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two_o compendious_a discourse_n the_o one_o concern_v the_o power_n of_o god_n the_o other_o about_o the_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n of_o a_o future_a state_n publish_a in_o opposition_n to_o the_o grow_a atheism_n and_o deism_n of_o the_o age._n london_n print_v for_o s._n smith_n and_o b._n walford_n at_o the_o prince_n arm_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mdcxcix_o to_o the_o honourable_a samuel_n pepys_n esquire_n sir_n presume_v upon_o your_o leave_n and_o favour_n i_o take_v the_o liberty_n of_o inscribe_v your_o name_n before_o two_o short_a discourse_n write_v several_a year_n since_o which_o i_o now_o publish_v with_o very_o little_a alteration_n in_o the_o time_n of_o a_o great_a fire_n no_o one_o be_v to_o be_v a_o idle_a slander_n by_o or_o looker_n on_o but_o he_o be_v to_o contribute_v as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v to_o the_o extinguish_n of_o the_o rage_a and_o devour_a flame_n though_o it_o be_v only_o by_o hand_v a_o bucket_n of_o water_n towards_o the_o next_o 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which_o
have_v the_o shape_n and_o pretend_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o man_n can_v be_v find_v must_v fall_v into_o this_o prodigious_a and_o irrational_a error_n which_o no_o one_o can_v be_v guilty_a of_o without_o the_o just_a imputation_n of_o frenzy_n that_o all_o that_o he_o see_v be_v not_o the_o production_n of_o contrivance_n and_o design_n but_o mere_o of_o accidental_a hit_n struggle_n and_o conjunction_n of_o little_a particle_n of_o matter_n float_v up_o and_o down_o in_o a_o infinite_a empty_a space_n that_o thing_n fall_v into_o this_o admirable_a order_n and_o frame_v which_o have_v distract_v and_o confound_v the_o wit_n of_o all_o age_n full_o to_o understand_v and_o make_v out_o satisfactory_o at_o first_o as_o it_o be_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n as_o if_o they_o have_v have_v life_n and_o sense_n and_o power_n to_o determine_v their_o own_o motion_n and_o mutual_o agree_v to_o do_v this_o have_v first_o make_v themselves_o or_o which_o be_v as_o gross_a and_o foolish_a a_o fantasy_n though_o herein_o the_o aristotelean_a atheist_n think_v himself_o a_o fine_a wit_n and_o a_o subtle_a arguer_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o atheist_n of_o the_o epicurean_a sect_n that_o they_o be_v improduced_a and_o eternal_a that_o the_o sun_n move_v in_o the_o ecliptic_a to_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o in_o the_o aequator_fw-la or_o in_o any_o of_o the_o parallel_n circle_n mere_o because_o it_o happen_v so_o after_o long_a shift_n and_o infinite_a irregularity_n of_o motion_n and_o that_o it_o still_o keep_v the_o same_o course_n as_o it_o be_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o sympathy_n and_o good_a nature_n but_o now_o how_o difficult_a how_o false_a how_o ridiculous_a to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o impiety_n of_o it_o must_v such_o a_o way_n of_o argue_v and_o proceedure_v be_v to_o judge_v of_o god_n by_o our_o narrow_a scantling_n of_o wit_n and_o strength_n to_o measure_v his_o power_n by_o our_o weakness_n and_o the_o good_a or_o ill_a success_n of_o our_o endeavour_n and_o undertake_n when_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o utmost_a strength_n of_o nature_n what_o may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o conjunction_n and_o combination_n of_o several_a being_n how_o and_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o may_v operate_v one_o upon_o another_o and_o what_o effect_n they_o may_v produce_v and_o especial_o if_o we_o reflect_v that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v pronounce_v impossible_a and_o give_v over_o as_o such_o that_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o we_o and_o not_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o for_o the_o wit_n and_o art_n of_o man_n to_o effect_n which_o have_v be_v discover_v by_o the_o industry_n of_o aftertime_n why_o then_o shall_v any_o man_n pronounce_v a_o thing_n impossible_a which_o involve_v in_o it_o no_o repugnancy_n to_o actual_a existence_n and_o hereby_o pretend_v to_o overthrow_v the_o doctrine_n and_o faith_n of_o miracle_n because_o they_o be_v above_o the_o strength_n of_o nature_n when_o the_o power_n of_o god_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v be_v immense_a and_o infinite_a and_o by_o the_o same_o argument_n he_o may_v as_o mad_o conclude_v notwithstanding_o his_o high-flown_a pretension_n of_o argue_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o strict_a reason_n several_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o the_o world_n itself_o not_o to_o be_v make_v and_o maintain_v dull_a and_o stupid_a matter_n to_o have_v be_v eternal_a which_o be_v a_o manifest_a gross_a absurdity_n mere_o upon_o this_o supposal_n because_o if_o they_o be_v make_v they_o must_v be_v make_v by_o a_o power_n above_o natural_a and_o humane_a 2._o it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o reject_v the_o article_n of_o reveal_v religion_n and_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n because_o we_o can_v full_o comprehend_v they_o before_o these_o man_n whether_o deist_n or_o socinian_o renounce_v the_o belief_n of_o such_o article_n and_o mystery_n let_v they_o try_v their_o reason_n in_o explain_v the_o difficulty_n of_o nature_n let_v they_o resolve_v all_o those_o problem_n if_o they_o can_v which_o have_v exercise_v the_o philosopher_n of_o all_o age_n and_o if_o upon_o trial_n they_o can_v satisfy_v themselves_o or_o other_o in_o those_o ordinary_a phaenomena_fw-la where_o they_o have_v their_o sense_n to_o assist_v they_o if_o they_o can_v tell_v how_o thing_n be_v do_v which_o be_v do_v daily_o if_o many_o of_o the_o ordinary_a operation_n of_o nature_n be_v abstruse_a and_o unintelligible_a if_o they_o can_v trace_v she_o in_o all_o her_o labyrinth_n and_o wind_n and_o be_v quite_o tire_v and_o force_v at_o last_o to_o give_v over_o the_o pursuit_n if_o plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n can_v be_v full_o account_v for_o why_o shall_v they_o presume_v upon_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o little_a knowledge_n and_o make_v their_o reason_n the_o measure_n and_o standard_n of_o divine_a truth_n allow_v that_o only_a to_o be_v true_a and_o certain_a which_o suit_n with_o it_o he_o be_v very_o unfit_a to_o judge_v of_o any_o piece_n of_o art_n suppose_v a_o picture_n or_o a_o watch_n who_o know_v nothing_o of_o design_n or_o clockwork_n and_o especial_o at_o first_o view_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o several_a shoke_n and_o line_n and_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o part_n of_o the_o one_o or_o the_o hide_a spring_n and_o wheel_n of_o the_o other_o which_o give_v it_o that_o orderly_a and_o regular_a motion_n and_o if_o a_o artist_n reject_v their_o judgement_n as_o foolish_a and_o incompetent_a because_o ground_v on_o no_o principle_n of_o knowledge_n and_o skill_n shall_v we_o not_o much_o more_o reject_v these_o man_n either_o bold_a determination_n or_o peremptory_a denial_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o neither_o understand_v nor_o have_v thorough_o consider_v such_o as_o pretend_v that_o they_o can_v believe_v either_o a_o creation_n because_o they_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o admit_v of_o a_o vast_a empty_a space_n before_o the_o world_n be_v make_v or_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v no_o matter_n praeexi_v or_o a_o resurrection_n because_o they_o can_v see_v how_o the_o scatter_a atom_n of_o dust_n shall_v rally_v and_o reunite_v and_o constitute_v the_o same_o man_n again_o such_o as_o disbelieve_v the_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n because_o they_o can_v form_v clear_a idea_n and_o full_a and_o comprehensive_a notion_n of_o they_o and_o upon_o the_o same_o pretence_n these_o very_a man_n who_o will_v believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o they_o can_v make_v out_o and_o demonstrate_v by_o reason_n will_n if_o they_o follow_v their_o own_o principle_n quick_o commence_v downright_a atheist_n and_o deny_v god_n to_o be_v infinite_a omniscient_a and_o eternal_a of_o which_o necessary_a and_o essential_a attribute_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n we_o can_v have_v complete_a and_o adequate_a conception_n our_o narrow_a faculty_n be_v no_o way_n capable_a of_o it_o but_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o vast_a difference_n between_o man_n and_o man_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o education_n industry_n experience_n learning_n and_o the_o several_a way_n of_o advance_v and_o improve_n reason_n and_o the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n if_o the_o conception_n of_o thing_n be_v clear_a easy_a and_o distinct_a in_o some_o without_o wrack_a or_o strain_v the_o fancy_n which_o be_v cloud_v perplex_a and_o confuse_a in_o other_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o natural_a or_o accidental_a hindrance_n and_o disadvantage_n through_o dulness_n and_o stupidity_n or_o settle_a prejudice_n if_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o possibility_n of_o nature_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o manner_n natural_a cause_n may_v act_v what_o can_v be_v more_o unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a than_o for_o a_o man_n who_o knowledge_n be_v scanty_a and_o power_n confine_v within_o a_o narrow_a circle_n and_o who_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o mistake_v in_o his_o judgement_n of_o thing_n to_o oppose_v his_o reason_n to_o god_n infinite_a wisdom_n as_o if_o it_o be_v equal_o clear_a and_o comprehensive_a to_o pretend_v that_o his_o conception_n be_v the_o adequate_a measure_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o god_n can_v do_v no_o more_o than_o what_o he_o poor_a finite_a shallow_a creature_n be_v able_a to_o think_v and_o to_o reject_v clear_a and_o express_v revelation_n of_o god_n concern_v himself_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o fancied_a incongruity_n and_o a_o seem_a repugnancy_n to_o his_o reason_n if_o the_o creature_n which_o be_v of_o a_o different_a order_n of_o be_v from_o we_o can_v at_o all_o much_o less_o full_o understand_v and_o comprehend_v what_o we_o do_v according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o wisdom_n and_o the_o result_v of_o deliberate_a counsel_n and_o study_v because_o life_n and_o sense_n and_o animal_n motion_n be_v not_o able_a to_o reach_v so_o far_o without_o the_o assistence_n of_o a_o high_a and_o noble_a faculty_n what_o a_o
we_o for_o ever_o in_o the_o next_o a_o discourse_n about_o the_o certainty_n and_o evidence_n of_o a_o future_a state_n how_o much_o it_o be_v below_o a_o man_n to_o busy_v himself_o whole_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o earthly_a thing_n whether_o honour_n wealth_n or_o pleasure_n and_o how_o contemptible_a a_o creature_n he_o be_v notwithstanding_o all_o his_o acquist_n of_o outward_a greatness_n unless_o he_o do_v raise_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o better_a and_o noble_a object_n whosoever_o will_v reflect_v serious_o upon_o the_o nature_n and_o faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o which_o he_o be_v enable_v to_o discourse_n and_o reason_n and_o judge_v of_o thing_n and_o of_o their_o consequence_n unless_o he_o be_v utter_o forsake_v by_o his_o reason_n and_o govern_v by_o brutal_a appetite_n will_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v beside_o there_o be_v such_o continual_a change_n and_o vicissitude_n of_o thing_n here_o below_o so_o much_o uncertainty_n in_o they_o and_o withal_o so_o little_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o rational_a desire_n of_o the_o soul_n such_o intermixture_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n ebb_n and_o flow_v of_o prosperity_n sickness_n and_o discontent_n and_o disappointment_n and_o various_a anxiety_n arise_v from_o irregular_a passion_n and_o distemper_n of_o blood_n and_o humour_n and_o a_o thousand_o evil_a accident_n which_o no_o wisdom_n or_o care_n can_v prevent_v notwithstanding_o the_o flatter_a interval_n of_o health_n and_o ease_n and_o pleasurable_a self-enjoyment_n take_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o life_n and_o death_n at_o last_o after_o three_o or_o fourscore_o year_n at_o most_o seize_v upon_o we_o that_o even_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o the_o more_o refine_a heathen_a have_v acknowledge_v it_o the_o condition_n of_o humane_a life_n will_v be_v very_o miserable_a and_o all_o thing_n consider_v inferior_a to_o that_o of_o other_o creature_n if_o there_o be_v no_o life_n hereafter_o in_o another_o world_n nay_o amid_o those_o corrupt_a principle_n which_o barbarousness_n and_o sensuality_n have_v super-induced_n among_o the_o wild_a sort_n of_o heathen_a immerse_v in_o blind_a and_o stupid_a ignorance_n and_o destitute_a of_o all_o help_n and_o method_n of_o knowledge_n and_o learning_n they_o yet_o retain_v a_o belief_n and_o expectation_n of_o another_o state_n after_o this_o life_n this_o can_v not_o be_v whole_o efface_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n and_o memory_n these_o thought_n pursue_v they_o wherever_o they_o go_v and_o when_o they_o meet_v with_o violence_n and_o hardship_n and_o be_v oppress_v by_o the_o irresistible_a strength_n of_o invader_n and_o suffer_v unjust_o in_o all_o these_o strait_n and_o difficulty_n they_o comfort_v themselves_o with_o faint_a hope_n of_o it_o and_o though_o they_o can_v not_o by_o reason_n of_o fatal_a prejudices_fw-la and_o prepossession_n take_v up_o from_o sense_n and_o of_o the_o want_n of_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o attribute_n have_v any_o just_a apprehension_n or_o notion_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n yet_o they_o all_o conclude_v unanimous_o for_o the_o life_n and_o be_v and_o subsistence_n of_o the_o soul._n so_o that_o the_o wild_a and_o savage_a people_n of_o afric_n and_o america_n as_o well_o as_o the_o more_o civilise_a and_o cultivate_v by_o philosophy_n and_o the_o discipline_n of_o law_n give_v in_o full_a evidence_n against_o the_o atheistical_a wit_n of_o the_o age_n who_o with_o a_o unparalleled_a boldness_n maintain_v that_o when_o a_o man_n have_v act_v his_o part_n in_o this_o life_n he_o go_v off_o the_o stage_n and_o disappear_v for_o ever_o that_o the_o soul_n like_o a_o flame_n when_o the_o matter_n which_o feed_v it_o be_v spend_v be_v whole_o extinguish_v and_o vanish_v into_o soft_a air_n that_o we_o come_v into_o the_o world_n by_o mere_a chance_n and_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o as_o though_o we_o have_v never_o be_v as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n elegant_o bring_v in_o the_o gallant_n of_o his_o time_n triumph_v and_o entertain_v themselves_o with_o such_o idle_a fantastic_a and_o irrational_a hope_n chap._n two_o 2._o and_o that_o when_o a_o man_n die_v there_o be_v a_o utter_a end_n of_o he_o a_o dissolution_n of_o soul_n as_o well_o as_o body_n every_o element_n take_v its_o own_o and_o the_o whole_a swallow_v up_o in_o the_o universal_a mass_n of_o matter_n out_o of_o which_o it_o be_v at_o first_o make_v sing_v out_o with_o the_o chorus_n in_o seneca_n troas_n quaeris_fw-la quo_fw-la jaceas_fw-la post_fw-la obitum_fw-la loco_fw-la quo_fw-la non_fw-la nata_fw-la jacent_fw-la and_o post_fw-la mortem_fw-la nihil_fw-la est_fw-la ipsaque_fw-la mors_fw-la nihil_fw-la but_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v expect_a as_o to_o the_o heathen_a that_o they_o who_o eye_n be_v dim_a and_o weak_a and_o who_o be_v involve_v in_o thick_a cloud_n and_o mist_n of_o ignorance_n shall_v have_v a_o clear_a view_n and_o prospect_n of_o another_o world_n and_o that_o those_o heavenly_a object_n shall_v appear_v to_o they_o who_o understanding_n be_v darken_v with_o false_a notion_n and_o principle_n in_o their_o full_a brightness_n however_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o they_o do_v believe_v a_o life_n after_o this_o and_o make_v it_o the_o great_a incentive_a and_o encouragement_n of_o virtue_n and_o courage_n in_o die_v for_o their_o country_n and_o when_o they_o do_v ill_a and_o that_o in_o the_o dark_a with_o all_o possible_a secrecy_n and_o undisturbance_n and_o with_o all_o security_n under_o no_o restraint_n of_o law_n or_o fear_v of_o punishment_n yet_o their_o heart_n misgive_v they_o and_o in_o private_a and_o alone_o they_o dread_v the_o evil_a effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o their_o guilt_n i_o be_o not_o backward_o to_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o opinion_n belief_n and_o expectation_n of_o another_o life_n may_v be_v oftentimes_o clog_v in_o the_o best_a of_o they_o with_o mixture_n of_o doubt_n the_o prepossession_n of_o sense_n stifle_v the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o suggestion_n of_o natural_a conscience_n even_o that_o excellent_a person_n socrates_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o first_o among_o the_o greek_n who_o free_v his_o reason_n from_o the_o entanglement_n of_o vulgar_a opinion_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o moral_a philosophy_n which_o the_o corrupt_a theology_n of_o their_o poet_n have_v introduce_v and_o who_o die_v as_o it_o be_v a_o martyr_n for_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n speak_v somewhat_o doubtful_o of_o it_o in_o the_o discourse_n he_o have_v with_o his_o friend_n the_o very_a day_n of_o his_o death_n the_o sum_n of_o which_o be_v preserve_v by_o plato_n in_o his_o dialogue_n 82._o entitle_v phoedo_n or_o of_o the_o soul._n he_o say_v he_o will_v not_o be_v positive_a and_o dogmatical_a but_o however_o he_o profess_v his_o hope_n that_o he_o shall_v pass_v immediate_o to_o the_o company_n of_o those_o good_a man_n who_o die_v before_o he_o who_o soul_n survive_v in_o some_o happy_a place_n he_o know_v not_o where_o this_o be_v far_o from_o the_o heroic_a and_o steady_a assurance_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o after_o his_o second_o appearance_n before_o nero_n when_o he_o see_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o death_n to_o be_v expect_a from_o the_o tyrant_n and_o his_o bloody_a officer_n triumph_n in_o his_o near_a approach_n to_o it_o as_o the_o entrance_n to_o a_o bless_a immortality_n 2_o tim._n two_o 6_o 7_o 8._o i_o be_o now_o ready_a to_o be_v offer_v and_o the_o time_n of_o my_o departure_n be_v at_o hand_n i_o have_v fight_v a_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n 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 he_o seem_v as_o sure_a of_o it_o as_o if_o he_o have_v have_v the_o crown_n upon_o his_o head_n and_o have_v be_v actual_o in_o heaven_n what_o philosophy_n can_v scarce_o reach_v be_v at_o that_o vast_a distance_n from_o it_o that_o christianity_n easy_o discover_v reason_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o mankind_n but_o reason_n assist_v by_o revelation_n be_v like_o the_o eye_n arm_v with_o a_o telescope_n it_o not_o only_o see_v thing_n clear_a and_o better_a but_o discover_v new_a object_n such_o as_o before_o lay_v hide_v and_o be_v indiscernible_a to_o the_o naked_a sight_n a_o christian_a man_n that_o be_v if_o he_o be_v more_o so_o than_o in_o profession_n and_o if_o his_o immorality_n have_v not_o altogether_o corrupt_v his_o mind_n and_o plunge_v he_o into_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o infidelity_n can_v at_o all_o doubt_n of_o a_o future_a state_n he_o look_v upon_o himself_o as_o a_o pilgrim_n and_o be_v travel_v towards_o a_o better_a country_n that_o be_v a_o heavenly_a here_o he_o have_v no_o continue_v city_n but_o look_v for_o one_o to_o