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part_n of_o the_o people_n be_v not_o force_v to_o use_v abundance_n of_o pain_n and_o undergo_v a_o great_a many_o trouble_n and_o difficulty_n in_o supply_v their_o own_o want_n and_o in_o minister_a to_o the_o ease_n and_o pleasure_n of_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v man_n unite_v together_o upon_o what_o term_n or_o condition_n we_o please_v however_o thing_n be_v divide_v if_o every_o man_n be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o religiou_n the_o confusion_n and_o misery_n of_o all_o will_v be_v the_o certain_a consequence_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n for_o every_o man_n be_v to_o act_v for_o his_o own_o happiness_n and_o there_o be_v as_o many_o several_a notion_n of_o happiness_n as_o there_o be_v different_a passion_n and_o inclination_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n all_o which_o require_v different_a method_n of_o pursuit_n it_o be_v impossible_a but_o man_n must_v clash_v and_o interfere_v one_o with_o another_o and_o every_o one_o happiness_n be_v build_v upon_o or_o promote_v by_o the_o misery_n of_o other_o which_o must_v end_v in_o the_o worst_a state_n of_o war_n imaginable_a when_o lust_n ambition_n or_o revenge_n be_v the_o roll_a passion_n in_o a_o man_n mind_n what_o shall_v hinder_v he_o from_o make_v the_o misery_n or_o destruction_n of_o a_o nation_n the_o way_n to_o his_o satisfaction_n if_o he_o can_v do_v it_o secure_o or_o judge_n nothing_o more_o terrible_a than_o the_o uneasiness_n of_o his_o present_a condition_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o a_o man_n place_n his_o chief_a happiness_n in_o whatever_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o a_o choice_n all_o that_o can_v be_v allege_v to_o avoid_v these_o dreadful_a consequence_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o certain_a immediate_a effect_n of_o atheism_n be_v that_o the_o advantage_n of_o society_n and_o union_n be_v so_o very_o great_a and_o every_o man_n be_v so_o sensible_a that_o his_o own_o particular_a happiness_n be_v include_v in_o that_o of_o the_o public_a that_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o very_a principle_n man_n will_v ready_o agree_v to_o observe_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o tend_v to_o the_o common_a preservation_n and_o welfare_n of_o society_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o indeed_o be_v a_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o person_n who_o have_v feel_v or_o consider_v the_o inconvenience_n and_o calamity_n of_o a_o state_n of_o division_n to_o enter_v into_o or_o continue_v in_o society_n upon_o such_o term_n as_o do_v then_o seem_v to_o conduce_v to_o their_o particular_a happiness_n but_o if_o afterward_o the_o break_n of_o any_o of_o these_o term_n and_o condition_n shall_v appear_v to_o any_o of_o they_o to_o contribute_v more_o to_o their_o happiness_n than_o the_o keep_v they_o they_o be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o act_v contrary_a to_o their_o former_a promise_n contract_n or_o agreement_n as_o they_o be_v at_o first_o to_o make_v
it_o and_o if_o we_o right_o consider_v thing_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o generality_n of_o every_o society_n be_v man_n of_o too_o narrow_a and_o confine_v understanding_n to_o perceive_v all_o the_o ill_a consequence_n their_o particular_a action_n have_v upon_o society_n and_o if_o they_o have_v some_o confuse_a notion_n of_o they_o the_o mischiess_n do_v not_o appear_v to_o they_o so_o near_o as_o to_o fall_v in_o their_o day_n and_o involve_v they_o and_o they_o have_v not_o concern_v beyond_o their_o own_o life_n beside_o the_o great_a part_n both_o of_o those_o that_o be_v and_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o such_o judgement_n and_o reflection_n be_v too_o strong_o affect_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o present_a good_a or_o pleasure_n to_o forego_v the_o more_o certain_a immediate_a gratification_n of_o their_o desire_n upon_o a_o faint_a prospect_n of_o uncertain_a mischief_n that_o may_v attend_v they_o and_o which_o if_o they_o do_v happen_v at_o all_o do_v not_o seem_v great_a or_o more_o difficult_a to_o bear_v than_o their_o present_a self-denial_n will_v be_v he_o therefore_o that_o be_v a_o thorough_a atheist_n and_o will_v pursue_v his_o principle_n as_o far_o as_o they_o will_v carry_v he_o must_v look_v upon_o all_o the_o notion_n of_o government_n right_o and_o property_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o they_o be_v with_o all_o the_o pretend_a ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o they_o and_o the_o several_a relation_n suppose_v to_o result_v from_o they_o either_o as_o false_a pretence_n devise_v by_o some_o cunning_a man_n by_o mean_n of_o which_o they_o will_v have_v other_o act_v under_o such_o and_o such_o restraint_n that_o they_o may_v enjoy_v their_o own_o liberty_n to_o more_o advantage_n or_o as_o useless_a insignificant_a invention_n which_o make_v no_o manner_n of_o change_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o life_n but_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o act_v the_o same_o way_n as_o he_o will_v do_v if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o notion_n or_o 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capable_a of_o without_o the_o least_o alloy_n or_o mixture_n of_o pain_n now_o in_o pursue_v what_o he_o think_v the_o great_a pleasure_n and_o avoid_v what_o he_o judge_v the_o great_a pain_n he_o must_v perform_v or_o omit_v any_o action_n whatsoever_o in_o his_o power_n the_o performance_n or_o omission_n of_o which_o he_o judge_v conducive_a to_o those_o end_v he_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o and_o so_o he_o know_v must_v every_o other_o man_n that_o act_n upon_o the_o same_o principle_n be_v his_o notion_n of_o happiness_n or_o misery_n never_o so_o different_a from_o his_o upon_o which_o account_n he_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o all_o action_n be_v alike_o and_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o any_o distinction_n of_o they_o into_o lawful_a and_o unlawful_a just_a and_o unjust_a virtuous_a and_o vicious_a because_o there_o be_v no_o kind_a or_o sort_v of_o action_n imaginable_a but_o may_v contribute_v indifferent_o either_o to_o the_o happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o some_o man_n or_o to_o both_o when_o consider_v with_o respect_n to_o several_a person_n or_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o same_o person_n at_o several_a time_n according_a to_o the_o different_a sentiment_n or_o other_o circumstance_n of_o those_o concern_v in_o the_o action_n and_o consequent_o that_o he_o must_v also_o grant_v there_o can_v be_v no_o certain_a rule_n or_o principle_n of_o act_v no_o particular_a set_v of_o action_n or_o scheme_n of_o life_n which_o will_v certain_o procure_v any_o man_n that_o follow_v it_o more_o happiness_n than_o he_o can_v obtain_v by_o any_o other_o mean_n but_o the_o same_o man_n must_v be_v oblige_v oftentimes_o to_o act_v contrary_a way_n and_o pursue_v the_o same_o end_n by_o the_o most_o opposite_a method_n imaginable_a and_o if_o he_o be_v utter_o disappoint_v of_o his_o hope_n by_o the_o interfere_a pursuit_n of_o other_o he_o must_v change_v his_o chief_a pleasure_n and_o choose_v a_o new_a object_n of_o his_o happiness_n or_o undergo_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o misery_n for_o obstinate_o stick_v to_o his_o former_a choice_n and_o further_o the_o person_n who_o character_n we_o be_v draw_v if_o he_o will_v be_v true_a to_o his_o own_o principle_n shall_v not_o be_v deter_v from_o the_o prosecution_n of_o his_o end_n by_o any_o concern_v for_o the_o happiness_n of_o other_o or_o sense_n of_o their_o misery_n or_o by_o any_o regard_n to_o their_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n concern_v his_o action_n and_o the_o measure_n he_o take_v he_o be_v never_o to_o prefer_v the_o public_a good_a of_o a_o city_n nation_n or_o empire_n to_o his_o own_o private_a satisfaction_n though_o the_o duration_n of_o it_o be_v but_o a_o moment_n if_o he_o can_v be_v so_o happy_a without_o it_o generosity_n friendship_n and_o gratitude_n must_v give_v place_n when_o they_o do_v not_o serve_v to_o promote_v his_o attainment_n of_o what_o appear_v more_o agreeable_a to_o he_o than_o the_o exercise_n of_o such_o act_n which_o go_v under_o those_o name_n all_o sentiment_n of_o tenderness_n pity_n and_o compassion_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o when_o the_o suffering_n and_o misery_n of_o other_o can_v procure_v he_o what_o he_o esteem_v a_o great_a happiness_n than_o the_o ease_n of_o comply_v with_o those_o foolish_a disposition_n of_o his_o nature_n or_o temper_n which_o together_o with_o all_o other_o inclination_n he_o find_v in_o himself_o his_o reason_n tell_v he_o be_v to_o be_v bend_v and_o direct_v towards_o his_o chief_a happiness_n which_o be_v the_o gratification_n of_o the_o strong_a and_o most_o vigorous_a passion_n of_o his_o soul_n whichsoever_o it_o be_v that_o happen_v to_o be_v the_o uppermost_a in_o his_o constitution_n he_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o all_o the_o notion_n of_o praise_n honour_n and_o reputation_n as_o mere_a empty_a name_n when_o apply_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o cunning_a and_o art_n in_o the_o manage_n and_o advance_v a_o man_n be_v own_o interest_n and_o bring_v about_o all_o his_o design_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o the_o sure_a and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n he_o can_v and_o therefore_o nothing_o that_o serve_v for_o the_o promote_a this_o end_n be_v to_o be_v account_v base_a or_o dishonourable_a but_o if_o the_o world_n will_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o their_o other_o principle_n agree_v to_o call_v some_o thing_n so_o and_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o be_v necessary_a to_o he_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o his_o chief_a pleasure_n or_o the_o imaginary_a uneasiness_n of_o disgrace_n spoil_v his_o enjoyment_n of_o it_o he_o must_v comply_v with_o the_o establish_a error_n while_o it_o prevail_v so_o far_o only_o as_o it_o stand_v in_o his_o way_n to_o happiness_n or_o help_v to_o promote_v it_o and_o last_o the_o person_n thus_o confirm_v in_o irreligion_n be_v sensible_a that_o his_o life_n be_v the_o utmost_a compass_n and_o extent_n of_o his_o happiness_n all_o his_o care_n and_o endeavour_n all_o his_o concern_v and_o design_n be_v to_o be_v confine_v within_o the_o same_o bound_n he_o be_v to_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o memory_n or_o posterity_n he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v concern_v if_o the_o whole_a race_n of_o mankind_n shall_v end_v with_o he_o nor_o abate_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o present_a satisfaction_n to_o procure_v the_o great_a advantage_n imaginable_a to_o succeed_a generation_n this_o be_v a_o short_a draught_n and_o representation_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o practice_n of_o one_o that_o upon_o a_o full_a persuasion_n of_o mind_n deny_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o there_o be_v very_o fâ—w_o if_o any_o such_o clear_a through_o atheist_n in_o the_o world_n as_o come_v up_o to_o this_o whole_a character_n the_o generality_n of_o those_o that_o be_v style_v so_o be_v either_o such_o as_o never_o think_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o matter_n or_o else_o have_v some_o small_a remain_n
or_o superstitious_a zeal_n to_o triumph_v present_o and_o cry_v out_o that_o ignorance_n or_o frenzy_n be_v the_o mother_n of_o all_o devotion_n will_v be_v as_o foolish_a a_o boast_n as_o for_o a_o general_n to_o despise_v the_o weakness_n and_o cowardice_n of_o his_o enemy_n because_o he_o have_v plunder_v two_o or_o three_o small_a open_a village_n when_o all_o the_o great_a town_n and_o the_o chief_a strength_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v be_v unassaulted_a or_o attempt_v in_o vain_a the_o scandalous_a practice_n of_o man_n of_o great_a pretence_n to_o piety_n and_o such_o as_o by_o their_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o life_n be_v look_v upon_o to_o be_v whole_o in_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n be_v another_o very_a unwarrantable_a occasion_n of_o some_o man_n disbelieve_v every_o thing_n that_o go_v under_o that_o name_n who_o infer_v from_o hence_o that_o such_o person_n as_o these_o do_v not_o believe_v religion_n themselves_o and_o consequent_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o other_o do_v though_o they_o disguise_v their_o notion_n better_a in_o order_n to_o serve_v their_o present_a interest_n especial_o if_o they_o be_v man_n of_o such_o sense_n as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o put_v they_o above_o the_o suspicion_n of_o vulgar_a credulity_n but_o this_o argument_n be_v false_a and_o unconcluding_a in_o all_o its_o part_n for_o first_o of_o all_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o such_o man_n as_o these_o believe_v nothing_o themselves_o of_o what_o they_o profess_v the_o true_a inference_n be_v that_o corrupt_a nature_n vicious_a habit_n and_o a_o loose_a education_n be_v oftentimes_o too_o hard_o for_o conscience_n and_o reason_n it_o be_v very_o plain_o that_o the_o same_o thing_n happen_v in_o several_a other_o case_n for_o there_o be_v no_o man_n whatsoever_o be_v his_o principle_n never_o so_o loose_a and_o wide_a his_o reason_n never_o so_o much_o deprave_v but_o shall_v many_o time_n do_v what_o he_o himself_o shall_v condemn_v himself_o for_o do_v and_o which_o contradict_v the_o principle_n he_o resolve_v to_o stand_v by_o and_o therefore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o infer_v from_o some_o gross_a sin_n of_o a_o pretender_n to_o religion_n that_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o what_o he_o profess_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o to_o prove_v that_o a_o atheist_n do_v certain_o believe_v a_o god_n whatever_o he_o say_v to_o the_o contrary_a because_o he_o often_o swear_v by_o he_o and_o invoke_v he_o in_o his_o curse_n beside_o suppose_v this_o true_a of_o some_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o a_o great_a sense_n of_o religion_n themselves_o or_o undertake_v to_o promote_v it_o in_o other_o that_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v sometime_o presumption_n strong_a enough_o to_o induce_v we_o to_o judge_n so_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o from_o hence_o to_o conclude_v that_o other_o of_o a_o more_o unsuspected_a conduct_n be_v all_o of_o the_o same_o mind_n if_o we_o can_v but_o see_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o or_o what_o if_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o false_a pretender_n to_o religion_n how_o be_v this_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n indeed_o to_o believe_v it_o upon_o their_o word_n nor_o do_v their_o contradict_v what_o they_o say_v by_o their_o practice_n give_v we_o any_o more_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v it_o nor_o if_o some_o of_o those_o who_o peculiar_a employment_n it_o be_v and_o who_o present_a interest_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v to_o propagate_v and_o advance_v the_o belief_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v suppose_v to_o believe_v nothing_o of_o it_o themselves_o will_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o their_o unbelief_n be_v occasion_v by_o know_v more_o of_o it_o than_o other_o and_o be_v better_o acquaint_v with_o the_o whole_a mystery_n and_o contrivance_n this_o be_v evident_o prove_v to_o be_v false_a by_o the_o experience_n of_o those_o who_o have_v think_v more_o and_o inquire_v further_a concern_v these_o thing_n than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n have_v do_v for_o the_o more_o they_o have_v consider_v the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o more_o just_a and_o exact_a they_o have_v be_v in_o trace_v and_o examine_v all_o their_o reason_n about_o they_o the_o strong_a have_v they_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o but_o if_o there_o real_o be_v such_o man_n as_o for_o argument_n sake_n we_o have_v suppose_v they_o be_v certain_o atheist_n before_o they_o put_v on_o the_o garb_n of_o religion_n and_o what_o shall_v hinder_v a_o atheist_n from_o take_v up_o this_o disguise_n and_o prepare_v himself_o for_o it_o by_o a_o close_a dissimulation_n who_o think_v all_o mean_n lawful_a for_o the_o promote_a his_o present_a interest_n in_o this_o world_n and_o it_o be_v not_o every_o atheist_n good_a fortune_n to_o be_v better_o provide_v for_o in_o another_o condition_n of_o life_n than_o he_o may_v probable_o be_v in_o act_v a_o religious_a part._n but_o if_o the_o generality_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n must_v be_v allow_v real_o to_o believe_v the_o religion_n they_o profess_v this_o say_v the_o unbeliever_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o a_o strange_a prevalence_n of_o fear_n and_o strong_a impression_n of_o education_n have_v captivate_v their_o understanding_n and_o dispose_v they_o all_o to_o the_o same_o way_n of_o reason_v upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v that_o there_o have_v be_v so_o few_o true_a philosopher_n that_o be_v able_a to_o think_v right_o and_o judge_v clear_o of_o thing_n but_o now_o and_o then_o some_o bold_a genius_n have_v venture_v to_o shake_v off_o his_o chain_n and_o assert_v the_o liberty_n and_o prerogative_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o as_o one_o alexander_n or_o caesar_n so_o one_o epicurus_n or_o lucretius_n be_v enough_o for_o one_o age_n such_o spirit_n be_v not_o of_o the_o common_a make_n and_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n but_o seldom_o and_o be_v therefore_o to_o be_v admire_v to_o which_o it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o answer_v that_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v religion_n to_o be_v the_o necessary_a issue_n and_o product_v of_o reason_n and_o the_o first_o unquestionable_a principle_n of_o all_o our_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o else_o be_v assign_v as_o a_o cause_n of_o it_o must_v be_v false_a but_o i_o have_v this_o further_a consideration_n to_o add_v viz._n that_o the_o effect_n of_o fear_n and_o education_n never_o be_v so_o uniform_a last_a and_o universal_a as_o the_o belief_n of_o religion_n be_v observe_v to_o be_v especial_o when_o they_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o truth_n and_o reason_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o do_v in_o this_o case_n that_o man_n be_v as_o much_o and_o as_o often_o dispose_v to_o deny_v as_o to_o believe_v what_o they_o fear_v when_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n for_o fear_n be_v the_o same_o and_o more_o incline_v to_o the_o former_a when_o the_o thing_n fear_v be_v represent_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n that_o sensual_a appetite_n habit_n of_o indulge_v they_o present_a enjoyment_n or_o near_a prospect_n of_o pleasure_n and_o custom_n of_o live_a contrary_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n have_v a_o much_o strong_a and_o more_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n than_o such_o impression_n of_o fear_n or_o education_n which_o contradict_v all_o these_o especial_o if_o reason_n be_v of_o the_o same_o side_n with_o they_o as_o the_o patron_n of_o irreligion_n must_v say_v and_o therefore_o neither_o fear_v nor_o education_n nor_o both_o together_o can_v be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o such_o a_o general_a belief_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v profess_v in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o reason_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n believe_v the_o last_o objection_n i_o shall_v mention_v which_o the_o atheist_n think_v the_o most_o formidable_a and_o a_o perfect_a discovery_n of_o the_o whole_a mystery_n be_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o politic_a contrivance_n now_o that_o which_o give_v occasion_n for_o such_o a_o suspicion_n be_v that_o all_o the_o chief_a politician_n in_o their_o wise_a precept_n of_o advice_n have_v think_v it_o necessary_a for_o every_o prince_n to_o encourage_v and_o promote_v religion_n in_o his_o country_n and_o to_o have_v a_o show_v of_o it_o himself_o whatever_n his_o inward_a sentiment_n be_v but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o plea_n for_o atheism_n that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a strong_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n reasonableness_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n for_o that_o be_v certain_o high_o rational_a which_o be_v most_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o public_a reason_n of_o mankind_n consider_v together_o in_o society_n without_o which_o there_o will_v be_v little_a use_n of_o reason_n at_o all_o and_o if_o man_n be_v bear_v sociable_a creature_n if_o they_o
natural_o desire_v society_n and_o society_n can_v possible_o subsist_v without_o religion_n as_o the_o objection_n itself_o suppose_v then_o be_v religion_n as_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o as_o necessary_a to_o his_o happiness_n as_o conversation_n and_o live_v together_o and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o other_o man_n have_v religion_n the_o atheist_n will_v find_v it_o very_o uncomfortable_a live_n in_o the_o world_n these_o be_v the_o chief_a plea_n defence_n and_o objection_n common_o urge_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o other_o which_o have_v not_o be_v here_o particular_o consider_v they_o admit_v of_o the_o same_o answer_n as_o those_o that_o be_v here_o mention_v or_o may_v be_v as_o easy_o account_v for_o out_o of_o the_o proof_n before_o give_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o without_o spend_v more_o time_n in_o make_v little_a cavil_n and_o groundless_a 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that_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o be_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v to_o but_o that_o the_o strong_a effort_n of_o human_a invention_n that_o way_n reach_v no_o further_a than_o a_o offer_n at_o explain_v the_o common_a appearance_n the_o original_a order_n course_n and_o event_n of_o thing_n without_o a_o god_n independent_o of_o he_o or_o with_o exclusion_n to_o those_o particular_a consequence_n respect_v man_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o duty_n and_o sin_n reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o that_o the_o most_o any_o endeavour_n of_o this_o kind_n can_v amount_v to_o be_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a thing_n may_v be_v after_o that_o particular_a manner_n they_o be_v explain_v to_o be_v these_o be_v the_o different_a ground_n and_o proof_n of_o religion_n and_o irreligion_n which_o if_o we_o careful_o compare_v together_o it_o will_v easy_o appear_v that_o they_o do_v not_o only_o differ_v as_o more_o or_o less_o rational_a but_o that_o all_o the_o reason_n lie_v on_o the_o side_n of_o religion_n the_o conception_n or_o proof_n of_o a_o bare_a possibility_n of_o the_o world_n be_v subsist_v without_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v no_o manner_n of_o argument_n that_o there_o be_v none_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v very_o absurd_a to_o deny_v all_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o every_o thing_n bring_v in_o defence_n of_o they_o upon_o this_o account_n only_o but_o allow_v there_o may_v be_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o say_v for_o irreligion_n so_o as_o to_o render_v it_o something_o probable_a to_o be_v believe_v yet_o if_o the_o positive_a direct_a proof_n for_o religion_n stand_v good_a without_o consider_v those_o which_o pretend_v to_o show_v the_o absurdity_n and_o impossibility_n of_o a_o contrary_a scheme_n the_o former_a can_v stand_v upon_o so_o sure_a and_o firm_a a_o bottom_n as_o the_o latter_a nor_o be_v advance_v to_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n of_o credibility_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o give_v our_o assent_n on_o that_o side_n where_o there_o be_v the_o least_o appearance_n of_o probability_n but_o suppose_v the_o proof_n on_o both_o side_n equal_a such_o different_a consequence_n do_v attend_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o that_o it_o be_v the_o extremity_n of_o madness_n and_o folly_n to_o prefer_v the_o party_n of_o irreligion_n which_o beside_o the_o present_a particular_a pain_n trouble_n and_o disadvantage_n it_o be_v say_v to_o bring_v upon_o the_o person_n that_o make_v this_o choice_n and_o the_o mischief_n and_o inconvenience_n mankind_n will_v certain_o suffer_v from_o one_o another_o upon_o this_o account_n beside_o all_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v threaten_v with_o eternal_a inexpressible_a misery_n to_o come_v after_o this_o life_n and_o this_o be_v a_o consequence_n so_o concern_v and_o dreadful_a that_o it_o must_v be_v a_o vast_a preponderancy_n of_o proof_n that_o can_v justify_v our_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o it_o which_o i_o be_o
thing_n as_o minister_v most_o occasion_n for_o raillery_n and_o magnify_v every_o bold_a thing_n that_o be_v say_v by_o any_o man_n without_o any_o regard_n to_o his_o other_o opinion_n or_o the_o consequence_n even_o of_o that_o that_o be_v like_v it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o it_o real_o prove_v any_o thing_n against_o religion_n or_o no_o so_o it_o be_v think_v by_o the_o professor_n of_o religion_n to_o bear_v hard_a either_o upon_o the_o fundamental_a principle_n or_o any_o remote_a acccessional_a doctrine_n own_v by_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o present_a atheism_n be_v a_o promiscuous_a miscellany_n of_o all_o the_o bold_a notion_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v vent_v by_o those_o they_o style_v free-thinker_n where_o whatever_o seem_v to_o be_v level_v against_o any_o point_n of_o religion_n be_v embrace_v as_o the_o most_o sensible_a and_o rational_a account_n that_o can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o thing_n but_o those_o part_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o same_o author_n be_v slight_v and_o pass_v over_o as_o weak_o do_v whereas_o i_o will_v be_v bind_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v never_o a_o article_n or_o duty_n of_o religion_n profess_v by_o we_o but_o be_v own_a and_o maintain_v by_o some_o or_o other_o of_o these_o bold_a free-thinking_a author_n which_o be_v so_o high_o approve_v and_o commend_v by_o the_o present_a atheist_n and_o what_o a_o gross_a partiality_n be_v this_o not_o to_o allow_v those_o who_o they_o cry_v up_o for_o unprejudiced_a man_n to_o talk_v a_o word_n of_o sense_n or_o reason_n but_o when_o what_o they_o say_v make_v for_o their_o purpose_n 3._o but_o three_o we_o have_v a_o more_o convince_a proof_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o irreligion_n be_v the_o genuine_a issue_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o cause_n before_o assign_v from_o the_o open_a confession_n of_o several_a atheist_n themselves_o who_o upon_o just_a conviction_n of_o conscience_n have_v disclaim_v their_o 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as_o these_o either_o in_o book_n or_o discourse_n come_v from_o other_o give_v they_o very_o great_a pleasure_n and_o by_o that_o mean_v assurance_n in_o embrace_v these_o new_a principle_n so_o be_v they_o further_o please_v and_o confirm_v together_o in_o their_o belief_n of_o they_o by_o applaud_a trial_n and_o exercise_n of_o their_o own_o wit_n the_o same_o way_n especial_o when_o the_o general_a disposition_n of_o the_o person_n they_o converse_v with_o make_v this_o entertainment_n very_o agreeable_a and_o very_a frequent_a all_o this_o have_v several_a atheist_n upon_o their_o repentance_n acknowledge_v and_o that_o which_o strengthen_v the_o argument_n draw_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o those_o who_o have_v renounce_v their_o irreligious_a principle_n and_o give_v this_o account_n of_o themselves_o have_v be_v some_o of_o they_o man_n of_o the_o best_a natural_a ability_n and_o great_a acquire_v improvement_n of_o any_o that_o ever_o take_v the_o party_n of_o atheism_n and_o their_o repentance_n have_v be_v free_a and_o voluntary_a and_o not_o extort_a by_o any_o frightful_a representation_n or_o importunate_a address_n in_o the_o season_n of_o fear_n and_o weakness_n it_o have_v begin_v from_o themselves_o and_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o the_o overrule_a impression_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o not_o to_o human_a persuasion_n and_o their_o blindness_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v by_o this_o mean_n remove_v the_o argument_n for_o religion_n have_v prevail_v upon_o they_o by_o their_o own_o strength_n as_o suggest_v to_o they_o by_o their_o own_o reason_n without_o receive_v any_o advantage_n from_o the_o management_n and_o art_n of_o other_o and_o this_o i_o think_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o atheism_n proceed_v from_o strong_a prejudices_fw-la and_o false_a disproportion_a motion_n of_o judge_v and_o be_v not_o the_o result_n of_o just_a reason_v and_o impartial_a reflection_n i_o have_v now_o go_v through_o the_o several_a branch_n of_o my_o discourse_n i_o propose_v to_o myself_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o and_o sinish_v the_o proof_n i_o undertake_v of_o general_a or_o as_o it_o be_v common_o call_v natural_a reliligion_n all_o that_o i_o have_v further_o to_o add_v upon_o this_o subject_a at_o present_a be_v to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o atheism_n and_o deism_n which_o word_n i_o have_v be_v force_v to_o use_v sometime_o promiscuous_o and_o in_o a_o different_a sense_n from_o the_o common_a acceptation_n for_o want_v of_o a_o fit_a and_o proper_a word_n to_o express_v a_o belief_n or_o profession_n of_o any_o such_o opinion_n which_o take_v away_o the_o practical_a influence_n and_o power_n of_o religion_n for_o which_o reason_n i_o think_v it_o convenient_a in_o this_o place_n that_o i_o may_v remedy_v any_o confusion_n or_o mistake_v the_o liberty_n i_o have_v take_v in_o the_o use_n of_o these_o term_n may_v have_v occasion_v to_o set_v down_o distinct_o what_o i_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v the_o common_a notion_n of_o atheism_n and_o deism_n and_o what_o idea_n i_o shall_v choose_v to_o affix_v these_o word_n to_o by_o a_o atheist_n be_v common_o mean_v such_o a_o one_o as_o will_v own_v no_o be_v under_o the_o name_n and_o title_n of_o god_n and_o he_o who_o do_v acknowledge_v such_o a_o be_v let_v his_o conception_n of_o he_o be_v what_o they_o will_v be_v no_o atheist_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n it_o may_v well_o be_v make_v a_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o atheist_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o find_v a_o man_n who_o have_v not_o some_o idea_n in_o his_o mind_n which_o he_o will_v allow_v the_o name_n of_o god_n to_o tho_o upon_o examination_n perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o confuse_a notion_n of_o some_o vast_a power_n first_o cause_n original_a mover_n or_o immortal_a be_v enjoy_v eternal_a rest_n and_o quiet_a now_o according_a to_o this_o notion_n of_o atheism_n he_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v a_o god_n whatever_o nature_n character_n and_o attribute_n he_o ascribe_v to_o he_o and_o deny_v his_o providence_n or_o government_n of_o mankind_n be_v call_v a_o deist_n but_o in_o such_o place_n where_o the_o pretence_n of_o revelation_n be_v acknowledge_v and_o defend_v he_o that_o be_v call_v a_o deist_n be_v one_o that_o own_v a_o god_n and_o believe_v some_o sort_n of_o providence_n and_o natural_a obligation_n but_o deny_v all_o manner_n of_o revelation_n confine_n his_o duty_n to_o matter_n of_o civil_a justice_n and_o commerce_n make_v these_o his_o chief_a principle_n not_o to_o injure_v another_o and_o to_o keep_v his_o word_n ground_n his_o practice_n upon_o the_o reason_n and_o interest_n of_o society_n and_o his_o own_o present_a advantage_n not_o obedience_n to_o god_n or_o a_o future_a prospect_n believe_v no_o future_a life_n or_o at_o least_o such_o a_o one_o as_o can_v have_v no_o great_a influence_n upon_o a_o man_n action_n here_o this_o be_v the_o common_a general_n use_v of_o these_o word_n but_o by_o a_o atheist_n i_o think_v may_v proper_o and_o just_o be_v mean_v not_o only_o he_o that_o absolute_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n but_o whosoever_o say_v there_o be_v no_o god_n that_o govern_v the_o world_n and_o judge_v the_o earth_n there_o be_v no_o god_n that_o have_v appoint_v law_n and_o rule_n for_o man_n to_o act_v by_o there_o be_v no_o god_n to_o who_o man_n be_v accountable_a for_o all_o their_o action_n and_o by_o who_o they_o shall_v be_v reward_v or_o punish_v in_o a_o future_a state_n according_a to_o their_o behaviour_n here_o and_o in_o general_a whoever_o hold_v such_o a_o opinion_n which_o exempt_v he_o from_o all_o obligation_n of_o duty_n to_o a_o superior_a be_v or_o cut_v off_o the_o expectation_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n consequent_a thereupon_o for_o atheism_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v