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ground_n concern_v former_a great_a 79 3 2.1447 3 false
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A52417 A collection of miscellanies consisting of poems, essays, discourses, and letters occasionally written / by John Norris ...; Selections. 1687 Norris, John, 1657-1711.; Norris, John, 1657-1711. Idea of happiness, in a letter to a friend. 1687 (1687) Wing N1248; ESTC R14992 200,150 477

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qualify_v he_o for_o law_n or_o obligation_n virtue_n or_o vice_n reward_n or_o punishment_n but_o these_o be_v absurdity_n not_o to_o be_v endure_v and_o therefore_o i_o conclude_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o right_n reason_v the_o principle_n from_o which_o they_o flow_v to_o be_v so_o too_o 13._o to_o clear_v up_o then_o the_o whole_a difficulty_n with_o as_o much_o brevity_n and_o perspicuity_n as_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o intricacy_n be_v possible_a i_o shall_v no_o long_o consider_v the_o understanding_n and_o will_n as_o faculty_n real_o distinct_a either_o from_o the_o soul_n itself_o or_o from_o one_o another_o but_o that_o the_o soul_n do_v immediate_o understand_v and_o will_v by_o itself_o without_o the_o intervention_n of_o any_o faculty_n whatsoever_o and_o that_o for_o this_o demonstrative_a reason_n in_o short_a because_o in_o the_o contrary_a hypothesis_n either_o judgement_n must_v be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o will_n and_o then_o the_o will_v immediate_o commence_v understanding_n or_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o will_n must_v be_v blind_a brutish_a and_o unaccountable_a both_o which_o be_v as_o great_a absurdity_n as_o they_o be_v true_a consequence_n this_o be_v premise_v i_o grant_v that_o as_o the_o soul_n necessary_o will_v as_o she_o understand_v so_o likewise_o do_v she_o necessary_o understand_v as_o the_o object_n appear_v and_o thus_o far_o our_o sight_n terminate_v in_o fatality_n and_o necessity_n bound_v our_o horizon_n that_o then_o that_o must_v give_v we_o a_o prospect_n beyond_o it_o must_v be_v this_o that_o although_o the_o soul_n necessary_o understand_v or_o judge_n according_a to_o the_o appearance_n of_o thing_n yet_o that_o thing_n shall_v so_o appear_v unless_o it_o be_v in_o proposition_n that_o be_v self-evident_a as_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o any_o one_o part_n or_o the_o like_a be_v not_o alike_o necessary_a but_o depend_v upon_o the_o degree_n of_o advertency_n or_o attention_n which_o the_o 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the_o great_a ecliptic_a line_n which_o be_v to_o bound_v the_o career_n of_o our_o most_o forward_a and_o self-indulging_a opinion_n if_o we_o keep_v within_o this_o compass_n our_o motion_n be_v natural_a and_o regular_a but_o if_o we_o slide_v never_o so_o little_a out_o of_o it_o it_o be_v unnatural_a and_o portentous_a or_o to_o speak_v with_o great_a simplicity_n he_o that_o judge_n of_o himself_o according_a to_o those_o excellency_n whether_o moral_a or_o intellectual_a which_o he_o real_o have_v do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d think_v sober_o and_o he_o that_o think_v himself_o endow_v with_o any_o kind_a or_o degree_n of_o excellence_n which_o real_o he_o have_v not_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d think_v of_o himself_o more_o high_o than_o he_o ought_v to_o think_v 17._o here_o then_o be_v two_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v first_o that_o we_o may_v proceed_v so_o
many_o a_o honest_a pious_a soul_n arrive_v to_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n who_o be_v not_o feed_v with_o this_o manna_n in_o the_o wilderness_n but_o though_o every_o one_o must_v not_o expect_v these_o antepast_n of_o felicity_n that_o be_v virtuous_a yet_o none_o else_o must_v paradise_n be_v never_o open_v but_o to_o a_o state_n of_o innocence_n but_o neither_o be_v that_o enough_o no_o this_o mount_n of_o god_n presence_n be_v fence_v not_o only_o from_o the_o profane_a but_o also_o from_o the_o moderate_o virtuous_a it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o angelical_a disposition_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o eminent_a piety_n and_o a_o excellent_a religion_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o these_o divine_a repast_n these_o feast_n of_o love_n and_o here_o i_o place_v the_o great_a happiness_n attainable_a by_o man_n in_o this_o life_n as_o be_v the_o near_a approach_n to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o bless_a above_o the_o outer_a court_n of_o heaven_n 35._o these_o sir_n be_v my_o thought_n concern_v 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to_o live_v nought_o in_o exchange_n can_v grateful_a prove_v no_o second_o friendship_n can_v be_v find_v to_o match_v my_o mourning_n widow_v love_n eden_n be_v lose_v the_o rest_n be_v but_o common_a ground_n iii_o why_o be_v the_o great_a blessing_n send_v in_o vain_a which_o must_v be_v lose_v with_o great_a pain_n or_o why_o do_v we_o fond_o admire_v the_o great_a good_a which_o life_n can_v boast_v when_o fate_n will_v have_v the_o bliss_n expire_v like_o life_n with_o painful_a agony_n it_o be_v lose_v iv._o how_o fade_a be_v the_o jove_n we_o dote_v upon_o like_o apparition_n see_v and_o go_v but_o those_o which_o soon_a take_v their_o flight_n be_v the_o most_o exquisite_a and_o strong_a like_a angel_n visit_n short_a and_o bright_a mortality_n too_o weak_a to_o bear_v they_o long_o v._o no_o pleasure_n certain_o be_v so_o divine_a as_o when_o two_o soul_n in_o love_n combine_v he_o have_v the_o substance_n of_o all_o bliss_n to_o who_o a_o virtuous_a friend_n be_v give_v 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society_n hate_n curse_n abandon_v it_o as_o much_o as_o i._n iv._o let_v melancholy_n call_v that_o night_n she_o own_o then_o let_v she_o sigh_v then_o let_v she_o groan_v a_o general_a grief_n throughout_o all_o nature_n spread_v with_o fold_a arm_n and_o droop_a head_n all_o harp_n be_v still_o or_o tune_v to_o such_o a_o strain_n as_o fiend_n may_v hear_v and_o yet_o not_o ease_v their_o pain_n v._o let_v neither_o moon_n nor_o star_n with_o borrow_a light_n checquer_n the_o blackness_n of_o that_o night_n but_o let_v a_o pure_a unquestioned_a darkness_n rear_v her_o sooty_a wing_n all_o over_o the_o air_n such_o as_o once_o on_o the_o abyss_n of_o chaos_n lay_v not_o to_o be_v pieree_v by_o star_n scarce_o by_o the_o edge_n of_o day_n vi_o why_o be_v there_o then_o ah_o why_o a_o passage_n free_a at_o once_o for_o life_n and_o misery_n why_o do_v i_o not_o uncloister_v from_o the_o womb_n take_v my_o next_o lodging_n in_o a_o tomb_n why_o with_o such_o cruel_a tenderness_n and_o care_n be_v i_o nurse_v up_o to_o sorrow_n and_o despair_n vii_o for_o now_o in_o sweet_a repose_n may_v i_o have_v lie_v secure_a from_o any_o grief_n or_o pain_n untouched_a with_o care_n my_o bed_n i_o shall_v have_v make_v in_o death_n cool_a and_o refresh_a shade_n i_o shall_v have_v sleep_v now_o in_o a_o happy_a place_n all_o calm_a and_o silent_a as_o the_o empty_a space_n viii_o there_o where_o great_a emperor_n their_o head_n lay_v down_o tire_v with_o the_o burden_n of_o a_o crown_n there_o where_o the_o mighty_a popular_a and_o great_a be_v happy_a in_o a_o dear_a retreat_n enjoy_v that_o solid_a peace_n which_o here_o in_o vain_a in_o grotts_n and_o shady_a walk_n they_o seek_v to_o obtain_v ix_o none_o of_o hell_n agent_n can_v or_o dare_v molest_v this_o awful_a sanctuary_n of_o rest_n no_o prisoner_n sigh_n no_o groan_n of_o the_o slave_n disturb_v the_o quiet_a of_o the_o grave_a from_o toil_n and_o labour_n here_o they_o ever_o cease_v and_o keep_v a_o sabbath_n of_o 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change_n a_o mighty_a change_n i_o find_v the_o empire_n of_o my_o heart_n thou_o must_v resign_v for_o i_o can_v be_v no_o long_o thou_o a_o noble_a a_o divine_a guest_n have_v take_v possession_n of_o my_o breast_n he_o have_v and_o must_v engross_v it_o all_o and_o yet_o the_o room_n be_v still_o too_o small_a in_o vain_a you_o tempt_v my_o heart_n to_o rove_v a_o fair_a object_n now_o my_o soul_n do_v move_v it_o must_v be_v all_o devotion_n what_o before_o be_v love._n iii_o through_o contemplation_n optic_n i_o have_v see_v he_o who_o be_v fair_a than_o the_o son_n of_o man_n the_o source_n of_o good_a the_o light_a archetypall_n beauty_n in_o the_o original_a the_o fair_a of_o ten_o thousand_o he_o proportion_n all_o and_o harmony_n all_o mortal_a beauty_n be_v but_o a_o ray_n of_o his_o bright_a evershining_a day_n a_o little_a feeble_a twinkle_a star_n which_o now_o the_o sun_n be_v in_o place_n must_v disappear_v there_o be_v but_o one_o that_o be_v good_a there_o be_v but_o one_o that_o be_v fair._n iv._o to_o thou_o thou_o only_o fair_a my_o soul_n aspire_v with_o holy_a breathe_n languish_v desire_n to_o thou_o my_o enamour_a pant_a heart_n do_v move_v by_o effort_n of_o ecstatic_a love._n how_o do_v thy_o glorious_a stream_n of_o light_n refresh_v my_o intellectual_a sight_n though_o break_a and_o strain_v through_o a_o screen_n of_o envious_a flesh_n that_o stand_v between_o when_o shall_v my_o imprison_a soul_n be_v free_a that_o she_o thy_o native_a uncorrected_a light_n may_v see_v and_o gaze_v upon_o thy_o beatific_a face_n to_o all_o eternity_n the_o retirement_n i._o well_o i_o have_v think_v on_o it_o and_o i_o find_v this_o busy_a world_n be_v nonsense_n all_o i_o
be_v so_o pronounce_v and_o consequent_o they_o both_o own_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o forementioned_a principle_n that_o that_o choice_n which_o be_v best_o be_v not_o to_o be_v rescind_v 18._o this_o be_v firm_a all_o the_o business_n in_o question_n now_o will_v be_v whether_o he_o that_o be_v holy_a have_v make_v the_o best_a choice_n or_o no._n and_o if_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o he_o have_v then_o by_o the_o principle_n just_o now_o lay_v down_o he_o ought_v not_o nay_o he_o can_v be_v so_o much_o a_o contradiction_n to_o himself_o as_o to_o rescind_v it_o now_o to_o convince_v he_o that_o he_o have_v make_v the_o best_a choice_n i_o desire_v he_o to_o consider_v one_a that_o he_o have_v choose_v that_o which_o god_n have_v choose_v for_o he_o before_o so_o that_o his_o choice_n stand_v recommend_v to_o he_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o infinite_a and_o unerring_a wisdom_n and_o this_o be_v foundation_n enough_o to_o warrant_v a_o certain_a though_o implicit_a persuasion_n that_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v best_a for_o he_o i_o say_v best_a for_o he_o for_o god_n be_v already_o possess_v of_o all_o possible_a perfection_n can_v act_v any_o thing_n for_o any_o self-advantage_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o he_o do_v be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o his_o creature_n for_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n as_o divine_a plato_n excellent_o well_o observe_v between_o the_o divine_a love_n and_o create_a love_n that_o the_o one_o spring_n from_o indigency_n and_o the_o other_o from_o fullness_n and_o redundancy_n and_o therefore_o as_o god_n do_v not_o at_o first_o speak_v this_o world_n into_o be_v to_o raise_v himself_o a_o monument_n of_o power_n and_o divine_a architecture_n so_o neither_o do_v he_o govern_v the_o rational_a part_n of_o it_o by_o the_o precept_n of_o religion_n out_o of_o any_o self-design_n as_o if_o he_o feast_v his_o nostril_n with_o the_o perfume_n of_o the_o altar_n or_o his_o ear_n with_o the_o accent_n of_o a_o haleluia_o for_o can_v a_o 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at_o any_o time_n promote_v a_o man_n private_a and_o secular_a interest_n yet_o it_o be_v always_o both_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o public_a and_o of_o his_o own_o eternal_a welfare_n and_o then_o what_o will_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n to_o gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n but_o now_o this_o be_v the_o peculiar_a gain_n of_o godliness_n that_o it_o have_v the_o promise_n both_o of_o this_o life_n and_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v that_o it_o conduce_v to_o our_o advantage_n both_o here_o and_o hereafter_o interest_n and_o duty_n be_v immediate_o link_v together_o in_o this_o life_n and_o every_o virtue_n have_v a_o natural_a sanction_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n respective_o attend_v it_o as_o i_o can_v easy_o demonstrate_v but_o that_o it_o have_v be_v already_o do_v by_o many_o excellent_a hand_n and_o particular_o with_o mathematic_a cumberland_n evidence_n by_o a_o late_a writer_n of_o our_o own_o and_o although_o it_o happen_v sometime_o through_o the_o unreasonableness_n and_o injustice_n of_o man_n that_o duty_n and_o interest_n interfere_v and_o that_o virtue_n be_v defeat_v of_o the_o portion_n she_o be_v natural_o endow_v with_o yet_o she_o shall_v recover_v she_o own_o again_o at_o the_o great_a assize_n at_o the_o day_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god._n and_o although_o instead_o of_o be_v reward_v it_o be_v our_o fortune_n to_o suffer_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n yet_o we_o christian_n know_v that_o it_o entitle_v we_o to_o one_o of_o our_o saviour_n beatitude_n and_o we_o be_v also_o well_o assure_v from_o one_o who_o case_n it_o be_v to_o be_v so_o deal_v with_o that_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o present_a time_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v and_o that_o our_o light_a affliction_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n work_v for_o we_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o far_o more_o exceed_a and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n so_o that_o whatever_o difficulty_n and_o hardship_n religion_n may_v sometime_o engage_v a_o man_n in_o yet_o when_o the_o whole_a account_n be_v cast_v up_o he_o will_v find_v the_o practice_n of_o religion_n as_o gainful_a as_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v rational_a that_o to_o be_v holy_a be_v his_o best_a choice_n and_o that_o he_o have_v infinite_a reason_n to_o pray_v in_o the_o word_n of_o balaam_n let_v i_o die_v the_o death_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o let_v my_o last_o end_n be_v like_o he_o 20._o and_o now_o one_o will_v think_v that_o one_o who_o have_v so_o great_a and_o so_o apparent_a reason_n for_o his_o choice_n as_o the_o religious_a man_n have_v shall_v not_o easy_o be_v bring_v to_o retract_v it_o and_o say_v with_o those_o in_o malachi_n it_o be_v vain_a to_o serve_v god_n and_o what_o profit_n be_v it_o that_o i_o have_v keep_v his_o ordinance_n but_o because_o it_o be_v observe_v to_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n to_o be_v more_o strong_o affect_v with_o punishment_n than_o reward_n i_o shall_v for_o his_o better_a establishment_n in_o the_o purpose_n of_o holiness_n present_v he_o with_o the_o 2d_o general_a consideration_n which_o be_v that_o if_o notwithstanding_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o choice_n he_o do_v retract_v it_o he_o will_v not_o only_o lose_v the_o advantage_n of_o it_o but_o also_o incur_v a_o opposite_a portion_n of_o misery_n and_o that_o in_o great_a measure_n than_o other_o sinner_n 21._o that_o he_o will_v lose_v the_o advantage_n of_o his_o first_o and_o best_a choice_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n perseverance_n to_o the_o end_n be_v the_o express_a condition_n of_o salvation_n and_o that_o he_o will_v incur_v a_o opposite_a portion_n of_o misery_n be_v plain_a from_o the_o double_a sanction_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n wherewith_o god_n have_v bind_v we_o to_o the_o observance_n of_o his_o otherwise_o sufficient_o profitable_a law_n and_o although_o this_o be_v sufficient_a in_o the_o severe_a trial_n to_o preserve_v we_o from_o apostasy_n and_o when_o flame_n of_o fire_n surround_v we_o to_o secure_v our_o foot_n in_o the_o holy_a ground_n yet_o thus_o far_o be_v but_o to_o die_v the_o common_a death_n of_o sinner_n and_o to_o be_v visit_v after_o the_o visitation_n of_o the_o impenitent_a but_o now_o if_o the_o lord_n make_v a_o new_a thing_n and_o the_o desertor_n of_o piety_n be_v punish_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n than_o other_o sinner_n then_o shall_v you_o understand_v that_o this_o man_n have_v provoke_v the_o lord_n 22._o and_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o punish_v be_v the_o peculiar_a consideration_n which_o i_o shall_v now_o insist_v upon_o and_o which_o i_o prove_v from_o the_o heinousness_n of_o his_o crime_n apostasy_n have_v in_o it_o many_o degree_n of_o evil_a beyond_o the_o common_a state_n of_o sin_n for_o if_o after_o they_o have_v escape_v the_o pollution_n of_o the_o world_n through_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n they_o be_v again_o entangle_v therein_o and_o overcome_v the_o latter_a end_n be_v worse_a with_o they_o than_o the_o beginning_n for_o it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o they_o not_o to_o have_v kuow_v the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n than_o after_o they_o have_v know_v it_o to_o turn_v from_o the_o holy_a commandment_n deliver_v unto_o they_o 23._o but_o to_o represent_v the_o heinousness_n of_o apostasy_n a_o little_a more_o particular_o and_o that_o this_o sin_n above_o all_o other_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v exceed_o sinful_a let_v i_o desire_v the_o unthinking_a man_n to_o consider_v one_a that_o he_o that_o fall_v back_o from_o a_o course_n of_o holy_a live_n do_v in_o a_o special_a manner_n grieve_v the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god._n he_o sacrilegious_o take_v that_o
creation_n though_o collect_v together_o into_o extract_n and_o spirit_n by_o the_o chemistry_n of_o its_o great_a author_n will_v be_v insufficient_a to_o afford_v i_o perfect_a satisfaction_n but_o that_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o he_o that_o be_v omnipotent_a to_o create_v any_o good_a that_o can_v satisfy_v my_o desire_n any_o more_o than_o to_o create_v a_o body_n that_o shall_v fill_v immense_a space_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o create_v good_a shall_v be_v the_o end_n of_o man._n the_o prayer_n my_o god_n my_o creator_n who_o have_v make_v all_o thing_n for_o the_o present_a entertainment_n but_o nothing_o for_o the_o end_n of_o man_n grant_v i_o may_v ever_o just_o discern_v between_o the_o goodness_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o thy_o creature_n that_o i_o may_v not_o either_o by_o not_o hee_v to_o the_o former_a become_v unthankful_a or_o by_o not_o hee_v to_o the_o latter_a become_v idolatrous_a o_o keep_v this_o conviction_n still_o awake_a in_o i_o how_o insufficient_a all_o create_v good_a be_v towards_o true_a felicity_n that_o i_o may_v not_o any_o long_o with_o the_o mistake_a votary_n of_o thy_o son_n sepulchre_n seek_v the_o live_n among_o the_o dead_a light_a in_o the_o region_n of_o darkness_n and_o that_o i_o may_v no_o long_o labour_n for_o that_o which_o be_v not_o bread_n let_v i_o not_o add_v care_n labour_n and_o toil_n to_o the_o misery_n of_o unquenched_a thirst_n and_o unsatisfy_a desire_n but_o since_o i_o be_o certain_a never_o to_o find_v rest_n in_o the_o bosom_n of_o thy_o creation_n grant_v i_o may_v be_v so_o wise_a at_o least_o as_o not_o to_o weary_v myself_o more_o in_o the_o fruitless_a pursuit_n of_o it_o withdraw_v i_o beseech_v thou_o my_o expectation_n of_o happiness_n from_o all_o the_o work_n of_o thy_o hand_n and_o fix_v they_o there_o only_o where_o there_o be_v no_o disappointment_n or_o delusion_n even_o in_o the_o true_a centre_n of_o all_o desire_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o thy_o tender_a compassion_n amen_n contemplation_n the_o four_o that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o man_n be_v likewise_o his_o true_a end_n and_o centre_n 1._o when_o i_o contemplate_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o consider_v how_o the_o desire_n of_o happiness_n be_v interweave_v with_o it_o that_o love_n be_v strong_a as_o death_n and_o importunate_a as_o the_o grave_a that_o there_o be_v a_o vehement_a and_o constant_a verticity_n in_o the_o soul_n towards_o perfect_a good_a which_o begin_v assoon_o and_o be_v as_o immortal_a as_o herself_o and_o withal_o how_o disproportionate_o this_o amorous_a disposition_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v gratify_v by_o any_o entertainment_n whether_o domestic_a or_o foreign_a she_o can_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o circle_n of_o create_v good_a i_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o conclude_v that_o the_o great_a be_v who_o command_v i_o to_o exist_v be_v so_o every_o way_n perfect_a and_o all-sufficient_a as_o to_o answer_v that_o vast_a stock_n of_o desire_n our_o nature_n come_v fraught_v withal_o into_o the_o world_n since_o otherwise_o which_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v of_o all_o the_o creature_n in_o it_o man_n will_v be_v the_o most_o miserable_a 2._o for_o what_o man_n of_o thought_n be_v there_o who_o after_o a_o thorough_a conviction_n that_o he_o can_v neither_o get_v rid_v of_o his_o desire_n nor_o among_o the_o provision_n of_o nature_n have_v they_o full_o gratify_v will_v not_o immediate_o throw_v up_o his_o title_n to_o immortality_n if_o he_o think_v himself_o arrive_v to_o the_o meridian_n of_o his_o happiness_n and_o that_o he_o must_v never_o expect_v to_o be_v in_o a_o better_a condition_n than_o he_o be_v for_o to_o have_v enlarge_v desire_n and_o nothing_o to_o satisfy_v they_o be_v such_o a_o contrivance_n for_o misery_n that_o it_o be_v think_v by_o some_o to_o be_v the_o portion_n of_o hell_n and_o to_o make_v up_o the_o very_a formality_n of_o damnation_n 3._o but_o to_o our_o great_a consolation_n it_o be_v whole_o in_o our_o own_o power_n whether_o it_o shall_v be_v always_o so_o with_o we_o or_o no._n there_o be_v a_o be_v who_o perfection_n be_v answerable_a to_o our_o desire_n he_o that_o make_v we_o can_v satisfy_v every_o appetite_n he_o have_v plant_v in_o we_o and_o he_o that_o be_v happy_a in_o reflect_v upon_o himself_o can_v make_v we_o so_o too_o by_o the_o direct_a view_n of_o his_o glory_n he_o can_v entertain_v all_o our_o faculty_n our_o understanding_n as_o he_o be_v truth_n and_o our_o will_n as_o he_o be_v goodness_n and_o that_o in_o the_o high_a degree_n because_o he_o be_v infinite_a in_o both_o he_o can_v more_o than_o employ_v all_o our_o power_n in_o their_o utmost_a elevation_n for_o he_o be_v every_o way_n perfect_a and_o all-sufficient_a yea_o he_o be_v altogether_o lovely_a 4._o but_o to_o evince_v more_o particular_o and_o distinct_o that_o god_n be_v the_o true_a end_n of_o man_n i_o shall_v consider_v whether_o the_o condition_n requisite_a to_o his_o be_v so_o be_v find_v in_o he_o now_o these_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o these_o two_o in_o general_n one_a that_o he_o be_v absolute_o good_a and_o perfect_a in_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o fill_v and_o satisfy_v the_o whole_a capacity_n of_o our_o desire_n and_o 2_o that_o he_o be_v willing_a that_o man_n shall_v partake_v of_o this_o his_o transcendent_a fullness_n so_o as_o actual_o one_o time_n or_o other_o to_o fix_v the_o weight_n of_o his_o appetite_n and_o become_v his_o centre_n if_o therefore_o these_o two_o condition_n be_v find_v in_o god_n he_o have_v all_o that_o be_v requisite_a to_o make_v he_o our_o end._n and_o that_o they_o be_v be_v now_o to_o be_v make_v appear_v 5._o first_o then_o that_o god_n be_v absolute_o good_a and_o perfect_a in_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o fill_v and_o satisfy_v the_o whole_a capacity_n of_o our_o desire_n there_o be_v several_a topic_n in_o the_o metaphysic_n from_o whence_o i_o may_v infer_v this_o but_o i_o shall_v confine_v my_o present_a speculation_n to_o this_o one_o that_o god_n be_v the_o first_o be_v this_o be_v a_o very_a reasonable_a postulatum_fw-la it_o be_v too_o obvious_a to_o need_v any_o proof_n that_o there_o be_v a_o first_o be_v or_o that_o by_o the_o first_o be_v be_v mean_v god._n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o we_o try_v what_o advantage_n may_v be_v make_v of_o it_o 6._o when_o therefore_o i_o consider_v god_n as_o the_o first_o be_v i_o be_o from_o thence_o in_o the_o first_o place_n lead_v to_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v eminent_o and_o in_o a_o most_o excellent_a manner_n in_o himself_o all_o kind_n and_o degree_n of_o perfection_n that_o exist_v loose_o and_o separate_o in_o all_o second_o being_n and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o the_o effect_n can_v possible_o exceed_v the_o virtue_n of_o the_o cause_n any_o more_o than_o it_o can_v proceed_v from_o no_o cause_n which_o be_v the_o ground_n cartesius_n build_v upon_o when_o he_o prove_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n from_o the_o objective_a reality_n of_o his_o idea_n but_o because_o i_o further_o observe_v that_o in_o the_o scale_n of_o be_v all_o ascension_n be_v by_o addition_n and_o that_o what_o be_v disperse_v in_o the_o inferior_a be_v collect_v and_o that_o after_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n in_o the_o superior_a thus_o in_o vegetable_n there_o be_v bare_a life_n in_o sensitive_n vegetative_a life_n and_o sense_n in_o rational_n vegetative_a life_n sense_n and_o reason_n and_o all_o this_o either_o formal_o or_o eminent_o with_o intelligence_n in_o angel_n and_o since_o there_o be_v such_o a_o harmonical_a subordination_n among_o second_o being_n so_o that_o the_o superior_a contain_v all_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o inferior_a with_o a_o peculiar_a excellence_n of_o its_o own_o superadded_a i_o think_v i_o have_v fair_a ground_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o absolute_o first_o be_v have_v in_o his_o rich_a essence_n all_o the_o scatter_a excellency_n of_o the_o subordinate_a one_o in_o a_o more_o perfect_a manner_n than_o they_o themselves_o have_v with_o some_o peculiar_a excellence_n of_o his_o own_o beside_o now_o though_o a_o be_v thus_o accumulative_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a will_v be_v beyond_o all_o conception_n great_a and_o glorious_a and_o will_v employ_v a_o eternity_n in_o contemplation_n and_o love_n we_o have_v yet_o see_v but_o a_o arm_n of_o this_o sea_n of_o beauty_n and_o be_v enlighten_v only_o with_o the_o backpart_n of_o his_o glory_n for_o if_o god_n be_v the_o first_o be_v as_o be_v here_o suppose_a i_o may_v further_o conclude_v that_o he_o be_v also_o the_o first_o good_a good_a and_o be_v be_v convertible_a and_o every_o thing_n have_v so_o much_o good_a in_o it_o as_o it_o have_v of_o entity_n and_o no_o more_o and_o if_o he_o be_v the_o first_o