creature_n to_o magnify_v the_o absoluteness_n of_o his_o dominion_n why_o do_v we_o rail_v at_o tyrant_n and_o devil_n when_o they_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n take_v pleasure_n in_o the_o misery_n of_o other_o god_n be_v suppose_v to_o delight_n in_o the_o advancement_n of_o his_o own_o glory_n but_o can_v we_o suppose_v he_o to_o delight_v in_o the_o eternal_a misery_n of_o innocent_n be_v there_o ever_o any_o tyrant_n so_o savage_a as_o to_o please_v himself_o in_o the_o endless_a and_o most_o exquisite_a torture_n of_o a_o harmless_a infant_n it_o be_v the_o property_n of_o devil_n who_o malice_n be_v boil_v up_o to_o a_o infinite_a rancour_n and_o cruelty_n to_o make_v another_o torment_n their_o pleasure_n and_o do_v mischief_n for_o mischief_n sake_n and_o shall_v we_o fasten_v that_o upon_o god_n which_o be_v the_o devil_n reproach_n shall_v he_o contrive_v mischief_n feed_v and_o recreate_v upon_o misery_n and_o glut_v his_o vengeance_n with_o innocent_a blood_n shall_v he_o that_o delight_v not_o in_o the_o death_n of_o sinner_n seek_v pleasure_n and_o glory_n in_o the_o eternal_a misery_n of_o innocent_n this_o be_v the_o very_a top_n and_o extremity_n of_o cruelty_n so_o that_o be_v it_o thus_o we_o must_v add_v cruelty_n to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o believe_v he_o as_o infinite_a in_o that_o as_o in_o any_o other_o beside_o all_o this_o mere_a existence_n without_o perception_n carry_v in_o it_o no_o more_o goodness_n or_o happiness_n then_o nonexistence_n and_o be_v only_o desirable_a before_o it_o in_o reference_n to_o those_o perceptive_a capacity_n which_o be_v found_v in_o it_o it_o be_v all_o one_o not_o to_o be_v and_o to_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o senseless_a inactivity_n take_v away_o perception_n and_o it_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o the_o substance_n remain_v or_o utter_o perish_v as_o suppose_v the_o poet_n metamorphosis_n have_v be_v as_o great_a reality_n as_o they_o be_v fiction_n it_o have_v be_v indifferent_a to_o the_o person_n that_o suffer_v they_o whether_o they_o be_v change_v into_o tree_n stone_n and_o flower_n or_o into_o nothing_o and_o it_o will_v have_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o niobe_n whether_o she_o be_v petrify_v or_o annihilate_v upon_o this_o account_n arise_v that_o ancient_a dispute_n whether_o never_o to_o have_v be_v bear_v have_v not_o be_v better_o then_o to_o be_v for_o they_o consider_v only_o the_o present_a stage_n of_o affair_n where_o these_o measure_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n seem_v to_o be_v dispense_v in_o equal_a proportion_n be_v doubtful_a which_o way_n to_o determine_v but_o those_o of_o they_o who_o think_v the_o world_n to_o be_v more_o replenish_v with_o ungrateful_a and_o displease_a object_n then_o the_o contrary_a prefer_v nonexistence_n the_o chief_a assertor_n whereof_o be_v some_o of_o the_o melancholy_a philosopher_n such_o as_o heraclitus_n and_o empedocles_n together_o with_o the_o tragedian_n who_o in_o the_o person_n of_o forlorn_a and_o miserable_a man_n be_v full_a of_o little_a sentence_n and_o discourse_n to_o this_o purpose_n and_o this_o opinion_n be_v so_o ancient_a ut_fw-la author_n &_o initium_fw-la illius_fw-la prorsus_fw-la ignoretur_fw-la 1._o as_o gassendus_fw-la assert_n but_o they_o who_o with_o more_o truth_n count_v the_o world_n be_v full_a of_o pleasure_n than_o misery_n do_v with_o more_o satisfaction_n esteem_v their_o existence_n a_o privilege_n so_o that_o they_o prefer_v not_o existence_n before_o nonexistence_n upon_o its_o own_o score_n but_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o those_o pleasant_a perception_n which_o be_v found_v in_o it_o well_o then_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o existence_n be_v good_a or_o evil_n in_o order_n to_o the_o perception_n that_o be_v found_v in_o it_o where_o it_o be_v the_o basis_n of_o nothing_o but_o torment_a perception_n and_o where_o the_o continuence_n of_o life_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o continuance_n of_o misery_n there_o it_o be_v the_o great_a because_o it_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o misery_n so_o that_o if_o god_n can_v create_v a_o be_v only_o to_o make_v it_o miserable_a and_o condemn_v it_o to_o the_o region_n of_o sadness_n and_o eternal_a darkness_n his_o creation_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o kind_n of_o benefit_n that_o it_o will_v be_v the_o great_a ill-turn_a or_o injury_n he_o can_v possible_o act_v nay_o this_o still_o raise_v the_o cruelty_n in_o that_o rather_o than_o want_v a_o object_n for_o it_o he_o will_v make_v one_o and_o set_v infinite_a power_n on_o work_n only_o to_o exercise_v a_o infinite_a cruelty_n and_o manifest_v himself_o as_o absolute_a in_o tyranny_n as_o he_o be_v almighty_a in_o power_n from_o all_o this_o i_o suppose_v it_o be_v unquestionable_o evident_a that_o for_o god_n to_o create_v a_o innocent_a creature_n to_o make_v it_o everlasting_o miserable_a will_v be_v the_o high_a act_n of_o cruelty_n imaginable_a it_o be_v long_o since_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v never_o any_o opinion_n so_o absurd_a which_o be_v not_o maintain_v by_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a philosopher_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o any_o such_o hateful_a sentiment_n concern_v god_n transaction_n with_o his_o creature_n as_o this_o i_o be_o discourse_v against_o which_o carry_v in_o it_o such_o apparent_a contradiction_n to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o it_o can_v never_o have_v find_v entrance_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n have_v they_o not_o think_v it_o be_v suggest_v to_o they_o by_o revelation_n for_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o be_v plead_v on_o its_o behalf_n be_v the_o gross_o mistake_v nine_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n which_o they_o apply_v to_o god_n eternal_a decree_n although_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o apparent_a than_o that_o it_o treat_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a matter_n for_o saint_n paul_n have_v discourse_v of_o the_o universal_a apostasy_n of_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n from_o the_o practice_n of_o true_a goodness_n and_o of_o god_n merciful_a designment_n to_o pardon_n and_o receive_v they_o all_o into_o favour_n so_o they_o will_v be_v content_a to_o obtain_v it_o that_o way_n which_o he_o have_v make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o not_o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o also_o that_o many_o of_o the_o gentile_n have_v accept_v of_o the_o condition_n propose_v to_o they_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o that_o if_o the_o jew_n shall_v persevere_v in_o their_o obstinate_a adherence_n to_o the_o mosaic_a dispensation_n god_n will_v cast_v they_o off_o and_o take_v in_o the_o gentile_n for_o his_o favourite_n saint_n paul_n have_v i_o say_v discourse_v of_o these_o thing_n in_o the_o foregoing_a chapter_n he_o here_o suppose_v this_o will_v seem_v very_o strange_a and_o absurd_a to_o his_o countryman_n that_o god_n shall_v cashier_n his_o peculiar_a darling_n nation_n upon_o who_o he_o have_v bestow_v so_o many_o signal_n privilege_n to_o who_o pertain_v the_o adoption_n and_o the_o glory_n and_o the_o covenant_n etc._n etc._n to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o the_o supreme_a sovereign_n be_v not_o tie_v to_o any_o peculiar_a nation_n but_o that_o he_o can_v adopt_v who_o he_o please_v to_o be_v his_o favourite_n and_o that_o though_o the_o jew_n have_v be_v blessed_v with_o great_a advantage_n than_o the_o gentile_n yet_o notwithstanding_o god_n may_v discard_v they_o and_o take_v in_o these_o as_o he_o have_v make_v the_o israelite_n his_o peculiar_a people_n rather_o than_o the_o edomite_n notwithstanding_o they_o be_v of_o the_o young_a family_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o genuine_a scope_n of_o saint_n paul_n discourse_n be_v unexceptionable_o evident_a from_o its_o conclusion_n verse_n 30_o 31_o 32._o what_o shall_v we_o say_v then_o that_o the_o gentile_n which_o follow_v not_o after_o righteousness_n have_v attain_v to_o the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v of_o faith_n but_o israel_n which_o follow_v after_o the_o law_n of_o righteousness_n have_v not_o attain_v to_o the_o law_n of_o righteousness_n wherefore_o because_o they_o seek_v it_o not_o by_o faith_n but_o as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n now_o what_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a then_o that_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o reject_v of_o the_o jew_n because_o of_o their_o obstinate_a adherence_n to_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o of_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n because_o of_o their_o faith_n and_o close_n with_o the_o gospel_n but_o if_o you_o will_v see_v this_o improve_v to_o the_o strength_n and_o evidence_n of_o a_o demonstration_n you_o need_v only_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o read_v over_o episcopius_n his_o paraphrase_n upon_o the_o chapter_n before_o i_o conclude_v i_o will_v endeavour_v a_o little_a more_o full_o to_o illustrate_v and_o confirm_v my_o foregoing_a proposition_n by_o a_o brief_a arbitration_n of_o a_o late_a fierce_o argue_v dispute_n
scripture_n oppose_v to_o benignity_n rom._n 11._o 22._o behold_v therefore_o the_o goodness_n and_o severity_n of_o god_n on_o they_o which_o fall_v severity_n but_o towards_o thou_o goodness_n and_o rom._n 9_o 13._o jocob_n have_v i_o love_v but_o esau_n have_v i_o hate_v the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v v_o 15._o because_o i_o will_v have_v mercy_n on_o who_o i_o will_v have_v mercy_n and_o i_o will_v have_v compassion_n on_o who_o i_o will_v have_v compassion_n the_o sole_a cause_n then_o why_o god_n show_v great_a bounty_n to_o jacob_n then_o to_o esau_n be_v a_o free_a determination_n of_o his_o own_o will_n without_o the_o intervention_n of_o any_o extrinsique_n motive_n to_o incline_v it_o for_o v_o 11._o the_o child_n be_v yet_o unborn_a and_o have_v do_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a that_o the_o purpose_n of_o god_n according_a to_o election_n or_o choice_n might_n stand_v the_o argument_n suggest_v by_o the_o apostle_n discourse_v beside_o his_o express_a resolve_v god_n beneficence_n into_o his_o freewill_n be_v this_o that_o if_o the_o flow_n forth_o of_o god_n goodness_n be_v necessary_a then_o esau_n must_v have_v be_v blessed_v with_o as_o great_a expression_n of_o favour_n as_o jacob_n because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n that_o can_v make_v a_o difference_n not_o god_n goodness_n for_o its_o exertion_n be_v necessary_a it_o will_v stream_v forth_o equal_o into_o equal_a capacity_n and_o therefore_o if_o they_o be_v equal_o capable_a the_o emanation_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n must_v have_v be_v equal_a so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v put_v a_o difference_n unless_o the_o person_n themselves_o but_o the_o difference_n be_v make_v before_o they_o can_v make_v it_o viz._n before_o they_o be_v bear_v or_o have_v do_v any_o good_a or_o evil_n but_o be_v in_o all_o respect_v equal_a the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v record_v in_o scripture_n almost_o as_o many_o instance_n of_o his_o severity_n as_o of_o his_o clemency_n because_o the_o exercise_n of_o these_o contrary_a virtue_n depend_v on_o his_o free_a will_n which_o be_v indifferent_a to_o either_o sometime_o display_v the_o one_o and_o sometime_o the_o other_o whereas_o those_o attribute_n that_o be_v physical_a and_o necessary_a be_v determine_v one_o way_n antecedent_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o his_o will._n from_o all_o which_o premise_n we_o see_v 1_o that_o god_n benignity_n goodness_n and_o beneficence_n consist_v in_o a_o gracious_a propensity_n to_o let_v forth_o the_o communication_n of_o his_o fullness_n to_o his_o creature_n which_o be_v lodge_v in_o the_o divine_a will_n do_v not_o only_o suppose_v its_o freedom_n but_o be_v also_o subject_a to_o its_o determination_n so_o that_o though_o it_o may_v incline_v yet_o it_o can_v either_o command_v or_o destroy_v its_o liberty_n because_o if_o it_o shall_v it_o will_v not_o only_o interfere_v with_o god_n moral_a accomplishmet_n but_o will_v withal_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o itself_o and_o therefore_o it_o rather_o approach_v to_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o habit_n seat_v in_o the_o divine_a will_n then_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o a_o essential_a faculty_n whence_o a_o habit_n and_o custom_n of_o goodness_n and_o clemency_n be_v frequent_o attribute_v to_o god_n in_o scripture_n but_o only_a act_n and_o single_a instance_n of_o severity_n for_o though_o contrary_a habit_n can_v lodge_v together_o in_o the_o same_o faculty_n yet_o single_a action_n of_o the_o one_o may_v sometime_o issue_v from_o that_o power_n in_o which_o its_o contrary_n be_v entertain_v and_o therefore_o though_o the_o expression_n of_o god_n bounty_n be_v his_o usual_a and_o constant_a work_n yet_o he_o sometime_o le_fw-fr we_o forth_o the_o eruption_n of_o anger_n and_o severity_n though_o with_o some_o unwillingness_n and_o reluctancy_n for_o lament_n 3._o 33._o he_o do_v not_o willing_o or_o from_o his_o heart_n afflict_v the_o child_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o the_o holy_a ghost_n esa._n 21._o 21._o style_v it_o his_o strange_a work_n as_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o its_o seldom_o exercise_n he_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o it_o so_o that_o though_o god_n inclination_n to_o act_n of_o beneficence_n and_o goodness_n be_v vast_o great_a and_o vigorous_a yet_o they_o be_v free_a and_o depend_v upon_o the_o determination_n of_o his_o will_n and_o be_v upon_o this_o score_n consistent_a with_o god_n deal_v sometime_o with_o we_o by_o more_o severe_a and_o rigorous_a measure_n which_o god_n be_v please_v at_o certain_a season_n to_o dispense_v according_a to_o the_o unsearchable_a counsel_n of_o his_o own_o will_n 2._o that_o the_o communication_n of_o god_n goodness_n consist_v in_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o his_o dominion_n for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o his_o creature_n for_o they_o be_v all_o original_o nothing_o all_o the_o advantage_n they_o enjoy_v to_o render_v their_o condition_n more_o desirable_a than_o nonexistence_n be_v the_o free_a gift_n and_o effect_n of_o divine_a goodness_n which_o be_v free_a and_o unconstrained_a have_v distribute_v its_o favour_n with_o a_o infinite_a variety_n have_v make_v innumerable_a kind_n of_o being_n and_o endue_v they_o all_o with_o perceptive_a faculty_n and_o capacity_n proportion_v to_o their_o respective_a nature_n and_o provide_v suitable_a object_n in_o order_n to_o their_o gratification_n so_o that_o although_o he_o have_v according_a to_o the_o free_a pleasure_n of_o his_o own_o will_n create_v some_o in_o a_o more_o imperfect_a state_n than_o other_o yet_o he_o have_v provide_v liberal_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o they_o all_o have_v furnish_v each_o order_n with_o object_n agreeable_a to_o their_o respective_a faculty_n in_o the_o perception_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o which_o consist_v all_o pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n now_o if_o we_o will_v measure_v how_o large_a and_o ample_a the_o communication_n of_o divine_a goodness_n be_v they_o be_v as_o vast_a as_o free_v psal._n 145._o 9_o the_o lord_n be_v good_a to_o all_o and_o his_o tender_a mercy_n be_v over_o all_o his_o work_n psal._n 38._o 5_o 6._o thy_o goodness_n o_o lord_n reach_v to_o the_o heaven_n and_o thy_o faithfulness_n to_o the_o cloud_n thy_o righteousness_n be_v like_o the_o great_a mountain_n thy_o judgement_n or_o work_n of_o providence_n be_v a_o great_a deep_a thou_o preserve_v man_n and_o beast_n etc._n etc._n i.e._n god_n goodness_n be_v of_o equal_a extent_n with_o his_o work_n as_o vast_a and_o wide_a as_o the_o universe_n run_v through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n but_o to_o speak_v only_o of_o that_o goodness_n which_o concern_v ourselves_o how_o free_a and_o unstreitned_a have_v be_v the_o expression_n of_o god_n bounty_n to_o mankind_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o pleasure_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o life_n itself_o in_o which_o the_o divine_a munificence_n have_v make_v provision_n not_o only_o for_o our_o necessity_n but_o for_o our_o delight_n and_o curiosity_n too_o nor_o the_o great_a variety_n of_o perceptive_a faculty_n he_o have_v endue_v we_o with_o nor_o the_o innumerable_a instancy_n of_o his_o mercy_n clemency_n patience_n long-suffering_a towards_o the_o son_n of_o man_n his_o slowness_n and_o unwillingness_n to_o punish_v and_o his_o readiness_n to_o pardon_v our_o impiety_n nor_o his_o demand_v only_o such_o homage_n and_o service_n from_o we_o as_o can_v be_v more_o our_o duty_n then_o it_o be_v our_o happiness_n with_o infinite_a more_o inestimable_a vouchsafement_n and_o expression_n of_o his_o tenderness_n and_o good_a inclination_n towards_o mankind_n i_o will_v only_o instance_n in_o his_o reward_v that_o obedience_n that_o be_v our_o debt_n with_o such_o great_a and_o inestimable_a blessing_n viz._n not_o only_o earthly_a and_o secular_a but_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a pleasure_n he_o may_v have_v send_v we_o into_o the_o world_n to_o act_v our_o part_n a_o while_n and_o have_v endear_v our_o duty_n to_o we_o only_o by_o its_o own_o appendant_a delight_n and_o then_o have_v remand_v we_o back_o into_o our_o pre-existent_a state_n of_o not_o be_v but_o that_o he_o shall_v recompense_v the_o bare_a discharge_n of_o our_o duty_n with_o the_o reward_n of_o heaven_n and_o eternity_n be_v such_o a_o stupendous_a height_n of_o goodness_n as_o not_o only_o puzzle_v conceit_n but_o outreach_v wonder_n and_o admiration_n and_o yet_o that_o which_o enhance_v the_o value_n of_o the_o reward_n be_v not_o more_o its_o greatness_n than_o its_o freeness_n though_o some_o be_v so_o arrogant_a as_o to_o challenge_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a right_n in_o it_o arrogant_a i_o say_v because_o if_o it_o be_v our_o due_n we_o must_v derive_v it_o not_o from_o god_n goodness_n but_o from_o our_o own_o desert_n for_o nothing_o beside_o god_n goodness_n can_v create_v we_o a_o right_a to_o future_a happiness_n but_o our_o own_o merit_n which_o from_o a_o creature_n to_o its_o maker_n imply_v the_o great_a contradiction_n and_o if_o in_o any_o respect_n heaven_n be_v
our_o due_n god_n will_v be_v oblige_v by_o the_o natural_a measure_n of_o equity_n to_o bestow_v it_o and_o so_o our_o happiness_n will_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o free_a grant_n of_o divine_a goodness_n but_o from_o the_o prime_n and_o intrinsique_n law_n of_o justice_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o natural_a and_o eternal_a necessity_n that_o happiness_n shall_v wait_v on_o virtue_n that_o the_o virtuous_a be_v happy_a will_v be_v no_o thanks_o to_o the_o divine_a favour_n because_o that_o can_v be_v a_o act_n of_o favour_n which_o be_v demand_v by_o justice_n and_o natural_a right_n and_o therefore_o those_o passage_n in_o scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v our_o future_a reward_n just_a and_o due_a speak_v upon_o supposition_n of_o god_n gracious_a promise_n and_o covenant_n with_o mankind_n as_o heb._n 6._o 10._o for_o god_n be_v not_o unrighteous_a to_o forget_v your_o work_n &_o labour_n of_o love_n which_o you_o have_v show_v towards_o his_o name_n 2_o tim._n 4._o 8._o henceforth_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n which_o the_o lord_n the_o righteous_a judge_n shall_v give_v i_o at_o that_o day_n and_o not_o unto_o i_o only_o but_o unto_o all_o they_o also_o that_o love_n his_o appear_v in_o which_o and_o other_o passage_n the_o assure_a hope_n of_o our_o future_a reward_n be_v therefore_o argue_v from_o god_n justice_n because_o it_o be_v essential_o just_a that_o he_o shall_v perform_v his_o promise_n and_o therefore_o although_o god_n promise_v or_o covenant_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o justice_n but_o of_o grace_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o god_n to_o enter_v into_o any_o covenant_n with_o his_o creature_n but_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n yet_o its_o performance_n when_o make_v be_v absolute_o just_a and_o necessary_a and_o that_o in_o which_o god_n can_v fail_v without_o gross_a deceit_n and_o falseness_n he_o have_v engage_v his_o veracity_n to_o discharge_v all_o the_o debt_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o therefore_o as_o some_o learned_a man_n have_v note_v this_o justice_n in_o scripture_n be_v promiscuous_o express_v by_o justice_n truth_n and_o faithfulness_n rom._n 3._o 3_o 4_o 5._o they_o be_v all_o use_v to_o express_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o 1_o joh._n 1._o 9_o if_o we_o confess_v our_o sin_n he_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a to_o forgive_v we_o our_o sin_n because_o if_o he_o be_v just_a and_o faithful_a he_o will_v perform_v his_o promise_n if_o i_o be_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n i_o shall_v rather_o fetch_v my_o argument_n from_o the_o attribute_n of_o wisdom_n than_o any_o else_o because_o they_o be_v as_o might_n easy_o be_v evince_v so_o huge_o useful_a and_o well-nigh_o necessary_a to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n whence_o the_o rabin_n reckon_v paradise_n and_o hell_n among_o those_o seven_o pillar_n upon_o which_o they_o say_v god_n found_v the_o world_n suppose_v it_o can_v not_o subsist_v without_o they_o but_o yet_o no_o one_o sort_n of_o mean_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o almighty_a power_n and_o wisdom_n in_o order_n to_o any_o end_n god_n can_v have_v find_v out_o in_o finite_a way_n to_o engage_v we_o to_o obedience_n though_o he_o have_v never_o acquaint_v we_o with_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n so_o that_o whatsoever_o rationality_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n to_o prove_v a_o future_a state_n yet_o it_o depend_v whole_o on_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v absolute_o free_a we_o can_v have_v no_o rational_a inducement_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o any_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o it_o but_o by_o a_o clear_a revelation_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o therefore_o god_n to_o complete_a the_o instance_n of_o his_o goodness_n send_v the_o bless_a jesus_n into_o the_o world_n to_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n and_o to_o encourage_v we_o to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n by_o great_a reward_n than_o be_v before_o propose_v to_o mankind_n so_o that_o though_o we_o can_v enhance_v the_o expression_n of_o god_n love_n and_o bounty_n to_o mankind_n to_o their_o utmost_a pitch_n and_o value_n yet_o we_o have_v just_a reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o peculiar_a and_o unequalled_a eminency_n of_o the_o divine_a benignity_n consist_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o greatness_n as_o in_o the_o freeness_n of_o its_o emanation_n as_o stream_v forth_o from_o a_o fountain_n of_o free_a and_o selfmoving_a goodness_n of_o the_o preexistence_n of_o soul_n though_o the_o forego_n discourse_n be_v as_o useful_a and_o important_a theory_n as_o any_o in_o divinity_n there_o be_v not_o any_o other_o article_n so_o universal_o interest_v in_o theological_a speculation_n as_o these_o nor_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v occasion_v so_o much_o error_n and_o ignorance_n in_o other_o point_n as_o false_a and_o confuse_a conceit_n concern_v these_o two_o grand_a attribute_n of_o dominion_n and_o goodness_n yet_o they_o can_v be_v more_o important_a and_o concern_v in_o themselves_o than_o they_o will_v be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a for_o the_o successful_a management_n of_o this_o ensue_a discourse_n against_o preexistence_n because_o the_o most_o plausible_a argument_n allege_v on_o behalf_n of_o this_o hypothesis_n be_v ground_v upon_o such_o mistake_a notion_n of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n as_o i_o have_v already_o i_o think_v evident_o enough_o disprove_v in_o what_o i_o have_v discourse_v concern_v that_o attribute_n so_o that_o i_o be_o so_o far_o before_o hand_n in_o the_o dispute_n as_o to_o have_v prevent_v the_o strong_a objection_n i_o be_o liable_a to_o be_v assault_v with_o this_o premise_a i_o immediate_o proceed_v 1_o to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o hypothesis_n itself_o and_o the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o bottom_n and_o then_o 2._o to_o give_v in_o my_o exception_n both_o against_o it_o and_o they_o and_o that_o you_o may_v be_v sure_a of_o my_o faithfulness_n in_o the_o first_o i_o will_v perform_v it_o as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v in_o the_o very_a word_n of_o its_o most_o peremptory_a assertor_n their_o account_n then_o be_v this_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v not_o then_o first_o produce_v when_o they_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o body_n prepare_v for_o they_o by_o generation_n but_o be_v create_v all_o at_o first_o in_o a_o incomparable_o more_o bless_a and_o divine_a condition_n of_o life_n then_o that_o they_o be_v now_o condemn_v to_o in_o this_o sad_a region_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n but_o that_o at_o several_a time_n and_o occasion_n by_o their_o revolt_n from_o god_n &_o his_o righteous_a law_n they_o forfeit_v their_o better_a life_n and_o condition_n and_o so_o be_v thrust_v down_o into_o these_o terrestrial_a body_n partly_o to_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o former_a prevarication_n and_o partly_o that_o by_o act_v their_o part_n well_o here_o they_o may_v recover_v that_o more_o happy_a state_n from_o which_o they_o lapse_v into_o this_o and_o this_o they_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v 1._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o divine_a goodness_n which_o say_v they_o be_v constrain_v always_o to_o do_v what_o be_v best_a for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o eternal_a existence_n and_o happiness_n backward_o as_o well_o as_o forward_o and_o it_o be_v much_o better_a that_o they_o shall_v have_v enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n from_o eternal_a age_n then_o either_o to_o have_v lie_v so_o long_o in_o the_o comfortless_a night_n of_o nothing_o or_o to_o have_v be_v at_o first_o create_v in_o so_o mean_a and_o wretched_a a_o condition_n as_o that_o be_v which_o they_o suffer_v in_o this_o region_n of_o death_n and_o misery_n and_o than_o god_n be_v infinite_o good_a and_o gracious_a and_o infinite_a goodness_n do_v by_o the_o same_o necessity_n that_o which_o be_v best_a as_o infinite_a fire_n will_v necessary_o burn_v whatever_o be_v combustible_a if_o put_v to_o it_o it_o clear_o and_o unavoidable_o follow_v say_v they_o that_o they_o must_v have_v exi_v of_o old_a before_o they_o come_v into_o these_o body_n 2._o from_o the_o action_n of_o providence_n which_o will_v not_o otherwise_o correspond_v to_o those_o holy_a attribute_n in_o the_o deity_n righteousness_n and_o benignity_n according_a to_o which_o he_o govern_v and_o order_n the_o affair_n of_o all_o the_o world_n and_o this_o argument_n they_o make_v use_v of_o two_o way_n viz._n in_o respect_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o we_o be_v bear_v and_o of_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o the_o body_n wherewith_o we_o be_v bear_v as_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o be_v no_o man_n doubt_v but_o that_o education_n institution_n and_o company_n be_v of_o such_o wonderful_a moment_n to_o the_o make_v we_o good_a or_o bad_a as_o that_o where_o vice_n