and_o wickedness_n be_v in_o use_n and_o practice_v there_o seem_v little_o less_o than_o a_o necessity_n of_o swim_v down_o in_o the_o stream_n of_o our_o country_n vice_n and_o then_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v always_o overrun_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o lust_n and_o barbarity_n for_o god_n to_o send_v out_o of_o his_o pure_a and_o holy_a hand_n a_o immaculate_a soul_n capable_a of_o live_v elsewhere_o and_o fit_a for_o all_o virtue_n and_o heavenly_a wisdom_n into_o a_o habitation_n in_o such_o part_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o reign_v nothing_o but_o gross_a ignorance_n and_o vice_n by_o which_o she_o can_v fail_v without_o a_o miracle_n to_o be_v overbear_v what_o be_v this_o say_v they_o but_o to_o betray_v his_o own_o offspring_n unto_o unavoidable_a misery_n as_o to_o the_o second_o of_o these_o they_o argue_v thus_o see_v there_o be_v in_o mankind_n strange_a &_o fatal_a propensity_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n &_o wickedness_n that_o flow_v from_o the_o very_a intrinsic_a constitution_n of_o their_o body_n how_o can_v it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o righteousness_n of_o god_n the_o bless_a spring_n of_o all_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o tender_a lover_n of_o all_o his_o creature_n to_o put_v innocent_a soul_n into_o such_o foul_a and_o untamed_a body_n which_o so_o fatal_o and_o necessary_o hurry_v they_o to_o that_o which_o alone_o of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n he_o disapprove_v of_o and_o which_o he_o know_v will_v be_v their_o utter_a bane_n and_o miserable_a ruin_n and_o here_o some_o of_o they_o argue_v more_o particular_o from_o the_o absurdity_n of_o the_o two_o opinion_n of_o the_o soul_n immediate_a creation_n or_o seminal_a traduction_n for_o if_o it_o begin_v neither_o of_o these_o way_n it_o must_v have_v pre-existed_n therefore_o 1_o against_o the_o first_o of_o they_o they_o use_v the_o forementioned_a argument_n viz._n that_o it_o seem_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n and_o benignity_n of_o god_n to_o put_v pure_a and_o immaculate_a spirit_n into_o such_o body_n as_n will_v present_o defile_v they_o pervert_v all_o their_o power_n and_o faculty_n and_o incline_v they_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o impiety_n and_o then_o 2_o against_o the_o second_o viz._n seminal_a propagation_n of_o soul_n they_o argue_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n itself_o for_o say_v they_o if_o the_o soul_n be_v generate_v than_o it_o must_v be_v make_v of_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o parent_n which_o be_v against_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o immaterial_a be_v the_o chief_n property_n of_o which_o be_v to_o be_v indiscerpable_a these_o be_v the_o most_o material_a consideration_n urge_v in_o behalf_n of_o preexistence_n other_o that_o either_o depend_v on_o these_o or_o be_v less_o considerable_a i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o mention_v as_o i_o proceed_v and_o withal_o to_o reply_v to_o a_o few_o passage_n of_o scripture_n that_o for_o the_o better_a countenance_n of_o the_o business_n they_o press_v to_o serve_v in_o the_o cause_n of_o this_o controversy_n have_v give_v you_o this_o brief_a but_o comprehensive_a account_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o i_o now_o proceed_v to_o give_v in_o my_o exception_n first_o then_o although_o i_o be_o not_o oblige_v by_o virtue_n of_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v in_o my_o five_o exception_n against_o the_o platonic_a philosophy_n to_o oppose_v this_o hypothesis_n by_o counter-arguings_a because_o it_o be_v out_o of_o the_o sphere_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n and_o to_o be_v rank_v among_o epicurus_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thing_n mere_o possible_a and_o mere_o contingent_a and_o so_o be_v sufficient_o confute_v by_o destroy_v the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o stand_v yet_o to_o render_v my_o triumph_n over_o it_o more_o full_a and_o entire_a i_o shall_v make_v my_o first_o onset_n from_o a_o objection_n draw_v from_o its_o ill_a correspond_v with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n of_o wisdom_n justice_n and_o goodness_n and_o that_o upon_o a_o twofold_a account_n 1._o in_o that_o it_o suppose_v god_n to_o inflict_v the_o severity_n of_o his_o justice_n without_o attain_v the_o end_n thereof_o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n be_v it_o to_o inflict_v penalty_n upon_o any_o person_n for_o offence_n of_o which_o he_o be_v as_o ignorant_a as_o he_o can_v have_v be_v though_o they_o have_v never_o be_v commit_v for_o assign_v they_o what_o end_v of_o justice_n they_o please_v this_o be_v most_o undeniable_o certain_a that_o to_o punish_v a_o guilty_a person_n that_o be_v invinvincible_o ignorant_a of_o his_o sin_n be_v as_o far_o from_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o justice_n as_o to_o inflict_v the_o same_o punishment_n upon_o one_o that_o be_v guiltless_a for_o if_o he_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o his_o miscarriage_n he_o have_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o be_v faultless_a in_o his_o own_o esteem_n as_o he_o that_o be_v real_o so_o but_o for_o god_n to_o chastise_v with_o the_o rod_n of_o his_o vengeance_n any_o creature_n that_o be_v in_o the_o same_o condition_n with_o the_o innocent_a and_o guiltless_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o end_n of_o justice_n and_o punishment_n bid_v not_o a_o less_o defiance_n to_o the_o reputation_n of_o his_o attribute_n then_o to_o inflict_v the_o same_o punishment_n upon_o one_o that_o never_o deserve_v it_o i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o if_o the_o calamity_n of_o this_o life_n be_v inflict_v upon_o we_o only_o as_o punishment_n of_o sin_n commit_v in_o another_o providence_n will_v have_v provide_v some_o effectual_a mean_n to_o preserve_v they_o in_o our_o memory_n and_o therefore_o because_o we_o find_v no_o remainder_n of_o any_o such_o record_n in_o our_o mind_n it_o be_v i_o think_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o all_o sober_a and_o impartial_a enquirer_n that_o our_o live_n and_o sin_v in_o a_o former_a state_n be_v as_o false_a as_o inevident_a 2._o in_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o invincible_a temptation_n to_o mankind_n to_o have_v hard_a and_o jealous_a thought_n of_o god_n deal_n with_o they_o for_o when_o they_o see_v themselves_o environ_v with_o misery_n and_o punishment_n and_o feel_v the_o heavy_a stroke_n of_o divine_a anger_n and_o yet_o be_v utter_o ignorant_a that_o they_o have_v offend_v he_o what_o more_o just_a and_o reasonable_a ground_n can_v they_o have_v not_o only_o to_o call_v in_o question_n but_o flat_o to_o deny_v his_o goodness_n and_o equity_n for_o if_o it_o will_v not_o comport_v with_o god_n righteousness_n and_o benignity_n to_o place_v we_o in_o these_o sad_a circumstance_n we_o be_v in_o unless_o thereby_o to_o punish_v we_o for_o our_o former_a prevarication_n as_o the_o patron_n of_o preexistence_n fierce_o and_o clamarous_o contest_v when_o we_o know_v ourselves_o to_o be_v in_o this_o sad_a plight_n and_o yet_o be_v utter_o destitute_a of_o all_o knowledge_n how_o we_o deserve_v it_o what_o can_v we_o more_o natural_o infer_v then_o that_o god_n have_v contrary_a to_o all_o the_o law_n of_o justice_n and_o equity_n make_v we_o wretched_a and_o miserable_a shall_v he_o take_v the_o most_o lewd_a and_o debauch_a villain_n upon_o earth_n and_o thrust_v he_o into_o the_o dungeon_n of_o endless_a misery_n but_o withal_o take_v away_o all_o sense_n and_o memory_n of_o his_o former_a state_n and_o wickedness_n will_v not_o that_o miserable_a wretch_n have_v just_a reason_n to_o exclaim_v against_o the_o cruelty_n of_o his_o maker_n as_o suppose_v himself_o create_v in_o that_o sad_a &_o deplorable_a state_n and_o suppose_v it_o possible_a for_o god_n to_o have_v produce_v any_o be_v in_o the_o same_o miserable_a condition_n the_o damn_a in_o hell_n be_v suppose_v to_o suffer_v that_o wretched_a creature_n may_v as_o well_o argue_v for_o a_o state_n of_o preexistence_n in_o which_o it_o have_v deserve_v the_o torment_n it_o endure_v as_o any_o other_o be_v that_o find_v itself_o in_o that_o forlorn_a condition_n but_o be_v deprive_v of_o all_o knowledge_n of_o any_o former_a scene_n of_o life_n now_o god_n can_v in_o reason_n expect_v we_o shall_v acknowledge_v his_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n contrary_a to_o his_o act_n and_o therefore_o if_o he_o have_v inflict_v upon_o we_o those_o calamity_n that_o can_v just_o be_v inflict_v upon_o any_o but_o sinner_n and_o yet_o not_o let_v we_o know_v we_o be_v such_o what_o else_o can_v we_o conclude_v but_o that_o we_o innocent_n be_v unjust_o doom_v to_o the_o sad_a and_o miserable_a portion_n of_o the_o wicked_a perhaps_o it_o will_v not_o be_v difficult_a to_o invent_v many_o other_o not_o inconsiderable_a objection_n but_o these_o be_v all_o that_o occur_v to_o my_o thought_n at_o present_a &_o all_o those_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o author_n be_v most_o lamentable_o frivolous_a and_o impertinent_a and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v immediate_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o main_a and_o only_a needful_a part_n of_o my_o
divine_a power_n but_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a and_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o every_o superior_a authority_n have_v power_n to_o revoke_v all_o the_o free_a issue_n of_o its_o own_o power_n unless_o it_o have_v abridge_v itself_o from_o the_o exercise_n thereof_o by_o some_o special_a compact_n or_o promise_v for_o compact_a and_o promise_n lay_v a_o obligation_n upon_o he_o that_o make_v it_o and_o ve_v a_o right_a in_o the_o person_n to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o therefore_o where_o benefit_n be_v bestow_v without_o these_o instrument_n of_o convey_v right_o there_o the_o donor_n have_v the_o same_o right_n to_o withdraw_v as_o he_o have_v to_o give_v they_o and_o therefore_o that_o god_n who_o have_v give_v we_o our_o being_n have_v full_a power_n arbitrarious_o to_o destroy_v they_o but_o here_o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o destroy_v the_o life_n of_o a_o guiltless_a person_n be_v just_o account_v the_o most_o savage_a and_o unmerciful_a piece_n of_o injustice_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v almost_o the_o only_a instance_n which_o carry_v in_o it_o a_o undeniable_a iniquity_n antecedent_n to_o all_o humane_a law_n and_o sanction_n so_o that_o when_o mr._n hobbs_n assert_n that_o in_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n there_o can_v be_v no_o injury_n and_o violence_n act_v among_o man_n because_o they_o can_v not_o have_v a_o right_n of_o propriety_n in_o any_o thing_n before_o they_o have_v by_o mutual_a compact_n apportion_v each_o man_n share_n if_o he_o have_v limit_v his_o assertion_n to_o possession_n of_o land_n and_o all_o other_o propriety_n foreign_a to_o a_o man_n own_o person_n it_o have_v be_v equal_o true_a and_o blameless_a for_o nature_n do_v not_o assign_v this_o moiety_n to_o tuius_fw-la and_o that_o to_o caius_n but_o leave_v we_o to_o share_v the_o earth_n among_o ourselves_o and_o to_o enclose_v what_o she_o have_v leave_v in_o common_a into_o particular_a propriety_n as_o we_o shall_v agree_v among_o ourselves_o but_o when_o he_o extend_v the_o forementioned_a assertion_n to_o the_o person_n of_o man_n his_o error_n be_v as_o palpable_a as_o it_o be_v mischievous_a because_o every_o man_n have_v a_o right_a and_o propriety_n in_o himself_o antecedent_o to_o all_o law_n and_o compact_n there_o need_v no_o covenant_n to_o appoint_v that_o i_o shall_v have_v a_o propriety_n in_o my_o own_o person_n nay_o it_o be_v as_o impossible_a it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o as_o that_o i_o shall_v alienate_v myself_o from_o myself_o and_o all_o the_o grant_v of_o all_o the_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v vest_n i_o in_o a_o great_a propriety_n to_o myself_o then_o nature_n have_v because_o they_o can_v make_v i_o to_o be_v more_o myself_o then_o i_o already_o be_o so_o that_o though_o i_o be_v in_o mr._n hobs_n natural_a state_n of_o war_n if_o he_o or_o any_o other_o man_n shall_v take_v away_o my_o life_n without_o just_a cause_n he_o will_v do_v i_o at_o least_o as_o evident_a a_o injury_n as_o if_o he_o shall_v now_o either_o by_o fraud_n or_o violence_n thrust_v i_o from_o my_o inheritance_n to_o which_o i_o have_v a_o unquestionable_a right_n both_o by_o his_o own_o consent_n and_o the_o law_n of_o that_o civil_a society_n of_o which_o we_o be_v member_n because_o he_o will_v rob_v i_o of_o that_o in_o which_o i_o have_v as_o clear_v a_o right_n and_o propriety_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o i_o to_o have_v in_o any_o thing_n that_o depend_v upon_o pact_n or_o covenant_n well_o then_o it_o be_v thus_o evident_a that_o to_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o a_o innocent_a person_n be_v among_o man_n a_o most_o enormous_a and_o inhuman_a piece_n of_o injustice_n and_o that_o antecedent_o to_o all_o positive_a sanction_n and_o contract_n why_o shall_v it_o not_o be_v so_o in_o reference_n to_o god_n the_o rule_n of_o equity_n be_v the_o same_o to_o all_o eternal_a unalterable_a and_o abstract_n from_o all_o person_n state_n and_o relation_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v the_o same_o general_a rule_n and_o principle_n of_o justice_n in_o reference_n to_o god_n as_o to_o man_n that_o yet_o the_o particular_a instance_n be_v not_o the_o same_o because_o god_n relation_n to_o the_o creature_n be_v infinite_o different_a from_o that_o which_o they_o bear_v to_o each_o other_o the_o particular_a action_n and_o display_v of_o his_o justice_n though_o measure_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o a_o wide_o different_a nature_n not_o because_o the_o measure_n be_v changeable_a but_o because_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o person_n suffer_v variety_n and_o alteration_n for_o god_n be_v the_o supreme_a sovereign_n and_o cause_n of_o all_o have_v upon_o that_o account_n power_n to_o deprive_v any_o or_o all_o of_o his_o creature_n of_o what_o perfection_n and_o endowment_n he_o please_v whereas_o the_o creature_n not_o have_v any_o natural_a dominion_n over_o one_o another_o they_o can_v take_v away_o from_o their_o fellow_n creature_n any_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o without_o manifest_a robbery_n unless_o in_o such_o case_n where_o the_o supreme_a lord_n have_v be_v please_v to_o communicate_v any_o part_n of_o his_o power_n and_o dominion_n and_o so_o in_o humane_a society_n though_o there_o be_v the_o same_o law_n of_o justice_n in_o reference_n to_o all_o man_n yet_o there_o be_v not_o always_o the_o same_o instance_n for_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o every_o man_n have_v by_o right_a of_o nature_n a_o power_n of_o punish_v any_o one_o that_o injure_v he_o yet_o have_v enter_v into_o society_n either_o by_o god_n institution_n or_o their_o own_o consent_n or_o both_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o power_n be_v devolve_v upon_o some_o peculiar_a person_n who_o we_o call_v magistrate_n in_o who_o hand_n every_o man_n have_v for_o the_o common_a good_a deposit_v his_o authoritative_a right_n it_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n just_a and_o lawful_a for_o the_o magistrate_n to_o punish_v and_o take_v away_o delinquent_n but_o unjust_a for_o the_o private_a person_n to_o do_v the_o same_o for_o that_o be_v to_o usurp_v that_o authority_n which_o i_o have_v grant_v away_o to_o they_o unless_o in_o case_n of_o necessity_n as_o when_o i_o be_o assault_v by_o another_o and_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o preserve_v my_o own_o life_n then_o by_o destroy_v my_o assailant_n there_o the_o commonwealth_n be_v presume_v to_o allow_v i_o to_o exercise_v my_o natural_a right_a myself_o but_o where_o no_o such_o necessity_n urge_v there_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o society_n in_o which_o i_o be_o and_o to_o who_o i_o have_v pass_v away_o the_o exercise_n of_o my_o original_a right_n be_v to_o execute_v justice_n for_o i_o so_o that_o private_a person_n not_o have_v power_n to_o punish_v criminal_n as_o magistrate_n have_v that_o action_n will_v be_v judge_v murder_n in_o those_o which_o be_v account_v justice_n in_o these_o notwithstanding_o that_o they_o be_v both_o subject_n to_o the_o same_o common_a rule_n and_o maxim_n of_o equity_n duo_o cum_fw-la idem_fw-la faciunt_fw-la saepe_fw-la ut_fw-la possis_fw-la dicere_fw-la hoc_fw-la licet_fw-la impune_fw-la facere_fw-la huic_fw-la illi_fw-la non_fw-la licet_fw-la non_fw-la quod_fw-la dissimilis_fw-la res_fw-la est_fw-la sed_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la facit_fw-la and_o thus_o there_o be_v so_o manifest_a a_o disproportion_n between_o god_n and_o man_n in_o reference_n to_o their_o propriety_n in_o and_o dominion_n over_o the_o life_n of_o man_n god_n may_v have_v a_o right_a to_o act_v that_o which_o no_o creature_n can_v do_v without_o the_o gross_a and_o most_o exorbitant_a injustice_n for_o see_v that_o propriety_n which_o every_o man_n have_v in_o himself_o be_v hold_v from_o the_o free_a gift_n of_o our_o supreme_a lord_n and_o that_o not_o confine_v by_o any_o promise_n or_o covenant_n he_o may_v cancel_v and_o reverse_v it_o when_o he_o please_v only_o by_o take_v back_o what_o he_o have_v give_v and_o if_o we_o can_v stand_v in_o the_o same_o relation_n to_o or_o dependence_n on_o any_o creature_n as_o we_o do_v to_o he_o that_o creature_n will_v have_v as_o great_a a_o right_a to_o divest_v we_o of_o the_o propriety_n we_o have_v in_o our_o own_o essence_n as_o god_n himself_o have_v but_o because_o the_o former_a can_v never_o be_v suppose_v that_o be_v the_o reason_n the_o latter_a can_v never_o happen_v 2._o this_o power_n and_o dominion_n which_o god_n have_v over_o a_o innocent_a person_n life_n and_o all_o its_o appendant_a privilege_n may_v be_v exercise_v by_o occasion_n of_o another_o man_n sin_n for_o what_o god_n have_v a_o power_n to_o do_v absolute_o he_o may_v certain_o do_v upon_o any_o occasion_n for_o this_o be_v only_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o instance_n of_o his_o dominion_n to_o serve_v other_o design_n of_o his_o providence_n 5._o thus_o god_n threaten_v to_o visit_v the_o
iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o the_o child_n unto_o the_o three_o and_o four_o generation_n i._n e._n to_o punish_v the_o impiety_n of_o wicked_a parent_n by_o bring_v their_o posterity_n into_o those_o evil_a circumstance_n into_o which_o he_o may_v have_v bring_v they_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o supreme_a dominion_n though_o not_o only_a themselves_o but_o their_o progenitor_n have_v be_v faultless_a the_o posterity_n of_o cham_n be_v consign_v to_o slavery_n for_o their_o father_n impiety_n seventy_o thousand_o man_n expiate_v david_n folly_n and_o saul_n son_n be_v hang_v for_o their_o father_n perfidiousness_n and_o the_o sin_n of_o ahab_n be_v visit_v upon_o his_o child_n scripture_n supply_v we_o with_o infinite_a more_o instance_n where_o god_n make_v use_v of_o the_o son_n infelicity_n to_o punish_v the_o father_n sin_n in_o which_o case_n god_n only_o make_v his_o sovereignty_n minister_v to_o the_o design_n of_o justice_n and_o if_o it_o be_v lawful_a as_o i_o have_v prove_v it_o be_v for_o god_n to_o exercise_v his_o supreme_a dominion_n absolute_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v unlawful_a to_o do_v it_o with_o respect_n to_o other_o end_n of_o providence_n and_o such_o be_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o the_o common_a misery_n of_o mankind_n god_n create_v man_n at_o first_o in_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o happy_a state_n but_o upon_o occasion_n of_o adam_n prevarication_n he_o deve_v all_o mankind_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o privilege_n and_o perfection_n with_o which_o he_o have_v endue_v humane_a nature_n and_o all_o this_o god_n may_v have_v do_v though_o adam_n have_v never_o sin_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o injustice_n that_o god_n have_v make_v his_o posterity_n the_o heir_n of_o his_o misfortune_n the_o constitution_n of_o adam_n body_n be_v probable_o so_o regular_a and_o harmonious_a that_o it_o have_v no_o natural_a propension_n contrary_a to_o those_o of_o his_o mind_n but_o be_v entire_o subject_a to_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o understanding_n his_o organ_n clear_a and_o well-disposed_a his_o spirit_n brisk_a and_o active_a his_o humour_n spirituous_a and_o oily_a the_o ferment_n of_o his_o body_n regular_a and_o steady_a in_o their_o motion_n and_o not_o infect_v with_o those_o malignant_a tincture_n that_o hurry_v we_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o exorbitant_a passion_n and_o appetite_n the_o earth_n be_v fruitful_a and_o of_o its_o own_o accord_n bring_v forth_o all_o sort_n of_o wholesome_a and_o pleasant_a fruit_n man_n be_v surround_v with_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n and_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o do_v but_o to_o take_v his_o ease_n and_o enjoy_v they_o but_o when_o adam_n fall_v god_n disrobe_v he_o of_o most_o of_o those_o great_a and_o happy_a privilege_n and_o cast_v he_o into_o a_o condition_n of_o life_n uneasy_a and_o troublesome_a now_o our_o body_n be_v unactive_a sickly_a and_o indispose_v and_o instead_o of_o be_v instrument_n to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v the_o 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practise_v in_o all_o commonwealth_n as_o in_o england_n every_o man_n hold_v his_o estate_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o right_n of_o all_o tenor_n be_v derive_v from_o his_o grant_n with_o certain_a condition_n if_o any_o of_o the_o grant_n fail_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o the_o condition_n on_o their_o part_n the_o grantor_n may_v just_o disseise_v both_o they_o and_o their_o heir_n of_o their_o estate_n thus_o if_o any_o person_n be_v convict_v of_o treason_n against_o the_o crown_n he_o be_v thereupon_o attaint_v and_o not_o only_o his_o estate_n esceat_n to_o the_o king_n as_o supreme_a lord_n but_o his_o blood_n too_o be_v corrupt_v so_o that_o his_o posterity_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o inheritance_n as_o derive_v no_o inheritable_a blood_n and_o consequent_o no_o right_a from_o he_o in_o which_o case_n he_o that_o shall_v have_v be_v next_o heir_n can_v just_o think_v himself_o injure_v by_o be_v deprive_v of_o his_o inheritance_n although_o himself_o have_v not_o by_o any_o misdemeanour_n forfeit_v it_o yet_o he_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o but_o what_o be_v derive_v from_o his_o ancestor_n and_o that_o be_v rescind_v by_o breach_n of_o those_o condition_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v suspend_v he_o can_v with_o no_o more_o equity_n claim_v a_o right_n in_o the_o fee_n than_o he_o can_v though_o his_o ancestor_n have_v never_o be_v vest_v in_o it_o and_o thus_o that_o entail_v of_o privilege_n which_o god_n of_o his_o free_a goodness_n have_v settle_v upon_o adam_n and_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o upon_o condition_n of_o their_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n be_v by_o the_o disobedience_n of_o adam_n cut_v off_o from_o himself_o and_o all_o his_o posterity_n 3._o the_o right_n of_o god_n dominion_n over_o sinless_a creature_n do_v not_o extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o warrant_v his_o doom_v they_o to_o a_o condition_n more_o wretched_a and_o forlorn_a than_o nonexistence_n that_o he_o have_v power_n to_o reduce_v they_o into_o a_o state_n not_o worse_o than_o not-being_a be_v already_o prove_v but_o far_o he_o can_v go_v without_o transgress_v all_o the_o line_n of_o goodness_n and_o equity_n because_o if_o he_o shall_v he_o will_v rob_v his_o creature_n of_o more_o than_o he_o have_v ever_o give_v they_o and_o if_o this_o will_v not_o be_v a_o injurious_a cruelty_n i_o must_v challenge_v all_o the_o world_n to_o tell_v i_o what_o will_v this_o assertion_n be_v level_v against_o those_o man_n who_o be_v so_o hardy_a as_o to_o say_v that_o god_n may_v to_o show_v the_o uncontrolableness_n of_o his_o sovereignty_n have_v decree_v infinite_a miriads_o of_o faultless_a creature_n to_o endless_a and_o insupportable_a torment_n that_o ever_o such_o thought_n can_v enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o what_o can_v we_o imagine_v more_o repugnant_a to_o all_o the_o notion_n of_o goodness_n and_o equity_n then_o to_o be_v the_o deliberate_a and_o sole_a author_n of_o the_o big_a misery_n to_o a_o innocent_a and_o harmless_a person_n what_o more_o heavenly_a wide_a from_o the_o nature_n of_o true_a goodness_n it_o be_v a_o malice_n so_o near_o and_o abstract_a that_o it_o can_v reside_v no_o where_o but_o in_o the_o breast_n of_o fiend_n and_o devil_n nay_o it_o be_v the_o black_a part_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o that_o very_a ingredient_n which_o make_v they_o what_o they_o be_v beside_o how_o can_v god_n be_v glorify_v in_o the_o eternal_a misery_n of_o guiltless_a creature_n how_o can_v their_o deserve_a damnation_n be_v conducive_a to_o his_o interest_n how_o can_v their_o unmerited_a torment_n gratify_v infinite_a goodness_n or_o add_v to_o infinite_a happiness_n can_v he_o promote_v his_o own_o real_a felicity_n by_o the_o infelicity_n of_o a_o innocent_a creature_n yet_o we_o can_v imagine_v he_o so_o selfish_a spirit_v as_o to_o effect_v it_o much_o less_o for_o the_o mere_a ostentation_n of_o his_o greatness_n if_o god_n can_v damn_v his_o
our_o due_n god_n will_v be_v oblige_v by_o the_o natural_a measure_n of_o equity_n to_o bestow_v it_o and_o so_o our_o happiness_n will_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o free_a grant_n of_o divine_a goodness_n but_o from_o the_o prime_n and_o intrinsique_n law_n of_o justice_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a and_o eternal_a necessity_n that_o happiness_n shall_v wait_v on_o virtue_n that_o the_o virtuous_a be_v happy_a will_v be_v no_o thanks_o to_o the_o divine_a favour_n because_o that_o can_v be_v a_o act_n of_o favour_n which_o be_v demand_v by_o justice_n and_o natural_a right_n and_o therefore_o those_o passage_n in_o scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v our_o future_a reward_n just_a and_o due_a speak_v upon_o supposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a promise_n and_o covenant_n with_o mankind_n as_o heb._n 6._o 10._o for_o god_n be_v not_o unrighteous_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n &_o labour_n of_o love_n which_o you_o have_v show_v towards_o his_o name_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 8._o henceforth_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n and_o not_o unto_o i_o only_o but_o unto_o all_o they_o also_o that_o love_n his_o appear_v in_o which_o and_o other_o passage_n the_o assure_a hope_n of_o our_o future_a reward_n be_v therefore_o argue_v from_o god_n justice_n because_o it_o be_v essential_o just_a that_o he_o shall_v perform_v his_o promise_n and_o therefore_o although_o god_n promise_v or_o covenant_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o justice_n but_o of_o grace_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o enter_v into_o any_o covenant_n with_o his_o creature_n but_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o its_o performance_n when_o make_v be_v absolute_o just_a and_o necessary_a and_o that_o in_o which_o god_n can_v fail_v without_o gross_a deceit_n and_o falseness_n he_o have_v engage_v his_o veracity_n to_o discharge_v all_o the_o debt_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o therefore_o as_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v note_v this_o justice_n in_o scripture_n be_v promiscuous_o express_v by_o justice_n truth_n and_o faithfulness_n rom._n 3._o 3_o 4_o 5._o they_o be_v all_o use_v to_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o 1_o joh._n 1._o 9_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n because_o if_o he_o be_v just_a and_o faithful_a he_o will_v perform_v his_o promise_n if_o i_o be_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n i_o shall_v rather_o fetch_v my_o argument_n from_o the_o attribute_n of_o wisdom_n than_o any_o else_o because_o they_o be_v as_o might_n easy_o be_v evince_v so_o huge_o useful_a and_o well-nigh_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n whence_o the_o rabin_n reckon_v paradise_n and_o hell_n among_o those_o seven_o pillar_n upon_o which_o they_o say_v god_n found_v the_o world_n suppose_v it_o can_v not_o subsist_v without_o they_o but_o yet_o no_o one_o sort_n of_o mean_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o almighty_a power_n and_o wisdom_n in_o order_n to_o any_o end_n god_n can_v have_v find_v out_o in_o finite_a way_n to_o engage_v we_o to_o obedience_n though_o he_o have_v never_o acquaint_v we_o with_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o rationality_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n to_o prove_v a_o future_a state_n yet_o it_o depend_v whole_o on_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v absolute_o free_a we_o can_v have_v no_o rational_a inducement_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o any_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o it_o but_o by_o a_o clear_a revelation_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o therefore_o god_n to_o complete_a the_o instance_n of_o his_o goodness_n send_v the_o bless_a jesus_n into_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n and_o to_o encourage_v we_o to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n by_o great_a reward_n than_o be_v before_o propose_v to_o mankind_n so_o that_o though_o we_o can_v enhance_v the_o expression_n of_o god_n love_n and_o bounty_n to_o mankind_n to_o their_o utmost_a pitch_n and_o value_n yet_o we_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o peculiar_a and_o unequalled_a eminency_n of_o the_o divine_a benignity_n consist_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o greatness_n as_o in_o the_o freeness_n of_o its_o emanation_n as_o stream_v forth_o from_o a_o fountain_n of_o free_a and_o selfmoving_a goodness_n of_o the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n though_o the_o forego_n discourse_n be_v as_o useful_a and_o important_a theory_n as_o any_o in_o divinity_n there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o article_n so_o universal_o interest_v in_o theological_a speculation_n as_o these_o nor_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v occasion_v so_o much_o error_n and_o ignorance_n in_o other_o point_n as_o false_a and_o confuse_a conceit_n concern_v these_o two_o grand_a attribute_n of_o dominion_n and_o goodness_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v more_o important_a and_o concern_v in_o themselves_o than_o they_o will_v be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o successful_a management_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n against_o preexistence_n because_o the_o most_o plausible_a argument_n allege_v on_o behalf_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v ground_v upon_o such_o mistake_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n as_o i_o have_v already_o i_o think_v evident_o enough_o disprove_v in_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v concern_v that_o attribute_n so_o that_o i_o be_o so_o far_o before_o hand_n in_o the_o dispute_n as_o to_o have_v prevent_v the_o strong_a objection_n i_o be_o liable_a to_o be_v assault_v with_o this_o premise_a i_o immediate_o proceed_v 1_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o and_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o bottom_n and_o then_o 2._o to_o give_v in_o my_o exception_n both_o against_o it_o and_o they_o and_o that_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a of_o my_o faithfulness_n in_o the_o first_o i_o will_v perform_v it_o as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v in_o the_o very_a word_n of_o its_o most_o peremptory_a assertor_n their_o account_n then_o be_v this_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v not_o then_o first_o produce_v when_o they_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o body_n prepare_v for_o they_o by_o generation_n but_o be_v create_v all_o at_o first_o in_o a_o incomparable_o more_o bless_a and_o divine_a condition_n of_o life_n then_o that_o they_o be_v now_o condemn_v to_o in_o this_o sad_a region_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n but_o that_o at_o several_a time_n and_o occasion_n by_o their_o revolt_n from_o god_n &_o his_o righteous_a law_n they_o forfeit_v their_o better_a life_n and_o condition_n and_o so_o be_v thrust_v down_o into_o these_o terrestrial_a body_n partly_o to_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o former_a prevarication_n and_o partly_o that_o by_o act_v their_o part_n well_o here_o they_o may_v recover_v that_o more_o happy_a state_n from_o which_o they_o lapse_v into_o this_o and_o this_o they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v 1._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o divine_a goodness_n which_o say_v they_o be_v constrain_v always_o to_o do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o eternal_a existence_n and_o happiness_n backward_o as_o well_o as_o forward_o and_o it_o be_v much_o better_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n from_o eternal_a age_n then_o either_o to_o have_v lie_v so_o long_o in_o the_o comfortless_a night_n of_o nothing_o or_o to_o have_v be_v at_o first_o create_v in_o so_o mean_a and_o wretched_a a_o condition_n as_o that_o be_v which_o they_o suffer_v in_o this_o region_n of_o death_n and_o misery_n and_o than_o god_n be_v infinite_o good_a and_o gracious_a and_o infinite_a goodness_n do_v by_o the_o same_o necessity_n that_o which_o be_v best_a as_o infinite_a fire_n will_v necessary_o burn_v whatever_o be_v combustible_a if_o put_v to_o it_o it_o clear_o and_o unavoidable_o follow_v say_v they_o that_o they_o must_v have_v exi_v of_o old_a before_o they_o come_v into_o these_o body_n 2._o from_o the_o action_n of_o providence_n which_o will_v not_o otherwise_o correspond_v to_o those_o holy_a attribute_n in_o the_o deity_n righteousness_n and_o benignity_n according_a to_o which_o he_o govern_v and_o order_n the_o affair_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o this_o argument_n they_o make_v use_v of_o two_o way_n viz._n in_o respect_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o we_o be_v bear_v and_o of_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o body_n wherewith_o we_o be_v bear_v as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o be_v no_o man_n doubt_v but_o that_o education_n institution_n and_o company_n be_v of_o such_o wonderful_a moment_n to_o the_o make_v we_o good_a or_o bad_a as_o that_o where_o vice_n