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of_o success_n give_v they_o thanks_o make_v the_o creature_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n go_n this_o be_v the_o natural_a seed_n of_o religion_n which_o man_n take_v notice_n of_o have_v form_v into_o law_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o another_o place_n 51._o that_o fear_v of_o power_n invisible_a feign_v by_o the_o mind_n or_o imagine_v from_o tale_n public_o allow_v be_v religion_n not_o allow_v be_v superstition_n so_o that_o according_a to_o mr._n hobbs_n religion_n and_o superstition_n differ_v only_o in_o this_o that_o the_o latter_a be_v a_o lie_n and_o a_o cheat_n stand_v only_o on_o the_o authority_n of_o private_a man_n whereas_o the_o former_a be_v support_v by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o government_n in_o these_o four_o thing_n say_v he_o elsewhere_o 54._o consist_v the_o natural_a seed_n of_o religion_n viz._n ignorance_n of_o second_o cause_n opinion_n of_o ghost_n devotion_n towards_o what_o man_n fear_v and_o take_v thing_n casual_a for_o prognostic_n 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one_o ever_o discover_v that_o there_o be_v no_o real_a ground_n for_o this_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n how_o come_v he_o himself_o exempt_v from_o this_o poorness_n of_o spirit_n and_o if_o he_o be_v not_o exempt_v from_o this_o terrible_a passion_n how_o come_v he_o to_o discover_v that_o the_o object_n of_o this_o fear_n be_v all_o a_o cheat_n and_o nothing_o but_o a_o mere_a mormo_n and_o bugbear_n it_o be_v very_o lucky_a for_o he_o that_o the_o ramble_a atom_n of_o his_o constitution_n jump_v by_o chance_n into_o such_o a_o courageous_a and_o noble_a frame_n and_o temper_v but_o pray_v who_o be_v this_o mighty_a man_n when_o and_o where_o do_v he_o live_v what_o ancient_a history_n give_v we_o any_o account_n of_o this_o happy_a person_n that_o laugh_v at_o that_o which_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o be_v afraid_a of_o let_v the_o atheist_n give_v we_o but_o any_o relation_n of_o he_o that_o be_v authentic_a and_o it_o shall_v be_v allow_v as_o the_o great_a thing_n 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that_o by_o brave_a and_o great_a soul_n they_o do_v mean_v king_n and_o prince_n but_o the_o wise_a know_v and_o learned_a part_n of_o mankind_n these_o be_v they_o that_o first_o discover_v this_o cheat_n and_o who_o find_v its_o advantage_n to_o mankind_n have_v ever_o since_o continue_v it_o and_o carry_v it_o on_o for_o the_o public_a good_n these_o cunning_a man_n find_v the_o vulgar_a general_o subject_a to_o dismal_a apprehension_n and_o fear_n of_o they_o know_v not_o what_o kind_n of_o invisible_a power_n take_v advantage_n from_o thence_o to_o tell_v they_o of_o a_o god_n and_o to_o form_v the_o product_n of_o their_o fear_n into_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n now_o to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o if_o these_o cunning_a politician_n find_v that_o there_o be_v a_o fear_n dread_a and_o apprehension_n of_o some_o
accountable_a to_o god_n as_o well_o as_o they_o it_o be_v to_o teach_v they_o that_o the_o power_n he_o have_v be_v but_o a_o trust_n commit_v to_o he_o by_o god_n which_o he_o be_v to_o discharge_v for_o his_o subject_n good_a and_o advantage_n and_o not_o only_o to_o gratify_v his_o own_o will_n and_o humour_n and_o this_o notion_n may_v induce_v the_o subject_n of_o a_o arbitrary_a and_o tyrannical_a prince_n to_o ease_v he_o of_o the_o trouble_v of_o a_o government_n that_o they_o perceive_v involve_v he_o in_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o gild_n and_o will_v proportionable_o increase_v the_o account_n that_o he_o must_v one_o day_n give_v of_o his_o stewardship_n but_o 2._o as_o the_o idea_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n can_v possible_o have_v be_v invent_v by_o any_o one_o so_o neither_o can_v it_o have_v be_v understand_v or_o believe_v by_o mankind_n if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o have_v there_o be_v only_o one_o person_n that_o have_v coin_v the_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n and_o no_o manner_n of_o notion_n at_o all_o of_o any_o of_o his_o attribute_n or_o perfection_n previous_a to_o this_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n what_o will_v it_o have_v signify_v to_o tell_v they_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n how_o can_v they_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o a_o mere_a arbitrary_a word_n that_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o foundation_n in_o nature_n nor_o any_o idea_n or_o notion_n answer_v to_o it_o word_n be_v but_o mark_v of_o thing_n or_o sign_n to_o know_v they_o or_o distinguish_v they_o by_o and_o therefore_o a_o word_n that_o be_v the_o sign_n of_o what_o be_v absolute_o nothing_o or_o a_o nonentity_n must_v needs_o be_v nonsense_n and_o unintelligible_a and_o consequent_o he_o that_o shall_v attempt_v to_o awe_v mankind_n with_o a_o empty_a sound_n that_o have_v no_o signification_n will_v certain_o be_v expose_v to_o contempt_n and_o instead_o of_o affright_v other_o will_v only_o be_v laugh_v at_o himself_o the_o author_n of_o anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la say_v 36._o that_o to_o tell_v a_o profane_a rabble_n of_o a_o invisible_a deity_n and_o of_o a_o future_a state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n will_v signify_v nothing_o at_o all_o and_o that_o man_n will_v not_o for_o such_o metaphysic_n forbear_v any_o manner_n of_o pleasure_n or_o profit_n how_o base_a soever_o how_o then_o can_v the_o figment_n of_o a_o deity_n gain_v admittance_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n at_o first_o what_o will_v it_o signify_v to_o tell_v man_n of_o a_o invisible_a power_n that_o preside_v over_o and_o govern_v the_o world_n when_o according_a to_o the_o atheist_n supposition_n they_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o notion_n of_o any_o such_o be_v before_o and_o consequent_o can_v not_o know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o such_o word_n and_o expression_n shall_v you_o tell_v they_o indeed_o of_o a_o potent_a neighbour_n that_o be_v come_v strong_o arm_v to_o take_v away_o their_o life_n or_o good_n they_o will_v look_v about_o they_o and_o endeavour_v by_o flight_n or_o force_n to_o secure_v themselves_o but_o to_o tell_v they_o of_o a_o power_n that_o they_o never_o see_v nor_o hear_v any_o thing_n of_o before_o and_o which_o they_o be_v tell_v withal_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v see_v or_o hear_v or_o any_o way_n render_v a_o object_n of_o their_o sense_n can_v make_v no_o impression_n at_o all_o on_o mankind_n or_o suppose_v that_o it_o can_v make_v some_o impression_n and_o frighten_v some_o man_n at_o its_o first_o proposal_n how_o long_o will_v this_o last_v no_o long_o at_o far_a than_o till_o they_o be_v by_o experience_n convince_v that_o it_o be_v false_a and_o precarious_a and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n nor_o reason_n to_o believe_v any_o such_o thing_n and_o this_o they_o must_v arrive_v at_o in_o a_o small_a time_n if_o the_o thing_n be_v false_a it_o be_v impossible_a such_o a_o cheat_n as_o this_o which_o it_o will_v have_v concern_v every_o one_o to_o have_v examine_v can_v long_o have_v maintain_v its_o ground_n time_n discover_v and_o certain_o lay_v open_v all_o imposture_n and_o that_o the_o soon_o the_o more_o be_v concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o it_o and_o therefore_o have_v this_o notion_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n have_v no_o other_o original_a and_o foundation_n than_o what_o the_o atheist_n pretend_v it_o be_v impossible_a it_o can_v have_v continue_v so_o long_o in_o the_o world_n and_o much_o more_o so_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v gain_v ground_n as_o we_o know_v it_o have_v continual_o do_v and_o be_v establish_v on_o better_a principle_n the_o more_o it_o have_v be_v consider_v and_o understand_v opinionum_fw-la commenta_fw-la delet_fw-la dies_fw-la naturae_fw-la judicia_fw-la confirmat_fw-la say_v cicero_n beside_o it_o can_v well_o be_v imagine_v that_o any_o man_n shall_v have_v the_o vanity_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o thing_n which_o he_o know_v he_o have_v invent_v himself_o and_o which_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o ground_n nor_o foundation_n to_o support_v it_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n can_v ever_o impose_v upon_o and_o delude_v mankind_n or_o indeed_o find_v any_o admittance_n in_o their_o belief_n he_o must_v needs_o think_v that_o other_o will_v be_v as_o sagacious_a to_o discover_v the_o cheat_n as_o he_o can_v be_v to_o contrive_v it_o and_o that_o among_o so_o many_o head_n some_o one_o will_v soon_o detect_v the_o forgery_n of_o what_o must_v necessary_o appear_v false_a and_o precarious_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n of_o all_o men._n but_o 3_o dly_a and_o last_o the_o universality_n of_o the_o notion_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n be_v also_o a_o most_o demonstrative_a argument_n that_o it_o can_v not_o arise_v from_o the_o invention_n of_o any_o cunning_a and_o design_v person_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o universal_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n can_v i_o think_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o one_o and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o far_a discovery_n will_v satisfy_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o notion_n of_o god_n even_o among_o those_o barbarous_a and_o savage_a people_n that_o be_v say_v to_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o idea_n of_o he_o by_o a_o late_a ingenious_a author_n but_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o god_n be_v quite_o lose_v in_o three_o or_o four_o dark_a and_o uncultivated_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n who_o inhabitant_n be_v so_o brutish_a as_o scarce_o to_o think_v at_o all_o this_o be_v no_o more_o a_o argument_n against_o the_o belief_n of_o god_n be_v universal_o diffuse_v throughout_o the_o world_n than_o monster_n and_o fool_n be_v that_o man_n have_v not_o general_o a_o humane_a shape_n and_o reason_n there_o be_v some_o anomaly_n irregularity_n and_o exception_n in_o all_o thing_n and_o case_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o by_o any_o account_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o over-turn_a a_o general_a rule_n i_o shall_v not_o say_v much_o to_o this_o point_n it_o have_v be_v so_o large_o and_o frequent_o handle_v already_o only_o i_o can_v omit_v the_o testimony_n of_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a writer_n who_o be_v very_o express_v that_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n among_o mankind_n and_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v natural_a or_o by_o way_n of_o anticipation_n there_o be_v say_v cicero_n 1._o a_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n impress_v on_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o men._n and_o in_o another_o place_n say_v he_o 32._o what_o kind_n of_o nation_n or_o people_n be_v there_o any_o where_o to_o be_v find_v who_o have_v not_o without_o learn_v it_o from_o other_o a_o prolepsis_n or_o anticipation_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o in_o two_o other_o place_n he_o tell_v we_o 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n so_o barbarous_a and_o wild_a who_o do_v not_o acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o some_o how_o or_o other_o revere_a and_o worship_v he_o seneca_n in_o his_o epistle_n 4.4_o frequent_o say_v the_o same_o thing_n sextus_n empiricus_n own_v also_o 〈◊〉_d that_o all_o man_n have_v a_o common_a notion_n of_o god_n by_o way_n of_o prolepsis_n and_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v a_o most_o bless_a and_o happy_a be_v incorruptible_a immortal_a and_o uncapable_a of_o any_o kind_n of_o evil._n 314._o and_o he_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o assert_v that_o all_o man_n shall_v come_v to_o attribute_v the_o same_o property_n to_o god_n by_o chance_n and_o not_o rather_o be_v induce_v thereunto_o by_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n maximus_fw-la tyrius_n have_v a_o very_a plain_a passage_n to_o prove_v this_o common_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n 5._o though_o say_v he_o there_o be_v so_o much_o quarrel_v difference_n and_o jangle_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o you_o may_v see_v this_o agree_v in_o all_o over_o the_o earth_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n the_o king_n and_o father_n of_o
just_a and_o righteous_a in_o all_o his_o proceed_n and_o that_o he_o always_o execute_v justice_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o delight_n in_o these_o thing_n our_o adversary_n indeed_o do_v assert_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o any_o distinction_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a just_a and_o unjust_a that_o can_v be_v take_v from_o any_o common_a rule_n or_o from_o the_o object_n themselves_o but_o only_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o person_n that_o use_v they_o who_o call_v that_o good_a which_o he_o love_v and_o that_o evil_a which_o he_o hate_v 37._o that_o god_n do_v every_o thing_n by_o his_o irresisistible_a power_n and_o that_o in_o that_o be_v found_v our_o obedience_n to_o he_o and_o not_o in_o any_o principle_n of_o gratitude_n to_o he_o 187._o for_o benefit_n which_o we_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o that_o justice_n be_v found_v in_o power_n and_o that_o whatever_o be_v enact_v by_o a_o sovereign_a power_n can_v be_v unjust_a the_o groundlessness_n of_o which_o impious_a and_o dangerous_a notion_n i_o shall_v full_o show_v in_o a_o subsequent_a discourse_n and_o therefore_o shall_v only_o now_o observe_v that_o this_o way_n of_o deprive_v the_o deity_n of_o these_o most_o excellent_a and_o lovely_a attribute_n of_o justice_n and_o goodness_n and_o make_v he_o to_o act_n only_o according_a to_o the_o arbitrary_a dictate_v of_o irresistible_a power_n give_v we_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o devil_n instead_o of_o a_o deity_n of_o a_o absolute_a tyrant_n instead_o of_o a_o righteous_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o sober_a and_o considerate_a sentiment_n of_o all_o mankind_n motive_n in_o who_o mind_n a_o plain_a distinction_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v found_v and_o who_o can_v never_o be_v bring_v without_o do_v great_a violence_n to_o themselves_o to_o assert_v that_o the_o deity_n be_v not_o guide_v in_o all_o thing_n by_o the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o truth_n and_o justice_n and_o that_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n shall_v not_o do_v right_a they_o see_v the_o comeliness_n and_o loveliness_n that_o there_o be_v in_o good_a and_o just_a action_n among_o man_n and_o therefore_o can_v suppose_v that_o a_o infinite_a and_o almighty_a be_v can_v do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o they_o they_o be_v sensible_a that_o deviation_n from_o those_o rule_n proceed_v only_o from_o the_o defect_n and_o imperfection_n that_o be_v in_o our_o nature_n but_o that_o god_n who_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d who_o possess_v and_o sustain_v all_o thing_n can_v make_v use_n of_o any_o indirect_a mean_n to_o procure_v himself_o happiness_n or_o to_o stave_v off_o misery_n since_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n give_v he_o all_o the_o one_o and_o secure_v he_o from_o all_o the_o other_o and_o they_o which_o certain_o never_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v do_v any_o action_n that_o they_o do_v not_o think_v suitable_a to_o be_v do_v by_o a_o good_a and_o just_a man_n but_o will_v on_o just_a ground_n conclude_v that_o whatever_o excellence_n or_o perfection_n they_o can_v any_o way_n discover_v to_o be_v in_o a_o good_a man_n must_v needs_o be_v in_o the_o high_a proportion_n in_o god_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o deity_n must_v be_v most_o righteous_a just_a and_o good_a and_o most_o kind_a merciful_a and_o gracious_a in_o all_o his_o deal_n with_o his_o creature_n and_o thus_o we_o see_v how_o by_o consider_v the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n which_o we_o find_v in_o ourselves_o and_o attribute_v they_o in_o the_o high_a proportion_n to_o that_o supreme_a be_v the_o deity_n from_o whence_o they_o must_v all_o be_v derive_v we_o may_v attain_v to_o a_o good_a and_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o the_o property_n and_o attribute_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n we_o may_v find_v they_o to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o plain_a reason_n and_o to_o philosophical_a truth_n and_o consequent_o conclude_v that_o they_o can_v have_v no_o such_o weak_a and_o precarious_a foundation_n as_o the_o order_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o the_o will_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n and_o be_v it_o now_o my_o business_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a from_o hence_o to_o show_v also_o the_o true_a foundation_n of_o religious_a worship_n that_o it_o do_v depend_v on_o the_o right_a apprehension_n and_o notion_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o that_o our_o obedience_n to_o he_o be_v found_v in_o our_o gratitude_n to_o he_o for_o the_o benefit_n which_o we_o receive_v from_o he_o and_o consequent_o be_v our_o reasonable_a service_n but_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o will_v be_v more_o proper_a in_o another_o place_n finis_fw-la a_o refutation_n of_o the_o objection_n against_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n october_n the_o three_o 1698._o be_v the_o seven_o of_o the_o lecture_n for_o that_o year_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o john_n harris_n m._n a._n and_o fellow_n of_o the_o royal-society_n london_n print_v by_o j._n l._n for_o richard_n wilkin_n at_o the_o king's-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1698._o jerem._n ix_o 24_o let_v he_o that_o glori_v glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v i_o that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n who_o exercise_n love_v kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n do_v i_o delight_v say_v the_o lord_n in_o these_o word_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n considerable_a i._n a_o supposition_n that_o god_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v know_v to_o we_o by_o his_o attribute_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o some_o of_o those_o attribute_n which_o he_o exercise_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o which_o he_o delight_v on_o the_o former_a of_o these_o i_o do_v in_o my_o last_o discourse_n endeavour_v to_o remove_v the_o objection_n against_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n in_o general_n and_o to_o show_v that_o they_o be_v plain_o discoverable_a by_o reason_n and_o agreeable_a to_o philosophical_a truth_n as_o to_o the_o second_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n mention_v here_o by_o the_o prophet_n and_o which_o he_o be_v say_v to_o delight_n to_o exercise_v in_o the_o earth_n i_o think_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o discourse_v particular_o of_o they_o have_v in_o my_o last_o sermon_n show_v how_o they_o as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n which_o we_o can_v discover_v in_o the_o creature_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v in_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o the_o great_a perfection_n because_o they_o be_v all_o derive_v from_o he_o but_o that_o which_o i_o judge_v will_v be_v more_o proper_a to_o be_v do_v now_o as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o my_o design_n of_o answer_v the_o atheistical_a objection_n in_o their_o natural_a order_n will_v be_v from_o hence_o to_o remove_v two_o great_a barrs_n to_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o attribute_n which_o sceptical_a and_o unbelieving_a man_n have_v here_o place_v in_o the_o way_n for_o indeed_o till_o this_o be_v do_v no_o true_a notion_n of_o god_n or_o of_o his_o perfection_n can_v be_v establish_v in_o man_n mind_n nor_o any_o ground_n fix_v whereon_o to_o build_v a_o rational_a belief_n of_o natural_a or_o reveal_v religion_n or_o any_o kind_n of_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a and_o almighty_a be_v and_o these_o two_o great_a objection_n of_o our_o adversary_n be_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v in_o reality_n no_o such_o thing_n as_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a but_o that_o all_o action_n be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a 2._o that_o all_o thing_n be_v determine_v by_o absolute_a fatality_n and_o that_o god_n himself_o and_o all_o creature_n whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a agent_n without_o have_v any_o power_n of_o choice_n or_o any_o real_a liberty_n in_o their_o nature_n at_o all_o these_o be_v two_o of_o the_o strong_a hold_v of_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n which_o it_o be_v therefore_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o batter_v down_o and_o demolish_v and_o these_o do_v in_o some_o sense_n communicate_v with_o and_o run_v into_o one_o another_o and_o indeed_o the_o former_a plain_o follow_v from_o the_o latter_a but_o however_o they_o be_v very_o frequent_o make_v use_n of_o distinct_o by_o the_o opposer_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o former_a be_v maintain_v by_o some_o person_n who_o i_o can_v find_v do_v hold_v the_o latter_a i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o refute_v they_o several_o begin_v with_o that_o which_o i_o have_v first_o propose_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v in_o reality_n no_o such_o thing_n as_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_a but_o that_o all_o action_n be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n pure_o indifferent_a and_o this_o position_n our_o adversary_n be_v very_o express_v in_o maintain_v as_o