for_o suppose_v the_o mind_n will_v endeavour_v to_o amplify_v the_o idea_n of_o a_o man_n into_o that_o of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o way_n sextus_n empiricus_n say_v man_n may_v and_o do_v come_v by_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n supra_fw-la first_o he_o say_v the_o mind_n can_v give_v he_o eternity_n of_o duration_n but_o how_o come_v it_o by_o that_o idea_n of_o eternity_n be_v that_o idea_n previous_a to_o the_o invention_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o have_v mankind_n a_o clear_a conception_n of_o it_o if_o they_o have_v the_o notion_n of_o god_n can_v not_o be_v then_o invent_v for_o one_o of_o his_o chief_a attribute_n be_v know_v before_o but_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v say_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o eternity_n be_v gain_v by_o ampliate_v the_o idea_n of_o duration_n or_o time_n beyond_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a term_n and_o thus_o by_o imagine_v a_o man_n to_o live_v a_o thousand_o or_o ten_o thousand_o year_n i_o may_v come_v to_o frame_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o be_v that_o shall_v always_o exist_v but_o that_o be_v a_o gross_a mistake_n for_o a_o be_v that_o shall_v endure_v ten_o thousand_o or_o ten_o million_o of_o year_n be_v not_o therefore_o exempt_a from_o die_v at_o last_o any_o more_o than_o one_o that_o endure_v but_o ten_o minute_n have_v i_o not_o in_o my_o mind_n before_o a_o clear_a idea_n of_o eternity_n i_o can_v no_o more_o by_o this_o ampliate_a power_n gain_v a_o notion_n of_o a_o eternal_a be_v than_o i_o can_v believe_v myself_o to_o be_v eternal_a for_o every_o thing_n about_o i_o will_v contradict_v that_o notion_n and_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o believe_v any_o be_v can_v have_v a_o eternal_a duration_n from_o consider_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v all_o perishable_a and_o mortal_a that_o which_o lead_v man_n into_o this_o mistake_n be_v i_o suppose_v this_o we_o have_v all_o of_o we_o a_o notion_n of_o a_o be_v perfect_a or_o eternal_a as_o to_o his_o duration_n because_o there_o be_v such_o a_o 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the_o aforesaid_a author_n tell_v we_o 7._o that_o if_o the_o fear_n of_o spirit_n i._n e._n of_o a_o god_n be_v take_v away_o man_n will_v be_v much_o better_o fit_v for_o civil_a obedience_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o go_v a_o little_a further_o yet_o and_o say_v 238._o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o government_n can_v stand_v where_o any_o other_o than_o the_o sovereign_n have_v a_o power_n of_o give_v great_a reward_n than_o life_n and_o great_a punishment_n than_o death_n that_o be_v where_o there_o be_v any_o obligation_n on_o man_n mind_n to_o a_o divine_a and_o almighty_a power_n which_o they_o will_v choose_v to_o obey_v rather_o than_o the_o unlawful_a command_n of_o a_o arbitrary_a prince_n that_o can_v only_o kill_v the_o body_n now_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o this_o be_v true_a of_o such_o a_o power_n or_o government_n as_o that_o he_o calculate_v his_o leviathan_n for_o i._n e._n one_o absolute_o arbitrary_a and_o tyrannical_a and_o all_o power_n must_v be_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o no_o antecedent_n good_a and_o evil_a but_o what_o the_o will_n of_o the_o sovereign_n shall_v make_v so_o as_o mr._n hobbs_n positive_o assert_v there_o be_v not_o therefore_o that_o man_n must_v act_v very_o unwise_o who_o when_o he_o be_v possess_v of_o power_n enough_o to_o give_v law_n to_o and_o govern_v other_o by_o his_o sole_a will_n and_o pleasure_n will_v ever_o invent_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v the_o direct_a way_n to_o cramp_v himself_o in_o his_o power_n to_o tie_v up_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o to_o let_v the_o people_n see_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v
condition_n in_o a_o uninterrupted_a enjoyment_n of_o sensual_a delight_n and_o quite_o stupefy_v and_o drown_v their_o conscience_n and_o reason_n in_o continual_a excess_n and_o debauchery_n and_o thus_o very_a many_o commence_v atheist_n out_o of_o downright_a sottishness_n and_o stupidity_n and_o come_v at_o last_o to_o believe_v nothing_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n because_o they_o never_o think_v any_o thing_n about_o it_o nor_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o other_o who_o have_v be_v a_o little_a enure_v to_o think_v and_o have_v get_v some_o small_a smattering_n in_o the_o superficial_a part_n of_o learning_n will_v endeavour_v to_o defend_v their_o wicked_a practice_n by_o some_o pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o argument_n these_o will_v one_o while_n justify_v their_o action_n by_o force_a and_o wrest_a citation_n and_o explication_n of_o some_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n at_o another_o time_n they_o will_v shroud_v themselves_o under_o the_o example_n of_o the_o prevarication_n of_o some_o great_a man_n in_o sacred_a scripture_n as_o a_o licence_n to_o they_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o or_o the_o like_a wicked_a act_n without_o consider_v at_o all_o of_o their_o great_a penitence_n afterward_o sometime_o they_o will_v dispute_v the_o eternity_n of_o hell_n torment_n deny_v that_o their_o soul_n shall_v survive_v the_o body_n and_o please_v themselves_o with_o the_o glorious_a hope_n of_o be_v utter_o annihilate_v now_o they_o will_v argue_v against_o the_o freedom_n of_o their_o own_o will_n and_o by_o and_o by_o against_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o from_o both_o conclude_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o harm_n nor_o evil_a in_o what_o they_o do_v because_o they_o be_v absolute_o necessitate_v to_o every_o thing_n they_o commit_v but_o against_o all_o this_o precarious_a stuff_n the_o sacred_a scripture_n do_v yet_o appear_v and_o afford_v a_o sufficient_a refutation_n the_o next_o step_v therefore_o must_v be_v to_o quarrel_v at_o and_o expose_v they_o to_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v absurdity_n contradiction_n and_o inconsistency_n in_o they_o to_o assert_v that_o the_o religion_n they_o contain_v be_v nothing_o but_o a_o mere_a human_n and_o political_a institution_n and_o the_o invention_n of_o a_o crafty_a and_o design_v order_n of_o man_n to_o promote_v their_o own_o interest_n and_o advantage_n but_o that_o they_o be_v of_o no_o manner_n of_o divine_a authority_n nor_o universal_a obligation_n and_o when_o once_o they_o get_v thus_o far_o they_o begin_v to_o be_v at_o liberty_n now_o they_o can_v pursue_v their_o vicious_a inclination_n without_o control_n of_o their_o conscience_n or_o the_o conviction_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n and_o be_v get_v above_o the_o childish_a fear_n of_o eternal_a misery_n by_o this_o time_n the_o true_a and_o through_o calenture_n of_o mind_n begin_v they_o grow_v now_o delirious_o enamour_v with_o the_o feign_a product_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o these_o notion_n appear_v to_o they_o now_o adorn_v with_o such_o bright_a and_o radiant_a colour_n and_o so_o beautiful_a and_o glorious_a that_o they_o will_v rush_v headlong_o into_o this_o fool_n paradise_n though_o eternal_a destruction_n be_v at_o the_o bottom_n for_o now_o they_o stick_v at_o nothing_o they_o retrench_v the_o deity_n of_o all_o his_o attribute_n absolute_o deny_v his_o presidence_n over_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o make_v he_o nothing_o but_o a_o kind_n of_o necessary_a and_o blind_a cause_n of_o thing_n nature_n the_o soul_n of_o the_o world_n or_o some_o such_o word_n which_o they_o have_v happen_v to_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o ancient_a heathen_a writer_n but_o they_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v any_o idea_n of_o he_o at_o all_o and_o what_o they_o can_v conceive_v or_o have_v a_o idea_n of_o they_o say_v be_v nothing_o and_o by_o consequence_n there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o god_n this_o or_o such_o like_a i_o be_o persuade_v be_v the_o usual_a method_n by_o which_o these_o kind_n of_o man_n advance_v to_o absolute_a infidelity_n and_o atheism_n and_o in_o this_o they_o be_v every_o step_n confirm_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o seem_a wit_n and_o real_a boldness_n with_o which_o atheistical_a man_n dress_v up_o their_o argument_n and_o discourse_n and_o of_o which_o if_o they_o be_v strip_v and_o divest_v their_o weakness_n and_o inconclusiveness_n must_v needs_o appear_v to_o every_o one_o but_o the_o mirth_n and_o humour_n and_o that_o surprise_v and_o extravagant_a vein_n of_o talk_v which_o always_o abound_v in_o the_o company_n of_o such_o man_n so_o suit_n and_o agree_v with_o his_o own_o vicious_a inclination_n that_o he_o become_v easy_o prejudice_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o any_o obligation_n to_o its_o precept_n and_o injunction_n and_o so_o he_o will_v soon_o resolve_v to_o seek_v no_o more_o after_o god_n but_o will_v employ_v all_o his_o thought_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v in_o the_o world_n but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o appear_v whole_o impossible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o arrive_v at_o such_o a_o pitch_n as_o absolute_a infidelity_n and_o atheism_n if_o he_o have_v be_v virtuous_o educate_v and_o be_v incline_v to_o live_v a_o sober_a and_o a_o moral_a life_n for_o there_o be_v certain_o nothing_o that_o religion_n enjoin_v but_o what_o be_v exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o morality_n and_o virtue_n nothing_o but_o what_o be_v conformable_a to_o right_a reason_n and_o truth_n nothing_o but_o what_o be_v substantial_o good_a and_o pleasant_a and_o nothing_o but_o what_o will_v approve_v itself_o to_o a_o think_v mind_n as_o certain_o conduce_v to_o the_o good_a of_o human_a society_n and_o to_o every_o one_o quiet_n ease_n and_o happiness_n here_o in_o this_o life_n and_o over_o and_o above_o this_o it_o give_v we_o a_o assurance_n of_o a_o glorious_a immortality_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v now_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v that_o any_o sober_a and_o virtuous_a man_n and_o one_o that_o be_v not_o prejudice_v by_o the_o inducement_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n if_o he_o serious_o consider_v thing_n will_v not_o be_v induce_v to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o holy_a religion_n and_o with_o all_o due_a gratitude_n to_o our_o gracious_a god_n accept_v of_o so_o vast_a a_o reward_n as_o this_o of_o eternal_a happiness_n especial_o too_o when_o it_o be_v for_o do_v that_o only_a out_o of_o a_o true_a principle_n of_o religion_n which_o it_o be_v suppose_v he_o be_v incline_v to_o perform_v without_o it_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o honour_n a_o man_n that_o be_v incline_v to_o live_v virtuous_o just_o temperate_o and_o peaceable_o in_o this_o present_a world_n will_v soon_o be_v satisfy_v if_o he_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o it_o be_v this_o which_o lie_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o all_o reveal_v religion_n and_o for_o who_o 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religion_n contain_v nothing_o impossible_a absurd_a or_o improbable_a in_o they_o and_o exhibit_v to_o he_o infinite_a advantage_n on_o such_o easy_a condition_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o delightful_a object_n of_o a_o good_a and_o virtuous_a man_n faith_n he_o indeed_o that_o have_v just_a ground_n to_o fear_v that_o his_o irregular_a life_n will_v incapacitate_v he_o for_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o joy_n of_o another_o world_n may_v be_v willing_a and_o at_o last_o infatuate_v so_o far_o as_o real_o to_o disbelieve_v what_o he_o know_v he_o can_v obtain_v but_o one_o that_o be_v of_o a_o moral_a sober_a and_o virtuous_a disposition_n can_v never_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o unaccountable_o absurd_a as_o to_o commence_v atheist_n contrary_a to_o his_o interest_n his_o inclination_n and_o his_o reason_n and_o as_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o conceive_v a_o person_n can_v be_v a_o atheist_n without_o be_v first_o wicked_a
spirit_n such_o a_o turn_v and_o air_n of_o countenance_n as_o argue_v a_o proud_a contempt_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n who_o troth_n on_o in_o the_o common_a road_n believe_v and_o worship_v a_o god_n and_o poor_o submit_v to_o be_v govern_v by_o his_o law_n and_o precept_n and_o thus_o have_v dispatch_v my_o two_o first_o particular_n and_o show_v that_o wickedness_n and_o pride_n be_v two_o great_a cause_n of_o infidelity_n and_o atheism_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o speak_v to_o the_o three_o thing_n observable_a in_o my_o text_n viz._n iii_o the_o great_a charge_n which_o the_o psalmist_n bring_v against_o the_o wicked_a person_n here_o mention_v that_o he_o will_v not_o seek_v after_o god_n neither_o be_v god_n in_o all_o his_o thought_n but_o this_o i_o must_v leave_v for_o my_o next_o discourse_n and_o shall_v now_o conclude_v with_o a_o word_n or_o two_o by_o way_n of_o application_n since_o the_o case_n stand_v thus_o that_o wickedness_n in_o general_n and_o pride_n in_o particular_a do_v so_o natural_o lead_v to_o infidelity_n and_o atheism_n and_o that_o it_o be_v hardly_o possible_a to_o imagine_v a_o man_n can_v entertain_v such_o a_o opinion_n without_o they_o let_v every_o one_o then_o that_o have_v any_o inclination_n or_o temptation_n that_o way_n serious_o examine_v his_o own_o mind_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o prejudice_v towards_o it_o by_o some_o vicious_a desire_n and_o affection_n whether_o he_o do_v not_o hearty_o wish_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o religion_n whether_o he_o have_v not_o by_o his_o past_a action_n real_o load_v himself_o with_o guilt_n and_o therefore_o be_v disturb_v in_o his_o mind_n with_o the_o apprehension_n that_o the_o divine_a punishment_n will_v overtake_v he_o and_o light_n upon_o he_o for_o his_o sin_n let_v he_o search_v diligent_o whether_o he_o have_v not_o recourse_n to_o infidelity_n as_o to_o a_o opiate_n in_o this_o case_n to_o allay_v the_o pain_n of_o his_o conscience_n and_o to_o compose_v the_o disorder_n of_o his_o guilty_a mind_n and_o to_o gain_v as_o it_o be_v a_o insensibility_n in_o sin_v for_o if_o the_o case_n be_v thus_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o be_v not_o free_a and_o at_o liberty_n to_o make_v a_o just_a judgement_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n he_o be_v already_o a_o party_n and_o much_o more_o incline_v to_o one_o side_n of_o the_o question_n than_o to_o the_o other_o and_o consequent_o he_o will_v pitch_v on_o that_o as_o truth_n which_o he_o will_v have_v to_o be_v so_o but_o this_o be_v certain_o a_o very_a partial_a way_n of_o proceed_v and_o such_o as_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v use_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o very_o great_a moment_n to_o engage_v one_o self_n rash_o in_o a_o determination_n before_o a_o thorough_a and_o careful_a examination_n of_o the_o evidence_n on_o both_o side_n this_o be_v to_o look_v on_o thing_n in_o a_o false_a light_n through_o colour_a glass_n through_o disease_a and_o icterical_a eye_n and_o then_o to_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v in_o reality_n what_o our_o deprave_a and_o prejudicate_a apprehension_n make_v they_o the_o enemy_n to_o religion_n say_v that_o the_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v mind_v the_o argument_n they_o bring_v be_v all_o force_a and_o strain_v because_o it_o be_v their_o trade_n and_o they_o get_v money_n by_o it_o and_o their_o craft_n oblige_v they_o to_o cry_v out_o great_a be_v diana_n of_o the_o ephesian_n i_o hope_v therefore_o this_o be_v so_o precarious_a and_o partial_a a_o way_n of_o proceed_v to_o subscribe_v to_o religion_n by_o implicit_a faith_n and_o to_o take_v it_o up_o upon_o trust_n from_o those_o who_o interest_n they_o say_v it_o be_v to_o propagate_v it_o in_o the_o world_n i_o hope_v i_o say_v that_o man_n will_v not_o act_v so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o embrace_v atheism_n and_o infidelity_n on_o the_o same_o precarious_a ground_n i_o hope_v all_o such_o person_n can_v clear_o approve_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_o virtuous_a and_o moral_a in_o their_o inclination_n and_o practice_n and_o be_v sure_a that_o they_o have_v no_o strong_a inclination_n to_o such_o action_n as_o the_o world_n call_v vicious_a for_o if_o they_o have_v and_o do_v take_v real_a pleasure_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o wickedness_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o they_o must_v be_v prejudice_v and_o bigoted_a to_o their_o lust_n and_o humour_n they_o can_v be_v free-thinker_n in_o the_o case_n the_o clog_n of_o ill_a custom_n and_o a_o loose_a education_n bear_v they_o down_o and_o they_o can_v shake_v they_o off_o their_o present_a interest_n influence_n and_o govern_v their_o belief_n and_o enslave_v and_o tyrannizes_n over_o their_o reason_n let_v they_o consider_v impartial_o the_o argument_n for_o infidelity_n and_o they_o will_v find_v they_o all_o force_v and_o strain_a paradox_n invent_v by_o sceptical_a and_o cant_v philosopher_n a_o crafty_a and_o design_v sort_n of_o man_n who_o set_v up_o atheism_n because_o they_o get_v by_o it_o and_o who_o interest_n it_o be_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o god_n and_o religion_n let_v not_o therefore_o man_n be_v so_o stupid_a and_o blind_a as_o to_o talk_v of_o prejudices_fw-la on_o the_o side_n of_o religion_n and_o never_o perceive_v that_o there_o be_v any_o at_o all_o on_o that_o of_o infidelity_n if_o they_o scorn_v to_o take_v up_o religion_n on_o trust_n without_o examine_v into_o its_o ground_n and_o reason_n for_o their_o own_o sake_n let_v they_o be_v as_o cautious_a and_o inquisitive_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n and_o not_o run_v hood-winked_n into_o eternal_a destruction_n by_o subscribe_v to_o atheism_n in_o haste_n and_o without_o that_o previous_a consideration_n and_o regard_n which_o so_o great_a and_o important_a a_o affair_n require_v for_o if_o they_o will_v but_o strip_v themselves_o of_o those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o arise_v from_o their_o vice_n and_o avoid_v be_v impetuous_o bear_v down_o by_o their_o deprave_a inclination_n they_o will_v soon_o perceive_v that_o the_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o infidelity_n be_v abundant_o too_o precarious_a to_o afford_v they_o any_o thing_n like_o a_o demonstrative_a assurance_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o religion_n without_o which_o sure_o no_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o that_o can_v think_v at_o all_o will_v ever_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o damnation_n finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o rich._n wilkin_n at_o the_o king's-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n dr_n woodward_n natural_a history_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o octavo_n remark_n on_o some_o late_a paper_n relate_v to_o the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o to_o the_o natural_a history_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o j._n harris_n m._n a._n and_o fellow_n of_o the_o royal-society_n in_o octavo_n dr._n abbadie_n vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o the_o objection_n of_o all_o modern_a opposer_n in_o two_o volume_n in_o octavo_n a_o serious_a proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o true_a and_o great_a interest_n part_v i._o by_o a_o lover_n of_o their_o sex_n the_o three_o edition_n in_o twelves_o a_o serious_a proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n part_v ii_o wherein_o a_o method_n be_v offer_v for_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o mind_n in_o twelves_o letter_n concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n between_o the_o author_n of_o the_o proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n and_o mr._n john_n norris_n in_o octavo_n a_o answer_n to_o w._n p._n his_o key_n about_o the_o quaker_n light_v within_o and_o oath_n with_o a_o appendix_n of_o the_o sacrament_n in_o octavo_n a_o letter_n to_o the_o honourable_a sir_n robert_n howard_n together_o with_o some_o animadversion_n on_o a_o book_n entitle_v christianity_n not_o mysterious_a in_o octavo_n now_o in_o the_o press_n discourse_n on_o several_a practical_a subject_n by_o the_o late_a reverend_a w._n payne_n d.d._n with_o a_o preface_n give_v a_o account_n of_o his_o life_n write_n and_o death_n in_o octavo_n the_o atheist_n objection_n that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n refute_v a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n february_n the_o 7_o the_o 1697_o 8._o be_v the_o second_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 psal._n x._o 4_o the_o wicked_a through_o the_o pride_n of_o his_o countenance_n will_v not_o seek_v after_o god_n neither_o be_v god_n in_o all_o his_o thought_n in_o these_o word_n i_o have_v in_o a_o former_a discourse_n take_v notice_n of_o these_o three_o particular_n i._n the_o general_a character_n or_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n here_o mention_v which_o be_v that_o he_o be_v a_o wicked_a man._n
have_v no_o manner_n of_o notion_n of_o his_o true_a nature_n and_o perfection_n but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o name_n only_o nor_o the_o empty_a sound_n of_o the_o word_n deity_n but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v want_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v the_o true_a knowledge_n and_o belief_n of_o this_o only_a that_o can_v clear_v a_o man_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o atheism_n if_o he_o be_v not_o right_a in_o this_o point_n i._n e._n if_o he_o have_v not_o such_o a_o belief_n of_o god_n as_o imply_v in_o it_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n he_o may_v call_v himself_o by_o as_o fine_a and_o fashionable_a name_n as_o he_o please_v and_o pretend_v to_o deism_n and_o natural_a religion_n but_o in_o reality_n he_o be_v a_o atheist_n and_o so_o ought_v to_o be_v esteem_v by_o all_o mankind_n for_o as_o one_o say_v preâ—_n that_o know_v very_o well_o what_o a_o atheist_n be_v such_o be_v atheist_n as_o deny_v god_n providence_n or_o who_o restrain_v it_o in_o some_o 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the_o mouth_n of_o those_o that_o reprove_v they_o to_o stifle_v and_o bear_v down_o the_o sting_n of_o conscience_n and_o to_o gain_v some_o pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o principle_n in_o their_o impious_a proceed_n but_o sure_o these_o person_n must_v know_v well_o enough_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a easy_a thing_n to_o start_v objection_n against_o the_o most_o plain_a and_o obvious_a truth_n they_o know_v also_o that_o in_o other_o case_n themselves_o think_v it_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o disbelieve_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n only_o because_o they_o can_v ready_o answer_v all_o the_o objection_n a_o witty_a man_n may_v bring_v against_o it_o and_o because_o they_o can_v solve_v all_o the_o phoenomena_fw-la of_o it_o now_o why_o shall_v not_o they_o proceed_v so_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n they_o know_v that_o all_o the_o great_a truth_n of_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v over_o and_o over_o by_o those_o learned_a and_o excellent_a person_n which_o have_v write_v in_o 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refute_v the_o objection_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o deity_n from_o our_o not_o be_v able_a as_o they_o say_v to_o have_v any_o idea_n or_o notion_n of_o he_o the_o atheist_n allege_v that_o whatsoever_o be_v unconceivable_a be_v real_o nothing_o at_o all_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o idea_n or_o possible_a notion_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o some_o how_o or_o other_o a_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n for_o all_o knowledge_n be_v sense_n and_o we_o can_v only_o judge_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o thing_n by_o its_o evidence_n and_o testimony_n now_o god_n be_v by_o divine_n say_v to_o be_v incomprehensible_a infinite_a and_o invisible_a i._n e._n something_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v any_o thing_n about_o 208._o that_o be_v every_o where_o and_o yet_o no_o where_o that_o see_v every_o thing_n and_o yet_o no_o body_n can_v see_v he_o nor_o can_v we_o perceive_v any_o thing_n of_o he_o by_o any_o other_o of_o our_o sense_n we_o can_v tell_v what_o to_o make_v of_o such_o a_o account_n as_o this_o of_o a_o god_n we_o can_v have_v no_o phantasm_n idea_n or_o conception_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n and_o therefore_o we_o just_o conclude_v there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v in_o nature_n and_o as_o for_o that_o precarious_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n that_o be_v so_o much_o talk_v of_o in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o mere_a phantom_n or_o mormo_n devise_v and_o set_v up_o by_o politic_a and_o design_v man_n to_o keep_v the_o rabble_n in_o awe_n and_o to_o scare_v such_o fool_n as_o be_v afraid_a of_o their_o own_o shadow_n the_o several_a point_n of_o this_o objection_n i_o shall_v single_o consider_v and_o as_o to_o the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o that_o what_o
must_v all_o their_o perfection_n and_o qualification_n too_o for_o they_o be_v indeed_o the_o most_o noble_a thing_n in_o their_o nature_n knowledge_n therefore_o and_o wisdom_n thought_n and_o reason_v and_o all_o the_o excellent_a power_n and_o faculty_n that_o be_v find_v in_o any_o creature_n must_v come_v from_o the_o same_o power_n that_o produce_v those_o being_n and_o nature_n in_o which_o they_o be_v inherent_a and_o if_o these_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n be_v derive_v from_o this_o necessary_o existent_a be_v they_o must_v certain_o be_v in_o he_o in_o the_o great_a perfection_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o in_o he_o they_o can_v not_o be_v derive_v from_o he_o since_o it_o be_v unconceivable_a that_o any_o thing_n can_v give_v or_o communicate_v to_o another_o either_o what_o it_o have_v not_o itself_o or_o a_o great_a degree_n of_o any_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v master_n of_o this_o eternal_a and_o self-existent_a be_v therefore_o must_v have_v in_o it_o and_o that_o in_o the_o utmost_a perfection_n all_o the_o excellency_n that_o we_o admire_v and_o value_v in_o any_o other_o thing_n it_o must_v have_v the_o power_n of_o do_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o be_v almighty_a it_o must_v know_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v know_v and_o therefore_o be_v omniscient_a in_o a_o word_n it_o must_v be_v alwise_a and_o good_a just_a and_o true_a merciful_a and_o gracious_a and_o contain_v in_o it_o all_o possible_a excellency_n and_o perfection_n now_o this_o may_v very_o well_o pass_v for_o a_o description_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v very_o intelligible_a and_o plain_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n that_o can_v but_o think_v at_o all_o and_o it_o give_v we_o such_o a_o idea_n of_o god_n as_o we_o see_v be_v easy_o attainable_a by_o a_o obvious_a and_o familiar_a chain_n of_o consequence_n and_o which_o put_v our_o mind_n not_o at_o all_o on_o the_o wrack_n to_o conceive_v as_o for_o the_o word_n infinite_a which_o be_v often_o apply_v to_o god_n and_o which_o these_o gentleman_n quarrel_v so_o much_o at_o and_o of_o which_o they_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v any_o conception_n or_o idea_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v groundless_o and_o precarious_o assert_v and_o that_o nothing_o but_o the_o wilful_a darkness_n and_o confusion_n which_o they_o have_v bring_v upon_o their_o own_o mind_n can_v make_v it_o appear_v unintelligible_a for_o as_o the_o excellent_a dr._n cudworth_n have_v prove_v the_o idea_n that_o we_o have_v of_o infinite_a be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o we_o have_v of_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o say_v that_o god_n be_v infinite_a in_o power_n wisdom_n or_o goodness_n we_o mean_v by_o it_o that_o he_o be_v most_o perfect_o or_o complete_o so_o and_o that_o he_o want_v nothing_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v he_o most_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a in_o that_o respect_n of_o which_o we_o speak_v of_o he_o now_o a_o be_v that_o any_o way_n be_v deficient_a or_o imperfect_a and_o that_o have_v not_o all_o the_o possible_a excellency_n that_o be_v to_o be_v have_v be_v finite_a and_o that_o in_o the_o same_o proportion_n as_o it_o be_v defective_a thus_o for_o instance_n those_o being_n which_o endure_v but_o for_o a_o time_n which_o have_v a_o beginning_n and_o will_v have_v a_o end_n be_v finite_a or_o imperfect_a as_o to_o their_o existence_n but_o god_n who_o be_v be_v and_o be_v to_o come_v who_o be_v and_o will_v be_v from_o everlasting_a to_o everlasting_a he_o be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v infinite_a 150._o or_o perfect_a as_o to_o existence_n or_o duration_n for_o there_o be_v no_o restriction_n limitation_n or_o imperfection_n in_o his_o nature_n in_o this_o respect_n as_o there_o be_v in_o that_o of_o all_o creature_n whatever_o a_o be_v who_o power_n extend_v to_o but_o a_o few_o thing_n be_v very_o imperfect_a or_o finite_a in_o power_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o possible_a thing_n that_o it_o can_v do_v it_o be_v still_o so_o far_o imperfect_a in_o power_n but_o a_o be_v that_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o contradictory_n to_o his_o nature_n or_o all_o possible_a thing_n be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v infinite_a or_o perfect_a in_o power_n or_o almighty_a so_o a_o be_v that_o know_v all_o thing_n possible_a to_o be_v know_v be_v infinite_a or_o perfect_a in_o knowledge_n and_o the_o like_a of_o any_o other_o attribute_n or_o perfection_n in_o all_o the_o comparison_n or_o proportion_n be_v the_o same_o a_o be_v that_o want_v no_o degree_n of_o excellency_n or_o perfection_n be_v god_n infinite_a in_o power_n wisdom_n justice_n goodness_n and_o truth_n but_o if_o a_o be_v want_v any_o one_o or_o any_o degree_n or_o proportion_n of_o these_o thing_n it_o be_v finite_a and_o imperfect_a and_o that_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n or_o proportion_n now_o where_o be_v the_o inconceivableness_n confusion_n absurdity_n and_o nonsense_n of_o all_o this_o be_v it_o not_o as_o easy_a to_o conceive_v or_o apprehend_v that_o a_o be_v may_v have_v in_o his_o nature_n all_o possible_a perfection_n as_o it_o be_v to_o have_v a_o idea_n of_o one_o that_o be_v imperfect_a and_o deficient_a for_o how_o come_v the_o idea_n of_o imperfection_n into_o our_o mind_n how_o come_v we_o to_o know_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v finite_a defective_a and_o limit_v unless_o we_o have_v also_o a_o idea_n or_o notion_n of_o infinity_o or_o perfection_n how_o can_v we_o know_v what_o be_v want_v in_o any_o be_v unless_o we_o have_v a_o idea_n of_o it_o that_o it_o be_v in_o some_o other_o be_v most_o certain_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o we_o may_v have_v as_o true_a and_o clear_a a_o idea_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n as_o of_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n x._o and_o in_o fact_n it_o be_v most_o notorious_o true_a that_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a notion_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o be_v have_v and_o do_v still_o appear_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o it_o be_v impress_v there_o i_o doubt_v not_o by_o the_o peculiar_a care_n of_o that_o divine_a and_o merciful_a be_v himself_o and_o therefore_o those_o that_o assert_v that_o we_o have_v not_o nor_o can_v have_v any_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n nor_o of_o his_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n and_o that_o on_o that_o account_n deny_v his_o existence_n discover_v such_o wretched_a ignorance_n as_o well_o as_o obstinacy_n that_o they_o be_v real_o a_o disgrace_n to_o humane_a nature_n for_o pretend_v to_o be_v over-wise_a they_o become_v fool_n they_o be_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n and_o their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v their_o vicious_a inclination_n have_v debauch_v their_o reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o though_o god_n be_v not_o far_o from_o every_o one_o of_o we_o since_o in_o he_o we_o live_v move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v yet_o their_o wickedness_n and_o pride_n be_v such_o that_o they_o will_v not_o seek_v after_o god_n neither_o be_v god_n in_o all_o their_o thought_n from_o which_o wilful_a blindness_n and_o stupidity_n may_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n deliver_v they_o by_o the_o gracious_a illumination_n of_o his_o bless_a spirit_n to_o who_o with_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o rich._n wilkin_n at_o the_o king's-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n mr._n harris_n sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n january_n the_o 3d._n 1697_o 8._o be_v the_o first_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 esquire_n his_o remark_n on_o some_o late_a paper_n relate_v to_o the_o universal_a deluge_n and_o to_o the_o natural_a history_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o octavo_n dr._n woodward_n natural_a history_n of_o the_o earth_n in_o octavo_n dr._n abbadie_n vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n against_o the_o objection_n of_o all_o modern_a opposer_n in_o two_o volume_n in_o octavo_n a_o serious_a proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o their_o true_a and_o great_a interest_n part_v i._o by_o a_o lover_n of_o her_o sex_n the_o three_o edition_n in_o twelves_o a_o serious_a proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n part_v ii_o wherein_o a_o method_n be_v offer_v for_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o mind_n in_o twelves_o letter_n concern_v the_o love_n of_o god_n between_o the_o author_n of_o the_o proposal_n to_o the_o lady_n and_o mr._n john_n norris_n in_o octavo_n a_o answer_n to_o w._n p._n his_o key_n about_o the_o quaker_n light_v within_o and_o oath_n with_o a_o appendix_n of_o the_o sacrament_n in_o octavo_n a_o letter_n to_o the_o honourable_a sir_n robert_n howard_n together_o with_o
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 these_o be_v the_o account_n which_o our_o modern_a atheistical_a writer_n give_v of_o the_o origin_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n among_o men._n and_o this_o they_o with_o great_a assurance_n put_v off_o as_o their_o own_o new_a invention_n without_o be_v so_o just_a as_o to_o mention_v any_o of_o the_o ancient_n from_o who_o they_o have_v borrow_v every_o article_n of_o it_o that_o trite_a passage_n every_o body_n know_v primus_fw-la in_o orbe_fw-la deos_fw-la fecit_fw-la timor_fw-la and_o lucretius_n mention_n fear_v and_o the_o ignorance_n of_o second_o cause_n as_o that_o which_o give_v the_o first_o rise_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n for_o say_v he_o rentur_fw-la when_o man_n with_o fearful_a mind_n behold_v the_o thing_n in_o the_o earth_n and_o heaven_n they_o become_v abject_a and_o depress_v under_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o god_n 49._o who_o empire_n ignorance_n of_o cause_n set_v up_o in_o the_o world_n for_o when_o man_n can_v see_v any_o natural_a reason_n for_o any_o effect_n they_o strait_a fancy_n it_o be_v the_o product_n of_o some_o divine_a power_n the_o very_a same_o thing_n he_o say_v also_o in_o another_o place_n etc._n where_o he_o attribute_n likewise_o the_o notion_n of_o ghost_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o god_n interfere_v with_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n to_o man_n not_o be_v able_a to_o distinguish_v dream_n from_o real_a appearance_n tully_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v some_o in_o his_o time_n and_o no_o doubt_n long_v before_o who_o attribute_v the_o opinion_n and_o belief_n of_o the_o god_n to_o have_v be_v feign_v by_o wise_a man_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n causâ_fw-la and_o plato_n acquaint_v we_o 10._o that_o the_o ancient_a atheist_n do_v affirm_v that_o the_o god_n be_v not_o by_o nature_n but_o by_o art_n and_o law_n only_o and_o so_o be_v different_a in_o different_a place_n according_a as_o the_o different_a humour_n of_o the_o law_n giver_n chance_v to_o determine_v the_o matter_n sextus_n empiricus_n say_v that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o some_o intelligent_a and_o prudent_a man_n 310._o who_o consider_v what_o will_v be_v beneficial_a to_o humane_a life_n and_o these_o first_o feign_v the_o fabulous_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o cause_v that_o suspicion_n that_o there_o be_v in_o man_n mind_n about_o they_o afterward_o he_o say_v that_o heretofore_o man_n live_v wild_a and_o savage_a and_o prey_v upon_o one_o another_o like_o wild_a beast_n till_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o prevent_v and_o repress_v injury_n and_o rapine_n invent_v law_n to_o punish_v those_o that_o do_v amiss_o and_o then_o they_o feign_v that_o there_o be_v god_n also_o who_o take_v cognizance_n of_o all_o man_n action_n whether_o good_a or_o bad_a that_o so_o no_o one_o may_v dare_v to_o commit_v any_o secret_a wickedness_n when_o he_o be_v by_o this_o mean_v persuade_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o the_o god_n though_o unseen_a by_o man_n do_v yet_o inspect_v into_o all_o humane_a action_n and_o take_v notice_n who_o do_v well_o and_o who_o the_o contrary_a sextus_n also_o attribute_n the_o rise_v of_o man_n belief_n of_o a_o god_n to_o their_o ignorance_n of_o second_o cause_n as_o i_o show_v you_o before_o that_o lucretius_n do_v for_o he_o make_v democritus_n speak_v thus_o 〈◊〉_d when_o man_n of_o old_a see_v strange_a and_o frightful_a thing_n in_o the_o air_n or_o heaven_n such_o as_o thunder_n lightning_z thunderbolt_n eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n etc._n etc._n not_o know_v the_o natural_a cause_n of_o they_o but_o be_v terrify_v by_o they_o they_o straight_o imagine_v the_o god_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o this_o therefore_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a atheistical_a writer_n and_o from_o they_o copy_v by_o the_o modern_n viz._n that_o fear_n ignorance_n and_o cunning_a be_v the_o first_o original_n or_o cause_n of_o the_o notion_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n let_v we_o now_o fair_o examine_v the_o case_n and_o see_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o such_o a_o assertion_n and_o whether_o this_o can_v account_v for_o that_o universal_a notion_n of_o a_o divine_a and_o omnipotent_a be_v which_o we_o find_v every_o where_o in_o the_o world_n and_o 1._o i_o say_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n can_v not_o come_v from_o fear_n for_o if_o it_o do_v either_o this_o fear_n must_v be_v universal_o inherent_a in_o all_o mankind_n or_o else_o peculiar_a only_o to_o some_o dastardly_a and_o low-spirited_n mortal_n if_o the_o former_a be_v assert_v it_o be_v a_o very_a convince_a argument_n that_o there_o be_v a_o just_a ground_n for_o such_o a_o fear_n and_o that_o it_o have_v something_o that_o be_v real_a for_o its_o object_n that_o can_v thus_o affect_v all_o man_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o that_o all_o man_n be_v natural_o subject_a to_o this_o fear_n of_o a_o deity_n how_o can_v any_o 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 they_o have_v ever_o yet_o advance_v but_o i_o suppose_v they_o will_v not_o say_v that_o this_o fear_n be_v universal_a but_o that_o it_o only_o possess_v mean_a and_o abject_a spirit_n and_o never_o invade_v the_o great_a and_o brave_a soul_n let_v we_o see_v whether_o this_o will_v do_v they_o any_o service_n now_o by_o brave_a and_o great_a soul_n who_o do_v they_o mean_v do_v they_o intend_v by_o they_o such_o as_o have_v power_n command_v and_o empire_n over_o other_o nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o king_n and_o prince_n have_v be_v equal_o subject_a to_o these_o fear_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o divine_a punishment_n with_o the_o mean_a and_o most_o contemptible_a of_o their_o subject_n and_o this_o adactum_fw-la lucretius_n himself_o own_v as_o also_o that_o this_o fear_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v universal_a and_o we_o have_v example_n of_o it_o in_o the_o history_n of_o all_o age_n and_o part_n of_o the_o world_n 1217._o but_o they_o will_v say_v it_o be_v like_a 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
power_n the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n may_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v and_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n discover_v by_o this_o mean_n 1.20_o as_o have_v be_v excellent_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o learned_a dr._n cudworth_n dr._n bentley_n mr._n ray_n and_o many_o other_o and_o these_o kind_n of_o gentleman_n have_v betray_v their_o shallow_a and_o superficial_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n by_o nothing_o more_o than_o by_o pretend_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o the_o world_n the_o motion_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n of_o gravity_n and_o several_a other_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n without_o have_v recourse_n to_o a_o deity_n as_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o more_o particular_o observe_v but_o i_o now_o hasten_v to_o refute_v that_o which_o they_o make_v their_o great_a and_o most_o common_a objection_n against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o to_o show_v 2._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n do_v not_o nor_o can_v not_o arise_v from_o cunning_a and_o contrivance_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o invent_v by_o any_o crafty_a and_o politic_a person_n though_o that_o it_o do_v do_v so_o be_v the_o constant_a assertion_n of_o these_o gentleman_n and_o they_o do_v it_o with_o as_o much_o assurance_n as_o if_o it_o be_v a_o self-evident_a proposition_n in_o all_o company_n they_o will_v nauseous_o tire_v you_o with_o this_o battology_n over_o and_o over_o again_o that_o all_o religion_n be_v a_o cheat_n and_o the_o great_a cheat_n of_o all_o be_v religion_n but_o this_o themselves_o have_v happy_o discover_v and_o therefore_o they_o scorn_v to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o priest-craft_n they_o will_v neither_o be_v ride_v by_o priest_n nor_o lead_v by_o they_o they_o can_v go_v without_o leading-string_n and_o will_v be_v put_v to_o the_o temporal_a charge_n of_o a_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o they_o have_v quit_v the_o thought_n of_o go_v to_o heaven_n by_o the_o same_o mean_n as_o they_o go_v to_o the_o 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the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n can_v not_o derive_v its_o original_a from_o the_o cunning_a invention_n of_o any_o politic_a person_n for_o these_o reason_n 1._o because_o the_o pretend_a inventor_n himself_o can_v never_o possible_o have_v come_v by_o such_o a_o notion_n have_v there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v as_o a_o god_n sextus_n empiricus_n observe_v very_o well_o that_o though_o 314._o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o lawgiver_n and_o politician_n invent_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n yet_o the_o asserter_n of_o it_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o a_o absurdity_n that_o arise_v thence_o for_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v ask_v how_o they_o themselves_o come_v by_o such_o a_o notion_n they_o must_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n they_o will_v not_o say_v they_o have_v it_o from_o other_o nor_o can_v they_o account_v how_o they_o come_v by_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v have_v be_v from_o the_o beginning_n and_o so_o all_o man_n must_v have_v a_o notion_n of_o god_n though_o not_o all_o after_o the_o same_o way_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o imagine_v that_o such_o a_o notion_n can_v ever_o have_v come_v into_o any_o one_o head_n have_v there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v as_o a_o deity_n be_v he_o a_o absolute_a nonentity_n and_o real_o nothing_o at_o all_o it_o be_v unconceivable_a how_o any_o one_o can_v ever_o attain_v a_o idea_n of_o god_n or_o have_v coin_v any_o word_n that_o shall_v so_o have_v express_v that_o idea_n as_o to_o render_v it_o intelligible_a to_o any_o one_o else_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n can_v invent_v or_o make_v any_o new_a simple_a idea_n or_o cogitation_n it_o can_v possible_o make_v a_o positive_a conception_n of_o that_o which_o be_v real_o nothing_o at_o all_o which_o way_n soever_o we_o come_v by_o our_o idea_n we_o can_v have_v one_o of_o what_o be_v absolute_o a_o nonentity_n for_o what_o be_v absolute_o nothing_o can_v neither_o come_v into_o we_o by_o our_o sense_n nor_o be_v innate_a in_o our_o mind_n and_o therefore_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n we_o can_v never_o have_v have_v any_o idea_n of_o he_o nor_o can_v any_o one_o ever_o possible_o invent_v or_o frame_v such_o a_o notion_n in_o his_o mind_n i_o know_v the_o compound_v ampliate_a and_o feign_v power_n of_o the_o mind_n will_v here_o be_v allege_v and_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o we_o may_v by_o that_o mean_n frame_v notion_n of_o thing_n which_o perhaps_o do_v never_o nor_o ever_o will_v exist_v thus_o we_o may_v gain_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o fly_a horse_n of_o a_o creature_n half_o a_o man_n and_o half_a a_o horse_n a_o man_n of_o a_o thousand_o foot_n high_a etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o say_v they_o 317._o why_o may_v not_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n by_o this_o compound_v and_o ampliate_a power_n feign_v as_o well_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o this_o power_n in_o our_o mind_n do_v not_o nor_o can_v extend_v so_o far_o all_o that_o we_o can_v do_v by_o it_o be_v to_o connect_v together_o two_o or_o more_o possible_a and_o consistent_a idea_n or_o to_o ampliate_v or_o enlarge_v any_o one_o or_o more_o of_o they_o in_o point_n of_o time_n extent_n etc._n etc._n thus_o as_o be_v before_o say_v by_o connect_v the_o idea_n of_o wing_n and_o a_o horse_n or_o of_o a_o horse_n and_o a_o man_n we_o may_v feign_v a_o pegasus_n or_o a_o centaur_n and_o i_o can_v imagine_v either_o of_o these_o creature_n or_o any_o other_o to_o live_v five_o thousand_o time_n as_o long_o or_o to_o be_v fifty_o thousand_o time_n as_o big_a as_o be_v usual_a but_o all_o this_o be_v still_o short_a of_o what_o it_o be_v bring_v for_o and_o will_v give_v no_o account_n at_o all_o of_o the_o invention_n of_o the_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n
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 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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
good_a and_o evil_a but_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o these_o account_n come_v original_o only_a from_o a_o few_o navigator_n who_o probable_o do_v not_o stay_v long_o enough_o at_o those_o place_n to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o language_n of_o the_o native_n and_o who_o consequent_o can_v not_o have_v much_o knowledge_n of_o their_o notion_n opinion_n and_o custom_n it_o will_v be_v too_o hardy_a a_o conclusion_n to_o infer_v positive_o that_o man_n pay_v no_o worship_n to_o nor_o have_v any_o idea_n of_o a_o god_n only_o because_o they_o do_v not_o see_v they_o at_o their_o devotion_n and_o moreover_o when_o we_o have_v have_v late_a and_o more_o accurate_a account_n of_o some_o of_o those_o place_n which_o do_v plain_o disprove_v the_o former_a assertion_n we_o have_v good_a reason_n i_o think_v to_o suspend_v our_o assent_n to_o they_o and_o then_o as_o to_o their_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o they_o account_v stealth_n and_o 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i_o do_v real_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o nation_n of_o man_n so_o stupid_a as_o to_o be_v quite_o devoid_a of_o any_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n or_o of_o the_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_a all_o that_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o some_o man_n may_v for_o want_n of_o commerce_n with_o other_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o for_o want_v of_o think_v and_o cultivate_v and_o exercise_v their_o rational_a faculty_n degenerate_a into_o mere_a brute_n beast_n and_o indeed_o as_o such_o the_o relator_n describe_v they_o according_a to_o who_o account_n of_o they_o many_o species_n of_o the_o brute_n creation_n discover_v more_o understanding_n and_o act_n if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v more_o rational_o but_o it_o can_v be_v fair_o argue_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o never_o have_v have_v any_o notion_n or_o belief_n of_o these_o thing_n or_o that_o their_o reason_n will_v not_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o hereafter_o 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that_o a_o doctrine_n have_v no_o better_a original_a than_o the_o superstition_n of_o a_o nurse_n or_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o old_a woman_n may_v be_v length_n of_o time_n grow_v up_o to_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o principle_n in_o religion_n or_o morality_n now_o shall_v a_o precarious_a and_o wicked_a opinion_n over-rule_v a_o man_n in_o one_o or_o two_o particular_a case_n and_o carry_v he_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o morality_n will_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o that_o a_o man_n do_v believe_v those_o rule_n of_o no_o natural_a force_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o indifferent_a thing_n whether_o he_o observe_v they_o or_o not_o ought_v i_o to_o conclude_v that_o because_o i_o have_v read_v of_o a_o king_n that_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n to_o moloch_n that_o therefore_o he_o believe_v it_o as_o good_a and_o reasonable_a a_o thing_n to_o burn_v his_o child_n alive_a as_o to_o preserve_v take_v care_n of_o they_o and_o give_v they_o a_o good_a education_n certain_o it_o will_v be_v a_o fair_a and_o more_o reasonable_a inference_n to_o conclude_v that_o his_o reason_n and_o natural_a affection_n be_v overpower_a by_o his_o idolatrous_a and_o superstitious_a opinion_n and_o that_o the_o reason_n why_o he_o do_v such_o a_o wicked_a and_o unnatural_a action_n be_v because_o he_o expect_v some_o very_a great_a benefit_n for_o it_o from_o the_o idol_n or_o that_o he_o will_v inflict_v some_o very_a great_a judgement_n upon_o he_o if_o he_o do_v not_o do_v it_o and_o so_o in_o the_o case_n abovementioned_a one_o may_v well_o enough_o believe_v that_o those_o barbarous_a and_o inhuman_a wretch_n that_o starve_v their_o parent_n and_o eat_v their_o child_n do_v not_o nor_o can_v not_o believe_v it_o be_v as_o good_a and_o reasonable_a so_o to_o do_v as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o preserve_v they_o