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bountiful_a mere_o to_o satisfy_v his_o own_o goodness_n but_o it_o be_v the_o propriety_n of_o god_n nature_n be_v he_o not_o then_o worthy_a of_o all_o our_o thought_n all_o our_o affection_n for_o his_o most_o free_a and_o admirable_a favour_n if_o there_o be_v but_o a_o spark_n of_o reason_n we_o must_v judge_v that_o the_o immense_a liberality_n of_o god_n to_o we_o plaeat_a without_o respect_n to_o his_o own_o interest_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v that_o it_o increase_v our_o duty_n to_o correspond_v in_o all_o possible_a thankfulness_n consider_v further_o that_o which_o add_v to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o gift_n we_o receive_v be_v 1._o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o giver_n the_o price_n of_o a_o benefit_n rise_v in_o proportion_n to_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o person_n that_o bestow_v it_o a_o small_a gift_n from_o a_o
be_v so_o frame_v as_o to_o foresee_v the_o consequence_n of_o his_o action_n the_o inward_a spring_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n work_n and_o govern_v he_o according_o and_o these_o necessary_a effect_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n must_v be_v so_o great_a as_o may_v rational_o induce_v man_n to_o reverence_n and_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o his_o maker_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o strong_a temptation_n to_o the_o contrary_n now_o if_o we_o consider_v man_n in_o this_o corrupt_a state_n how_o averse_a from_o good_a and_o incline_v to_o evil_a how_o weak_a his_o directive_n faculty_n how_o disorder_a and_o turbulent_a his_o passion_n how_o many_o pleasure_n be_v press_v on_o the_o sense_n to_o precipitate_v his_o slippery_a disposition_n into_o a_o compliance_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o beside_o the_o rule_n of_o morality_n eternal_a reason_n be_v necessary_a to_o preserve_v in_o he_o a_o dutiful_a respect_n to_o god_n take_v away_o the_o hope_n and_o fear_n of_o thing_n hereafter_o what_o antidote_n be_v of_o force_n against_o the_o poison_n of_o inherent_a lust_n what_o can_v disarm_v the_o world_n of_o its_o allurement_n how_o can_v man_n void_a of_o innocence_n and_o full_a of_o impurity_n resist_v the_o delight_n of_o sin_n when_o the_o inclination_n from_o within_o be_v as_o strong_a as_o temptation_n from_o without_o how_o greedy_o will_v he_o pursue_v the_o advantage_n of_o this_o mortal_a condition_n and_o strive_v to_o gratify_v all_o the_o sensual_a appitite_n the_o roman_n when_o the_o fear_n of_o patâ—rc_n carthage_n that_o aspire_v to_o a_o superiority_n in_o empire_n be_v remove_v present_o degenerate_v from_o military_a valour_n and_o civil_a virtue_n into_o softness_n and_o luxury_n so_o if_o man_n be_v absolve_v from_o the_o fear_n of_o judgement_n to_o come_v no_o restraint_n will_v be_v strong_a enough_o to_o bridle_v the_o impetuous_a resolution_n of_o his_o deprave_a will_n if_o there_o be_v no_o evil_a of_o punishment_n after_o death_n there_o be_v no_o evil_a of_o sin_n but_o will_v be_v continue_v in_o till_o death_n and_o man_n that_o by_o nature_n be_v incomparable_o above_o by_o vice_n will_v be_v incomparable_o beneath_o the_o beast_n insomuch_o as_o join_v to_o their_o natural_a brutishness_n the_o craft_n and_o malice_n of_o wit_n he_o will_v become_v more_o monstrous_o that_o be_v design_o and_o free_o brutish_a now_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o god_n to_o keep_v his_o subject_n in_o order_n shall_v be_v constrain_v to_o allure_v they_o with_o a_o beautiful_a deceit_n the_o promise_n of_o a_o heaven_n that_o have_v no_o reality_n or_o to_o urge_v they_o by_o the_o feign_a terror_n of_o a_o hell_n that_o be_v no_o where_o this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o wisdom_n and_o many_o other_o attribute_n if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o humane_a law_n be_v a_o sufficient_a security_n of_o virtue_n and_o curb_v from_o vice_n i_o answer_v this_o be_v apparent_o false_a for_o 1._o sovereign_n prince_n be_v exempt_v from_o temporal_a penalty_n yet_o their_o fault_n be_v of_o the_o great_a malignity_n by_o the_o contagion_n of_o their_o example_n and_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o effect_n their_o action_n be_v more_o potent_a to_o govern_v than_o their_o law_n innumerable_a perish_v by_o the_o imitation_n of_o their_o vice_n now_o to_o leave_v the_o high_a rank_n of_o man_n unaccountable_a will_v cause_v a_o great_a disorder_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o be_v a_o spot_n in_o the_o divine_a providence_n 2._o many_o sin_n direct_o opposite_a to_o reason_n and_o injurious_a to_o the_o divine_a honour_n be_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o civil_a law_n such_o be_v some_o sin_n that_o immediate_o concern_v god_n the_o disbelief_n and_o undervalue_v his_o excellency_n and_o some_o that_o immediate_o respect_v a_o man_n self_n as_o sloth_n luxury_n etc._n etc._n and_o all_o vicious_a principle_n that_o secret_o lodge_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o infect_v it_o with_o deep_a pollution_n and_o many_o sin_n that_o break_v forth_o of_o which_o the_o outward_a act_n be_v not_o pernicious_a to_o the_o public_a 3._o many_o eminent_a virtue_n be_v of_o a_o private_a nature_n as_o humility_n meekness_n patience_n a_o readiness_n to_o forgive_v gratitude_n for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o encouragement_n by_o civil_a law_n so_o that_o they_o be_v but_o a_o weak_a instrument_n to_o preserve_v innocence_n and_o restrain_v from_o evil._n chap._n xi_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n a_o infallible_a argument_n of_o future_a recompense_n the_o natural_a notion_n of_o god_n include_v justice_n in_o perfection_n xi_o in_o this_o world_n sometime_o virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v equal_o miserable_a sometime_o vice_n be_v prosperous_a sometime_o good_a man_n be_v in_o the_o worst_a condition_n the_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o deny_v a_o future_a state_n god_n absolute_a dominion_n over_o the_o reasonable_a creature_n be_v regulate_v by_o his_o wisdom_n and_o limit_v by_o his_o will._n the_o essential_a beauty_n of_o holiness_n with_o the_o pleasure_n that_o natural_o result_v from_o good_a action_n and_o the_o native_a turpitude_n of_o sin_n with_o the_o disturbance_n of_o the_o mind_n reflect_v on_o it_o be_v not_o the_o complete_a recompense_n that_o attend_v the_o good_a and_o the_o wicked_a 2._o the_o second_o argument_n arise_v from_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o justice_n god_n as_o universal_a sovereign_n be_v supreme_a judge_n of_o the_o world_n for_o judicature_n be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o royalty_n these_o right_n be_v inseparable_a and_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o the_o deity_n include_v justice_n in_o that_o perfection_n as_o infinite_o excel_v the_o most_o just_a governor_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o give_v we_o convince_a evidence_n for_o recompense_n hereafter_o for_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o proof_n more_o certain_a than_o by_o such_o maxim_n as_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o to_o be_v undoubted_o true_a by_o their_o own_o light_n in_o the_o motive_n of_o intellectual_a assent_n the_o mind_n must_v final_o rest_v on_o some_o that_o be_v self-evident_a without_o depend_v as_o to_o their_o clearness_n on_o any_o superior_a proof_n and_o be_v therefore_o call_v first_o principle_n the_o fountain_n of_o discourse_n now_o that_o god_n be_v most_o righteous_a and_o equal_a in_o his_o judgement_n before_o who_o throne_n man_n must_v appear_v that_o he_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n condemn_v the_o innocent_a nor_o justify_v the_o guilty_a that_o he_o be_v so_o pure_a and_o holy_a that_o he_o can_v suffer_v sin_n unrepented_a of_o to_o go_v unpunished_a be_v a_o prime_a truth_n declare_v by_o the_o voice_n of_o nature_n the_o weak_a twilight_n of_o reason_n discern_v the_o antipathy_n of_o this_o connexion_n a_o unjust_a god_n indifferent_a to_o good_a or_o evil_n never_o any_o sect_n of_o idolater_n form_v such_o a_o unworthy_a deity_n that_o be_v absolute_o careless_a of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n without_o distinguish_v they_o in_o his_o affection_n and_o retribution_n this_o be_v to_o debase_v he_o beneath_o the_o most_o unreasonable_a man_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o such_o a_o impure_a mind_n so_o perfect_a a_o despiser_n of_o moral_a goodness_n but_o have_v some_o respect_n for_o virtue_n and_o some_o abhorrence_n of_o vice_n in_o other_o especial_o in_o their_o child_n from_o hence_o it_o certain_o follow_v that_o as_o virtue_n and_o the_o reward_n sin_n and_o the_o punishment_n be_v ally_v in_o a_o direct_a line_n by_o a_o most_o wise_a constitution_n so_o it_o be_v just_a that_o the_o effect_n shall_v true_o correspond_v with_o the_o quality_n of_o man_n action_n if_o they_o reverence_v god_n law_n it_o be_v most_o become_v his_o nature_n and_o relation_n to_o make_v they_o happy_a if_o they_o abuse_v their_o liberty_n and_o violate_v his_o command_n it_o be_v most_o righteous_a that_o they_o shall_v feel_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o choose_a wickedness_n now_o if_o we_o look_v only_o to_o thing_n see_v we_o do_v not_o find_v such_o equal_a distribution_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o clear_a light_n wherewith_o god_n have_v irradiate_v the_o understanding_n of_o man_n concern_v his_o governing-justice_n 1._o sometime_o virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v equal_o miserable_a here_o in_o common_a calamity_n be_v there_o a_o difference_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a be_v there_o a_o peculiar_a antidote_n to_o secure_v they_o from_o pestilential_a infection_n or_o a_o strong_a retreat_n to_o defend_v they_o from_o the_o sword_n of_o a_o conquer_a enemy_n have_v they_o secret_a provision_n in_o time_n of_o famine_n be_v not_o the_o wheat_n and_o tare_n bind_v in_o a_o bundle_n and_o cast_v into_o the_o same_o fire_n 2._o many_o time_n the_o most_o guilty_a offender_n be_v not_o punish_v here_o they_o not_o only_o escape_v the_o justice_n of_o man_n by_o secrecy_n by_o deceit_n or_o favour_n by_o resistance_n or_o flight_n but_o be_v under_o no_o
less_o than_o death_n that_o for_o ever_o deprive_v of_o all_o that_o be_v valuable_a and_o pleasant_a in_o this_o natural_a life_n be_v a_o equal_a punishment_n to_o it_o what_o temporal_a suffering_n can_v expiate_v sin_n against_o god_n for_o beside_o the_o transcendent_a excellence_n of_o his_o nature_n infinite_o raise_v above_o all_o other_o being_n there_o be_v unite_v in_o he_o in_o a_o incomparable_a degree_n all_o the_o right_n that_o be_v inherent_a in_o our_o parent_n prince_n or_o country_n for_o benefit_n receive_v from_o they_o and_o may_v he_o not_o then_o just_o deprive_v ungracious_a rebel_n for_o ever_o of_o the_o comfort_n of_o his_o revive_a presence_n 3._o the_o necessity_n of_o eternal_a recompense_n to_o excite_v a_o constant_a fear_n in_o man_n of_o offend_a god_n make_v the_o justice_n of_o they_o visible_a for_o as_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o while_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o flesh_n and_o blood_n the_o disposition_n incline_v from_o within_o and_o the_o temptation_n urge_v from_o without_o if_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n be_v not_o far_o more_o terrible_a than_o the_o pleasure_n of_o it_o be_v allure_a there_o will_v be_v no_o effectual_a restraint_n upon_o the_o riot_n of_o the_o carnal_a appetite_n now_o if_o civil_a justice_n for_o the_o preservation_n of_o society_n wise_o decree_v such_o penalty_n for_o offence_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o maintain_v the_o honour_n of_o law_n that_o be_v found_v in_o equity_n either_o by_o prevent_v or_o by_o repair_v the_o the_o injury_n do_v to_o they_o be_v it_o not_o most_o righteous_a that_o the_o supreme_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v secure_v obedience_n to_o his_o most_o holy_a law_n by_o annex_v such_o penalty_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o induce_v a_o reverence_n of_o they_o in_o his_o subject_n and_o to_o execute_v the_o sentence_n in_o full_a severity_n upon_o presumptuous_a transgressor_n without_o this_o the_o divine_a government_n will_v be_v dissolve_v 4._o eternal_a life_n and_o eternal_a death_n be_v set_v before_o man_n to_o encourage_v they_o to_o obedience_n and_o deter_v they_o from_o sin_n so_o that_o none_o die_v but_o for_o wilful_a impenitence_n and_o can_v there_o be_v the_o least_o aspersion_n of_o unjust_a rigour_n cast_v on_o god_n proceed_n in_o judgement_n if_o it_o be_v say_v it_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o most_o inviolable_a inclination_n of_o nature_n that_o no_o man_n can_v choose_v his_o own_o destruction_n to_o that_o a_o full_a answer_n may_v be_v give_v it_o be_v true_a man_n can_v divest_v reason_n and_o sense_n so_o as_o to_o choose_v direct_o and_o intentional_o eternal_a misery_n but_o virtual_o and_o by_o consequence_n he_o do_v for_o the_o deliberate_a choice_n of_o sin_n as_o pleasant_a or_o profitable_a though_o damnable_a in_o the_o issue_n be_v by_o just_a interpretation_n a_o choose_n of_o the_o punishment_n that_o attend_v it_o and_o to_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o sinner_n be_v in_o love_n with_o perish_v let_v we_o consider_v 1._o the_o inestimable_a reward_n of_o obedience_n they_o refuse_v it_o be_v a_o felicity_n worth_a as_o much_o as_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o as_o durable_a as_o eternity_n now_o what_o be_v put_v in_o the_o balance_n against_o heaven_n only_o this_o world_n that_o pass_v away_o with_o the_o lust_n thereof_o and_o it_o argue_v a_o violent_a propension_n in_o the_o will_n to_o carnal_a thing_n when_o the_o little_a fleet_a pleasure_n of_o sense_n how_o empty_a how_o vanish_v outweigh_v in_o the_o competition_n the_o substantial_a everlasting_a blessedness_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o what_o a_o vile_a contempt_n be_v it_o of_o the_o perfection_n of_o god_n that_o such_o base_a thing_n such_o trifle_a temptation_n shall_v be_v choose_v before_o he_o be_v it_o not_o visible_o true_a reason_n will_v deny_v the_o possibility_n of_o it_o it_o be_v as_o if_o the_o wife_n of_o a_o prince_n shall_v prefer_v in_o her_o affection_n before_o he_o a_o disease_a deform_a slave_n or_o as_o if_o one_o shall_v choose_v the_o food_n of_o beast_n hay_o acorn_n or_o carrion_n before_o the_o provision_n of_o a_o royal_a table_n this_o be_v no_o hyperbole_n no_o exaggregation_n but_o the_o reality_n infinite_o exceed_v all_o figure_n and_o be_v it_o not_o perfect_o reasonable_a that_o sinner_n shall_v inherit_v their_o own_o option_n 2._o this_o reject_v of_o eternal_a life_n by_o sinner_n be_v peremptory_a against_o the_o best_a and_o often_o renew_v mean_n to_o induce_v they_o to_o accept_v of_o it_o they_o be_v allure_v by_o the_o sweet_a mercy_n urge_v by_o the_o strong_a terror_n to_o forsake_v their_o belove_a lust_n and_o be_v happy_a and_o till_o the_o riches_n of_o goodness_n and_o forbearance_n be_v despise_v they_o be_v not_o past_a hope_n for_o though_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o law_n be_v decisive_a upon_o the_o first_o act_n of_o sin_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o irrevocable_a but_o upon_o impenitence_n in_o it_o but_o when_o sin_n have_v such_o a_o absolute_a empire_n in_o the_o will_n that_o no_o obligation_n no_o invitation_n can_v prevail_v with_o it_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o obstinacy_n be_v a_o ingredient_n in_o the_o refusal_n of_o heaven_n and_o be_v it_o not_o most_o just_a that_o a_o obstinate_a aversation_n from_o god_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o a_o everlasting_a exclusion_n from_o his_o glory_n this_o will_v clear_o vindicate_v divine_a justice_n and_o render_v sinner_n excuseless_a in_o the_o day_n of_o account_n god_n will_v overcome_v when_o he_o judge_n and_o every_o mouth_n be_v stop_v this_o will_v be_v a_o fiery_a addition_n to_o their_o misery_n and_o feed_v the_o never_o die_a worm_n for_o by_o reflect_v upon_o what_o they_o have_v irrecoverable_o lose_v and_o what_o they_o must_v for_o ever_o suffer_v and_o that_o by_o their_o own_o wretched_a choice_n the_o awaken_v conscience_n turn_v the_o most_o cruel_a fiend_n against_o itself_o in_o hell_n there_o be_v weep_v and_o gnash_n of_o tooth_n extreme_a misery_n and_o extreme_a fury_n despair_n and_o rage_n be_v the_o true_a character_n of_o damnation_n chap._n xiii_o xiii_o what_o influence_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o future_a state_n shall_v have_v upon_o our_o practice_n it_o must_v regulate_v our_o esteem_n of_o present_a thing_n and_o reconcile_v our_o affection_n to_o any_o condition_n here_o so_o far_o as_o it_o may_v be_v a_o advantage_n to_o prepare_v we_o for_o the_o better_a world_n the_o chief_a care_n be_v due_a to_o the_o immortal_a part_n the_o just_a value_n of_o time_n and_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v improve_v it_o be_v the_o best_a wisdom_n to_o govern_v our_o whole_a course_n of_o life_n here_o with_o regard_n to_o eternity_n that_o expect_v we_o i_o will_v now_o brief_o show_v what_o influence_n this_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n shall_v have_v on_o our_o practice_n it_o be_v not_o a_o matter_n of_o pure_a speculation_n but_o infinite_o concern_v all_o for_o whatever_o inequality_n there_o be_v between_o man_n with_o respect_n to_o temporal_a accident_n in_o the_o present_a state_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n with_o regard_n to_o thing_n future_a their_o soul_n be_v equal_o immortal_a and_o capable_a of_o the_o same_o blessedness_n and_o liable_a to_o the_o same_o misery_n it_o be_v most_o necessary_a therefore_o to_o reflect_v upon_o what_o so_o near_o touch_v we_o if_o the_o eternal_a state_n hereafter_o be_v not_o a_o infallible_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o probable_a opinion_n and_o the_o argument_n for_o and_o against_o it_o be_v so_o equal_a that_o the_o understanding_n remain_v in_o suspense_n yet_o the_o importance_n be_v so_o vast_a either_o to_o enjoy_v for_o ever_o the_o clear_a vision_n of_o god_n or_o to_o be_v cast_v into_o a_o everlasting_a hell_n that_o prudence_n require_v all_o possible_a diligence_n in_o whatever_o be_v necessary_a to_o obtain_v the_o one_o and_o escape_v the_o other_o but_o this_o doctrine_n be_v not_o mere_o within_o the_o term_n of_o probability_n but_o be_v clear_a by_o irrefutable_a evidence_n and_o if_o those_o profane_a miscreant_n who_o endeavour_v by_o frigid_a raillery_n to_o expose_v the_o serious_a care_n of_o salvation_n to_o scorn_n and_o by_o trifle_a argument_n will_v fain_o weaken_v their_o assent_n to_o this_o great_a truth_n have_v not_o lose_v the_o humane_a property_n of_o blush_v they_o will_v be_v cover_v with_o confusion_n whilst_o they_o contradict_v not_o only_o what_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a man_n have_v unanswerable_o prove_v but_o what_o their_o very_a opposition_n confirm_v for_o the_o doubt_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n be_v a_o strong_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v immortal_a because_o only_o a_o spiritual_a be_v and_o therefore_o not_o liable_a to_o dissolution_n and_o death_n be_v capable_a of_o reflect_v whether_o it_o shall_v continue_v for_o ever_o it_o do_v not_o require_v subtlety_n of_o wit_n or_o strength_n of_o reason_n to_o draw_v