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therefore_o that_o they_o may_v set_v up_o for_o wit_n and_o be_v account_v man_n of_o a_o deep_a reach_n and_o insight_n into_o thing_n than_o other_o they_o strike_v out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n and_o go_v a_o new_a untrodden_a way_n by_o themselves_o this_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n though_o confirm_v by_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n to_o be_v only_o the_o effect_n of_o weakness_n and_o want_n of_o judgement_n that_o they_o who_o entertain_v it_o be_v mere_o carry_v away_o with_o the_o stream_n and_o like_o easy_a credulous_a person_n take_v up_o thing_n upon_o trust_n from_o the_o uncertain_a hear-say_n and_o report_n of_o other_o no_o wise_a than_o themselves_o whereas_o they_o like_o man_n of_o judgement_n believe_v and_o act_v by_o another_o rule_n and_o where_o their_o own_o reason_n can_v convince_v they_o of_o a_o truth_n there_o no_o authority_n of_o other_o shall_v sway_v they_o to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o thus_o 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mean_v they_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o assistance_n of_o other_o man_n understanding_n and_o lean_v whole_o upon_o their_o own_o be_v thereby_o often_o betray_v into_o great_a error_n and_o miscarriage_n it_o be_v true_a we_o be_v forbid_v to_o follow_v a_o multitude_n in_o do_v evil_a but_o not_o in_o receive_v truth_n which_o be_v the_o great_a good_a we_o can_v do_v to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o and_o though_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o try_v all_o thing_n yet_o we_o be_v require_v to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o not_o to_o start_v aside_o from_o the_o belief_n of_o that_o which_o have_v past_o the_o trial_n and_o approbation_n of_o all_o time_n and_o age_n there_o be_v as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v a_o reverence_n due_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o which_o have_v be_v receive_v by_o all_o or_o most_o man_n have_v be_v ever_o think_v most_o worthy_a of_o acceptation_n yea_o the_o law_n of_o modesty_n require_v we_o 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a_o word_n the_o atheist_n can_v believe_v against_o all_o the_o sense_n and_o reason_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o think_v all_o the_o world_n beside_o himself_o to_o consist_v only_o of_o fool_n and_o knave_n a_o bold_a britain_n and_o yet_o those_o and_o many_o other_o be_v the_o goodly_a article_n of_o the_o atheist_n creed_n which_o he_o that_o can_v swallow_v must_v be_v a_o man_n of_o strong_a faith_n or_o vast_a credulity_n and_o must_v believe_v with_o his_o will_n not_o with_o his_o understanding_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n v._n sir_n another_o device_n of_o the_o atheist_n be_v to_o resolve_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n into_o the_o principle_n and_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n this_o device_n be_v near_o akin_a to_o and_o ground_v upon_o the_o former_a and_o pretend_v to_o give_v some_o account_n of_o the_o spring_n and_o rise_v of_o this_o credulity_n which_o he_o take_v to_o be_v from_o the_o first_o impression_n of_o education_n this_o be_v the_o 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that_o we_o may_v know_v he_o how_o come_v he_o to_o entertain_v it_o himself_o who_o teach_v it_o he_o and_o how_o come_v he_o so_o ready_o to_o believe_v and_o propagate_v it_o to_o posterity_n why_o of_o all_o this_o the_o atheist_n can_v give_v no_o manner_n of_o account_n unless_o he_o will_v fly_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o say_v that_o adam_n the_o first_o man_n have_v it_o from_o god_n and_o teach_v it_o to_o his_o child_n and_o so_o convey_v it_o down_o to_o all_o generation_n but_o this_o will_v be_v to_o yield_v up_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o acknowledge_v a_o first_o be_v and_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o yet_o he_o be_v very_o unwilling_a to_o grant_v beside_o that_o this_o be_v a_o precarious_a and_o groundless_a hypothesis_n may_v plain_o appear_v from_o this_o that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v know_v to_o be_v of_o different_a temper_n and_o to_o have_v have_v various_a and_o different_a way_n and_o method_n of_o education_n by_o which_o mean_n 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inclination_n that_o be_v find_v in_o all_o man_n to_o worship_v a_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v this_o to_o go_v before_o and_o not_o to_o be_v plant_v in_o they_o by_o education_n if_o we_o survey_v the_o world_n we_o may_v observe_v a_o natural_a proneness_n and_o propensity_n to_o religion_n even_o in_o the_o most_o barbarous_a and_o uncultivated_a part_n of_o it_o all_o of_o they_o every_o where_o conspire_v together_o to_o worship_v something_o or_o other_o as_o a_o god_n now_o this_o can_v possible_o be_v owe_v only_o to_o education_n which_o may_v indeed_o direct_v but_o can_v infuse_v these_o inclination_n he_o that_o create_v the_o soul_n can_v alone_o put_v that_o bias_n into_o it_o that_o draw_v so_o strong_a to_o the_o adoration_n of_o he_o for_o the_o best_a nurture_n can_v no_o more_o put_v such_o new_a inclination_n than_o it_o can_v put_v a_o new_a nature_n into_o we_o so_o that_o this_o universal_a inclination_n to_o religious_a worship_n must_v proceed_v from_o 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the_o thing_n appear_v in_o itself_o unpracticable_a for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o the_o wise_a politician_n to_o rivet_v such_o a_o notion_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o man_n that_o shall_v never_o get_v out_o where_o be_v the_o person_n that_o ever_o do_v such_o a_o feat_n and_o if_o no_o such_o one_o be_v any_o where_o to_o be_v find_v we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v the_o deep_a and_o last_a impression_n of_o a_o deity_n upon_o man_n mind_n to_o proceed_v not_o from_o the_o art_n of_o man_n but_o from_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n beside_o this_o be_v a_o improbable_a way_n of_o compass_v the_o design_n for_o the_o subtle_a politician_n be_v wont_a to_o work_v upon_o the_o inclination_n they_o find_v plant_v in_o man_n nature_n but_o do_v not_o hope_v to_o put_v new_a one_o into_o they_o they_o be_v wise_a enough_o to_o know_v that_o man_n be_v more_o easy_o lead_v than_o drive_v and_o therefore_o choose_v rather_o to_o make_v use_n of_o those_o principle_n they_o find_v 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be_v not_o wont_a to_o be_v affright_v with_o bugbears_a of_o their_o own_o make_n or_o to_o tremble_v at_o that_o which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v a_o mere_a scarecrow_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o great_a and_o wise_a person_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v have_v know_v of_o no_o such_o cheat_n in_o religion_n for_o if_o they_o have_v no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o those_o fear_n and_o trouble_n of_o conscience_n which_o they_o in_o all_o age_n have_v about_o it_o beside_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o all_o the_o prince_n and_o potentate_n of_o the_o earth_n shall_v agree_v together_o to_o entertain_v a_o fiction_n and_o though_o they_o have_v such_o different_a design_n and_o interest_n shall_v yet_o conspire_v to_o devise_v and_o promote_v a_o notion_n that_o be_v void_a of_o all_o reason_n or_o truth_n or_o if_o they_o can_v how_o be_v it_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v all_o so_o ready_a to_o receive_v it_o they_o be_v not_o wont_a so_o easy_o to_o believe_v their_o governor_n upon_o their_o bare_a word_n or_o embrace_v a_o notion_n that_o have_v so_o plain_a a_o design_n upon_o their_o peace_n and_o welfare_n yea_o the_o more_o subtle_a and_o politic_a they_o take_v their_o governor_n to_o be_v the_o more_o they_o be_v apt_a to_o suspect_v they_o and_o to_o pry_v into_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o counsel_n and_o intention_n last_o if_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v only_o a_o politic_a contrivance_n to_o keep_v the_o world_n in_o awe_n or_o a_o device_n frame_v in_o some_o man_n head_n to_o cozen_v other_o into_o obedience_n to_o they_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o this_o be_v never_o discover_v in_o any_o age_n sure_o it_o will_v have_v be_v find_v out_o one_o time_n or_o other_o cheat_n do_v not_o always_o continue_v undiscovered_a truth_n common_o break_v out_o and_o time_n lay_v open_v the_o imposture_n if_o then_o this_o pretend_a secret_n be_v never_o know_v or_o discover_v by_o any_o but_o remain_v still_o as_o much_o a_o secret_a as_o ever_o we_o may_v very_o well_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v itself_o he_o juggle_v and_o fiction_n of_o some_o man_n brain_n or_o a_o device_n of_o the_o atheist_n to_o cozen_v and_o deceive_v himself_o i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n viii_o sir_n when_o the_o atheist_n be_v drive_v out_o of_o the_o refuge_n of_o state-policy_n and_o can_v neither_o tell_v the_o person_n by_o who_o or_o the_o time_n when_o this_o engine_n of_o state_n be_v invent_v he_o fly_v to_o another_o device_n which_o be_v to_o resolve_v the_o notion_n and_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n into_o common_a compact_n a_o account_n whereof_o be_v brief_o this_o that_o mankind_n for_o the_o better_a preservation_n of_o human_a society_n by_o common_a consent_n form_v this_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n which_o they_o general_o agree_v together_o to_o embrace_v and_o find_v the_o benefit_n and_o good_a influence_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o public_a welfare_n have_v by_o common_a compact_n preserve_v and_o keep_v it_o up_o ever_o since_o a_o notable_a account_n indeed_o which_o show_v that_o some_o man_n will_v believe_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o what_o they_o shall_v however_o this_o account_n far_o grant_v the_o usefulness_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o welfare_n of_o human_a society_n which_o be_v indeed_o so_o necessary_a to_o it_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a it_o shall_v long_o subsist_v or_o continue_v without_o it_o for_o religion_n be_v the_o bond_n or_o cement_n that_o hold_v all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o together_o and_o give_v all_o the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n to_o the_o law_n by_o which_o it_o be_v uphold_v all_o the_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n which_o alone_o can_v keep_v man_n to_o their_o duty_n result_n from_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n without_o which_o no_o tie_n of_o oath_n promise_n or_o engagement_n can_v hold_v man_n either_o to_o honesty_n or_o obedience_n so_o that_o the_o usefulness_n and_o necessity_n of_o this_o notion_n to_o the_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n shall_v methinks_v incline_v all_o man_n to_o entertain_v it_o to_o wish_v it_o true_a and_o to_o give_v all_o the_o strength_n that_o may_v be_v to_o the_o argument_n bring_v to_o confirm_v it_o for_o he_o that_o endeavour_v to_o evade_v this_o truth_n be_v a_o enemy_n not_o only_o to_o himself_o but_o to_o the_o happiness_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o human_a society_n and_o do_v what_o in_o he_o lie_v to_o destroy_v the_o peace_n and_o welfare_n of_o mankind_n but_o when_o and_o where_o be_v this_o general_a meeting_n of_o mankind_n in_o which_o they_o form_v this_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o enter_v into_o this_o solemn_a compact_n to_o believe_v and_o propagate_v it_o who_o summon_v or_o call_v they_o together_o from_o all_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o world_n or_o do_v they_o happen_v lucky_o to_o come_v and_o meet_v together_o by_o chance_n sure_o some_o history_n or_o other_o of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v record_v this_o grand_a assembly_n of_o mankind_n for_o this_o purpose_n which_o if_o it_o ever_o be_v be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o memorable_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v ever_o act_v in_o it_o but_o since_o no_o account_n have_v be_v ever_o give_v of_o such_o a_o meeting_n we_o may_v conclude_v it_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a figment_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o no_o where_n but_o in_o a_o atheistical_a brain_n but_o if_o the_o atheist_n can_v get_v over_o this_o difficulty_n which_o be_v indeed_o insuperable_a there_o be_v many_o other_o in_o this_o unaccountable_a compact_n in_o which_o he_o must_v be_v unavoidable_o entangle_v for_o how_o come_v all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o all_o place_n and_o country_n so_o unanimous_o to_o jump_v and_o agree_v together_o in_o this_o notion_n when_o
better_a than_o their_o action_n and_o in_o such_o case_n the_o wise_a course_n be_v to_o do_v as_o they_o say_v and_o not_o as_o they_o do_v this_o direction_n we_o find_v give_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o pharisee_n who_o sit_v in_o moses_n chair_n and_o speak_v many_o good_a thing_n from_o it_o though_o their_o do_n run_v counter_a to_o their_o doctrine_n what_o therefore_o they_o say_v we_o be_v bid_v to_o do_v but_o not_o to_o do_v after_o their_o work_n for_o they_o say_v and_o do_v not_o certain_o it_o be_v a_o much_o better_a course_n to_o learn_v from_o other_o bad_a life_n to_o amend_v our_o own_o than_o to_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o grow_v worse_o and_o to_o cast_v off_o all_o fear_n of_o god_n from_o before_o our_o eye_n beside_o have_v not_o some_o man_n bad_a design_n to_o carry_v on_o and_o do_v they_o stick_v at_o any_o way_n or_o mean_n to_o promote_v they_o may_v not_o the_o best_a thing_n be_v abuse_v to_o evil_a purpose_n and_o be_v nothing_o true_a or_o good_a because_o it_o may_v be_v make_v to_o serve_v bad_a end_n now_o though_o these_o false_a trick_n of_o hypocrite_n may_v be_v a_o good_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o believe_v every_o spirit_n or_o be_v carry_v away_o by_o vain_a pretence_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n no_o more_o than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o true_a diamond_n because_o there_o be_v so_o many_o counterfeit_n how_o then_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o so_o many_o be_v catch_v in_o this_o snare_n and_o mislead_v by_o such_o a_o apparent_a fallacy_n why_o this_o must_v proceed_v partly_o from_o some_o man_n averseness_n to_o religion_n heighten_v by_o a_o strong_a desire_n to_o follow_v the_o swinge_n of_o their_o corrupt_a inclination_n and_o to_o be_v free_v from_o any_o check_n or_o restraint_n it_o may_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o partly_o likewise_o from_o their_o too_o great_a proneness_n to_o atheism_n which_o make_v they_o lay_v hold_v on_o any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o mean_a that_o may_v give_v any_o countenance_n or_o encouragement_n to_o it_o in_o short_a then_o the_o atheist_n great_a aptness_n to_o draw_v such_o bad_a conclusion_n from_o life_n may_v be_v a_o good_a caution_n against_o all_o immorality_n and_o vice_n by_o which_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v blaspheme_v but_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v make_v a_o plea_n for_o atheism_n or_o give_v any_o just_a cause_n to_o discard_v religion_n as_o a_o imposture_n i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n letter_n xiii_o sir_n have_v in_o the_o forego_n letter_n show_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o atheist_n argument_n against_o a_o deity_n i_o proceed_v in_o this_o to_o another_o artifice_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o undermine_v the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o he_o and_o that_o be_v to_o scoff_n at_o and_o deride_v religion_n and_o if_o he_o can_v argue_v it_o to_o endeavour_v to_o laugh_v it_o out_o of_o the_o world_n this_o be_v do_v by_o those_o who_o will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v the_o know_a man_n and_o wit_n of_o the_o age_n who_o first_o try_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o when_o that_o fail_v fly_v to_o art_n to_o support_v their_o atheism_n and_o set_v their_o wit_n at_o work_n to_o rally_v and_o ridicule_n religion_n this_o be_v a_o degree_n of_o wickedness_n which_o man_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o arrive_v to_o present_o for_o the_o psalmist_n intimate_v that_o they_o must_v walk_v a_o while_n in_o the_o counsel_n of_o the_o ungodly_a and_o stand_v in_o the_o way_n of_o sinner_n before_o they_o can_v set_v down_o and_o settle_v in_o the_o chair_n of_o the_o scorner_n psal_n 1._o 1._o when_o they_o be_v seat_v there_o and_o accustom_a themselves_o to_o this_o vile_a practice_n they_o soon_o lose_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o so_o persuade_v themselves_o and_o other_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n because_o they_o have_v the_o impudence_n to_o scorn_v and_o despise_v he_o but_o do_v these_o man_n think_v by_o laughter_n to_o alter_v the_o nature_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a or_o that_o a_o god_n of_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n and_o justice_n will_v be_v thus_o play_v or_o droll_v out_o of_o his_o be_v can_v they_o hope_v to_o prevail_v by_o level_v their_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o most_o high_a set_v their_o mouth_n against_o the_o heaven_n and_o cause_v their_o tongue_n to_o walk_v through_o the_o earth_n no_o certain_o this_o be_v both_o a_o fruitless_a and_o frivolous_a attempt_n for_o he_o that_o sit_v in_o the_o heaven_n will_v laugh_v they_o to_o scorn_v the_o lord_n shall_v have_v they_o in_o derision_n what_o end_n then_o can_v these_o man_n propose_v in_o such_o a_o vile_a piece_n of_o wickedness_n why_o this_o be_v do_v first_o to_o gain_v to_o themselves_o the_o reputation_n of_o be_v wit_n which_o they_o endeavour_v to_o do_v by_o expose_v the_o most_o serious_a thing_n the_o life_n and_o picquancy_n of_o wit_n as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v lie_v in_o the_o surprizingness_n of_o its_o conceit_n and_o expression_n and_o consequent_o to_o ridicule_n thing_n sacred_a which_o ought_v in_o reason_n to_o be_v privilege_v from_o it_o be_v most_o apt_a to_o astonish_v and_o surprise_v the_o hearer_n and_o if_o any_o as_o light_n and_o vain_a person_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v be_v thereby_o move_v to_o laughter_n they_o be_v tickle_v with_o the_o conceit_n and_o thereby_o please_v and_o inure_v themselves_o to_o this_o impious_a practice_n this_o way_n the_o dull_a person_n if_o they_o will_v be_v profane_a enough_o may_v be_v easy_o dub_v wit_n by_o venture_v to_o say_v those_o rude_a thing_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n which_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v presume_v to_o utter_v and_o this_o prove_v a_o strong_a temptation_n to_o many_o who_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v think_v witty_a again_o two_o this_o be_v think_v by_o some_o a_o genteel_a and_o brave_a thing_n to_o go_v out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n and_o to_o cast_v off_o those_o fear_n which_o other_o be_v awe_v and_o terrify_v withal_o they_o reckon_v it_o a_o sort_n of_o gallantry_n of_o spirit_n to_o be_v above_o the_o fright_n that_o possess_v vulgar_a mind_n and_o to_o shake_v off_o those_o fetter_n of_o religion_n with_o which_o the_o generality_n suffer_v themselves_o tame_o to_o be_v bind_v and_o the_o better_a to_o break_v these_o chain_n they_o labour_v to_o break_v their_o jest_n upon_o they_o moreover_o three_o this_o be_v do_v to_o give_v the_o better_a countenance_n to_o their_o sinful_a practice_n and_o immorality_n for_o if_o they_o can_v expose_v virtue_n and_o make_v religion_n ridiculous_a they_o may_v act_v their_o vice_n with_o the_o great_a grace_n and_o follow_v the_o sway_n of_o their_o lust_n without_o shame_n or_o control_v beside_o they_o think_v it_o a_o good_a plea_n for_o their_o wickedness_n that_o they_o do_v not_o therein_o contradict_v any_o principle_n they_o profess_v they_o act_n suitable_o to_o what_o they_o pretend_v and_o therefore_o to_o put_v the_o better_a face_n upon_o their_o vice_n they_o laugh_v at_o those_o for_o fool_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o act_v as_o they_o do_v thus_o by_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o ridicule_n the_o most_o serious_a thing_n they_o bring_v on_o a_o contempt_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o droll_n themselves_o into_o atheism_n but_o be_v there_o any_o wisdom_n or_o safety_n in_o so_o do_v no_o quite_o otherwise_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o sottish_a or_o dangerous_a for_o all_o such_o mirth_n be_v no_o better_a than_o madness_n and_o this_o kind_n of_o laughter_n will_v short_o end_v in_o weep_v and_o wail_v and_o gnash_v of_o tooth_n we_o have_v hear_v of_o some_o that_o will_v rather_o lose_v their_o friend_n than_o their_o jest_n but_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o this_o droll_a humour_n shall_v carry_v any_o so_o far_o as_o to_o make_v they_o venture_v the_o loss_n of_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n the_o best_a friend_n and_o benefactor_n in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o idle_a profane_a jest_n which_o taint_v the_o air_n that_o give_v it_o breath_n and_o either_o grate_v upon_o or_o corrupt_v the_o ear_n of_o those_o that_o hear_v it_o but_o because_o this_o be_v become_v a_o too_o frequent_a and_o fashionable_a practice_n and_o have_v betray_v many_o into_o atheism_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o lay_v open_a the_o folly_n and_o danger_n of_o it_o and_o first_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o the_o unpardonable_a rudeness_n and_o indecence_n of_o this_o practice_n be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v it_o high_o unbecoming_a any_o person_n of_o sense_n or_o breed_n for_o since_o mankind_n general_o profess_v a_o high_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n it_o must_v be_v a_o
extreme_a folly_n and_o danger_n of_o atheism_n the_o frequent_a and_o serious_a consideration_n whereof_o may_v help_v to_o fortify_v our_o mind_n against_o it_o and_o incline_v we_o to_o hate_v and_o abhor_v so_o vile_a a_o enormity_n now_o the_o atheist_n folly_n be_v see_v in_o the_o badness_n of_o his_o argue_v and_o his_o danger_n in_o the_o badness_n of_o his_o act_n of_o the_o former_a many_o instance_n have_v be_v give_v already_o to_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v one_o more_o to_o wit_n that_o the_o atheist_n in_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v no_o god_n attempt_v to_o prove_v a_o pure_a negative_a which_o all_o wise_a man_n know_v to_o be_v not_o only_o absurd_a but_o impossible_a unless_o where_o the_o be_v of_o a_o thing_n imply_v a_o contradiction_n there_o indeed_o a_o negative_a may_v be_v prove_v for_o it_o be_v good_a reason_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v not_o because_o it_o can_v be_v but_o where_o the_o be_v of_o a_o thing_n be_v not_o impossible_a as_o none_o ever_o yet_o pretend_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n to_o be_v there_o unless_o our_o mind_n can_v grasp_v the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o possibility_n and_o comprehend_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v or_o may_v be_v such_o reason_v must_v be_v absurd_a and_o inconsequent_a for_o more_o thing_n have_v a_o existence_n in_o nature_n than_o in_o our_o understanding_n and_o many_o thing_n be_v and_o may_v be_v which_o we_o know_v not_o of_o again_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n imply_v a_o be_v that_o have_v all_o possible_a perfection_n to_o deny_v such_o a_o be_v be_v as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v to_o assert_v a_o possibility_n impossible_a which_o be_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n moreover_o to_o deny_v that_o god_n be_v be_v in_o effect_n to_o affirm_v it_o impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v for_o eternity_n be_v a_o essential_a and_o inseparable_a perfection_n of_o a_o deity_n he_o must_v have_v be_v for_o ever_o or_o else_o he_o can_v be_v at_o all_o so_o that_o if_o he_o be_v not_o now_o he_o can_v begin_v to_o be_v it_o be_v absurd_a to_o affirm_v of_o a_o be_v that_o have_v no_o beginning_n that_o it_o may_v begin_v to_o be_v which_o be_v another_o of_o the_o atheist_n contradiction_n and_o show_v he_o guilty_a of_o bad_a reason_v with_o a_o witness_n neither_o be_v the_o folly_n of_o his_o argue_v more_o apparent_a than_o the_o danger_n of_o his_o act_n for_o he_o throw_v himself_o upon_o the_o great_a of_o all_o hazard_n upon_o the_o great_a of_o all_o uncertainty_n which_o be_v a_o matter_n never_o enough_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o lament_v all_o that_o the_o atheist_n build_v upon_o be_v that_o it_o be_v somewhat_o a_o doubtful_a case_n whether_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o no_o and_o that_o man_n may_v do_v well_o enough_o without_o the_o belief_n or_o fear_n of_o he_o but_o who_o but_o a_o madman_n will_v run_v such_o a_o hazard_n and_o stake_v down_o his_o immortal_a soul_n on_o such_o a_o peradventure_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n a_o thing_n may_v as_o well_o be_v as_o not_o be_v and_o therefore_o matter_n be_v to_o be_v well_o weigh_v on_o both_o side_n especial_o if_o they_o be_v of_o consequence_n and_o unalterable_a in_o which_o case_n our_o duty_n and_o wisdom_n be_v to_o incline_v to_o that_o side_n that_o have_v the_o best_a evidence_n and_o the_o least_o hazard_n now_o for_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n there_o be_v many_o weighty_a and_o press_a argument_n and_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v if_o he_o be_v against_o it_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n pretend_v nor_o be_v it_o indeed_o capable_a of_o any_o and_o which_o way_n now_o ought_v a_o prudent_a man_n to_o determine_v his_o assent_n if_o there_o be_v great_a convenience_n and_o no_o danger_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o convenience_n but_o vast_a hazard_n on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o see_v on_o what_o side_n all_o wise_a man_n ought_v to_o incline_v if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v as_o a_o god_n it_o be_v much_o for_o the_o convenience_n of_o mankind_n to_o believe_v and_o act_v as_o if_o there_o be_v for_o hereby_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o order_n of_o the_o world_n together_o with_o every_o man_n be_v private_a benefit_n and_o comfort_n be_v best_a preserve_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o such_o a_o belief_n but_o the_o cast_n off_o a_o few_o sensual_a lust_n which_o serve_v only_o to_o make_v the_o present_a life_n troublesome_a and_o uneasy_a and_o after_o this_o life_n suppose_v there_o be_v no_o other_o the_o good_a man_n will_v fare_v as_o well_o as_o any_o but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o the_o convenience_n of_o religion_n will_v infinite_o preponderate_v for_o they_o that_o believe_v and_o serve_v he_o will_v be_v eternal_o happy_a and_o they_o that_o disbelieve_v or_o neglect_v he_o shall_v be_v eternal_o and_o irrecorable_o miserable_a to_o conclude_v all_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a so_o weighty_a and_o so_o receive_v a_o truth_n be_v a_o principle_n of_o naturâ—â—â—â—ght_n and_o the_o result_n of_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n let_v we_o make_v he_o the_o daily_a object_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o praise_n that_o as_o we_o receive_v life_n and_o breath_n and_o all_o thing_n from_o he_o so_o we_o may_v ascribe_v all_o to_o he_o and_o thankful_o return_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o all_o his_o mercy_n let_v we_o love_n honour_n and_o obey_v he_o in_o and_o above_o all_o thing_n who_o infinite_a and_o adorable_a perfection_n just_o challenge_v these_o thing_n from_o we_o let_v we_o live_v always_o in_o his_o fear_n and_o beware_v of_o offend_v he_o either_o in_o thought_n word_n or_o deed._n let_v we_o make_v he_o the_o sole_a object_n of_o our_o trust_n and_o affiance_n repose_v all_o our_o confidence_n in_o he_o and_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o he_o in_o well-doing_n in_o a_o word_n let_v we_o in_o all_o respect_n demean_v ourselves_o towards_o he_o as_o become_v creature_n to_o their_o creator_n pay_v he_o the_o constant_a tribute_n of_o religious_a worship_n that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o and_o serve_v he_o true_o all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n so_o shall_v we_o begin_v our_o happiness_n here_o by_o these_o imperfect_a praise_n which_o will_v be_v complete_v hereafter_o in_o the_o eternal_a fruition_n and_o adoration_n of_o he_o which_o be_v the_o hearty_a wish_n and_o prayer_n of_o sir_n your_o faithful_a friend_n and_o servant_n a._n b._n finis_fw-la