religion_n either_o by_o rational_a deduction_n or_o natural_a inscription_n oral_a tradition_n have_v not_o find_v that_o good_a success_n in_o the_o world_n as_o to_o divinity_n as_o much_o to_o encourage_v other_o â—o_o urge_v or_o to_o prosecute_v thâ—_n same_o in_o morality_n but_o he_o say_v that_o though_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n ancient_a custom_n and_o difficult_a article_n of_o faith_n may_v suffer_v much_o by_o â—eing_v convey_v this_o way_n etc._n etc._n but_o be_v not_o god_n instruct_v adam_n in_o these_o thing_n matter_n of_o fact_n or_o may_v not_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v by_o god_n be_v misrepresent_v as_o well_o as_o those_o do_v by_o man_n as_o for_o difficult_a article_n of_o faith_n if_o he_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v of_o a_o more_o complex_fw-la nature_n and_o include_v a_o long_a series_n of_o proposition_n or_o if_o he_o suppose_v this_o tradition_n to_o extend_v to_o the_o mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n than_o this_o way_n may_v be_v very_o liable_a to_o mistake_v and_o corruption_n by_o pass_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n but_o suppose_v god_n have_v teach_v adam_n to_o believe_v a_o trinity_n in_o the_o godhead_n the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n with_o out_o the_o respective_a mode_n of_o either_o i_o do_v not_o see_v but_o that_o these_o might_n as_o safe_o and_o secure_o have_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n as_o those_o other_o precept_n he_o mention'_v but_o these_o plain_a rule_n of_o morality_n he_o say_v such_o as_o worship_n god_n honour_v thy_o parent_n etc._n etc._n be_v so_o natural_a to_o the_o understanding_n so_o easy_a â—o_o be_v embrace_v by_o it_o and_o appear_v upon_o proposal_n to_o be_v so_o extreme_o useful_a â—o_o mankind_n etc._n etc._n here_o he_o seem_v to_o relinquish_v his_o own_o principle_n tradition_n and_o to_o find_v the_o belief_n and_o ready_a reception_n of_o these_o rule_n of_o morality_n in_o their_o be_v so_o natural_a to_o the_o understanding_n etc._n etc._n that_o they_o must_v be_v assent_v to_o and_o can_v never_o be_v mistake_v or_o forget_v but_o pa._n 33._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o very_a barbarous_a people_n who_o we_o be_v very_o certain_a want_v most_o of_o these_o moral_a notion_n so_o that_o here_o must_v have_v be_v some_o mistake_n or_o forgetfulness_n on_o some_o hand_n or_o other_o but_o he_o say_v pa._n 37._o if_o morality_n be_v inscribe_v on_o man_n heart_n parent_n may_v with_o as_o must_v wisdom_n pretend_v to_o teach_v their_o child_n to_o eat_v and_o drink_v to_o love_v their_o child_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v such_o a_o natural_a duty_n or_o instinct_n for_o parent_n to_o love_v their_o child_n that_o they_o can_v but_o do_v it_o but_o why_o be_v not_o the_o duty_n reciprocal_a why_o may_v not_o child_n be_v in_o the_o same_o way_n bind_v to_o honour_v their_o parent_n as_o parent_n to_o love_v their_o child_n and_o yet_o he_o say_v pa._n 72._o that_o among_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n it_o be_v a_o common_a thing_n to_o throw_v their_o child_n when_o bear_v into_o the_o next_o ditch_n they_o meet_v with_o no_o great_a argument_n of_o such_o a_o natural_a love_n and_o affection_n towards_o they_o as_o they_o can_v not_o but_o show_v and_o exercise_v pa._n 33_o he_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v odd_a to_o think_v that_o these_o proposition_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n by_o such_o a_o unaccountable_a way_n as_o that_o of_o inscription_n and_o yet_o he_o say_v pa._n 92._o that_o god_n permission_n of_o vice_n be_v no_o sign_n of_o his_o like_n it_o he_o have_v otherwise_o declare_v his_o will_n by_o give_v to_o all_o man_n a_o law_n of_o virtue_n this_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o traditionary_a law_n because_o that_o have_v not_o by_o some_o defect_n or_o other_o extend_v to_o all_o men._n pa._n 38._o it_o be_v further_a remarkable_a that_o parent_n deut._n 6.6_o be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o teach_v their_o child_n these_o moral_a duty_n but_o what_o then_o do_v ever_o any_o body_n assert_v that_o this_o natural_a inscription_n do_v superâ—ede_o the_o necessity_n of_o other_o instruction_n or_o the_o use_n of_o those_o other_o mean_n which_o god_n and_o nature_n have_v make_v requisite_a in_o order_n to_o the_o more_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n but_o after_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n viz._n the_o moral_a law_n moses_n add_v and_o these_o word_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n shall_v be_v in_o thy_o heart_n and_o thou_o shall_v teach_v they_o diligent_o to_o thy_o child_n etc._n etc._n but_o these_o word_n be_v not_o introduce_v immediate_o after_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o ten_o commandmentsâ—_n the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v recite_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o 5_o the_o chap._n and_o v_o 31._o god_n there_o speak_v to_o moses_n say_v stand_v thou_o here_o by_o i_o and_o i_o will_v speak_v unto_o thou_o all_o tâ—e_v commandment_n and_o statute_n and_o judgement_n which_o thou_o shall_v teach_v they_o that_o they_o may_v dothem_a in_o the_o land_n which_o i_o give_v they_o to_o posssess_v it_o now_o these_o word_n commandment_n statute_n and_o judgement_n be_v general_o understand_v to_o signify_v all_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o moral_a ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a law_n and_o certain_o the_o jew_n be_v oblige_v to_o observe_v some_o other_o law_n beside_o the_o tenâ—_n commandment_n in_o the_o land_n which_o theâ—_n lord_n give_v they_o to_o possess_v it_o the_o like_a word_n be_v repeat_v ch._n 6._o 1._o whereupon_o â—_o 6._o it_o follow_v these_o word_n which_o i_o command_v the_o this_o day_n shall_v be_v inâ—_n thy_o heart_n he_o proceed_v it_o be_v further_a remarkable_a that_o what_o moses_n here_o say_v shall_v be_v in_o the_o jew_n heart_n the_o apostle_n say_v rom._n 2._o 15._o be_v write_v in_o the_o gentile_n heart_n so_o that_o unless_o there_o can_v be_v a_o substantial_a difference_n evince_v between_o be_v in_o the_o heart_n and_o write_v there_o all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o inscribe_v proposition_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n i_o perceive_v that_o those_o who_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o inscribe_v proposition_n must_v either_o now_o speak_v or_o else_o for_o ever_o hereafter_o hold_v their_o peace_n but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o if_o that_o expression_n of_o moses_n of_o be_v in_o their_o heart_n relate_v only_o to_o the_o ten_o commandment_n viz_o the_o moral_a law_n why_o then_o may_v not_o moses_n be_v as_o well_o explain_v by_o st._n paul_n as_o st._n paul_n by_o moses_n and_o so_o natural_a inscription_n be_v understand_v by_o both_o 2._o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o can_v show_v a_o substantial_a difference_n betwixt_o â—â—ose_a expression_n or_o no_o yet_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v sâ—ow_v such_o a_o one_o as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v any_o impartial_a and_o considerate_a reader_n 1_o moses_n and_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o speak_v secundum_fw-la idem_fw-la or_o ad_fw-la idem_fw-la moses_n speak_v of_o the_o precept_n of_o all_o the_o three_o law_n moral_n ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a st._n paul_n only_o of_o the_o moral_a 2._o they_o do_v not_o speak_v eodem_fw-la modo_fw-la moses_n expression_n of_o be_v in_o their_o heart_n according_a to_o the_o best_a interpreter_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o be_v in_o their_o memory_n be_v and_o affection_n st._n paul_n be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n signify_v something_o more_o as_o suppose_v the_o gentile_n natural_o conscious_a of_o the_o observation_n and_o breach_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n so_o that_o i_o humble_o conceive_v there_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o compare_v those_o two_o place_n of_o moses_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o prejudice_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o natural_a inscription_n right_o understand_v pa._n 129._o no_o body_n say_v that_o god_n reveal_v these_o natural_a truth_n to_o we_o but_o only_o give_v we_o faculty_n of_o discern_v they_o and_o may_v not_o the_o same_o be_v say_v of_o some_o moral_a truth_n which_o we_o common_o call_v natural_a religion_n that_o god_n do_v not_o reveal_v these_o truth_n to_o we_o but_o only_o give_v we_o faculty_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o we_o may_v either_o find_v or_o frame_v such_o proposition_n as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o moral_a as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o natural_a frame_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o soul_n i_o can_v too_o often_o remind_v the_o reader_n that_o i_o never_o assert_v these_o natural_a ot_fw-mi innate_a notion_n to_o be_v imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n in_o any_o gross_a or_o literal_a sense_n upon_o which_o mistake_a ground_n and_o persuasion_n only_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v oppose_v by_o some_o pa._n 83._o of_o my_o former_a discourse_n there_o speak_v of_o the_o archetypall_a form_n and_o
he_o himself_o be_v best_a able_a to_o resolve_v with_fw-mi mr._n becconsall_n p._n 199._o 200._o etc._n etc._n but_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o if_o i_o be_v mistake_v in_o any_o thing_n it_o be_v in_o what_o he_o tell_v we_o immediate_o after_o that_o in_o that_o place_n i_o there_o quote_v and_o if_o so_o then_o by_o consequence_n in_o all_o those_o other_o place_n which_o in_o the_o same_o chapter_n may_v seem_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o exception_n that_o he_o only_o report_v as_o matter_n of_o fact_n what_o other_o call_v virtue_n and_o vice_n etc._n etc._n i_o shall_v therefore_o here_o brief_o lie_v down_o the_o reason_n why_o i_o do_v not_o so_o apprehend_v he_o and_o then_o leave_v it_o to_o mr._n lock_n be_v own_o candour_n to_o pass_v judgement_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o premise_v that_o it_o be_v only_o the_o 1_o st_z edition_n of_o his_o book_n that_o i_o be_o concern_v in_o without_o take_v notice_n of_o any_o alteration_n or_o explication_n he_o have_v make_v in_o his_o 2_o d._n my_o discourse_n be_v write_v before_o his_o 2_o d._n edition_n be_v print_v and_o therefore_o 1_o sy_n beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o mentionedâ—_n there_o be_v some_o other_o passage_n in_o that_o chapter_n wherein_o he_o seem_v to_o speak_v his_o own_o opinion_n rather_o than_o mere_a matter_n of_o â—act_n what_o other_o call_v vice_n or_o virtue_n 158._o p._n §_o 7._o by_o the_o relation_n our_o action_n bear_v to_o the_o divine_a law_n we_o judge_v whether_o they_o be_v sin_n or_o duty_n by_o the_o 2d_o the_o civil_a law_n whether_o they_o be_v criminal_a or_o innocent_a by_o the_o 3d._n by_o the_o philosohhicall_a law_n whether_o they_o be_v virtue_n or_o vice_n so_o p._n 160._o §_o 14._o there_o have_v resolve_v the_o complex_fw-la idea_n we_o signify_v by_o the_o word_n murder_n into_o its_o simple_a idea_n he_o proceed_v this_o collection_n of_o simple_a idea_n be_v find_v by_o i_o to_o agree_v or_o disagree_v with_o the_o esteem_n of_o the_o country_n i_o have_v be_v breed_v in_o and_o to_o be_v hold_v by_o most_o man_n there_o worthy_a praise_n or_o blame_v i_o call_v the_o action_n virtuous_a or_o vicious_a now_o i_o have_v think_v that_o we_o and_o i_o especial_o be_v join_v with_o such_o word_n as_o these_o we_o judge_v and_o i_o call_v together_o with_o this_o expression_n find_v by_o i_o have_v include_v a_o man_n self_n chap._n of_o identity_n §_o 20._o urbem_fw-la quam_fw-la dicunt_fw-la romam_fw-la melibaee_fw-la putavi_fw-la stultus_fw-la ego_fw-la hunc_fw-la nostroe_v similem_fw-la true_o i_o imagine_v that_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n man_n have_v general_o speak_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n all_o england_n over_o about_o the_o year_n 1284._o there_o be_v some_o grammatical_a heresy_n that_o be_v some_o false_a latin_a and_o false_a grammar_n condemn_v by_o arch_a episcopal_a authority_n such_o as_o these_o ego_fw-la currit_fw-la nullum_fw-la nomen_fw-la est_fw-la tertiae_fw-la personae_fw-la far_o be_v it_o from_o i_o to_o impute_v any_o such_o sollaecisme_n to_o this_o learned_a author_n however_o i_o think_v that_o i_o have_v very_o good_a reason_n to_o apply_v these_o expression_n to_o the_o 1_o st_z person_n rather_o than_o to_o any_o three_o 2_o lie_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o plead_v for_o this_o 3_o d._n law_n and_o that_o with_o all_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n perhaps_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v capable_a of_o now_o when_o man_n relate_v thing_n as_o mere_a matter_n of_o fact_n what_o other_o either_o do_v or_o say_v they_o usual_o leave_v they_o to_o stand_v or_o fall_v by_o their_o own_o evidence_n i_o question_v whether_o ever_o any_o do_v so_o much_o towards_o the_o give_v man_n act_n according_a to_o custom_n or_o opinion_n the_o formality_n and_o grandeur_n of_o a_o law_n before_o and_o as_o for_o the_o sanction_n with_o all_o the_o elaborate_v circumstance_n he_o have_v annex_v to_o it_o i_o think_v it_o be_v perfect_o his_o own_o p._n 159._o 160._o §_o 12._o but_o i_o must_v beg_v leave_n here_o to_o say_v that_o the_o most_o hetrodox_n writer_n absit_fw-la verbo_fw-la inuidia_fw-la might_n perhaps_o thus_o take_v upon_o he_o only_o the_o same_o character_n of_o a_o relator_n after_o he_o have_v use_v and_o urge_v all_o the_o argument_n that_o either_o reason_n or_o authority_n can_v afford_v he_o for_o his_o particular_a opinion_n i_o do_v not_o here_o say_v he_o so_o far_o plead_v for_o this_o law_n of_o custom_n or_o opinion_n as_o to_o make_v it_o the_o stand_a rule_n of_o vice_n or_o virtue_n true_o so_o call_v or_o of_o right_n and_o wrong_n as_o he_o some_o time_n call_v they_o but_o only_o that_o he_o espouse_v the_o cause_n and_o plead_v for_o that_o law_n further_o than_o the_o thing_n will_v well_o bear_v and_o these_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o do_v more_o especial_o induce_v i_o to_o think_v that_o he_o do_v not_o there_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o bare_a office_n of_o a_o relator_n to_o which_o i_o may_v also_o add_v if_o it_o be_v necessary_a what_o he_o say_v p._n 159._o §_o 12._o if_o any_o one_o shall_v imagine_v that_o i_o have_v forget_v my_o own_o notion_n of_o a_o law_n when_o i_o make_v the_o law_n whereby_o man_n judge_v of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o consent_n of_o private_a man_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v not_o speak_v like_o one_o who_o bare_o relate_v matter_n of_o fact_n other_o indeed_o may_v and_o that_o just_o too_o act_n in_o obedience_n to_o that_o rule_n of_o decency_n and_o common_a repute_n yet_o i_o think_v he_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o that_o make_v it_o a_o law_n especial_o such_o where_o by_o man_n judge_v of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n i_o shall_v only_o add_v one_o or_o two_o consideration_n more_o upon_o this_o subject_a before_o i_o leave_v it_o 1_o sy_n it_o seem_v a_o peculiar_a way_n of_o speak_v not_o yet_o grow_v common_a in_o the_o world_n when_o he_o assign_v the_o name_n of_o vice_n and_o virtue_n to_o such_o action_n as_o be_v agreeable_a or_o dissagreeable_a to_o common_a reputation_n and_o for_o that_o reason_n because_o they_o be_v so_o whereas_o it_o always_o be_v and_o still_o be_v the_o more_o usual_a way_n not_o only_o of_o judge_v what_o thing_n be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n but_o also_o of_o denominate_v action_n virtuous_a or_o vicious_a rather_o from_o their_o agreeableness_n or_o disagreeableness_n to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n rather_o than_o from_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o what_o ever_o be_v true_o virtuous_a be_v general_o count_v laudable_a but_o it_o be_v not_o therefore_o virtuous_a because_o laudable_a but_o therefore_o laudable_a because_o virtuous_a now_o i_o think_v that_o neither_o name_n nor_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o they_o aught_o more_o to_o be_v alter_v than_o the_o ancient_a landmark_n in_o public_a field_n aught_o to_o be_v remove_v for_o nothing_o but_o disorder_n confusion_n and_o needless_a dispute_n will_v arise_v from_o both_o i_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o the_o particular_a modes_n of_o speak_v throughout_o the_o world_n yet_o i_o much_o question_n whether_o this_o be_v the_o most_o common_a and_o general_a acceptation_n of_o that_o word_n virtue_n that_o it_o be_v take_v most_o common_o for_o those_o action_n which_o according_a to_o to_o the_o different_a opinion_n of_o several_a country_n be_v account_v laudable_a pag._n 23._o §_o 18._o or_o however_o not_o under_o that_o formality_n because_o they_o be_v so_o count_v i_o do_v not_o here_o dispute_v concern_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n virtue_n as_o mr._n lock_n have_v right_o state_v it_o in_o the_o very_a next_o period_n but_o only_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n even_o what_o apprehension_n other_o nation_n general_o have_v of_o it_o i_o grant_v indeed_o that_o we_o shall_v sometime_o find_v different_a practice_n in_o different_a place_n about_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o all_o abound_v in_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o plead_n for_o the_o fitness_n and_o decency_n of_o their_o own_o particular_a way_n thus_o some_o thought_n it_o the_o most_o decent_a and_o honourable_a way_n of_o bury_v their_o dead_a by_o eat_v of_o they_o other_o by_o burn_v other_o by_o entere_v and_o no_o doubt_n all_o think_v their_o own_o method_n the_o best_a but_o these_o be_v matter_n of_o indifferency_n and_o so_o do_v not_o strict_o come_v up_o to_o our_o present_a case_n but_o however_o it_o may_v be_v further_o ask_v whether_o or_o no_o these_o several_a sort_n of_o people_n do_v count_v themselves_o only_o virtuous_a herein_o and_o all_o the_o rest_n vicious_a quaker_n be_v very_o rude_a and_o uncivil_a in_o thove_v people_n as_o we_o call_v it_o especial_o those_o that_o be_v not_o
candidate_n for_o happiness_n with_o a_o mere_a natural_a pagan_a who_o never_o know_v any_o other_o religion_n i_o think_v he_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v it_o because_o one_o who_o have_v be_v thorough_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n can_v possible_o be_v so_o full_o afterward_o convince_v of_o the_o contrary_a but_o that_o in_o all_o probability_n he_o will_v live_v in_o a_o state_n of_o self_n condemnation_n all_o his_o life_n after_o unless_o he_o fall_v into_o such_o a_o continue_a course_n of_o debauchery_n as_o to_o sin_n away_o all_o sâ—nse_n even_o of_o natural_a religion_n itself_o and_o the_o sin_n of_o apostasy_n from_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v such_o a_o dead_a weight_n upon_o his_o conscience_n as_o will_v necessary_o sink_v he_o below_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o honest_a heathen_a for_o i_o believe_v even_o such_o a_o one_o may_v die_v with_o better_a hope_n of_o future_a happiness_n than_o a_o renegado_n christian._n here_o i_o shall_v further_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n and_o imprudence_n of_o deism_n 1._o deism_n give_v no_o tolerable_a account_v of_o one_o of_o the_o most_o considerable_a phaenomena_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n of_o that_o speedy_a and_o general_a reception_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n the_o whole_a thing_n according_a to_o the_o deist_n principle_n be_v a_o mere_a nullity_n here_o i_o may_v insist_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v urge_v herein_o 1_o sy_n the_o contrariety_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n bear_v to_o the_o vicious_a principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n 2._o the_o great_a opposition_n it_o meet_v withal_o from_o all_o side_n and_o yet_o its_o prevail_a against_o and_o conquer_a all_o difficulty_n without_o any_o outward_a visible_a assistance_n 3_o lie_n the_o first_o promulger_n of_o it_o be_v wise_a and_o honest_a man_n they_o be_v too_o learned_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o themselves_o and_o too_o honest_a to_o deceive_v other_o 4_o the_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v any_o thing_n of_o interest_n in_o the_o case_n see_v they_o engage_v in_o a_o cause_n wherein_o they_o can_v not_o have_v any_o prospect_n of_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o these_o thing_n i_o only_o mention_v be_v more_o full_o prosecute_v by_o other_o 2._o deism_n require_v more_o evidence_n â—or_a thing_n than_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o or_o more_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v admit_v now_o we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n as_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o as_o much_o as_o we_o possible_o can_v have_v suppose_v the_o thing_n to_o be_v absolute_o true_a if_o we_o require_v more_o than_o this_o we_o then_o run_v into_o scepticism_n the_o great_a folly_n in_o the_o world_n next_o to_o atheism_n 3._o deism_n be_v unreasonable_a because_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v certain_a of_o that_o which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v certain_a of_o viz._n that_o christiaâ—ity_n be_v false_a something_o that_o have_v be_v either_o false_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n or_o what_o â—he_v world_n have_v foolish_o impose_v upon_o itself_o this_o the_o deist_n must_v be_v certain_a of_o otherwise_o it_o be_v the_o most_o imprudent_a thing_n imaginable_a because_o of_o that_o foolish_a choice_n he_o make_v and_o the_o infinite_a hazard_n he_o run_v thereby_o so_o that_o let_v the_o genius_n of_o christianity_n be_v as_o mild_a and_o charitable_a as_o we_o can_v suppose_v it_o yet_o i_o know_v not_o that_o it_o have_v any_o where_o declare_v pardon_v for_o apostate_n and_o it_o be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n either_o of_o god_n or_o man_n to_o proceed_v against_o those_o who_o have_v renounce_v their_o allegiance_n rathâ—r_n like_o rebel_n and_o traitor_n than_o fair_a enemy_n i_o have_v hitherto_o examine_v this_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o objection_n mention_v pa._n 203._o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o the_o inference_n as_o he_o call_v it_o pa._n 204._o that_o though_o a_o supernatural_a religion_n be_v dubious_a yet_o it_o be_v the_o safe_a way_n to_o embrace_v it_o we_o do_v not_o grant_v supernatural_a religion_n to_o be_v in_o the_o least_o dubious_a therefore_o the_o consequence_n be_v good_a and_o well_o ground_v that_o it_o be_v more_o reasonable_a in_o itself_o and_o more_o safe_a for_o we_o to_o embrace_v it_o this_o methinks_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o prove_v one_o might_n rather_o wonder_v how_o in_o a_o christian_a state_n we_o shall_v be_v put_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o this_o for_o first_o to_o embrace_v or_o comply_v with_o such_o a_o religion_n as_o christianity_n be_v no_o violation_n of_o any_o command_n or_o duty_n of_o natural_a religion_n itself_o for_o the_o utmost_a effort_n that_o deism_n hitherto_o have_v or_o perhaps_o can_v make_v be_v only_o some_o little_a difficulty_n it_o urge_v against_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n not_o any_o positive_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o falsity_n of_o either_o nay_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o even_o natural_a religion_n serious_o and_o impartial_o consider_v and_o follow_v will_v by_o easy_a step_n lead_v a_o man_n to_o the_o imbrace_v of_o the_o christian_a 2._o christianity_n and_o natural_a religion_n have_v the_o same_o general_a end_n and_o design_n to_o promote_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o man_n by_o temperance_n righteousness_n and_o holiness_n and_o then_o as_o to_o the_o addition_n contain_v in_o the_o reveal_v religion_n they_o be_v not_o any_o vicious_a mixture_n or_o adulteration_n of_o the_o natural_a but_o rather_o improvement_n of_o it_o to_o high_a degree_n of_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n christianity_n do_v not_o propound_v any_o less_o noble_a end_n nor_o make_v use_n of_o any_o less_o effectual_a mean_n than_o natural_a religion_n do_v but_o rather_o advance_n and_o improve_v both_o so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v safe_a in_o the_o natural_a it_o be_v much_o more_o so_o in_o the_o reveal_v religion_n christianity_n have_v all_o the_o advantage_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o many_o more_o then_o as_o to_o the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v pretend_v to_o accompany_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n viz._n a_o more_o profound_a mortification_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o passion_n aâ—d_v a_o more_o exalt_a degree_n of_o holiness_n and_o piety_n this_o certain_o be_v rather_o a_o argument_n of_o its_o excellence_n than_o any_o diminution_n of_o it_o especial_o consider_v the_o great_a assistance_n that_o the_o reveal_v religion_n afford_v we_o to_o perform_v that_o obedience_n which_o it_o require_v of_o we_o and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o reward_n that_o attend_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o so_o that_o if_o reveal_v religion_n be_v false_a it_o can_v no_o way_n prejudice_v the_o design_n of_o the_o natural_a but_o if_o it_o be_v true_a as_o certain_o it_o be_v than_o the_o mere_a belief_n of_o a_o natural_a religion_n will_v be_v of_o fatal_a consequence_n to_o those_o who_o have_v enjoy_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o then_o pa._n 204._o he_o say_v i_o can_v embrace_v what_o come_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o my_o knowledge_n but_o in_o order_n to_o our_o embrace_v of_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v so_o come_v within_o the_o compasâ—_n of_o our_o knowledge_n as_o that_o we_o shall_v full_o comprehend_v all_o the_o mode_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o thus_o we_o may_v embrace_v the_o mistery_n of_o our_o faith_n though_o they_o do_v not_o thus_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o our_o knowledge_n and_o if_o we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o we_o thus_o comprehend_v as_o to_o the_o mode_n and_o manner_n of_o the_o thing_n than_o we_o must_v in_o obedience_n to_o this_o principle_n reject_v the_o principal_a article_n even_o of_o natural_a religion_n also_o but_o he_o proceed_v and_o if_o i_o can_v believe_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n the_o evidence_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o to_o make_v i_o but_o our_o not_o believe_v be_v not_o always_o a_o sign_n that_o the_o evidence_n be_v too_o weak_a but_o that_o our_o passion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v too_o strong_a evidence_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o work_v as_o mathematical_a one_o do_v not_o force_n assent_v but_o suppose_v some_o previous_a disposition_n of_o the_o subject_a upon_o which_o their_o efficacy_n many_o time_n depend_v it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o the_o evidence_n be_v such_o as_o may_v convince_v a_o rational_a and_o prudent_a person_n if_o man_n will_v be_v perverse_a and_o and_o sceptical_a i_o know_v no_o remedy_n but_o they_o must_v remain_v so_o still_o pertinaciae_fw-la remedium_fw-la non_fw-la posuit_fw-la deus_fw-la not_o in_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n he_o proceed_v next_o to_o answer_v two_o argument_n
epicurism_n because_o the_o assert_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n only_o i_o will_v hearty_o and_o humble_o propound_v to_o their_o consideration_n whether_o they_o be_v happy_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o their_o now_o fall_v back_o from_o it_o whether_o i_o say_v this_o may_v not_o be_v a_o step_n natural_o lead_v to_o that_o worst_a sort_n of_o deism_n little_o better_o than_o atheism_n for_o what_o better_a or_o strong_a reason_n will_v they_o have_v for_o retain_v the_o natural_a religion_n than_o they_o have_v or_o may_v have_v have_v for_o christianity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o precept_n and_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v the_o great_a offence_n they_o take_v at_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o may_v they_o not_o after_o such_o a_o breach_n as_o it_o be_v make_v upon_o their_o conscience_n be_v tempt_v to_o renounce_v even_o natural_a religion_n itself_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n nemo_n repentè_fw-fr fit_n pessimus_fw-la man_n common_o by_o degree_n arrive_v at_o the_o height_n of_o â—ickedness_n mr._n blount_n in_o his_o letter_n pa._n 87._o â—f_n the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n though_o deism_n be_v â—_o good_a manure_v of_o a_o man_n conscience_n yet_o certain_o if_o sow_v with_o christianity_n it_o will_v produce_v the_o most_o profitable_a crop_n but_o it_o be_v reâ—orted_v that_o before_o his_o death_n he_o fall_v from_o that_o more_o modest_a and_o ingenious_a temper_n of_o mind_n which_o he_o here_o seem_v to_o express_v vriel_n acosta_n in_o his_o life_n time_n be_v very_o waver_v in_o his_o religion_n and_o at_o last_o turn_v deist_n and_o shoot_v himself_o the_o same_o fate_n attend_v that_o unfortunate_a gentleman_n both_o in_o his_o life_n and_o death_n i_o shall_v make_v no_o personal_a reflection_n only_o lie_v down_o this_o great_a truth_n worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v by_o the_o immortal_a deist_n as_o he_o be_v call_v pa._n 95_o that_o christianity_n lay_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a foundation_n of_o live_v and_o die_v well_o i_o shall_v here_o because_o of_o the_o affinity_n of_o the_o subject_n to_o this_o in_o hand_n brief_o examine_v some_o particular_n in_o the_o translator_n preface_n to_o hierocles_n upon_o the_o golden_a verse_n of_o the_o pythagorean_n sheet_n a_o 4._o the_o proposition_n he_o there_o advanec_n be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a by_o a_o due_a advertency_n to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n sufficient_o to_o discern_v betwixt_o good_a and_o evil_a this_o be_v very_o true_a unless_o perhaps_o there_o lie_v some_o ambiguity_n in_o the_o word_n sufficient_o that_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n do_v or_o may_v inform_v we_o in_o the_o great_a stroke_n and_o instance_n of_o our_o duty_n be_v certain_o true_a but_o whether_o it_o descend_v to_o all_o the_o particular_n thereof_o may_v be_v just_o question_v but_o then_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o proposition_n i_o think_v he_o go_v further_a the_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n reqnire_v the_o heathen_n may_v be_v able_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o distinguish_v betwixt_o good_a and_o evil_a though_o their_o write_n do_v not_o full_o come_v up_o to_o the_o height_n of_o christianity_n i_o do_v not_o assert_n he_o say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v engrave_v upon_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n in_o as_o fair_a character_n as_o upon_o the_o two_o table_n of_o stone_n for_o then_o there_o will_v have_v be_v little_a or_o no_o use_n of_o revelation_n here_o seem_v to_o be_v some_o little_a obscurity_n both_o in_o the_o proposition_n he_o lay_v down_o and_o in_o the_o inference_n he_o make_v from_o it_o i_o shall_v brief_o examine_v both_o 1_o st_z it_o seem_v as_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v engrave_v at_o first_o in_o as_o fair_a character_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o it_o be_v afterwards_o upon_o the_o two_o table_n of_o stone_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v in_o any_o gross_a sense_n that_o be_v natural_a duty_n may_v be_v as_o well_o know_v to_o adam_n in_o paradise_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o they_o be_v afterward_o to_o the_o jew_n by_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o law_n if_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n in_o process_n of_o time_n be_v so_o deface_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o easy_o read_v this_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o vicious_a principle_n and_o practice_n to_o the_o false_a opinion_n and_o wicked_a life_n of_o man_n afterward_o 2_o lie_n as_o to_o the_o inference_n for_o then_o there_o will_v have_v be_v little_a or_o no_o use_n of_o revelation_n this_o may_v refer_v either_o to_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o law_n or_o of_o the_o gospel_n to_o that_o of_o moses_n or_o that_o of_o christ._n if_o it_o refer_v to_o that_o of_o moses_n yet_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o law_n by_o he_o may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n by_o set_v out_o as_o it_o be_v a_o second_o edition_n of_o it_o upon_o table_n of_o stone_n when_o it_o be_v so_o miserable_o deface_v before_o upon_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n if_o it_o refer_v to_o the_o gospel_n that_o also_o may_v be_v of_o very_o great_a use_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o clear_a revelation_n that_o be_v make_v either_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n because_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n contain_v in_o it_o something_o that_o be_v never_o design_v to_o be_v make_v know_v at_o least_o so_o full_o by_o either_o and_o he_o will_v not_o i_o suppose_v say_v that_o the_o method_n of_o salvation_n now_o reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n though_o it_o have_v be_v write_v in_o as_o fair_a character_n as_o that_o of_o the_o two_o table_n of_o stone_n nor_o can_v he_o say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n full_o and_o clear_o imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n will_v render_v any_o further_a revelation_n particular_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n useless_a but_o yet_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o heathen_n be_v contain_v the_o whole_a moral_a law_n and_o that_o vot_o only_o in_o the_o integral_a part_n but_o in_o its_o utmost_a intention_n nor_o be_v there_o one_o precept_n of_o christianity_n so_o exalt_v and_o heroical_a but_o may_v be_v parallel_v in_o a_o heathen_a no_o man_n can_v deny_v this_o he_o say_v who_o have_v read_v the_o moral_n of_o plutarch_n seneca_n epictetus_n cicero_n to_o these_o he_o also_o add_v juvenal_n and_o persius_n i_o be_o not_o in_o the_o least_o willing_a to_o lessen_v the_o great_a excellency_n that_o some_o of_o the_o heathen_n have_v attain_v to_o but_o yet_o i_o know_v no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v equal_v with_o the_o christian_n as_o for_o those_o moralist_n and_o poet_n he_o mention_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o all_o of_o they_o except_o cicero_n live_v after_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v very_o much_o improve_v the_o moral_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n at_o that_o time_n and_o that_o they_o owe_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o that_o light_n which_o appear_v in_o their_o write_n to_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n though_o they_o be_v not_o so_o ingenious_a as_o to_o acknowledge_v it_o so_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o necessary_a argument_n draw_v from_o these_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o heathen_n pure_o as_o such_o can_v vie_v with_o christian_n in_o this_o particular_a what_o be_v say_v of_o seneca_n may_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v say_v of_o the_o rest_n si_fw-mi christianus_n paganice_n si_fw-mi paganus_fw-la christiane_n scripsit_fw-la then_o as_o for_o those_o heathen_n that_o live_v â—befoe_n our_o saviour_n time_n i_o think_v i_o shall_v do_v they_o nothing_o but_o right_a and_o justice_n in_o these_o follow_a particular_n 1._o they_o have_v no_o right_a notion_n of_o original_a sin_n that_o general_a depravation_n and_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n either_o as_o to_o the_o true_a cause_n or_o cure_v of_o it_o without_o which_o i_o think_v there_o can_v be_v lay_v any_o such_o firm_a foundation_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n as_o christianity_n thereby_o now_o afford_v we_o 2._o the_o heathen_n be_v not_o always_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o in_o their_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n their_o candle_n do_v not_o only_o burn_v dim_a but_o like_o one_o in_o thâ—_n socket_n it_o have_v sometimes_o its_o lucid_a interval_n and_o then_o sometime_o seem_v to_o be_v quite_o extinguish_v they_o have_v light_a enough_o to_o show_v they_o their_o own_o darkness_n but_o not_o sufficient_a to_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o right_a way_n the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n be_v