reason_n and_o wit_n to_o argue_v against_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o seek_v to_o dispute_v he_o out_o of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o end_n they_o labour_v as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v to_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o all_o those_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o make_v the_o best_a shift_n they_o can_v either_o to_o answer_v or_o evade_v they_o again_o they_o magnify_v the_o strength_n of_o those_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o such_o a_o be_v and_o though_o to_o prove_v a_o negative_a in_o this_o as_o in_o many_o other_o case_n be_v both_o irrational_a and_o impossible_a yet_o to_o show_v their_o goodwill_n to_o their_o maker_n the_o slend're_v cavil_n or_o probability_n of_o this_o nature_n shall_v have_v a_o mighty_a force_n with_o they_o and_o the_o slight_a sophistry_n be_v advance_v into_o demonstration_n but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v they_o endeavour_v 2._o to_o banish_v all_o thought_n of_o god_n out_o of_o 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against_o a_o certain_a danger_n for_o fear_v of_o be_v frighten_v by_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o madness_n indeed_o can_v we_o put_v out_o the_o sun_n by_o wink_v or_o avoid_v the_o danger_n of_o divine_a vengeance_n by_o shake_v off_o the_o dread_n of_o it_o there_o may_v be_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n for_o our_o unbelief_n but_o since_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n depend_v not_o upon_o our_o belief_n or_o disbelief_n of_o they_o and_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n imply_v a_o necessity_n of_o existence_n it_o must_v be_v monstrous_o senseless_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o cast_v off_o the_o awe_n and_o dread_n of_o he_o again_o to_o regulate_v our_o faith_n by_o interest_n and_o affection_n be_v to_o walk_v by_o a_o false_a and_o crooked_a rule_n for_o these_o be_v frequent_o corrupt_v clap_v a_o wrong_a bias_n upon_o the_o mind_n which_o too_o often_o turn_v it_o from_o the_o truth_n and_o turn_v it_o unto_o fable_n and_o consequent_o to_o steer_v our_o course_n by_o these_o measure_n be_v to_o follow_v a_o false_a guide_n which_o must_v lead_v we_o out_o of_o our_o way_n indeed_o will_v man_n right_o understand_v and_o follow_v their_o true_a interest_n it_o will_v then_o lead_v they_o aright_o into_o the_o path_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v no_o comfort_n or_o security_n at_o all_o to_o be_v have_v without_o it_o but_o when_o they_o weak_o mistake_v their_o interest_n and_o vain_o wish_v there_o be_v no_o superior_a be_v to_o obstruct_v it_o they_o do_v but_o court_v misery_n and_o fond_o choose_v their_o own_o destruction_n in_o short_a the_o vast_a risk_a that_o these_o man_n run_v plain_o show_v it_o to_o be_v extreme_o unsafe_a and_o dangerous_a for_o if_o the_o atheist_n find_v at_o last_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o he_o have_v all_o his_o life-time_n deny_v and_o despise_v what_o unspeakable_a horror_n must_v seize_v his_o guilty_a soul_n which_o must_v groan_v for_o ever_o under_o the_o wrath_n of_o such_o a_o almighty_a be_v and_o be_v eternal_o miserable_a without_o ease_n or_o remedy_n the_o goodman_n run_v no_o risk_a at_o all_o for_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o be_v have_v make_v he_o more_o healthful_a and_o easy_a to_o himself_o more_o useful_a and_o serviceable_a to_o other_o and_o more_o honour_a and_o respect_v of_o all_o man_n for_o both_o and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o last_o he_o can_v find_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o this_o belief_n but_o if_o there_o be_v one_o he_o have_v infinite_o the_o better_a on_o it_o be_v sure_a to_o be_v eternal_o happy_a in_o his_o favour_n and_o presence_n so_o that_o if_o this_o be_v but_o a_o doubtful_a case_n common_a prudence_n teach_v man_n to_o choose_v the_o safe_a side_n to_o which_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v our_o wisdom_n to_o incline_v i_o be_o sir_n your_o hearty_a friend_n a._n b._n october_n 16._o 1698._o letter_n ii_o sir_n i_o find_v you_o sensible_a in_o your_o last_o of_o the_o great_a evil_n and_o danger_n of_o that_o artifice_n which_o have_v draw_v so_o many_o into_o atheism_n viz._n the_o cast_v off_o the_o awe_n and_o sense_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o they_o may_v go_v on_o the_o more_o secure_o in_o their_o sin_n i_o proceed_v in_o this_o to_o another_o device_n make_v use_v of_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o that_o be_v some_o man_n endeavour_v to_o solve_v the_o phaenomena_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o the_o world_n without_o a_o supreme_a be_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o one_o of_o the_o principal_a argument_n and_o demonstration_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v take_v from_o the_o work_v both_o of_o creation_n and_o providence_n the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o see_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a as_o the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v the_o man_n of_o lystra_n that_o god_n have_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o witness_n in_o that_o he_o do_v good_a and_o give_v rain_n from_o heaven_n and_o fruitful_a season_n fill_v our_o heart_n with_o food_n and_o gladness_n indeed_o the_o admirable_a frame_n and_o order_n of_o the_o world_n together_o with_o the_o wonderful_a provision_n make_v for_o all_o the_o creature_n in_o it_o plain_o bespeak_v a_o almighty_a agent_n to_o be_v both_o the_o contriver_n and_o preserver_n of_o it_o yea_o there_o be_v those_o visible_a mark_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n stamp_v upon_o every_o creature_n that_o manifest_o show_v the_o finger_n of_o a_o god_n and_o direct_v our_o mind_n to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o contemplation_n of_o he_o now_o to_o evade_v this_o clear_a and_o palpable_a proof_n of_o his_o be_v the_o atheist_n rack_v his_o brain_n to_o find_v out_o a_o way_n of_o account_v for_o these_o thing_n without_o a_o first_o cause_n or_o orderer_n of_o they_o and_o of_o these_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n viz._n the_o first_o of_o those_o that_o assert_v the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n the_o other_o of_o such_o as_o make_v it_o the_o product_n of_o chance_n and_o fortune_n the_o former_a be_v the_o follower_n of_o aristotle_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o epicurus_n both_o which_o show_v their_o great_a unwillingness_n to_o believe_v a_o deity_n and_o how_o desirous_a they_o be_v to_o live_v without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n but_o let_v we_o examine_v the_o account_n they_o give_v we_o of_o these_o matter_n to_o which_o end_n let_v we_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o sort_n one_a who_o to_o set_v aside_o a_o first_o cause_n affirm_v the_o world_n to_o have_v have_v no_o beginning_n but_o to_o have_v be_v from_o eternity_n as_o it_o now_o be_v there_o have_v be_v a_o eternal_a succession_n of_o man_n and_o all_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 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yea_o have_v maintain_v false_a problem_n even_o in_o the_o mathematics_n themselves_o and_o will_v any_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v all_o lie_v and_o falsity_n this_o principle_n will_v destroy_v all_o knowledge_n and_o lead_v man_n to_o deny_v and_o disbelieve_v every_o thing_n there_o have_v be_v no_o doubt_n heretic_n and_o schismatic_n in_o all_o age_n who_o have_v espouse_v many_o error_n and_o mistake_a opinion_n about_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o will_v any_o infer_v from_o thence_o that_o all_o religion_n be_v imposture_n certain_o this_o be_v very_o bad_a argue_v and_o will_v lead_v man_n to_o the_o height_n of_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n again_o what_o though_o man_n differ_v about_o some_o thing_n will_v it_o follow_v thence_o that_o they_o agree_v in_o nothing_o and_o if_o as_o one_o have_v well_o observe_v their_o disagreement_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o some_o thing_n why_o be_v not_o their_o agreement_n as_o good_a 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their_o own_o accord_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v far_o more_o easy_a to_o be_v imagine_v than_o for_o so_o stately_a and_o beautiful_a a_o structure_n as_o this_o of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v raise_v without_o a_o artificer_n or_o the_o great_a volume_n of_o the_o universe_n to_o be_v compile_v without_o a_o author_n but_o what_o foundation_n have_v this_o vain_a and_o incredible_a hypothesis_n why_o none_o but_o the_o bold_a confidence_n of_o epecurus_n and_o his_o follower_n ground_v upon_o a_o desire_n of_o let_v loose_a the_o reins_o to_o his_o appetite_n and_o enjoy_v sensual_a pleasure_n without_o control_n indeed_o there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a evidence_n of_o the_o world_n be_v be_v thus_o make_v by_o chance_n for_o these_o atom_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v be_v altogether_o invisible_a and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v move_v only_o in_o the_o empty_a space_n of_o a_o fpicurean_a brain_n yea_o there_o be_v all_o imaginable_a evidence_n to_o the_o contrary_a for_o there_o be_v those_o apparent_a mark_n of_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n in_o the_o frame_n of_o the_o world_n that_o render_v it_o altogether_o impossible_a to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o chance_n for_o since_o none_o can_v ever_o speak_v of_o a_o structure_n where_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o come_v together_o of_o themselves_o and_o we_o never_o read_v of_o any_o thing_n great_a and_o noble_a that_o be_v ever_o effect_v or_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o way_n how_o senseless_a be_v it_o to_o conceive_v that_o this_o glorious_a and_o regular_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n which_o afford_v as_o many_o wonder_n as_o part_n shall_v be_v the_o work_n of_o any_o other_o than_o a_o divine_a hand_n so_o that_o the_o folly_n of_o this_o device_n of_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o be_v and_o continuance_n of_o the_o world_n without_o a_o deity_n be_v very_o apparent_a for_o it_o contradict_v the_o reason_n and_o sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n and_o oppose_v a_o truth_n that_o have_v swim_v down_o the_o current_n of_o time_n without_o interruption_n neither_o be_v the_o evil_a and_o danger_n less_o visible_a than_o the_o folly_n of_o it_o for_o this_o be_v the_o high_a affront_n and_o indignity_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o our_o maker_n to_o rob_v he_o of_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o work_n and_o to_o deny_v he_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v accrue_v from_o they_o there_o be_v certain_o a_o tribute_n of_o honour_n and_o acknowledgement_n due_a to_o the_o sovereign_a lord_n and_o maker_n of_o the_o universe_n which_o be_v to_o be_v pay_v by_o all_o his_o creature_n but_o especial_o by_o man_n who_o be_v make_v the_o visible_a lord_n and_o viceroy_n of_o this_o low_a world_n now_o to_o call_v in_o question_n his_o make_n or_o right_n of_o govern_v the_o world_n be_v to_o deny_v he_o this_o homage_n and_o consequent_o to_o prove_v rebellious_a to_o our_o supreme_a lord_n and_o master_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o extreme_a and_o inconceivable_a danger_n 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and_o satisfaction_n than_o any_o sensual_a delight_n ever_o do_v or_o can_v do_v and_o if_o this_o pure_a delight_n flow_v at_o last_o into_o fullness_n of_o joy_n and_o run_v into_o those_o river_n of_o pleasure_n that_o be_v at_o god_n right_a hand_n for_o evermore_o there_o be_v infinite_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v abridge_v ourselves_o in_o these_o sensual_a enjoyment_n for_o the_o fruition_n of_o a_o far_o more_o glorious_a and_o durable_a felicity_n but_o still_o the_o uncertainty_n and_o want_n of_o evidence_n for_o these_o thing_n stick_v with_o the_o atheist_n and_o make_v the_o part_n with_o the_o one_o for_o the_o other_o a_o foolish_a bargain_n for_o we_o never_o see_v say_v he_o nor_o experience_v these_o thing_n ourselves_o nor_o ever_o speak_v with_o any_o one_o that_o do_v but_o what_o kind_n of_o evidence_n be_v it_o that_o he_o will_v have_v of_o these_o thing_n i_o hope_v he_o do_v not_o expect_v more_o than_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n will_v bear_v for_o that_o will_v be_v unreasonable_a and_o show_v he_o to_o be_v both_o unwilling_a and_o uncapable_a of_o conviction_n now_o god_n be_v a_o spiritual_a and_o consequent_o a_o invisible_a substance_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n for_o no_o man_n have_v see_v god_n at_o any_o time_n neither_o can_v a_o future_a state_n which_o commence_v not_o till_o after_o this_o life_n be_v at_o present_a visible_a or_o fall_v under_o the_o trial_n or_o experience_n of_o any_o of_o our_o sense_n so_o that_o this_o kind_n of_o proof_n can_v in_o reason_n be_v require_v in_o this_o case_n neither_o can_v the_o atheist_n exact_v it_o without_o wound_v his_o own_o cause_n for_o neither_o can_v epicurus_n atom_n nor_o aristotle_n eternity_n of_o the_o world_n be_v prove_v this_o way_n what_o assurance_n then_o have_v we_o of_o these_o truth_n why_o we_o have_v the_o proper_a that_o be_v a_o moral_a assurance_n ground_v upon_o the_o evident_a and_o necessary_a deduction_n of_o reason_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o beget_v a_o confident_a persuasion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o to_o remove_v all_o doubt_n and_o distrust_n to_o the_o contrary_n in_o short_a we_o have_v as_o great_a a_o assurance_n of_o these_o thing_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v true_a which_o be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v any_o reasonable_a man_n in_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o let_v we_o suppose_v then_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o be_v a_o be_v of_o all_o possible_a perfection_n how_o may_v we_o come_v to_o know_v or_o be_v assure_v of_o it_o why_o not_o by_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n for_o be_v a_o spirit_n he_o can_v fall_v under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o any_o of_o our_o sense_n the_o only_a proof_n we_o can_v have_v of_o he_o must_v be_v either_o from_o some_o secret_a impression_n of_o he_o upon_o our_o mind_n or_o from_o some_o visible_a effect_n and_o operation_n that_o can_v only_o be_v ascribe_v to_o such_o a_o be_v and_o both_o these_o we_o have_v in_o this_o case_n again_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o future_a state_n for_o the_o reward_v of_o good_a and_o punish_v of_o bad_a man_n what_o proof_n can_v we_o have_v of_o it_o why_o none_o from_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n for_o thing_n future_a and_o at_o a_o distance_n be_v incapable_a of_o that_o kind_n of_o proof_n all_o the_o assurance_n we_o can_v have_v of_o it_o be_v from_o the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o first_o cause_n and_o maker_n of_o all_o thing_n who_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n have_v declare_v it_o and_o who_o mercy_n and_o justice_n necessary_o require_v it_o for_o since_o the_o observation_n and_o violation_n of_o his_o law_n be_v not_o usual_o reward_v or_o punish_v in_o this_o life_n there_o must_v be_v another_o state_n where_o the_o honour_n of_o those_o divine_a perfection_n will_v be_v more_o open_o and_o thorough_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v not_o want_n of_o light_n but_o man_n shut_v their_o eye_n against_o it_o that_o miss-lead's_a they_o in_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v a_o false_a heart_n that_o suggest_v these_o doubt_n and_o a_o corrupt_a will_n that_o pretend_v lack_v of_o sufficient_a assurance_n for_o man_n daily_a act_n upon_o far_o less_o evidence_n in_o all_o other_o matter_n and_o venture_v their_o life_n and_o fortune_n upon_o thing_n that_o have_v no_o high_a than_o this_o moral_a certainty_n what_o wise_a man_n ever_o doubt_n whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o the_o indies_n spain_n or_o turkey_n though_o perhaps_o he_o never_o see_v either_o do_v not_o many_o transfer_v their_o estate_n by_o way_n of_o traffic_n into_o foreign_a country_n of_o which_o they_o have_v no_o other_o knowledge_n than_o from_o the_o testimony_n and_o relation_n of_o other_o and_o he_o that_o shall_v refuse_v to_o believe_v or_o act_v upon_o this_o kind_n of_o certainty_n will_v be_v reckon_v no_o better_a than_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o madman_n and_o if_o this_o sort_n of_o assurance_n be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v our_o discretion_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o our_o body_n why_o shall_v we_o distrust_v it_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o soul_n especial_o since_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a in_o our_o present_a state_n to_o have_v any_o high_a but_o though_o this_o evidence_n say_v the_o atheist_n be_v sufficient_a in_o temporal_a matter_n yet_o a_o great_a certainty_n be_v requisite_a in_o divine_a thing_n and_o the_o weighty_a affair_n of_o eternity_n now_o though_o this_o be_v not_o want_v to_o all_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o receive_v it_o yet_o what_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o that_o assurance_n which_o guide_v man_n in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o a_o lesser_a good_a shall_v not_o influence_n they_o much_o more_o to_o obtain_v a_o great_a and_o that_o evidence_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prompt_v they_o to_o avoid_v temporal_a evil_n shall_v not_o more_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o escape_v those_o that_o be_v eternal_a in_o a_o word_n the_o vast_a odds_o that_o be_v on_o the_o side_n of_o religion_n show_v it_o to_o be_v far_o from_o a_o foolish_a bargain_n for_o if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n or_o a_o world_n to_o come_v the_o good_a man_n can_v be_v no_o loser_n for_o he_o only_a part_n with_o his_o lust_n which_o be_v the_o shame_n and_o scandal_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o instead_o of_o follow_v they_o be_v direct_v to_o do_v what_o be_v most_o for_o his_o health_n interest_n reputation_n and_o every_o way_n most_o conduce_v to_o the_o peace_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o present_a life_n but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o future_a state_n as_o it_o be_v more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o there_o be_v he_o will_v be_v vast_o a_o gainer_n for_o beside_o the_o present_a quiet_a and_o satisfaction_n he_o enjoy_v here_o he_o be_v secure_v of_o everlasting_a peace_n and_o tranquillity_n hereafter_o and_o for_o the_o poor_a perish_a trifle_n of_o time_n which_o he_o now_o part_n with_o shall_v be_v reward_v with_o the_o ineffable_a joy_n and_o glory_n of_o eternity_n and_o sure_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v charge_v this_o with_o folly_n for_o if_o he_o who_o have_v exchange_v pebble_n for_o pearl_n be_v by_o all_o thought_n to_o have_v make_v a_o wise_a bargain_n he_o that_o part_v with_o the_o light_n momentany_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n for_o a_o eternal_a crown_n of_o glory_n in_o a_o better_a will_v in_o the_o end_n be_v find_v to_o have_v make_v a_o much_o wise_a i_o be_o sir_n you_o a._n b._n lettter_fw-ge xv._o sir_n i_o have_v in_o the_o forego_n letter_n according_a to_o promise_v set_v forth_o some_o of_o the_o principal_a art_n and_o device_n that_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o support_v and_o countenance_n atheism_n and_o likewise_o according_a to_o your_o desire_n lay_v open_v the_o evil_a and_o danger_n of_o they_o but_o because_o the_o request_n of_o your_o letter_n extend_v not_o only_o to_o the_o cause_n but_o the_o cure_n of_o atheism_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a for_o a_o close_a to_o subjoin_v some_o few_o direction_n to_o that_o end_n and_o here_o what_o have_v be_v say_v touch_v the_o rise_n of_o this_o evil_a may_v help_v we_o to_o find_v out_o the_o remedy_n of_o it_o for_o as_o to_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o distemper_n be_v a_o fair_a step_n towards_o the_o cure_n so_o to_o discover_v the_o device_n of_o atheism_n be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n and_o to_o be_v preserve_v from_o the_o contagion_n of_o it_o but_o because_o the_o rise_v of_o this_o evil_n be_v more_o from_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n than_o from_o the_o mind_n or_o understanding_n we_o be_v to_o apply_v ourselves_o rather_o to_o rectify_v the_o former_a than_o to_o inform_v the_o latter_a for_o man_n be_v not_o