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torment_n a_o hundred_o year_n render_v the_o second_o more_o miserable_a the_o happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v in_o what_o she_o resent_v now_o and_o not_o in_o what_o she_o resent_v before_o if_o remembrance_n contribute_v any_o thing_n to_o our_o present_a happiness_n or_o misery_n the_o irreligious_a be_v certain_o most_o miserable_a death_n be_v his_o misery_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o christian_n it_o end_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o first_o and_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o second_o it_o be_v the_o comfort_n of_o they_o that_o pine_v away_o their_o life_n in_o torment_n and_o the_o despair_n of_o they_o that_o live_v jolly_o the_o remembrance_n of_o a_o happy_a state_n make_v we_o to_o be_v in_o a_o most_o grievous_a punishment_n and_o the_o absence_n of_o those_o delight_n we_o use_v ourselves_o to_o so_o gall_v we_o that_o it_o be_v better_o never_o to_o enjoy_v or_o never_o to_o forsake_v they_o what_o then_o upon_o this_o supposition_n can_v 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apprehend_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o loss_n he_o sustain_v and_o express_v his_o madness_n to_o engage_v in_o a_o party_n the_o lamentable_a end_n whereof_o be_v so_o evident_a and_o that_o which_o set_v off_o better_a the_o disadvantage_n of_o irreligion_n be_v that_o the_o great_a happiness_n a_o irreligious_a man_n can_v hope_v for_o in_o this_o belief_n be_v to_o come_v to_o that_o point_n a_o christian_a look_n upon_o as_o his_o great_a infelicity_n what_o be_v it_o that_o a_o christian_a fear_n most_o but_o that_o after_o this_o life_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o reward_n of_o his_o suffering_n no_o god_n no_o spirit_n no_o heaven_n nor_o himself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o grand_a reward_n impiety_n can_v expect_v it_o be_v bring_v so_o low_a as_o to_o receive_v as_o a_o reward_n what_o a_o christian_a look_n on_o as_o a_o punishment_n he_o must_v wish_v for_o nothing_o after_o his_o death_n but_o a_o general_a annihilation_n and_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o deep_a shut_v up_o upon_o he_o for_o if_o he_o chance_v when_o he_o go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n to_o find_v either_o god_n or_o himself_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o imagine_v a_o more_o miserable_a creature_n chap._n iu._n the_o irreligious_a man_n and_o the_o christian_a compare_v in_o their_o life_n here_o lie_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o irreligious_a and_o it_o seem_v hard_a to_o convince_v he_o that_o he_o risk_n more_o than_o a_o christian_a a_o christian_n who_o stick_v religious_o to_o his_o law_n must_v deny_v and_o offer_v himself_o a_o continual_a violence_n he_o must_v set_v a_o watch_n upon_o all_o his_o sense_n to_o hinder_v they_o from_o betray_v his_o heart_n he_o must_v forgive_v his_o enemy_n oppose_v his_o own_o desire_n and_o confine_v his_o passion_n to_o the_o severe_a limit_n of_o a_o divine_a law_n whereas_o the_o irreligious_a let_v his_o heart_n his_o sense_n his_o passion_n run_v their_o full_a career_n he_o check_v none_o of_o his_o desire_n and_o enjoy_v a_o felicity_n free_a from_o remorse_n for_o the_o present_a and_o not_o disturb_v by_o the_o terror_n of_o the_o time_n to_o come_v and_o when_o we_o enforce_v this_o maxim_n of_o prudence_n that_o in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n the_o sure_a way_n must_v always_o be_v our_o choice_n he_o oppose_v that_o other_o to_o it_o that_o the_o certain_a be_v always_o to_o be_v prefer_v to_o the_o uncertain_a and_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o life_n be_v certain_a and_o the_o recompense_n of_o the_o next_o uncertain_a it_o be_v a_o folly_n not_o to_o cleave_v to_o present_a thing_n out_o of_o fear_n of_o imaginary_a or_o at_o least_o of_o uncertain_a punishment_n this_o be_v the_o stumbling-block_n of_o the_o irreligious_a and_o the_o most_o specious_a pretence_n of_o impiety_n which_o may_v be_v so_o remove_v as_o to_o show_v it_o shock_n the_o very_a principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n one_a the_o supposition_n be_v alter_v and_o christianity_n and_o irreligion_n be_v both_o suppose_a as_o doubtful_a 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exact_a that_o the_o question_n may_v be_v state_v in_o its_o natural_a term_n let_v we_o see_v what_o be_v want_v to_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o good_n of_o this_o world_n and_o what_o must_v be_v defalk_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o those_o of_o the_o next_o first_o the_o long_a life_n in_o its_o full_a extent_n seldom_o reach_v above_o 80_o year_n nor_o consequent_o the_o pleasure_n that_o attend_v it_o since_o he_o lose_v they_o and_o cease_v to_o be_v happy_a who_o cease_v to_o live_v 2_o all_o our_o life_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o that_o happiness_n old-age_n and_o infancy_n must_v be_v exclude_v nature_n must_v be_v endow_v with_o a_o vigour_n old-age_n have_v lose_v and_o infancy_n have_v not_o yet_o attain_v and_o so_o in_o compare_v the_o good_n of_o this_o life_n to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o we_o must_v only_o reckon_v the_o time_n between_o these_o two_o age_n stay_v upon_o these_o term_n the_o question_n be_v this_o whether_o a_o wise_a man_n ought_v to_o 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be_v yet_o to_o come_v but_o alas_o who_o shall_v make_v that_o impertinent_a choice_n man_n be_v different_a among_o themselves_o in_o age_n condition_n birth_n the_o old_a they_o be_v the_o proner_n they_o will_v be_v to_o catch_v at_o future_a happiness_n be_v so_o near_o their_o end_n that_o there_o remain_v for_o they_o but_o very_o little_a of_o the_o present_a the_o ordinary_a sort_n of_o people_n who_o estate_n lie_v in_o their_o arm_n will_v think_v as_o old_a man_n to_o they_o may_v be_v add_v all_o that_o live_v a_o laborious_a life_n that_o be_v almost_o all_o mankind_n i_o ask_v then_o a_o irreligious_a person_n what_o man_n be_v mad_a enough_o to_o side_n with_o he_o in_o his_o choice_n if_o he_o be_v a_o child_n who_o know_v yet_o nothing_o of_o another_o life_n and_o very_o little_a of_o this_o he_o must_v not_o be_v proud_a of_o it_o a_o child_n know_v but_o what_o he_o have_v try_v and_o he_o have_v try_v but_o few_o thing_n he_o can_v therefore_o compare_v those_o 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to_o the_o other_o because_o all_o thing_n impartial_o weigh_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o good_a you_o hope_v be_v a_o great_a advantage_n than_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o small_a good_a you_o possess_v you_o hope_v indeed_o with_o uncertainty_n but_o that_o uncertainty_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o your_o hope_n and_o sufficient_o reward_v by_o the_o greatness_n of_o what_o you_o expect_v it_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n that_o merchant_n venture_v a_o little_a for_o a_o considerable_a gain_n though_o very_o doubtful_a a_o soldier_n and_o a_o seaman_n expose_v their_o life_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o may_v pass_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o day_n more_o comfortable_o though_o they_o can_v be_v secure_a of_o the_o length_n of_o their_o life_n nor_o of_o a_o gain_n which_o a_o thousand_o peril_n upon_o sea_n and_o land_n seem_v to_o obstruct_v they_o sacrifice_v the_o present_a time_n to_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v thing_n that_o be_v certain_a to_o those_o that_o be_v doubtful_a and_o look_v upon_o that_o comfortable_a live_n they_o promise_v themselves_o one_o day_n as_o a_o great_a happiness_n than_o the_o quiet_a possession_n of_o their_o life_n with_o all_o the_o trouble_n and_o pain_n that_o attend_v it_o shall_v the_o happiness_n of_o the_o next_o life_n exceed_v this_o only_a of_o some_o age_n or_o degree_n there_o be_v ground_n enough_o to_o a_o wiseman_n to_o prefer_v the_o first_o to_o the_o second_o nor_o be_v there_o any_o man_n of_o sense_n but_o will_v resign_v up_o a_o age_n of_o ordinary_a happiness_n and_o such_o as_o the_o world_n conceive_v it_o upon_o hope_n of_o a_o reign_n of_o a_o thousand_o year_n and_o a_o life_n infinite_o happy_a but_o be_v there_o no_o proportion_n between_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o good_n if_o that_o maxim_n be_v false_a that_o the_o certain_a be_v to_o be_v prefer_v to_o the_o uncertain_a when_o the_o advantage_n be_v not_o equal_a how_o much_o more_o when_o the_o one_o be_v finite_a and_o the_o other_o infinite_a the_o uncertain_a you_o expect_v infinite_o more_o durable_a and_o perfect_a than_o the_o certain_a you_o venture_v and_o this_o be_v the_o just_a idea_n we_o must_v form_v ourselves_o of_o this_o and_o of_o the_o next_o life_n what_o proportion_n be_v there_o between_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n what_o comparison_n between_o joy_n so_o limit_v in_o their_o nature_n in_o their_o duration_n in_o their_o extent_n and_o those_o unspeakable_a one_o the_o eye_n have_v never_o see_v because_o they_o be_v not_o colour_n nor_o the_o ear_n hear_v because_o they_o be_v not_o sound_v 118._o august_n ep._n 118._o nor_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n because_o it_o be_v too_o narrow_a for_o they_o what_o equality_n can_v there_o be_v find_v between_o the_o possession_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n itself_o and_o that_o of_o all_o the_o riches_n of_o god_n between_o the_o dark_a heavy_a passable_a state_n of_o our_o body_n and_o the_o bless_a state_n of_o immortality_n and_o spirituality_n wherein_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n shall_v instate_v they_o certain_o the_o distance_n be_v great_a than_o that_o of_o atom_n to_o the_o universe_n and_o must_v the_o irreligious_a be_v afraid_a of_o venture_v that_o finite_a good_a that_o atom_n that_o nothing_o against_o a_o infinite_a be_v must_v he_o not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o claim_v here_o the_o right_n of_o prefer_v thing_n that_o be_v certain_a to_o they_o that_o be_v not_o he_o who_o in_o the_o way_n a_o hunting_z on_o his_o travel_n at_o play_n and_o in_o his_o commerce_n disclaim_v it_o so_o open_o he_o venture_v in_o all_o these_o thing_n with_o this_o difference_n that_o there_o be_v still_o some_o proportion_n in_o his_o risque_fw-la and_o gain_n both_o of_o they_o be_v finite_a whereas_o there_o be_v none_o between_o this_o life_n and_o eternity_n chap._n viii_o conclusion_n of_o this_o discourse_n let_v the_o impious_a then_o extend_v so_o far_o as_o he_o please_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o sinful_a joy_n let_v he_o live_v to_o the_o age_n of_o mathuselem_n without_o the_o least_o cloud_n or_o mixture_n of_o infelicity_n yet_o he_o can_v deny_v that_o this_o long_a contexture_n of_o year_n and_o happiness_n be_v still_o finite_a he_o must_v needs_o confess_v that_o a_o uncertain_a good_a be_v to_o be_v prefer_v to_o any_o other_o when_o it_o be_v infinite_a the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o not_o debar_v we_o from_o our_o hope_n and_o the_o last_o degree_n of_o hope_n of_o a_o infinite_a happiness_n far_o surpass_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o transitory_a one_o all_o the_o venture_n be_v to_o lose_v those_o transitory_a good_n which_o loss_n be_v already_o inevitable_a can_v be_v parallel_v with_o a_o happiness_n incapable_a of_o diminution_n i_o see_v no_o answer_n to_o this_o except_o that_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o misery_n be_v idea_n subsist_v no_o where_n but_o in_o the_o fancy_n of_o christian_n which_o be_v the_o more_o irrational_a because_o as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v convince_v their_o religion_n of_o falsehood_n and_o impossbility_n but_o still_o doubt_n and_o still_o reason_n all_o the_o forego_n ratiocination_n remain_v in_o its_o entire_a force_n against_o he_o this_o only_o may_v be_v add_v that_o this_o be_v the_o conformity_n between_o a_o christian_a and_o a_o irreligious_a man_n that_o the_o first_o believe_v and_o act_n contrary_a to_o his_o belief_n and_o the_o second_o doubt_n and_o act_n contrary_a to_o his_o doubt_n of_o the_o one_o it_o be_v too_o too_o manifest_a the_o other_o talk_v as_o if_o he_o be_v certain_a and_o think_v and_o droop_v without_o ever_o be_v able_a to_o fix_v himself_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o religion_n he_o be_v confident_a that_o it_o be_v altogether_o false_a and_o impossible_a and_o when_o he_o reason_n he_o find_v himself_o expose_v to_o a_o bottomless_a sea_n of_o doubt_n and_o uncertainty_n the_o second_o discourse_n the_o removal_n of_o some_o objection_n against_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v not_o intend_v here_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n this_o have_v be_v already_o do_v by_o great_a man_n with_o a_o success_n answerable_a to_o their_o expectation_n but_o only_o to_o remove_v some_o of_o the_o most_o substantial_a objection_n of_o the_o irreligious_a whereby_o christian_a religion_n be_v evince_v to_o be_v at_o least_o most_o probable_a they_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o three_o head_n the_o seem_a lowness_n of_o the_o mystery_n christian_a religion_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o our_o doctrine_n the_o impossibility_n of_o those_o miracle_n we_o look_v upon_o as_o the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n chap._n i._n the_o lowness_n and_o despicableness_n of_o our_o mystery_n answer_v this_o reproach_n be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o the_o irreligious_a the_o jew_n before_o they_o have_v look_v upon_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n as_o a_o stumble_a block_n and_o the_o heathen_n as_o a_o foolishness_n marcio_n and_o valentinus_n as_o tertullian_n relate_v it_o do_v teach_v that_o christ_n have_v assume_v a_o imaginary_a body_n and_o his_o birth_n and_o death_n be_v only_a illusion_n put_v upon_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o spectator_n apelles_n will_v have_v he_o cover_v with_o a_o real_a flesh_n but_o borrow_v from_o the_o star_n and_o not_o from_o the_o bless_a virgin_n thus_o man_n will_v have_v order_v the_o grand_a mystery_n of_o incarnation_n have_v he_o be_v master_n of_o it_o he_o will_v have_v leave_v the_o bare_a disposition_n to_o god_n as_o if_o he_o can_v or_o shall_v do_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o man_n be_v able_a to_o think_v the_o occasion_n of_o those_o dream_n of_o the_o heretic_n be_v that_o they_o believe_v christ_n humiliation_n unworthy_a of_o he_o and_o the_o ground_n of_o the_o irreligious_a man_n be_v that_o they_o believe_v they_o be_v unworthy_a of_o themselves_o both_o be_v as_o different_a in_o their_o consequence_n as_o in_o their_o principle_n the_o first_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v no_o real_a body_n nor_o have_v real_o suffer_v the_o second_o from_o the_o birth_n and_o death_n of_o christ_n infer_v that_o he_o be_v not_o god_n the_o aim_n of_o both_o be_v to_o separate_v suffering_n from_o god_n as_o thing_n altogether_o irreconcilable_a the_o irreligious_a destroy_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n and_o receive_v his_o humiliation_n the_o heretic_n deny_v his_o humiliation_n to_o preserve_v his_o divinity_n christian_n unite_v they_o both_o in_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n acknowledge_v that_o though_o god_n as_o his_o father_n yet_o he_o be_v become_v low_a than_o the_o angel_n take_v upon_o he_o our_o nature_n and_o low_a than_o man_n suffer_v for_o they_o a_o most_o cruel_a and_o shameful_a death_n suppose_v then_o as_o a_o principle_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n it_o be_v no_o hard_a task_n to_o prove_v that_o his_o
humiliation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o take_v away_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o divinity_n that_o they_o enforce_v and_o support_v it_o let_v they_o be_v propose_v to_o any_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o he_o will_v conclude_v one_a that_o his_o humiliation_n can_v bring_v no_o alteration_n to_o his_o divinity_n god_n be_v whole_o immutable_a and_o incapable_a of_o decay_n to_o what_o state_n soever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o descend_v periculum_fw-la status_fw-la svi_fw-la deo_fw-la nullum_fw-la est_fw-la christ_n tertul._n de_fw-fr carn_n christ_n 2_o that_o if_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o vile_a and_o despicable_a form_n of_o a_o man_n it_o be_v because_o he_o will_v have_v it_o so_o he_o can_v have_v come_v invest_v with_o all_o the_o majesty_n expect_v from_o the_o son_n of_o god_n his_o resurrection_n his_o ascension_n his_o fit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o his_o father_n be_v mystery_n as_o full_a of_o glory_n as_o the_o other_o be_v of_o shame_n he_o be_v instate_v by_o they_o in_o that_o splendid_a appearance_n the_o irreligious_a and_o jew_n will_v have_v he_o in_o at_o the_o beginning_n so_o that_o his_o humiliation_n can_v be_v attribute_v to_o any_o want_n of_o power_n nor_o dare_v the_o irreligious_a deny_v these_o glorious_a mystery_n unless_o he_o resolve_v to_o yield_v up_o those_o he_o look_v upon_o as_o so_o shameful_a know_v nothing_o of_o either_o of_o those_o but_o from_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o evangelist_n he_o must_v equal_o receive_v or_o reject_v the_o whole_a matter_n of_o fact_n 3_o that_o he_o do_v it_o because_o he_o will_v do_v it_o and_o that_o he_o will_v do_v it_o because_o he_o love_v we_o he_o love_v man_n in_o his_o misery_n and_o infirmity_n and_o who_o can_v turn_v into_o a_o crime_n so_o stupendous_a so_o miraculous_a a_o charity_n ib._n tert_n full_o ib._n 4_o that_o nothing_o be_v real_o low_a or_o shameful_a but_o what_o bear_v the_o character_n of_o sin_n the_o greatness_n of_o god_n shine_v in_o the_o number_n order_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o heaven_n nor_o do_v he_o fall_v from_o his_o majesty_n when_o he_o apply_v his_o power_n to_o the_o formation_n of_o the_o vile_a infect_v his_o providence_n maintain_v they_o his_o immensity_n render_v he_o present_a in_o the_o horride_v place_n nor_o do_v yet_o any_o man_n think_v all_o these_o thing_n a_o shame_n and_o a_o reproach_n to_o he_o yet_o almighty_a god_n be_v as_o real_o in_o they_o after_o his_o manner_n as_o christ_n in_o his_o mystery_n of_o humiliation_n chap._n ii_o christian_a religion_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v impossibility_n and_o thing_n beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o nature_n answer_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o be_v see_v be_v ridiculous_a in_o the_o very_a doctrine_n of_o irreligion_n who_o abetter_n believe_v many_o thing_n they_o never_o see_v who_o of_o they_o deny_v antipode_n though_o they_o never_o be_v there_o who_o of_o they_o refuse_v the_o testimony_n of_o fact_n relate_v by_o profane_a historian_n because_o they_o never_o see_v the_o like_a who_o of_o they_o disbelieve_v many_o thing_n he_o have_v be_v tell_v because_o some_o of_o they_o prove_v false_a and_o make_v his_o private_a opinion_n the_o rule_n of_o what_o be_v credible_a and_o possible_a but_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a the_o irreligious_a can_v deny_v none_o of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v obvious_a in_o the_o scripture_n there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n of_o disprove_v miracle_n first_o show_v their_o impossibility_n second_o their_o want_n of_o authority_n it_o be_v altogether_o out_o of_o their_o power_n to_o prove_v the_o first_o a_o miracle_n be_v either_o impossible_a as_o be_v beyond_o the_o force_n of_o nature_n if_o he_o think_v they_o impossible_a in_o that_o sense_n so_o far_o we_o agree_v or_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o god_n and_o this_o he_o can_v assert_v according_a to_o his_o own_o principle_n or_o impossible_a in_o itself_o and_o this_o can_v be_v make_v out_o but_o by_o demonstrate_v a_o real_a certain_a evident_a contradiction_n in_o they_o and_o if_o we_o consider_v thing_n in_o themselves_o what_o impossibility_n be_v there_o that_o a_o soul_n and_o body_n which_o be_v unite_v a_o little_a before_o shall_v join_v again_o and_o be_v in_o the_o same_o state_n they_o be_v before_o their_o separation_n if_o there_o be_v a_o power_n capable_a of_o unite_n they_o what_o contradiction_n be_v there_o that_o a_o blind_a man_n shall_v receive_v his_o sight_n a_o dumb_a man_n his_o speech_n a_o paralytic_a his_o limb_n nature_n do_v it_o often_o with_o time_n and_o remedy_n why_o can_v a_o superior_a power_n do_v it_o in_o a_o moment_n for_o the_o second_o viz._n want_v of_o authority_n no_o irreligious_a sure_a will_v charge_v they_o with_o beside_o the_o integrity_n of_o they_o that_o transmit_v they_o to_o we_o beside_o their_o principle_n that_o no_o lie_n be_v lawful_a but_o that_o a_o lie_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v detestable_a they_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o some_o of_o those_o miracle_n have_v be_v believe_v for_o three_o thousand_o year_n and_o preserve_v by_o a_o people_n that_o have_v build_v their_o religion_n upon_o they_o the_o rest_n have_v be_v believe_v sixteen_o hundred_o year_n since_o and_o contribute_v to_o the_o conversion_n of_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n their_o preacher_n seal_v they_o with_o their_o blood_n wrought_v the_o same_o if_o not_o great_a and_o induce_v by_o they_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o people_n of_o all_o age_n and_o condition_n to_o die_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n that_o before_o christian_a religion_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n all_o nation_n the_o jew_n except_v be_v idolater_n it_o be_v another_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o those_o idolater_n change_v religion_n and_o from_o infidel_n become_v christian_n and_o what_o great_a proof_n than_o this_o can_v be_v require_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o miracle_n how_o can_v such_o a_o sudden_a alteration_n be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n without_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o wonder_n which_o back_v and_o support_v the_o gospel_n be_v so_o many_o million_o of_o man_n mere_a child_n who_o mind_n be_v alter_v at_o first_o sight_n be_v they_o so_o stupid_a and_o simple_a as_o to_o receive_v any_o new_a doctrine_n without_o discernment_n and_o upon_o trust_n be_v not_o the_o history_n full_a of_o the_o strange_a excess_n nation_n run_v to_o to_o defend_v those_o error_n the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n will_v remove_v from_o they_o can_v they_o be_v overcome_v after_o so_o long_o so_o stout_a a_o resistance_n by_o any_o other_o force_n than_o that_o of_o miracle_n do_v not_o the_o violent_a and_o last_a persecution_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n evince_n that_o they_o be_v of_o a_o religion_n contrary_a to_o we_o how_o can_v twelve_o fisherman_n agree_v upon_o so_o strange_a a_o resolution_n as_o that_o of_o deliver_v lie_n to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o be_v so_o obstinate_a as_o no_o torment_n can_v persuade_v they_o to_o desist_v from_o their_o foolish_a undertake_n how_o can_v so_o many_o nation_n assent_v to_o lie_n which_o procure_v nothing_o to_o their_o defender_n but_o death_n and_o suffering_n how_o can_v they_o venture_v their_o life_n to_o maintain_v and_o transmit_v they_o to_o we_o by_o a_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n certain_o one_o shall_v convince_v we_o first_o that_o all_o those_o nation_n be_v natural_o mad_a and_o apt_a to_o prefer_v a_o severe_a law_n which_o extend_v its_o empire_n to_o the_o very_a desire_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o have_v for_o its_o promulgator_n man_n unknown_a and_o persecute_v every_o where_o to_o their_o first_o religion_n which_o put_v no_o limit_n to_o their_o cupidity_n and_o before_o any_o body_n shall_v embrace_v irreligion_n the_o irreligious_a be_v concern_v to_o prove_v by_o solid_a argument_n that_o those_o change_n be_v natural_o possible_a and_o the_o more_o because_o they_o be_v so_o particular_a to_o christianity_n as_o to_o be_v find_v nowhere_o else_o chap._n iii_o the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o thing_n christian_a religion_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v answer_v the_o injustice_n and_o absurdity_n of_o that_o reproach_n the_o irreligious_a complain_v many_o point_n be_v propose_v to_o his_o belief_n which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o understand_v as_o if_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o fall_v under_o his_o sense_n which_o reproach_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o two_o proposition_n that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o may_v be_v comprehend_v and_o that_o thing_n be_v not_o when_o they_o be_v incomprehensible_a then_o which_o two_o proposition_n nothing_o can_v be_v imagine_v more_o impertinent_a beside_o that_o thereby_o a_o weak_a frail_a blind_a man_n make_v his_o private_a understanding_n the_o
soul_n immortality_n it_o be_v true_a but_o be_v they_o of_o her_o destruction_n be_v not_o either_o of_o they_o equal_o unattainable_a to_o our_o sense_n what_o can_v then_o determine_v he_o rather_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o one_o than_o of_o the_o other_o since_o both_o be_v equal_o unknown_a to_o he_o chap._n viii_o some_o place_n of_o ecclesiaste_n irreligious_a man_n make_v use_v of_o to_o prove_v the_o mortality_n of_o the_o soul_n explain_v nothing_o surprise_v more_o than_o to_o see_v the_o irreligious_a make_v use_v of_o a_o book_n write_v against_o irreligion_n the_o ecclesiaste_n suppose_v every_o where_o existence_n of_o god_n and_o the_o creation_n of_o man_n he_o condemn_v the_o vanity_n of_o his_o desire_n reproach_n he_o with_o ignorance_n in_o the_o work_n of_o god_n draw_v a_o picture_n of_o the_o chief_a abuse_n of_o all_o condition_n threaten_v all_o sinner_n with_o the_o last_o judgement_n and_o exhort_v they_o to_o repent_v before_o death_n may_v overtake_v they_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v that_o all_o this_o be_v ground_v upon_o immortality_n if_o the_o soul_n do_v not_o outlive_v the_o body_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o persuade_v to_o action_n of_o piety_n which_o shall_v go_v unrewarded_a and_o to_o deter_v we_o from_o crime_n by_o the_o image_n of_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v which_o have_v nothing_o real_a in_o it_o certain_o the_o design_n of_o solomon_n be_v to_o lead_v we_o to_o god_n through_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o sincere_a piety_n this_o book_n be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o error_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o belief_n of_o her_o mortality_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o have_v he_o establish_v it_o in_o any_o place_n with_o what_o probability_n can_v we_o make_v use_n of_o another_o to_o destroy_v it_o unless_o we_o shall_v impute_v to_o the_o wise_a man_n a_o shameful_a contradiction_n and_o accuse_v he_o to_o pull_v down_o beforehand_o what_o he_o intend_v to_o build_v after_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o last_o chapter_n be_v to_o advise_v man_n to_o serve_v god_n from_o their_o youth_n and_o not_o put_v off_o their_o conversion_n to_o the_o last_o year_n of_o their_o life_n wherein_o repentance_n be_v so_o suspicious_a and_o have_v metaphorical_o describe_v the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o body_n in_o these_o word_n ere_o the_o wheel_n be_v break_v at_o the_o cistern_n he_o break_v off_o his_o metaphor_n and_o say_v plain_o then_o shall_v the_o dust_n return_n to_o the_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v and_o the_o spirit_n shall_v return_v unto_o god_n who_o give_v it_o 12.6_o these_o word_n make_v out_o clear_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n if_o our_o spirit_n subsist_v not_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o body_n how_o can_v it_o return_v to_o god_n can_v a_o spirit_n which_o be_v annihilate_v return_n to_o his_o maker_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v enforce_v by_o the_o comparison_n he_o make_v of_o it_o to_o the_o dust_n for_o the_o dust_n our_o body_n be_v make_v of_o subsist_v real_o after_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o whole_a nay_o this_o dust_n be_v immortal_a no_o creature_n be_v able_a to_o annihilate_v it_o and_o matter_n remain_v incorruptible_a to_o any_o natural_a power_n therefore_o the_o dust_n of_o our_o body_n subsist_v even_o after_o our_o death_n return_v to_o the_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v who_o doubt_v but_o our_o spirit_n return_v to_o god_n who_o give_v it_o subsist_v after_o the_o separation_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o colour_n to_o attribute_v any_o other_o sense_n to_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o we_o be_v natural_o lead_v to_o it_o by_o the_o justness_n of_o the_o comparison_n between_o these_o two_o part_n of_o ourselves_o the_o spirit_n shall_v return_v unto_o god_n who_o give_v it_o as_o the_o dust_n shall_v return_v to_o the_o earth_n as_o it_o be_v it_o be_v the_o wiseman_n proposition_n but_o the_o dust_n subsist_v even_o after_o the_o separation_n and_o return_v real_o to_o the_o earth_n therefore_o the_o spirit_n return_v to_o god_n who_o give_v it_o subsist_v real_o also_o nor_o be_v it_o a_o amaze_a thing_n that_o our_o soul_n shall_v be_v immortal_a since_o the_o dust_n and_o earth_n she_o animate_v be_v so_o too_o and_o as_o death_n be_v not_o the_o annihilation_n of_o body_n but_o their_o separation_n from_o soul_n and_o their_o dissolution_n into_o element_n so_o it_o be_v not_o the_o annihilation_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o its_o separation_n from_o the_o body_n and_o reunion_n to_o god_n as_o her_o source_n indeed_o after_o so_o precise_a a_o assertion_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n any_o ingenious_a adversary_n will_v confess_v that_o if_o some_o obscure_a place_n occur_v it_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o common_a sense_n to_o reduce_v it_o to_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o these_o word_n but_o what_o must_v one_o say_v if_o that_o very_a place_n the_o irreligious_a usurp_v against_o immortality_n shall_v suppose_v it_o so_o plain_o that_o it_o be_v mere_a nonsense_n out_o of_o that_o supposition_n the_o wiseman_n say_v that_o have_v consider_v those_o place_n where_o judge_n sit_v he_o have_v see_v wickedness_n in_o they_o and_o impiety_n in_o their_o judgement_n vers_fw-la 16_o 17._o but_o that_o their_o verdict_n shall_v be_v review_v and_o reform_v when_o god_n shall_v judge_v the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a for_o there_o be_v a_o time_n for_o every_o purpose_n and_o for_o every_o work_n that_o it_o can_v be_v understand_v but_o of_o the_o last_o judgement_n and_o consequent_o suppose_v beforehand_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n he_o add_v vers_fw-la 18_o 19_o that_o he_o have_v say_v in_o his_o heart_n concern_v the_o son_n of_o man_n that_o god_n may_v manifest_v they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v see_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v beast_n it_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n in_o the_o wiseman_n opinion_n that_o as_o one_o die_v so_o die_v the_o other_o yea_o they_o have_v all_o one_o breath_n so_o that_o a_o man_n have_v no_o preeminence_n upon_o a_o beast_n for_o all_o be_v but_o vanity_n and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o all_o go_v to_o one_o place_n all_o be_v of_o the_o dust_n and_o turn_v to_o dust_n again_o this_o be_v so_o strong_a a_o prejudice_n for_o stupid_a and_o carnal_a man_n as_o it_o incline_v they_o to_o believe_v that_o their_o condition_n be_v perfect_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o beast_n who_o know_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n that_o go_v upward_o and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o beast_n that_o go_v downward_o to_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v almost_o the_o same_o manner_n of_o speak_v as_o that_o which_o express_v so_o perspicuous_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o spirit_n shall_v return_v unto_o god_n who_o give_v it_o which_o be_v the_o tame_a as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v in_o that_o deep_a ignorance_n of_o all_o thing_n man_n be_v involve_v there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o who_o know_v that_o which_o no_o body_n shall_v be_v a_o stranger_n to_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n that_o rational_a soul_n be_v immortal_a and_o that_o of_o the_o beast_n be_v not_o it_o appear_v therefore_o clear_a than_o light_n itself_o that_o the_o wiseman_n propose_v not_o this_o truth_n as_o doubtful_a but_o as_o undoubted_o grant_v which_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a manner_n of_o speak_v when_o to_o exaggerate_v some_o point_n man_n be_v engage_v to_o know_v one_o doubt_n whether_o they_o do_v know_v other_o which_o be_v more_o common_a be_v there_o a_o ignorance_n may_v one_o say_v equal_a to_o that_o of_o the_o popish_a people_n in_o many_o place_n they_o think_v it_o lawful_a to_o keep_v another_o man_n good_n as_o long_o as_o the_o law_n do_v not_o call_v they_o to_o a_o account_n they_o blame_v no_o oath_n but_o perjury_n nay_o who_o of_o they_o know_v whether_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o god_n and_o two_o nature_n in_o christ_n it_o be_v just_a the_o same_o trope_n the_o wiseman_n speak_v in_o he_o be_v not_o uncertain_a whether_o the_o soul_n return_v to_o god_n whence_o she_o come_v since_o he_o profess_v it_o express_o at_o the_o end_n of_o his_o book_n but_o he_o doubt_v whether_o among_o the_o man_n of_o his_o time_n any_o have_v light_a enough_o to_o discover_v this_o truth_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o much_o darkness_n if_o speak_v thus_o he_o seem_v to_o doubt_v of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n he_o must_v have_v doubt_v also_o of_o the_o corruptibility_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o beast_n his_o expression_n reach_v equal_o to_o both_o who_o know_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n that_o go_v upward_o and_o the_o spirit_n of_o beast_n that_o go_v downward_o he_o must_v then_o mean_v this_o who_o know_v whether_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n subsist_v after_o death_n as_o it_o be_v usual_o believe_v