Selected quad for the lemma: end_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
end_n	beginning_n	eternal_a	eternity_n	2,296	5	10.1402	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A63913	A phisico-theological discourse upon the Divine Being, or first cause of all things, providence of God, general and particular, separate existence of the human soul, certainty of reveal'd religion, fallacy of modern inspiration, and danger of enthusiasm to which is added An appendix concerning the corruption of humane nature, the force of habits, and the necessity of supernatural aid to the acquest of eternal happiness : with epistolary conferences between the deceased Dr. Anthony Horneck and the author, relating to these subjects : in several letters from a gentleman to his doubting friend.	Turner, John, b. 1649 or 50.; Horneck, Anthony, 1641-1697.	1698 (1698)	Wing T3313; ESTC R5343	198,836	236

happen_v into_o that_o beautiful_a order_n and_o harmony_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v other_o who_o ascribe_v our_o origine_fw-la to_o the_o effect_n either_o of_o a_o astral_a or_o solar_a influence_n upon_o matter_n due_o modify_v but_o these_o be_v such_o gross_a figment_n that_o i_o shall_v take_v no_o notice_n of_o their_o repugnancy_n or_o spend_v time_n in_o set_v upon_o their_o confutation_n which_o of_o these_o hypothesis_n may_v best_o please_v you_o i_o know_v not_o nor_o indeed_o when_o i_o consider_v can_v i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o you_o hearty_o espouse_v either_o since_o i_o impute_v your_o incredulity_n rather_o to_o a_o unbecoming_a negligence_n or_o careless_a supinity_n than_o to_o any_o reasonable_a objection_n you_o can_v make_v against_o the_o mosaic_a history_n of_o the_o creation_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v as_o brief_o as_o i_o know_v how_o to_o display_v some_o of_o those_o gross_a absurdity_n and_o palpable_a contradiction_n which_o attend_v this_o notion_n that_o mankind_n have_v thus_o eternal_o subsist_v in_o infinite_a generation_n already_o past_a which_o be_v prove_v a_o downright_a falsehood_n you_o will_v perceive_v that_o they_o have_v their_o rise_n from_o one_o primitive_a couple_n from_o hence_o i_o will_v proceed_v in_o such_o other_o method_n as_o may_v be_v most_o likely_a to_o lay_v open_a the_o falsity_n of_o all_o other_o opinion_n unless_o that_o which_o ground_n the_o world_n genesis_n upon_o the_o power_n of_o almighty_a god_n the_o thought_n of_o a_o very_a great_a philosopher_n as_o well_o as_o a_o divine_a upon_o this_o argument_n run_v parallel_n with_o my_o own_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o deliver_v they_o in_o his_o word_n 〈…〉_z infinite_a generation_n of_o man_n you_o say_v be_v already_o past_a and_o go_v but_o whatsoever_o be_v now_o past_a be_v once_o actual_o present_a so_o that_o each_o of_o these_o infinite_a generation_n be_v once_o in_o its_o turn_n actual_o present_a therefore_o all_o except_o one_o generation_n be_v once_o future_a and_o not_o in_o be_v which_o destroy_v the_o very_a supposition_n for_o either_o that_o one_o generation_n must_v it_o s●lf_o have_v be_v infinite_a which_o be_v nonsense_n or_o it_o be_v the_o finite_a beginning_n of_o infinite_a generation_n between_o itself_o and_o we_o which_o be_v infinite_o terminate_v at_o both_o end_n again_o infinite_a past_a generation_n of_o man_n have_v be_v once_o actual_o present_a therefore_o there_o may_v be_v some_o one_o man_n of_o they_o give_v that_o be_v at_o infinite_a distance_n from_o we_o now_o therefore_o that_o man_n son_n likewise_o suppose_n forty_o year_n young_a than_o his_o father_n be_v either_o at_o infinite_a distance_n from_o we_o or_o at_o finite_a if_o that_o son_n too_o be_v at_o infinite_a distance_n from_o we_o than_o one_o infinite_a be_v long_a by_o forty_o year_n than_o another_o which_o be_v absurd_a if_o at_o finite_a then_o forty_o year_n add_v to_o finite_a make_v it_o infinite_a which_o be_v absurd_a as_o the_o other_o the_o number_n of_o man_n that_o be_v already_o dead_a and_o go_v be_v infinite_a as_o you_o say_v but_o the_o number_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o body_n of_o those_o man_n must_v necessary_o be_v much_o great_a than_o the_o number_n of_o the_o man_n themselves_o and_o at_o this_o rate_n we_o shall_v have_v one_o infinite_a number_n twice_o ten_o time_n and_o thousand_o of_o time_n as_o great_a as_o another_o which_o be_v a_o notorious_a contradiction_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a in_o itself_o that_o any_o successive_a duration_n shall_v be_v actual_o and_o positive_o infinite_a or_o have_v infinite_a succession_n already_o go_v and_o pass_v sermon_n but_o far_o that_o the_o present_a or_o a_o like_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n have_v not_o subsist_v from_o everlasting_a we_o will_v ready_o concede_fw-la that_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v true_o eternal_a though_o its_o duration_n be_v terminate_v at_o one_o end_n for_o so_o we_o affirm_v human_a soul_n to_o be_v immortal_a though_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o they_o be_v nothing_o and_o therefore_o their_o infinite_a duration_n will_v always_o be_v bound_v at_o one_o extreme_a by_o that_o first_o beginning_n of_o existence_n so_o that_o for_o aught_o appear_v as_o yet_o you_o may_v say_v the_o revolution_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o other_o planet_n about_o the_o sun_n though_o they_o be_v limit_v at_o one_o end_n by_o the_o present_a revolution_n may_v nevertheless_o have_v be_v infinite_a and_o eternal_a without_o any_o beginning_n but_o then_o we_o must_v consider_v that_o this_o duration_n of_o human_a soul_n be_v only_o potential_o infinite_a for_o their_o eternity_n consist_v only_o in_o a_o endless_a capacity_n of_o continuance_n without_o ever_o cease_v to_o be_v in_o a_o boundless_a futurity_n that_o can_v never_o be_v exhaust_v or_o all_o of_o it_o be_v past_a and_o present_a but_o their_o duration_n can_v never_o be_v positive_o or_o actual_o eternal_a because_o it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o no_o moment_n can_v ever_o be_v assign_v wherein_o it_o shall_v be_v true_a that_o such_o a_o soul_n have_v then_o actual_o sustain_v a_o infinite_a duration_n for_o that_o suppose_a infinite_a duration_n will_v by_o the_o very_a supposition_n be_v limit_v at_o two_o extreme_n though_o never_o so_o remote_a asunder_o and_o consequent_o must_v needs_o be_v finite_a wherefore_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o soul_n eternity_n be_v this_o that_o the_o future_a moment_n of_o its_o duration_n can_v never_o be_v all_o past_a and_o present_a but_o still_o there_o will_v be_v a_o futurity_n and_o potentiality_n of_o more_o for_o ever_o and_o ever_o so_o that_o we_o evident_o perceive_v from_o this_o instance_n of_o a_o soul_n that_o whatever_o successive_a duration_n shall_v be_v bound_v at_o one_o end_n and_o be_v all_o past_a and_o present_a must_v come_v infinite_o short_a of_o infinity_o which_o necessary_o evince_v that_o this_o or_o a_o like_a world_n can_v never_o have_v be_v eternal_a or_o that_o there_o can_v have_v be_v infinite_a past_o revolution_n of_o a_o planet_n about_o a_o sun_n for_o this_o suppose_a infinity_o be_v terminate_v at_o one_o extreme_a by_o the_o present_a revolution_n and_o all_o the_o other_o revolution_n be_v confess_o pass_v so_o that_o the_o whole_a duration_n be_v bound_v at_o one_o end_n and_o all_o past_a and_o present_a and_o therefore_o can_v have_v be_v infinite_a this_o will_v also_o show_v we_o the_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o false_a successive_a eternity_n backward_o and_o the_o real_a one_o to_o come_v for_o consider_v the_o present_a revolution_n of_o the_o earth_n as_o the_o bind_v and_o confine_v of_o they_o both_o god_n almighty_n if_o he_o so_o please_v may_v continue_v this_o motion_n to_o perpetuity_n in_o infinite_a revolution_n to_o come_v because_o futurity_n be_v inexhaustible_a and_o can_v never_o be_v all_o spend_v and_o run_v out_o by_o past_a and_o present_a moment_n but_o than_o if_o we_o look_v backward_o from_o this_o present_a revolution_n we_o do_v apprehend_v the_o impossibility_n of_o infinite_a revolution_n on_o that_o side_n because_o all_o be_v already_o past_a and_o so_o be_v once_o actual_o present_a and_o consequent_o be_v finite_a by_o the_o argument_n before_o for_o sure_o we_o can_v conceive_v a_o pretariteness_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v still_o backward_o in_o infinitum_fw-la that_o never_o be_v present_a as_o we_o can_v a_o endless_a futurity_n that_o never_o will_v be_v present_a so_o that_o though_o one_o be_v potential_o infinite_a yet_o nevertheless_o the_o other_o be_v positive_o finite_a and_o though_o this_o reason_n do_v necessary_o conclude_v against_o the_o past_a infinite_a duration_n of_o all_o successive_a motion_n and_o mutable_a being_n yet_o do_v it_o not_o affect_v the_o eternal_a existence_n of_o the_o adorable_a divinity_n in_o who_o invariable_a nature_n there_o be_v no_o past_a nor_o future_a who_o be_v omnipresent_v not_o only_o as_o to_o space_n but_o as_o to_o duration_n and_o with_o respect_n to_o such_o omnipresence_n it_o be_v certain_a and_o manifest_a that_o succession_n and_o motion_n be_v more_o impossibility_n and_o repugnant_a in_o the_o very_a term_n thus_o do_v the_o atheist_n hypothesis_n touch_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n absolute_o destroy_v and_o confute_v itself_o for_o let_v we_o suppose_v some_o infinite_a revolution_n of_o the_o earth_n about_o the_o sun_n to_o be_v already_o go_v and_o expire_v i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v self-evident_a that_o if_o none_o of_o those_o past_a revolution_n have_v be_v infinite_a age_n ago_o all_o the_o revolution_n put_v together_o can_v make_v up_o the_o duration_n of_o infinite_a age_n it_o follow_v therefore_o from_o this_o supposition_n that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o one_o assignable_a revolution_n among_o they_o that_o be_v at_o a_o infinite_a distance_n from_o the_o

to_o let_v the_o hair_n alone_o and_o to_o stay_v till_o the_o juice_n of_o the_o body_n have_v resolve_v or_o consume_v it_o or_o some_o other_o favourable_a accident_n have_v remove_v it_o than_o like_o a_o passionate_a and_o transport_v thing_n oppose_v it_o like_o a_o fury_n with_o such_o a_o blind_a violence_n as_o instead_o of_o eject_v the_o hair_n expel_v the_o life_n of_o he_o who_o be_v trouble_v with_o it_o how_o the_o care_n and_o wisdom_n of_o nature_n will_v be_v reconcile_v to_o so_o improper_a and_o disorderly_a a_o proceed_n i_o leave_v her_o admirer_n to_o consider_v but_o it_o will_v appear_v very_o reconcileable_a to_o providence_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o the_o late_o give_v advertisement_n for_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o use_n and_o necessity_n of_o deglutition_n and_o in_o many_o case_n of_o cough_v and_o vomit_v it_o be_v in_o the_o general_n most_o convenient_a that_o the_o part_n minister_a to_o those_o motion_n shall_v be_v irritate_v by_o the_o sudden_a sense_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v unusual_a though_o perhaps_o they_o will_v not_o be_v otherwise_o dangerous_a or_o offensive_a because_o as_o we_o former_o note_v it_o be_v fit_a that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n shall_v in_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o welfare_n of_o animal_n have_v more_o regard_n to_o that_o which_o usual_o and_o regular_o befall_v they_o then_o to_o extraordinary_a case_n or_o unfrequent_a accident_n 2._o now_o the_o difficulty_n we_o find_v to_o conceive_v how_o so_o great_a a_o fabric_n as_o the_o world_n can_v be_v preserve_v in_o order_n and_o keep_v from_o run_v again_o to_o a_o chaos_n seem_v to_o arise_v from_o hence_o that_o man_n do_v not_o sufficient_o consider_v the_o unsearchable_a wisdom_n of_o the_o divine_a architect_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o scripture_n style_v he_o of_o the_o world_n who_o pierce_v eye_n be_v able_a to_o look_v at_o once_o quite_o through_o the_o universe_n and_o to_o take_v into_o his_o prospect_n both_o the_o beginning_n and_o the_o end_n of_o time_n so_o that_o perfect_o foreknow_v what_o will_v be_v the_o consequence_n of_o all_o the_o possible_a conjecture_n of_o circumstance_n into_o which_o matter_n divide_v and_o move_v according_a to_o such_o law_n can_v in_o a_o automaton_n so_o constitute_v as_o the_o present_a world_n be_v happen_v to_o be_v put_v there_o can_v nothing_o fall_v out_o unless_o when_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v that_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o thing_n or_o prejudice_v the_o constitution_n of_o they_o any_o far_a than_o he_o do_v from_o the_o beginning_n foresee_v and_o think_v fit_a to_o allow_v and_o true_o it_o more_o set_v off_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o universe_n that_o he_o can_v make_v so_o vast_a a_o machine_n as_o the_o macrocosm_n perform_v all_o those_o many_o thing_n which_o he_o design_v it_o shall_v by_o the_o mere_a contrivance_n of_o brute_n matter_n manage_v by_o certain_a law_n of_o local_a motion_n and_o uphold_v by_o his_o ordinary_a and_o general_a concourse_n than_o if_o he_o employ_v from_o time_n to_o time_n a_o intelligent_a overseer_n such_o as_o nature_n be_v fancy_v to_o be_v to_o regulate_v assist_v and_o control_v the_o motion_n of_o its_o part_n for_o as_o aristotle_n by_o introduce_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o world_n eternity_n do_v at_o least_o in_o almost_o all_o man_n opinion_n open_o deny_v god_n the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n so_o by_o ascribe_v those_o admirable_a work_n of_o god_n to_o what_o he_o call_v nature_n he_o tacit_o deny_v he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n now_o those_o thing_n continue_v he_o which_o the_o school_n philosopher_n ascribe_v to_o the_o agency_n of_o nature_n interpose_v according_a to_o emergency_n i_o ascribe_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o the_o fabric_n of_o the_o universe_n which_o he_o so_o admirable_o contrive_v that_o if_o he_o but_o continue_v his_o ordinary_a and_o general_a concourse_n there_o will_v be_v no_o necessity_n of_o extraordinary_a ineterposition_n which_o may_v reduce_v he_o to_o seem_v as_o it_o be_v to_o play_v after-game_n all_o those_o exegency_n upon_o who_o account_n philosopher_n and_o physician_n have_v devise_v what_o they_o call_v nature_n be_v foresee_v and_o provide_v for_o in_o the_o first_o fabric_n of_o the_o world_n so_o that_o mere_a matter_n thus_o order_v shall_v in_o such_o and_o such_o conjuncture_n of_o circumstance_n do_v all_o that_o philosopher_n ascribe_v on_o such_o occasion_n to_o their_o almost_o omniscient_a nature_n without_o any_o knowledge_n what_o it_o do_v or_o act_v otherwise_o than_o according_a to_o the_o catholic_n law_n of_o motion_n for_o when_o it_o please_v god_n to_o over-rule_v or_o control_v the_o establish_a course_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n by_o his_o own_o omnipotent_a hand_n what_o be_v thus_o perform_v may_v be_v much_o easy_o discern_v and_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v miraculous_a by_o they_o that_o admit_v in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o corporeal_a thing_n nothing_o but_o matter_n and_o motion_n who_o power_n man_n may_v well_o judge_v of_o than_o by_o those_o who_o think_v there_o be_v beside_o a_o certain_a semideity_n which_o they_o call_v nature_n who_o skill_n and_o power_n they_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v exceed_o great_a and_o yet_o have_v no_o sure_a way_n of_o estimate_v how_o great_a they_o be_v and_o how_o far_o they_o may_v extend_v and_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o to_o take_v notice_n to_o you_o on_o this_o occasion_n that_o i_o observe_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n plead_v by_o christian_n on_o behalf_n of_o their_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v very_o different_o look_v upon_o by_o epicurean_a and_o other_o corpuscularian_a infidel_n and_o by_o those_o other_o unbeliever_n who_o admit_v of_o a_o soul_n of_o the_o world_n or_o spirit_n in_o the_o star_n or_o in_o a_o word_n think_v the_o universe_n to_o be_v govern_v by_o intellectual_a being_n distinct_a from_o the_o supreme_a be_v we_o call_v god_n for_o this_o latter_a sort_n of_o infidel_n have_v often_o admit_v those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o we_o christian_n call_v miracle_n and_o yet_o have_v endeavour_v to_o solve_v they_o by_o astral_a operation_n and_o other_o way_n whereas_o the_o epicurean_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n have_v think_v themselves_o oblige_v resolute_o to_o deny_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n themselves_o as_o well_o discern_v that_o the_o thing_n say_v to_o be_v perform_v exceed_v the_o mechanical_a power_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n as_o they_o be_v manage_v by_o those_o who_o wrought_v the_o miracle_n and_o consequent_o must_v either_o be_v deny_v to_o have_v be_v do_v or_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v be_v true_o miraculous_a thus_o far_o mr._n boyle_n i_o must_v confess_v myself_o extreme_o take_v with_o the_o thought_n of_o this_o great_a man_n which_o be_v every_o where_o so_o weighty_a and_o withal_o so_o modest_a that_o i_o know_v of_o no_o author_n i_o have_v as_o yet_o consult_v who_o have_v so_o pertinent_o handle_v in_o a_o few_o word_n this_o noble_a theme_n or_o afford_v i_o so_o much_o content_a and_o satisfaction_n i_o have_v be_v former_o like_o yourself_o very_o familiar_a with_o fate_n and_o fortune_n time_n and_o chance_n with_o destiny_n and_o other_o empty_a notion_n and_o which_o be_v the_o far_a of_o my_o flight_n when_o i_o know_v how_o to_o talk_v of_o real_a quality_n and_o substantial_a form_n when_o i_o conceive_v the_o archaeus_n or_o plastic_a power_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o agent_n or_o intelligent_a be_v dispose_v and_o order_v the_o seminal_a principle_n choose_v or_o select_v fit_a material_n design_v and_o draw_v out_o as_o it_o be_v the_o first_o rudiment_n of_o life_n and_o deliver_v to_o each_o part_n a_o capacity_n to_o discharge_v its_o office_n or_o proper_a function_n last_o when_o i_o can_v resolve_v all_o with_o much_o ease_n into_o the_o ambiguous_a term_n of_o nature_n i_o think_v myself_o arrive_v at_o a_o ne_fw-fr plus_fw-la ultra_fw-la till_o the_o result_n of_o a_o more_o serious_a consideration_n which_o i_o be_v put_v upon_o by_o a_o converse_n with_o the_o write_n of_o this_o divine_a philosopher_n oblige_v i_o to_o conclude_v thus_o and_o to_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o however_o all_o the_o phaenomena_n or_o each_o several_a event_n we_o have_v or_o ever_o shall_v see_v come_v to_o pass_v may_v be_v account_v the_o immediate_a offspring_n of_o matter_n as_o various_o modify_v by_o local_a motion_n yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o concession_n we_o must_v mediate_o recur_v to_o the_o divine_a providence_n not_o only_o for_o some_o author_n of_o this_o motion_n who_o do_v in_o the_o beginning_n establish_v its_o law_n or_o prescribe_v those_o general_a rule_n it_o be_v govern_v by_o but_o also_o for_o a_o power_n by_o who_o cooperate_a influence_n the_o same_o

the_o truth_n of_o this_o maxim_n in_o vertute_fw-la sola_fw-la salus_fw-la or_o that_o none_o can_v ever_o arrive_v at_o the_o elysium_n of_o true_a felicity_n who_o constant_o pursue_v it_o through_o the_o garden_n of_o sensuality_n that_o the_o rose_n of_o happiness_n grow_v on_o the_o prickly_a stem_n of_o virtue_n and_o that_o the_o just_a discharge_n of_o our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n to_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o ability_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o acquire_v a_o durable_a content_a and_o satisfaction_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o this_o necessary_a caution_n that_o we_o take_v not_o too_o bold_a a_o freedom_n in_o our_o reflection_n upon_o providence_n or_o repine_v at_o some_o particular_a dispensation_n towards_o we_o it_o be_v the_o great_a imprudence_n we_o can_v be_v guilty_a of_o to_o expect_v either_o that_o virtue_n shall_v be_v immediate_o reward_v or_o vice_n immediate_o punish_v for_o this_o will_v not_o only_o destroy_v a_o life_n of_o future_a retribution_n but_o if_o punishment_n be_v immediate_o to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o delinquent_n our_o obedience_n will_v cease_v to_o be_v a_o virtue_n as_o proceed_v from_o our_o fear_n more_o than_o our_o choice_n beside_o we_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o pass_v sentence_n upon_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n without_o a_o prospect_n of_o they_o from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n providence_n be_v one_o entire_a system_n nor_o can_v we_o judge_v of_o the_o part_n but_o in_o relation_n to_o the_o whole_a for_o what_o at_o first_o we_o can_v give_v no_o account_n of_o we_o be_v very_o often_o bring_v to_o approve_v by_o a_o subsequent_a course_n of_o dispensation_n and_o we_o do_v as_o frequent_o understand_v that_o have_v our_o desire_n be_v gratify_v or_o our_o expectation_n answer_v in_o some_o particular_a case_n the_o same_o will_v have_v prove_v troublesome_a if_o we_o have_v not_o be_v quite_o ruin_v or_o undo_v by_o they_o excuse_v the_o imperfection_n of_o these_o incoherent_a thought_n and_o believe_v i_o to_o be_v what_o i_o be_o lond._n jan._n 26._o 1696_o 7_o your_o friend_n in_o all_o good_a office_n letter_n iii_o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o mr._n etc._n etc._n my_o very_a good_a friend_n whatever_o success_n my_o last_o meet_v with_o i_o be_o embolden_v to_o believe_v my_o time_n not_o altogether_o misspend_v it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o a_o presumption_n that_o i_o be_o able_a to_o deliver_v any_o thing_n extraordinary_a or_o more_o than_o many_o other_o may_v say_v upon_o these_o weighty_a subject_n but_o out_o of_o i_o know_v not_o what_o kind_n of_o belief_n and_o expectation_n that_o you_o will_v more_o considerate_o peruse_v and_o attentive_o examine_v they_o as_o the_o performance_n of_o a_o friend_n who_o you_o may_v easy_o assure_v yourself_o write_v neither_o for_o secular_a interest_n nor_o popular_a applause_n but_o true_o and_o unfeigned_o with_o a_o pure_a design_n of_o discover_v the_o truth_n than_o if_o the_o same_o be_v deliver_v by_o those_o who_o interest_n we_o may_v judge_v it_o be_v to_o keep_v we_o under_o a_o slavish_a subjection_n and_o who_o make_v it_o the_o proper_a and_o sole_a business_n of_o their_o life_n to_o furnish_v out_o such_o maxim_n argument_n and_o precept_n as_o they_o themselves_o too_o many_o of_o they_o be_v unmindful_a to_o observe_v so_o that_o what_o be_v much_o to_o be_v bewail_v when_o man_n look_v upon_o the_o priest_n as_o of_o a_o quite_o different_a make_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n neither_o subject_n to_o the_o same_o desire_n natural_a inclination_n and_o passion_n of_o other_o man_n when_o they_o view_v they_o live_v as_o it_o be_v separate_v from_o the_o world_n perpetual_o conversant_a in_o prayer_n fast_v religious_a contemplation_n and_o divine_a meditation_n they_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o implicit_a faith_n especial_o the_o common_a people_n rely_v upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o thing_n deliver_v to_o they_o without_o ever_o serious_o inquire_v or_o search_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o truth_n themselves_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o be_v no_o long_o religious_a than_o that_o they_o find_v their_o pastor_n to_o square_v his_o life_n by_o his_o doctrine_n and_o every_o immorality_n discover_v in_o their_o teacher_n they_o make_v the_o sufficient_a occasion_n of_o absolve_v they_o not_o only_o from_o their_o regard_n or_o respect_n to_o he_o but_o even_o god_n himself_o thus_o among_o some_o sensual_a inconsiderate_a man_n i_o have_v frequent_o meet_v with_o such_o pitiful_a argumentation_n as_o this_o they_o know_v a_o dr._n of_o divinity_n that_o be_v drink_v they_o hear_v another_o swear_v a_o three_o they_o find_v in_o secret_n with_o a_o prostitute_n a_o four_o they_o see_v game_n a_o five_o they_o hear_v be_v covetous_a and_o a_o miserable_a oppressor_n etc._n etc._n and_o present_o follow_v this_o ergo_fw-la all_o religion_n in_o gross_a be_v no_o more_o than_o priest_n craft_n the_o body_n of_o divinity_n a_o well_o contrive_v romance_n the_o great_a and_o mighty_a prop_n of_o it_o be_v all_o present_o shake_v to_o piece_n and_o our_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n his_o providence_n and_o the_o soul_n separate_a existence_n or_o independency_n be_v now_o ridicule_v for_o mere_a fable_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o the_o parson_n preach_v for_o money_n get_v many_o live_n and_o grow_v rich_a whilst_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n till_o they_o discover_v the_o cheat_n be_v hinder_v from_o the_o pursuit_n of_o their_o natural_a desire_n and_o keep_v under_o apprehension_n of_o invisible_a power_n a_o life_n to_o come_v and_o they_o know_v not_o what_o frightful_a bugbear_n heaven_n and_o hell_n devil_n and_o damn_a spirit_n which_o they_o now_o find_v to_o be_v a_o dream_n for_o since_o the_o slip_n of_o the_o clergyman_n have_v open_v their_o eye_n they_o find_v nothing_o but_o nature_n time_n and_o chance_n say_v they_o attend_v we_o all_o and_o here_o the_o word_n of_o solomon_n come_v pat_o to_o their_o purpose_n which_o he_o give_v we_o as_o the_o natural_a argument_n of_o wicked_a man_n for_o the_o overthrow_n of_o religion_n 3.18_o i_o say_v in_o my_o heart_n concern_v the_o estate_n of_o the_o son_n of_o 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 for_o that_o which_o befall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n befall_v beast_n even_o one_o thing_n befall_v they_o as_o the_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 pre-eminence_n above_o a_o beast_n for_o all_o be_v vanity_n all_o go_v unto_o one_o place_n all_o be_v of_o the_o dust_n and_o all_o turn_n to_o dust_n again_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 the_o beast_n that_o go_v downward_o to_o the_o earth_n wherefore_o i_o perceive_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o better_a than_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v rejoice_v in_o his_o own_o work_n for_o that_o be_v his_o portion_n for_o who_o shall_v bring_v he_o to_o see_v what_o shall_v be_v after_o he_o this_o be_v now_o become_v the_o common_a language_n of_o the_o libertine_n and_o if_o the_o intestine_a dictator_n conscience_n take_v the_o advantage_n of_o some_o lucid_a interval_n and_o whisper_v they_o in_o the_o ear_n with_o what_o be_v to_o come_v their_o hearts-ease_n be_v still_o ready_a and_o a_o post_n mortem_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la or_o their_o sempiternal_a hush_n lull_v all_o asleep_a i_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n have_v you_o to_o take_v this_o as_o a_o reflection_n in_o general_n upon_o the_o pastoral_n function_n for_o god_n be_v thank_v there_o be_v many_o of_o they_o as_o remarkable_a for_o their_o learning_n as_o conspicuous_a for_o their_o unfeigned_a piety_n and_o do_v their_o adversary_n come_v up_o with_o some_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o they_o in_o the_o government_n and_o conduct_n of_o their_o life_n they_o will_v think_v it_o a_o insupportable_a grievance_n to_o their_o nature_n to_o be_v abridge_v their_o liberty_n or_o tie_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o almost_o any_o single_a act_n of_o mortification_n and_o self-denial_n whilst_o at_o the_o same_o time_n every_o little_a immorality_n in_o these_o man_n be_v look_v on_o through_o a_o magnify_v glass_n and_o the_o same_o which_o they_o account_v a_o venial_a fault_n or_o peccadillo_n in_o themselves_o must_v be_v deem_v in_o the_o other_o a_o crime_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n a_o unpardonable_a transgression_n be_v oblige_v in_o prosecution_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o remove_v what_o difficulty_n i_o can_v out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o to_o mention_v at_o least_o some_o of_o the_o mighty_a obstacle_n of_o our_o faith_n among_o other_o i_o have_v be_v necessitate_v to_o touch_v upon_o the_o clergy_n who_o we_o be_v too_o