A sermon concerning the folly of atheism preached before the Queen at White-Hall, February 22, 1690/91 / by Tho. Tenison ...
         Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
       Approx. 31 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 19 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2003-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A64373
         Wing T715
         ESTC R9856
         13769902
         ocm 13769902
         101737
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A64373)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101737)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 852:40)
      
       
         
           
             A sermon concerning the folly of atheism preached before the Queen at White-Hall, February 22, 1690/91 / by Tho. Tenison ...
             Tenison, Thomas, 1636-1715.
          
           [4], 35, [1] p.
           
             Printed for Ric. Chiswell ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms XIV, 1 -- Sermons.
           Atheism -- Sermons.
           Atheism -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
        2003-05 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2003-05 Apex CoVantage
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2003-06 John Latta
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2003-06 John Latta
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2003-08 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
           PUBLISHED
           ,
           By
           Her
           MAJESTIES
           Special
           Command
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Concerning
           the
           
             folly
             of
             Atheism
          
           ;
           Preached
           before
           the
           QUEEN
           ,
           AT
           
             WHITE-HALL
             ,
             FEBRUARY
          
           22.
           1690
           
           /
           1.
           
        
         
           By
           
             THO.
             TENISON
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           THEIR
           MAJESTIES
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Ric.
             Chiswell
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Rose
           and
           Crown
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
           M
           DC
           XC
           I.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           CONCERNING
           THE
           
             Folly
             of
             Atheism
          
        
         
           
             PSALM
             XIV
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             The
             fool
             hath
             said
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             God
             :
             They
             are
             corrupt
             ,
             they
             have
             done
             abominable
             works
             ,
             there
             is
             none
             that
             doth
             good
             .
          
        
         
           THOUGH
           
             the
             Being
             of
             a
             God
             is
             ,
          
           in
           Religion
           ,
           the
           
             first
             and
             most
             fundamental
             Article
          
           ;
           yet
           it
           may
           be
           prov'd
           by
           some
           foregoing
           Principles
           of
           Natural
           Reason
           .
           This
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           but
           the
           attempt
           seems
           unnecessary
           in
           a
           Christian
           
           Congregation
           ,
           where
           the
           Members
           profess
           ,
           not
           only
           ,
           That
           
             there
             is
             a
             God
          
           who
           made
           them
           ;
           but
           also
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           a
           Messiah
           who
           redeem'd
           them
           .
        
         
           Taking
           it
           therefore
           ,
           here
           ,
           as
           a
           
             confessed
             Principle
             ,
             That
             God
             is
          
           ;
           I
           shall
           make
           it
           my
           business
           to
           represent
           to
           you
           these
           Two
           Things
           :
        
         
           
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 The
                 Folly
              
               
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 live
                 without
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 2.
                 
                 The
                 Vileness
              
               
                  
              
            
          
        
         
           For
           these
           two
           Remarks
           are
           here
           offer'd
           by
           the
           Royal
           Psalmist
           in
           the
           
             Text
             ;
             The
             fool
             hath
             said
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             God
             :
             they
             are
             corrupt
             ,
             they
             have
             done
             abominable
             works
             ;
             there
             is
             none
             that
             doth
             good
             .
          
        
         
           Holy
           David
           does
           ,
           here
           ,
        
         
           In
           the
           1st
           .
           place
           ,
        
         
           Take
           notice
           of
           the
           Folly
           of
           those
           who
           
             live
             without
             God
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           They
           can
           never
           be
           without
           his
           
             Essential
             
             Presence
          
           ,
           nor
           always
           without
           an
           in
           ward
           sense
           of
           it
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           worldly
           Charm
           that
           can
           ,
           perpetually
           ,
           keep
           the
           Conscience
           from
           such
           reflections
           ;
           but
           whilst
           they
           remain
           insensible
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           
             their
             way
             is
             their
             Folly.
          
           And
        
         
           1st
           .
           
             They
             want
             Knowledge
             and
             Judgment
          
           .
        
         
           2dly
           .
           
             They
             want
             Wisdom
             and
             Discretion
          
           .
        
         
           Ist.
           They
           
             want
             Knowledg
          
           and
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           commit
           wonderful
           mistakes
           about
           Principles
           common
           to
           Mankind
           .
           For
           as
           a
           
             natural
             Fool
          
           may
           sometimes
           speak
           a
           shrewd
           and
           seasonable
           thing
           ;
           so
           an
           irreligious
           one
           ,
           tho
           he
           has
           ,
           in
           other
           respects
           ,
           ability
           of
           mind
           (
           as
           Judas
           and
           Demas
           themselves
           had
           ,
           being
           
             wise
             in
             their
             generation
             ;
          
           )
           yet
           with
           reference
           to
           the
           Existence
           of
           a
           Deity
           ,
           he
           is
           guilty
           of
           gross
           and
           palpable
           Errors
           :
           None
           deserve
           
           those
           Epithetes
           more
           than
           these
           that
           sollow
           ;
           
             viz.
             That
             there
             is
             an
             Effect
             without
             a
             Cause
             .
          
           That
           
             an
             insufficient
             Cause
             can
             produce
             a
             perfect
             and
             sufficient
             Effect
             .
          
           That
           
             something
             (
             without
             an
             Almighty
             Power
             )
             can
             come
             out
             of
             nothing
             .
          
           They
           are
           to
           be
           derided
           rather
           than
           confuted
           ;
           who
           shall
           have
           the
           confidence
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           a
           
             House
             had
             no
             Builder
          
           ;
           that
           all
           the
           Materials
           fell
           into
           that
           useful
           Order
           by
           Accident
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Master
           of
           the
           House
           Sprung
           at
           last
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           very
           Frame
           of
           it
           :
           The
           Atheist
           does
           not
           say
           this
           in
           terms
           ,
           but
           he
           maintains
           that
           which
           is
           equally
           absurd
           :
           For
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Heavens
           and
           the
           Earth
           are
           imperfect
           beings
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           ,
           could
           not
           make
           themselves
           ;
           he
           that
           denies
           that
           a
           God
           ,
           or
           a
           First
           ,
           and
           absolutely
           perfect
           Being
           ,
           was
           the
           Maker
           of
           them
           ,
           does
           by
           consequence
           ,
           set
           before
           us
           imperfect
           Causes
           and
           Effects
           ,
           existing
           without
           a
           
           Cause
           .
           And
           seeing
           all
           things
           are
           made
           in
           
             Number
             ,
             Weight
          
           ,
           and
           Measure
           ,
           either
           he
           shews
           his
           stupidness
           in
           not
           discerning
           the
           Footsteps
           of
           Wisdom
           in
           the
           wonderful
           frame
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           appears
           the
           more
           regular
           ,
           the
           greater
           portion
           a
           man
           has
           of
           the
           knowledg
           of
           the
           Lines
           and
           Figures
           of
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           the
           Rules
           of
           Motion
           ;
           or
           he
           ascribes
           all
           this
           to
           Chance
           (
           which
           yet
           is
           a
           word
           he
           ought
           not
           to
           use
           ,
           who
           makes
           all
           Causes
           necessary
           )
           and
           maintains
           ,
           that
           Confusion
           is
           the
           most
           wise
           Parent
           of
           Order
           .
        
         
           Seeing
           ,
           also
           ,
           he
           makes
           the
           Soul
           to
           be
           the
           
             Temper
             of
             the
             Body
          
           ;
           and
           the
           substance
           ,
           and
           the
           modese
           and
           motions
           of
           it
           are
           as
           distinct
           from
           Understanding
           ,
           as
           is
           the
           matter
           and
           movement
           of
           any
           other
           Engine
           ,
           from
           a
           reasoning
           mind
           ;
           he
           makes
           Nothing
           to
           be
           the
           Spring
           of
           Something
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           
           which
           hath
           no
           thought
           ,
           nor
           any
           thing
           from
           whence
           it
           can
           possihly
           come
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           Cause
           of
           Thought
           ,
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           of
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           But
           (
           as
           one
           of
           that
           sort
           of
           men
           has
           written
           in
           one
           of
           his
           Intervals
           )
           
             'T
             is
             very
             
             hard
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             to
             produce
             all
             the
             several
             and
             curious
             
               Organs
               of
               Sense
               and
               Memory
            
             ,
             could
             be
             the
             work
             of
             any
             thing
             that
             had
             not
             Understanding
             :
          
           And
           he
           might
           have
           added
           ,
           
             Much
             more
             of
             the
             Understanding
             it self
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           Error
           is
           still
           the
           more
           gross
           ,
           because
           the
           Godless
           person
           holds
           it
           to
           be
           an
           Error
           ,
           whilst
           he
           denies
           the
           Creation
           of
           the
           World
           
             out
             of
             nothing
          
           ;
           and
           then
           sees
           not
           that
           it
           is
           one
           ,
           when
           he
           speaks
           of
           the
           Original
           of
           the
           Soul
           out
           of
           that
           which
           hath
           nothing
           
             of
             Soul
          
           in
           it
           .
           Such
           Inconsistence
           is
           a
           plain
           indication
           of
           want
           of
           judgment
           ;
           and
           ungodly
           men
           are
           ,
           in
           many
           
           more
           particulars
           ,
           at
           variance
           with
           themselves
           .
        
         
           As
           
             for
             example
          
           ;
           In
           Health
           they
           are
           Atheists
           ;
           and
           in
           
             Sickness
             ,
             Superstitious
          
           ;
           They
           say
           ,
           all
           
             we
             do
          
           is
           necessary
           ;
           and
           yet
           blame
           some
           Actions
           ,
           and
           commend
           others
           .
           They
           have
           no
           Faith
           about
           Divine
           Prophecies
           ,
           even
           those
           which
           have
           been
           evidently
           fulfill'd
           in
           the
           Coming
           and
           Death
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           precise
           times
           of
           them
           ;
           yet
           they
           can
           put
           their
           trust
           in
           Astrology
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           so
           much
           as
           
             good
             guessing
          
           .
           They
           scoff
           at
           Good
           men
           ,
           and
           yet
           cannot
           but
           wish
           ,
           that
           
             their
             latter
             end
             were
             like
             heirs
             .
          
           They
           mock
           at
           
             the
             Being
             of
             Ghosts
          
           ,
           in
           the
           light
           ,
           and
           dread
           them
           in
           the
           dark
           .
           In
           company
           they
           deny
           the
           Existence
           of
           Evil
           Spirits
           ;
           and
           fear
           to
           be
           
             all
             alone
          
           in
           the
           night
           ,
           lest
           Evil
           Spirits
           should
           
             fetch
             them
             away
          
           .
           In
           fine
           ,
           men
           that
           live
           without
           God
           ,
           are
           so
           destitute
           of
           Knowledg
           ,
           
           that
           they
           are
           a
           
             riddle
             to
             themselves
          
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           even
           whilst
           they
           think
           they
           have
           asserted
           their
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           are
           perfect
           Masters
           of
           themselves
           ,
           they
           are
           
             led
             captive
             by
             the
             Devil
             at
             his
             will
          
           ;
           for
           
             he
             rules
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             the
             disobedient
             .
          
        
         
           This
           shews
           
             that
             part
             of
          
           their
           Folly
           ,
           which
           consists
           in
           want
           of
           Knowledg
           and
           steddy
           Judgment
           .
           And
           there
           is
           ,
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           A
           
             great
             deal
          
           that
           gives
           us
           demonstration
           of
           the
           
             other
             part
             of
             it
          
           ,
           their
           
             want
             of
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           even
           that
           of
           the
           Serpent
           ,
           the
           doing
           of
           things
           for
           their
           own
           benefit
           ,
           safety
           ,
           and
           comfort
           .
           For
           ,
        
         
           1st
           .
           
             They
             use
             means
             contrary
             to
             their
             ends
             .
          
        
         
           2dly
           .
           
             They
             run
             an
             infinite
             hazard
             ,
             upon
             inconsiderable
             motives
             .
          
        
         
         
           1st
           .
           Those
           who
           
             say
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             God
             ,
             manifest
             their
             want
             of
             Wisdom
             and
             Discretion
             ,
             by
             using
             means
             contrary
             to
             their
             End.
          
           For
           one
           great
           pretended
           End
           of
           Atheism
           and
           Unbelief
           ,
           is
           a
           
             deliverance
             from
             fear
          
           ,
           ⸪
           the
           making
           of
           the
           mind
           easie
           in
           all
           a
           man's
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           words
           ,
           and
           actions
           ,
           by
           freeing
           it
           from
           that
           terror
           which
           is
           struck
           into
           it
           by
           the
           apprehension
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           as
           an
           Observer
           ,
           a
           Judg
           ,
           and
           an
           Avenger
           ;
           as
           one
           that
           will
           call
           them
           to
           a
           severe
           account
           for
           
             whatsoever
             they
             have
             done
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             or
             evil
             .
          
        
         
           But
           the
           
             Fear
             which
             hath
             Torment
          
           ,
           cannot
           otherwise
           be
           wholly
           prevented
           ,
           than
           either
           by
           Innocence
           ,
           or
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           
             Application
             to
             God
          
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           Expedient
           of
           the
           Epicureans
           ,
           it
           brings
           into
           the
           bosom
           that
           Anxiety
           which
           it
           pretends
           to
           expel
           ;
           for
           men
           having
           had
           experience
           of
           
           their
           own
           impotence
           and
           imperfection
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           weakness
           and
           deceitfulness
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           observing
           the
           daily
           changes
           and
           chances
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           can
           by
           no
           means
           be
           secur'd
           against
           them
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           belief
           of
           an
           
             over-ruling
             Providence
          
           ,
           and
           the
           performance
           of
           such
           things
           as
           may
           secure
           to
           them
           the
           Protection
           of
           it
           .
           He
           only
           who
           is
           not
           conscious
           to
           himself
           of
           guilt
           unrepented
           of
           ,
           who
           is
           sincere
           in
           his
           duty
           to
           God
           and
           Man
           ,
           is
           capable
           of
           remaining
           without
           despair
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           perceive
           the
           frame
           of
           Nature
           ready
           to
           be
           dissolv'd
           .
           Our
           Saviour's
           question
           carries
           its
           answer
           along
           with
           it
           ;
           
             Why
             are
             yee
             fearful
             ,
             O
             yee
             of
             little
             faith
             ?
          
           A
           weak
           Faith
           is
           scarce
           sufficent
           to
           keep
           out
           fear
           and
           trouble
           :
           What
           Peace
           then
           can
           there
           be
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           
             faith
             at
             all
          
           ?
           What
           Peace
           can
           there
           be
           to
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           remaining
           such
           ,
           who
           are
           
           without
           God
           ,
           without
           Providence
           ,
           without
           inward
           Comfort
           ,
           without
           help
           in
           Nature
           ;
           without
           hope
           in
           this
           World
           ,
           or
           the
           Other
           ?
        
         
           2dly
           .
           The
           want
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           in
           irreligious
           men
           ,
           is
           seen
           ,
           by
           the
           
             infinite
             hazard
             they
             run
             ,
             upon
             inconsiderable
             motives
             .
          
        
         
           The
           hazard
           they
           run
           ,
           is
           the
           
             loss
             of
             Body
             and
             Soul
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           which
           loss
           ,
           though
           the
           Atheists
           believe
           not
           ,
           yet
           they
           cannot
           say
           't
           is
           an
           Impossibility
           .
        
         
           And
           upon
           what
           Temptation
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           make
           this
           perillous
           Adventure
           ?
        
         
           Why
           !
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           a
           few
           vile
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           inordinate
           Passions
           ,
           the
           fruit
           of
           which
           is
           present
           shame
           ,
           and
           inconvenience
           :
           They
           lose
           their
           hopes
           of
           being
           like
           Angels
           for
           ever
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           enjoy
           
           a
           few
           
             Brutal
             Pleasures
          
           for
           a
           few
           days
           on
           earth
           .
        
         
           A
           man
           would
           mortifie
           all
           those
           unruly
           Appetites
           ,
           with
           respect
           even
           to
           the
           dignity
           of
           his
           own
           nature
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Interests
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           which
           this
           foolish
           sinner
           parts
           with
           a
           blessed
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           Wisdom
           would
           prescribe
           Temperance
           ,
           Justice
           ,
           Gratitude
           ,
           Peaceableness
           ,
           decent
           speaking
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           no
           other
           World
           ;
           much
           more
           does
           it
           require
           obedience
           to
           the
           reasonable
           Commands
           of
           Religion
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           means
           to
           the
           comforts
           both
           of
           this
           life
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           to
           come
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           was
           more
           remote
           from
           Wisdom
           than
           the
           choice
           of
           Esau
           ;
           what
           man
           of
           common
           understanding
           would
           have
           lost
           his
           birth-right
           ,
           to
           satisfie
           an
           impatient
           appetite
           ,
           which
           might
           in
           a
           little
           time
           have
           
           bin
           appeas'd
           ,
           without
           the
           loss
           either
           of
           Birth-right
           ,
           or
           Health
           ?
           Who
           then
           is
           the
           foolish
           Merchant
           ?
           He
           ,
           doubtless
           ,
           who
           whilst
           he
           deals
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           parts
           with
           a
           present
           certainty
           upon
           the
           probable
           hopes
           of
           very
           great
           gain
           ;
           But
           will
           not
           part
           with
           so
           much
           as
           a
           Vice
           which
           is
           of
           no
           profit
           to
           him
           (
           with
           so
           much
           as
           
             an
             Oath
          
           which
           offends
           others
           ,
           and
           weakens
           his
           Credit
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           brings
           him
           no
           imaginable
           Advantage
           )
           upon
           the
           Hopes
           of
           Life
           eternal
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Folly
           of
           such
           Persons
           is
           the
           more
           notorious
           ,
           because
           ,
           whilst
           they
           are
           blind
           ,
           they
           look
           upon
           themselves
           as
           those
           ,
           who
           see
           furthest
           into
           the
           causes
           of
           things
           .
           Thus
           it
           happen'd
           to
           the
           ungodly
           among
           the
           
             Romans
             ;
             professing
             themselves
             to
             be
             wise
             ,
             they
             became
             fools
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           to
           such
           Folly
           as
           consists
           both
           in
           the
           want
           of
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           of
           Wisdom
           
           in
           the
           best
           things
           ,
           may
           sitly
           be
           joyn'd
           ,
           that
           which
           David
           (
           in
           the
           second
           place
           )
           takes
           notice
           of
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           The
           vileness
           of
           those
           who
           live
           without
           Religion
           :
           Which
           is
           
             two
             fold
          
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           vileness
           of
           their
           Temper
           and
           Disposition
           ;
           They
           are
           corrupt
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           vileness
           of
           their
           Practice
           ,
           
             They
             have
             done
             abominable
             works
             ;
             There
             is
             none
             that
             doth
             good
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Atheistical
           Persons
           are
           vile
           in
           their
           temper
           and
           
             inclination
             .
             They
             are
             corrupt
          
           ,
           or
           they
           have
           corrupted
           ,
           first
           themselves
           ,
           and
           then
           their
           works
           .
           There
           is
           rottenness
           at
           the
           
             heart
             of
             them
          
           .
        
         
           Na-bhal
           is
           the
           Original
           word
           .
           From
           thence
           a
           Writer
           a
           on
           the
           Text
           ,
           will
           have
           that
           of
           Nebulo
           derived
           .
           He
           fails
           in
           his
           Etymologie
           ,
           but
           his
           meaning
           is
           
           good
           ;
           For
           he
           would
           suggest
           thus
           much
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           the
           
             knavish
             man
          
           who
           
             hath
             said
             in
          
           ,
           or
           to
           
             his
             heart
             ,
             There
             is
             no
             God.
          
           He
           is
           of
           so
           villanous
           a
           disposition
           ,
           as
           ,
           whilst
           he
           believes
           there
           is
           a
           God
           ,
           to
           wish
           there
           
             were
             none
          
           ,
           because
           his
           Vices
           cannot
           approve
           themselves
           to
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Justice
           ,
           and
           Holiness
           .
        
         
           Immorality
           is
           the
           beginning
           of
           Atheism
           ,
           and
           Atheism
           is
           the
           strengthning
           of
           Immorality
           ;
           for
           the
           Immoral
           first
           would
           be
           glad
           there
           were
           no
           God
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           desire
           they
           readily
           believe
           ;
           and
           when
           once
           they
           so
           believe
           ,
           then
           they
           are
           confirm
           do
           and
           encourag'd
           in
           their
           Vices
           ,
           and
           sin
           with
           Assurance
           .
        
         
           For
           Atheism
           begins
           ,
           not
           from
           the
           Arguments
           of
           a
           sound
           Mind
           *
           in
           a
           sober
           Temper
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           sensual
           Disposition
           ,
           which
           inclines
           Men
           to
           seek
           out
           sor
           colours
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           deceive
           themselves
           
           into
           an
           opinion
           of
           the
           safety
           of
           living
           in
           a
           course
           that
           pleases
           them
        
         
           What
           they
           assert
           through
           sensuality
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           done
           it
           ,
           they
           study
           to
           make
           a
           defence
           ,
           both
           that
           the
           sting
           of
           Conscience
           may
           not
           give
           any
           pain
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           have
           something
           to
           say
           to
           those
           who
           reprove
           them
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           from
           the
           corrupt
           hearts
           of
           the
           Rulers
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           Scribes
           ,
           Annas
           the
           High
           Priest
           ,
           
             Caiphas
             ,
             John
             ,
             Alexander
          
           ,
           and
           others
           ;
        
         
           It
           was
           (
           I
           say
           )
           from
           their
           love
           of
           popularity
           ,
           and
           their
           fear
           of
           being
           look'd
           upon
           as
           openly
           confuted
           ,
           that
           They
           endeavour'd
           to
           stifle
           a
           plain
           Miracle
           which
           God
           wrought
           by
           St.
           Peter
           and
           St.
           John
           ,
           in
           healing
           a
           lame
           Man
           ,
           instead
           of
           being
           convinced
           by
           it
           .
           When
           They
           saw
           *
           the
           boldness
           of
           Peter
           and
           John
           ,
           
             
             and
             perceived
             that
             they
             were
             unlearn'd
             and
             ignorant
             Men
             ,
             they
             marvelled
             ,
             and
             they
             took
             knowledge
             of
             them
             that
             they
             had
             been
             with
             Jesus
             ,
             And
             beholding
             the
             Man
             which
             was
             healed
             standing
             with
             them
             ,
             
               they
               could
               say
               nothing
               against
               it
               .
            
             Put
             when
             they
             had
             commanded
             them
             to
             go
             aside
             out
             of
             the
             Council
             ,
             they
             conferred
             among
             themselves
             ,
             saying
             ,
             What
             shall
             we
             do
             to
             these
             Men
             ?
             for
             that
             indeed
             
               a
               notable
               miracle
               hath
               been
               done
               by
               them
               ,
               is
               manifest
               to
               all
               them
               that
               dwell
               in
               Jerusalem
               ,
               and
               we
               cannot
               deny
               it
               .
            
             But
             
               that
               it
               spread
               no
               further
               among
               the
               People
               ,
            
             let
             us
             straitly
             threaten
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             speak
             henceforth
             to
             no
             Man
             in
             this
             Name
             .
          
        
         
           
             To
             the
             pure
             all
             things
             are
             pure
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             defiled
             ,
             nothing
             is
             pure
             ,
             but
             the
             very
             Conscience
             is
             defiled
             ,
          
           the
           sense
           
           they
           have
           of
           things
           is
           (
           by
           their
           ill
           temper
           )
           perfectly
           corrupted
           .
        
         
           If
           Men
           had
           in
           them
           a
           principle
           of
           Probity
           ,
           and
           were
           inclin'd
           to
           seek
           necessary
           Truths
           ,
           and
           the
           Rules
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           with
           impartiality
           ,
           they
           would
           certainly
           find
           them
           ;
           but
           having
           some
           Lusts
           or
           other
           earthly
           Interests
           to
           gratifie
           ,
           the
           corrupt
           Heart
           ,
           biasseth
           the
           judgment
           ;
           
             and
             they
             will
             not
             understand
             nor
             seek
             after
             God.
          
           When
           you
           speak
           of
           a
           
             just
             God
          
           ,
           to
           an
           
             unjust
             Man
          
           ;
           of
           a
           
             holy
             God
          
           ,
           to
           an
           
             unclean
             Man
          
           ;
           of
           a
           
             merciful
             God
          
           ,
           to
           a
           
             cruel
             Man
          
           ;
           of
           a
           God
           that
           is
           good
           ,
           and
           do's
           good
           ,
           to
           a
           covetous
           Man
           ;
           of
           a
           God
           of
           condescension
           ,
           to
           a
           proud
           Man
           ;
           of
           a
           
             long
             suffering
          
           God
           ,
           to
           a
           rash
           and
           revengeful
           Man
           ;
           of
           a
           God
           that
           
             rules
             over
             all
          
           ,
           to
           an
           untractable
           Man
           ;
           of
           a
           God
           that
           will
           call
           every
           Man
           to
           an
           account
           ,
           to
           an
           unjust
           Steward
           ;
           you
           speak
           of
           Pearls
           to
           
           Swine
           :
           nay
           ,
           each
           of
           these
           ,
           has
           not
           only
           no
           value
           for
           such
           a
           God
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           a
           wicked
           prejudice
           against
           the
           notion
           of
           such
           a
           Deity
           ;
           there
           is
           an
           interest
           (
           tho'
           a
           wretched
           one
           )
           made
           by
           their
           earthly
           Affections
           ,
           in
           their
           Hearts
           against
           the
           Being
           of
           him
           .
           When
           you
           speak
           of
           a
           Heaven
           where
           they
           neither
           eat
           nor
           drink
           to
           an
           Epicure
           ;
           of
           the
           Idolatry
           of
           the
           worship
           of
           Diana
           to
           Demetrius
           and
           others
           who
           get
           their
           living
           by
           making
           Silver
           Models
           of
           her
           Temple
           ;
           you
           speak
           to
           those
           whom
           Pleasure
           and
           Interest
           have
           rendred
           deaf
           .
        
         
           If
           a
           Man
           could
           see
           into
           the
           Breast
           of
           a
           
             godless
             Person
          
           ,
           what
           a
           Cave
           of
           horrour
           would
           he
           look
           into
           ?
           What
           ungovernableness
           of
           Spirit
           would
           he
           behold
           ;
           what
           an
           unwillingness
           to
           own
           any
           Lord
           over
           it
           ?
           What
           heighth
           of
           pride
           would
           he
           find
           there
           ?
           
             The
             wicked
             through
             the
             
             pride
             of
             his
             countenance
             will
             not
             seek
             after
             God
             ;
             God
             is
             not
             in
             all
             his
             thoughts
             .
          
           
        
         
           How
           is
           such
           a
           one
           puffed
           up
           with
           this
           vain
           conceit
           that
           He
           understands
           the
           deepest
           secrets
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           is
           wiser
           than
           all
           the
           Men
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           who
           have
           by
           the
           things
           that
           are
           seen
           ,
           ascended
           to
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           an
           invisible
           God
           ?
           What
           uncharitableness
           would
           he
           see
           in
           such
           a
           Person
           ,
           rendring
           him
           distrustful
           of
           all
           the
           World
           as
           designing
           ,
           and
           unfaithful
           ?
           for
           they
           that
           live
           without
           God
           ,
           mete
           by
           the
           Measures
           of
           their
           own
           dishonest
           Hearts
           .
        
         
           What
           disgust
           would
           be
           given
           him
           by
           many
           filthy
           and
           monstruous
           Lusts
           ,
           darkning
           ,
           by
           their
           impure
           steams
           ,
           the
           understandings
           of
           knowing
           Men
           ,
           and
           driving
           them
           impetuously
           into
           such
           beastly
           Follies
           as
           are
           the
           shame
           and
           peril
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           degeneracy
           of
           humane
           nature
           ?
        
         
         
           From
           Hearts
           so
           corrupt
           cannot
           but
           proceed
           
             first
             ,
             wishes
             of
             Atheism
          
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           deluded
           themselves
           into
           a
           conceit
           that
           they
           have
           their
           wish
           ,
           there
           cannot
           
             but
             follow
          
           (
           what
           I
           am
           next
           to
           Consider
           .
           )
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           vileness
           of
           their
           practice
           .
           
             They
             have
             done
             abominable
             works
             ;
             there
             is
             none
             that
             doth
             good
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           natural
           tendency
           to
           such
           abominable
           practice
           ,
           in
           the
           Heart
           of
           godless
           Men
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           true
           in
           fact
           ,
           that
           their
           Practice
           is
           ,
           the
           
             Omission
             of
             all
             good
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Commission
             of
             presumptuous
             evils
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             There
             is
             a
             tendency
             to
             such
             abominable
             practices
             in
             the
             Heart
             of
             Godless
             Men.
             
          
        
         
           Some
           Unbelievers
           have
           pretended
           to
           regulate
           their
           practice
           by
           Honour
           ,
           by
           Decency
           ,
           by
           Discretion
           ,
           by
           cunning
           
           Craft
           ;
           they
           have
           pretended
           to
           sin
           by
           Method
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           with
           worldly
           Safety
           .
        
         
           But
           where
           there
           is
           so
           ill
           a
           Heart
           ,
           so
           brutishly
           inclin'd
           ,
           so
           given
           up
           to
           a
           reprobate
           sense
           ,
           so
           void
           of
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ;
           it
           will
           ,
           upon
           temptation
           and
           opportunity
           ,
           break
           forth
           into
           the
           most
           execrable
           abominations
           .
        
         
           Our
           Laws
           suppose
           all
           Murthers
           ,
           Adulteries
           ,
           '
           Thefts
           ,
           and
           other
           such
           violations
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           acted
           by
           Persons
           ,
           who
           have
           
             not
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             before
             their
             Eyes
             .
          
           That
           is
           the
           Bridle
           which
           will
           restrain
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           not
           past
           restraint
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           those
           ,
           who
           believe
           in
           general
           ,
           
             that
             God
             is
          
           ,
           but
           consider
           not
           what
           they
           believe
           ,
           and
           forget
           him
           ,
           and
           have
           him
           not
           in
           their
           Thoughts
           ,
           commit
           very
           black
           Crimes
           :
           certainly
           they
           preserve
           not
           themselves
           innocent
           ,
           who
           are
           by
           a
           corrupt
           
           Heart
           ,
           inchanted
           into
           this
           worst
           of
           persuasions
           ,
           that
           
             there
             is
             no
             God
             at
             all
             .
          
        
         
           All
           find
           it
           difficult
           to
           live
           a
           holy
           and
           blameless
           lise
           after
           having
           entertain'd
           good
           Principles
           ;
           after
           much
           consideration
           ,
           and
           striving
           to
           master
           themselves
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           to
           God
           for
           his
           Assistance
           .
           How
           improbable
           then
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           those
           should
           be
           free
           from
           presumptuous
           evils
           ,
           who
           neither
           fear
           God
           ,
           nor
           regard
           Man
           ;
           who
           make
           Sense
           their
           Guide
           ;
           who
           rather
           give
           up
           the
           Reins
           to
           brutal
           nature
           ,
           than
           endeavour
           to
           govern
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           ,
           2dly
           ,
           It
           is
           true
           in
           fact
           that
           their
           practice
           is
           the
           
             omission
             of
             all
             good
          
           ,
           and
           
             the
             commission
             of
             presumptuous
             evils
          
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           good
           ,
           that
           ,
           saith
           David
           ,
           is
           generally
           omitted
           amongst
           them
           ,
           
             There
             is
             none
             of
             them
             that
             doth
             good
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           ungodly
           Men
           do
           sometimes
           that
           which
           is
           
             materially
             good
          
           ,
           to
           others
           ;
           
           but
           it
           is
           not
           from
           the
           true
           motives
           of
           Goodness
           .
           The
           
             unjust
             Judge
          
           did
           justice
           ,
           
           but
           't
           was
           upon
           Importunity
           ,
           and
           to
           avoid
           being
           wearied
           .
           Ill
           Men
           do
           good
           ,
           not
           because
           it
           is
           an
           imitation
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           pleasing
           to
           him
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           beneficial
           to
           the
           Community
           of
           which
           they
           are
           Members
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           a
           means
           to
           
             find
             mercy
             at
             that
             day
          
           :
           they
           will
           not
           give
           up
           
             a
             cup
             of
             mater
             to
             a
             Disciple
             of
          
           our
           blessed
           Master
           Jesus
           
             in
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Disciple
             .
          
           For
           they
           cannot
           act
           by
           principles
           which
           they
           have
           not
           :
           but
           ,
           with
           the
           Publicans
           ,
           they
           do
           one
           Courtesie
           to
           receive
           another
           ;
           and
           they
           have
           a
           hook
           in
           every
           gift
           :
           They
           sometimes
           do
           a
           good
           office
           for
           good
           Men
           who
           may
           honour
           them
           before
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           serve
           them
           in
           another
           way
           :
           But
           the
           Creatures
           they
           most
           readily
           support
           ,
           are
           Parasites
           ,
           Flatterers
           ,
           the
           Instruments
           of
           their
           Lust
           ,
           Injustice
           and
           Revenge
           ,
           and
           such
           
           who
           
             know
             their
             several
             Abominations
          
           ,
           and
           for
           that
           reason
           are
           fear'd
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           the
           Good
           they
           do
           is
           not
           
             properly
             good
          
           .
           But
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           For
           their
           Evils
           ,
           they
           are
           
             formally
             evil
          
           ;
           They
           are
           all
           manner
           of
           Immoralities
           in
           the
           Root
           of
           them
           :
           For
           if
           Atheists
           actually
           forbear
           any
           Evil
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           from
           Conscience
           (
           for
           that
           they
           have
           not
           )
           but
           from
           fear
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           of
           those
           they
           depend
           on
           ,
           or
           publick
           Infamy
           ,
           or
           expence
           ,
           or
           disease
           ,
           or
           from
           impotence
           ,
           or
           want
           of
           opportunity
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           
             two
             sorts
          
           of
           their
           
             evil
             practices
          
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           take
           notice
           of
           ,
           from
           the
           
             second
             Chapter
          
           of
           the
           Book
           of
           Wis-dom
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           
             abominable
             sensuality
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           second
           is
           ,
           cruel
           and
           
             unmerciful
             oppression
          
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           
             first
             ,
             Their
             abominable
             sensuality
          
           ,
           holy
           David
           observes
           in
           verse
           3.
           that
           
             they
             are
             altogether
             become
             filthy
          
           .
           Their
           filthiness
           is
           thus
           describ'd
           in
           the
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           and
           9th
           Verses
           of
           the
           forementioned
           Book
           of
           Wisdom
           .
           
             Come
             on
             ,
             —
             let
             us
             enjoy
             the
             good
             things
             that
             are
             present
             ;
             and
             let
             us
             speedily
             use
             the
             Creatures
             like
             as
             in
             youth
             :
             Let
             us
             fill
             our selves
             with
             costly
             Wine
             and
             Oyntments
             ;
             and
             let
             no
             Flower
             of
             the
             Spring
             pass
             by
             us
             .
             Let
             us
             crown
             our selves
             with
             Rose-buds
             before
             they
             be
             wither'd
             ;
             let
             none
             of
             us
             go
             without
             his
             part
             of
             our
             voluptuousness
             ;
             let
             us
             leave
             tokens
             of
             our
             joyfulness
             (
             that
             name
             they
             give
             to
             their
             Lusts
             and
             Revellings
             )
             in
             every
             street
             .
          
        
         
           This
           course
           ,
           being
           very
           expensive
           ,
           brings
           on
           ,
        
         
           The
           
             second
             part
          
           of
           their
           abominable
           practice
           ,
           which
           is
           
             cruel
             and
             unmerciful
             oppression
          
           .
           
           The
           Author
           of
           that
           Book
           doth
           therefore
           ,
           in
           the
           
             tenth
             Verse
          
           ,
           go
           on
           after
           this
           manner
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             oppress
             the
             poor
             righteous
             man
             ;
             let
             us
             not
             spare
             the
             widow
             ,
             nor
             reverence
             the
             ancient
             gray
             hairs
             of
             the
             aged
             .
          
        
         
           
             Let
             our
             strength
             be
             the
             law
             of
             Justice
             .
          
        
         
           So
           that
           whensoever
           any
           one
           shews
           his
           Neighbour
           a
           
             godless
             Man
          
           ,
           his
           Neighbour
           can
           immediately
           shew
           him
           a
           Monster
           made
           up
           of
           the
           Goat
           ,
           the
           Swine
           ,
           the
           Wolf
           ,
           the
           Lion
           ;
           if
           I
           may
           allow
           him
           any
           thing
           so
           generous
           as
           ,
           they
           say
           ,
           there
           is
           in
           that
           King
           of
           the
           Forest.
           
        
         
           After
           all
           this
           manifestation
           of
           the
           Folly
           ,
           and
           vileness
           of
           such
           as
           
             are
             without
             God
             in
             the
             World
          
           ;
           It
           is
           time
           in
           the
        
         
           
             Third
             place
          
           to
           think
           what
           
             is
             fit
          
           ,
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           for
           those
           to
           do
           ,
           
             who
             believe
             in
             God
          
           ;
           both
           
             first
             as
             to
             themselves
          
           ,
           and
        
         
           
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             those
             who
             believe
             not
             .
          
        
         
         
           And
           ,
           
             first
             ,
             for
             our selves
          
           ,
           who
           believe
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           whom
           he
           has
           sent
           ;
           It
           is
           necessary
           to
           keep
           our
           Faith
           from
           deadness
           ,
           by
           the
           exercises
           of
           holy
           Living
           .
        
         
           The
           Devils
           do
           more
           than
           the
           Atheists
           ,
           for
           they
           believe
           ;
           but
           because
           they
           promote
           infidelity
           in
           others
           ,
           and
           obey
           not
           themselves
           ,
           they
           are
           Devils
           still
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           own
           a
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           
             glorifie
             him
             as
             God
          
           ;
           otherwise
           
             our
             Faith
             is
             vain
          
           ,
           and
           the
           unfruitfulness
           of
           it
           will
           be
           the
           Aggravation
           of
           our
           sin
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           desire
           not
           to
           
             retain
             God
             in
             our
             knowledge
          
           ,
           and
           to
           honour
           him
           with
           the
           Talent
           with
           which
           he
           has
           intrusted
           us
           ;
           he
           will
           deliver
           us
           up
           to
           those
           vile
           Affections
           over
           which
           a
           Victory
           is
           to
           be
           obtained
           by
           a
           living
           Faith.
           
        
         
         
           But
           if
           we
           adorn
           our
           Belief
           by
           an
           agreeable
           Life
           ,
           that
           will
           be
           a
           means
           to
           save
           our selves
           ,
           and
           to
           gain
           others
           ;
           at
           least
           ,
           to
           
             put
             to
             silence
             the
             Ignorance
             of
             foolish
             Men.
             
          
        
         
           II.
           With
           relation
           to
           such
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           All
           should
           
             learn
             to
             distrust
          
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           watchful
           .
           For
           what
           Confidence
           can
           be
           put
           in
           a
           Man
           that
           thinks
           not
           of
           a
           God
           that
           will
           call
           him
           to
           an
           Account
           ?
           who
           measures
           all
           things
           by
           Power
           and
           personal
           Humour
           or
           Interest
           ?
           Who
           if
           he
           pursues
           his
           Principles
           ,
           must
           never
           speak
           Truth
           ,
           nor
           do
           Justice
           against
           his
           private
           Ends
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           All
           Persons
           should
           
             pray
             to
             God
          
           ,
           not
           to
           work
           Miracles
           before
           Unbelievers
           ,
           not
           to
           call
           up
           Men
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           send
           Ghosts
           to
           convince
           them
           ;
           but
           to
           give
           them
           Grace
           to
           attend
           
           to
           the
           
             sufficient
             Means
          
           which
           are
           offer'd
           to
           them
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           All
           judicious
           good
           Men
           should
           endeavour
           to
           become
           part
           of
           the
           Means
           of
           their
           Conversion
           ,
           by
           sound
           Discourse
           ,
           by
           exemplary
           Lives
           ,
           and
           by
           bearing
           ,
           not
           with
           mean
           Cowardise
           ,
           but
           with
           Courage
           and
           Patience
           ,
           their
           insolent
           Scorn
           ;
           not
           
             answering
             Fools
             according
             to
             their
             Folly
          
           ;
           but
           shewing
           them
           that
           True
           Religion
           can
           govern
           those
           Passions
           ,
           which
           make
           them
           ,
           as
           
             raging
             Waves
          
           ,
           to
           
             foam
             out
             their
             own
             shame
          
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           concerns
           all
           
             Masters
             of
             Families
          
           to
           defend
           their
           Threshold
           against
           the
           Footsteps
           of
           the
           Ungodly
           ,
           who
           will
           tempt
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           their
           Servants
           to
           Lust
           and
           Prodigality
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Supports
           of
           them
           ,
           Theft
           ,
           and
           imbezlement
           of
           Goods
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           All
           Churches
           should
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           
           possible
           ,
           discountenance
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           loosness
           of
           Life
           .
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           They
           should
           banish
           far
           from
           them
           all
           Frauds
           abusively
           call'd
           Pious
           ,
           all
           fabulous
           Legends
           ,
           all
           feigned
           Miracles
           ,
           all
           absurd
           and
           superstitious
           Doctrines
           and
           Practices
           ,
           which
           beget
           and
           nourish
           Atheism
           ;
           for
           these
           ,
           where
           they
           are
           discover'd
           ,
           blemish
           Religion
           in
           those
           who
           are
           educated
           in
           such
           Societies
           ;
           for
           they
           have
           taken
           that
           in
           which
           they
           have
           been
           bred
           ,
           for
           
             All
             Religion
          
           ;
           and
           rejecting
           that
           ,
           with
           it
           they
           
             reject
             all
          
           .
           They
           distinguish
           not
           betwixt
           the
           Impostures
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Truths
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Light
           of
           whose
           Word
           is
           taken
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           Where
           there
           are
           not
           such
           Frauds
           ,
           or
           they
           are
           
             not
             discover'd
          
           ;
           Men
           who
           have
           liv'd
           loosly
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           Principles
           ,
           not
           being
           able
           to
           content
           
           the
           Conscience
           without
           some
           Religion
           ,
           will
           at
           last
           run
           from
           the
           extream
           of
           Atheism
           to
           that
           of
           Superstition
           .
           After
           having
           liv'd
           Infidels
           ,
           they
           will
           die
           Idolaters
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           where
           so
           great
           a
           Harvest
           for
           Romish
           Missionaries
           ,
           as
           where
           Men
           ,
           under
           the
           true
           Light
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           have
           no
           Religion
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           And
           a
           Church
           that
           will
           keep
           out
           Popery
           ,
           must
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           it
           can
           be
           done
           by
           its
           Discipline
           ,
           mortify
           Lewdness
           and
           Profaneness
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           It
           behoveth
           all
           
             Civil
             Governours
          
           to
           animadvert
           upon
           Atheism
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           supplants
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           Humane
           Society
           .
        
         
           This
           Psalm
           is
           supposed
           to
           have
           been
           penned
           upon
           occasion
           of
           the
           Conspiracy
           of
           Absolom
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           Wickedness
           of
           that
           Generation
           
           which
           gave
           occasion
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           spreading
           of
           Atheism
           .
           It
           was
           an
           Age
           so
           corrupt
           ,
           that
           David
           seems
           to
           compare
           it
           to
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Old
           World
           before
           the
           Flood
           ,
           at
           which
           time
           
             the
             Earth
             was
             filled
             with
             Violence
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             all
             Flesh
             had
             corrupted
             its
             Ways
             .
          
           We
           read
           in
           Numb
           .
           21.
           
           That
           
             those
             who
             spake
             Evil
             of
             God
             ,
             spake
             Evil
             of
          
           Moses
           .
           They
           who
           will
           not
           fear
           God
           ,
           will
           not
           inwardly
           reverence
           Man.
           They
           who
           scoff
           at
           Religion
           as
           Priest-Craft
           ,
           will
           ,
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           Prince-Craft
           ,
           despise
           Civil
           Government
           .
           If
           such
           universally
           prevail'd
           ,
           they
           would
           ruin
           all
           Kingdoms
           ,
           by
           taking
           away
           all
           Faith
           and
           Trust
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Ground
           of
           Commerce
           .
           They
           would
           make
           all
           
             Publick
             Pacts
          
           and
           Covenants
           of
           none
           effect
           ,
           by
           removing
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           ties
           Men
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           their
           Words
           and
           
           Promises
           ;
           when
           Interest
           ,
           join'd
           with
           Power
           ,
           commands
           all
           Men
           that
           have
           no
           Religion
           to
           be
           no
           longer
           Slaves
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           Atheism
           supplants
           all
           Laws
           ,
           by
           invalidating
           the
           belief
           of
           all
           Evidences
           and
           Oaths
           .
           What
           judicial
           proceeding
           can
           there
           be
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           Mens
           Persons
           and
           Properties
           without
           Witnesses
           ?
           And
           how
           can
           an
           Atheist
           ,
           a
           false
           Man
           ,
           be
           a
           faithful
           Witness
           ?
           What
           a
           Mockery
           is
           his
           
             deposing
             upon
             a
             Gospel
          
           ,
           which
           he
           does
           not
           believe
           ?
           Or
           his
           
             taking
             up
             the
             Name
             of
             a
             Deity
             ,
          
           of
           which
           he
           says
           ,
           as
           St.
           Paul
           of
           an
           
             Idol
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             Nothing
             ?
          
        
         
           By
           reason
           of
           
             Atheists
             the
             Land
             mourns
          
           ;
           they
           are
           the
           greatest
           Enemies
           of
           it
           .
           And
           if
           (
           which
           God
           avert
           )
           it
           should
           ever
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           not
           be
           good
           .
           Men
           enough
           to
           ballance
           
           their
           Impiety
           ,
           we
           should
           soon
           become
           a
           Desolation
           .
        
         
           Pray
           we
           therefore
           to
           the
           Lord
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Arise
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             maintain
             thine
             own
             Cause
             ;
             remember
             how
             the
             foolish
             Man
             blasphemeth
             thee
             daily
             .
          
        
         
           And
           ,
           
             to
             this
             King
             Eternal
             ,
             Immortal
             ,
             Invisible
             ,
             to
             the
             only
             Wise
             God
             ,
          
           let
           us
           give
           from
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           
             Glory
             and
             Honour
             ,
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A64373-e160
           
             Decam
             .
             Physiolog
             .
             p.
             130
             ,
             131
             
          
           
             ⸪
             Lucret.
             l.
             1.
             
             Humana
             ante
             ocules
             faedè
             cum
             vita
             jaceret
             in
             terris
             oppressa
             gravi
             sub
             Rellig
             one
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             a
             Bythn
             .
          
           
             *
             Tarq.
             fatuus
             ,
             insanus
             .
          
           
             *
             Acts
             4.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             10.
             4.
             
          
           
             Luke
             18.
             5.
             
          
           
             Gen.
             6.
             11
             ,
             12.