine_v why_o any_o agent_n be_v incapable_a of_o be_v thus_o govern_v then_o that_o it_o have_v no_o power_n and_o command_v over_o its_o own_o action_n the_o office_n of_o law_n be_v to_o enjoin_v they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v prescribe_v that_o they_o determine_v themselves_o to_o act_v according_a to_o their_o prescription_n but_o to_o require_v this_o of_o a_o principle_n void_a of_o any_o such_o power_n of_o self-determination_n be_v as_o absurd_a as_o to_o require_v it_o of_o stone_n &_o tree_n because_o the_o absurdity_n of_o both_o consist_v in_o require_v obedience_n where_o there_o be_v no_o principle_n or_o capacity_n able_a to_o render_v it_o and_o therefore_o unless_o they_o can_v reconcile_v necessity_n &_o indifferency_n so_o as_o that_o the_o same_o principle_n shall_v be_v necessary_o determine_v to_o one_o extreme_a and_o yet_o remain_v so_o indifferent_a as_o to_o be_v able_a if_o iâ—_n please_v to_o determine_v itself_o to_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v altogether_o fruitless_a to_o make_v other_o sort_n of_o liberty_n not_o inconsistent_a with_o necessity_n but_o this_o they_o can_v never_o do_v unless_o they_o can_v bring_v the_o extreme_n of_o a_o contradiction_n together_o and_o make_v it_o all_o one_o to_o be_v determine_v and_o undetermined_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o same_o action_n thus_o for_o instance_n that_o principle_n that_o be_v endue_v with_o no_o other_o liberty_n than_o what_o consist_v in_o mere_a spontaneity_n and_o immunity_n from_o violence_n be_v without_o indifferency_n and_o a_o power_n of_o self-determination_n at_o as_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a as_o it_o will_v be_v if_o it_o be_v act_v mere_o by_o external_a force_n and_o violence_n because_o the_o reason_n why_o that_o which_o be_v move_v only_o by_o force_n be_v not_o a_o principle_n capable_a of_o morality_n be_v because_o it_o have_v no_o power_n at_o all_o over_o its_o own_o motion_n and_o so_o be_v move_v with_o a_o fatal_a and_o unalterable_a necessity_n but_o a_o spontaneus_fw-la or_o unforced_a action_n if_o it_o proceed_v not_o from_o a_o indifferent_a but_o necessary_a agent_n be_v as_o fatal_a and_o as_o necessary_a as_o if_o it_o be_v force_v and_o as_o little_a subject_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o it_o flow_v as_o it_o will_v though_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o foreign_a and_o violent_a one_o and_o by_o consequence_n be_v equal_o incapable_a of_o morality_n and_o so_o that_o principle_n which_o be_v not_o only_o at_o liberty_n from_o co-action_n but_o be_v also_o endue_v with_o reason_n and_o understanding_n be_v without_o indifferency_n and_o a_o power_n of_o self-determination_n not_o less_o uncapable_a of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a then_o that_o which_o be_v quite_o devoid_a of_o rational_a faculty_n because_o it_o be_v act_v by_o a_o equal_a necessity_n for_o if_o the_o judgement_n and_o definitive_a sentence_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v natural_a and_o necessary_a as_o it_o not_o only_o be_v but_o be_v also_o unanimous_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v and_o if_o the_o will_n follow_v this_o judgement_n be_v as_o natural_a and_o as_o necessary_a as_o its_o self_n then_o it_o be_v as_o extravagant_a to_o command_v the_o will_v not_o to_o embrace_v the_o object_n commend_v to_o it_o by_o the_o understanding_n as_o it_o be_v to_o command_v the_o understanding_n to_o judge_v otherwise_o of_o it_o than_o it_o do_v which_o be_v the_o same_o absurdity_n as_o to_o command_v the_o eye_n to_o see_v a_o object_n after_o another_o manner_n then_o it_o be_v represent_v to_o it_o because_o they_o be_v both_o determine_v by_o a_o equal_a necessity_n from_o all_o which_o it_o follow_v by_o all_o the_o law_n of_o inference_n that_o if_o god_n goodness_n shall_v take_v away_o the_o indifferency_n of_o his_o will_n it_o will_v certain_o destroy_v not_o only_o his_o freedom_n but_o all_o his_o moral_a perfection_n and_o accomplishment_n which_o be_v my_o first_o argument_n 2._o if_o the_o divine_a goodness_n or_o beneficence_n be_v a_o necessary_a agent_n it_o will_v not_o only_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o reside_v but_o also_o what_o be_v more_o absurd_a it_o be_v own_o for_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o beneficence_n and_o goodness_n that_o it_o proceed_v from_o a_o free_a and_o elective_a principle_n no_o courtesy_n can_v oblige_v but_o what_o be_v free_a and_o choose_v and_o the_o obligation_n of_o benefit_n be_v only_o then_o acknowledge_v when_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o one_o that_o have_v a_o power_n not_o to_o bestow_v they_o for_o otherwise_o they_o be_v owe_v not_o to_o his_o favour_n and_o goodwill_n but_o to_o chance_v or_o necessity_n we_o make_v no_o return_n of_o gratitude_n to_o the_o sun_n for_o his_o kind_a visit_n and_o benign_a influence_n because_o his_o emanation_n flow_v from_o a_o bare_a necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o joshuah_n thank_v he_o not_o for_o stand_v still_o at_o his_o request_n and_o interest_n i_o shall_v think_v it_o a_o strange_a solecism_n in_o courtship_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v make_v i_o retribution_n for_o a_o favour_n that_o proceed_v only_o from_o some_o necessity_n of_o nature_n &_o not_o from_o choice_n of_o will_n because_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o obligingness_n of_o benefit_n be_v that_o they_o argue_v benevolence_n and_o good_a intention_n in_o the_o donor_n towards_o the_o person_n on_o who_o he_o bestow_v they_o but_o when_o they_o be_v the_o issue_n of_o a_o necessary_a and_o unelective_a cause_n they_o flow_v not_o from_o goodwill_n and_o argue_v no_o benevolence_n in_o their_o principle_n but_o be_v the_o pure_a result_v of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n be_v necessary_a they_o may_v argue_v the_o fullness_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o can_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o will_n because_o that_o be_v found_v upon_o choice_n and_o freedom_n i_o have_v in_o my_o former_a reason_n endeavour_v to_o evince_v that_o a_o necessity_n of_o act_v of_o what_o sort_n soever_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o moral_a good_a or_o evil_a because_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o dominion_n over_o one_o own_o action_n in_o which_o all_o morality_n be_v found_v for_o a_o agent_n that_o have_v no_o power_n and_o command_v over_o its_o own_o action_n and_o that_o act_n because_o it_o must_v whatsoever_o excellent_a and_o commendable_a effect_n it_o may_v produce_v be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o morality_n as_o those_o senseless_a machines_n that_o move_v by_o the_o law_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n because_o it_o produce_v its_o effect_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o mechanical_a cause_n do_v namely_o by_o a_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o any_o artificial_a automata_n be_v endue_v with_o deliberative_a elective_a and_o selfmoving_a principle_n so_o as_o to_o have_v power_n over_o their_o own_o motion_n they_o will_v in_o degree_n of_o proportion_n be_v capable_a of_o do_v well_o or_o ill_o but_o because_o they_o have_v no_o elective_a and_o selfmoving_a power_n that_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o their_o motion_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v good_a or_o evil_n and_o consequent_o all_o cause_n who_o effect_n result_v from_o the_o same_o necessity_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o have_v no_o power_n to_o restrain_v their_o emanation_n be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o morality_n as_o these_o liveless_a engine_n because_o they_o lie_v under_o the_o same_o incapacity_n now_o then_o beneficence_n be_v a_o moral_a excellency_n it_o must_v loose_v its_o morality_n and_o consequent_o its_o nature_n when_o it_o be_v natural_a and_o necessary_a and_o therefore_o if_o all_o the_o emanation_n of_o the_o divine_a bounty_n be_v such_o it_o will_v unavoidable_o follow_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o virtue_n or_o beneficence_n and_o goodness_n in_o god_n so_o that_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o though_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n to_o his_o creature_n be_v exceed_o agreeable_a to_o his_o nature_n yet_o to_o make_v they_o necessary_a and_o natural_a result_v be_v by_o deny_v their_o be_v free_a to_o deny_v their_o being_n good_n 3._o god_n can_v never_o act_v contrary_a to_o his_o necessary_a and_o essential_a property_n as_o because_o he_o be_v essential_o wise_a just_a &_o holy_a he_o can_v do_v nothing_o that_o be_v foolish_a unjust_a and_o wicked_a and_o therefore_o if_o god_n beneficence_n and_o bounty_n be_v so_o natural_a as_o that_o all_o its_o exertion_n be_v necessary_a he_o can_v never_o act_v otherwise_o but_o that_o he_o frequent_o do_v as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o the_o instance_n of_o his_o anger_n and_o severity_n which_o not_o only_o reason_n but_o
task_n viz._n to_o evince_v the_o groundlesness_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n i_o oppose_v for_o if_o i_o can_v show_v the_o ratiocination_n from_o whence_o they_o conclude_v its_o truth_n and_o reality_n to_o be_v apparent_o vain_a and_o frivolous_a i_o shall_v thereby_o sufficient_o evidence_n the_o vanity_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o as_o be_v build_v upon_o vain_a and_o trifle_a pretence_n but_o before_o i_o descend_v to_o their_o particular_a examination_n it_o will_v not_o be_v impertinent_a to_o observe_v 1._o that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a task_n to_o erect_v other_o much_o different_a or_o quite_o contrary_a hypothesis_n methinks_v that_o pure_o phisical_a account_n which_o porphiry_n some_o where_o give_v of_o the_o soul_n descent_n into_o these_o terrestrial_a body_n be_v as_o neat_a and_o handsome_a as_o the_o origenian_a or_o moral_a one_o for_o as_o this_o derive_v our_o lapse_n original_o from_o our_o voluntary_a and_o choose_a immorality_n that_o other_o derive_v they_o mere_o from_o a_o physical_a necessity_n which_o it_o illustrate_v by_o this_o similitude_n as_o a_o fruitful_a field_n though_o it_o may_v for_o a_o certain_a period_n of_o year_n yield_v good_a grain_n yet_o at_o length_n it_o be_v exhaust_v and_o grow_v barren_a and_o then_o if_o sit_v be_v lay_v fallow_a though_o it_o bring_v forth_o nothing_o but_o weed_n and_o tare_n yet_o it_o thereby_o recover_v its_o ancient_a vigour_n and_o fruitfulness_n so_o our_o soul_n have_v be_v for_o many_o age_n impregnate_v with_o the_o seed_n of_o divine_a idea_n by_o degree_n spend_v themselves_o in_o bring_v forth_o large_a return_n of_o contemplation_n till_o at_o length_n their_o intellectual_a power_n decay_v the_o high_a part_n fall_v into_o a_o swoon_n and_o they_o can_v exert_v no_o act_n but_o of_o imagination_n whence_o spring_n forth_o the_o power_n of_o the_o vegetal_n life_n which_o cause_n in_o they_o strong_a and_o irresistible_a propensity_n to_o a_o union_n with_o these_o inferior_a and_o terrestrial_a body_n in_o order_n to_o the_o awake_n of_o the_o high_a power_n for_o because_o every_o thing_n in_o the_o etherial_a region_n be_v too_o calm_a and_o serene_a to_o awake_v they_o they_o be_v therefore_o convey_v into_o this_o place_n of_o noise_n and_o disturbance_n and_o invessele_v in_o a_o body_n full_a of_o rude_a and_o impetuous_a passion_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v chafe_v into_o life_n and_o sensation_n again_o or_o what_o if_o i_o will_v out_o of_o a_o perverse_a humour_n of_o contradiction_n assign_v a_o quite_o contrary_a hypothesis_n of_o pre-existence_n and_o as_o they_o will_v have_v this_o world_n a_o place_n of_o punishment_n and_o maintain_v the_o soul_n come_v into_o it_o by_o lapse_v from_o a_o happy_a and_o more_o excellent_a condition_n so_o why_o may_v not_o i_o assert_v that_o it_o be_v a_o place_n of_o reward_n and_o that_o god_n send_v we_o hither_o to_o reward_v our_o virtuous_a action_n in_o a_o low_a and_o less_o happy_a condition_n of_o life_n or_o that_o they_o that_o have_v miscarry_v in_o a_o weak_a and_o less_o advantageous_a state_n may_v once_o more_o try_v their_o fortune_n in_o better_a and_o more_o advantageous_a circumstance_n which_o hypothesis_n will_v be_v as_o much_o and_o perhaps_o more_o consistent_a with_o itself_o than_o the_o contrary_n for_o see_v they_o will_v needs_o have_v it_o the_o design_n of_o providence_n in_o thrust_v the_o soul_n down_o into_o this_o region_n of_o misery_n to_o amend_v and_o reform_v as_o well_o as_o chastise_v it_o it_o seem_v much_o more_o consonant_a to_o effect_v this_o by_o raise_v it_o to_o a_o more_o perfect_a state_n then_o doom_v it_o to_o a_o worse_o for_o it_o be_v a_o very_a preposterous_a way_n to_o reformation_n to_o put_v the_o soul_n into_o such_o fatal_a propensity_n of_o sin_v as_o they_o say_v it_o be_v in_o here_o this_o be_v the_o direct_v course_n utter_o and_o irrecoverable_o to_o undo_v it_o and_o now_o have_v i_o a_o mind_n to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o maker_n of_o hypothesis_n which_o you_o see_v be_v but_o a_o easy_a trade_n i_o may_v so_o trim_v and_o adorn_v this_o with_o artificial_a and_o affect_a phrase_n and_o so_o support_v it_o with_o a_o set_n of_o theorem_n pillar_n and_o fundamental_a principle_n as_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v a_o competent_o handsome_a and_o well_o build_v structure_n and_o withal_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v the_o shock_n of_o those_o objection_n and_o counter-evidence_n that_o will_v shrewd_o shake_v if_o not_o utter_o demolish_v the_o origenian_a hypothesis_n but_o if_o any_o origenist_n shall_v disapprove_v my_o hypothesis_n i_o only_o challenge_v he_o to_o confute_v it_o for_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o like_a argument_n will_v confute_v his_o own_o and_o therefore_o to_o show_v he_o the_o vanity_n of_o invent_v groundless_a and_o imaginary_a hypothesis_n i_o will_v be_v so_o cross-grained_a as_o not_o to_o abandon_v i_o as_o long_o as_o he_o shall_v persist_v peremptory_a in_o he_o 2._o the_o second_o thing_n i_o be_o to_o observe_v be_v that_o they_o which_o be_v the_o usual_a oversight_n of_o unwary_a disputant_n dispute_v not_o more_o against_o their_o adversary_n then_o themselves_o in_o that_o the_o argument_n they_o use_v to_o destroy_v all_o other_o hypothesis_n and_o confirm_v their_o own_o do_v as_o evident_o oppose_v it_o as_o they_o for_o their_o own_o account_n of_o our_o descent_n into_o this_o world_n be_v that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o merciful_a provision_n and_o contrivance_n of_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n the_o end_n of_o all_o who_o council_n be_v his_o creature_n happiness_n to_o put_v lose_v and_o delinquent_a soul_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o act_v their_o part_n anew_o 41._o that_o so_o so_o many_o of_o his_o excellent_a creature_n may_v not_o be_v lose_v and_o undo_v irrecoverable_o but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v in_o a_o condition_n to_o recover_v the_o old_a happiness_n of_o their_o celestial_a state_n now_o be_v it_o not_o high_o derogatory_n to_o the_o infinite_a and_o unbounded_a wisdom_n of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v detrude_v those_o soul_n which_o he_o so_o serious_o design_n to_o make_v happy_a into_o a_o state_n so_o hazardous_a wherein_o he_o see_v it_o to_o be_v ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o but_o that_o they_o will_v corrupt_v and_o defile_v themselves_o and_o so_o make_v themselves_o more_o miserable_a here_o and_o to_o eternity_n hereafter_o a_o strange_a method_n of_o recovery_n this_o to_o put_v they_o into_o such_o a_o fatal_a necessity_n of_o perish_v it_o be_v but_o a_o odd_a contrivance_n for_o their_o restauration_n to_o happiness_n to_o use_v such_o mean_n to_o compass_v it_o which_o it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o but_o will_v make_v they_o infinite_o more_o miserable_a this_o be_v such_o a_o contrivance_n of_o mercy_n that_o put_v we_o in_o a_o worse_a condition_n than_o it_o abandon_v the_o devil_n to_o for_o if_o the_o condition_n of_o our_o recovery_n be_v so_o near_o be_v impossible_a our_o state_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o they_o and_o if_o the_o non-performance_n of_o these_o condition_n be_v punish_v with_o great_a penalty_n it_o be_v worse_o better_o be_v abandon_v to_o a_o eternal_a despair_n then_o have_v hope_n to_o be_v rescue_v only_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o but_o will_v exceed_o increase_v our_o torment_n and_o misery_n 27._o again_o if_o we_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o sad_a account_n we_o have_v meet_v withal_o in_o history_n of_o time_n and_o place_n almost_o all_o the_o world_n over_o overrun_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o barbarity_n and_o lust_n adopt_v even_o into_o their_o law_n and_o practise_v in_o their_o most_o solemn_a religion_n how_o can_v we_o but_o think_v that_o the_o soul_n then_o and_o there_o bear_v and_o live_a be_v inevitable_o condemn_v to_o all_o iniquity_n and_o impiety_n but_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o infinite_a wisdom_n serious_o purpose_v to_o restore_v we_o to_o our_o ancient_n holiness_n and_o purity_n when_o it_o place_v we_o in_o such_o a_o state_n in_o which_o we_o be_v inevitable_o condemn_v to_o all_o iniquity_n and_o impiety_n if_o god_n have_v contrive_v to_o betray_v we_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n how_o can_v he_o more_o effectual_o have_v accomplish_v it_o then_o by_o put_v we_o into_o such_o a_o condition_n as_o shall_v inevitable_o condemn_v we_o to_o all_o iniquity_n and_o impiety_n that_o father_n will_v take_v a_o strange_a course_n to_o reform_v a_o debauch_a and_o wretchless_n child_n that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o effect_v it_o by_o abandon_v he_o to_o the_o society_n of_o rogue_n and_o villain_n pag._n 28._o for_o god_n therefore_o to_o send_v a_o immortal_a soul_n who_o happiness_n be_v his_o great_a design_n and_o contrivance_n into_o a_o habitation_n in_o such_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o